I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Saturday 26 October 2013

Keeping time...

Hello everyone!  Hope you're all having a great weekend.  It's catch-up time here at Words and Pictures (and yes, I'm still trying to do some catching up with all of you too) with a piece I made as a Guest Design piece for the Calico Crafts blog in June.  At the time, I pretty much just showed the finished project, but promised some more process photos in due course... well, here they are.

If I remember rightly, I spent much of the making of this not being sure about it, and wondering where the heck it was going, but ended up fairly happy.  I hope you like it!


It grew into being a piece about what we hold on to, what we preserve in the face of time's onward march, how we keep hold of memories and mementos... with a play on the words "Keep Time" - about a clock keeping good time, and also how we try to keep hold of time, not letting it run away from us too quickly.





I started with one of the little specimen trays, but did away with the sliding lid...










... or rather, did away with the acetate and glued the extra bit of frame into place.















I layered up DecoArt paint and crackle glaze... 












... and more paint...













I lined the rear wall with one of Calico's large vintage collage sheets.  These are amazing - really huge and great quality.




Although I liked the weathered paint all over the frame, I decided to go for a papered exterior, to match the rear wall of the interior.  

And I've still got about 2/3 of the sheet left to use!






I added yet more paint, as well as ink and Treasure Gold white fire...














... to create my weathered look on the frame and within the compartments.









I stamped the Kaisercraft Tic Toc texture stamp onto the paper for some extra "time" texture.
















I also stamped it onto the large rusty heart using Coffee Archival ink.













I cut out part of the paper to use in the little round frame from my stash, covering it with Glossy Accents and leaving it to dry overnight.












All the embellishments and doodads have had a touch of Treasure Gold in White Fire so that they all tone in with one another.




I put some of the fabulous Steampunk Watch Parts into a tiny corked vial - how's that for another way of "keeping time".




And there's one of Artemio's Oldies Vintage clock faces, gilded with the Treasure Gold.  I love the antique-y look that gives it.












On the back of the tray, also papered, stamped, inked and gilded, I decided to add the phrase KEEP TIME.

I cut out letters from the scrabble tiles sheet from the Kaisercraft Timeless Classics collection, stuck them onto card, and inked and gilded them. 











Very happy with my homemade scrabble tiles!















I cut the Tim Holtz Weathered Clock out of Grungeboard ready for some hefty treatment. 





The joy of Grungeboard is it will take any amount of paint, medium, texturising and inking without falling apart - in fact, it stays completely flexible throughout - amazing stuff.












I patted on some DecoArt texture paste with my finger tips, so that it would have lots of texture to it. 



Then it got some paint and some gilding, some more paint, some more gilding and some inking until I was happy with the look.











Everything was glued in place using Glossy Accents...




... and the whole thing got a sealing coat of Studio Extra Time Medium.






(It didn't need to be Extra Time, but I'd run out of all the others!)














A final dusting of White Fire Treasure Gold, and we're done!

I had a wonderful time again with the amazing Calico Crafts goodies. Huge thanks to Helen of Calico Crafts, and the fabulous Louise (a.k.a. Zuzu) who co-ordinates the team, for having me back.




Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today.  I'll see you very soon, somewhere out there in Craftyblogland!

How did it get so late so soon? 
It's night before it's afternoon. 
December is here before it's June. 
My goodness how the time has flewn. 
How did it get so late so soon?
Dr. Seuss

Ingredients available from Calico Crafts:
Small Wood Specimen Tray with Sliding Lid
Treasure Gold - White Fire
DecoArt Americana - Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Buttermilk, Whitewash
DecoArt Weathered Wood Crackle Medium
DecoArt Decorating Paste
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Extra Time Medium
Kaisercraft Tic Toc Texture Stamp
Rusty Hearts
Steampunk Watch Parts
Kaisercraft Timeless Classics paper pad
Artemio Oldies Vintage Style Metal Clocks and Cogs
Tim Holtz Grungeboard
Tim Holtz Sprocket Gears
Tim Holtz Corked Vials
Tim Holtz Trinket Pins
Large Vintage Collage Sheet - Postcards (discontinued, but there are lots of other lovely ones)
Antique Ivory Cotton Crochet Lace
Ranger Glossy Accents
From my stash: Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Weathered Clock Die, various embellishments and doodads

49 comments:

barbarayaya62 said...

Fabulous work!!! thanks for your wonderful tutorial!!!! Barbarayaya

Marci said...

Ohh, love it. The clock and the scrabble tiles on the back look so old. Very witty piece and looks like it was found in an old junk shop. I mean that as a compliment!

Brenda Brown said...

Fabulous Alison, I just love looking through your process photos to see all the details, TFS.
hugs {brenda} x0x

maria's knutselplezier said...

Woooow, what an amazing masterpiece, I really, really love it, especially the clock, you made it really look so old and rusty, but olso the rest of the box, this is really wonderfull , I love all details!! Great artistic work!!!

Greetings
Maria

Amanda said...

Great to see the details of what was/is a beautiful piece. I love the whole concept you have used as your inspiration.
Love
Amanda x

Helen said...

I love this, how clever you always are with your makes! Hope it's going to earn a place in your new home.. on display.Have a good weekend.

Claudia N. said...

What a lovely piece, Alison!

Love the softly weathered look you have achieved! And your choice of colours is as always so beautifully done!

Hugs,
Claudia x

mytawnyinspirations said...

Fabulous artwork again Alison. Love the different textures you have created along with the aging processes. Thank you for your step-by steps. They are always so informative and helpful.I've been meaning to ask, what is Treasure Gold? have a great weekend. Cheers, Di

Anonymous said...

Beautiful project Alison, love the aged look you've given all of the embellishments and the frame itself. First time I've come across the word doodads ! Sue C x

Evil Edna said...

beautiful intricate piece.EE

Cocofolies said...

What a gorgeous altered tray Alison, another great project !!! All your embellishments are really beautiful too... Love it. Happy week-end, Hugs Coco xx

brenda said...

C & P still going on here, but wanted to check out your lovely artwork.

Hope you have a good weekend.

B x

Candy C said...

So pretty Alison! Your work is always so beautifully done. This shadow box full of vintage goodness is really lovely. <3 Candy

chrissie said...

Terrific ideas on this Alison. I love the crackle finish you created and the vintage look to the whole piece

Chrissie x

cathylynn said...

Thanks so much for always sharing your process. This is one amazing box. The transformation is remarkable and I love how your really textured that clock face. Another phenomenal job Alison!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Netty said...

Beautiful alteration and love all the trinkets you have added, enjoy the weekend, Annette x

Nan G said...

Loved this before! Thanks for sharing the processes of getting into Time. :)

Unknown said...

Just beautiful!! You put much love and effort into this piece, and it shows in its beautiful, intricate details. Stunning work :)

xErin

Paper Profusion said...

Stunning work Alison. All the elements look fantastic. Hope you are settling in well. Sorry I've not been popping by but 'life' has been occupying me lots recently. Hope to be back in blogland commenting mode v soon. Nicola x

Krisha said...

Awesome project!!

froebelsternchen said...

an amazing assemblage Alsion..wonderful vintage look! wow!

Evelyn Walter said...

Wow, great shadow box! Especialy the clock I like - looks so real rusty.
I browsed through your blog and must say I admire your art.
Wish you a nice weekend.
Evelyn

Dorthe said...

I love it Alison,- the look of worn shabby old,-the crackle and wonderful low colours you used. The clock is just amazing looking. A wonderful piece.
xo,Dorthe

Julia said...

I love those scrabble tiles. Of course I love the whole project, the theme, the crackle and all the interesting bits and pieces but the scrabble tiles as lovely. x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Such a wonderful project, your're really creative.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful piece, I love it. The crackle & the papers are fab.

Jools Robertson said...

Absolutely stunning! Love it!!
The detail is incredible

Hugs

Jools x

Jenny Marples said...

Some great textural ideas as ever Alison. Jenny x

Anonymous said...

We can see the love you put into this GD project - it is beautiful Alison.
Wishes
Lynne

Julie Lee said...

I love the look of this project and the ideas behind it. You have captured exactly what crafting should be all about, to capture precious moments of beauty and quaintness, to see the extraordinary in what we might so easily pass by and to make us stop and catch our breath in wonder. Thank you, Alison. Julie Ann xx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Your altered box looks as an amazing time piece Alison...all those old looking parts have found a great place in it...your scrabble tiles look stunning too

toni said...

I remember this lovely piece. It's always great to see the creative processes you go through to achieve such fabulous work! X

Terry said...

Amazing time piece and love all the rustic effects! Wonderful altered projects! Enjoy the weekend!

Shelby said...

Another amazingly awesome altered item with such cool details.

Shelby

hazel said...

This is an amazing project, I love it.
xxx Hazel.

sam21ski said...

WOW love what you've done with your box and all the different elements you've put inside of it.

Such attention to detail - fabulous

Sam xxx

Sandy said...

Everything you do is so creative Alison and always in good taste. This is very appropriate when one is considering a move and/or making a move. What do I keep - what do I get rid of. Where did the time go!
Sandy

Elly said...

Uuhhh..watching this...it's like honey being poured down my back. (:o)

Lucy Edmondson said...

I love this, Alison. I love the finish you have achieved and the two sides to it. I love the understated elegance as it would be easy to overfill the compartments. A beautiful piece,

Lucy x

craftytrog said...

So many wonderful details Alison! This is such a beautiful project!
Alison xx

Chris said...

Gorgeous Alison and I love all the textural aspects and the fantastic crackle and rust effects., Chris x

Dianne said...

I loooove catch ups,WOW I have seen a lot of these boxes,and they were beautiful, but yours Miss Alison, is GORGEOUS,and they were beautiful, yours has captured my heart,The crackling on it is fantastic,lined with beautiful paper, you have weathered it perfectly,every embellishment is very precious, the back is gorgeous too, I love your homemade scrabble letters, that clock looks fabulous all aged,you have created a cherished timeless piece of art work, thanks for sharing it...

Kezzy said...

Wow wow absolutely gorgeous, when I first saw it I was in love with it. And now still I love and has reminded me of all the bits I have from calico crafts lol. Mojo has ran away so of course I have had to pop in for my usual inspiration from you :-) Kezzy xxx

Kasia said...

Fabulous creation, Alison! Love all those beautiful details :)

Kate Yetter said...

Beautifully done, Alison. I love the crackle finish and the display of lovely pieces!
Kate

Mary Elizabeth said...

First ... let me say how much I enjoy the quotes you put on your blog. Love the words. The ones about time and today's moments have been so great!

Now to your project ... thanks for the details on this one. I can't believe how much the dividers look like old window frames (with multiple coats of paint and worn look of years in the elements). I LOVE the Calico large vintage collage sheets. Wow!!! I can't believe how big that sheet must be. Looks gorgeous in the background and around the outside edges. I love crackle finish too, but the paper really provided impact. And I can't tell you how much I love the finish on the Weathered Clock grungeboard. Gorgeous texture on that!! Looks great with those hand-made scrabble tiles. Definitely need more coffee now. Back in a minute -- Mary Elizabeth

Anna-Karin said...

Another beautiful project Alison! Love your thought process behind this, the finish and all the trinkets you placed in the boxes.

May said...

WOW.....Gorgeous project Alison...Hugs May x x x

Margaret said...

This is fantastic! I especially love the altered scrabble pieces! I thought they were the real things! And you even altered the back so there are two wonderful views!