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...

Friday 6 April 2018

Rusty and Crusty






Hello all!  Time for a new challenge at A Vintage Journey and, to my surprise, I've had time to join in with some inspiration for you.

The fabulous Autumn wants to see all things Rusty and Crusty.  I managed to find time to play with my newly arrived Seth Apter Baked Texture powders to create a rusty and crusty tag for you.

There's lots more sensationally decayed inspiration over at A Vintage Journey for you, created by my amazing fellow Creative Guides, so do hop over to take a look.

As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, I really have only had time to play with a few Oxide backgrounds and a couple of half-done journalling pages during my time in New York, but I've pressed one of those backgrounds into service for this brilliant challenge.








I also used some wax paper which came as the wrapping for a bagel I bought - waste not, want not.  The crumpled wax paper forms the base of the rusted strip which is making its way across the tag.













The background started off with some stencilled gesso, and I "printed" the reverse side of the messy stencil onto another tag to give me double playtime.












I then applied my favoured mixture of Distress Inks and Distress Oxides, smooshing and spritzing until I had a grungy look that made me happy.














I love the texture of the gesso and how it resists the Inks but not so much the Oxides.


I think the effect is pretty cool.












I added some stamping detail to my backgrounds, and then there they sat for nearly two months awaiting further time/inspiration.

Autumn's Rusty & Crusty theme in combination with the arrival of the Baked Texture powders was just what I needed to kick me into action.








I tore a strip of the wax paper and applied some of the Chunky Rust powder to it over Potting Soil Archival ink.  I also added some granules of the Rocky Road, a tarry black powder with some shine. 













Once I'd heated a couple of layers of those powders, I wanted a darker look, so I rubbed Ground Espresso Distress Ink over the knobbly texture and added some Clear embossing powder for a bit of shine.












You know that burnished look you sometimes get with rusty surfaces... that's what I was after.  The fibres in the Chunky Rust Baked Texture Powder give it a really crusted look.  It's worth clicking the photo for the close-up view.













Once I was happy with my crusty rust, I darkened the edges of the tag, and then wondered what to do next.















I played around with a couple of alternatives.  I perched this chap on the rusty strip at one point, and I almost wish I'd gone with that, but I decided he was covering too much of my rust.













So instead I went the metallic route with a simple coppery gear wheel and pointer...














... and added this quote by Lao Tzu from my new PaperArtsy EAB08 Strength & Courage plate.














It's stamped in Faded Jeans Distress Oxide to tone in with the splattered grungy background, and I added some Walnut Ink to the edges to make it look as though the word strips are also rusting.













I applied some more clear embossing powder over various brown inks around the edges to give those  a rusty, crusty look too...














... and some simple twine finishes the whole thing off.

I hope my rusty, crusty tag inspires you to come and join us on A Vintage Journey this month.










If you're still in need of more ideas, do check out the amazing creations my fellow Creative Guides are offering up for your delectation.  Rust has never looked so beautiful!

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

Change and decay in all around I see.
From Abide With Me by Henry Francis Lyte



34 comments:

My name is Erika. said...

Great rusty crusty effect. It looks like you attached an old piece of metal to your tag. hugs-Erika

Kate Yetter said...

Oh, I love that crusty section in the middle of the tag. Such a fun tag, Alison.
Kate

Helen said...

fantastic rusty texture! not played much with my texture bakes yet.. this is inspiring me.

Redanne said...

Your backgrounds are always so beautiful and you have just enhanced that tag with the fabulous belt of rusty and crusty texture across it. The chap did look good but he would have covered up a lot of that texture and your words make a wonderful alternative. Love this beauty! Anne xx

Brenda Brown said...

Brilliant Astrid - that rusty strip across the tag is fabulous - I want to reach out and touch it and the whole design looks amazing. Glad you managed to find the time to play with us. Huge hugs xxx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow ! Fabulous colours on the tags! I love the texture you got with those baked textures too! Love the finished tag! Chrisx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Fabulous rusty and crusty effects achieved Alison, what a great idea to create a strip and add it separately. That fine fellow looked dapper sat upon the rust but I adore what you chose as you end piece. I'm sure you will put him to good use. A beautiful tag creation, Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes and much creativity Tracey x

Dorthe said...

How do you create such magic with only a few materials on hand , it is really stunning, and the crusty rust effect is gorgeous, Alison. The background is wonderful with the gesso and inks on top , and love the quote .
Hugs, Dorthe, xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

LOVE the rust and crust! I too struggle with covering up backgrounds...lol! Gent or no gent, it's a fab tab!

Sue said...

I think this is one of my favourite pieces of yours Alison. I love the rust (of course) and also all the other details like the blue stamping and all the fabulous background detail. Have a very happy weekend, Sue xx

Meggymay said...

Its a fabulous tag. Yes the handsome chap did look quite comfortable on the rusty bench, but it does look awesome on your final version of the tag.
Yvonne xx

Paper Profusion said...

Ha! I can relate to that quote at the moment!! This is scrummily rusty Alison! Good choice in letting your rust take precedence over that chap. Hope all is going really well for you. I think you are still in NYC! Have a lovely weekend. Nicola x

Amanda said...

Love the band of rust, so glad you managed to do some baking
Love
Amanda x

Julia Aston said...

Love your rusty strip running across the beautiful background on your tag Alison! I agree that the vintage guy looks awesome sitting on the strip! but the gear looks nice too! Julia xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful tag! That rusty strip on the wax paper looks fantastic, great combo of those baked textures!! Like Julia above I too loved the guy sitting on the strip, but like you say the metal elements leave more space to do justice to that wonderful strip. And hey as you did two background tags to start with, there is always the option of doing a second one (and enjoying another bagel ;o) )

Dortesjs said...

Absolutely gorgeous

Craftyfield said...

The Rusty Baked Texture looks awesome and so different with the fibres! Fabulous tag, distressed, grunged up and aged to perfection Alison!

Deb said...

Gorgeous backgrounds Alison and your rusted wax paper strip is amazing (and way to use all the possible resources at your fingertips!). Love your colour palette and always and what a wonderful quote, it looks lovely stamped with the Oxides and edged with the walnut stain. Thanks so much for sharing it, Deb xo

Seth said...

Such a gorgeous tag Alison. That background is beautiful and the rusty touches are calling my name,

froebelsternchen said...

Ih wow... that is fantastic! Such effects! You are amazing with your art Alison!

Annie said...

Great background details on your tag Alison and I love that rusty section.........amazing texture. The young chap looks right at home sitting there with the gear aptly placed

Sending you my best wishes
Annie x

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous tag and the crusty rust looks amazing.
Avril xx

Evelyn Walter said...

So very yummy rusty crusty, dear Alison! With the Rust Baked Texture Powder you created an amazing rust effect. Love your background too!
Have a good week ahead!
Evelyn xx

Lys said...

An amazing tag so rich in textures, and this rusty piece is fabulous! I love the layers of the background and how the tag took its time to be born in your hands.

A Pink said...

Fabulous tag, Alison . Love the gesso/ DOX resist and your baked rusty wax paper wrap is absolutely delicious! LOVE the quote !
Hugs x

Fliss said...

Hi Alison, playing catch up due to not being around much (family issues!) and really love this and strangely enough, I got my baked textures on Saturday and made something a little similar to yours!
Love the textured areas on there and the background behing is just gorgeous.
Fliss xx

Nikki Acton said...

Wax paper rust! I love this - so effective. Still havent got Chunky Rust - but now I am tempted! Wonderful design and detail as always Nikki xxx

sarascloset said...

Who'da thought you could make rust on wax paper! But this is some of the most realistic rust I've seen! I love your background, and it was great fun to see it come together! Fantabulous tag, and I really like the man sitting on the strip; I think he quite adds to, rather than takes away from the effect. Sending hugs!

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh my gosh Alison, how I love this background and that yummy stripe of rust! Wow, so much incredible layering and texture. I'm fond of the gent sitting on the rust, so maybe try again and develop a second tag. They would both be incredible. Big hugs, Autumn

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Love the crusty bit. You certainly are so creative mixing and matching things. I rather liked the chap sitting on the rust.

Carol said...

Great tag - I love all the yummy layers and the waxy paper made to look like flakey. rusted metal is awesome xx

sarascloset said...

Alison, I am so happy to see this beautiful rusted tag featured on Seth's page! Well done, you! Hugs!

rachel said...

Love these baked textures - only just got hold of some - I love your make - so many layers and beautiful colours! xx

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what an amazing tag! I love the rust texture powder you used and the blue colour that you added compliments the rust beautifully - perfect 😀. Thanks for the inspiration and wishing you a Happy Weekend! J 😊