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...

Wednesday 1 April 2015

Flora and Fauna





Hello all!  It's the first of the month, and time for some new challenges.  I'll be back later in the morning with the new Country View Challenges theme, but right now we'd like to invite you to come and share your Flora and Fauna with us at The Artistic Stamper this month.

I don't need much excuse to get out the Encyclopaedia Botanica stamps designed by Katy Leitch, so there was never much doubt what I'd be reaching for with that theme... and here's the tag I created.

The metallic background is created with my10 Seconds Verday paints - the Copper colour.

You paint on one layer and let it dry, then paint on a second layer.  While that's still wet you spritz it with the patina solution and let the magic happen.






The real copper and verdigris in the background means you have to give the stamped images some oomph to make them pop against it.

I think this angle gives you an idea of the sheen of the copper as well as of the solution to how you get the images to zing.














It's my usual solution... they're stamped in Coffee Archival and then clear-embossed.

(I never tire of this stunning flower.)










That gives them the extra clarity and visibility amidst the coppery accents of the background.










And with the shine you also get my favourite "now you see'em, now you don't" effect!












I also stamped some of the dictionary text from the same set in Evergreen Bough - a shade which echoes the decayed coppery tones of the verdigris - but left that un-embossed.













I used the Verday paints on the Idea-ology WordBand too, as well as on the wire which attaches it.













The metal skeleton leaves have had a touch of Viva Decor 3D Stamp Paint in various colours to match the verdigris look.












It has a really cool shimmer, I think.













More of the wire is wrapped around the dyed seam binding at the top of the tag.  And I added an Idea-ology Muse Token altered with a hint of Treasure Gold.








So that's my Flora and Fauna for you.  I hope you'll come and play along with us at The Artistic Stamper this month.

Remember, we do need to see some stamping on your creation.  You don't have to use Artistic Stamper stamps but if you do you automatically get two entries into the prize draw.

Hope to see you there... and perhaps here again in a few hours too, when I'll be back with the Country View Challenges theme for April.



If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.
Buddha

Animals are such agreeable friends; they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.
George Eliot

14 comments:

Rita said...

Fabulous tag Alison. I do love the colours. Hugs Rita xxx

experiments in paper said...

Wonderful background, Alison...... love the verdigris! And thanks for the tip about clear embossing to give these beautifully detailed stamps their due! xx Lynn

Chrissy said...

Beautiful tag Alison...love those skeletal leaves..the shimmer and colours are gorgeous.

luv CHRISSYxx

maria's knutselplezier said...

Beautiful nature tag, I really love the colours!!

Greetings
Maria

Shirley said...

I love flora and fauna Alison and you do it so well on your tags.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

chrissie said...

Wonderful tag for the theme Alison. Like the metal leaves they bring out the background so well

Love Chrissie xx

massofhair said...

STUNNING Tag Alison, loving the copper against the greens it really is beautiful. you always do flora and fauna so well.

My Viva Decor 3D stamp paints have dried up and can't get them going again, am ready to throw them away but am loathe to do so. Do you know if they can be revived at all? :-) xxx

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous tag Alison, love the colours and the clear embossing really makes a difference.
Avril xx

Dorthe said...

Beautiful with aqua and brown, and the shimmer gives it so much life, Alison. A lovely, lovely tag,dear !
Dorthe, xo

Jackie PN said...

Gorgeous! I never know how to use those leaves...thank you for the inspiration Alison! xx

Deb said...

Gorgeous Alison, the verdigris effect is beautiful!

Kirsten said...

Gorgeous tag, the background is so lovely.

Ruth said...

Do like those stamps, beautiful combination with the colours, loving the shimmer paint, such a light touch, another beautiful tag. Ruth x

Mary Elizabeth said...

Beautiful ... Verday paints ... copper and verdigris some of my favorite words. Such a wonderful backdrop. I'm definitely a big fan of coffee archival ... now with clear embossing. That will most definitely be used in a future project. Stunning in the sunlight. ME