Grungy Goodness: An altered paintbrush (Super pic heavy :) )

I made an altered paintbrush back in April for a paintbrush swap.  I had quite a bit of fun doing it.  For another swap on the CMB, my partner had requested an altered paint brush because she had really liked the one I had made.

Have you ever made something, and then attempt to go back and replicate it and don't quite have the same luck?  I was feeling that way in the beginning.  For my first brush, I had one in my stash that I used.  After that swap, I had picked up a few from the dollar store.  I was able to take of the metal piece easily so that I could pull out the brush block.  The problem came in putting the metal piece back on.  I tried for about an hour one evening and then an hour the next.  I had gotten it on, but the seam was all mangled and I was crushed.  I didn't want to send something looking like that. 

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get so committed to plan a, that I forget there is always a plan b, c, d, e..... and so on.  I had glanced over on my craft desk and saw a piece of grunge board and all kinds of things just went off in my head.  I had found my answer.  I cut the piece down to the size of the piece I took off.  I embossed it and painted it with gesso along with the handle. Rusted both  and then rubbed a little black ink over the embossed areas.  heat embossed a script stamp with ultra fine embossing powder on both pieces.  Heat embossed with chunky powder on the top and bottom of the faux metal piece then adhered the two together.  I am really pleased with the results.

 

 

Don't forget about the blog candy give away here for your chance to win.

Happy 4th

Happy Independence Day!!!! Here is a little  patriotic atc I made.  Not traditional, but not my usual grunge. Even for simple projects don't forget the details.  Inked edges, layered cardstock, and some bling.  For my grunge/steampunk lovers I will be posting a project I love soon.

Patriotic Wall Hanging

We live in such a great country.  Time to get a little patriotic.  Using the Tim Holtz rosette die (my most used). 

A project revisited

I had made a little 6x6 mock canvas a while back.  I love doing these because you use chipboard as a base instead of a canvas.  So I bought a 25 pack of chipboard for $9, you can get a 100 canvases out of one pack.  That comes out to .09 cents a canvas..... woot woot.   It gives a chance to play and practice with techniques and styles without having to spend a fortune.

I went crazy on this one adding all kinds of paints and textures as well as some stamping.  I love the look of the black stamping.  It doesn't have to be "clear" so to speak for the overall design.  I just love the pops of black against the blue.  There is red, whites, and blues in this canvas so I pulled it out to alter further for a red, white, and blue swap.  It doesn't all have to be patriotic themed.  My partner is very interested in mixed media and different techniques.  So I thought she would appreciate this.

I added some color to the metals with viva décor inka gold in copper and then backed it and put another hanger on it. (The hanger is tucked behind the canvas in this picture)  I customize my own hangers by using twine and the viva décor along with some distress ink to give it more of a metallic look.

If you are not familiar with it, the stuff at the bottom of the canvas are mica flakes by Stampendous.  I used tarnished flakes.  I love this brand because the flakes are so large and beautiful.  It really catches the light and adds texture to the project.

Another little love of mine is the metal mesh behind the left wing. I found that at Michael's in the wedding section.  It a soft metallic mesh. It looks like metal on the projects, it is flexible, easy to use and adhere, it light weight and just way easier to work with than regular metal mesh for most things.  Also - huge roll $12.99 then you can use a 40% off coupon on it for further savings.

grab some chip and experiment. 

 

Here is the one with a picture of my hanger. The image I used was from the G45 Steampunk Debutante collection.

Don't forget to check out the blog candy post from earlier in the week if you haven't signed up yet. 

Book of Secrets

I love learning new techniques.  I was so excited in January to take an online workshop Book Of Secrets from Andy Skinner.  This man is amazing.  In preparation, I purchased all my paints, supplies, and box.  Then I got really sick during the time of the workshop and didn't make the box.  I saved the directions and there it sat staring at me for the last six months.  Finally, I decided I was going to do it - with my own spin of course.  I don't like to do an exact copy of someone else's work.  Must put my own spin on it.

As I started doing the box, the techniques were much easier than I thought and I just love the results.  I am kicking myself for waiting so long to try this.

Top/Front of the book box

 Spine - I decided to do my own technique for the spine and I love the texture on it.

 Back/Bottom of the box

Inside of the box  

 

 Check out yesterday's post if you haven 't already to enter for the chance at some blog candy.

 

Blog Candy - Woot Woot

I am going to be giving away some blog candy here on July 31st.  All you have to do to enter is to become a follower or be a current follower and to leave a comment on this thread.  I will fill a medium flat rate box full of fun goodies (guaranteed there will be a lot of Timmy in there).  I will  send out a second smaller prize if I get to at least 100 followers by the the 31st.  Woot Woot!

I will be having a few projects to post in the next couple of weeks as well.

Not so Junky - Junk Journal

ScrappyDew was hosting a junk journal swap on the cmb.  My partner loves the Asian theme.  It is hard to go all junky with such beautiful papers.  I created 5 sections in the book with tabs.  I filled each section with various sized pattern paper, pockets, tags, envelopes, notebook paper, and graph paper.