I wanted to make an special card for a friend’s birthday. When I saw the challenge at Linda Ledbetter blog it was my inspiration. I love the faux glass technique created by Tim Holtz in his book, The Compendium Of Curiosities 3. There are some amazing prizes from Tim and Mario plus Funkie Junkie are the sponsors this month.

I decided to have a message in a bottle at the bottom of the sea. (Now I have the Police song going round in my head!)

I used some canvas paper and used crackle paste with my new favourite stencil, flourishes. It didn’t look much until I used different Distress Stains and inks and then the crackles really showed up. Brenda Brown used this technique on a canvas I and I loved it so thought I would incorporate the idea. I die cut a tag and scuffed the edges of the canvas.

I used Tim’s technique to create the faux glass effect on my bottle. You will need your own copy of his book to find the instructions. I used various colours of alcohol ink and then dripped blending solution on top to drive colours into the cracks. I was pleased with how it turned out because I wanted it to look as if algae was growing around the bottle.

The message to go inside was a TH stamp, I used Black Archival ink and then tore it out, scrumpled it up then inked with DI Vintage and Pumice Stone. The note went into the bottle and got corked inside.

I wanted some sea creatures and tried various options of embossing, inking the stamps but nothing looked right! So decided to use Shrink Plastic. I stamped with archival onto white, then coloured with aqua pencil crayons before heating. You can see how much they changed size as the sea horse has yet to be shrunk.

I clipped them onto a swivel chain at different heights, don’t forget to punch a hole before you shrink!
I added some seaweed, die cut using Tattered Pinecone leaves from coordinations paper which I sanded.

The ribbon was the finishing touch. I used Distress markers to colour stripes, sprayed water then dried with a heat gun. I think I saw Tammy Tutterow use this technique on her blog.

I tied some twine around the bottle neck, glued on some shells and added a Big Chat sticker. I hope my friend with enjoy finding the message!

I am also entering the tag into the Celebrations challenge at A Vintage Journey blog. I was inspired by the faux glass technique and have used mainly Tim Holtz products, stamps, inks, stains and embellishments.

Wish me luck!

Hugs
Jan x

Welcome to our June Challenge at The Mirror Crack’d.

Our theme for this month is to create a Shadow Box.

Our host is the talented Shilpa, and she will be choosing our Winner and Top 5.

We are thrilled to be sponsored by………

With a prize of £12.00 to spend at your favourite Woodware Stockist, either in store or on line.

Woodware are a Yorkshire based family owned business, as well as distributing Dreamweaver Stencils and Stampendous Stamps we have a wonderful range of stamps designed for us by Francoise Read and Jane Gill. They also scour the world for new and innovative products for the crafty card maker, and have a great range of punches and tools of the trade, to find stockists in your area or to see the range visit the website www.woodware.co.uk.

I began the shadow box with a reversed canvas which I painted black.

Then the fun began! I used Grunge Paste, Deco art Textured sand paste and embedded all sorts of collected bits and pieces. I had some Tim Holltz cogs, Prima Mechanicals, bottle tops and bits from my friends garage floor. I also glued on tiny glass beads.

The metal was dabbed with white and green paint and distressed or painted black. Then the Treasure Gold gilding wax came out, it highlighted all the different textures.

I cut a piece of smooth card to fit the recess then randomly stamped Tim Holtz Steampunk set in black archival ink and clear heat embossed over the top before the ink dried. I stamped the men on a separate sheet and fussy cut them out. The background was Distress Inked using Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean and Mustard Seed. I added torn tissue tape to create some more texture on the background. The men were distressed with Vintage Photoand raised on foam squares. The die cut cogs were embossed with Vintage Photo Distress embossing powder and then tucked under the frame. I added some metal cogs to enhance the industrial feel.

I really enjoy making shadow boxes and love the 3D effects using texture pastes and embellishments. I hope you have been inspired to have a go, I am looking forward to seeing your entry!

I am entering the Ravages of Time challenge over at SanDee and Amelie’s blog, some luscious prizes to be won!
Hugs

Jan x