Tuesday, February 8, 2011

COMPENDIUM OF CURIOUSITIES CHALLENGE #31 - RUSTED ENAMEL

I can't believe it's already Challenge #31! This one was ALOT of fun to do!  I won't give away the technique of doing the Rusted Enamel.  You'll have to check out Tim Holtz' Compendium Of Curiousities book, page number 41 to figure that one out! But, I CAN tell you how I did the rest of the tag.
I used Tumbled Glass, Frayed Burlap and Walnut Stain Distress Inks to distress the tag. The stamps I've used on this tag are primarily from an Oxford Impressions set called "Steampunk Works". I LOVE the detail of these stamps! Check out the bird...his wings are measuring tapes! So cute!

I stamped a couple of designs right onto the tag after I did the Rusted Enamel technique.  The rest of the images were stamped onto an old manilla folder using black Archival ink. Then I inked them with Vintage Photo Distress Ink for that real vintage look. I cut out the center of the round frame style of stamp so that I could add a vintage picture. I chose a mustached man from Tim Holtz' Distressables and DooDads-Wings and Things #2. But, before I glued the man in place, I used a piece of plastic packaging from one of my MANY Tim products to make a little "glass" cover over the picture. It's cool when you hold the tag in the light because you can see the reflection of the "glass". I made my own STEAMPUNK "metal" tab out of the same manilla folder. I heat embossed it with copper embossing powder and then lightly distressed it with Black Soot Distress Ink. I used that same technique on the wind up key in the bird's back. Before putting STEAMPUNK in place, I put a piece of plastic over the opening, just like I had done on the vintage picture.  Finally, I stamped one of Tim Holtz' blank tickets from his 100th Collections-Odds and Ends stamp set. I heat embossed ART with copper embossing powder in the center of the ticket and stuck it into place with one of Tim Holtz' Memo Pins from his Ideaology line.
I pop dotted the mustached man's image and the steampunk bird for more of a 3D effect. And what's a steampunk tag without metal embellishments? I added a few of Tim Holtz' wonderful metal pieces from his Foliage and Sprockets and Gears Ideaology line. A little ball chain adds extra interest as it goes in and out of some of the elements on the tag. Finally, I colorized and distressed some Hug Snug seam tape and attached it to the top of the tag.  
It's COLD outside and more snow is on the way! What a good time to stay indoors and PLAY! Take some time to explore your imagination and see what you can conjure up! You may really surprise youself! 

23 comments:

  1. Thanks Shirley! I appreciate your comment so much! I loved these colors, too! LOVE the teals with black and vintage browns....with the metal embellishments! :)

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  2. Hi Candy, I just wanted to commend you on the wonderful job you did in describing how you created your beautiful tag. As I was reading, I kept thinking every feature was my favorite, and then read on to my next new favorite. You are very talented, and I will be spending more time looking over your blog.

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  3. Terrific enamel and a fabulous tag Candy, so much to look at and enjoy. Annette x

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  4. amazing tag,
    love the colours,
    Kat.

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  5. Thanks, Kat. I LOVE copper with teal. It's one of my favorite combinations...but I also love teal with the sepia tones of vintage photo...and black...well, it's always striking! :)

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  6. Aw...thanks, Netty. You're always so positive! I LOVE your work! I've been by your blog a time or two today. :)

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  7. Wow Linda! Thank you so much for such a nice post! I am so glad that you enjoyed reading the instructions. I think posting how to do things is important ... especially when it's challenges where people can really share ideas and techniques. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I truly appreciate it!

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  8. Candy, this is magnificent! Your rusted enamel is just perfect, and those colors are GORGEOUS! I love the images you chose, and the way you've designed all the details is ingenious! The glass over the frame, the faux metal "steampunk" tab, the "Art" ticket-- every little embellishment is so well thought out and brilliantly applied. You ROCKED this, girlfriend!

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  9. This is an awesome creation, Candy! All the elements are so wonderful, and the steampunk theme goes so well with the Rusted Enamel tech!

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  10. Wonderful enamel and I just love everything about this tag! It is such funky fun! I really have to try the steampunk thing!

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  11. Hi Kathy! This was my first attempt at Steampunk...it was fun! I can't believe how easily it just fell together. I think I may have to do more of it. :)

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  12. Thanks Lori! When I saw the technique was rusted enamel, I thought I would try my hand at steampunk. I had just gotten the new stamps and really wanted to use them. So, it really did turn out to be a good "fit".

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  13. Wow Linda! YOU made my day! THANK YOU so much for your very sweet, inspiring comments! You have no idea how much that encourages me to keep playing! :) This was my first attempt at steampunk and I must say, I really had a good time with it.

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  14. Hey Susan...THANKS!!! I appreciate your comment! :)

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  15. FAbulous tag!!! Love that bird he is just awesome.

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  16. Thank you so much Marlene! :) I am so glad you like the tag. I love the bird, too!

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  17. Hi Julie! Hey, thanks so much for checking out my blog! And thank you for all of the kind words! Aren't these challenges fun? I love doing them because they help you keep using techniques that you sometimes forget about. :) I have never done the steampunk stuff before ... but it was fun!

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  18. This tag is sooo cool. I love it.

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  19. Wendy - This was my first attempt at something steampunk and it was FUN! I love the rusted enamel technique, too. Very cool feel to the tag. Thanks for leaving a comment! They mean a lot to me.

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  20. Very wonderful tag. I love the colors you used and your steampunk elements.

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  21. Thank you Donna, for the kind words and stopping by my blog! I appreciate your comment very much! :)

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I am so happy that you stopped by my blog! I truly appreciate your time and thank you for leaving a comment! Have a wonderfully blessed day!