Wednesday, May 23, 2018

life observed


Hi everyone, I am here today to share a masculine card I created, that was inspired by Elton John's "Your Song." There are a number of challenges this month that are based on music; as I was working on an idea I had for manipulating the Tim Holtz vintage globe die, to use on a birthday card for a very special man, this Elton John song kept repeating in my head. I have to admit, I am a music lover, any and all types can grab my attention. It's as common to find me listening to BB King or Patsy Cline as it would be Skrillex, Martin Garrix, U2 or Pearl Jam. I don't; however, often listen to Elton - the fact that this song was constantly on my mind, was how I knew the direction this piece was going to take.
My initial intent was to create a three-dimensional surface on the globe, that would be held by a "metal" axis and armillary. To create this, I die cut the globe multiple times out of a heavy weight multi media paper. On one of the globes, I used texture paste to create "topography" on the areas representing land  within the globe. Once dry this paste was colored with various distress inks to accentuate the highs and lows. These pieces were carefully cut out to be adhered to the final globe construction. On a different globe, I inked the areas, designated as water, lightly with iced spruce distress ink and coated them with fractured ice embossing powder. This was melted with a heat gun and set aside to cool. Using an exact-o knife, I carefully cut out the "water" areas and "inlaid" these onto the globe that had the land masses. I removed the axis and base from another die cut and heat embossed it with Emerald Creek charred gold embossing powder (a long time favorite of mine.)
These pieces were then adhered to a full die cut. This globe is the focal point of my card cover.
I coated one of the new paper dolls, with embossing ink and sprinkled it with vintage beeswax Baked Texture. This step was repeated 3 times to give it a rich, vintage look.  The vintage boy rests seemingly on the armillary.
Next, I set out to create the perfect background for my centerpiece. I was fortunate recently to be the lucky winner of a Frilly and Funkie challenge hosted by the Funkie Junkie Boutique. I was able to use my "winnings" to acquire some of the newest release of distress oxide inks. What a wonderful addition of colors to my palette! I am so grateful for this prize. I layered aged mahogany, forest moss, tattered rose and bundled sage distress oxides onto a large sheet of bristol. When I was happy with the results, I flicked distress resist spray onto the background and coated it with more of the charred gold powder. Once the resist spray had dried, I heat set the embossing powder. This piece was cut to an 8" square. Using the lattice pattern from mixed media dies, I cut the bottom corner.  In the upper right corner, I used a coordinating stencil to layer the lattice pattern onto the background with forest moss distress oxide. Using a brayer I coated a script stamp with antique linen distress paint and randomly stamped the background. I inked all the edges with forest moss distress ink.
The inked panel was layered over a piece of heavyweight dark green card, which was then layered over a piece of card embossed all around the edges with charred gold. All three of of these layers sit above a piece of chipboard covered with burlap. 
The wording on the panel was selected from my stash of bits and pieces. The "how" industrious stickers were colored with botanical alcohol ink; "wonderful" was die cut from alphanumeric dies; "life is" was created with alpha tiles; "that" uses label letters;  "you're" are vintage scrabble pieces; "in my" is a portion of a quote chip, and the "world" letters are typography pieces that were painted with antique linen distress paint and inked with forest moss distress ink.  
I realize that the wording of my card does not exactly match with the song lyrics:" how wonderful life is while you're in the world" but I feel that my version works perfectly for the purpose of the card.
 Once the panel was complete I adhered it to a square, heavyweight card base I cut from bristol board. I hope that the recipient realizes how much it means to me that they're in my life. 
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by the blog. 
I wish you a day filled with creativity!
~Ann 

I am entering this in: 
Emerald Creek Dares: Guy Style 
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Inspired By A Song
A Vintage Journey: Words and Music

  

24 comments:

Freddie Bubblescrap Sleijpen said...

This is so cool I can hardly stand it! I need this globe die now and I totally blame you! A masterpiece my friend!!!!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Love how,you added texture to your globe and gorgeous backdrop too. I love how you showcased the Paper Doll. Tracy ❤️❤️

Two Mad Dahlias said...

This is so cool. I love all of the layers. Great details.

ann barnes said...

Thanks so much Freddie, that means the world to me! If you do end up getting this die, I bet you will create magic with it! Thank you for stopping by and leaving some love! hugs, Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thanks Tracy, the globe was my favorite part of the piece! Thank you so much for checking it out and brightening my day with your lovely comment! hugs. ~Ann

ann barnes said...

Thanks Jess! It was definitely a fun one! hugs my friend. ~Ann

Words and Pictures said...

Wow - your globe looks completely fantastic - the Fractured Ice makes for a magical ocean, and I love the metallic frame. All the different lettering is such fun too. An altogether brilliant card, inspired by a lovely song. Thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey.
Alison x

ann barnes said...

Thank you Alison! I couldn't resist creating something inspired by an actual song for your challenge! I really appreciate your kind words! Thank you. hugs, Ann

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

You are the queen of texture and I love all the different elements and techniques you used on this card. The background is especially stunning. I also enjoyed reading about your musical preferences and could really relate. I liked the song you chose and think it's amazing that you took that inspiration and created such a remarkable creation. Thank you so much for your continued support of our Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenges. I always look forward to your entries.

sarascloset said...

Ann, I have NEVER seen this globe look better! I am astounded by your creativity and ability to texturize this die cut to perfection! I am so going to follow your tutorial and see how it comes out for me, just for fun! And you know i am a big fan of the paper dolls--this little guy looks great in his Vintage Beeswax, and again, I'm going to 'steal' your idea! Clever to use the resist as an embossing agent. I also love your choice of song and how you adapted it to fit your needs.(It will be stuck there in my noggin all day!) I enjoyed reading of your musical preferences, and I am on the same page, except I am a big fan of Elton John's music. PS I am super happy you've used your FJB prize in this manner! Lucky us! Hugs!

Anna-Karin said...

Wow, this is a fantastic card Ann! I love the look of the globe and all the different types of lettering that you used. Just gorgeous. You are the lucky winner of our gift voucher for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog, Inspired By A Song challenge. Congratulations!! Please send an email to the challenge email adress (you can find it in the sidebar of the blog), and make sure to include your full name so that we can get your voucher to you. Happy shopping and thank you so much for joining us!! / Anna-Karin

ann barnes said...

Thank you so much Anna-Karin! Your comment made me smile, I loved searching through my alphas to find all the different fonts! I am so excited to hear this great news. I really enjoyed creating for this challenge, I loved the theme! Thank you for visiting my blog. ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, it means a lot to me! I loved creating for this challenge it was such a fun theme and there were so many creative ways that it was interpreted in! I really appreciate you taking time to visit the blog. ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Sara Emily, super excited to hear you are going to make a globe, I hope I get to see the results! You are so sweet to check out the blog and your comments always brighten my day! I do like Elton John, just not one I would happen to listen to in my repertoire, he is definitely an excellent and timeless musician :) BTW I went back and forth about how to use my prize and ultimately decided I should get something that I would use all the time instead of a one time splurge...which was a HUGE temptation, there are just so many fabulous things to choose from! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit, it means the world to me! hugs to you! ~Ann xx

HMax said...

Ann, what a beautiful card! Someone will know how much he is loved. :) So many wonderful details in here, my favorite being the vintage beeswax over the paper doll. I think I will use that next time I use one of those dolls, perfect! Really great work! ~Heather

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh wow Ann! There are so many awesome details on this project and I am so enjoying soaking them up! Sorry for the late visit, but I'm struggling these days... I wanted to congratulate you on your win at SSS! What a haul! Have fun shopping. You really deserved this and I'm thrilled for you. Big hugs, Autumn

ann barnes said...

Thanks Autumn, and I am just so glad that you stopped by! Its that time of year when everything seems to be happening and/or due! I really appreciate your kind comment. I am feeling very fortunate. hugs to you ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thanks Heather! I love the look of the vintage beeswax over the dolls, it adds a little something more. Thank you for stopping by, it really means a lot to me. ~Ann xx

Julia Aston said...

What a great masculine design for your card Ann! Love all the embossings and the way that little guy fits perfectly leaning against your awesome globe! thanks for sharing with us at A Vintage Journey! Julia xx

ann barnes said...

Thanks so much Julia, this was such a fun one to make and I really appreciate you taking the time to visit my blog. ~Ann xx

sarascloset said...

Yippeee! I am THRILLED to see you are the winner of the shopping spree at SSS! You are so deserving! Have fun shopping! Hugs!

ann barnes said...

Thanks so much Sara Emily, I feel so fortunate, and am looking forward to getting some supplies! hugs to you!

Jackie PN said...

Outstanding!!!!! And Ann, I am thrilled beyond thrilled that you share the details of how you create! More artists need to do so!
Your "Global" texture totally excites me- it is gorgeous!So well done ,my friend!

I did not know about your win till I read Sara's comment- woo hoo Congratulations to you! I must go have a look! Have fun shopping!
sending hugs,Jackie xx

ann barnes said...

Thanks Jackie, I love sharing how I do things, because in my mind, its completely do-able! I think given the right instructions and a bit of play time, we can all be creators... I did so love how that globe idea worked out (they don't always work out how we think...lol) Thank you for taking time to visit and for leaving your wonderful comments, they mean a lot to me! ~Ann xx