Steampunk Birdhouse

Happy New Year!

Hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and are all ready for a New Crafty Year!

    At Our Creative Corner we want you to use your 'Shopping Sins' -  Hop over to Our Creative Corner where Claudia will explain all the details about her wonderful challenge!

      I spent last year collecting Tim Holtz Idea-ology. Some of them I did manage to use, but some just looked so gorgeous in the packets that I couldn't bear to open them.....I seemed to be just waiting for the right project to come along to use these precious embellishments, but each time I would put them back unopened thinking - "Maybe next time".......

     Even as I took this photo I was trying to decide what to use and what to continue hoarding....I decided (reluctantly) to open the foliage and the charms.....eventually the transfers found their way onto the project too!

  

 I decided I had to make a Steampunk creation because this is Claudia's challenge. I chose a bird house that was gathering dust on the shelf. I had just treated myself to some Decoart Paints - Transparent Red Oxide, Quinacridone Gold and Turquoise. This was my colour scheme - rusty orange and brown with hints of blue.

     I started by covering the birdhouse with gesso and when that was dry I covered the roof with Chocolate Pudding Fresco paint which was then covered in crackle glaze.

    Snow flake paint was applied over the crackle glaze and the cracks started to form. When dry I began to stencil clocks and gears around the walls with texture paste.........

 ........and some of the Mini Antiquities text over the roof.

With all the base done I then began to build up layers of the gorgeous transparent paints....starting with Quinacridone Gold I applied a layer very messily - allowing brushstrokes to show.

     Then I began building up depth of colour adding the Transparent Red Oxide and also Chocolate Pudding Fresco paint.

    When this was dry I began to dry brush some Turquoise paint and also dabbing some paint through various stencils and dabbing stamps with turquoise as well. I also stamped with gesso, applying The Quinacridone Gold over the top. I also added a script stamp with Potting Soil Archival ink.

I spritzed the bird house with Melted Chocolate Dylusions spray to add a rustic speckled look

The Idea-ology gears, foliage and charms were added after being given a totally grunge makeover with paints and inks. Each was finished off with a dry brushing of Turquoise. Some rusty embellishments left over from my Steampunk Christmas tree were added along with mini watch parts and of course, my favourite rusty wire.

         
         I added some of the transfers as well......

     The final touch - the bird from the charm set was attached to the top of the bird house after being given a painty makeover....The photo doesn't do it justice here...after being painted I brushed the bird very lightly with Treasure Gold in White Fire with a very soft brush...it gave it a lovely iridescent style sheen....some curled rusty wire was added here too...

   I Hope you have enjoyed this Steampunk Birdhouse! Come on over to Our Creative Corner to see what else my talented team have made for you! Why not have a hunt around and see what treasures you have stored away and use them! Join in the challenge this month and you could be our Top Talent winner, or one of our Top 3. You could even receive a wonderful 'Crafty Individuals' prize!