Wednesday 1 January 2014

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!

            

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16 comments:

  1. A wonderful make Laura and what fantastic use of those hoarded goodies! I love the colours you have chosen, that bright blue with the terracotta brown make such a great combination, love it!

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  2. Sooo brilliant! You have created the perfect place for the lovely bird, Laura!
    And I know exactly how hard it is to break open idea-ology stuff *lol. LOVE your gorgeous bird house!

    Hugs,
    Claudia x

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  3. Lovely use of the paints... they're great aren't they?!
    Axx

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  4. What a wonderful way to use these long hoarded items Laura. Love the layering of paint and aged feel to this. Wishing you and the family a wonderful 2014. Much love, Jenny x

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  5. Ooh! This is fantastic! Wonderful colours, texture and all that Idealogy: it looks marvellous out of those packets and part of your art work! I must check out if I've anything squirreled away that I can't bear to use! I bet I have, as I am such a magpie! Happy New Year Laura. Thanks for all you shared in 2013. Julie Ann xx

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  6. Happy New Year to you and your family Laura!
    I love the way you've transformed your little bird house. So many gorgeous layers and techniques which work brilliantly together. I forced myself not to use paint as a main medium this time and it was very difficult - you know how much I love DecoArt Traditions paints too! The image showing the speckled, dry brushed flower is my absolute favourite - perhaps I need some of those now!!
    I have a few pieces of Idea-ology and like you, I tend to look at it and then put it away but you made exactly the right choice in breaking it open for this project.
    Well done for all your hard work with OCC - it's a pleasure to be on your team.
    Hugs, Juliaxxx

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  7. Very pretty! I love the colours.

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  8. Very cool birdhouse! Wonderful colours and textures!
    Using precious hoarded goodies is not easy, I know, but what a fab result!

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  9. A breathtaking house, gorgeous colors and texture. Wishing you a happy, healthy and creative year 2014.

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  10. Amazing! Love how you built up layer over layer of paints and embossing. There is just so much to delight the eye here. Beautiful color palette too. I did get a great chuckle out of all those unopened Idea-ology packages :) Wishing you all the best of the best in 2014, good health, much love and plenty of crafty time!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  11. Beautiful! I'm really loving the color and textures! I'm a birder too - so this is hitting on all cylinders for me!!

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  12. Wow this bird house is amazing! I can tell you put a lot of work and love in to it!

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  13. What a COOL birdhouse! Love the industrial elements! Happy new year to you, and may it bring you many blessings of health and happiness!

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  14. Love everything about this. The textures. The colours. Love it....

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  15. Totally stunning! This is one awesome creation.

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  16. Wonderful Laura - I love birdhouses and this is really fabulous!!
    Sandy xx

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