Wednesday 24 October 2012

Fur Or Feathers At Artful Times. . . .

The latest challenge at Artful Times is to include the theme of either fur or feathers in your work. I chose feathers because I have a number of bird stamps which I could choose from but no animal items!

I decided to make a tag with a vaguely autumnal feel to the background and added colour to the birds to make them stand out. No sentiment was added because quite honestly, I feel that they aren't always necessary.

Here's my tag featuring some Crafty Individuals birds:

The background for the tag was created using foliage stamps and distress inks. The white leaves were stamped with brilliance ink.
Die cut lace was inked in the same colours as the tag. Two layers of clear embossing came next, followed by stamping with brilliance ink whilst the embossing powder was still molten.
The birds were layered onto corrugated card from a box I had. The card board was inked lightly with picket fence distress stain followed by walnut stain ink. Aged gold embossing enamel was then applied to various areas of the card.
Each bird image was stamped with archival ink then coloured with distress inks and a water brush. 
Each bird 'tile' was given holes in opposite corners. Jute twine (love this stuff!) was then attached to the tiles and then to the corrugated card. I wanted to use this natural material to keep in line with the nature theme. Some cream cotton lace was used behind the birds and through the hole at the top of the tag.


Close up to show the background. The fern images were stamped vertically - either the right way up or the wrong way! Water was randomly flicked and dried. The white leaves were stamped in some areas only just to lift the background colours a little and to tie in with the picket fence stain on the corrugated card..
Shorter post from me today but lots of pictures as usual! Hope you've enjoyed looking at my tag.




29 comments:

  1. Just gorgeous, inlove the way yubhave used , coloured and embossed the border, the corrugated card gives fab colour and texture , love the use of the lace too!
    Another fab make! Really yummy! Lve trace x

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  2. I have to agree Julia, some things just don't need words. Love your use of the corrugated too.

    Great tag - Sam xxx

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  3. Ingenious the way you have attached the birds to the corrugated card Juia ! a really super tag for us at Artful Times, thank you
    Von ♥

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  4. Julia, this is quite stunning, from the embossed corrugated card (love doing that), to the interesting way of attaching the birds, to the beautiful lace. The whole tag is delightful. I really hope you win the challenge! Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  5. Again an amazing creation...the details on this tag are so unique and artful Julia!
    I pinned it :-)

    Hugs, Alie

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  6. Great tag
    Very very beautiful Julia
    Love every detail.

    Greetings Janny

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  7. Brilliant pictures Julia. These really show up the delicious detail. Love the gold embossing on the corrugated card. What a clever idea. Hugs, Buttons x

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  8. What a beautiful tag my lovely. I adore the way you have used the corrugated card, lol something that has been on my 'to play' list for an age!
    Thank-you so much for your lovely comments on my last post, I really do appreciate your time sweetie.
    Huge hugs x x x x

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  9. Julia
    Firstly to say thank you as you always leave such generous comments for me to read.
    I just love that edging you create, makes it all the more special and also beautiful use of hte CI stamp. A very special tag.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  10. This tag is absolutely WONDERFUL WOOOOW... In addition, I love the different techniques you used and explain so clearly, thank you so much !!! I will certainly remember of your project in the future, and if it inspires a similar tag or other work, I will refer to you on my blog of course ! Coco xx

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  11. Absolutely stunning, Julia! I couldn't love it more... the corrugated card, so gorgeously inked and embossed, provides such a great background to each bird - love the tying on at the corners with the twine. Fabulous embossed lace again - really am going to dare trying to stamp it next time... it looks so fabulous. And the 'watercolour' background - delicious! You're right, no sentiment needed - this amazing tag speaks for itself.
    Alison xx

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  12. Hi Julia, Fabulous tag, love the inking and gold embossing on the corrugated cardboard, creates a beautiful frame against the inky background of the tag. Wonderful way to attach the images, and your right, it doesn't need a sentiment.
    Avril xx

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  13. Julia, this is absolutely stunning! Love all of the detail and your explanation of the techniques you used. This is a must try for me. Very inspiring. Cheers, Di

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  14. Stunningly beautiful, Julia, love all of it. The colors are brilliant, love esp. the gold embossing and the stamped-in lace. Love also how you used the twine with the birds ... adorable.
    I don't use sentiments very often, but that's just personal preference ... good decision of you to leave it this way, the tag speaks for itself.
    Hugs, Suzanne xxx

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  15. Lovely tag and gorgeous small leaves at the bottom. So cute!

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  16. A great tag - love it. Congratulations on your DT spot at Make My Monday - looking forward to seeing more of your work

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  17. I'm missing words, the tag looks wonderful. Love the texture.

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  18. I love all the elements and how you've put them together - it's fabulous.
    xxx Hazel.

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  19. An absolute stunner Julia. Love the vintage and shabby look and the colours are fabulous. Great embellishing too.
    Hugs, Fliss xx

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  20. Sumptuous is a word that comes to mind, to describe your stunning tag Julia! You've created a masterpiece yet again!
    Alison xx

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  21. Gorgeous tag - wow! Love all the texture. I have several sets of bitsy stamps but don't think I have managed to do anything as effective as this with them.

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  22. Stunning tag, I love that corrugated with the embossed, actually love it all. Hugs Sandra X

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  23. your tag is fantastic! love the warm colors and the bit of gold to highlight the corrugated cardboard. Great stamps.

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  24. Wonderful tag with terrific colours and images.

    Thank you for the comment on my blog.

    Love Chrissie xxx

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  25. Wow, stunning tag, love the gold embossing and wonderful details.
    Thank you for stopping by my blog and for the lovely comment.
    Yvonne

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  26. Awesome tag! You've created a gorgeous background and the embossed cardboard looks fantastic. Stamping on the clear embossed die cut gives such a gorgeous effect, very neat technique!

    Hugs, Dawn

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  27. Hi Julia I really like the richness of the tag you have created. It has a lovely vintage feel to it.

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  28. wow, oh wow, this is awesome, just gorgeous!!!! I love everything about it, the embossed corragated board, the bird tiles, the juste twine, it's all simply stunning!! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  29. Sorry I am so late - blame it on sunny Cyprus!
    I am going to name you the Queen of UTEE as you do it so well. Lovely piece and I do like how you attached the birds.
    Thanks for joining us at Artful Times - Hugs, Neet xx

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax