Monday 12 November 2012

Self Propelled Flowers . . . . .

The challenge at Dragons Dream Tag It On is entitled 'Self Propelled Flowers' and butterflies, flowers and some form of movement are the ingredients that must be included. The theme was inspired by a quote by R. H. Heinlein: 'Butterflies are self propelled flowers'.

I liked the sound of this challenge but it took me a while to work out how I was going to approach it. Then other things got in the way so I'm only entering in the final hours of the challenge.

For the aspect of self propelled flowers, I decided that mine would be using their initiative and hitching a lift. I suppose they are working on the premise of 'why do yourself, what others can do for you'!! Hope that makes sense!

Here's what I made and I'll explain where the ingredients for the challenge come in as we go through the pictures:

The finished tag which I hope gives a sense of movement from the cog stamping, the  pink 'paths' , the butterflies flying along the paths and the flowers hitching a lift on their wires attached to their butterfly friends.
All the butterflies were die cut, from kraft resist paper glued to grunge board. Water soluble wax crayons and a water brush were used to colour the butterflies followed by some walnut stain ink on the edges and a generous layer of rock candy crackle paint.
The tag was coloured using the same method as the butterflies. The pink path has some extra layers applied with distress inks and a stencil followed by the two step crackle technique - I didn't want to use rock candy on this larger area because I think the two step gives a better crackle. Some acrylic paint was rubbed into the cracks when it was dry.
In the gaps around the path, a cog stamp from Oxford Impressions was used to help create the feeling of flow and movement. Some watch parts were used as embellishments on various areas of the stamping.
This photograph and the next two, show the text stamped onto card coloured with dylusion ink sprays. It's a Tim stamp from which I chose the relevant sections for my tag.
As well as the next part of the quote, you can also see the punched flowers making their own way slowing along the path moved by the cogs. They're made from card coloured with dylusion ink sprays, distress inks  and some tiny gems.You can see a close up of one of the watch parts used on the stamped cog images.
The last section of the quote.
This view of the tag gives a clear image of the smaller flowers 'hitching' a lift from the butterflies. The flowers are double sided and some wire was twisted together and glued between the two flowers and then attached to the butterflies.

I had great fun making this tag although it did stretch the brain a little which is another reason why it's taken me so long to get it finished - it's not that I'm slow in making of course!

Hope you like it. If you do, please leave a comment as I read them all and will visit you in return.

26 comments:

  1. Wow, what a stunning tag Julia, I adore the colours you have used and think you have covered the remit of the challenge perfectly. Lol, can never have too much crackle, one of my faves and you have demonstrated it beautifully as always.
    Huge hugs x x x x

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  2. It has taken me a moment to lift my chin up off the floor Julia - this tag is nothing short of spectacular (can't think of a better word). The colours are absolutely stunningly gorgeous, love the cracking, the butterflies and I think it was a genius idea with the flowers. You are a clever girl and this is a brilliant take on the challenge.... love it! Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  3. Wow!!! What a fantastic tag Julia! I love the colours but the way you have interpreted the challenge is amazing. The whole tag is just brilliant with all the crackle glaze, the butterflies are just gorgeous and the flowers on wires are just stunning.

    Your posts never disappoint!

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  4. Such a wonderful take on this recipe. Your butterflies and the flowers are fantastic. Love the colors and the crackling. Thanks for dreaming with us at Dragons Dream TIO.

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  5. Really fab Julia! The colours are just gorgeous, whole thing is beautiful - I particularly like the effect you've got on the butterflies. Love love love it! xxx Keren

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  6. This is SO clever Julia. Thank you for the close up on the butterflies so we could get to see the immense amount of detail you put into them. Hugs, Buttons x

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  7. Fab tag, super crackle, love the interspersed watch parts.

    Sam xxx

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  8. What a great effects on this tag, Julia!
    The colours are amazing, the butterflies lovely!
    Again a pin :-)

    Hugs, Alie

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  9. Sensational tag, Julia! Love the crackly pink paths swirling around - really full of movement - and the crackly butterflies! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
    Alison x

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  10. I really like the way the sentiment hangs off the tags, and anything with crackle on itm makes me happy! Beautiful tag! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  11. Great tag Julia with beautiful colors and lovely butteries.
    Greetings Janny

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  12. Stunning tag, love those crackled butterflies, the colours are gorgeous too!! A really wonderful make...oh and thanks for dreaming with the dragon..almost forgot!! Oops! Hugs trace x

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  13. This is amazing. Those colours are besutiful. Love the butterflies too. Wonderfull tag thanks for sharing at tio

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  14. A really beautiful, touchable tag! I love all the layers and of course those awesome butterflies.

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  15. SUPER!!! I love the butterflies, and the maze of trail along their journey is just gorgeous...the road crackly and bumpy! So telling of life! The color as well is wonderful and bright!!!

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  16. Gorgeous tag Julia, I love the crakle on the butterflies. Thanks for sharing with us at Dragons Dream TIO. Elizabeth x

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  17. Oh, wow! I'm happy to see you are still creating such gorgeous beauty here. That butterfly close-up is sooooo amazing, Julia. I love the colors mixed with the texture and print. Hope you are doing well!

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  18. this is so gorgeous! I love the colors and texture.. and the flowers on wires! So creative.

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  19. I love the crackled effect you've created on this beautiful tag Julia! xx

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  20. Julia what total beauty you have achieved with this incredible tag. The colours are divine and the little flowers on wire are super.

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  21. Wow Julia! This is such a beautiful tag - I love everything about it especially the butterflies.
    xxx Hazel.

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  22. Fabulous colours and I just love the idea that butterflies hitch a lift! Brilliant! I just love Rock Candy Paint and this tag shows it at it best. Thank you so much for joining in with my TIO recipe this time!

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  23. Wow gorgeous Julia, love your tag ! I'm not sure what you mean about me teaching you, I think it's the other way around :) Have a great day, Shirleyx

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  24. Gorgeous! There is so much to love about this! The crackle finish is beautiful and I love how the flowers are suspended off of the card!

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  25. Amazing! - I have to learn some more about all these techniques...everything just looks so wonderful. Laura x

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  26. Beautiful! Love the layers of colour and the crackle, and a great way to suspend the flowers.
    Avril xx

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