Anything But A Card Challenge #10 - Things With Wings

The current challenge at Anything But A Card has the theme of  'Things With Wings'. I'm showing my piece in the second week of the challenge so if you haven't entered yet or popped over to the blog, why not go over and have a look at all the inspiration provided by my Design Team friends? Remember: you can make anything you like for our challenges EXCEPT a card, so get those thinking caps on!

My piece evolved after listening to an old favourite by the Moody Blues (showing my age there!). The track is called 'The Story In Your Eyes' but I'm not sure which album it's from I'm afraid!  I couldn't get some of the lyrics out of my head and as a result I decided to make a tag with the ideas that came to my mind. The line that kept going round and round in my head was '.....from the ashes we can build another day'. I kept imagining run down buildings and industrial areas with pockets of new life coming through such as flowers and beautiful butterflies which I always associate with new beginnings. It's a little confusing for others when this happens because my interpretation is not necessarily that of others but I do hope you like what I've made:

A rusty, decayed background with new life flying by.

All the winged creatures were stamped onto TAP paper, coloured with distress inks, ironed onto fabric and cut out. Wire was attached to the back of the wings so they could be shaped as if in flight. All the stamps used were from The Artistic Stamper 'Insects And Butterflies' plate. I always turn to this plate when I want stunning butterfly images (I think the large one is probably a moth but artistic licence will prevail!).

The tag was embossed with a folder then treated to some Andy Skinner techniques to give a wonderful rusty look. Some burnt out 'coals' were made to fit in the 'basket' using some slightly altered Andy ways again.

The words from the song were added to the tag using a combination of TH chit chat stickers and some computer generated words. Each word was aged with ink.

Some wonderful thick jute string was used at the top of the tag. Rusty wire was added to complete the look.

I really like how the distress inks work together when applied with a waterbrush.

Some cogs were die cut, coloured with acrylic and rusted with rusting powder. Two different sizes were assembled together and then attached with rusty wire.

It's your turn now to create something with wings and link it up at 'Anything But A Card'. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

I'm going to enter my piece at the Artistic Stamper Challenge who are asking us to use our favourite stamps. I have many 'favourite' stamps but this is certainly my 'go to' plate when I need something with wings! (I like colouring them too!).

The lovely Buttons gave me the heads up about the challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show this week which is almost over. ) I've had lots of bugs since the day after Boxing Day and as soon as I've got rid of one, another takes its place hence the reason for not producing much and not visiting you all as much as usual - SORRY!!). I've lurched from the deadlines I must meet to nothing much in between so I didn't really see the SSSS blog. I'll pop over and link up with their challenge which is to 'Embrace The Old' and I hope my tag fulfills the requirements!

I'd love to know what you think of my tag. My husband isn't convinced and doesn't 'get' the winged creatures with the rust - he likes the colours though!  I did try to explain but creating things from an idea lurking in your brain can be quite personal can't it?!