Sunday 13 January 2013

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?!



39 comments:

  1. Julia this is stunning!!! I love that rust with the butterflies! WOW!

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  2. Wow! This is just fantastic! Love the contrast and it portrays exactly what you want it to! Chrisx

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  3. This is a lovely piece, the combination of the rust and the bright colours give a wonderful effect! I will see if I have time to do something for this challenge, hope so! Hugs, Valerie

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  4. Wow stunning Julia!! I just love your combination of colours and the calico butterflies are beautiful. (I have some TAP on order!)

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  5. Just amazing- love the different textures and elements- the butterflies are so pretty and colorful and the earthy rust background is fabulous! This is one of my all-time faves!

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  6. I'm slightly speechless... this is beyond wonderful! I think the gloriously coloured insects fluttering above the disintegrating rustiness look just amazing, and I completely get your thing about new life arising from the ashes of urban decay... This is one of the most stunning tags I've seen yet on my travels in Craftyblogland - you are an extraordinary artist.
    Alison xx

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  7. My flabber is SO gasted I don't know where to begin!!! Utterly superb would be a start but doesn't really do it justice. I SO see where you are coming from with this - all that amazing rustwork/wirework and those divine butterflies. And your little touch with the coal is magnificent. Really can't heap enough praise on it. Have you entered the Simon Says Stamp and Show - Embrace the Old challenge with it? The deadline ends soon and it would be a shame not to share it with them. Hugs, Jenny x

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  8. Hi Julia, this is a stunning tag, love the rusty effect. The vibrant colour on the butterflies is a wonderful contrast - you've got me singing the song now!
    Avril xx

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  9. Another beautiful tag the butterflies are stunning. Love all the different techniques used, must check out Andy Skinner and try some myself. I know the song well it's from the "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour".

    Sylv x

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  10. Wow I absolutely LOVE this ..the rusty textures and all the yummy elements make a delightful background to showcase the beautiful butterflies!Just wonderful!!! Hugs trace x

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  11. Thank you for such a wonderful interpretation of that Moody Blues song. it really hit the meaning quite well.

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  12. Sorry you've been under the weather, hope the health improves soon. Love this, the rusty look is fab and it does work with the butterflies which are just gorgeous.

    Cassidy xx

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  13. Oh wowser, Julia - I LOVE this! Great juxtaposition between the rusty industrial and the beautiful bright insects. I think I am going to have to sign up when Andy repeats his course.

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  14. I get it, its a great tag and I love the idea behind it,I think we were on the same sort of page with the meanings this time ;).
    I love the andy skinner technique, the rust looks amazing.
    I love the idea of man made things rotting away and only nature being left behind to reclaim what we messed up ;)
    hope you are starting to feel better now?

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  15. Hi Julia, like so many others, I get it too, really love your thought processes and how they brought you to this amazing conclusion. The butterfies (and the moth - yes it is, you are right) are stunning against the decaying background. This is a fabulously amazing tag! Hope that once the last bug goes away, you remain bug free........ Hugs, Anne x

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  16. I love the meaning behind this tag Julia, those butterflies are so vibrant and your 'rusting' is awesome! Fab-u-lous! Xx

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  17. Oh I totally loved the analogy of the decayed background with new life flying by. One thing dies and another is born, life goes on and all that. It's a beautiful tag! ♥ waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  18. I think it's a brilliant concept Julia! Your rusty looking tag is amazing, as are the rusty cogs! The brightly coloured bugs look sensational against the rust!
    Alison xx

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  19. Great the combination of old and new, as well in the text as in the materials...good thinking and your hands have followed your heart, I guess Julia...Amazing again!!!

    hugs, Alie :-)

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  20. Aww sorry you have been feeling so poorly Julia hope you are one the mend soon ♥
    Another amazing tag Julia love the rusted wire in contrast to the colours of you flying bugs, ha ha looks like I have echoed the thoughts of the above
    Take care
    Von ♥

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  21. Wow, really a stunning tag. I'm missing words.

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  22. Oh, Julia... this is stunning! Hope you are feeling loads better in the morning. These beautiful butterflies look amazing against the rusted tag, and I just love the wire accents.

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  23. WOW Julia
    The colourful butterflies set against that rusty, steampunkish style background is a most wonderful combination.
    Such a creative tag.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  24. Wow what a stunning tag, I absolutely love the rust, perfect backdrop for your butterfly. Love the coals and added wire too. Fantastic. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Days Stampand Show Challenge. Tracy x

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  25. Wow, this tag is fantastic! Love the rusty background with the vibrant butterflies. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!

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  26. Amazing piece of Art Julia.
    love the rusty background and every detail on it.
    Greetings Janny

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  27. Just saying I had to come look at this again! I just love it~!

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  28. This is absolutely lovely, Julia!

    Never seen anything like it before! Very, very thought- and skillful and a wonderful piece of artistic poetry!

    Hugs,
    Claudia x

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  29. This is seriously STUNNING!!!!! Every little touch is just done perfectly! :)

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  30. I agree this is Stunning ! So much detail, and such beautiful photos ! Cheers, Shirleyx

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  31. Oh Julia I am sitting here with tears in my eyes as I read your post and take in your gorgeous art. Because, you have reminded me that there will be re-birth from the terrible devestation as large areas of my beutiful country burn and so much flora and fauna is destroyed.The images particularly of the animals have really touched my heart.
    Now the bug you are suffering with it certainly needs to go.

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  32. WOW! Amazing. I adore contrast of the rust effect and the vibrant butterflies. The use of wire is gorgeous. I LOVE this! Love from Laura xxx

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  33. This is an amazing tag Julia. I love the rusty background and all the wire - in fact I love everything.
    xxx Hazel.

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  34. ooh! Fabulous tag....thanks for joining in at The Artistic Stamper this month ;)
    xoxo Sioux

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  35. I love the clash of rusted destruction and beautiful life on this! The tag represents the lyrics well and your winged creations are gorgeous!! I'm not familiar with that particular song, but I do like the Moody Blues!

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  36. WOW...the contrast between the Skinnerish background with the bright butterflies is striking! a real WOW! Fabulous thinking and creating!

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  37. You really are quite an artist, you know that? I like to hear how your ideas came about. For you, it's not just about the resulting beauty of a project, but the story within. I love that. This project just sings!

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