Monday 1 September 2014

Picture Inspiration At Our Creative Corner

Good morning everyone. Today sees the start of a new challenge at Our Creative Corner and our host is the wonderfully talented Claudia.

Claudia has provided some image inspiration this month. You are asked to create a project using themes, colour, textures, images etc from the selection of photographs.


Here's what our wonderful host would like you to do:

It is an "anything goes" challenge - as long as there are visible influences from the inspirational image! You can use only one or more of the images from the photographic collage as inspirational source. You can go for a colour scheme you saw, a texture or shape, a theme you associate with the collage (in whole or partially). As long as you explain in your posts how your creation is linked to the inspirational image you can go for whatever it sparks in you. 

I decided to choose the central picture of the leaves as my main inspiration. I also like the colours from the some of the other photos - green, neutrals and browns - so these are included on my project.

Here's what I made:

An altered gift box.
Some knotted chunky string to finish the lower edge of the box.
The box before alteration.
The box was given two coats of gesso. The second layer involved some tinting base mixed with a few drops of acrylic paint. This is used as a base coat to save using expensive paint as an undercoat. The final coat involved mixing the three colours above to achieve the desired shade and applying a decent coat.
The body of the box was then altered using a 'torn paper' finish developed by Andy Skinner which I just had to try. If you'd like to see his video on this technique, click here. 
These are the colours and the stamps I used for my torn paper finish. I forgot to show the light coloured paint but it is another DecoArt Media acrylic colour called buff. I used stazon ink to ensure the stamping remained unsmudged.
Once all the layers were fully dry, I sanded the edges to give a shabby look to the box. This has the effect of revealing some of the hidden layers of paint which is a look I rather like.
Some of the leaves were stamped onto card and coloured with acrylic paints. Others were made using Transfer Artist Paper and fabric. The paper has a special coating on one side. The image is stamped onto the coated side and left to dry. It can then be gently coloured with paints, inks, stains etc. If using pencils, I would urge extreme caution as it is very easy to damage the coating on the paper. Once dry, the design is ironed onto cotton fabric - just follow the instructions on the packet.
The leaf on the right is made using the transfer paper. Once ironed onto the fabric it was cut out. At this stage you could add extra stamping, stitching or colour to enhance the leaf. I've left mine plain on this occasion.
The leaf on the left was stamped onto card and coloured with media acrylic paint. Crackle glaze was then applied and left to dry. The final step was to add some DecoArt antiquing cream to show the crackled areas.
The leaf at the top right was stamped using acrylic paint and then coloured with other acrylic colours. Finally a coat of Ultra Matte Varnish was added.
Some rusty wire was added around the stems of the leaves.
I've had these skeleton leaves forever and decided to paint some with acrylic and added them to my collection on the box.
More rusty wire amongst the leaves.

 I hope you like my altered box and how I interpreted Claudia's image inspiration. Remember to check out the projects made by the other DT members over at Our Creative Corner - are you in for a treat! Just check out the few rules we have for our challenge and then it's your turn to create. We can't wait to see what you come up with!

You may be lucky enough to win the prize provided by our generous sponsor:


Click the image to go and have a look at the wonderful products on offer.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

11 comments:

  1. Gosh - this is such a treasure to keep treasures in, Julia! I LOVE all the wonderful detail of it! The leaves, the wire, the torn paper texture....brilliant, brilliant stuff!

    Hugs,
    Claudia xxx

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  2. Love this Julia, a fantastic altered box with such wonderful textures and vibrancy to it. Your leaves look amazing and I love the contrast of industrial wire with the nature aspects. Great job.
    Have a great week.
    hugs Brenda xx

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  3. Fab box Julia, just waiting for my paints to arrive xx

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  4. A beautiful altered box with wonderful autumn colours and textures. Hugs, Kerstin

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  5. Gorgeous leaves! I love the way you wired them! Just a beauty of a box!

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  6. That's a fantastic creation, wonderful colors and details.

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  7. Beautiful autumn box, great colors and I love the leafs!
    Groetjes Karin

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  8. Such a beautiful box Julia. You've given it a complete transformation and I love that monochrome background for giving your leaves a greater sense of drama. Jenny x

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  9. Hi Julia! What a FANTASTIC box!! I keep (hoard) some of my nicer boxes, too and you've up-cycled yours beautifully!! The colors that you've chosen are so very Autumnal; rich and warm and vibrant! Love how you've used the TAP, too :) It looks like fabric!! You've done Claudia's challenge proud!! :) XOXO-Shari T.

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  10. Wow, this box sure did get a fabulous makeover! What a gorgeous project! I just love your background stamps and your leaves are so stunning! What a wonderful take on the photograph! love it :)

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  11. Julia this is stunning! Loved the curly rusty wire. The different textures you created on all the leaves are so so so cool. I am sorry that I havent replied to your comment sooner. I am on holiday again in the mountains (Drakensberg, South Africa) and it always seems too contrary to get on the net in the midst of all this majestic natural beauty. I was pleasantly surprised though when I did just now and found all your lovely words and this beautiful box that you have created. Thank you for all the wonderful comments you left on my blog and at OCC. I bought my baby nephew a pair of handmade leather shoes, the box it comes in is plain and boring - after seeing your box - I am inspired to make something as beautiful to send him those cute little shoes in.

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