Any Old Iron For Artist Trading Post Exchange. . . . . .

We have a new challenge at the Artist Trading Post Exchange which starts today and lasts for the next fortnight.

Our host this time is the very talented Ruth and she would like to see your rusty creations. Here's some picture inspiration for you followed by what Ruth has to say about her challenge:

'When I was on holiday I just had to take a picture of the texture on this rusty door on the harbour. So, the theme for this fortnight is based on rust. Use the lovely rusty colours of orange, brown and red. Or, maybe use rusting techniques, rusting powder, embossing powders or anything else you can achieve a rusty finish with. Perhaps you find the wonderfully knobbley texture an inspiration? Whatever you decide to use, we would like you to make a mixed media project which should feature some stamping - no digi images though please.'

Here's what I've made for Ruth's challenge:

I decided to use rusty elements to highlight a tag which I have given a textured patina finish.

A white tag was die cut from card and embossed with a Spellbinders folder. The tag was then given a patina finish with the products shown. The final coat was some roughly applied DecoArt Antiquing Cream in white (not shown).

Some scrap card is sprayed with acrylic paint mister. When dry a Tim Holtz image is stamped using archival ink. The image is then carefully cut out.

Card is die cut using a Spellbinders die and cut down to fit the tag. A rusty finish is then given to the die cut starting with some DecoArt texture Fierro and various colours of their media line acrylic paint .

A piece of scrap mount board is also rusted for the bottom of the tag. The stamped image is applied to the tag to appear as if she is stepping out from the die cut.

Some Tim Holtz linen braid is used to cover the join followed by some twirled rusty wire.

A piece of the die cut is used to finish the top of the tag.

The crown and wings are finished with crackle glaze and a small amount of antiquing cream. The wings are only partially glued into place to give movement and depth to the piece.

A light bulb image is stamped onto a scrap of spritzed card. This represents the child's balloon. Some rusty wire is attached to the balloon

The other end of the rusty wire is attached to the child's hand to look as if she's holding the balloon.

The flowers are die cuts from scraps of card. They have been painted with acrylics followed by some crackle glaze and some antiquing medium. The edges of the large flower have been given a little random powder embossing for extra detail. 

The centre of the flower is made with a scrap of twisted rusty wire.

I do hope you enjoyed reading how I made this tag. It's often difficult to gauge how many photos to add and I always leave out loads but I do want you to stay awake!

You must pop over to Artist Trading Post Exchange and see the work by the rest of the hugely talented team. It would be lovely if you found time to join in with us and post a piece of art. We are a very new challenge blog but if you love mixed media style work then ATP Exchange is the place for you. You never know, you may even end up winning the £10 voucher kindly donated by our hosts at Artist Trading Post (full of sooo many goodies!).

Thanks for visiting. I'm back from holiday and hoping to join in much more now.