Thursday 17 May 2012

Birds. . . . . .on a bookmark!

The latest theme at Artful Times is 'Birds'. I love looking at the birds in the garden but really need to learn more  so I can identify them. Having a killer cat probably means that some clever species give my garden a miss on their daily flight over the neighbourhood!  I think their colours and markings attract me the most and obviously the way they fly to and fro collecting bits and pieces for their nests is always captivating. I would love to have a bird table but for obvious reasons that's not possible!

I'm also going to play along as a visitor, at 'Tag Tuesday'. They have a 'Gardening' theme at the moment and as birds are a very important part of gardening (not always in a good way when they steal our goodies which are growing!) I hope this bookmark will be applicable. Some amazing artists show their work here and I'm constantly in awe of what they produce! Very inspirational.

I love bird stamps and although my collection isn't huge, there are a few which I'm always looking for an excuse to use.

I tried to avoid making a tag as I seem to make so many of these and decided that something slightly unusual was needed. I read a great deal - mainly what my husband calls 'trash' (I love detective type thrillers and he's convinced I'm collating evidence to help with a future, perfect crime!!) - so with that in mind, I thought I would make a bookmark. I have an electronic device for reading but nothing beats handling a real book in my opinion.

So, with no further waffling, here is what I've made:

The elements used to make the bookmark. A brad and some jute thread were added later.

The completed Bookmark.
This close up shows the shimmer spray used on each of the bird 'tiles'.
(Shimmer spray was applied to all elements of the bookmark).




The jute thread was added to give a natural element to a nature themed tag.
This image clearly shows the shimmer on the bird tiles and the embossed edge given to each. The tiles were stamped using VersaMark and mica powder in various colours was brushed over the stamping. The edges were embossed with gold detail powder to give a framed effect.
The birds on background were stamped using the new spring Distress Inks which were applied to the stamp in random fashion. I wanted to achieve a watercolour effect by using the Distress Inks.


The coloured birds was stamped using Distress Inks and then blurred by spraying with water. Further colours were then sponged on. The music was stamped in coffee Archival ink. A quick burst of gold shimmer spray and some embossed gold detail powder finished the task. I repeated the same bird but stamped in Archival - I wanted to achieve a 'shadow' effect by placing the coffee coloured bird behind the main image. 


17 comments:

  1. That's a beautiful bookmark, and what super photographs you have taken of the various elements. Love the gold embossing on the edges.
    Thanks for joining us at Artful Times. Hugs, Neet xx

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  2. Beautiful bookmark and some great photos.
    Hugs

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  3. Ooooh. Love this. You always seem to use products in different ways. The detail on the tiles is extraordinary.
    As a mica fan you have again inspired me to use them in a more subtle fashion.
    Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Buttons x

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  4. Wow great bookmark, love those little bird tiles.

    Thanks for playing along with us over at Artful Times.

    Sam xxx

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  5. Lovely bookmark Julia, love the gold embossing and those new DI colours! xx

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  6. A wonderful idea, your book mark looks great.

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  7. Hi Julia, what a wonderful idea to do a bookmark and very appropriate as you love to read. I love the embossing and those tiles are gorgeous, very inspired. I love reading crime thrillers too and am on my second reading of Donna Leon crime novels but more for the description of Venice than the crimes in this set of books. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Regards, Anne x

    PS sorry if I encouraged you to spend at Stampattic.......

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  8. Thanks for visiting me and my return visit is really worth coming for! I love all the detail you have added to your lovely bookmark!
    joZarty x

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  9. Fabulous Julia :) and aren't the new colours so right for this time of year
    Thank you for joing us at Artful Times
    Von x♥x

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  10. Oh my! So glad I looked further - really loving your blog!

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  11. I too am playing along with Tag Tuesday and I thought I would pop over to visit your blog. The detail on your tag/bookmark is beautiful. I am now a follower of your blog and I look forward to seeing more of your creations.

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  12. Lovely bookmark, love all the different elements

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  13. Wow! that is beautiful, you have explained it all so very well - I LOVE the bird and the way you have done it. I so agree with you about reading a book, nothing beats holding a book and turning the pages - I am an avid reader! Loved reading your blog

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  14. Gorgeous, inspiring bookmark Julia! Far too lovely to hide in a book xx

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  15. Beautiful work, Julia! Valerie

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  16. Brilliant bookmark I'm a bit of a bookworm too ( love thrillers of all descriptions )and it's one thing that I have never thought to make for myself but you've inspired me!! x

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  17. Hi Julia, Congratulations on your winning bookmark it is really gorgeous and the techniques used just great. I never thought of embossing edges before it really works, I shall give that a try out. Your work is great and love the blog. Hugs Sandra XXX

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