Sunday 28 October 2012

Incorporate Black In Your Project. . . . . .

Time for a new challenge at Anything But A Card today. Each challenge runs for two weeks and you can make anything you like except a card, how easy is that? Five artists are chosen at the end of each challenge by the DT and you can have a badge for your blog if that's how you like to do things. Your work will also be featured on Pinterest by Carla, our illustrious leader.

The theme for the next fortnight is to Incorporate Black into your chosen project. Black paint, stamping, embellishments, trims, fabric - the list could go on and on really.

I tried making something which was primarily black but I just couldn't get the hang of leaving out colour. I decided in the end to have one main image in black, some colour and other black bits and pieces.

I know it's a bit 'samey' but I love making tags and here's the one I've made for the new challenge at Anything But A Card:



The light was a little flat for photos but here's the finished tag. The background was created with dylusion sprays and a piece of powder embossed corrugated card (loving this stuff so much!) was added for extra width.

Still in a bit of a Halloween mood here so decided to use an Andy Skinner bat image. It's really for Valentines day but I thought it doubled up rather well as it has a spooky gothic look which I love.The bat was stamped on the tag and then again onto acetate which was cut out and attached over the first image. The wings have been manipulated to stand away from the tag.
The flowers are die cuts from card coloured with dylusion inks, stamped randomly in archival and fastened with matt black painted fastener. The small flowers were punched from the same card, inked around the edge, shaped and finished with a small black gem. 


The flourish was die cut then inked with black soot distress, followed by embossing with aged silver enamel. I love this enamel because it's chunky and contains not just silver but grains of black and gold too. You can see some of the random background stamping too which was done with various toning shades of distress ink. If you look hard enough you'll see some picket fence marker too which was used on a little dotty stamp just for added interest and depth.

The wonderful sentiment was stamped onto card aged with distress and torn edges. Black jute thread was wrapped around after the sentiment was applied.


The bats were die cut from grunge paper covered with old book pages. The edges were inked with black soot then crackle glaze applied. When dry, black acrylic paint was rubbed into the cracks to highlight them. The stamped barbed wire is very visible here - it lends a little spooky touch to the image.

A little more of the background stamping is visible here. Some black gros grain ribbon and ribbon with silver lurex thread was used through the top of the tag. (see first image for better view).

The corrugated card was inked and then embossed using the silver enamel. At the bottom of the tag you can just see some die cut lace. This was coloured black, embossed with clear powder then whilst still molten, it was stamped with silver brilliance. 

Five different stamps are just visible in this view of the background.

If you go over to Anything But A Card, you can see what the other team members have made for further inspiration. I can't wait to see what you link up with - so  please do have a go, especially if you've never joined us before. We're a friendly bunch and you'll get visits from more than one DT member I can assure you! I make a habit of visiting every entry and I'm always amazed by the number of creative people out there - it's wonderful.

Thanks for hanging on in there and getting down to here. If you like what you see, leave a comment and I'll come and visit you too!




25 comments:

  1. Wonderful rich colours & textures, & I love the crackled bats Julia! x

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  2. Nothing "samey" about your tag Julia! You have incorporated black so well, but without compromising the other wonderful colours (I must get those Dylusions colours - they are just gorgeous together). I love all the textures - especially the flourish.

    Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog yesterday - really made my day!! I am looking forward to joining in this challenge and hopefully should be a bit earlier than the last! Hope you are enjoing the weekend.

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  3. ...oh wow Julia L.O.V.E. this tag, it's breath-takingly good, the layered flowers are gorgeous, super colour theme beautifully merged, the silhouette heart and gossimar wings are spookily good and the crackle bats are way cool...all round awesome-ness Julia...Mel :)

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  4. Hi Julia! This is a real stunner of a tag. Thanks for such a detailed account of your creation too. Bravo! Yvonne

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  5. Gorgeous - love the dripping heart, spooky bats and the metal flourish. And the blend of purples, blues and black is beautiful. Elizabeth xx

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  6. A beautiful Gothic feel to this tag. The use of the scroll is wonderful and also the flowers. The embellishments are so perfect.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  7. Oh you can never tire of tags Julia, so much potential!!!

    I love your bats and the background is stunning xxxx

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  8. An absolute stunner Julia. The background is beautiful and all the texture and detail in your embellishing looks amazing. Love those colours too.
    Hugs, Fliss xx

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  9. This is glamorous gothic Julia, fabulous depth of colour and I just love that burn scroll. Another stunner! xx

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  10. Such a luscious card with some many beautiful colours and textures. Stunning!

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  11. This is spookily good and just love the crackle glaze on the little bats ..I must get some of that !I love the richness of the colours that you use must try to get out of pastels and into more bright colours,...wonder what I've got lying about the kitchen hee he x

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  12. How intense these colours are...and the added black is amazing...Your details
    are so great again Julia!

    Hugs, Alie :-)

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  13. Ooh, it's yummy Julia - so dramatic! Love all the different details and textures - the crackled bats are just fabulous, and the aged silver enamel is a big WOW (very excited I've just got some... not played yet). I love the blended colours and stamping in the background - gorgeous work all round. Hope you have a great week...
    Alison x

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  14. Wowwwwww Julia this is a great piece of art.
    Great colors and beautiful details,

    Greetings Janny

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  15. Wow Wow WOWWWW !!!!!!! it's just a wonder of tag... I miss words in english to tell you what I feel ! I really adore it !!! Coco xx

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  16. Threetimes wow, your tag is FANTASTIC. I also love tags and I love the colors you've used. Also all the other details are perfect.

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  17. Julia,i have bat envy ..they are fab!!!! What a beautiful make, live the background you have cretaed and the colours are so beautiful...this is a really wonderful make...and I lve tags!!!keepthem coming! Love trace. X

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  18. What gorgeousness your have here Julia - love the texture and the richness of your colours.

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  19. I'm no fan of Halloween, but this is a fantastic tag Julia. Its given me some food for thought when using my own embossing powders and a few more techniques to try out at some point. Thank you
    Karen xxx

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  20. This is easily one of my all time favourite tags. The inky layers, fabulous bats and liberal use of that silver textured enamel make this an absolute treasure. Definitely you at your very best Julia.
    Thanks for your lovely comments too hun. They are very much appreciated. Hugs, Buttons x

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  21. WOW!!What a Gorgeous ad Stunning tag!Awesome!

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  22. This is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, Julia. I have to strain my limited vocabulary very much to find words for your fabulous creations lately :-) all those details, the cleverly applied embossing, the beautiful main image, the gorgeous little bats, the color scheme ... *woah*
    Hugs, Suzanne xxx

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  23. Wow, lady, there is so much detail on this tag... it's absolutely amazing. Love your color scheme, the crackle effect on the bats, and your flourish is totally unreal!!!! This is one GORGEOUS tag!!!!!!!!!!!

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  24. Gorgeous tag! Love the amazing layered flowers and the whole Gothic romantic style!

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  25. Love this tag, Julia. I think the embossing is fabulous... love the technique on the corrugated cardboard. Colours are stunning and the bats are great. Thank you also for your inspiring comments. Have a great week, cheers, Di.

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