Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Chunky Art!!

Today is eclecticPaperie's 4th Anniversary and the E-Team is throwing a blog hop party that you will NOT believe!! We are going out of the box and straight to the wall studs on this one!! Are you ready for it?!  Chunky Tags!!



Now for those of you who have never heard of Chunky tags, think 2 x 4's.  Yep!!  Those scraps of wood are being transformed into works of art!!  To add to the celebration, Daisy is offering something new on the store site, CHUNKY KITS!! 

Look at all those wonderful goodies!! Each full kit will retail for $25.  WARNING!  There are only 25 kits available, so if you want one, grab it early!!

Also available will be a "Just the Wood, please" kit.  It will retail for $5. 

It gets even better! Daisy is also offering not ONE, but TWO $25 gift certificates to a couple of lucky winners!!  All you have to do is make sure you drop by each of the design team blogs within the next 48 hours and leave a comment.  Daisy will choose the winners from all the comments left and post the winner name's Friday, January 21, on the eP blog.

and

I have been wanting to do one of these tags ever since I first saw them on Sherry's blog several months ago. 
 And let me tell you~~this will not be the last of these you will see from me!!  I had soooo much fun creating this:

The "Wanted" photo is one from a stack of  pictures on tin plates the Toad's father found in his parent's belongings when he was helping them move to a nursing home.  No one has any idea (or has the memory of) who the people are.  This particular photo was just perfect for my "Wanted" poster!

and this:



along with this



and lastly, but not least, this




Here's a couple of close up shots of the flowers.  I wish  the photographer (ahem) had the skills to show how the light catches the different embossing lines on the petals.  In real life, the light reflecting off the metal just adds another element to these embellishments!!


 this next flower is probably my favorite!!






The Toad didn't quite get the connection between the western theme of "Wanted" and all the flowers. My way of thinking was this:  Outlaw Art.  It's creating something that is different, but appeals to ME.  These metal flowers appealed to me!  Aaaannd.....the story in my head was that the "Wanted" poster had been up on the post for a long time.  It is frayed and weather worn.  The wild flowers have grown up and around the post in the years that it has been up.  Adding a soft touch to the rebel outlaw(s). 

Now, I'm all for giving credit where credit is due and these metal flowers were totally inspired by Lin of Yoursartfully!! She has the most wonderful tutorials on the right side of her blog for making different flowers out of metal. Of course, I added my own little twist here and there! 

Rather than spend all day giving step by step on the making of this tag, here are several helpful hints or insights:

A)  I did not do any special preparation to the wood to prepare it for altering.  I painted (no primer) the sides and edges just enough to give me coverage just in case my paper or metal did not completely cover.


B)  I used Claudine Hellmuth's matte multi medium to glue my paper to the chunky tag. 

C)  To change the tone of the Barn Red metal and to add color to the plain aluminum, I used alcohol inks. 
      To make a darker shade, just let the first application dry and apply some more ink until it is the color you
      like. The TenSecond Studio colored metal is colored on one side and plain aluminum on the   other side.  If you run out of a color, or, if you are like me, lacked the color you wanted to use, grab another sheet of metal, flip it to the aluminum side and  just make your own custom color!                                            
                                                                           
                                                       Before the ink is applied


and after

yes, after this photo was taken, I realized that I had missed a spot on the "daisy".  Which worked out fine, since I wanted the color to be more intense and added another layer of ink!!

D) Do any metal embossing BEFORE you alter with alcohol ink, otherwise you may rub off the ink with the pressure of the tools

E)  I adhered my flowers together with E6000.  You can use a hot glue gun also, but remember!!  You are  
      working with metal, and metal can become VERY hot!  I did use a hot glue gun to adhere the completed
     flowers to the chunky tag.  I was just too impatient to allow the E6000 to dry. 

F)  The sides of the tag were done using a mold.  I used a paper stump to bring out the image, then a refiner
      for the details.  I then applied acrylic paint and let it try about 30 seconds before wiping off with a paper
      towel.




G)  I used Hummungo sticky tape to adhere the metal to the wood.  It will NOT move, trust me!! Tombow liquid metal glue was used to adhere the "Wanted" and "Rebel" lettering to the metal. 

H)  I'm a computer dunce and could NOT figure out how to download a font that matched the Vintage Market strip die.  So I enlarged the letters by 200% on my copier/printer.  pfffffllllltttttt.  Whatever it takes to make it work!! LOL!

Supplies:  Stamps:  SU's Wanted. 
                 Inks:  Distress Ink in Vintage photo, Old Paper, Antique Linen, Walnut Stain.  Alcohol inks in Espresso and Latte.
                 Paper:  Como Cricket's Wanted, TenSecond Studio metal sheets in Barn Red, Gina K's Vanilla Pure Luxury. 
                 Accessories: 2 x 4 block of wood,  TenSecond Studio metal tools and Kubuka mold #13, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Old Lace, Alterations dies Vintage Market and Elegant Flourishes, and Tattered Florals.   Claudine Hellmuth's matte multi medium and Sable Brown paint, Folk Art Licorice acrylic paint, Vintage Photo Distress embossing powder.  Paper "barbed wire" from personal stash.  Hot glue gun, E6000 glue, Scor-tape, Tomobow liquid metal glue and  Hummungo Sticky tape

I just have to say that this piece of art churned my MoJo into high gear!!  I seriously cannot wait to make more of these chunky tags!! 

Till then....................make outlaw art!!

73 comments:

Bevie Pearl said...

Wow Your Outlaw take on the Chunky Art is awesome!! What a creative project you have made for the blog hop. Happy Birthday eP!!

Leslie said...

That you for the inspiration!! This piece is beautiful. I love using old photos in my art.

Broni said...

Love, love, love this, Starla! I love your narrative too and how you decided the flowers "grew" on the Wanted poster post! You're so smart with metal. I need some lessons!!

Laura in CT said...

Those flowers are pretty awesome! Thanks for sharing your chunky art.

Angi Rankin said...

Great art piece! I love all the details you describe for us...really great details. Makes me want to get into my studio and get creative!!

Anonymous said...

love love love it, will go ddrink some soda now cuz too cheap to buy metal. bethann d

Elaine A said...

Starla -

This is just awesome! What a lot of work you put into this piece. So beautiful!

Elaine Allen

artfuljourneys said...

Starla...Oh I love Love the metal pieces.. I have to check this out. Beautiful flowers..but I loved the rope accent!!

Cindy Haffner said...

LOVIN this!!

Queen Mary said...

LOVE your project, I really loved the rope so I'm so glad you showed in such fantastic detail how you did that! These have all been great projects and I'm redoing my draft room so I'm ready for some altered objects as decor!

Gail Dixon said...

Impressive work, Starla! Love your rebel/outlaw theme. Very cool and creative. Thanks for sharing your process. Though I could never do it, I enjoyed seeing how it was done.

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

This is really awesome, Starla. I need to go hunt up a hunk of wood!

slbt17 said...

Love the metal work - great job!
Sandra ltb

SusanK said...

Such detail! I love this - so masculine and fun!

Stephanie said...

Okay well this is just crazy amazing! I love the techniques you shared! I love the idea of adding a photo to this project! I am inspired now to maybe try this with a photo! Thanks for sharing!

Miranda said...

OMG amazing, stunning, gorgeous, great, that chuncky art kit has so many possibillities, it really rocks

hugs
Miranda

Yelowflower said...

That is just so fab! Those flowers! Im going to have to go see how you did those, they are Cool!

Sylvia said...

Just absolutely amazing, but then it is you, Starla, leaping off the cliff! Love all your art projects!!! Hugs and have a wonderful day!

suzieq23 said...

fabulous, fabulous, fabulous the creativity is overwhelming me using Chunky Art. Cant wait to play. Happy B'day eP!

littlen said...

great work. very inspiring. tfs.

Nancy said...

Love your chunky art and your metal flowers are gorgeous!!!

Cassie_lu said...

what an amazing art feature and those flowers are stunning.

nonnie said...

the flowers are spectacular and the whole thing is great!

embellishstudios said...

Wow!! I wish I could grow these kind of flowers!! Excellent job!

Barbara Mason said...

This chunky is so great- wonderful flowers and rope and barbed wire --gonna have to check out Lin's site...Just a wonderful piece!

SherylH said...

Wow -- love your chunky tag! And the embossed metal flowrs are fantastic.

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

It's like you are really part of a gang!!! The E-Team Gang and your outlaw art is adorable. Thanks for the step by step details. You all go thru a lot to have us relate to all this. Much appreciated.
I love the Metal Flowers so different and really beautiful.Great inspirations for my "Western" like brothers 50th birthday in a few weeks.
Thanks..

Karla Anderson said...

Love the Outlaw theme of this! The metal work on your ice is beautiful!

Lynda said...

WOW! ~ A wonderful, creative project! Thank you for sharing.

Glenda said...

Well girlfriend, I think you have found your calling! This is the most awesomest (Is that a word?) project I have ever seen! Your metal work just gets better and better and that creativity is running wild!!!

Basement Stamper said...

Love the outlaw creation, very western and the directions of it all...wonderful. The metal flowers are too cool!

Joan B said...

good grief, amazing!! wow is all I can say. the details are just gorgeous.

Martha Nicholson said...

I gotta make this. It would look great in my western theme home

aurorawitch57 said...

Love the Ten Second Studio flowers! Can't wait to use some of that myself! Beautiful project.

Karen Denson said...

This is beautiful and you showed me something I have never seen. I love the metal on the side that is embossed. I never knew there were embossing templates like that. I absolutely love it and will have to try it out.

Kathi said...

Love the flowers. Truly an amazing piece of art.

Anne said...

Fantastic! Love the flowers and the embossed metal. Anne, yourmainestamper

Dee in N.H. said...

Wow, this is gorgeous! I love the detail that you made with the mold!

Linda S. said...

Good Heavens...your post on the Chunky Art project sure exposed me to a lot of new techniques and toys. I love your Western Themed project, and all the details you added. Thank you for all the details, and a great post.
Linda S. in NE

Kathy Eddy said...

Now this is just a great piece all around! Love what you did with it!

Kim C. said...

I love all the metal you used on your tag especially the flowers. I will definately have to visit Lin's blog for the tutorial. These are really addicting, aren't they.

Cathy Y said...

Wowza - your metallic flowers are fantastic. And I love the metal rope panel.

Patti P. said...

I love your outlaw art....anything that can tie back to your history...like the picture from your in laws house strikes a cord for me when creating. Great job and love your flowers. So creative. Tfs

Sue D said...

Fabulous! Love the flowers and the old photo.

Gilda said...

I love your creation. The metal flowers are beautiful.

Shelann said...

Love your outlaw blocks.

Michele Oliver said...

Wow, cannot believe what you ladies can create. Very inspiring

Anonymous said...

I love what you can do with metal Starla... I'm with Broni, I would love a few lessons ;). Love your art piece. Hugs Linda Duke

Pam said...

They saved the best for last! Truly lovin your chunky art! And the metal work? Fabulous!!
Pam

Anonymous said...

I love this look. This is awesome.

Jerry said...

The metal flowers are beautiful. I think your theme is amazing.

Paulette S said...

Starla,
Wow!! Your metal flowers are Awesome!! And they showed up just fine. I immediately wondered how you did that rope, it's amazing, I thought it was real rope buried in gesso or something. And your barbed wire is right there too, love it! What great inspirations and looking for the real meanings behind the art. So much Fun! =D

DWD said...

WOW!!! I love your flowers and the embossed metal. Love the paper barbed-wire too. I hope you made copies of the tin printed photos.

Cher said...

wow...you make me want to run and play with the metal in my stash that stares at me often...you really rocked this...and I want to ty for telling us HOW...luv luv when bloggers do that for the umm...challenged like myself! xo

Jackie said...

I have made a couple of these and they are so much fun. Happy birthday. Jackie

Vic said...

I love it! Your flowers are the "art" version of the tin stars the lawmen wore!

iamvictorias at gmail dot com

Suzanne Bouchard said...

We don't see metal creations very often. Your flowers are very interesting with the textures you gave them! Nice work!

wustaz said...

I am so impressed how creative and resourceful you are

laurensmom22 said...

What a cool project! Love, love the metal on this and that photo is priceless (although it's too bad you don't know who it is).

Nancy S said...

I love your use of metal on your chunky art. I am also a big fan of Ten Seconds. I totally get your use of flowers and the wanted poster, really.

Debs Doodles and More said...

great metal flowers and it pulled your theme together so great!!. going to have give these a try

Debs Doodles and More said...

love your metal flowers and how they pulled your theme all together and really made it work

Alicia said...

Love the creativity and the use of the metal. Beautifully done.

Iris said...

Love your "Outlaw Art". Very creative. Iris Soscia

newfiecrafter(Marilyn) said...

Love your "Outlaw Chunky Art" and the flowers are gorgeous .
Marilyn

Jen said...

Love the theme of your chunky art!! Those metal flowers are amazing!!

Susan ~ Killam Creative said...

Oh my goodness, my eyes have bulged at all the incredible projects along this hop. You are my last stop and I'm oh-so-glad 'cause your outlaw art knocked me off my chair. I've fallen and I can't get up! The metal sides are brilliant -thanks so much for sharing your technique. I never would have been able to see how smart and versatile that mold really is! I've been eyeing up those metal flower tutorials, too. Yours are too cool!

Cheers,
Susan

CuddlyBunny said...

Ouu! Gorgeous! No wonder you like the flowers, they're outstanding!

Also, I'm completely with you on your "theme" ... makes perfect sense!

Micki said...

wow girl I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!! I've got to get me some of those metal/mold toys absolutely love how your barbed wire mold painted & distressed looks.

Awesome pic tutorial and as far as the printer font... you betcha, whatever works :-).

LOVE it girlfriend! :-)

Southern Chic Vintage said...

I love your use of metal. I LOVE the chunky ATC card. I am certainly going to introduce these to the 82 members of my ATC swap. I know they will LOVE IT!!!

Debby said...

I really like the metal flowers, they add the perfect touch, Thanks for sharing the technique...

Erika M. said...

Wow what an amazing creation!

Beate said...

Starla, this project just kept me gaping. It's just stunning! You sure know how to work the metal.
Absolutely gorgeous!
Hgus and smiles