Well its that time again where over in the dungeon at Haunted Design House we have been whipped until we come up with something viable for the weekly challenge.The challenge this week is 'Bare Bones' basically no adornment's ( no frills, embellishments brads etc) Oh and the usual expectation of it being a little on the dark side even if it is cutesy dark ;)Now at face value this sounded easy,and until I sat down to work I was under that misconception. After a few false starts I finally came up with this and I have to say I kinda really like it.I went with the KISS philosophy (keep it simple stupid)
I started out with a 6''x6'' chunky wooden frame, the back of this is also wood and is a one piece thing.
I used Paper Artsy acrylic paints, first an olive green base and then one of their translucent greens slightly darker put on as a wash.When this was dry I used Deco Arts two stage crackle effect and rubbed some brown in when it was dry, I picked this technique up from Andy Skinner at the Craft Barn demo day. If you have not checked out his work please do, there should be links on the side of my blog. for the inside of the frame I took some white craft card and cut it to shape, I then stained it up with distress inks applied to my craft mat with water added and the paper drawn through it a few times, Its a finish I have used a few times and was then shown just how versatile this effect is by Neil Walker To finish it all off I got to use one of my new Stampotique stamps. Arn't they just the cutest ;) lolThe other photos are just to show the crackle effect off a little better, my photo skills still need some work.
As always thank you so much for stopping by, I hope you leave a comment as I love to read what you have to say.
Also a great big THANKS for all the support and encouragement.
So all you have to do now is pop over to the Haunted Design House and have a play.Would be great to see you there. x
I have had a good search around this eve for different challenges to enter.
I would like to enter this into the challenge over at Creative Stamp Friends their challenge is 'distressing'
I would also like to enter this into the challenge at Lexi's Creations the challenge their is 'Autumn Colours' I think drab green and browns have an Autumn feel about them.
There is a brand new challenge blog just starting up, Anything But A Card the challenge their is 'Anything goes' as long as its not a card ;) My kind of challenge blog ;) Do I not like cards ;) ;) x
I'd like to enter this into The Artistic Stamper the challenge this time around is 'Splatters And Speckles'
The back ground for the main image should count as speckled and splattered?? x
Absolutely love it!!! Excellent how you tell how you did it too. x
ReplyDeleteLooks really impressive, how these three dudes stare at you, trapped in these massive, crackled walls. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Vienna,
die amelie x
a great make, love the way there is interest here without all the embellies and stuff! a great bare bones project and 3 very cute little dudes!!! trace x
ReplyDeleteFabulous work, love the stamp too, we have stampotique on our very extensive wish list.
ReplyDeleteSimple is always harder, I think, but when you get it right it's brilliant - and that's what this is! Completely love your crackle frame, and though the Stampotique lot usually freak me out a bit, I'll agree these are pretty cute and on a fabulous splattery background! Artistic Stamper are looking for Speckles and Splatters this month - would this qualify?
ReplyDeleteAlison x
Hi Mark, I love your crackled frame and when you have great techniques like this, you don't need to clutter it up with 'stuff' do you?! Great colour choice, the inky background always does it for me too and then you have those delicious little chappies looking out!! I so want some of those stamps - perhaps Father Christmas will oblige??
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this at ABAC's first challenge and please come back!
Juliax
Great class on Sunday - good to share fun with you and the others.
Ha! I love the KISS -- that is exactly my philosphy when it comes to cards and ATCs. I love your little canvas. Love the green (alien) color of the frame!
ReplyDeletePeace,
Kay
Very splattery (spell check is trying to tell me that's not a word)and speckled indeed.. love the crackle too.
ReplyDeletethanks for entering it in to the "Artistic Stamper" challenge.
cant tell you how much I DO NOT like making cards either... :)
Love it! Great image and FAB crackling on the frame :)
ReplyDeletehello mark,
ReplyDeletei love it - very beautiful, thankyou for joining us at creative stamp friends, sonne
...such a great make Mark, loVe the colour of your beautifully crackled frame it is the perfect compliment to it's contents, loVe loVe loVe this fab fun and quirkly image, a delightful trio & such a cool choice & these dudes are shown to their best with this ink-tastic background, super tones and watermarks...greens and browns are a perfect marriage in our colourful world...with every posting you grow, fabby stuff Mark...Melxx :)
ReplyDeleteWow Mark, I don't think I can add much more than others have already said but I love the crackle, love the background you created and love, love, love those gorgeous little creatures - how cool are they? Sounds like it went well at the Craft Barn too. Anne x
ReplyDeleteApologies, I have Craft Barn on the brain, meant the class....
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about ordering that image - it has such a cool feel to it and it looks awesome in your box. You keep coming up with the coolest techniques and looks! Impressive stuff!
ReplyDeleteAmazingly fantastic, as is all of your work! I think the others have said it all. Brilliant work and thanks for sharing how you created it. Thanks for the warm welcome as GDT as well.
ReplyDeleteMark, I think you did an excellent job at keeping it simple! The crackled frame is the perfect setting for these 'Burton'esque characters! Have to agree that as far as skeletons go, they're pretty cute! Love the inky, weathered background too!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining us at Anything But a Card Challenges!
Simple yet effective. Love the green wash and crackle colours too.
ReplyDeletekyla
Hi Mark, your KISS-philosophy worked out just perfectly with this project! It's absolutely smashing as it is. The green suits perfectly and the hints of brown are giving the ideal last touch. Would love seeing this hanging on some wall :-) Love this stamp, too, as you know.
ReplyDeleteBest, Suzanne xx
Love your crackled frame Mark, & that brilliant quirky image! Great to see you joining in with The Artistic Stamper Challenge!
ReplyDeleteWas good to catch up with you on Sunday, it was a fun class with Andy, as usual.
Alison
Great piece, love everything about it! Thanks for entering it into the Artistic Stampers challenge!
ReplyDeleteI have great problems with the KISS philosophy, can't make something simple and also nice. So my deepest respect for this fantastic piece of art! Very cool, love the (splattered) background.
ReplyDeleteAm liking your new Stampotique stamps..... lovely piece of work Mark, the crackle effect is great, so detailled.....
ReplyDeleteIt certainly counts! and a great piece it is too! Thank you for joining in The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Challenge.
ReplyDeleteJennie x
Woooow - what a smashing frame and cool content! Brillant work!
ReplyDeleteI also started crafting in 2011 - but in September and more in the flower and bling style. Amazing creations!
Thank you so much for joining us at Creative Stamp Friends this time :)
Cheers!
Sabrina
Brilliant, especially the crackled frame, with the amount of texture you've achieved with it. And the waterstained background works fantastically with the Daniel Torrente image. Love the symmetrical layout of the design which draws the eye in on your focal image. Uncluttered and arty. Px
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC!!!! Thanks for joining us at ABAC :) :)
ReplyDeleteHey Mark! Love your cracked frames and the cool color. You really do amazing "artsy" work...love seeing your creativity! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment. <3 Candy
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspirational piece of art Mark. I love the colours you chose. Absolutely Stunning. Hugs Rita xx
ReplyDeleteI love this...I keep coming to look at it lol. The green is just gorgeous and the images are delightful! Thanks for joining us at ABAC!
ReplyDeleteOh..yes...bare bones. Looks fine but hopefully you attached a bit more after making the pictures.(:o) I'm missing bits of Mark (as you know what i mean)Holidays are great. Sleeping, creating and a bit laundry. Meeting some friends here and there, just chilling...that's great. Next saturday i'm going to a stamp exposition. Meeting forum friends and hope to discover some nice stamps.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Hi Mark - this is a great project. Love the crackle effect on the frame and the colours are perfect for autumn. Thanks for sharing it at Lexi's Creations this time in our "Autumn Colours" challenge.
ReplyDeleteHelen x (DT)
Such an awesome spooky project! So excited for all the Halloween inspired crafts I'm seeing lately! Thanks for joining us at ABAC!
ReplyDeleteLove your SpOoky Cute Halloween decor! The colors and textures are quintessentially Halloween - and whimsical, too. I will be giving these techniques a try. Thanks for sharing your project with everyone at ABAC!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at The Artistic Stamper this month with your fab project.
ReplyDeletexoxo Sioux
Sorry for the lateness of this comment I completely forgot I should be doing it!!! Is old age catching up with me? ROFL ;)
What a lovely project. So impressive design. From your designing i realize that for the attraction of people creative designs are also must for the Plastic Business cards. I appreciate your nice work.
ReplyDelete