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Thursday 6 October 2016

Mixed Media Altered Book

Hi, crafty friends!

I am back today to share with you my project I created for our new challenge at Stamps and Stencils
Our wonderful Autumn is hostessing the challenge and she has chosen the theme 'Elements of Nature'. 

This is how she describes her challenge theme:

Whether you are inspired by the glorious world around us with the changing seasons, or tempted to use elements of nature in your art work, this month we'd love to see your nature inspired entries.  Anything goes as long as you include a natural element in your art which can be either either stamped or an actual item ! As always you need to include stamping or stenciling. 
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I love using natural elements in mixed media projects and I decided to alter a book being inspired by this amazing challenge theme. 
The final result looks like this:


This was a pretty thin book and I cut out the middle of the pages in a rectangle shape using my craft knife.  I created a kind of frames.


I didn't want to glue down the pages so I used some metal brads instead of a glue.


To add some texture onto my frames I used a dry wall tape and then applied a coat of white gesso over it. I also added my Golden crackle paste randomly using a palette knife. 


I used my Decoart media antiquing cream in Raw umber over the textured frame and once dry I wiped it off with a baby wipe.
Here's the result.


To decorate my left frame I used some old book pages, a Reverse chicken wire TCW stencil and an iron paste (Stamperia). Then I used my finger to slightly apply my Decoart Metallic lustre in gold on top. I also used my Decoart media spray in Turquoise to add some splatters. I fussy cut the butterfly from some paper collection I had in my stash and distressed it with my DI in Vintage photo. I glued it down onto some decorative wooden elements I found in our local craft store.


For the other frame I used an old encyclopedia paper and a Tim Holtz's Splatters stencil with the same iron paste. I also used my Metallic lustre in Iced espresso on top. I wanted to achieve more natural look so I used some melted bees wax, as well. 
I also added some natural elements I had in my stash. 


Here are some close up photos showing the dimension and the details. 




I used Distress spray stain in Rusty hinge and my Golden Open acrylic paint in Quinacridone gold on top of my metal brads to imitate some rust.



I hope that I have inspired you to create your mixed media piece for our 'Elements of Nature' challenge at Stamps and Stencils! 

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Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving lovely comments! I read and appreciate each and every one of them!

Hugs! Branka xx

Challenges:
Frilly and Funkie challenge blog - Author, Author - I was inspired by three books - an old German book (the author's name is not readable), an old botanical encyclopedia and a 'Book of Old Traditions' (that is the book I actually altered and the author is unknown).

24 comments:

  1. Wowowow, this just gorgeous. Thank you so much for linking to MOO MANIA & MORE

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  2. And it is a big WOW from me too Branka!! This is just full of rustic charm, the crackling on the frame is superb, the rusty elements look amazing and the natural elements you added just take this piece to another level. I wish I could touch the texture and see the beauty of this!!

    There are just a few hours left but you should add this to A Vintage Journey - Create Within A Frame challenge..... Hugs, Anne xx

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    1. Aw, thank you so much, my dear friend! You are so sweet to remind me to join in that wonderful challenge at AVJ! Hugs! xx

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  3. I'm in AWE! Love especially the use of all these different natural elements, of bee's wax and how the frames came out! Also great: the fake rusty look about the brads and these dirty carbon-like splatters. Absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for showing.

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  4. A-MAZE-ING!!! Branka, this is a new favorite of mine, filled with so many creative ideas! First, I love that you used a book and then you "nailed" those pages down! Love that and the rust around them--looks like REAL rust! And your crackle is truly stunning (crackle envy, here!). I'm still trying to figure out how you got that stenciling done in there so perfectly when there is a difference in the depth. Really a fabulous project. Now for my tip--Author, Author at Frilly and Funkie-just sayin'! Lots of love to you my super talented friend! You are on fire in that lovely little studio of yours!

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    1. Thank you so much, my lovely! You made my day with your sweet comment! Well, it seems that I missed to explain a part of the process regarding the stencilling work. Sorry for that! I decorated my inside covers of the book first (collaging, stencilling, etc.) and than I glued down my 'nailed' pages onto the covers. Hugs! B xx

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  5. Very artistic and creative make Branka!
    Hugs
    Samra
    Paper Talk with Samra

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  6. What a gorgeous book frame project Branka! Love all the texture you added, the crackle and aging - lovely sea items incorporated inside your frame and overall wonderful coloring to recreate the sandy feel! Thank you for joining us in the AVJ challenge! Julia xx

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  7. You sure have been busy dearie! :)

    Squeal!!!! This is so beautifully done and detailed and just begs to be touched. Oh dearie, the natural elements you have added are drop dead gorgeous and add silica a lovely grounded effect. The stenciling and splattering are awesome sauce. I so enjoy the way you have cut out the book and have to use this idea. This is my new fave of yours! Brilliant and beautiful! Hugz to you muffin!

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  8. Super cute!!! Thank you for joining us at Eclectic Ellapu, good luck!!! Amy DT

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  9. Absolutely AMAZING Branka ! That's a fantastic piece of art - a WOWSER!
    Thank you very much for joining us at Moo Mania & More with this wonderful project!!!
    oxo Susi

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  10. Really stunning, Branka - one of my favourite creations of yours ever, for sure. Gorgeous autumnal neutrals, and I just adore the book page insets and the natural elements. Beautiful, beautiful work. Thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey.
    Alison x

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  11. Branka, you had me at rusty nails! LOL! And then to add all of these beautiful natural elements - wow! What a stunning and creative project this is! Every detail and texture works perfectly together in harmony. I just love your project and am thrilled with your take on our nature challenge. Hugs, Autumn

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    1. Darling congrats on your win at Rhedd's! Well deserved. <3

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  12. Oh, oh, oh wow! Where do I start listing all of the things I love about this project? I'm not going to bother making a list, I LOVE EVERYTHING Branka. Thank you for playing along with the Crafty Boots Autumn Challenge.

    Dionne

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  13. Oh Branka ...such a work of art! This is wonderful. I love the whole concept. So very pretty. And so delicate too. Love it. Hugs rachel x

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  14. Sooooo wow!!! Love this !!! A very beutiful creation !!!
    Thank you so much for entering our ATG challenge at Through The Craft Room Door this week. Looking forward to see you again next challenge.
    Hugs Cicci,
    TTCRD DT
    Cicci vid pennan {Welcome to visit My blog }
    Through The Craft Room Door
    ttcrd.blogspot.com

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  15. Oh my gosh, wow!! This is amazing, Branka!! The design and details are spectacular!! I love the rusted brads!! I am totally in awe of this!! It's stunning!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  16. This is absolutely stunning, I just love alll the texture and natural elements.. Fabulous idea to make the shadow box out of a book. Not very easy to cut though, I find that quite difficult. A brilliant project, perfect for the challenge.

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  17. This is just fabulous...I love everything about it...
    What a great entry for our challenge over at Altered Eclectics.....

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  18. Hi Branka..I am back again, this time for Rhedd's Creative Spirit.
    Your project really is a work of art, I love the subject and composition..truly beautiful...x

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  19. It's such a lovely collage Branka. Thank you for joining us at Frilly and Funkie xx

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  20. Wow, love all your textures and that you did TWO sides of your book, not just one! That chicken wire stencil is so cool, looks like you really put chicken wire on your book. I might have to pick one of those up.

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  21. Hi,

    I Thought you would like to know that you have been Placed in the Crafty Boots 'Autumn' Challenge. Many congratulations.

    We are offering both the winner and runners up from this challenge Guest Design Team spots for the Crafty Boots That challenge starts on 21 November. Please contact me at CraftyBootsDT@gmx.co.uk if you would like more information about participating in this new challenge.

    Do not forget to collect a copy of the Crafty Boots Challenge Top Three badge from our blog.

    Kindest regards.

    Dionne

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