Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Autumnal tag by Astrid

Hi there Shimmerz friends, thanks for dropping in! Astrid here, sharing some fun playtime I had with a quick fall project.
I wanted to experiment with some of the warm tones in the Shimmerz collection, and I'll list all the products I used through out this post,as I take you through a quick step by step:

I started with a Ranger size 10 Manilla tag and scraped on a thick layer of rather old gesso, I mention this because it is a bit dried out and very thick, just right for what I wanted it for on this occasion:
I scraped it on with a palette knife and while it was still wet pressed down some old book pages, which I then peeled off again, just leaving some tiny scraps behind, I also pressed a Tim Holtz layering stencil (the crackle one) right into the gesso, using it like a kind of impression plate, this gave me some additional texture. Below is a close up:
I was after a sort of stucco wall effect. Looks kind of all right, but now watch what happened after I brought out my Shimmerz sprays, that's when the magic starts to happen....
All I did was give it some quick sprays of Spritz  in the colour Truffle. Spritz is a wonderful translucent shimmering spray, just perfect for a first layer. Again, here's a close up:
Next I wanted to deepen the colour a bit in the center, so I  took some Vibez ( a less translucent and more vibrant spray) in the colours Truffle and Before Dawn, and sprayed them towards the center of the tag:
On to the embellishing, - I die cut a couple of leaves from thick white card and started to play with some Shimmerz, paints, I chose warm yellow, orange and red, these are the colours I used: Royal Red, Pumpkin, Sunflower and a tiny bit of Celery.
These little pots of paints are thick, vibrant and creamy. I played around for quite a while, using a brush, a lolly-pop stick, dripping some on and swirling the paint around, mixing and layering, until I had the effect I was after. I then also added a tiny bit of Blingz, in Gold Glimmer, watering it down, to add just that tiny bit shimmer (hard to see on the photo). I then edged the leaves with a bit of dark brown Distress Ink (Ground Espresso)
Now all I had to do was add a few bits and bobs from my stash to create a kind of autumnal cluster, a sentiment, and I was done.

The wreath thing was a Dusty Attic chippy that I gave a few spritzes of Truffle Spritz
I added some wired raffia twine, curled around a thin paintbrush to give it all a bit of a rustic look.
The sentiment is just a sticker from the 7 Dots Studio Dreamer collection by Finnabair, I chose it because the colours just matched my project to perfection.
A few bits of ribbon and twine at the top, to carry on the rustic theme, and that was pretty much it....
Just as a little reminder, you can order Shimmerz products directly from the Shimmerz Paints Store. If you do, don't forget to mention my name (Astrid Maclean) in the «Instruction to Merchant/seller» part of your order form (just below your name and address). After clicking «add», you'll get a FREE product in the color of your choice. And for people from outside the US, Shimmerz do a really good deal on postage!
Thanks for visiting like always and stay inky!!

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my! I need to get my some old dried out gesso!!! :) this tag totally rocks! Astrid, shimmerz are lucky to have you on their team! Hugs,
Ingrid x

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Dear Astrid ,
your TAG is magnificently decorated. The background is so awesome. Absolutely amazing what you have for ideas. Hugs Silvi

Kathy Bradley said...

Astrid,
As always, a most gorgeous piece! I love the texture you created on the tag and the colors - the end result if wonderful.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! A bit of old Gesso and combination of Astrid magic and Shimmerz - this really is gorgeous! Chrisx

Unknown said...

This is just such gorgeous tag, I love that texture and the soft colour you have given the background x

Redanne said...

Your tag is just beautiful Astrid, the texture is wonderful and I love the gorgeous leaves you added. x

Maryann Laursen said...

Oh my goodness Astrid, this is simply the picture of Autumn. Sooo beautiful work as always, and just perfect decorated for this time of year. I just absolutely LOVE it. I honestly think, you can make beauty out of anything on your way.

Deb said...

Gorgeous textures and colours Astrid, the Shimmerz sprays made your textured background come to life! Thanks so much for sharing it, Deb xo

Unknown said...

So pretty Astrid! Love that textured background and the warm tones are pure Autumn!! XOXO-Shari

Julia Aston said...

Love the rustic look of that background and then all the little spritzes add just the right amount of color - a beautiful tag Astrid! Julia xx

experiments in paper said...

WOW!! Incredible tag, Astrid, and BRILLIANT step outs - thank you so much! I ordered some Shimmerz products once I learnt you were on the DT - can't wait to play with them! Love everything about this tag....but especially taken with the little curly-cue of raffia! Would never have thought of that, but it is such a great touch! Thanks, as always, for great inspiration!! xxx Lynn

Heather said...

I love Autumn! You have certainly captured some of its magic. Love this! x

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely glorious! I love that aged gesso background with the subtle spritzes of colour and the leaves, berries and garland are stunning against it.
Alison x

A Pink said...

Oh My! Waht an absolutely Gorgeous tag . Watching your background transform was fantastic and what a result. Love the rich autumnal colours of your leaves and the compositon of all your elements is absolutely perfect . it reminded me of the dream catchers which i love so you'd won me over before I saw or read anymore . Thx for sharing your 'how to' . Keep scrolling to see again and again I love it so much . xx

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Awesome!!Love this tag so much Astrid, thanks for inspiration.

Jackie PN said...

Completely outstanding!! The textures you gave this tag are fabulous and when you sprayed that Gorgeous Truffle on it- omgosh!! my heart be still!! Truly beautiful Astrid!! thank you for sharing! xo