Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Sea Themed ATB

Get ready for a looong post because there is a lot going on in this project! I am using the techniques Tim Holtz shared for September's tag of 2014 and incorporating the color challenge going on this month at Mixed Media Monthly. Here's a look before I dive into all the info:

Front View
Mixed Media Monthly provided a photo to use as the inspiration for your color scheme:


I just loved these colors and they made me think of a tropical coral reef and the flowers looked like sea anemones to me. That sparked the idea for my theme! I also thought the alcohol ink/glossy cardstock techniques Tim shared on his blog for the September tag would work well with it too. Looking at the other sides…






The base is a circle of foam core board and the base of the Sizzix Cupcake Stand. I used the Dot Fade stencil and Texture Paste on it, then painted over the top of it all. The Distress Paint blends well and catches in all the nooks and crannies. I wanted it to have the feel of rock. The sand is Tim's special "recipe" – you can find it and the directions for creating the seahorses and starfish in his July tag post. Make sure you have everything ready to go when you mix it up because it hardens fairly quickly! Each of the four quarters of the base has a little vignette in it:



The letterpress blocks I swiped with Weathered Wood paint and then sprinkled with a bit of embossing powder. It look a bit weathered and like it's covered with barnacles.


The sea anemone is actually made from the Rosette die. I cut the strip out of rice paper and used Distress stains to make a gradation of color from hot pink to light pink. When it was dry I snipped two thirds of the way down the perforated fold lines. I rolled it around a little section of a drinking straw and glued it into place – then fluffed out the "arms".


More sea horses! I just love these dies and the Rock Candy Crackle Paint looks so neat.


My husband laments that I did not actually write a secret message on my "message in the bottle". Next time! I did make it look cool with Crackle Paint and alcohol ink though. Be sure to coat a slick surface like glass with Multi Medium first (and let it dry) or the crackle paint will flake off.

Finally a close peek at the top:

 

I started the top out with the largest teardrop facet glued into a hole I punched in the middle of my stamped and embossed compass medallion. Once that was dry I could glue the seahorses and coral pieces into place. I also glued in a few pieces of sea glass to help prop everything up. Strong, quick drying glue is important!

Thanks for sticking with me on this long post! I'm really happy with the way this turned out. I hope you find it inspiring. Most of the supplies I used for this can be found at Inspiration Emporium. Follow the links below and use my code JUICE to save 10% if you go shopping. I will also point out that US shipping is always $5 and international shipping is just $10. ;-)




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15 comments:

  1. Lee aka Violent KittieSeptember 25, 2014 at 2:28 AM

    absolutely wonderful!

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  2. Lynn KSeptember 25, 2014 at 6:31 AM

    This is stunning!!! All the detail and textures are AMAZING!! LOVE the seahorses. You nailed the color challenge as well!! Thanks for joining us in this month's Mixed Media Monthly Color Challenge!

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  3. ClaudineSeptember 25, 2014 at 7:20 AM

    This is so gorgeous, Love it!! The details are amazing and the hight you achieved on it is amazing.

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  4. Scrappin' StacySeptember 25, 2014 at 8:28 AM

    WOW is all I can say!

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  5. RedanneSeptember 25, 2014 at 9:36 AM

    Your ATB sea scene is just fabulous Lisa! I love the sand and the sea floor, the beautifully coloured sea horses, the block, the gorgeous coloured embellishments - well everything - a totally stunning project! Anne x

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  6. crafty creationsSeptember 25, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    Wow Lisa what an amazing piece of art x Hilda

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  7. MemeSeptember 25, 2014 at 10:34 PM

    WAIT........Had to pick my jaw up off the floor! Lisa this is over the top FABULOUS!

    WOW!

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  8. UnknownSeptember 26, 2014 at 10:44 AM

    I love how perfectly you have combined your challenges - the result is awesome!

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  9. magicalmagpieSeptember 26, 2014 at 10:27 PM

    Wow, just Wow! TFS

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  10. LauraViSeptember 27, 2014 at 5:59 AM

    Magic ATB, love it!

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  11. Donna B.September 30, 2014 at 6:14 PM

    That is an awesome project! I really love all the different segments and especially those colorful plants on the bottom. Such a fun way to use our colors. Thanks for joining us this month at the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

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  12. RachelSeptember 30, 2014 at 6:46 PM

    WOW! This is just amazing!! absolutely stunning project. Thank you so much for playing with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
    -Rachel
    rwkrafts.com

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  13. LaloOctober 1, 2014 at 2:59 AM

    WOW WOW WOW! This is amazing! So lovely and just awesome!

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  14. LynnOctober 1, 2014 at 4:45 PM

    Wow, a lot of work went into this! So many little details, I love it! Thanks for playing along in the Mixed Media Challenge!

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  15. Jenny MarplesOctober 6, 2014 at 2:36 PM

    Such a clever and beautifully executed creation Lisa. Jenny x

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