Just wanted to say ... thanks for taking the time to stop by, hope you enjoyed your visit.x

Wednesday 18 February 2015

Discovery and Re-discovery

I know I am being a bit of a sporadic blogger but I am playing and enjoying dabbling in the crafty world again and enjoying the whole ...playing thing, that sometimes get lost in deadlines and everyday life...some days I play with crafty things and some days I don't , no pressure but plenty of fun!

So here is the result of some of that playtime...some Decoart and plenty of distress and Tim Holtz goodness too ...so here is my latest playtime make :


So do you ever feel like you have found a way back to something that you loved, lost in life's ups and downs and now have found again....I feel like I am discovering all the things I loved about crafting and had forgotten ....the gorgeous way that crackles appear and how they look when inked, the yummy way simple drops of water splashing on distress in make so much magic...I know what a soppy socks, but I really feel I am experiencing the joy of crafting all over again ....and I don't want that to stop!

I still have  a busy life away from it and many things still to do , but I consider myself one lucky person.

So on to the details, as you know I have been playing with some new goodies from hubbie, well from Decoart actually , but you know what I mean... and here I have played with them some more and love this yummy crackle paste....coupled with some of my favourite distress colours...so the details..

I started with a size 10 tag and applied Decoart crackle paste through the lattice Tim Holtz layering stencl, one of my favourites...and left it to work its magic. When done , I spritzed some pumice stone and frayed burlap distress stain sprays onto the tag and dried. I edged with some walnut stain distress ink. The spritzed some water into the palm of my hand and flicked across tag, leaving for a few seconds before dabbing off and heat drying.


I love these colours and that crackle is just yummy, don't you think?


Now to add some details, I created some rusty looking pieces using trellis frameworks die and a technique from Andy Skinner's Timeworn course ( so no details but you can find the course here ).
 I like to place things and leave them unstuck until I  have finished as I often move stuff about!


here is a close up, hopefully you can see the rusty effect


Now for one of my favourite ideaology releases, okay I have a few ..well maybe more than a few but i love these found relative cards and this one just wanted to be used, I lightly sanded it and inked with...you've guessed it, walnut stain distress ink, scuffing the edges with my edge distressing tool.


I added a numeral, which had some Decoart painty distressing ...and was stapled with little kisses!


Finally I added some trusty rusty wire, a word band and some hand made flowers, again given a Decoart painty finish.

The flowers were die cut, embossed using Tim Holtz embossing folder, I then added some washes of decoart paints before adding a layer of crackle glaze. when dry I covered in antiquing cream and rubbed off, leaving very subtle highlights in the cracks.


So there you have it , the results of some very happy playtime, rediscovery of my love of distress and all things Tim Holtz and also a new discovery of a love of Decoart....I love how I can combine these with my love of vintage and that I am that I learning new things! I think I might like this painty lark!

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by and I will be back soon with some more playtime pleasures x

keep those fingers inky ... and painty!
trace x


19 comments :

  1. This is stunning Trace. I am so pleased that you have rediscovered the joy of crafting and just doing what you like doing with crafts. Lovely to see you blogging again.

    Hugs Chrissie xx.

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  2. What a lovely post Trace, I am so pleased to see you enjoying crafting again - I love seeing how you work your magic! This tag is gorgeous, full of Tim and DecoArt goodness! Hugs, Anne xx

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  3. Hi Trace!! Thank you so much for joining me on my crafty adventure over at my blog! I've had a little nose around your blog and love what you make! Glad to see you're getting back into it slowly, I think we forget that firstly we need to be doing this for ourselves and enjoying the journey!
    Hugs from your newest follower,
    Georgie xx

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  4. Fabulous! Trace n so good to read ya enjoying crafting again ! :) Love all the textures, effects n colour palette . Can really see ya enjoyed making this piece xx

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  5. Wow, gorgeous Trace! I love your Andy Skinner rusted technique and the background is amazing with all those wonderful drips and splashes! Your flowers are amazing, I love the texture on the petals! An amazing tag!! hugs :)

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  6. A beautiful tag Trace and great to see you back crafting and with no pressure. The crackle paste looks fabulous and I love the layout.

    Best wishes
    Annie

    Ps got my stamps Thank you x

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  7. Lovely to see you back in blogland Trace. A great tag with fabulous crackles.
    Julie x

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  8. Lots of my favourite things, crackle, texture and rust I adore the rust . Lovely tag. Tracy x x

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  9. Oooooooo! This is gorgeous Trace! Love your wonderful textured background , and those found relatives really do look at home! Enjoy your playtime ! X

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  10. Hello Trace, it's lovely to see you and your fabulicious tag. No, you are not soppy and yes, that crackle paste looks yummy! The whole thing looks delicious in fact. I'm seeing several of you working with new decoart products that must definitely go on my wish list. Beautiful creation.

    I'm in a similar zone only being able to craft occasionally so completely understand where you are coming from. Given more limited time, it can be more fun to just play freely rather than be governed by themes etc. Anyway, I hope all is 'on the up' with you and your loved ones. Nicola x

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  11. Fab tag, Trace! Fingers covered in ink and paint...what's not to love?! Have fun.mhuhs

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  12. Hi Trace ....Just catching up in Blogland...been on a little bloggy break...sorry I haven't commented for a while...Love all the texture in your beautiful tag ... and just adore all that crackle!! Hugs Jan x

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  13. Oh Trace it's wonderful to see you playing again and enjoying yourself and the results are just fantastic! Tim Holtz and Deco art are a match made in heaven and your tag is just a real stunner! Love everything about it, the crackle is amazing, the rust effect brilliant too and I just love how the flowers turned out!!

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  14. Welcome back to blog land Trace and lovely to see your fab creations again xx GailT xx

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  15. Love this - especially your flowers! The crackle and antiquing cream effect is fantastic! Look forward to trying this. Also love your stenciled crackle with those sprays - wonderful color effect! Thanks so much for sharing all of these detailed steps - xx Lynn

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  16. gorgeous make trace. love the look of that crackle paste. just got some wendy vecchi paste and can't wait to use that! hugs rachel xc

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  17. A fabulous vintage background with gorgeous crackle, and the rusty trellis looks so cool. It's so lovely to hear how much pleasure your occasional dabbling is giving you - I'm just happy whenever any of your gorgeous work appears, so take your time!!
    Alison xx

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  18. So, so glad you're still playing and what fabulous results! Texture, design and that touch of Trace magic. Jenny x

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  19. I love Andy Skinner and much sign up for more!!! Trace, this tag is utterly breathtaking. I love that crackle texture and those rich neutral colors! Happy Weekend! Hugs!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and leave me a comment..it means a lot..hope you like what you see. Trace x