Thursday, November 27, 2014

A Vintage Journey #20 - Birds of a Feather

First off - may I wish everyone in the USA a most blessed Thanksgiving!  We were the hosts for dinner this year with my sister and her husband, and one of her daughters (my niece) with her husband and their two sweet kids, Landon and Mila.  My other niece and family are in northern Maine with her husband's family - and my son and his lady are celebrating with some friends.

And now - may I welcome you to this fortnight's A Vintage Journey Challenge -  two weeks really fly by don't they?  And speaking of flying - here is the challenge that Creative Guide Chris has for us this week!
#20 Chris - Birds of a feather Now you've seen our line up it's time for YOU to get busy. Get out your inks, paints, chalks, Gelatos etc and grab your bird dies, stencils, masks, stamps, whatever avian stash you have and conjure up something that sings of our feathered friends. Whatever you create, we want to see Tim's influence clearly identified. Let's see your magic!  >:o)

While cleaning my craft room recently I not only found the instructions for the fabric basket I made for the last AVJ challenge seen here -   I also found a kit I had purchased a few years ago for needle felting a little owl.  I thought it was going to be difficult to make - so put it away (and lost it until recently!)  Come to find out - it was easy peasy to make and only took me about 10 minutes! HOW CUTE is this little guy???!!!
I made a pretty little woods hollow for him to live in.
Here's how it started and the steps I took to finish it.  I had purchased Tim's 5.5" x 5.5" Configurations Box on sale a Joann's quite some time ago.
I removed all the inside boxes and used just the cover and bottom of the box.
I sprayed the bottom of the box with Antiqued Bronze Spray Stain (design note - I first used the Tea Dye spray stain - but it ran right off whatever coating is on this box -  the Bronze Spray Stain must be made a little differently because it adhered to the surface).  I brushed a coat of Gesso on the top of the box.
I wanted to try out the Art Anthology Stone Effects/Sandstone paint I purchased a while ago.  I brushed it on with a stiff brush wanting to get a nice texture on the cover.  This paint really feels like rough sand when it's dry!
I lined the bottom of the box with a piece of Wallflower paper that I had sponged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
I embossed  Letterpress letters with Wendy Vecchi Archival Tree Branch ink and embossing powder. Then I stamped over the embossing with Wendy's Spatter Background stamp using Wendy's Archival Potting Soil ink.  Wendy showed this technique on her blog.
I wanted to get another tone on the cover and so I dabbed some Tarnished Brass Distress Paint randomly.  It has a little bit of a green tint which I liked for the woodsy look I was trying for.
I sponged over the cover with Ranger Distress Vintage Photo Ink and the sand paint practically tore apart the sponge applicator!.... so I brushed Matte Glue N Seal over the whole cover to try and seal it a bit. When it had dried - I found that it did make it feel much smoother - still rough but not sharp!
When I showed this to Kent - he thought it was a wooden frame I had painted so I guess I got the look I wanted!  I embossed the Clock Key with the Tree Branch embossing powder.  I inked the Philosophy tag (that says "Wander") with Archival Orange Blossom Ink and the Word Band (that says Observations) with Archival Fern Green ink.  I hit them with my heat tool for a minute to dry them. I wove a piece of Linen Ribbon through the Word Band. I used a Swivel clasp to connect the key with the tag.
I used a branch from my backyard for the little owl to sit on - gluing all the pieces in the box  with Glue N Seal.  I had inked the Compass Coin and Game Spinner with Archival Orange Blossom Ink.
I sponged some Mirrored Stars with Archival Orange Blossom Ink and dabbed the Foundation Box Feet with Tarnished Brass Distress Paint.  I didn't try to thoroughly cover the feet - leaving some bare spots.
I wanted to add some things to the outside frame of the cover without getting too cluttered.  I stamped the feather from Tim's Bird Feather stamp set by coloring the stamp with Walnut Stain and Brushed Corduroy Ranger Distress Markers - spritzing the stamp with a little bit of water and stamping it on rustic white card stock.  I cut it out and adhered it to cover edge.
I used Tim's Butterfly Frenzie die with some Wallflower paper to create a flutter of butterflies in muted tones.  Just enough to fill the space and complement, but not detract from, the scene inside the box.
Here you can see the wood look of the paints
I just glued the legs to the box with Glue N Seal. 
You can see here where I placed the inked Mirrored Stars. 
I placed one butterfly inside the box - fluttering on the branch.
I screwed the Clock Key into the side and the Curio Knob into the top of the cover before placing it over the box - as the legs curve around the back and the cover can't be removed after the legs are attached.
I love the little wood hollow I created for my sweet little owl - I think it's the perfect home for him where he can be happy sitting on his tree top branch and I can be happy just looking at him!
What will you create to illustrate "Birds of a Feather??  I can't wait to see what you link up!

Our challenge sponsor is Country View Crafts.  They are offering one winner, chosen by the Creative Guides, a £10 voucher to spend in their on-line shop.  

 I hope you will be inspired to play along with us -  you have 2 weeks - you will find all the details at the A Vintage Journey Blog - along with some wonderful "Birds of a Feather" inspiration by several of my very talented fellow Creative Guides!

Stamps:  Splatter Background Stamp - Wency Vecchi/Stampers Anonymous, Bird Feather - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous
Paper:  Rustic White - PTI, Paper Stash/Wallflower - Tim Holtz.
Ink:  Ranger Distress Vintage Photo, Archival Wendy Vecchi Tree Branch, Potting Soil, Orange Blossom and Fern Green.
Accessories:  Idea-ology - Word Bands, Compass Coins, Mirrored Stars, Letterpress, Game Spinners, Philosophy Tags, Clock Keys, Swivel Clasps, Linen Ribbon, Curio Knobs, Foundations; Butterfly Frenzie Die - Alterations, Glue N Seal - Ranger,  Mini Mister - Ranger, Ranger Distress Markers Walnut Stain and Brushed Corduroy, Tree Branch Embossing Powder - Wendy Vecchi, heat tool, White Gesso, Antiqued Bronze Spray Stain - Ranger, Art Anthology Stone Effects/Sandstone, Tarnished Brass Distress Paint - Ranger, Needle Felted Owl Kit from Fancy Tiger Crafts.com., branch from backyard.

25 comments:

Nicole Wright Designs said...

OMGEEEE Julia this little owl has to be the cutest thing I have seen all day. And I say 3 bully puppies cuddling a stuffy. I love all the elements you've used here and your adorable use of the Config Box. LOVE IT.

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Such a cute little owl and I loved the way you have treated the box. The texture and color is just so striking.

Mona Pendleton said...

Fantastic project Julia! That owl is a hoot! So cuuuute! Love all the detail! Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful project, love all the details! That little owl is so cute! Fabulous interpretation of the theme, love it!

Brenda Brown said...

Brilliant box with so many wonderful elements and a great hidey hole for that cute owl. Love this Julia.
Have a great weekend.
hugs Brenda xxx

Words and Pictures said...

How cute is he! Love the home you've created for him... the finish on the frame is beyond cool! Lovely use of the papers for the background too.
Alison xx

~amy~ said...

Did you hear me gasp? This is all kinds of wonderful Julia!
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Nikki Acton said...

Fabulous Julia - don't know what I like more, your exceptionally cute owl or your configurations box transformation. Just stunning, Nikki x

Vicki Dutcher said...

I look so forward to your ABC projects! Your owl is adorable and his house is amazing! :)

Jennie Atkinson said...

Your little felted owl is just adorable and what a fabulous little hollow you made for him too. Fabulous x

Redanne said...

Your little owl is just so cute! The box is fabulous too and I love that you showed us 'how to' as the finish on the box is just amazing! Thanks so much for sharing the details! Hugs, Anne xx

Annette Allen said...

oh my word this is the CUTEST little owl ever.. I love it.. fun designing.

Pat (mspfd) said...

What an adorable owl. Perfect tucked inside of his gorgeous new home.

Terry said...

Julia, I so love that adorable little owl! What a clever idea to alter the configurations box to give him a home! Fantastic!

Unknown said...

This is the funnest configurations box ever, Julia! I LOVE the little home you've made for that DARLING felted little owl! This is a WONDERFUL creation for AVJ :) Just so fun!! Thank you for linking Fancy Tiger Crafts and that kit! I totally want to try that :) Thank you for all of your wonderful step-x-steps :) XOXO-Shari

Loll said...

An amazing project Julia. Thanks for the step-by-step. All the wonderful products you've used really come together into an incredible work of art. I now have added lots to my wish list!! :) The felted owl ... what can I say --- he is ADORABLE and you've created a fantastic place for him to live! :) Loll xx

Pamellia said...

Wowsers! What an amazing project Julia! There are just so many fabulous elements here, what an amazing sense of detail you have! Love the little owl, what a cutie! Great bits of metal here and there and the butterfly is gorgeous too! Just love every bit of it! hugs :)

Deepti said...

Wow incredible transformation, Love the fab gold look of the frame paired with cute owl

Jools Robertson said...

I love you owl! So cute!!
What a wonderful home you created for him, such peaceful colours with twinkly stars and butterflies

Jools x

S@ndy Diller said...

Who wouldn't love this cute little owl. You did a fabulous job. So nice!

Rosie said...

How cute is this??? I love it

crafty creations said...

Wonderful piece of art Julia

Anonymous said...

A great way to use the configuration box Julia! Love the huge feather too! Karen.x

Jenny Marples said...

What a super cute owl! Funny how things we think are going to be tricky work quickly (and vice versa!!!) And of course you've created the most perfect little abode for it. Loving the way you've incorporated the branch and all that fab texture. Jenny x

Linsey R said...

Oh my gosh Julia, I love this SO much!!! You even made the little owl from scratch--you are the best!! I adore the nature elements mixed with the wonderful texture and the soft, romantic mixed with metal steampunk--it's all extraordinary and so very charming!!! I hope you are having a great holiday season so far! Hugs my friend! :)