Thursday 24 September 2015

Believe


Hello my lovely friends, fellow bloggers, and followers
How are you all doing? Hopefully you've all had a good week so far and are getting ready for the weekend .
Though the sun has been shining in my part of the world the last few days Autumn is definitely upon us. Autumn has always been one of my favourite seasons with all the rich, warm earthy tones of the leaves as they turn before they fall and the long cosy nights in the comfort of your own home snuggled up in front of the fire .With these thoughts in mind and knowing a few challenges have current themes relative to either the home or the season I have been busy creating a wall hanging for my home to share with you today . 

A good few years ago now I pressed some leaves that had fallen from some of the fabulous Acer Trees I have in my garden (I love Acers) and remembered I'd saved them to use at some point not really knowing when 'that point' would be or what I'd use them for exactly? Well, now was 'that point' to try out my idea to create a piece of Art that would bring my beautiful Acer leaves back to life and add an autumnal warmth to my home
Here's what I have made
I created the background panels using Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Distress Sprays. I added detail to both panels using Tim Holtz stamps and Layering Stencils. A Micron pen helped highlight and lift the stencilling. The edges of the smaller panel are ragged and I caught the edges of both panels with Gold Gilding wax. I love the effect the Tarnished Brass distress sprays creates. 
 

The stamped image has to be one of my all time favourite stamps of the many I own. I LOVE striking images of faces and eyes and this particular one for me is a stunner even before any colour, detail , embellishments are added.  I added colour using watercolour pencils and Tim's Distress Inks.  I created the hair using the Acer leaves adhering them in place one by one to create the layers. It was a slow process and took a great deal of patience due to the delicacy of the leaves ( yes, I confess there were a few 'Oh flips' along the way) but it was worth it. I spritz the leaves with Perfect Pearls to add a slight shimmer to contrast with the natural leaves.  I added a drop of glossy accents in the eyes and on the lips and a bit of ideology to embellish .
I added a wrap of natural ribbon around the background panel and added two ideology hitch fasteners to embellish which I'd altered using Distress Paints and Gilding wax 

 
The Mount is created using cardboard packaging, cut to size with the top layer stripped back to reveal the corrugation before being inked with Distress Inks and the edges and corrugation lines being caught with Gold and Copper Gilding Wax. I then mounted it onto black card stock and created two holes for the hanging chain . 
After adhering the background to the mount I added a few finishing  touches - an ideology word token 'Believe' (or should that be 'Beleave'), hinge clip and some hex nuts - all of which I'd altered using Distress Paints and Gilding Wax. Oh ,and not forgetting the loop pins and hanging chain .  
And here is my finished wall hanging .
 I'd told myself  this wasn't going to be a long post but it seems I've got carried away again! Next time - I promise!! Well OK, what I mean to say is I promise I'll TRY and that's a Pinky promise!! 

I would like to enter this my wall hanging into the following challenges 
Thanks so much for stopping by today/tonight. 
Your visits and any comments you care to leave are always appreciated. 
Look forward to seeing you again soon but in the meantime 
I hope you all have a lovely weekend
Take Care
 Amanda x

26 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous loving the stamp and the colours and the way you have used the leaves to create her head-dress

    ReplyDelete
  2. Truly and utterly fabulous. You are so talented xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely piece Amanda, love how you used the leaves and bought the outside to your art , bought it to life. Gorgeous warm tones in the backdrop too. Lovely. Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh this is so unique and gorgeous! I love the use of leaves and all those autumn colors! Absolutely a stunning hanging! Happy Weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Amanda I am popping back as I have just noticed that you have entered this beauty into our Vintage Journey challenge, thank you so much, it is a pleasure to have you joining us once again with your fabulous piece of work. Tracy x x

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is absolutely stunning Amanda! She reminds me of Petula Clark! The leaves look superb, what a fab idea. You've done up her face gorgeously and all the rich warm layers bring it all together beautifully. Happy weekend to you too! Nicola x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yummy xx Love the Acer leaves and all the layers and embellies. Have a lovely weekend xxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love rustly leaves too and the colours of some trees are amazing!
    I love this make and had to check to see if you used real leaves for her hair!!
    Wishing you a lovely weekend. Big hugs from Poppy and me xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Amanda I love your piece so much! It's incredible! your use of this stamp is stunning! love the colors and the design of your work! Frame and corrugated cardstock give a special grungy touch! Fabolulous! thanks for sharing with this week on Simon Says Monday Challenge Blog! Barbarayaya

    ReplyDelete
  10. A wonderfully creative piece x
    And, many thanks for the comment you left on my blog on the 25 Sept. it was very much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Stunning hanging. The leaves as hair is amazing. Love the timeworn frame! Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Hugs, Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Pink!!! This is an amazing piece, could be on of my favorites 💓

    ReplyDelete
  13. OMG, this is beyond amazing Amanda, wow, wow, wow!!!! Just stunning!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a fantastic autumn glow there is to this piece, Amanda. The colours and textures are just amazing - love that background panel between the (gorgeous) corrugated card and the (amazing) leafy-haired woman. So I pretty much love every layer!! Wonderful work. Thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey.
    Alison xx
    Oh, and I like long posts (as if you couldn't guess that!).

    ReplyDelete
  15. One word: Stunning! So much colour, texture, layers... Amazing! I love it. Thanks for playing along Simon Says Stamp No Designer Paper Challenge.
    Gayatri

    ReplyDelete
  16. In a word - STUNNING!!! Hugs, Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. WOW!!! Looove the tones and detail. You were definitely in the zone when you created this one Amanda
    Dot x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Amazing art, Amanda! Fabulous textures, color and overall design!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your patience has paid off with the hair design as this is a Jaw on the Floor post, truly amazing project which I adore. Thanks for joining in the challenge at A Vintage Journey and good luck.
    Julie x

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a cool project! Congrats on your spotlight at SSS!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Huge congratulations on your win at Simon Says with this stunning hanging Amanda!!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. Grungy and gorgeous! Love that background. Thanks so much for joining my challenge at Our Creative Corner. Julia x

    ReplyDelete
  24. That certainly is a gorgeous face - and I love how you have framed her face with your beautiful pressed leaves - your background is wonderfully dark and textured - a lovely project! Thanks for playing with the A Vintage Journey challenge! Julia xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. How clever to use those saved leaves as a fabulous hairline Amanda! I love the whole drama of this and the strong Autumnal colours you've used. Thank you for joining us again at A Vintage Journey. Jenny x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wbat a fabulous hanging Amanda - I just love the way you have used those leaves. The colours and textures are all just wonderful too. Just stunning !!! Thank you for joining us at A Vintage Journey for our Home Sweet Home challenge. And my apologies for such a late comment - so many broadband problems here in Shetland! Jennie x

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and for leaving comments . Both are very much appreciated .