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 

Thats Crafty Challenge Blog - Lovely Leaves Sept 11 2015 

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge- Use a Stamp and Blog Hop  

Our Creative Corner- Challenge- September : Shades of Autumn  

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge- No Designer Paper

A Vintage Journey- September Challenge 'Home Sweet Home' . 

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