Friday, September 17, 2010

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is the challenge theme issued at Inspiration Avenue this week by my friend Stephanie. When I think of metamorphosis, I think change, especially changing from something plain or ugly into something beautiful and magnificent. The classic example would be a butterfly. But I'm an altered artist, and drawing is not my forte, so changing something ugly into something beautiful should probably include paper.

Although this is not the ugliest scrapbook paper I have altered,

it is definitely not my favorite design, either.

So after a bit of gesso, glazes, paint, ink, spray mist, and stenciling, the change took place (please click to enlarge)

and the metamorphosis occurred. You can see some of the original showing through, just to remind you that change can take place in the most unlikely places.

However, if you don't have any ugly scrapbook paper, a piece of white scrapbook or watercolor paper works just as well. Your background is born and begins its life ready to be cut into smaller pieces (click to enlarge). If you want to see step by step directions of how I've made others in the past, feel free to click here and here. Don't forget to join Stephanie and the others at Inspiration Avenue this week to see how others interpret this challenge.

If you are looking for my blog pick of the day, I placed it with my previous post along with some fabulous giveaways. Have a great weekend, everyone.

20 thoughtful remarks:

Unknown said...

Great place : ) It has put me in the mood to sew a little in my journal...Thanks

Have a great day

Unknown said...

This looks like one of those pieces featured in a magazine with an inspirational tutorial! I LOVE it- it's gorgeous and fits perfectly with the theme.

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Wonderful page Elizabeth, lots of play involved, just what we love :-) I love using stencils.
I know just what Lisa means, on Wednesday after viewing a few blogs all I wanted to do was play but it was 12.30 (middayish) and as I'd been awake till 5am and didn't get up till 10.45am I hadn't made the bed or got washed and dressed by this time. Also the bathroom was in desperate need of cleaning as was the kitchen floor :-( I know many crafters say they don't do housework but I figure someone does it for them LOL Not my fave thing to do but you have to do some sometimes!
Anne xx

Bea said...

You did exactly what the theme asked. You changed that rather dull looking piece of paper into something exciting. :)Bea

donnalouiserodgers said...

yep - no point in changes if you cannot reflect upon the journey that got you there- ah my fellow philosopher - I love to check your daily post...and have not yet been disappointed - and so fab to have the best blogs to hop to preselected and critiqued!!!

See you Sunday - may not have chance to pop in Sat.

Dx

~*~Patty S said...

Brilliant transformation Elizabeth!
Happy Friday!
oxo

Margaret said...

Looks great Elizabeth I love your transformation and this kind of work is a fav of mine. the end result is totally fab!

Lynn Cohen said...

Looks like you are having fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary S. Hunt said...

the transformation is delightful and pretty and edgy at the same time...definitly not what you began with!

good challenge and you met it well!

Diane said...

Oooooh, I would love to collage with these papers--I love when you cut them all up and get a completely different design when you put them back together--love these!
P.S. Thanks for posting about my giveaway--I hope you win :)

Steph said...

Thanks for sharing these tutorial, E...lovely page.....

Lori Saul said...

It's so funny I was just working my way down to comment back and you were next on my list (as you were commenting to me)! Synchronicity! Anyway your paper has taken on a beautiful transformation- Do you rubber stamp? I can see some lovely stamped overlays on this. Good colored dimension to this work Elizabeth- have a fun weekend!

flowerdisco said...

Love how you played the mediums.

Thanks for the love! :)

She Who Doodles said...

i love how all your layers turned out.

gma said...

This is so much fun!
Great metamorphosis!!!

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

What a great idea! I have seen old scrap paper in thrift stores but left it behind b.c it wasn't my style. Never before have I thought to work it into something I like. How fun this must be-no longer constrained to another designer's decision for print.

Unknown said...

This is great. I really appreciate the information you shared as it is really helpful to me. I am learning to get out there and try new things.. so thank you this is wonderful!

Kelly Jeanette Swift said...

Now I know what to do with all the paper lying around the house. Great post!

Victoria said...

Super gorgeous...love the energy and vibe to this piece...magic!

Julia Dunnit said...

I have some very ugly papers. Never thought to do this...thought it was limited to brave and arty people only....have looked at the 'here' and 'here' and begin to think I should try this....thes sheets, cut into smaller pieces are very useable. As always, thanks.