Sunday, May 4, 2014

Craft Barn's 9th: Unique and Fame


It's time once again for another Craft Barn challenge.  This time the lyrics or quote you can use are Unique and Fame.

There were many, many quotes about fame, but after I had the background finished, I changed horses in mid-stream.

I started with one of my favorite backgrounds.  I got out my Distress Inks (I keep all my inks separated into type, such as dye, pigment, distress, etc.)  and my 91% Isopropyl Alcohol and two mixing cups.

I placed a few drops of distress ink in a cup,

then added my alcohol.  I like to start with the lightest colors, then finish with the darkest.  I stir the mixture before applying it to the substrate, in this case a used file folder cut in half lengthwise, using a foam brush.

It doesn't take long for the background to dry, but if you are in a hurry, you can wipe off the excess with a paper towel (kitchen towel as some call it), a used dryer sheet, or a dry wet (or baby) wipe.  As an aside, I just realized what an oxymoron a "dry wet wipe" is!

Back to this project, I then got out my pan pastel.  I only have two of these, and the red one would clash with the background.

The quote I chose was by Antoine Rivarol: "Oblivion is the rule and fame the exception, of humanity."

I really wanted to use Truman Capote's "Fame is only good for one thing-they will cash your check in a small town," but I had just cut up all my old checks from when my bank changed owners, as well as their bank number.  Just goes to show if it's paper and you get rid of it, you will regret not keeping it later.

I learned one important lesson.  I originally spread the pan pastel under the stencil, but it wasn't bright enough.  I accidentally pounced some on, and the change was amazing.  It didn't take long to get the look I was going for, but I needed to outline the birds so they could stand out better.  I did that after I used a fixative on the pan pastel.

As always, I included the challenge number, this time using the same paper I typed my quote on.

Once again I was able to visit everyone who entered the 8th challenge, but I apologize to Fiona in Spain.  I can't leave a comment, because it shows I must join G+ in order to leave one, and that is something I am not willing to do, at least not until Blogger forces me to do so.



29 thoughtful remarks:

thassos456 said...

Another fab page, love the technique with the distress inks. Have to try it out. Great quote as well. :)

Helen said...

Great page, love the way you mixed the distress reinkers. Thanks for visiting my page earlier. I'm lucky that they publish the challenge around the time I get up - so start straight away!

Jo Murray said...

Apart from a great image, you've provided some handy tips there. THanks

PetraB said...

Great background, excellent finish. Thank you for all the tips.

Anonymous said...

I like to wipe up the excess pn another piece of paper so I canuse it on another project...I do it on my joirnal all the tome by rubbing sheets together...Nice quote. Capote was kind of all about that small town and the personalites therein, wasn't he. xox

massofhair said...

Thank you for always visiting my blog and taking the time to really look at my entry, it really is appreciated. Agree with you about G+, don't do FB either! I like to vist all the entries, some great inspiration and tips to be had and shared.

Great colours, shapes and tips this week on your post. Wonderful quote... :-) x

Dianne said...

hmmm...two materials I've never used...the inks and the pan pastels. I've used regular chalk (stick) pastels. Are they similar? you mentioned fixative. I have used hairspray before. haven't used stick pastels very often in my journals because I feared they would smear onto other pages...your page turned out lovely! I like the way you are using the file folders too...

Nan G said...

Very cool page. I don't have any pan pastel and will have to look into trying this I.A. and ink technique. The Girls have finally nodded off and solid I.... Have a wonderful week.

Julia Dunnit said...

Can't buy a whacking bottle of alcohol like that here, my god, you have to buy rose water from a pharmacy and they question your use! I love that you included birds in your page today, however subconscious, kinda shows the fleeting nature of today's fame! Love Capote's take on it, after all fame must be good for something!!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Just love this, what a fantastic way to make your background - laughed at Julia's comment! Last time I wanted alcohol it came in a 100ml bottle! Hope you are ok! Hugs, Chrisx

Darla said...

I especially like the color of the birds against the background color.

Darla

Krisha said...

OOOOOHHH, AAAAHH! LOVE that background! Really the whole page is beautiful.

I found the modeling paste recipe on Pinterest......I think. Very easy to make, here is the recipe:
1/4 C baby powder
1 TBS cheap white glue
1 TBS white acrylic paint
add water to the consistency you want, store in air tight container.

I use so much of it I double the recipe. Sometimes I just spread it on the page and draw in it.

Sorry to hear about Sally's toe. Give her my best wishes. Pat Bluebeard for me.......:)

Vicki Miller said...

Thanks for your comment, elizabeth. I am having a bit of trouble getting things done at the moment. Hopefully I will be a bit more present soon.
By the way, i am loving what you are doing with these pages and how you are keeping up with all your challenges!

Anonymous said...

I haven't ever used distressed in before. I'd like to give it a go. :)

Scrapmate said...

Interesting technique and what a deep quote! Love the end result. I've done a similar thing with dye reinkers and alcohol on glossy card.

Scrapmate said...

Interesting technique and what a deep quote! Love the end result. I've done a similar thing with dye reinkers and alcohol on glossy card.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the step by step and tips you have given along the way on this one.Makes for a really cool background and love how the birds really stand out, note to self - must get pan pastels out to play,
and thank you for your lovely comments too

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A great technique and a fabulous background. Just a wonderful page and quote.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Great entry for the challenge! It is always interesting to know how you create your awesome backgrounds!

Now that my finger is healed, I hope to have my entry up later in the week.

kaybee said...

Very vibrant page - love the background, and the quote is a good one.

TwinkleToes2day said...

Ooh, I love your oxymoron! I do enjoy finding things like that. One of my favourites is, thunderous silence :0)
Another fabulous, vibrant entry here Elizabeth. Shame about your check, (cheque) book but the quote you have is pretty cool. As your birds.
I like the idea of putting the number of each challenge on your piece (wish I'd thought of it, haha). Need to get on with my own page, but need a quote or song first :o))

Maggie said...

Fabulous background love the colours so vibrant, great quote

MaggieH

lena-dailyscrap said...

Great page - amazing background!

Craftyfield said...

As techni-vore I read your post with interest... alcohol and Distress inks! Never knew they could work together. Nice page too.

Anonymous said...

Love the unconscious oxymoron :)
Lovely vibrant background colours and a great quote. Love your birds x

Carol said...

Fab page love the ink and pan pastels background great quote too!(I don't have any pan pastels so always interested in how they can be used!)and thanks for the tutorial :)

Lesley said...

Fab quote and great background. Good to read how you achieved it too! xx

BJ said...

WOW - loved reading through all the steps, what a great post. I don't have distress re-inkers nor pan pastals so won't be able to have a go, but enjoyed your tutorial all the same. You r background is super and the birds lovely and vibrant. The quote is tops and so true. Do I take it you have a manual typewriter too??? Excellent.

Sorry to hear the USA don't offer freebie stamps with magazines, this edition was a really good one which even got me, not a stamper at heart, to buy it. I have to say the magazine wasn't all that good and confess I only really buy them on the strength of their giveaways.

Thanks for visiting me BJ

maggie said...

Thank you for sharing how you achieved your fabulous background. I will give it a go in a spare moment.

Maggie