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.