Sunday 1 March 2015

Spring Wings for Mixed Media Monthly

Hello everyone and welcome (possibly again) to my little place in crafty blogland.

This is my third project for today...

As you can see, it's an altered bottle which I created for the March Challenge at Mixed Media Monthly


Our March theme is "Birds of a Feather"... anything that flies, butterflies, birds, actual feathers, quotes about birds/flying etc. This can also be interpreted as a Best Friends theme if you'd like (birds of a feather flock together...) You could even include nests and eggs. We would like to see projects with lots of lovely Spring time elements.

I tried to include the theme on both sides of my bottle, but in very different ways, - would love to know which side you like best...

Here's a quick step by step:
I used Decoart Chalky Finish paints for the base and top layer of my bottle. I started with a layer of Gesso, then added some texture in random places and when everything was dry I gave it a coat of brown.

I didn't think it was dark enough so added a second layer of black, before the brown had totally dried.
Next followed two different types of crackle medium, both by Decoart, Americana Weathered Wood, and Americana Decor Crackle Medium. Each of these gives a slightly different crackle effect.
The topcoat was a kind of Duckegg grey/blue, the colour is called Vintage. Here you can see the crackle appear as it dries.
At this stage, though I liked the crackle effect, the colour looked a bit flat, so I added a layer of Quin. Gold mixed with a tiny bit of Dark Umber Media Fluid Acrylics to add a bit of a rusty feel and give it all a bit more depth.
Next came the fun part of decorating my bottle. On one side I created a collage with the help of a scrap of a paper napkin and some bird and egg images. I also added cheese cloth, lace and pearls for added texture as well as carefully melting some embossing powders. I also added a tiny bit of background stamping.
Any raised bits were highlighted with some Treasure Gold in White Fire.
For the other side I used some Tim Holtz Ideaology pieces and some coffee stained old book papers. The metal pieces were altered with some Antiquing Cream and the raised bits were high-lighted with treasure gold again.

The top of the bottle was a painted cork onto which I glued an old button.

Well there you are, hope you like my bottle, and please tell me which side is your favourite, - I am just curious, - I know which side I like best....

If you like creating in mixed media style, then please come along and join in our challenge. Our sponsor this month is Faber Castell Design Memory Crafts who are offering a fabulous prize for a random winner. To read all about the challenge this month and see the wonderful inspiration projects from my amazing team mates, all you need to do is click HERE

Thank you for visiting like always. My earlier projects can be found, -  Countryview Crafts:  here and Our Creative Corner: here.

Have a great month and see you next time


40 comments:

Kathy Bradley said...

Oh my gosh, my mouth just dropped when I saw this bottle (and I think I even drooled - but don't tell)! The colors and details are just wonderful and I love both sides equally - I just love the whole bottle! Your art is so very amazing and thank you for sharing. P.S. The details on the bottle are appreciated.

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Brilliant altered bottles, Astrid. Thanks for sharing the process

froebelsternchen said...

Just BRILLIANT ... Your altered bottle is fantastic!

chrissie said...

Stunning transformation--I never would have guessed how you made the background colour and texture at all--amazing

Love Chrissie x

Rita said...

Good Evening Astrid. This has taken my breath away, what a fabulous transformation, from a plain glass bottle to an amazing art creation. Something I will continue doing too. Enjoy your Evening too. Hugs Rita xxx

Corrie Herriman said...

Wow, you have made a plain bottle in to a piece of art ! Fabulous !
Corrie x

pchickki said...

These are incredible! I love them both

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Astrid,
I am in a dilemma on what post to comment on as all three creations are wonderful, but seeing as I have a penchant for MM at present it is appropriate I click in this box.
Your altered bottle has great texture and appears very tactile and the crackle is amazing. I am enjoying looking at it very much.
Smiles:)
Sue

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Amazing looking altered bottle Astrid...you're so good in this techniques!
Greetings, Alie :-)

Maryann Laursen said...

Oh my goodness Astrid, this is sooooooogorgeous. I´m totally thrilled with the beauty in this project, and your bottle here are sooo awesome. Stunning work hre once again, and I really don´t know, how you can keep comming upwith all these amazing projects all the time, and even so many of them.
You are truly amazing lady.

Chris said...

Fantastic bottle makeover Astrid and I love the colours, textures and collage elements, truly gorgeous. Chris x

Jackie PN said...

Just gorgeous Astrid! So glad you added the quin gold- i do believe it made a difference! Both sides are beautiful- but being a full on bird fan, i should pick the side with the bird!! xoxo

Meggymay said...

I have been having a catch up , all today's inspirational projects look awesome, but I stopped here, at this gorgeous transformation. Thank you for sharing the process, if I had to say, it would be the side with the bird that got my vote.
Yvonne

CreativSpirit said...

Hi Astrid, I like both side, but my first preference is the second photo with the Idealolgy.

experiments in paper said...

Astrid, this is a fabulous alteration - loving all the crackle and wonderful colors. And that both sides are different! What a lovely make! xx Lynn

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful transformation! Valerie

Kathy G. said...

Wow Astrid - gorgeous! I love how you aged this bottle. The crackle and texture are great. Which side do I like best - hmm, only because I'm so tired of snow (Yes literally snowing as I type this) I'm going to say the side with the paper napkin. It just screams Spring to me, but I do love both.

Patty O'Malley said...

Both sides are beautiful, but I do like the rose side best.

Juliz Design Post said...

Such a stunning altered bottle,your textures are amazing. Keep swaying from both sides in my choice but I think the butterfly side wins.....but then again I do love the bird.
Hope you have had a lovely weekend, Julie x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous and awesome texture!

Gayle Price said...

Hey Astrid, dropping by to check out your always interesting and beautiful mixed media work and to also say a big thank you to you for your lovely comment you left for me on my blog, thank you !! xx

Sandy said...

Incredible bottle - absolutely gorgeous! Although I don't think I am a rose person, I adore the rose side of your bottle with the beautiful bird and eggs.
Sandy xx

massofhair said...

Not an easy decision to make Astrid, both sides of your bottle are fantastic but i like the non napkin side because there is more blue showing.

Thank You for the step by step tutorial and list of ingredients :-) xxx

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a great artist you are!! I really love your amazing bottles , so beautiful, thanks for showing!!

Greetings
Maria

Marisa Job said...

This is absolutely beautiful! Great tutorial!! Hugs!

Redanne said...

Wow Astrid, you certainly got a beautiful result with the DecoArt products, the crackles both look fantastic and I love your embellishments... I do love both sides but butterflies always win in my book so I have to go for that side! Beautiful work! Hugs, Anne xx

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Que maravilloso trabajo!!!!!!

Pamellia said...

Wow Astrid, just amazing! The crackle texture looks fantastic, I love the contrast of the cracks! Love your little bird and nest too, what a great summery scene! Wonderful makeover project! hugs :)

Ros Crawford said...

Now that's one transformation!! I can't believe the texture you created ... I like both sides but I think the bird appeals the most!

Terry said...

Oh how I love the texture on your altered mixed media bottle! The mix of those two crackles, which I have done and love the effect, is gorgeous. All your embellishments and different scenes are so lovely! I have had a bottle out for a couple of months now and thanks to you, I am so inspired to have an fun play! Love this! Hugs!

Ellie Knol said...

I have saved up a whole bunch of beautiful bottles... I will have to dust them off... thanks for this beautiful inspiration!

Deb said...

Another amazing transformation Astrid, gorgeous textures and detail on your altered bottle! Both sides are very lovely but have to admit I do love the side with the wee bird and nest the best :O)

pearshapedcrafting said...

I had to remember to breathe as I scrolled down here! Totally, utterly stunning Astrid! Seriously - you want me to choose? I will say the bird side because I love watching the birds at our caravan but oh so difficult to say for sure!!! lol! Hugs, Chrisx ps I think I've caught up now….

Rupa Swaminathan said...

This is such a beautiful make over to a bottle. Loved reading the entire process and see it come alive. I love the side with the bird! thanks for sharing, Astrid. hugs.

Inkypinkycraft said...

gorgeous work and love the textures and details you have added x

Ink Art Designs said...

I can't decide which side I like best Astrid! Maybe the bird side because of the gorgeous effect with the lace...or maybe the butterfly because of the text pages...too hard lol. The texture is just beautiful and the white treasure gold is a perfect finish to this altered bottle.
Dot x

Words and Pictures said...

Stunning layers of texture, Astrid - like Dot, it's hard to know which bit's my favourite! Beautiful mixed media inspiration... Third project of the day, eh? I can see I have some catching up to do!
Alison xx

Barbara Rankin said...

Oh wow, Astrid. Both sides are beautiful, and I like both sides because the lighter blue side is a bit shabby chic, which I love, and the other side is more Victorian, which I also love. Plus, I love birds, so maybe that is my favorite, but I am hard pressed to pick one, really.

Marjie Kemper said...

What a stunning transformation, Astrid! Thanks for sharing the process - this is just exquisite.

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

This is an amazingly beautiful bottle on both sides, but I prefer the butterfly one. The relief sculpting elements that you used give it added dimension. Blessings!

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