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Friday, 11 July 2014

Dies and Distress for a Vintage Journey

Hello everyone lovely to see you and sorry it has been pretty quiet around here, but as it so happens, this is a scheduled post as I am currently in Australia, visiting my lovely grandchildren. Even though it is winter here I am having a wonderful time. But, onto my project:
It's time for a new challenge at A Vintage Journey where the lovely Annie chose the current theme Dies and Distress.  You can read all about it HERE

I decided to alter an Ideaology Assemblage Clock, using lots of Distress and Dies to do so.
I started by taking the glass out of the clock and covering the whole outside with Gesso. I then added some texture past in various places, applying it with my fingers, just to grunge it up a bit.Then I  painted the outside with a mix of various brown and Black Soot Distress paints.


Of course I got so caught up in the process that I completely forgot to take pictures, but above and below you get perhaps a bit of an idea of what it looked like...



Next I worked on the inside of the clock


I took the back off the clock and used it as a template for a piece of card that I had run through a clock and gears embossing folder. I carefully cut out the circle and then inked all over it with a mix of Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Inks. Then I took a piece of ordinary computer paper, stamped a sentiment from the Way with Words set in Jet Black Archival and when dry crumpled it up, flattened it out again and then distressed it with the help of Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
I took a little metal wing from my stash, covered it with Versa Mark and then used Walnut Stain and Tumbled Glass Distress Embossing Powders to create a kind of patina effect. I also used some Verdigris Antiquities powder by Ranger and a bit of Wow Copper EP. I then embellished it further with a flower created with Tattered Florals and a Spellbinders die and some little flowers from my stash.

Now to the outside: On the right I used the mini inkwell and feather die, coloured with Distress Markers and inks. I draped some swirl leafy diecuts around it.

On the left I added some die cut leaves and a little stamped butterfly, fussy-cut by hand as so far I don't own any butterfly dies small enough for this, but the Butterfly Frenzy Decorative Strip die would of course be perfect for this...


The leaves were inked with Peeled Paint Distress Paint and then I went around the edges with Vintage Photo DI.

The top of the clock was further decorated with another die cut as well as a few smaller flowers and further leafy swirls.


Well, hope you like my altered clock and that I have given you a bit of inspiration to play with some of your own dies and Distress products. Make sure you go over to the A Vintage Journey blog, to see all the amazing projects my team mates have created. And of course we all hope that you will play along with our challenge. You could win a £10 voucher from Countryview Crafts and be in with a chance to be chosen as one of our 3 "Pin Worthies". Thanks for visiting today and see you next time!






49 comments:

  1. Aren't these clocks just the most fun? Yours is simply awesome. I especially love the colors and texture you have used.

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  2. Your grungy clock looks stunning Astrid, and a beautiful collection of dies you have put together to make it. Mo x

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  3. I bought two of these wonderful clocks and now after seeing what you've done I can't wait to start on mine!!!
    Great job!!!
    diane @ thoughts and shots

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  4. Hi Astrid. I saw this clock when I went to Adelaide last week...I wish I had've seen this before me trip - I would've bought it! You have 'courage' in abundance which is one of the reasons I love your creativity so much. This is a fabulous make.
    Dot x

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  5. Absolutely gorgeous Astrid. I can't wait to transform one of these clocks myself. It looks like a lot of fun to be had. Thanks so much for the wonderful inspiration you bring to us all! Karen.x

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  6. sooo cool, love the used weathered look you have created on the clock. I hope it find a good place wonderful as it is

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  7. Astrid, this is one gorgeous clock. The rustic and vintage look of the metal has been captured so wonderfully and I love how you decorated this. Love it much! So glad you are enjoying your family visit and that is so important. Hugs!

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  8. Beautiful clock! Have fun with your family, hugs, Valerie

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  9. Such an awesome clock here Astrid, it´s sooooooo beautiful. It´s something I have wanted to try too, but haven´t got the courage for yet, but some day I will he he.
    Hope you´re having an amazing time there with your lovely family. Please enjoy it and have lots of fun.

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  10. Gorgeously grungy, love all the texture, stunning! Ruth x

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  11. This is really stunning Astrid.

    Have a wonderful time with your grandchildren

    Love Chrissie x

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  12. So pleased that you are enjoying your time...and getting lots of cuddles I am sure! A gorgeous creation...so much to look at and all balanced so well x

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  13. Astrid - das ist ein absoluter Traum! Diese wunderschönen gealterten Details und die tollen Farben. Es gibt so vieles zu entdecken. Liebe Grüße, Dagmar

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  14. It is stunning, love your rusted look and the fantastic altering ,the inside is beautiful with the so true qoute ,the beautiful colours you used, and the flowers. I love it, dear Astrid.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  15. Wow, wow, wow Astrid! Your transformation on this clock is superb, I love the grungy look you have created and you have decorated it so beautifully. The quote is brilliant too - love this. Hugs, Anne x

    Loved the pic on FB, so glad you are enjoying time with your grandkids.

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  16. hope you are having a wonderful time in Aussie land, your altered clock is amazing, love all the rustic textures :)

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  17. Oh glory you've worked your magic on this clock! It is an absolute gem Astrid. So wonderful to see your photos from down under on FB too. Don't you have the most beautiful grandchildren! Jenny x

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  18. Like that grungy look on this clock...great alteration Astrid!
    greetings, Alie

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  19. This is a gorgeous grunge meets shabby make Astrid. Love the use of the clock, very creative, fab!! Chris xxx

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  20. Such an amazing transformation and I love that quote ... so true!

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  21. pure magic ... love love love xoxoxo

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  22. Gorgeous! Enjoy your vacation!

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  23. absolutely stunning - really wonderful make Astrid - I keep looking at these clocks and wondering if I should get one to play with - I think its just gone on to the needs list! Hope Aus is treating you well! Big Hugs rachel x

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  24. Gorgeous project, so much wonderful detail and work. I hope you are having a great time with your family. Shirleyx

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  25. Oh my! Astrid, this is such a feast for eyes! I love the grungy look and the whole piece is put together so beautifully! I adore your style. I hope you are having a lovely time in Australia! Best wishes, Ingrid x

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  26. That's just beautiful Astrid I love it! Elizabeth xxx

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  27. I fear if I ever get one of these I wouldn't know where to start! Yours is stunning Astrid. Hope you are having a lovely time. Nikki x

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  28. OMG amazing distressed texture you have created on this clock, Astrid!!
    Great project

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  29. Glad you are having a fantastic time with your Family!

    Stunning clock transformation, so many wonderful textures and colours. Awesome :-) xxx

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  30. Absolutely beautiful!! Great colors and details! Hugs

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  31. Wow Astrid whan a fun project I love it!! Great old looking clock and great words!!! You are the Quien of this kind of projects , I adore it!!

    Greetings and have a fantastic weekend!!
    Maria

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  32. Astrid, your altered clock is fantastic. I love the use of dies and it sure is distressed. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Jean.x

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  33. Totally fabulous decayed look of antiquity on the outside, Astrid - amazing flaky grungy look. The whole thing looks just beautiful!
    Alison xx
    Hope you enjoy every second of your time with your family down under...

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  34. Wonderful clock. Love all the earth tones and textures.

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  35. Oh wow! I love this really grungy texture on the outside
    And how you did the inside with all the embossing the verdigris wing on the flowers is so lovely
    A very beautiful altered clock, wonderful!

    Jools x

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  36. A gorgeous altered clock, love the texture.

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  37. Awesome textures, its a stunning alteration.
    Yvonne

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  38. Fabulously decorated Astrid, this is a terrific alteration. Glad to hear all is well. Hope u r getting lots of cuddles.... Oh I love 'new baby smell'. Enjoy and cherish. Nicola x

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  39. Wow!! I didn't think it was possible to improve on perfection, but your creations are just getting better and better all the time Astrid!! This one is totally awesome. It looks like this little clock has been buried for decades and then you dug it up and decorated it!! A simply amazing transformation!! Love, love, love!! ox

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  40. Incredible work as always Astrid and this is so unique and inspiring. Hugs June x

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  41. What a fabulous redo of that clock Astrid! I love the way you grunged up the outside- looks like it came from an old basement and now has new life!
    Have fun with those Grands- but make sure to get rest too- ours wore me out after 3 days! heehee
    xo

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  42. A fabulous project Astrid. I love the grunge look on the clocks outer shell it looks amazing. Hope your enjoying your family time in Oz.
    Julie x

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  43. This looks as ancient as the ruins! LOVE the effect you achieved to rusted and vintage this up...oh my word! I want to touch it! Gorgeous clock!

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  44. I love the quote! treasured inside this altered clock... Amazing!

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  45. Oh Miss Astrid so old, grungy, decaying, gorgeounessssssss. SUPERB work belong in a museum, thanks for sharing...

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  46. Stunning clock. Glad you're having a great time.

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  47. First - I'm sure you are having a wonderful time with your family in Australia! and I love this wonderfully distressed clock! I've just purchased one and you've given me so many wonderful ideas on how to fix it up!!

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  48. Grungy goodness galore! Hope you've had a marvelous time on your travels.

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