The Dusty Attic Blog: I am enough, tag set

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

I am enough, tag set - Kristy Abela

Hi Dusty Fanattic's

With the changing of the season and a new job... that is super hectic, and a little out of control, I created a post that reflected the changes around me and a little reminder for myself that I am enough. I hope you like the mini tutorial and find something new for creating backgrounds for off the page!

Here are some close ups of my project.

I started with some paper piecing. I always have a stash nearby that I use for my journal. I want to create a white washed look I covered the whole piece in chalk paint to add some texture in the background so I distressed the edges of the cardstock, cut them into squares, added some plasterers tape and old die cuts. I covered the whole thing in a layer of gel medium to help with the resist on the distressed edges of card.

To create a whitewashed look I covered the whole thing in chalk paint. One it was touch dry I used a baby wipe to rub back the areas I wanted the rusty paper to peek through. This helps all the elements look like they belong together.

I did the same thing with some orange paint and then dry brushed some red on there. The dry brushing ends up sticking to the areas that are raised so it is a great way to add some highlights.

It was time to decorate my chippies.

I used a base coat of brown on the chains and then added some rust paste by dabbing randomly with my brush. The best fix for a heavy hand of rust paste is to just go back over it with the base coat and play until you get a realistic look. I touched some yellow paint to the top of the chains to finish it off.

I wanted to grunge up the cogs as my contrast colour. I used a base of blue, a layer of dark green and then a dry brush of burgundy... and a dry brush of creamy white. I really just kept adding layers until I got to the point where i was happy. If it didn't work... I would have just painted over it and started again. It doesn't hurt to just play...

I have always found it difficult to display tags once created. I love the way they are mini masterpieces and don't take up much room but they often fall off the wall or get knocked over. My crafty partner in crime (Kerensa) has designed these stands for me! If you love them too you can email me and I will put you in touch with her and she can send you out some! For a small fee of course...