Friday 5 June 2015

Treasures from Enchanted Places

Hello and servus!

It is time for a new challenge over at The Mirror Crack'd and lovely Shilpa is going to be your host this month. The theme chosen for June's challenge is

Shadowboxes


which I guess won't need any further explanation. ;)

But first let me share some exciting news with you and tell you that I am a winner at Tim's 12 tags of 2015 with my May tag! Yay! I really, really loved the burlap he used for his tag and playing with distress and idea-ology goodness - so being one of his top 12 definitely means a lot to me! Thanks to Tim and his team for picking my tag! x




Next let me tell you that I have prepared a new mixed media project and tutorial for you on the DecoArt Mixed Media blog! Here's a little sneak peek that hopefully helps lure you over to take a closer look! ;)




But back to the main reason for this blog post: the new challenge over at The Mirror Crack'd - "Shadow Boxes"!

We all love shadow boxes, don't we? Well, I definitely do!!! They always make us (or at least me) feel a bit like we took a peek into places that are special and enchanted....like tiny realms we cannot enter but at least get a glimpse of their magic.

So with this shadow box I decided to create a kind of keepsake shrine-ish project that would show some of my gathered nature treasures from some of my most beloved (and enchanted) holiday places (like Castle Bernstein for example).

The snails houses, lichen and green serpentine I put into my shadow box were finds from the castle's surroundings.



The background was made from pages from an old French botanical school book with which I covered the mini canvas (using matte Decou-page as usual).Then I dabbed on some Raw Umber acrylic paint to emphasize the frame and draw the focus towards the center.


Some white DecoArt media crackle paint was added here and there. Once it had dried I rubbed in some DecoArt media Raw Umber Antiquing Cream to make the cracks more visible.


The label was cut from left over scraps from the dictionary pages.

A piece of driftwood was added to the top of the box to form a kind of pediment alongside with another small piece of lichen.


All the elements were glued in place with the matte Decou-page. I really love that it dries invisible and holds even bulkier items (like the serpentine) in place.



For a finishing touch I added some strokes of DecoArt media Interference Green and Gold paints here and there around the frame. The interference paints add a bit of bling that only gets visible when you look at the project from a certain angle...so that's a kind of a hidden "treasure" as well.


I love the idea of expressing (and visually repeating) the fact that all these small and rather "unspectacular" objects are real treasures to me by adding that sort of "bling" that isn't visible at first sight either. You really have to examine and look closer to discover all there is to be discovered (which is the same way in nature, right?)


I hope you like my tiny shadow box with my rather personal treasures I put inside!

The challenge over at The Mirror Crack'd will be open until the 4th of July  and one lucky winner will win a prize of £12.00 sponsored by

http://www.woodware.co.uk/

 to spend at your favourite Woodware Stockist, either in store or on line.

So I highly recommend you now hop over to our challenge blog and get yourself your bundle of inspiration from the rest of the fab DT I am working on and then head off to your crafting desk to create your own shadow boxes! Good luck and happy crafting!

Claudia xxx







18 comments:

  1. Großartiges Kino heute hier! Gratulation zum TIm TAG Gewinn... super! Und was für ein geniales Tutorial ist das wieder?! Bin begeistert auch von Deiner herrlichen Schattenbox Claudia!

    Einfach nur "Super" alles miteinander!
    Liebe Grüße an Dich und ich hoffe Du kannst das schöne Wochenende genießen!
    Busserl

    Susi

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  2. Loving the shadow box to bits Claudia and well done with the Tim Tag. I will be back later to have a look at the new tutorial. Happy crafting, Angela xXx

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  3. Oh, this is so cool, Claudia! Love this frame - colors & distressing is amazing. :)
    Have a lovely day!

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  4. Incredible shadow box Claudia, I am drooling over the amazing tones and textures! Love the shells! A big congratulations on your Tim win!! Off I go to see your tutorial now. hugs :)

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  5. Einfach wunderschön!!, so natürlich und andererseits ein absolut perfekt gestalteter Alterungseffekt, super!!! Schönes Wochenende, LG Kerstin xoxo

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  6. Love this Claudia a beautiful piece with wonderful natural elements. Xxx

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  7. Your shadow box is stunning, incredibly delicious colors. I love nature, and your box it's like been out there!!!
    Hugs, Susan

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  8. What a fantastic shadow box with a great nature feel to it.
    Julie x

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  9. Hello Claudia,
    First Congratulations on your Tag win; well deserved.
    I am loving your shadow box, it is truly a mixed media creation in every way.
    wonderful texture and theme, what a feast for the eyes.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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  10. This is SERIOUSLY wonderful Claudia. First, its wonderful because it has things you treasure that will be preserved safely now. Second, it's INCREDIBLE. The texture and colors of it all are STUNNING but I am in love with the texture and colors around the outside frame the most. It is like something you would REALLY SEE on a specimen wall in a museum - ONLY BETTER. Thanks bunches for such a memorable creation. j.

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  11. Hi Claudia!! AMAZING shadowbox! These wonderful, natural treasures that you collected at such a magical place, must carry so many tales of their own! You've brought all of these textural souvenirs together so beautifully and romantically :) I love those swipes of Interference Green & Gold on the frame--I can see those colors in the snail houses!! Just a lovely inspiration for the new challenge!!
    Congrats on your May Tim Tag Win, Claudia!! That's AWESOME!! Of course he loved your tag! :) :) Enjoy your Tim goodies!! You'll have to tell us what you received :) :) I'll live vicariously through you!! :) :) XOXO-Shari

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  12. Love your shadow box Claudia! The colours and textures you have created are gorgeous!

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  13. Claudia - loving the elements you have used and the distressed shabbyiness of the overall creation is so yummy - love it hun x

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  14. Claudia, this is absolutely genius!! I adore natural and found elements and you have showcased your treasures so perfectly!! Truly a gorgeous shadow box to treasure!!
    Your tag is well deserved to have won- congrats to you! Off to check out your DecoArt! xo

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  15. Congrays on your win! And what a stunning piece! Love the time worn look! Gorgeous! Hugs, Sandra

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  16. bonjour claudia je viens te rendre visite pour y découvrir des choses absolument génial sur ton blog
    j' adore tes créations débordante tu as beaucoup de talent bisous nate

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  17. Wow, das sieht großartig aus! Bin schwer begeistert!

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