August Already?

It's hard to believe it is August already.  Where did July go?  I swear it was just a week ago we were watching fireworks.  August means even hotter weather, geez it was like 105-115 last week with the heat index, I don't think I want to experience Hotter.  It means summer is coming to an end, and all those little kiddos must go back to school.  It also means the release of all the design team creations on More Paper Than Shoes blog!  Odd that July went so fast, but yet it feels like I waited forever to see the release of everyone's projects.  But today is the day!  If you haven't been over to check out the scrappy challenge blog and forum, you are missing out!  Hop over to http://www.morepaperthanshoes.blogspot.com/ to see everyone's gorgeous creations for the August Challenge.  Get a little inspiration, and then create something of your own for the challenge.  And who knows, you might even win a little prize just for sharing! 

  On that note, here is what I created for the challenge. 

Again, the theme was: Vintage Paris, Acrylic Paint, Crackle Medium, Metal and Fabric.

When I think of  Paris, I think of it's strong influences on the art, and fashion world.  I think of all the beautiful architecture, and the boom of the industrial age.  I wanted to capture all of those things in my collage. 

I wanted to mix a little Art Nouveau with Art Deco.  Add a little steampunk with a style all my own. 

The collage was created on a wooden sign measuring 6 1/2" x 13".  The sign said, Evening in Paris.  And was completely black. 

To begin, I painted over the words I didn't want in my collage, with black paint.  I then applied the crackle medium.  Taping off my areas for the  background was a little tricky, only because pulling the tape off had a tendency to pull the dried layer of crackle medium off.  Once my background was created and dry, I stamped script with Staz On using a Hero Arts Stamp( Old Letter Writing).   For the bottom of the sign, I used a plastic screen from Tattered angels and scraped gel medium over top.  I then would lift the screen and repeated until I got the desired pattern.  Once the gel medium was dry I colored it using some Glimmer Mists. I think it created a really cool swirl effect, that reminds me of the old European style. 

For my metal I chose to use thin wire to create spirals extending off of the grunge board flourishes.  And for my fabric, I used some Claudine Hellmuth sticky back canvas for the hot air balloon.  Other items used:

Clip art, Graphic 45 pp, Colored pencils, Distress inks, Tim Holtz Masks, Melissa Fracis fleur de lis, Rubons

Stamps: Stampers Anonymous, Inkadinkadoo, Hero Arts

Don't forget coming up in the next few weeks I will be releasing some card kits for purchase RIGHT HERE!!

So check back soon.  Off to go lay down and rest.  Came down with something Friday and have felt like a zombie since.  Thanks goodness for days off! 

Nicki Chicky