Friday 30 January 2015

'The key to my heart'

A few months ago there was a 'to die for' challenge over at A Vintage Journey, the 'effects powders' challenge for CC3C and a couple of Heart inspired challenges....and I had an idea! Unfortunately the original idea didn't work so I put it to one side...until now. This is my filigree heart, starting to crumble and rust away but still beautiful with hints of the gilding and precious metals that once adorned it.


A lover's tree decoration with a hidden key.....


When I saw that the current challenge over at A Vintage Journey was 'Love is in the Air', I got my thinking cap back on. Celebrating all things Tim, my inspiration comes from the rusting, ageing and worn effects he creates.


Firstly carve a heart out of brown oasis, (I picked this idea up at a class of Michelle Webb's). You can finish shaping and smoothing it with your hands then cut it in half lengthwise. It creates a wonderful mess!


This is from my first attempt when I thought I'd use flourish die cut grunge paper and embossing powder, hoping it would hold it's shape, but it didn't.


Second attempt was to use clearly for art film, which could be heat molded into shape. I thought I'd use clear and then realised I couldn't see the shapes on the foil covered oasis so painted it black with black ice silk glaze. I wanted the inside to be dark to provide some contrast anyhow.


I cut about 8 pieces and then started to form it around the heart with tiny bits of overlap.


I realised I wouldn't be able to use any heat on it from now on, so gradually built up the look using the above with matte gel in lots of layers.


I started with iridescent gold silk glaze and a touch of love struck dry brushed in areas before  using glitter, mica, micro beads.


Every so often I would 'knock it back' with cinnamon and paprika, see link (thanks Brenda ...fabulous  inspiration!). Once I was happy with it I used some very fine wire in several places to join it together...so it looked like repairs had needed to be done to prevent this valuable treasure from falling apart anymore...


The key had the same treatment and I wrapped some copper wire around it to make a rigid hanger. It's secured through the top between a bead and a small rusted washer. I'm also going to enter it at the  Inspiration Journal challenge this month which is 'Fresh Start' , I've certainly tried some new techniques with this one.

Honestly, although it was a bit fiddly to assemble, probably the hardest part was trying to get a good photo showing it's true colours!

Against black




and white.



It's 9 cm in length and surprisingly resilient but lightweight ...and yes it will adorn our Christmas tree this year. Hope you enjoyed this post, thanks again for all your lovely comments, I really appreciate every single one. Have a lovely crafty weekend!

35 comments:

  1. This is beyond beautiful Ruth!! You're so clever to think of doing something like this! I love the faux metal look and those little micro beads for texture. This is stunning and thanks for sharing with us xx

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  2. WOW well done for persevering, I'd of given up well before now!! Your end result is stunning, you must have the patience of a saint!!

    xxx

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  3. I totally agree with Georgie, this is beyond beautiful Ruth! What a very, very clever and innovative idea - it really is stunning - and so very creative. Please don't keep this until Christmas to hang up, it needs to be up now!

    Thanks so much for joining in with us again at A Vintage Journey. Hugs, Anne xx

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  4. There are genuinely no words to adequately describe how breathtakingly beautiful I think this is!!! Thank you SO much for joining us at A Vintage Journey. Jenny x

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  5. Amazing ART, Ruth!!!! Wow....
    Have a ncie weekend, Alie :-)

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  6. WOW,this is beyond stunning Ruth! It reminds me of a precious Roman artefact,it's simply beautiful and if I lived near you I would 'borrow' it ;)
    Have a fab weekend
    Big hugs
    Donna xxx

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  7. This is stunning!! Love the laciness/worn look, and all of the fabulous colors/media, and in 3 dimensions no less!! I am still struggling with two, lol! Thanks so much for the beautiful inspiration - xx Lynn

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  8. I peeked at Donna's comment, and I couldn't agree more... the first thing to came to mind when I saw it was "precious artifact". Wow, Ruth, what a home run! Simply amazing craftsmanship and creativity! Thank you for sharing how you brought this to being!

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  9. I am so glad I came back again to drool over this gorgeous piece of art Ruth.... Thanks so much for joining in at Inspiration Journal with this exquisite piece! Hugs, Anne xx

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  10. I'm sitting here with my mouth hanging open, drinking in every detail of this astounding creation, Ruth - what an extraordinary piece of art. It may have taken a few tries to get the idea to become reality, but oh the journey was so worth it... Stunning! Stunning! Thank you so much for travelling with us on A Vintage Journey.
    Alison xx

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  11. Ruth, MY GOODNESS !! this is exeptional amazing and beautiful. What a gorgeous piece you have created. I`m all stunned about this heart shaped filigree piece.
    What a beautiful post to see this afternoon, thank you !!
    Dorthe

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  12. This is an amazing project Ruth, love it to bits. Happy crafting, Angela x

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  13. Wow Ruth this is just so beautiful and so fragile looking. Amazing piece of work. have a lovely weekend
    x catherine

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  14. Well, you've made my heart beat a little faster - I forgot to breathe while looking at this amazing beauty! Ruth this is just…….phew...…F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!! Hugs, Chrisx

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  15. This is just stunning - I love it! You have some amazing effects going on there - I must ask, is it real paprika and cinnamon you use? Thanks for sharing your techniques, I'm now totally inspired.

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    1. Hi Diana, thanks for your really lovely comment...YES ground spices!!...it's Brenda's idea, works brilliantly and smells good! Ruth x

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    2. That should be HUGE thanks to everyone for their amazing comments and feedback, quite overwhelmed ...thank you! Ruth xx

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  16. OK, so I'm actually speechless! If only my hubby were here to witness it! HA!! This is just beyond spectacular Ruth, I'm talking top shelf, museum quality art here! SPICES, WHAT!!! I am just loving every single thing about this amazing project Ruth, the idea, the textures, the painstaking work that went into it and that rustic shimmer, OH MY!! I have bookmarked this page, so I can come and visit over and over again! extra big crafty hugs :)

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  17. wow oozing with texture and beauty, love it x

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  18. Totally fantastic Ruth ! Sue C x

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  19. Acchhh! this is SO SO cool Ruth!! it looks like it might have been at the bottom of the ocean for a while as well!!! great resutl with your techniques and SO very clever in your design! Thank you so much for sharing it with us at the A Vintage Journey challenge - Love is in the air!!

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  20. What a fabulous technique Ruth. Thanks for sharing it.

    Hugs Diane

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  21. Good gracious, this is totally amazing Ruth! What a stunning effect and so beautiful. Definitely a treasure to be cared for over many years.

    Hugs
    Lesley Xx

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  22. OMG Ruth, this is such an incredible piece, I don't know how I managed to miss it until now! The effects you have achieved are simply incredible! LOVE this so much!!!! Thanks so much for adding it to our Love is in the Air Challenge at A Vintage Journey!

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  23. Amazing !!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it

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  24. Ruth I just adore this beautiful creation and was intrigued with the way you set about creating it. Loveeee it.
    Thanks for sharing your talent at AVJ.
    hugs Brenda xxx

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  25. Ruth, just landed here from AVJ (Congratulations on winning!) and WOW! Your heart is amazing - the effect you've achieved is beyond words - so very vintage and it looks so fragile and rusty and old!! Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring. Fantastic! Jean.x

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  26. Wow! This is incredible, so intricate and encrusted like an antique jewel
    A well deserved winner

    Jools x

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  27. I don't know how i missed this fantastic one of your's Ruth ! This is just outstanding...I am just looking at it with awe and at a sheer loss of words. BEAUTY is all that I can say. Congrats on your win at AVJ. Hugs.

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  28. Ruth............what a delicate beauty! Absolutely beyond words to describe such a wonderful example of craftsmanship. Stunning, precious, artefact come to mind. I can't believe its only 9cm look so much bigger. Your are fabulous and it shows in your work. LOVE IT! LOVE IT! Karen.x

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  29. I was sure that I already comment on this post, but anyway....Gosh, gosh, gosh this is outstanding!! I think I already told you, that I LOVE your creative mind...you rock, dear Ruth!!! I would like to try this technique and "stole" your idea, but I am pretty sure that final product will not be so adorable! Thank you for sharing!
    Hugs

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It would be lovely to read any comments left, I really appreciate them all. Thank you so much for taking the time to drop by.