That’s the challenge today on GA – Nancy chose “shabby chic” and to be quite honest, I went OTT with the shabby… well, there was so much paint around this morning, and you know what I’m like when I get paints out!
Dawn
I’ve been seeing quite a bit of the corrugated cardboard around again late last year and now too, so in an effort to be good, recycle and declutter, I went looking for cardboard this morning. This was one of those boxes you get catfood puches in – nice cardboard, but tricky to dis-assemble without tearing… unless you poke the tine(s) of a fork in a groove, push and flick! Push as far as you can and the top paper lifts and you can tear it up nicely without ripping all the layers. Great texture! [The gold spots are simple round paper fasteners].
Once I’d done that, I gessoed and painted it, naturally! Lots of dry brushing – oh and in the interests of science, or the need to experiment – playing what if? – I used a toothbrush to paint with. This toothbrush has uneven lengthed bristles and so you get a more random texture and stroke…
While it was drying (before I cut out the arch), I used the remaining paint plus, in my altered book, preparing a piece for tomorrow [Mixed Media Monday]. Then I decided to see whether I can paint a picture on a bamboo placemat, with a toothbrush… it’s coming along nicely! I bet some people reading this think I’m demented – using a fork on cardboard, painting with a toothbrush, covering textbooks with paint, trying to paint on placemats, etc. It’s just having fun and I can’t stand waiting for paint to dry!
The image I used for the arch is from my seemingly never-ending stack of Miniatures by Crafty Individuals, which I love! I see they’ve brought out some new papers and stamps recently… I am tempted but my pockets are “to let” at the moment, which is probably why I’m experimenting so much! 😉
Altered Art & Stuff... 
Yvonne
/ January 17, 2010Gorgeous arch, Rosie!
Martina
/ January 17, 2010This arch is just brilliant, Rosie! Fantastic design.
Louise
/ January 17, 2010Fabulous arch!!
Carol
/ January 17, 2010Love this.!!! All the scrumptious textures!!! And the color palate, blues, silver, black and a hint of gold, very yummy!
ellen
/ January 17, 2010you always make me laugh how you get sidetracked when crafting. Signs of a true crafter in my eyes.
I love the colour combination and the different textures on there.
Terri G.
/ January 17, 2010Artsy, Shabby, Weathered..really cool!
Kelly
/ January 17, 2010gorgeous arch! great background!
jamamakitty
/ January 17, 2010love the cardboard background…….i’ve been playing around with that lately too. great colors and well, just everything!
Rosie
/ January 17, 2010Thank you MsKitty! I still haven’t worked out how to comment back to you yet!! ;o)
ginger
/ January 17, 2010Love your shabby chic ! Just gorgeous and elegant!
Jan D
/ January 17, 2010I really like all the elements you used in this piece. Very pretty!
Faye
/ January 17, 2010Rosie, I am so impressed!!! You really understand shabby chic. I can see it in your piece but I can’t seem to produce it myself. This is gorgeous and very much in line with the theme.
Sharon Sams
/ January 17, 2010Love everything about this arch – so interesting.
Elaine Divita Knies
/ January 18, 2010Really like your style. Great job.
Elaine
Lena
/ January 18, 2010I love your creation! Very shabby and simply beautiful!
jaine
/ January 18, 2010Oh that’s cool, you should take a look at mine, you’d laugh!! You can never go over the top with shabby it’s perfect.
Nancy Maxwell James
/ January 18, 2010fabulous image, texture and detail! I love your art! 🙂
Gayle Page-Robak
/ January 18, 2010I really love this arch…it is beautifully textured with a terrific layout. Great imagery as well….all good stuff, girlfriend!
Effie
/ January 19, 2010Love the cardboard… and the colours too!
aztecmichelle
/ January 20, 2010Fantastic arch! Lots of fun.