... compared to in the shade! Either way, I love working with the Calico Craft Parts ATC blanks - even the Plain ATCs give such substance to this small format.
This time I've paired them with some of the fantastic Steampunk designs - cogs and gears are always fun to play with.
I started out by layering stripes of tissue tape onto the ATCs (last of the process photos, sorry - I got wrapped up in it all!).
I applied a light coat of gesso to soften the look of the tape and then added DecoArt Crackle Glaze with my fingers.
When it had crackled, I played with layers of Antiquing Creams and DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics, adding them and wiping back, until I was happy with the look of the backgrounds.
(At times I was quite brutal with the scraping of the crackle - I really wanted a distressed, eaten-away effect.)
I used a coat of Ultra Matte Varnish to seal it all in so no more of that crackle will be going anywhere.
For the beautiful Steampunk Cog Butterfly (in sunlight and in shade)...
... and the Steampunk Mechanical Cogs Style 3 (in sunlight and in shade)...
... I also used the DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics...
... rubbing colours on with my fingers and wiping back...
... the same process really...
... but with some gilding wax layered in to the mix at times.
A couple of rub-on words complete the look.
I like how you can embed a rub-on right in to the piece so that it seems to belong there.
And that's your lot... I hope you like them, and if you'd like to play with a Steampunk look, do check out all the amazing designs available by clicking on the links in the text.
Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I'll see you again soon.
Alison x
Words and Pictures
Love the cog butterfly, and how different it looks in both lights! Your crackling is superb.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put together as always. The cogs are great set into the crackle like that. You get a sense they've been there a long time and things are beginning to creep over them. Love it! Lx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning, just drooling over that crackle texture and design !
ReplyDeleteNever applied crackle with fingers....yet...need to add it to my Butterfly notebook! Adore the background...looks so authentic....cogs sit happily too! X
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I love the idea of those solid atcs!
ReplyDeleteLucy x
Stunning work Alison. Love both of these. But the butterfly is awesome. The backgrounds are fabulous. The crackle matches perfect the style of steampunk.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your lovely art.
Hugs from Monica... Spain
Gorgeous cogs!
ReplyDeleteWow Alison -- your design work is always fabulous -- the backgrounds for both of these cog images is perfect - sets the whole mood. I really said wow when I opened up this post!!!! You have a vision that few of us can match - that is why they pay you the big bucks right!!!!
ReplyDeletesandy xx
Oh dear,I think I'm in love with that butterfly and that means a spend up......
ReplyDeleteHugs
Donna xxx
absolutely awrsome. i love that cog butterfly. brilliant backgrounds too. beautiful. work alison. hugs rachel x
ReplyDeleteWow, these backgrounds are ever so stunning! Such fabulous crackling! Gorgeous work, Alison!!! <3
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Love the colours, love the crackle and love the cogs parts.
ReplyDeleteTwo wonderful ATCs and reat use of all those cogs!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing Tags with great backgrounds, I love the crackled parts on it.
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Sabine
Wow Wow Wow, fabulous ATC's, amazing textures and I need a Butterfly !
ReplyDeleteJulie x
The difference in the lighting is really interesting. Great ATCs! That crackle makes my heart happy!
ReplyDeleteLove the results of all the layers - fabulous. xx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely,positively too cool!! Love these Alison!!
ReplyDeleteSweet ATCs, Alison! I love them both. I know the size of an ATC, but I can't help imagining these as huge pieces of art (almost floor to ceiling) hanging on a wall! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteLove those gear pieces - wonderful color and crackle!
ReplyDeleteWow is all I can think to say! Oh, yes, I need those cogs, the butterfly is fabulous... the crackle looks pretty amazing too. Anne xx
ReplyDeleteYou could push me over with a feather right now, alison! I am in love with your ATCs! The crackle is fantastic and the cogs are finished to a lovely patina--I think I like them best taken in the shade. so happy you were brutal with the crackle; it looks like these have been around for centuries! Put my name on these, Alison, and if you're ever doing a clean out... just sayin'! But in the meantime, I'll pin them so I can drool at my convenience! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and stunning! Loves both designs and the crackle is fantabulous!!! Awesome sauce and a bag of chips! Wowzers!!!! ~Niki
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful Alison, fabulous colours and textures and love the cogs! Deb xo
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, -amazing crackles and colors, Alison
ReplyDeleteLove how your scraped away some crackle to make it look beaten and beautiful.
Hug, Dorthe
They are gorgeous, the crackle looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteThese really pack a punch for ATCs, Alison! I love the different colours; the crackle and the text. Wonderful work! xx
ReplyDeleteThese ATC's are totally amazing love all the layers and textures, need these blanks in my stash lol.
ReplyDeleteMaggieH
Wow! Oh wow! Gorgeous! Xx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous!!!! And I love the colours and all the shades on the Steampunk elements, fantastic result Alison xx
ReplyDeleteSuch clever cog designs beautifully displayed and altered here Alison. Jenny x
ReplyDelete