Upcycled Home Decor - Tim Holtz watercolor technique with some old stash bits

I created this as have been looking for a nice little something to hang on a wall in my bedroom that was calling out to me to be prettied up.  I was sorting through and reorganising my stamps, having watched a Jennifer McGuire vid and came across the lovely stamp set  that I bought ages ago and have been neglecting.  Im sorry but I really cant remember where I got it from but Graphic 45 Parfumerie Clear Stamp Set by Hampton Art has the bottle and small images. I raided my stash of cardboard and material and found some net and this is what I came up with.

I stuck 3 layers of cardboard together, covered with gesso.  The backing papers are from my stash, I inked them up with the same colours and used watered down gesso to mute them a bit.  I then covered loosely with the net and used pins to hold in place so I could manipulate it after the images were in place.

From the back, nearly as messy as my desk

 I use Tim Holtz watercolor technique from his compendium book 3, so easy, and distress inks victorian velvet, black soot, pickled raspberries and pumice stone to create my main images.

 I inked the edged of the images and mat and layered them using my "perfect layer tools", they make the job so much easier for me.

I coated all the images in glossy accents including the little circle.  I love how this really changed their look.  It was hard to pick up on camera but they look like enamel buttons.  Then onto embe;;ishment heaven.  The flowers were made but curling ribbon into circles.  I punched out some sma;; butterflies and raided my box of brass tone embellies.

I added lots of pearls and a special button I have been saving.  I chopped the back of the button off and sanded it so it would lie flat.

The chain under the Parfumerie sign was from a necklace that I had broken and kept because I (am a crafty hoarder) just know them odd little bits some would call rubbish are just waiting for a new home.

I am super chuffed with my new wall art and because I made it myself it matches my room perfectly :)

I am entering this into the following challenges

Altered Eclectics -Anything but a card anything goes
Flonz craft - Anything but a card
That Craft Place - Anything goes.

Thanks for taking dome crafty time out to have a look at my blog, please feel free to leave a quick message and then I can pop over to your place too

Tracey :)

OMG - I always love Altered Eclectics but now I Adore them, Thanks for picking me as you May winner x

Have been running in circles and whooping at my very bemused daughter :)

OMG, I cannot believe it, thanks so much to Elaine and the design team at Altered Eclectics for awarding me the honor of winning the may challenge.  This has given me such a boost as there were just so many wonderful challenges I didnt expect it for a sec.  I entered the altered chest of drawers I made for my Daughter just for fun and to start participating with the crafty community rather than just peeking in the window.

AM absolutely buzzing :)

If you are a secret crafter I really hope you will start sharing you crafty creations, not just because I am on cloud 9 at the recognition from Elaine, who is a really talented lady, and her awesome design team but because I have been chatting to and getting inspired by many people I would not have met if I had stayed in the crafty shadows ;)

Thanks again Elaine x