Rust Backgrounds with Distress Oxides

Hello, happy Saturday everyone!! Have you seen Tim Holtz's video introducing the newest release of Distress Oxides? After watching the video I realized the importance of swatches. It was from seeing the swatch of Vintage Photo that my brain instantly thought RUST!!! I also walked away realizing the importance of letting your backgrounds air dry for the full effect.

Inks used Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Iced Spruce, Cracked Pistachio and Fossilized Amber. 

Additional supplies Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Distress Spray Bottle, Blending Tool, and Micro Glaze. 

I used 200 Series Strathmore Watercolor paper since it's what I had on hand. 

I followed the same steps using all 4 of the main colors. 

Smoosh pad across paper. Leave some white space for the color to move and to pick up highlights later. 

Spray generously. I like to have a couple larger pools and some finer areas for the added variance. 

 Set aside to dry. Here is an example of the difference between air drying and drying with a heat gun. The example on the left was air dried. Look at all that oxidation!! Such a difference!! 

If I am going to emboss my background I do so after inking and spraying the page since you need to mist your paper when using the new 3D Texture Fade folders. This does push some of the color into the page but don't worry it adds character. Set aside to dry. 

Here is a great video on the basics of using 3D Texture Fades. 

Once the first layer has dried spray again. This round I did large droplets. Set aside to dry again. Once the pieces have air dried I heat set them just to be sure. 

Using a blending tool blend Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the entire piece. This makes the brown and orange undertones pop. Spray lightly and set aside to dry.

 In this photo, I have only blended the right side as an example.

Another wonderful tip I learned from Tim's video is the importance of using your Media Mat properly. The white silicone mat makes a big difference when smooshing your piece into wet ink. 

Smoosh some Fossilized Amber onto your mat and spray with water. Wiggle your fingers thru the ink to move it around. Dip your paper randomly into the ink. 

Some of the drops were larger than I wanted so I lightly mopped them up using a baby wipe. Set aside to dry. 

After your pieces have dried go thru and add finishing details. Such as adding another layer of Vintage Photo Distress Ink, blending on more Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide, adding highlights with Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide. Set aside to dry one final time if sprayed again. 

The last step is to add a layer of Micro Glaze. I love how a thin layer of glaze really melds all the layers together and offers a slight sheen. The example above shows the right side with a layer of glaze. 

If you haven't used Micro Glaze yet it's very easy to use. With a blending tool blend a thin layer over background and buff with a clean paper towel.

Following are some notes I wanted to share. Mainly so I can remember the next time I try to make these backgrounds. 

These are both Frayed Burlap following all the same steps except the right has been embossed after the first spray. The difference in color was unique and surprising. 

These are both Vintage Photo following all the same steps except the example on the left is sprayed with a mixture of instant coffee instead of water. The tones are slightly deeper. 

Before Micro Glaze

After Micro Glaze. See how the layer of glaze really highlights the rust and copper tones that were hiding out. 

Frayed Burlap- Top example was sprayed an extra time after air drying the first time. It really brought out the blues!! Middle was done following all the steps as noted. Bottom was embossed after inking and spraying. 

Iced Spruce- Top was sprayed an extra time and flicked with very watered down Cracked Pistachio Oxide. Middle followed the steps above. Bottom was embossed after inked and sprayed. 

Walnut Stain- Top followed all the steps above. Bottom was embossed after inked and sprayed. 

Vintage Photo- Top was embossed after being inked and sprayed. Bottom was ink, sprayed and air dried then sprayed and embossed. There is a slight color difference 

Vintage Photo- Top followed all steps above. Bottom I did not spray after the Vintage Photo Distress Ink layer. The oxide effect is more prominent. 

Added rust details- Top sprayed with Distress Resist Spray and sprinkled with instant coffee granules and heated. Middle sprayed with Distress Resist Spray and sprinkled with cinnamon powder. Bottom sprayed with Distress Resist Spray and sprinkled with Paper Artsy rusting powder and activated with vinegar.

The top example was sprayed and embossed after the layer of Micro Glaze.  The 3D effect isn't as prominent as the bottom layer that was sprayed and embossed after being inked. 

And don't forget to save your baby wipes!! Look at that rusty goodness. 

Look at all those beautiful colors!! I am kicking myself for not making swatches sooner. 

I am so inspired to continue exploring these inks. I am usually in the middle of a project when I try to make the perfect background but then I rush it and it never turns out. Now I realize I need to take the time to play and explore!! 

I hope you enjoyed this post and maybe walk away with a bit of inspiration. Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me today. I would love if you'd leave a comment and let me know you stopped by!! ~ Happy Creating

Santos Doll

Hello!! Happy Friday, I'm here today with a Santos Doll. I am so excited to share this project with you. With a few different mediums, this Santos really comes to life!!

To begin paint all skirt pieces front and back with brown paint. Once dry assemble skirt. 

Once the glue has dried rust the skirt with Rusting Powder from PaperArtsy. Cover piece with Distress Collage Medium and sprinkle on Rusting Powder. Spray with vinegar and set aside. (I forgot to take a pic of the rusting in action)

While skirt dries paint doll body with gesso. I only painted the front. The back I inked up with Frayed Burlap Distress ink. 

For the face and hands (sorry forgot a pic again) I painted them a peach skin tone. Once dry using a palette knife I added a layer of Distress Crazing Medium. Allow to air dry. For the body and arms mix Opaque Crackle Texture Paste with Bundled Sage Distress Ink. Add to body with palette knife. Allow to air dry. 

I chose not to do a face on my doll because I can't draw, period. And I may have gone a bit crackle crazy, but I wanted my doll to have a very worn look like she had just been dug up. 

Using a craft knife I remove a few areas of medium. To add an extra grungy look rub Artisan Powder and Vintage Photo Distress Crayon into the cracks. The hairline was drawn on with Walnut Stain Distress Crayon.

The arms are one of my favorite details. I originally planned to use brads but they didn't hang quite the way I envisioned so I decided to use thread. 

Using Vintage Photo Distress Crayon color Tim' Holtz's Craft Thread. With a baby wipe run thread thru wipe and then randomly apply Distress Crayon to length of thread. This adds the perfect amount of grunginess. With needle thread thru arms and tie off. Attach arms to body same way. 

To finish off your Santos Doll drape her with your choice of jewelry. 

I used a variety of pieces from Tim Holtz's Assemblage line as well as an Idea-ology Philosophy tag. The medal came from my stash and was the perfect adornment. 

Here you can see some of the wonderful rust effect. I added highlights using Cracked Pistachio Distress Crayon. 

I really enjoyed watching this piece come together and am already planning my next one possibly for my mom, but shhh don't tell. I hope I've inspired you to explore making your own Santos Doll. As always thanks for stopping by!! Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

Santos Cage Doll

Hi everyone, Jennalee here today!! I've had the idea for this Santos Doll for awhile. When I was digging thru my Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts stash I found the perfect halo background piece and frame ends, and from there it all fell into place.

I have long admired Santos Dolls and had been wanting to make one for some time, but needed to find all the perfect pieces. I had been looking for the perfect halo of light piece. When I  saw this Swirl Medallion-Large (coming soon) I knew that painted gold it would perfectly offset the Santos figure. 

To begin, remove the top layer on a piece of corrugated cardboard. Using a palette knife apply a layer of Distress Grit Paste or Grout to cardboard piece. For the cage skirt I used wooden coffee stirrers from my stash or you can also use a flat wooden dowel cut to size. To the skirt pieces apply a generous layer of grit paste. Allow pieces to air dry. 

Once dry paint cardboard background using your choice of paints or inks. For mine I used acrylic paints and Distress Oxides.

 To add "rust" to skirt pieces paint with brown acrylic, while paint is still wet dip piece into cinnamon. Allow to dry. Using your finger and a very light touch add highlights of gold and aquamarine for a patina effect.

For the background halo paint Swirl Medallion with brown acrylic paint. Allow to dry. Once dry spray generously with a gold shimmer spray. 

For frame pieces emboss 1 Herald Medallion (coming soon) with Burnt Copper Leaves. Cut Medallion in half. Use the top half of  the Medallion to frame the top of your piece and the larger bottom half of Medallion as a frame for bottom edge of piece. 

To add texture to your Santos figure add a very thin layer of gesso to book text. Using a palette knife allows for control and to add some rough texture for a clay like effect. Stamp out figure and color in using watercolors or choice of medium.

Now for the fun part putting it all together. Using hot glue attach Swirl Medallion. Layer on Santos figure and arrange cage skirt as desired. Attach skirt pieces with hot glue. Add top and bottom Medallion pieces to edges. Step back and admire. 

Thank you for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me here at Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts today. I hope you enjoyed this project and that you can find all the right pieces for that project that you've been dreaming up. ~Jennalee