Sunday 29 March 2015

Paperartsy Challenge - Theme 6 - Grunge Paste

The new topic on Paperartsy, is Grunge Paste (or other texture pastes)  - love love love Grunge Paste! There have been some amazing projects so far, from Wanda Hentges's Garden Hanging, to  Lou Collins Wood Grain effect  and Liz Borer's Decorated Hand. 

I loved the wood grain effect, but had an idea to alter a little papier mache bird house - which doesn't have must room to give it the full treatment like Lou... However...


 I bought this little bird house (and 2 others) at the Port Sunlight show last October.. finally been able to use one!

No early stage photos, got a bit carried away... started by painting the whole thing with Snowflake, then started adding colours.. used Brown Shed (too red) Chutney (too dark) Haystack.. ok. Added some little leafy flowery stamps from the new ELB20 on the front,in Library Green archival and on some scraps of tissue for the sides
the little resin bird was painted with French Roast and then covered with Sapphire Treasure Gold and fixed to the perch with Heavy Structure Gel.
 added some dots of red for the flowers, using a Liquitex paint pen before adding the tissue to the side.
The roof was made by mixing GP with London Night Fresco and adding a reasonably thick layer to the roof of the bird house.
I think the roofer must be very inexperienced, because the roof spacing isn't very even (on the other side particularly!)  - used a coffee stirrer to draw the lines.
Once the paste was thoroughly dry (overnight) I added a thin slightly watered down layer of Dusty Teal to give it a bit of colour.

 the back was where I wanted to try the wood grain effect used so beautifully on the Paperartsy blog  - mixed the GP with Chocolate Pudding and slathered it on - I just drew lines down with the coffee stirrer again, and let dry. Added a thin wash of French Roast and sanded back lightly.


 I really had fun with this one (not so with the photographs, it's damp and dull this morning!!) and entering the Paperartsy challenge here 

29 comments:

craftimamma said...

Love it Helen! Birds and birdhouses are up at the top of my list of likes at the moment and this is really cute. Fab texture from the GP and I love the roof especially.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Deborah Wainwright said...

Looks Fab Helen the roof look very effective with colour you chose. And I love your wood grain effect too. Great little birdhouse xx

Claire said...

This is lovely! Love the roof and the wood grain effect on the back - so pretty xx

Miriam said...

Your bird house is fabulous Helen.... stunning

Hazel Agnew said...

Love the little bird and the colours are really suiting the birdhouse! Looks like you had great fun with the Grungepaste. Looking good! X

Julie Lee said...

What a delightful little bird house - love the decoration on it and the perfect use for that fab wood grain effect! I love the little bird too. I didn't know about Heavy Structure Medium. Sounds like a good idea! xx

snazzyoriginal said...

So cute with all that texture x

Etsuko said...

Very cute the bird house Helen. Love your wood grain effect and the roof is awesome. Maybe a lot of birds are visiting in your garden now. xx

jgindy2015 said...

Your birdhouse is very sweet. I think your roof looks great!

massofhair said...

Quirky and fun birdhouse, your GP roof is fabtastic! :-)

sam21ski said...

Ooooh fabulous roof xxx I bought some of them too and haven't used any either - lol xxx

Lin said...

oh this is lovely Helen..love it all the stamping and the cute little bird and your roof is fab lol x

Anni - My Creative Life and Mixed Media Books said...

What a sweet bird house Helen and so beautifully made.
Anni

craftytrog said...

Looks great Helen!

Words and Pictures said...

Completely adorable, Helen - the Grunge Paste roof tiles work so well - and much more fun that they're not completely regular. I love the woodgrain look on the back. Love the flower stamping, and the little bird is a charming finishing touch!
Alison xx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Lovely birdhouse Helem, love your roof and authentic wood look. The little bird is a lovely touch. Tracy x

Lori said...

Your wood grain turned out very well Helen! Love the roof too! The whole thing is awesome!

Artyjen said...

Too cute!
xoxo Sioux

Trish said...

Gorgeous little house!

Gabrielle said...

Helen I think this is just stunning! So clever and you've used the grunge paste so well - you must be truly thrilled with it! You're a clever bunny xxx

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is wonderful, love the roofing!

Lucy x

catherine said...

This is a wonderful project Helen and looks so textural.
x catherine

Sarah Anderson said...

Exquisitely clean and simple xx

Kirsten said...

Sorry it's taken me two days to get here Helen. I love this, it's so cute & the woodgrain effect looks great.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Fabulous Helen - I really loVe the roof tiles!! A great make!! Chrisx

Sarah B said...

just love it xx

Unknown said...

Thats great! Really different and fun - love it! Cx

Art By Wanda said...

It's fabulous, Helen!!!! Love every part!!!

Craftyfield said...

Never mind the roofer's inexperience, you've actually attempted hand drawn texture in the GP! And I think it's very effective. Love the flowers on the side too, overall a charming bird house.