Love Bugs......Guest Designer for Stampotique

Oh my goodnesss... I'm so, so excited...Stampotique!!! 


I can't believe that I've been asked to be Guest designer  for Stampotique for February, I'm giddy with excitement!

I have loved Stampotique for years, so this was the perfect opportunity for me to jump into..


Week 1 Challenge:- SDC266 Love Bugs

I really enjoyed creating this project, it was so much fun.  I don't have many bug stamps yet, but I love these butterfly wings by Daniel Torrente called 'Lovely Wings', and they were shouting to be converted into a steampunk style butterfly..!

I used a wooden heart as the base of the project, and covered it in a thick layer of black gesso. When it was dry, I painted a heavy layer of crackle paste over the top. I just love using crackle paste on things, it's magical and so effective. You must leave it to dry naturally though as using a heat tool may stop the full full effect of it.

When you work in layers, it's important to let each layer dry fully before working on the next one.

I used some silver embossing paste to stencil parts of a brick wall on a few areas of the heart, I wanted it to look like the butterflies had landed or were grounded on something solid.

Whilst everything was drying, I stamped out the 'Lovely Wings' stamp with a glue pad and 

used gilding flakes to achieve the metallic look I wanted. I cut out the holes on the wings 

and used my Cropodile to add bronze coloured rivets to reinforce them. I attached a screw as the body to one butterfly and some clear stones (some bling) to the other body.

To add some colour to the heart, I used some acrylic paints in bronze and dark teal, and used my fingers to rub it in to certain areas. The rest of the colour was from using gilding wax. The result of the wax was fabulous. It really clings to the crackle and picks out any little detail, it really catches the light...!

I positioned the butterflies on the 'wall' and created a trail from their bodies using mini 

stones and micro beads in turquoise, black and bronze. Then, using some silicone glue, I attached Roc Nicholas' 'Flying Heart' over one of the trails. Finally I stamped out, 'Love Bugs' onto some black card, and made a wire hanger so it can be used.

I really enjoyed making this, I hope you like it too..?!

It would be great if you could join in the challenge. 

Here is the link you need:- Stampotique Designers Challenge SDC266 'Love Bugs'

Please come over and say 'Hi', I'd love to hear your comments!

Stamps I used are:

                           Lovely Wings - Daniel Torrente

                           Flying Heart - Roc Nicholas

                           Design Cube 2 - France Papillon

                      

Happy Crafting, Gemma x