Hello

I often chat about how I prepare "more" of elements, whether staining, eco dying, rusting, you name it and preparing more than I will ever need for one project.
Last year I was seen to dip into a Rust Effect Kit many times over and as mentioned above, prepared more items.  Then I got into actually rusting items and took a step back from using the Rust Effect Kit but recently I unearthed a few of this previously prepared items, including two large greyboard wings.
Those wings became the springboard for making the project I am sharing today.

Supplies

That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set Lynne's Affirmations Set 1
That's Crafty! Surfaces Bits and Pieces Greyboard Sheet Wings Large
That's Crafty! Surfaces MDF Round 2.5"
That's Crafty! Surfaces Mixed Media Paper/Card Kit (Calico)
That's Crafty! Multi-Surface Paint Metallic Antique Gold
That's Crafty! Lustre Spray Gold
That's Crafty! Multi-Purpose Craft Adhesive
Plaid Folkart Painted Finishes Rust Kit
Memento Ink Tuxedo Black
We R Memory Makers Crop-a-Dile
Extras: Twig, Handmade Paper (Coffee Stained), Small Tag (Coffee Stained), Coconut Button, Yarn, Eco dyed Muslin
Used Round Teabag or work with Teabag Paper and if you have a die-cutting machine, die cut the That's Crafty! Surfaces Teabag Paper into a circle.

Instructions

There's preparation involved in this for the staining. The small tag, muslin and calico had all been prepared previously but I will give a brief run through of what I did.

Small Tag, Calico & Handmade Paper - dipped into a coffee bath - using a suitable flat container, I like to use old oven trays, fill with hot water, sprinkle in instant coffee granules.  Allow to cool slightly before adding the tag and torn length of calico. Leave until desired strength of staining has been achieved, remove, lying flat to dry. For extra effect on the tag, it can then be sprayed with walnut ink from walnut ink crystals dissolved in hot water, allowing to cool before decanting into spray bottle.

Muslin - eco dye this by adding to old cooking pot with other items, tea bags and vinegar. Remove from the liquid and wrap around rusted items, etc, placing outdoors.

Prepare the greyboard wings by applying the Rust Finish, following manufacturer's instructions. I like to apply with an old, bristly brush as it gives extra texture. While working on the wings, bend slightly to create gently curves. Allow to dry thoroughly before applying Antique Gold paint, applying with fingertips, allowing it to enhance the texture of the Rust Finish. Punch one hole towards the tip of each wing. At this point you can thread yarn through each hole, wrapping around a twig, apply adhesive to the twig to ensure the yarn won't budge.

Allow a used teabag to dry thoroughly before taking care to make a small incision, allowing the contents to be shaken out of the bag. Next, repeatedly stamp the Affirmation from Set 1 "Don't doubt the strength of my delicate wings" with Tuxedo Black ink before adhering to the MDF Round, the 2.5" was a perfect size for the teabag. If working with Teabag Paper, simply dip it into tea, allowing to dry thoroughly before die cutting a circle.

Gather the lengths of calico and muslin, I machine stitched them together, allowing the ends to remain free from stitches but they could be slow stitched. Adhere the Round to the top of the gathering of textiles.

Ink up the Affirmation again, this time only using the words "strength of my wings", which were stamped onto the coffee stained handmade paper, cutting the words before adhering to the stained tag. The string from the tag was threaded through a coconut button, adhering the button to the centre of the teabag, allowing the tag to suspend.

Mist the hanging with Lustre Spray Gold. I declare, I instantly fell in love with the Lustre Sprays, getting my hands on Gold, Aubergine and Silver. It brought a depth to the already "Rusted" finish with a gorgeous gold shimmer catching the light.

To finish, a rusted washer layered over the button and a scrap of calico attached with rusted safety pin to bottom of tag.

Click HERE to see the full range of That's Crafty! Lustre Sprays.

Until next week,
Wishes
Lynne