Hello

This collage/assemblage is a coming together of various scrappy papers. The rear side of a page of book text which had been stained with Infusions, some of the stain seeping through to the other side of the book page, set the tone for this collage, an Autumnal tone.

This is what always interests me when spending time creating, having no plan at all, simply allowing it to be. After adhering the collage to the MDF panel, I then set it aside, would I return to it to add something else or was the project as completed as I wanted it to be. There was the passing thought of turning it into a hanging, using one of the branches as a hanging mechanism but as soon as the thought entered my head, I dismissed it, somehow it didn't feel right for this project, instead, immediately finding a home for two off-cuts of branches on the collage itself.


Supplies

That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set Lynne's Affirmations Set 7
That's Crafty! Surfaces MDF Panel 8"x8" Pack of 3
That's Crafty! Mediums Gesso White
That's Crafty! Multi-Purpose Craft Adhesive
That's Crafty! Flat Matte Spray: Sage, Ochre, Walnut
That's Crafty! Liquid Acrylic Wax
PaperArtsy Eclectica EAB04 Designed by Alison Bomber
PaperArtsy Infusions: Rusty Car, Sleight Blue
PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics: Caramel, Terraacotta
Carabelle Art Stamp Stitched Mixed Media Background
Archival Ink Jet Black
Extras: twigs, old book pages, rice paper, stained calico, rusted safety pin

Instructions

It started with papers and a piece of calico which had all been previously stained. I intended to use this book page which had been stained with Infusions but knew the tree would be lost amongst the staining, so by chance, turning over the book page, I saw that the Infusions had seeped through to the rear side, this was perfect as it displayed a stained effect but enough "white space" for the stamped tree to not be obliterated by staining.

I do not have any stepped photos but laying the stamped tree aside, I prepared the cotton rag/watercolour paper with Gesso, randomly applied before applying the Fresco chalk acrylics, focusing towards the bottom edge, scraping the paint on and off the paper before applying the Flat Matte Sprays, concentrating towards central area of panel.

Once this was dry, a stamp from the PaperArtsy EAB04, with Jet Black ink, was repeatedly stamped onto the background, ensuring some areas were free from stamping.  In some areas, pushing the stamping back with Gesso, before stamping over the areas again.

At this stage, I gathered various pieces of stained papers, including paper which had the fabulous Liquid Acrylic Wax applied to it.  It was as I played around that I realised the tree was not going to be defined enough, I needed "more".

"More" turned out to be the tree partially stamped onto another book page. This along with the background panel, the other scraps of papers were taken to the sewing machine. At the machine, I decided to stamp onto the paper towards the left of the collage, partially inking up the Stitched Background stamp.

Stitching was added to the tree trunk, to bring interest to where the papers were layered.

The stained scrap of calico, along with a fragment of stained book text, were attached to the rusted safety pin.

Further scraps, especially those which had the Liquid Acrylic Wax applied to them, were layered to the collage, along with eco dyed rice paper which had the quote stamped onto it, the same quote that appears repeatedly on the background.

At this stage, the collage was adhered to the 8"x 8" MDF panel, they are such an amazing surface to have especially for collage work.

Once adhered, I dabbed Gesso, ever so slightly onto the collage, before the final touch was the addition of the cut off branches to the collage.

Thank you for taking the time to visit this latest post.

Kind Wishes
Lynne