Hello Crafty Friends, welcome to this scheduled post!
It is time for a new challenge at Anything But Cute and the wonderful Niki is our hostess. Niki has chosen 'The Birds and the Bees' as her challenge theme. I was so thrilled with the theme
as I have had a Tim Holtz bee die cut in my stash for ages (courtesy of my lovely friend Mo) and this was a great opportunity to use it!
Here is the finished bee, with Glossy Accented legs, acetate wings, a coat of Distress Collage Medium - Crazing on the card layer of his wings and his body is coated with Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy.
I really hope you can join us at Anything But Cute this month, it would be lovely to see your birds and bees mixed media creations!
As always, thanks for looking, I really appreciate it if you take the time to comment too!
Hugs, Anne xx
....................
If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man
would have no more than four years to live....
Albert Einstein
as I have had a Tim Holtz bee die cut in my stash for ages (courtesy of my lovely friend Mo) and this was a great opportunity to use it!
Since it is a sad fact that bees are in decline, I wanted to create a little wall hanging as a reminder that we should do what we can to try and 'save our bees'.
Here is what Niki has to say: With the lovely warmer weather in my neck of the woods, I am seeing so many wonderful birds and bees, so I would love to see these in your mixed media makes! Pull out those bird stamps, think of feathers and maybe some honeycomb. Or you could even go for a non-traditional interpretation like a family crest that has a bird emblem on it. The sky is the limit! NO BUTTERFLIES please!
Take a piece of card (or 6" x 6" board in my case) and cover with a coat of Gesso. Add some book page pieces here and there. Some stenciling was added to the bare diagonal corners (the photo was too blurry to show).
Spray with various colours of Distress Spray Stains (you can see the stencilling in this shot).
Add some Tim Holtz Honeycomb Frameworks die cuts (these have been stained with Distress Spray Stains) Put back some of the die cut honeycomb pieces and then apply some Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium - Crazing. This gives a very subtle crackle. A good layer of Glossy Crackle Accents was added to some of the spaces.
This is how the bee had been left in my stash, he had been painted with Black Soot and Mustard Seed Distress Paints.
Here is the finished bee, with Glossy Accented legs, acetate wings, a coat of Distress Collage Medium - Crazing on the card layer of his wings and his body is coated with Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy.
I really hope you can join us at Anything But Cute this month, it would be lovely to see your birds and bees mixed media creations!
As always, thanks for looking, I really appreciate it if you take the time to comment too!
Hugs, Anne xx
....................
If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man
would have no more than four years to live....
Albert Einstein
Brilliant Anne! The background reminds me of that rich dark sticky honey you get from those independent bee keepers and I love your multi layered/textured bee. Totally with you on the bee campaign - we have some bee homes on our walls which are used every year now xx
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Anne .Love those rich tones you've used on the background that work so well with the colours of the honeycomband your Bee is the just 'the biz'. The embossed acetate wings are quite something!
ReplyDeletehave a lovely weekend x
A really lovely piece love all the elements xx
ReplyDeleteWooooow, Anne, it's spectacular! I adore the way how you did your background and your bee looks so real! What a wonderful use of that Crazing medium! I am completely in love with your fantastic canvas! What a super creative mind you have, my friend! Big hugs and lots of love to you! Branka xx
ReplyDeleteWow Anne, I am just in love with your giant bee and his shiny clear wings layered on the shimmery ones! Wow, he just looks so graceful and beautiful! Your background is amazing, oh how I loved going through the steps with you, what a treat! I can't believe the amazing effect you achieved using Distress ink sprays, I really must play with mine some more! I love all the different little honeycomb cut-outs that you put texture on and then placed back in the die cut, such a wonderful effect it creates! Thank you so much Anne, for creating another stunning piece! hugs :)
ReplyDeleteWow, Anne, this is absolutely spectacular!! That bee is amazing!! I love the acetate wings...they add such a perfect touch!! The honeycomb background looks amazing!! The texture and details are so fabulous!! This is stunning and what a fabulous reminder to save the bees!! Love it!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Fabulous, Anne! I have lusted over that bee die ever since it was released. I love how you used it.
ReplyDeleteGosh Anne, what a fabulous project and your bee is sensational.
ReplyDeleteJulie x
a really wonderful project and important message too ! hugs x
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful message about our bees. Did you read the article about a new way to get honey? It's called a Flow Hive and cause less stress to the bees. Here is a link to the video of the new technology. http://youtu.be/0_pj4cz2VJM
ReplyDeleteYour design is a many splendid thing and the glossy accents added to the honeycomb designs lends a feel of honey in the comb. Awesome sauce and majestic bee! The colors and the crackle wings are gorgeously bee-utiful! Your background is stunning dearie! Wowzers and fantabulous! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki
this is absolutely beautiful Anne - I adore it! And so important too - we need to look after those bees for sure! Hugs rachel x
ReplyDeleteAnne, this is one bee-u-tiful (oh, gee,not the bee-u-tiful thing, AGAIN!)canvas with that awesome bee at the center of it all! The crazing on his wings and then the layer of acetate wings make your bee look like the real deal! Truly amazing! And then your background is yummy with those sprays and that really honey of a comb! It seems our minds were having similar thought processes on this part! What a fabulous creation! Big hugs!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant piece Anne!! The background looks fantastic already, but then the addition of the honeycomb and bee is just brilliant! Wonderful project!!
ReplyDeleteOh what a lovely hanging Anne, I am loving your different Honeycomb centers, and your busy bees glossy legs and double wings. I see you have used your twisty wire tool for the hanger too, love the effect. Mo x
ReplyDeleteI know you do seahorses better than anyone I know and now I can add bees to that column, Annie!! Your bee is spectacular and you have given your amazing creature a dream background of deep rich honey!! Love and hugs, Darnell xxoo
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning and so meaningful make Anne! Love the textured background and wonderful bright bee! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra
What a stunning and so meaningful make Anne! Love the textured background and wonderful bright bee! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra
A gorgeous wall hanging Anne full of all that lovely texture which we so love seeing from you and yes you are right we do need our bees.
ReplyDeleteWarm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.
Love your bee hanging Anne with its important reminder about saving our bees. The colours are perfect for your own little beehive and the queen bee is magnificent. Have a great week. XxX
ReplyDeleteA beautiful hanging Anne.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely seeing the honey bees buzzing around the flowers in the garden but sadly it is something that doesn't happen so often. We don't seem to see as many bumble bees either.
Have a good week.
Toni xx
Lovely wall art with such an important message! Your gorgeous textured background for the bee is cool and the perfect colour ways, so rich! Fabulous! xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning little wall hanging. I love your bee, and all the textured details in the background look amazing! Have a great week. xx
ReplyDeleteLoving that honeycomb background and the bee looks very realistic with his acetate wings. Fabulous! Elaine xx
ReplyDeleteWhat floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee?
ReplyDeleteMuhammad Ali (Cassius Clay)
How true - save the bees - I don't see any bees here in Norther Florida - hmmmmm.
Wonderful and thoughtful make Anne - I know how busy you are!
sandy xx
This is simply brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThe background looks just like leather!
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ReplyDeleteSaw this wonder over at Pamellia's so was fast to zip over for a closer look. How you have captured this amazing bee and his honeycomb look. Love that background, and thanks for showing the close ups. The Glossy on the sections of the comb created such a look of a puddle of honey, and the bee wings...so transparent & glistening. Great work on this one...as always! (and such imagination!). TFS & Hugs
ReplyDeleteThey sure need saving! I LOVE what you've done here, and love that bee!
ReplyDeleteAnne, every time I see this I love it more! What an exquisite project and so perfect for our theme. I love your thought behind it and the fabulous layers! Hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteOnly you Anne would go to the trouble of even selecting the perfect base text pages to form the background - I laughed out loud when I saw 'Lyle golden syrup'! No wonder I can almost hear your FANTASTIC bee buzzing!! This is BRILLIANT as always. I hope you are having a lovely time with guests and enjoying some sunshine. Nicola x
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe! this work is so beautiful! your bee is totally wonderful !!!! Love the design and the background too! barbara
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to bees, Anne! Absolutely lovely, and all of the honey color is fantastic, as is your bee!! Sorry to be so far behind in visits, but looking forward this evening to a catch-up - I see lots of yummy things to see! xxx Lynn
ReplyDeletethis is gorgeous!!!! i absolutely love your bee!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to the endangered bees Anne - Wonderful texture and color on your layered background - and your bee is stunning with his furry looking body, glossy legs and clear wings! Julia xx
ReplyDeleteHi Anne, I am so loving this challenge and your wall panel is lovely. The bee is brilliant. Have a great crafty weekend, Angela x
ReplyDeleteSeriously the most beautiful bee I have EVER EVER seen Anne. Just look like it could up and speak to me as it flys off your wall hanging. LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about your creation - WOW!!! Xj.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful texture and richness of color! I was inspired to pull out my bee as well to use in the challenge. Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulously realistic bee, and I love that honeycomb in the background with all the varied textures and warm glowing colours - just brilliant!
ReplyDeleteAlison x
Wow! That bee is spectacular and I adore the hanging you have made! Love that honeycomb - such perfect colours and texture! Hugs, Chrisx
ReplyDeleteLove your magnificent bee! The message is sooooo very important. Love the amazing texture just wanna reach out and touch it. Thanks for inspiring!~kim
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, What a wonderful project, and such an important topic to highlight. I love the rich honey colours and the bee-utiful details on your bee. Alexandra x
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, What a wonderful project, and such an important topic to highlight. I love the rich honey colours and the bee-utiful details on your bee. Alexandra x
ReplyDeleteThis caught my eye immediately! Perfect color choice for a bee and its honeycomb. Thank you for the beautiful inspiration!
ReplyDelete