Hello Friends
My lovely soul mate and I have been together for 25 years this year, he is a great railway enthusiast. So for Valentine's Day, and my Guest Designer project for AALL & Create, I used Bipasha BK's fabulous newly released stamp set #264 Archway, to create a mixed media 3D project.
I know it doesn't have any hearts on it but I have saved those for his card.
I also used Stencil #38 Cracked Walls 2 by Olga Heldwein.
I started by decorating the inside of the box, for the 'tunnel' element. This box has an arched front and is self assembly (from That's Crafty) in the UK. I used the stencil and some texture paste to line the walls of the 'tunnel' and painted the back wall with black gesso, dry brushed with some white gesso.
Next, I stamped the arway from the stamp set, I did this a few times, coloured them with Distress Inks in various grey and black colours. I wanted to cover the archway completely so I cut up and paper pieced the stones to the front.
To give a little realism to the stonework I gave them a coat of Distress Clear Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint which I hope you can see in the photo above. Once dry I applied a coat of Matte Medium to dull the shine a little and then highlighted a few areas with some Hickory Smoke Distress Spry which settled nicely into some of the cracks.
Next, I cut away the track from my stamped and coloured train image and 'laid' the track in the opening of the box. To give the base a more realistic look I glued down some of Seth Apter's Rocky Road Embossing Powder between the tracks.
I coloured the train with watercolour paints, fussy cut it out, layered it up in three layers to give some dimension and attached it to the back of the box. I added some greenery and the tunnel number 25.
So, you may wonder why I mentioned the light at the end of the tunnel in my title.... well, that's because I added a light to the top of the box so that the train can be displayed at any time of the day or night....
I am pleased to say he loved his train, I have kept his card as a surprise though!
The stamp set and stencil I used are available from a worldwide list of stockists HERE.
For once I have made a project that actually fits in with a challenge! I am entering this into Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge where the theme is 'Crack it up'. I used Distress Crackle Paint on the tunnel and a Crackled Wall stencil on the inside.
Thanks so much for your visit, I really appreciate it!
Hugs, Anne xxx
Anne, this is such an amazing piece of art, with so much detail. It is such a fabulous gift and adding the light is just the sort of extra touch that makes your work such a very high standard. You truly are an inspirational lady.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations both on 25 years xx❤️❤️
Thank you so much Jo, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. You already know how much your work inspires me! Hugs, Anne xxx
DeleteAnne this is amazing! Isn't it wonderful when you find the perfect stamp for the occasion, and the light makes it extra special. Congratulations on your 25 years together! Have a very happy week, Sue xx
ReplyDeleteDear Anne your craftiness knows no bounds, of course I mean craftiness in the art sense of the word! Just fantastic how you created the tunnel with the train just emerging, so beautifully crafted and lights up too! Congratulation to you and David hope you celebrate the day in style.
ReplyDeleteHugs Lottie xx
Oh my Anne - this is absolutely amazing! No wonder David is pleased with it - its amazing! Congrats on your 25 years too - such a wonderful couple! Hugs rachel xx
ReplyDeleteOh this is an amazing project. The care you took over it, I love it.
ReplyDeleteHappy 25th anniversary to you and your husband.
Rose xx
Wow Anne, it is fantastic. Such a perfect gift for a train lover and especially for your 25th Anniversary. The thought you have put into it too - wonderful. Axx
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing..... so much detail, and to add the light was just the perfect finishing touch.
ReplyDeleteHappy 25 years to you both xx
This is absolutely the coolest! I love seeing it lit up and oh those textures are incredible! Just such an awesome make Anne! Thank you for sharing xxx
ReplyDeleteThe love and attention you have given this project Anne shines though wholeheartedly, what a treasure to mark the wonders of those 25 years of friendship and love. From crackle to, embossing and the addition of the light I bet you had so much fun creating this, isn't it amazing how one image can be transformed and make such a statement. I am in awe yet again at your creative flair, you are amazing. I'm happy to hear this one is staying with you.. what a lucky boy David is.
ReplyDeleteSending extra hugs your way this Valentines Tracey xx
This is great and I love the imaginative way you've used the stamps, brilliant. Happy St. Valentine's Day, Angela xxx
ReplyDeleteThis is soooooo awesome and amazing it's no wonder David loves it! There is so much texture and design to this piece and the light is the icing on the cake! You really are a creative genius my friend! Hugs xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteThis is just the greatest ever Anne, and so super brilliant the way you've laid it all out!!! I love every bit, and I know the Mr. must have as well! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your talents know no bounds Anne! This is absolutely brilliant! The detail in this diorama astounds me. It is so realistic! I love the crackle on the the brickwork and adding the light is the icing on the cake! Your hubby will treasure this forever! hugs xx
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry it's taken me ages to get caught up in my commenting, Annie! I have wanted to come and take a closer look after I saw this incredible work of art over on FB! I think I thought it was a card, but oh, my, it's so much more than that! I'm not surprised that he was pleased as punch with this special precious gift from you!! Hugs, Darnell xxoo
ReplyDeleteThis is just so stinkin' cool, Anne, and really a favorite of mine from your talented and creative hands! I love how you've made that stonework look so realistic with the crackle and Hickory Smoke to bring it out. Genius to take back the shine with Matte Medium, making those stones just so lifelike! And adding the embossing powder to the tracks; looks like the real deal. Of course, the train image is really fabulous -- great coloring of that. Wow, this looks even more amazing when it lights up! You are so creative!
ReplyDeleteI think I would like the Mr. a lot -- I love trains, too! Still bitter about my brother giving our childhood Lionel set to his friend. LOL Congratulations to the both of you on those wonderful 25 years! Hugs!
Magnificent, Anne... what a wonderful gift to celebrate those 25 years with your very own railway enthusiast! The stonework is perfect, and I just love the backlighting in the tunnel - a brilliant use of that train.
ReplyDeleteAlison x