My 'Almost' Valentine - by Nikki K

Morning everyone,

Today I'm sharing a Tag I made that's about as close to Valentine's as I get really.  I'm not one for hearts and flowers.  Just as well as my hubby usually buys me something like new brake pads for my van.

This tag started as an experiment, and has a LOT of layers.  I once got a brilliant peeled paint effect (never to be repeated), by using two crackles, one after the other, but then forgot which ones.  So I thought I'd have another play.  This one didn't do exactly the same, but the crackle is lovely!

The tag was first painted in chalk paint, then covered with a layer of weathered wood, and when completely dry, painted over with Media Line Titan Buff.

After this I went for the second layer of crackle, painting Chalk crackle medium over, and let that dry.  Another layer of chalk paint, and I got a crackle going in opposite directions to the first.  In between I gave a wash of paint over the Chalk to get the lovely browns and cream.  This still didn't have the desired effect, so I added yet another layer, of Crackle Glaze.  I was loving the effect, even if it wasn't quite the same as before.  I didn't want a glossy surface, so coated this with Ultra Matte Varnish, before the next step.

I stamped Script in Archival ink, and then the Skeleton and numbers in a darker Stazon.  This created my background.

I took Andy's Flaming Hearts Kit, and painted in Burnt Sienna, along with a book plate from the Industrial Elements set.  These were both embossed with Aged Spice embossing enamel.  The word Desire was taken from a paper pad and cut to fit inside the heart before gluing.  I added a layer of Crackle Glaze inside the 'frame' of the heart.

The Crosses were stamped onto card, then coated in Triple Thick Glaze, and varnished with Ultra Matte Varnish to take the shine away.  I added a stamped and antiqued word to the already embossed book plate, and some 'rusty' screws.  The word was treated with Crackle Glaze also.

A little washer was rusted and then a little white added, to draw the white from the Crosses into the design.  I put this and some tea stained ribbon at the top of the tag.

The whole tag was edged with some ink to frame it.  I hope you like it, don't forget to check out my team mate's blog's too, and let us know what inspires you.

Best Wishes,

Nikki K.
xxx

Products Used:

Andy Skinner - Flaming Heart Frames.
Andy Skinner - Industrial Elements Kit
Illusionary Artists - Gothic Grunge Stamp Set.
Stampendous - Textures Stamp Set
Stampendous - Birds & Bones

Media Line:
Quinacridone Gold
Burnt Sienna
Raw Umber
Titan Buff
Titanium White
Crackle Glaze
Ultra Matte Varnish

Triple Thick Glaze
Chalk Paint - Everlasting
Chalk Crackle Medium
Decoupage Glue - Matte

Tando Tags - Tag Base Substrate
Stampendous Embossing Enamel - Aged Spice