Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Spring in a Drawer

Hello, crafty friends!  I have a spring do here for you today.  Not a canvas, not a journal page, not a card...I  don't know what you would call it.  I found this little drawer in a beat up old desk left at the curb for the trash collector.  The desk looked interesting, but it was far too big for my car, so I took the one tiny drawer that was in it.


I have a little story to go with my artwork today.  Spring has sprung here in my little corner of the world, and I'm pining away for my old gardening job.  I was let go last summer when I had foot surgery, and I think that was the saddest moment in my life so far.  The gardens where I worked are lovely.  They are privately owned and sit on the waterway.  One of my jobs was to feed the swans, the koi fish, and the birds.  I also tended the perennial garden, but there were some not so glamorous parts of my job, too.  Every spring I had to get the rust from the well water and mildew off the what seemed like endless miles of white brick wall. (I have a secret product if you have the same problem with rust.) The worst of it was by the fountain in a little courtyard, where it stays damp. There is a window near that fountain that looks just like mine. So my project today is inspired by the bittersweet loss of the best job I ever had and the beautiful gardens I worked in.  I took it outside to my own garden to photograph.

I started my project just this morning, so although I'm pleased with the outcome, there are several things I had to "cheat" on. One of these is my crackle.  No time to wait for the "good" medium to dry, so I had to do some crackle stamping (Prima) on my corrugate background (box from our new toaster). The cracks and dark stamped bricks (Prima) were heat embossed using Chic Camo Embossing Powder mixed with embossing puffs. Distress inks, stains, crayons, DecoArt media paints, bead gel, and cinnamon and coffee were used to make my background on a piece of corrugate board painted with gesso. For details on how I made my faux rust, please visit my post Rusted Porcelain.



The focal piece is watercolor paper onto which I stenciled bricks using a homemade stencil, texture paste and Easter Parade embossing powder.  When the paste dried, I heat embossed the powder. I used Distress crayons and stains to paint the "wall".


Although it's very blurry I added this shot to show the tiny bit of shimmer I was able to pick up with the camera.  The Easter Parade powder has bits of glitter in it, and it really sparkles in real life.  Love this stuff!



The window frame is chipboard I picked up at a yard sale.  It is painted with Ground Expresso Distress paint, and I used DecoArt Weathered Wood for the fine cracks. Titanium white show off the cracks.  The panel behind the frame is vintage book paper, and I threw a dozen or so products at it until I was happy with look. I do know I used my new Distress Crazing Collage Medium, but it didn't have much of an effect.  I must do some research to find out how this stuff works.



My lace bit is vintage, and I gave it a hint of color with Distress crayons and stains and cut it out to look like a flowering vine.

The flowers are Nicole Wright's awesome design Fallen Blossom.  I was wanting to debut them on another project, but I couldn't resist using just a few of the blooms here!  The are stamped on vintage book paper colored with Wilted Violet Distress spray stain and fussy cut. I centered them with my Recollections white pen. The die cut foliage is by Tattered Lace. The teensy butterflies are brads from Emerald Creek, which is where I picked up my embossing powders and Nicole's beautiful stamps. I colored them with Silks Acrylic glaze.


That's all for today...getting into one of my favorite challenges just under the deadline!


I would like to enter this into the following inspiring challenges:
Mixed Media Place March Dream On Inspired by the butterfly, the arched branch, the mauve/blues, the glitter.
Happy Little Stampers March Challenge Water I used lots of water to blend my colors, and I could here the water of the fountain, which is the place that inspired my work.
Creative Carte Blanche #2 Triple Trouble I had to laugh when I read three things that don't go together...to me, the go very well together.  My metal are the butterflies. The flowering vine is cut from a lace trim.
The Artistic Stamper Creative Challenge March 2016 Springtime (2nd entry) Stamps: Nicole Wright, Prima

Thank you so much for dropping in today and for your lovely comments!  I read and appreciate each and every one.  Please let me know if you have any questions...I didn't go into much detail on my process this time.
Hugs and Blessings!
Sara Emily

36 comments:

  1. A beautiful work of art Sara Emily and how ingenious to use a drawer just like a shadow frame. Love all the elements and techniques to create your Spring piece (and it feels rather spooky that I have just used a brick stencil, a window and crackle on board for a DT piece coming up at the beginning of April). Thanks for joining in the travel bag contents challenge at A Vintage Journey.
    Hugs Brenda xxx

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  2. This is a really nice work of art merging the lace and metal and corrugated cardboard. I love the colors. I think I must get the Nicole Wright flowers. You have convinced me of that.

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  3. Oh, wow, you did it again, my friend! What a fantastic piece of art with so many awesome techniques! I am learning from you all the time and I am always so inspired by your art work! I adore when you 'cheating' because you always come up with such marvelous results! What a treat for the eyes! A genius idea to use that drawer as a shadow frame! It turned out perfectly and it's simply stunning! Lots of love to you, my friend! Branka xx

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  4. Wow Sara Emily, this is just amazing!! I love the crackled window archway and the beautiful little purple flowers with the butterfly brads! The brickwork is incredible, what a stunning spring project!! I have to say I am blown away by your story. I can't believe you got fired from your job when you had your surgery!! That is all kinds of illegal here in Canada!! Boy oh boy, do I ever want to have some words with them! I don't usually talk like a sailor, but I would make an exception for those buggers!

    OK, anyway, love love love your project my friend. A big Happy Easter to you :)

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  5. Well I just love this! Your detail is incredible and those bricks are awesome. I love that you salvaged the drawer... seriosusly, I would have taken the desk apart and shoved it in my car. I would call this a shadow box. What you have created to tuck in there is stunning! Thanks you so much for including my stamps. They are so beautiful. I love that you stamped them on vintage book paper too. I cannot wait to see what else you create!!!! But then I'm always stalking your creations.

    And yes... loosing your job because of a surgery. That is terrible and illegal in Canada. I am so sad that is acceptable there. HUGS!

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  6. Well, first off, I bet they are big time missing you right now when their new person is not doing nearly as good a job at succeeding in the same way you did at the rust removal etc. NO ONE does things like YOU DO Sara... I'm 100% certain about that.

    Second, I'm selfish enough to say... I'm so glad we don't have to share you with them now because I LOVE seeing your posts!!!!!

    And third... DEAR ME - ART IN A DRAWER???!!!!!!!!!!!! INCREDIBLY FUN!!! Leave it to you to think of that!! I think your 'crackle' and those bricks look SUPER. Love all the texture and depth. Luscious colors.... just soooo SPRING. And your rust.... big WOW. HAPPY EASTER sweet Sara. XXj.

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  7. inspirational and beautiful work Sara - so sad though - it sounds like a wonderful job! Fantastic that it helped you make this piece though! Hugs rachel x

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  8. Fantastic, Sara Emily!! Sorry for the bittersweet story behind it - the gardens sound awesome. But very glad to have you here in blogland with equally intriguing, restful gardens (and some awesome Halloween makes, lol!) Love your colors and that embossing powder is gorgeous!! xxx Lynn

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  9. I know you loved your work and I am happy that you are able to warm your hands in the soil of your own home but am sad that you were let go. Your tribute piece is exceptionally beautiful and that window is gorgeous! Those cracks speak to an aged window pane out in the sun being weathered by Southern heat and weather. Lovely textures and so many fantabulous layers to this little drawer. I can totally picture you getting out of your car to get this drawer! Hehe! I would have been right there with you. Hugz to you muffin! ~Punkin

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  10. Oh Sara, it makes me feel sad that you lost the job you love, I bet they miss you terribly and regret that awful decision. They would have faced court in this country!

    Your shadow box is an absolute delight, I just love the gorgeous brickwork and the window is just beautiful. Love your rusting and the lace is a lovely addition. That little drawer was sure a great find! Hugs, Anne xx

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  11. PS - Thanks so much for joining us at A Vintage Journey this month too! xx

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  12. Sara Emily, this is just awesome, as are all of your projects! I love that Easter Parade embossing powder and your bricks are so realistic!! Beautiful, beautiful! I am so sorry about your job...that must be hurtful this time of year. Look at the beautiful inspiration it gave you, though!
    Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving some love - I do appreciate it! I'm sorry the "follow" button didn't work and how sweet of you to try to follow me...I don't think I'm worthy of that!! I will try to see if I can find out what's going on and will let you know. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing your next project :-)

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  13. Sara your project is completely stunning, I just love how you combined the rusty grungy elements with the softer flowers and lace, the bricks, the window frame, the whole piece, - all so beautifully put together!! Reading the bit about how you lost the job you loved, makes me both sad and angry! Employment law in the US is mad, here in the UK something like that would not have been possible..... Anyway thanks so much for adding your beautiful work to our challenge at AVJ again!

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  14. Oh you make me laugh and what a fabulous idea you had for this drawer.
    You should be super pleased with the outcome. I think you used everything except the kitchen sink! And it all looks fantastic. It's a good thing you are Southern or I would be jealous of you -- as it it, I am proud!
    Sandy xx

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  15. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us at My Sheri Crafts!

    Glenda's Cards

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  16. wow wow wow lovely texture and colors. Thanks for playing at Mixed Media Place.

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  17. What an amazing creation Sara Emily!!! gorgeous work with colors and textures!
    Hugs
    Samra
    Paper Talk with Samra

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  18. Sara, this piece is so well done! Love the fact that you saw the potential in a drawers and made such a gorgeous project! Love your hand made stencil and your rust technique along with all the wonderful elements that work together perfectly! Thanks for joining us at Creative Carte Blanche and sharing your wonderful piece!

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  19. Oh my goodness, Sara Emily, this is absolutely, spectacularly stunning!! I've been studying the pictures for the last 20 minutes or so, just soaking up all of the details!! The texture is amazing!! I'm sad at what inspired this masterpiece...it sounds like it was a wonderful job but it's their loss. I love the details you added!! It's so gorgeous!! I hope you have a wonderful, happy Easter!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  20. Sounds like those gardens were an amazing place to work - a memory worth treasuring with this wonderful piece. Love the idea of the drawer as a display frame, part of the whole work - and the textures and details throughout are gorgeous. Thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey. Sorry to be somewhat absent lately... we're even working 2 - 11pm today so just time to dash round and wish you a happy Easter!
    Alison x

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  21. It is a beautiful piece. I love the amazing textures and layers here.

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  22. Absolutely stunning and I just love that cracked effect on the window too. Thanks for joining us at MMW and good luck ;)
    Hugs
    Donna DT xxx

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  23. What a lovely and creative project in a drawer Sara Emily!! Your background is so textured and rusted - the perfect backdrop for your pretty crackled window and florals! I'm so sorry you lost what sounds like a wonderful gardening job (accept when it rains maybe?!) and thank you for joining us once again in the AVJ challenge - I always enjoy your creativity! Julia xx

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  24. Sara....I am in love! This piece is just perfection! Your post is awesome as you share so many little tidbits and techniques. Thank you so much for that! I agree with you...I love corrugated paper on anything but when it's combined with metal and lace....mwah...I'm loving it! Your beautiful crackled window really draws me in. Love the rusty looking background. The sweet flowers and laces around the window are so charming and add such a feminine quality to your piece. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely art with us at Creative Carte Blanche!

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  25. Sara this is awesome huni! I thought, at first, it was a printers tray (I think that's what they're called) because it reminds of them. I absolutely adore and love this, such an awesome and really beautiful project. So much lovely detail and it reminds me of a garden in a courtyard too.
    Shame on them for letting you go because of surgery. They could have kept it open for you for a while, at the very least. Their loss will be someone else's gain: I really hope and believe that huni because you have such an awesome kind soul and you deserve to be treated much better than that.

    Now I actually came over to thank you for the lovely comment on my Top 3, I still am completely and utterly blown away about it! I've actually been a wee bit tearful tonight because of it, silly I know, but you see it's started to mean something, at least for me, something that I never knew was missing. And I also have to say thank you to all of you lovely girlies for all the help and encouragement you have given me. I wouldn't have been able to create that without my lovely friends here Karen xx

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  26. Wonderful Sara, beautiful composition that you have created in your found drawer! Love all the layers and textures and the lace and flowers surrounding your pretty window, thank you for sharing it! Deb xo

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  27. Fantastic, Sara! Thank you so much for sharing the story of the inspiration for your project. I love that when you have something meaningful your heart you want to express through your art. You did a beautiful job, as you always do, and I LOVE that you rescued that little drawer! #thisishappyart

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  28. Hi Sara Emily! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving your sweet comments...I appreciate it but don't agree with the Tim tag comment - LOL! Checked with WordPress about my "follow" button. They wondered if you could try again and if it doesn't work, you can email them at help@wordpress.com. Honestly, you don't need to go to that trouble, but I didn't want you to think I forgot about you. Having a free account means not much help, but at least I heard from them. Thanks again!!

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  29. Awe, I just love that you are a gardener! I can't grow stuff but am definitely an outdoors person. This is such a lovely tribute to something you are obviously so passionate about. I love every rusty detail and think that the girls at AVJ are definitely onto something with this combo! WOW! You have certainly nailed it with every last beautiful creation - kudos! Thanks as always for the details - I love reading your inky adventures! ;0

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  30. Gorgeous make- and you should have grabbed the other drawers as well! heehee This is totally cool Sara!
    I was saddened to read your story about the job, perhaps they would take you back this spring? Thanks for sharing and I am so glad you explained the story behind the inspiring drawer piece!
    hugs,Jackie xx

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  31. What a beautiful piece of art and an absolutely brilliant use of the drawer. Hope you get back to your favorite gardening job this spring. Thanks for sharing with us at Happy Little Stampers and I hope you join us again soon.

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  32. Beautiful colours, layers and textures! Thanks for joining us at Happy Little Stampers.

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  33. Beautiful. Thank you for joining us at MMW

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  34. Gorgeous texture! Thank you for taking part in the Mixed Media Place challenge! :)

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  35. So fresh and beuty!!!
    Thanks for playing with Mixed Media Place!

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  36. Spring mood! Very beautiful! Thank you from MMP!

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