Monday, November 1, 2010

When Shabby Met Grungy....

Monday, which means my two favorite challenges are up and running.  The Compendium of Curiosities challenge (week 20!!) is Industrial Grungeand over at Simon Says Stamp and Show, the theme is Shabby.   (Click on the links to learn more about the challenges and the cool prizes up for grabs this week).

Hmmm....not two styles that seem to work together.  Or do they?  Well, you know I like to get two for the work of one, so I'm determined that my project will qualify for both challenges. 

Here's what I came up with.  Did I succeed?  I like to think so.  


The industrial grunge technique was done on the raven (that die was one of the freebies on the cruise and I just love it).  I used copper metallic mixative and black soot and aged mahogany distress inks.
Nothing says shabby to me like crackle, and that is the top layer of the background.  But I should begin at the beginning.  I had the idea of using a technique from an earlier C of C challenge....alcohol ink agate on grunge....but it just didn't work with the raven.  So, I covered it with some green paint.  Then I dry brushed some white over top, most definitely a shabby look.   A whole lot of rock candy crackle paint on top, and when that dried I went over it with black soot to highlight the crackle.

The bottom of the tag was cut with Tim's new iron gate die, and some black lace and netting (another nod to shabby) finished it off.

Off topic, I've been whining for a while now about autumn not really making an appearance here in NYC.  Where are those crisp days, the orange and yellow leaves?  Well, finally, finally, summer-like temps have vanished and this is what I saw from my window this morning.....Autumn on the Hudson River:

Ahhh, life is good!

38 comments:

Kerry said...

Wow Eileen - you do know how to combine. Love it! And another Wow to your picture. If I opened my curtains to that view, I'd never leave. Spectacular! That is exactly why I love fall! Thanks for sharing.

Stamped Impressions said...

Wow~!! Eileen I love it!!

Helen said...

WOW!!!! what colours. Not sure how you managed to tear yourself away from the windo to make such a fab piece of art. What a view.

Alicia B said...

Holy WOW what a GORGEOUS View out your window Eileen!!! Your tag is beautiful as well! You do it all beautifully! *Hugs*

Yelowflower said...

I think that you did indeed accomplish your goal. It looks great

Jolanda said...

Hi Eileen - your tag is great. The colours are perfect for the shabby grungy style :)

Clara said...

Eileen....fabulouso! I have got to get more adjectives for you & your work!!!
The view from your window is just beautiful. I think the trees around here peaked very late this year. There's still a few more w/color, but the reds have been brilliant.
TFS,
Clara

Jane Wetzel said...

Great tag and I LOVE that view- Fall is just the best isnt it?...I hate when it ends and cant wait for it to begin again-

Bearcrazyman said...

Another 2-fer. I love it. The view is to die for. Invite me over for coffee.... LOL

Friends
Stephen

Lori said...

Well, I'd say you more than met the requirements for both challenges! Love this, the raven is very cool, as is that background, totally shabby. Love it, and hey, I think I kinda recognize that view, but this time the colors are AMAZING!

Lori said...

Oh, and thank you for joining the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge this week! (well, every week!) lol

Chrystal S said...

Wow Eileen! It's absolutely wonderful!!! And that view - gorgeous! :)

Art By Wanda said...

Eileen, your tag is wonderful!!!! And the picture of the trees... wow!!! Gorgeous!!!

Dawn said...

Great tag Eileen! You never cease to amaze me with how you can combine two techniques in one tag.
I loved the photo from out your window. Fall has always been my favorite time of year and I miss the color changes of the trees. Thanks for reminding me why I love fall.

Linda Ledbetter said...

So, I took one look at your post title, then one look at your art, and the first thought that entered my mind was, "I'll have what SHE'S having!"

This is fabulous, Eileen! The industrially grungy raven is just gorgeous (what a great technique for a raven!), and the background is as lovely as the bird! I'm with you-- crackle is the pinnacle of shabby (and chic!). The iron gate die was a great choice-- it suits this perfectly, and looks really cool!

What a gorgeous autumn scene you posted! Our trees are starting to drop their gorgeous leaves now, so I guess our season is a little earlier here. It's been a lovely fall, though, and I hope we ALL have a lovely winter, too!

CuddlyBunny said...

Frankly it seems almost rude to say so, but your art is TOTALLY shabby!

And Industrial grungy! Yay!

Really, your art is fantastic! The lace-laden bird is wonderful!

... still, a bit jealous of that Hudson River view :)

Diann said...

Oh, I love the way you combined the two techniques to come up with a fasinating work of ART! Your tag is so creative and definately meets both challenges...love it! What a view from your window - just a lovely sight to see...thanks for sharing it with us! Diann

Pam said...

Your raven looks like old rusty metal! Wonderful!

Dorothy said...

Great tag and I love the Autoum picture!

SusanK said...

Great tag and awesome autumn colors on the foliage!

Dawn Gallop🐝 said...

Love it Eileen!! Awesome awesome tag!! The view is spectacular...awesome colors! WOW!! Our leaves are just turning here in NC on the coast. TFS!! Have a wonderful day!! Dawn Gallop

Karen said...

Fabulously grungy, shabby tag and WOW at that view! That's got to be good anytime of year and stunning colours now.

Anonymous said...

Yep.....I say you captured it perfectly!!! LOVE that tag!!!!

Sherry said...

Wow - your tag is STUNNING!!!!!!!!!! I love the background, the raven, the contrast, the texture - yes, everything about it really!

On the subject of stunning - so is that view from your window!

Neil said...

I just had to look at your tag when I saw it in the simon says shabby. It is absolutely brilliant!!!!! Loved it

Lena said...

Great raven - perfect shabby to fit the grunge. Beautiful contribution to the challenge!

Heidi Bound said...

I am loving that tag! The raven is so cool--might need some of those (hint, hint) ha ha

It is amazing how much I took the autumn colors for granted when I lived in PA. We get glimpses of that beauty living in New York City. I was in PA a ton recently and really enjoyed just looking at the trees and the breath-taking colors that nature provides to us.

Jester said...

What a great tag, Eileen. Wonderful!

Barbara Mason said...

Well that bird certainly looks like she has seen better days!!! Total grunge & shabbiness - I almost expect her to have a begging bowl!!! Well done.

We are having our share of sparkling reds & goldenness here in Oregon -but that view is breath taking--sooo golden -Wow.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous grunge Eileen, love the raven! And that view is amazing!

Anonymous said...

Wow, just love that raven; it turned out perfectly industrial! The background is perfect, too. Nice work!

Netty said...

Oh wow what a terrific view you have. The winds have taken up in England at the moment and the leaves are being swept off the branches, such a shame.
Your tag is totally fabulous with all the different techniques. Brilliant. Annette x

Unknown said...

You definitely succeeded ... How cool does Mr Raven look in his Industrial grunge get up and that lace certainly gives your tag a shabby feel.I joined in with CCC for the first time this week too!
Thank you for joining the team at Simon Says Stamp and Show this week!

Pam Austin said...

I love your art and have made that public, but hey - pictures of my old hood - well that is pure music to my soul....... Ah to be on the Hudson River Valley.....
pamicat ;)

Patzee said...

Eileen, your tag is a hoot! I love the very subtle "good times" that appears with your industrially grungy bird-with-an-awesome-crown. That phrase on such an intense tag cracks me up!! Way to go! Cool view of NJ, too.

Lynn Stevens said...

ohhhhh Fabulous tag!!!!

penny4thoughts said...

I love your tag! Great job with the technique and the on the edge die was a nice touch on the bottom!

Shelann said...

Nice grunge. Too bad we can't use the technique for housework too.