E-Team Special Mission: Get Distressed!

When Daisy, owner of eclectic Paperie and Wise and Benevolent Leader of the E-Team, handed down the assignment, I was all over it like a monkey on a banana cream pie. Distress! My Favorite! 

I decided to combine a few of the distressing techniques and products I love most to create this piece. You won't be at all surprised to hear that virtually everything I used on my wall hanging is from Tim Holtz, the Superhero Jedi Master of All Things Distressed. 

I began by applying a generous coat of Distress Crackle Paint in "Peeled Paint" to a piece of Grungeboard that I'd pre-cut using the "Ornamental" Alterations die. 

Once the paint had dried and crackled, I inked over the top with Forest Moss Distress Ink, using an Ink Blending Tool, really working that ink into the crackles. 

I used a damp paper towel to remove the excess ink, to further accentuate the crevices. 

Next, I created a grungy, highly textured boarder by inking the edges of the diecut with Distress Embossing Ink, then sprinkling on Distress Embossing Powder in "Vintage Photo."

When you use Distress Embossing Powder, heat it until you see the color change (it will take longer than a regular ol' embossing powder), and allow it to cool completely. Then, use your fingertip to gently rub the "release crystals" away, leaving a cool, shabby-chic look. 

Incidentally, I'm a huge fan of Distress Embossing Powder. This stuff can be used for so many unique effects-- there's just nothing else on the market quite like it...

..for instance, it's perfect for the uber-cool Rusted Grunge effect, from Tim's Compendium of Curiosities. Thoroughly ink your Grungeboard shape with the Distress Ink of your choice (I used Rusty Hinge), then coat the entire piece with Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder. Emboss as explained above, and you've got yourself a sweet bit of faux rust!

By the way, the broken bird cage is an idea I borrowed from the very talented Nicky Cresswell, who created a wonderful version for one of the Compendium challenges a few weeks ago. Click here to check out her piece-- it rocks!


Finally, my favorite way to use Distress Embossing Powder: Freestyle Texture Painting (okay, yes, I made up that term...). This is so easy, and such a fun way to create a colorful, highly textured look. Simply ink your grungeboard shape with Distress Embossing Ink, then sprinkle on various colors of Distress Powder in a design you like. Melt the powder and rub off the release crystals. I created a little yellow-breasted bluebird (a totally fake species).

At that point, I assembled my wall hanging. I used a hot glue gun to stick the pieces together, then added some tiny Washers and Long Fasteners, which I bashed with a Texture Hammer. I also attached a couple of Foliage Pieces, accented with Adirondack Paint, which I scratched a little after it dried for extra added distress-iness.

The grungy letters were cut from a page in Tim's Seasonal Paper Stash. 

Voila!


Here's something not remotely distressing: eclectic Paperie will give away two $25 gift certificates during this blog hop, just in time for all the fabulous new products that are already beginning to show up from CHA!  To be eligible to win, simply visit and leave a comment at each participating blog:

Daisy, our fearless leader

Broni

Latrice

Linda D

Linda L3-- That's me!

Micki

Sherry

Starla

My E-Teammates did an incredible job with this challenge!

You have the entire President's Day weekend to play! Daisy will pick her two winners and announce their names on the eclectic Paperie blog on Tuesday, February 22. And, if you're in the mood for a little shopping, keep in mind that eclectic Paperie is offering a 10% discount on Distress Ink pads and Re-inkers! Products from the Tim Holtz 2010 release and Studio 490 (Wendy Vecchi) stamps are on sale, too.

Thanks for stopping by and getting grungy with me! I hope you have a spectacular weekend!

Hugs,
Linda