Friday 17 April 2015

Stone carved garden...

Hello Friends and Crafters…
Welcome to my page today. It’s a beautiful weather in Bangalore right now with the summer showers starting in the evenings and the temperature has really come down! I love rains, the smell of the wet ground, the shiny wet greenery and the water droplets settling on the leaves and flowers. My perfect “muse” for altered projects, lol!

I have my kitchen renovation going on and a midst all the mess and dust at home, couldn't help but do this project on a rainy day!
I created a faux stone niche here and then played around decorating it with flowers and foliage to give the look of a stone garden!
So here we start…
I first created texture for the niche with tissue paper and then gessoed it. Took out my paper Artsy stencil and Prima stencil to create textures and as the texture paste was dry, sprinkled some fine white sand. I left it to dry naturally…yes one of those patient days from me. Thanks to the rains…I was in a good mood!
Once the texture was dry, I rubbed in Prima chalk edger, Tin Can all around and slightly darker around the edges. Gave it some time to dry and then gave 2 generous coats of multi medium, gloss. Finally some color splats in black brown acrylic colors with a tooth brush and voila my faux stone nice is ready!
I gave some filler inside the niche with waste cardboard and then finally a strip from Prima Sunrise Sunset paper pack..I love the evening colors here with the effect of water spritzed here, perfect for a rainy back drop!
My stone niche is now ready to take the alteration and out comes all my hand made embellishments!
The  Vintage lamp post is a CLD die cut and I antiqued it with some gesso and then some blue inks and then again a dry wash of gesso and finally a few coats of multi medium.
I covered the niche half way with a lovely chipboard gate from Creative Embellishment…colored it white and then some brushed pewter and walnut stain DS.
The leaves are all from CLD Tropical leaves die, all edged with DI. The flowers are using TH tattered florals die, I have inked them with mustard seed, aged mahogany and worn lipstick DI and then sprit zed water, scrunched them and then layered them. Blame it on the bright colors in my garden right now after the rains, and I just replicated the flowers I saw there.
couldn't resist using my favorite coconut coir to make a handmade nest for the little bird but looks like the birdie is having a day out in the rains! Happily perched on the gate, admiring the lovely outdoor weather…another scene out of my garden, today! How I wish I could just sit like that…are you imagining me sitting on the gate, lol!
I had to bring in the butterflies now…my favorites in the garden, By now my little garden was brimming with colors and so I decided to make the butterflies in a neutral shade and of course my Vintage flavor has to take over, right?

I die cut the big Monarch Butterfly using text paper and Precision paper cutting die. It is 3 layered, the bottom 2 are just text paper where as the top layer is dipped in UTEE. Oh boy! I just loved this vintage beauty when it was layered up to show its majestic flight in action and yes, it deserved to be embellished with some pearls on the body and some dull gold pollens as antennae! My Vintage Winged beauty in all its grandeur!
The smaller butterfly is using Itsy Bitsy die and text paper and yes, dipped in UTEE and some pearls for this one too! A perfect match to its senior, lol!
Now, with rains in the background and my inspiration, I had to have that on my project! I created droplets with glossy accents all settled here and there on the stone niche, flowers, lamp post  and leaves. A little difficult to capture it on the already glossy stone!
With such a beauty in my hand, I had to have the sentiment that reflects the scene…and yes, I just found the one from my new Kaiser Craft set.
This ones to all of you who are visiting my page today..LIVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE!
That brings you to the end of my stone garden only to tell you that my niche stands on its own feet too! I have used white flat back pebbles as feet which gives it a strong foundation to stand on, lol!
And before we leave, you ought to see what I have altered here…
The stone niche was made out of an empty perfume carton! 
A generous donor…who gave it to me…only the carton and not the perfume, lol! But yes, to me this carton is more precious than the perfume and I thank my friend, Tony who always collects some lovely trash for me and drives miles to come home and give me bags and bags of my TRASHURE…that’s  TRASH and TREASURE together, lol!
Hope you enjoyed you stay in my stone garden and thanks for taking the time to be here.
I would like to enter my “stone garden” in the following challenges…
CreativeMoments – Ag/ Spring or Easter
Rubber dance Art Stamps- color prompt(rose pink, dusky grey, powder blue)
Mod SquadChallenge Blog- color wheel(blue, grey, pink, greens and yellow)
CreataliciousChallenge -  Embossing ( have used UTEE)
Fan –TasticTuesday –AG with a twist of pearls
Un Rulypaper Arts –Animal Instincts
Mixed MediaMonthly Challenge – April showers
Simon MondayChallenge – In the middle (the faux stone niche with the lovely Prima sunrise sunset paper depicting the evening sky!)
Jo’s ScrapShack- florals and butterflies
Make MyMonday – April Showers
That Craft Place - Alter something
Open Minded Crafting Challenge - re cycle something ( have used a perfume carton, tissue paper from packaging and old text papers from a book)
Until my next Creative Journey,
Happy Crafting and Re cycling,
Cheers.



























55 comments:

  1. Oh man....How many times....Tell me....Totally you have blown me away with these creative ideas, process....Sure to faint...No matter how many times, i see and say to my heart, its just a box...it tends to take and see as a real stone---altered stone here!!! Its such real...couldnt believe it just a faux stone!!! My gosh!!!!

    P.S : Am residing in Arab land, known for aromas...Sure to get you best perfume and loads of Trashsure too! Hope my hands cant make anything with it, But your amazing heart and soul can bring anything out of anything!!!! Hats off dearie!!!!

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    1. yay! Big big hugs for the best comment of the day! I am feeling on top of the world...Thank you so much sweets...you have a big heart. Hope to see YOU SOON!

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  2. Ah where do you get such brilliant ideas?each time i visit your blog this same question flashes.nice experience visiting your blog
    Keep going
    Anandhirajan

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    1. Thanks Anandhi...I am always grateful to whoever puts with my LOOOONG posts! Hugs.

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  3. Wow wow holy cow!! Another breathtaking creation Rupa!! Love your stone effect and that little bird nest on the top is fabulous! Gorgeous flowers and the little raindrops everywhere really bring the project to life! I can almost smell the spring rain! hugs :)

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    1. OOO...it's just so beautiful out here Pamellia. Thank you so much for your lovely comments dear, Hugs.

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  4. Such an amazing little garden! I adore all the details... and that super cute bird. Lovely job! Thanks so much for playing along with us in our Funday Friday challenge this week!
    Hugs,
    Jo
    ♥ Jo's Scrap Shack ♥

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  5. I know why your friend drives mile to you home !! As always..hard to believe it just a packaging box..No Its real stone and you are fooling us aren't you ?? Loved your beautiful rock garden !

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    1. We are long past fools day dear, lol! Thanks for the feel good comments and taking the time to be in my garden! Hugs.

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  6. Thanks for sharing your lovely crafting for Fan-tastic Tuesday challenge 81 - hope to see you again soon, Hazel, DT x

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  7. Your stone effect looks brilliant, another super alteration.
    Julie x

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  8. WOW the stone look is simply amazing Rupa...I think if someone Challenges you to replicate a material you will do it with gusto!!
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia
    Cards Crafts Kids Projects

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    1. Thanks Sonia..you say the best things, That makes me sound like a master of duplicates, lol! Big hugs,

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  9. This is fabulous! Thanks for sharing it with us over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! - Ashli :)

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  10. Fabulous stone effects, it looks so real. A beautiful project with super additions.
    Yvonne xx

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    1. Thanks Yvonne..glad you liked your time spent in the garden. Hugs.

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  11. Well, what a work of art this is. Love all the elements, you are a master of mixed media, my dear. Just absolutely beautiful!! Great take on the challenge, thanks so much for participating this week at the Mod Squad Challenge

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    1. Thanks you so much Judy for taking the time to appreciate the little things in my garden. Hugs.

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  12. Wow! Gorgeous project! I love how you created the stone! Thanks for joining us this week @ Red Rubber Inspirationals!
    Drea DT Host Inspirational #216

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  13. Totally marvellous Rupa....I still can't believe that it was not a real stone n was just a packing box...if u not mention that it is faux stone . ...one could hardly get to know k its not real ...I am short with words but really amazed that how u alter every thing so beautifully n make faux with real looks...superb !!

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    1. I really appreciate you taking the time to be in both the places and commenting too, Shalu. So sweet of you, hugs.

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  14. Stunning! thanks for joining at Creatalicious: Embossing
    hugs
    Dewi

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  15. The faux stone is just incredible, it looks so real and is very impressive indeed! For me, the butterfly with the pearl body and amazing antennae has stolen my heart, she is so delicate and beautiful. This is such a beautiful piece of art Rupa. Thanks so much for joining us at Inspiration Journal. Anne xx

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    1. Thank you so much Anne, to have a project suiting your taste buds..am really happy./ Hugs.

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  16. This is a gorgeous creation! I love how you put all those pretty elements together. Thanks so much for joining us this month at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

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  17. Marvelous creation! Thanks for joining us at Red Rubber Inspirationals!!

    Melissa DT

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  18. That's an amazing looking faux stone, Rupa! I would not think it wasn't a real stone if you hadn't explained how you made it - thanks for doing that, by the way. There are so many beautiful details here - the cute nest, the raindrops, the way you made the pretty butterfly, and of course your gorgeous tattered flowers. Thank you so much for entering this beauty to our April challenge!

    I also love the summer rain and the colours and smell. Still spring here in Norway, but the days are getting warmer (t-shirt warm anyway). I enjoyed reading your post very much.

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    1. Thank you so much Bibi, firstly for the lovely challenge on your blog and secondly for taking the time to read the entire post and appreciating the finer details. Big hugs.

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  19. Wowzer - you have created a masterpiece of recycling! Unbelievable. This is such a work of art and fits so very well with the Open-Minded Crafting Theme this week. Thank you so much for sharing this with us and good luck on your entry. Lots of time went into this.

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    1. Thanks Kathy for your kind words. So happy you like it. Hugs.

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  20. Wonderful alteration again Rupa. Brilliant 'stone ' background! Love this spring theme creation.
    Thanks so much for joining us at Unruly PaperArts RAQ this month

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  21. Awesome details on your project! Thank you for joining the Red Rubber Inspirationals this week! Lynda - DT Champion Red Rubber Designs

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  22. Lovely garden Rupa. I love the way u giv real feel to all your projects Wood or stone. They look so real. Superb. Every detail is a beauty. Creating droplets was a surprise too. Wow!!

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  23. Rupa this really does look like stone!! It's amazing and your post is awesome!! So many great elements!! Thank you for playing this week at Red Rubber Inspirationals. Hope to see you again soon! Barb DT

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  24. OMG absolutely stunning I love all the details and texture and imagination to make such a beautiful result I absolutely love every little thing about it including the little raindrops-Thank you for joining us at Open-Minded Crafting Fun
    Carol DT x

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  25. Meant to say my little grandaughter(7yrs) loves the rain and has to be near an open window to listen to it
    Carol x

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  26. There was some chatter in our group about this project so I had to come check it out, and I am so glad I did! All I can say is WOW!! It's absolutely amazing! Great job! Thanks for joining us at Open-Minded Crafting Fun Challenges!
    Myndi, DT

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  27. Lovely mixed media project - so much interest. Thank you for playing along with us over at Rubber Dance this month x

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  28. A wonderful project!
    Thank you soo much for taking part in our "Embossing” challenge over at Creatalicious & good luck in the draw.
    Hope to see you again in our next challenge as well…

    Hugs,
    Melanie
    (DT Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges)
    (DT-Coordinator Creatalicious Challenges)
    (DT Come and Get It)
    (GDT Kreativzeit Challenges)

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  29. Your flowers are beautiful and make this such a great alteration. Thanks for joining us at Open Minded Crafting Fun and Good Luck! xx

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  30. That's a great stone effect, and I love the vivid colours of your tiny garden.
    Alison xx

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  31. Beautiful! Love all of the details! Thanks for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

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  32. Such a lovely detailed project! I enjoy all the elements you used and all the little details! I'm impressed you managed to get this done during a hectic kitchen renovation!! Thanks for joining us in this month's Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

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  33. Love this! Thanks for playing the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge with us!

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