It Looks Real

Hi... I'm back.... In time for the new Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge "It Looks Real" hosted by the talented Cec!

Here is how she describes the challenge:

"There are so many ways to make something look real when it isn't.  For this challenge, make a vintage or shabby chic project with one or more faux elements.  Those elements could be faux rust, leather, stitching - to name a few.  Make sure you tell us what the faux element is and how you made it because it will look real."

You may remember my post from a few weeks ago where I was playing the Decayed stencil, some texture paste and salt.   That immediately came to mind when I saw the challenge.  We have this bench in our yard that we don't use except for decor. 

The moss on here reminds me of the decayed pattern and ended up being my inspiration for my faux lichen.

I started by trying to replicate the colors on the mossy bench:

Unfortunately I realized when I sat down to work on my post that my Hickory Smoke Distress Stain Spray was empty.   I decided to mix up a bunch of different colors to get this:

I took a mix of greens, black, brown, white, to get a variagated color.  I ended up with two backgrounds.  This is the partial decayed stenciled background.  I used the other on my card.

Here are the steps to get to this point:

1.  Spread texture crackle embossing paste over a mixed media cardstock with the decayed stencil.
2.  While it is still wet spray distress inks and oxide sprays over the surface mixing the colors as desired.
3.  While the ink is still wet pour the salt over the surface.  I moved up to sea salt from regular salt. :)
4.  Now the hard part you have to wait until everything dries.  You can speed up the process by using a heat gun but it will still take awhile.  Best to let it dry overnight.
5.  When it is completely dry you shake off the salt and rub it off.  Normally I use my plastic ruler to scrap off the salt.  With the textured paste it might pull off your paste.  (I put my paste on unevenly and didn't scrape off the excess while the stencil was on which left a very cool surface but limited my scraping.)  I used my fingures to rub off the salt bits. 
6.  After that your surface is ready.  I had a few chunks of my embossing paste break off of my background.  I just added a few drops of inks into those areas and they blended beautifully.

When you are done you can choose to leave it muted or you can cover the entire surface with clear embossing powders to give it a geode effect.

My tag was embossed with clear embossing powder which makes the colors really shine.

For this base I splattered with white paint at the end to highlight areas. 

A close up of the clear embossed background and the texture:

Next I painted linen cloth with gesso.  After it dried I cut a series of leaves from the painted cloth.

After that I sprayed with a mist of yellow, orange and red distress inks.  After they dried I stamped some script onto the leaves.  I then versamarked the surface of the leaves and embossed with Frosted Antiquities.

The leaves were cut form cardstock and sponged with brown dye inks.  Then they were also embossed with the Frosted Antiquities.  I finished the forest scene with a mix of tiny toadstools.

I hope this has you inspired to come play along in the It looks Real Challenge at the Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge.

The winner will earn a chance to be a Guest Designer at a future date here at The Funkie Junkie Boutique blog, and everyone who enters and follows the rules will go into the draw for the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. There are also Top 3 Badges for three additional outstanding entries, chosen by the Design Team.

Thanks for stopping by!

Suzz


Products: (The Funkie Junkie Boutique)
Sizzix Thinlits Fall Foliage
Stampers Anonymous - Tiny Toadstools
Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Decayed
Ranger Distress Stain Sprays - Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, Ground Espresso, Crushed Olive, Black Soot, Hickory Smoke, Peacock Feathers, Iced Spruce, Pumice Stone
Ranger Distress Oxide Sprays - Fossilized Amber, Ground Espresso
Ranger Distress Oxide Ink - Ground Espresso
Ranger Distress Inks - Crushed Olive
Prima Art Basics - White Gesso
Wendy Vecchi Texture Crackle Paste
Frosted Crystal Antiquities Embossing Powder
Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
Sizzix Funky Foliage
Sizzix Funky Floral 3 Die 
Salt
Idea-Ology Tim Holtz Word Bands