27 Mar 2010

Altered Element Upcycle

Part of being on the Design Team for the Altered Element is that we get to 'upcycle' some random charity shop items, and I received some building blocks. The letters didn't spell anything interesting, so I decided to cover them completely - I started with about 3 coats of gesso, and then added some crackle paint to two of them. Have to say, this didn't actually work too well - you have to put so much on to make it crackle that it just dried into horrible drips. So I scraped them off and started adding layers of UTEE - lots of different colours, once you have melted the first layer, you can just carry on sprinkling more on top. Eventually, it got so thick I decided to stamp into it, which added yet more texture. Can't have too much texture!




I painted the other blocks with Lumiere Crimson and Metallic Rust, and when dry, added a few sprinkles of UTEE. I still had some of the lovely papers Lynne sent me, so I cut scraps of them, distressed them with inks,and glued them on too.The blocks were further embellished by adding red and gold Lametta, some embroidered braiding, and, for a final touch, some sticky gems.























Some of the crackle paint still shows through
all the layers of UTEE.

15 comments:

  1. These are fabby. I have a picture of two blocks I made, on my blog, but nowhere near as good as these
    Beautiful colours
    SparklesSimpleStuff.blogspot.com

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  2. What I want to do is pick them up, have a feel of all the texture and study them - so sculptural looking. Love them. Completed 2 more blocks so only one left to go - I also used Lumiere paint! Cannot wait to see more of your DT artwork. Lynne M x

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  3. Beautiful, wonderful texture and colours. so imaginative,

    Lucy x

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  4. Wow, Penny, do these need a good loving home? They are fabulous. Love the colours and texture.

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  5. Excellent work, and very "Penny"

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  6. these are beautiful, I just love UTEE and I love what you have done with it!

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  7. These are fabulous Penny and you're right you can never have too much texture. :o)

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  8. Fantastic! I love them. xxx Hazel.

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  9. didn't they turn out wonderfully well!! the layers the merrier I reckon, it really adds to the texture. can't wait to see them IRL - that's a couple of things I need to see isn't it? LOL

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  10. These are gorgeous. Nice job!

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  11. Stunning work, Penny. You have taken an everyday object & given them opulence worthy of an interior design. I particularly love the egg image on one of them.

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  12. wow. How long did that project take? Fantastic.

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  13. wow! stumbled upon your blog randomly and i'm amazed! that's really beautiful & artistic and just super cool that you did that yourself! :) kudos!!

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  14. These are amazing. Love the colors and texture. Beautiful!

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