Anyone who creates with RELICS & ARTIFACTS, surely are smitten with the fact that no matter the vignettes that swirl in our mind’s eye, there will be a RELICS & ARTIFACTS piece to transport a vague notion, into a completed project. The scene in my head, of a butterfly child, was able to be manifested by pairing one of the smaller Papillon pieces with a Milagros.

Make your way through the forest, where your footsteps are silenced from the cushions of moss which abound. Can you spy the butterfly child? They say the butterfly child is a chameleon, blending in to the backdrop of the moss as he rests against a tree trunk. Sweet, berry coloured flowers burst in bloom. Kneel down and place your cheek against them, the petals will give your cheeks velveteen kisses.

An Archival Wooden Case allowed me to create a setting for the butterfly child. With Infusions (crystals colours with walnut ink base) and Moss Painted Finishes Kit, the case suddenly took the form of colours of a forest.

The Infusions were extended to several elements on this project, including the Papillon and Milagros. By first applying a mere hint of Grungepaste, it heightened the sense of texture. A final brushing of the Moss kit, merely brushing on and brushing off, left a hint of mossy-ness on the Relic. The mottled effect suited the vignette.

The Milagros fit perfectly to the Papillon, with the placement of the wings giving the impression that they have sprouted from the Milagros, as well as the antenna.

When working with a theme relating to nature, I will often layer textural elements, most often found papers and torn textiles. They capture that sense of bits of this ‘n’ that which might be caught up on a passing breeze and gathered around a tree trunk or caught in branches. The butterfly child was layered onto calico, corrugated cardboard and lace, all of which had been stained by mopping-up the Infusions. Torn pieces of silk sari ribbon, also stained, would flutter in the breeze.

A cluster of velveteen flowers were the perfect detail to add to the frame of the case, bringing interest and colour and most importantly, helping to set the scene for the butterfly child. The final element was one of my stamped Affirmations, stamped onto some pieces of previously stained book pages.

Why not seek out a butterfly today and make a wish!

Supply List:
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Papillon
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Milagros
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Velveteen Flowers Tangerine Berry Blossom
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Archival Wooden Case II
That’s Crafty Clear Stamp Set Lynne’s Affirmations Set 1
PaperArtsy Infusions
PaperArtsy Grungepaste
Plaid FolkArt Painted Finishes Kit - Moss
Memento Ink Tuxedo Black
Golden Gesso
GoldenGel Medium
found papers
various laces
sari silk ribbon
calico

We are moving right along with our mash-up with That's Crafty! and today is no disappointment either! Today, we have Lynne Moncrieff and a piece inspired by the stars. It's loaded with so much texture, you'll wish you could touch it through your screen! Remember to revisit each post this week, leave a comment, and cross your fingers that you are picked to be our winner of *3* Relics & Artifacts® Matte Resin Craft Blanks of your choosing!

One of many wondrous aspects of creating is when a gathering of supplies magically unveil a narrative, a vignette, bringing meaning to a project. When the result has personal significance, even though it might not be evident to another’s eyes, that is when creating becomes a multi-layered experience. This project is such a piece, with the personal significance of my relationship with Relics & Artifacts and That’s Crafty, both companies coming together in this week of collaborations. I am in such a privileged position to be on the teams for both companies, companies whose products I adore, add to that, the honour of being in teams who are passionate about their creative lives.

Relics & Artifacts constantly inspire and with a wide range of That’s Crafty surfaces available, it is a wonderful marriage when combining products from both companies. Often, it is the Relics & Artifacts, whispering their stories into my ear that is the springboard for a project however, this time, the journey began with a stamp, one of my That’s Crafty Lynne’s Affirmations, “Always believe the stars are within your grasp”.

It is easy, in this world, to become jaded; positive words can seem cliche. But my belief, Affirmations can surely do no harm so long as the intention is always from an honest place and used appropriately. The realisation that a Relics & Artifacts Milagros hand paired with the Affirmation stamp, could come together in the form of a shrine, thanks to a That’s Crafty Art Shrine.

In life, we truly are on a journey and as with any journey, no matter the distance, it is not always the smoothest of rides, yet we keep our focus on the destination. This I tried to convey with the elements I brought together such as the Infusions stained corrugated cardboard scrap, set in the niche of the shrine, a symbol of ruts in the road. Dipping into a Rust Painted Finished kit, I set about altering the silver star Dresden Trim into rusty stars. The contrast of the Diamond Bohemian Jewels on the rusted stars gracing the arch of the shrine, represent the shining light of hope we should try to keep within us. Barely seen on the face of the shrine and look closely, stamped onto wispy pieces of mop-up paper (Infusions stained kitchen paper towel) are stars.

Lives are busy but it would be wonderful if you found time to visit each Relics & Artifacts and That’s Crafty collaboration project. Each team artist has created inspirational art with their individual styles shining through. Today, Nikki Acton has an awe inspiring piece in monochromatic splendor for you.

Supplies:
Relics & Artifacts® Milagros
Relics & Artifacts® Dresden Trim Star Chain Silver
Relics & Artifacts® Bohemian Jewels - Diamond
That’s Crafty Surfaces Matchbox Arch Art Shrine
That’s Crafty Clear Stamp Set – Lynne’s Affirmations Set 1
PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics: Seth Apter Set 1 (Buff, Midnight)
PaperArtsy Grungepaste
PaperArtsy Infusions: Sleight Blue, In The Navy
Plaid Folkart Painted Finished Kit - Rust
Golden Gesso, Matte Gel Medium
Staz-on Jet Black Ink

Extras: star shell button, black cotton sewing thread, re-cycled cardboard ribbon spool, motif cut from vintage doily, rusty tin wire, re-cycled corrugated box packaging, calico, various Infusions stained laces and mop up papers