Patriotic Picture

My Design Team submission for the latest CREATIVE CUTTING CHALLENGE turned into this patriotic picture.  I started out using my newest SVG file, the LIBERTY BELL cut from some pretty bright background papers---which is about all I had for 4th of July--and cardstock scraps.  To tone them down, I brought out my trusty Distress Inks and Stains and went to work.  Here's a break down on how this came together:

1.  The bottom layer of designer paper was a scrap of blue and white stars that had nice shading already so I left it as is.  On top of that was layered a rectangular piece of designer paper that had been white with blue and red stars---much too bright!  I fixed that by covering it with Distress Stains (Vintage Photo and Barn Red).  The third layer is a book page which I tore and then distressed with Barn Red Distress Stain.  After it was dry, I used the distressing tool to add Vintage Photo around the torn edges.  I zigzag stitched the book page to the other layers.

2.  I cut the Liberty Bell Elements using my electronic cutter then embossed with Texture Fade folders.  The background done with "Dot Matrix", the bell with "Cracked" and the top with "Woodgrain".  Then I used Distress Inks (Walnut Stain and Vintage photo) all over--which really made the embossing stand out and dulled down the bright cardstock.  I applied Perfect Pearl Medium to the raised portions of the bell and brushed on gold Perfect Pearls.  It gave a nice sheen to the bell but still kept the distressed look.

3.  Finally I added the wording which was an embellishment I've had laying around for years.  I backed the entire piece with chipboard and placed into the glass-less frame.  Now it's all ready to display on a shelf or hang on the wall...almost instant art!

Entered Into the Following Challenges:

FANTABULOUS CRICUT--#162 MEMORIAL DAY

ALL MY CRAFTS--#5 ANYTHING GOES

THAT CRAFT PLACE--DIES & PUNCHES

PAPER CREATORS CRAFTS--ANYTHING GOES

CFC--#102 RED, WHITE & BLUE