Monday, March 19, 2012

Lisa's Birthday Present & Scrap For Help "Card"


My friend Lisa's birthday has rolled around again and I figured I'd make her something out of metal. She is one of the strongest woman I know and runs a scrap metal business. So, my "card" had to be symbolic of her strengths and also interests!

If you wander into her office, the ceiling is punched tin in black with a sparkly chandelier. I have threatened to wander over at some point and take photos. She also works at home so quite often listens to a skype rant about this or that and normally "gets it" because business is the same whether it's metal or gas.

A bit about my process since Shirley saw Lisa's Card in person and asked. I started with a cardboard base that fit into this little black frame that was given to me by Lisa from Kansas at You Made me Ink. There is also a challenge up at Scrap for Help that requires cardboard to be used in the making of your project. Since I covered it COMPLETELY, I wanted to show that I did indeed start with some. Mine was ripped off a notepad I believe.

I am also linking this up to the last Gingersnap Creations Challenge to use Copper, Ginger or Rust in your project. Since I used a sheet of REAL COPPER, I think this qualifies!


And, used up some random letters I had that were thicker. It was great to use up some extra letters since I have reached the end of that sticker sheet as far as titles go.

I then laid down a strip of copper to cover the letters and used the end of a paint brush to push the copper into the gaps.

Here is a photo of the whole board covered and pre-paint.

I followed a similar process for the numbers. I then embossed strips of the copper to get the wood grain and the scallop in the center.


Here is another photo of the Tim Holtz book plate and how the color worked it's way into the copper embossing. 



And did you spy my little thread wheels? I went through some older stash and found two really old matching wood spools that I had and used those as "wheels" to elevate the box/card.

Now, a quick word about style. This was a bit of a challenge for me as it's not normally my comfort zone. So, randomly I asked THE MAN what he thought of it. I do know better.

He said:  Well, what does it say?

Then I realized he was trying to read some kind of meaning out of the random numbers and letters.

Well, it implies HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lisa!! ;-)

17 comments:

  1. I would probably have looked for the message too...I'm a bit literal!
    Alison xx

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  2. I love this steampunk birthday wish! Not sure if steampunk is the genre you were meaning, but it's what I see in it and it's WoNdErFuL!!!
    I now know what I'm going to be trying next. That box looks great. :)

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  3. Cool card great thenique.
    byebye,Lean

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  4. This is a REALLY cool creative card, and the picture doesn't do it justice. I know Lisa will be thrilled.

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  5. Hahahaha MEN!!!! Sounds like he could be mine :) Amazing altered art - you really need to start a challenge blog for clever off the page people like you!

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  6. Just wow wow wow....you are so freaking creative!!!
    hugz
    irini

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  7. wow Mitra this is the most creative, grungy and amazing project I've ever seen you do!! wow!! this is absolutely amazing!! thanks for joining us for SFH

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  8. WOW, this is awesome and loved the close up on how you made it. I hope you friend loves it.

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  9. Wow! This is fab! Tks. for playing along with us at SFH!

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  10. I think it's perfect and will be a beautiful addition to all the wonderful and interesting items I have also received from you. I NEVER know WHAT you are going to come up with next. This one was over the top-in the best possible way-it's nice when someone understands how much I love copper and then actually does something with it, just for me! Thank you so much, you are the best "clinger" I have ever met!

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  11. Oh, wow, this is so super cool! Love all that metal and the meaning behind it. Fabulous! TFS!

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  12. More copper tooling=awesome!!! You really make me want to try this technique again.

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  13. Wow! You are seriously creative! Love your work! Thanks for playing along with us at SFH!!! :D

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  14. Gorgeous piece! Your copper metalwork is just amazing! Thanks for playing the 4th Annual Copper, Ginger and Rust Challenge at Gingersnap Creations! Don't forget to come back and vote for your favorite entry once the challenge closes!

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