Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Sardines for Lunch!

For the past month or so, I've been trying to eat healthier. It's been great - I've lost a little over five pounds so far! Today I had some sardines for lunch (great source of omega-3s!) and decided the tin was the perfect inspiration for a little Halloween shrine. It just so happens that Halloween is the theme for this week's Grungy Monday (where we celebrate all things Tim Holtz) AND Things With Wings is what we're showing off for the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge - perfect!

My first step was to cover all the shiny silver and print. A coat of black spray paint did the trick, but wasn't very interesting. I decided to try a little experimenting with my Dabbers. I gave the tin random coats of Pitch Black, Espresso,  and Terra Cotta Dabbers, which gave it a nice vintage look. A little Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo Distress embossing powder added the look of rust - very cool!

The inside was covered with paper that I'd sponged with the new Halloween Distress inks - aren't they gorgeous?! The inked piece was adhered to the back of the tin using Claudine Hellmuth Studio Matte Medium. I used the Medium on top of the paper too - it seals in the color and really makes it pop! The sentiment is from Artistic Outpost's Vintage Halloween stamp collection (one of my faves!) and was stamped onto tissue paper and then adhered with more Matte Medium (love that trick!). To add a little texture, I dipped a brush into a puddle of Black Soot Distress Stain and flicked it over the background.


I glued Spanish moss around the inside and then added a chipboard fence which was cut using Tim Holtz's On the Fence die, and then painted with Pitch Black and Silver Dabbers. Next, I embossed the crow from Tim's Mini Halloween 2 stamp set on chipboard with Adirondack black embossing powder and glued him to the fence.

I just got the new Sizzix//Tim Holtz Autumn Gatherings die and I was dying to use it! To give my leaves a spooky feel, I sponged white paper with the new Halloween inks, crumpled the paper, and then cut it with the die. I can't believe how realistic these leaves look! My spooky branches were cut out of black cardstock (using the same die) and then sponged with the Dabbers a bit and attached to the sides of the tin.

Finally, I added some little 'pumpkins' (actually putka pods that I bought at Michaels), a glass Idea-ology Curio Knob to the top and a little unfinished wood candlestick that was stained using Distress Stains.

I am now totally in the mood for Halloween - are you?! If you're looking for some treats (no tricks!), make sure you check out Inspiration Emporium for, well....inspiration! If you use my coupon code - stamptramp - you will save 10% off your order. Also, be on the lookout for this month's IE challenge, coming soon to the Inspiration Journal blog!

43 comments:

  1. Oh my, oh my, oh my!!!! Shelly, this is incredible! I love every inch of it! I now must buy those pumpkin pods and the distress embossing powders.

    Congrats on getting healthier...you are a stronger woman than I. While I draw the line at sardines, I know someone who likes them and I think I need to get some tins from him!

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful artistry!

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  2. What a very cool piece! Never would have known that was a sardine can! My DH just bought some the other day too! Will have to snag the cans now! Thanks for sharing your spooky project!!
    Pam

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  3. Shelly...this is way cool! I love your work so much. You're always so inspiring and willing to share how you do stuff. This Halloween piece is just amazing. I love it! Thanks for sharing your talent with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. <3 Candy

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  4. Shelly - I always look forwad to your posts; you always seem to take things to the next step. This piece is WAY cool. Happy Halloween!

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  5. This is brilliant!! The rusty finish is fab. Now I think it's a good reason to open a tin! Jealous of those tiny pumpkins though; never seen anything like them here in the UK.

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  6. O my GOODNESS what is this BEAUTIFUL!
    LOVE IT!!!! Brillant idea!
    Greetz Patricia

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  7. This is great, altough I don't like spooky, I love all the Halloween things and the colours.I can't wait for my inks to arrive the colours look scrum my.This is fab and I love the little pumpkins..they're great ! Fab trace x

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  8. What a fantastic piece! I love how you've used the candlestick and curio knob - it reminds me of an old fashioned street lamp. The pumpkins are such a cool touch too.
    xx

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  9. This is total inspiration,Shelly! I adore the way you've placed your sardine can on your stand and added the knob at top. Also your sardine can looks perfectly aged. Fabulous!

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  10. From lowly sardine tin to fabulous Halloween art. You have done an amazing job of turning "trash" to "treasure"!

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  11. Shelly, this is (once again) amazing! Thanks for joiningi the challenge at Simon Says Stamp & Show.

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  12. A sardine can?? Don't believe I have ever seen a more amazing lunch entree! Brilliant idea and fabulous design elements! Love this!

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  13. What an inspiring piece. Who would know that a simple sardine tin could look so fabulous, it really does look rusty, love it. Beautiful background piece and I love the splatters. A truly wonderful creation. Thanks so much for joining in The Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge Shelly. Tracy x

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  14. What an incredible work of art and to think it came from a can of sardines.
    Amazing!

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  15. This is spectacular Shelly, I just LOVE this! Really, really wonderful!

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  16. Shelly, your tin is absolutely stunning - love the colours. I'm off to get some sardines! Well done on losing 5lbs. Jean.xx

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  17. Shelly, you are AMAZING! This is just fantastic, and thank you for going through everything you did to make this wonderful piece of art--it makes the piece all the more precious, knowing how hard you worked at creating it!

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  18. OMG!!!!!!
    That is one of the coolest things ever....what made you think to use the sardine can?? Amazing!
    Thanks for all the details on your process.

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  19. Oh Shelly, the sardines would wish to be put back into your can! It's fabulous, and the stand and the knob add the final (and perfect) touch to it! I love it!
    Dorly Weitzen, Israel

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  20. Shelly, this is amazingly beautiful and SO clever! I love the can... the shape is perfect with that nice little recess you have filled so beautifully. Adding the base stand and the nob on top were wonderful to show it off. I love your style and creativity, and this is one my all time faves!

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  21. Another brilliant masterpiece. Too bad I hate sardines. I guess the neighbors cat would eat them. I have been wanting to buy that leaves die so thanks for showing it. I was curious about the size. The candlestick is perfect for your creation. I know a few people who would love to own this.It is really a wonderful piece. Thanks for leaving such a kind comment on my blog...Donna

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  22. i don't know how you do it but am so glad that you do.. thanks for sharing such a wonderful piece with us!!

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  23. I love all of your work but this one is sooo darn fabulous!!!
    Thanks for sharing -

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  24. I don't often do a lot of Halloween stuff, and sadly circumstances will prevent me doing this week's Grungy Monday, but I LOVE your altered sardine tin... it is fantastic.

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  25. Shelly this is just way to cool!! And to think it is a sardine can! Awesome piece!!

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  26. What a fantastic project! Love your creative use of the dies and mediums. Halloween is my favorite crafting holiday and you've just given me more inspiration.
    Alison J.

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  27. i do love this...now what do sardines taste like..I always think of that Noises Off! movie / play when I think of sardines...but that is the inner theatre geek in me.

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  28. Truly fabulous and so creative - love the rich tones, textures and depth and the candlestick is genius! A wonderful Halloween celebration and artwork! Who knew healthy eating was so good for the crafty table too! Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge.
    Sarah

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  29. How cool is this ?! I'm missing words, such an outstanding piece of art and a wonderful inspiration.

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  30. Oh how scrummy is this/ A fantabulous Halloween shrine - just love everything about it.
    luv {brenda} xoxox

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  31. Totally wonderful! Completely love it. Kim

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  32. Shelly ... your altered sardine tin is way too cool, love love love it:)

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  33. Oh Shelly, I can't believe that wonderful piece of art was actually a sardine can...it is way too cute..I love all the details you added. I love the twig and tiny leaves from Tim's die. I finally made a simple card with them...but you certainly raised the bar!!! Well, I can go on and on, but I'm sure you can tell that we all LOVE your wonderful shrine...I must check some at the grocers tomorrow.

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  34. Jeez, are you ever amazing! You take an empty can and turn it into a work of art. This is sensational - I really love the rusty look you created and the way you have it on a stand. A really, really cool piece Shelly- love it!!!

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  35. Absolument superbe! Shelly this is so subtle and so stylish! bravo!

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  36. Absolutely amazing! I love dabbers, too but I didn't dare to believe it could end up in that realistic rusty look! I love every little detail! ... guess I have to eat some fish soon, too :)
    king regards, serafeena

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  37. Congrats on your "top three" award!!! Very well deserved. Thank you for the all the inspiration you provide me!

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  38. WOW this is AMAZING, Sannie (made by sannie) told me about your sardine can project. So I just had to take a look and this is really fantastic!!

    Love, Leintje*

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!