Boots n’ Saddle Solo Tray Shadowbox

The brands come together in this shadowbox filled with amazing embellishments in a beautiful collection of metal colors from copper to vintage silver and from antique gold to a worn bronze.  The ensemble is amazing and with the backdrop of the Chocolate and Ivory Feathers Rev they even look better.  The papers of the new Canvas Corp Boots & Saddle are basic western prints will go in any direction your creative horse will ride.

Boots ‘n Saddle Shadowbox

For this project I decided to really alter and distress a 7 gypsies solo tray before decking it out in a Western theme for the new release of the Boots n’ Saddle paper line.  As you can see I achieved my goal, as there is so much texture from all the great layering of products. I just had to showcase the Chocolate and Ivory Feathers Rev paper as I am totally in love with this paper!

Believe it or not this was a white solo tray when I started.  I added so many layers of mixed media to make a heavily distressed base.  This included: Tattered Angels High Impact Paint (copper, gold and silver – the High Impact Paint is a thick paint filled with metallic mica and allows you to paint on any surface and to transform it into metal), Vintaj Patinas, Rock Candy crackle medium, alcohol inks and then some gilders paste in German silver.

I always like to ensure there is lots of interest in my work.  To that end I covered the inside of each cell with paper tape.  It is a small touch but it makes all the difference!  I also love the movement of the rusty stars.  only three of them are glued down, so the other two are able to float freely in the larger compartment. To cover someof the glue spots and add in a little bit of glitz I used gold mica flakes and soft gloss medium. This adds so much glimmer, shine and of course more texture.

Here is a good shot of the great altered solo tray base with all of its chippy antiqued goodness. All the color variation from the layering really adds to the vintage appeal of this finish.

In order to make the “boots n’ saddle” title piece for this project I used my trusty Dymo label maker, a scrap of the Rust and Ivory Bandana Reverse paper and a bit of 7 gypises tissue paper that I had previously coated in resin.  By layering my elements and using eyelts on the edges, I created a unique way to title this fun assemblage.  Of course this element would not be complete without a little bit of the German Silver gilders paste that is used all throughout the project.

All the junk I used was collected here and there.  I got some charms from my local craft store and some bits were from garage sales and flea markets.  The rope is actually a game piece from Clue! I think a few of the smaller bits were also vintage Cracker Jack prizes.  You just never know what you will find when you set out to collect goodies in a certain theme.

A little paint and distressing mediums will allow you to take a basic tray or surface into a work of art before you even begin to add the decor.  This shadowbox becomes a work of art in a western themed room, part of a wall of art or an accent piece on a desk to show off your love of the old west.

Happy Creating

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