Altered Spoon Plaque

I'm always looking for new ways in which to recycle things & this suits the bill very nicely.
This class was taught by Margarite Hardy from River City Stampers.

This beautiful "Fall 2010" plaque was created this past Saturday at the "Taste 4 Art" event held in Memphis, Tennessee. Although the pictures don't do this piece the justice it deserves, I've done my best at it. Now, to tell you how to do it!

Materials:

Beacon Adhesives Quick Grip
black baroque trim
thin piece of wood for the background (or board canvas will do nicely)

black & white acrylic paint

old spoon from thrift store

misc. beads

26 gauge wire to string beads
piece of fabric

clear kitchen/bathroom caulk
piece of muslin

black/brown StazOn permanent ink pad

rubber stamp with favorite saying

piece of scrap wood or foam board

sanding block

hammer & lead piece (letters & numbers optional)

dried leaves

2-3 alcohol inks, colors of your choice

sponges

Directions:

• paint edges of wood black or brown


• paint front of scrap wood cut to saying size with white paint


• spread a thin layer of clear caulk on one side of your board with an old gift card


• center fabric on board, cut edges flush to board


• if you're using a scrap piece of wood, sand edges with sanding block


• paint the front side with white acrylic paint (let dry)


• stamp muslin with black StazOn ink with favorite saying
  
  
• using clear caulk, spread very thin layer over scrap piece just covered with white paint & center stamped muslin, lightly press down


• when dried, paint edges black or brown


• lightly tint the word saying with Ranger's Distress Inks; I used Wild Honey & Vintage Photo
  
• working with spoon, hammer flat or leave curved


• drop small amounts of alcohol randomly on spoon, dabbing with sponge if too much drops


• wrap spoon with beads on wire


• using small piece of excess fabric, wrap around spoon, tie & trim ends


• arrange dried leaves in place
  
• trim edges with black baroque trim

When you've decided if your piece is going to hang landscape or portrait, hammer in the hanger on the back of your wood.

Now you're ready to arrange all your pieces & adhere to the fabric background!
Use Beacon Adhesives Quick Grip to adhere all the elements.

Every Fall I go for a nature walk where I pick up the most beautiful leaves to dry! Press them between book pages & leave to dry for several weeks. Store flat in tubs & you'll always have dried flowers/leaves to add to your artwork.