This is for a swap on Zuzu's forum - called New Beginnings.
On the backing card I used an aged dictionary relating to the title. For some reason it conjured up artifacts I have seen when visiting little chapels on the Greek islands. They were often pieces of wood - so this is a variation on that them.
The page was distressed and further aged. The image was torn - and aged - then I stamped a pattern over the working and the lady with child. On half of the stamp I used a complimentary colour to the background - and clear on the lady.
It was them embossed with clear embossing powder - and when looking at it with the naked eye you can see swirly pattern.
I used a dull gold leaf paint - like those of aged relics and dull gold leaf paper to finish it off.
This one was done in a similar manner - but aged with guesso so it gives a 'plaster' look to it. I also varnished it, and before the varnish was quite dry I used a heat gun on it to bubble it all up - it gives a lovely finish, especially with the torn edges - it looks like broken or cracked plaster.
