I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Tuesday 27 November 2012

A heart full of love



Hello all, lovely to have your company here at Words and Pictures for a while.

I'm adding another of my Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas to the mix today... This is a wonderful inspiration challenge, sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique, with Linda Coughlin - the Funkie Junkie herself - providing weekly tags of inspiration for us to play with.

Complete all 12 by the 17th December, and you'll be entered in the prize draw.  Linda's already onto Number 11, but this is my take on her Tag 9.

There's so much beautiful work on this tag that inspired me... the hanging shapes, echoed lower down the tag, the lovely stripes on her stars, the beautiful woodgrain background.

But, partly for fun, and partly because I'm working away from home at the moment, and so don't have access to my full stash, I've made a number of adaptations.








To be honest, I was a bit stuck for a while on this one... I went through a number of backgrounds, shapes, colours and variations, none of which really pleased me.  It took a little bubble of fun in my heart to break through the barriers, and I love where it's ended up.

 

I don't have my BigShot with me (there were limits to what I could fit in the suitcase) so rather than an embossed woodgrain, I've worked with my current favourite toys, the PaperArtsy Fresco paints and crackle glaze for my background.

And with no die-cutting potential, I decided to forego the decorative flourish at the top and, since I had to do my cutting by hand, I picked the shape I find easiest to cut - hearts!






I used the template I cut when I created my Thankful Heart, and then cut an even smaller version to echo it.  If you look at the back, some of you will immediately spot that I used the corrugated cup holder from a well known coffee outlet!  They're painted and inked to highlight the ridges.

The little wooden cogs I found on ebay - very cute, and they come in lots of sizes.



I'm also entering this for the Frilly and Funkie challenge Chipboard and Metal - close to the deadline, but I should make it.

So the little hearts at the top are cut from chipboard, painted with the Old Gold Fresco paint, stamped with part of a flourish, and then distressed with some gesso.

And they're attached with one of my metal elements - the lovely Idea-ology pin.






Another substitution: instead of the word ticket "Hope" on Linda's tag, I've gone with a metal Idea-ology Wordstick "Love" to go with the hearts.  I added some French Roast (dark brown) paint down into the letters, and a fingerful of Old Gold to the surface to tone in with the rest of the tag.














The leaf is a leftover from the Thankful Heart, stamped in paint onto some waxy bread paper, and it seemed a perfect alternative to the holly leaves Linda used.  But I wanted some extra substance, so I added some frayed ribbon "leaves" too.

The mesh ribbon is a straight lift from the Funkie Junkie tag, as well as actually coming from the Funkie Junkie Boutique!




The ribbon leaves and the ribbons at the top are all seam binding that I've dyed with Distress Inks, crinkled up and left to dry for the lovely effect it gives.

So that's about that... just to say that I do have a heart full of love at the moment - in a very good place, so yet another thing to be thankful for.

Also, as always, I'm deeply thankful for your visits, support and feedback - so grateful for finding this community full of such generous, creative, inspirational people...  I love it here!

I'm entering this in the following:
As Tag 9 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas
At Frilly and Funkie for the Chipboard and Metal challenge
At The Shabby Tea Room, where they're asking us to play with Just Neutrals
Simon Says Stamp and Show are looking for A Project With Heart

A heart full of love
A heart full of song
Song lyrics from Les Miserables

59 comments:

Brenda Brown said...

A wonderful interpretation Alison. The crackle glaze background is perfect for all your shabby embellishments, particularly the painted and inked heart, love the recycling.
Hugs Brenda xxx

Inkypinkycraft said...

Alison this is another beautiful make, I love the neutral palette, the hearts are just gorgeous and all set off against a fab crackle background! beautiful!!!!
trace x

Bärbel said...

Das Tag ist wunderbar, Alison, der gerissene und wie altes Holz erscheinende Hintergrund, die Herzen, die Bänder, die Gestaltung - ich kann nur sages, es ist perfekt!

Paper Profusion said...

Gorgeous tag Alison - very impressive despite your being away from your physical craft zone and all it provides! Beautiful recycling of that coffee holder! Hmmm, now I know how I should have made the text clearer in a recent metal embellie! Overall wonderful result!! Nicola x

annes paperfun said...

Oh.my!!! this is gorgeous!!!
Lovely details ♥♥♥
Hugs, Anne

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shabby appearance and I like your use of re-cycling.
Those hearts are so precious.
Wishes
Lynne

Candy C said...

Alison, love your tag! It's so wonderfully done...as always. I love the leaf...looks real! Love the crackled background. Love the washed white look of it! Love all of the detail you do...always! :) The metal hearts hanging from the pin...fabulous! Love the corrugated heart in the center of your tag and the mini gear you've embellished it with. Your work is amazing! Thanks for the nice comment you left on my blog regarding the Christmas heart box. Much appreciated! <3 Candy

Netty said...

Loving your wonderful tag with its gorgeous embellies. Also lots of fab texture Alison. You are a miracle worker. x

Anonymous said...

I love all of the wonderful elements you've used on this beautiful tag Alison, especially those little painted & stamped hearts! You always inspire me!
Alison x

sam21ski said...

WOW I can't believe what you are creating with your limited supplies. Another fantastic tag. Love those hearts and that background.

Sam xxx

Chrissy said...

Fabulous as always Alison, love the leaf,so real looking, love the crackle background, I need crackle paint now..for my fences I think, and I need to learn how to tie a double bow with string, love that effect..

Luv CHRISSYxx

May said...

Gorgeous Creation Alison..Beautiful hearts... Wonderful background... Fabulous attention to detail...So Lovely... Hugs May x x x

Astrid Maclean said...

OH WOW, LOVE YOUR TAG AND A FABULOUS ADAPTION OF THE ORIGINAL!! THE BACKGROUND LOOKS FANTASTIC, THE CRACKLE WORKED SO WELL AND LIKE USUAL, I REALLY LIKE YOUR COLOUR SCHEME!!

Rebecca Deeprose said...

Love this tag Alison!!! Those three little heart and crackle background are so fabulous and the whole piece works so beautifully. Thanks for sharing with us at Frilly & Funky!!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Hi Alison, love your creation, the background is very striking and AO love all the natural elements too like the corrugated card and the leaf . I love the hearts hanging from the pin, lovely touch, I always love the little details . Beautifully executed Alison. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

How fantastic, that's a beautiful tag with so many elements.

Debbie said...

LOVE all the touchy feely textures! A beautiful tag with a lot of heart!

Wishes and hugs From A Broad
Debbie x

Claudia N. said...

This is one of my favorites from your X-mas tags, Alison!

Love the warmth, it spreads and all the wonderful details as the corrugated card, the hearts dangling from that pin and the crackled background with the brown leaves...well, love all of it as it seems *lol

Hugs,
Claudia xx

Redanne said...

A wonderful take on Linda's tag Alison, the crackled background is fabulous, love the hearts and the cog. I am so glad I don't have the monopoly on those corrugated drinks containers! Great re-cycling. Hugs, Anne x

mark gould said...

What a beautiful tag, I really love the use of the safety pin with hanging hearts. And the wax paper leaf is such a good idea.Beautiful all the way through.
mark x

House of Bears said...

This is wonderful. Love all the different textures on this, and the use of the coffee cup is inspired, artsts can use anything can't they? I love the crackle glaze, really must buy some of that as it creates such a wonderful background,

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Great crackle effect Alison...love all the mixed media...it fits so well together...great!

greetings, Alie :-)

Kezzy said...

Wow amazing especially to say your not with your crafty stash, can you imagine the weight of the bigshot in your bag!!! lol, mind you I also have the older sizzix and that is heavy, I only use it now for crushing bottle caps. I really really love the background, I also love the fresco paints and the crackle one is brilliant. Safe journey wherever you are :-) Hugs Kerry xxx

Anne-Elise said...

Gorgeous tag, Alison! Love the crackle background and all the fab embellies! Great work! Hugs

Gillian .... said...

Ooo another gorgeous shabby chic make Alison, love the crackle background effect and those corrugated hearts just fab. xx

Hettie said...

This is gorgeous Alison. Love the little pin at the top and your background is great.
We are on similar vibes today. 1 we have both made Frilly and Funkie dies, 2 we have both used hearts and 3 we have both used coffee sleeves!
xx

craftimamma said...

This tag is beautiful! I love the rustic charm of all the elements you have used particularly the handcut hearts although they are so beautifully shaped I thought they were diecut. Fabulous crackle background and created with my favourite crackle medium (it's so easy and works every time, lol).

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Jenny Marples said...

As ever the most amazing attention to detail has been lavished on this. Loving the metal elements, tiny hearts and that background. Mind, you are still avoiding Christmas!! Hugs, Jenny x

Anonymous said...

This is so beautiful!!!! Thanks for joining us again this week at Simon Says Stamp and Show! :)

Patti P. said...

Alison, this may very well be my favorite...but then I can't decide as I always fall in love with your creations. The leaf and corrugated hearts are divine with this tag and love those hanging hearts and pin. So thankful to have you as a friend as well and for your visits to me. Stay well and happy.
hugs...

Ann said...

Awesome tag. I have blog candy if your interested, details here, http://theantiquewardrobe.blogspot.com/2012/11/christmas-blog-candy.html

Cheryl said...

Gorgeous! I love the texture! I love using coffee sleeves too. The price is perfect and they add so much texture/character.


--Cheryl--

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Love this Alison...so gorgeous! The white and grunge is fabulous, and all the metal bits perfection! Love the leaf as well! Gorgeous make! Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly & Funkie this fortnight!

Tracey said...

WOW oh WOW Allison!! I LOVE this textural tag!! Gorgeous!! Thanks so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show :)

Shelby said...

This could be one of my all time fav tags! Love the pins and how you've done the cracked paint...too cool of a tag.

Shelby

froebelsternchen said...

fascination ! I love all on it!

Kjersti said...

You really make the most beautiful tags Alison, so talented! Love the vintage look and all the gorgeous details - thanks for sharing:)
Have a nice day!
Hugs Kjersti:)

chrissie said...

This is very beautiful and your use of so many interesting things makes it a very special tag.

Love Chrissie xx

Sophie said...

Wow!
Mir bleibt die Luft weg, vor Begeisterung :-)

Liebe Grüße xx

Neet said...

Yet ore beautiful creations from you Alison. Love the hearts, love the neutral palette and the shabby chic look that you achieve.

Hugs, Neet xx

Neet said...

Yet ore beautiful creations from you Alison. Love the hearts, love the neutral palette and the shabby chic look that you achieve.

Hugs, Neet xx

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Love how you put all these elements together to make a great piece of ART! ...and yes, on your WOWW someone is stealing my weeks!

Krisha said...

Stunning tag!!!

Marjie Kemper said...

Oh, Alison, these textures are amazing! Wish i could see it in person. It's stunning! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Frilly and Funkie.

Sharon Wheet said...

What a gorgeous tag. I love all the embellishments - pure eye candy. TFS

Maria said...

Gorgeous tag! Love the accents and distressed look to your amazing tag! Fab pin with hearts....love it!!!

Janny Jager said...

Wowwwwwwwwwwww Alison what a great tag.
Love all the details.

Greetings Janny

Sandra said...

Love your lovely corrugated hearts tag! The crackled background looks amazing. And the pin with the little hearts is stunning! Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Hugs, Sandra

toni said...

Beautiful x

Annie said...

fabulous tag Alison. I love the background, hearts and neutral colours.

HUgs

Annie x

Bonnie Irvine said...

Alison, this is one of my all-time favourite tags that you have done and since I have loved every one that is saying something. Love the crackled background, all of the metal bits and the sweet hearts. The leaf and bits of mesh provide awesome texture and make me want to touch. Just an amazing piece of art...it makes me sigh and smile :)

Unknown said...

I love everything about this tag, EVERYthing! The corrugated white heart is so pretty and love the safety pin and hearts too. :-) Hugs

Sandie said...

This is just so beautiful....

Julia S-W said...

A very beautiful tag Alison which for me, is perfect in every way. I love the texture, the crackled background and the little hearts hanging from the pin.
I'm catching up in one go as usual so sorry about the flurry of emails you'll get!
Juliaxx

Lisa Minckler said...

GORGEOUS!! The metal elements along with the earthy tones have my eyes reeling with happiness. :)

Tracey said...

Rustic Elegance I love it! Beautiful details and the weathered background looks great! Thanks for sharing your creation with us in TSTR!

Kate Yetter said...

Wow! This tag is gorgeous! I love the trio of rustic hearts and the crackle background. Very country. Love it!

Anna-Karin said...

Beautiful tag Alison! I LOVE the crackle background, such cool textures. And those little hearts hanging from the pink very sweet. Lovely details. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Holy moly, Alison. I'm going to quit complaining about a limited stash now that I see what you have done with what you could squeeze into a suitcase. I brought two plastic tubs of stash including my Cuttlebug and all my TH dies!

This tag is amazing and I am totally drooling over it. Gorgeous crackly background and I really like the color palette and the hearts theme. Love those three hearts dangling on the wire clip up top! Just an awesome piece all around. So happy that you are playing in the 12 Tags challenge this year!

Hugs,
Linda