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...

Saturday 9 March 2013

Seed of Happiness



Hello everyone, and welcome to a warm and sunny Spring day here on Words and Pictures (though the forecast is for the temperatures to plunge again and snow to arrive in the next couple of days).

I'm on my way across Europe again, to do a couple of months work in the Czech Republic helping my mother prepare her dollshouse collection to open as a museum later in the Spring.

At the moment we've paused for a couple of days with friends in Germany so I'm trying to do some catching up with blog visiting.

I'm also catching you up with some projects I haven't had a chance to post, starting with this one which I made immediately after visiting Stamperama a few weeks ago.  I just wanted to play with some of the goodies I'd succumbed to.

So this involves some new Fresco colours (mainly new to me, rather than part of the new range) as well as a fabulous MDF ticket substrate - part of a set (the Kaisercraft Long Ticket album) which you're meant to make an album out of, but I just decided to use them to create individual pieces.  They were so reduced in price - irresistible!








It's basically a very large ticket shape - about 10 x 4 inches and 1/8 of an inch thick, so it's lovely and sturdy to work on. 

I layered up Fresco colours, starting with Honeydew and working my way through Hey Pesto and Hyde Park over the raised honeycomb I'd created with some texture paste and a Crafter's Workshop stencil.









I also added a good touch of Treasure Gold in Aquamarine to highlight the texture, and to give the edges of the piece some antique-y distressing.

It's lovely working with the Fresco paints direct onto the MDF - you get such good coverage that you can go straight into blending and playing.  They also create a fabulous surface for stamping onto.












I used some of the fantastic new Sara Naumann Eclectica range from PaperArtsy to create some word-y texture in the background - love the Gothic font, and the wonderful Carte Postale lettering.  





The white stamping is done with Fresco Snowflake and Honeydew mixed together.



I sponged on some more Honeydew to create a paler space on which to stamp my main sentiment - another PaperArtsy stamp from one of the Hot Picks range (stamped in Olive Archival).  

Spring is all about seeds and growth, so this stamp seemed perfect with all the fresh spring greens of the palette (sorry, seem to have an obsession with spring greens - so good stir fried in sesame oil with a little garlic and ginger!).











I was delighted when the Vintage Stamping Challenge came up with a new theme of Spring is in the Air, as this seemed to fit perfectly... and then I had to smile when I saw that the fabulous Sue of Stamping Sue Style had used this exact sentiment on her gorgeous DT piece!!

Because the quote also mentions the present moment, time seemed to be an important element, so I added a couple of the lovely Prima clocks with their delicate "wrought iron" hands.






And since it's Spring, you've got to have some flowers, haven't you?  So I added matching Fresco paint and Treasure Gold touches to my cheapo paper flowers from The Range and added them to the mix.














The ribbon through the top is some fabric leftover from my brother and sister-in-law's Handmade Wedding last year.  I simply looped it through the two holes intended to bind the album together to create a hanging instead.  

I love how both the fabric ribbon and the Treasure Gold gleam when you catch them in sunlight.











It was so lovely just to play with my new toys, and I'm delighted with the result.  It's a feelgood piece as far as I'm concerned; it lifts my heart to look at it!










A seed hidden in the heart of an apple is an orchard invisible.
Welsh Proverb


The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The next best time is now.
Chinese Proverb


Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson


I'd like to enter this in the following:
At the Vintage Stamping Challenge, sponsored by Flonzcraft, they are hoping that Spring is in the Air
At Simon Says Stamp they're looking for A Bit O' Green
At Anything But A Card they're looking for Anything Green or Irish or St Patrick's Day - well I'm up for the first of those to be sure
And Hels Sheridan for the Sunday Stampers wants to see Something Pretty, and I think I'm just in time...



51 comments:

toni said...

Hi Alison , glad to hear your trip is going well. The doll's house museum sounds absolutely fascinating. So lovely for all of us that you are finding time to visit blogs and post your beautiful work! Love your spring tag,great colour and texture, i love shades of green but looking back through my work i haven't used green as a main colour, perhaps I 'll have chance to get involved in the SSSS challenge, have fun on your trip 'see' you soon x

Redanne said...

Hi Alison, visiting the Czech Republic to help your Mum sounds like work of the nice kind to me, hope it all goes well. Cold and rain here so your Spring tag is a real delight! The colours are so subtle and gorgeous and those Prima time pieces are beautiful additions. Loved your reference to the stir fry too. Take care and have some fun. Hugs, Anne x

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh LOVE this!!! Fabulous colours and wonderful textures (well and stamping of course), great project and thanks for the idea of using those MDF pieces as separate little hangings. I know that I have a pile of them lurking unused somewhere at the bottom of a drawer, I shall dig them out to have a play at some point! Have a great time in the Czech Republic, hope the weather there will be a bit better than it is here (snowing and sleeting and generally being extremely un spring like.....

Amanda said...

Another absolute stunner! I love the relaxing feel those beautiful greens give the whole piece. Enjoy your travels, and especially seeing your mum
Love Amanda x

Jenny Marples said...

Beautiful project Alison. Didn't you spot a bargain with these ticket shapes! Love the mix of paints and stencilling here - it all feels so spring like (and boy don't we need some of that!) Hope you enjoy your time in Europe and all goes really well with the dolls house museum. Hugs, Jenny x

Rita said...

What a fabulous creation Alison, I love all the textures and the colours are magical. Enjoy your time with your Mum. Take some pictures of your travels too please. Hugs Rita xx

Fliss said...

This is beautiful Alison. Gorgeous colour and texture with one of my favourite Paper Artsy text stamps.
Hoping your trip goes well as it sounds so interesting and hopefully you'll be able to take some pics to share with us all. I for one would love to see them.
Hugs, Fliss xx

Anonymous said...

Beautiful project Alison ! I love the colours they're so delicate and your stamping and use of the texture is stunning as usual ! Thanks so much for the mention and also thank you for the tip about cheap paper flowers at The Range. I visited our local store and now have a 'few' packets in my possession! Hope your trip goes well. Sue C x

Anonymous said...

P.S. Thanks for joining us at VSC !
Sue C
x

Hels Sheridan said...

Stunning art, have a fantastic trip! Thanks for joining in with the Sunday STamper x

Dianne said...

Well Miss Alison ,I'm at a lost for words, your work just blows me away,green is my fav so this is gorgeous, but then all your work is, thanks a million for always inspiring me everyday, have a fabulous weekend..

crealinedance said...

Hallo mooie tag.gr.Nel

Sarah said...

Your trip sounds fun and fulfilling, too. Mother-daughter time is priceless.
Your tag is lovely and whispers "spring" with its soft green palette and hint of sparkle. Beautiful!

Neet said...

Hi Alison, well, it's not sunny here in the north of England so enjoy your trip and it's weather whilst you can (unless the snow comes, but even so am sure you will enjoy). What a lovely project to be involved in with your mother.

Also what a lovely project you have just completed. I love the fresh greens you have used love the honeycombe effect and the sentiment. Am now wondering how I missed those delightful flowers at The Range!

Say safe and thanks for visiting me as you do.

Hugs, Neet xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A gorgeous hanging with wonderful details, love the soft colors. Thanks for joining us at Flonz Craft Vintage Stamping Challenges.

Sophie said...

Wow! Alison, das sieht so sensationell aus, so extravagant, und dabei farblich so zart.
Der Hintergrund ist unglaublich schön gemacht.

Liebe Grüße xx

Paper Profusion said...

Hi Alison, it is rather inclement here weatherwise so thank-you for injecting such glorious sunlight and spring into my day. Your tag is beautifully lush! Love all your stamping and techniques.

Hmmm - I was placing an order recently and decided not be proceed with those prima clocks/hands but they look so fabulous on your tag. Oh well!

Have a wonderful trip to Czech Republic. I do hope you have your full crafting kit and kaboodle with you for your stay. Happy travels. Nicola x

Keren Tamir said...

Oh wow I love this Alison! Hope you have a fantastic time with your mom and enjoy your Europe visit!!!!

catherine said...

This looks fantastic Alison and very creative. Enjoy your travels
x catherine

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

The dolls house museum sounds fantastic, as is,your creative piece. Love the colours and your background is very eye catching. Love the paint and stamping and texture. Gorgeous flowers too. Tracy x

Carol Q said...

Sounds like you're up for a fascinating trip Alison . Love your colour blending with the Fresco's and you've used lovely greens too. I've just bought my first Fresco paints and spent the day playing and loved every minute of it.

Dorthe said...

Dear Alison, how exiting to be on a tour to Czech Republic, and then also being there to assist your mother in opening a museum -must be a wonderful delight.
Your lovely tag, is a fantastic piece with the spring water colours, the texture paste, looking so amazing, and the flowers and watchparts.
I wish you a great toru and stay there I`m sure it is a very beautiful country!
Hugs,Dorthe

Hettie said...

Oh Alison. This is so pretty and delicate. Very seasonal too (well, for the time of year anyway). Love the "ticket" you have used too.
Good luck to your Mum and I hope she has alot of visitors and FUN in her new venture.
Hugs
xx

Netty said...

Loving your beautiful delicate hanging Alison. Wishing you a terrific time away and hope you manage to get some sleep......

Hugs Annette x

Chrissy said...

Such a beautiful soft green Alison, I love green,love the honeycomb details and the clocks, fabulous hanging...hope all goes well helping your Mum, you are a good girl..lol..

luv CHRISSYxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Alison! WOW this is totally awesome I LOVE the colour and love all the awesome textures too! hugs me x

Ozawa said...

Toller, aufwendiger Hintergrund! Gefällt mir sehr gut!

May said...

Gorgeous tag Alison, Beautiful colours & stamping.. Love the sentiment! Have a great trip Good luck to your Mum with her new dollshouse museum.. Hugs May x x

2amscrapper said...

This is such a beautiful, serene tag! Your mother's dollhouse collection for a museum? Sounds fascinating.

Brenda Brown said...

Gorgeous spring like ticket Alison. So lovely to see the green and creamy colours . Hope your travels go well and you have a good time with your Mum.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Helen said...

What an interesting trip - hope we get to see some pictures! Love this piece, it is stunning (as all your work is) - soft and pretty, and I really love the ribbon holding it.

Laurart said...

Stunning! It photographed really well but looks even more gorgeous in real life! Lots of love from Laura xxxxxxx

Martina said...

A very charming and delightful creation, dear Alison! Love this!

craftytrog said...

This piece is stunning & inspiring Alison!
Enjoy your trip! xx

House of Bears said...

Another stunning creation. Love the way you turn those cheap flowers into something so expensive looking. We may have to purchase some of those at our next Range visit.

Janny Jager said...

Gorgeous and very very beautoful project Alison.
Love every detail.
Greetings Janny

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What a stunning tag...so elegant and so beautiful! Gorgeous with the honeycomb as well!

Julia S-W said...

Sorry I've been away for a while.
Such a gorgeous piece and I love those tones of green and the delicate areas of gold. I always say I'm not a green person (as it were!) but my latest piece is green (enforced) and I always seem to admire green pieces.
Have fun on your travels.
Juliaxx

Sandy said...

So very beautiful! Your fabric bow is delicious as is the fabric. You are quite an artist Alison!!!!
Sandy

Sue said...

I love your hanging Allison, it really does promise Spring (says she typing when it's snowing outside). The paint and treasure gold really glams up your flowers, and there's another stencil to add to my wish list! Have fun on your travels, and enjoy seeing your Mum xx

Bonnie Irvine said...

Such a beautiful tag. Love this colour palette. Mmm...honeydew. The white really gives it a freshness and crisp spring feeling. The background is full of yummy texture. Love the sentiment, as well.

mark gould said...

A new colour ;) and you have nailed it, I love the honey comb stencil. hope the dolls house opening goes well. have fun. thanks for joining us at abac

Nan G said...

Wow! Love these colors! Your use of these fresco green paints is awesome!

Dawny P said...

Fabulous work chick :) A great design and lovely colours. Thank you for joining us over at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge, hugs, Dawny x

Jo Nevill said...

So very pretty and elegant

Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Challenge this week

Hugs

Jo x

Heather said...

A beautiful creation Alison, your colours are gorgeous and I love all your stunning details and your honeycomb element is wonderful!!!
I hope you enjoyed your travels. I have you on my list for a visit but not succeeding very well!!!

hugs
Heather xx
so meanwhile thanks so much for joining with Simon Says Stamp challenge
hugs
Heather xx

Geraldine said...

Beautiful and peaceful, and it certainly lifts my heart to look at it too. Love the soft colours and textures, and I don't know if I've said it previously, but I love all the quote you share with us. I hope your trip is going well, best wishes.

Bärbel said...

Ein wunderschöner Hänger,liebe Alison, ich liebe die Hintergrundstruktur und die zarten Farben!
Liebe Grüße, Bärbel

Mrs.B said...

Hi Alison, hope you're enjoying - and not working too hard, on your travels.
This is another fabulous tag, love the colours.
Avril xx

Unknown said...

Wow, Allison, this is super stunning!! I am so in love with that green...beautiful!

Gio said...

This is a little masterpiece , Alison. The shade, maybe, the composition...just perfect!