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...

Wednesday 27 November 2013

A Chalky Christmas


Hello all, lovely to have you stop by.  I'm here with my creation(s) inspired by Tim's fabulous November tag.







Yes, I know that's a canvas, not a tag... this is a tag! 

But once I had the bit between my teeth with the chalk technique, having lots of fun, I found it taking on a life of its own and demanding a larger canvas, so that's what I gave it.













And it was weird but rather nice, when I went blog-visiting at the end of the day when I'd been making my carollers, to find that the fabulous Brenda over at Bumblebees and Butterflies had been up to something very similar with them!  Great minds, you see...












First up, though, the tag which started the whole thing off - and I pretty much played it straight with this.  I don't have any of the stamp/die sets so I went with one of my all-time favourite Tim stamps which also has that lovely writing around the outside, similar to the blueprints.












Love the effect of the layered wings - and the new Idea-ology linen ribbon seemed like the perfect simple finish.






Given the time of year, though, my brain immediately went to the snowy possibilities of this chalk technique, so I grabbed some black card and started cutting wintry dies with the BigShot.







The carollers got the full stamping treatment, using the lovely handwritten music from the Joyful Song set.














But for the lamp post and the house I used a paintbrush to scoop excess embossing ink from round the edge of my pad and apply it just where the snow would sit...













...on roofs and ledges and sills and edges.

Then I chalked it all up - and I love the snowy results.








I needed somewhere for all my chalkboard elements to live so I grabbed an A4 canvas and glued some tissue wrap over the whole thing.




I used Gelatos to create most of the sky and snowscape.  (I was lucky enough to go and play with them for the first time at a Craft Barn workshop with the lovely Chris Dark of the Sketching Stamper recently - more of that and what I made then another time.)










I added some of Tim's little trees, stamped with Cobalt Archival so that they would stay put whatever else I decided to do later.













I did have to slightly remove the trunks with another wash of paint.















And regulars will understand that I simply had to carry them on round the sides too, of course.










Up in the sky I added some white embossed snowflakes, later giving them a dusting of Rock Candy Dry Glitter too.








I've only just started catching up with some of the CC102 techniques (stupidly timed house-moving!), so it's lovely to get this chalky one under my belt via this November tag - but I knew I had a use for another of them.

I'd seen the crackle-glazed glass turning up around Craftyblogland, and wanted to use it in my lantern glass.









I used some leftover acetate packaging for the technique, and coloured the card behind it with Gelatos to give the idea of the glowing flame.

Once it was all glued in place, I added a thick coat of Glossy Accents over the top of the "glass" to give it a bit of extra dimension.









I do rather like the echo of Narnia with the lamp post among the trees!  

And I'm pretty pleased with the white Gelato shading to show the gleam of the light its giving off.











There's also Glossy Accents doing the job of glass in the windows of the little house.  And Gelatos again to create the warm golden glow from inside.













Some of that glow spills out onto the snow and the garden "path" of Chitchat stickers... 












... so that they are warmed by the light too.













I did lots of shading using Distress Markers around the carollers and the other elements, to try to embed them into the landscape.



















I do love these two - and given that I love creating things inspired by music, I hope they'll put in appearances year round, not only at Christmas.




















The panel at the centre uses one of the Mini Holidays stamps (I now "need" the large version!!), stamped on Specialty Stamping paper and then covered over with Rock Candy Dry Glitter.  I'm not a glittery type in general, but this stuff... lovely!











I added some more music stamping to the snow too...













... as well as some flourishes stamped in Weathered Wood and embossed with the Frosted Crystal powder.  

They're so subtle as to be almost subliminal, but I rather like them swirling in the snow drifts.






There's a dusting of Rock Candy Dry Glitter over the snow and throughout the night sky, so that the canvas really sparkles as you move it in the light - not so easy to catch with a camera, but I hope you get the idea from some of the photos.


So there you have it... my chalky Christmas.  I hope you like it.  Thank you, Tim, for the inspiration that took me off on this unexpected journey - not my usual thing, but so much fun to play! 

I'd like to enter this as my November "tag" in Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2013 - can't believe there's only one more.

I'm also thrilled that this can double as my first contribution to the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique; inspired as it is by the chalkboard technique on Tag 1, by the fabulous Linda Coughlin.  A canvas, rather than a tag, but the rules do say it can be any kind of Christmas creation. I don't know if I'm going to make it to all twelve, but I'm going to try!! 





And the Christmas Carol service is the real start of Christmas for me, so the rehearsals are one way of counting down the time left to go - as well as counting the beat of the music, of course! - so I'd like to pop this in over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge where the theme is Countdown to the Holidays.







Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart...filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.
From Song of Years by Bess Streeter Aldrich

There is a Christmas song upon the air,
There is a joy innate within the heart;
An inner sense of peace, a holy light
Illumines life and sets these days apart.
From A Song Upon The Air by Edna Greene Hines

74 comments:

Jennie Atkinson said...

Oh WOW Alison!!!! The canvas is stunning - I love all the textures and colours and all those wonderful techniques ............ I would love to have this hanging on my wall. Just fabulous x

Gio said...

Such a gorgeous scenario you created, Alison. It's quite magical! And since it wasn't my favourite Tim's tag I'm glad you made a totally different piece!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow Alison, that's a breathtaking creation, I really love it.

Rita said...

Hi Alison. Love your creation. The Carol singers look so at home in this lovely scene that you have created. So stunning. Hugs Rita xxx

Anonymous said...

fabulous Alison! I can't wait to make something up with these dies too! thanks for inspiring!

Marci said...

Well, Alison, you've outdone even yourself! So many techniques, like the gelato,which does make the lamp and windows glow like there is a light inside. The landscape, everything! I love everything about this make!!! The tag is very good, also. I hope you hang this up to be enjoyed, or give it to someone or some organization to bring joy to their holiday, because it would surely do that.

Von said...

What a lovely scene you have created Alison :)
Von ♥

Fliss said...

These are absolutely stunning Alison and for some reason when your carolers piece popped up in my reader I immediately thought of Narnia!
Sorry for my lack of visits lately, not enough hours in the day at the moment.
Hugs, Fliss xx

Deborah said...

The tag is brilliant - and the canvas divine, Alison. Is there *any* technique you can't turn your hand to, and beautifully? Please tell me there is - lol.

froebelsternchen said...

oh oh oh .... ho ho ho ---

AMAZING dear Alison...masterly!!!

Mona Pendleton said...

Wow Alison! Both of your projects are gorgeous! I love the chalkboard tag and beautiful winter wonderland scene! Thanks for the inspiration and thanks for joining along with the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

Amanda said...

What a great take on Tims chalk technique your canvas has turned out fabulous, I haven't tried this yet but am itching to have ago just need to get the correct embossing powder.
Love
Amanda x

Unknown said...

Love the colours and chalk technique on this. Great work Alison. Jamie x

Martina said...

Beautiful work, dear Alison! I really love this.

Shirley said...

Alison I am completely enchanted and mesmerized by your canvas. It delivers everything and more about a cold and frosty night with carolers singing in the snow for a few pence. A pure delight.

The tag aint half bad as well. lol

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Helen said...

Alison, these are both fabulous - totally makes me want the carollers now, and how fab the rickety house looks like that too! Oh dear, where's me credit card...?!

Joan said...

amazing canvas, love it! also can see how much enjoyment you had making it, love the carollers,going on the wish list now

Claire said...

Hi Alison, such a beautiful canvas - I really love it - just perfect for Xmas! Claire x

Astrid Maclean said...

LOVE THIS BIG TIME ALISON!!! That snow effect is so, so cool, absolutely fantastic and if this is not going to be a winner I'll eat my hat! I loved Brenda's carollers, but yours in the white on black look fantastic too, - I now "need" those as well as that flipping stamp set.... oh dear. Great to see you playing with Gelatos too, don't you just love them? - and as far as great minds are concerned, just letting you know that I have a scheduled post on Friday which includes some "brown paper packages tied up in string".... quite a different project though, but I thought I better warn you after your AO post....

Chrissy said...

Fantastic Alison..I adore your canvas..love the textures and colours and the snowy scene you created..fantastic.

luv CHRISSYxx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow Alison! I don't know how you do it (keep coming up with such amazing original art works, that is) but I'm so glad that you do! I could never tackle something like this but so many different elements to it that surely even I could try some of them! Hugs, Chrisx

Annie said...

love your tag and your gorgeous card Alison. I am sailing very close to the wire and dont know if I will manage to post my tag but will certainly be using the antiquities again. Those Carol Singers look wonderful and I have that die too so watch out x

Crafty Hugs

Annie xx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Love your canvas Alson, the snow looks fabulous and I love the Gelato backdrop. I also love that you continued the stamping around the edges too. I am now thinking I need the die you used too, looks fabulous. Great piece. Love the tag too. I have still not managed to catch up on CC102 but I am hoping too over the holiday period. Tracy x

Maggie said...

OMG! Wow Alison I love love this canvas I have these lovely carol singers and adore using them and I am in the process of making a Christmas scene with them as we speak. Also think the cracking glass in the lamp is a fab effect I crinkled chocolate wrapping in mine.... of course I had to eat them first lol!

MaggieH

Almo said...

Alison I like your tag but I absolutley LOVE your canvas. The attentions to detail is stunning I cant even pick out one part I like better than the rest, its all just stunning. Hugs Mo x

Anonymous said...

It is a wonderful feeling when one project ignites the spark to continue with the style and go on to create something else and lucky us because we then get to see what you have been busy having fun creating and this is fabulous. Love the idea that you created a canvas, wouldn't this look special on display over the festivities.
The couple are wonderful!
Wishes
Lynne

Brenda Brown said...

Now I can see what you were working on, and how spooky we were toying with similar ideas, what is even more spooky I think is that I have been using those trees and little snowflake today for a DT piece coming up in December. Great minds and all that lol.
Love your tag and canvas. It's lovely to see a non-Christmas image for the chalkboard effect and it has worked so well and the canvas is fabulous, full of gorgeous techniques and wintry colours. The Carolers are very happy playing their Christmas Carols out in the snowy landscape. Love it.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Julie Lee said...

A wonderful couple of makes! I love what you did with the lamp-post glass - really want to have a go at something like that! I've been tempted a couple of times by those lovely carol singers, but have not yet given in. Now seeing this, my hand is reaching out for the credit card like Helen! oh, and I could have done with that lamp-post for my Narnia wardrobe. In fact my husband said it was a pity I couldn't include one so he won't mind if I invest in one of those too, surely? I always enjoy descriptions of how you create your canvases, Alison. Oh, yes and I love how those trees found their way over the border too! Julie Ann xx

Yvonne Garner said...

Oh Allison! What a fabulous canvas! I love what you did with the Gelatos too. The whole piece is just magical. Hugs, Yvonne.

P.S. You asked about the holly on my card. It is a Red Lead Stamp.

barbarayaya62 said...

This canvas is stunning! I love the scene you've created and the colors you used! Wonderful! barbarayaya

May said...

WOW...Gorgeous work Alison...Love the canvas the snowy scene is simply Beautiful... Love your fabulous tag too....Thanks for the wonderful inspiration.... Hugs May x x x

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great canvas, very special , love the figures , the colours and the design!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful art!!!

Greetings
Maria

toni said...

Two fabulous makes Alison !!the canvas is just soooo Christmassy, love the carollers and the gorgeous background. Your tag is also gorgeous, the dragonfly is perfect for this technique, superb work as always ! X

Kath Stewart said...

wow Alison...breathtakingly beautiful...a Christmas treasure to keep forever...a fabulous showcase of so many different techniques...big hugs kath xxx

chrissie said...

Stunning and with a warmth that you wouldn't feel if you were carol singing in those conditions. I think it is the light in the windows that gave me the warm glow and the thought of many happy years of Carol Singing in the snow many, many years ago.

Love Chrissie x

Unknown said...

A fab scene and very artfully executed Alison, love it! Chris xxx

Etsuko said...

Wow! This is fantastic project. Nice Christmas feeling.
I love this beautiful panel.

Etsuko xx

craftytrog said...

These are lovely Alison, your Christmasy scene is beautiful! xxx

Candy C said...

Alison...your chalky Christmas canvas is so original and such a gorgeous way to use the chalk technique. Who would have thought of that?!? YOU would! I love that you like to master a technique and then figure out new and different ways to use it! :) This canvas is so lovely. I love your scene and all of the Tim elements you've used to create it. Love the touches of snowy wash and the glitters in the snow. Perfection! Thanks for sharing it with all of us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. <3 Candy

Hettie said...

Wow! Alison these are both gorgeous, but the canvas wins the prize today for me. Beautiful.
Love that you have put light in the lamppost. It doesn't look right when I see the background paper showing through!
Hugs
xx

Paper Profusion said...

Oh WOW! What a BRILLIANTLY crafted scene. All the shading and light techniques are fantastic. Definitely a family christmas heirloom Alison. Nicola x

Unknown said...

Alison, BEE-u-tee-ful!!!! What a fantastic job you did - congrats!!!

Thanks so much for sharing!!

Lorraine
;o0

maj. said...

An amazing canvas, love the beautiful details !!!

Margaret said...

GORGEOUS! I love the wings on the dragonfly, and your 'not a tag' canvas is amazing!!
Once again, I find myself scrolling back up to check out all of the wonderful details you've added!!

Unknown said...

C'est vraiment très joli, j'adore. Bravo. Bises

Nan G said...

Awe-struck with the beauty of this canvas! Your use of the gelatos is fab. The carolers, the distress glitter....well, .... An amazing piece, Alison!

Anonymous said...

The tag is gorgeous of course, but the canvas is utterly stunning & beautiful.

Cocofolies said...

I don't just love it Alison... I totally ADORE !!!! Amazing scene, colours, and work on each piece and detail.. Love much more your canvas than Tim's Tag ! Hugs, Coco xx

Heather said...

I just love the beautiful scene you have created with so many different, awesome techniques!!! Wonderful images and stamping which leave the whole canvas gives such cold frosty feeling - brrrrr!!!

hugs
Heather xx

Julia said...

I read this post last night and then again tonight, I do so enjoy your stories of how your projects come together. I wanted to try the chalk effect myself this month but just didn't get the time but will certainly give it a go at some point. The canvas is really lovely Alison, well done.

Michelle said...

Gorgeous projects! I love that canvas. You've really captured the essence of a cold, snowy night. Beautiful!

Dianne said...

KABOOM*****, you have just given the chalk technique and whole new meaning, and look what your having fun has produced, a MASTERPIECE , wowzer it took my breath away, your tag is chalkalicious,I love you used the dragonfly, those wings are FANTASTIC, excellent make on Tim's tag.
Now that magical canvas,eekkksss, creative magic in progress, the carolers are BEAUTIFUL, now the light and snow you created looks REAL,your giving Thomas Kinkade a run for his money and yours is 3D, the background is just magical, and you used gellatos, I can't wait till you share that, I need some help with mine :),Chris Dark is an amazing artist, thanks for introducing her to me. Reading this excellent post was almost like being in your room with you and seeing it come alive. Yes Miss Butterfly you are "THE BOMB", I'm so glad I get to witness all of this, thanks so much for sharing, your the best... ((( BIG HUGS )))...

Unknown said...

Oh wow, all your projects are amazing Alison but that dragonfly tag - oh my - it just took my breath away! Absolutely stunning work!

Kate Yetter said...

Wow! I am loving your chalky projects, especially that tag. It is a lovely work of art!
Kate

Netty said...

Can see you are having the best time ever, a truly Christmassy post. Hugs Annette x

Jenny Marples said...

Superb Alison. I love the way you always take an idea and run a whole heap further with it than anyone else. Jenny x

Mary Elizabeth said...

This is an absolutely stunning canvas. I love the chalkboard treatment on all of your die cuts. I'm so amazed at all the details. I am just entranced by the music on the carolers.

Love your take on Tim's November tag, but this canvas just shows how far your creativity can take an inspiring idea. WOW!!!! -- Mary Elizabeth

Jools Robertson said...

Brilliant technique, must look into this
Gorgeous tag and the scene is lovely and atmospheric
Fab colour and love the warm yellow glow from the window and the snow covered street lamp

Hugs

Jools x

cathylynn said...

Love it all!!! What more can I say that's not already be said? You are a very talented artist! Thanks so much for sharing your art!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Ana K. said...

What an amazing project...your imagination is with no limit…gorgeous!

Kelly said...

You are too funny!! I love both and the chalkboard effect is so cool, love it! Your canvas is a classic Alison with elegance and texture combined. Beautiful colors. I would not have thought about the Rickety house for a Christmas scene. Great idea too.
Hugs Kelly

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow Alison this is absolutely stunning, I love night skies and your canvas scene with the lamppost is truly awesome. Hugs :-) Kezzy xxx

sara j said...

stunning beautiful amazing and as always Alison oh so COOL. love all your details...just amazing...love these two!

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Ohh my! how did I miss this earlier!
absolutely stunning creation Alison! and thanks for sharing how did you do this page!

Matilde said...

What a marvellous project! Thanks for sharing and all the close-ups :)

Meihsia Liu said...

Gorgeous canvas and tag!!! Alison. I love the beautiful textures and all the details. How fantastic! :)

Patti P. said...

Oh my, I do so love both of these...the layers on your tag just make me smile.
Your canvas is simply divine and what a beautiful decoration for the holidays. I love visiting as you always amaze and inspire me.
hugs...

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Woohoo, welcome back to the 12 Tags of Christmas Funkie Junkie Style! So happy you are getting a chance to play. And what a fantastic first entry! So many wonderful details. Love the way you have incorporated the chalkboard technique into the Christmas theme. Thanks so much for sharing with us at the challenge!

Hugs,
Linda

Dorthe said...

Alison,-magical, beautiful christmas, just in front of my eyes here,- what a wonderful canvas , so special, with the sweet pair- and the snowy feeling,-and your tag is a gorgeous play, with the chalk technique !!
Hugs, Dorthe

Anna-Karin said...

This is gorgeous Alison!! LOVE it! Fabulous textures and design. And you used some of my favourite dies (lamp post, rickety house and carollers)and stamps (the pine trees). Awesome take on the November tag!! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Sensational scene...just a crazy WOW!!! Love the snowy drift, and the carolers are perfect!

Kasia said...

Wow! The canvas is amazing! Love the background! Stunning project! I am also impressed with your tag, Alison. Love the b&w design of it :)

Lisa Minckler said...

SOOOO much fun! This is wonderful. I swear if you look long enough you just can't wait to see them move. There is so much movement and animation on this project. Beautifully crafted. :)

Mrs.B said...

This is just stunning, love all the textures and layers, a fabulous festive make.
Avril xx