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 18 January 2014

Playing with Calico Crafts

Hi all!  I'm so glad you've dropped in today... I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that I've been invited to become a full-time member of the Calico Crafts Design Team.  I guested for them a couple of times last year and had an absolute ball playing with the exciting and eclectic goodies they stock.

So today I'm over at the Calico Crafts Blog with my debut project as a full team member, and I've been having a ball again - indulging my passion for texture to the full!  It would be lovely if you had the time to pop over and check it out.  Perhaps I can tempt you with this sneak peek...


And in case you missed it, I made a return to PaperArtsy as a Guest Designer this week.  If vintage rustic texture (as at Calico) doesn't do it for you, how about glossy steampunk instead (over at PaperArtsy)?!

Thanks for stopping by.  It's been pretty busy around here, so I hope to catch up on some visiting over the next few days...

What do I make of all this texture? What does it mean about the kind of world in which I have been set down? The texture of the world, its filigree and scrollwork, means that there is the possibility for beauty here, a beauty inexhaustible in its complexity, which opens to my knock, which answers in me a call I do not remember calling, and which trains me to the wild and extravagant nature of the spirit I seek.
Annie Dillard

I'd love to enter this in the Anything Goes over at Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge, but I don't know if I'm allowed to send you somewhere else to look at it... I'll live if you have to disqualify me!!

63 comments:

Patti P. said...

Alison, you can always tempt me to take a closer look. I adore texture and this looks lovely. Love the metal look of the letters and the embossing on them. Now off to see more.
Hope you have a great weekend planned.
hugs....

Unknown said...

Congrats, Alison on becoming a DT Member at Calico Crafts! Fabulous and I know your creations are going to knock our socks off :) Looking forward to all of your designs in 2014! XOXO-Shari

Krisha said...

CONGRAT! Alison!
What a GORGEOUS canvas! Does you brain ever sleep???? I read it all and looked at the pictures thrice!

Thanks for the wonderful comment on my journal page.

Ink Art Designs said...

Congratulations Alison! Your project looks amazing and sooo full of texture...gorgeous!

Rita said...

Congratulations Alison on your new DT post. It looks very interesting, so I am off to see more. Enjoy your weekend. Hugs Rita xxx

Mona Pendleton said...

So beautiful Alison! Love all the texture and distressed details! Wow!

Shirley said...

Congratulations Alison, you really tempted me so I just had to go and have a peek. Fabulous inspirational idea with the beer mats. I have only ever used for my mini albums. So much texture in one place.

Thanks for the heads up about the sale, can't wait to go home next week and collect my goodies x x

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Clare Lloyd said...

Love the letters!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Alison! Just been for a look, absolutely stunning! Sue C x

Helen said...

Congratulations, Alison - off to check out the post now...

chrissie said...

Well done on your DT place. Just popped over and seen this terrific make. Such a great idea to use the things that you used to create something so special.

Love Chrissie x

Evil Edna said...

adore the textured heart.EE

Amanda said...

Brilliant make sooooo much scrummy texture!
Love
Amanda x

Carol Q said...

gorgeous Alison - love the rusty texture you created.

Deborah said...

Congratulations....to Calico Crafts for bagging you as a team member! Off for a look...

froebelsternchen said...

both projects are simply WONDERFUL Alison!

Willy said...

Wauw...love the texture!

Claudia N. said...

Congrats on your new assignment, Alison!
Will immediately hop over to take a closer look as your sneak peek looks veeery promising! ;)

Claudia x

Annie said...

Woohoo !!......Huge Congratulations Alison..................your make looks intriguing so I am off to take a closer look

Annie xx

craftytrog said...

I've seen both projects Alison, they're wonderful!!! xxx

cathylynn said...

Congrats Alison! You sooooo deserve it and they are lucky to have you on their team! Now I can't wait go check out what you've create!!!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work as usual.

Moira xxx

Kelly said...

Your brilliant work of mixing textures and colors! I love this and each square is done beautifully! The words are very nice and I love the question they leave me with. I love your canvas and I am happy for you to be their new DT, we get all the benefits of more of your crafty talent!! Have a wonderful day Alison.
Hugs Kelly

Julia said...

You amaze me! This is just so lovely. Congratulations on becoming a full time DT member too. x

Cocofolies said...

CONGRATS Alison, that's so well deserved!!!! I don't know yet this blog, I'm off to see your first project that looks FAB!!! Hugs, Coco xx

maj. said...

Congratulations, Alison!!!

Meihsia Liu said...

This is such a gorgeous project! Alison. Congrats on being on the design team. You are amazing. :)

Netty said...

Huge congratulations for this DT position and to the Paper Artsy one below. So well deserved Alison.
Loving your peek and am off to look, hugs Annette x

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Wowzah! That's a really great canvas and such a neat project. It is interesting to hear how you use all those different products to get different kinds of texture. I always learn something reading about your creative process step-by-step.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! such contrasts between the two posts - both just amazing and both DT positions deserve congratulations! Popped to have a look at both in their entirety - Wow again!! Chrisxx

crealinedance said...

Hallo Dat heb je weer mooi gemaakt.Gr.Nel

Redanne said...

Oh, well done Alison! Many congratulations! It is a wonderful project as full time DT member, just love it. So pleased for you! Hugs, Anne x

Debi said...

hey congratulations Alison- off o check out the full yumminess of your creation :-) Debi xxx

Dorthe said...

CongraTULATIONS Alison, what a wonderful new place to design for!!
Your LOVE piece is fantastic in all your different hearts,- creating a beautiful message.Gorgeous texture and tecniques, dear.
xo,Dorthe

Daniella said...

Hi Alison! Thanks so much for visiting my blog the other day and leaving me a sweet comment!!
This piece is beautiful! I've been having a great time checking out your work on the different blogs! I love that balloon tag!!
xxDaniella

Jenny Marples said...

Congratulations Alison! So pleased for you. Jenny x

May said...

Congratulations Alison so well deserved...off for a closer look... Hugs May x x

Anonymous said...

Many congrats Alison, that looks great, I shall go & look properly. Loved your PA piece last night too.

Anonymous said...

Thrilled for you Alison.
All those offers are coming thick and fast because those companies know what an asset you are to them.
Eager to see your project in full.
Wishes
Lynne

Meggymay said...

Congratulations, this sneek peek has me off to see more.
Yvonne

Sue said...

Congratulations on your DT post Alison, they are very lucky to have you! I'm off to check this out now xx

Terry said...

Alison, you are one beautifully busy crafter. Congratulations and what an asset to the team you will be! Love this!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

You appear everywhere Alison...great and gorgeous project...like it a lot

sam21ski said...

Well done xx

Mrs.B said...

Congratulations the the DT post, and you will be such an asset to the team.
Just popped over and saw the gorgeous canvas, brillian debut piece.
Avril xx

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

Amazing job on this piece, as always! I loved how you made each little heart vignette so unique and it was a treat to be able to see all those incredible techniques you used. I've said it before and I'll say it again: you are one seriously talented lady!! And congrats on your Calico Crafts DT position! They couldn't have asked for a better DT member!

Marci said...

Congratulations! Loved all the variations on the hearts. Lots of beautiful texture.

Michelle said...

The texture is unbelievable. Beautiful project! They must be thrilled to have you on the team! Congratulations!

Elly said...

Oh sweety, it's seems i see you everywhere (:o)Both projects are nice but very different and i'm not shy to say that i prefere the vintage rustic texture.xoxo Elly

Inkypinkycraft said...

A great textural piece, congrats on the new DT! Hugs x

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

Can you hear loud clapping and cheering? It's your Aussie friend saying Fantastic and good on you. It is wonderful to see that your lovely talents are being recognised Alison!
Love all the textures and the "quietness of your piece"

Brenda Brown said...

Delicious is a word that comes to mind. Fabulous textures and designs.
hugs {Brenda} x0x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Congratulations Alison on your full time position! well deserved. Your large canvas is gorgeous the textural hearts are wonderful. I love hearts in any shape or form so this really appeals. Love the natural colour palette and the natural feel to,this piece. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Tracy x

Dianne said...

BRILLIANT, your " THE BOMB " Miss Alison,you will be a fantastic addition to their team, this canvas i fantastic,, love the background, looooooove what you did with the beer mats.Bowing to you Missy, thanks for sharing your brilliance..

Sandy said...

Congratulations Alison - they are very lucky to have you but I suspect they know that. Love the canvas - what a great idea. And now for the bad news -- I got me a really good order all together just to discover they to not ship to the Unites States. Oh woe is me but I will continue to support you for sure.
Sandy xx

toni said...

Congratulations Alison! Fabulous project for your debut! They are lucky to have such a talented lady on their team off to have a closer look ! Xx

Julie Lee said...

Congratulations, Alison! My, you're a busy person these days! I'm off to take a closer look, but I'm loving the way you've included book text on this! Julie Ann xxx

Jools Robertson said...

Congratulations, looks like your going to have a lot of fun!
Wow! What a stunning debut, this is just texture gorgeousness!!

Jools x

Kjersti said...

Congratulations Alison, they are really lucky to have you in the team! And what a debut - love this canvas, so beautiful!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Marjie Kemper said...

Oooh, what a beautiful creation! Love how you opted not to do the 'standard' 9 squares. Just left some love over there for you. I'm so far behind I'll not catch up, so starting forward from here. Hugs!

Margaret said...

I have lost track of exactly how many favorites I have on your blog, but we can add another to the total! This is such an amazing piece and I love how the heart theme connects the otherwise unique beer mats, um... textured panels. I will argue at this point they hardly qualify as beverage coasters! The transformation of the wood and metal hearts are equally lovely!

Mary Elizabeth said...

What a great way to start your time as a Calico Craft DT member. Love all the textures and what a great way to use all those wonderful hearts we find in our stash :) I fell in love with the Light Buttermilk acrylic ... especially on the textured, crackled beer mats. And those filigree hearts look like corroded metal. Just brilliant :) -- Mary Elizabeth

Kezzy said...

Mega congrats, I love Calico Crafts, they always have lots of unique bits and bobs to buy. I really love your first piece for them, lots of gorgeous texture that you do so well :-) Kezzy xxx