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 18 February 2014

Big Bird, Little Bird





Hello all... Thank you so much for all the amazing feedback on the new PaperArtsy stamps.


There was certainly something for everyone amongst all the new goodies they've released.  I was so lucky to get two contrasting sets of stamps to work with, creating sample projects both for Darcy's new Eclectica designs and for Lynne Perrella's new stamps.


I promised at the time that I would share some of the creations in more detail over the coming days and weeks, and I'm here to pay up on the first part of that promise.  So here's a pair of avian projects... one ATC and one tag, each unique!


This flamboyant flamingo, from EDY05, demanded a flamboyant treatment!










I started with a Fresco paint/crackle glaze background, Nougat over a Baltic Blue undercoat.

I used paper towel to wipe the top coat away before it was dry in some places, so as to get larger smudges of blue coming through.











I used the fabulous flourish border from the same set to add detail at the top of the tag, and to give him something to stand on at the bottom!













Big Bird himself is stamped in Coffee Archival and clear embossed so that he'd hold his own against whatever I decided to do next.

Most of the tinting is done with washes of Fresco paint - Baltic Blue and Pea Coat (the old translucent version) - and then I added the caramel colours and the shading within the blue panels using Copics markers.








I wanted to add some metalware to accentuate all those cogs and gears amongst the panels making up his body.

So there's a mini Idea-ology cog, an Artemio brad, and then Idea-ology long fasteners and mini-fasteners dotted around the place.  They've all had a little touch of Treasure Gold White Fire.













Purely from not wanting to use up all my mini-fasteners, I looked around for another way to create dimension, and came up with a bottle of Liquid Pearl which I bought in a sale out of curiosity, but had only used once so far.

Very happy with the results...







I have some metallic twine that doesn't get to come out and play very often, but which was perfect to give my flamboyant flamingo the finish he deserved.

It's tied up with paper string, and the whole tag was mounted on kraft card, partly to give it more stability on its travels, but also for the nice finishing border it gives.

And there's a bit of White Fire Treasure Gold for added glamour!







The little bird (EM02) is so pleased with himself, bowling along on his little wheels.

I began with the same crackle background as for the flamingo, inking the edges with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink.

The bird himself is stamped in Cobalt Archival, and then clear embossed for extra definition.




















I stamped him again on tissue paper and cut it out to use as a mask while I stamped the bubbly texture from one of the large sets (EDY06) "behind" him, to echo his effervescent confidence.

I coloured the bubbles with Chipped Sapphire Distress Marker, giving it a soft look, so as not to detract from the bird himself.

I used Dylusions sprays to colour him, spritzing them onto the craft mat and using a water brush to apply them.  I love how you get to see the crackle through the translucent ink.










And the sentiment is stamped in Cobalt on a Dylusion'd bit of card, and mounted on padded tape to give just that little pop of dimension.

It's the same quote on both makes - a sentiment I'm fully behind... it is by being your own unique self, rather than trying to be anything else, that you are beautiful.










More Darcy project details soon, and Lynne Perrella ones to come too... but for now, if you prefer a more vintage look, there's another chance to catch Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer over at Artistic Outpost today!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I've a busy Shakespeare week this week (proper work!), but there are some posts planned.  I may have to save up my blog-visiting for the weekend though...

See you soon!





Some birds are not meant to be caged, that's all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild. So you let them go, or when you open the cage to feed them they somehow fly out past you. And the part of you that knows it was wrong to imprison them in the first place rejoices, but still, the place where you live is that much more drab and empty for their departure.
Stephen King

With the double whammy on those four important little words, I'd like to enter this in the Show It With Words theme over at the Inspiration Journal.

56 comments:

Inkypinkycraft said...

love the metal pieces you have added to your mechanical bird! how fab, these may not be your style but you certainly rose to the challenge x trace x

Helen said...

I love Big Bird!! Great treatment for him, so far I've only really seen him done bright, he looks just great like this too! Oh, my wallet....

Brenda Brown said...

Superb makes Alison, lots of quirkiness and detail. The PA stand looks amazing xx

Clare Lloyd said...

Wonderful makes.

Annie said...

great Steampunk flamingo alison. wondERFUL CrackLE and i adore the colours too. Your sweet little bird is stunning too. TFS
hugs annie x

Dagmar said...

Oh wow- i live your birds <3 So fantastic - great - wonderfull!!!!!! I don't have words how much i like them!!! hugs, Dagmar.

chrissie said...

Fantastic works of art with a great message.

Have a terrific week in your proper job Alison-I bet you meet some unique and beautiful people doing that.

Love Chrissie x

rachel said...

wonderful - love the birds - little bird has to be my fave! Thanks for the inspiration x

Rita said...

Fabulous crackle Alison, but that bird looks so magnificent. What a Fabulous tag. Hugs Rita xxx

Cocofolies said...

I'm totally in love with your flamboyant flamingo!!!!! But the ATC is also so cute!..:) You did a wonderful work with Darcy's stamps Alison, she and all the team of PA can be proud to have entrusted you with the task to value them, given the result. And the last tag at Artistic Outpost makes me dream of faraway lands and voyages indeed... Lovely tag! Hugs, Coco xxx

Lucy Edmondson said...

Oh wow Alison your flamingo is amazing, I can't believe what you have achieved mainly with paint, it looks so textural. Bet Darcy will love what you have done,

Lucy x

Deborah said...

Just love how you used the mini paper fasteners at his joints - inspired!

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Ohh my! what happened to you, Alison? why are you making stunning projects? :) just kidding !
Visited all last 5 posts which I wanted to read in detail.. and just one word, I can say you are so 'talented'..love all of them with their making techniques and stamps! keep inspiring us dear!

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Alison, I have been waiting for these ones,loooove how you did the crackle,your flamingo is gorgeous and ever so UNIQUE, you have created him BRILLIANTLY,I'd like to touch him, and your right that metallic twine is perfect for the tag. Now what you did with that sweet bird is FANTASTIC, love the background an its so fabulous you can see the crackle on him, I absolutely adore them both , thanks for sharing I hope you have a wonderful day, I'm going over to see your wonderful other tag, we'll see you when you can, ((( BIG HUGS )))

Candy C said...

Alison....STOP!!! Your work is always soooo extremely GREAT! I don't know HOW you come up with so many unique idea and then get them all DONE!! These tags are just so much fun! <3 Candy

Hettie said...

I love both of these Alison. They are both gorgeous and brighten my day today.
Hugs
xx

Meggymay said...

Fantastic makes, these images are such fun.
Yvonne

Sandy said...

Big bird, big bird, what do you see? I see a strange bird staring at me. Little bird, little bird what do you see? I see a pretty green bird smiling at me!
Okay Alison, I find that my first thoughts are often my best and this is what I thought of right off the bat.
I bought some Lynne Perrella stamps and can't wait to get them.
You are one in a million Sugar!!
sandy xx

Carol Q said...

love the way you used Darcy's stamps Alison. The flamingo looks fabulous. with all that metal attached.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Oh my gosh! There is that crazy flamingo bird.... forget cyborg... he's a cybird! I think that was clever to substitute liquid pearl for mini brads. You get the same metallic look from it without the bulk and without using up all your brads.
The other little bird is so silly with his crazy legs. He looks so happy and he doesn't care what anyone things of legs.
Fabulous work as always!

massofhair said...

Big Bird and Emo look amazing on their distressed backgrounds. So many amazing little details, stunning ArT as always Alison :-) xxx

sally said...

The flamingo & the snail are my favourites among the new releases! Love this big bird tag :-)

Sally

Chrissy said...

I adore the Flamingo Alison..just stunning.I have sat a stared at him for ages and love every detail..

luv CHRISSYxx

Tincan Crafter said...

Alison the flamboyant flamingo is awesome, awesome, awesome - I am totally loving it and what you have done with these stamps - you always impress me so with your wonderful vision and style. Also thanks for stopping by mine today!

barbarayaya62 said...

FAntastic work! the flamingo is sensational!!! BArbarayaya

Heather said...

Awesome creations Alison, your flaming is stunning, a beautiful background and wonderful colour scheme - what fantastic elements!!!
Love the little bird with his wheels - such a haughty look. Again such gorgeous colours and background!!!
hugs
Heather xx

Paper Profusion said...

Brilliant work as always Alison. These tags are fantastic - especially love the metal work and pearly dots on the bird. Nicola x

Redanne said...

I am totally in love with flamboyant flamingo, he is just adorable (my DH's favourite bird too). He is so quirky and fun and I love the colours you have given him. You are such an inspiration. Anne xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Breathtaking - these are FANTASTIC projects. Love them all.

Netty said...

Terrific tags Alison you have shown some fab samples of the mechanical birds. Annette x

Astrid Maclean said...

Well, you certainly rose to the challenge. The metal additions to the mechanical bird finish it off to perfection!

Gio said...

WOOOW!!! Ok, the little bird-ATC is cute...but the tag is a-m-a-z-i-n-g!
That stamp is gorgeous but you added some magical details, it really catches the eye. Love love it!

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

My feeling Alison...no bird is meant to be caged. To confine the joy they have in flying is so wrong!
We love seeing them around and about and nothing lifts my heart like seeing the magnificent Wedgetail Eagles that soar overhead.
Now back to your crafty offerings.
Your mechanical bird is a very boffy fellow..prepared fr anything. Your attention to detail is outstanding and so inspiring.
Have a wonderful week.
Julie

Kjersti said...

You are amazing Alison - beautiful tags!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Marci said...

Both birds are fantastic. Great idea using the liquid pearls. The little bird does look pleased with himself, he must love the home you made for him. Great job! Love the quote, too.

pearshapedcrafting said...

What a brilliant idea to add all that metal! Love the colours of him and that fab crackle background shows him off beautifully! Little bird is also a star and stands out - as a real beauty should! Chrisx

Geraldine said...

Wow, I just love those stamps, they are so different. Love your tag and atc, the crackle background is a great base to showcase those stamps.

trisha too said...

Absolutely delightful, Alison!

:)

maj. said...

Oh, Alison...I really love this works!!!! They are simply stunning!!!!

SiódmyAnioł said...

Fantastic, very original work!

Mona Pendleton said...

Fantastic assortment of projects Alison! What fun birds! Love all the little hardware on the pelican and the crackled background!

Birscrea4fun said...

Fantastic tag you make beautiful things en de crackled background is wooow.
great from Birgit from the Nederlands

Unni A said...

I think I have to use the words you've used, Unique and Beautiful! :) Lovely colors and details. Amazing as always!
hugs, Unni

Jenny Marples said...

Such contrasts! Have to say my personal favourite is the first one but this just proves what a versatile designer you are. Jenny x

cathylynn said...

That flamingo by far is my most favorite! Love the colors and all those wonderful textures. Of course your other creations are outstanding too!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Kay Wallace said...

This is just remarkable work, Alison! I love all the metal. This is award winning! You should submit this to "Just Steampunk" for their next publishing! Mwah! KayW

Unknown said...

I first saw this on Pinterest and fell in love. What a fab bird Alison! The detail and steampunk add-ons are wonderful as well as the crackled background. :) Love the other projects too! Hugs, Lisa

mark gould said...

beautifully quirky, I love the first bird, for some reason it really put a smile on my face. Just found your website as well, it looks brilliant. xx

Kelly said...

I love the flamingo! What creativity you have with this cute bird. It is fun and gorgeous in color and style, just as the sentiment says. The bird is adorable and I love the bright colors you did with it. Just loving your work Alison!
Hugs Kelly

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous samples Alison, I LOVE the flamingo.

Lisa H said...

Those are so cool! I love that flamingo stamp especially. Thank you so much for joining in our challenge this month at Inspiration Journal! =)

Sue said...

These are brilliant Alison, I love all of Darcy's stamps, but flamingo has to be one of my favourites. Brilliant use of the metalwork on his body xx

Kate Yetter said...

I love how you used these stamps! A very unique take. The crackle background on the first tag is so rustic. Love it!!
I have been having problems leaving comments so I am playing catch up .

Sue from Oregon said...

Thanks so much for joining our Inspiration Emporium February Show It With Words Challenge!

Oh my, I had so much fun looking at all the grand details you added to your projects...such patience-and such wonderful creations!

♥ Sue Kment

hazel said...

Absolutely fabulous pieces.
xxx Hazel.

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow, both the tag and ATC are awesome. I love Darcy stamps, they are so funky. I love the crackle and how you have wiped some away, it makes a fab background. The bird is awesome, the little brads and the liquid pearls look fantastic. I never think to paint images with dylusions lol. Kezzy :-) xxx