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...

Friday 4 April 2014

Dare to dream...




Hello all.  Thanks so much for dropping in, and thank you for all the amazing feedback on my rusty rosy tags.  After that huge post, I'm really going to try to be quick today!

I've an Artistic Outpost tag to share with you, using my much loved little brother and sister from the Think and Wonder stamp plate.  

There's just something magical about the stamps on this plate for me.  This time, I've split the brother and sister up, but don't worry... they're still not far apart.

The background words are done with a stencil from Red Lead Paperworks.  I first met their stencils in the fabulous work of Claudia - a.k.a. Von Pappe II, and I succumbed immediately - but so far I don't think anything I've created while playing with them has made it as far as the blog.







I used a palette knife to smear Grunge Paste through the stencil onto an already painted tag, letting the words drift down diagonally.  At that point, I'd made no decisions about images or other words for the tag.












I suppose it was the alphabet in their own background which drew me to the brother and sister when it came to deciding on a stamp.  

It seems these decisions are made by the subconscious - and you only work out that there are good reasons later... happens to me all the time when I'm crafting!  












I realised they would just fit, but only if I stamped them individually.

The texture within the image is from the paint in the background.  You can see how I created the texture in my little Being A Boy tag.











I used various inks to tint the stencilled words, some Distress and some Archival, building up light and dark colour around and on the letters until I liked the effect.














The sentiment is from the Kudzu Kafe set, stamped in black and clear embossed, and then mounted on padded tape to make it stand proud.









And then because we're dealing in dreams, I thought the topping ought to be nice and ethereal... so I tied lots of gauzy ribbon into multiple bows and secured it with tiny staples using my TH Tiny Attacher.







That's me for today - see, I told you I was going to be quick (if you're new round here, believe me, this was quick!).  Don't miss the new challenge starting today at A Vintage Journey.  I'm not along for this leg of the journey, but my team-mates have created some really fabulous projects to inspire you.  Have a fabulous weekend everyone... I'm hoping to come visiting in Craftyblogland at some point, so I'll see you soon.

To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily.  Not to dare is to lose oneself.
Søren Kierkegaard

With the wonderful Artistic Outpost brother and sister, all that lettering, and the colours blue and brown, I think we can safely say there are A Few Of My Favourite Things involved here, so I'd like to enter this over at the Inspiration Journal, sponsored by the Inspiration Emporium.

63 comments:

Claudia N. said...

Yay, fabulous use of that Red Lead stencil, Alison!

These are so cool, aren't they? As I love letters I love your background - but I love even more how beautifully it works with the stamped brother and sister!

A lovely tag!

Claudia x

Rita said...

Beautiful tag Alison. I have just bought this stamp. Enjoy your weekend. Hugs Rita xxx

ElizabethR said...

That is gorgeous Alison, I love the stencilled words. Elizabeth xxx

Anneke said...

IT looks wonderful. Love THE color too. Thanks for showbink Anneke.
www.annekescardart.blogspot.com

Marci said...

I really like this tag! It just immediately appealed to me.

Ellie Knol said...

SO, SO lovely, I don't have to dream, it's here, all the beauty :)

massofhair said...

Beautiful vintage looking Tag Alison, always love what you create:-) xxx

Clare Lloyd said...

gorgeous tag.

Terry said...

Love that texture on the tag background! Alison, you have done it again with a beautiful tag and the AO girls are so happy there! Enjoy the weekend. Hugs!

Redanne said...

The background stenciling is beautiful and I love that you split the children up, they look just as good on their own. Great quote too. Anne xx

Annie said...

adore the stencilled background Alison and they are such sweet kids. lovely colour combo and sentiment

Have a great weekend and thanks for your comment on my blog

Hugs Annie x

Fliss said...

Really gorgeous tag Alison. Fab textured background and fabulous stamping.
Fliss xx

House of Bears said...

Yet another stunning tag from you. We have grunge paste but always end up using the heavier based paste for some reason. Time to dig in the cupboards...

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh fabulous!!! Those letters are so yummy and make a stunning background to the rest of the tag. Love that brother and sister pair and the colours are right up my street! I now "need" that stencil.....

Willy said...

Beautiful tag, love the soft colors and the great text!

Corrie Herriman said...

That grunge paste and stencil really created a very cool background. Very lovely tag !
Corrie x

Princess Judy Palmer said...

That was a quick post! Good thing too as I haven't been round to visit in far too long.

Love the stenciled words in the background. They are so bold yet don't overwhelm. Great job!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Hi Alison! I adore the stencil in the background and I love love how you have used the AO image. Gorgeous colours too. Enjoy your weekend. Tracy x

Anonymous said...

The stencil works so fabulously well with that stamp.
Redlead are amazing, I don't own any of their stencils, only some of their beautiful stamps.
Wishes
Lynne

Juliz Design Post said...

This is stunning Alison. Loving your mix of texture and inks.
Julie x

Meggymay said...

Stunning tag and great textures. We should all have dreams.
Yvonne

rachel said...

a wonderful tag - those letters are fab and I love the images too xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

A beautiful tag Alison, I love the texture and the colours and that dreamy topping fits perfectly! Chrisx

Amanda said...

Love that stencil!! And how you have used it is fab!! Great tag Alison (as always)
Love
Amanda x

barbarayaya62 said...

The background is fantastic! Lovely tag! As always great words and great stamping! BArbarayaya

Debi said...

love this !!!!! love those background letters and the colours, Debi xx

brenda said...

Up and running again, a week with no computer is the worse, so reliant are we it seems.

Such a lovely piece Alison, hope you have a great weekend.

B x

maj. said...

Very beautiful and delightful tag!!!

Candy C said...

Alison....such a gorgeous tag! I love everything about it! Hugs, Candy

May said...

Gorgeous tag Alison, Love the stencil & great images... the colours are perfect....Hugs May x x

Dorthe said...

Gorgeous background, and stenciled words,-the colours are wonderful. and the two children leaving the tag on each their own direction, illustrates the qoute perfectly dear Alison!
Hugs,Dorthe

craftytrog said...

What a fabulous background...not heard of those stencils before.
Your tag is beautiful Alison!
Alison xxx

Jenny Marples said...

A beautiful blend of stencilling and stamping techniques Alison. Jenny x

Ellen said...

Gorgeous Tag, love it!

Greetings,
Ellen

cathylynn said...

Another beauty Alison. Great stamps, textures and colors. All very lovely!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Netty said...

Love the beautiful tag Alison and thats a fab word stencil, so need this..... Enjoy the weekend, Annette x


http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Anonymous said...

Fantastic tag, the background looks great.

Tincan Crafter said...

Alison, so sweet of you to come by my blog and leave so many lovely comments all over it. I have gone a bit stencil mad myself. I havent texture pasted it with it yet though, too bad I have a paper to write for work, I really want to have a go at it after looking at this post. The way I look at it - siblings should be kept apart but not too far apart. I miss my brother now so much, when we were kids we got into scrappy little fights all the time though when we spent too much time together. Loved the Kiekegaard quote.

Martina said...

Dear Alison, your work is always nothing less than stunning! This tag is no exception! SO BEAUTIFUL!

Margik said...

Really gorgeous tag! Love textures and stamps.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Love the delicate colour work and the texture of the text stencil, great combinations. Chris xxx

Tracy said...

Oh my...wow...Alison your work is always so compelling and inspiring! So sorry I have been such an absent blogger friend...I have a wk of work and playing catch up in cyberspace...but....I may not get around all the others ....I may stay here and....swoooooon!!! Thank you from the heart for all your support Alison, your sweet words mean a lot to me. Love and big hugs xxxxx

Lisa Somerville said...

Beautiful tag, Alison! Love all the added dimension on the stencil!

Helen said...

I don't know these stencils... but feel I may have to become acquainted! Love the tag, just catching up on some blogs now I'm home from Paris.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I love the placement of everything! The embossed words look fabulous, and the stamp choices too! Great looking tag!!!

Anke said...

WOW WOW WOW wonderful, so lovely. Absolutely stunning Alison, I love your tag.

Hugs
Anke

Mona Pendleton said...

Beautiful tag Alison! Love the textured background and sweet vintage images!

Brenda Brown said...

An utterly delightful tag Alison with a gorgeous colour palette and very impressive background - gotta go check out those stencils for sure. xx

Cocofolies said...

I love this tag wow, and definitely these stamps too (I haven't yet unfortunately), they are so beautiful! Hugs, Coco xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A beautiful tag in great color scheme.

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Alison, I have a few moments before I head back to the hospital, so I wanted to stop in for a quick visit, I looove the background I tried this technique and a works wonderfully,the blended colors are beautiful, I love the stamp with the sister and brother, and the stencil is perfect for you, your tag made my heart sing, I need that, thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day ((( BIG HUGS))), I'm out the door...

Kjersti said...

Love this tag! What a beautiful creation Alison, lots of great techniques, gorgeous colors and a great sentiment!
Been a long time since the last time I did visit here, you really have made some gorgeous projects lately! Love to visit your page, and I have so enjoyed the last minutes:) Thanks for sharing!
Have a nice week!
Hugs Kjersti:)

maria's knutselplezier said...

What can I say , what the others didn't say, It yust looks fantastic!!!great background great stamps, stunning results!! I love your tag!!

Greetings
Maria

Jools Robertson said...

Exquisite tag, loving the letters is the background such fabulous build up if colour
The little girl and boy are very poignant so beautiful

Jools x

sara j said...

More gorgeousness....I love the colors in this tag especially.

scrappymo! said...

Fabulous background Allison! Your work is always amazing and beautiful...this one is no exception!

Kasia said...

So beautiful! You have used great stamps here :)

sam21ski said...

Oh wow, love this, gorgeous background and great colours as usual

Sam xxx

Gio said...

Amazing tag, Alison, love especially the background it looks like it's embossed, marvellous!

Have a great time to the Doll's House museum, I hope you'll find time to spare some photos with us from there!

Marjie Kemper said...

Fantastic! I do need to get some more grunge paste... you've confirmed that for me with this beauty.

Hettie said...

Beautiful Alison. Just beautiful.
Hugs
xx

Kate Yetter said...

So pretty! I absolutly love it!

Kezzy said...

Wow another stunning tag with an awesome background, I really do love how your backgrounds are always layered with lots of texture and colour. I love those images, stunning:-) Kezzy xxx