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...

Monday 14 July 2014

Burlap Boys and Girls

Hello all!  Thanks so much for dropping in.  Life seems to get busier and busier round here... it's all good and all very exciting work-wise, but I think crafting and blogging may have to take a bit of a back seat for a couple of months.  I'll still be around, don't get me wrong - but I think a little less frequently for a while, probably.

For now, though, I'm really happy that I found the time to play along with number 6 of the Compendium of Curiosities III challenges, hosted by the lovely Linda Ledbetter and her wonderful Curiosity Crew.  I haven't managed to join in as often as I'd like, but this one just fitted in between other things, so here's what I came up with.


We're playing with the techniques on p.37 of the book this time.  I'm afraid you'll need a copy of your own to play along - I won't be going into details, so as to protect Tim's hard work.




I played with two of the small burlap canvases.

There's one with a girl, and one with a boy.

But I refuse to go down the pink/blue divide.  For starters, it's completely random and very recent.














The Victorians considered that blue was a gentle colour suitable for girls, and martial bold colours like pink and red were better suited to boys... so everyone can be blue at Words and Pictures - or pink come to that, but that's for another day!!







So the girl is based around a palette of Weathered Wood, Faded Jeans and a hint of Evergreen Bough.









And the boy has a combination of Faded Jeans, Peacock Feathers and Shabby Shutters.














I pretty much followed Tim's directions to the letter, except for right at the very end, when I added a little extra dusting of shimmer with some Treasure Gold in Pewter.











It's not part of of the basic technique, so I'll share some of my additional detailing...

The Alpha Parts have had a frosting of white Enamel Accents. 











And I altered the Muse Token with my chosen Distress Paints before sanding back to reveal the silvery metal underneath.















Over on the Boy Burlap, the number 3 (rhymes with "me" from the girl's side!) has had the DP treatment.












And the metal elements also benefited from the Pewter Treasure Gold, just to give them that extra burnished look.












Of course, nothing is complete around here without some words.

The boy is telling the girl to share her courage...











... while the girl is telling the boy to cherish his dreams.















Of course everything has to go off around the edges too... 













And you've got to have a butterfly somewhere, haven't you!






That's that for my chunky little burlap canvases.  Hope you enjoyed the quick tour.






Hop over to Linda's to see the always amazing inspiration from the Crew, and don't forget there are prize packages generously provided by Tim and Mario, and the sponsor for Challenge 6 is The Funkie Junkie Boutique (courtesy of the other lovely Linda... the Funkie Junkie herself) - what could be better?!













Thanks so much for stopping by.  As I say, things may be a bit quieter here for a while... but then again, I may end up doing lots of 2am crafting to avoid the withdrawal symptoms, so we'll see!  Happy Crafting all!


Nature makes boys and girls lovely to look upon so they can be tolerated until they acquire some sense.
William Lyon Phelps





I'd like to enter this in Challenge 6 at the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenges hosted by Linda Ledbetter
And it was the faces of the boy and the girl which started me off, so I'd also like to play along with About A Face at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

66 comments:

brenda said...

As always stunning examples of your creativity Alison.

B x

froebelsternchen said...

they are utterly beautiful dear Alison... masterly!

Helen said...

Stunning panels! Shame we won't see so much of you, but we'll savour what we have...

sam21ski said...

Pink / Blue divide is defo a bad idea, glad you stuck to what you did, they look fabulous

Sam xxx

Nikki Acton said...

Oh so wonderful - amazing details and so very 'Alison'. Nikki xx

Amanda said...

2 brilliantly collaged panels, love the boy girl theme. Work sounds exciting?
Love
Amanda x

Almo said...

Beautiful altered panels Alison, I like the consistancy of the blue on both too. Mo x

Anneke said...

This is amazing. I loved my journey down your blogpost.
I really love the look of your canvas and all the detailing.
Thanks for inspiring me Anneke.

Claudine said...

Beautiful!!

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Absolutely gorgeous Alison,these are very you!

Hugs
Donna xx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Lovely little canvases. And I'm glad you didn't go blue and pink. That's so trite. Your soothing blues are much better. I caught the "me" and the "3." I'm not usually that on top of things but sometimes I am!

Jenny Marples said...

Two gorgeous canvases and a fabulous choice of colours and ephemera. Love the way a story can always be created from your pieces. I'm so glad to here things with work are really good now and wish you luck with all that juggling. Jenny x

Meggymay said...

Two fabulous panels. Love the details you added and the story they tell.
Yvonne

Anonymous said...

I love the blue! I too don't divide into pink for girls and blue for boys - my newborn son has been wearing his sisters pink onesie, and it looked good on him too ;).
Take your time and focus on the important things in life. That is crafting, right? ;) Let's call it "creating" - then it can be either.
There's lots of elaborate posts and beautiful projects for us to read again, (maybe I'll get time to actually read all the "missed" posts instead of only looking at the images and reading an occasional post!).
Your rss feed is still working, so posts - many or few, will be delivered to my inbox.

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Both pieces are fantastic, great look.

Redanne said...

I am very happy for you Alison, but not for us! Your canvases are beautiful in blue, your embellishments are always so thoughtfully placed and the treasure gold gives a lovely little lift here and there. Beautiful work, as always! Anne xx

Juliz Design Post said...

Love love love these and your story of inspiration with colour.
Julie x

www.deeadamsart.blogspot.co.uk said...

Wow really like this piece love the way the colour has come out on the burlap. Dee x

Paper Profusion said...

Something you just managed "to fit in"!! For heavens sake girl, they are fabulous! Love all the shades and their subtle sheens and glimmers. Bet these are amazing in the hand with all those tactile surfaces. Glad all sounds so happily engaging workwise. We'll still be here if you need to take some leave! Will miss you tho'. Nicola x

Ink Art Designs said...

Hi Alison. I think the blues look so beautiful on both canvas's. So soft and gentle. The pics face each other and the words cross over so sweetly. ..like they are talking to each other. Just beautiful.
Dot x

rachel said...

amazing work Alison - fab panels xx

massofhair said...

Hope you enjoy whatever it is that takes you away from crafting!

Stunning panels, exceptional & unique as always Alison:-) xxx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Lovely burlap panels Alison , I love that white ME lettering it really pops against the background. Great imagery and beautifully embellished too. Tracy x

Unknown said...

Fabulous & Fabulous, Alison!! You used the mini burlap panels, too :) And yes--you do need a butterfly!! I wish I had included one or two on my panels ;) And yes--things do need to go off on the sides, too :) Love these panels!! XOXO-Shari

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Beautiful canvases Alison, and a brilliant take on the colors!

chrissie said...

Very beautiful work on the canvasses Alison and a fabulous, fun quote today

Love Chrissie xx

Inkypinkycraft said...

Thes panels are as always gorgeous, love the details which you do so well. Wishing you happiness in your work and hoping you find some crafty time too x love trace x

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Beautiful burlap panel! Love the blues! Big hugs xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Fab pair of panels Alison and lovely tones of blue! Couldn't agree more on the pink/blue issue around boys and girls..... Good to hear work is busy in a good way!

craftytrog said...

Two spectacular compositions Alison! xxx

Gitte said...

Beautiful projects.

Etsuko said...

Amazing pair of panels. I was interested in the burlap panel but I was felt it's too rough. Now I changed mind when I have seen your panels. There are beautiful and delicate xx

Ruby Craft said...

So much beauty on such small panels. Perfectly matched set, love the blues and of course the butterfly.

Kay Wallace said...

You have created a beautiful pair of burlap art here, Alison! Love the combination of cloth, paper and metal!

Mona Pendleton said...

Beautiful canvases Alison! Great mix of embellishments and color!

Unknown said...

Hi Alison, I love these adorable little burlap panels... you have created magic with them... very nice...AS ALWAYS in ALL WAYS.... Love, Light and peace...Bonnie

Renee said...

Stunning panels! Love the blue.

Cocofolies said...

Happy to have finally managed tonight to read you post, and to view these two wonderful canvas in details... Great added details to the initial technique I guess, I love your play with the pewter Treasure gold and the distress paints on every element... and also your words of course, but knowing you that's just normal for you! :)
Thanks also for your lovely message yesterday, and yes, I saw that I win the Decoart blog hop!.. I'm so lucky!! But thanks a lot for telling me Alison as I could have missed the announcement indeed. Hugs, Coco xxx

Anonymous said...

Alison
I have sorely missed visiting you and your Blog.
How wonderful to create a feminine and matching masculine burlap panel which are equally appealing on so many levels.
I am so sorry I have not managed to visit you for what seems to be an absolute age. I am trying to spend half an hour this evening visiting as many friends as is possible within that time scale.
Alison, it is understandable that your Blog might be taking a backseat, it seems at times it is almost impossible to do all that we would like to do when it relates to our art, sometimes, something has to unfortunately give.
Wishes to you
Lynne

Anonymous said...

Wow! Both beautiful pieces of art. Your details are really awesome! I love the way you dragged the color onto the words!

Terry said...

I am in burlap heaven over here, Alison! Love how you made a pair and all the elements are of course, so perfectly combined! Love the blues! Hugs!

Unknown said...

Amazing canvases and I love all the Timmy embellishments :-) Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such lovely comments. Maddy x

cathylynn said...

Two fantastic canvas! Your special details are always outstanding. Please enjoy your time off and I'll miss you.
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Hettie said...

These are lovely Alison. I knew you would excel at this challenge.
Hugs
xx

Michelle said...

I never knew that I needed treasure gold in pewter....until I saw these. Gorgeous! I love the pewter with the weathered wood. Fabulous combination! Your attention to detail is quite evident here. I love this mixed media piece. Beautiful work, Alison!

Cheryl Grigsby said...

These are just awesome. I want to know more about the story! I really, really, like your color choices.

Anonymous said...

They are wonderful.

Brenda Brown said...

Love your his and hers versions of the panels. Great designs and elements. Glad your busy life is all good, take care xxx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Good luck on whatever new irons you have in the fire. We will all be here when you are able to get back to crafting! LOVE your burlap canvases! I love the boy and girl equally, and these would look great hanging in children's rooms! Thanks so much for playing along on our burlap canvas challenge at CC3Challenge!!!

Sue said...

Absolutely gorgeous Alison as always, I hope 'real life' continues to be good :-) xx

Unknown said...

I agree about the boy/girl thing too Alison. Your canvases are fabulous and I always love how you incorporate details on your projects. Good luck with work endeavors and we'll all be here when you get back to crafting. xx

Julia Aston said...

Two lovely burlap panels in blue (!) Alison! I enjoyed your stories and quotes as much as your creativity on this wonderful post!

Gio said...

These are both amazing, Alison! Love the quotes and the details that give the masculine and feminine sides to the canvasses.

Emma Williams said...

Two gorgeous canvases and as always such wonderful work, Alison. Thank you for sharing your stunning projects and for joining us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog. x

Anonymous said...

SO gorgeous as always!!! Thanks so much for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! - Ashli :)

Anna-Karin said...

This is so pretty Alison! Love the blue and the gorgeous images you used. Thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Alison, sorry it took so long for me to get here, I had 2 BD this week, it's been crazy.. Well I don't know how you do it ALL, so you do need to relax a bit. BLUE sounds and looks grrrreat to me,both canvas are gorgeous and all the better with your special touched added to them, thanks for sharing as you do and just enjoy living in the moment...

Julia said...

I have some catching up to do with my comments, I have gone missing again for a while.
The burlap panels look good and nice to see them as a pair.
Julia

Annie said...

Your burlap panels are stunning Alison with fabulous colours and details. It's always hard to juggle work and crafting but impossible to do both. Take care

Annie x

Marjie Kemper said...

These sure are fabulous, Alison. Love all the soft blues and encouraging words, plus of course, the full to-the-sides finish!

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great Canvas, Alison, I love the beautiful elements on it , the background is very beautiful too!!

Greetings
Maria

barbarayaya62 said...

Alison great great works as always!
I looked at all the work before and after this, and they are absolutely fantastic! Your latest "production", this is definitely my favorite! I love the colors, the photos, the design of your burlap panels! BArbarayaya

Nan G said...

Love these. Sorry I'm so late visiting...I've been busy making books for charms. ;)

Mrs.B said...

As you can see, I'm on a catch up again!
These two panels are so beautiful, so many details and finishes. Although, the same colour, it's lovely to see a masculine and a feminine.
Avril xx

Mary Elizabeth said...

Wow!!! Such a great take on this technique. Love your colors Alison and how you outlined your lovely elements. Of course you couldn't leave those edges unadorned ... I completely understand. So marvelous! Love it. -- Mary Elizabeth

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow absolutely awesome canvas panels. I really love the boy and girl, and I definitely think blue is fab for a girl. I love the added treasure gold and the painted 3 looks amazing. Hope everything is ok, it really sounds like your so busy. And at the end of the day, art is supposed to be fun, therapeutic and a great healer, if it becomes to the point that you get stressed about it and the time you have, then having a small break is good, we all understand, I reckon we all have been there lol. Kezzy :-) xxxxx