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 1 August 2014

Wonderful Words


Hello all!  Busy times - beginning of the month... this is the second post of the day already!  If you're looking for this month's Artistic Stamper creation, just click the link.  Oh, and there's also a new challenge starting at Our Creative Corner today, of course.  I'm afraid I haven't managed to join in with that one, but there's lots of inspiration from my fabulous team-mates.





But right now it's my turn to pick the theme over at Country View Challenges.  There are no prizes for guessing that I'm asking you to put words centre stage with some Word Play.

You can find all the challenge details and rules here - check them out to be in with a chance at the prize, generously sponsored by Country View Crafts - along with lots of wonderful inspiration from my fantastic team-mates.

My starter for ten is a simple tag with a great sentiment stamp at the heart of it.

I started by riffling through the pile of paper scraps on my craft table to find one of the extra tags I made when I was playing with the technique from Tim Holtz's June tag (I went with an autumnal look at the time, but created lots of extras as the inky playtime was such fun).









As I've mentioned, I'm a little pushed for time at the moment (busy with visa applications for a fantastically exciting day-job opportunity in New York!! - more of that another time), so I decided I would keep it simple.














I loved the starry background as it was, though I did add some Black Soot to the torn edge at the bottom...












... and the background tag was already gently inked and spritzed to complement it, but I intensified the black edging with a bit more inking.











I stamped the wonderful words in Versamark ink and embossed them with some fine detail black embossing powder.

As you know, I love that glossy dimensional sheen that draws the eye in the sunlight.










There's a topping of dyed crinkle ribbon, with curled paper string to fasten it.

And it really is as simple as that.  Keep an eye out though... I'll be sharing my second project for the month very very soon - and that's far from simple!!






Do hop over and see what the rest of the team have created to inspire you, and we hope you'll come and indulge in some Word Play with us this month at Country View Challenges.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'd love it if you have time to check out my project for the Anything Goes challenge at The Artistic Stamper while you're at it.  I'd hate it to get lost in the rush!!

Half an hour's meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy.  Then a full hour is needed.
Saint Francis de Sales
Oh, so true!!

Ingredients used, and available at Country View Crafts:
Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz - Random Quotes 
Ranger Distress Watercolour Paper
Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Stars
Distress Stains - Stormy Sky, Black Soot, Gathered Twigs, Pumice Stone, Chipped Sapphire
Distress Inks - Stormy Sky, Black Soot, Gathered Twigs, Vintage Photo, Chipped Sapphire
Idea-ology Crinkle Ribbon
Idea-ology Paper String - Solids
Versamark Watermark Stamp Pad
Ranger Embossing Powder - Super Fine Detail Black

37 comments:

massofhair said...

Sensational Tag! Beautiful colours, fab techniques and lovely word play, loving your simple...

Good luck with the day-job visa etc, hope it's a good adventure for you:-) xxx

Willy said...

Beautiful tag!!

Doreen said...

Love your tag, fab backing and words.xxx

chrissie said...

Such a beautiful tag which instantly brought a lump to my throat as I thought of Ewan McGregor singing the song in Moulin Rouge.

Sounds like your future looks to be taking you in new directions and I hope all goes well for you Alison.

Love Chrissie x

Deborah said...

Cool! Will see if I can come up with something.

Lucy Edmondson said...

Beautiful, Alison. I love those words. How exciting to work in new York!

Lucy x

Inkypinkycraft said...

gorgeous colours and a great way to show off those wonderful words x

cathylynn said...

Love it! Great colors.
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

House of Bears said...

What a gorgeous tag, sorry for the long hiatus in between visits. We're back and blogging now so shall be visiting more often.

Lisa Minckler said...

The entire DT crew just blew this project out of the water. Your creation is gorgeous as well. I'm really into that style of sign right now and this completely caught my eye.

Redanne said...

It may be simple, in your words, but it is also very beautiful and very striking Alison. Anne xx

rachel said...

oh how I love this stamp Alison - and your tag is gorgeous xx

Meggymay said...

Love the quote you used, its a beautiful tag.
Yvonne

Anonymous said...

A soothing colour palette and I have to say that although I don't actually like the song, I do like the words when used as a quote.
Lovely indeed.
Wishes
Lynne

Anonymous said...

Ooops I forgot to add - how exciting your life appears to be at the moment. I am wishing you well with your applications and will keep my fingers crossed for you :)
Wishes
Lynne

Nan G said...

Simply wonderful! NY wow! Come on over the weather's fine. :)

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Alison,
The Tag you have made for this challenge is gorgeous, I wish I could describe how it makes me feel to look at it; the monochromatic tones are stunning with the White accent adding the Wow, it really is a beautiful tag.
Smiles:)
Sue

Helen said...

I love the tag, the blues are just fabulous. Good luck with the visa application, it sounds an amazing opportunity and I look forward to hearing more.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tag Alison! Good luck with the new job sounds fantastic! Sue C x

Cocofolies said...

That's a very beautiful and delicate tag Alison, I love these unusual subtle grey shades!.. Miss time too much to see all however I'm sorry, I'm leaving tomorrow on holidays. But I will stay connected as much as possible to admire the following!! :) Take care... Hugs, Coco xx

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!

sam21ski said...

Oooh how fabulous is this tag, love it xx

Paper Profusion said...

Gorgeous hues and textures giving illusion of several more layers than there actually are. Great tag! So exciting to hear about NYC - they would love you over there - good luck with visa. Nicola x

May said...

Stunning tag Alison, I adore the blues.. & wonderful sentiment...Hugs May x x

Mrs.B said...

It may be simple, but it looks stunning.
Exciting news about New York, Good Luck - although they would be the lucky ones to have you.
Avril xx

Jenny Marples said...

So effective for keeping that sentiment centre stage Alison. Jenny x

Unknown said...

Wonderful Night time tag... love all the stars in the background...Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

Mona Pendleton said...

So very pretty Alison! That background looks fantastic!

Jackie PN said...

Alison,
I love the subtle colors of your tag and the quote is from one of my fav songs!
Now, You have me curious about the NY day job- looking forward to more....
xoxo

Pamellia said...

Just gorgeous! Love the colours and the background piece! The sentiment is wonderful! :)

Lys said...

I love this wonderful tag: colours are so shining, even the black! I love this blue... and obviously the sentiment.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

LOVE the purples! The sentiment is so striking on top! Gorgeous tag!

Kasia said...

Beautiful blue tag!

Kelly said...

Love the rich blues and textures in the background! if you go to New York and want to visit me further across the USA, I would love to have you!! There is so much you could teach me about crafting and I would show you some touristy sites, so much fun!!
Hugs Kelly

Sandy said...

Beautiful background and your sentiment puts a smile in one's heart.
Sandy xx

Marjie Kemper said...

Beautiful! Love this color combo and that fab stamp.

Kezzy said...

Wow wow absolutely fabulous tag, I really do love the technique with the stencil, so easy to do but amazing outcome. Gorgeous wording, I can't wait to play. Wow New York, a fantastic opportunity, as long as you take your art lol. Kezzy :-) xxx