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 19 September 2014

Autumn Colours




Hello all!

Apologies for my complete disappearance - it's such a relief to be back.

My laptop collapsed on me and had to go away for repairs...  I'm afraid I missed a Calico date, but hope to fit that in some time soon - and now I'm back just in time for the new challenge at A Vintage Journey.

The fabulous Astrid is our host this fortnight and she's looking for The Colours of Autumn in your projects - with, of course, the usual requirement for a strong Tim influence.

You can find lots of beautiful inspiration from my team-mates over at A Vintage Journey, as well as all the challenge details and rules.

Here's my offering for you - a crackly tag full of glowing autumnal colours and the crunch of leaves underfoot.







I started with repeated stampings of one of Tim's Falling Leaves stamps in lots of different colours of Archival ink - Sepia, Sienna and Orange Blossom - as well as some clear embossed stampings.
















I inked over and around the leaves with Distress Inks - Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs and Walnut Stain - before coating the whole thing with Rock Candy Crackle Paint. 











The clear embossed leaves are still nice and present, but the colour versions have almost disappeared - shadowy echoes remain, like layers of leaf mulch under the surface.











For my background tag, I used some of the same Distress Ink colours and the fabulous Shatter stencil - here playing the role of cobwebs.














I layered the two together and added some metal accents.  I love the effect of the cobwebs peeking out around the edges of the crackle.










The clock measures those days ticking away, revealing your true colours as you head towards the autumn of your life.





Both the Idea-ology pieces and the metal skeleton leaves had a slight burnishing of Copper Treasure Gold for an added glow.













I found the quote online, and it seemed perfect!  I stamped the words onto one of my tea/coffee dyed tags, then cut them out and arranged them amongst the leaves.




There's no attribution - it seems to be by the very prolific Anonymous.

I'm already finding it hard to hide my true colours, and I think I could probably still claim high summer... it doesn't bode well!












The topping is some dyed crinkle ribbon, the same Distress colours again, and tied with some rustic raffia.









So those are my autumn colours.  I hope you like them...  Do hop over to A Vintage Journey for more inspiration, and I hope we'll see your Colours of Autumn this fortnight.


Thanks so much for stopping by.  Now that my precious laptop is back safe and sound I hope to do some catching up with you all in Craftyblogland soon.  I've missed you all!

I am having a great time in New York.  There's not much time for anything outside of work, but luckily I love my work too!!  If you're dying of curiosity, how about a taster of where I'm working: Theatre for a New Audience.  Tamburlaine is my show...  We rehearsed at the theatre for the first couple of weeks, but we're now in a rehearsal space right on Washington Square - lots of literary associations, and a fabulous Blick Art Supplies store right around the corner!

Don't you love New York in the fall?  It makes me want to buy school supplies.  I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.
Nora Ephron

53 comments:

massofhair said...

I love your 'mulch' comparison, sums up to me how you feel connected to Nature at all times...

Stunning tag, love the stencil and the crackle looks amazing. Glad your computer is repaired and you can keep in touch again.

Am so glad you are happy and enjoying your NY Adventure, especially when you have a Dick Blick's store so close by!

:-) xxx

Marci said...

Great fall leaves and embossing!

Nan G said...

Fabulous autumnal colors! Love your clear embossing and lots of rock candy. Good to hear your enjoying NY and that the laptop is repaired. Not much happening at froggydesigns as we're packing up to move. Hugs

froebelsternchen said...

Oh wow.. amazing Alison! Great to hear that you enjoy NY!
xxx
Susi

chrissie said...

So wonderful to see you back again Alison. The tag is stunning with all the rich colours and texture

Take care and enjoy what you are doing-sounds like that is what you are doing right now

Love Chrissie xx

Helen said...

What a beautiful tag, Alison - always love your autumnal colours! Glad you got your lappy fixed - I'd just assumed you were too busy, so it's lovely to have you back. Glad the work is going well too; it sounds fabulous.

Dagmar said...

So beautiful- i love your indian summer feeling! Hugs Dagmar

Sue said...

This is a beautiful tag Alison, full of lovely colours and textures. I love the shattered mask, it may have to go on my never ending wish list. I could have done without reading your quote though as I'm feeling my age today lol xx

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is beautiful, Alison. Would love to hear more about new York! Will follow the link,

Lucy x

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful double tag Alison! The backgrounds on both are beautifully done, great colours and a lovely Indian Summer feel to it all. Good to have you back!

Deborah said...

A really different take on the Autumn theme -and I love it!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

It all compares so well, great saying, great tag Alison!
Good luck with your laptop!
greetings, Alie

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Beautiful tag Alison! The background looks lush and the sentiment is so true! xx

Jenny Marples said...

As ever your play on colour and texture brings with it an elegant tag which captures the spirit of autumn. So glad you could join us and that your tech is restored. I'm going to hop over and see what you've been up to now - intriguing! Jenny x

Unknown said...

Lovely tag and thoughts with this Allison... Love it all... your layers are wonderful... Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

Brenda Brown said...

Wonderfully rich autumnal colours and layers Alison and a lovely quote. So glad your laptop is back in operation.
hugs Brenda xxx

Shirley said...

Glad to have you back Alison with such an ever amazing quote. Autumn has so many rich and opulent colours and your choice on this double tag is gorgeous.

Who would think that not having internet connection or to be without a PC could cause such chaos in our lives.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Redanne said...

So lovely to have you back Alison and what a great piece to come back with! I love the gorgeous Autumnal colours and the wonderful textures you have created.

I am so pleased you are enjoying yourself, I am off to see what you have been up to now, thanks for sharing the link! Anne xx

Cestina said...

Welcome back! Kde jsou houby? Apart from that a wonderful evocation of my favourite season....

And the quote is brilliant xx

(I hope this hasn't posted three times...)

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Yay Alison's back :) wonderful tag,beautifully captures autumn in all it's colourful glory

Big hugs
Donna xxx

Dorthe said...

A stunning tag dear Alison, the colours so perfect for fall, and the cobweb too, as we see them more often now in late summer. Beautiful qoute, and so right, and I love the clear embossed fantastic piece with leaves and qoute.
Hugs,Dorthe

cathylynn said...

Welcome Back Alison!! Your tag is amazing as well as those autumn colors and textures. Your NY trip sounds totally marvelous. Glad your laptop is back in working order. What did we do before our computers arrived on the scene???
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Lisa Minckler said...

I've just returned from my restful reprieve to find your blog just bursting with eye candy delights! The Autumn creations you're beginning to show are SENSATIONAL. I come alive in this weather and just LOVE seeing all the wonderful makes. Absolutely love your Fall rendition tag as well as all the several pieces I've missed while away.
Glad to hear your computer is working with you again. I look forward to having you blow my mind in the future too. Missed you so much and still enjoying your sensational tag you sent me.
Big hugs to you,
Lisa x

Kirsten said...

That is a gorgeous creation. I'm glad you're still enjoying your NYC adventure.

Annie said...

Stunning tag Alison. Love the techniques and colours . It's great to hear that it's going so well for you and it looks like you had a wonderful time with Marjie. Glad you managed to get your laptop repaired.

Huge hugs and best wishes
Annie x

Netty said...

wow you are having a fab adventure Alison and such an honour to bring Shakespeare to NY.

Love the tag, hope you manage to get some photos of Shakespeare in NY for us to see. Annette x

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

S@ndy Diller said...

I love the entire thing with all the fantastic techniques and color. The quote really brings it together is the nicest way.

Chrissy said...

Gosh! this is gorgeous Alison..love the cob web pattern and the Autmn colours just made me drool..beautiful.

luv CHRISSYxx

Juliz Design Post said...

Sounds like you had a fabulous time in New York. Loving the technique used with your leaf stamp, great tag.
Julie x

Cocofolies said...

Great to read you again with good news! I love your quote, absolutely perfect for this gorgeous autumnal tag, so lovely. :) I will follow the link Alison, despite I'm myself so busy in that period of time.. but I understand that you are very proud of what you do, and to share that with us really deserves the visit! Hugs, Coco xxx

Cocofolies said...

Wow, the theater and the show look fantastic!!!! I love classical theater, I would love being in New York during the show event! (though maybe I would not understand any word lol). xxx

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous autumnal tag, love the textures and colours.
Yvonne

Anonymous said...

Again a lovely project, it's always a treat to see what you made.
Sorry about your laptop! I don't dare to think what I would do if my pc crashes. Be very sad probably, and muddle on on the old laptop.
I made a lot of blogposts lately, don't bother reading them all, it's undoable. I've been absent for a while (longer, though) and if I look at the rss feeds in my mailbox I have 2400 unread posts about papercrafting. (I don't count in Craftgawker as that is on it's own 2400 posts, but I don't check it regularly). I should mark some as read or delete them, but I just can't, I keep thinking I'll browse through it and just gawk at the images and move on. But then the craftingfever starts due to too much inspiration I see, and I am off crafting.
Hope your unread posts list isn't as long, or that you have no problems marking them all as read!

Debbie / Daqa.

Terry said...

Lovely colours of Autumn, Alison. The layers and texture with all the embellishments are gorgeous! Loved the picture of Marjie and you in NY! What fun!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

LOVE that you are in NYC!!! Have fun!!! Gorgeous tag! Love the crackled little tag...just gorgeous fall color too!

Evelyn Walter said...

Great double tag, dear Alison! Love the colours and the use of the leaf stamps on the top tag, which are shining through!
Great, that you enjoy your time in NY :)
Hugs
Evelyn

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

so Fun and I love your colors!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A fabulous tag in great colors and with wonderful texture.

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Alison, I have missed you but am so excited your have a great time in New York, computer problems are a nightmare for us bloggers, glad yours is back on track. Now your tag is gloriosssss,I just want to run my claws all over it, loooooove the background tag, the metal embellishments are fabulous and always the perfect topping, it look glorious shining in the sunshine, so glad your back posting, hope you have a wonderful week, ((( HUGE HUG )))..

Jools Robertson said...

Love that sooooo rich autumal background of luscious leaves and amazing crackle!
Contrasts so beautifully with the cobweb effect
Beautiful!

Jools x

Jennie Atkinson said...

Fabulous double tag Alison - the background is just stunning and such wonderful embellishments. Love the quote too!!

Sorry for the late visit - an away weekend with hardly any Wifi x

SiódmyAnioł said...

Piękny! Cudne i ciepłe jesienne kolory! Świetne spękania!

Hettie said...

Oooo! I do love Autumn and I Love Love LOVE this tag Alison. All the elements and hints of the season with this.
Hugs
xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Fabulous tag - as ever! Love your double layer tags with two fantastic backgrounds. Those leaves look amazing glistening away! The clock showing the passing of time - genius! Then you go and add those words! Thanks Alison! Now I know theres no chance for me- I'l just have to hope I don't get found out!! Glad you are enjoying your time in NY - enjoying your job is one of the most important things! Big hugs, Chrisxx

Mrs.B said...

So pleased to read that you are having a wonderful, although busy, time Alison.
Love this Autumnal tag, colours and texture look stunning. Fabulous quote too.
Avril xx

barbarayaya62 said...

In this period are always late with the comments! Wonderful work as always, I love to see how you use the metal embellishments! Gorgeous!BArbarayaya

Unknown said...

OH, Alison, I can commiserate with you about a 'downed' laptop!! But, take those breaks when you can ;) :)
Lovely layered tag, Alison! Love the little tag with all of the crackling :) Love those metal skeleton leaves, too!! A beautiful & rich Autumn tag to warm those chilled cockles!! XOXO-Shari T.

Cathy L. Calamas said...

So glad you are loving NY, it's a fabulous city. Of course, loving your tag. The rock candy crackle is fab.The sentiment is so true and really speaks to me today. Blessings!!

sarascloset said...

Your tag is stunning; love all that crackle and the quote is perfect. Love the contrast between the natural items and the metallic!

Maggie said...

Gorgeous Autumn tag Alison I adore the colours of Autumn

MaggieH

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow wowser to the super gorgeous autumn tag with all the awesome embossing and stamping AND a mega WOW to the theatre, it must be amazing to work on a show in such a gorgeous grand theatre. I used to do alot of theatre work (acting) and wow to just stand in this theatre must be priceless. Happy Creating :-) Kezzy xxx

Sandy said...

I am definitely in the autumn of my life. I only hope my colors are half as beautiful as your make! Beautiful!!

Hettie said...

You are not going to believe this but I have just heard Tom Hanks uttering the words in your quote not 5 minutes ago. Yes, I am watching You Got Mail! LOL!
As for your tag, it is stunning. I love both of them as individuals but together they are a team and work together so well.
Hugs
xx
PS I will be picking your brain for tips on NY ready for a future trip I am planning!
xx