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 30 January 2015

A Game of Two Halves

Hello all!  Here's a post I wasn't expecting to offer up... my take on Tim's January tag.  I really didn't think I'd be playing along this month.  Truth be told, it wasn't my favourite Tim tag ever - sorry! - but now I take it all back...  I had a great time with it.  I should have known better really - after all, the tag this month is all about the words.

And now I'm not only here but I have two versions!


It all happened because I was putting off planning the workshops I was supposed to be planning!





Suddenly I found myself at the craft table and when I tore off my tissue wrap the piece was big enough for two tags, so that's what I made.












I thought I'd play with my two favourite colour-ways - the vivid blue/greens I favour in Jan/Feb and my all-time top combination of brown and blue.  And suddenly I found myself on an altogether unexpected journey into the duality of my life.












(I pretty much followed Tim's tutorial to the letter, so you can't do better than find out from the man himself how it's all done.)












As many of you know, I'm incredibly fortunate to have a real-world job which means I get to be creative with words (not just any words, but most of the time the best words ever - written by William Shakespeare).









However, that work requires intense people-focussed energy; a strength, generosity and positivity on others' behalves; not to mention a lot of travel; and listening, listening, listening with all of yourself.













All well and good... it's work which is massively stimulating, very exciting, usually highly fulfilling - always learning, exploring, inventing and discovering.  You constantly work with new people - a fresh company of actors to play with each time.










On top of all that, I get to work with words I'm passionate about.  I get to share that passion and inspire others to be amazed, curious and excited about those words.

I know I'm extraordinarily lucky.










But...

There's the other part of me - probably the major component of me - which needs to close the door, turn the phone to silent and leave the world behind.











The part of me which finds solace in books and music and nature...

... and perhaps above all in silence.











It's one of the reasons this crafty pastime fits me so well.  When I'm at the craft table, engaged with the journey taking place on the mat in front of me, hours can go by without me noticing.










I love being in the moment - focussed, in a state of "flow".  I get to experience that at work too, but here I'm not offering that energy up to others.  It can circle round and refresh me.

I've worked out as I've got older that the quiet time is an absolute necessity to keep me on an even keel.  Without it, chaos is likely to ensue.










As long as I know there are quiet times coming up, I thrive on the busy-busy...  One of the reasons these tags got made is that the more I'm doing, the more I do.










But it's only because I know there are havens of peace on the horizon and that, once the doing is done, I can close the door and melt into the solitude.

That's more than I'm used to sharing... but these tags opened up an internal conversation and it seemed right to let that conversation continue here.







Obviously, if you've just been looking at the pretty pictures, that's perfectly fine by me!!



So big thanks go to Tim for an inspiration tag which took me on a completely unexpected journey - my favourite sort! - and thanks to you for your company on this longer creative journey.  It's a joy to share the travelling with you.




Without Contraries is no progression. Attraction and Repulsion, Energy and Reason, Love and Hate are necessary to human existence.
William Blake

I'd like to enter these as my version(s) of the January Tag in Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2015.
And I'd also like to add them as another Fresh Start over at the Inspiration Journal, sponsored by the Inspiration Emporium.

40 comments:

Helen said...

I always enjoy reading your words as much as I enjoy looking at the pretty - oh SO pretty - pictures!! I love the choice of your words on your tags too, which seem very apt for your written words alongside ( must have taken you a while to find them all!)
The finished results are stunning. Much as we always expect Tim's tags to, yours never fail! Hope you get some silent time soon! xx

Maggie said...

Gorgeous tags Alison as always loving the contrast in colours, thank you for popping in to my blog and your lovely comment.

MaggieH

Shirley said...

Never doubt yourself Aison especially when the challenge is words. x x Beautiful tag.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

chrissie said...

You certainly added more interest to the tags Alison. Love both of these. Great Blake quote today

Chrissie xxx

brenda said...

How on earth can one choose from these two beauties Alison - well I know we don't have to, but I do rather sway towards those wonderful greens and textures on both.

B x

Amanda said...

Where would we be without the escape that this wonderful hobby gives us? Fabulous makes of Tim's January tags and love how they mirror who you are.
Love
Amanda x

hazel said...

Two amazing tags Alison.
xxx Hazel.

Redanne said...

It is always a pleasure to hear about your creative journey Alison! I was with you, I was not sure about this tag, but it was so much fun doing it that I was completely converted too. Both of your tags are gorgeous, the colours are wonderful - Master Tim has certainly brought out the best in you! Anne xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

I enjoyed reading your words so much that I forgot to look at the pictures from about half way down your post!
Of course when I did go back to look at the pictures they meant so much more! I love both tags and I'm so pleased you found the quiet time you needed to make them. Long may you continue to balance your busy "real" life with the calm times you need for creating your lovely art! Hugs, Chrisx

Neet said...

Both are truly beautiful. So glad you made and enjoyed doing them. We enjoy seeing them.
Hugs, Neet xx

Ruth said...

Love reading your posts, of course both tags are just AMAZING, but I found myself thinking yes that's me...after so much active listening in the course of day, I adore being on my own, with my thoughts and just losing myself in a creative world. Enjoy your weekend Alison. Ruth x

Pamellia said...

Wonderful Alison! Two completely different takes on the same tag, each one unique and stunning in their own way! What a creative mind you have! hugs :)

Unknown said...

You did an awesome job! I love the color you used!

Jennie Atkinson said...

Love them both Alison - but the colours, softness and words of the blue/purple tag are just stunning ! I enjoyed the conversation too xxx

Jackie PN said...

lovely tags Alison, but I enjoyed your conversation more than anything- As I read, I felt like I was reading something Jane Austin might have wrote- I enjoyed it immensely! Thank you for sharing- xoxo

Kay Wallace said...

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do, and, just sometimes, you are glad that you did! I have been on Design Teams where the challenge didn't thrill me and I thought I was empty of all creativity. But, because of my commitment to the team, I pressed on. And, like you, when done, I was so grateful I had pressed on. Both these tags are beautiful, Alison. I love the both the detail and the pizzazz! Glad you pressed on!

Unknown said...

Two absolutely gorgeous tags, and beautiful takes on Tim's. The greeny one is really catching my eye xx

Marci said...

First, I like the quote. Then, I LOVE these tags!

experiments in paper said...

Alison, what an inspirational post, both visually and your inner conversation.....thank you for sharing this. And your tags are gorgeous! You are one talented lady in many ways - xx Lynn

sally said...

Alison you've excelled yourself...I cannot pick a favourite there is something in both that I love!

Sally

Rhonda said...

Very nice take on the tags. :o)

Dorthe said...

Dear Alison, that was a beautiful visit, behind your normally closed "door " , and a visit where I constantly nodded inside my head, as my understanding and feelings are so close to what you write ,here. I can talk and listen for hours, but then my whole me needs the piece and quiet ,meaning, me alone in my room,- just creating !!!
Your tags are so beautiful, especially the blue/brown one ,with the shine and light of that blue, is amazing.
Have a lovely weekend ,Alison.
Hugs,Dorthe

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

You crack me up! I'm so glad you did it, and make it your own...TWICE!!! Awesome takes!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Both tags look so great Alison...your eye for detail is amazing!
Have a great weekend, Alie :-)

sam21ski said...

What a brilliant idea - love them both, so much to see xxx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Well. Who knew one tag could say so much? Okay, two tags. I love seeing your Tim masterpieces and hearing the personal journey each one took you on.

Lisa H said...

Your tags are lovely!!! I thrive on peace and quiet times too but they aren't around too often with 2 boys in the house! Someday… ;-) Thanks for joining us at Inspiration Journal this month.

craftytrog said...

They are both equally gorgeous Alison! xox

Kirsten said...

I love reading your words just as much as I love looking at your creations. I'm another who needs a LOT of alone time, so I can absolutely relate. Both tags are stunning .

Candy C said...

Alison...I love your tags. They are, as always, beautifully done. But even more, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post and can find myself in it on so many levels. You are totally right...there is just something about crafting where you can totally lose yourself in the creative process. That is so evident in your art. It is a reflection of yourself and it is always thought provoking and beautiful.

Julia said...

Beautiful things! I had intended to have a go at the January Tim tag myself but got no further than the tissue background. Your lovely tags have inspired me to think about the tag again although January is almost done, never mind. So many things I want to do, so little time!

Unknown said...

Lovely tags, Alison and lovely thoughts and insight about yourself as well :) With all of the chaos that's swirling about in life, the solitude and focus found at our craft tables is something strictly for ourselves, for our creative souls. Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of yourself in each of your creations, Alison! I just love you!!! :) XOXO-Shari

Unknown said...

Oh Yeah--BTW...I call these tags as WINNERS!! I'm calling it now!! I've got a knack for predicting winners, you know ;) :) XOXO-Shari

Terry said...

I think it is funny how there are those times we think we won't enjoy something or it is not our cup of tea and then it just all turns around! Alison, your double Tim tags are wonderful and I love your take on them and so glad you kept on going! Hugs!

massofhair said...

Two beautiful Tags, the blue green one relating to your busy work life and the blue brown one referring to your need for solace and peace. Definitely Yin and Yang being balanced within your own time and space. Great read as always but i do enjoy the undertones and subtleties of your Tags, brilliant post :-) xxx

Julie Lee said...

I missed these earlier, so sorry because they are beautiful! I love the colours and the words and the textures. A fabulous blog post both to read and to look at! xx

Jenny Marples said...

Such clever versions - glad you went for it in the end! Jenny x

Cocofolies said...

Two fantastic tags Alison, I especially love the right one on your photo!!!! Coco xx

Kezzy said...

Wow really loving both tags, the looks awesome. I love the colours, but of course these are always the ones you always make look amazing. I love the fact it took you on a thoughtful journey, which sometimes is the best thing about art. Happy Art :-) Kezzy xxx

Mary Elizabeth said...

Having met you in person in the "real-word job" and following along on your journey here at Words and Pictures, I can totally see you in these two tags. I remember thinking the same thing about Tim's January tag; but after meandering through this post with you, I can see how you ended up with two tags. (Although I must admit, you had me in fits of giggles at your confession in the first paragraph). The two halves keep you balanced. Such an insightful post my friend! -- ME