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...

Tuesday 17 February 2015

Dripping and dropping again!

It's time for my second piece of Drips and Drops inspiration for Country View Challenges this month.  No big surprise - I'm back in the art journalling mode.  I'm not quite managing to "journal everyday" as the words suggest, what with work and trips to Budapest (wonderful, thank you!) and songwriting workshops (also wonderful, thank you!) - but I'm certainly doing it a lot more frequently, and enjoying myself a lot.


As well as Sue's fabulous theme, I've also been inspired by the marvellous Marta at Maremi Small Art, and how she constructs her beautiful art journalling pages.  If you've not visited her blog, I highly recommend it!






I started by layering lace, book pages, watercolour paper and washi tape across the double page spread.  I wanted various materials that would all soak up ink in different ways.  














Lots of Marta's pages start with these kinds of structures, and then things carry on from there.










I applied some gloss medium through the Finnabair checked stencil so that there would also be some resist once I started dripping and dropping my colour mediums.













I played with the Distress Sprays... sorry, I'm not completely sure any longer exactly which colours, as it's a while since I made this.  











I'm pretty sure it's just Shabby Shutters and either Salty Ocean or Broken China.  It certainly wasn't more than two in total.

All the other shades were created just by the two colours blending and dripping in to one another.











I did use some Scattered Straw on my crackled book page hearts I remember.

I needed to help them echo the colour of the washi tape, which had also resisted the inks fairly firmly.












I love how the lace and the watercolour paper really soaked up lots of ink, giving great depth of colour...

... compared to the washi tape and around the stencilled texture, where the colours are completely different.











I added some ChitChat stickers so that there would also be some words in the mix.











And there are also some words in the stamping - adding detail and interest softly around the white space (still no good at leaving white space to speak for itself!).














I had lots of fun spritzing and dripping and dropping and allowing the colours to blend and merge...














And I love the effect of the glossy resist in between the inky effects...














... as well as the crackle catching the light too of course.













There's still lots of time to come and play along with your Drips and Drops this month, and be in with a chance at the prize voucher generously sponsored by Country View Crafts.











And don't forget there's always fresh inspiration to be found on the Country View Challenges site.  Hope to see you there soon... and I hope to be round for some sight-seeing in Craftyblogland soon too.

I'm always thinking about creating.  My future starts when I wake up every morning... Every day I find something creative to do with my life.
Miles Davis

56 comments:

Helen said...

This is beautiful, Alison - I love the idea of using lace and the other textures as the base point of this page, may have to borrow that idea really soon! Your go-to colours always look amazing.

Chrissy said...

Absolutely fabulous Alison...love the textures and colours...gorgeous work. I checked out Marta and became a follower. I love to watch how projects grow..I cant believe that this lovely piece started with bits of paper and lace..brilliant.

luv CHRISSYxx

luv CHRISSYxx

Chrissy said...

Oh! must have liked it a lot.. I luved you twice..lol..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Beautiful!!

sally said...

Absolutely gorgeous with the way the colours have mixed, resisted, darker & lighter! I feel a need to play :-)

Sally

Deborah said...

Really like how you've achieved different depths of colour with only a couple of sprays, Alison. A wonderful piece.

Unknown said...

Very cool art journal spread! Gorgeous! X

chrissie said...

Terrific spread Alison with great colours and images to bring a feeling of Spring. Love the lace and the colour of it which really stands out for me.

Love Chrissie xx

Maggie said...

Gorgeous drips and drops Alison lovely textures and effects all of which make a beautiful AJ pages.

MaggieH

Amanda said...

Stunning!!
Love
Amanda x

Unknown said...

As soon as I saw this picture I could see Marta's influence! I adore her work too, she is so organic in her style. Beautiful page Alison, I absolutely love it! Hugs, Georgie x

Marci said...

Lovely pages!

massofhair said...

I am seeing a trend for journal pages using similar shapes and materials on my blog travels, they seem to be from two sources i visit, France Papillon and Finnibair.

I love the balance of your pages and of course your signature colours (except not much brown today), you always manage to take my breath away and leave me wanting to create something similar. One day i will try...

Sounds like you are having lots of fun and travel, enjoy each moment:-) xxx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

I always love your use of blue and green Alison,it always looks so peaceful and serene
Big hugs
Donna xxx

Ellie Knol said...

That looks great, so much beautiful details and structure!

Pamellia said...

Wow Alison, just gorgeous! Amazing blend of blues and greens and you always find the most creative ways to create texture! Brilliant! hugs :)

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous pages, the textures look wonderful.
Yvonne xx

Lisa Minckler said...

LOLOLOL...Chrissy cracks me up! ;)

Lisa Minckler said...

OMG.....if only crackle tasted good...I could eat this page up. Lucky for you it tastes like crap, so your artwork is safe...phew! I'm only saying that because these pages look simply scrumptious!!!!
Glad you're having fun... :D
big hugs to you,
Lisa x

Kay Wallace said...

I have been a long-time follower of Marta's, Alison, and I can see her influence as you geared up. But, the end result is definitely your own! Love the color palette, and the texture is yummy! Thanks for the inspiration!

Paper Profusion said...

Another delectable play with inky goodies - this looks wonderful Alison. Have a terrific time in all your advertures. Nicola x

Dorthe said...

Alison, it is a great way to start building up the page, I have to visit Marta.
The amazing effect of the colours running, and being absorbed differently, of the many materials is gorgeous, and that you only used two colours not to understand !
So beautiful, dear.
Hugs,Dorthe

Lys said...

Maybe the size of art journal is the best playground for drips and drops! You made it in a spectacular way, with bright and different ways for colours... Magic!

Hazel Agnew said...

Fabulous journal pages Alison. Like the way that have left some white space, something which I often struggle with! Love the starting textures and the inks look yummy! Have been using gel through stencils myself recently! Love your pages! X

Jennidee Mills said...

Just lovely. You say you are sorry there is no white space? But there is plenty of light areas which add plenty of interest.

Ink Art Designs said...

Oh Alison, this is stunning! Looove the texture and colour. You have such a beautiful style.
Dot x

Redanne said...

I think this is my favourite to far Alison, it is absolutely stunning! I love the gorgeous colours, the stencilling, the layout, the lace - everything. Just beautiful... Anne xx

Anneke said...

Wonderful pages. Beautiful colors. Great structure.
I really enjoy your blogpost. Your pictures and explanation is great.
Thanks for letting me enjoy Anneke.

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Hi Alison, hope you are well. I love how your design runs across the centre of the pages, lovely and the colours are a delight. Gorgeous. Tracy x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Fab pages! LOVE the design and colors!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! You are making me want to dash to my journal now and it's getting late for me! I love the colour and texture here - I have a page started that may well head in this direction now! Thanks for the inspiration - yet again you have set a spark!! Jealous of your Budapest trip - we hope to go back and sample the springs - no time last year! So glad you enjoyed it! Hope we get to see pics!! Hugs, Chrisx

Julia said...

Loads of lovely effects on those pages, very pleasing to look at. X

experiments in paper said...

Beautiful - so reminiscent of Spring (which hopefully will get here one of these days!) Love the blue/green palette, and all the gorgeous blending. And thanks for the introduction to Marta's blog! Hopping over there now - xx Lynn

toni said...

Beautiful journal spread Alison! The textures are fabulous love the way the various materials have soaked up the inks in different intensities, Lovely ! X

Annie said...

Fabulous make Alison. Love the gorgeous textures and colours you have used on your beautiful journal page.

Tfs and best wishes
Annie x

Kirsten said...

Gorgeous spread. The colours & textures are wonderful.

Donna Ellis said...

Alison, thank you so much for the tutorial and great explanation for achieving such fabulous results. I am now following you in bloglovin, and look forward to ooh'ing and ahh'ing over your pretty projects, and learning, hopefully, too! hugs, de {Creative Smiles}

Corrie Herriman said...

I love Marta's work too and get inspired by it. I love your art journal spread Alison. The colouring is beautiful, so is all the texture ! Gorgeous !
Corrie x

Astrid Maclean said...

Another fab spread Alison, - adore the hearts and the whole lay out of these pages!! And yes, I can see how you were inspired by the wonderful Marta, - I am a huge fan of her work!

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great page Alison, I love your image , colours and the structure you created on this page!!!

Greetings
maria

Evelyn Walter said...

This pages are soooo gorgeous, dear Alison! I love the colors, your dripping and dropping, and the crackled hearts <3
I´m absolutely in love with Martas work too - and she is such a cute and friendly person!
xxx Evelyn

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Fab looking AJ Alison...great colour combi and texture!
All the best, Alie :-)

Lynne Moncrieff said...

I like the scattering of hearts across both pages and also all of that wonderful texture.
Very beautiful.
Wishes
Lynne

Cocofolies said...

Gorgeous spread Alison, the texture looks really lovely and the drips and drops are fabulous! Happy to read that you havehad good trips and workshops!! :D Hugs, Coco xx

Jackie PN said...

What a beautiful spread Alison! I felt as if I was watching waves from the ocean! xo

Unknown said...

Beautiful pages, Alison!! I love your crackly hearts (I always love your crackly anythings!)!! Love your dripping & dropping effects, too!! :) How fun is it to purposefully add drips & drops of color and water to our creations!! It's soooo freeing!! :) I'm completely new to art journaling (one of the goals I set for myself this year) and these pages are so very inspirational!! Thank you for linking Marta's blog! More fabulous inspiration for beginners to art journaling like me!! XOXO-Shari

Julia Aston said...

Love thse pages - the colors, textures, hearts - design - I really need to shut myself in my craft room and learn how to create journal pages like these!!

Julie Lee said...

Great journal pages, Alison. I love how you used the lace and your spritzing is always just fabulous. There is again a lovely, fresh feel to these pages - they suggest ocean spray on a crisp day. xx

Margaret said...

Oh my, the way you combine blues and greens is really amazing! Both pages are fabulous and I love the 'step by step' instruction of the layers! The lace is fantastic!!

craftytrog said...

Yummy textures, I love those beautiful blues and greens! xx

Sue said...

I really like this Alison, especially the way the lace has soaked up the colour. Lovely pages xx

hazel said...

A gorgeous creation, I love all the elements and how you've put them all together.
xxx Hazel.

Jenny Marples said...

A beautiful mix of your favourite blues and greens. Love that you've stuck with those for the hearts too. Jenny x

Ruth said...

Beautiful pages, adore the dimension the lace and gloss paste additions give. I hopped across to Marta's blog and her you tube channel and can see how she's inspired you. This is lovely, lovely work Alison. Ruth x

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow super stunning journal pages, I am so in love with the colour and wow all those different textures taking the ink different ways looks totally awesome, love it. Happy Art :-) Kezzy xxx

Mary Elizabeth said...

Loving the addition of the lace on this piece. The stain really saturated the fibers which gives you a real gradient in intensity of color. Nice idea!! -- ME