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...

Sunday 15 March 2015

Monet Butterfly!?



Hello all!  Today, after all those sneak peeks, I'm finally actually here!

Thanks so much for the lovely response to my rusty Bouquet of Barbed Wire over at PaperArtsy... it sounds as though lots of you have headed off to play with the Rusting Powder!!

I've got some more flowers for you today, but these ones are slightly less prickly and decaying.

This - though it may not look like it at first glance - is my take on Tim Holtz's March tag.

I followed the techniques pretty much to the letter, but with some colour changes and a different stencil I've ended up in a very different place.

If you want to see the how-to details, check out Tim's fabulously funky version and you'll find them there.  I'm just here to share a few close-ups of some of my changes and favourite bits.








When Tim invites you to use your favourite Distress Paint colours, you know it's probably going to be a toss up between blue/brown and blue/green combinations here at Words and Pictures.  And with that fabulous butterfly ready to play, it seemed like blue/green was the right way to go.













I've got two of my favourite tissue tapes in the background - not sure why I'm so in love with the cogs and gears one, but it seems to leap to my fingertips very often.









There's Faded Jeans, Evergreen Bough, Salty Ocean, Weathered Wood and Mowed Lawn in the mix, and I had a lovely time marbling them together.

I even ended up with two extra backgrounds to play with after mopping up the leftover paint in different ways.










Pity I hadn't taped them up in advance too, but you can't think of everything.  I couldn't find the end of the tape quickly enough, and didn't want the paints drying on the mat - that would be a waste.










Regulars here will know I'm huge fan of embossing my main images and/or the words on a tag.  But I rarely seem to use black ink these days.  This was no exception.

I blended Cobalt and Olive Archival inks direct on the stamp and then clear-embossed them as per Tim's instructions.










I love the shimmer and how using related ink tones makes the image blend into the background much more in certain lights.










Given my love of words and letters, the Typo stencil Tim used on his tag was one of my first pre-orders, but it's not with me yet, so I turned instead to one of the other new releases, the glorious Blossom stencil.

I used a combination of embossing powders over it - co-ordinating colours of spring greenery with lovely hints of blue and turquoise.










I may not have been quite patient enough in letting the texture paste dry before heating it, but I sort of knew I was jumping the gun.  I quite liked the idea in Tim's warning about the paste bubbling through.








Given the variegated colours I don't really mind that there are some specks of white too.  It's spring blossom after all, and white blossom is my absolute favourite!

Love how you get the butterfly emerging from the texture with Tim's masking technique (and what a great tip about keeping the masks on the stamp sheet - see, that's why they pay him the big bucks!).









Since there's so much colour variation in the background and in the blossom texture, I decided to keep the embellishing fairly minimal.

With all the discoveries that Tim's inspiration always provides, this seemed like the right WordBand.











I've used a bit of Evergreen Bough Distress Paint on all my metal additions...













... including the wire wrapped around the ribbons at the top.  I love dyeing the crinkle ribbon with the DPs - you get this fabulous shabby opaque look.

So, there you have it...



The summery feel of this really pleases me, and I'm thrilled with how the marbled Distress Paints capture something of the look of Monet's lily pond paintings... or is that just me?!

Thank you for inspiring another wonderful journey, Tim, with delicious discoveries along the way.  This tag definitely took me to my happy place - so for that I thank you too.

Thanks to all of you for stopping by, of course, and have a lovely Sunday all!

A fallen blossom
Returning to the bough, I thought --
But no, a butterfly.
Arakida Moritake

I'd like to enter this as my March Tag in Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2015
I'd also like to add it to B is For... (butterfly, obviously) over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
And I'd like to share my textured blossom as Spring Blooms at the Inspiration Journal
And they're looking for Wings'n'Things at the That's Crafty Challenge Blog, so here are some wings and some things!

59 comments:

maria's knutselplezier said...

What an amazing tag, I really love it, I love the way you bilt the image, great design and colours I love the structure too!!

Greetings
Maria

Nikki Acton said...

This is a stunning tag, Alison. I love how you have used Tim's techniques and created something rather different. The colours and fabulous stencilling create a wonderful spring feel. Nikki x

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Wow!! just amazing. I love your version with green and blue instead of Tim's red, blue and other multiple colors. Beautiful blossom texture in the background, with hint of gold. And that butterfly is so lovely with archival ink and clear embossing powder. So much detail work Alison!!

Helen said...

What an amazing tag, I love it!! I adore your blue/green go-to colours, they are always perfect. I need that butterfly... Thanks for taking the time to catch up with my posts and leaving such kind words

Redanne said...

I think you have done Monet (and Tim) proud with this beautifully coloured tag Alison. It is so different to Tim's - the word exquisite springs to mind.... Anne xx

chrissie said...

Stunning Alison. Wonderful colour choices and great textures to show off the butterfly. Just love the curly wire at the top.

Have a great day

Chrissie xx

Marci said...

I love it! Just beautiful.

sally said...

Mone-esque indeed! Really like the way you've used different colours with the EP too :-)

Sally

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful take on the original Alison, love your colour and stamp choices. And yes, I can definitely see some Monet similarities....

Sophie said...

Guten Morgen, Alison...
was für ein bezaubernd schönes Tag...

Herzlichst Sophie

Shirley said...

Your unique style on Tim's original make is evident is this beautiful tag Alison.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Brenda Brown said...

Stunning Alison. To me it looks as though the butterfly is fluttering over a lovely summer pond. Love it xxx

Dagmar said...

Oh wow - i love it so much!!!!! It's fantastic and the colours so beautiful!!! A great artwork! Hugs Dagmar.

barbarayaya62 said...

Absolutely wonderful interpretation of Tim's tag! So full of details, I love especially your embossing and your background, you've created it with my favourite shades:green and blue! The wire wrapped is stunning! Thanks for joining us this week on Simon Says Monday Challenge Blog! BArbarayaya

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

I prefer your take on the tag it is beautiful and I agree sometimes black can dominate a piece of art your colour choices compliment it. Dee x

Amanda said...

Gorgeous Alison! love the softness of colour you have created on this tag. Great take on Tims tag.
Love
Amanda x

Jackie PN said...

Another new favorite of mine!! If you are giving this away- count me in! heehee
Absolutely Gorgeous!!! Your colors are just amazing, dear Alison!! xo

Gitte said...

Beautiful.

Sandra said...

Wow, this is amazing!Love the gorgeous butterfly and the texture! Gorgeous colors too! Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Hugs, Sandra

Pamellia said...

Absolutely gorgeous Alison! I love the subtle colour palette you went with, such a dreamy combo of blues and greens! An incredible take on Tim's tag!! hugs :)

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Ooh this tag is just a little lump of yumminess,I love your use of these colours,they always radiate such peacefulness Alison
Big hugs
Donna xxx

Meggymay said...

A beautiful tag, the background, texture are perfect for the wonderful butterfly.
Yvonne xx

Sandy said...

Alison, your tag is so very gorgeous. One of my "Alison " favorites. You really are good kid and that's why they pay YOU the big bucks!!!
Sandy xx

Mary W said...

Oh how I wish to be able to touch this tag. I LOVE how the texture paste bubbled and will go buy some now in order to achieve that result. GORGEOUS!

Dorthe said...

Wow, Alison, you gave the butterfly, and its background, so much life , with your inks and texture paste, distressed with the heatgun. It looks wonderful with the tones of blue and green blending into each other, on both butterfly and background ,together .
Hugs, Dorthe

Tincan Crafter said...

Dare I say Alison, that I think I like yours better than the original inspiration - no disrespect to the man but yours is full of heart and I always love your composition. Hardly get time to do a a run around the blogs these days. It was nice to come over here today. Thanks for the lovely comment on my faux wood panel piece as well! Much love always - Candice

Chrissy said...

Gorgeous colours Alison..and I love the textures and fabulous butterfly..just beautiful.

luv CHRISSYxx

Vintagehandmade said...

What a wonderful take on Tim's tag! I love the color combination and a rich texture on your awesome tag! Brilliant!
Hugs :)
Branka xxx

Ana K. said...

I have problems with viruses on my computer and I can see only the first photo here on the whole blog page...but it is enough to say wow...gorgeous details and textures. Monochromatic can easily turn out boring, but you manage to make something incredible...I love it!
Hope to be back soon with clean computer, to see other missed projects!
Hugs and kisses

Julia said...

A beautiful result. I really enjoyed reading your words about the detail too, this is a great March tag.

JoZart Designs said...

Thanks Alison for your lovely comments. I'm loving doing appliqué even though the colour scheme isn't "me". It happened by accident.
I love your tag.... the texture and the colour palette is fabulous. I enjoy looking at paper crafts now but I'm converted to stitching.
Jo x

Deb said...

Adore your colour palette on your beautiful Monet inspired Tim tag Alison, it is so beautiful and calming. The blossom stencil was the perfect choice and love that you stamped your butterfly with coordinating ink colours so that it blends seamlessly with your background. Beautifully done as always, thanks so much for sharing.

rachel said...

stunning colours on your tag Alison - I feel a win coming your way - its just gorgeous - fingers crossed for you! Thanks for popping over and leaving some kind words! Big Hugs rachel xx

experiments in paper said...

Alison, this is stunning! Your color choice with the marbling technique definitely captures the Monet feel, and I love how you proceeded from there. The Blossom stencil'd paste is perfect for this. Love your haiku also! Thanks for more incredible inspiration! xxx Lynn

Nan G said...

Gorgeous! Love your use of embossing on this one, butterfly.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Gorgeous blues and greens flowing together...great build up tag Alison!
Greetings, Alie :-)

Mona Pendleton said...

Wow Alison! What a gorgeous project! Love the beautiful butterfly fluttering about all the pretty blossoms! Thanks for joining along with the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge!

Terry said...

This is so luscious, Alison! I love the richness and the wonderful texture. Very pretty take on Tim's tag. Oh that reminds me that I have not even thought of it! Happy end of Sunday! Hugs!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

This just might be my favorite tag so far with this new butterfly! I LOVE the colors you choose and all the embossing with that stencil. Gorgeous!

hazel said...

A stunning tag - fabulous colours and textures, I love it.
xxx Hazel.

Unknown said...

Stunning and such beautiful colours. I love what you'e done with Tim's tag xx

Inkypinkycraft said...

a gorgeous take on Tim's tag...great minds as I did a bluey one too! x hugs x

massofhair said...

Splendid Tag Alison, so many beautiful techniques and of course the colours are spectacular and firm favourites of mine also.

Thank you for taking the time to catch up with my posts and leave such wonderful and encouraging comments, it really is much appreciated as i know how busy you are :-) xxx

Hettie said...

WOW! This is absolutely stunning!! I love the colours and the images. In fact I love all of it!!
Hugs
xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Stunning! This really is THE most wonderful tag! Love those gorgeous blue and green hues - definitely your colours! Hugs Chrisx

Cocofolies said...

A fabulous springtime tag Alison, another WOW for me and my delighted eyes... :) I really LOVE it, so a possible winner for Tim's Tag challenge, fingers crossed. Hugs, Coco xx

Art By Wanda said...

Fabulous!!!!!!!!!!

Kay Wallace said...

Absolutely magical, Alison! Love the details. As in most art projects, some of the building of layers causes other layers to be obscured, yet, as artists, we know they are there--and important to the final result. Well done here!

Sue said...

Absolutely gorgeous as always Alison, these colours are just lovely xx

Julie Lee said...

I really love the colours and the texture of this, Alison! The butterfly looks absolutely superb. You have really got the art of embossing nailed too - I love the effect you achieve with this technique. A lovely tag and I agree - it is evocative of Monet's lilies. xx

Kirsten said...

So, so beautiful. The layers of colour are gorgeous & the butterfly is stunning.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I definitely see the Tim influence on your tag (but between you and me, your colors are much better). Love everything about it!

Fliss said...

Another totally awesome creation here too! Fabulous texture as always.
Fliss xx

experiments in paper said...

Beautiful colors, Alison! And I love what you've done with the harlequin die cut....fabulous textures and shine! xx Lynn

craftytrog said...

Just stunning! Love those Spring greens!

Jenny Marples said...

You definitely picked the perfect stencil for this one in my humble opinion. It works perfectly with the way it's picked up the blues and greens from the background. Jenny x

Ellie Knol said...

LOVE your tag!

Ruth said...

Hi Alison, can't believe how much I have to catch up on! This is so beautiful, lovely Monet tones and mood, the embossing powders on the flowers gives such depth, pinned. Ruth x

Mary Elizabeth said...

Yes ... I do get the Monet vibe here. Especially with the texture and movement of the Distress paint underneath. I remember the first I walked along one of Monet's wall-length waterlily canvases. Unbelievable how much texture there is. Photos can never do it justice. The cobalt and olive ink ... wonderful choices. It's funny ... but I jut realized that I haven't even seen Tim's March tag :) -- ME