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 6 March 2015

Vintage Birthday Celebrations

Hello all!  Can you believe we've been on A Vintage Journey for a whole year?  Nope, me either... what a milestone on the journey.  We're celebrating the birthday with an Anything Tim challenge as well as a few changes to how we travel.  Check out all the details over at A Vintage Journey - as well as exciting news of the fabulous prizes on offer this month - our regular sponsor Country View Crafts are there with their always generous contribution, and there are prize packages from Tim and Mario as well as from some of us.

The main thing to know about the changes is that you now have a whole month to share your creations with us.  We'd like to see Anything Tim this month, and as usual, my fellow Creative Guides have created wonders to inspire you, so make sure you check them out, but before you go here's my offering.


Yup, it's a card... a birthday card, if you like!  And it's in a different style than usual - though this does seem to be what happens when I try to make cards (you may remember these Simple Cards for Artistic Stamper), and I was really guided by some of my new Tim toys.  I mean, with a sentiment like that, it would be pretty silly to be in my usual mixed media, multi-layered mode, so I'm exploring the art of simplicity this time around!



This glorious Wildflower stencil was one of (far too many) must-haves for me from this winter's CHA releases.

I spritzed Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn and Shabby Shutters Distress Sprays through it onto watercolour paper, and then used another piece to "print" the leftover inks onto.











I was really pleased with the watercolour appearance as well as with the level of detail, as I really had got a bit too much ink on it!













And now I have another background awaiting my attentions some time soon.












I blended on some complementary colours around the torn edges and used a water brush to soften them, before adding some spatter with my Distress Marker spritzer.












I stamped the sentiment from the new Perspective set onto another small piece of Distress Watercolour Paper, and blended and coloured using inks and markers to create a matching panel.

It's mounted on two strips of padded tape with space for the twine to go through the middle.








And the twine continues its journey on the inside of the card, through a hole to the back where it's taped down.

I stencilled the Wildflowers again on the inside, in Vintage Photo, and added a neutral echo of the sentiment (leaving plenty of space for a personal greeting of course).








And having done that, it seemed only right to create some interest on the envelope too - more Wildflowers, more Vintage Photo, and another chance to appreciate the words.











So, a very simple make from me but, as I say, I was following where the new goodies led me!  I hope you'll hop over to A Vintage Journey and see what my amazing team mates have created, and we hope you'll come and join us with Anything Tim at some point in the next month.  Our generous sponsors Country View Crafts are simply itching to share that prize voucher with somebody!









I'll be back at A Vintage Journey on Monday to set off for a brand new Destination Inspiration, so I do hope you'll join me then.  In the meantime, thank you so much for your visits and comments - every one is so much appreciated.  Apologies if I'm not around as much as usual, but I'll hope to be back on the Craftyblogland road soon!

The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity.
Walt Whitman

Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.
Isaac Newton


48 comments:

massofhair said...

CAS Grunge is one of my favourite techniques and you have captured it here perfectly. I am glad to see more and more people adding stamping to their envelopes and inners, i have done this for years it is all part of the hand made package for me.

An exciting anniversary for AVJ, just shows how quick time does fly, thank you for all you inspiration Alison :-) xxx

Terry said...

Alison, the watercolored effect on the wildflowers is beautiful! I love the added kraft paper and that sentiment is wonnderful! The coordinating envelope is a great idea and so elegant compared to the plain old white or kraft! So lovely! Hugs!

Julia Aston said...

There certainly IS beauty in simplicity Alison! love the watercolor look on this wonderful card and coordinating envelope - so pretty in the greens and kraft!

Helen said...

What a beautiful card, Alison!! I love the new stencil - not sure how that escaped my radar.... and how different it looks in the blue/green to the vintage photo inside. Gorgeous!

froebelsternchen said...

Wonderful is all in this post Alison.. I so love the colors and plants you created here with the watermedia! Amazing!
Hope you feel better !
Happy weekend !
Susi

Clare Lloyd said...

Gorgeous card.

Amanda said...

Beautiful in its simplicity
Love
Amanda x

Deborah Wainwright said...

Love this Alison. Simply beautiful xx

Inkypinkycraft said...

beautiful in its simplicity! love the image inside too x

Lucy Edmondson said...

It's absolutely beautiful, Alison. You have really sold that stencil to me. I love your choice of the kraft card and how you have continued on the inside and the envelope. Anyone would be delighted to receive a card like this,

Lucy x

Paula Whittaker said...

the envelope design would translate well on to a card

chrissie said...

A very beautiful card Alison with a real country feel to it. The matching envelope is a wonderful idea

Love Chrissie xx

Redanne said...

There really is simplicity in the beauty of your card Alison! I love the way you tied the sentiment onto the front and it is always lovely to see the inside of a card finished like that too. Anyone would be delighted to receive this card and matching envelope...

It has been a wonderful 12 months working alongside you at AVJ, you are such a talented lady! Hugs, Anne xx

Jenny Marples said...

I love the whole single layer look to this Alison. The dreamy watercolour, gentle image and beautiful sentiment work perfectly in unison and I absolutely LOVE how you've echoed the image on the inside of the card. Happy Birthday! Jenny x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Simply beautiful, love the colours and the sentiment is perfect. Love that you continued your design to the inside too. Tracy x

Marci said...

Lovely!

Pamellia said...

Gorgeous Alison!! Love the way you used the stencil and I really love that you made use of the extra ink to make another background...I always forget to do that and end up wiping it off, what a waste! Beautiful mix of greens, love it! hugs :)

Jackie PN said...

Alison, You always make the simple- Outstanding!! Love those greens melded together!
Happy weekend my friend! xo

Meggymay said...

Your simple looks amazing. Its a beautiful card.
Yvonne xx

Paper Profusion said...

Gorgeously gentle and elegant!! The inside and matching envelope really are beautiful too. Have a lovely weekend Alison. Nicola x

Kay Wallace said...

Beautiful Kraft card, Alison! Love the variegated greens you have used here. Great job, both inside and out!

Brenda Brown said...

I really love the simplicity of style with this gorgeous card Alison and the watercolour effects are beautiful. You have got me wanting to get the watercolour paper out and have a go. It's a perfect birthday piece for our AVJ celebrations. Thanks for everything you do.
hugs Brenda xxx

Lys said...

Both words matching so nicely together and with your art, Alison. Best wishes for this birthday at AVJ!

Astrid Maclean said...

Beautiful nature inspired card Alison, with the perfect sentiment to go along with it, it looks super! Love the inside too!
Last but not least, it's been great to work together and alongside you on AVJ!!

Dorthe said...

Alison, your card is so beautiful, in it`s simplicity. The green/blue tones on top of the sepiatoned card is wonderful, and the "stamp" from the stencil looks fantastic!! A very lovely birthday card ,dear.
Dorthe,xo

Juliz Design Post said...

Gorgeous, simplistic and so elegant Alison. Looks so beautiful mounted onto the Kraft card with matching envelope. Looking forward to see what you do with your other inky impression.
Have a great weekend, Julie xx

Unknown said...

ALISON!! I'm on the AVJ CG Team with you!! OMG!! I am soooo excited!! You know how much I adore you and love you and your style--You've been a HUGE inspiration to me, even before I ever gave thought to entering into this place called blogland, a short 2 years ago! And we've become bloggy friends and you've always taken the time to answer the creative questions I've asked and now, I'm here with you at AVJ!! I'm swooning from the joy of it all!! :)
And look at this gorgeously clean and simple card & envelope set you created for this 1-Year Birthday celebration! It's just as stunning as your layered and textured masterpieces! :) OK--Now I want those Tim goodies, too :) Happy Friday and Happy Weekend to you!! XOXO-Shari

Nikki Acton said...

Beautiful Alison - simple for you but equally stunning. Actually more than stunning - just looking again... I can't put my finger on it - but something is amazing - is it the kraft card combined with the watercolouring and card - I don't know - I just love it - will stop rambling now. Nikki xxx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Such nice results with the stencil and the sprays Alison....like the card a lot!
Have a nice weekend, Alie :-)

S@ndy Diller said...

The phrase on this card couldn't be more perfect. It is truly beautiful.

cathylynn said...

All so beautiful in simplicity! Makes me hunger for springs arrival hopefully real soon! You've created another fantastic project.
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Unknown said...

Beautiful card Alison, love the combination of green, it looks so fresh and just makes me think of hazy summer days.
Hugs
Georgie xx

experiments in paper said...

Alison, what a gorgeous card this is! I admire your ability to "simplify" - not something I do well! I love your stencil-as- print bit, and the colors, well - fantastic doesn't do justice. The inside stenciling and stamping are brilliant - overall fabulous! Thanks, again, for the great inspiration! xx Lynn

Kirsten said...

That is so beautiful!

Annie said...

Simple but gorgeous Alison and perfect for the birthday celebrations at AVJ. It is certainly amazing how time flies and that we are heading in to another year at AVJ.
Great being on the team with you.....happy birthday wishes
Anne x

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous watercolour effect with the stencil, and the sentiment and design is just perfect.
Avril xx

Shirley said...

Trying to catch up after being away is a nightmare in itself Alison but I am finally here. Just spent a wonderful 20 mins mooching at everything I have missed and totally speechless with all your makes.

Open mouthed about AVJ being one year old, where did the time go ... anyways your make is CAS with style, beautiful x x

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Anonymous said...

Just lovely! When using spray ink with stencils I end up with at least one extra background as well - sometimes even liking the reverse print more then the "stencilled" print!
Agree with Shirley above me - catching up is impossible to do, at least, when you like to read entire posts and leave comments..I had to reduce it to watching pictures and reading an entire post occasionally and commenting even less.
posts/images that really interest me are marked in my mailbox with a star (in case I end without inspiration one day) - your cards/projects are all starred!
Hugs,
Debbie / Daqa

crafty creations said...

Stunning card so perfectly designed and created Alison

I've just linked mine to this wonderful challenge

Julie Lee said...

There is indeed beauty in simplicity, Alison and this card is a delightful example of it. It's perfectly lovely. xx

Julia said...

There is a beautiful dreamy look to this card, I like it very much.

Cocofolies said...

This card is so beautiful Alison, it reminds me the one I cherish... Hugs from Paris! (being there for work) xxx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Simply Gorgeous! Just love those colours! A fabulous card and love the way you tied in the envelope and the inside of the card! Chrisx

Jennie Atkinson said...

A simply wonderful card and envelope Alison - I love the mix of colours with the Kraft and the watercolour effect of the stencil appears hand painted. Just stunning! Jennie x (Sorry to be so late visiting - we are finally back from Ireland)

Sue said...

This is fabulous Alison, I really like this stencil and the way you've decorated your envelope xx

barbarayaya62 said...

Great work as always Alison!!! You know I love your way to create art! Gorgeous card!!! BArbarayaya

Deb said...

Alison, that is simply stunning, I love how you have allowed this beautiful stenciled image and that wonderful sentiment to shine through! And even though you call it simple, all of the techniques you have used combine to create a beautiful and cohesive whole, it is so lovely. And your negative image from your stencil is equally gorgeous, not sure which one I love more LOL! Thanks for sharing this gorgeous card, a fitting gift to celebrate AVJ's first birthday/

Mary Elizabeth said...

I like your card ... especially the repeated stamped images front, back and inside of the card. Happy birthday a little late to AVJ. ME