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 29 May 2015

Alcoholic Butterfly





Hello everyone!  No, no, don't panic, this isn't some kind of soul-baring post... it's not me but the butterfly on the tag who's an alcoholic - made with alcohol ink, that is to say!

It's a long month this month, so we've time to squeeze in a Tag Friday of inspiration for you over at A Vintage Journey.  You'll find a wealth of Tim Holtz-inspired tags created by my amazing team-mates if you hop over there, but before you go here's what I'm offering up for you.

You'll notice it carries on the variations on a theme which I was obsessed with a few weeks back.  Well, given a bit of free playtime, it turns out I'm still obsessed!  I really didn't plan on the tag going in this direction, but suddenly there I was.





It's those Harlequins that get me - and the blue green shades of course - can't seem to get off that particular ride, unless it's to go neutral.

(I am starting to be tempted out of my comfort zones though - as you'll see if you check out my new Colour board on Pinterest.  It gives me huge delight just to scroll up and down through the rainbow of possibilities there... maybe one day!)












And I find myself heading for translucence and reflectivity too - there's something about how things catch the light that I find endlessly mesmerising (witness my new Glass board on Pinterest too!), so there is plenty of clear-embossing involved, as well as Glossy Accents to highlight some of the Harlequins.











In fact, clear-embossing was almost the first layer.  I sponged Versamark ink through the new Tim Holtz Typo stencil (love this grungy alphabet) onto some Distress-inked watercolour paper and used clear embossing powder.












Then I gave the whole thing a wash of white paint, wiping the clear resist letters clean as I went.

When I cut it with the tag die I was a bit careless about the positioning of the die, so I ended up with a slightly off-centre alphabet.











No problem - I grabbed the tiny hearts from the Watercolour set and inked them up for the first time.

I used blue and green Distress Ink shades and again clear-embossed them for a touch of sparkle.










I created a second tag in colours to complement the first so that I'd have something to play with when I got to the Harlequin cutting, and eventually layered the two together.











I cut some extra diamonds out of the bit of the underneath tag that you can't see, so that I could layer additional pieces in the gaps.  And then, as I say, I got busy with the Glossy Accents.

So, the tags were going well, but I needed a focal point... so here comes the butterfly.











I cut and embossed the Butterfly Duo in Clearly for Art Whiteout, and then had great fun dripping alcohol inks onto the surface.  (I cut both butterflies, so I had one to practice on.)












This is definitely one of the most psychedelic butterflies I've ever created, but I do think he's rather splendid!  Love how the alcohol inks pool and resist and blend... great fun.











And he gleams rather nicely in the sunlight too.














I can't think what we did before these wonderful Thinlit word dies came along - they're just perfect to add a word or two to a tag.  (These are cut out of a bit of card leftover from some previous blue-green project.)










I wanted a touch more stamping detail so I added some ornate flourishes, just to give the sense of a swirl of movement, maybe from the butterfly alighting.

Plus you have the gleam reflecting off the original stencilled, clear-embossed lettering, which means everything shimmers as you move the tag around.












Thanks so much for stopping by today, and for all your lovely comments on the sudden flurry of projects over the last week or so... it's certainly been busy here at Words and Pictures.  Do go for a quick scroll as some of it was a bit "blink and you'll miss it"!








And do hop over and check out the fabulous tags created for this Tag Friday by my team-mates at A Vintage Journey.  We hope you'll enjoy all the extra inspiration.

I'm about to head into technical rehearsals for the show I'm working on, so I'll be inside the theatre pretty much all hours of the day (I expect that means the rest of you are due some gloriously sunny weather - sod's law!), but I'll hope to do some visiting now and then.  In the meantime, have a lovely weekend and I'll see you soon.



In any field, find the strangest thing and then explore it.
John Archibald Wheeler

When she turned into a butterfly, the caterpillars spoke not of her beauty, but of her weirdness.  They wanted her to change back into what she always had been.  But she had wings.
Dean Jackson

60 comments:

Julia Aston said...

Your tag is like a cool pool in the woods with the lovely greens/blues and fluttering butterflies Alison! Your layering is wonderful with the paints, stencils, pastes and inks - just gorgeous! have a lovely weekend! Julia xx

experiments in paper said...

Wow, Alison - I love all of the techniques you show here, and especially the blue and green palette! The alphabet and harlequin stenciling is fabulous....and the butterfly is magnificent!! Thank you for all of the step outs, as well... many things to learn here!! And as always, you quotations are so perfect, and inspirational.... xxx Lynn

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

You earn a TRIPLE holy cow on this one! That butterfly is off-the-charts! It is incredible to see how you brought the whole tag together and I'm always so impressed and inspired by your innovative techniques and creative vision. This is amazing and of course I adore the bright juicy fabulous colors! I also thoroughly enjoyed your post and loved the quotes you included. Excellent work, as always!

Helen said...

I am not sure where to start... but let's start with the main attraction - WOW!! I love the alcohol inks on the butterfly, fabulous colours.. the tags are just wonderful, love the embossed diamonds and all the other details work just perfectly - the little row of hearts just look as if they were meant to be there! Hope your rehearsals go well - and that we get some nice weather (not sure it will happen this weekend though...) xx

Amanda said...

Stunning as always and I loveeeeeee the butterfly
Love
Amanda x

Anke said...

WOW WOW WOW Alison absolutely fabulous, I love your tag.

Hugs
Anke

Astrid Maclean said...

Great looking tag Alison, the butterfly has turned out great and I'm glad to hear it's not you who's gone alcoholic... (not that I really thought that lol when reading the title)

brenda said...

As always your work is a delight Alison and I thoroughly approve of the colour palette.

Hope you have a good weekend.

B x

Deborah said...

Love that alcohol inked butterfly, Alison. Looks so good on the WV whiteout.

chrissie said...

Beautiful tag. I love using alcohol inks they make such wonderful patterns as your butterfly shows Alison

Love Chrissie xx

Jenny Marples said...

Wonderful work with those alcohol inks Alison. As ever you treat each and every part of your creations with equal care and attention to detail and of course you've ended up with a cracker of a tag. Jenny x

Lauren Hatwell said...

Ha ha! When I saw the title I DID wonder what I was going to find. I was standing by with hot, strong coffee and sage advice about the evils of drink :oD Relieved to find you are upright and firing on all cylinders. Your tag is GORGEOUS! JUST GORGEOUS! Wow! Lx

Unknown said...

Wow! What a tag! Love be techniques used and the result is fab! Your alcoholic butterfly is great! Hehe xx

Jackie PN said...

I was thinking psychedelic the moment I saw him!! Another stunning make Alison!!
Thank you so much for sharing your steps!
And your Pinterest boards are astounding!! xo

craftytrog said...

Love that beautiful butterfly! xxx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

The butterfly IS splendid Alison...such a nice one! And it's a great eyecatcher on the lovely background of the tag.
Have a nice weekend, Alie :-)

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A fantastic piece iin great colors, love also the texture. The butterfly is outstanding.

Pamellia said...

Gorgeous tag Alison! My favourite colours at the moment and you have really made them glorious here! That butterfly is just amazing! I've not had much luck with my alcohol ink experiments, I think I will grab some of that whiteout. Thanks for always being an inspiration! hugs :)

Kay Wallace said...

From the background to the exquisite butterfly detail, this is an amazing tag! Thanks for sharing your super talent with us here!

Nikki Acton said...

Your alcoholic butterfly is indeed very splendid, stunning in fact. I love this new style you have created. Nikki x

Juliz Design Post said...

What a super inkylicious tag Alison, love the contrast of the blues and greens. Your inky butterfly is lush. I have a similar one still to blog but I used vellum on my butterfly With the alcohol inks, which hasn't given as vibrant a look as the art whiteout.
Have a great weekend, Julie x

Terry said...

Inkylicious tag is exactly it! Oh I do love this beauty of a tag in those wonderful greens and blues! The alcohol ink treatment is gorgeous! Love those layered butterflies! Happy Weekend!

Cocofolies said...

And now... I need these large butterflies hahaha!!!! :o)
Thank you Alison, this is really a scrumptious tag, I love it to bits!! I hope you will have a happy and creative week-end. Hugs, Coco xx

Dorthe said...

Dear Alison, I can`t express how wonderful I think this is, oh your colours and the glam you created with th e Glossy Accents- I so love those green/turquise ink tones, and the embossed hearts looks so lovely, too. But the butterfly is the most ever amazing one I have seen.... a wonder in colours and how you made them mix up to beautiful tones, and patterns !! Thank you ,and hugs- Dorthe

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous tag!!! LOVE the colors and love the Alcohol Inked butterfly!!!

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous tag and background, but for me the Alcoholic butterfly is the star.
Yvonne xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Gorgeous tag as always Alison and all those wonderful colours and textures. Yes the harlequins always work for me too! Love the way you used alcohol inks on the butterfly - just stunning! Have a lovely weekend x

Kirsten said...

Gorgeous tag, the butterfly is stunning.

maj. said...

An amazing tag, Alison! What a great background!

rachel said...

this is absolutely beautiful alison - those colours are amazing and I love the butterfly - stunning xx

Unknown said...

What an amazing work of art Alison!! I adore the colours and you're so right the butterfly really gleams to beautiful perfection in the light outdoors!!! Amazing design, as always of course!
Hugs
Georgie xx

Ruth said...

Just in love with that butterfly, can't take my eyes off it! The tag is stunning of course..but that butterfly wow!! Ruth x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh my! If this is what you do with alcohol please do carry on! A good start to my catch up before we head off for 3 weeks! I seem to have missed a lot while we have been travelling up and down! Chrisx

S@ndy Diller said...

Simply love that butterfly & the spinner in the center. It all looks beautiful. S@ndy xx

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great ,beautiful tag!!! I really love the butterfly, great colour use!!!

Greetings
Maria

sally said...

I do so love your blue/green creations & the alcoholic butterfly works a treat on here :-)

Sally

barbarayaya62 said...

This tag impressed me very much, I find that you are fantastic to play with colors and shades! And the shades are one of my obsessions !! This tag is absolutely amazing, one of my absolute favorite! BArbarayaya

Hettie said...

Whoa! This is one butterfly that should never go to AA!! It is just beautiful. You are so clever. One day I am going to sit in a craft room with you just to watch and learn!!
Hugs
xx

Redanne said...

Oh wow Alison, your tag is just so incredibly beautiful, the colours are just fantastic and I LOVE the alcoholic butterfly! Stunning, just stunning! Anne xx

Sue said...

So beautiful Alison, that butterfly is stunning xx

Marci said...

Lovely colors and a wonderful tag!

Gio said...

Wow, that butterfly looks like is going to fly, super light and in a middle of sunshine! Simply beautiful!

ps: your colour board is amazing!

Deborah Wainwright said...

Love love love this Alison. Your background is amazing and the butterfly is stunning hugs Debsxxx

Marci said...

Lovely colors and a wonderful tag!

Paper Profusion said...

Lusciously verdant. This definitely puts a spring in my step! Nicola x

Julie Lee said...

Hi Alison, catching up time for me! I love your alcoholic butterfly! That effect with the alcohol ink is so much fun! And harlequins - I love them! A beautiful, beautiful tag in the loveliest colours! A delight! xx

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Hi Alison
It seems the longest of time since I last visited your wonderful blog. This is not a sign of me returning to commenting only that this evening I wanted to start to catch-up with all the lovely friends who stayed loyal to my blog during my absence. I will slow make my way around everyone.
The colours are so gorgeous and so you and isn't that butterfly a thing of beauty. There is such a sense of life about this tag. I have so missed viewing your art.
Wishes
Lynne

toni said...

Hi Alison thank you for visiting and leaving such a lovely comment on my Tim tag. I've been a bit negligent of my dear blog friends recently but sometimes life just takes over ! how lovely to hop over here and see your gorgeous butterfly tag. I love your 'signature' colours in the backgrounds and then the depth of colour of the inked butterfly sitting perfectly on top is wonderful ! Have a good week ! Toni x

Deb said...

So lovely Alison, the multiple layers of colour and embossing, your beautiful harlequins and then that spectacular butterfly to set it all off! Your butterflies should take a wee nip more often, just lovely!

Margaret said...

Your intro really made me laugh out loud! I have to say that I really like your alcohol covered butterfly and the tag is a perfectly beautiful background!!

sarascloset said...

I had to laugh out loud at your title! What a stunning tag, Alison! I love your color choices and oh, so much gorgeous texture! Such a treat to see and to read about...thank you for the tutorial!

Mrs.B said...

Beautiful tag Alison, colours look stunning with the glossy additions - but the butterfly steals the show.
Avril xx

Sue said...

Truely beautiful Alison, your butterfly looks like liquid glass xx

Anneke said...

Beautiful. The butterfly is gorgeous.
It looks as if it was glass.
Very inspiring Anneke

Kasia said...

Totally amazing, Alison! Love this background :)

Shoshi said...

So gorgeous! Beautiful colour scheme, and I love the touches of shininess. I am a great fan of glass too and have my own glass board on Pinterest - I've just repinned quite a few off yours!

Shoshi

scrappymo! said...

So beautiful! These are my favourite colours! I love all the steps you have taken to create this beauty.

Lisa Minckler said...

I would LOVE to see these gathering around our butterfly bushes outside. The most majestic winged creatures you've created here. They are superb. :)

Mary Elizabeth said...

Splendid is just a time word for this butterfly!! I've been wanting to see a project with the Clearly for Art White Out medium. I love how wonderful it is with alcohol ink. And I want to dive into your blue and green pools made by the harlequin. Beautiful. I've noticed you color board on Pinterest ... can't wait to see where the inspiration takes you :) FYI -- I'm on my second cup of coffee and having a blast. Just got your email message. This has been so fun. It's like I'm sitting down over a cup of coffee chatting with you :) -- Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth said...

The word I meant was "tame" in the first sentence. Sorry!