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...

Monday 27 July 2015

Some light relief...

Hello!  The last post found me in a grey mode and mood, and although I really love the Gently Grey cards which resulted, I thought we could do with a touch of light relief so I'm just here to share, very quickly, another little play I was having with the crazy birds.


In fact, this one started before my Bird Crazy version of Tim's July tag, and I'd already stamped, coloured and used the Micro Glaze on these two before Tim's tag even appeared - so my choice of stamps for that was pretty obvious after all!









Like the ones on my July tag, these are also watercoloured with Distress Stains - splodged onto the craft mat and then applied with a water brush.











And I took a leaf out of Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries's book (she's been doing wonders with the birds - and here and here - for some time now, and is probably one of the main tempters behind my caving in to them)...








... by adding Glossy Accents to the eyes for an extra goggling look.















I love that the Micro Glaze means you can then blend inks around your main image without affecting it.














As well as straight inking, I added some splotches and blotches with one of the layering stencils...













... and over the top of that I used Tim's great crackle background.












I remember I had some thought about eggs cracking, or some such, but when it came to looking for some words to go on the tag it became evident that my subconscious was way ahead of me!













A little bit of Vintage Photo around the edges, some JOFY grasses for the birds to stand on (as well as some shadows to give them a bit more substance), some twine through the hole, and we're done.






I hope that's put a smile on your face after the grey gloom (though I notice the actual words are probably not that reassuring... see, the truth will out, even in the light relief).


Starting to think I may need a holiday...

I'm interested in people's darker side, the ones that aren't easy and well balanced.  The cracks.
Noomi Rapace

A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.
Bernard Meltzer

53 comments:

Amanda said...

Fun tag Alison, those crazy birds sure are therapy!!
Love
Amanda x

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Hey Alison, hope you feel more "light" :-) Love your tag, beautiful composition of stamps and colors.
Big hugs Anja

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Wonderful birdy tags Alison,they are so fun to use aren't they ;)
Big hugs
Donna xxx

Meggymay said...

This fantastic tag made me smile, I love these birds and your added words are such fun.
Yvonne xx

Fliss said...

This really made me smile Alison and your colourful tag is just adorable.
Fliss xx

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Such pure fun! Alison, this is simply wonderful.
Wishes
Lynne

rachel said...

wonderful tag Alison - a fabulous make - these crazy birds really are such fun xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Love the tag Alison, such a fun piece. Happy crafting, Angela x

Lauren Hatwell said...

Love those craaaaazy birds. Nice to do something a bit fun sometimes isn't it. Lx

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great tag dear Alison, these crazy birds are so lovely, and can seduce a lot of crafters, the way you use them is gorgeous!!! I love your tag a lot!!

Greetings
Maria

Helen said...

Brilliant Crazy Birds, I love them! They look perfect cracking up on your background tag. Hope you get your holiday soon!

experiments in paper said...

Your tag and those birds make me smile.....especially those google eyes! And now I too am finally succumbing to these crazy birds! Love your blues with all the various layers and stenciling. And can't wait to try out that micro glaze! xx Lynn

Annie said...

Your Crazy Bird tag is fabulous...wonderful background details and the blending of colours on the birds look amazing.

Such fun!!!

Sending my best wishes
Annie x

Nikki Acton said...

Morning Alison.. Love how you have made the birds your own! Very Alison with your colours and tones, beautifully done. Thank you so very much for all the lovely comments you left me at the weekend. Nikki xx

selena said...

j adore!

chrissie said...

Wonderful tag to cheer us all up on this dark and wet day-well it is here.

I like people who are a bit cracked as well and I know I am :)

Have a great day

Love Chrissie xx

craftytrog said...

Love your funky tag Alison, made me smile this morning ☺
Alison xox

Jennie Atkinson said...

Fabulous - made me smile! Jennie

Deb said...

LOL, those darn birds crack me up every time I see them, I broke down and now have them on order, can't wait to get them and join in the fun! Wonderful whimsical tag Alison, thanks for sharing it!

Marci said...

Love this tag!

Marci said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary Elizabeth said...

Oh my -- definitely brought a smile to my face. However, knowing how busy you are, I guess there is more truth behind those words that we could possible know :) A holiday sounds like a very good idea!! Love how you arranged the elements on this tag. It's what made me absolutely laugh out loud when I read the words. The Distress Micro Glaze is amazing!! Love it. I especially adore the crackle background stamp. I needed a smile ... It's going to be a challenging day. Thanks!!!! Hugs to you -- Mary Elizabeth

Gitte said...

Lovely work.

Candy C said...

Alison...this tag is darling! Loving the colors and your crazy birds. Those googling eyes make their expressions even that more hysterical.

Lucy Edmondson said...

Brilliant! Love it!

Lucy x

Sandy said...

I started cracking a good while ago and I no longer can fly straight. Don't worry Alison, you are such a pretty bird that I know you will crack well. Just remember that what goes up comes down so flying might not be all that it is cracked up to be!
Wonderful tag - love those eyes!!
Sandy xx

cathylynn said...

I love this tag and those birds crack me up!!!! Once again you have created magic. Totally awesome Alison!!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Pamellia said...

This is just so much fun Alison! I adore your crazy birds with their glossy eyes, and the background couldn't be more perfect with that hilarious sentiment! hugs :)

Dorthe said...

Alison , I really loved your grey cards, -even they came from a grey mood !!
Theese are sweet and fun, the stenciled background looks great and love the grass you created for them.
Those eyes are wonderful shining soo much :-)
Dorthe, xxo

Evelyn Walter said...

Sorry, that I miss commenting often, but in the last few weeks I had so many things, I didn´t come around. But I always take a look on your beautiful work and the grey mode cards are one of my favourites!
Dear Alison, I really like the crazy birds! The glossy eyes make them even more crazy ;-);
I hope for you, that you can take some holidays, in which you can fill your batteries new <3!
xxx Evelyn

Neet said...

Just keep coming up with these crazy bird ideas - they are such fun in your hands and make me smile when I see them. Love the muted colours you have used.
Hugs, Neet xx

Inkypinkycraft said...

a really fun make , love the background its fab!! xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I just can't get enough of these Crazy Birds...love seeing them! They really do crack you up! Cute cute cute tag!!!

sally said...

Same person responsible for my caving! These little guys really are a lot of fun.


Sally

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I absolutely adore this tag! Those birds sure put a smile on one's face. They are so much fun but not you usual fare.

Redanne said...

The crazy birds never fail to make me smile, they are just hilarious in any form - I love how you did the eyes on this pair, they make them even more adorable, if that is possible! Anne xx

Unknown said...

The quote is perfect for the glazed, googly eyes on these crazy birds, Alison! Sooo funny! :) :) And that crackly background--another perfect detail that ties this hilarious tag together!! You've got a chuckle or two out of me with this one!! :) :) XOXO-Shari

Kirsten said...

Such a cute tag, I love it.

hazel said...

This is such a fun tag, those birds are so cute.
xxx Hazel.

Jackie PN said...

Such a cute tag! xo

Juliz Design Post said...

Brilliant fun tag.
Julie x

Julia Aston said...

How fun Alison! great coloring on the birdies - and perfect sentiment with your background!! Julia xx

Lisa Minckler said...

I think these should be mass produced and sold for door placards in all offices. A nice "heads up" or "FYI" before you think about knocking. Seems it could be very beneficial for the environment. I LOVE that sentiment and your birds turned out terrific!

Anonymous said...

This TAG is FABULOUS Alison! I am seeing these cute little birds everywhere lately in all sorts of attire. I totally love the crackle on your background and the quote is fabulous too. Karen.x

Gio said...

So fun and cute, Alison. I love the quote, and your unique style is all there!

barbarayaya62 said...

Really fun tags! Crazy birds are incredible and your interpretation is so beautiful! BArbarayaya

Anke said...

Wonderful tag and so fun.

Hugs
Anke

Paper Profusion said...

Oh I love these quirky little guys!! Fab tag Alison! Nicola x

PaperToots said...

This hasn't definitely brightened my day. Cute little characters. Thank you. Jane

Julia said...

I love them, they make me smile x

Cocofolies said...

A fun and lovely tag Alison, just love it!!! and all the photos you share with us too, a pure delight.. :D
Yes, I think you deserve well some holidays!! :)
hugs and happy end of week, Coco xx

craftimamma said...

'Smashing' tag Alison and I have to admit it, I finally caved in to these quirky birds a couple of weeks ago. They make me smile every time I see them so it just had to happen, lol!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Etsuko said...

Very lovely tag, fab crackle and sentiment too. xx