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...

Thursday 1 October 2015

Time to fly...




Hello all, and welcome to October!  It's time for a new theme at Country View Challenges, and the Add Some Texture.
wonderful Jennie would like us to

Well, to be honest, it's a rare project for me which doesn't involve some texture, so I was very happy to see this one come up, even if my tag today has a slightly melancholy air.

I was influenced by that autumnal gathering of the birds, ready to make their way south to warmer climes, leaving behind them only a memory of summer (personally, I'd've gone several months ago if I were a bird).

If you'd like some less sombre inspiration, do hop over to Country View Challenges and see the delights my team-mates have served up for you there.  And don't forget, there's ongoing inspiration throughout the month, so do drop in there occasionally.  For now, let me take you through some of my layers of texture.








I started by putting bright Distress Paints onto a jumbo tag - my colours of the summer, Mermaid Lagoon and Twisted Citron.












I spritzed with water and used my fingers to move the paints around to create some texture even in this first layer (the same process as for the background under my hand-drawn face earlier this week).













But it's no longer summer, so we have to soften those colours into a background memory.  The first cover-up was to brayer on some Chalk Fresco Paint.












Then I did some stamping using the alphabet stamp from Tim's cool Documented set, some in ink and some using the Distress Paints in Mermaid Lagoon and Twisted Citron.








Over that, I stencilled some DecoArt Crackle Paint through the Flourish Layering Stencil and left it to crackle... well, of course there had to be some crackled texture!

We're starting to get a nice decayed look now... the faded grandeur of days gone by.









I did some wrinkle-free distressing with Distress Stains onto a sheet of the Ranger Mixed Media cardstock - there's Ground Espresso in there, Gathered Twigs, some Vintage Photo maybe.

I'm not sure any longer, but I put the result through the BigShot with the wonderful Bird Silhouette.










I had a vibrant red inky tag left over from my Autumn Collection so I cut a couple of maple leaves with the Fall Foliage Thinlits and added them to the mix.

The leaves are starting to turn and fall, so it's time for the bird to be on his way.










Do you think the young birds, making the journey for the first time, have the slightest idea of the extraordinary physical effort which they're about to need to make?  How incredible that instinct keeps them flying thousands of miles twice a year.

He's mounted on padded tape (as are the leaves), and I gave him some Ground Espresso earth so that he has some firm ground for take off.












The Small Talk stickers are providing a bit of a pep talk before the off... a strong piece of advice for life's journey too.











There are a couple of rub-ons... As the bright colours of summer fade into the background, so the musical memory of abundant summer bird song echoes across the tag.

I was trying to get some wide burlap ribbon out of its packet, but it was fraying at the edges.  As I pulled all I got was masses of skinny twine edging…










The wonderful Tracy Evans (now a fellow Creative Guide on the Vintage Journey, lovely to be back on a team with her after all that time at Artistic Outpost!) often tops her tags with extravagant twine bows, so I took a leaf out of her book and decided I might as well just use that.








So that's my textured tag for you - full of the melancholy of an autumnal farewell, but also ready for the journey ahead.

We hope you'll find time to Add Some Texture this month and come and play along with us at Country View Challenges.  As always, there's a randomly drawn prize voucher from our lovely sponsors Country View Crafts on offer, so you might get to stock up for the winter too!

Thanks so much for dropping in today.  I'll be back before you know it… and the migration continues!

Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.
Lyndon B. Johnson




I'd like to offer up my migrating bird and falling leaves in the Autumn challenge at Try It On Tuesday
And I'd like to join in again at Anything Goes with Autumn Colours at Mixed Media World

49 comments:

froebelsternchen said...

Just one word:
W*O*N*D*E*R*F*U*L

An amazing tag dear Alison!
Wishing you a good start of October!
oxo
Susi

froebelsternchen said...

Oh ... and forgot to say:
Thank you for joining the challenge at TIOT!

Helen said...

Fantastic tag to welcome October (how? just how?!) Texture is what we expect from you but absolutely beautiful here, I love the twine ribbon. Hope your birds fly safe this winter.

Valerie-Jael said...

Fantastic tag, hugs, Valerie

brenda said...

As always a beautiful creation Alison, the contrast of the leaf really makes it pop.

All going well on the crackle front thank you. And you need to pop over to my blog !!

B x

Astrid Maclean said...

Great background on this fabulous tag Alison, and wonderful textures!!

Sophie said...

Exquisit, Alison...
ein tolles Tag und sehr ausdrucksstark.

Sophie xx

Redanne said...

I have been away for so long and missed some fabulous posts Alison, this one is beautiful! I love the gorgeous background you created for the bird, it is quite stunning.

I have just spent an hour going back through your posts - huge congratulations on being involved in STAMPtember, no wonder you were excited! My favourite post has to be the Crazy Caterpillar one, it is an absolute delight, so whimsical and such fun. Thank you for a very happy hour! Hugs, Anne xx

Meggymay said...

A gorgeous autumnal tag love your background and of course the super bird. thank you for joining us over at TioT's this time.
Yvonne xx

Lauren Hatwell said...

Another wonderful tag. Beautiful and uplifting words to start us on our journey;. The flourish and the floating leaves provide such a lovely sense of movement. I am almost waiting for the bird to tilt it's head, blink it's eye and fly off into the distance. Lx

Unknown said...

The speckling on that bird is gorgeous!! xx

hazel said...

This is a beautiful Autumnal tag, the colours are lovely and I love the bird.
xxx Hazel.

chrissie said...

Very beautiful Autumn tag with a nice subject as your tag theme. Love the textures

Chrissie xx

Mrs.B said...

A beautiful tag Alison, love the background with it's fading colours and then the vibrant floating leaves. Your little bird looks as if he's just about to fly, hope he has a safe journey.
Avril xx

Mrs.B said...

Forgot to say, Thanks for linking up to TioT.
Avril xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Oooh now I love this one Alison, beautiful colours and a lovely narrative around it too. I'm trying sooooo hard not to buy those leaf thinlits it's but I'm weakening everyday! It'd be lovely if you entered this over at MMW too ;)
Hugs
Donna xxx

sally said...

Fabulous colours, the twine bow looks fun :-) no birdies flying here yesterday as the rain was torrential....localised flooding on the way to Jukado last night!


Sally

chrissie said...

Thank you for joining in at Try it in Tuesday with the beautiful tag Alison

Love Chrissie xx

Sandy said...

My first thought was okay kid - where are you off to now! Beautiful background for sure - you still have not let me in on your secrets - I won't tell anyone - honest!!
Most of all I love that fabulous fall leaf - what a fantastic burst of color.
Sandy xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous tag...I love that bird, and haven't used it! Gorgeous background!!! I love it!

SewPaperPaint said...

This background is absolutely gorgeous, then pair it with the focal elements and WOW! What an amazing tag!!!

Unknown said...

This is lovely Alison - really lovely. Your leaves look like they are swirling about in the autumn breezes. Your bow is just perfect and the colors are wonderful. Really FABULOUS tag. And... guess what - I learned a new word... even with a master's degree I never heard the word Autumnal before!!! YEAH!!! Thanks bunches for super inspiration. j.

Candy C said...

Beautiful tag, Alison. Love the layers of your background. I really love the flourish in the contrasting white. Nice touch! Then the die cut bird really pops. Love the touches of brown and the reddish leaf! Stunning!

Dorthe said...

Dear Alison, I love your pep-talk to the lovely bird, on its way south ! Your wonderful "used" summer,- background, and the crackle swirls ,together with the beautiful fallen leaves , gives a perfect show, of autumn, colder climate, and ended summer. Love it !!
xo, Dorthe

sirkkis said...

Beautiful tag with stunning texture and colours. Thank you for sharing with us at TioT.

Tincan Crafter said...

Love, love, love!!!! I have missed commenting on your awesome projects Alison - I have been soooooooooo hectically busy this year I have barely enough time to get around to leave comments but I do look at all of them. That Autumn leaf really brings everything together, I think it is my favourite part, not that all the rest of the tag is not my favourite, the the leaf is my favourite, favourite!

Margik said...

Another fabulous tag, Alison! The background and colours are wonderful. And I love the super bird!
Mar xx

Monika Gulyas said...

For me this is a beautiful fall tag!!!

Cinderella Moments said...

It's a perfect Autumn tag! The contrast of the bird with the blue background is striking.
hugs♥,
Caroline

Corrie Herriman said...

So lovely !
Corrie x

Kirsten said...

Wow! Stuning tag!

Heather said...

Hi Alison - I'm still hurtling down trying to catch up - it seems like you're succeeding!!
Your tag is gorgeous - so many wonderful techniques to create this beautiful tag...........I love the fabulous bird and super sentiment!!

hugs
Heather xx

rachel said...

oh so beautiful Alison - I too was very happy to see this challenge! I love everything about your make - that crackled fluorish is particularly yummy - brilliant! hugs rachel x

Lynne Moncrieff said...

The leaf is a beautiful pop of colour set against that fabulous background with the flourish and the mottled effect on the bird - gorgeous!.
Wishes
Lynne

Julie Lee said...

I love all the texture you have created on this beautiful tag - so much wonderful crackle! The effect on the bird is wonderful too. I love the Autumn. There is an air of melancholy, but that wood smoke fragrance mingled with the scent of the earth and decay and the rich colour everywhere takes some beating. This tag reminds me of how Keats reminisces about the lost days of summer and senses the winter to come yet with that promise of another spring in 'Ode to Autumn'. Yes, this is a real 'Ode to Autumn' tag. xx

Deborah Wainwright said...

Alison I love this Tag beautiful colours and the crackle looks amazing. I agree if I were a bird Iid be gone ages too. Hugs Debs xxx

Unknown said...

Love love love this tag! I love fall so much!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Watching as the layers built up was a joy, but then your bird and your words of encouragement really did it for me! We saw several flocks of birds last weekend at the caravan and it is a wonder to see how the geese move around. The swallows were still flying around chasing insects but I know when we go bck they will have flown! Thank you for sharing this wonderful tag with us at Try It On Tuesday too! Chrisx

Jackie PN said...

So beautiful Alison!
You had mentioned earlier that this time of the year has left you feeling melancholy- I wonder why that is, as I had previously said the same to my husband and have yet to put absolute reason to it.
I so love your posts and look forward to each!!
hugs and love,
Jackie ")

Fliss said...

Still catching up Alison and glad I did as this is awesome - such gorgeous colours and texture and love all the detail.
Fliss xx

Unknown said...

I completely miss our seasonal birds that have already flown south to warmer climes, so I love this tag, Alison. I interpret this as a homage to our feathered friends and this creation does tug at my heart a bit :) But in a good way :) A lovely piece to inspire for the CVC theme this month! XOXO-Shari

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Beautiful tag! And I very much appreciate you showing the steps of how you created it. (It's helpful for people like me, who are trying to learn the techniques to create similar pieces.)

craftytrog said...

Stunning!!! Love the background & the beautiful crackled flourish! xxx

Shirley said...

Not sure why I have missed all these stunning posts Alison. I decided just to have a mooch and glad I did because I realised that you have posted all this lovely artwork. Amazing tag.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Hettie said...

This is another beauty Alison. Love the colours and the subject.
Hugs
xx

Deb said...

Beautiful as always Brenda, love the crackled flourishes and your migrating bird is so lovely, fab wrinkle free distress technique! Love the story behind your beautiful tag as always, your words always add that extra layer of interest and depth to your beautiful makes! Deb xo

Unknown said...

Wonderful tag! I got so excited seeing the speckled birdie and the stained crackle.. Yum! :) Thank you very much for sharing it with us at Mixed Media World! Ingrid X

Hazel Agnew said...

I don't find this melancholy at all Alison...moving on is good! Made me think about the young birds though! Love the wrinkle free bird.....maybe I could try the technique on me! As usual, you have inspired me to create something textural! Thank you for your wonderful blog!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Where we live we get a passel of migrating hummingbirds stopping by and sometimes staying most of the winter. I was so surprised by how early they showed up this year. They have moved on and darn it all, they were right. Anyway, love this card and it's melancholy story. It doesn't have a debbie downer feel though. It's just right!