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 16 November 2015

Mixology I - Michelle Webb

Hello everyone.  I hope you all had a good weekend doing something you love doing.  I did some things I love doing, and some that I don't particularly but they are necessary!

The weekend before, though, was full of crafting fun as I was lucky enough to be at the inaugural Ministry of Mixology weekend.  They're hoping to make it a regular occurrence, and aiming to vary the geographical location too.  The event was brilliantly organised by Di of Tando-Creative.  As well as fantastic day workshops with Michelle Webb and Andy Skinner, there were demos, a pop-up shop, great food, and a "play area" equipped with lots of supplies for when we were off-duty.

I also had the joy of meeting up with lots of my Vintage Journey team-mates - Brenda, Anne, Jennie and Julie (and a delightful bonus rendezvous with Jenny at the NEC on Friday) - as well as bumping in to Sue the Iron, Jools, Dee Adams, Nina from It's Crafting Time, and more... and in many cases it was the first time of real-life meeting up.  So lovely to spend time with you all!

Today I'm sharing what we made on the Saturday with the brilliant and lovely Michelle Webb... and it's a bit of a break from Autumn, Winter and Christmas creations!


We were playing with the great Beach Hut kit from Tando, as well as lots of fabulous DecoArt paints and mediums.






I dashed out to take these photos in the only smattering of sunshine we've had in the week since the workshops, but with a deep shadow box like this, you obviously get deep shade when you try to take pictures.

Some of these are at slightly odd angles to try to compensate for the shadows!












The beach huts are actually made out of several layers glued together so, if you were to buy the kit, you could make many more scenes by not gluing them together, or gluing fewer of them at a time and having shallower huts.  But I love this chunky look.











I'm a slight maverick on workshops (or a naughty schoolchild perhaps, not doing quite what teacher tells you) so although I followed Michelle's guidelines I went freestyle with some of the colour choices.  I'm pretty sure she forgave me!

Yup, my ocean blues and greens took the place of the bright colours of Michelle's project.











I did concede the yellow sunshine (painted freehand, and such a cool idea of Michelle's to add the clock stamp).









It's always a difficult one for me, yellow... I'll do orange - though I think of it as rust or autumn leaves! - pink, even red on occasion but almost never yellow.  But having painted the sun, I found myself quite enjoying the colour.

So I dived in and used yellow for a couple of the beach huts, and I do like it - something about sunshine and sand and it therefore being natural and necessary in a beach setting (though one of them did get a touch of green shading).










I even went as far as a touch of red and orange for the life belt and the seagull's beak!














I won't spill all the secrets, as they're Michelle's to share, but I loved building up her layers to give the beach huts a really weathered look...














... and adding the cute doodled doors.














I was really pleased with the effect I got on the stencilled lettering.












That'd be me at the beach - my thoughts drifting among the clouds in the sky...













... and letting my imagination roam as I lie there.  You can also see some of the Texture Sand Paste here - perfect texture for a sandy beach of course!














All the extra elements also come in the kit - the lighthouse...














the sandcastle...













the shell...















the flags (painted to tie them in with everything else - I like harmonious colour work, as if you didn't know)... 













and not forgetting the seagull, of course - brilliant tips from Michelle on getting the right look for him.













I'm so thankful the sun came out long enough to light this one up... Life really is better at the beach!














Of course there's loads of fabulous crackle around the frame which makes me very happy...













... inside and out!

Huge thanks to Michelle for a really happy-making day and a happy-making end project.







I hope you like it too, and I'll be back later in the week to share what I created in Andy's class on the Sunday.


Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I'm off working in Norway again this week.  Since I'm away from my craft table I'll be getting my crafty fix by doing some blog-visiting I hope.  See you out there soon!

My dream is to have a house on the beach, even just a little shack somewhere so I can wake up, have coffee, look at dolphins, be quiet, and breathe the air.
Christina Applegate

A beach is not only a sweep of sand, but shells of sea creatures, the sea glass, the seaweed, the incongruous objects washed up by the ocean.
Henry Grunwald

53 comments:

Helen said...

oh, beautiful!! I hadn't really noticed you don't use red, but now you mention it..I think yellow is hard for lots of us, but it's such a cheerful colour and you can't have a beach hut scene without it! Glad you had such a great weekend and we look forward to your Andy results!! Enjoy Norway again.

Jane said...

What a wonderful project, the weekend sounded like heaps of fun.The colours all look so cheerful....a really lovely make.Enjoy your trip x

Lys said...

A beautiful Summer scene in the Autumn light! I love all the details and the textures you gave to your frame. Have a nice stay in Norway, Alison.

Amanda said...

Absolutely fabulous!
Love
Amanda x

Shirley said...

Love all the pics of this fabulous make Alison.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

mamablitger said...

This is gorgeous. Love the houses and the way you decorated them. And all the details...oh my.. They are the cutest. What a lovely decorative shadow box to decorate your wall.
Thank you for sharing your lovely art.
Hugs from Monica... Spain

chrissie said...

Sounds like the perfect weekend with fun and friends Alison. The picture is fantastic and love the idea of relief beach huts by building layers. Great ideas from you as always

Love Chrissie xx

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Such a beautiful beach scene! Those houses are almost live able..lol! Great idea to build up layers with them..and the colors so warm and sunny!

Claire said...

So beautiful - a lovely piece to share at this time of the year! Looking forward to seeing your Andy project too xx

Julie Lee said...

What a lovely burst of sunshine in the winter! The yellow works well and it looks perfect. I really love the weathered look of this scene and the chunky beach huts are fab! It evokes wonderfully the shabby charm of a little seaside town. Brilliant crackle on the frame too. This project has so much character and you have made it very 'you'. I confess I have great difficulties with obeying the teacher - shocking, having been one myself I should know better: am I just an incorrigible child? When I have done classes, though, I've found the best ones are those in which we learn great new techniques and our tutor gives us the wings to fly our own way. It looks to me as if Michelle's facilitated that for you. A lovely post from what looks like a great class. xx

froebelsternchen said...

Wonderful project Alison! Enjoy Norway!

Deborah said...

Oh wow!

Ruth said...

I can smell the sea air and hear the seagulls...such a beautiful project and lovely painted effects. I love Michelle's work and have been lucky enough to attend one of her classes...so talented. Gorgeous work Alison. Ruth xx

Astrid Maclean said...

What a refreshing change, it makes me long for summer! Great dimensional piece and it sounds like a super weekend was had by all. Hope Tando will decide to travel to Scotland at some point.....

Have fun in Norway!

hazel said...

Wow Alison, this is fabulous, glad you had a wonderful weekend.
xxx Hazel.

Lauren Hatwell said...

What a tonic! All that sunshine in a box as the days get shorter and darker. It's really beautiful and it sounds like you had a whale of a time. I am deeply, DEEPLY jealous :oD

Lx

Meggymay said...

Love your amazing box, it is summer somewhere in the world, so its a real lift to see this on our cold, wet, autumn days.
Yvonne xx

Jackie PN said...

Just beautiful Alison!
and what a happy piece so reminiscent of how warm it was a few weeks earlier!
thank you for sharing!
xo

Pamellia said...

GORGEOUS!!! I love Michelle's shadow box, but I do enjoy the more muted, vintage style colours, and I really love all the texture and details you added...the bird is my fav! Awesome shadow box Alison! hugs :)

Juliz Design Post said...

Just gorgeous Alison and it was great to meet you.
Julie x

experiments in paper said...

Oh, how fun, Alison! Love your colors, even the yellow - always nice to have sun! The crackle is amazing, and love all the little touches. Have a good trip! xxx Lynn

Dorthe said...

A wonderful tour to the beach, with your lovely and sweet little huts, Alison.
Such amazing textures on the houses, and the crackled frame, and love your flags . The words truly looks beautiful, with whatever you did to them.....
The colours are wonderful, I`m also not a user of red ,yellow or otange, but a little here and there, does sometimes wonders , like your son here !
Dorthe xxx

Kay Wallace said...

Love your beautiful summer colors for your beach houses, Alison. A wonderful project with such depth and dimension. Big fan here. Enjoy your travels!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Sounds like the perfect weekend to me - and you certainly came up with something wonderful! The colours are definitely more you! This is such a lovely reminder of the Summer! Hugs, Chrisx

rachel said...

this is absolutely beautiful alispn.i love that you enjoyed the yellow. it crrtainly looks well placed! sounds like an amazing time too. big hugs rachel xx

Unknown said...

Hi Alison!! I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to spend as much time visiting my favorite crafty friends :( That makes me sad, and please don't think it's you--It's totally me with 'real life' getting in the way of having fun!!
But, I'm so glad to be by today--I LOVE LOVE LOVE this creation, Alison!! It's surely a nice respite from the Autumn/Winter themes and has me aching for Summer!! I LOVE all of the bright colors and those little beach huts are Fabulous!! This is a piece that will bring Summer indoors all year long!!
Have fun in Norway! Please be careful where ever you go!! XOXO-Shari

Daniele said...

amazing make

SewPaperPaint said...

What a ray of sunshine! It sure seems like Winter skipped a season and is here already, so nice to see something warm and free! Love this!

Corrie Herriman said...

Pleased to hear you had a great weekend ! Your beach hut scene is fantastic ! Love it !
Corrie x

Julia Aston said...

Oh - I just LOVE this beach hut shadow box Alison! what great stripes of colors on them - everthing is so sun drenched - I can just smell the salty air!! a wonderful project - beautifully done! Julia xx

Redanne said...

Since I had the pleasure of sitting next to you in this workshop I know how beautiful this is in real life - I just adore your colour choices Alison! Anne xx

Paper Profusion said...

It is quite a stretch for my tired brain to wander to the seaside yet you have brought me there!! Brilliant project Alison with stunning design, technique and effects. Have a super week in Norway. Nicola x

Kirsten said...

That is stunning!! Glad you had a great time.

SueC said...

Looks like a fabulous class Alison ! Beautiful project, love the dimension and disressed effect of the beach huts. Sue C x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

So glad you had a great weekend. I love your piece, the beach huts are fantastic. I love the layers of colour and the design. Really lifts the spirits on this wet and windy evening . Tracy x

Chrissy said...

Fantastic..I just love this project Alison..the colours and textures..that seagull is perfect..love the painting of the sun and would quite happily live at the beach if the chance came along..brilliant scene..

luv CHRISSYxx

Lisa Minckler said...

I have been waiting all year for the cooler weather, but I will admit...you make warmth look beautiful! I LOVE your creation to bits. The colors come alive and the textures are always the best.
hugs,
Lisa x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

WOW...what a scene, and LOVE that the houses are 3D!!! WAY COOL project!!!!

Deb said...

What a beautiful shadow box Alison, amazing textures and layers of colour and interest. How wonderful to get to meet up with your AVJ teamies and to see other bloggers as well,I'm sure a good time was had by all! Thanks for sharing this lovely project and can't wait to see what you created with Andy Skinner! Deb xo

brenda said...

A lovely creation in such pretty colours Alison and super dimension as well, there is something about beach huts that always pleases, childhood memories I think.

B x

Sarah B said...

this is stunning - love the aged look of the beach huts xx

Candy C said...

Alison this piece is just amazing!!! I truly love what you've made and I am glad you went rogue with your colors. They are beautiful together. I am sure Michelle did not mind at all. Love all of your layers of beautiful crackle and the weathered worn look of the beach cottages. Thanks for sharing!!

Sue said...

This is such a fabulous fun piece, a typical English day at the seaside (without the rain) I definitely need to do both days next year! xx

Adventures in Paperland said...

HOW adorable is this! Love the bright fun colors and each individual house is simply wonderful. Looks like you had a jolly time at this retreat.

Monika Gulyas said...

Wow Alison! This is awesome! I love every detail! What a great work!

maria's knutselplezier said...

Woooow , what a wonderful beach art work, I really love it, it really is a masterpiece to put in a nice corner!! Wonderfull!! Thanks for letting us injoy this!!!

Greetings
Maria

Jean Franks Beck said...

Love this! I so enjoyed looking at each photo for all of the wonderful techniques. What a great project and it turned out beautifully!

Cocofolies said...

Wow, what a great seaside make and project!!!! Absolutely gorgeous, and you must also enjoyed very good moments with your team-mates of the Vintage Journey and some others moreover, happy for you Alison, thanks for sharing :)
Hugs Coco xxx

Hettie said...

This has really made me smile tonight Alison. I absolutely LOVE it!!! That seagull looks so lifelike.
I wish I could take a stroll past these beach huts.
Great job.
Rules are for woozers anyhow!!
Hugs
xx

Capescrapper said...

This is so wonderful thanks for sharing!!

Fliss said...

My jaw literally dropped when I saw this Alison! This is totally amazing! So much beautiful detail and your beach huts look stunning.
Fliss xx

Mrs.B said...

Looks like you had a great day - fabulous project and I do love your colour choice
Avril xx

Michelle Webb said...

I know it has taken me a while to catch up! But I'm just starting to get back into the crafty zone after working away solidly for 6 months. So sorry I haven't visited and commented earlier Alison. Xxx You know how much I love your crafty work and words, you are a wordsmith and so gorgeously creative. Thank you for coming to my class, you are such wonderful, loving, fun presence in the room, I love bumping into you! Your take on the beach huts is fantastic, and I'm really please you took the basic idea and then gave it the Alison Bomber touch, because it's flippin brilliant. In fact I want it on my wall! Lol Can we swap??? Hope to see you again very soon. Xx