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 June 2016

Tic Tac Toe with Simon Says Stamp

Hello all!  It's time for my final project in the Designer Spotlight at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge this month.


It's been an honour and a pleasure to play alongside the fabulous SSS Design Team.  Many thanks to Lols and all of them for having me - I've had an absolute ball!  So to reveal the final challenge theme of June...


... and I'm very happy to say it's a Tic Tac Toe board - one of my favourite crafty games to play.


As you can imagine, there's a wide variety of inspiration on display over at the Monday Challenge blog, depending on what line everyone has chosen.  I played with the diagonal Spray/Stencil/Stamp, and here is the journalling spread I came up with.


I played in one of my favourite journals - an altered book made in the class I took with France Papillon ages ago (which it suddenly occurs to me I haven't shared with you at any point, so I'll try to do that some time soon!).





I started by putting some texture paste through the Tim Holtz Blossom Layering Stencil, and then added Vanilla White Embossing Powder while it was still wet.

I heat dried it to get it to emboss and bubble with the paste underneath for lots of funky texture.  It also has quite a glossy shine to it.












I spritzed Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky Distress Stain Sprays around the cloudy blossoms (or billowy clouds - I still can't decide whether they're blossoms or clouds, to be honest!).













I also unscrewed the spray lids and used the inner tubes to flick some inky colour around - Broken China was added to the mix at this point too.













So, I've already got two out of my three Tic Tac Toe ingredients in play... time for some stamping!














Lots and lots of layers of wildflower and meadow grasses using two of my wood-mounted Tim Holtz stamps - Twigs and Dried Flower.  I used the same designs in the small clear stamp version too.











You'll see that under all that Olive and Leaf Green Archival stamping, there's also another stencil in action - the Tim Holtz Wildflowers done in Peeled Paint Distress Ink.














Now that I'd fulfilled the Tic Tac Toe rules, I was free to go in any direction with the rest of the pages.  The Layered Dragonfly seemed like the perfect inhabitant of such a summery meadow.












I made the first cut out of plain card, and dipped him into Peeled Paint and Mowed Lawn Distress Stain on the mat.












Once the body was done, I added Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Stormy Sky, a hint of Wilted Violet and a little more of the greens to the wings.

The top layer was cut out of leftover acetate packaging and run through the accompanying embossing folder.










I didn't want to lose my lovely inky splotches and blotches when I glued down the acetate, so I sealed the inky dragonfly with Micro Glaze and let it dry before adding my Glossy Accents to attach the top layer.

I love how he catches the light, shimmering in and out of view. 












I used a wire stem cut from a paper flower to give him his lovely curly antennae.
















The fabulous Wildflower Thinlits are here again... very simply done.

They're cut from plain white card and I used the same Vanilla White embossing powder as on the clouds of blossom at the top of the page.













It gives them a shimmering gleam in the light, perfect for attracting the eye.















I had some trouble figuring out what else belonged on the page, but while idly flicking through the Found Relatives Occasions vintage photos, I found these children playing in a meadow full of wild flowers and grasses... sold!













I distressed the photo edges with my distressing tool, and added some Vintage Photo DI (of course).

There's also some Vintage Photo around the very edges of the pages to give an aged look and draw the eye inwards.












Perched right on the edge of the photo is a butterfly made in the same way as the large dragonfly, only he was cut using the TH Large Butterfly Punch.














I wanted the inky colours to echo across the two pages, and I love the dimension from the fluttering wings.  (You have to pay attention when you're shutting the book, but it can be done!)














And this is Words and Pictures so there have to be some words... back to the fabulous Small Talk Stickers for those...

(And some Tissue Tape adds detail and movement underneath.)









I think the two girls definitely believe.  I'm not so sure about the boy... but I hope he'll get there.








I do hope you've had a relaxing time wandering through my summer meadow, and maybe even found some magic along the way.  I had a really lovely time creating it.  If you fancy following some of my footsteps, you can click on any of the links in the text to go shopping straightaway!  One final shot of the flash of sunlight as the dragonfly darts past... I love how much light dances around these pages.


I'm sure the Tic Tac Toe board will fire your creative juices too, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.  As always, there's a generous prize voucher on offer from Simon Says Stamp.



Simon Says Stamp

So thank you again to SSS for having me.  I've really enjoyed the June challenges, and I hope you have too.  Happy crafting all!

And above all watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.  Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
Roald Dahl

The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.
W.B. Yeats

47 comments:

Paper Profusion said...

Absolutely beautiful Alison. Representation of nature is always a delight coming from you. You've treated us to wonderful projects during your SSS tenure. Have a lovely week. Nicola x

Dorthe said...

Alison I love your green meadow, the grasses blowing lightly in the wind, the dragonfly buzzing around, and sweet kids playing there, making fond memories !!!, that`s how I feel seeing your beautiful spread.
So wonderful taking me back to my own childhood, when living next to a lovely meadow like this one, and often playing there :-)
Hugs, Dorthe

brenda said...

Such a lovely fresh summery feel to this super piece Alison.

B x

suzieq23 said...

Great, love it, so creative! Using the acetate on the dragon fly really made it unique.

Catherine said...

This is beautiful, Alison! The meadow is gorgeous and I can just imagine sitting there and relaxing. Amazing!

Hugs,
Cathie ♥

Paula Cheney said...

what I love most is the different colors of green you used to make the wildflowers look like grass! great idea!!

Margik said...

What dreamy pages to admire, Alison! I really love the combination of colours, textures and stamping. The addition of the beautiful dragonfly is a great choice.
Hugs, Mar

chrissie said...

A very beautiful and inspirational journal spread. Love the way you used the dragonflies and the stencils

Great quote by Yeats thank you

Love Chrissie xx

Helen said...

wow what a great game you played! love the journal page, especially the grasses but it is all gorgeous.

AlexaCzar said...

very nice.
Now i am sure, i need the TH wildflowers.
Greets
Alexa

Redanne said...

I really love that puffy embossing paste, it does remind me of fluffy clouds, the dragonfly is simply beautiful and the green meadow is a delight! Anne xx

Meggymay said...

Absolutely gorgeous pages. Love the textures and how you used the embossing powder. The dragon fly looks beautiful.
Yvonne xx

Amanda said...

What a fabulous journal spread and a perfect photograph to finish it all off with.
Love
Amanda X

Stephanie said...

Great pages, Alison!! I love the texture and you picked the perfect found relatives pic! :)

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh my gosh, another stunner! I cannot wait to see more of this yummy journal! What amazing work! The colors and imagery here are perfect!

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous pages Alison! the background is absolutely stunning and you found the perfect pic to complement! LOVE it :-)

It has been a real pleasure having you along with us this month and I really can't thank you enough, I hope we get to do this again sometime soon :-)

luv
Lols x x x

sally said...

I'm sitting in that page just enjoying the peace!

Sally xx

Astrid Maclean said...

A wonderful spread here again Alison, with all your hallmark elements, I would recognize this as your work anywhere. Specially love how te dragon fly turned out, stunning! A great finale!

Nan G said...

Love your dragonfly and all of your wonderful layers. A truly magical piece today, butterfly!

Meihsia Liu said...

Such gorgeous journal pages, Alison. Love the beautiful colors and great texture you create! :)

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous spread! LOVE the whole scene, and that dragonfly!

Mrs.B said...

Wonderful pages Alison, I can just imagine sitting in that lovely green meadow. You've created the perfect scene for that photo to. Love the dragonfly - looks amazing.
Avril xx

Maura said...

Beautiful and serene pages Alison! It's been wonderful sharing the month of June with you! I look forward to seeing your creative energy and wonderful work. hugs, Maura

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is gorgeous Alison I love the wildflowers and the dragonfly!

Lucy x

Julia Aston said...

What gorgeous pages Alison! I love the thick over stamping of the greenery, the beautiful puffy embossing through the stencil and lovely layered butterfly! A wonderful summer field scene - I can just hear the insects all buzzing! Julia xx

Brenda Brown said...

Delightful pages Alison, love the gentle blues and greens with delicate texture and amazing details. Off to pin this now xxxx

Pamellia said...

Gorgeous Alison!! Love the colours, I could totally see myself running through this field of flowers! Beautiful dragonfly and I love the image you used. Stunning page! hugs :)

2amscrapper said...

wow! love the techniques you used here--such gorgeous pages! I must find those thinlets!

Monika Gulyas said...

Oh Alison, your journal pages are beautiful!!! I love your soft blues and greens and the interesting textures!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

*sigh* These felt so peaceful and made me so happy. I felt the warm meadow breezes and smelled the grass for a minute there (and never once had an allergy attack, that's true magic!)

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Alison a dream of a spread that takes me back to the days when you could take a picnic out, choose a field to eat it in and not upset the farmer, because he knew you would take away your litter! I am horrified these days when out on walks, at the amount of litter dropped carelessly around(Whoops! Grump over!)
I love your cloudy/flowery sky and the beautiful shimmery dragonfly! The greenery with the white wildflower thinlets make for a calm scene! Hugs, Chrisx

Diana Taylor said...

What utterly delightful pages - I want to meander through them and go back to the carefree, never ending summer days of childhood. Such happy, wonderful pages - I wonder if she's making a daisy chain!

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a great , beauitful, nature page for your beautiful foto, I love it!!! Thanks for the inspiration , I'm looking for some more backgrounds for my sons photo book , so thanks !!It looks wonderfull to try!!

Greetings
Maria

Anneke said...

Another beautiful piece of your work.
Thanks for taking the time to show how you made it.

Kath Stewart said...

stunning project Alison...you are certainly going out with a beauty...it's been great having you join us...hugs kath xxx

craftytrog said...

My favourite colours, & it's a stunning spread Alison xxx

Cocofolies said...

WOW!!!! Stunning pages, you have created a sunny and so beautiful scene here! And your dragonfly is a pure delight!!!!
Loving also the abundance of flowers and grasses... Fabulous work.

Hugs again Alison :) xxx

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

This is such an incredible piece! That dragonfly wing's alone were enough to knock me off my seat! You are always so innovative and you have the skills to back it up! What a joy it's been to work alongside you for this month's Simon challenges!

Barbara said...

Alison it has been a pleasure to have you with us on Simon says Monday challenge blog blog during this month! You know I'm always a fan of your style! This work is fantastic, love all the shades of blue and green you've used , and every time I'm amazed from the design of your projects! Thanks again to share your art! Barbara

Emma Williams said...

These journal pages are just so beautiful, Alison. The dragonfly looks amazing in all it's shimmery glory and I can imagine sitting in that meadow watching the world go by! It's been an absolute pleasure to have you join us throughout June and thank you so much for sharing all your wonderful artwork... xx

Sandra said...

Gorgeous art journal spread, Alison! Love scenery, and the stunning dragon fly! The wild flowers look amazing and love the old picture. So great to have you as a guest designer! You're so talented! Hugs, Sandra

Macarena said...

I love the pages! The background is just amazing and so rich in details. I love the stamping layers! So happy to have you as a GD and can admire your projects! Hugs, Marzena

Sandy said...

I seem to fall in love with EVERYTHING you make!!
sandy xx

SusanLotus said...

Fantastic journalpage!
Very artful and creatively done.
Sussie

Anke said...

WOW WOW WOW was für ein entzückendes Werk, traumhaft schön, zum Verlieben *seufz*

Begeisterte Grüße
von Anke

Etsuko said...

Beautiful atmosphere of nostalgic childhood, love the your nature colours and images. I love the pages. cc

Jackie PN said...

Here I am again!
Still making my way through your posts, slowly but surely! i don't want to miss a thing! ")
Alison, these pages are amazing!!And the dragonfly and children- perfect!! Everything flows together soooo beautifully-wish I was in that beautiful meadow!!
Hope your summer went well- sending hugs,Jackie