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...

Saturday 16 July 2016

Even More Ancient History

Having finally got around to sharing one lot of Ancient History with my France Papillon altered book, here's another piece made in a class from ages ago.  This 8x8 canvas was made in a fantastic day exploring Gelatos at the Craft Barn (when it was still in its former home) with the wonderful Chris Dark of Sketching Stamper.  This was way back in November 2013 - yup, even longer ago than the France workshops!


It's a bit of a hop out of kin for me, but it would have been even more of a hop if I hadn't done my usual classroom thing of going slightly my own way with it!






The finished workshop piece was meant to be much brighter in colour, and with bolder black outlines to everything, but I couldn't resist softening to these more natural tones and subtle shading.












It was brilliant fun though, and of course I meant to come straight home and make something along similar lines.  Funny how that never quite happens, eh?!













As you can probably guess, I loved creating the texture and dimension, with the tissue wrap background complete with stencilled texture amidst the wrinkles.













Though I don't go for girl figures much, I do enjoy the light carefree attitude she has...












... wandering through the poppy fields, garlanded with flowers!

Chris's idea for the pleated skirt was great fun to follow - again all that lovely dimension.











I surprised myself by really enjoying creating her hair (not dissimilar to my own frizzed curls, though not the same colour!).












I love how we created such a dimensional look just with simple card die-cuts and some shading.










I think it may have been this workshop which started me off on shading around things a lot.  That's definitely continued into my onward crafting.  And though red puts in only a very occasional appearance around here, it feels fine on this occasion because it's poppies...


Well, at least they're poppies in my head (though I'm aware they're not quite the right shape) and I do love my wild meadow flowers after all!  (Click on the photos if you'd like a larger view.)









Can't do without some words of course.  ChitChat stickers fit the bill nicely (these were the days before the Small Talk phrases).














And what would a summer meadow be without some butterflies, large...











... and small?!

So that's another piece of Ancient History dug up for you to examine.  













What with these projects from workshops long ago and all the Encore posts, it's quite a "historical" year here at Words and Pictures.  










It's all because I'm spending so much time out of reach of my craft desk, busy with other things in other countries so there are very few current projects.  Not to complain, but I do miss both my crafting and being able to visit all of you regularly.  Ah well, you can't have everything, can you?!











Just a quick reminder about my blog candy... There's just over a week left to put your name in the hat by leaving a comment here - my way of saying thank you for your company over the last four years as well as today.  Hope you're all enjoying a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you again soon.

Through the dancing poppies stole
A breeze most softly lulling to my soul.
From Endymion by John Keats

43 comments:

Helen said...

I love those die cuts coloured poppy red, they really work!! great project.

rachel said...

Absolutely beautiful alison. A gorgeous canvas and its always lovely to see your makes ... be they new or old ..i hope ur having fun... big hugs rachel x

Lauren Hatwell said...

What a beautiful canvas and what an amazing experience. No wonder you wanted to re-live it. Thanks so much for sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lx

Mary Elizabeth said...

I *love* this. Everything we learn leaves its impact on it in some way. We find within ourselves who we are (and in some cases, who we are not) in terms of our own creative aesthetic. I am so glad you shared this. I think the hair is fabulous. It is one of the first things that I noticed. The tissue work is absolutely amazing as well!!! I really love the pops of color on the poppies and butterflies. So glad you got a moment to share this project with u s. Even though you aren't able to be in your craftroom as much as you wanted, you are creating art for us with words and pictures on your blog ( so much better than I am !).

Thanks for dropping by my blog. I appreciate the well wishes for my friends. Both are still having their share of challenges. I will be heading back to Duke University Hospital to be with one of my friends this week. My other friend had to go to NY to see our neurosurgeon. She is headed toward multiple neurosurgeries. UGH. I am so glad to be on the support side of this :)

Hugs to you my dear friend. Heading back to see some more of your gorgeous makes. -- ME

Lys said...

A lovely canvas, with subtle shades (yes probably better without black outlines). I love the skirt pleats and the 3D poppies!

chrissie said...

So beautiful Alison and great that it had your own take on the project

The piece from Keats is so nice

Love Chrissie xx

Paper Profusion said...

She does indeed look carefree, yet thoughtful. Love your use of reds and the softer shading would be much more preferable to me too. It looks fabulous! Nicola x

Monika Gulyas said...

Oh Alison, I can't express with words how I love this canvas! The colours, the textures, the composition - all for my taste :-) Good for us you didn't hide this fab canvas anymore! Hugs

Chrissy said...

OH WOW!!..this is stunning Alison..her skirt is outstanding and I adore the poppies [another die on my wish list] what a wonderful scene..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Corrie Herriman said...

Such a lovely canvas ! A little bit different to your colour palette these days !
Corrie x

Redanne said...

A truly beautiful canvas, I can just picture the canvas that Chris created! I think the muted tones work well with the girl and she does indeed look carefree. I still have some of those poppy die cuts, I should get them out, they look so beautiful on your canvas! Anne xx

Meggymay said...

A beautiful canvas Alison, love the softer yet more colourful tones you used and the details, textures and girl look awesome.
Yvonne xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Such a gorgeous canvas Alison, I love the poppies and the whole eretheral feel to the creation
Hugs
Donna xx

Unknown said...

Lovely canvas Alison! I can see this being page in a book, the colours are just gorgeous as is the design xx

Barbara said...

Gorgwous canvas Alison! love love love your coloring, , the textures and the design of your project! Wonderful! Barbara

Brenda Brown said...

Love the colour tones on your beautiful canvas and such a fabulous design, it's very 'Alison' and yet very different at least he same time. Xxx

Deb said...

Beautiful Alison, love the colours and those beautiful poppies! Deb xo

Flo Langley said...

Fantastic! Really love this Alison. Have a wonderful week.
Flo x

Marci said...

This is lovely, although I thought I was on the wrong blog for just a minute there. I hope you are saving up some travel posts for us. I really enjoyed the one about the Chinese brushes, especially. Safe travels to you.

Annie said...

Your canvas is stunning Alison x love the layers and I agree that the subtle shading looks better than bold

Hope you are relaxing

Hugs Annie x

Astrid Maclean said...

What a great fun piece, absolutely adore that girl among those flowers, beautifully put together and how fun to see ou do something in a totally different style! And yep, the subtle shading is gorgeous!!

Pamellia said...

What a gorgeous canvas Alison! I am just in love with the scene you have created! All those luscious florals reaching up to the sun in the sky, and the butterfly floating around, choosing the perfect flower to land on. And the girl, enjoying the warm summer weather! WOW, I just took a little stroll right into your canvas!! teehee. Love it! hugs :)

froebelsternchen said...

A wonderful canvas dear Alison! Amazing!
hugs
Susi

Julia Aston said...

What a sweet canvas Alison - love the colors, textures and pleated skirt! Julia xx

Fliss said...

Gorgeously colourful canvas Alison and love those beautiful red poppies, they look so lovely against your fab background.
Fliss xx
PS: Commenting still a bit sporadic but hopefully better soon!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

This has many Alison-like touches to it so while not along the lines as your usual stuff there is no doubt who made it. I like this brighter sunnier side of you. Love that pleated skirt!

hazel said...

A wonderful canvas Alison - I went to a lot of great workshops at the Craft Barn - it's not the same anymore.
xxx Hazel.

sally said...

W.ell well, this is different! I did not guess from the bloglovin feed small picture that this was one of yours!

Sally x

Diana Taylor said...

Just beautiful - the little girl is so sweet and I love the red theme - a colour I am always drawn to. A lovely feel of childhood and summer days.

mariabellekens said...

What an amazing art work, I just love this , great colours , great image !!

Greetings
Maria

Cocofolies said...

Adorable canvas!!! Thank you for sharing Alison, even more if you are still so busy with your work.. and maybe simply Life.
I love your beautiful integration of all the die-cuts, the scene you created with the butterflies and poppies is totally awesome. And the little girl with her pleated skirt and hair is fabulous!!!!
Thanks so much for your support and wonderful comments on ABC blog and mine too Alison, so much appreciated always.
Avec toute mon amitié, hugs
Corinne xxx

maj. said...

Fantastic canvas, beautiful details!!!

Mrs.B said...

It's a gorgeous canvas Alison, and even though it's very different for you, you've managed to make it your own with the subtle shading. Looks like it would have been a fun class.
Avril xx

Sarah B said...

a stunning canvas - still has your trademark style even with the touch of brighter colours xx

Dorthe said...

The poppy diecuts are so lovely there with the sweet and happy girl,
wandering in the meadow I think . Summer and butterflies are there, it is a wonderful piece dear Alison. xox

Sue said...

I really like this Alison, it looks like you had a fun time xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love these softened colours! It reminds me of a picture book my granddaughter used to have! Beautiful! Chrisx

Gio said...

Such a lovely and bright canvas. I love the texture!

Sandy said...

Anything with Chris would be absolutely delightful! Love your canvas!
Sandy xx

Karen Petitt said...

Stunning! Wish I was able to create something like this, I love it Karen x

Etsuko said...

Absolutely lovely canvas Alison, Fabulous material and happy colours...poppies red, her hairstyle and especially her skirt I love them. xxx

Anke said...

A big WOW, what so beautiful canvas, I love it.

Hugs
Anke

Jackie PN said...

Such a lovely canvas! I adore Poppies and agree the pleated skirt and its texture was the way to go! xo