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Thursday 21 December 2017

The Frosty Air of Night







Hello all!  This is the three-quarter mark... Tag 9 of the Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas.


Linda's inspiration tag is a wonderful wintry scene that I've reinvented with a couple of my favourite techniques, though I've given one of them a slight twist.

I seem to be entirely stuck on the greenery - it often plays a part in my versions of the 12 Tags, but it's been completely universal through the collection this year.

The deer are also playing a major role in the set of tags, so this tag is pretty representative of the whole collection, though really it's all about that night sky as far as I'm concerned.








I did my usual favourite smooshing technique onto a gesso'd tag, but I mixed Distress Paint and Distress Stain on the mat to do it (both in Chipped Sapphire).















I absolutely love the resulting swirl of shapes and splotches and blotches - like the Northern Lights but in nice subtle colours that I like!













And it got even better after it had had some snowy splatter (both stamped and spattered).

Once that sky was in place the rest really was plain sailing...










The deer is cut from textured card and inked with Black Soot around the edges.  A little extra Chipped Sapphire DI scribbled under his feet gives him a safe footing in the snow.















The trees are cut from the same soft green woodgrain paper I used on Tag 6, The Snowflakes Come Down.  Again, a little scribbled ink gives them somewhere to stand.














I love these delicate die-cuts, and I especially love that they don't cover up too much of my sky!













Up at the top there are some pinecones - I've gone for some real ones rather than the die-cut sort - in nice dark brown tones to match the deer. I added some of the lovely frosted berries to the mix, as well as a metal snowflake charm.












And there are some more of my beloved fir branches, some cut from the same Anna Marie Designs paper as the trees, and some punched out of some darker card with a Tim Holtz punch.











Given my obsession with that inky painty sky, the words from the Christmas Clippings were an easy pick.  They had to draw attention to it.

Some white twine at the top, and we're done.  So, really a very simple tag, but oh how it makes me happy!  I hope you like it too.






Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I know it's a crazily busy time of year for most of us, so I really appreciate your visits.  Time spent at the craft table feels like a real indulgence... but if you can't indulge yourself at Christmas, when can you?  I hope also to squeeze in some visiting over the next few days, so I'll see you soon, either here or elsewhere in Craftyblogland.

The sky grew darker, painted blue on blue, one stroke at a time, into deeper and deeper shades of night.
From Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami

I'd like to share this as my Tag 9 in the Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique

34 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful tag, my fave so far, Have a lovely day, hugs, Valerie

Helen said...

what a beautiful tag, Alison!

Fliss said...

A really stunning tag Alison. The background is a frosty triumph and the deer and embellishing are all so lovely.
Fliss xx

craftytrog said...

It's a beautiful composition Alison! X

Marci said...

I love your sky. Now I think this one is my favorite!

R's Rue said...

Love.

My name is Erika. said...

So beautiful Alison and perfect for the solstice too. Hugs-Erika

Gitte said...

Wauw your tags are so awesome.

Meggymay said...

Stunning, a magical winters scene captured on this amazing tag.
Yvonne xx

Diana Taylor said...

Beautiful tag - I love the way you've created the landscape by not smooshing to the bottom of the tag, and leaving just the right amount of white. Perfect!

froebelsternchen said...

I love all about it! The BLUE, the texture the deer! A wonderful tag - better called piece of art!
All the best for baking and prepairing Alison!
Thank you for the lovely digital card - I got it - so pretty!
oxo Susi

Sandy said...

On a cold winter's day out in the snow, what to my wondering eyes should appear but a magnificent buck bringing Christmas cheer!
Merry Christmas Alison!
Sandy Claus

Dorthe said...

A wonderful tag, - as if to be there in the snowy weather, seeing the deer stop and the beautiful trees , surrounding it. Such beauty , and such amazing art , dear friend.
Hugs, Dorthe

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I feel the chill of the brisk cold air in this, but oh so beautiful! LOVE this scene! Merry Christmas to you!!!

Chrissy said...

Oh,WOW, Alison this just has to be my favourite winter tag..I love this..I need those trees dies, or that tree die..love the cool colours and pinecones..FABulous.

Luv CHRISSYxx

SewPaperPaint said...

Love the amazing ink work! It is so rewarding and always my favorite part. This came out beautifully! Hugs, Autumn

Amanda said...

Great background on which to create your tag, keep the deer coming!
Love
Amanda x

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Oh this is just magical Alison, I’m transported into a Winter Wonderland every time I pop in to see what you’ve created ;)
Hugs
Donna xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Love this background Alison, so much more vibrancy by replacing water for the sprays. Your embellishments sit beautifully upon your tag displaying the magic that winter gives us and leaving me with a big heartfelt Thank you to you for such creative inspiration.
Warm Wishes Tracey xx

Dortesjs said...

Ohh a beautiful post this one ;O))

Patty O'Malley said...

Another fantastic tag, Alison! Love the sky!

Kate Yetter said...

Another beautiful tag Alison. I love how you 'smooched' the background. Those trees are amazing. I am going to have to get those.A lovely and peaceful wintry scene.
Merry Christmas!
Kate

maj. said...

Beautiful tag Alison!!!
Merry Christmas!!!

Art By Wanda said...

Gorgeous tag!!!

Redanne said...

Another stunner Alison, the wintry background you created is just gorgeous!! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Anne xx

Paper Profusion said...

Well if I were you Alison I too would be obsessed with that sky - it is beautiful!! A very lovely make indeed. I'm genuinely sorry to have been missing from comments and blogging this year. Merry Christmas again, Nicola x

Craftyfield said...

The sky is great, the falling snow impression and the die-cut deer are just right for this tag! If you're looking for a totally unsubtle version of the Northern Lights I made one recently... Merry Christmas Alison!

Marci said...

My comments have disappeared. This tag has a gorgeous background. I love the shades of blue.

Words and Pictures said...

Hi Marci, I'm sorry... for some reason Blogger decided your recent comments were Spam. I'm so glad you noticed and mentioned the disappearances. I've just found them in Spam and restored them to their rightful place! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Alison xx

Anke said...

WOW WOW WOW absolutely stunning, Alison. I love your tag.

Hugs
Anke

Jackie PN said...

omgoodness! Another favorite! Your tags have been too beautiful to sort a favorite from!
But I really do love the represented sky in this one!
You inspire me so dear Alison!
Jackie xo

Cocofolies said...

Delighful tag again Alison, I love your background made with a mix of paint and stain in Sapphire blue shades, wonderful colours and scene!!!
Hugs again, Coco xxx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Yes this does make me happy! I love how you created your sky! Chrisxx

sarascloset said...

This is lovely, Alison! That frosty night sky is a gorgeous backdrop for those delicate trees and deer. And of course, your greenery/cone/berry bundle tops it off beautifully! You have done an outstanding job with each of your tags, and I'm happy to say there's more for me to drool over! Sending warm hugs!