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...

Friday 2 February 2018

Bubble, bubble, boil and bubble





Okay, yes, I'm misquoting, but it's bad luck to quote that particular play properly anyway... and I really wanted to draw attention to the theme of this month's challenge at A Vintage Journey - we'd like you to Melt It!

Our host for February is the lovely Julia, and you'll find all the instructions and details of what she's looking for over at A Vintage Journey, along with lots of amazing inspiration from my fellow Creative Guides.  Suffice it to say, we'd like you to get things bubbling and melting!

(After a quiet January, it's all gone a bit crazy in the last few days, so just a nudge or two... If you missed the release of my latest stamps at PaperArtsy, do check them out.  And with yesterday being the first of the month, we've also kicked off a new challenge at Mini Album Makers so, if you've nothing better to do, you can also take a look at my inspiration book for that, Glimpses of Springtime.)









But back to A Vintage Journey... let's Melt It!

My melting has taken the form of some rusty bubbles filled with UTEE.  I wasn't sure where I was going when I started out, but I like where I ended up.











I started with some Distress Inks - Broken China and Pumice Stone - and Distress Oxides - Broken China and Frayed Burlap - and did some wrinkle-free distress smooshing.

You can probably just see the edge of the secondary tag created at the same time.  I thought about a pair of bubbly tags, but decided to save that second tag for something else in the end.












I formed my rings of rusty wire (not going for too much perfection) and book page fragments.













Firstly, I gave the book page a couple of coats of UTEE by itself, then I placed the rusty ring on to the surface and poured some more UTEE powder into it.  I should really have got the Melt Pot out, but I simply couldn't be bothered... I thought I'd try this first.












Oh, and I added a metal gear to each bubble for extra detail.  I did try out some word stickers too, but decided they'd be better on the outside of the bubbles.












There was a bit of leakage, as I hadn't tried to make my rusty rings "liquid-tight", but once I trimmed the spare paper off, it was all fine.

And overall I love the effect.












I love that you get the reverse side of the text showing as the paper becomes translucent with the UTEE.















And of course the glossy shine really makes me happy.














I guess the words in the bubble affected my choice of Paper Doll to go on the tag... though it was unconscious, if so.













On the surface level I was mostly going for the look of it.  I love how he's interacting with his strange world - hand on bubble.














There's some additional background stamping done with Tim's Etcetera stamp plate, full of great ephemera images.
















And I scoured through the Clippings stickers to find words which would bring the tag story to life.













It's definitely a strange land...















... but not frightening...
















... just full of curiosities and wonder.















I didn't even have to dye the ribbon for the top of the tag - it came with one of my Funkie Junkie Boutique parcels one time, and has been waiting for its moment ever since.











I'm still not entirely sure why but this tag really makes me happy.

I think it's to do with it bubbling up from the unconscious without me really knowing where it was going.  I love it when things you're making take you by surprise.













And I also like that it's quite different in mood according to whether the sun is shining on it or not... as you can see!







There's lots more inspiration over at A Vintage Journey where my amazing fellow Creative Guides have been melting things to their hearts' content.  We hope you'll be inspired to get out the embossing powders, the beeswax (my original intention), the wax crayons, or anything else you can melt. 




You might be selected as one of our Pinworthies, and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher from this month's generous sponsor, the always-fabulous Country View Crafts.  Happy melting all!




I prefer to live in my own little bubble of my own reality.
Lauren Lee Smith

We live in a strange bubble.
Brian Molko

I'd like to share this at Stamps and Stencils where the theme is Off to Collage
And they're still Feeling Blue at That's Crafty Challenges, so I'd like to join in there too


53 comments:

Bev. Wilson said...

Love your rusty bubbles! They look brilliant! :)

Kate Yetter said...

So lovely! Your background is so pretty.

Julia Aston said...

What a beautiful Melt It Project Alison - such a creative idea to fill the rusty wire circles with UTEE - the face on that little boy just cracks me up - he certainly looks like he has come upon a strange land! (love your new stamp set too!!) Julia xx

Helen said...

the rusty bubble rings are fantastic! I found my rusty wire the other day, who knows, maybe one day I'll use some! the tag looks great.

Valerie-Jael said...

Gorgeous peiece, great idea with the rust and utee. Hugs, Valerie

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Mmmmm a delicious combo of wire and UTEE.. I love how they work together. Beautiful words and the cutest boy image, all heavenly.
Have a wonderful weekend Alison.. Best wishes Tracey xx

craftytrog said...

Love those rusty bubbles! Great tag Alison! xox

hazel said...

A fabulous tag Alison - love the bubbles.
xxx Hazel.

Brenda Brown said...

Oh my this is gorgeous Alison, the fabulous background, the stamping, the words and the vintage image provide the perfect backdrop for those wonderful glossy rusty rings. Everything came together brilliantly xxx

Pamellia said...

Fantastic tag Alison! Such a beautiful background, love the colour combo! So many wonderful stamped designs, and your choice of Paper dolls certainly fits the printed text!! I love your melted bubbles, what a unique embellishment you created! Amazing! hugs :)

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Love this Alison and I really love the rusty circles too with the melted UTEE, I have some somewhere so must dig it out to have a go!
Hugs
Donna xx

Jackie PN said...

Oh I am so with you- this tag makes me happy as well!! I almost think it reminds me of blowing soap bubbles as a child! Absolutely delightful and Blue-tiful! heehee Love that you shared your steps Alison!
hugs,Jackie
ps..be sure to let us know when you safely arrive xo <3

Patty O'Malley said...

This tag made me happy the minute I saw it in my reading list. I just love it! Those bubbles look fantastic and I love the little boy!

SewPaperPaint said...

I know why this tag makes you happy - it makes everyone who sees it happy! GAH! How incredible are those rings and the darling boy and the oh so perfect combo of blue and brown for your tag bg. Ahhhhh..... Sigh.... I could sit and stare at this one! <3 Big hugs, Autumn

Nan G said...

Love your bubbles! It's like we are looking through a porthole into some mysterious book. I remember Commenting on the paperartsy post....absolutely LOVE the new word/quote stamps!

Redanne said...

The rusty bubbles look fabulous and the quote you used is just perfect for the little boy, who looks rather bemused. Gorgeous background too, but it is the bubbles that I can't take my eyes off! Anne xx

Dorthe said...

A wonderful Melt it project, I love your tag Alison, and the fantastic bubbles, created with UTEE-looking amazing with the underpaper shining through!!
That little fellow, sure have new experiences, to do, in his strange world.
Dorthe, xoxo

Jennie Atkinson said...

I absolutely adore those wonderful UTEE circles in the wires - rusty bubbles indeed! And they sit so beautifully on your wonderful background. A fabulous melt it project! Jennie x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I'm still wrapping my head around those wired glass looking pieces...WOW!!! I can't believe they are UTEE...so smooth and perfectly translucent...you nailed it. Great idea too! What a gorgeous tag, and love the color!

Craftyfield said...

Great techniques ideas with the UTEE and the wire (taking notes...) and a perfect choice of Paper doll! Fabulous tag, Alison!

Evelyn Walter said...

Hello dear Alison,
I really love this little tag too! It is so sophisticated with these lovely bubbles! The little boy is so very cute and you added the perfect words - you are a master in this =)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs, Evelyn

Astrid Maclean said...

Such a fun idea, your bubbles look super cool on this gorgeous tag! And of course, the words are just perfect!

Deb said...

This is inspired Alison, what a brilliant idea to use the wire filled with UTEE, as others have said I am definitely going to give that a try, the results are fabulous! Love your expert use of the text as well, you always incorporate it so seamlessly into all that you do. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful tag, Deb xo

Meggymay said...

This looks fabulous and you have given us a few super ideas, as you described how you had created it.
Yvonne xx

S@ndy Diller said...

Fabulous tag Alison, I love the way you made the bubbles with the cogs, etc.
Hugs, S@ndy xx

Sue said...

Oh I love this, from the twisted rusty wire to the UTEE and the book pages, some of my favourite things all in the same place, just perfect! xx

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous tag, and I know they're bubbles but they remind me of the metal hoops children played with in the early 1900's, especially with that little boy.
Have a great weekend.
Avril xx

Monika Gulyas said...

What an amazing design, Alison!!! Those round wires with the gears, the book pages and the melted UTEE are absolutely brilliant!!! The background is fabulous!!! xx

Dortesjs said...

Alison ! you blow me away...beautiful post love this tag, great colour combo - have a great week end

Nikki Acton said...

Love your rusty bubbles! What a great idea... they are really effective! xx

Lys said...

I love your inconscious bubbles, Alison! Great creativity here, such a strong effect of the wire, contrasting with the softness of the background and the child. Interesting tip too, as the UTEE leaves the paper translucent in the end...

Cocofolies said...

Oh, I love this!!!
A great way to play with your Utee and wire!
You have created three fun bubbles but also very beautiful :)
Hugs, I hope you are enjoying your weekend Alison with less pressure now. xx

Fliss said...

This is absolutely stunning Alison! The bubbles look amazing in the rusty wrapping (just ordered myself some rusty wire in fact) and the background is gorgeous. The text goes so well with the cute paper doll too.
Thanks for joining in our blue challenge and lovely to see you there.
Good luck!
Fliss xx

sarascloset said...

It seems that a few of us didn't know where we were going when we started creating! Your background on this tag is so fresh and spring like, and it's only fitting you should include some fun bubbles to float through this gorgeous sky. Really a clever use of UTEE, one that I've never seen. All of your work makes me happy, Alison! Sending hugs!

Beulah Bee said...

Super inventive and inspiring! I'm gonna have to dust off that big ol' jar of UTEE and try this. Your tag looks terrific and this is a great idea.

Hazel Agnew said...

Yummy rusty wire, and a great shortcut with the utee. Another great tag Alison. Off to give the rusty wire an airing! X

Gio said...

Just love love it!! And those Utee embellishments are to die for, these could be lovely pieces of jewelry, for sure!

Candy C said...

OH my goodness! I ADORE this little tag! First of all, I have a teal fetish! Mixed with brown tones...I swoon even more. So, you already had me there! But then the UTEE bubbles, the sentiments, the metal additions and that adorable little vintage boy...perfection all mixed together! Fabulous piece, Alison!

rachel said...

How wonderful alison - those wire enclosed bubbles are such a fabulous idea - love them to pieces - the whole tag is just awesome - love it! Hugs rachel x

Julia said...

That is such a unique idea to put the UTEE in the rusty wire rings. I love this, it is very very clever!
Julia x

SueC said...

Fabulous tag Alison, the rusty, melted rings are wonderful and with the text in the background just look amazing ! Thanks for joining us at Stamps and Stencils. Sue C x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love those rusty bubbles- a lovely place for that little lad! Chrisx

A Pink said...

I do adore your tag, Alison. From the gorgeous D.I/Dox background to those oh so clever utee bubbles to the story you tell through your creativity - it all makes me happy too!

Hugs x

Ann Chuang Crafts said...

What a beautiful tag Alison! Love it!

Annie said...

An amazing tag and I just love those rusty bubbles Alison x Wonderful background colours and stamping completed by that sweet little lad x

Take care Annie x

ann barnes said...

I was so taken by those glossy bubbles, I had to come check it all out! I love your tag, the rusty wire as a form for this glorious use of UTEE was just so awesome and the inclusion of gears looked very cool. Love your project!

Amanda said...

Don’t know how I missed this one and so glad I caught up with it, just love your rusty bubbles with the embossing powder, I tend to use glossy accents but love this alternative that I now need to try, great tag as always
Love
Amanda x

Marci said...

Just found this in my spam folder! I get your other posts, so I don't know why this ended up there. Anyway, I have not seen this effect before, it is very interesting and I love the color, too.

Claudia N. said...

Great idea and beautiful effect with the UTEE in the wire bezels, Alison!
Love love love this so much!

Hugs,
Claudia x

toni said...

Hi Alison ! Your tag is beautiful, I love those 'bubbles' so effective ! Thank you for sharing this beauty with us over at Stamps and Stencils. Toni x

Let's Art Journal said...

Wonderful tag! The UTEE looks so beautiful with the wire and cogs, just like glass - amazing 😁. Wishing you a happy new week! J 😊

maj. said...

Oh WOW what beautiful artwork!!!

Etsuko said...

Beautiful tag Alison, and great idea to used UTEE because if it is a resin or Glossy Accents it flows from the gap. I have a go to use this idea sometimes. Thank you for sharing. xx