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 6 October 2012

Sailing into the Blue(s)

Well, well - World Card Making Day - that's got to be worth celebrating, no?  Greetings to all out there in Craftyblogland, as we share our love of card-making... Frilly, Grungy, Funkie, Fussy, Steampunk, Fancy, CAS or cute - whatever your style, share a card today!

TIME PASSES...

Well, I don't know - I wrote that very upbeat opening on discovering it was World Card Making Day, and then went and sat at my craft desk and... nothing!  Tried some stuff... hated it!  Mojo-less on World Card Making Day - how's that for ironic?!

I decided I needed to push through and make something, so I have and, if you've been following, you may care to read into it another step in the internal journey I was making last weekend from here, via here, to here - meaning there's been a slight hardening of the heart again - but I'm going to leave that up to you.

Here's my offering, with mixed feelings about its successfulness, but it nevertheless comes with love to all the new crafty friends I've made on this extraordinary journey so far...





It's another piece inspired by music - seems to be a habit recently - the lovely, but melancholy I'll Sail This Ship Alone by The Beautiful South.  The title forms the sentiment.

The background is blended Distress Inks in Stormy Sky, Broken China and Chipped Sapphire, sprinkled with drops of water off my fingertips - TH's Spritz and Flick technique - to get the teardrop splatters.









There's some stencilling (using the Tando sequins mask) and stamping using the Kaisercraft music manuscript and text from the PaperArtsy sewing receipt.










And the gorgeous architectural cornicing is from one of the recent Stampers Anonymous Classics releases.









The two focal images are, of course, by the extraordinary Lynne Perella at PaperArtsy.  They're both stamped in Archival Ink; "the Captain", as I think of her, in Cobalt, and the Ship Lady in Black.  



The Captain is stamped on her own inky background, in slightly stormier colours, and the edges were given some dimension and shabbiness using the Tim Holtz Paper Distresser.










And the glorious Ship Lady has had some highlighting using the Picket Fence Distress Marker.

I wanted to whiten her face, but that lost me some definition in her features, so I redrew them using the fine end of the Black Soot Distress Marker.

The sails and her lacy upper half also got some attention.  

I love this stamp - a skirt made out of text, how gorgeous is that?!  But there's also something very strange and unknowable about her, and I think she, as much as anything else, was the inspiration behind that very firmly independent sentiment.






I definitely have the sense that it's her doing the "talking"...

(There's also a sense of the mask being firmly back in place with that white-lead facepaint look... If you've seen the wonderful film Elizabeth, with Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I, you'll probably remember the amazing final sequence where she turns her back on love and decides to commit herself to her kingdom (queendom?) - all to music from Mozart's Requiem. That's somewhere in my head here...)



So that's where I've ended up on World Card Making Day... I did in the end enjoy making this, but with a distinct bitter-sweetness about the enjoyment.  I'm certainly looking forward to coming visiting to see what everyone else has been up to. And looking forward to a return of the upbeat Mojo soon - perhaps I need to listen to some cheerful music...  
Happy Crafting all, and see you soon.

If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favourable.
Seneca

It is not the ship so much as the skilful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage.
George William Curtis

And my favourite sailing quote bears repeating (though it's been associated with this stamp before):
I am not afraid of storms, for I have learned how to sail my ship.
Louisa May Alcott

I'm offering this up for PaperArtsy's World Card Making Day quickie competition - one day only spectacular!
And for Crafty Boots who are also having a Mini-Challenge to celebrate today

46 comments:

PaperArtsy said...

Well you have definitely captured the moody blues! See what I did there! LOL I'm liking it, and I love the little touches of white on the sails etc. SOLD!
Leandra xx

Redanne said...

Ah, the Beautiful South, now that provokes some memories.... Leandra above is right, definitely moody blues here but they are so right for those two ladies, they look amazing - your card is quite beautiful. Crafty hugs, Anne x

Will not be able to stop singing the song now...

Sarah said...

A lovely study in blue.
I was going to email you a link to something you might enjoy but could not find your contact information.

Janny Jager said...

Wowwwwwwwww this is beautiful Alison
Love the color and every detail on it.

Greetings Janny

Gillian .... said...

This is FAB Alison, so glad you perserveared (sp), loving the blues:) Happy WCMD! x

Deborah said...

Wonderful!

Astrid Maclean said...

Well I too really love this card, such a great and accomplished way to use the stamps and put them together into a cohesive whole. And of course I love the blue!

Minxy said...

Super card, love the corners, Happy card making day x

Kate Yetter said...

This is so fabulous! I love how your background is all blues and your highlights are perfect. Its an amazing piece which speaks volumes. I really wanted this stamp set but bought a different one in stead. Now I know I am going back for this one. Love your card, Alison!
Kate

Debi said...

I just love this stamp and how you've used her this time ;-) Debi x

Karin said...

It's a beautiful card, Alison.

Inkypinkycraft said...

another beautiful make Alison! trace x

Claudia N. said...

Absolutely beautiful, Alison!

Love the brave navigatoress with her hair being an ocean (of thoughts, ideas and goals to reach?).

So lovely!

Have a wonderful sunday!

Claudia xx

chrissie said...

Brilliant use of everything on this. the sentiment is so apt as well.

Love Chrissie xx

brenda said...

Stunning piece Alison the tone on tone works beautifully.

Hope you have a good Sunday.

B x

Kim Dellow said...

Wonderful! Love your theme! Kim

Netty said...

Terrific design and stamping. Great read as well. Annette x

Kim x said...

This is just fantastic. My cards this weekend seem to have all come out with a blue theme how bizarre is that. I spent World Card Making Day making cards I just didn't get around to posting anything, having way too much fun :O)
Hope you have a good weekend.
Hugs Kimx

Lisa Minckler said...

I feel very confident that I could brave the deep blue seas with her at the wheel! Incredible movement and depth, strength and detail in your artwork. The blue is chilling and calming all at the same time.
Second day I've studied this now and I'm so very impressed by this work. Fantastic job. :)

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Magnificent sea collage, fabulous stamping and design, love the vibrant blue colors combined with white.

Paper Profusion said...

Brilliant design and colouring. Love this card Alison. Nicola

May said...

So Beautiful Alison, love the colouring & design... Great post too.. Hugs May x x x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work Alison. Love the high lighting on the main image. As always fabulous stamping.
Regards Florence x

Andrea Small said...

well, this gorgeous- a feast of blue. that stamp has quite captivated me - do you know about Isabella Blow and her Philip Treacy ship hat that appeared at her funeral? x

Anonymous said...

Blissful, that is the word that came into my head. I so love that hint of melancholy to this piece and yes, The Beautiful South who of course wrote some incredible music and I was fortunate enough to see live "back in the day"!!!
Wishes
Lynne

Martina said...

What a fantastic design, dear Alison! Beautifully created.

catherine said...

This is so fantastic Alison. just love the images and the blues
x catherine

Carol Plume said...

How beautiful loving the stark white against the moody blues fab! I too love the beautiful south must dig out my CDs now you've planted that tune in my head! Is it your birthday too? If so, happy birthday! X

Brenda Brown said...

Beautiful work Alison, I love the blues and the highlights.
Hope you have had a great weekend.
hugs {brenda} xox

Sue said...

This is a lovely moody piece Alison, lovely shades of blue, and beautiful stamping x

sam21ski said...

Fantastic card Alison

Sam xxx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Love your blue beauty here, but these blues of yours must go! Good to break through your mojoless feelings, and make this!

Jenny Marples said...

I remember seeing The Housemartins (the pre-incarnation of The Beautiful South) live at Uni just before they hit the charts! so this takes me back several centuries:) Meanwhile I'm torn between seeing your blue heroin as a lonely figure or one who is strong enough to face anything alone. Either way another thought provoking card executed beautifully. Hope the happy mojo returns soon. Hugs, Buttons x

Julia S-W said...

I love her strong, determined look and perhaps sometimes it is better to 'sail' alone until the wind changes for a better direction?
Great colours, stamping and a thought provoking post which I thoroughly enjoyed reading with my morning coffee!
Juliaxx
Love The Beautiful South so you already captured me at that point!

mark gould said...

just seen you won on crafty individuals for the tando blog hop x congrats.

Shelby said...

What a calming and beautiful creation. Love all of those blues and glad your journey into crafting has been brought you such bountifulness.

Shelby

froebelsternchen said...

wonderful! WOW!

Jan Hennings said...

so gorgeous!

Gio said...

Strong, intense, quite magical.

If you made such masterpiece with no mojo at all...

Michelle Webb said...

This really is wonderful, so good. Michelle x

Whimcees said...

Hello!

Very beautiful! You have so many lovely creations on your blog! I need to return so that I can spend more time looking at all of your posts. Wishing you a happy day!

Hugs,

Barbara Diane

Marjie Kemper said...

You rocked the blues, even if they bothered you... she's fabulous! I've never seen these image before and I love how you showcased it.

Ink Art Designs said...

You have such great taste in stamps! The whole sea effect looks awesome and this is a very eye catching piece. I keep coming back to look, love it!
Dot x

Mrs.B said...

This is a perfect 'study in blue'
Love the highlighting on the images.
Avril xx

Ellie Knol said...

LOVE it too!
I am so sorry that I snatched away those beautiful ATC's from Claudia, glad I'm forgiven though, LOL

Safdar Ali said...

This is amazing. So stunning design. I like the colors and that image is so cute. Also love the CAS style design like Plastic cards which make the card POP. Thanks for sharing.