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Thursday 15 November 2012

Bewitching White




Hello all, delighted to welcome you to Words and Pictures today; it's great to have your company.

I'm sharing a card with you today which is inspired by The Stampsmith Challenge this month, which is to work in Monochromatic White (using at least one Stampsmith stamp).  

This was a real challenge, and I'm not sure I've cracked it yet - so I hope to play again before the end of the month!  But for now, here's my White Witch...

It's stated in the challenge that of course you will need to stamp in a colour other than white, but I'm not generally inclined to meekly do as I'm told!




So I had a couple of goes at using white embossing powder on the bewitchingly beautiful Serena.  I thought it looked pretty cool, but then of course you need to stand there altering the angle of the card the whole time in order to be able to see it.

In the end I conceded that they were probably right about using a colour to stamp with - and I stamped her using the blue from the  Colorbox Archival Coffee House set.  

Much better - now you get to see her properly.  I find this stamp absolutely enchanting - I'm serious about Serena being bewitching!








The sentiment is stamped in the same ink.  And one of the things I'm really pleased with is the subtle sparkle in the background.

It's a simple spritzing of Tattered Angels Chalkboard Glimmer Mist in Chalk...

... and you'll spot that the Tim Holtz paper distresser has been in action on the edges everywhere!



The next layer up is white card embossed with the Tim Holtz Distressed Frame folder - and here's where my monochromatism started to get in trouble.

I just couldn't make it work in pure white... so I put some of the same ink onto the craft mat and, using a water brush, I added an extremely diluted wash of it onto the frame.  It really is almost white...








I've used the delectably delicate Madera Corner die from Memory Box and glued only in places so that you still get some extra dimensionality from the branches.





Between Serena and the Distressed Frame, there's a little paper doily and some frayed cheesecloth.



Those who know me and my work well will be able to imagine how hard it was to refrain from getting out the Vintage Photo - or at least the Antique Linen - to do some edging on the doily, but I decided to be firm with myself, and left it in pristine white.








I do like what I've ended up with... but I have to admit, I'm not quite sure whether it counts as white on white.  Having really enjoyed the challenge, though, I'm willing to give it another go, and see where it takes me next time!











Thank you so much for stopping by... I hope you've enjoyed my White Witch, and if she's now got you in her thrall too, hop over to The Stampsmith and have a look at all their beautiful stamps.  I promise you'll find plenty for your Christmas wishlist!




I'm entering this in Monochromatic White, using at least one Stampsmith stamp, over at The Stampsmith Challenge.

The first of all single colors is white ... We shall set down white for the representative of light, without which no color can be seen; yellow for the earth; green for water; blue for air; red for fire; and black for total darkness.
Leonardo Da Vinci

White...is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black.
G.K.Chesterton

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
Mae West

39 comments:

Debbie said...

Absolutely breathtaking Alison! She is my fav stamp too! I want to get the other one of her as well. Very dreamy and whispery! Love the Madera Corner die. So glad you joined us in The Stampsmith Challenge! Always a treat, and I thank you muchly for your kind words! Always appreciated!

Wishes From A Broad
Debbie
^..^

Chrissy said...

Oh! such self control,I am impressed, not a smidgeon of Antique linen....gorgeous white on white card Alison, beautiful image, love the beautiful corner dies, very elegant.

luv CHRISSYxx

Brenda Brown said...

Very elegant with the whites Alison, the textures around the beautiful image give it strength whilst there is still an ethereal feel to it.
Hugs Brenda xxx

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

This is really lovely Alison. he textures and layering with such an ethereal image works beautifully.

Jenny Marples said...

So delicate, beautiful and full of texture. She looks like a snow queen captured in an icy tower. The choice of blue is just perfect for the stamping - the tiniest hint of colour makes the whiteness even stronger. Hugs, Buttons x

Inkypinkycraft said...

Beautiful, I love the use of one colour and this stunning and gentle in equal measure! Trace x

chrissie said...

So many things to admire on this piece and all go together well.

Love Chrissie xx

Paper Profusion said...

By George Alison - you have indeed "cracked it" - this is stunningly divine. Seriously. Love this one! The delicate corner die is the icing on the cake. Nicola x

Cestina said...

But her right eye scares me! What is wrong with it?

Mae West and Miss Piggy are clearly out of the same mould :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Alison. Love the white on white and all of the layers. A truly beautiful piece.
Regards Florence xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

That's a dream in white, just wonderful.

House of Bears said...

Oh yes that stamp certainly is bewitching, yet another wonderful project from you. Love the monochromatic theme and we're now off to drool at some stampsmith stamps. wilbear has banned us from buying anything this close to Christmas.

Hettie said...

This is dreamingly beautiful Alison. I doubt I could ever do white on white....something would sneak in somewhere!
I very nearly bought that corner die last week and now wish I had. This is the second card I have seen using it since!
Hugs
xx

JoZart Designs said...

Exquisite piece proving that White is not just White !! I worked in a laboratory many moons ago and I remember the colorimeter could register around 30 definite shades of white!
Your eye for detail is superb.
Jo x

Karen McAlpine said...

Love how the blue ink looks with the white on white!! Great idea! Also love all the embellishments--really cool corner die cut. Thank you for sharing your lovely project with us at the Stampsmith Challenge.

craftytrog said...

This is dreamily beautiful artwork Alison x

Rosie said...

This is so beautiful, Alison, I love every detail of your white dream

Anonymous said...

Captivating and enchanting and do not fret as you more than rose to the challenge and adhered to our guidelines.
The appearance actually reminds me of a wintry landscape, when snow takes on a blue hue.
The corner element helps to create that magical feel to it, oh it is just exquisite.
Thank you for joining us at TSC and good luck with the prize draw.
Wishes
Lynne
P.S. I couldn't agree more about Serena, she is an absolute favourite of mine,

Carol Q said...

what a beautiful frame Alison - love the white and the mix of Mem Box die and muslin. They look so good together.

froebelsternchen said...

a breathtaking beauty is this!

Janny Jager said...

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Alison this an amzing piece of art.
Love it so compleetly in white.
Very very beautiful.
Love every detail
Greetings Janny

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Wooooow, this is one of the most delicate and romantic pieces ever! That stamps is so serene lol ;0 and LOOOOOVE it!!!! xx

sam21ski said...

oooh I love white on white, and this is fantastic

Sam xx

Ephemera said...

Stunning card Alison, she is certainly bewitching and very beguiling in white. I lurve Serena, I have both they are so captivating.xx

Netty said...

Loving this fabulous stamp and loving your gorgeous card with its wonderful textures. Annette x

Astrid Maclean said...

Stunning Alison and I am seriously in aw of anyone who can do photo stamps and make them come out in any colour really! Yours is certainly bewitching and this is such a beautiful stamp!!

Olivia said...

Beautiful card!! I just love monocromatic cards, because they are so speciel when they are in only one color!! Just beautiful, dear Butterfly ;-)

Sandy said...

Gorgeous - not only bewitching but haunting as well. You are just one of those artists with such a vision and I will probably tell you one hundred times how much I love your art work.
sandy

Bonnie Irvine said...

If you look at snow, you see many different shades of white and that's what you have captured with your card. It's lovely, and frosty, and hauntingly beautiful. Wow!

Unknown said...

I wanted to let you know I am a new follower and I have fallen in love with your work. Your style is so beautiful. I look forward to seeing more of your work!!

Happy Crafting,
Tracie
http://homeofthepurskey.blogspot.com

Nan G said...

She is bewitching, indeed! Seductive and hauntingly frosty eyes that draw you in! love it!

Sophie said...

Alison, das ist bezaubernd schön.

xx

Martina said...

A magnificent work of art, dear Alison! Unique and beautiful!

Laurart said...

Perfect! Really truly amazingly stunning....xxxx

Annie said...

This is just beautiful Alison. I love the embellishments that give such a feminine look to your project.

Annie x

Margaret said...

This is the perfect project to show that white is anything but boring! There is so much depth and texture, and yes, I have to agree-she is bewitchingly beautiful!

Sue said...

Love this Alison, isn't Serena gorgeous! I love all your layers, especially the cheesecloth - a stunning white on white piece x

Bärbel said...

Eine traumhaft schöne Karte, Alison, ich bin ganz begeistert!
Liebe Grüße.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

A vision in white! Love the lace and scrolls!!!