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...

Monday 12 November 2012

Dancing Leaves



Hi everyone, and a warm welcome to Words and Pictures - so happy you've dropped in.

I've a quick tag to share with you today, catching the very last tumbling leaves before the trees enter their stark, bare, winter state (also beautiful of course - silhouetted tree branches against the sky... wow, well done Nature!).

I've got an amazing view out of my (temporary) living room window, straight on to the River Avon, with a tree just outside, bravely clinging on to its last few yellowed leaves.

There's a definite melancholia to this stage, though with yesterday's bright blue skies, the crispness in the air was wonderfully invigorating.  And rather than falling, the leaves really did seem to flutter their way to the ground with one final flourish.

Today, in grey drizzle, it's sadly not the same story!  But this tag celebrates the final flourish, nonetheless...











It came together out of some discards and leftovers that were lying around on the craft table.  The kraft luggage label had been used to wipe a gesso-y brush on a couple of times, and the leaves are cut from one of my discarded Fashion ATCs!

The whole thing was based on a calico background, but in the end the fabric was a bit too floppy for my liking, so I backed it onto another layer of firm kraft card.

You can see those layers here...





The luggage label had taken on a slightly crumpled look, so I intensified that, scrunching it up and distressing the edges.

And then I had an absolute ball with some paints, inks, stamps and stencils to create the background.


I'm really happy with the leaves.  In pursuit of a Fashion ATC for the challenge over at Fun With ATCs (still plenty of time to play... we'd love to have your company), one attempt started with an ATC background on which I'd done the Tim Holtz Enamelled Stamping technique (from Compendium of Curiosities II)

I stamped some flourishes in Seedless Preserves DI and embossed them with clear embossing powder, then inked the background with the same colour and embossed again.




I completely loved the look - so much, in fact, that anything I put over it to build the Fashion theme didn't please me as much as the background itself - and believe me, I tried!

But what a delight when the idea struck for this tag to use that discarded ATC with the Tim Holtz Autumn Garland decorative strip die to cut myself some beautiful leaves.

I love how they catch the sunlight at certain angles, and at others reveal more of their flourishes.  

So really, it's a tag of two backgrounds - not only the tag itself, but also the not-quite-an-ATC background!


I added the sentiment that came to my lips, stamped onto some another gesso-painted kraft label (this time deliberately painted!), torn and edged with Gathered Twigs for extra definition, and assembled my pieces trying to leave plenty of  background on display.  

When I glued the leaves, I kept the glue just to the centre of each leaf, so that they could flick or curl up at the edges for extra movement.

I added some of the trimmed off calico as my ribbon at the top, and that was pretty much that!

Thanks so much for taking the time to drop by.  I'll be back very soon with a very special announcement... oh, the suspense!... so I'll hope perhaps to see you again, if not here then elsewhere in Craftyblogland.



I'm entering this in the following:
Artful Times would like us to share a Fabric Tag
Our Creative Corner are asking us to Make Our Own Background
Crafts 4 Eternity are looking for Terrific Tags

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.
William Cullen Bryant

Autumn wins you best by this, its mute appeal to sympathy for its decay.
Robert Browning

35 comments:

froebelsternchen said...

That´s so ARTSY! a faboulous piece Alison! I am so sorry that I can not really express my feelings in english ... I hope I don´t take always the same words... I am really inspired and happy about your great ART!Your Paris tag is a Beauty too!

Von said...

Super colours and a wonderful Tag :)
Thank you for sharing with Artful Times
Von ♥

Paper Profusion said...

Hi Alison, Love your tag. Gorgeous hues. The tag itself has acquired a lovely leathery look from all the treatments. The fringed calico looks fab. Love how you've embossed the leaves - it gives them 'life'. Nicola x

Redanne said...

Another gorgeous tag Alison, love the colour of the leaves and the way the light catches them is just beautiful. The layers create a perfect backdrop to the lovely leaves and the fringing adds so much dimension. Love it! Crafty hugs, Anne x

Cestina said...

These fabulous autumnal posts remind me each time of your grandmother's favourite song so here it is

chrissie said...

Terrific tag Alison and eloquent writing about your autumn view

Love Chrissie xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Beautiful Alison, - love the addition of the fabric and the leaves really seem to flutter. Gorgeous and such a lovely description of your view too!

Astrid Maclean said...

Beautiful Alison, - love the addition of the fabric and the leaves really seem to flutter. Gorgeous and such a lovely description of your view too!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, such a wonderful tag, love the use of the fabric and all the leaves are amazing.

Netty said...

loving fabric tags and yours is very pretty. xx

Jenny Marples said...

What a beautiful and evocative tag. Loving those layers, particularly with the inclusion of fabric, adding some softness to the whole piece. Also love the colour of those glossy leaves - great contrast.
It was such a treat to meet up with you yesterday and share such a great time scouring the stands for bargins. We were very restrained!! Hope we can do it again sometime. Hugs, Buttons x

sam21ski said...

Wow fabulous tag and I love that background

Sam xxx

Chrissy said...

Beautiful Alison, love the colours and the sheen on the leaves..fabulous with the fabric.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Michelle Webb said...

Gosh so am I Alison (I mean back at my desk). I really do get the DTs when I can't craft, I think I go a little stir crazy. This fabric tag is beautiful, I love those tumbling leaves. They have a gorgeous enamelled texture too. I love the frayed edges as well, very effective. Michelle x

Janny Jager said...

Super colors Alison and great lay out.
Greetings Janny

Inkypinkycraft said...

Another beautiful make, great textures and love the calico.trace x

Neet said...

Love the frayed fabric that you have used and the leaves look as if they are glistening from the heavy dew that we get at this time of year. Love how they curl up, just like real ones do - they aren't real are they? Only kidding, I did read your description.
Thanks for joining us
Hugs, Neet xx

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Alison
You have designed and made a beautiful Tag, and I agree the Bg is far to gorgeous to cover up.
It does illustrate Autumn in a soft subtle way; it has a quiet feel; just like a falling leaf.
A tip to stiffen up you calico; apply a thin layer if gesso!.
Thank you so very much for joining us again at Our Creative Corner we do appreciate your support Alison.
Smiles:)
Sue

Sue said...

What a beautiful Autumnal tag Alison, I love all the different textures and the soft subtle colours x

Sarah said...

Your leaves really do dance. Beautiful tag, Alison.

Brenda Brown said...

Love the creative background and the leaf elements you have used to create this gorgeous tag Alison. Can't wait to hear your news.
hugs {brenda} xox

Sophie said...

Was für eine herrliche herbstliche Idee...
Das Tag sieht zauberhaft aus mit diesen vielen schönen Farben.

May said...

WOW, Alison.. Your tag is beautiful..Gorgeous background & Those leaves are fabulous... I can't wait to hear your news!!!! you little tease... Hugs May x x x

Bonnie Irvine said...

This is a fabulous way to celebrate the last hurrah of the leaves. Amazing texture and dimension on this tag. The fringe provides a lovely frame. The leaves are spectacular and so changeable depending upon how the light catches them...love that!

ionabunny said...

Love the colours and the frayed edge.

Berit Synnøve said...

Fabulous tag ! Love your colors and the details.
Thanks for joining Crafts 4 Eternity this week.
Hugs Berit

Marjie Kemper said...

How beautiful! Love the fringe and the spectacular texture on the leaves. May they dance!

Sandra's Spot said...

Gorgeousness and beauty all rolled into one. Just love that tag. Hugs Sandra X

Kjersti said...

OMG! This tag is gorgeous Alison, beautiful background, love the palette you've used and the texture on the leaves - amazing!
Sorry for being so miserable with my comments lately - but I'm in here;) getting inspired by all your fantastic creations - love to visit you blog!
Have a nice week!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Kezzy said...

Wow those leaves are stunning and the background is amazing. On my post yesterday I took some leaves I had flattened in a book and encased them into UTEE. I love all the texture on your tag as well, shame you can't have a feel via blog land (oops that sounds a bit rude lol). I really love Autumn :-) Hugs Kerry xxx

Lisa Minckler said...

Leaves do dance so wonderfully as they flit to their blanket on the ground and you've captured their choreography so wonderfully here on your Autumn tag. The background evokes the most comforting Autumn feeling as well.
Beautiful work Alison.
Hugs,
Lisa x

michele said...

Fabulous tag! Thanks for joining us at Crafts 4 Eternity this week hugs x

Julia S-W said...

Love the background so much Alison and how long did it take you to fray those edges so beautifully?!! I love your little enamelled tumbling leave. I went for leaves too as they seem to go so well with fabric. I seem to always be on catch up with you these days - do you actually sleep??!
Have a great weekend (with some sleep!). Juliaxx

Margaret said...

You have captured fall perfectly on your gorgeous tag! Your leaves are amazing!

lena-dailyscrap said...

Wonderful tag! LOVE the embossed leaves !