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...

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Snow had fallen



Hello all and welcome to Words and Pictures... welcome back if you've already seen What's On My Workdesk this Wednesday!  I'm sharing a card today (slightly later than I'd hoped - Ikea trips for candles and Christmas trees, and traffic jams etc.) and it's doing double duty.  

I created this to enter in the MoneySupermarket Christmas Card Craft Off.  There are some amazing prizes on offer, and you've got until 24th December to enter... so why not give it a go?

Regulars will know I don't make cards very often - and I have to say, I found it pretty tricky for some reason - but the solution came thanks to my favourite carol again, and one of my Design Team positions.

I'm delighted to be on the DT for Nicecrane Designs, and today I've used one of the fabulous It Is Christmas Time set, so I hope it will inspire you to pop over there and see what amazing images the lovely Ignacio has to offer...  and in the end, I'm pretty happy with the result.




I LOVED painting the image!  I printed it on Canvas Photo Paper - you can see the initial stage here in this photo - and then used Distress Stains to paint it.

I squished some colour onto the craft mat, next to a spritz of water, and then used a paintbrush to apply it to the canvas.











I'm tickled pink with the subtlety of the effect and the texture you get, and because the canvas drinks up the ink very quickly, it means you've less chance of straying outside the lines!










Because the image has all the shading in place already, and the Distress Stains are translucent, you keep the benefit of all the detail of the drawing even after the tinting process.  And it is such a wonderful image.










When I look at the little boy, I think he's my favourite bit; then I look at the barn and prefer that; then I love the mother and daughter on the little sled, and then that fabulous pair of houses in the background - so many gorgeous details!










I stuck to a limited colour palette, using only the Gathered Twigs, Vintage Photo, Pumice Stone, Frayed Burlap, Weathered Wood and Stormy Sky Distress Stains.  For the skin areas, I put a tiny bit of Antique Linen and some Spun Sugar onto the craft mat using the Distress Markers (don't have those colours in Stains).








It was slightly terrifying tearing it out of the sheet of canvas.  Although it does seem to rip quite happily in straight lines, I was having conniptions that one false move might see me ripping my carefully painted image right down the middle!!











It's backed onto torn corrugated card (insides of a package that arrived) that I inked with Gathered Twigs Distress Stain and then added some Vintage Photo Distress embossing powder to.  Finally, I gave it a frosty dusting using the Versamagic Chalk Ink dewdrop in Cloud White.









The background uses the Artistic Outpost snowflakes from the Sleigh Ride and Snowy Woods sets.  They're embossed in clear embossing ink and powder onto the white card (a piece of A4 folded in half incidentally).

I then used a blending tool to apply Weathered Wood and Pumice Stone DIs and, at the very edges, added some Gathered Twigs to which I also applied some clear embossing powder to give some depth and gloss to the framing effect.






The gorgeous wooden flourishes are from Crafty Emblies - the first thing I've had from them... they're so delightfully delicate and, for this project, I decided to use them in the natural wood finish they came in.





I had some ivy leaves left over from my Holly and Ivy tag.  If you'd like to know how I made them, hop there for a quick look - I won't bore you with it all over again here!  

I used some Gathered Twigs DI to darken them a little further from their golden Vintage Photo hue, so that they would tone in with the slightly bleaker colour palette of this piece.




The lyrics from my favourite carol (you can listen to my favourite version here) are from an Artistic Outpost stamp again, and edged with some more Gathered Twigs.











There are lots of lovely images in this It is Christmas Time set... I enjoyed painting on the canvas so much that I'm planning to do the same with all the others.  If you'd like to look at this, or any of Ignacio's other images, just click here.  So many tempting treats...

So that's my Christmas card for today, only my second in total.  I don't know how all of you do it, the whole making-all-your-own-cards game - I'm full of admiration...  

Thank you so much for stopping by.  And do check out the MoneySupermarket Christmas Card Craft Off - mini-iPads and HobbyCraft vouchers to be won!!






I'm entering this in the following:
MoneySupermarket's Christmas Card Craft Off
The Stampman's challenge this month is In the Bleak Midwinter
The Happy Daze December challenge which is In the Deep Midwinter
Top Tip Tuesday are playing Anything Christmas
Simon Says Stamp's challenge this week is Merry Christmas - for anything Christmassy
At Craft A Scene they are looking for a Winter Scene

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.
Roy L. Smith

Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl.  But it warmed more than your body.  It warmed your heart... filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.
Bess Streeter Aldrich

57 comments:

Sophie said...

Wunderschön...

Amanda said...

Beautiful, I love the colours that you have chosen they are perfect to match the mood of the scene.
Love Amanda x

Paper Profusion said...

Wow! I love how you have coloured the image Alison. It looks wonderful as does the backing corrugated board. The delicacy of the flourishes gives a 'pretty' and feminine balance. I LIKE! Nicola x

Astrid Maclean said...

Wow, a stunning piece and I absolutely adore your colouring!! Really, really beautiful!!! Love the muted tones!

Kate Yetter said...

What a stunning card! I love your image. The cardboard really makes it pop. And the border is gorgeous. It has a very old world feel to it!

Nan G said...

Wow! Wow! I'm in awe! This is so vintages CooL! And the stamping on the canvas came out so nice. Where did you get the canvas? Who makes it? I'll look for it here in the States ( Colonies :).

Bonnie Irvine said...

This card is brilliant, Alison. The image is so striking and your painting is spectacular. Love the frayed edges of the canvas and the corrugated cardboard behind. The wooden flourishes are extraordinary and those ivy leaves...wow! Just beautiful!

Unknown said...

Oh, My! What a fabulous card..I love the texture of the image on canvas, how cool!!! Beautifully done.

Cheryl said...

Stunning! I love how you printed the image on canvas what a great idea. It looks so fabulous with this vintage image.

Chrissy said...

What a gorgeous card Alison, I love the image to bits and amazing colouring..gorgeous work.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Kelly said...

This is amazing! I love the canvas painting, all the colors are gorgeous and earthy. The texture of the canvas it just sets everything off perfectly. I am sure you will win this challenge. Gorgeous card!

Brenda Brown said...

Beautiful and very inspirational Alison, love the colours and textures and the image is perfect.
Hugs Brenda xox

Inkypinkycraft said...

Another wonderful make,find cards harder too fuunyvthat! The leaves look wonderful here too and the love the image on canvas! Hugs trace. X

Julia S-W said...

A beautifully delicate and nostalgic piece Alison. I love the painting on the image and the embossed snowflakes are gorgeous. The swirls at the bottom with those fantastic little leaves really finish off your piece perfectly. I don't much care for making cards either and also have to confess they can cause me endless problems, ridiculous really when you think about it!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog. Such support from someone as talented as you, is praise indeed and I could well have written the same comment about you! Since being under the weather (again!), I've been having a crisis of confidence in what I do and your comment has helped to shake me up and reconsider. Thank you. I wish you a wonderful Christmas break with your family and I will be one of the many looking forward to your gorgeous creations in the new year.
A warm hug to you.
Juliaxx

chrissie said...

A wonderful card Alison.I love the painting technique you used the colours look so blended.

Thank you for the link to the carol. I remember having to sing it at Carol Concerts when I was at school hundred's of years ago. There were notes in it I could never reach lol.

Love Chrissie xx

Neet said...

Alison, that really is spectacular. What a lot of work and time you have put into the making of this,but so worth it. It is one of the most beautiful cards/canvases I have seen in a long time.
You really make some fantastic things and this is no exception. I am so glad our paths have crossed in more ways than one and thank you for the inspiration and feasts to the eyes that I have enjoyed this past year.
May I take this opportunity to wish you a joyous and peaceful Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.
Hugs, Neet xx 12

Dorthe said...

This is absolutely stunning Alison, so very beautiful, with the painted motive,the background, that looks so much like snow, and your lovely colours- I love it.
Hugs,Dorthe

brenda said...

If you found this one "tricky" it certainly doesn't show Alsion. It's really quite lovely and the colour palette complements the seasonal image so well.

It's really great to see you at Craft a Scene challenge this month, thanks so much for joining in.

B x

House of Bears said...

All we can say is, you need to make cards more often, this is truly stunning. We love everything about it, and it gives us a feeling of pure nostalgia. We may have to try that canvas photo paper for scrapbook lay outs. What a wonderful project you've created as always.

Laurart said...

Gorgeous! I must have missed those images when I was on my buying spree! I don't recall seeing them at all! They are so lovely. The painting works really well - I love painting with the inks xxxxxxx

craftytrog said...

A truly wonderful piece Alison, & so beautifully painted with the inks! I'm so glad to have found your blog this year, you always inspire me!
Thanks for the enchanting ecard you sent, I loved it!
Alison xx

Ntsisterz said...

Thank you for the tutorial. I think after seeing this I am brave enough to try and print on canvas.I am also curious to know if you experienced any problems with your printer. The card design and technique is so vintage and soft looking. It's lovely!

Sarah said...

You have strayed from your usual style but in doing so a new side of you has emerged. This is definitely trophy worthy and just downright gorgeous!

Redanne said...

This is the lovely image I saw on your desk over at WOYWW, liked it then but love it now you have put your card together. Your colour choices are perfect for a vintage scene. I would never have guessed that you do not do cards often - you should be confident now to do more - this one is stunning. Hugs, Anne x

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous card Alison, I adore the image you've used and the way you've painted it really sets it off perfectly. Sue C x

Deanna said...

This is such a beautiful piece of art.~hugs Deanna

Rosie said...

This is soooo very beautiful,

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

A really lovely scene. It reminds me of the story of Heidi. Thank you for sharing it with us at Craft A Scene this month. xx Maggie

Lili said...

Gorgeous card Alison! Love that scene on canvas, and the background is fabulous.
Hugs ;)

Netty said...

I love....no adore your Christmas card for the following reasons...great textures, great colourings and a fabulous design Alison. Thank you so much for entering this wonderful card into the Happy Daze Challenge.
Happy Christmas, hugs Annette xx

sam21ski said...

OMGosh, wow, fabulous, fantastic, I just love absolutely everything about it - it's gorgeous

Sam xx

catherine said...

This looks just so fantastic Alison and I would love to have a go at something like this. the colours are stunning
x catherine

Dora said...

wow...this is amazing, love how you colour it. this is the first time that I see this on canvas.
thank you for joining at craft a scene this month.
and also thank you for comment on my blog!
greetings

Jenny Marples said...

Beautiful card that oozes with your style and eye for design (and favourite colours too:) The way you have painted the image onto the transfer sheet is fantastic. Managed to get those ivy punches - thanks for the heads up. Will be in touch by email too. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, hugs Jenny x

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Beautiful art Alison! I loooove the image and the vintage feel of your piece - gorgeous as usual!
And thanks for the link to the big Card Craft off!
Lots of hugs xxx

Nicecrane Designs said...

Absolutely a Play of Art,,,, Alison ,,,,I really love your coloring,,,,it is sooo gorgeus OMg with a perfect vintage style,,,,,,,and these neutral colors work perfect here, love it, love it, my friend,,,,I am having lot of prolbmes with my glass,,,,,I am waiting for a new ones,,,,,this is the reason I can`t you some love words before,,,,,,,You are Rock, very well done,,,,, .you used my picts in a terrific way.

Karen McAlpine said...

Love the effect you achieved painting with the Distress stains. The canvas paper looks really great. Love your card!

Marjie Kemper said...

Alison, you are just rocking those holly and ivy dies! And the corrugated base is amazing. Your work with the stains is fantastic!!

Anonymous said...

this is just gorgeous, I love the texture of the canvas and that awesome scene, just beautiful
Hugs julie P

lada_vl said...

Delightful technics! It is very realistic! And very touching contents of the picture!

Dawny P said...

This is lovely chuck. Thank you for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp challenge and a very happy Christmas. Hugs, Dawny x

Dawny P said...

This is lovely chuck. Thank you for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp challenge and a very happy Christmas. Hugs, Dawny x

Janny Jager said...

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Alison this is so beautiful.
Love it very very much.

Greetings Janny

Gio said...

This is a very special card Alison. More from you!

A wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Claudia N. said...

Gosh, Alison!

The colouring is just perfect! And I LOVE that corrugated card "frame" for the lovely image! Beautiful!

I wish you all the best for a wonderful X-mas with the ones you love!!!

Hugs,
Claudia xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

This is stunning, I love the colouring with the distress inks, it give such a vintage feel to it.

Sue x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, I'm missing words, that's an outstanding creation.

Anonymous said...

WOWZER!! This is just breath-taking!! I adore your design here!! Thanks for sharing!! Happy Holidays! Smiles and Hugs - *Vicki*
*My Blog* - Stamp Smiles
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*My December “All Heart” BLOG CANDY!*
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NancyD said...

Alison, your card is so lovely! The textures and colors are very pleasing. Thank you for joining us this month at Craft a Scene. NancyD

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Hi Alison

I probably won't get a chance to comment much now before Christmas so I'd like to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful & magical Christmas, full of laughter, love and Christmas joy!

Lots of hugs xxx

Anna-Karin said...

This is so gorgeous Alison! Love your colouring of that wonderful image. Great idea to print it on canvas. The background is really pretty too. I was happy to see a card from you at Craft a Scene! Thank you for sharing! I hope you will have a very Merry Christmas!!

Anonymous said...

Stunning use of that image for your DT project Alison and the ivy is just that perfect touch.
Wishes
Lynne

Margaret said...

Gorgeous! Using canvas for the image was brilliant and the coloring is amazing! I love how the elegantly swirling ivy balances the rustic feel of the image, and your corrugated piece is fabulous too!

Unknown said...

Absolutely love what you did with this Alison. Wonderful use of Ignacio's images!!!

scrappymo! said...

This is so gorgeous...I love the way you walked us through how you made it.

Bettina L. said...

This is absolutely stunning and I love the piece you've coloured up and the vintage design. Thanks for playing at Top Tip Tuesday and good luck. Hope to see you back tuesday for a new challenge. Bettina xx

Ellie Knol said...

Congrats on winning at Happy daze! It is gorgeous!