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 30 January 2013

Gather Ye Rosebuds...


Hello all, and welcome to Words and Pictures.  I'm very happy to have your company for a while.  

Today I'm sharing an Artistic Outpost design piece which has already made its debut over at the AO blog, but I know not everyone gets over there, and also I like to get everything under my own roof here at W&P so that I know what I've made!!

I've really enjoyed having the chance to play with a couple of new stamp sets, Generation Redux and Secretary Pool, as part of my DT work - work? hmm... who are we kidding?!

I've also thrown in a sentiment from my favourite Think and Wonder set.  One of the (many) things I love about the Artistic Outpost sets is that they mix together so well, making them really flexible.

The haunting stare of the woman from the Generation Redux set speaks to me of the spirit still flickering inside, despite a life spent in thankless work. So she seemed to belong with the beautiful letter block from Secretary Pool and the quote encouraging her to - for once in her life - break out and follow her dreams.









I started with a painty background, created with Fresco paints, including stamping the letter block with paint.  I think, for a paint-stamping, the clarity of the image is great.

I also love the blendability of the Frescos, and they leave a wonderful chalky finish, perfect for stamping on, should you wish to.








In fact, I stamped the woman onto tissue paper so that I could decide where best to place her on the tag without the headache of having to get it just right first time.

I used Coffee Archival ink to do it, incase there might be some spritzing or blending to be done later.



I smoothed her onto the surface with some multi-medium.  Love how the wrinkles in the paper have given her patterned hair! 



I used a pastel pencil to just lighten her skin slightly in places, and I also added some to gently highlight the flower heads behind her.



I put a light wash of paint on a separate piece of paper and stamped the sentiment, again in Archival.

I added an Idea-ology clock whose hands are set to point to the words YOU and SHOULD to emphasise them!






The flowers are two of several I made and have been using on a number of projects, so you'll see them around again.

They were created by sticking patterned paper to some acetate packaging, die-cut with the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die, and then heating it to mould the petals.

And together with the clock, they are symbolic of the rosebuds she needs to get out there and gather before time runs out.










The tag was mounted onto some paper that I'd stamped the letter block all over - this time in Frayed Burlap DI for a softer look, and then the whole thing sits on some corrugated card which has had a coat of shabby white paint.  

I coloured the two eyelets with paint and alcohol inks to tone in with the painty background, and used some white string to hang it up by.








I don't know what it is about corrugated cardboard, but I love the look it gives to a project, adding texture and dimensionality.

And I'm pleased with the layer using the alphabet block stamp, which was frankly a bit of an afterthought!

So, off you go and seize the day everybody - whatever it is you never did, you really should...




Thanks so much for stopping by, I do so appreciate your company and your comments; and apologies that some of my visiting has been a bit sporadic of late...  I do hope to get round and see you again soon on my travels.

I'm entering this in the Clocks challenge at Out of a Hat Creations.

To the Virgins, to make much of time

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, 
    Old time is still a-flying: 
And this same flower that smiles to-day 
    To-morrow will be dying.

That glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, 
    The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run, 
    And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first, 
    When youth and blood are warmer; 
But being spent, the worse, and worst 
    Times still succeeds the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time, 
    And while ye may go marry: 
For having lost but once your prime 
    You may for ever tarry.

Robert Herrick

39 comments:

Silvia(Barnie) said...

How fabulous, it's a gorgeous tag, love the use of the corrugated cardboard.

Unknown said...

OOooh this is awesome!!! Lovely textures and details..well done!

Paper Profusion said...

Tremdously told tag Alison! Beautifully done as always. Nicola x

Astrid Maclean said...

Great tag and I love how you have combined the stamps and other elements. Really like that flower!

Amanda said...

Another fantastic project I love the texture of it all. Another winner
Love
Amanda x

House of Bears said...

Wow the stamping is really clear for paint rather than ink. Absolutely love your main stamp and think that setiment may appear on a bear journal page sometime soon. Love this tag.

Annie said...

Love this wall hanging Alison. The corrugated cardboard definitely adds depth and dimension. Love the colour of the tag. The clarity of the stamps is fabulous.

TFS
Annie x

I should seize the day .....and go and tidy my terribly messy craft room........but I can't get motivated........currently using avoidance tactics by blogging .........will regret it tomorrow !!!!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous project Alison, I love the sentiment. I think I 'need' that stamp set ;-) Love the colour palette you've used and the background stamping with the Fresco's is fabulous. Sue C x

catherine said...

This is just fantastic looking Alison. Love the images and embellishments and the blue colour
x catherine

mark gould said...

stunning, so many little details that make this more than just a beautiful tag. Love the images, lucky you ;) x

Deborah said...

It's a beauty (and I'm with you on the corrugated card.

Redanne said...

Hi Alison, I saw this over at AO but it is certainly worth a second viewing. Love the Fresco background and the stamping in paint is so clear. Must try stamping onto tissue paper, it certainly looks good! Hugs, Anne x

sam21ski said...

Absolutely gorgeous, love the tag colour and the stamped background and I totally agree, the corrugated finishes it off perfectly!!!

Sam xxx

Fliss said...

Absolutely stunning creation Alison. Love those colours and the stamping and texture all looks amazing.
Beautiful poem too.
Fliss xx

Claudia N. said...

This is so lovely, Alison!
You really know how to put Artistic Outpost Stamps to a new level!

(I am also beginning to wonder how many time pieces and cogs you must have ;)

Hugs,
Claudia x

pearshapedcrafting said...

This really is beautiful! Love the delicate layers and flowers against the card. Wish I owned more Artistic Outpost - don't know why I don't - maybe this is my prompt!!! Chrisx
ps the stamps had to be organised - I was getting so frustrated with not laying my hands on the right one when I needed it! I think that's it for the rest of the year now - ha! ha! x

Bonnie Irvine said...

I love the story you have told about this woman both through your art and your words. I really hope she heeds your advice. So cool that the clock hands highlight those two words. Beautiful texture and colour palette. I, too, am a fan of corrugated acrdboard especially when brushed with white.

Kate Yetter said...

This is one gorgeous tag! I love this stamp. The corrigated cardboard framing the tag is perfect. Lovely flowers as well!

Brenda Brown said...

I love corrugated card makes Alison and this is exceptional. The blue painted background is ethereal and moody, a perfect backdrop for that fab image and the wonderful flower.
Hugs Brenda xox

chrissie said...

Thank you Alison for sharing this at the Hatters and a big thank you from me for starting my day with a piece of poetry I had long forgotten. Your posts are always as interesting as your works of art

Love Chrissie xxx

Inkypinkycraft said...

saw this over at AO, love the corrugated texture and the soft colours trace x

May said...

Love this piece Alison, The colours are perfect.. Fabulous texture & the image is beautiful... Hugs May x x x

Sandra's Spot said...

Just love this hanging Alison corrugated is one of my favourites. The whole piece is wonderful. Hugs Sandra X

Hettie said...

I know just how she feels!
Great tag there Alison. Love the yummy textures and layers!
Ho Hum! Nearly Friday!
xx

Nan G said...

This is beautiful. Great layering and love the paint stamping. Is the alpha block an AO stamp? Need to find similar over here ...what a terrific background. See lots of uses for it.

Terry said...

Alison, you always do such beautiful work and this is again most fabulous! Love how you broke up the alpha stamp, so cool is the effect! That stamp makes such a great background! Hugs and enjoy the day!

froebelsternchen said...

just beautiful ALISON! Adorable und so wonderful to see all exactly and sneaky and the tutorial to ist you give us in a wonderful way within the text- we are happy readers and followers ! GREAT BLOG-ART Alison!
have a good weekend!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Every time you surprise me, Alison with totally great creations.
Also with this amazing tag...in every detail! Compliments

greetings, Alie :-)

Chris said...

Hi Alison and WOWEE to your beautiful creation, it's beautiful!

The stamps are really gorgeous and I love the corrugated base layer and Fresco paint background, a great idea to stamp onto the tissue as well.

Chris xx

Bärbel said...

Ein wunderschönes Tag, tolle Stempel und auch sehr schön gestaltet, Alison, auch die Farbwahl begeistert mich.
Liebe Grüße.

Netty said...

Terrific tag Alison, loving the way you have combined the stamps and elements. Enjoy the weekend, Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Sandy said...

I know I should - and the sooner the better - I see the clock ticking away. Love your stuff Alison!!
sandy

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Hmmm...it depends what the did and the should is...lol!!! I could get into serious trouble! She is a coy one this image! Love her...love the whole design! The color scheme is fab...corrugated is my fav! Wonderful hanging!

Jenny Marples said...

Love the corrugated background and that sentiment stirs so many thoughts when viewed in combination with your main image. Love it. Hugs, Jenny x

Geraldine said...

beautiful hanging, love the colours and textures, and the sentiment is one I should use in my life.

Sue said...

Totally gorgeous Alison, I love the addition of the corrugated card, it makes the perfect backdrop. Have a fab weekend xx

Kezzy said...

Wow stunning creation, I really love how you feel the stamps you use it really gives the viewer the chance to feel it too. I have been looking out for you on the Paperartsy challenges but you haven't been playing :-) which is a shame as you really work well with their products. Hugs Kezzy xxx

Mrs.B said...

Gorgeous tag Alison, Love the use of the corrugated card backing.
Avril xx

Marjie Kemper said...

Ooooh.... LOVE this and must pin it. I do believe it's one of my all time faves. Just totally 100% gorgeous!