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 16 February 2013

Imagine My Life

Hello all!  And welcome (back) to the second post today... if you're looking for the new Sara Naumann PaperArtsy releases, they're here.

In this crazy week, I was wondering whether I'd get time to play the very tempting Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge to create Something Messy.  Though I had got extremely messy making some of the PaperArtsy projects, it didn't feel right to include those.

And then I just started playing with some Artistic Outpost stamps in preparation for an AO DT piece, and before I knew it I had a whole mess of ink and paint (watercolour "ground" actually) in front of me... so here's my project.



It uses stamps from two of my favourite AO sets - Think and Wonder and Generation Redux.  I picked the "pairs" from each set.


















They all seem like sibling pairings to me, but whatever sort of partnership each of them is, they clearly face the world together, strong in their togetherness.


For the background, I cut up a cardboard packaging box and ripped away one side to reveal the corrugated texture beneath.

Sometimes the ripping's really easy and sometimes it takes ages, clawing with your fingernails.  This was a pretty simple one, and left those areas of feathery paper which I really love for the extra shabbiness they add.








Then I took Distress Stains in Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain and doused areas of the card pretty randomly.

I followed that with a rough application of ground across the card (fabulous medium, gesso-like but much thicker than any gesso I've used, though there do seem to be different gessos around), and left it to dry.





In the meantime I created another mess of Distress Stains on the craft mat - Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, Picket Fence - and did Tim Holtz's wrinkle-free distress technique to prep my paper for the stamping.


I stamped the images in a combination of Sepia, Coffee and Black Archival inks, blended onto the stamp.






When it came to layering, it was very clear that the sisters needed lace behind them; after all, it's right there on the stamp itself.  This is a really ancient lace doily that I liberated from a bag of fabric scraps decades old.












I tried lace behind the others but it didn't seem right, so I grabbed some of my go-to burlap fabric.











It looked great behind the children, especially with some added Distress Stains and ground, but now I needed something of a different texture to go behind the two brothers.









Diet coke can to the rescue... I cut it up (carefully!) and ran it through the BigShot with the Riveted Patchwork embossing folder and then started playing with alcohol inks to colour it.

I'm a huge fan of the wonderful die amelie (a.k.a. Claudia) and her amazing work with alcohol inks, and whenever I visit her blog I think I don't play with them enough - she creates glorious pieces.





I can't remember precisely - but I think Ginger, Rust, Slate, Currant and Black all played a part in this.  I debated really grunging it up with some black paint sanded away with wire wool, but in the end I decided I liked the burnished autumnal look of it without that.









I used some more inky paper to cut the word IMAGINE using the fabulous Movers and Shapers die and added it to the arrangement on my corrugated card "canvas".


It was all looking quite promising already, but it needed something extra though I couldn't think what exactly.  So I left it on the craft mat overnight and, sure enough, I woke up knowing what I wanted to do.



The fabulous Trace of inkypinkycraft recently did a great step-by-step of metallic flowers over at Frilly and Funkie.

Now, I don't have the Ranger foil, and in any case I wanted to alter the idea a little, so that my flowers would reflect the three textures behind my separate sets of siblings.










So as well as running some embossed, inked cola can through the Tattered Flowers die, I cut some burlap ones, and lastly some crushed paper ribbon ones (I thought lace wouldn't work terribly well, being mostly holes!).









I had great fun layering up my flower variations, bending and crushing the materials for dimension and distressing with some extra ink in places.













The tiny white flowers are cut from the Tattered Flower Garland decorative strip die.  I used some Artemio brads - some tiny ones, and some shaped as screw heads - to hold them all together.  Very pleased with the result!








The IMAGINE was still sitting there a little baldly, and there was a phrase that had been running through my head as I was playing, so I decided it probably needed to go onto the project.  I used my Hero Arts alphabet stamps to print it, and ripped and inked the edges.





Final touches include some rusty hearts, with the by now compulsory application of some ground, and rusty wire to hang the whole thing up by.







And there they are: siblings who've known each other pretty much their whole lives - always there, whether in the background or the foreground, a source of support and shared memories.  I certainly can't imagine life without my brother.  And I don't say so often enough.  So while I'm something of a V-Day curmudgeon (let's not get into it!), I am saying it for once with this project.


Thanks so much for stopping by today... I know it's been a busy old time here at Words and Pictures, and I so appreciate your time, support and incredible generosity.  It's not quite over yet, I'm afraid - watch out on Monday for the beginning of one last chapter in my February madness!

Siblings that say they never fight are most definitely hiding something.
From Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid, by Lemony Snicket

I'm entering this in the following:
I'm sharing this in Tim Holtz's Tattered Florals challenge - great prizes on offer, so why not play along?
Simon Says Stamp and Show are inviting us to create Something Messy
Frilly and Funkie have a Lacy and Heartsy Valentines theme
The Inspiration Journal would like us to Spread Some L.O.V.E.
And at Tando Creative Challenges the theme is Love, Love Me Do (and now we're all singing along, or at least humming internally!)

62 comments:

Rita said...

What a magnificent piece of art. Fabulous work Butterfly. Hugs Rita xxx

Michelle Webb said...

What a fab day you've had! You been getting very creative Alison with amazing results too. This is fantastic, I love how you've got that old tea stained look on everything. You just have a great way of making cardboard look gorgeous too. I really should start fishing out of the bin and using it more often. Michelle x

Helen said...

Wow, as you say, I don't know how you crammed it all in this week, but I love this!! The contrast of the lace and the corrugated card and the paint and all the other bits and bobs, is just fabulous.

Daniele said...

wow just loving all those layers witha all that scrummy texture
hugs

Chris said...

Oh my goodness Alison, what an amazing piece of art, I could honestly sit here for a very long time enjoying all the beautiful details you've incorporated.

The stamps are wonderful and how,you've stamped them onto your distress background makes them look even more vintage. Your metalwork is superb and the perfect finishing touch for an exquisite piece.

Thank you for most beautiful comments you leave for me Alison, they really do make my day and sorry I'm not always so quick off the mark ! Enjoying a lovely catch up now. Enjoy the rest of the weekend, Chris x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Lovely rustic charm to this piece Alison. I always love to see corrugated card used in art and you have used it beautifully here, giving great texture to your piece. I love the aged images, they all work beautifully together and your composition is wonderful. Love your recycling and the flowers are gorgeous. This is one gorgeous tactile piece. Thanks so much for getting in touch with your messy side to,join in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

Debi said...

!!!!!! one word- stunning!!!!! Debi x

Paper Profusion said...

Glory be to God for dappled things Alison! Absolutely FANTASTIC crafting. Nicola x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

That's a stunning and wonderful vintage piece of art.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Fab Alison! I can watch this over and over again...you're a great artist!!!
The result are always so artistic and unique...

have a nice weekend, Alie :-)

Annie said...

This is stunning Alison. Love the varied textures and stamps . Beautiful piece of art

Crafty hugs Annie x

Claudia N. said...

Gosh, Alison,

I LOVE that! All the parts work together so splendidly! And thanks for your kind mentioning my alcohol ink messing attempts ;)

Love especially your selfmade grunge flowers!!! These are awesome! Have to try something alike soon! So inspiring! Thanks!

Hugs,

Claudia x

Laurart said...

WOW!!! Amazing! This is absolutely gorgeous. I love everything about it! ;o) xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Redanne said...

You have created the most beautiful piece Alison, with the rustic looking corrugated card, the gentleness of the beautiful vintage lace and the wonderful metallic flowers. I feel the same about my Brother, a lovely piece to dedicate to yours. Hugs, Anne x

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful creative piece Alison, and you truly have been one busy lady these last few days, - don't know how you fit it all in! Love the metal flowers specially, but the whole piece is just beautifully put together!

Kezzy said...

Oh Alison this is gorgeous, and I'm amazed what you have done with the coke can, you really look out of the box. Happy Crafting :-) Hugs Kezzy xxx

Keren Tamir said...

This is ever so vintage and incredible!! Love all the steps and details

chrissie said...

So many things to look at and admire on this piece. I love the fact that you decided they were siblings for a start--the quote is brilliant at the bottom of the post.

All of the flowers are terrific but I just love the 'jute' one. Would never have thought of that. So much to inspire as always Alison

Love Chrissie xx

Evil Edna said...

just going to say wow. sums it up .EE

Jenny Marples said...

WOW!! This is so very you and so amazingly wonderful! So much thought has gone into all the elements and I love the coarseness of that ground. Massive congratulations on all your news too! (I've been looking back through the myriad of posts:) How you are standing up midway through February is beyond me! Huge hugs, Jenny x

Katherine said...

Love it - I think I am going to have to try that tutorial too.....as I found some ranger tin whilst I was tidying up (but I've use coke cans too for hearts that worked well)...thank you for lots of inspiration and as always your project is GORGEOUS :)

Kjersti said...

Wow! What a stunning creativity Alison - a breathtaking piece of art!
Have a nice Sunday!
Hugs Kjersti:)

itsazoo said...

Just love it.....so well done.....

craftytrog said...

This is truly magnificent Alison, so much to look at! I love it!
Happy Sunday,
Alison xx

Jenny Marples said...

OK, so the fingers are working but the brain is not!! In my official capacity thank you for joining us at Frilly and Funkie with this exemplar piece of art. Hugs, Jenny x

Dorthe said...

A gorgeous piece dear Alison,
so amazing with the flowers in metal,and burlap-(I can see I`m far too afraid ,of using my die-cuts in many different materials)The stamps looks like they are stamped on cloth...so beautiful, and everything in this piece is fantastic looking-you must have had so much dun working with all those materials and inks.
I love it.
Hugs,Dorthe

Lisa Minckler said...

I'm not sure why I keeping referring to the tin man in my thoughts, but when I saw this creation of yours...I knew you'd of made him proud! This is fantastic. The soda can stole my heart and the way you created such amazing texture and color with it. Looove the trio of screws, burlap and metal on your flowers too. Gorgeous piece here and thank you for the great link to another blog also. Looove that tag she did with the eyeballs!
hugs,
Lisa x

sam21ski said...

Fabulous, love the use of the corrugated and how you've mounted each of the images on a different textured background.

Samxx

PS Well done on the PaperArtsy Guest spot

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

This is sensational as always! Love how you have used the corrugated cardboard and how you developed the pairs theme. Very cool use of the soda can, especially love the flowers. Terrific wall hanging!

Hugs,
Linda

catherine said...

This looks so creative Alison and just love all the imagary to it
x ctaherine

Unknown said...

Stunning piece of art Alison, very eye-catching. Chris xx

Debbie said...

Holy Moly! This is incredible Alison! Sooo much to look at, and I love every piece of it; the different textures, the vintage feel! Especially love the coke can transformation!

Always a pleasure to visit. Never disappointed! :)

Wishes From A Broad
Debbie
^..^

Sandy said...

Where would we be without you!!! There are so many people that enjoy your creative artwork. This piece both amazes and inspires. I am going to have to study it some more. You are so generous with telling us how you do this. I do so appreciate when you visit my blog - thanks!
Sandy

cathylynn said...

Let me catch my breath!! WOWZERS this is phenomenal!!! So much to admire and so much gorgeous texture! I'm so happy to have come across your blog. I can learn a lot from you. You are one very gifted artist!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Anonymous said...

Wow Alison ! What a fabulous project, love the corrugated cardboard background and the metal flowers are stunning !

Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie too !
Sue C x

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Really a breathtaking art work!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Fabulous! Love the range of materials you've used here! Love the thoughts expressed too - a lovely tribute! Chrisx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

WOW'!!! What a way to display these images! Love the corrugated base! STUNNING!!!! Thank you for playing along with our messy challenge this week at Simon Says Stamp & Show!

Unknown said...

Wow, gotta love corrugated cardboard for the amazing texture, love it!! This project is really amazing!

aino harjula said...

What a wonderful work. Great job.
Thank you for visiting in my blog sinitaivas), have a nice day.

Chrissy said...

Fantastic Alison, who would of thought of a tin can through a bigshot...OH!! Alison would have...brilliant work of art..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Anna-Karin said...

This piece is gorgeous Alison! Love how you matted each image differently and all the textures are simply amazing. Thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!

Hettie said...

This is a stunner, as usual, Alison. Love the elements and the coke tin. Need to drink some more coke for another play!
xx

Martina said...

This project is an absolute dream, dear Alison! I almost fell off my chair when I saw that. It looks totally beautiful! I'm thrilled.

(However, the risk of injury is quite high in the production :-))

Anonymous said...

Excuse me while I reach out and run my fingers over this piece. I want to feel the texture of the corrugated cardboard and all the other elements you brought together to create such a fabulous piece.
Wishes
Lynne

Bärbel said...

Wow, Alison, ich bin sehr beeindruckt von diesem Kunstwerk. Das Zusammenspiel dieser wunderbaren Stempel mit Karton, Metall und zarter Spitze ist grandios!
Liebe Grüße.

gayle said...

Wow!! Absolutely awestruck, this piece is amazing :) love it!!! tfs, need to shop for some Artistic Outpost stamps methinks ;) xx

Anonymous said...

I love this! What a fabulous creation, beautiful in every way
Hugs Julie P

Janny Jager said...

A great piece of Art Alison.
So many lovely stamps and details.
Loev them all
Greetings Janny

Lucy Edmondson said...

Oooh, Alison, this is going to be one of my absolute faves of yours! Love everything about it. It was only a matter of time before you put Think and Wonder with Generation Redux! The only bit I don't understand is where you said you woke up and knew what it needed - do you mean you got some sleep this week!! Hee hee, I don't think so!

Lucy x

ionabunny said...

Fantastic. So much detail. Such lovely techniques. Thanks for the detailed post and also the link to the alcohol ink diva. I finally bought some of these and they have been staring at me for a while daring me to give it a go. Maybe I'll check out that link and get brave......

Marjie Kemper said...

Oh my stars! Alison, this is exquisite! I adore all the rich texture and the flowers are truly stunning. A total work of beauty!

Kasia said...

OMG! Fabulous work! I love what you did with tin of coke :) I'm so impressed with your work :)

Donna Gibson said...

Alison, I'm actually "wordless" at the moment! To think that this came out of playing around and getting messy! It's fabulous and brought a little tear to my eye. You're extremely talented! Thanks for playing along with us at Frilly and Funkie!

Kate Yetter said...

This is amazing! I love your textured background and all the images. The lace and flowers are the perfect addition. Lovely!

Neet said...

WOW! This is amazing!
Hugs, Neet (stuck for words) xx

Carol Plume said...

wowsa what a stunning piece! recycling at its best with Fantastic results....

thank You for sharing with Tando Creative xx

Rea' said...

Love all that Grungy Beauty... your flowers are gorgeous, love the textures of the whole piece... just beautiful!

Anna said...

Absolutely Beautiful!! Love the layers and the depth!

TAM said...

Amazing piece of artwork - thank you for sharing this with us
Trudi

Kelly Booth said...

SUPER Project...Thanks for Playing with us at IE!

eri*doodle said...

Very creative!

Take a peek at my Tattered Floral entries:
Rose Box - http://eridoodle.blogspot.com/2013/03/tattered-florals-vintage-rose-box.html
and
Lunch Bag rose - http://eridoodle.blogspot.com/2013/02/tim-holtz-tattered-florals-die-challenge.html

Best of luck in the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals challenge.
-Pam