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...

Sunday 5 May 2013

Green and Serene




Hello all, and welcome to a serene Sunday here at Words and Pictures.  I have to say, I'm far from serene at the moment - pretty much everything is hotting up on all fronts - so making this tag was truly therapeutic.


It uses Artistic Outpost stamps, mainly from the gorgeous Serenity plate.  It was one of the first AO stamp sets I bought, and I'm still just as in love with it.


It's not the first time I've played with layered tags, but I've seen lots around and about a lot recently.  (Can I find any of them now to share a link with you?  Can I heck!)


In any case, when I started playing with Tim's wrinkle-free distress technique and ended up with enough ink on the mat for two tags (only semi-accidentally), a layered tag was the obvious next step.











I seem to have a real blue-green thing going on in celebration of Spring, and I also find them such soothing colours to work with.

As well as Distress Inks, I used a bit of Bundled Sage re-inker on the mat for a shot of more concentrated colour.











The large tag is then treated very simply - just a stamping of the beautiful homestead image in Olive Archival, and some raggedy edging created with the TH Paper Distresser.








On the regular tag, I added some of the music manuscript from the Ephemera Backgrounds, and embossed the sentiment using Wow Vanilla White powder for a soft look.

At the bottom I trimmed the tag slightly (so as to clear the image beneath) before using the Doily Lace punch from Martha Stewart. 











It wasn't showing up brilliantly against the tag beneath (very similar colours of course), so I used some more embossing powder to highlight the edge.








The final tag uses a brand new die I bought with some recent winnings (I've been on such an amazing roll - never been this lucky in my whole life!). 

I'm not really a Magnolia crafter (though I do find some of the creations jaw-droppingly gorgeous), but this little Vintage Tag from the Magnolia Doohickeys range caught my eye a while back, and I've given in at long last!










For this one, I embossed the flower swirls, in a couple of different colours, and then blended DIs over the top.  

Then I added some more embossing powder to the lacy bit at the bottom to make it pop.








Crinkle Ribbon dyed with Distress Stain, and tied together with some paper ribbon finishes the whole thing off.  

I'm very happy with the layered look, too; for some reason it just makes me happy...













And by the end, I was breathing a little more deeply and, I think, even smiling a bit.  Which is really what this whole crafting business is about, isn't it?!













Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today.  

I hope all the Brits enjoy their Bank Holiday weekend (my nose will be at the Dollshouse Museum grindstone pretty much throughout... altogether now: aahhh!), and that you all have a wonderful week ahead.

The sole art that suits me is that which, rising from unrest, tends toward serenity.
Andre Gide

Boredom is the feeling that everything is a waste of time; serenity, that nothing is.
Thomas Szasz


I'd like to enter this for the Inspiration Journal's May challenge Don't Quote Me















65 comments:

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a beautiful tag, the colors and the serenity woords are very well together ,very nice picture, I love it very much!!!

Greetings
Maria

Chrissy said...

Just wonderful colours Alison, gorgeous layered tag..love the white embossing, beautiful verse, image and details..gorgeous.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Inkypinkycraft said...

I love the softness of these colours! The layered tags look wonderful..hugs trace x

froebelsternchen said...

absolut GORGEOUS dear Alison!
I wish you that you can manage everything well, and soon get a quieter life for making art!

xxx Susi

Ephemera said...

Absolutely beautiful Alison, love the muted greens and the pop of white, it certainly has a serene and peaceful quality, have a great day. Xx

Helen said...

Well you've hit the serene button well and truly on the head, this is gorgeous, I adore the colours! The layered tags look fantastic, I must try that one day. Hope you don't have to work too hard today, but it will be worth it in the end!

Astrid Maclean said...

Beautiful, it has a real feeling of serenity about it, it is such a soothing colour combination! And I always adore projects that include layered tags, - adds so much depth somehow. Hope more peaceful times are in your future soon!

Redanne said...

Green and serene is such a perfect description of your gorgeous tag Alison. Love the layered look, the colours are sumptuous and the pops of white embossing are beautiful. Hope you get some 'cooler' times soon. Hugs, Anne x

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous tag Alison, love the softness of the colours with the gorgeous images - very serene indeed.
Avril xx

brenda said...

Super colours Alison and the resist stamping really pops from the tag.

Hope you are having a good bank holiday weekend and have some sunshine.

B x

Fliss said...

This really is serene Alison. Such beautifully calming colours. Love all the fabulous texture and white embossing. I love that stamp plate as well, a favourite of mine.
Hugs, Fliss xx

Sarah-Jane said...

Gorgeous tag and I just love the sentiment.
Sarah-Jane xx

Carol Q said...

right up my street Alison - beautiful greens and definitely serene. I have those stamps - must dig them out again and funnily enough I bought that doohickey tag die - also not a Magnolia fan lol

Unknown said...

What a fab arty tag Alison. The imagery and overall composition is wonderful and so is the blending. Love it. Chris xxx

May said...

Beautiful tag Alison, Love the colours.. your design is perfect, Love the stamping & embossing.. Very Serene indeed.. Hugs May x x x

barbarayaya62 said...

Winderful colors, Alison! Love the resist technique! White embossing is super cool! BArbarayaya

Clare Lloyd said...

this tag is beautiful I love the soft colours. x

junemac2 said...

this is such a gorgeous tag. so beautifully crafted
hugs June xxxxxx

Netty said...

loving your layered tag Alison and the beautiful shade of green you chose for this make. Hugs Annette x

Dianne said...

Well first off my dear, I think this is a wonderful how-to need go nowhere else :):).I haven't seen one before, and I LIKE IT.
The colors of course beautiful, my favs, the way you blended them, the large on, looks like a fabulous stormy sky over the beautiful homestead.
The smaller tag is just gorgeous, brilliant idea using the white embossing.Then the smallest tag is just sooo pretty. Thanks so much Miss Butterfly, I MUST try to make one, I'm all a twitter..

Rita said...

Fabulous Tag. The colours are indeed very serene Alison. Have a nice day. Hugs Rita xxx

Krisha said...

Stunning card, LOVE the colors and the homestead image! Funny how colors work on our emotions.

catherine said...

This looks beautiful Alison. love the soft green and all the imagery and words.
x catherine

Keren Tamir said...

Love this quote and this tag! A favorite for sure Alison!!!

Brenda Brown said...

This is just divine Alison. I love the layered tags, the wonderful techniques and fabulous stamps. Makes me feel really chilled out.
Hugs Brenda xox

Dagmar said...

wow - FANTASTIC!!!!

Paper Profusion said...

Hi Alison, I really love your hues here - it is so restful and yet very energy inspiring. The white layered tips and such bright white embossing look fab. The simplicity of the bottom scene is perfect for this tag.

Wishing you lots of calm and happy thoughts. May any turmoils soon ease. Nicola x

ria gall said...

Hi Alison
this is so very very pretty, delicate and the colour is so soft and spring like. I have to say that this is one of the nicest tags I have seen to date, love it
Ria

Kasia said...

Amazing tag! Beautiful details :)

Kate Yetter said...

The white embossing against that green is lovely.

Dorthe said...

I think : Miss Marple old village when seing your lovely tag, I think beautiful spring and summer, and I think white clouds on bluish green skyes! It is so beautiful, and so lovely dear Alison.
XO,Dorthe

House of Bears said...

Oh how lovely. A layered tag is a fabulous idea, and is going on our to do lists. Your chosen colours are so cheery too.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Pin ... very impressive details Alison..you're so right: serene green..but even more than that!

kind regards, Alie :-)

mark gould said...

You have such a beautiful hand with your colours. The images fit perfectly. I'm always inspired. I do not know how you find the time to produce so much quality work x

Hettie said...

This tag is gorgeous Alison. Love all the layereyness of it! The stamped images are great and I can see why you love it!
Hugs
xx

Jenny Marples said...

Love the layering on this card. The white details work so well with them. Gorgeous. Hugs, Jenny x

Nan G said...

Serenity a perfect description of this wonderfully layered tag! Makes me breathe easier just looking at it. :)

Annie said...

Love the colour combo Alison and the addition of the white makes it very special. Great layers

Crafty hugs

Annie x

Sophie said...

Wunderschön, Alison,
die Szene gefällt mir sehr gut in diesen Grün/Blau-Tönen.
Es sieht sehr extravagant aus.

Liebe Grüße xx

Unknown said...

Oh this is such a gorgeous tag, love the colors and layering. Love it :)

craftytrog said...

A stunning layered tag Alison, I love those colours! xx

Kelly said...

Gorgeous tag and very serene with a touch of girly. Love the saying on it too. Beautiful Alison. Wishing a dose of calm and happy today.
Hugs Kelly

Wee Von said...

Beautiful tag and sentiment! Made me stop browsing and start creating, thank you!

Janny Jager said...

Great tag Alison with a lot of gorgeous details and nice colors.
Love it.
Greetings Janny

toni said...

Lovely layered tag, beautiful colours and lovely subtle detail, hope the deep breathing is continuing to work! Xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

How cool, that's a wonderful technique, your tag looks great, love the color combination.

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

Alison I will add my voice to the chorus and say this is wonderful!

Chris said...

Wonderful Alison, I love the colours and how the muted stamping gives a dreamy quality. Chris x

Gio said...

Just you at your best! This is a little precious masterpiece, Alison.
And congrats on being on Tim's blog!

Terry said...

Alison, this tag is so pretty with the greens! It is such a peaceful tag and I just love it! Enjoy the day!

Bärbel said...

Das Tag wurde großartig gestaltet! Mir gefallen die eingesetzten Stempel und auch die Farbgebung sehr gut.
Liebe Grüße, Bärbel

Bonnie Irvine said...

Alison, this layered tag is lovely. The colours are so fresh and springy like the new shoots coming up in my garden...finally. I love the stamping and the pop of white embossing, especially over the doily edge. Beautiful!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Fabulous - love the cool greens and those layers ( I see you used one of my favourite lacy punches) I especially love that white embossed sentiment - so true! Just catching up after our weekend away! Chrisx

Tincan Crafter said...

You are just so amazing - I am so drooling over everything on your blog right now!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love the green! I love the AO images! Love the moving tag too!

Kjersti said...

Beautiful! Love the colour, the beautiful stamps and sentiments!
Have a great day!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Matilde said...

What a wonderful tag! Lovely colour :)

Art By Wanda said...

Really beautiful!!!!

Pam said...

Ahhh, beautiful, made me smile too!

Marjie Kemper said...

The coloring is exquisite, and I just love your choices of stamps.

Lucy said...

Gorgeous, love the serene greens. Love this plate. I just got the Outpost which is similar and makes me feel very serene too. So happy seeing you mentioned on Tim's blog,

Lucy x

Sue said...

Love the layers on your tag(s) Alison, and your white embossing really make it all POP x

Ellie Knol said...

This is so lovely! The colors are striking..

Kezzy said...

Gorgeous creation, I really love the pop of the white, the layers and the colours are fantastic. I was talking recently to my mum about you!!! I printed out a couple of tags that you have done in blues and greens. My mum always taught me that blue and green should never been seen, she did say she meant wearing clothes lol, but we both agree that they look amazing together. I have certainly started working with blue and green and I do love the contrast I get. As always Alison you really inspire me. If it wasn't for being so busy this week I would have had a go at Simons says challenge who inspires you and I can say that you certainly are up at the top of my list. Happy Crafting :-) Hugs Kezzy xxx

Sue from Oregon said...

Thanks for sharing with us at the Inspiration Emporium May Quote Challenge!

This is absolutely stunning with the pretty green and white colors!

♥ Sue Kment