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 15 May 2013

Imagine that!



Hello everyone!  I'm delighted to be here (for the second time today... if you're looking for my Artistic Outpost bloghop contribution, it's here!) with my Design Team contribution for the challenge at the new look Our Creative Corner this month: Anything Goes.

You saw half the team in action at the beginning of the month, and now the rest of us are here to nudge you with a little more inspiration!

And this really was an Anything Goes kind of tag (sorry, I seem to be on a bit of a "tag jag" at the moment)...  It came about quite by accident, and without any planning of any kind, and it has a bit of anything and everything on it, so it seems appropriate for the challenge theme!

We had a couple of Dutch friends, Irmel and Bep, come to help out for a week with our dollshouse museum preparations, and they were also really interested in what I was getting up to craftily.

They particularly wanted to see the BigShot in action.  So I was showing them a bit of cutting and embossing one evening (after a hard day's graft in the museum), and explaining a bit about the inks and stamps, and I could see that Bep was itching to have a go.

So we did!



I grabbed a tag, and gave her one, asked what her favourite colours were (you'll see that they lined up nicely with some of my preferences), and off we went.

I really wanted to show her as much as I could of what's possible, and share my love of all things Tim Holtz...

So we started with clear embossing the sentiment - always magical as it changes under the heating
tool.




Then we did some ink blending - seeing the colours merge and grow in depth is another magical thing.  A bit of spritzing and flicking for added texture, and to show the water-reactive nature of the Distress Inks...

Then it was on to some stamping - and we had a look at the differences between stamping with different inks.

First, stamping with Distress - the floral flourish - still vulnerable to water if we were to add any, and also resisted by the sentiment so that you can wipe it away, leaving the stamped image "behind" the embossed one.







Then we stamped with Archival - the beautiful script from the Apothecary set - for a slightly sharper image, as well as one that will hold its own if you want to add any other moisture later on.











We also did some rolling of a stamp on and off for a partial random textural effect (the dots).








Next for the die-cutting... We did a bit of wrinkle-free distress technique using Distress Stains on another tag, and then used that to cut four butterflies (two for her and two for me) with the Movers and Shapers die.  

A little inking on the reverse, and then they got stapled down with the dinky staples from Tim's Tiny Attacher.


We used the Paper Distresser too, to get the delicious texture along the edges and then, using the almost only non-Tim ingredient of the session, we punched a doily edging along the bottom (it's a Martha Stewart punch, in case you need to know).

To give that a bit more punch - so to speak - I used a combination of Wow Vanilla White and Antique Linen Distress embossing powder along the doily... it just makes it pop really nicely, I think.


And the Distress Stains came out to dye some crinkle ribbon, and then I used paper ribbon to tie it together.  When you spread out the crinkled paper, you get a lovely diaphanous effect.














So there you go: a tag I had no intention of making, and I really love how it turned out...  And, in addition, I'm pretty sure I've created a brand new crafty addict. 

Bep went back off to the Netherlands with a list of crafty blogs to visit and another list of crafty suppliers to check out!  Sadly, I didn't get a picture of her tag... sorry.

The response over at Our Creative Corner has already been phenomenal, but it would be great to see you there, if you've not already come to play... but a maximum of three entries per person, please.  Check out the challenge details and rules here.  

And while you're there, do take a moment to check out what my amazing team-mates have been up to - you won't regret it, I promise!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'll hope to see you very soon.






I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
Albert Einstein

Everything you can imagine is real.
Pablo Picasso

51 comments:

Rita said...

What a great post Alison. The tag is just stunning and the colours are so vibrant and fresh. Have a Good Day. Hugs Rita xx

Monique said...

That's a beautiful tag that came out of just playing with inks and stamps and showing what you can do with them. It looks like you had a lot of fun. It's always nice to work together and be able to share your knowledge =)

Fliss said...

A really stunning tag Alison. I just adore those colours together and the embossed areas really do pop well in the vanilla colour.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Hugs, Fliss xx

Bonnie Irvine said...

What a lovely way to introduce your friend to so many ways to play with TH goodness. The tag is not only a great teaching tool and hands-on reminder of what she learned but also a lovely piece of art...quite a keepsake. Your tag is a beauty, Alison.

Kelly said...

You used my favorite colors! I just love the tag and I am glad you made it. How fun to do this with your friend, next time call me and I will experiment with you and your friends. LOL I do love your tag.

Netty said...

oooh I love this colour combination. Terrific tag. Hugs Annette x

Nan G said...

Lovely tag! Don't you just love introducing your new love to peeps and watch their eyes glow as they become hooked (addicted) to this crafty art form.

Dianne said...

Wow to watch you create, no wonder they fell in love with the kraft, you are very inspiring, now another gorgeous tag looooove the color, all that stamping brilliant,it is all magical, thanks for sharing my dear and have a wonderful day..

Hettie said...

I could not help but hear the words "Just like that" coming then! Sorry!
Beautiful tag there and why apologise for making tags? TH does it ALL the time! LOL.
I cannot believe you have put this up having just got home either! Commitment ey or should that be committed? Why has commitment only got one t in the middle and committed has two? Never noticed that before Wordy Lady!
Hugs
xx

House of Bears said...

Isn't it wonderful to be able to share our crafty passion with willing victims, er, I mean interested people. Your tag is so pretty. We love it, as usual with your work. :)

Julia S-W said...

Never apologise for tags - I LOVE making them! This is a little inky beauty Alison. I love how you describe the steps and the different inks and their behaviour; inspirational for those friends of yours I suspect. I see you finally succumbed to the doily punch - it's lovely isn't it? I keep wanting to use it but I'm trying not to hear it calling me!
Gorgeous stamping, colours and those butterflies finish it all off perfectly.
So proud to be working with you at Our Creative Corner.
Juliaxx

Unknown said...

I love the colors, pretty butterflies and sentiment Alison. You're a talented tag jag so keep 'em coming. :-) Hugs

Alexa said...

Great tag Alison - love that lacy border at the bottom with the white embossing powder. x

Astrid Maclean said...

Another great project today! Looks as if you had a fabulous teaching and learning session going on there, - must have been great fun for all involved and wonderful results to boot!

Terry said...

Gorgeous in every detail! Love the soft greens and the lacy trimmed edge! Hugs!

Redanne said...

Absolutely stunning Alison, I love how you describe it step by step, it is so very interesting. Love that you introduced a new friend to the crafty world too - she could not have had a better teacher for her first time out! Hugs, Anne x

Brenda Brown said...

What a way to induct your friend into crafting showing her all these fabulous techniques and creating a gorgeous work of art with her. I love the colours and effects especially the punched base. Great job.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Paper Profusion said...

Best way to learn is to get stuck in! Your friends could not have had a better tutor - I love your tag. Nicola x

Anonymous said...

Fabulous tag Alison ! Colours are gorgeous and love the EP on the doily. Sue C x

Margie said...

Oh how I wish I could have been that friend - I would have learned so much but thanks Alison for sharing so many tips in your post. I have it bookmarked to look at them in detail. Learning such a lot from my teamies! Love, Margie xx

Helen said...

What a lovely read, and a gorgeous tag - I love the frilly bottom!!

Gerrie Johnnic said...

luv this! All the deets and the colors are beautiful.

Dorthe said...

It is alwayes so wonderful, when friends are real interested in what one is doing, and so fun, showing and telling!! your example made for show and tell, is a beautiful, and amazing piece dear Alison- I love the colours-you know!- the embossing of the text and all in this beautiful tag!!
Hugs,Dorthe

Janny Jager said...

Fabulous Tag Alison with great images çolors and texture

Greetings Janny

May said...

Wonderful post Alison & A wonderful tag... Love the colours & stamping.. Beautiful butterflies! Hugs May x x

Jenny Marples said...

What a fantastic tag. Love that you have converted a new crafter in the process of making this gem. Hugs, Jenny x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A fabulous tag in great colors. Wonderful details, too.

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Mumm, totally delicious! Such a great combination of stamping, inking, embossing and distressing! Love the colors and how fun to initiate a new craft addict :) Beautiful make to kick off the new OCC!

Hugs,
Linda

Inkypinkycraft said...

Another beautiful iece, great background xxtrace x

Claudia N. said...

Love this tag, Alison,

but even a bit more the story of its making. I am sure Bep had a wonderful experience and result with her tag toom, assuming hers is as delicious as yours.

Hugs,
Claudia x

Sophie said...

In jeder Beziehung wunderschön.
Farben, Stempel, Idee... alles passt perfekt.
Wunderschön, Alison.
Sophie xx

Laurart said...

Gorgeous tag as always! Reading this reminds me of when you first introduced me to inks and stamps...Lovely day! ;o) xxxxxxxxxx

Jennie Atkinson said...

It is always lovely to share our inky passion with those who are new to it all and you did a wonderful job with this tag! The colours and layers are fabulous and all the different embossing too. I bet your friend had a wonderful time!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

A stunning tag...the colours are amazing and the total look is so...how can I say that in English? - so so....GREAT...
Love this tag, Alison!

kind regards, Alie :-)

annes paperfun said...

wow...gorgeous!!!
LOVE it ♥♥♥
Hugs, Anne

craftytrog said...

Gorgeous tag Alison! It sounds like you both had a really fun craft session! x

cathylynn said...

I nominate you the Queen of Tags! Another outstanding tag that is scrumptious all over.
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Crafteezee said...

Very descriptive Alison, if I weren't at work I might have just popped to my craft room. Love it and love the colours.
Hugs Tracy x

Lisa Minckler said...

ohhh...love it all and you've used my favorite patina colors, but, but, BUT..I can't stop looking at the bottom fringe...LOVE that in white!

Sandy said...

First let me say, I would give anything to visit this museum. I love miniatures and have seen Queen Mary's Doll House at Windsor Palace. What an amazing creative world you must live in. Your art work (and YES) it is art, is always beautiful and I love it as so many other people do. This tag is gorgeous and I do love tags. For some wacky reason, I think they are more creatuve. I sure wish I could meet you Mum!!
Sandy

sara j said...

Another stunning job Alison. Isn't it fun to introduce new people? I turned some friends onto Dylusions ink and neocolor pencils and I was smiling for days!! Here's a couple of sites for the Silk Acrylic Glazes that were on my blog. Dion's work is stunning. http://www.diondior.com/
http://www.dreamingcolor.com/silks-acrylic-glaze.html/

Chrissy said...

I love those butterflies Alison, gorgeous colours on this tag, love the white edge and the stamping,sov pretty..and I think your tag below with the little boys is gorgeous too.Love the boat and its shadow on the water, and fabulous sentiment..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Kezzy said...

Wow gorgeous amazing awesome tag. I so wish I had been able to play with you lol (eeek that doesn't sound quite right lol). I need to stop watching the chemistry 101 videos by Tim Holtz and play. I have all the distress ink pads but I'm only just starting to work with them and see what they can do, they are awesome. Also I have a huge apology to make. I found in my drafts email this evening an email I had started to say a huge thank you for all the advice you sent me regarding distress paints. I'm so embarrassed I had thought I had finished it and I feel rude for not sending a thank you so a big sorry sent your way and I shall reply to it. Happy Crafting :-) hugs Kezzy xxx

Wee Von said...

I love the great tutorial you just gave me! You explained it all so well and the end result is beautiful.

Anke said...

WOW WOW WOW absolutely stunning, so beautiful.

Hugs
Anke

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Beautiful tag...fab color!

Marjie Kemper said...

Excellent job bringing another over "to the dark side".... crafters of the world approve! Love this gorgeous tag, especially the beautiful background.

Kate Yetter said...

A stunning tag, Alison. I love the colors and the butterfly. And such a lovely soft background!
Kate

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful tag. Beautiful blend of colours and a lovely sentiment. Love the idea of using a punch to decorate the bottom of the tag too. Beautiful. Chris xxx

Art By Wanda said...

I love the projects that just happen and it's amazing how many times they are some of my favorites!!! Yours is gorgeous!!!! And what a great time with a friend!!!!

Margaret said...

LOVE the colors on this one! The butterflies are beautiful and I am sure your friends had a wonderful time getting inky with you too!