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 June 2013

The Good Ole U. S. of A.



Hello and welcome everyone, with an especially big welcome to the new followers - it's great to have you on board.

It's bloghop time at Artistic Outpost again.  The whole team have been creating projects with an Americana theme, so do have a hop around and have a look at the inspiring work of my amazing teammates.  Here's the full line-up:

Tracy EvansLinda Coughlin, Alison Bomber, 

Initially, I was a bit wary of the Americana theme - what do I know?  And did I really have the stash for it?

But then I delved into my childhood: I was brought up on The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie (amongst other things, obviously) so I guess it's predictable that my make has a nostalgic feel! 

I've mostly used images from the wonderful Kudzu Kafe and Home plates - new to me and already in love with them - with a few other old favourites mixed in.  I'll point them out as we go...



I used an MDF ticket to create my hanging.  It's about half a centimetre thick, so it's good and solid; sturdy enough to hold all the doodads (new favourite word!) collected up from around the hoarded stash supplies.

And I'd also like to say, I absolutely didn't plan for a red, white and blue colour scheme.  It was going to be all subtle vintage sepias and buttermilk - but once I started gathering the doodads... it was a done deal!








I started by creating a weathered look for the background using PaperArtsy crackle glaze and acrylic paints.  As well as Fresco Cheesecake, there was some DecoArt Buttermilk involved.

Then the first stamp into action was the fabulous ticking pattern from the Kudzu Kafe set, stamped in Faded Jeans.  

Can you see where I'm going with the names of the colours so far?!




The fabulous pick-up truck from the Home plate was stamped in Sienna Archival ink (okay - Italy snuck in... should've used Barn Door I suppose) and given a coat of clear embossing powder for glossy dimensionality.  

I used Distress Markers to blacken the tyres (tires in US-speak) and add the steely blue highlights.









The "Kafe" is one of my favourite bits of stamping ever, though it was also one of the scariest.  

I inked up the stamp with Coffee Archival, and then - quite roughly - added some other colours onto the stamp as best I could with the edges of the ink pads: Library Green for the tree, Sienna again for the awning, and some Stormy Sky Distress ink for a touch of glassiness in the windows and tiles on the roof.

I then had to stamp direct to my beautiful background... if it all went wrong, I'd have to paint over, or start again on the other side.





As it is, I'm delighted with the result.  And I love the look of the house with the truck "parked" on some padded tape out front.  (I suppose next time I could do a trial stamping on some scrap paper first - why do I never think of that until afterwards?)



My vintage ephemera comes from a variety of sources. 

The sepia advertisements are all Artistic Outpost - the Kudzu boy is, pretty obviously from the Kudzu Kafe set; the Old Grist Mill - again obviously - from the Old Grist Mill set.  I've clipped them on with some jewellery findings.

There are some number plates from one of the Tim Holtz stickers sets (Destinations, maybe - sorry not at home, so can't double check which).  

There's an Idea-ology Cash Key - so cute, and the red stickers were just the right colour red.


And I added a couple of game pieces which came in a job lot of stuff from Ebay, and which I wasn't sure I would ever use.




The White Mountain Freezer advert is again from the Kudzu Kafe set - are you starting to see why I love it?! - and the train one is from the SteamPunk plate.  

The tiny wooden stars came from the fabulous Trace at inkypinkycraft as part of a swap we did before Christmas.  

You will have spotted the whole "wooden stars and ticking stripes" look, I'm sure... 





I added a couple of 3D postmarks by Wendy Vecchi.  

The Detroit one was a pale toothpasty green, so had to be doctored with Salty Ocean Distress Paint to tone in with the rest of the make.

And the drive-in theatre ticket is another Tim Holtz sticker (Salvage? - sorry, not sure again).




Gingham ribbon and some raffia at the top to hang it up by, and we're pretty much there... 

I hope you've enjoyed this little tour round my Americana hanging.  I certainly ended up loving making it far more than I'd expected to. I had a ball!

Do hop round and have a look what the rest of the team have been up to... If you get lost along the way, you'll find all the details here.








For now, thank you so much for stopping by, and I'll be round to see what you've been up to very soon.

As you read my stories of long ago I hope you will remember that the things that are truly worthwhile and that will give you happiness are the same now as they were then. Courage and kindness, loyalty, truth, and helpfulness are always the same and always needed.
Laura Ingalls Wilder

Although the years of my boyhood and youth on Waltons Mountain were a time of uncertainty and desperation for millions, somehow, in our home, we were sustained by a sense of being safe and secure.
Narration by John Boy Walton from the TV series

Home is the nicest word there is.
Laura Ingalls Wilder

And I couldn't possibly leave you without this, from the Waltons... Goodnight everybody!





Since I ended up unexpectedly with the red, white and blues, I'd like to enter this in the Independence Day challenge at That Craft Place Challenge Blog.
And at Fashionable Stamping Challenges, they'd like to see Something New/A New Style - well the stamp sets were new, as was the Sienna Archival ink, and so's the red, white and blue colour scheme - out of my comfort zone, but very happy with the results.
And I'm linking up with Anything But A Card at the Stampotique Designers Challenge.


65 comments:

Shelly Schmidt said...

I love your collage- I love the barn door truck- so cool- loved all of the inspired images and 'doodads'!!! The background in antique colors looks great with the R/W/B theme! Night!!!

Nan G said...

Nicely done, Alison! A very subtle color scheme. Love that the ink names played in with the whole feel of the piece. It's a beautiful piece of an Americana!

Inkypinkycraft said...

Another great make ...love that red car! Fab hugs x

May said...

Fabulous tag, The background Alison is fantastic! The old truck, stamps, colours are Brilliant... I too loved the Waltons.. Beautiful work... Hugs May x x x

Deborah said...

One of my favourite things you've created, Alison. I love that truck and your daredevil stamping on the house (you were brave).

toni said...

Brilliant work Alison. I love it all but the way you have treated that truck is just fantastic. The colours you've used make it look just like a vintage enamel car, just like my brothers old cars when we were kids...... Yes sadly the toys we used to play with are now vintage ! Toni x

Cestina said...

Oh that brings back memories - and reminds me that I have the whole set of The Waltons on DVD buried somewhere here.....time to dig it out xx

Brenda Brown said...

Fabulous American images, it transports me back to California, if only!!
hugs Brenda xxx

Sophie said...

Wow! Alison, das ist ein fantastisches Tag geworden.
Super!
Und die Stempel sind großartig.

Liebe Grüße von Sophie xx

Danke für deine lieben Kommentare :-)
das erfreut mein Herz.

chrissie said...

Such treasures you found Alison to make this hanging.

Lovely to read some words from the Waltons. I always seemed to end up in tears at the end of those programmes--I think they were tears of joy :) or maybe just of hope at that time.

Love Chrissie x

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow gorgeous hanging, I love the house and all the doodads (really like the name it's awesome), and the truck is really fantastic. Hugs :-) Kezzy xxx

Annie said...

Hi Alison love this project and I can see the Waltons within this make, particularly the house and pick up.

Happy blogiversary to you.

Have a great day

Annie x

brenda said...

Another super piece of artwork Alison and really like your use of red here and there as it makes the whole piece pop.

B x

Astrid Maclean said...

Great make, my favourite bit is the car I think, it really has that ole truck feel with the clear EP!

Jennie Atkinson said...

Fabulous Alison and SO reminiscent of the Waltons. Great use of the red with e other colours - it really pops. Jennie x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Lots of techniques on this tag to see Alison, great collage

kind regards, Alie :-)

Helen said...

Looks like you rocked it to me! I loved LHOTP too!

Rita said...

Fabulous creation Alison. Lots of great artistic elements to see. Hugs Rita xxx

Redanne said...

Fantastic collage Alison, just adore that beautiful old truck, that really took me back in time.... Hugs, Anne x

Suzanne C said...

Wowzer! Love the layers of Americana you put together. the shiny truck in the two tones draws your eye in and parked in front of the Kafe is brilliant.

Kate Yetter said...

Wow! So much to look at. I loved all the elements but my favorite is that red truck! Love it.
Kate

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

So rich in detail, love all the vintage ephemera, the colors, the way you colored the house - wow, this just screams Americana. And I have to agree with Kate, the pick up is sensational. Love the texture and how you two toned it. This looks like you had a blast making it!

Hugs,
Linda

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Nicely done....very Americana!!!! I love the old truck. Looks like a vintage fire truck! Awesome color scheme as well! Beautiful!

Gerrie Johnnic said...

You rocked this GF! Very Americana in every way. Great collage of past lives, brings sweet memories. The truck is perfect and really caught my eye. Yes, goodnite butterfly!

Terry said...

From top to bottom this is screaming "Americana." Alison, I love the collage of images and that old time truck is so cool! You even added a couple of license plates, such fun! Enjoy the day!

Sarah said...

Oh, Alison, you have created such a fun assortment of good ole American icons. You have passed this assignment with flying colors...red, white, and blue!!

barbarayaya62 said...

Great work! all details are amazing, but the car.... is in my heart! BArbarayaya

Martina said...

A magnificent creation, dear Alison! I love how you have colored the truck and the beautiful details. It looks great!

Unknown said...

Love Americana, this is fab! Chris xxx

Bärbel said...

Liebe Alison, das ist großartig gestaltet und absolut "American Style", meinen Glückwunsch!

sam21ski said...

Fantastic collaged ticket Alison, loving all your different elements

Sam xxx

Paper Profusion said...

How fabulous! That house and truck are simply swell and all the wonderful ephemera etc add terrific American character. Hope you have had a special blogaversary day. Night Alison! x

Meggymay said...

Wow, amazing details and the variety of stamps are fantastic Awesome tag, thank you for sharing it with us at FSC this time.
Yvonne/Meggymay

Nicecrane Designs said...

Amazing collage Alison, I was lot of problems with blogger,people aren`t receiving my blog post,,,, OMG....I have just fix the bug.

Robyn Phelan Sharp said...

wonderful collage

Elly said...

I am thrilled!! Your make is so..so..loooove it ..and not only because i'm grown up with John - Boy and Jim - Bob (:o)Now i know, why i do like Pick Up's in real life (:o)

Yvonne Garner said...

Hi Alison! Love, love, love your Americana Tag! You've captured the essence perfectly. Thanks for haring with us t FSC! Hugs, Yvonne

Chrissy said...

I love your collage Alison, love the little red truck, it is fabulous, love the all the 'doodads'and colours..

Luv CHRISSYxx
[loved the Waltons and little house on the Prairie too..lol..]

Sue said...

This is fabulous Alison, I love the crackling and the wooden numbers. I grew up with these programmes too (and certain channels are still showing the repeats lol) xx

Michelle Webb said...

I adore these stamps, I just know I'm going to have to buy them! The MDF ticket is a brilliant idea, LOVE those. I love your design Alison, its totally all American just like the Waltons. I used to love it too. Michelle xx

Dianne said...

WOW, I thought well this really isn't Butterflies style but I realized you can do anything,( well I knew that already) all your embellishments are fabulous,those licence plates look real and so tiny, and that fabulous truck, then the Waltons, and laura, I use to cry on every episode even if I had seen it a few times. You have done a brilliant job on your Americana, thanks for sharing, you are truly an inspiration Miss Alison..

Ink Art Designs said...

Hi Alison. I remember the Waltons and The Little House on the Prairie too, they were favourites of mine too :) Your attention to detail and the depth you have created in this scene is amazing! Love it!!!
Thankyou for joining us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges this fortnight.
Dot x

Margaret said...

Alison, this is wonderful! I can see where this challenge would be a little difficult, but you did an amazing job gathering stamps and embellishments that really capture the feel of Americana. I LOVE the ticking stamp!!

I had to chuckle at your closing. I grew up the youngest of 6, and every night as we said our 'good nights', one of us would reply "Goodnight, John Boy..."

Karen Petitt said...

This is beautiful. I love the stamping and all the little details. Very inspiring - must try to find some of these blanks to play with! Karen x

Beverly Sager said...

A true Americana collage! Love how the color scheme evolved, from the blue ticking background to that fabulous red truck! Great job :D

House of Bears said...

Well y'all did good on the Aymerican theme. Ahem, sorry, we were trying our American! We think your tag is just chock full of loveliness. We have some of those bingo numbers and were wondering how to use them, thanks for the inspiration.

Katherine said...

Soooooooo gorgeous - i love it and all the elements and techniques.

Tincan Crafter said...

Allison I am drooling over the truck. This was so interesting to look at - as the kids at work would say "hectically gnarly"! I bet if I were American, it would make me feel very nostalgic. Last year around this time I was in Texas and we were driving through a gorgeous town called Fredericksburg. I took a picture of a truck like that parked next to wood house. I loved that photograph. Seeing this made me think of that time again - it was special - thanks for reminding me of that.

Tincan Crafter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Wonderfully nostalgic with such a special collection of little bits of this 'n' that.
Wishes
Lynne

Marjie Kemper said...

How fabulous! Loving all the pops of red, especially that awesome truck. Reminds me of the kind you'd see at the Fourth of July parades when they'd bring out the old firetrucks.

Netty said...

Terrific tag with lots of wonderful embellies, Annette x

Shelby said...

For not being an American, you've done an amazing job capturing the essence of this time period! Gorgeous and stunning work and just love all of the details you've put into your work.

Shelby

akmoose said...

My favorite of all of them! Love the house! And the car! Everything about your piece.

Sandy said...

Hey Alison! It looks like you know us pretty well - at lest those of us who live in the South! Wonderful creation!!
sandy

Ana K. said...

I am not used to see so many colours in your creations, but end results are always gorgeous!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A fabulous tag with great elements. Love the red car. Thanks for joining us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges this fortnight.

Mrs.B said...

Hi Alison, Wonderful hanging. Love the stamps you've used and also the colours, such a nostalgic look with the worn background.
Thanks for joining us at FSC
Avril xx

cathylynn said...

Alison this is totally amazing. I love how you did that truck! Great job!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Anonymous said...

Beautiful collage! Thanks for joining the Stampotique DC

Sam & Poppy said...

Gorgeous, thanks for joining in with us at Stampotique this week.

Kay Wallace said...

You have so beautifully achieved your goal of capturing Americana!! Bravo!

Kasia said...

Amazing work, Alison! Beautiful details (love that truck :))

Lisa Somerville said...

Fabulous wall hanging Allison! Love the added embossing of the truck and the life you brought to the Kafe with your use of color!

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is just fabulous, Alison! I love your mixture of images from the different sets to create your Americana, and that truck is just wonderful! Just ordered the Home set myself because I wanted the truck!

Lucy x