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 7 August 2013

I think it's pink!




Hello all, thanks so much for dropping in.  

No, don't adjust your sets - you are at Words and Pictures, and yes, the project is pink - or at least mostly - a tag in a bag.

I was inspired partly by the wonderful Elin at ElinsHobbyKrok, and partly by the amazing Anne Kristine of Anne's Paper Fun, both of whom often make tags in bags - exquisitely.

I decided to have a play, using the Artistic Outpost stamps from Think and Wonder and from the Whimsical Melange, and this is where I ended up. 

Here's the tag in the bag.



















And here are the two together.  

(May have slightly overdone it on the photos today - apologies!) 














I started with a brown paper bag, cut it down in length, and used the Martha Stewart doily lace
punch to trim the top edge.  

This took two goes on two different bags - it wouldn't cut through the folded edges, so I had to open out the second bag, punch, and then glue it back together.









And you'll see it's still (pleasurably) tatty in places... not sure I've really got the hang of punches yet!  

I gave the whole thing a coat of gesso to get a whitewashed look.









I'd inked up the two tags ages ago - if I remember rightly, there's Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, maybe some Worn Lipstick and maybe some Ripe Persimmon involved.  

And I used the torn book page as a mop-up sheet for the spare ink.  I had no idea what I'd be using them for at that point - I was just playing.

I stamped one of the little houses from the Whimsical Melange stamps onto one of the tags and cut it out.








I layered that onto the front of the whitewashed bag over part of the inky book page (also punched with the Doily Lace), with some cheesecloth in between for the shabby, soft texture.















I stamped the Think And Wonder onto another piece of the book page, and used padded tape to
give the words a pop of dimension.













The roses are by Wild Orchid, and they've had a little brush of Picked Raspberry and Ripe Persimmon Distress Inks, as well as splattering of gesso.  

I've also added rough brushstrokes of gesso to all edges and borders.












I gesso'd up a couple of buttons too, and two little wooden ornaments which I think came from Kik (sort of Woolworths/Pound Store affair in the Czech Republic), but are very similar to the Prima embellishments you can now get.

I used a Tonic punch to cut some hearts out of the rest of that first tag as extra embellishments.







And I used some odds and ends of paper lace cut with the Vintage Lace Decorative Strip Die out of some music paper.  

They've been sitting on my table for literally months awaiting their moment in the sun (in fact, I think maybe since my Beautiful Things altered cigar box, which was made in January!).










For the tag inside, I used what's probably still in my top 3 favourite stamps - the amazing little girl from the Think and Wonder plate.  



Unfortunately, once I stamped her on the mottled wrinkle-free distress background in Archival Black (no going back) I realised she looked completely diseased.









So I used some Nougat Fresco paint with a water brush to lighten her face.  

I know that she now looks a little Geisha-like, but I promise you it's better than the lacerations and hideous pock marks she had before!
















I divided up the Wonder and Think sentiment, stamping half at a time...














I like the pause it gives you mid-thought as your eye goes in search of the rest of it.














I added some more pieces of the paper lace, a couple more flowers, buttons and hearts, all gesso'd to within an inch of their lives.  















And there's gesso round the edges of the tag too.








The lovely border was at the top of the book page, over the chapter heading, and was simply too good to waste.  
I think it ties in nicely with the architectural elements of the main stamped image too.







What else but crinkle ribbon to finish us off?  

It's just had a little hint of Picked Raspberry and Ripe Persimmon DIs to tie it in, and then I tied it in multiple bows for an opulent look.












Well, there you have it... another of those makes that pretty much made itself - certainly not something I'd've set out to do when I started!  

But I've ended up being rather pleased with it - I suppose at least partly because it took me by surprise.

I hope you're all having a good week, and thank you - as ever - for your time and your lovely comments.  It means the world to have your company on this journey.  See you out there!

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.
Albert Einstein

The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.
Ralph W Sockman








I'd like to enter this in the following:
At the Fashionable Stamping Challenges they'd like to see Script, Books, Pages or Print - my book page got pretty much everywhere
At Live and Love Crafts they're playing Warm or Cool Colours - I've gone Warm, for once
At Bunny Zoe's Crafts the theme is Pink and White
At Anything But A Card they are having some Summer Fun - I've got some sunshine icecream colours for them here


70 comments:

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...a super gorgeous posting from you Alison, loving the pretty candy coloured oranges and pinks, all very pretty and full of shabby romance...Mel:)xx

Yvonne Garner said...

Hi Alison! What a lovely project and so summery in pink, orange and white. Think and Wonder is one of my favorite sets, too. Your explanation on the girl's face made me chuckle! So many lovely details to absorb. Have a great week and thank ou for joining us at FSC!

Inkypinkycraft said...

this is a beautiful if unlike you in colour make..but still has all your gorgeous touches x hugs xtrace x

Chris said...

Love the shabby chic look Alison and the gorgeous colour palette too, those stamps are great too. Love your venture I to pink :-) xx

Brenda Brown said...

Divine my friend, such beautiful, beautiful pieces that are delicious to look at.
Hugs Brenda xxx

Helen said...

Beautiful!! We've both been doing pink this week, though mine is not quite so subtle!!!

Debi said...

so pretty and pink! had to smile when I was like wow pink - Butterflies done a pink creation :)
Debi x

Redanne said...

Exquisite work Alison, love your venture into pink. Love all the photos too and your wonderful descriptons. Hugs, Anne x

Unni A said...

It's gorgeous! Wonderful amazing details! I love the colors!
hugs, Unni

chrissie said...

I thought I had landed on another blog! Wonderful creations Alison and so very feminine and pretty.

Have a great day

Love Chrissie x

Jenny Marples said...

A great tag with so many exquisite elements. Isn't it fantastic to be inspired by others? Off to check out your links. Hugs, Jenny x

Claudia N. said...

I can definitely see the joy it brought to you playing around with a lot of lovely stuff and putting it together to build something soooo lovely, Alison!

A wonderful make with loads of awesome detail!

Hugs,
Claudia x

Astrid Maclean said...

Very pretty and so much detail! Love the sentiment! Great tag in a bag!!

Sophie said...

Traumhaft schön, Alison.
Mir fehlen die Worte.
Es ist einfach atemberaubend schön :-)
So shabby-mäßig, ich liebe es.
Auch der Hintergrund, die Details...

CHAPEAU!!!

Umarmung von Sophie xx

Deborah said...

Absolutely love your foray into the world of pink, Alison. And what a great idea to create a tag in a bag.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Love them, Alison...really nice colours, so feminine and lovely!
You did great...

kind regards, Alie :-)

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

You do have icecream colours Alison and such deliciousness it is too. I love your pretty in pink adventure!
Thank you for joining in a Anything But A Card this challenge.

Kelly said...

I couldn't believe it either, pink and so girly!? I am all about that so thank you for sharing this project and of course you made it so perfect in your style. You should make more like this!!! Such elegant features on the bag and tag, love the colors and the girly things on them.
Alison there is no such thing as too many photos of your art work! I love each one, there is so much to take in, eye candy!!
Have a great day,
Kelly

House of Bears said...

We love the tag in the bag, and you do pink rather well. It looks very fresh and summery.

Candy C said...

Alison...you just keep coming up with wonderful ideas. :) This pink gift bag and tag is such a lovely vintage combination. As always, such wonderful attention to detail and loads of gorgeous layering. <3 Candy

Gio said...

Pink and wonder!! :-)

Lovely, adorable, Alison!

Sandy said...

Hey Sugar! (term of endearment used in the south) I had to laugh when I started reading your blog. You see, when I clicked on your blog and I looked over to see if I was in the right place. I was sure I was not in the right blog. Having said that I have to compose myself. Very pretty and quite feminine. I have made paper bag cards and love them. Your tag is lovely and I like the way you have repeated with the embellishments. This is such a neat idea Alison.
Sandy

Cinderella Moments said...

It's just dreamy! You always put the right elements together to attain the perfect composition.
hugs♥,
Caroline

Netty said...

Very pretty in pink, a lovely tag in a bag. Hugs Annette x

Terry said...

So soft and pretty, Alison! Love the matching little bag! So clever! Hugs!

Unknown said...

Another GORGEOUS project! You are so talented and I love your choices of stamps! I love AO, too! Thank you for sharing!

Carol Q said...

beautiful colour scheme Alison, love the slightly tattered look

Nan G said...

Lovely as ever! See working with pink isn't so hard. :) hugs

Bärbel said...

Verpackung und Tag sind ein Traum in Pink, liebe Alison. Die Gestaltung der beiden Kunstwerke ist atemberaubend schön, die Stempel sind wunderbar und ich liebe dieses Pink!
Liebe Grüße, Bärbel

craftytrog said...

Yes...definitely pink...and very beautiful! Love the added orange tones, I always think they go brilliantly with pink :)
Alison xx

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Beautiful Alison! It's fantastic to see your talents wrapped up in such a beautiful feminine frock. Simply stunning. Ps. The mobile version of the blog works great - thank you! xxx

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous project and the pink is so feminine and romantic.
Yvonne

Dorthe said...

Alison, it is marvelous, AND I like the colour :-) even it is not your normal tones, I would never doubt you created this beautiful tag in a bag !! it is beautiful as all your creations are,- wonderful effect with the gesso!!
xo,Dorthe

cathylynn said...

I know this color is out of your color zone but you blew this out of the park! Holy cow I love it all! Totally gorgeous. Another fantastic piece of art!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Anonymous said...

Very pink but also very pretty.
Like the notion of the tag tucked inside the bag.
Wishes
Lynne

Hettie said...

Wow! This is pink! I thought I had got the wrong blog. Gorgeous Alison. Love those stamps and time I gave them an airing I think!
xx

Kate Yetter said...

Ooooh, you rocked the pink, girl! Love the subtle colors. So pretty and feminine.
Kate

Chrissy said...

It IS pink,and just beautiful Alison..it is you isn't Alison...lol..GORGEOUS, just stunning.

Luv CHRISSYxx

toni said...

Gorgeous on all counts Alison, colour ,texture and stamping and of course your marvellous creativity! Love this tag in a bag x

Mrs Beez said...

Very very pretty and so summery. Gorgeous colour combinations and I love the wisps of cheesecloth. Thanks for joining us at Anything But A Card this time.

Cocofolies said...

Awe, it's wonderful and so delicate Alison !!! Love it !! xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

GORGEOUS!!! These exude femininity and summer at the same time, yet still set in a time long ago! Love the mix of pinks and oranges!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

How fantastic, that's a gorgeous project, so many wonderful details.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful project Alison ! Love the delicate colours and shabby feel is gorgeous with your usual fabulous attention to detail.

Thanks for joining us at FSC too !

Sue C x

Maelchen said...

There are NEVER too many pictures, dear Alison when it comes to exploring your artwork! Am I right to believe that this piece deviated from most of your work? Nevertheless, it is as exquisite as ever. And the shabby look of your creation is just my thing! A very merry, lighthearted and not too pink project!

May said...

Gorgeous work Alison, Love the pink..Beautiful shabby look the attention to detail is fabulous...Love it! Hugs May x x x

sara j said...

not only are you uber creative you are funny too! I literally laughed out loud at the idea of her hideous pock-marked face...honestly I didn't even notice until you pointed it out. I always like your work, but love these explorations into other colors!!

Jennie Atkinson said...

Oooooh wonderful scrumptious colours - I must try that combination. Such a gorgeous bag and tag, so many details which are all just fabulous. Thanks for such great inspiration and thank you too for all your lovely comments while I have been away xxx

hazel said...

A fabulous tag in a bag, I love the colours and how you've put all the elements together.
xxx Hazel.

Flo Langley said...

Perfectly Pink and utterly gorgeous. Hope all is well Alison. Have a wonderful weekend.
Florence x

Lucy Edmondson said...

Absolutely gorgeous, and my favourite stamp set! I did a double-take that I was on the right blog!

Lucy x

Unknown said...

Being a pink girl I absolutely love this tag Alison. Gorgeous details and stamping on both!
Sorry to be MIA, my FIL passed away recently and I've been busy helping my daughter move into her apartment for college. Things have to calm down soon, right? Hugs

Ephemera said...

An absolute vision of pink gorgeous, is your stunning tag in a bag, just love that concept. Thanks so much for sharing it with us at FSC this fortnight Alison Xx

Ink Art Designs said...

Hi Alison. This is such a beautiful creation! I love the subtle pinks which you have highlighted beautifully with the bookpages, edging and superb detail. A gorgeous shabby make.
Thanks for joining in the fun at Fashionable Stamping Challenges.
Dot x

Smile_Art said...

This work is absolutely amazing, gorgeous, awesome, beautiful... I have no words! :) Just big LOVE!

Mrs.B said...

Hi Alison, the colour may not be in your comfort zone, but you certainly have done it justice. A beautiful project with just the right amount of shabbyness. Love it.
Thanks for sharing with us at FSC
Avril xx

Keren Tamir said...

fantastic, fantastic, fantastic!! what else can I say!!

Kjersti said...

An unusual color for you maybe, but still so beautiful projects!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

WOW that is a breathtaking project I'm fascinated!

Olga Siedlecka said...

These colours are just awesome!

Alexa said...

Love pink - and love your project - what more can I say? x

Von said...

How lovely and different for you :)beautiful
Von ♥

Shirley said...

Gorgeous Alison, love the shabby chic tag and bag and the very femininity of it all.

Crafty hugs from Shirl x x x

Zuzu's Blog said...

these are beautiful.. and i think you were right to fix her face.. one of the first "stamping lessons" I was given on a crafting forum (with Jo Caper-sandon) was that you should never stamp a face over patterned papers or backgrounds.I have made a few errors like you and my fix is usually to stamp the image again on to tissue paper and tear out the face section and glue into place. that way just a hint of the colour from behind shows through but you have a cleaner looking face. made me giggle when you described her as diseased lol.

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow truly stunning, very shabby chic. The colours are amazing and I love the white washed look. I have to admit they inspire me as well, but I haven't quite got the hang of it yet lol. Hugs kezzy :-) xxx

Anonymous said...

Hello Alison. This paper bag/tag art looks amazing - it's all new to me and I appreciate the links you added for the other artists. I'm going to file this away for something I'd like to try soon. I had to laugh at your poor diseased child as I too had a similar experience recently and three attempts to make it right created a death pallor instead. Yours turned out quite beautiful.

Deborah said...

Who knew a humble brown paper bag could be so transformed! Looks amazing and very, very pretty. BTW I like 'pleasurably tatty'- much better than 'shabby chic'.

Darlene G said...

Oh wow!! These are gorgeous. I just love the pinkness and girly stuff.

Margaret said...

Your tag in a bag is absolutely gorgeous!! I also love that you stepped out of your comfort zone on the colors! The little girl image is perfect for the sentiment, and I'm so glad you managed to cure her spots!! :)
Thanks so much for joining us again at Anything But a Card!!

Marjie Kemper said...

Well I know pink isn't your go-to, but you sure did rock it out. This is a stunning creation!