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...

Tuesday, 27 August 2013

Lonely Leaf

Hello all, and welcome to Words and Pictures.  My profound apologies that I'm so behind with visiting you all.  After my internet meltdown, I then had a couple of weeks where work made any crafting or crafty-visiting virtually impossible... but I'm doing my best, and I hope to get back on track very soon.






You've arrived in time for the new challenge over at Fun With ATCs - and an unusual creation for me.  


The theme is Black, White and Red, and regulars will know that's not exactly my comfort zone!  


So, I thought: "Well, if it's going to be different, let's make it really different!"  So here it is...


I used one of Ranger's Specialty Stamping Paper ATCs, and stamped Tim Holtz's bare branches in Jet Black Archival.













That got a good blast from the heat tool to make sure it was dry before I stamped the word 'alone', using the little Hero Arts alphabet set.












For the leaf, I saturated a bit of leftover card with Cherry Pie Dylusions Spray, and then used a little leaf punch I bought in Norway a few months ago, when I did some work over there.  

It was pretty much the only thing I could afford (small bottle of Diet Coke £4.50!?!).















I brushed the sides of the ATC across the surface of the Archival ink pad to give a little definition around the edges, and that was pretty much that.













I hope you like my 'hop out of kin' project.  

You can find more inspiration from my brilliant team-mates for this fortnight's challenge over at Fun With ATCs, and I hope you'll find time to join in with our Black, White and Red theme.  Can't wait to see what you create.

For now, thank you so much for stopping by... and I really hope I'll be round to visit you very soon!

And something a bit different here too:

What's black and white and red all over?
A blushing zebra

What's black and white and read all over?
A newspaper

What's black and white and black and white and black and white and black and blue?
A penguin falling downstairs









If you'd prefer something a little more in my usual vein, you'll find the Coffee Guys over at
Artistic Outpost today - just in case you missed them the first time around!




46 comments:

Chantal Vandenberg said...

Wow - amazing work!!!

Helen said...

That is very different for you - I like it though! Thanks for finding time to leave some lovely comments at the weekend. Take care.

Francesca said...

Great intrepretation of the challenge. Love It. xxx

maria's knutselplezier said...

Yes its's very differant when I see your other beautifull work, it looks very modern ARt, but I like it!!it is what they ask so, oké, a lovely ATc!!

Greetings and thanks for your kind words on my blog!!

Maria

Brenda Brown said...

Love your ATC Alison, which is significantly different for you but has striking contrasts in the colours and the theme. Keeping up to date can be difficult with just a couple of days out, I don't know how you manage to be so proliferative with your designing, creating and commenting and keep your job going as well. See you soon.......
hugs {brenda} x0x

Jenny Marples said...

Definitely different for you and so dramatic! I love the contrast of these colours, though it does feel a little sad. See you very soon, hugs, Jenny x

Amanda said...

Different is good I think it's great to step away from the norm and your ATC is so simple but so atmospheric, love it.
Love
Amanda x
PS I so agree with Brenda, don't know how you do it all, but so glad you do.

chrissie said...

A very different style for you on the ATC but it does make a statement for sure. Would make a great cover for a novel.

Have a good day

Love Chrissie xx

Chrissy said...

It is perfect Alison...moving..deep..gives one something to think about, finding the meaning,or making one of your own..fabulous..I love it.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Well this certainly IS different, but very striking nevertheless!! That red leaf really pops and gives some true drama to your ATC!

Have a fab time on Thursday and I'll see you at the weekend! What an exciting week!

Von said...

Definitely different for you but no less fab :)
Von ♥

brenda said...

So very striking Alison, the little hind of red just lifts the whole piece.

B x

Redanne said...

I love it, it looks like a Maple leaf to me and as Canada's symbol it makes me feel a little wistful...... I don't know how you keep up at the best of times Alison, you are such a busy lady! Hugs, Anne x

Deborah said...

Love the simplicity of this, so impactful.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

It looks a bit sad, so alone...but yet such a clever CAS card Alison! Lots of people feel this way, at times...

Anonymous said...

It's so lonely... lonely in your stash of other projects as it is so different! Joking aside, it does "feel" lonely to me when I look at it. A little sadness, melancholy.
The jokes at the end of the posts are indeed needed to lift the spirit again!

Norway is indeed very expensive, if you are there for work you should have compensation to get your groceries, haha! Just avoid going out to eat! Beautiful country, great nature, though when we had a road trip there I was very glad to see a real city again when we got to Germany (via boat - we didn't really see Oslo so I didn't count that as city). I didn't think I had become such a city-person untill I had been there, hihi.
It is fitting that you got just that one lonely punch, and that it is used on this solitary card!

Take it easy, don't pressure yourself to visit blogs, it takes up a lot of time, so I do it just once in a while.
Debbie / Daqa

May said...

Love this Alison, it's very striking...Hugs May x x x

toni said...

Love the stark simplicity of this that touch of red is perfect. Have a fab time on wednesday, wish i was joining you all as it would be great to meet some of my lovely blog buddies! Look forward to seeing all the pics xx

craftytrog said...

Very profound! I love it Alison x

Bonnie Irvine said...

It's definitely different in some ways and yet totally your style in others. Your art often raises strong emotions and makes me think, both of which I appreciate and anticipate greatly. This atc is no exception. It's hauntingly lovely, simple yet strong.

Julia said...

Black and white with a pop of red, lovely. Leaves and trees are great images to use. Hey, maybe I'll have a go at this ATC challenge myself. x

mark gould said...

Sorry I have been absent Alison, Like you life is getting in the way ;) I love this ATC, I think everyone has felt like that poor little leaf at one point or another. I love the stark contrast of the little splash of colour xx

Candy C said...

Gorgeous make, Alison. You are such a creative lady and your work is always fresh. Love it! <3 Candy

Lisa Minckler said...

So different for you and fantabulous. Absolutely love the Alone tag and your other is just as stunning :) Man o' man you are getting me excited for Fall!

KristyLee said...

Even-though there is only one main image, this ATC speaks volume! I love it! And that red leave just sets it off! Great job!
Peace,
KristyLee

cathylynn said...

Love it!!!! You never cease to amaze me. Your creativity is so inspiring. Maybe not your usual colors but you sure used them well. I have to check out this challenge too!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Cocofolies said...

This ATC is so beautiful Alison.. Just perfect with this small red leaf that pops up beautifully!!
I have a question: from which plate does this bare branch come from ??.. I don't remember..
Otherwise thank you for the funny riddles at the end haha ! :) Coco x

Jennie Atkinson said...

A fabulous ATC Alison - very striking. The small touch of red is just stunning. I wish I could get my little Hero Arts letters to look so good!

Nan G said...

So coool and a little eerie too!

Tincan Crafter said...

Its so beautiful in its simplicity. It kind of reminds me of some of the artists that I used to like when I lived in Japan - often minimalist with one focal accent. You are truly gifted!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Love the simplicity of this piececSkison and the pop f red from the leaf is perfect ."alone" is a lovely touch. Tracy x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

So creative, love both pieces...the tag and the ATC. Just gorgeous.

maj. said...

Your ATC is brilliant!!! Really lovely!

Dorthe said...

Allison oh yes , so different, in every way, but strong and striking with the red leafe...
Hade to laugh about your diet coke for 4,5 pounds in Norway...yes they are so very expensive with their food in my "sisterland" you know we are not far away from each other!!!
xo, Dorthe

sara j said...

LOVE this. Shall have to give it a try!!

sam21ski said...

Fab atc Alison

Just seen it over on the ATC Blog too!!

Sam xxx

Marci said...

I've been looking at your blog for a few months and I think your best work has an emotion in it and evokes an emotion in the viewer. This ATC is one of those. Seemingly simple, but beautifully done. Thank you.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Alone does not look like much fun here...lol! I love the theme and the pop of red!

Sandy said...

Love your ATC but it also made me a little sad. Even a bright red leaf need a companion.
Sandy

Nan G said...

Wow! Just saw that you're going to a Finnabar workshop and you're attending Mr. TH's too! Lucky butterfly!

Paper Profusion said...

Gosh but the red makes it seem radically alone - interesting colour effect. Nicola x

Dianne said...

Well my dear I can believe it when you say how hard it is to get all your visiting done, I had 980 emails I had to go through after my holidays, still trying to get caught up, I'm sure everyone can relate. Loooooove your ATC, looks like the ending of our fall in Canada with the red maple leaf, I love how you print out your words, its a beautiful little piece of art, thanks for sharing...

Kasia said...

Your ATC is beautiful! I love the simplicity :)

Anonymous said...

A wonderful contemporary feel to this and that pop of colour in the form of the floating leaf is sensational.
Wishes
Lynne

Mary Elizabeth said...

Incredible ... just incredible. I feel the "aloneness" of this piece. It reminds me of Spielberg's "girl in the red coat" in Shindler's List. Incredible imagery and perfect use of the red, white and black. Love this Alison!! -- Mary Elizabeth

Julie Lee said...

Alison, this is fantastic! I love the stark beauty of it and that single word.The lonely autumn leaf works brilliantly too. It's a little gem of a project. xx