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...

Thursday 22 August 2013

Skeleton Leaves






Hello all!  Thank you so much for taking the time to drop in.


We seem to be in a bit of a Memento Mori vibe here at Words and Pictures at the moment: death and ghostliness abound... as well as lots of masking.


After yesterday's Ghosts in the Machine, today I'm back with another of my all-time favourite stamps - the fabulous skull from Tim Holtz's Apothecary set.


And he's been brought into action for my version of Tim's fabulous August tags...















As you can see, I've used different images, but otherwise I've stuck pretty closely to the techniques and products used, so you can find out how it's all done from Tim himself by clicking here.

I knew from the start that I wanted to play with the skull - he really is an absolute favourite of mine.













And having recently raked in the Tattered Leaves stamps on an ebay auction, I thought that the two things would go together rather well... some "skeleton leaves".











I had a bit of a struggle with this one, to be honest.  Even though I would consider stamping my first love in all this world of crafty possibility, I couldn't get this one to fly.  

While I am pretty pleased with the end result, it didn't come easy!

(The small maple leaf from the Tattered Leaves, and my favourite script stamp - the one from the Apothecary set - form the rest of my background stamping.)










In fact, my original plan was for four co-ordinating tags, but they fell by the wayside, one by one, as plans went awry or stamping went wrong, until I was left with this single, solitary one.










So I now have lots of leaf masks all ready for the autumnal crafting season.  

I remember really enjoying creating with the autumn colours last year (in my first seasonal cycle of crafting), but I'm a bit sad that I seem to be heading there already, given it's still only August.












Really, I'd like a bit more summer sun... but there's a definite chill in the morning air round my way these days - generally a sure sign that the autumn's not far off.













I was happy to get the golden glow of some August sunshine to help out with the photos for this tag, though.  

And they're promising us a nice day tomorrow, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed... though the crafty deadlines are mounting up!













Thank you so much for your always uplifting feedback and comments... this crafty journey simply wouldn't be the same without you all.  


Hope you're all having a great week.


Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf.
Rabindranath Tagore


Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.
Albert Schweitzer


I'm entering this as my August tag into Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2013

49 comments:

Evil Edna said...

this is really beautiful, the colours really work well with the images, it harmonizes wonderfully.EE

Chris said...

Love it Alison and I love the whole feel of it too! The skull is magnificent and your background is fantastic. I have the TH tattered leaves and I really want to play with them now but off to work I go unfortunately :-(! Chris x

Helen said...

I love autumn, it's my favourite season, mainly for the colours. This is a beautiful tag, even give the subject matter, lol!!

chrissie said...

I love Autumn colours any time of year they are so warm and varied.

Beautiful tag Alison love the quote about dancing like dew on the tip of a leaf :)

Have agreat day

Love Chrissie x

brenda said...

Well it is coming that time of year Alison but with the colours you have used the ghoulish element is softened into another inspirational piece.

B x

Astrid Maclean said...

Great tag, lovely colours and the contrast with the black and white images really pops!

Monique said...

I haven't checked out the Tim Holtz tag for august yet, but yours makes me want to. I love it. I think the skull is beautiful and so are the leaves. Love the quotes as well.
xx Monique

Amanda said...

What a great feel you have created with this tag, great masking I love the skull stamp with the colour if autumn, fab
Love
Amanda x

Sue said...

This is fabulous Alison, I love the depth to it and the lovely Autumnal colours. I wish Summer would hang around for a little longer too, but at least we have the next couple of days :-) xx

Redanne said...

The skull is one of my all time favourites too and you have made him look fabulous on your tag. I love the script background and the leaf looks wonderful in black and white against your amazing autumnal background. Love this tag! Hugs, Anne x

Rita said...

Love your tag Alison. Hugs Rita xxx

Gio said...

Despite the skull, this tag fascinated me!! Another wonderful piece, Alison!

Jenny Marples said...

Thank goodness someone so talented also found this month's tag a real challenge. The outcome however is fantastic. It is so 'you' and really shows up your stamping skills. Love the choice of colours which turn what could be a quite sombre composition into something with warmth and a glow about it. Huge round of applause from me. Hugs, Jenny x

Neet said...

Great autumnal colours on here Alison and what a fab skull - I need to get the apothecary set of stamps more so now.
Thanks for your inspiration and for the wonderful photography that always accompanies your work.
Hugs, Neet xx

Dianne said...

Gorgeous tag, loooooove the background and those leaves, fall is my favorite time of year, the colors the cool weather, I believe it was suppose to turn out as just one tag, and I can't wait to see what you make with the waiting tags, thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day..

Julie Lee said...

This is an amazing and dramatic tag! I would never have thought of putting the two 'skeletons' together, but I think you have really made this one work wonderfully! I love the background and the stamping is superb. I love the paper ribbon too,as it evokes that papery texture of autumn leaves. I have to say it did make me feel a little wistful, there was a definite sense of mourning for the passing summer in this post! It reminded me of Keats' wonderful 'Ode to Autumn'. But after the farewells to Summer he does remind us that if 'Winter comes can Spring be far behind?' Julie Ann x

Hettie said...

You really are having a spooky mood right now aren't you? Love this tag too. I am a big fan of Halloween. Wish we were like the Americans about it!
Hugs
xx

Anonymous said...

No Autumn glow here only "dreich" weather!
The glow on your tag is wonderful and I love that leaf, isn't it fabulous, well done you on your E-bay win.
Wonderful.
Wishes
Lynne

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Oh my...sorry I don't like skulls, but I admire the rest of the tag...amazing background and colours Alison!

Terry said...

More Halloween fun and I love it! The skull looks quite at peace with the surrounding leaves! Fun!

froebelsternchen said...

wow aliso1 tHIS REALLY r+o+c+k+s !!!!

Unknown said...

Oh I always love seeing a new tag. Absolutely beautiful, love the autumn colours and the fun skull stamp really draws your attention. xx

cathylynn said...

Great combination of stamping! Love the fall colors. Makes me think of warm apple cider! Cute bow on top too!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Brenda Brown said...

A fabulous take on Tim's tag, love the combination of stamps.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What a take on Tim's tag! Super!!!!

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

I really love that, fabulous how you combined all elements,

Nan G said...

Fab take on TH's tag, Alison!

Shelby said...

Awesome tag and love how you've combined the skull and the leaves!

Shelby

Candy C said...

Alison...you always come up with the COOLEST stuff! This tag is awesome! <3 Candy

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Great take on Tim's August tag - love that skull stamp too. A great piece of work to usher in the fall crafting season!

Hugs,
Linda

Lisa Minckler said...

Congrats on the ebay win with the leaf stamps..love them assorted with the best skull. Your tag is wonderful and the raffia bow is perfect for it. :)

Mrs.B said...

Stunning tag - love the background - great contrast to the images.
Avril xx

Unknown said...

Love this tag! The stamps are wonderful and I love the sentiment on Tim's philosophy tag too. I can't wait for autumn to arrive, it is so HOT here in Tennessee. :( Tired of sweating the minute I walk out the door lol.
Thank you for your incredibly beautiful words Alison. You are a treasure and I'm blessed to know you in this blog world. Hugs

Dorthe said...

WOW, so dramatic, and so wonderful--I LOVE your qoute, there,too Alison.
The stamps are just amazing--- the leaves with so many details and your beautiful fall colours makes it a wonderful ( also ) Halloween tag!!
xo,Dorthe

Sophie said...

Ein tolles Halloween-Tag, sehr schön gemacht.
Und super coloriert, perfekt!

Sophie xx

Mary Elizabeth said...

:) Love the "skeleton" leave to go with your skull. Very creative! Absolutely gorgeous background -- beautiful colors. Definitely gets me in the mood for fall. Fab take on Tim's August tag. -- Mary Elizabeth

Unknown said...

Alison, I LOVE your August Tag! And I can sympathize with you, as the many tags I started with, only one seemed to work out..and it's barely working! Your skull & leaves are fantastic together--I'd still love to see your first attempts that you weren't happy with...I bet they are gorgeous!!

Shirley said...

Alison I probably would not have looked at this stamp twice but what you have done with it is amazing and I might be tempted just to buy it. Fabulous.

Crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Michelle said...

WOW! I LOVE this! The design is awesome. And I love the play on words. :)

Keren Tamir said...

fabulous haloween tag!! loving the design!!

Tincan Crafter said...

I am so honoured that you left such a gracious comment on my tag Alison. I really wanted to note your design because it is so unique and eye-catching - not too many people can pull off ol' Skelly not on Halloween. Plus like I said in the post - I was a little excited that we both chose the same concept sort-of, because of my total admiration of your brilliance - it made me feel like I won a prize or something. You are so awesome, both your character and your art. I am really humbled!

Bonnie Irvine said...

This tag may not have come together easily but it was certainly worth the time and effort it asked of you. It's gorgeous and has incredible depth. It's one of those that I would love to see IRL because I have nose prints on my screen from trying to get closer :) Love the autumn colours and the black and white...such lovely contrast. It makes me feel excited for fall.

Cocofolies said...

Ooops... I think I missed to leave you a comment on this great tag... I LOVE it !!! Good luck for the Tim Holz 12 Tags challenge ! Coco xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Yeah, great Halloween feeling.

barbarayaya62 said...

This is really one of my favorite tag of all those that you have product! You always do beautiful work but this tag really hit my eyes!!BArbarayaya

mark gould said...

Now this is cool Alison xx Right up my street xx

Marjie Kemper said...

Very cool! He looks great with that metal plate bolted right in his skull!

Kezzy said...

Wow super cool tag, I so enjoy Autumn crafting as I love the colours. In a way my favourite are oranges and reds for summer then carrying on in autumn using darker reds and oranges with plum. I have to admit its rather cold this morning, I opened the back door for the dog and had a real shock of how cold it is. Soon we will get that smell, the smell you can't quite think what it is but deep down you know it's the autumn smell. Sorry I'm waffling lol. I really dolove your bbackground with the skull and a leaf in white, it really does make it pop. Hugs Kezzy :-) xxx

Sandy said...

Is this what is known as a play on words?? I know that is one scarey Dude. He looks like death warmed over and you say to encourage our hopes and not our fears!? Well let me get over this skeleton and I will work on it!
sandy