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 4 December 2013

Snowy, Starry Night


Hello all!  Thank you for your fabulous feedback for my final PaperArtsy makes... and if you missed all the fun, I'd love it if you had a moment to catch up.  You'll find all the links you need here.





I'm here with another creation inspired by the 12 Tags of Christmas created by the wonderful Linda Coughlin, the Funkie Junkie herself.  The challenge has been going for weeks, but I'm only just now getting a chance to play.

10 of the 12 tags are up and ready for us to play with, there are two more to come, and we have until 22nd December to get them all done.  This is my third creation, so it'll be full Funkie steam ahead here at Words and Pictures over the next couple of weeks.

You'll find all the details here, along with Tag 1 (though you can create any kind of project, as long as it's inspired by Linda's tags), and the prize is sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique, so it's well worth getting your act in gear!!











This is my version of Tag 2 (yeah, I'm leaping around a bit in terms of what order I do them in).  You can check out Linda's beautiful original here.  I've not wandered far from the path... though my background has more Pumice Stone than Frayed Burlap (a colour I've never got on with very well).
















I absolutely love the cabin in the snowy woods, from the Artistic Outpost Midwinter plate.  And since I'm on the AO team (alongside Linda!), I thought I'd go for making this tag an AO affair. So my additional stamping is all Artistic Outpost too...









The words from my all-time favourite Christmas Carol - In the Bleak Midwinter (but it must be this version by Darke, not the Holst) - are from the Midwinter plate too (obviously, now I think about it).  I suppose it's no accident that in my favourite carol, the words are by a poet I love, Christina Rossetti.

Lots of Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls seems to have got itself into the mix just here!








The pine cones and smaller snowflakes are from the same set...













... while the larger snowflakes and the little "joyeux noel" greeting are from Snowy Woods (probably my desert island Christmas stamp set).














I loved the stamped triple embossing Linda used on her little deer, but (not having the deer) I used a little wooden tree ornament from Kik (Czech cheapy shop that I've mentioned before - a bit like Poundstretcher or Woolworths).












In the absence of the large stars, I decided to use some more of my little wooden Studio Calico ones. You saw them in their naked state here, but this time I've added Rock Candy Dry Glitter (following Linda's lead) over a coat of white chalk ink.










They're a bit small for stamping on though!













Absolutely loved dyeing the cheesecloth, so much so that I used it in two places on the tag.















I added some Frantage Aged Gold embossing powder around the top, to echo the tree below.  Love how it's caught in the fraying fabric.











I also love that you can see the mesh behind the tree, through the little laser cut decoration.












And the linen ribbon is just lovely stuff.

Thank you, Linda, for another gorgeous piece of inspiration... I had so much fun playing with this one.  

Three down, nine to go...






I'd like to enter this as my Tag 2 in The Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

And with that shimmering shower of stars, I'd like to pop it in over at Live and Love Crafts, where the December challenge is Stardust.

She would sit by herself in the middle of the old stone amphitheatre, with the sky's starry vault overhead, and simply listen to the great silence around her.
From Momo, by Michael Ende

56 comments:

jojo79 said...

Really pretty, love the stars.

Jo
x

Deborah said...

Who knew Pumice Stone could look so wintry. Your tag is just breathtaking.

Julie Lee said...

I love Christina Rossetti too and 'In the Bleak Mid-winter' is my favourite carol! Snowy Woods is the loveliest plate I've ever seen, but I keep wanting Midwinter now too! This third tag is gorgeous: your take on Linda's is perfectly lovely . I love all the little details, especially the stars, and that dyed cheesecloth is superb. I've now done 1 of the 12 tags - only 11 to go! Julie Ann xx

Netty said...

Loving your beautiful winter tag, especially the fab background, Annette x

Margaret said...

Such a beautiful snowy scene, perfect for your favorite song! The stars, that amazing tree, cheesecloth, and ribbon add such wonderful dimension and texture!

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

I am totally in love with your snowy house! awesome tag, Alison!

Cinderella Moments said...

I love this one too. The cabin is perfect. I adore the little safety pin. You always add cute elements that take your tags to another level. Your love for these really shows through your art. Beautiful!
hugs♥,
Caroline

barbarayaya62 said...

Your christmas tree is so festive! TAg is very gorgeous, stamps and sentiment absolutely perfect! barbarayaya

Nan G said...

Fab tag! Now I know I need to get that stamp plate as I just love this cabin! 17 days to finish the lot...piece of cake...right?! Hugs

Mona Pendleton said...

Gorgeous Alison! I love the beautiful gold tree!

Kjersti said...

Love the tag Alison, the tree looks fabulous with the golden embossing and the little stars are adorable!
As usual you mix colors perfectly!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Helen said...

What a beautiful tag, Alison - those stars across the sky are just beautiful and I have some similar I have just remembered, need to get them out and create something with them, lol!

Inkypinkycraft said...

A gorgeous take n Linda's tag xx I have made just about no 1 and 2... Still been photo ing and logging, so will I make it not sure?! but I will give it my best, love the soft colour you have achieved here , gorgeous x

Claudia N. said...

How lovely, Alison!

What a wonderful winter forest and scenery! A really enchanting tag with a festive feel to it! LOVE IT!

Hugs,
Claudia x

Andrea Small said...

Oh! oh! Oh! It's one of THOSE - I'm drawn into a story. I think it's having the tree foregrounded and so beautiful, with the wintry cabin behind hinting at untold hardship and sacrifice. And looking at the piece with the music playing - happy sigh. Thanks for starting my day with a lovely experience!
A x
PS The stars! The stars!
x

chrissie said...

I am amazed at all the wonderful ideas and all on one tag.I never would have thought of embossing a charm or glittering the star shapes. You are so generous to share your wonderful ideas--thank you.

Off to find my wooden stars and some Christmas charms as I definitely need to start making some cards.

Have a great day

Love Chrissie x

Amanda said...

Loving all the elements that make up this beautiful tags background details topped off with that fabulous tree.
Love
Amanda x

sam21ski said...

Great tag, fab tree

Sam xxx

House of Bears said...

Your tags are always mini works of art with so much detail. We want to reach through and feel the textures. The mini stars work so well on this. Much better than a larger star would, we think.

Mary Elizabeth said...

I am thoroughly enchanted by this tag Alison. The background is ethereal and I'm amazed at how much the airy cheesecloth adds to that feeling. Such a wonderful backdrop for the gold tree. Seriously ... just ... love ... this ... tag!!!!

Sorry it's been so long since I made a visit. Not enough energy to go around these days for everything I have to do. Hope to catch up on a few more of your projects now. -- Mary Elizabeth

Terry said...

Breathtaking, Alison! Love the soft color palette and the touches of gold, so classy and vintage! The little trail of stars is brilliant! I love to use cheesecloth for tag ties, just love that stuff! Hugs!

Dorthe said...

This is so adorable dear Alison,
I love the sweet stamp, (can`t find it in A.O. net shop though )
So beautiful, and wintery -and the tree is gorgeous !
Very stormy and cold wishes for a more quiet thursday for you.... (huge storm in Denmark)
xoxo, Dorthe

Redanne said...

Even though the colours are cool, it still looks warm and cosy in that lovely cabin. It is a beautiful set of stamps. Love the sparkly stars too. Hugs, Anne x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. Love how you have put it all together.

Moira xx

May said...

Gorgeous tag....Love the images Beautiful background...Wonderful Christmas tree....Love it... Hugs May x x x

maj. said...

Your tag is brilliant Alison!!!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

LOVE this tag! The scene and Christmas tree are wonderful as are the stars!

Cocofolies said...

A great tag, I love the sweet scene on the background, the little sparkling stars, and this fab fir tree on the front...!! Hugs, coco xx

Dagmar said...

wow - your tag is a dream!!! I love it so much!

Candy C said...

Alison...this is such a gorgeous and elegant tag. I love your AO stamps that you've used on this. Those little popped stars are such a beautiful little embellishment in your wintry night sky. I also love the colors that you've used on this...so elegant! <3 Candy

Almo said...

Hi Alison, this tag is gorgeous, If my number 2 turns out half as good as this I will be chuffed to bits. I love the tree and those cute little stars. Hugs Mo x

Paper Profusion said...

Ha! Clever minds think alike! Love all that you have done with these gorgeous stamps. The way you have placed the stars looks wonderful and the 'gilded' muslin looks fab too! Nicola x

Hettie said...

Wow! Alison this is am-a-zing!!! Love this sooo much!
Hugs
xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

I love it. Wonderful background and amazing tree.

Brenda Brown said...

Such a beautiful tag Alison, it has a wonderful wintry feel to it. The images you have chosen with the colour palette is gorgeous and the tree adds great texture and dimension. Love it.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Shirley said...

Cold and frosty oozes from this tag Alison. It looks so realistic that I feel cold just looking at it. Such a pretty take on Linda's tags of Christmas.


Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Marci said...

I like looking at this tag.

Evelyn Walter said...

Wow! Wonderful tag! Love the embossed parts of it, especially on the cheese cloth. I haven´t made any tag yet - I think, I´ll start to try one soon. xoxo Evelyn

Anonymous said...

A beautiful tag and the tree is sublime!
Wishes
Lynne

Gio said...

First, I love the winterish scenery, second, that tree is gorgeous!!

Marci said...

Elegant! You do tonal so well. The stamping and everything blends so well. And the drift of stars! Genius!

Kasia said...

Oh, what a beautiful tag! Love all those amazing details :)

Unknown said...

A really lovely tag. Love the background with the gold tree.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tag, I love the stars travelling across the sky above the cabin.

Anna-Karin said...

This is wonderful Alison! Love the snowy wintery background, perfect together with that pretty stamp. The embossed tree and glitter stars are perfect.

Anonymous said...

Exquisite tag Alison, I adore the tree!
Alison xxx

Ana K. said...

All little details make this mixed media tag just fabulous...I love falling stars and Christmas tree...Hugs

Sandy said...

I love following your dear child - everything you do is so creative and gorgeous! Love every thing about this tag and as pretty as the tree is, I love the movement of the stars.
Sandy

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Wow, this is such a beautiful tag Alison! Looove the neutral tones and the stamping is beautiful - gorgeous seasonal make! xxx

maria's knutselplezier said...

Another of your beauties!!! I really , really love this one!!!

Greetings
Maria

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Thank you, Alison, for another gorgeous piece of inspiration too! Love what you did here with the AO stamps, but I especially love the embossed/stamped tree and the cascade of stars - just fabulous! So glad to see another entry from you!

Hugs,
Linda

Jenny Marples said...

The mottled/distressed background on this is the thing which, for me, makes this such a joy to behold. I feel like I'm caught in a snowstorm and the can just catch glimpses of the cabin in the background. The embossed gold tree really picks up on the glints across the rest of the tag. A huge bravo Alison. You are a true artist. Jenny x

Kelly said...

I think you create faster than I can keep up! haha I love coming over and feasting my eyes on your works. This one is so Christmassy and elegant. I love the mix of colors and textures you created. Your tree is gorgeous, love the style and the embossing highlighted it perfectly, this tag is gorgeous!!
I am off to the next tag, yeah!
Kelly

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous images and textures, Love the tree.
Avril xx

Kezzy said...

Wow absolutely gorgeous, I love the background and that wooden tree embossed, it's beautiful. Sorry I'm so behind, I have been really poorly. Just catching up with everyone now lol. Happy Crafting, hope you had a nice Christmas. Hugs Kezzy :-) xxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Alison,
Hope you've had a lovely Christmas.
Fantastic tag; the cabin stamp is enchanting and the golden tree is fab. Also love the cascade of stars; perfect for LLC's challenge this month! Thanks so much for linking up and your support this year.
Best Wishes for the New Year
Hugz, Sandy
Owner & Operator @ Live & Love Crafts