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...

Sunday 5 January 2014

Nearly there...

Hello all... thank you so much for stopping by.  The end is in sight for me with the Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas, but I think it's going to go pretty much to the wire!

This is my version of Tag 12.  You can see Linda's elegant, glamorous original here - mine's an altogether bleaker affair...  

I loved the sideways spin on the tag, and my main image is also about someone travelling but, unlike Linda's travellers, comfortably speeding along in their horse-drawn sleigh, my Father Christmas is trudging, step by weary step, towards his destination.


And there are stars, but rather than burnished golds, I've gone for a darker, wintrier look.





Regulars will be unsurprised to learn that the image comes from the Artistic Outpost Snowy Woods set (it's been my "go-to" stamp set all season).  It's stamped in Potting Soil Archival ink.













Slow but steady... I hope he'll make it...











I love the quote incorporated in the image.  In fact, the full poem has already put in an appearance here at Words and Pictures alongside an earlier FJ tag (dash it all... what am I going to use for today's Words then?!).









Rather than texture paste, I simply inked through the Tim Holtz starry stencil with some Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

And I did some spritzing and flicking with water too...










I have used some crinkle ribbon but, instead of the sleigh bells, I've used some more twigs and pine cones to echo the forest and Father Christmas's staff, supporting him along the way.
















They've had a little touch of snowy gesso, of course.













I've really been enjoying incorporating these natural elements into my Christmas makes.  

As you've already seen in my beeswax art journalling, I think it's something which will be putting in an appearance on a more regular basis.








So, that's me for today.  Three Christmas tags and one bonus tag to go - should be do-able... I'll be back soon and several times over the next couple of days!!


Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before.
Herodotus

I'm entering this as Tag 12 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas (click on the link for all the challenge details).  There's a prize draw sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique, plus everyone who completes the full set gets a money off coupon for the store - so you can see why I'm persevering!

I'd also like to enter it over at Country View Challenges where they're looking for Monochromatic creations... Since that seems to be my bread and butter, they could be seeing more of me this month!

50 comments:

Claudia N. said...

This tag is sooo pretty, Alison! LOVE it!

Hugs,
Claudia x

Mandy's Crafts said...

As usual Alison fab. As usual love love love.

sam21ski said...

Great tag, love the neutrals

Sam xxx

Rita said...

This is such a beautiful tag Alison. Love that stamp. Hugs Rita xxx

Terry said...

Such a lovely vintage tag, Alison! I also love the sideways tags, but have only made a couple! The pinecone embellishment is gorgeous! Hugs!

Helen said...

Love the neutal colour scheme, the tag is just gorgeous, great Santa image.

Redanne said...

The Santa image is so lovely and really suits the natural elements and colours on your beautiful tag. Love this one. Hugs, Anne x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

On his way to next Christmas ;)Such a fabulous tag, love the pine cones.

Krisha said...

I am a big monochromatic fan.
Your tag is wonderful, love the natural touches to it.

Astrid Maclean said...

Great tag Alison and a lovely take on the original! Love the real little pine cones and twig, such a lovely addition!

Maggie said...

Lovely tag with a soft colour palette too love the texture added with twigs and pine cone. Will be glad to get back to normal now I am missing my craft room :(

MaggieH

froebelsternchen said...

I love this natural flair and the colors make it so special and beautiful!
Wonderful piece Alison!
Just LOVELY !

xxx
Susi

Dagmar said...

It´s so beautiful with the pine cone !

Dorthe said...

I love this old Santa from the Artistic Outpost stampset... he drags himself to next destination... and your Robert Frost lines just are perfect here, dear Alison.
So beautiful with the pine cones .
Hugs,Dorthe

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Lovely tag, Alison!

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow this is again a very beautiful tag!!!dear Alison, love the soft braun and beige colours a lot!!

Greetings
Maria

Hettie said...

This is beautiful Alison. I love the image and NEED that set.
I shall not be at the finish line unless we can arrange a snowday tomorrow! I will finish though!
Hugs
xx

Cathy L. Calamas said...

Beauty in simplicity. Just love it.
Great combination of image and words.

Paper Profusion said...

I love this Santa stamp Alison and your background and stencilling work brilliantly with him. Gorgeously done. Nicola x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh that image! Oh that poem! Oh that fabulous tag! Love the background and the addition of natural materials! Just lovely! Chrisx
Btw worked alongside card with AOreferal entry - still to complete though!

PetraB said...

The tag is lovely with its neutral colour scheme and the background is very Christmas like.

Meggymay said...

Beautiful tag and a wonderful image.
Yvonne x

Chris said...

Absolutely love it Alison and it's probably my favourite poem too. Love your take on Linda's tag, brilliant that you're nearly there with them, I didn't manage it but hopefully I will next Christmas. Hope you've had a great weekend. Chris xx

Kasia said...

Your tag is glamorous! Love the natural elements :)

Unni A said...

Fabulous tag! I love the natural materials!
hugs, Unni

Keren Tamir said...

Beautiful tag. Love how you've added the pine cones.

Mona Pendleton said...

Gorgeous tag Alison! Love the pretty color scheme and pine cone embellishments!

Margaret said...

Alison, this is so lovely! I love the simple design and the bits of nature embellishing your wonderful tag. Your choice of image and words are perfect!

Anke said...

Wonderful tag, so lovely.

Hugs
Anke

Inkypinkycraft said...

Alison this is gorgeous , such a lovely feel with the natural elements and great colours! i love this image too and this stamp plate is so on my wish list ...gorgeous .happy new year x hugs x trace x

Von said...

It has a wonderful sense of clam about it :)
Von ♥

chrissie said...

A very beautiful tag and I am sure you will finish all of them by the deadline :)

Love Chrissie x

Nan G said...

A very classic tag. Love it!

Brenda Brown said...

A fabulous interpretation of Linda's tag, love it.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful Alison! I love the snowy twigs & pine cones.
Alison xxx

Candy C said...

Wow Alison...such a gorgeous sepia toned tag. I love that Robert Frost Sentiment and it's really lovely when coupled with that snowy image of the man making his way through the snow. Love your pine cones and twigs on this one. You do such a lovely job of mixing natural elements with your work. <3 Candy

Sandy said...

Almost there - you have to love this with Santa just a getting it on his skis. You know I love your makes Alison and I also love Robert Frost.
Sandy

Anonymous said...

Completely gorgeous. I love the addition of the twigs & pine cones.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Love the woodsy feel, and that stamp is wonderful! Gorgeous tag!

Cocofolies said...

Your tag is soooooo pretty and perfect, love love love it Alison!!! Hugs Coco xx

Shirley said...

Stunning version of tag 12 Alison. The cones and twigs really lend to the neutral tones used. Bet Mr Santa is sleeping now!!

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Kezzy said...

Wow I love the natural bleak Christmas look as it really suits this stamp, every time you use him I always think I really need this stamp lol. Gorgeous make. Hugs:-) Kezzy xxxxx

Jenny Marples said...

Love the very natural feel to this one Alison. Well done on making all these wondrous tags despite everything else you've had on your plate. They have been a joy to see. Jenny x

cathylynn said...

I love this stamp with that quote! And of course.... your tag is down right awesome! Great color tones and textures. Gotta love those twigs with the pine cones too! Another fabulous creation Alison!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Kate Yetter said...

The pine cones and branches are the perfect touch. I bet this looks gorgeous in person.
Kate

scrappymo! said...

Weary or not, I really like the bleak feel of this tag.
If he did indeed have to trudge, you have captured that feeling!

Sandy said...

I love this tag...absolutely perfect :0) Now the stamp set is listed in my "Want to Buy" category. Thanks for sharing it! God Bless!

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

A really wonderful take on Tag #12. Love the vintage hues and the way you stenciled the wars. The pinecones are the perfect finishing touch. Such a beautiful line up of tags you have produced for this challenge! So pleased that you have played along.

Hugs,
Linda

Mary Elizabeth said...

This is so you Alison. The stenciled stars are fab in the background. Gives me a chill just looking at it :) Of course, it doesn't take much to chill me these days. It's snowing outside and the low temps in the mountains of NC have been -20 to -15 degree C over the last week. Brr!! -- Mary Elizabeth

Brenda Brown said...

Just checking back to say thanks for sharing this at Country View Crafts Monochromatic Challenge xx