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 4 February 2014

Embark, Voyage, Discover






Hello everyone - I've an Artistic Outpost double whammy for you today... one here at Words and
Pictures and one over at the Artistic Outpost blog.


Here's a simple tag I made using the wonderful Huck Finn plate.


It's a great set with deliciously nostalgic images, filled with that yearning to break away, travel, discover, explore...


















The background is created with Fresco paints and Distress Inks, Colorwash and Dylusions sprays.  I used a natural sponge to apply the Antarctic and Sky paints to the greeny-blue background already there (from mopping up all those inky ingredients from my mat during other projects).

The boat is stamped in Cornflower blue - I like how it merges into the water and sky - almost a mirage, just a dream of escape...









I did another of my "cheating" reflections.  It's just the stamp turned upside-down, so actually it's backwards - but really you barely see it, so I thought I could probably get away with it.

I used the tiny meadow flowers from the Generation Redux set to add some grassy texture at the bottom.










The two boys are stamped on whitewashed book pages, and given a little touch of Gathered Twigs DI.  I wanted to have them standing firmly on the shore - but gazing at that boat - the escape route.

I used a pastel pencil to solidify the earth under their feet a little so that they're not floating amongst the grasses.












The bulrushes in the foreground (or cattails as I understand some of you will know them as) are by UmWow Studio, and I think they're so beautiful that I couldn't bear to do anything to them, barring a touch of ink to just freshen the colour very slightly.












I added some ChitChat stickers to the mix - the boys' desires made manifest.













In fact, one of them is looking at the suggestions written here, rather than at the boat I think!













I used some clear embossing powder around the edges for definition, and then mounted the whole piece onto some card covered with another book page.











That meant I could position the bulrushes just a touch more sweetly so as not to obscure Huck too much.













There's a touch of raffia and paper string at the top to finish it off.

So that's that one - a tag full of boyish longings...












For a contrast, you'll find the yearnings of a young girl over at Artistic Outpost if you hop over there!













I'll leave you with a little glow of sunshine on the tag - thanks so much for stopping by.  


There are some pretty exciting things going on here later in the week - so I hope you'll be able to drop in again...


Travel and change of place impart new vigour to the mind.
Seneca


A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.
Lao Tzu


Make voyages.  Attempt them. There is nothing else.
Tennessee Williams






64 comments:

Chrissy said...

I love this tag Alison..gorgeous colours and love the soft image of the boat..love the boys and the bullrushes..this is really lovely..

luv CHRISSYxx

Helen said...

FAbulous soft blues and greens, love your tag,Alison.

Annie said...

Stunning tag Alison....adore the wonderful colours and images you have used and the textures are as always amazing too. TFS and best wishes
Annie x

Jenny Marples said...

That background is SO stunning it deserved to have the boys, bulrushes and words left unfussy over the top. The use of a wordy frame to echo the boys is also perfect. This is a gem Alison. Pinning. Jenny x

Deborah said...

The dreamlike background is amazing, Alison. And I really like the 3D effect of using the bookpage boys and the chipboard bullrushes.

Astrid Maclean said...

A gorgeous tag Alison, love that dreamy ship on the beautiful background.Wonderful stamps that look great on the book pages!

Brenda Brown said...

A beautiful background design Alison, perfect for the boys and bulrushes over the top. Another fabulous creation xx

Amanda said...

Beautiful tag as always, those bulrushes really add a sense of depth to the tag.
Love
Amanda x

Cestina said...

Oh my goodness, how true is that Seneca quote....
x

Redanne said...

I just love the ghostly image of the boat in the background, it is very atmospheric and gives the boys something to gaze upon. The bulrushes are beautiful and really do draw the eye in - wonderful work as ever!

I had to smile at your Mum's comment, it must be so true for both of you! Anne xx

rachel said...

beautiful tag - love the misty feel to it and the bulrushes are stunning - wonderful xx

massofhair said...

The ghostly image is fantastic and works really well, never seen this done before, thank you for showing!

Loving all the colours on your tag, they all word so well together especially with the boys and the bulrushes :-) xxx

sally said...

Love the ray of sunshine today, almost a foot of snow fallen since breakfast!

Sally

Dianne said...

hello Miss Alison, this tag is A-MA-ZING,
the scene you created is fantastic, the colors are gorgeous, blended so beautifully, love the cattails,love how you stamped the boys on the book pages, excellent make, thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day, ((( BIG HUGS ))).

Marci said...

So perfectly done! Just so effective. Gets better the longer you look at it.

Inkypinkycraft said...

Youhave created a gorgeous background for your focal image xx a great make ! Hugs x

Rosie said...

This is gorgeous, Alison.

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, wow, wow - that's a breathtaking tag. Love the image and the cattails.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Love the cattails! The blended colors really looks fabby too!

Candy C said...

Alison...I'm convinced that you could make ANYTHING look amazing! haha This sweet little tag is so pretty. Love the tealy green background with the text border behind it. Tom and Huck are so sweet, facing the riverboat and dreaming of their adventures to come on the river. Love the cattails, too. <3 Candy

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous tag, love the background with the feint images.
Yvonne

maj. said...

I love the stamped boys! Truly beautiful tag!!!!

Mona Pendleton said...

So pretty Alison! Love the beautiful shades of green and blue!

Kay Wallace said...

Alison, this tag is absolutely amazing! It is a story unfolding in front of the viewer. I would have missed the reflection had you not mentioned it--cool! Thanks for the tip on "framing" the tag by clear embossing the edges--brilliant! I am a big fan of your work! Mwah! KayW

Carol Q said...

what a stunner Alison - love your shadowy background with the ship an the way everything comes to the fore with the bullrushes.

Netty said...

Oh yes am so loving the gentle background of the tag, the boat appears very ghostlike, love that.
A terrific tag Alison and love the very pretty hanging you've made for Artistic Outpost. Have a great week, hugs Annette x

sam21ski said...

Fabulous tag, gorgeous subtle colours

Sam xx

sam21ski said...

Fabulous tag, gorgeous subtle colours

Sam xx

Ellie Knol said...

LOVELY, as always!

Paper Profusion said...

I loved that book so many years ago and you are brilliantly telling their story again here Alison. The dreamy misted scene and 'reflection' looks fab! Use of text pages so right as are the fab bulrushes. Stunning tag Alison! Looking forward to your news. Nicola x

catherine said...

A fabulous tag Alison and love the colour and how the boat emerges from it. Looks super
x catherine

Claudia N. said...

This is so beautiful, Alison,
as it really tells the story and especially about what makes the Huckleberry Finn tales so special and enchanting!

I can almost hear the bell ringing from the ship approaching its next halt. Wonderful!

Claudia x

Heather said...

Hi Alison - a beautiful tag. your background is wonderful and I love the treatment of the fabulous images.......the bulrushes are stunning!!!

hugs
Heather xx

Cinderella Moments said...

I love the prospective you get from the grasses being in the foreground. It's really neat!
hugs♥,
Caroline

Anonymous said...

Alison, that is a gorgeous tag. Every detail is perfect.

cathylynn said...

You never cease to amaze me how clever you are! Love the reflection of the boat and your stamps are fabulous. I too love those cattails. All so very awesome!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

May said...

Brilliant work Alison...the faded images on the background is amazing.. Love the colours Fabulous design....Your wonderful creations are full of inspiration...Hugs May x x x

scrappymo! said...

Love it!
I sure hope I remember this stamping ove rthe gessoed book page cuz i love the result!
This has a very dreamy feeling.
I think I may try this technique but substitute a train.
That young boy in the hat could be my Dad!

maria's knutselplezier said...

Woooow, Alison, this is again, such a gorgious project, I love this very , very much, I love your subtil soft beautiful background in combination of the two sweet boys in the front that arent' coloured ,love the letters on it!!! Great ART!!!I love it!!!

Greetings
Maria

Kjersti said...

This tag is gorgeous Alison! You have mixed a lovely color - perfect for the theme, and the faded image emphasizes the dream of exploring and discovering other places. Love it!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Cocofolies said...

Fabulous tag, it could look simple but it's not, your hand-made background is fantastic!!! I'm off to see your other make now. :) Hugs Coco xx

Gio said...

It's amazing. The wonderful shade of green with that subtle ship ...gorgeous!Original and inventive!

froebelsternchen said...

This are two wonderful pieces Alison..
I love both !!! Can't choose a favourite!

Julia said...

I love that Artistic Outpost Huck Finn stamp set. Your tag is just oozing atmosphere, it is wonderful. Such a clever idea to emulate the bullrushes in the raffia, I really like that subtle touch. Excellent tag in every way. x

Hettie said...

This is wonderful Alison. The tag is perfect but the bullrushes finish it off really well I think. Well done.
xx

Terry said...

Love, love, love! The ocean scene background on the tag for the boys is gorgeous, but I just adore them stamped on book print! The bulrushes is a great finish! Hugs!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

What a great tag. I like the mystical feel to this tag. Is the boat there or not? Is it a dream? So lovely! And yes, I know them as cattails.

Esther said...

A wonderful tag Alison - love the soft colours and stamping - definitely get away with the 'cheat' reflection ! Thank you so much for always visiting me and leaving such lovely comments - I don't get the time to return visits as much as I'd like but always appreciate the comments you leave :-) Esther xx

Kasia said...

Wonderful! Love its simpicity :)

sara j said...

This is fabulous Alison. I was just thinking about Huck this morning as I got someone else to do a project for me (totally unintentional but still, that's what happened). The nuances you work into your pieces are so inspiring to me. I'm trying to tell myself to slow down - in just about every avenue of life...it's not a natural state for me. This is thoughtful and gorgeous at the same time. Living up to your title...words and pictures. PS love the cattails!

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Love how you faded out the background, wonderful!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Huh! Blogger doing it's own thing again - wouldn't let me comment the other day! This is just lovely - especially the mirage steamboat AND reflection - fantastic! A gorgeous and very clever tag! Chrisxx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

A stunning background for the boys and the plants...a great tag, Alison!

Martina said...

This tag is really darling, Alison!
Beautifully created!

barbarayaya62 said...

Alison every time that i visit your blog i'm speechless! you are so talented! This tag is wonderful in each details! Perfectly coloured, gorgeous wood addition! FAntastic!
BARbarayaya

Sue said...

This tag is beautiful, I really need to remember that images don't have to be stamped in black. Tom and Huck look wonderful stamped onto the text paper xx

Evelyn Walter said...

Dear Alison, I only can say I love it! The shades of blue and green are sooo perfect - looks like fog in the early morning where the boys are waiting for the boat.
Oh and the second one with the girl is beautiful too!
xxx Evelyn

Geraldine said...

Beautiful tag, love the colours and how the boys are gazing out at the ship, wonderful.

hazel said...

A beautiful tag Alison, the background is fabulous.
xxx Hazel.

Jools Robertson said...

Such a lovely tag, gorgeous colours and such lovely stamps
The bull rushes are so striking and a beautiful feature

Jools x

Mary Elizabeth said...

What a great tag to showcase these amazing stamps. The river boat (even with its backwards shadow :) ) is so cool. I really like the almost "ghostly" appearance it has on the Mississippi. And the heroes of this tag in whitewashed book pages ... genius!! Wow!!!! -- Mary Elizabeth

Kezzy said...

Wow absolutely awesome tag, I love the background, I really love the mix of distress with fresco. The image of the lads is brilliant and I really love the boat :-) Kezzy xxx

Margaret said...

How inspired to use the book paper for the image of the boys! Oh the stories they could tell!
The colors are wonderful and the intricate cut of the 'cattails' is amazing. I'm not sure why we call them cattails, but we loved to play with them when I was younger!

Matilde said...

Love this!!!!