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Saturday 29 March 2014

Grow, Flourish


Hello everyone!  We really seem to be on a springtime nature kick this week at Words and Pictures.

 From the birds in the wood block, via my versions of Tim's March tags, we've now arrived at today's sneak peek for my latest project over at Calico Crafts.

I would love it if you hopped over to take a look - this one gives me great joy... as indeed have all this week's projects.  I'm becoming more than ever sure that Shakespeare's line from King Lear should be my motto:  Thou, Nature, art my goddess.  (Sadly, Edmund, who says it, is dedicating himself to an altogether darker and more subversive world view, not springtime loveliness!)

 I'm finally free for some proper catching-up over the next few days... can't wait to see what you've been getting up to.  Have a wonderful weekend all!

... and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?
Vincent Van Gogh

If you don't mind travelling to Calico to see the whole project, I would love to enter this in the Vintage theme this week over at the Stampotique Designers Challenge.
Update - since the Calico Crafts blog is no more, you can now see the whole of this project here at Words and Pictures.
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41 comments:

  1. Marci29 March 2014 at 04:55

    I love the moss and the way you arranged things on top. Good job transforming the plastic eggs and the daisis. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to make those mats into a box that would be level and even! A lovely box, beautiful all around! And the Van Gogh quote is so fitting.

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  2. Nicole Wright Designs29 March 2014 at 05:05

    Awesome that you built your own. I agree they are everywhere and I dint have the die either. Beautiful.

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  3. Brenda Brown29 March 2014 at 07:04

    Spring is sprung so delicately on your amazing beer mat box, the sides are beautifully decorated and all the 3d elements sit perfectly on the top. Such a great idea and finished piece.
    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs Brenda xx

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  4. Inkypinkycraft29 March 2014 at 08:06

    looks great off to have a look x
    hugs x

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  5. Tincan Crafter29 March 2014 at 08:55

    Deliciously texture-y as always. Loved the arrangement on the top. I loved how you did the flourish with the DecoArt paste. Great project.

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  6. Amanda29 March 2014 at 09:36

    You are full of the joys of spring with another stunning spring themed make. I have ordered the dies, I could resist no longer!!
    Love
    Amanda

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  7. chrissie29 March 2014 at 09:43

    Wonderful box and such a great idea to have made it from beer mats. Nice to know your life isn't as busy now.

    Love Chrissie xx

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  8. Von29 March 2014 at 09:48

    Beautiful, delicate, gorgeous such a wonderful piece : )
    Von ♥

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  9. Anonymous29 March 2014 at 10:00

    Stunning project Alison, most definitely a work of art. The little eggs look so cute in their nest.

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  10. Meggymay29 March 2014 at 10:02

    Awesome project. A good idea to use the mats. The textures and decoration looks stunning.
    Yvonne

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  11. Rita29 March 2014 at 10:13

    Good Morning Alison. I love the way you have created your block. All the techniques you have used fit so well with this fabulous project. Hugs Rita xxx

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  12. Lisa Minckler29 March 2014 at 13:22

    You had me at Icelandic moss!! The article you wrote was wonderful and the picture heavy tutorial, as always, made my heart leap. Beautiful work Alison. You're ushering in Spring with such class and style :)
    hugs and happy weekend!
    Lisa x

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  13. cathylynn29 March 2014 at 13:32

    Hello Alison! I just saw the complete post and this is one fabulous box. Love it all. Great colors and textures and the top is awesome.
    Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

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  14. Lin29 March 2014 at 14:15

    Absolutely beautiful Alison..I have left a comment over on the blog xx

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  15. Anneke29 March 2014 at 14:19

    Just had a look. It looks amazing. You made allot of work of it. Thanks for showing and your explanation Anneke.

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  16. Anonymous29 March 2014 at 14:21

    Gorgeous!!! xxx

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  17. Jennie Atkinson29 March 2014 at 15:08

    Just been for a look - stunning !!!! xxx

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  18. Dianne 29 March 2014 at 15:57

    SQUAWK are my eyes deceiving me, I'll be right back.......

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  19. Dianne 29 March 2014 at 16:08

    Hello Miss Brilliance, I have been wanting to make a block for so long, but didn't want to cut it out by hand, not being too good with measuring,NOW, I can use my stack of beer mats, I'm so flapping excited,REALLY this is my all time favorite piece,I'd like to make one exactly the same, of course that wouldn't be possible :O), they way you have decorated it is well PERFECT, a birds nest with with eggs, shut the front door, I could tell you how much I love this all day my dear, I must get to my desk and finish my box then I can make a ATB, thanks a million for all this inspiration, have a wonderful weekend... gees I haven't even commented on your last 2 creations, I'll be back, later to do that, ((( BIG HUGS )))...

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  20. Dorthe29 March 2014 at 16:59

    Never would a "beer " brick think of ending up so beautiful. What a gorgeous box you created Alison, from its feet of little spools, to the top with the gorgeous swirls and flowers.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  21. Carol Q29 March 2014 at 19:04

    fabulous use of beer mats Alison, love your flourishes on the top.

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  22. Maggie29 March 2014 at 19:41

    Stunning Alison looks just like stone a fabulous idea to use beer mats, love the way you have the eggs nestled. I'm addicted to chunky ATC's must check out the ATB die sounds fun.
    Tried to leave comment over at calico but kept getting error message sorry.

    MaggieH

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  23. Redanne29 March 2014 at 20:17

    Hi Alison, I have just been over to have a look and I just have to say this - you really rocked the block!! Eileen and Amy need to see this, it is fantastic, I just love everything about it. Anne xx

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  24. Astrid Maclean29 March 2014 at 21:24

    Just been over, LOVE IT!!!

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  25. May29 March 2014 at 22:15

    Gorgeous...Fabulous creation... Hugs May x x

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  26. Netty29 March 2014 at 22:27

    Beautiful nature project and am so in love with those beautiful eggs and the fab arrangement you made with them. Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  27. Silvia(Barnie)29 March 2014 at 23:02

    How cool is that?! A fantastic decoration and gorgeous use of the beer mats. Very inspiring.

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  28. Kay Wallace30 March 2014 at 00:11

    Your thread spools have intrigued me enough to go check out the details of this project, Alison!! Lookin' good!

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  29. pearshapedcrafting30 March 2014 at 00:21

    Just been on a catch up and just when I think I've seen it all you come up with this! Went over to have a look and it really is a stunning piece Alison! Chrisx

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  30. Margaret30 March 2014 at 05:45

    Gorgeous make! The flourishes and the beautiful flowers are wonderful, and I love the little nest on top!

    Had to chuckle at your non-pub beer mats! We went out with another couple last weekend and the server placed our drinks on some round coasters. I picked mine up and was looking at it and got the 'you're not really going to take that' look from my DH. Had it been a little thicker, I probably would have!

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  31. Unknown30 March 2014 at 10:23

    Hopped, read and commented - what a gorgeous project Alison! Chris xxx

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  32. Unknown30 March 2014 at 17:03

    Ditto what Chris W. said. :) Brilliant job Alison!!!

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  33. Cocofolies30 March 2014 at 20:55

    Love the sneak peak and your motto.. I'm off to have a closer look on that strange piece mmm! :) Hugs, Coco xx

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  34. Claudia N.31 March 2014 at 13:54

    Love the moss and branches on top, Alison!

    They work so well with the muted shabby colouring of the beer mat cube! A lovely piece indeed!

    Thanks for the lovely visit on my blog...blogS I should say ;)

    Claudia x

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  35. Annie31 March 2014 at 20:40

    This is absolutely gorgeous Alison...I adore what you have created here. Stunning sides and the top of the ATB is wonderful

    TFS Annie x

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  36. toni1 April 2014 at 00:51

    Just popped over to have a close look at this and true to form it's gorgeous! I love the delicate colours and absolutely adore your little nest. ! I ve ' nearly finished my first ATB coming later in the week great fun, xx

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  37. Shirley1 April 2014 at 11:28

    Absolutely adorable and aren't those little feet tooo cute.

    Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

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  38. *Arwen*1 April 2014 at 18:19

    Really amazing <3
    Thanks for joining us at Stampotique DC

    xx Arwen

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  39. Jackie1 April 2014 at 21:05

    Your stamping " out of the box" on this project ... Always good to see stamping on different mediums
    Thanks for joining us at stampotique designers challenge.

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  40. Princess Judy Palmer4 April 2014 at 21:11

    Such a lovely piece! I love how it looks like stone or granite. It belongs right at home in the garden.

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  41. Tracy7 April 2014 at 11:05

    Popped over....looooove....need to grt beer mats:-)

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Thank so much for taking the time to stop by. It's lovely to hear what you think - every comment is so much appreciated.