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 15 April 2014

Butterfly Blues





Hello all, thanks so much for dropping in.

And no, it's fine, it's not me suffering the blues (except at the thought of attempting to pack up my crafty stash for my travels), just the butterflies.

It seemed the right title for a bluesy version of last week's tags.  I'm glad you're enjoying the pink excursions, but this one feels closer to home for me.

I played again with the idea of the shadow stamping in triplicate, and this time ended up with a rather magical, almost invisible third butterfly!

But since I was making merry with the clear embossing powder, you'll see he takes flight once the sun's rays hit him...







We're in a world of Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky, Pumice Stone and, I think, maybe some Antique Linen.  They're blended on, and spritzed and flicked for texture.

There's a hint of the Prima Lace Trim Background stencilled in.












As with the pink tags, all the stamps are by Artistic Outpost.  This tiny, delicate flourish is from the Serenity plate.  

Be sure to click here for an important announcement about Artistic Outpost - you won't want to miss it.










And the butterfly is from one of my spring favourites this year, the Flower Market set.

He's stamped in Cobalt and Cornflower Blue Archival inks.











It's because I used Archival rather than Distress Inks that he barely made it to his third incarnation.

(He's pretty subtle even here in his second stamping!)












But clearly there was still moisture if not much pigment...















... because when I did the clear embossing, there he was, shimmering away.












The sentiment is from the Quote & Quotables plate.  Again it's in Cobalt and clear-embossed for that glossy dimensionality.














The topping is some lacy ribbon, tied with fine, pale twine, a frothy, lighter-than-air finish for the tag.













So it's an altogether subtler affair than the bold pink versions, but it can still catch the eye when the sunlight sparkles off the embossing...  

Thank you for dropping in.  It's always a delight to read your thoughts and comments - and I'm so grateful for your visits and support.  They make the journey even more of a joy!

Sunlight is painting.
Nathaniel Hawthorne

I'd like to enter this in the following:

At the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, they are looking for Winged Things

At the Inspiration Journal, sponsored by the Inspiration Emporium, the theme is A Few of my Favourite Things.  Okay: butterflies, clear-embossing, Artistic Outpost stamps, blue, tags, Distress Inks... is that enough yet?!



52 comments:

Corrie Herriman said...

Beautiful, blue is my favourite colour !
Corrie x

Terry said...

Sometimes the blues are good and this is one of those times! Alison, I love your embossed butterfly tag of lovely blues. Great sentiment. Hugs!

Julia said...

Ah, you do the blues so well and this one is no exception. Great words too.

Fliss said...

Just gorgeous Alison and love the cool blue colour combination.
Good luck on your travels too.
Fliss xx

Helen said...

FAbulous blues, Alison. The butterflies look so pretty embossed, I really like the barely there one!!

AngelicaS said...

I can honestly say that blue isn't my favorite color...but maybe I'll have to reconsider :)Beautiful!!

sally said...

Funny thing...I was working in blue today too! This is a lovely butterfly tag Alison :-)

Sally

rachel said...

such a delicate tag - beautiful xx

Dagmar said...

Oh i love it!

Anke said...

Wonderful tag Alison, so lovely. I love the butterflies and the colours, and the quote is great.

Hugs
Anke

May said...

Gorgeous tag Alison, Love the blue & the stamping is Beautiful...Love the embossed butterflies... Hugs May x x

Jenny Marples said...

This is so beautiful Alison. I love the delicacy of the stamping and that touch of shine. Another fantastic tag. Jenny x

Redanne said...

Is there anything more perfect than butterflies and sunshine? This is one very beautiful tag Alison, love how the bare hint of the butterfly glistens in the sunlight... Anne xx

chrissie said...

A very relaxing tag I think and the embossing is wonderful

Love Chrissie x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Pink or blue...they both have their charming side! Again a very elegant tag Alison

jasann said...

love the colour blue and butterflies, you tag is just so beautiful!!

Astrid Maclean said...

Stunning Alison, really gorgeous tag with the subtle colours and layers of stamping!

Claudia N. said...

How lovely, Alison!
Hugs,
Claudia x

Kay Wallace said...

Beautiful tag, Alison! I am deep into clear embossing, so love seeing the little surprises on your art today. Fantastic quote well supported by your art...or is it the other way around?! This one really tugs at my heart.

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Lovely butterfly tag Alison. Great muted colour palette. So delicate! xxx

crealinedance said...

hallo mooie tag.Gr.Nel

Unknown said...

FABULOUS, Alison! I love how you've heat embossed those shadow butterflies--it does give them a shimmery, ghostly effect--Just lovely! Happy Travels! XOXO-Shari

Carol Q said...

lovely delicate quality Alison.

Sophie said...

Oh, Alison...
ich bin ganz verliebt in dein zauberhaftes Tag.
In "Jeans-Blau"
Fantastisch!

Schöne Ostertage
Sophie xx

Julie Lee said...

Wonderful, ethereal work! I love that Prima stencil and the lace-like butterfly wings. The blues are just perfect with these images. Something about this tag reminds me of Virginia Woolf's prose. I can't explain say why. It's lovely though. Julie Ann xxx

Anonymous said...

The butterflies definitely suit the blue colour palette on this gorgeous tag.
Wishes
Lynne

Marci said...

I liked your pink butterfly tags, but I like these even better. I like the stamping and the subtle stenciling. Elegant and beautiful. Happy traveling.

Marci said...

I liked your pink butterfly tags, but I like these even better. I like the stamping and the subtle stenciling. Elegant and beautiful. Happy traveling.

Unknown said...

That third butterfly IS magical Alison, love this technique, and I wish I could run my fingers over those embossed letters. :) Beautiful tag!!
Hope you are enjoying your time with your mom! Hugs, Lisa

Mona Pendleton said...

Beautiful tag Alison! Love the gorgeous butterflies!

Nan G said...

Pinks were pretty but love this in Blues! Sad news about AO and now all my wish list sets are sold out. I'm still tending to life's business and mojo is in hiding. Have a good safe trip.

Jennie Atkinson said...

Your tag looks like a piece of china Alison - such a fabulous mix of colours and the shadow stamping works a dream. x

Cocofolies said...

I love the wonderful shimmer on this tag, and the different shades of blue you have used.. It is absolutely gorgeous. And so disappointed I've missed the 25% discount to the artistic Output on the stamps put on my wishlist from a while thanks (or because of!!) to you... :( I will purchase them later. Hugs, Coco xxx

Kelly said...

Lovely soft tag and the sentiment is so true! I love how delicate it is. I am packing too, not sure if were are moving yet, my hubby has cold feet and therefore our buyers are being patient! So packing and then unpacking? How fun for you to go visit your family and help with the Dollhouses. Glad to hear you made a lot of creations for us to drool over too. lol Have a wonderful time and safe travels!
Hugs Kelly

Meihsia Liu said...

Wow... Alison, this tag is totally gorgeous. I always love the beautiful colors and textures you create on your project. This tag is just amazing. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)

Paper Profusion said...

So ethereal and beautiful Alison. Sorry for being tardy with visit! Hope you have a terrific 'journey'. Nicola x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tag. Gorgeous colour& I love the layers of stamping.

Kasia said...

What a beautiful background :)

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Butterfly, you'll be in flight while I visit have a safe journey, brilliant Designer you are your way ahead, I'm excited for you and to see what you have created..
Your tag is Rhapsody in Blue, what you created is just BRILLIANT, its magical in triplicate, I love the sentiment, I so loved being your blue world, it's rocking my world which is just what I need, thanks Miss Alison...

Dianne said...

SQUAWK I forgo to say how much I loooooooove your topping that ribbon is gorgeoussssssssss...

barbarayaya62 said...

Butterflies and blue palette: two of my favorite things! Together, you made them become a great piece of art! I love the "lightness" with which to build your work and I love the research you do for the choice of words that give more meaning to your projects! BArbarayaya

barbarayaya62 said...

And of course thank you to joining us on Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! BArbarayaya

Alrik said...

Very nice tag.

Jools Robertson said...

Fabulous!
Beautiful subtle colour tones, so soft and feathered
The butterflies are lovely and such a wonderful quote

Jools x

Anna-Karin said...

Beautiful tag Alison! Love the three butterflies and that pretty lace you tied it with.

Kezzy said...

Wow wow absolutely gorgeous stunning tag, I so love the way you play with blues, your blues always look beautiful. I really am loving your playing around with 2nd and 3rd generation stamping, I really must have a play session :-) Kezzy xxx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Very stunning! These tags have such a different feel than the pink ones. I do like pink, but I like these ones better. They speak to me. They say, "Fly and be free! And then get some lunch."

Hettie said...

Gorgeous Alison. Love the subject matter and the colours are perfect for this project.
Hugs
xx

Sue said...

This is a dream in blue Alison, beautiful stamping with the perfect sentiment xx

Sandy said...

Yes, yes I know -- I am so far behind in my snooping. I would dearly love to see your Mother's collection. I have seen some pictures. You have one talented family Sugar. Wish I was related!!!
Need I tell you how much I love your makes? It bores me half to death to continue saying the same thing over and over. So I pop in and say what ever pops out! So much more fun that way.
Sandy xx

Linda M. Cain said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

~Linda

mytawnyinspirations said...

I love this tag. The stamping technique looks fabulous, especially with the clear embossing. Again, another beautiful sentiment. The whole piece is so very pretty and ethereal in places. Cheers, Di