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...

Friday 18 April 2014

Spring Flowering

Hello everyone - time for a new challenge at A Vintage Journey, and it's the lovely Jennie of Live the Dream who is our host this time.  Anyone who has seen her extraordinarily beautiful handmade flowers will be unsurprised to hear that her theme for us is Spring Flowers!




You can find all the details of what she's looking for here at A Vintage Journey, but please, please make sure to read the challenge requirements carefully, as well as the Travelling Directions (the challenge rules!).  



We've so enjoyed your creations in all the challenges so far, but too many of them have had to be left out of the prize deliberations for one reason or another.  And we have to be fair to those who have hit the mark.


Anyway, here are my Spring Flowers to get you started, and do hop over to see what the rest of my amazing team-mates have created to inspire you.













I was inspired by watching an old video of Tim's, introducing the Idea-ology Fragments.  At one point, he shows a metal case completely covered with a patchwork of them... so I decided to play with a similar idea.  



Since the Fragments are quite heavy, I worked on a pre-cut wooden tag (sorry, no idea any more where I got them from!) so that I'd have a solid base for my patchwork.


And of course, that gave me two sides to play with... so I couldn't resist creating another Spring Flower scenario on the reverse!




The first step was to cover the wooden tag with Distress Paints... I think I used Scattered Straw, Stormy Sky and Picket Fence, but there are possibly some others involved too - Antique Linen?

I spritzed lots of water over to allow them to "marble-ize".












Once the paints were dry, I edged the tag with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

I had a little play with laying out my pieces so that I could add some rub-ons.  Creating the Fragments reminded me of using microscope slides, so the botanical labelling seemed appropriate!










I finally broke into some of my new Tim Holtz papers for this... consider yourself honoured, Jennie!!










Some are from the Wallflower collection, and some from the 8x8 Menagerie, so as to get the smaller images.

If I was ever going to stop stroking and start using these papers, it needed a project which was really going to highlight them properly.












Now I've broken in, it'll be easier the next time!












On the other side, I also began with paint, but this time with some Frescos and Crackle Glaze to create a slightly different background.













I added some Distress Ink stencilling through my favourite TH Latticework mask.

(Okay - confession time... this was actually the first side, but then the background was just too busy for the Fragments to work against, so I started again with the Distress Paints!)









I absolutely love this Tim Holtz hedgerow flowers stamp (from the Spring Sprung set) - could it be more up my street?!











And the sentiment is a PaperArtsy one, stamped in my favourite method of blending different ink colours onto the stamp and then clear-embossing them once stamped.












Since the whole thing is pretty streamlined (for me!) I kept the topping fairly simple too - some frayed linen ribbon bound together with some curly white wire (the ring binding from a discarded notebook).





So those are my Spring Flowers with Tim Holtz products and techniques galore.

If you're not already inspired to come and play along this fortnight, do go and see what my team-mates have been up to - you won't regret it!  



Thanks so much for stopping by... I'm back later on today with a PaperArtsy appearance, but for now I'll hope to see you joining us on A Vintage Journey with bouquets of flowers very soon.

... always
                  it's 
                          Spring and everyone's
in love and flowers pick themselves

From who knows if the moon's by e.e.cummings (with a missing punctuation mark - apologies e.e.! - but it didn't make sense out of context)

With all these spring flowers, I'd like to enter this in Eileen Hull's Art With Heart challenge which is an April Showers theme
And with crackle glaze, meadow flowers and the clear-embossed sentiment, I'd also like to offer up A Few of My Favourite Things at the Inspiration Journal, sponsored by the Inspiration Emporium

56 comments:

Brenda Brown said...

Wonderful way to interpret the theme Alison, I love how each fragment shows a beautiful flower from Tim's papers and then to see you have decorated the other side too, a fabulous project xx

Marci said...

This is so beautiful, Spring has really inspired you. Love how you have used the fragments and fig 3 etc. The other side is equally beautiful.

Chrissy said...

Fantastic tag Alison..love those papers...so gorgeous and yellow being my favourite colour.I love the microscope slides,gives an amazing detail..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Unknown said...

Very clever to use the fragments in this way Alison. I love the images and colors on your beautiful tag. :) Hugs

Nikki Acton said...

Great project Alison, thanks. Once again sensational colours and composition. Nikki xx

Jenny Marples said...

I love that you've become a botanist on the front and added your trademark texture and beautiful stamping on the back of this. So incredibly inventive and a real memory jogger from the Tim library Alison. Jenny x

Helen said...

oh, Alison this is fabulous - love the way you've used the fragments with those lush papers!!

chrissie said...

Two tags in one :)

I love the way you arrange the flowers and the embossing on the back of the tag is amazing--a great idea

Love Chrissie x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Spring tag Alison, great to be able to use both sides too ! Sue C x

Unknown said...

A double-sided treasure Alison! Beautiful tags (both sides) that shout out spring flowers. I love using fragments but never thought of a patchwork, fab idea! Chris xxx

Redanne said...

I just love the way you put those fragments to good use, the flowers look so beautiful and fresh behind them. This is such a clever idea and I love the other side of the tag too - fabulous, just fabulous! I must find that box of fragments that I have hidden away..... Hugs, Anne xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

What a fabulous tag Alison (as always) but I love the way you have used the fragments - they showcase the papers so beautifully. I love both sides of the tag - the crackle and masking on the reverse is amazing. I am honoured that you broke into your papers! x

rachel said...

stunning tag Alison - really beautiful spring flowers - I love the crackle on the tag and the yellows are so full of sunshine - beautiful xx

Deborah said...

A really different approach but one I love, especially the yellow. Gorgeous!

Astrid Maclean said...

Both sides are wonderful Alison, the fragment side looks interesting and bright, the other side of course is totally you, lovely, a great tag and I love the idea of a wooden substrate. I know Prima do wooden substrates in different sizes, but not sure if they do tags....

Cestina said...

Spring is the only time for yellow to take a step forward - and you've really done it justice. Lovely :-)
xx

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is SO beautiful, Alison, one of the loveliest things you have ever made. It looks so Botanical,

Lucy x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Love those bright fragments with the flowers...the tags looks awesome!
Great creativity Alison....
Happy Easter, Alie :-)

Anna-Karin said...

Fabulous tag Alison! The flower fragments are so pretty. Gorgeous backgrounds too!

Kay Wallace said...

Such a beautiful project, Alison! Spring is having such a rough start in New England that I think we are about to go directly from snow to a heatwave! I love the floral bits on your tag. So much detail, and I love the technique(s) that got you there in the end! Thanks so much for sharing this today!

Terry said...

Love how you used those fragments, Alison! Such a pretty spring tag both front and back! Happy Easter and enjoy the weekend.

Sophie said...

Meine Güte, Alison...
da hast du ja wieder den "Vogel abgeschossen"
Das ist super schön geworden.
Deine Kreativität ist einfach grenzenlos :-)

Ich wünsche dir schöne Ostertage mit viel Sonnenschein.
Hier hat es eben sehr stark gehagelt :-(

Liebe Grüße von Sophie xx

The Sparkly Fairy said...

This is so beautiful!

Dianne said...

**** KABOOM **** another bomb, SQUAWK this is SPECTACULAR,, so brilliantly creative to interpret this challenge, your background is gorgeous and perfect for those gorgeous fragments you created and you used Tim's paper to PERFECTION on them, I'm glad your broken in :O) will look forward to see more. It looks glorious sparkling in the sunshine.. SQUAWK another side.. This side hhmmm I'm in love with what you have created here and it was meant to BE.. The crackling, the stenciling, the hedgerow, the beautiful sentiment, aahh PERFECTION to me, and the topping is perfect, that's why this INCREDIBLE tag is THE BOMB....
I'm all inspired now but I must do some more visiting and get caught up, should have saved you blog till last shesh, have a wonderful Easter weekend full of love laughter, with family and friends.. ((( BIG HUGS )))...

craftytrog said...

This is stunning Alison! I must check out those papers! ;o) xxx

Gio said...

ohhh, I don't know which one is my fave, the back or the front, I love both so much! Gorgeous idea to put the flowers behind the fragments, brilliant!

Fliss said...

Absolutely stunning Alison. Beautiful flower and such a lovely crackle effect.
Fliss xx

Meggymay said...

Beautiful tag, love all the individual flower panels.
Yvonne

sam21ski said...

Fabulous idea Alison xxx

Netty said...

wow that is an expensive tag Alison....beautifully done both sides. Happy Easter, Annette x

Lys said...

I love how the fragments give light to the flowers. An original idea. And the other side is a good surprise too! Lys.

Anonymous said...

Great tags Alison. Beautifully done. Thanks you for your visit and kind comments too. Karen.x

Julia Aston said...

How lovely to have both sides of the tag done! The back is usually a mess isn't it!? The floral paper looks wonderful under the glass pieces - a beautiful spring project!

barbarayaya62 said...

On your blog it is always spring! You are unique in the use of the stamps and the use of these shades! You can always create something that amazes me! This tag is fantastic as all your projects! HAppy Easter Alison! BArbarayaya

Annie said...

A beautiful tag Alison. Great to see both sides decorated too. Love the florals and the fragments. Beautiful sentiment too

TFS and crafty hugs Annie x

Juliz Design Post said...

Stunning tag Alison which is equally as beautifully on both sides. The B and M stores are selling wooden tags just now which are begging to be altered if you need some more. Enjoy your trip and Happy Easter, Julie x

maj. said...

Absolutely gorgeous tag! Such an amazing beautiful background!!

Margik said...

Love the fabulous tag. Great idea!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Fantastic...every step! Love both back and front, and the acrylic tiles make this SUPER!!!

cathylynn said...

Another spectacular creation Alison! Love both sides of this wooden tag that is decorated to perfection. Glad you broke into your papers because they are perfect. Of course your detailed instructions are always appreciated by us who are not so daring to try new or old techniques. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Kate Yetter said...

So pretty. Love the two different techniques. So colorful and full of spring.

Martina said...

Such a beautiful tag, Alison! I love your spring creation.

Wish you blessed Easter Days:-)

Unknown said...

Love This Alison! My fav color is yellow--especially yellow flowers, so I am especially partial to this creation :) Just Loverly! Happy Easter to you! XOXO-Shari

toni said...

Love both sides of this! Great use of the fragments with that pretty paper and gorgeous crackle & stamping. Have a great time in the Czech Republic, safe journey and happy Easter Toni xx

Jools Robertson said...

So sunny and spring like!
Love the images and the really cool micro slides
Such cools crackle and stencil textures and effects
Beautiful

Jools x

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow absolutely gorgeous stunning both sides of the tags. I really love the crackle side but the fragments side im really in lurrrrve with it, wow its ages since I played with them. I love how you have made the tag so spring like but almost a vintage feel, something so unique to you I reckon, vintage texture you do it amazingly each time. :-) Kezzy xxx

Paper Profusion said...

Wowsers - each side is so beautiful Alison - definitely two for the price of one. The tiled resins look amazing - you have definitely captured Spring in a fabulous way. Hope your travels have gone well. Nicola x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Such a gorgeous tag, wonderful spring feeling.

Hettie said...

This is beautiful Alison. I love all those fragments and it has been so long since they saw the light of day.
Hugs
xx

Sue said...

What a wonderful tag Alison, both so different, and it's inspired me to go and find my box of fragments lol xx

Cocofolies said...

Wonderful tag again Alison, and a fantastic idea to use these fragments we have all in our stash but don't use very often! Bises! Coco xx

Elaine said...

This is so simple and yet so beautiful. Love both sides and I definitely need that wallflower paper!!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

When I first saw your tag I wondered how heavy it was with all the Fragments on it. Brilliant idea to use a wooden tag to be able to take the weight. I love that you left no side undecorated! That just adds to it. I love the microscope slide look to your card! And wow?!!! Those images are from Tim's papers? Has the world gone mad?! They aren't all dark with browns and grunge. They are gorgeous. Well, I just might have to check this out for myself! and I laugh that your curly wire is discarded ring binding! So earth friendly of you to do!

Sandy said...

Good Golly Miss Molly - this is gorgeous - really exceptional - I am working on my entry now.
Sandy xx

Kasia said...

What a fabulous tag! Love this idea :)

mytawnyinspirations said...

Fabulous tag. I love what you have done with the fragments... mine are sitting forlornly waiting for attention! Those papers are stunning under them. Love your other side as well... gorgeous techniques... beautiful!
Cheers, Di