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Sunday 1 June 2014

Nothing rhymes with Orange!

Orange?  Yes, Flaming Orange... that's the challenge the fabulous Julia has set us to play with this month over at Our Creative Corner.  Well, no actually it's called Flaming June, and Julia has provided some beautiful picture inspiration too but, for me, it's about the most challenging colour she could have offered up!

Before we get into all that - if you're only just up, you might have missed my earlier post today, with my very exciting Country View Challenges news and a very masculine metallic tag... I'd love it if you had time to check that out too!

So, back to flaming orange...  Having struggled with the idea, I found that once I started, I actually had a really lovely time with it, and this is the tag which arrived on the craft table.


Of course, I was also inspired by the painting Julia provided for us (check out her challenge guidelines here, and be sure to follow closely if you want to qualify for the prize draw).





This is Flaming June, painted by Sir Frederic Leighton in 1895.

There's something about how she's thrown herself down that makes me feel she simply doesn't want to be awake... that she's curled up there in order to hide in some way.  Sleeping is a refuge.










So my tag became a sort of reassurance that there is beauty and joy and love to be found in being awake.













She's stamped in Sepia, and her face is softly tinted - with mop-up paint, and an orange blush of pleasure!













This is the tag I used to mop up my Distress Paint marbling when I was making butterflies for Fly Away, and since it had hints of orange, I pressed it into service here.












The book page clouds striped across the "sky" were dipped in melted beeswax and stuck on with the same.  It gives a lovely translucence to the text, and a really interesting texture.











Julia wants to see orange as the main colour, so I needed more of it.  Using the Latticework stencil and a mask I added lots of Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade and Rusty Hinge to the background around the woman.














I also stamped one of the glorious new flourishes in Spiced Marmalade, just around her face, to add extra detail and texture.  I also love how it really brings her face into the foreground - I never tire of how using a mask does that!









I think my subconscious must have picked up on the small vase in the corner of the painting.  It became a lot more prominent in my response.

If you buy the "story" of the poisonous oleander branch in Leighton's portrait, there could be an even more ominous touch of death about her sleeping.

But my flowers are a contradiction of that, bursting with life and colour.









Some have been altered with just a touch of Distress Ink - same colours again, Spiced Marmalade and Rusty Hinge.












Others seemed to work well straight from the packet - Wild Orchid, I think the large ones of both sorts are; the little ones are maybe Petaloo?












And they're tumbling out of an ancient stone urn.  Well, no, they're tumbling out of a UTEE urn, made with one of my Katy Sue Designs moulds from Artistic Stamper.  

Once it was out of the mould, I messed around with some paint until I liked the look of it.








And I couldn't have an urn without some ivy, now could I?  

So it was out with the Spring Greenery decorative strip die again, cut in kraft core, sanded and given a rub down with some Spiced Marmalade to warm up the green so that it would tone in with the rest of the tag.











I'm so delighted by this froth of ribbons at the top!  Same Distress colours again, applied to some seam binding and doubled over to create lots of lovely soft ripples of colour.







And that, I think, is pretty much that... and I'm amazed to find I really like it - despite it being orange!!  It makes me unexpectedly happy.


So thank you, Julia, for taking me out of my comfort zone.  I've had a lovely time!  Do hop over to Our Creative Corner to see what my fabulous team mates - including three brilliant crafters new to the team - have created to inspire you.  Hope to see you playing along in Flaming June soon.




And if all that is just too orange and flowery for you, don't forget you can find me in a more usual colour palette with my earlier post - my steely blue Manly tag for Country View Challenges!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'll see you soon, either here or elsewhere in Craftyblogland.

There is no blue without yellow, and without orange.
Vincent Van Gogh

Orange is the happiest colour.
Frank Sinatra





I'd like to make this my second entry in the Florals challenge over at Pan Pastel UK.
I think the beautiful woman qualifies as an Artsy Stamp so I'd also like to play along at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.
At Live and Love Crafts the June Challenge is Summer Garden.
And I think I'm just in time to play along with Ribbons and Bows at the Vintage Stamping Challenges.

59 comments:

Evelyn Walter said...

Just beautiful, dear Alison! The orange color lets smell the summer, love this!
And the manly tag is gorgeous too, love the metal foil in the background.
Have a sunny sunday!

Redanne said...

Another complete stunner Alison! Anne xx

Helen said...

I agree about orange being a hard colour to use - but you(and the other DT samples) disprove that in spades! I love this, Alison - you're a natural with orange!!

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

I love this and I want it! Sooooo beautiful Alison,I could stare at it for ages. I love that little urn,such a nice touch. You really do create the most yummy stuff!

Donna.x

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

I love it too!! Gorgeous tag, Alison

Unni A said...

Beautiful tag! Orange is a difficult color, but you make everything look easy and wonderful!Love the flowers!
hugs, Unni

Amanda said...

I love the colour orange and you have done it proud! Beautiful tag, I love the beeswax dipped book paper I need to try that
Love
Amanda x

froebelsternchen said...

this is so so so beautiful Alison...

Mona Pendleton said...

Gorgeous Alison! Love the burst of color! The pot of flowers looks fantastic!

Jenny Marples said...

Aahhh, that wonderful refuge, sleep - what is it again?! Beauty exudes from this tag with that wonderful stencilling and superb floral arrangement which works perfectly with the altered urn. I think you've captured the essence of the painting so well here. Jenny x

Clare Lloyd said...

Fabulous tag.

Julia S-W said...

And didn't you do well!! For someone who was always going to find orange a step off their normal track, you have run with it and produced this beautiful offering! I love the background in particular. Your references to other items in the painting show a depth of research which I so appreciate. The lady image is haunting but you have made her into a warm, mellow creature. The little flowers work so well with some being highlighted with colour and others left 'naked'. Love this tag.
Juliaxx

chrissie said...

Terrific tag and I think you warmed to the colour dear Alison:)

Great to hear more about the painting as well

Love Chrissie xx

Mary Elizabeth said...

Seriously brilliant tag! Love how you have taken inspiration from the Leighton painting. I'm so glad you flowers are tinged with brilliant living orange! The beeswax was the perfect way to add the text here too. Love it. Amazing composition and the end result looks effortless (as if you never struggled with the flaming orange concept :) ). Adore it my friend. Hope I can play along with this challenge. Such a great theme! Hugs and thanks for the well wishes. It meant so much to me. -- Mary Elizabeth

Nan G said...

What a glorious tag! Orange...my fave color! Love all the background stamping.

Dorthe said...

Alison, I love its warm glow, and the stamped face- she is beautiful, in her orange world, and with the great urn and the lovely roses on her side.
Hugs,Dorthe

Deborah said...

I love your foray into the world of orange, Alison. I find it weird so many entrants to this challenge say they usually stay clear of orange or find it difficult - because every piece I've seen so far, including your tag, is brilliant.

Mrs.B said...

Another stunning tag Alison, love the colour and depth of stamping you've achieved.
Avril xx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

What a great tag...stunning use of the orange, Alison!!
Kind regards, Alie :-)

Almo said...

Absolutly stunning Alison, love the effect of the latticework stencil one of my favourites and your urn looks great in the corner overflowing with leaves and flowers. Love the touch of the beeswax book page too. Mo x

Wendy L said...

Quite an amazing creation, lovely, xxx

Unknown said...

Wow, orange never looked so good Alison. She looks amazing and love the addition of the urn. Gorgeous tag!!! I have lots of Tim goodies up for grabs in my blog giveaway this month if you're interested. xx

Hettie said...

Gosh Alison - this is absolutely gorgeous. I do love a bit of orange!
Hugs
xx

Martina said...

I absolutely LOVE this tag, dear Alison! It is gorgeous and the colours are so beautiful!

sam21ski said...

OMGosh Alison, this is absolutely stunning, fantastic and brilliant all at the same time - love it xxx

rachel said...

awesome work Alison - this is beautiful. I adore that painting and never knew that was what it was called! Hugs rachel xx

Corrie Herriman said...

gorgeous !!! I love orange !
Corrie x

Chrissy said...

Beautiful Alison..loving the orange with all those flowers in the urn..the gorgeous image and background...FAB U LOUS.

Luv CHRISSYxx

sally said...

Very nice "out of comfort zone" creation! I'm liking this a lot :-)

Sally

Meggymay said...

Stunning vibrant colours. love the tag and the images you used.
Yvonne

Karin said...

wow, stunning tag, great colorpalet and I love the face stamp you used! Groetjes Karin

Anonymous said...

A most beautiful muse is Flaming June (I still adore this painting which I first loved in my early teens).
Gorgeous saturation of colour on your tag yet you still managed to convey a sense of gentleness.
Wishes
Lynne

Art By Wanda said...

A gorgeous tag!!!!!!!!!!!

Ruth said...

Absolute scorcher of a tag! Beautifully put together.

Suzanne C said...

Gorgeous colors and gorgeous tag! Love how it resembles the art in color and tone! Glad you joined us again at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

craftimamma said...

I think you just gave me the next colour theme I want to play with Alison because this tag is stunning! I never play with oranges not because I don't like them, they are just not my 'go to' colours but your tag is definitely a warm, happy tag and I want to try it. Love your UTEE urn btw.....it looks very authentic1

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Michelle said...

I was really drawn to this tag for many reasons. 1. In my opinion, using orange is tricky and you really did a fabulous job with keeping it fresh and fun. I love that. 2. I have that face stamp currently setting on my table being quite neglected as it's never seen ink. Sad, isn't it? Thank you so much for your beautiful and inspiring work. And thank you gorgeous sharing your tag with us for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. We love seeing your work there! Thanks again, Michelle.

Dianne said...

SQUAWK, this is TOO GORGEOUSSSSS, love the face and the background sooooo beautiful I love the book pages in the wax, I've got my crock pot full ready to play with can't wait, have to find the time. Love the flourishes over the lattice, love the flowers with the hints of orange and yellow, I'm loving all the designers creations in this challenge, thanks for sharing your extraordinary creativity, hope you have a wonderful week, ((( BIG HUGS)))..

Anonymous said...

This is stunning! I love the orange... so gorgeous! Thanks so much for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! - Ashli :)

maria's knutselplezier said...

Woooow, This is so beautiful Alison, I love it a lot, great image, great colours ,super !!!Real ART!!!

Greetings
Maria

Brenda Brown said...

Beautiful effects Alison with the masking, the colouring and the beeswax, I really love this design xxx

Anke said...

Wonderful Alison, so lovely.

Hugs
Anke

Sophie said...

Boooaaaah...
Ich liebe, liebe, liebe es...

Sophie xx

brenda said...

Stunning work Alison, hanks for sharing your creativity with us at FlonzCraft VSC.

B x

Anna-Karin said...

Beautiful tag Alison! Love all the orange and the flowers. Gorgeous background!

Carol Q said...

Just divine Alison - so warm and summery, lots of depth with the different layers and the flowers match perfectly with the orange edging - gorgeous urn too!

Cocofolies said...

Personally I love the orange colour, so this new bright and summery tag is just a true delight!!! Love every detail like the urn with the ivy (of course lol) and the wonderful background.. Also the ribbons!! Great tag Alison. Hugs, Coco xx

Tincan Crafter said...

My mom used to put cut white roses in coloured water and they used to suck up the dye just like your orange tipped rose. I LOVE the urn and yes the Ivy is a perfect addition. You know how much I like that lady you got in the corner there too. Such a bright happy tag this is - it just lifted my mood!

Shirley said...

Words aren't enough for this tag Alison stunningly beautiful.

Warm hugs from Shirl x x

Jools Robertson said...

Fabulous floral detail and embellishments, these colours are beautiful so bright and sunny
The facial profile just glows!

Jools x

Margaret said...

Oh, Alison! I think you are quite the master of everything orange! This is stunning! The flowers are beautiful and the green ivy balances the color nicely! I am so glad you pointed out the vase connection-never knew that...

Gio said...

That painting is one my fave ever, and you gave justice to it with your artwork. Very elegant, rich and classy. Every time I pop in here I have to think, this one is her best ever, but every time you surprise me!
Hope to see you at the Extravaganza!

hazel said...

A gorgeous tag, the urn with the flowers and ivy is fabulous.
xxx Hazel.

Unknown said...

GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!!! I LOVE all of the spectacular Oranges (and yellows) you used on this tag, Alison! And then there's that rustic urn--Love It!! This is just a wonderful inspiration piece, Alison :) XOXO-Shari

Princess Judy Palmer said...

You've proved that Flaming Orange is not a bad color to work with and it looks so good with greenery.

I think Flaming June looks so very relaxed and has escaped the world for now, but she's going to have a terrific kink in her neck later!

I agree that masking just makes an image pop. I really like it here so her face is so prominent.

What a fabulous piece! Everything about it is so perfect. You rocked the orange!!!

rkramadh said...

Orange is my absolute fav color, so this tag is totally my color/style! You did a fabulous job! Thank you so much for sharing some of the steps, I might give it a try with diff stamps as I don't have the ones you used. Thanks again!

Bärbel said...

Das ist traumhaft schön, liebe Alison, meine Hochachtung! Ich liebe diese Gestaltung in Orange, herrlich!
Liebe Grüße, Bärbel

Unknown said...

Orange...a difficult colour indeed, but you've mastered it beautifully. Very interesting tag, a great take on the inspiration pic, and the urn is fab. Thanks for sharing with us at LLC. Nice to "see" you again!

Hugz, Sandy
Owner & Operator @ Live & Love Crafts

Kezzy said...

Wow wow absolutely gorgeous stunning beautiful amazing tag, I love orange and reds, in paints that is lol. I love the bees wax book page clouds, really must have a play, I finally got a brush a few months ago that won't melt lol. I got that stencil last week, seeing it used in a lot of makes recently and yes it also amazes me how masking brings everything forward. Love the blooms, I have an A4 tub of them I really need to use them. And thst urn oh wow I cannot believe it's UTEE from a mold, you lie!!!! I'm definitely going to purchase that mould, hopefully I have the skill to make it look like yours :-) Kezzy xxx