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 27 June 2014

Urban Tapestry




Hello all!  Thank goodness Blogger Dashboard seems to be back in action.  I've mostly been relying on going to old posts and repaying visits to commenters there, and haven't had much spare time either - so apologies if you're feeling neglected!  I hope to do some more catching up soon.

On to happier things...  It's time for a new challenge at A Vintage Journey, hosted this time by the lovely Nikki of Addicted to Art.  She'd like you to Use Every Stamp In A Set.  As always, there's tons of great inspiration from my brilliant team-mates, and do make sure you check out Nikki's challenge guidelines carefully as well as our Travelling Instructions to be in with a chance at the prize, generously sponsored by Country View Crafts.


Okay, enough with the crazy links... on to my inspiration offering.  Guess what... it's a tag!








I loved the challenge of using all the stamps in a set, and decided this was a great invitation to return to my first love, simply stamping.  (If you saw my Simple Cards over at Artistic Stamper, you'll know that I've already been up to some of that!)

This is not quite as simple - I couldn't resist some glossy embossing! - but it's pretty close!



I was caught up in enjoying myself, so there aren't many process photos today (I did mean to do one of the background before I stuck the sentiment on - it had a lovely pale glow at the centre - but there you go), but then it's all pretty self-explanatory so who needs'em?!

I used Tim's Urban Tapestry set, by Stampers Anonymous.











I couldn't resist the lure of the wonderful tangle of meadow flowers and grasses, which I stamped several times around the foot of the tag and straggling up the sides.













They're stamped in Potting Soil Archival Ink, and in and around them I also used the little texture stamp, in Sepia, to add more pollen and flower heads and depth.









The bird on a branch is also stamped in Potting Soil, then clear embossed, and then I reheated the embossing and sprinkled on just a touch of copper embossing powder which melted into the clear stuff.

Of course a few grains went elsewhere, but that was fine by me - an imperfection I'm more than happy to embrace.








I did the same process at the foot of the tag with the architectural corner flourish - clear embossing, and then reheating that as I sprinkled copper embossing powder over parts of it.














Again, you get some extra shimmer escaping into the depths of the grassy tangles.











I inked up the tag, using a mask over the body of the bird (no need to mask the rest of him - the embossing resist takes care of that), building up layers of colour.

From the bottom we've got Gathered Twigs, Vintage Photo and Rusty Hinge.









And from the top we've got Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky and Broken China.  

I also stamped the texture stamp, this time in Faded Jeans, to get that lazy hazy look of a summer sky.











The sentiment takes centre stage, stamped on watercolour paper in Potting Soil Archival, and then stamped again on kraft card so that I could cut out certain words to highlight them.














Those words are mounted on padded tape to make them pop even a little more.












The texture stamp is in action again on the Idea-ology Crinkle Ribbons, stamped in Sepia Archival...












... before I dyed them with some Faded Jeans and added some extra inking in Gathered Twigs for a grungier look.








If that hasn't got you in the mood yet, then do hop over and see all the fabulous projects being offered up by my team-mates over at A Vintage Journey.


We hope you'll join us with your projects where you Use Every Stamp In A Set some time in the next fortnight.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Now is the time to enliven, ennoble and enrich your life's tapestry.
Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha

Oh, and don't forget there are just a couple of days left if you want to sign up for a chance to win my Butterfly Blogaversary Candy - it closes at midnight (BST) on 30th June.

62 comments:

S@ndy Diller said...

Alison- this is just beyond words!
The colors are so soft and lovely and the stamping is perfect too. I like your choice of stamp sets for this one.

Scrapthat said...

It's lovely and you met the challenge beautifully! :D

scrappymo! said...

Looks wonderful. Love the contrast between the sheen and the flat areas.
The. Bird and the grasses on this stamp set are pretty and love how you hi listed the words.

Rita said...

Fabulous tag Alison. You have certainly created something special with this one. Lots to see and once again your colours looks great. Hugs Rita xxx

Marci said...

I love the bird and the blues! I have this stamp set and you have given a class in how to use it. Thank you!

Brenda Brown said...

I just adore the layered stamping and embossed effects on your gorgeous tag Alison. What a great set of stamps to use and in such a fabulous way, creating a beautiful scene xx

barbarayaya62 said...

Alison I love this tag! I adore the way you use embossing powder! It's so unique! Beautiful, absolutely beautiful tag! BArbarayaya

Helen said...

what a gorgeous tag, with a fabulous stamp set... I know I say this every time but I really really hope to join in....!

cebelica said...

Your tag turned out beautifully. Hugs! xx

Deborah Wainwright said...

Love this Alison the colours and the texture you have created with the embossing. Stunning!

brenda said...

Another amazing piece of artwork Alison with so many element of interest.

B x

froebelsternchen said...

I just can tell you one thing :
I ADORE IT!
it's wonderful in my mind!
A TREASURE!
happy weekend to you!
xxx
Susi

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful tag Alison with lovely colours and beautiful layered stamping!

Almo said...

This is a lovely tag Alison, the mix of browns and blues and the little touch of embossing and copper tones work together beautifully. love the mounted words on the sentiment panel and the stamped ribbon. Mo x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Love the quiet top with the bird watching how nature looks...A lovely tag, Alison!
Alie :-)

Jenny Marples said...

Of course you would work magic with this set as it suits your style perfectly and you are a master of subtle blending/colouring. I love the glossy finish to the bird too so he stands out even more. Beautiful. Jenny x

Anneke said...

Love the stamping and whole design. It is gorgeous. Thanks for your inspiration. It looks se delicate. Have a creative weekend Anneke.

Kath Stewart said...

fabulous project Alison...Urban Tapestry is one of my favourites and you have used it beautifully...have a great weekend...hugs kath xxx

craftytrog said...

Definitely one of my favourite sets, your tag is gorgeous Alison! xxx

Redanne said...

I sometimes think it must be difficult to use every stamp in a set but you have proven that it works extremely well! This is a beautiful tag, I love the colour tones, the beautiful bird and the way you picked out some individual words on your superb tag! Anne x

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is gorgeous, Alison, it has a real glow to it. What a good idea for a challenge,

Lucy x

Unknown said...

What a fabulous tag! Terrific use of this set of stamps and all drawn together so cleverly. Great colour blending and some super (subtle) texturing in there too. Gorgeous! Chris xxx

Gitte said...

Beautiful tag you have made.

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Alison,this is gorgeous as always,love that sentiment too

Have a great weekend
Hugs
Donna x

Nan G said...

Fabulous stampy layers, butterfly.

Kay Wallace said...

Not just another tag, Alison, but another fabulous tag! I am sitting on the edge of the woods in New Hampshire (New England) listening to my beloved birds singing their hearts out! I love the stamp set you have used here, especially the one of the bird on a branch! Today, I really am drawn to the great ribbon treatment. Striking!

Dorthe said...

Dear Alison, this is a so beautiful tag, love how you used all the stamps ,making it a wonderful kind of story. I guess you cut out the :CREATIVE; CITY and so on to get a 3-d effect, which looks great, and the gorgeous effect of glossy embossing.-So beautiful.
Hugs and x-from Dorthe

Sandy said...

Wow! That is quite a challenge to use every stamp in a set! But you met it head and with a wonderful make Alison!
Just checking in --- back to work for me!!
Sandy xx

Amanda said...

Super tag! Great stamp set to choose, you've done it proud, as always
Love
Amanda x

Anonymous said...

A very beautiful tag, I love the background.

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous tag, love that set of stamps you used and the wonderful details.
Yvonne

Lys said...

A wonderful tag and a perfect embossing work! I love the colours blending and the majesty of the bird.

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Fantastic, I love this tag.

Paper Profusion said...

Blues/browns, nature, inking and Alison = sheer perfection! Happy Weekend. Nicola x

Terry said...

Alison, I love your nature inspired tag! The colors and combination of stamps is beautiful and the embossing adds so much! Love this tag. Happy weekend! Hugs!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous Gorgeous, Alison!! You've captured the challenge of using one set of stamps Superbly and that's not an easy task sometimes! Your tag is beautiful and I love all of the heat embossing you've incorporated with all of your wonderful stamping!! Fabulous as always! Love You and your inspiration!! XOXO-Shari

Kezzy said...

Wow Alison, really loving your tag, lots of beautiful inking and stamping. I love how you have used the stamping to create so much depth, especially with the heat embossing. I love the use the whole stamp set challenge, I bet that could be quite a challenge in itself lol. Kezzy:-) xxx

Etsuko said...

What a gorgeous tag from the stamp set and I have a very interesting to the creative process and idea. I love the project, thank you for shared xx

Anonymous said...

Fantastic Tag Alison!!! All those gorgeous vintage browns. Great stamp selection too. Karen.x

Annie said...

Love your fabulous tag Alison. Great colour combo and the stamps are divine. Have a great weekend
Hugs Annie x

catherine said...

This looks so fabulous Alison and love your stamp set and colours. have a good weekend
x catherine

Nikki Acton said...

All I can say is, I haven't got this set of stamps and now I want them, need them, must have them! Wonderful Alison, thank you. Nikki xxx

Kelly said...

Alison this is beautiful! I would not have known you used every stamp in the set due to the way you made the tag. This set is well done and you showed it off perfectly so now I want it! I love the background and of course the bird, your tag is designed perfectly, no surprise as I love all your work!
Hugs Kelly

Dianne said...

SQUAWWWWWK, Miss Alison you ROCK MY WORLD.... There ar sooooo many things I love on your tag, just how you tore the paper and stamped right up to the fringe, that was BRILLIANT, and those meadow flowers yikes nothing makes me happier, the rusty hinge with the luscious blue, I can't wait to try that, and the bird looooooooove him my Magpie heart is just a thumping :), how perfect is your topping, as you do.Again I'm in love with your creation, thanks SO much for sharing all this inspiration....... I might even join in on the challenge, on the project I'm working on, thanks my dear....

Dianne said...

Oh I forgot to mention the sentiment, imagine that :O), love how you added the extra words on top brilliant, it looks fantastic....

Julia Aston said...

A beautiful nature tag Alison - love how you spotted the ribbon - just like a robins' egg!

Julie Lee said...

I love the effect of this background used with this gorgeous stamp set - so subtle and evocative of birds' eggs and twilight to me! A lovely tag and a great idea for a challenge! Julie Ann xxx

samantha wade said...

Hi, just love your tags, wonderful,x

Netty said...

that is definitely a great stamp set and love the way you've worked it, hugs Annette x

Unknown said...

Very lovely... I think I need this stamp set... love that bird... there I go again... I need to remember to use them all... LOL.. Love this though.. Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

Jools Robertson said...

Fabulous tag, such beautiful subtle coloration and tactile textures
How you highlighted the words with the kraft card, makes such a great embellishment feature along with the embossing
I love how you combined all of the stamps, they work so coherently

Jools x

Unknown said...

I love this bird stamp, I've admired it for ages but this makes me want to go out and buy it. Such a lovely tag :) x

Julia said...

Such a lovely stamp set. I had not really paid attention to the words until I looked at your tag, aren't they good. I love the way you have highlighted them. Lovely work.
Julia x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful:- the colours, the stamps, everything single thing.
A lovely delicacy and serenity to the tag.
Wishes
Lynne

Bärbel said...

Wunderschön, ich liebe den Rosteffekt.
Liebe Grüße, Bärbel

Evelyn Walter said...

How beautiful! Love the bird stamp and I love the colors you´ve chosen. Great techniques again!
xxx Evelyn

cathylynn said...

Totally love the rich warm colors with a touch of shimmer. This is one very gorgeous tag Alison!!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Unknown said...

I love this set of stamps and your tag prompts me to get mine out and create with it. The embossing on the bird is wonderful Alison and I always enjoy your color palettes. xx

sam21ski said...

Absolutely fantastic tag Alison, love it xxx

Marjie Kemper said...

This is a stunning tag, Alison…. love your coloring and the embossing. Such a fabulous combo. And massive belated congrats on your blogaversary!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

What a fun challenge to use every stamp in a set on one tag. Chose your set carefully I say! I love the one you picked. It is so you with the meadow grasses and over all nature feel to it. It is great how you popped up and highlighted certain words in the greeting. I really like the look of the texture stamp stamped onto the crinkly ribbon. It really sunk in nicely and mimicked the look of your tag.

Margaret said...

Oh, I love your wonderful tag! The paper pieced words really pull the eye through the entire sentiment. You did an amazing job showing off all of those fantastic stamps!