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 13 June 2014

Wings and Things

Hello and a warm welcome to you all, with an especially big welcome to the newest followers - so lovely to have you here!

After all the colour that's been going on lately, I seem to have hit a neutrals zone!  From yesterday's Men At Work mini-album (if you blinked, you probably missed it, so I'd love it if you had time to check it out), we move to something a little more feminine, and it's all in honour of the new challenge at A Vintage Journey, where our host - the fabulous S@ndy Diller - is looking for Wings and Things - we must see birds, bees, butterflies or dragonflies (or all of them together!) on your Tim-inspired creations.

You'll find all the details of what she's looking for, as well as lots more lovely inspiration from my fabulous team-mates over at A Vintage Journey, and here's my starter for ten.


I had a lovely time playing with one of the 6x4inch burlap canvases.  The background was inspired by a technique I saw over at Layers of Ink, the blog of the amazing Anna-Karin... She was showing how to transfer patterned papers onto the burlap, so that's what I decided to play with first.




I used one of the Wallflower 12x12 sheets (click Anna-Karin's link above to see how it's done), and was really pleased with the textured look once it was done.

It's a subtle bit of damask, but it's there - for now!

I also wanted to play along with the Compendium of Curiosities III challenge, while I was at it.  I haven't managed to play in the last couple for various reasons, so needed to dive back in.  So, as you can see, the next step was stencilling for texture.









But I really, really wanted butterflies - to stick to the Wings and Things theme - and there isn't (yet) a Layered Stencil of butterflies, so I cut the Butterfly Frenzy Decorative Strip Die and used the "leftovers" from that as my stencil instead.  (I don't know if it will count.)








I can't tell you too much more (you'll find the technique on page 49 of Tim's book), but I wanted a bit of extra sparkle around my butterflies, so I also added some Picket Fence Distress Stickles for a touch of vintage shimmer.












I'd had the corrugated cardboard sitting around for weeks, with the butterflies already stamped and framed with the Ornate Plate, knowing this challenge was coming up.  (It travelled all the way to the Czech Republic and back.)  Now finally there was somewhere for it to sit!












The butterflies are stamped in Potting Soil over a thick layer of gesso, and then there's plenty of Walnut Stain inking around the edges.






I started to layer up some other bits and bobs around the corrugated panel:







Some Vintage Lace cut from the same paper as I used for the image transfer...












... and it goes off around the edge too, naturally!














Some ephemera from the Idea-ology Thrift Shop Ephemera Pack... this butterfly has acquired a Game Spinner body.













A couple of skeleton leaves, to tone in with the gold of the Ornate Frame...











One of the little Custom Fasteners, customised with the butterfly sticker, of course...













And the butterflies from the Butterfly Frenzy die - well, they're everywhere!


I'd used the new Motif Resist Paper Stash to cut them, so once inked with Walnut Stain, they've got lovely white script dancing across their bodies.










I decided to layer some of them precisely over the shimmery texture butterflies, to give them double dimension...

Others are just flying free.




And on the top, I added an Idea-ology Clock Key, with a butterfly perched just ready to alight on it.

It sits on some more Vintage Lace heading off around the edge of the burlap frame.














The Courageous Muse Token sits over another label from the Thrift Shop pack.















Oh, and there are the words, of course - stamped in Potting Soil, inked and spritzed and layered up with some more lace and ephemera.







I had such a lovely time playing with this - so thank you, S@ndy, for a great theme.  Do hop over to see what she and the rest of the Vintage Journey team have created to inspire you - you won't be disappointed! - and we hope you'll come and play along with your Wings and Things some time in the next fortnight.


Thanks so much for stopping by... there'll be dollshouses starting on Sunday, and a big celebration next week, so I hope to see you again soon!!

We have to continually be jumping off cliffs, and developing our wings on the way down.
Kurt Vonnegut

If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them growing.
Coco Chanel

I'd like to enter this in the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge 4, hosted by the fabulous Linda Ledbetter
And at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where they are playing Stencil It

59 comments:

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Alison! These are a few of my favourite things and I just love the way they've all come together here! The stamping, the fabulous layers, the vintage lace, the textures and Oh! Did I say I think it's amazing!! Definitely one of your best! Chrisx

S@ndy Diller said...

Alison - you have shown neutrals in the best possible way. Love this panel and of course the butterflies. Thanks for participating this time around as we travel down the vintage road.

Hugs -

Julie Lee said...

Loving all the texture on this exquisite project. The butterflies are just amazing and the effect on the burlap is gorgeous! A really clever creation that certainly gave my heart wings! Julie Ann xxx

barbarayaya62 said...

Alison it's a absolutely wonderful burlap creation! I love butterflies , all butterflies you've used and the neutral tones... I'm speechless for your ability to create with these shades of colors
Barbarayaya

Helen said...

Beautiful, love the burlap panel, the butterflies are fabulous (I think I need to go shopping - again!) and using the waste from the butterfly die makes a great stencil. Can't wait for the dolls houses...

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Stunning album Alison, one of my fav now!!

Amanda said...

Stunning panel with your usual oodles of scrummy detail to look at, and your theme us one of my favourites, butterflies (I really must get that die)
Love
Amanda x

chrissie said...

Amazing textures and images and all in the right places for this piece. Interesting, as always, to see how you started and progressed.

Love Chrissie x

craftytrog said...

Another glorious, inspirational piece of art Alison, your neutral palette is lovely! xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Great little hanger Alison, love the neutral colours and all the butterflies!

massofhair said...

One heck of a post Alison, so many details, layers, textures it blew my tiny mind! Love how you brought it all together, so beautiful:-) xxx

Redanne said...

Oh wow Alison, this really is a stunner! Love everything about this fabulous creation.... Anne xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Fabulous canvas Alison - the transfer of the paper is amazing (off to check the tutorial). Stunning subtle colours and wonderful textures and all those fabulous butterflies. What a stunning combination. Jennie x

Unknown said...

Wow, what a feast of gorgeousness here! This is brilliant Alison, so much to look at with fabulous layering and so many lovely embellishments. Fab! Chris xxx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Wow...this screems: Butterfly....
Gorgeous Alison!
Greetings, Alie :-)

froebelsternchen said...

what a wonderful new creation dear Alison.. you both - mean you and Brenda today make me thinking of using some burlap soon....

wonderful colors and composition and bringing all the things together Alsion!
Wish a happy weekend to you my masterly Mixed Media artist friend !

steffi said...

I just Lurve this!! So many elements when you look close up and yet it still appears deceptively simple at first glance. Just stunning!! :o)

Jenny Marples said...

Love the way you've repeated the butterfly element through the stencilling, stamping and die cuts to balance the whole design. Those die cuts look like they are about to take flight and the lace gives this a real touch of delicacy, perfect for the theme. Another winner! Jenny x

Anonymous said...

Goodness, you got some gorgeous layers & textures on this beauty Alison, it looks wonderful.

toni said...

Wonderful piece Alison ! Love the colours and all those gorgeous butterflies and embellishment ! I must check out the patterned paper transfer technique, love the subtle effect of that . Have a great weekend
Toni xx

cathylynn said...

So much gorgeous detail and beauty! Love the textures and your embellishments are fabulous. Fantastic Alison!!!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Cardgenie said...

Alison, this is a gorgeous piece. I love the layering - the butterflies seem to float off the page! The colours are fab too. Fantastic!! Jean.x

rachel said...

beautiful details Alison and that transfer technique looks interesting - great make! Hugs rachel x

Deborah said...

Who'd have thought grey and beige butterflies could look so beautiful! A masterclass in neturals.

Deborah said...

Who'd have thought grey and beige butterflies could look so beautiful! A masterclass in neturals.

Ruth said...

Delightful, exquisite and just plain gorgeous. I love the flurry of butterflies, I expect them to start fluttering any minute. Perfect colour palette x

Dorthe said...

Alison, this is a fabolous piece, dear.All so beautiful, and so lovely allive, with the most wonderful stamped butterflyes dancing all over , and the fantastic piece of corrugated cardboard with the ornate plate !! Beautiful earth tones and love the cut laces.
Hugs,Dorthe

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous layers and textures, it looks so beautiful.
Yvonne

Anonymous said...

Well you just make me like WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!! I am gob smacked! and can just about say WHAT THE rest of the people that posted before me said!!!!!!!! you knocked it outta the ballpark girl! and all I wanna know is WHEN CAN I COME TO YOUR HOUSE TO PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!????

hugs me x

Kay Wallace said...

Just love the unexpected combination of burlap, butterflies and metal, Alison! This is one amazing piece of artwork...notice I said "work!"

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

This is gorgeous! LOVE the mushroomy color, and the texture with the butterflies is amazing! Gorgeous Alison! Thanks so much for joining in on our texture challenge this time at CC3Challenge!!!

Willy said...

Beatiful work!!!

Etsuko said...

Oh What a amazing project Alison! Butterflies is flying over and over from the overlapping folds that seems hide and seek. Fabulous grunge layers and natural colours. I love the transfer technique too and I play along soon xx

Nikki Acton said...

Gooooooorgeous! You manage to use these colours and keep it crisp and clean - I always get it murky... (WIP for me - work in progress lol) Nikki xxx

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

WOW what a stunning project, love all details, textures and the whole composition.
Wis you a nice weekend,
big hugs Anja

Lys said...

Difficult to add something not written yet... It's wonderful! It seems a butterflies flight, whatever the colours or way used, is always an enchantement in your hands, Alison!

Terry said...

I always love your use of neutral colors with so much interest! The texture as always is amazing and those butterflies are gorgeous! Hugs and Happy Weekend!

Julia Aston said...

So lovely in the natural tones Alison! This canvas looks like 100 butterflies just took lite to rest a bit among the foliage!

Sue Lelli said...

Alison, this is beyond GORGEOUS! LOVE all of the layers and butterflies! It's filled wqith so much eye candy! LOVE the paper on burlap technique. Must pop over and take a look!

Mona Pendleton said...

Fantastic project Alison! Love the textured background and all the layers! So much beautiful details to admire! Hope you have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

I simply LOVE your piece... what a pleasure to not only see this entire piece, but to see how you created it as well.. .Love all the layers... just magnificently created. Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

sam21ski said...

Oh wow, loving your neutral pallet. As ever you've done wonderful things will all the elements, and they all work in perfect harmony xxx

Cheryl Grigsby said...

Absolutely delicious, from beginning to end. I hadn't thought of using Butterfly Frenzy as a stencil, but I will now!! Thanks for the awesomeness.

Marci said...

Great monochromatic make and a lovely butterfly theme!

Yvonne said...

absolutely breathtaking!!! Such a beautiful wonderfully whimsical piece! Thanks so much for sharing with CC3C!

Dianne said...

A-MA-ZINGGGGGGGG, making your own stencil, I can see you will be making and selling them in the near future, it's BUTTERFLY HEAVEN Miss Butterfly, you made a SUPERB background for that gorgeous framed butterfly, I love watching the magic you create at your desk, what a wonderful visit this has been Namaste to you my dear...

sarascloset said...

breathtaking!

Ink Art Designs said...

This is absolutely stunning Alison! So many gorgeous details to look at...and the technique of transferring the paper to the burlap is one that I will have to have a go at. And I love the clock key and butterfly on the top...a beautiful and thoughtful touch.
Dot x

Shirley said...

Soft, textured and super grungy all in one place Alison. Such a gorgeous make. Shirl x x

Annette Green said...

Alison, I'm so glad to see you participating in the cc3 challenge. Your tag is beyond gorgeous as is all that you do. I love how you improvised with the die cut rather than the stencil. Works beautifully!

Cocofolies said...

Fabulous work of art Alison!!!! I love how you have integrated or added so many different butterflies on this, how lovely they are all! Just fabulous burlap canvas, I have such canvas in my stock, I'd love to do something like you with it, maybe I will try! Hugs, Coco xx

Sue said...

This is amazing Alison, great use of the burlap and I love the improvisation of your hand made stencil xx

Hels Sheridan said...

love how you made your own stencil, what a FAB idea... loving your altered panel, it is gorgeous...Thanks for playing along with the CC3 Challenge x

Laurel Beard said...

So cool! And love that you made your own stenciL! Thanks so much for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!

Candy C said...

Alison...your butterfly piece for Wings and Things is so lovely. I really love the embossed butterflies emerging from the burlap background. So pretty! I always love seeing your art as you always create such lovely, layered, textural and well thought out things! Love your hand made stencil, too. Thanks for sharing with all of us at A Vintage Journey and also at CC3C. It's beautiful! <3 Candy

Martina said...

Again a very extraordinary and wonderful creation, dear Alison! Super idea and beautifully designed.

Karin said...

Alison you've created so many wonderful layers,the neutral tones on the canvas make the piece very elegant.

Annie said...

Totally fabulous Alison..........amazing layout and wonderful textures
HUgs Annie x

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow truly gorgeous stunning burlap canvas. I love the paper transfer (must check that out), and all of the neutral colours. Lots of texture and the stamping is awesome, I love how you always build up such lovely layers :-) Kezzy xxx