This time, rather than candle-light, I decided to work with natural light to illuminate my vellum.
One of the things which delights me about the vellum is how it changes according to the light, and that's what I wanted to take advantage of.
So I put it in an arched window.
It's really a very simple tag...
I cut the aperture using one of the Movers & Shapers Sized Arches, and added DecoArt Media Texture Sand Paste through a Prima brick stencil.
In places, I just smoothed the paste on directly, to give an impression of the stones being worn away with time.
I then used various Fresco paints to build up layers of colour.
There's some dry-brushing to highlight the texture, and some dark green for an aged mossy look.
The "window" was easy. I just selected the part of the vellum page I wanted to use and cut it to fit the arch aperture.
I've gone for a window celebrating the beauty of the natural world... like Edmund in King Lear, my cry would be: Thou, Nature, art my goddess!
In further celebration of nature I added one of my favourite of her manifestations - some ivy - cut out of Kraft Core with the Spring Greenery Decorative Strip Die.
The ChitChat stickers add just a little thought to take with you on the journey.
And some simple undyed ribbon and twine make for a monastically austere topping.
I'm pretty pleased with how this changes according to the angle the light strikes it. With the sunlight directly behind you get something very dramatic indeed!
I'm trying to be quick (with limited success) as you've only got two more days to come and play along. (Can you believe it's almost the end of January already?) Use Something New To You, and you could be in with a chance at winning a voucher from our generous sponsor Country View Crafts. And if you simply can't wait to go shopping, you'll find some product links below!
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I'm flitting around the place for workshops for the next few days, but as long as I can get the hotel wifi to work on my various stopovers, I hope to be hopping around Craftyblogland to see what you've been up to... after all, what better way to while away an evening away from home?! See you soon.
Where there is much light, the shadows are deepest.
Goethe
There are two kinds of light - the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures.
James Thurber
Ingredients (or similar) available at Country View Crafts:
Tim Holtz Wallflower Vellum Stash
PaperArtsy Fresco Paints
Manila Tags
Tim Holtz Spring Greenery Decorative Strip Die
Tim Holtz Movers & Shapers Sized Arches
Brick Stencil similar to this one
Ranger Texture Paste
Palette Knife
Idea-ology ChitChat Stickers
Picket Fence Distress Paint
33 comments:
Bravo and big hand claps Alison, another unique stunner x x
Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.
These look beautiful the vellum makes beautiful opaque windows, sadly I remember through the arch window and as a child feeling thrilled with myself if I guessed the right window.
Love
Amanda x
Great look with natural light showing through Alison.-must get out some vellum and try to use it-this is inspiring
Love Chrissie
Aha - good to see you are practising for the church in Small Worlds ;-)
I like the Goethe quote - reminds me somehow of the Cohen one "There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in."
xx
This is really cool Alison, I love it! xx
Lovely result with the vellum...again an inventive creation, Alison!
Greetings, Alie :-)
Beautiful monastery window, Alison. As for vellum, you've taken something I always thought of as a bit old fashioned (like peel-offs) and used it so creatvely. Enjoy your workshops!
WOW - so simply, yet so gorgeous! I am so glad you were able to get a photo with the sun shining through the tag- illuminating! xo
Beautiful natural light effects, your tag looks gorgeous.
Yvonne xx
Gorgeous Alison! Love the brickwork and your vellum window is such a great idea! Love the vines too, reminds me of an old castle! hugs :)
Beautiful!
Gorgeous tags, dear Alison! Love the vellum window and the brickwork is so naturally.
Hugs
Evelyn
Alison , they are fantastic , and what a gorgeous effect from the Sand Paste ! The windows so beautiful ,I especially love the green one and your wonderful qoute !!!
Hugs, Dorthe
Another amazing piece of art, Alison! I love how you have used the brick stencil (thought it looks more like stone to me) on the arch, and the color is just perfect! Great use of vellum, too! You are really branching out and I am loving it!
Wonderful versatile tag Alison! I love also how the Green die gives life to this austere Window.
Such a beautiful - and dramatic 'make'. The greenery die looks really lovely against the arch and the light shining through is so effective. Vellum may be new to you; but you have made it your own. xx
I love this!! the stonework looks so real, and the vellum window is just beautiful... so i need this paperstack too?? I definitely remember Play School fondly!
What an amazing stone wall! With it's fabulous window and creepers up the wall! I don't suppose you have ever visited Shap Abbey up near the Lakes but this brought the memory of my visit to mind immediately! As for Playschool - ha! - I'm actually TOO old - although remember watching it with my niece! Hugs Chrisx
Wow, I love how you always look at the light for inspiration for your projects. This tag is amazing, the detail is beautiful!!
Hugs
Georgie
If it dates you then I will also declare that it dates me!!!!
Alison, this is incredibly beautiful but not only that, it is delicate yet at the same time there is a feeling of strength to the overall feeling of this tag.
Oh I so miss my visits to your blog when I am away from blogland.
Wishes
Lynne
Well, I am completely out dated, for this rings no bells with me at all, but then I did grow up in the Netherlands.... anyway, a lovely make, great effects on both the background and the window! Wonderful tag!
Beautiful tag, I love the vellum window.
Gorgeous tag I have to admit a very soft spot for velum I love the soft look you have achieved Alison
MaggieH
Wonderful! It reminds me of a medieval illuminated manuscript,Alison. I'm going to try this one myself too ;)
Have a fab weekend
Big hugs
Donna xxx
Just playing catch up, I love that texture sand paste, it looks beautiful on your tag. I love how you did the worn bits. The vellum looks amazing both with and without the light behind. I do Playschool, but not for me, for my Son - now that really dates me!! Anne xx
Love that stone wall texture Alison! Great effects! xox
Wall looks real, Alison. Beautiful texture with brilliance!! so much detailing... I would have never thought of adding hint of green color to get mossy look. And wildflower vellum look awesome in your project.
Absolutely love this tag, Alison!! It looks like you've somehow taken an arched window from a gothic castle and magically reduced it for your own personal viewing pleasures :) Love the brick stencil you used--it's like a gothic, time worn brick pattern, almost cobblestone looking, especially with the sand paste you used! Just fabulous!! XOXO-Shari
Fantastic use of the texture paste works so well through the brick wall stencil and i love the vellum and how the light shines through the aperture, absolutely beautiful :-) xxx
Such an effective idea. Reminds me of decaying cathedrals (in a good way!) Jenny x
Love this tag, very beautiful with this sanded texture and structure on it... Combining it to this Arch TH die to add like old walls on the sides is a very clever idea, the result is simply gorgeous! xxx
Wow really loving this tag, the texture and the paint colours look awesome and wow the way the light changes the look is truly amazing. Happy Art :-) Kezzy xxx
It is only appropriate for Shakespeare to make an appearance in a very "dramatic"-effect post. That vellum is beautiful, especially juxtaposed with the natural stonework of your tag. The photos really showed off the different lighting effects!! - ME
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