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...

Thursday 1 January 2015

Velluminaries!!

Happy New Year!
For the second time today!!

Yes, the new Artistic Stamper challenge started at midnight (check out my Past and Future ATCs here), and I'm already back with the next one...  Talk about kicking off the New Year with a bang!

Artistic Stamper want to see New Beginnings, and the new theme at Country View Challenges - which is what we're here for now - is to Use Something New To You.  Are you spotting a pattern here?!






I know it won't be new to most of you, but I've never played with vellum, and I finally got my hands on the Tim Holtz Wallflower Vellum pack.

Well, you know me... give me something translucent and my thoughts turn to candlelight.  We have to have something to lighten the dark days of January.

(I always think it's a shame people have lights up already in November and then rip them down straight after Christmas.  It's in January and February that we need the illumination, when we haven't got the fun to look forward to!)

So here I give you my vellum luminaries.  Or shall we just call them "Velluminaries"?!










Rather than going for the full-on, layered, mixed media look (if you saw my Destination Inspiration luminaries you'll know what I'm talking about), I've gone for a sleek, minimalist style with these.

And we're starting the New Year with some recycling too, which always feels good.










The two smaller holders are plastic - they were the pots from some Chai Panna Cottas (I didn't like'em!).

And the large luminary is a simple glass vase.  It can still be used as a vase, of course, since I've sealed the vellum with multi-medium (and anyway, the idea is generally to keep the water on the inside of the vase).










Nothing complicated about the making... some measuring and cutting, some sticking and some trimming.











I haven't quite managed to get a completely smooth finish - especially on the glass one - but with the natural motifs of the design, the wrinkles look like tree bark, so I'm fine with that.  Next time...













I know the big one will go down very well with my small nephew who is fascinated by bugs of all sorts at present (he thinks leeches are "cute" - I can think of other words for them).












And the flowers and vintage adverts on the smaller pair please me greatly.













Two short(ish) and sweet posts today... could this also be the beginning of something new here at Words and Pictures?

Don't bet on it!










We'd love to see you Use Something New To You, so come and play along this month at Country View Challenges, and you could be in with a chance of winning the prize generously sponsored by Country View Crafts (and shopping for more new stuff).









And if you've time to check out my Past and Future ATCs, maybe you'll be inspired do the double with the Artistic Stamper theme.

And suddenly you know: It is time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.
Eckhardt von Hochheim, known as Meister Eckhart

55 comments:

sally said...

So pretty!

Sally

Almo said...

Happy New Year Alison, I love those little candle holders, the patterns on the vellum looks so beautifully delicate both with and without the candle lit. Mo x

Shirley said...

Sheek and minimalistic is certainly what these are Alison, Beautiful and more x x

How true about the Christmas decs and lights, what happened to the 12 days before and 12 days after???? Good ole St Nick will be turning over and over lol.

Happy New Year to you and everyone in your family I do hope ringing in the New Year brings everything you wish for.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Redanne said...

I like your play on words today... velluminaries is such a lovely way to describe these beautiful creations Alison! Happy New Year to you too, hope it is a great one for you. Anne xx

Fliss said...

Wow Alison, stunning candle holders and thanks for the how to as well.
Happy New Year to you too and all the best for 2015.
Fliss xx

ElizabethR said...

These are soooo gorgeous Alison, l love having lots of candles (real or otherwise) makes the room so mach more cosy. Happy New Year, Elizabeth xxx

hazel said...

Your candle holders are lovely and I love the wrinkles.
Happy New Year.
xxx Hazel.

Claire said...

These are really beautiful, such a transformation! X

Unknown said...

These are lovely Alison, what fabulous gifts they would make. I'm loving that bee vellum too! Happy New Year xx

Helen said...

they look stunning! I am intrigued though, how you get and light, the tea light inside the tall vase...

Words and Pictures said...

Ah... drop it in, and then light in a very old fashioned way, using spills (otherwise known these days as the slender wooden coffee stirrers you find in expensive coffee shops!) xx

Kath Stewart said...

loving your vellumaries...happy new year Alison...wishing you health happiness and much crafting fun in 2015 xxx

chrissie said...

Such a wonderful idea Alison they look beautiful together.

I agree about needing the light in the winter months and I have a hearth full of candles--some with wonderful scents as well.

Have a very Happy 2015

Love Chrissie x

sam21ski said...

Fab makes again Alison xxx

massofhair said...

Velluminaries are very beautiful Alison, simple and full of warmth, love them! :-) xxx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

These are lovely Alison,I've seen these a few times and always thought how delicate and beautiful they are with the vellum. Suppose you could also use those battery operated tea lights too ;)

Have a great 2015

Big hugs
Donna xxx

Dagmar said...

So beautiful!!!!
I wish you a happy new year. Hugs, Dagmar

Sue said...

These are beautiful Alison, I love candles, and yours are really special. Have a very happy and creative New Year xx

Julie Lee said...

I love these velluminaries! All through the winter months I like to light up our living room with little tea-lights in various holders of different shapes and sizes. Then when summer comes we take them into the garden - Oh, I just love little lights! I really must give these a go: they look so subtle and beautiful xxx

Lucy Edmondson said...

Chai pannacottas - they sound disgusting! Your luminaries are a beautiful idea though. I love the insects.

Lucy x

Jennie Atkinson said...

Fabulous luminaries Alison - they really look so delicate. I hadn't thought about getting the Vellum but perhaps I will now! Happy New Year! Jennie x

Chrissy said...

They are stunning Alison..what gorgeous vellum
.Wishing you a very Happy New Year 2015..

luv CHRISSYxx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Such lovely alterations Alison...great effects with the burning lights shining through!

All the best for 2015, for you and your loved ones...and lots of creativity in 2015!!

Kind regards, Alie :-)

Unknown said...

I'm actually hoarding these papers Alison lol. You've made me want to actually use them. :) Love how your beautiful luminaries turned out. xx

Evil Edna said...

I wish you lumination and cute leeches for 2015...EE

Dorthe said...

Wonderful use of old used pieces, Alison, the wellum looks fantastic,- and I alwayes love to read your "stories" along the photoes.
Happy New Year to you dear friend,-
Hugs,Dorthe

Julia S-W said...

Happy New Year Alison. These are quite enchanting and they make me wonder about vellum - not something that sits on my desk usually! You and Laura seem to be on a candle theme!
Juliaxx

Meggymay said...

The vellum looks gorgeous, love how you used it on these lights.
Yvonne

Flo Langley said...

Happy New Year Alison. Wishing you and your family health and happiness for 2015.
Florence xx

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Alison! Love your Velluminaries, simple but elegant. I agree with you we need some light in the heavy months of January and February and these are perfect. Sue C x

Sandy said...

Happy New Year Alison! What a beautiful way to ring in the New Year - Velluminaries!
Sandy xx

Marci said...

These are lovely! I wonder how you got them so even. They look perfect. Happy New Year!

Evelyn Walter said...

Happy New Year, dear Alison! Lovely way to lighten the new year! I like the different sizes! .............and don´t worry because of your heavy posts, I think we all love it ;)
xxx Evelyn

Kirsten said...

They're really lovely!

craftytrog said...

These are a lovely idea Alison! I've always got candles in my craftroom, they're very comforting on these dark winter days.
Alison xox

Kezzy said...

Wow gorgeous, I always love your candles and these are beautiful. I haven't bought Tim's vellum yet, I get quite scared when I use vellum, it never quite turns out right lol. HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR 2015 hope you have a fantastic year with lots of creating and artful adventures. Kezzy :-) xxx

Jackie PN said...

These are gorgeous Alison!1
May I ask what medium you used to adhere the vellum? Mine never works! heehee I have a few of these vases that need a makeover- thanks so much for sharing! xo

Words and Pictures said...

Blimey... now you're asking! I think it was the Golden Soft Matte, but I can't be completely sure - sorry! xx

Pamellia said...

Gorgeous Alison! They may not be complicated to you, but I have NEVER had any luck with this technique on candles or candle holders! They are exquisite! big hugs :)

Julia said...

"Velluminaries" .... what a fabulous word. These just look so lovely, very clever and elegant project.
Julia x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Happy New Year Alison. These are gorgeous , a lovely delicacy to the design. Tracy x x x

Nan G said...

Sometimes simple is smashing! Love the delicate nature of your velluminaries! Happy New Year to you and Mum!

Annie said...

Happy New Year Alison and Best Wishes for 2015 x love your cel luminaries. Such a great idea and they look beautiful x

Hugs Annie x

Margaret said...

Your velluminaries look terrific and would be perfect to brighten and warm up a wintry night! Your nephew must be looking at some very different leeches! Cute is not the word that comes to mind... :)

Nikki Acton said...

Vellum looks amazing - I haven't really played with it either - just the odd scrap at a workshop! Would never have thought of doing this - it looks really effective. Nikki xxx

Paper Profusion said...

Goodness, what brilliant effects! These are wonderful Alison. Nicola x

Lynne Moncrieff said...

The effect is mesmerising, absolutely gorgeous.
A very beautiful post to kick off the New Year.
Wishes
Lynne

Marjie Kemper said...

These sure are beautiful, Alison. Wishing you every good thing in 2015 and hoping we get the chance to visit again this year!

Hettie said...

These are beautiful Alison. I got a pad of this whilst in US and have only got as far as stroking it so far. I wanted to do the TH lanterns using it but don't want to cut it! Tee Hee!
I must email you the photo on my camera!
Hugs
xxx

Ruth said...

Well I know where I need to be when there's a power cut....between these wonderful velluminaries and your Christmassy altered glass jars, there will be plenty of light. Both posts are wonderful and inspirational. We have lots of candles at Christmas, it wouldn't be the same without them. Ruth x

Deborah said...

How did I miss these!?! Probably the inertia that grips me at this time of year - blog surfing's taken a back seat lately. I would never buy printed vellum, not knowing what to do with it. But you have found one - and the results are stunning.

Cocofolies said...

These new lanterns are very gorgeous, love the natural theme you chose and all these stamped insects on them, very beautiful Alison... Good night! :) Coco xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

These are fantastic pieces, great idea.

Hazel Agnew said...

Completely agree about the lighting going on through till the lighter days.These are scummy Alison. Have loads of pannacotta pots just waiting to be illuminated. Thank you for your very kind comments on my blog. Really appreciate your support.

Hazel Agnew said...

Oh gosh, just read mine back and stupid predictive turned my scrummy into abuse! sorry!