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 20 February 2015

Lucky Numbers





Hello all and welcome, with an especially big welcome to the newest followers - it's so lovely to have you along for the ride.

It's time for the new challenge at A Vintage Journey, and the brilliant Brenda is looking for Special Numbers - projects incorporating significant numbers, whether that's birthdays, anniversaries or lucky numbers.

As usual, we'd like to see Tim Holtz-style creations and/or products but the project can be anything at all.  And here's my starter for ten.

I came up with a burlap panel full of numbers, but there are three particular ones significant to me... and they all add up to the fact that I feel incredibly lucky in how my life works.











I got to play with one of the new Photobooth photos - and she takes the role of being "me".  And yes, that's the kind of happy smile I get to enjoy moment to moment in my work very often; certainly at the craft table or on visits around Craftyblogland enjoying your creations; and whenever I stop to count my blessings.













I also managed to get my hands on the new Small Talk stickers - yay for Country View Crafts! - and this one leapt straight out at me the moment I flicked through them.









I mounted it on a WordBand (one of the festive ones that I'm unlikely to use - 'holly jolly Christmas' or some such wording - just not me!) that I altered with alcohol inks - Mermaid, Mushroom and Pebble I think.











So, to my numbers...

The 24th, the number brad up in the top corner, also alcohol inked to within an inch of its life, is the date of my birthday in April.











And 46 is the number of years I'll hit when it comes around the next time, in a couple of months.  I had to double-check that was the right number when I found the Plaquette - I'm starting to lose count.  Not that it troubles me in the slightest... so far each decade has been better than the one before, so what's to worry?!










Down in the bottom corner, the Idea-ology Stencil Mark holding together some more ephemera fragments is my lucky number three.













Each of the ephemera pieces layered up behind the photo has numbers on it...












... and it's all mounted over the Bingo Texture Fade embossed onto Kraft Core in a lovely deep turquoise shade - sanded and torn to create a dimensional weathered look.












I gave the burlap panel a couple of rough coats of gesso, and then of course there's the rusty wire.











I wrapped some around the edges of the panel, as well as using it to fasten my WordBand to the centre of things.  Big thanks to Nina at It's Crafting Time for taking the trouble to source and stock the rusty wire on request - I'd be lost without it!













So that's my happy-go-lucky burlap panel for you - counting my blessings and sharing my significant numbers.

Hop over to A Vintage Journey to see the fantastic creations my team-mates have come up with to inspire you, and check out all the challenge details and travelling instructions while you're there.  We hope you'll come and share your Special Numbers with us this fortnight, and be in with a chance at the prize voucher generously sponsored by Country View Crafts.  See you there!

I'm a great believer in luck.  I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.
Variously attributed to Coleman Cox, Samuel Goldwyn and even Thomas Jefferson

A man is rich in the proportion of the number of things he can afford to let alone.
Henry David Thoreau

61 comments:

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Alison,
The numbers and the texture combine so well...looks really great.
Smiles:)
Sue

S@ndy Diller said...

Wonderful project Alison, I love the use of the Bingo card and the color combination is fabulous.

Nan G said...

Fabulous piece, butterfly! Love the texture, color and your sharing of the significant numbers. ;) Hugs

barbarayaya62 said...

Alison this is one of my fav project! It's so beautiful and rich of wonderful details! Love the shades of Kraft core and all the metal pieces! BArbarayaya

Chrissy said...

Fantastic Alison..the papers, textures ,burlap, and significant numbers all add up to brilliant..

luv CHRISSYxx

Helen said...

Another gorgeous project, so much to look at and so many layers and textures. BTW, your age plaque is a lot smaller than mine would be!

Inkypinkycraft said...

A gorgeous project , love all the textures and layers . Great to know where to get rusty wire as my huge stash is all but gone!x

Dagmar said...

What a fantastic artwork!!! I love. the Shabby-chick ! So beautiful <3

Anonymous said...

Beautiful layers and textures Alison! A fabulous piece of art! X

chrissie said...

A really beautiful creation and so good that you made it personal as well. Your joy of life shines through in your artwork Alison

I have also found that the harder I work the more luck I have in life :)--great quotes today

Love Chrissie xx

Brenda Brown said...

Love this beautifully layered panel Alison with all the number links and the very special ones associated with you. The altered wordband is a brilliant idea and how amazing that you found idea-ology pieces for all the numbers in your life. xxx

Kirsten said...

It is beautiful, the layers of different textures look wonderful.

Claudia N. said...

Beautifully arranged, Alison!

Love the colours and texture!

Claudia xxx

Marci said...

Lovely panel, I like it!

Jackie PN said...

I just adore this composition Alison!! The wrapping of the wire- perfect touch! Gorgeous! xo

Sue said...

This is beautiful Alison, I like the wire too, and the paint spatters. Have a happy weekend (and a jolly holly Christmas lol) xx

Nikki Acton said...

Fabulous collaging (is that a word!) Alison - each piece complimenting the next. Some wonderful alterations too and your amazing splatters. Nikki x

Pamellia said...

Gorgeous Alison! So many wonderful layers of vintage elements! Love the embossed numbers and the splashes of colour! Have a great weekend! hugs :)

Willy said...

Gorgeous mixed media work, love it!

Julia Aston said...

What a fun mix of special numbers Alison! love the colors and all the wonderful layers!

sally said...

Numbers distressed to within an inch of their sweet lives! Wonderful panel & what a smile! A real winner :-D

Sally

Unknown said...

Loads of beautiful techniques, layers and elements. I love the embossed background and torn papers!! I love how ech bit just enhances the next. Hugs, Georgie xx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Stunning and impressive colage of layers Alison!
greetings, Alie :-)

Jennie Atkinson said...

I love this panel Alison - the colours are just wonderful and the combination of collage and embellishments just stunning. Such a personal piece too. Love it! Jennie x

Jennie Atkinson said...

I meant to add - just a youngster!!!

Meggymay said...

Awesome layers, details and special additions personal to you, a beautiful piece.
Yvonne xx

Juliz Design Post said...

Great textures Alison and fab tip with word bands you won't use. Loving the addition of your rusty wire too.
Have a great weekend, Julie x

Redanne said...

I agree with Jennie, you are just a youngster Alison - but I think I stopped counting around about your age.... Your tag is gorgeous and represents such happy things for you - and that really shows in your work. I like your idea of covering up sentiments on those word bands that might never get used. Anne xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Fabulous Alison, and I so love it when people are actually counting their blessings! Now I can't believe you are actually going to hit the second half of your 40s, see, happiness keeps you young.... I lost count in my late thirties, so in my book you are doing pretty well! I love your project and what a great use of one of those panels!

Kay Wallace said...

Great composition and color, Alison! Such a sweet photo--I can only imagine that she is my maternal aunt! Love it!

experiments in paper said...

What a great demonstration for this new challenge, incorporating all your special numbers and that special smile - terrific! I love your layering and subtle use of color throughout - great inspiration for this challenge and a wonderful piece. Thank you so much also for taking the time to visit and comment on my work. I so appreciate your time to do so in the midst of many other commitments! xx Lynn

Maggie said...

Fabulous project Alison your burlap panel really made me smile love the colours thanks for sharing your special numbers
MaggieH

Annie said...

Wow....lots and lots of numbers Alison, including your special ones too. I love the layers and torn papers with that sweet photograph. GORGEOUS LAYOUT AND DESIGN

HAVE A LOVELY WEEKEND
ANNIE X

Dorthe said...

Alison, this is wonderful, I love the layers and sweet "you" feeling happy and lucky,-- I`m glad you do-- and compared with me, you are almost a child ,lol- The panels looks wonderful placed with the numbers and hold by the rusted wire. (I always put a new roll of black flower wire outside in rain and cold, for some time, and when remembering it is there, it has turned beautifull rusted all throug the roll ) .
Hugs, Dorthe

Scrapintheattic.com said...

Hi Alison, this is beautiful, the colour turquoise is perfect, sooo many numbers! I love it, you have inspired me, Jan x

Paper Profusion said...

Just love all the layers Alison. Gorgeous piece. Have a lovely weekend. Nicola x

Terry said...

Playing catch up over here! Alison, this is a wonderful burlap panel and all the "Lucky Numbers"
add up to a textural perfection! Love all the details! Enjoy the weekend. Hugs!

Vintagehandmade said...

This is a fabulous piece of art, Alison! I love the layers, the turquoise color and all the details.
Branka xxx

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is lovely, love the flash of turquoise,

Lucy x

Denise said...

Hi :) Just wanted You to know I'm Your newest follower. I found Your steampunk tag about "time machine" on Pinterest and loved it. Followed it to Your blog.I'm in the middle of My first steampunk creation-kind of like a shadowbox in some ways.

Jenny Marples said...

A brilliant layered canvas Alison. Those vintage textures are positively sumptuous! And you scored on getting that rusty wire. Jenny x

Deb said...

Gorgeous Alison, so many beautiful layers and textures and your colour palette is perfect.

pearshapedcrafting said...

What a fabulous panel this is - love all those layers! Great idea to use up an unwanted word band! A great personal touch to this although you made me laugh that you checked your age - last year a few days before my birthday I said to hubby that I felt old getting to 66 - it seems I had been 66 on the last birthday!!! Hugs, Chrisx

Cocofolies said...

Great playtime with numbers on this burlap panel Alison!!! You couldn't have put more lol... :) The result is very beautiful, and I love all the layers and ephemera fragments you have added, gorgeous. Hugs, Coco xx

Hettie said...

This is wonderful Alison. I just love all the layers and the colours.
So you are only a few small years behind me then!!
Hugs
xx

cathylynn said...

Well Alison this sums up another fabulous work of art!!! Lovely colors and textures. Add this to you collection of beauties!!! All puns intended! Have a fabulous day!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Fabulous layers...just wonderful...and so loving the color scheme!

Julie Lee said...

Such a lovely project, Alison. I love those significant numbers! The burlap looks wonderful and your colour choices are - as always - just great! You bring so much joy and inspiration with all you create, Alison. Your enthusiasm for every project is infectious and you always show us something new! I have to confess that ever since crying over learning long division in primary school I've had a kind of phobia of numbers; but this lovely project has made me see a beauty in them. Thank You. xxx

maj. said...

This is gorgeous, such pretty colours and embellies!

Ruth said...

Just love that turquoise colour enhancing all those beautiful neutral shades. Lots of yummy techniques and texture! Gorgeous project...Hugs Ruth x

Ana K. said...

I am totally in love with this piece and its fantastic inspiration for Numbers challenge!!

Margaret said...

Beautiful! I love the worn turquoise piece and how you added your special numbers to this wonderful canvas!

crafty creations said...

Stunning piece Alison - I enjoyed reading how all your numbers fit in - so brilliantly constructed

sarascloset said...

Alison,
So many things to love about this piece. First off, that it speaks of the thankfulness you have for your life! I LOVE that--i WISH WE ALL WOULD CELEBRATE THAT. Second, third, fourth, etc--all those fabulous numbered layers, the color!!!!, the texture, the splatters (LOVE!) and the RUST! Absolutely a treasure, all of it! Thank you for your celebration here! Hugs!

Mrs.B said...

Absolutely adore this piece Alison, love how you've made it so personal to you too.
Avril xx

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Lovely, lovely texture and I like the little pop of colour here and there. I especially love that you included numbers which represent your life.
Wishes
Lynne

Anke said...

F*A*N*T*A*S*T*I*C*

Wonderful project, Alion.

Hugs
Anke

Unknown said...

Hi Alison! I'm sorry I haven't been by--it's not you, it's me!! :) Totally :) :) Just a little busy behind the scenes (nudge nudge-wink wink), but I've been seeing your creations whiz by and I'm loving everything!! This very special layered number project that you've created for AVJ is FANTASTIC! It hits home with me as I share the significance of 46, too :) :) I just Love this!! :) XOXO-Shari

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow truly stunning, gorgeous burlap canvas, the browns with lots of blues and pops of white look fantastic. Happy Art :-) Kezzy xxx

Marjie Kemper said...

This is such a gorgeous collaged canvas, Alison! Love your color scheme and the importance of your significant numbers. A beauty!

Mary Elizabeth said...

So many fun layers here. By the way, I've been meaning to comment on the rusty wire in other pieces. I just keep forgetting to do so with other amazing things to talk about. And now I know who keeps supplying you with it. I need to find someone around here to keep it in stock!!! 46 had significance for me a couple of years ago. I forget my age too ... odd that. Wish I could have played along with this challenge ... numbers are dear friends of mine. ME