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 1 May 2015

Spring Tim(e) Colours!





Hello all!  It's time for a new challenge on A Vintage Journey, and the amazing Astrid would like to see as many Spring Colours as possible.

Remember we are a Tim Holtz-inspired challenge so although you don't have to use his products, we would like to hear from you how he has inspired your project - whether that's through ideas, techniques or (of course) products too.

As always, my fantastic team-mates have created some inspirational projects - do hop over and check them out, along with the challenge details and our Travelling Instructions - and here's my offering for you this month.

It's another of those ones that started in one direction and ended up somewhere else, but probably all the better for the discarded layers underneath!





It's a 7x5 canvas, and I started out spritzing it with my favourite spring colours - the vivid green of new leaf growth and the fresh blue of the sky.  Over that, I embossed the Papillon text in Seafoam White and added more powder around the edges for a distressed look...

And then I gesso'd over the whole lot and started again.  I don't know - I just wasn't feeling it!











Instead, I applied texture paste through the wonderful Blossom stencil (my other favourite thing about spring is blossom).  You can see colour is seeping through from underneath... no problem, it's not like I dislike those colours!













I spritzed that with various Distress Sprays - Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon Squeezed Lemonade (for some sunshine)... others too, I'm sure.








I sprayed the same colours onto some paper and cut that with the Birds in Flight Decorative Strip Die.








They're stamped with Tim's Tiny Words stamps.  Now they can soar and sing amid the treetops.














There's lots of shading around the birds, done using a combination of Distress Markers, pastel pencils, Inktense pencils and even the odd Copic Marker.









And I also added shadings of Fresco paints to the textured blossoms in the background.  There's some Zesty Zing in there, and probably some South Pacific and Southern Skies.

I was really enjoying the blues and greens, but the whole thing needed some paler highlights and some more of the dappled spring sunlight that I love.










On the way in to work I was looking out of the train window and admiring the glorious tree blossoms in all the gardens.  White is my favourite, so the next time I was at the craft table I decided to add some white accents.












The little wooden hearts have had a coat of white paint and then a couple of coats of UTEE.











That gives them not only a glossy reflective surface, throwing light around, but also a touch of domed dimension.












The WordBand has Distress Paint tinting the lettering, and then a coat of Glossy Accents so that it can catch the sunlight too.













It's attached with a large crinkle ribbon bow - a touch of extravagance to mark the excitement of new spring growth.














Obviously there had to be plenty of spatter...













And all of this also "falls" over the sides of the canvas too, of course.

So there you have my Spring Colours canvas.





Do hop over to A Vintage Journey to see what my lovely team-mates have been creating, and we hope you'll be inspired to play along with us this month.


Remember there's a prize voucher from our generous sponsor Country View Crafts, and you might be one of our Pinworthies at the end of the month.  Can't wait to see your Spring Colours!

The month of May was come, when every lusty heart beginneth to blossom, and to bring forth fruit.
Thomas Malory

This is the last day to add your name to the hat on my GIVEAWAY - hurry, hurry, hurry!  I'll include all comments left before 23.59 1st May UK time (my blog is an hour ahead of that, as it runs on European time, so don't panic if your comment seems to be an hour late - I'll take that into account!).

54 comments:

S@ndy Diller said...

The colours are so lovely Alison, I would expect nothing less than perfect from you and you have certainly delivered.

massofhair said...

WOW Alison how fab is your spring canvas! The blossom stencil you used is just gorgeous and your picture builds from this beautifully.

Always in awe of your projects, you are an inspiration! :-) xxx

Julia Aston said...

Love the blue/green colors on this lovely canvas Alison! We're all loving this wonderful blossom stencil! The white hearts and ribbon add a lovely contrast to this! hugs, Julia xx

Helen said...

This is one of my favourites, in 'your' colours, it's beautiful.

chrissie said...

Fantastic Alison. I love the stencil and the birds.

Have a great day

Love Chrissie xx

sally said...

Swallows swooping through a blossom filled sky....such a cool canvas Alison!

Sally

Deb said...

Beautiful as always Alison! I think we were channeling a similar muse for this challenge, my canvas that will be ' debuted ' later this month has some of the same elements and colours ☺ The soft greens, blues and white always speak of Spring to me as well. I adore your swooping swallows, so lovely!

Astrid Maclean said...

Love, love, love the background you created Alison, a stunning canvas altogether!!

SiódmyAnioł said...

Beautiful canvas. Wonderful colors :)

Jenny Marples said...

So, so beautiful! I love the gentle look to this and the way the birds flutter gently across the canvas. Jenny x

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Elegant and beautiful Alison,you really are an expert at using that colour palette,another stunner :)
Big hugs
Donna xxx

Shirley said...

Great step by step as to how you created such a beautiful background Alison. Beautiful canvas.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Hettie said...

Simply stunning Alison...well, not quite "simply" but you get my drift!!
Hugs
xx

rachel said...

beautiful work Alison - really love the colours on this piece and the bird diecuts look amazing - just gorgeous - hope you are having a lovely day - hugs rachel x

Jackie PN said...

Gorgeous as always Alison! Your colors make me swoon! xoxo

Kelly said...

I am so behind with you Alison and I admire your work as it comes in on Bloglovin. You are so talented and make gorgeous things for us to enjoy. Love it!!
Hugs Kelly

Maelchen said...

Ok, ok... I know, I am too late, dear Alison... But as you know, people tend to think they can manage in the last minute, heehee... Anyway, that's not why I am here (although I would have loved to join your lottery... Missed it, be it so... Next time I will be in time!) I am here, first of all because I wish to thank you once again for your generous and detailed how-to on this beautiful piece of art, again! And then, I wanted to surprize you with a little snail-mail card I crafted for you. BUT I was sooo eagerly cleaning my mail-box that I must have emptied it together with your address... Would you please be so kind and send it to me again? My e-mail is: M.Buisset@gmx.de. Thanks my dear, and have a beautiful and creative weekend!
Hugs from Manu

Pamellia said...

Gorgeous Alison!! I love all the wonderful blues and greens together, it's such a dreamy spring combo! The flower stencil works so well with your flock of birds, you really created a spring scene that jumps off the canvas! hugs :)

Dorthe said...

Alison, how lovely!
I love your birds, singing and dancing through the air, and the beautiful flowers- great that you make them "fall" over the edge. The hearts in white looks adorable,on the seagreen coloured background!!
Hugs,Dorthe

Amanda said...

Utterly beautiful Alison a beautiful canvas in everyway, trademark Butterfly
Love
Amanda x

Meggymay said...

A beautiful canvas Alison, love how you changed your mind and went in another direction. It was a super 'how to' post.
Yvonne xx

Juliz Design Post said...

A delicious mix of Spring colours with stunning results. A beautiful canvas.
Julie x

Redanne said...

Absolutely stunning, very 'you' colours! Hugs, Anne xx

Unknown said...

Very pretty Alison. A great reminder that all the birds are returning and looking for their nesting spots again! j.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Oh man...super use of the stencil and paste! LOVE this canvas and all the birds!

Paper Profusion said...

Wow - this pops with joy and action! So beautiful! Nicola x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous canvas Alison, loving those blue and green tones, one of my favourite palettes. Love the embossed flowers and added birds and the fact you carried the design around the sides of the canvas. Gorgeous . Tracy x

craftytrog said...

Such a beautiful Spring canvas Alison! x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful canvas Alison ! Love the colours and the line of hearts. Sue C x

Fliss said...

Really gorgeous Spring canvas Alison and love all the little details on there.
Fliss xx

Cocofolies said...

Hi Alison, time for a bit of catch-up on your blog.. Sorry to have deserted a bit your beloved blog, I'm totally overwhelmed in this moment, with a personal project to build up, and also need to keep some time to craft myself! :)
Your textured canvas is so gorgeous!!!! Wonderful addition of the birds and little embossed hearts.. Wow! Hugs, Coco xxx (and wishing you a very happy belated birthday by the way!)

sam21ski said...

WOW you have the patience of a saint with all those birds - they look good though xxx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Such a wonderful mix of spring colours Alison and all those wonderful textures. I always love the way you mix so many wonderful blues and greens - I have tried! A fabulous canvas and such a great interpretation of the current challenge. Jennie x

Lys said...

Blues and greens always perfectly blended in your hands... Thanks for sharing the process.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Alison! These colours are you! I know you use other colours but the way you work your magic with them is stunning! This is a fabulous way to celebrate Spring! Chrisx

Unknown said...

Beautiful Spring Colors canvas, Alison!! You've captured the colors I see the most of, here in the mountains of North Idaho, lots of blues and greens! YAY-Winter really is over! :) And those wonderful soaring swallows--They have returned to our area for the season, too!! How did you know :) :) This is a stellar creation for the challenge this month, Alison! XOXO-Shari

Kirsten said...

Stunning! Adding the white accents was a great idea.

Inkypinkycraft said...

gorgeous colours and love all those delicate details you have added x

Donna Ellis said...

FABULOUS design and such wonderful textures, layers and colors!

Chris said...

A beautiful spring canvas Alison and such gorgeous richness in those layers of colour, just love the touch of white you added and that pretty ribbon too. Chris x

Terry said...

Alison, this is one stunning canvas! As always I love your colors and the birds looks so lovely against that great blossom texture! Love your canvas!

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Gorgeous Canvas and the colours are perfect. Love it, Angela x

maj. said...

This is so beautiful. What a great background, such a nice colors!!!

Unknown said...

Love seeing how you built up the layers on your beautiful project Alison. It definitely says spring! xx

Mrs.B said...

Stunning canvas, love the colours and textures.
Avril xx

experiments in paper said...

FABULOUS!! Love everything about this, including the fact that there is another layer underneath contributing :-) Using that die for your birds was brilliant, and I am in love with your stenciling. Wonderful make! xxx Lynn

barbarayaya62 said...

Stunning absolutely stunninig! You are so talented, this piece is rich, vibrant and full of wonderful technique! your use of texture paste is fabulous! barbarayaya

May said...

Gorgeous work Alison, I adore the colours & Amazing texture...I adore all the techniques you used... Hugs May x x

Julie Lee said...

Such a beautiful canvas, Alison. I love that birds die and your colour palette is so vibrant and spring-like - a breath of fresh air. I'm really behind in commenting again. Exam time is upon us so lots of tutoring going on!xxx

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is gorgeous, Alison; I love that glossy accented word ban!

Lucy x

Ruth said...

Beautiful colours and texture, especially love the splattered birds flying across at an angle. Ruth xx

sarascloset said...

So late! But I'm here! and so happy to be looking at your lovely spring canvas! My word, this is just so pretty! You had me at the textured blossoms followed with gesso. It is wonderful that you took us through your steps....so inspiring!

Mary Elizabeth said...

I can see how the Distress Sprays are so versatile. Thanks for taking us through your process. I know what it's like when you are "just not feeling it". We rarely get to see that aspect of creativity on each others blog. It's great to see someone else roll with where the creative tide takes them. I commented earlier about your use of white on later project. Projects can sometime get too saturated with color. The white hearts and lovely white ribbon gives does something for my psyche here. I can't put it in words, but it's really good whatever it is:) -- ME

Mary Elizabeth said...

Sorry for all the typos. I'm not proofing my comments. So you are kind of getting a mish-mash of words throughout my journey :)