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...

Wednesday 19 August 2015

The adventure begins...




Hello all!  I'm gradually making my way round catching up with you all - if you haven't seen hide nor hair of me yet, I'm sorry, and I will get there!!  I'm glad you enjoyed waiting in the lamplight with Lili Marlene in the meantime - nothing wrong with a little romance now and then, eh?


Today I'm back to share my take on Tim Holtz's fabulous inspiration tag for August, and this time it's the romance of childhood nostalgia.


I stuck pretty closely to the techniques, so you can't do better than check out Tim's own tutorial for how it was all done.


I've been using Hickory Smoke again - I particularly love how it echoes the colour tones in the Idea-ology ephemera and the photos, as well as the pewter metal pieces.







In any case, I had a lovely time selecting adventurous travel words and juggling them onto the tag.  I've used the Script thinlits rather than the block lettering.  And my background paper also captures the world travel theme - it's from the Correspondence paper stash.






I couldn't resist having another little play with the colours I used on my Lost Lives tag.  It's a combination of three of the new Distress Colours - Twisted Citron, Mermaid Lagoon and the to-die-for Hickory Smoke.




And when it came to adding medium over the top of my inky colours, I dabbed it on with some paper towel rather than applying with the brush, which meant I could preserve a little more of the colour separation.




It also gives a great stippled texture to the finished background.  It's deliciously tactile!







Something always happens to my insides when I work with siblings - and these two are no exception.  I love the quiet determination in the brother's face, and that reassuring arm around his little sister's shoulders.












His sailor suit is adorable - absolutely the fashion of the time for small children - and perfect for setting forth on the journey through life.












She doesn't look quite as confident about the journey ahead - perhaps she knows that life's adventures are unlikely to unfold quite as smoothly for a girl as for a boy.


The butterfly comes from the Thrift Shop Ephemera pack and I love him (wish there was a whole packet of butterflies!), but I'm even more pleased with the other bits of ephemera.









They come from the new Idea-ology Pocket Cards.  I just got them and I'm delighted with them.  They come printed with all sorts of Tim images and designs, and in several sizes - so there's always one just right for what you need.  So useful and so many in the packet...!

So the clock is cut from one of the Pocket Cards and so is the postcard tab.



The little postcard at the top is also cut from one of the Pocket Cards and, as Tim did, I've added some extra rub-ons.

The smallest version of these postcards (there's a whole card of them) will be making its way to my mother's dollshouse museum, Small Worlds - they're the perfect size for cutting up and leaving on hallstands and tables in some of the houses there.











The pen nib is there so that either or both of our siblings can record the story of their travels in their memoirs!













Mushroom alcohol ink has become a must-use colour since Tim mentioned it in one of his CHA videos a while back - love how it mutes and ages the metal so subtly.





My stamping and edging is done in Hickory Smoke ink and Distress Paint - an altogether softer, smokier look than Tim's grungy black... I just wasn't in a grungy sort of mood, and you have to follow your heart.










For the topping I've used my current favourite combination - some crinkle ribbon, some linen ribbon and a twist of Prima's wired thread.  You saw it on the Lili Marlene tag, and it's coming up again soon on an exciting little extra I'm squeezing into my schedule (I know - what a tease!).










And so the adventure begins...  I wish this sibling pair well on their journey through life. 

And I wish a huge vote of thanks to Tim for another amazing inspirational tag.












I had so much fun with this.  It's particularly nice, when I'm so busy, to have the guidelines already laid down, so that I can just play without having to think too much.  Tim's already done all the hard work!








Thanks to you too for dropping by today, and I hope you're all having a lovely week.

I'd like to enter this as my August tag in Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2015

I'd also like to share it at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge where they're looking for Citrus With a Twist - well, I've used Twisted Citron, and I've also got my twisty twirly thread in the topping, so I hope that will do!

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.
Eleanor Roosevelt

50 comments:

Matilde said...

Magnificent!!!

Julia Aston said...

Wonderful job on Tim's tag - love your suggestion of dabbing the sealant over the colors - I've ruined two tries when they just smush all the colors together like mud! Beautiful layering of ephemera over the sweet sibblings! I'll have to have another go at Tim's tag now!! Julia xx

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

REALLY awesome!!!

Fliss said...

What an absolute stunner Alison and love all the little details on your creation. Such lovely colours too.
Fliss xx

Terry said...

Oh this is delicious, Alison! I soooooooo lovvvvvvvvve your soft and gorgeous take on Tim's tag for August! The kids look adorable! Love this! Hugs!

barbarayaya62 said...

Stunning tag! Colors are perfect, design is wonderful, adorable tag! BArbarayaya

Helen said...

I love everything about this tag! I must get some of those thinlet words!

chrissie said...

Very beautiful post and tag to match the sentiments in the post.

Love your words today an so relevant for me at the moment.

Hug

Sending hope for new and exciting experiences your way

Love Chrissie xx

Lauren Hatwell said...

Beautiful and brilliant take on Tim's tag. Lx

Chrissy said...

Brilliant tag Alison..love the cute pair and the sentiment is perfect for them..I love the die cut background,,very effective..gorgeous.

luv CHRISSYxx

Redanne said...

You chose a fabulous combination of colours and well done for preserving them. The siblings are adorable and I love the story you tell about them - his sailor suit is just wonderful. A fantastic take on Tim's tag Alison! Anne xxx

sam21ski said...

Loving all those white splashes x

Meggymay said...

A gorgeous tag, love the adorable vintage children and the story you added and the quote for their journey as it begins.
Yvonne xx

Sue said...

This is really beautiful Alison, you do this so well. Those thinlits make a wonderful background! Sorry I've not been around for a while, it's really good to be back! Sue xx

rachel said...

absolutely brilliant alison - I love what you have done with this. really gorgeous. Big hugs to you lovely lady! Rachel x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous and beautiful take! LOVE the color and the image you used!

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a great tag!!! I love the way you cut out the words on it, great colours and how lovely the children look!!!

Greetings
Maria

Deborah said...

Fabulous as always, Alison. Can't wait to see your tag for next week's Tag Along - I know it's going to be brilliant!

Nikki Acton said...

Yum! Isn't it a great tag by Tim... I didn't think I liked it until I did it. You have done it brilliantly and wonderful embellishing. Just realised I forgot the splattering, lol! Must post to blogger too, lol! Nikki x

selena said...

j adore, c est superbe!

craftytrog said...

Absolutely gorgeous, love the colours of course 😉 xxx

Candy C said...

Alison...this is absolutely beautiful! I love your color combo and the white dabbing with the paper towel. Your siblings are so cute and you have really given them such a wonderful background! I love how your have collaged the ephemera around them. A perfect combination of paper, metal and paints!

Sandy said...

And yes the adventure begins - for good or bad in happy days and sad. I hope you don't mind if I just write what crosses my mind. I do get so tired of saying the same things over and over. You know I really like what you do - it seems as if I have been following you for ages. You would think I would learn something!!!!
Sandy xx

Paper Profusion said...

What a gorgeous pair in this delighful piece of nostalgia. Beautiful tag Alison! Nicola x

Dorthe said...

Your background is gorgeous, with all the words, from the thinlitz ,and looks so great with the colours you chose .
The sweet siblings wayting for something good to happen, and your ink treated metal pieces, are gorgeous together. Love the letter and pennip, and the whole tag, Alison !!
Dorthe, OOX

Willy said...

What a beautiful tag, love it!!

Unknown said...

Awesome tag! Love the colors!

A Pink said...

Absolutely fabulous take on Tims tag! Alison . I love how you have changed it up and your narrative as always was a pleasure to read and gives your tag and everything you have used to create it real meaning . A very worthy winner - good luck xx

Deb said...

Beautiful as always Alison, love the use of the script dies on the background and your colour palette, great combination! Wonderful theme as well showcasing that adorable image, thanks so much for sharing your lovely Tim tag! Deb xo

Meihsia Liu said...

Your tag is so beautiful. I love the pretty colors and great texture. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)

Evelyn Walter said...

Your tag is really wonderful, Alison! I really love the image you used and the new colours of distress inks are adorable! Beautiful work as usual!
xxx Evelyn

experiments in paper said...

Oh my goodness - this is absolutely wonderful!! I LOVE your images, especially that little girl! And your talent with these colors continues to shine through.....fantastic! xxx Lynn

toni said...

A wonderful take on the August tag Alison! Lovely images and gorgeous colour combo. Hope all is good with you ! Toni xx

Julia said...

A very beautiful example August Tim tag. The childhood theme is so very nostalgic, great images and wonderful textures. I so enjoy reading your blog posts.
Julia

toni said...

Hi again Alison just popped back to say that you have won the erasers I mentioned in my Cheap as Chips DIY stamps post, over at Stamps and Stencils. If you would like to email me your address I will get them in the post to you. Enjoy the weekend ! Toni xx

Hazel Agnew said...

This is totally delicious and urges me to get back to die cutting! Love the Hickory Smoke too and your combination of toppers with the ribbons and wires, finishes it off a treat! Xx

Jackie PN said...

Gosh I so love that background Alison! You always have the yummiest places prepared to add your characters and elements!! I love this tag as much as I love all of your work! ") xo

pearshapedcrafting said...

This is fabulous Alison! The colours of course are beautiful, the lovely image and the way you have added the embellishments and ephemera are just perfect! Chrisx

Unknown said...

So fabulous! I love your version! Your choices are exceptionally good and the final result is smashing! Xx

Margik said...

Hi Alison! Your tag is wonderful with great texture and beautiful colours, and I love the adorable images too. Great take on Tim's challenge! Thank you for following me and for your kind comments. I am already your blog fallower.
Mar xx

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

I gasped when I saw this!! Literally gasped (in the best way possible)! It is stunning and had so much soul to it! it made me feel the sense of adventure you portrayed and I love the protective way these two cuties are setting off to see the world together. Art that makes me feel something has my utmost respect and that's one of the reasons I always enjoy seeing your work. It's food for both the eyes and the heart (if that makes sense). Thanks for sharing such a lovely creation!

Anna-Karin said...

This is so pretty!! Love the colours, images and textures. I hope to get time for the August tag, since I missed both June and July.

sally said...

Love the combinations you've used on this month's tag!

Sally

Brenda Brown said...

This has everything in it - colour, texture, interest, vintage, ephemera and lots of love. Beautiful xxx

SewPaperPaint said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your commentary on this process! Made it so much more pleasing to know what you were thinking with each individual element. What a joy! Love your tag and seeing the great variety with this technique. TFS!

Mary Elizabeth said...

I am so in love with this color combo. Wow!! The script thinlits are fantastic. Really great background. And of course I adore the siblings that you chose. I hope that Tim takes your advice and makes a whole ephemera pack of butterflies!! Love this. Great take on Tim's tag. -- ME

Unknown said...

Oh, love your take on Tim's tag this month, Alison!! Sorry I'm so tardy with being by, too :) It's not because I don't love you!! :) :) I really like how you maintained the colors in the background--great tip! All of your ephemera layers are lovely and, of course, I love your paint splatters!! ;) :) Good luck over at the challenges, Alison!! XOXO-Shari

Etsuko said...

Awesome tag!! and lovely design. xx

Mrs.B said...

Rainy afternoon - perfect for a catch up! Love this tag, it's a wonderful take on the original. Gorgeous colour and such a sweet image.
Avril xx

Ruth said...

Beautiful tag....lots of splashes, texture and detail, sad to say I'm so far behind I haven't seen the original yet! Gorgeous work as always Alison. Ruth x