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...

Tuesday 29 September 2015

Wilted Violet Moments

Hello all!  Yup, I'm squeezing another post in before the month is out... (It's been a busy few days - there's Steampunk balloon trip, a journalling face of my own, and a Bird Crazy caterpillar picnic to see if you've missed any of them.)

This time it was another irresistible bit of playtime.  I was uncertain about Wilted Violet when it bobbed up this month, not being much of a purple-type.  But on the occasions when I dip in to Seedless Preserves or Dusty Concord I do enjoy myself, so I thought I would give it a go...


Oh dear... it seems Tim knows me better than I know myself - I loved playing with it!  There have been some bolder colour experiments here lately, so maybe I shouldn't be so surprised.





I used the Wilted Violet with my two favourite new colours, Ground Espresso and Hickory Smoke (with a touch of Rusty Hinge thrown in right at the end) and I love the results.












What I found was a connection to the slight melancholy which always overtakes me at this time of year - and these colours really seemed to express it for me beautifully.









Don't get me wrong, I do love autumn, but it always feels like a time of farewells to me; a winding-down, a softening, a transition to the next state.






I'm sharing these two tags together, since I love the light and shade of them, and the subtlety of the shifting colour tones between the two.







The smaller one is actually done on a wooden tag.  I used up some leftover Fresco Chalk paint on it recently and it's been sitting on the table waiting for some more action.








I did a bit of wrinkle-free distressing using Hickory Smoke and Ground Espresso (this is before the Wilted Violet was even announced, I think!).  The pale painted background means you get a really soft subtle effect with the inks.












I stamped the flowers in Ground Espresso and clear embossed them and then used a wash of Chalk again to give them a bit more presence - and that's where the tag stalled awaiting further inspiration.












That arrived in the shape of the Wilted Violet.  Hickory Smoke does have a slightly purply tone to it once it's dry, and so it was crying out to play with the new colour when it got here.













I wanted to use rusty wire to fasten on my WordBand, so I decided a bit of Rusty Hinge would add a helpful warm tone to echo the wire.












I used the Distress Marker to add the colour and a water brush to soften and shade it.  And in places I used some Quin Gold too.













I used it both on the flowers and around the edges of the tag where there was already some clear-embossed Ground Espresso in action.













And there's more rusty wire to complete the simple topping of crinkle ribbon.













The darker tag is probably my favourite of the two (and a current favourite overall, possibly).













I put Hickory Smoke, Ground Espresso and Wilted Violet Distress Stains onto my craft mat and smooshed them onto the tag repeatedly until I liked the look of it.














It was whispering "autumn" to me quite loudly, so I grabbed some wild meadow grasses and layered them on.














They're stamped in Wilted Violet or Ground Espresso or a combination of the two and some are clear-embossed afterwards, though not all of them.














The birds are taking flight, making good their escape to warmer climes.












I've always loved this sentiment - both the thought and the delicate font.  I've only had the small version until now... very happy that this is the first outing for its larger cousin (one of my very few wood-mounted stamps - an indulgence).












It's stamped in Versamark and embossed in Vanilla White so that it pops against the background.

But then I needed one of my ivory card matted backgrounds to complete the look - so that the pale text had a "partner in crime" to echo it.













Again, a simple topping of crinkle ribbon and rusty wire... this tag really pleases me.








I hope you like the pair of them.  I've already been in action again with the Wilted Violet, but you'll have to wait a few days to see what I came up with.  Purple as a new favourite colour... who knew?!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I hope to see you again soon, either here or elsewhere in Craftyblogland.

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
From Warning by Jenny Joseph

Be eccentric now.  Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
Regina Brett







With the birds spiralling towards warmer climes, I'd like to go Up, Up And Away With A Twist (the twist being autumn colours) at Stamps and Stencils

With paints, inks, embossing powders and rusty wire on paper and on wood, I'd like to offer both tags to the Love to Create challenge in their regular Anything Mixed Media/Creative Goes theme

And the pair of tags form my second entry in Anything Goes with Autumn Colours at Mixed Media World

53 comments:

Helen said...

What a gorgeous pair of tags!! I haven't bought all of the new distress colours yet, think I may have to get hold of both the violet and expresso!! Love the clear embossing on your wildflowers.

selena said...

ils sont magnifiques, j adore les couleurs

Lauren Hatwell said...

Evil Temptress! Now see what you've done! I'M not really a purple girl either, but I LOVE Hickory Smoke and Espresso AND I love, love, LOVE your gorgeous tags. What's a girl to do? I may have to scamper over to my nearest craft emporium and avail myself asap.... I hope you're happy ;oD Lx

chrissie said...

Fabulous tags with lots of wonders to admire. The colours are wonderful and the embossing here and there just adds to the beauty. It shows that you really enjoyed making these Alison

Love Chrissie xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Both are lovely, but the darker one is definitely my favourite too! I have been tossing up as to whether to get that wilted violet, I am still not really convinced, - is it really that different from Dusty Concord???? The combo on your tag is certainly stunning though.....

Cestina said...

Love both of them, especially the darker.

And oh the quotes!
xx

brenda said...

Having a really quick catch up as not been able to blog for the last week so sorry for lack of visits but a great work as always Alison.

B x

Lucy Edmondson said...

I totally adore these tags, Alison! Those colours are glorious, and the quote and the font!

Lucy x

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Wow Alison, yes I think that one with the white writing is my favourite too and now you've made me want to rush out and add the wilted violet to my collection! I'm thrilled you've joined us over at MMW.....a little sprinkle of stardust ;)
Hugs
Donna xxx

Juliz Design Post said...

These are gorgeous Alison and the colours are lush together. I didn't think I needed Wilted Violet but you have proved me wrong !
Julie x

Candy C said...

Such beautiful tags, Alison! I have never really been a purple fan but you are helping it grow on me! Haha. But then, I love everything that you do!

Terry said...

Wow, these tags are gorgeous! I love the violet colors and neutral tones. Alison, the coloring of the flowers is pure bliss! Love these! Hugs!

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh yes, I love how you added the earthiness needed to this color! Beautiful combo and fantastic imagery! Love this!

Evelyn Walter said...

Oh, Alison, what wonderful tags you made! I love how you used the purple tones, you should really use them more ;).
I´m a bit behind commenting your posts (you where busy this month), but I had so much to do last time, I only dropped in here without commenting, sorry.
xxx Evelyn

Julia Aston said...

You are a master at color mix Alison - what beautiful tags you have created here - one soft and one bold using the same colors - thanks for all your details! Julia xx

Gitte said...

Beautiful.

Mrs.B said...

Love the different shades you've achieved with the Wilted Violet on the 2 tags Alison. It's one of my favourite quotes too, looks wonderful stamped in white against the darker background.
Avril xx

Lisa Minckler said...

I know how blues and browns make you so happy, but my goodness, does purple and brown with white embossing look FANTASTIC!! Now that was such a fun post to read. Loooooove that rusty wire to bits.
hugs,
Lisa x

Willy said...

Beautiful tags, love the rusty look!!

Amanda said...

Beautiful Alison. It's the first distress colour I haven't bought but like you maybe I was wrong. Great showcase of the new colour that I will probably buy now.
Love
Amanda x

Sandy said...

Okay, Okay! You delight us with your fun loving wacky side and then you flood us with your more serious beautiful side which we have known for some time! Alison - you are so much fun - I WANT to see more of your wackiness and fun side. You know Halloween is coming and that's always a great time to let it all hang out!!!! What's a few tomb stones between friends and you all have such wonderful cemeteries . Such an inspiring place to visit especially this time of year!!!!!
Sandy xx

Connie Mercer said...

gorgeous tags!

Corrie Herriman said...

I am not much of a purple person either but these vintage looking tags are fantastic, Alison ! Love them !
Corrie x

Unknown said...

How do you find the time? :) Your work is a) super-duper stunning and b) continuous to that effect - are you super woman?? Promise I'll keep your secret ;) hehe. Seriously the vintage tones and dreamy purples, with the deep warm browns are so enchanting xx

rachel said...

two really awesome tags Alison - I love how you have used the wilted violet - I think its a glorious colour and have been playing already - although not to such great effect!!! Big hugs rachel xx

Margik said...

Love both wonderful tags, but specially the violet one, the background is magical, and adore those colours, it's really beautiful. And I also love the fabulous quote!!!
Mar xx

craftytrog said...

These are beautiful Alison, the violet is such a pretty colour! x

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Ooooh, I'm loving these purples! Yummylicious tags, hun! xx

Julia said...

Oh my word, the wilted violet looks beautiful. I love purple and love what you have done on these tags.
Julia x

experiments in paper said...

Wow, wow, wow! I love them both, and your colors are absolutely fabulous!! And I'd say purple quite becomes you!! I adore your stamps also, both image and text. Such an inspiration, Alison - as always! xxx Lynn

Anne (cornucopia) said...

These are beautiful!!!

toni said...

Beautiful tags Alison! You are so right about those new colours going so well together. Love the way you have used the embossing powders. Thank you for joining us at Stamps and Stencils. Toni xx

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful tag, love the soft colours and the style. Hugs, Valerie

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! You have certainly used the new colours in a most wonderful way! I managed to get the Ground Espresso and hoping I can find Hickory Smoke and Wilted Violet soon! I love both of these tags although the darker one has that Autumn look! I love Autumn - but then I was a December baby and my birthday always gets lost - with the beautiful Autumn colours I can have an early celebration! ! Love the Jenny Joseph poem - well meaning (younger ) husband bought me the little book! Chrisx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Both tags so different from eachother but both very impressive...you're a real artist Alison!
Greetings, Alie

sally said...

I love the totally different & so complementary results!

Sally

Marci said...

I think they are both gorgeous, in different ways. The lighter one is so subtle and delicate. I would not have thought to use the new purple with brown. Delicious colors and wonderful stamping.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous tags, and love the purple tones!

Dorthe said...

Dear Alison, I`m back again, after having helped my daughter move to another apartment, in Copenhagen, and so behind in commenting.
Your two tags are so beautiful, and the dark one, also something very special, to me... The colours you have mixed are amazingly beautiful together, and with the splasch from the white text ,which makes the background even more kind of mystique and lovely. Looking like the sky turning lavender-dark and the birds flying to find shelter for the coming rain,- and the other, so soft and beautiful simple, with the splasches making the background very interesting, and love the little gold !!
I will be back, to see the other posts I have missed, but for now, I will go to bed :-)
Dorthe, xxoo

Etsuko said...

So gorgeous and so elegant pair of tags!! Is very beautiful brown and purple color scheme. xx

Neet said...

Good job I am working at weekend as I now need to get that Wilted Violet DI. I love those inks and this is such a lovely colour, hope it is as nice in my hands. Thanks for the breakdown of your lovely tags - always a pleasure to visit you.
Hugs, Neet xx

Mona Pendleton said...

Gorgeous tags Alison! Love all the inky goodness and pretty color palette!

Kirsten said...

Two stunning tags. I LOVE Wilted Violet. :)

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Alison, You might well make me take a second look because I also don't care for purple. Then again, my Distress Inks are limited as it is but no, I can see myself re-thinking this colour.
Beautiful tags and the white embossing is perfection with the Wilted Violet.
Wishes
Lynne

Julie Lee said...

I really love the effects on these tags. The darker one is my favourite too. There is something of the violet sunsets that happen in the autumn as the birds make their long journey south. You're right that Autumn is a transition time for so many reasons It is a time of farewells, but of new beginnings too, I think. I have always loved what you create with neutrals and distressing; but I am loving how you're embracing colour too so maybe that is a new Autumn discovery! Your posts are always a delight. xx

Ruth said...

Well I've looked at the photos several times now and I'm loving the violet and espresso...mmmm! Beautiful, beautiful tags love both of them but my eyes keep darting over the darker one and all the lovely distress. Eccentric?....think I've been that a while now!...oh and thanks so much for joining us at Stamps and Stencils. Ruth x

Jackie PN said...

I don't know how I missed these! stunning color that Wilted Violet-although I am partial to purple! Your tags are delish my friend! I love your stamping Alison!!- Always such perfect combo of sentiment and image!
Jackiexo

Unknown said...

Both tags are simply stunning, Alison! I especially love the darker tag with the contrast of the white embossing--Amazing and beautiful! XOXO-Shari

Shirley said...

These tags must be on my all time fave list. Absolutely in love Alison.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Julia S-W said...

Nice to see you briefly at the weekend Alison. These tags are really beautiful and I simply adore the combination of colours which wouldn't have immediately struck me as working. However, they work perfectly and it's projects such as these that make me want to put my paint away and get those inks out!
I'm playing catch up (too much fun to be had elsewhere) so thank you for joining us at Stamps & Stencils. Julia x

Deborah Wainwright said...

Wow wow wow Alison! I'm in love with both these tags. The colours are so me, my fav shades ever. Perfect! thanks for playing along with us at MMW hugs Debs X

Unknown said...

I am in love with this colour combo!!! I've made a mental note! Thank you for the wonderful gift of inspiration! Love your tags!! Love them both! Thank you very much for sharing it with us at Mixed Media World! Ingrid X

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Wilted violet really spoke to me when it came up. I decided I don't have to own it. I can just be happy that it exists and that I can admire what folks make with this. This are wonderful tags!! I too like the darker one better. I had (still have some?) a paper crafting kit that had these colors, the splotches, and the weeds. Great stuff.