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 15 October 2015

Never Doubt Your Instinct




Hello all, I'm so glad you enjoyed the Autumnal ATBs over at Calico Crafts.

Today I'm back with my second piece for Country View Challenges this month, hoping to inspire you to Add Some Texture.

I'm always adding some texture, so I loved Jennie's challenge this month.  From the many fantastic entries rolling in, it seems you do too!

There's been lots of extra inspiration over at the Country View Challenges blog all month, and there's still plenty of time to play, so do come and get textural with us.

My second offering continues in the autumnal atmosphere which has been hovering over Words and Pictures lately, and this time I've gone really earthy.  Ground Espresso is responsible really - it's such a rich, dark, earthy colour and it plays the starring role here.




I don't seem to have any process photos for this one - I was just playing and not really thinking it would go anywhere I think - but it's pretty simple.

I started with one of my favourite backgrounds... a PaperArtsy Fresco weathered crackle with French Roast (good for Ground Espresso!), then crackle glaze, and then Chalk over the top.









I stamped the gorgeous vintage tulip from PaperArtsy Hot Picks 1507 in Sepia Archival.  (You've seen the large tulip from the same set in action quite often here recently, especially if you were at Ally Pally, but I think this was my first time of inking up the small one.)

I applied Micro Glaze over the image, keeping it loose and rough so that it wouldn't be too perfect.










Then, with my heart slightly in my mouth, I smooshed the tag through some Ground Espresso, Pumice Stone and Hickory Smoke Distress Stains on the craft mat.

I shouldn't have worried... the Micro Glaze did its job beautifully, preserving the image, while allowing the inks to pool and spot around it.






I carried on with the wrinkle free distress technique, adding several more layers of inky dabbing and smooshing for a really grungy look.

I love the collage effect of the Hot Picks image with these great numbers around the bulb of the flower.











To add some more dimensional texture, I borrowed an idea from my recent Destination Inspiration post over at A Vintage Journey - the rusty textured floor from my spooky Victorian parlour room.











I ran some dark brown Kraft-Core through the BigShot with the Mixed Media Thinlits lattice die, and then added tiny sprinkles of Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo Distress embossing powders as well as a touch of Ranger Antiquities Rust powder.







The words are from the Small Talk stickers.  They were a bit of a self-pep-talk as I was really enjoying the dark grungy brown look, but wondering whether I ought to add a contrasting colour or element.

I went looking for words while I debated, and these just leapt out at me.  I took it as a sign that I should stick to my monochrome guns.









With all this grungy rustiness, I couldn't resist an extra hit of rusty wire wrapped around the crinkle ribbons for the topping...













... and wrapped around the tag itself.  Can't beat a bit of rusty texture!












A tulip is, of course, a spring flower... but through the winter the bulb holds the blueprint deep in the earth, so this is like a ghostly echo of the flower which won't appear for many months yet.

I hope you'll be inspired to Add Some Texture at Country View Challenges this month.  Come and play along and you'll be in with a chance at the randomly drawn prize voucher from Country View Crafts.  I hope we'll see you there soon.






The true worth of a man is not to be found in man himself, but in the colours and textures that come alive in others.
Albert Schweitzer

Find it at Country View Crafts:
PaperArtsy Hot Picks 1507
PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics - French Roast, Chalk and Crackle Glaze
Ranger Distress Stains - Ground Espresso, Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke
Ranger Archival Ink - Sepia
Sizzix Mixed Media Thinlits
Idea-ology Small Talk Stickers
Distress Embossing Powder - Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain
Idea-ology Crinkle Ribbon
Tim Holtz Kraft-Core 

52 comments:

Helen said...

This is fabulous- love the idea of your ghost tulip! Had forgotten about this challenge, but must try and find time to enter.

froebelsternchen said...

That's a dream tag Alison! Adorable effects!

brenda said...

As always a super creative piece of artwork Alison, loving the earthy colours.

B x

Nikki Acton said...

Love the combination of the crackled background with the wrinkle free on top! Super grungy... So much depth. Xxx

chrissie said...

Love the words today Alison. Also love the tag with it's beautiful image and great use of the wire.

Love Chrissie xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Well, you may not enjoy Autumn so much but this tag has given me a different view of the season. ..I see the end of Summer in this. The colours are indeed beautiful and I love all texture you have created. Hugs, Chrisx ps isn't ground espresso great?

Margik said...

This is a fantastic tag with great techniques, Alison. Love the lattice, the rusty textured is fabulous.
I really like the quote!
Mar xx

Deborah Wainwright said...

Love your Tag so the texturally grungily lovely. I also love the idea of a ghost tulip. Looks amazing Alison xxx

Cocofolies said...

Hi Alison, cannot resist to hop over on your blog at last (so sorry for the delay), and admiring A LOT this gorgeous textured tag... A big wow from me as usual!!! Love all the details, and your how-to... I'm going to read your post also at the Vintage Journey to see what you made for the floor in your spooky victorian parlour room if I have not seen it yet.
Will also certainly catch-up with your other previous makes, but a bit later I think, I'm so busy.
Hugs, Coco xxx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Fab tag Alison and shows off textures so perfectly too ;)
Hugs
Donna xxx

crafty-stamper said...

Fantastic tag love the ghostly Tulip idea and fabulous rusty textured lattice die and the added rusty wire -definitely inspired
Carol x

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Beautiful earthy and rusty tones! I love the rusty lattice die cut and the background treatment is fantastic...looks like a chip from a tree bark! So real.

Terry said...

Oh I love the brown earthy tones! Such a great feeling of nature and I love the tulip with the added lattice texture. Gorgeous! Hugs!

Sandy said...

You are such a lady Alison -- You say "Never doubt your instinct" and I say "follow your gut"! But I must admit your instincts are wonderful sometime I feel a little sick to my stomach. I guess that is why you get paid the big bucks!
sandy xx

Candy C said...

Really pretty, Alison.

craftytrog said...

Great tag Alison! xx

Lauren Hatwell said...

I do love a bit of texture and your tag has it in spades. Love it! Lx

Unknown said...

What an incredible thought - the ghostly echo of a flower - to go with your creation Alison. Wow. I'm just so intrigued by that thought and by your artwork that so perfectly portrays it. Wow. I truly, totally, completely admire this tag - it's stunning and just fabulous in every way. Seriously one of my favorite tags EVER seen.... it just is so inspiring. Makes me want to paint on canvas what you have created here..... wow - the ghostly echo of a flower.... wow. j.

Meggymay said...

Beautiful layers of texture. its a fabulous tag.
Yvonne xx

SewPaperPaint said...

This is so cool! Love this color mix! So funny, but after working on my 12 tags last night I dreamt of distressing the edges of my tags and layering them! Ha! Not what I did, but funny to see this today and remember! ;0 I really love this image and the dies you layered over the corners!

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Love this rusty beauty. Thanks for explaining how you created layers, they are just wonderful!!

Paper Profusion said...

Gorgeously organic Alison and subdued in a good way! Nicola x

Corrie Herriman said...

Love all this rust ! the wire is such a great addition to an already perfect tag !
Corrie x

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Of course the rusty bits make me happy. I really like that thin rusty latticework. Great tag!

Mona Pendleton said...

Gorgeous tag Alison! Love all the texture and inky goodness!

Redanne said...

Great use of the Micro Glaze and the image is fantastic. the lattice die is a great addition I always love it when you use rusty wire in your projects too... Anne xx

rachel said...

this is absolutely gorgeous Alison - i love the rustiness and that flower is awesome - brilliant! Hugs rachel xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful tag Alison, fabulous autumnal hues and beautiful stamping! Love the use of the lattice die, finishes it all off to perfection!

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Sublime colours and texture on this elegant tag.
Wishes
Lynne

Amanda said...

My favourite distress colours at the moment, another fabulous tag
Love
Amanda x

Renee said...

The colors and textures here are amazing!

experiments in paper said...

I am glad you stuck to your monochromatic guns here.....absolutely wonderful tag, and love how the micro glaze works with your wonderful neutral colors (in such a great range of tones!) in the wrinkle free distress. The rusty wire puts this over the top! Love the images - will have to put this PA stamp on my wish list! xxx Lynn

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great project , I love the structure on your card, and the colours are so special , the rusty elements are again an eye catcher, I just love this!!

Greetings
Maria

Jackie PN said...

WOW!!! I really do believe I love your organic looking pieces the best! this is just gorgeous Alison! I mean that! xo

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Striking!!! LOVE the brown tones, LOVE LOVE LOVE the portions of the lattice die! Gorgeous rusted wire too! Just stunning!

Pawsitively Creative said...

Wowzers!ove the rustiness and textural goodness of this wonderful tag! Such an amazeballs creation and gorgeousness! Awesome sauce! ~Niki

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Lovely earth tones on this nice tag Alison!
Have a nice weekend, Alie

hazel said...

This is absolutely amazing, I love it.
xxx Hazel.

Kirsten said...

I love the grungy rustiness, gorgeous tag.

Barbara said...

Alison !!! You've done it again!! This is an incredible project! you are the queen of natural tones! I admire your talent to create with these soft colors! Wonderful as always! Barbarayaya

Evelyn Walter said...

Wonderful tag, dear Alison! I love earthy tones you´ve chosen, beautiful autumnal!
Have a nice sunday!
xxx Evelyn

Unknown said...

Loving the rustic hue of this tag, the elements all come together in gorgeous harmony xx

Gio said...

Only you can get this wonderful reesult with such a limited palette. So elegant and classy. Love love it!

Dorthe said...

Beautiful monochrome Alison, the stamps are so wonderful, both tulip and numbers, and all your fantastic tecniques and materials, makes the background for your stamping ,fabolous, dear friend. The rusted diecut looks as if you found it in your garden, so fantastic !! What a stunning tag.
Dorthe, xxo

Ana K. said...

Always amazed by your creativity and this is no exception...love, love, love this tag i would love to see it in person! Tulip stamp is gorgeous, probably new in my wish list :)
Hugs from Slovenia

Hettie said...

This is beautiful Alison. Love the warm tones and the details are wonderful.
Sorry it has taken me so long to comment, my laptop does not seem to like commenting on your blog. All I get is a blank white box and no buttons!!
Hugs
xx

Matilde said...

I love this grungy look! I adore your creativity :)

Deb said...

Gorgeous Alison, love the ground espresso and the texture on the mixed media die is amazing, love! Deb xo

A Pink said...

A lovely tag! Alison Love how you've used the micro glaze as a resist for your stamped image and the texture on your lattice mixed media die is fab . Lots of lovely tonal shades and detail x

Julie Lee said...

Great inspiration, Alison. I love the textures and the colour palette on this one. The tulip looks wonderful given this treatment. This is a really original and quite delicious creation. xx

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous tag, and you were right to stick to your instincts with the colours. Love the rusted texture die cut.
Avril xx

Anneke said...

A beautiful tag. Love the look of it.
I agree with all the comments you have recieved.