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 11 December 2015

A Blustery Day







Hello all!  I'm here with my second offering for Rachel's lovely Create A Scene theme at Country View Challenges this month.


And, yes, I know we're well into December, but I'm clinging on to the last of autumn just as some of the trees are clinging on to their last leaves.

This altered jar celebrates just this moment, when the last of the leaves are torn from their moorings by a strong wind, and hurtle through the air for one final dance before falling to earth and becoming the mulch of humus (no, not the chick pea sort!) to nourish next year's new growth.














Trees and branches are a bit of a theme here this week, especially bare ones.  You may already have seen the Those Who Wander tag, and there are some slightly bushier versions on their way at the weekend.













The branches on this jar were created using one of Tim's new punches - the little branch.  It makes a great bare tree if you're working in this smaller scale, and you can layer it up to get a bigger tree too.













I started very simply... To get my cloudy sky, I simply spritzed a bit of DecoArt Mixed Media Mister in White Shimmer around the jar, and tilted and dabbed with paper towel until it was dry.  I love the misty autumn morning look.












The houses are cut with the fabulous Townscape On The Edge die.  They're made from kraft card, stamped with a tiny alphabet stamp and inked for a grungier look.












It took nearly two whole townscapes to get round the whole jar.

The leaves being blown gustily around are punched from some wax paper, so they're slightly more translucent than the kraft houses and trees, which gives them a more delicate look...














... especially when you light the candle inside.















The candle inside?  But of course... why else would I create my scene on a jar?!












I tied some raffia around the top.  I'd completely forgotten about raffia.  I used to use it all the time, but it had somehow slipped out of my mind.  I was reminded of it by Lisa Minckler's astoundingly lovely altered jars, and went straight to get it out of hiding!











And round at the front (if a round jar can have a front) I added some autumn gatherings.  When I shared my wandering tag earlier this week, I told you I was using leftover leaves... well, this is what they were left over from.














They're cut from kraft card and stamped with some more of the tiny alphabet...














... and I added a Philosophy Tag, altered with alcohol inks.












One of the pleasures of this is seeing the warm glow once it's all lit up...

And again, I'm sharing a couple of different lighting variations over the course of the post so you can get the general impression of the effects.  Check out the shadows the houses cast too!

I hope you like it, and I hope you'll be inspired to come and Create A Scene with us at Country View Challenges this month.  As always, there's a generous prize voucher from our sponsors, Country View Crafts, with the winner randomly selected, and the honour of being one of our Top Three or our Design Team Member's Special Mention also at stake.  Hope to see you there soon!

A cold wind was blowing from the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things.
From A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin


44 comments:

Lauren Hatwell said...

Oh! That's GORGEOUS Alison. I love the little leaves floating down and the lovely. It looks even more magical when it's lit. Lx

Nikki Acton said...

Beautiful...amazing with the light and shadows. Love reading your posts... Don't always find the time xxxx

Maggie said...

Fabulous Alison A great scene. I adore how the look complete changes when lit up with the warm glow from the candle.
MaggieH

froebelsternchen said...

This is just wonderful! Magical what you made out of a simple jar! ♥♥♥
Happy weekend dear Alsion! oxo Susi

rachel said...

what a fabby make alison..i love it to pieces! such a cool interpretation of the theme too! brilliant. hugs rachel x

Pamellia said...

Wow gorgeous Alison!! I think it's a perfect project for the weather we're having this year, not a snowflake in sight! Beautiful effect on the glass! hugs :)

Sandy said...

Oh Alison - this is really wonderful - I really want to make "some"! Love it kid!

Fantastic idea for Halloween!
Merry Christmas Sugar!!
Sandy xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

I love this Alison, I always admire these creations that you can illuminate but never get around to making one though!
Hugs
Donna xxx

craftytrog said...

It's beautiful Alison!!! xx

Candy C said...

Alison, I so love your style. Everything you make has that certain quality about it that makes it uniquely you. I love your vintage touch you add to everything you make! This little jar is so cute! Love the shimmery white cloudy background using the DecoArt white Shimmer Spray. Love your little wintery scene you've created in almost a silhouette feel around the bottom! Very clever.

SewPaperPaint said...

What a cool project! It really looks amazing all lit up. Beautiful work!

Dorthe said...

This is the most cozy and wonderful little autumn village Alison, so sweet with the houses, and blowing leaves, and love your misty almost snowy morning feeling from the spritzed jar.
Gorgeous big leaves on top, makes it a fantastic fairy tale "lamp".
Dorthe, oxox

suzyb said...

I love your work Alison, you are an inspiration to us all. The jar is lovely with it's little village around the jar. It just is well, cozy.
Thanks for sharing your talents with us all.
Victoria, BC

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

This is gorgeous Alison. I always love your style and this is no exception. Thanks for the visit to mine too, Maisie and Stan send big sloppy kisses xXx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

A blustery day is what is on the docket for today and this jar definitely fits the mood. Awesome project!

Helen said...

what a gorgeous jar, the frosty glass looks fabulous, especially with the candle inside!

Redanne said...

It is definitely OK to celebrate Autumn, we still have roses flowering and acer leaves clinging on (just)! You really have created the most beautiful scene Alison and it looks even more beautiful lit up - I love this - a lot! Anne xxx

Hazel Agnew said...

Great idea to create a cloudy sky! Love the Kraft colours....perfect! X

Cocofolies said...

Your jar is marvelous Alison... I must absolutely have a try on such jars, they look so perfect - especially when they are so well done! :-) - for Christmas and long winter evenings!
Hugs, Coco xx

Astrid Maclean said...

What a lovely little scene and such a cool idea for the theme! It looks fantastic when it is all lit up! Beautiful!!

Meggymay said...

A stunning alteration of the jar, its a lovely scene and lit up it looks awesome.
Yvonne xx

Kay Wallace said...

I so love your "scene in a jar," Alison! Maybe the best part is the frosty jar itself and how you achieved it. Nicely choreographed, my friend. And, thanks for your visits and kind words on my blog!!

Kirsten said...

Wow! That is gorgeous.

Hettie said...

Beautiful Alison. Just bootiful!!
Hugs
xx

Lynne Moncrieff said...

You captured to perfection that early morning, misty Autumnal feel, just so very beautiful and I so enjoyed reading your inspiration behind this latest creation.
Wishes
Lynne

Margik said...

What a beautiful altered jar! I absolutely adore all details on it. The candle inside is a great touch. Gorgeous scene!
Mar xx

experiments in paper said...

Wow, Alison - I think this is my favorite of your wonderful jars thus far....the effect once the candle is lit is incredible! It is a perfect rendition of marvelous blustery weather when it is so wonderful to be inside, warm and cozy, with a candle and a book and beverage of choice! Beautiful! xxx Lynn

Etsuko said...

Lovely winter jar this year too!! I have a go!! xx

Amanda said...

Beautiful Alison, love the effects of the misters on the glass. Definitely need to give this a go.
Love
Amanda x

Monika Gulyas said...

Beautiful composition and fabulousl home decoration! xxx

brenda said...

A beautifully recycled jar Alison, I can only but imagine how good it looks irl.

B x

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wooow Alison this looks amazing , it really gives some sphere in your living room, so beautifull!!

Greetings
Maria

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is Gorgeous, Alison. I love the white crackled effect on the jar. So amazing when it's lit,

Lucy x

Annie said...

Love this Alison x the musters look amazing.....right up my street xx

Best wishes
Annie x

Evelyn Walter said...

Ohhhh, Alison, this is amazing! I really love your jar <3!
xxx Evelyn

Anneke said...

Lovely jar deserved a special place
in the house. Thanks for showing how
you made this jar turn into something so wonderful.

Jackie PN said...

Gorgeous scene- on a jar no less!! Love how this really looks like a picture when lit up! Beautiful Alison! xo

Lisa Minckler said...

Ohhhhhhh! Slap my fanny and call me Anny...This jar is Autumn captured! Lol...I'm so happy you got reacquainted with raffia. But I'll tell you what. I'll be be breaking the sound barrier when I make way to my kitchen for wax paper! OMG, that sounds like so much fun to punch stuff with that! Your little town is fabulous on your beautiful jar and the image it casts when lit just warms the room.
Big hugs to you!
Lisa xx

Paper Profusion said...

A STUNNING Creation Alison! The glass is inked to perfection and the kraft townland is genius. Truly gorgeous! Nicola x

sam21ski said...

Fantastic jar transformation xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

WOW!!! Awesome transformation! LOVE the houses and that is shines brightly!!!

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous piece of altering and I love the effect with the candle lit.
Avril xx

A Pink said...

Your scenic altered jar is a beauty! Alison . All the well thought out and crafted autumnal scene against the cloudy sky really do shine with the soft glow of the tealight . hugs x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My! I can't believe I have come so far back -this is the trouble with going away and seeing things on my phone - I remember spotting this and loving it but thought I had left you a comment! I really do have some catching up to do! Hugs, Chrisx