A new month, another country and, let's hope, a new season. The forecast for New York as I write this (six weeks early) is -17, so I'm hoping by the time I arrive at the end of March that it will have warmed up a little into Spring. And I hope you're enjoying blue skies and sunshine at least occasionally wherever you are. (UPDATE - glad to say that it has warmed up somewhat here in New York, and the sky is frequently blue!)
I'm happy to say that it's definitely Spring at Country View Challenges at least... that's the new theme from our lovely host, Monika.
I've got the usual springtime suspects in action - butterflies and spring flowers - but I've stuck to a neutral colour palette, and I've been having fun playing with some wax to create translucent layers.
It's pretty hard to see the layered effect in the photos, or to appreciate the waxy sheen and texture. You'll have to take it from me that this one looks really cool in real life!
I started by covering a piece of greyboard with Tim Holtz paper - some lovely large vintage script. I then put on a layer of wax - just dropping the beads onto the piece and melting them with my heat tool.
I added a couple of spritzes of DecoArt Media Mister in White Shimmer and then heated the wax again - love how this made the inky splatter shift and spread as the wax moved.
I added some more wax and then stamped the butterflies... you can just about see how they hover above the text here, I think.
I also stamped the Paris postmarks in white. They weren't showing up quite as I'd hoped, so I overstamped in brown and now they have a lovely echo effect.
I added some delicate spring flower woodcuts, and one of my much-loved WordBands tied on with fine twine, and finished the whole thing off with some delicate white spatter.
Do take a moment to hop over to Country View Challenges and see what my immensely talented team-mates have been up to. There are some wonderful new designers on board and we'll all be offering more inspiration throughout the month, so do check it all out. We hope you'll be inspired to come and play along with our Spring challenge this month.
Don't tell me not to burn the candle at both ends... tell me where to get more wax!
From the Frank and Ernest cartoon strip by Bob and Tom Thaves
Loving the wax layers... tag is beautiful, Alison.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too sure the UK weather has progressed to Spring since you wrote tour post Alison, the sun did shine yesterday but hard frosts at night this week intermingled with rain.
ReplyDeleteLovely texture and interest on today's creation.
B x
gorgeous tag Alison, currently enjoying a frosty but beautifully bright morning today with promise at last of rising temperatures..
ReplyDeleteLove your tag,fabulous texture.xxx
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely tag, Alison! Hugs
ReplyDeleteTerrific tag Alison with inspiring ideas for sure.
ReplyDeleteHope all is going well for you.
Love Chrissie xx
Wonderful Alison! I love that your tag conveys a sense of Spring even though you have used a neutral colour palette. Very clever! Hope you are managing to have some fun in NY ! Toni xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tag, dear Alison! I love the neutral colours you used and the wax layers are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHave a good time in NY!
xxx Evelyn
Springtime in New York! I hope all is going really well for you, Alison! This tag is so beautiful! I really want to have a go myself at adding wax layers! This and making my own paper are high on the to-do list. Your signature butterflies look so ethereal and the sentiment rounds off the piece perfectly! xx
ReplyDeleteLovely tag! I hope you don't run in to those snowstorms the East Coast has been having.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tag. Love the vintage look.
ReplyDeleteI have never worked with wax. It looks amazing!
I love these neutral colors. The idea of dropping then heating the wax pellets onto the tag really interests me, thanks for sharing this wonderful looking tag.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Alison. I love the muted colour palette, so soft and perfect for the weather! I do hope you are having fun on your travels. hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLovely tag with gorgeous colour choices. The waxy layers look fab as do those die cuts!
ReplyDeleteFlipping cold, windy and freezing here, hope it's better in New York!
Oh I do take your word Alison! This looks so yummy- I can almost smell the wax! I have been playing more with wax myself lately, I do love the interest it gives to pieces.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to NY!! I know it is warm right now, but hold onto your hat,,because the weather people say, change is a coming! heehee
Jackie xoxo
More fabulous inspiration Alison! I never thought to add the wax beads and melt them on site! Great idea! Beautiful blend of elements as usual! Enjoy your travels! Xx
ReplyDeleteI just don't know how you do it, Alison! Your projects seem so simply layered but are filled with just the right depth, dimension, and balance. This is just as beautiful as it can be. Hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteLove the colours and the way you used wax, its a fabulous project.
ReplyDeleteYvonne xx
Beautiful muted tones alison. Gorgeous work. Hugs rachel x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tone in tone, Alison, and love the wax here and there, running , I wish I could see all the beauty of it. The background with stamped butterflies, and white splasches is wonderful, for the white woodcut flowers , which are echoed in the twine .
ReplyDeleteSerene and beautiful, dear.
Dorthe, xxo
Such a fabulous colour palette Alison and the stamping into the wax is just stunning. A wonderful piece for the theme. Hope you are enjoying your travels! Jennie x
ReplyDeleteSuper use of those neutral colors, Alison! Quite the lovely tag heralding the arrival of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere! In the Boston Area, however, we must stand ready for our last snow coming this weekend!
ReplyDeleteWorking with wax isn't easy! Lovely make, the neutral colours work well for a subtle spring feel.
ReplyDeleteFantastic tag, fabulous layers xx
ReplyDeleteHi Alison, such a great spring tag,gorgeous texures.It's fun to have joined you over at CVC x
ReplyDeleteOh - my - goodness!!! This is stunning Alison! The texture that the wax has provided, the neutral palette, the spatters and those beautiful butterflies…all provide a perfect background for those delicate flowers! As I said…OMG!!!! Keep warm! Hugs, Chrisx
ReplyDeleteThis is really special Alison, I love the wax. Hope you are enjoying New York and manage to have a weekend off xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous tag Alison at least we'll have an eternal Spring by looking at your wonderful tag ;)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Donna xxx
So delicate and beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteThere really is nothing nicer to herald Spring than butterflies and flowers and the neutral tones are a reminder that most of the trees have still not greened up yet. A beautiful tag Alison and I am pleased to hear that the weather is being kind to you! Anne xx
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous piece of art! So sorry I've been mia. But your creations are always over the top beautiful! So nice to see what you're creating! Hugs, Cathy-Lynn
ReplyDeleteSo glad the weather has warmed for you and you are getting blue skies, I love these catch ups from you.
ReplyDeleteI adore your beautiful tag and the wonderful layers you have created. I played with wax recently and threw it in the bin, but your experiments with wax and colour are gorgeous and your signature neutral palette is a delight.
Enjoy your weekend.
Hugs Brenda xxx
Loving your tag Alison....wonderful layers that you have created here and I love the waxed look.
ReplyDeleteIt's cold enough here but -17 must be horrendous.
Fingers crossed the weather has improved by the tie you get back home
Hugs Annie xx
Beautiful! Alison . You have captured @spring ' perfectly. with your gentle hues, butterflies and wooden Floral parts - Love how you have kept them as is - really attracts to there beauty . The wax work is so effective and a wonderful way of adding texture and interest .
ReplyDeleteSounds like your having a fab time in the big apple - one of my fave cities . Enjoy
hugs xx
As you probably know I love all you make. This one too !
ReplyDeleteCorrie x
Alison, I am loving this tag with it's layers; that wax layer is genius by the way, and I'm going to try that one right away! The effect with the double stamping definitely worked to your advantage, and is one of my favorite details! This is a beautiful spring work of art! Hugs! Wishing you warmer days! You should take a side trip to NC; you'de warm up!
ReplyDeleteMmmm - it´s gorgeous and it´s so you! Love the colors and all the beautiful details!
ReplyDeleteHugs:)
Beautiful arty layers Alison!
ReplyDeleteGlad it's warmed up for you, it's been a bit more Springlike here today too.
Alison xx
Hi Alison,
ReplyDeleteHope the weather is still spring and sunny this week-end in New-York! :)
Well, neutral colours are not especially my favorite ones as you know.. However on this tag, and with the great addition of the wax on top of it and all the elements you used, they really look gorgeous.
Enjoy your time remaining in New York!
Hugs, Coco xx
You already know how I adore your works with these neutral tones! I love this tag! It's adefinitely on of my favourites of yours! I'm so impressed by your endless creativity! BArbara
ReplyDeleteI adore this tag Alison, as well as the different route chose. Encaustic is such a fun medium to play with in art. Would love to see it person because I know if is difficult to show the wonderful affects the laying gives the piece on a photo. Love it hugs Debs xx
ReplyDeleteThis is just such a beautiful piece Alison and I do enjoy your projects. I know I have been bad at blogging recently so will need to catch up on a few things.
ReplyDeletex catherine
Alison!!!! Its been a while since I had a spare moment to go around to the blogs and gorge on beautiful things. Yours is always one of my first stops. Did I read right that you have moved to New York? This Found objects tag is to die for. Your descriptions of the waxy layers and the stamping and the creative effects you have applied have made me want to go try it right now. I havent forgotten how much I love your stuff, I always take a look-see even if I dont comment!!! Much love and thanks for continuing to inspire me always! - candice - (aka Tincan Crafter)
ReplyDeleteHi! I have lost track of your travels - but hope you are having a great time and work is a success. Guessing from above you are in New York! When I first saw the pic I was curious... then I read about the wax! It looks amazing - yes not brilliant to photograph but they look superb - ethereal, subtle and sumptuous! xxx
ReplyDeleteZauberhaft und traumhaft schön, zum Verlieben *schwärm*
ReplyDeleteHerzliche Grüße
von Anke
Beautiful and serene.... brilliant to use a neutral palette! I am in awe of your ability to get all of these beautiful makes accomplished prior to leaving for such a lengthy trip.... organized doesn't even begin to capture it!! xxx Lynn
ReplyDeleteWonderful - have you ever thought of in your face RED!
ReplyDeletesandy xx
Ha ha! Love your quote this time out. Great project. Lovely translucent layers. I wouldn't normally think spring with neutral colors but I like this more so than I would with pastels.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Alison, love your neutral palette and the wax effects are very striking, what a wonderful technique. Thanks so much for sharing it! Deb xo
ReplyDeleteAh, your style.. I came from the Country view blog, I spotted your artwork and wanted to comment! An unusual Spring and so terrific!
ReplyDelete