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...

Sunday 18 February 2018

Secret Things







Hello all!  I don't seem to be doing very well at finding spare time at the moment, but I did have a little Oxide background play and came up with this tag as a result.

Also, as promised, I have a couple of photos for you of my travelling craft stash, all set out ready to play on my day off, Sunday.

Let's take a look at the tag first though.

I was just feeding my crafting itch with a little wrinkle-free distress smooshing of Distress Inks and Oxides in combination, and this green secret garden tag is the first of the several resulting backgrounds to get any further.

















The fabulous meadow grass flowers are by Rubber Dance, and are stamped in Olive Green Archival over the inky background.
















The little girl is from one of the newer releases of Paper Dolls, picked up at Michaels, here in New York.  (I've not dared order them online because it's often not clear whether you're getting the new set or not.)

I just love the directness of her gaze.












She's perched on a "rope swing" - a.k.a. some natural twine - and there's some tissue tape forming shadows underneath.












The same twine forms the topping.  I like to keep things simple sometimes.















I just love these grasses... you'll be seeing more of them.  And of course there are other lovely ones in the set too - very glad I decided to bring them with me for their first inking!














Of course, I couldn't come to New York without some of my quote stamps - this one is from EAB03 Music & Silence.












The quote is also stamped in Olive Archival, and Rainer Maria Rilke gets the credit for his words down in the bottom corner of the tag.
















I roughed up the edges of the tag, and added a penwork border and some white spatter to finish things off.










So, to the workspace.  Here are my supplies laid out around a couple of craft mats.  I'm very fortunate in this apartment to have a beautiful wooden table large enough to leave the craft space operational as well as have space for my laptop and also to eat.  Couldn't be better.  (I was here last year, and asked to come back to the same place if it was possible... happily, it was.)


As you can see, I brought some mini Distress Inks and a few carefully selected Oxides with me (and I do have the new ones on order to arrive with me here shortly).  And over to the left, my tin of watercolours is sitting on top of some pads of paper bought at Blicks since arriving.  There are some watercolour pencils too, and pens, brushes and plastic palette knives all organised into glasses from the kitchen.  And my US heat tool was a must-bring item.





The table is right next to a large window, with a nice broad windowsill where the overflow craft supplies - Archival inks and gesso, for instance - sit very happily.


There's a selection of stamps to the right (including, as I said, several of my own EAB word sets), along with a Midori-style journal and small Moleskine art journal.









In this useful basket I have some blank tags, stencils, word stickers, various embossing powders and mediums, tissue tapes, an old book to tear pages out of, and a few more stamps.

It's very hard to know which stamps you might want for eleven weeks away from home!











You can see some of the other Oxide/Ink backgrounds ready to play with on the mats...













... and here's a close-up of that little sketch, which I made with a dipping pen and some walnut ink.

I rather like this pair of village gossips... I'm sure they're talking about all sorts of secret things, but my guess is the girl from the tag would rather be alone than hear the kinds of secrets they're sharing!








Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I really will try to repay some of your lovely visits soon, but, as always, I am so deeply immersed in the creative processes of the rehearsal room that I'm pretty shattered by the end of each day.  Still, there will be catching up time at some point, and I always love finding out what you've all been up to in the meantime.  Happy crafting all!

Those who cannot keep their own secrets ought not to be entrusted with the secrets of others.
William Scott Downey

43 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful tag. Glad you have time and space to play in your apartment. Enjoy your stay, hugs, Valerie

Nikki Acton said...

Lovely tag and agree they are great grasses! I might have to go find them. Great to see your temporary craft space... Looks very organised and love the light! Off to Stitches shortly. Hope work is going well and you manage to get a little more free time xxx

Nikki Acton said...

PS... Love you sketch

Astrid Maclean said...

Love your tag, that little girl suits the sentiment to a tee! But the gossiping couple are the ones that really got me excited, they look fantastic, love the loose style, perfect! Your craft space looks great too (so wonderful and tidy :o))! Enjoy a relaxing Sunday!!

Craftyfield said...

Fabulous tag and I agree that little girl's gaze is arresting! Love these Rubber Dance grass stamps too, in fact I love all of their Nature inspired sets, and the Oxides background give the perfect ink of colour.
Your temporary craft space ain't bad either...

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Your creative space is perfect Alison, it looks like you have brought a small selection of the cream of the crop to continue your creative journey, well done on your selection. I have problems thinking what to take in my little art case when going away for a week let alone 11.
Your tag is beautiful, I too love her gaze and she sits perfectly on your rope swing.
Hope you get lots more craft time and can take advantage of all that natural light. Happy Sunday Tracey xx

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a fantastic tag and what a grogious drawing, I just love it!!! Have fun !! Maria

maj. said...

Alison, what a beautiful works!!!!! Great colours! Brilliant scetching!

froebelsternchen said...

This tag is so beautiful Alison and I am really thrilled about your lovely craftspace - you have all so well organized and it even looks like room decoration ! Well done!
I am in love with your pair of village gossips - they look so alive!
Happy crafting in NY!
oxo Susi

Meggymay said...

Its a fantastic tag Alison. You have made yourself a great working area for your time away from home. I'm sure you will enjoy creating. in your probably small amounts of spare time.
Its a wonderful sketch with the ladies having a gossip.
Yvonne xx

My name is Erika. said...

Wow, what a clean work space. That must be why you made such beautiful tags today. Happy new week. Hugs-Erika

Patty O'Malley said...

Love this tag, Alison. You always have such clever ideas in bringing them to life.

Marci said...

I really like this tag, it reminds me of Spring. I am impressed with your gossiping ladies sketch, too. You have more supplies than I would have thought. Were they half of your luggage? (Ha!)

Julia said...

You have quite a stash of supplies on that desk and oh so tidy!
Your little gossip sketch is superb, I love that. The backgrounds you have made are wonderful as always and the tag is really beautiful. I have some of the old paper dolls but have yet to use them, I think they need to come out to play soon.
Have a good week Alison. x

Margaret said...

Absolutely beautiful! She seems quite content with her twine seat and I'm sure she couldn't be bothered with gossip... The background is gorgeous (as always) and the ink border was such a nice touch without drawing too much attention. Gorgeous sketch too! Enjoy your new, if temporary, creative space!

suzyb said...

Love this little tag and your sketch just reminds me of my Grandmother or Nanny as I called her talking to her neighbour. She would be the short one. I think she was all of 4' nothing.
I like that flower or grasses stamp too, I will be looking into that stamp. I love your work Alison, your colour palette is the same as mine.
hugs from Victoria BC
ps Enjoy your New York stay. That is a long time to be away from home tho'.

craftytrog said...

It's a beautiful tag, and I love your village gossips Alison.
Look forward to seeing what becomes of your other tags.
Alison xx

Juliz Design Post said...

I’m so in love with your tag Alison, simply beautiful. Your creative space looks airy and light, perfect for creating in.
Julie x

Lys said...

A gorgeous tag, I love the determined look of the girl. But the gossip couple is so fun (and so greatfully sketched)! An inspiring careative corner you arranged here in your place.

Helen said...

what a glorious tag! love your window full of crafting supplies! Thanks for catching up with the last couple of posts - have now written up my weekend away which was fantastic!

Cocofolies said...

I love your tag dear Alison.
Again a perfect one as usual, I'm a bit jealous haha (just pinned it on my inspirational Tags board, as many of yours...).
Your space look quiet and beautiful! Thank you for sharing :)
and I LOVE your gossips drawing, wow!!! xx

Fliss said...

A really gorgeous tag Alison and your oxide backgrounds look fabulous. Love what you did with the tag and the stamped grasses are a lovely background for the new paper doll.
Looks like you're all kitted up for your NY stay too and looking forward to more lovely makes.
Fliss xx

Dorthe said...

So lovely Alison with the sweet girl sitting among the grasses , there- a beautiful tag,- and I`m in awe of your pen drawing, wow you handle that pen with so much cleverness, they are gorgeous !!
Not the same order here, Alison , too much on my table and every where else ,lol- looks cozy for you to stay for almost 3 months, !!
Hugs, Dorthe

SewPaperPaint said...

What a great setup Alison! I love that you're near the window and love the large wooden table! Amazing that you can still play. Have a great visit. Hugs, Autumn

Sue said...

I love your tag Alison, the colours go so well with the natural twine. Your sketch is amazing too! I hope you're enjoying work, but 11 weeks away from home is a long time! Have a very happy week, Sue xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

This is a beautiful tag Alison! I love the grasses on your green background! The little girl from the new paper doll set looks so right with your quote! It's great to see you have a good crafting area - you look to be very organised! I spotted the sketch on your table so pleased you showed us a decent photo- you really have captured those village gossips! Thanks for your visit and kind comments! Enjoy whatever time off you get! Hugs,Chrisx

Kate Yetter said...

Gorgeous tag, Alison! I love that soft floral background and that beautiful image. I love your beautiful style.
And your sketch of those gossipers is fabulous. Reminds me of all the old spinsters in the Jane Austen books. ;)
Kate

Annie said...

Love your tag Alison and the background details are fabulous. The girl looks quite at ease sitting on the twine and your quote is perfect.
Glad to hear you have somewhere for your stash and that you can leave it out x
What an amazing sketch too

Sending best wishes
Annie x

sally said...

Wow, you manage to get a good selection of art supplies in your case! So nice to see that you are still managing to find time for a little art despite a hectic schedule- have fun when you can & remember that fun is important.....

Sally xx

Jackie PN said...

Oh Alison!
Thank you so much for sharing your workspace and assortment of goodies!! How many pieces of luggage do you travel with??
Your gossiping ladies are fabulous! I can envision a sweet little book of characters such as these, with some of your quote stamps alongside!
On to your tag...this is just darling and so sweet! I love the quote you chose, it absolutely goes with her stare.
Your background almost looks patchwork when assembled and the vintage look is so appealing- I just love this tag!
Thank you for posting even though you are so busy- I look forward to more when you can!
hugs and love,
Jackie

ps...do you have sandals or flip flops? Supposed to be near 70F Wednesday! crazy weather!

Mrs.B said...

A lovely tag and the soft green background is a reminder that Spring is just around the corner.
Nice to see your craft space and good to know you are settled into NYC life, even if it is hectic.
Avril xx

Candy C said...

So pretty Alison. How do you keep your work space so organized? Mine never looks like that! haha Your tag and sentiment are so pretty.

Hazel Agnew said...

What a wonderful post Alison. The tag is exquisite, loving the rough edges and the drawn border. Great contrast to the perfection of the girl and her gaze.
Loving a peek into your rooms. You look so organised. So pleased that you can relax and create after what is probably a hectic work schedule.
Adore the walnut ink sketch. Such a talent to be able to express movement , sound and emotion in a few simple "scribbles".
I bought a book today by a sketchy artist who explains that quick and lively sketches capture the moment so much better than a long and arduous argument between pen and paper.
Finally, loving your stamps and really identify with your closing quote. Xx

Redanne said...

Apologies for my lateness, I have been away and tried to avoid going on-line! It is so good to see your workspace, I do so admire your ability to choose just the right things to take for your eleven weeks away!

Such a beautiful tag Alison, I even love the little dip in the string where the lovely little girl sits. As for your sketch, it is a delight, I really can imagine the girls gossiping! All the best from a very cold UK.... Anne xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What a darling tag..love what she is sitting on.

Pamellia said...

Beautiful tag Alison! That background is gorgeous! I love all the splashes and splatters, and those beautiful flowers blowing around in the spring breeze! Very clever how you set up your image to look like she's sitting on the twine!! What a wonderful design and your walnut stain sketch is amazing! hugs :)

Julia Aston said...

I just love the results you get with your DOX inks Alison - and the lovely stem stamps you always seem to find! Your tag is so sweet with the little girl swinging in her garden (my mother used to cut my bangs like that - way too short and straight across!) You certainly have a lovely amount of crafting items with you in NY - that sketch is wonderful too!! Julia xx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Your tag looks great Alison, as well as your workspace! And how special is your sketching...lovely figures!
Kind regards!!!

Gio said...

The tag is amazing, the little lady looks a lot sitting for real on the rope, brilliant.
I look carefully at the items you brought with you, I know what it means to choose and bring just few items along: not an easy choice. Still, I am pretty sure you will make great artsy stuff out of them :-)

Brenda Brown said...

A beautiful tag Alison, the stamped foliage in the background gives the impression of vintage wallpaper and the girl sits beautifully on her rope swing over the top. I love your pen sketch too - it would look fantastic framed. hugs xxxx

A Pink said...

Your tag is an absolute beauty, Alison. a real heart melter - well mine anyway!
Love the sketch too. Hope it will make another appearance somewhere down the line when you have more time.

What a great workspace you have set up for yourself. Must really help set the stresses of a working day straight when you can retire to your table eithere to create, eat or surf! You have this travelling artist thing nailed - I wouldn't know where to begin!
take care
x

Neet said...

What a delight to see your working area whilst away from home - it looks rather nice and it looks light which is the main thing. Eleven weeks - gosh that is a long time
Love your two little gossips, what gorgeous figures they are, do hope you put them on something permanent.
To the tag - a lovely background, so elegant to look at and so vey appropriate for the words. I love how you have her sitting on the string. An idea I might copy if you don't mind.
Lovely as always
Hugs, Neet xx

Evelyn Walter said...

the tag is beautiful, but most I love the little sketch you made with the walnut ink - this is gorgeous!
Have a good time in NYC.
Evelyn xxx