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 30 March 2018

Up At Dawn







Hello all!  For a while there it looked as though we might only get one post for the whole of March here at Words and Pictures - eeek!

But I don't think I've missed a Tag Friday at A Vintage Journey since the very beginning, so I wasn't about to let that change, and Tag Friday it is today.

Unfortunately, I've been up at dawn all too frequently recently... and not with the rapture or miraculous sensations celebrated on this tag, but rather because I've simply been awake all night.

It's been a pretty stressful couple of months work-wise, but I can feel that there's sunshine around the corner and more playtime very soon, so it is definitely worth celebrating now, I think.












On the crafting front, it's been all I could manage to get a few Oxide backgrounds done for almost my whole time here in New York City.

You may remember this background from this post back in February.  With Tag Friday for encouragement, it finally got developed into a finished tag, and it's a happy one!













So, just another Oxide + Distress Ink smooshed and spritzed background, layered until I liked the look of it - and some splatters of white gesso too, I think.













I stamped Dina Wakley's delightful Scribbly Birds on some watercolour paper and painted them with Distress Paints before cutting them out.















They're perched on some torn strips of design paper from Tim Holtz's Dapper stash - any old paper would do though.















And I've added some snippets from a longer Louisa May Alcott quote which appears on my PaperArtsy Eclectica EAB02 stamp set, Darkness and Light.













The quote goes on to say how the wonders of dawn "set her heart in tune"... sadly, that's not quite the effect dawn has been having on me lately!













But even here in Brooklyn, where I'm staying, you do still get to enjoy the birdsong in the mornings.  The words are stamped in Evergreen Bough Distress Oxide.













The ribbon at the top came ready-dyed with my Funkie Junkie Boutique order (it's always handy when a work trip to the States times nicely with the new Creativation releases!), and I brought some of this fine twine with me as part of my travelling stash. 








I added a little white pen doodled frame and then mounted the tag onto some spare paper, just so that the border echoes the stamped quote.













I hope you'll hop over to A Vintage Journey and check out the tags created by the other Creative Guides.  And, as part of this year's new look Journey, we're also inviting you to share your favourite March tags with us... just for fun, no prizes - but who doesn't love a tag, so do come and link yours up and join the Tag Friday party.






Now, don't be too surprised, but there are some more posts lined up over the next week or so... Yes, we're creaking back into action here, and I hope I might even manage some blog visiting too - it seems like an age since I've managed to dip in to Craftyblogland and see you all.  In the meantime, happy crafting all, and I'll see you soon.

Morning is the best of all times in the garden.  The sun is not yet hot.  Sweet vapours rise from the earth.  Night dew clings to the soil and makes plants glisten.  Birds call to one another.  Bees are already at work.
William Longgood

41 comments:

My name is Erika. said...

What a great bird tag Alison. I love your background and the Dina birds work perfect on it. Hugs-Erika

Craftyfield said...

Beautiful tag, Alison! The Oxides background is gorgeous and totally in harmony with the birds' colours. Enjoy your weekend (I hope they're letting you back home for Easter if you want).xx

Brenda Brown said...

The whole tag evokes the feeling of Spring Alison and is beautifully welcoming the change to BST, lighter evenings and hopefully warmer days on the horizon soon. Sounds like you've been working extra hard so I hope you get some more creative and easier time for yourself soon. Happy Easter xxx

Amanda said...

Beautiful spring captured on a tag, wonderful. Sorry to here you’ve has a stressful month but I can relate to that!! Glad to hear that’s all coming to an end soon
Love
Amanda x

Helen said...

Sorry you've not had time to enjoy Spring - or even a good night's sleep (know how that feels!) but this tag is beautiful- I love how you've coloured the birds, they are gorgeous. Great to see you creating again.

craftytrog said...

A beautiful tag Alison, I love the background and birds!
Hope you get some more playtime in April.
Happy Easter!
Alison xx

Cestina said...

Ooh look birds! Not ospreys though. Lovely to see both them and you back in circulation...xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful use of those Dina birds and such a great background! Altogether a super tag!
Have a good Easter and hopefully some more creative time soon!

A Pink said...

Such a beautiful tag , Alison that really lifts the spirits. Wonderful use of colour, imagery and words. So glad you were able to join in and we are able to admire this beauty.

Hope the workload eases up for you real soon . Take care and hope you have a lovely Easter x

sarascloset said...

Alison, I've missed seeing your inspiring work, and this is such a blessing to me this morning! This really sums up my morning with the birdsong and dawn...what an amazing sunrise this morning and the birds seemed to be loving it, too.

I digress....your tag is gorgeous! Your oxide backgrounds are always the BEST, and this one really makes my heart skip a beat! I love seeing the birds here; it's been ages since I've used mine. And layering up those quotes and the doodles really make this extra special! Lovely, lovely springtime tag! Happy Easter! Hugs!

Cestina said...

Forgot to say they may not be ospreys but they are utterly adorable! A lovely Easter card for someone ;-) xx

Marci said...

Lovely tag and I love the quote, too. Happy Spring!

SewPaperPaint said...

I admire your optimism in seeing playtime around the corner. I know you've been in overdrive and I am thankful that you found time to make this tag and not to skip a single one of our Tag Fridays. They truly are a highlight. I love your stunning background and the pairing of these lovely bird images. A lovely springtime design and great inspiration. Happy Easter and hugs, Autumn

Jackie PN said...

OMgosh! I love that quote at the bottom of your post!
Perfect for my gardener husband!

Lovely to see you back Alison- I have totally missed you!
So sorry for your stressed out times-life shouldn't have to be that way! (at least that's what I think!) Well, hopefully the sun will shine again and maybe while the morning birdsong is taking place!
Happy Easter to you my dear friend!
Thank you for sharing this sweet tag!
love &hugs,Jackie

Patty O'Malley said...

What a lovely tag, Alison! I love those sweet little birds and the background you created.

S@ndy Diller said...

So happy you didn't miss out on this one, love the tag and the birds. Hugs, Sandy xx

Jane said...

How lovely to see your post Alison. Sorry you are having a hard time, lack of sleep just adds to the woes doesn't it. Your tag is just delightful, such pretty colours and the little bird and words are perfect. Take care and have a peaceful Easter xx

Lys said...

Happy to get some news, to see this beautiful tag, so full of Spring. I hope your work will soon let you come back to this creative side. Happy Easter Alison!

froebelsternchen said...

A wonderful tag - wow !
Happy Easter dear Alison!
I missed you!
Hugs, Susi

Sue said...

This is gorgeous Alison, such happy colours, and these birds always make me smile. I hope the end of sleepless nights is just around the corner! Have a very happy Easter, Sue xx

Meggymay said...

Its a beautiful tag Alison and lovely to see a blog post from you again.
Have a Happy Easter.
Yvonne xx

Linda Kunsman said...

I do love those Scribbly birds and your tag along with that wonderful background is just delightful!

Julia said...

How lovely to see these little birds on their perches. The oxide background is gorgeous on your tag Alison. I hope you do get some craft time soon.

Sandy said...

Beautiful tag Alison but I have to tell you - sometimes I wish the birds wouldn't rapture so early and so loudly!
Love the background and colors.
Sandy xx

Kate Yetter said...

What a beautiful and uplifting tag. I really love the colors in the background and those cute little birds. This tag is perfect for spring.
I had when I have periods of insomnia. It's rough especially when you have work. I hope that things get better for you at work and that you find ways to relieve your stress.
Kate

Cocofolies said...

I can't resist to pin this tag Alison, and also the previous one haha... Both so beautiful and charming.
Good to see you again on your blog!
Fingers crossed indeed that there's sunshine around the corner, and more playtime for you soon.
Please visit my blog again when you can (I think you will be happy with this post http://scrapcocofolies.canalblog.com/archives/2018/03/28/36201071.html)
Wishing you Easter Blessing and much creativity this weekend xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

So happy to see you are back creating Alison, you have been missed. Your tag background was waiting especially for those sweetest of birds. It can be frustrating when we do not have the hours in the day to create with our backgrounds but so rewarding when we can find a match within our stash. This was meant to be!!
Wishing you Easter Blessing and creative Hugs Tracey xx

Redanne said...

Alison, I am so sorry that it has been a stressful time for you but hope that your precious time crafting is relaxing for you. The background is gorgeous on your tag and the birds look so beautiful. A timely reminder that Spring might finally arrive... hopefully! Take care! Hugs, Anne xx

Anke said...

WOW WOW WOW Alison, your tag is so beautiful, I love it.

HAPPY EASTER
Ank

Dorthe said...

A super wonderful and lovely spring tag, Alison , -so love your background, and the sweet birdies, colored so beautiful- and with the beautiful quote from your stampsheet .
Take care, and don`t be too tired - Hugs, Dorthe, and Happy Easter to you. xo

Neet said...

Sorry NY has been a bit stressful. Hope that this beautiful sunny tag has brought you back to stamping and all that is good about it. You should certainly know because you make some beautiful things for us to drool over.
Love this tag.
Hugs, Neet xx

Evelyn Walter said...

I love your tag, Alison! These birds are adorable, I love to use them too.
Have a not too stressful time ahead!
Hugs Evelyn

Deb said...

What a fabulous spring tag Alison, I adore your DOX background and Dina's Scribbly birds always make me smile! Hope that you will find some me time (and some rest!) very soon, thanks so much for sharing your lovely tag, Deb xo

Julia Aston said...

Wonderful spring like colors on your watery background Alison! love the scribbly birds and lovely sentiment! Julia xx

Nikki Acton said...

SO glad you played!!! and it is quite bright for you ! but with all the usual Alison attention to detail. Great choice of quote for the lovely birds. Hope all is going well xx

sally said...

Our clocks have changed to summertime and the birds are all busy singing the dawn chorus which gladdens my heart much as your lovely tag does!

Sally xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous tag...love the birds and background!

pearshapedcrafting said...

I adore this Spring tag Alison - so full of hope for some nice weather and those Scribbly birds will sing their song much louder! Sorry to hear that you have been having a tough time and are not sleeping well - hopefully soon to come to an end! We spent most of March chasing around for appointments and coping with a sick car!! We are both hoping for a calmer April! Hugs, Chrisx

Annie said...

Your tag is so sunny and bright and i just love that cute bird xx Hope you are now managing to sleep a bit better as I too know how that can take its toll on you xx
Sending my best wishes
Annie xx

Fliss said...

Really love the colour contrast on here Alison and my favourite birds look very at home on here too. Gorgeous!
Fliss xx

Yvonne Garner said...

Your tag brightens my day! Alison, I hope things are looking up for you. It’s been a difficult start to the year for some of us and the weather on the East Coast has not helped. Please take care. Yvonne