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 13 April 2018

Lose sight of the shore

Hello all!  I hope you're all thriving and that there is some spring sunshine finally wending its way in your direction.  I'm aware that I've been neglecting both this blog and all of you... I haven't even managed to share most of the samples from my latest stamp release with PaperArtsy, and that was back at the end of January. 

So there are several short but hopefully sweet posts coming your way with some of the making-of details of those samples.   There's been just the one catch up so far - No Small Dreams - sharing a pair of tags made with EAB07 Dreaming & Doing.  And today I have another pair for you, this time using a quote from EAB08 Strength & Courage.


For these, I was also lucky enough to use some of the fabulous new Scrapcosy designs (also by PaperArtsy) - a serendipitous combination of one of my all-time favourite quotes with some of Raquel's wonderful vintage nautical images.






I had a colour palette including some of Seth Apter's beautiful new paint colours with, for me, the unusual inclusion of the pinkish Spanish Mulberry.  But once I found it could be used to create dawn and dusk sky colours, I was a happy bunny!











These are very simple tags really.  I gave the tags a coat of Chalk Fresco paint, and then stamped my images in Watering Can Archival Ink.  I love the softened vintage look of the grey ink.

Then I used water brushes to apply my Fresco paints, building up from light watery washes to deeper shades where needed.












The quote itself is also stamped in Watering Can, but got a touch of Clear embossing powder to make it pop a little more.












It fits very precisely across a standard size 8 tag when it's upright, or with some more space if you turn the tag to landscape.














And of course you get the lovely glisten of light on the clear embossing, like the sparkle of sunlight on the waves.














The main ship images are magical, but I also love the compass and wonderful vintage script included on the Scrapcosy 11 plate.  They make for delicious extra detailing in corners and edges.













Simple white twine (a bit like ship's ropes in miniature) and a white matted layer finishes them off for display on the PaperArtsy show boards.







So that's today's sample catch-up... I hope to be back fairly soon with some more.  The new stamp sets are widely available online (details at the foot of the launch post) but by all means ask your local retailer about them if you can't find them.

There are various experiments going on at the craft table, but I seem to be doing a lot of starting and not much finishing of things at the moment.  I need to get back in the swing of things!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I hope you all have a great weekend.

It is not that life ashore is distasteful to me.  It is that life at sea is better.
Sir Francis Drake

26 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful tags with peaceful images. Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

Helen said...

I love these tags, the use of Raquel's stamps (which I love!) is perfect, and the colours are wonderful. Can't beat your quotes, of course!

froebelsternchen said...

Wonderful tags are these!
Happy weekend dear Alison!
oxo Susi

Meggymay said...

Wonderful restful scenes on these pieces Alison. The quotes are fantastic.
Have a good weekend.
Yvonne xx

My name is Erika. said...

Gorgeous tags Alison. I am a sucker for anything about the sea. Hugs-Erika

chrissie said...

Very beautiful ideas on tags with wonderful words for the new stamp.

Have agreat weekend

Love Chrissie xx

Astrid Maclean said...

A wonderful set of tags! Yours and Scrapcosy's stamps seem like a match made in heaven!

Patty O'Malley said...

Awesome tags!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Magical images are a perfect way to describe these... Beautiful and serene. Wonderful samples... So happy for you.

Dorthe said...

Love the stamps, and you created magic with them, placing them in the most beautiful light of the upstanding sun , ready to sail out on adventure. Love the tones you used, and the embossed quotes , Alison.
Dorthe xoxo

pearshapedcrafting said...

What beautiful tags and your words are just perfect for Raquels stamps! Yes the weather here has picked up a little today! Hope you are having a great weekend too! Chrisx

Marci said...

Beautiful, soft and serene.

Chrissy said...

I love anything Nautical Alison..love your tags, the colours and images and great sentiments..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Oh wow Alison it's as if these sets were made for each other, a match made in heaven!! You've created timeless tags and toppers also catering for those males in out lives, something I know most people struggle with creating. Thank you for their beauty and for your inspiration as always.
Wishing you sunshine this Sunday.
Creative Hugs Tracey xx

Craftyfield said...

Soft colours and Vintage images, just what I like! Love the combination of quotes and images, great tags Alison!

Sue said...

This is a marriage made in heaven with your words and Raquel's images, and they look beautiful in this gentle colour scheme. Have a lovely week, Sue xx

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Beautiful nautical artwork. I love everything you made.

Kate Yetter said...

These tags are beautiful, Alison! I really love the nautical theme. It is perfect for summer.
Kate

Lys said...

I'm happy to see a little of pink in your blue tags, Alison! They are gorgeous, perfect for André Gide's quote, one of my favourite.

Fliss said...

Gorgeous tags Alison and the scenes you've set really are so lovely and serene. The perfect antidote to the chaos of everyday life.
Congratulations on some beautiful new stamps which I'm off to investigate having managed to miss the launch.
Fliss xx

Annie said...

Such beautiful tags Alison and those stamps really suit your amazing quote stamps. Good to see you back xx

TFS and huge hugs
Annie xx

Redanne said...

These are two very beautiful tags Alison, I just love the sea theme and the wonderful quote.... apologies for my lateness. Anne xx

Sandy said...

Wonderful Alison -- but sometime one can not swim that far!
sandy xx

sally said...

These are great tags and I can just see the images/words turning up on some wonderful birthday cards for the men in our lives:-D

Sally xx

Corry said...


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rachel said...

I love these - the quote is fabulous - its actually at one end of the pool at the gym I attend - I've always loved it! Hugs rachel x