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 16 December 2018

Winter Journal IX

Hello all!  I hope you've been enjoying a lovely weekend, or at least a busily productive one.  I'm getting there on the Christmas-readiness stakes, but I'm still carving out time at the craft table.  In fact, I suspect it's the time at the craft table which is keeping me sane in the face of everything else.  This next page in the 8x8 kraft journal certainly took me on a journey away from reality and into fairy tale.  Yes, I count that as staying sane.


A couple of times, with these pages, I've spent just a few minutes before bedtime starting up the following day's page - particularly when I've had an idea involving some texture paste.  That way it can dry overnight...





Honestly... five or six minutes to glue down some TH tissue wrap, scrape on some gesso, with some texture paste snowdrifts over the top, and some more paste added through the TH Falling Stars stencil - and this is what awaited me the following morning, ready for the fairytale to begin.  "Once upon a time..."











There's a Hänsel and Gretel feeling about these two children for me.  (They also featured in my Star Light, Star Bright tags, in their slightly bigger version).

They may be wrapped up warm for the weather, but surely they're too young to be out alone at this time of night?













Those shadowy woods in the background look a little ominous.  Strange thing about woods... in the daylight, with sunlight dappling through the trees, they couldn't be more inviting; but come the night time - oh, so foreboding and eerie.













I think it's very little wonder that so many fairytales involve a journey through the forest - there's definitely a rite of passage about having the courage to go into the woods.













It is a starlit night, to be sure...











... and those might even be some shooting stars or the Milky Way you can see in the (superheated gesso + Chipped Sapphire) night sky.













Of course, the stars and the moonlight reflecting on the snow will make it all the brighter out in the open.

However, none of that will help you once you are under the shadow of the trees.













But if the path through the woods is the only one available, then that's where you have to go.  And it's best to be bold about it, turn it into an adventure.













And you just have to hope you're in a story with a happy ending.














I really hope that's not thin ice they're standing on, and I hope the stars will light their way home, even along the path through the woods.
















Thank you so much for stopping by today.  It's time for a Sunday evening hot chocolate, and the lighting of the third Advent candle.  I hope you're wrapped up warm somewhere too, and not headed out into the dark woods.  Have a great week, everyone. 









Into the woods,
It's time to go,
I hate to leave,
I have to, though.
Into the woods-
It's time, and so
I must begin my journey.
From Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
From The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

At the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge they are looking for Warm Winter Wishes
And of course I'm playing along again at Art Journal Journey for Bleubeard and Elizabeth's themes of My Favourite Season/Tis the Season - yup, it's still winter!






I'd also like to share this at Mixed Media & Art where the moodboard in this month's Winter Melody challenge is right up my street, both in colour palette - the blues and whites and browns - and the wintry atmosphere, especially the night sky

26 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful journal page, Haensel and Gretel and gingerbread houses are very popular here in Germany at this time of year. Hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

I love your beautiful fairytale page - your special Alison Bomber version of Hänsel und Gretel is amazing!
Great way to start the page in the evening with the snow... all this pastes and media are not for unpatient crafters...lol.
Have a great evening and a happy start into the next week!
Thank you very much for yet another fantastic page linked to Elizabeth's December theme at AJJ! Your kraft journal is the most beautiful advent calendar for me..but I told this already!

Hugs, Susi

Helen said...

Another beautiful page, Alison. I love that you are keeping to your favourite colours throughout (so far anyway) it will make a wonderful continuous story when it is complete. I even managed some journal time myself today!

Meggymay said...

Oh yes I think these two children will have a happy fairy story ending. It is a beautiful and magical page Alison.
Yvonne xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Alison! Don't worry about your two little ones - they are on their way to the Winter garden display and they have to go through the dark bit before they reach the fairy lights and the trees that light up with different colours! They will soon have happy smiles on their faces, especially when they reach the part where they can have toasted marshmallows!!! I love the blue here and that fabulous texture!
As you can see, I have had a massive catch up - something I have been looking forward to for a few days now!! Have a great week! Hugs, Chrisx

My name is Erika. said...

I made the same design about finding some craft time this weekend. I needed it because it is a good de-stresser, as you said. I love this winter page from your journal. It is another beautiful look at this season. Happy new week. Hugs-Erika

Brenda Brown said...

Such a delightful story and page around which to create it. These two youngsters are definitely on an adventure under the beautiful starlit sky and tempting each other to walk near the woods but it’s not scaring them too much as their parents are right behind them taking the photos. Another wonderful page in your gorgeous winter journal my friend and I’m glad you’re keeping sane. Have a great week. Xxx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I've never owned any texture paste, so I am truly impressed with how you use it as often as you do. This is wonderful. I love the way you positioned the children to look like they were standing on ice. That is extremely clever.

The back story was wonderful and I could feel the eerie feeling the story was conveying, too. I never got into Grimm's fairy tales, so that may be why I was so fascinated by your story as it unfolded. I love everything about it, including the stars, the spooky forest, and of course, the children.

Thanks for sharing this incredible entry that uses my theme at Art Journal Journey with us today.

Cestina said...

I feel they will get through safely....she looks as if she has every confidence in her big brother.

xxx

Annie said...

Fabulous textured details Alison and I love all the elements you have pieced together to make this wonderful journal cover xx Great story telling too xx

Best wishes and hugs Annie xx

Patty O'Malley said...

I love this wintry page, Alison! It is wonderful! The children look like they are truly standing on thin ice. The background portrays a cold, wintry night in the woods perfectly.

Marci said...

Gorgeous but I am getting colder just looking at that snowy scene. You create a mood and feeling so well.

Dorthe said...

Oh you can make me forget all around me, with your stories, Alison :-)
This is such a beautiful page dear.
The two waiting on the icy ground to enter the dark woods . I would never ever go into a dark wood at night , alone !!
Your texture is gorgeous , and the stars falling gives wishes and dreams of hope - amazing with the shining ice , too !!
Hugs, Dorthe

craftytrog said...

An adorable wintry scene Alison!

Cocofolies said...

You're so brave yourself, Alison, keeping on sharing these wonderful wintery pages and fairytale snowy scenes!!! I love this one to bits, wow... So inspirful and beautiful. Thank you so much (I plan tocatch-up with all the previous ones during my short holidays soon, really want to bacause of you, because I love your art, and because it is always such a true joy both to watch and read you! (you should write and publish a book!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When?... I will buy it immediately! :).
Hugs, Coco xxx

Paper Profusion said...

Good golly! After that read I'm pleased that I'm safely at home! I would like to assure that darling pair (in case they can read) that the ice is plenty deep to support them! Super page again Alison. Great idea to do last thing and leave overnight, an arty version of 'I'll sleep on it'! Nicola x

Kate Yetter said...

Beautiful Journal page, Alison! That background is amazing.
Merry Christmas,
Kate

Let's Art Journal said...

Beautiful page! Your snowy background looks amazing and I enjoyed following along to see how you created it, it's the perfect setting for your Hansel and Gretel children (grin!) 😉. Wishing you a lovely week and a very Merry Christmas too! J 😊 x

Lenie said...

What a great page this is! Allthe stars and snow and the beautiful blue. Amazing how you made it. Love, Lenie

Craftyfield said...

It's great that all the pages share the same feel and theme, it's shaping up to be a beautiful and cohesive album! This latest page doesn't disappoint! xx

Redanne said...

The starlit night you created is so beautiful and I just love those children, they look right at home in the forest. A beautiful page Alison. Anne xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Seriously loving all your cold days spread but this blue is electrifying.

Roosterhead Designs said...

Dear Alison,
This is fantastic! and I have to ask - did you add the washi tape; the 'ice beneath their feet' upside-down on purpose? to make it look reflective like that?! I'm in awe of all your details on this beautiful textural page; shooting stars and all! Great night sky~
[As a child growing up outside Detroit, there happened to be a patch of woods near my home. We played there soo much and it was a magical place :]
Thank you for sharing this amazing journey with us. Hugs, karen o

Sue said...

Another wonderful piece Alison, I'm loving the Chipped Saphire with the texture paste xx

Jackie PN said...

The story you wove made me giggle Alison!
I am so happy you share your steps! this is just gorgeous!
Jackie xo

Marie/Mison said...

Wonderful project! Thank you for joining Mixed Media & Art this month!