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Thursday 20 December 2018

Winter Journal XI

Thank you for all your kind well-wishing... I'm starting to get on top of the cold, and am plunging into the final stages of the countdown to Christmas.  Off to collect the decorations from storage shortly, then the tree will go up on Saturday, maybe some baking on Sunday and present-wrapping, of course (always done with It's A Wonderful Life playing in the background).  But in between, there may still be a little crafting to be done.  I suppose it's no surprise that while I've been feeling unwell, I've mostly stuck to my blue/brown/white comfort zone, and this page continues the pattern.


Of course, since this is a winter journal rather than a Christmas journal, there's no reason I can't carry on during and after the 12 Days.  There's a page 12 ready to share too, when I have time to blog it.  And maybe there's more to come after that, or maybe it has played itself out now.  We'll see how we go!






I'd been thinking about getting the little Townscape On the Edge die involved in these pages.  I've always liked these quirky little houses.  And I was nudged into action by the moodboard at Mixed Media & Art (see the foot of the post).












I like that they have a slight look of gingerbread, some sugared or iced, some in plain form (a.k.a. various washes of either Ground Espresso or Vintage Photo Distress Stain, or watery white paint).













The Cosmos Blue Colorex ink had to come out again.  Its vivid tone really lifts the spirits, and it looks great over the heated gesso, falling into all the swirls and bubbles.















The boy is raring to go, ready to take his ice skates for a spin on the frozen river... and then maybe he'll just keep following it downstream in search of adventure. 














The metal typed token gives away the dreams in his heart... of leaving this little village and heading out into the world.













Sometimes you have to leave the safety of home to find out where you are meant to be going in life.














There's more of the torn washi tape in the background, lightly brayered over with some watery white paint.  And I stamped my little TH background stamp again, but this time in Snowflake Fresco.  I love the little Cosmos Blue spatters too.













Some tangled thread echoes that sense of movement infecting his dreams.  (Also, notice how the white paint stamped snowflakes have almost disappeared into the blue ink... I tried several times, but that strong pigment kept winning!)

There's a little bit of blue sky here at the moment, and that makes it easier to contemplate everything that needs doing... so I'd better get on with it.  Hope you're all doing okay, and I'll see you again soon.







I wondered about the explorers who'd sailed their ships to the end of the world. How terrified they must have been when they risked falling over the edge; how amazed to discover, instead, places they had seen only in their dreams.
From Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

I'm playing along again at Art Journal Journey for Bleubeard and Elizabeth's themes of My Favourite Season/Tis the Season - yes, I'm sticking with winter!
And I'd like to join in at That's Crafty Challenges where you'll be happy to hear that Anything Goes





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 - the wintry atmosphere, especially the night sky, and those little houses

21 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful journal page Alison. Glad your cold is getting better. I'm struggling with a bad back, big ouch! Hugs, Valerie

Amanda said...

Another fabulous page to add to your journal and that on the edge die works wonderfully on the page. I live that you’ve stayed with the same colour palette it gives your journal great continuity.
I think you’ve given me your cold though lol
Love
Amanda x

Helen said...

What a wonderful page! those houses do look as if they could be gingerbread! Enjoy doing the decorations; and hope you get rid of your cold fully before Christmas. (thank you for the e-card too, i should mentioned it before!) Knee will be fine thanks, as long as I don't use the right leg (that's the one that I bashed) to lever myself up off the floor!

froebelsternchen said...

I am really glad to hear you are doing better with the cold! This page is another stunner - so many special details pleasing the eye - gfantastic created. I love the background and all the pretty so well fitting additions to the lovely protagonist here!

Thank you for yet another feast for the eyes linked to Elizabeth's Dec. collection at Art Journal Journey dear Alison!
♥♥♥
Have fun with your Christmas preparations!

Susi

Meggymay said...

Glad to read you are feeling a bit better today.
Your journal page is awesome, I like the way you used those die cut houses.
I hope your Christmas preparations go well.
Yvonne xx

Lenie said...

You have so many ideas Alison and they are all so beautiful. Thank you again for a wonderful page!
I hope you'll have a wonderful week!

Redanne said...

So pleased to hear that you are feeling a little better and I hope it goes completely before Christmas day. You and blues and browns are just the perfect match, this page is wonderful. I can see the hints of gingerbread in those little houses and I love how you added the filmstrip, it works perfectly.

We have a house full of family now until Boxing Day but I will try and catch a few minutes to see if and when you post your next mini masterpiece. Have a wonderful time with your family too. Anne xx

Neet said...

|Glad you are starting to feel a little better. Still remember that rest and fluids are the best cures and don't overdo things with it being Christmas.
Love your page and so thankful you are still in the mood for the same colour range - it is spectacular when released from your crafty fingers. Besides which I should imagine it is nice to look through the journal and see the continuation like this.
Take care and happy Christmas
Hugs, Neet xx

My name is Erika. said...

Glad to hear you are feeling better. I've been sick for Christmas before and it isn't fun. This is another wonderful page. It certainly feels cold. Hope you get everything done and have a wonderful holiday! Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I know I sound like a parrot, but I also am glad to read you are finally getting over your cold. I hope it is completely gone by this weekend.

I think that mood board was absolutely PERFECT for your journal page. The houses are delightful and so fun in a whimsical and striking way. They look like gingerbread, yet are fun backdrops for the boy and his desire to travel outside his neighborhood.

Of particular note are the white stars that are so subtle, they force you to hunt for them. The tangled thread shows wonderful movement, which helps convey the boy's adventure on his ice skates. This is a stunning entry, Alison and I'm thrilled you chose to share it using my theme at Art Journal Journey. But, in my opinion, what you did with that mood board is extra special.

Brenda Brown said...

Another delightful page Alison full of your own winter wonderland colours, textures and images. I particularly love the ‘gingerbread’ houses. Have fun Saturday and Sunday xxx

Anke said...

WOW Alison your page looks amazing, wonderful work.

Hugs
Anke

Let's Art Journal said...

I'm loving your winter journal pages this month! The heated white gesso was a fabulous idea for the snow, it bubbled so beautifully to add the snowy texture 😉. I love your little row of houses too, they look just like gingerbread ...lol 😀. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend! J 😊 x

Mac Mable said...

Sorry to hear you've been poorly Alison X
Yes it's always good to stick to your trusted colours and when you use them as stunningly as you then stick with them X LOLx
Glorious post again today and loving the layout, the texture, the attention to detail and all the little things I find when I re- look at it X
Love and hugs and enjoy the weekend X

Corrie Herriman said...

so gorgeous !
Corrie x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What's amazing to me is that as bad as you feel you are still able to create all these fab pages. You are rocking the blue. Good luck on all the Christmas preparations this weekend. Happy Christmas to you as well.

Astrid Maclean said...

Another lovely page Alison and well done you for keeping it going despite the cold! Hope you feel better soon so that all these last preparation will be more enjoyable! Wishing you all the best for the next few days and the big one on Tuesday! xxx

Sue said...

Another beautiful page for your journal Alison. I'm glad you're starting to feel a little better, and I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Sue xx

Roosterhead Designs said...

Dear Alison, This page is delightful! I really love how you do "frosty winter"!! Your sky is completely enchanting and has me looking deep into it's details~ So beautiful with the snowflakes and gesso, paints and inks. This young man looks happy and at ease! Ready to do some traveling on those skates : ) What fun! The townscape and filmstrip (road imho : ) are the perfect backdrop for this wonderful Winter journal page. Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas~ karen o

Jackie PN said...

So happy to hear the cold was on it's way out at this reading!
Ahhh I knew right away,which blue you used- how stunning the pigment is!And the stars are showing just enough of themselves,in my opinion!
Beautiful Alison!
Jackie xo

Mary Tzalla said...

Wonderful page with interesting textures and beautiful colors! Thank you so much for joining us at Mixed Media & Art!