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...

Saturday 26 October 2019

A dream within a dream

Hello all!  One of these days I'll get my Art Journal Journey page done near the beginning of the month... not this month though.  I've been procrastinating, but I'm finally there with something for Eileen's Dreams or Wishes theme.  And dreaminess seemed to link up in my head with the Bokeh effect - the out of focus bubbles of light you can create in photography.  That's the theme over at Country View Challenges for October, so this page spread was inspired by linking the two challenge themes.


Bubbles or circles became something of a motif, and that circularity is reflected in the words I've used to... the way dreams have of taking you round in circles to where you began, or of seeming to take you round in circles, yet you find yourself somewhere completely new when you get there.






Or even daydreaming, where you suddenly see those other versions of yourself - other lives, other possibilites... the road not travelled.













And since my daydreams usually take me to a place of monastic peace, an overgrown garden full of ivy clambering on stone walls, that's the location for this dreaming page.

Its real-life location is within the pages of my France Papillon altered book.













I started with some gesso, and then texture paste and a 13Arts garland stencil, embossed with Duck Egg powder.  It seemed a good starting point for whirling dreams.














Later on, it got a bit of extra inking to try to dull down the glossy shine a bit, but the texture and dimension really work nicely.














The double Paper Doll idea arrived next... the dreamer and her dream-self, echoing across the page with dreamlike words attached.  And I added some of the gorgeous PaperArtsy grasses, stamped in Bundled Sage Distress Oxide.








Looking back, I really like this fairly spare white stage... it has an emptiness and room for meditation.  But it didn't feel "finished", so I knew there had to be more to come.














First of all, those Bokeh bubbles.  I used a Simon Says Stamp stencil and Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass and Broken China.














The Tim Holtz architecture stamps are embossed in Earthtone Pepper powder.















I really like how the dreamer is framed by the Gothic archway.














I added the extra ruined pillar as an afterthought (as you'll see if you look closely at the ivy leaves... I managed to wipe the powder away but not all of the Watering Can ink underneath).













The distant dream-self has wings... who hasn't dreamed of being able to fly?
















And the cogs and gears provide additional circular shaping, keeping the eye moving around the page...















... as well as reflecting the cogs and gears of the mind processing the day's events through dreaming.













Edgar Allan Poe's words seemed the right choice for a page about the circularity of dreams within dreams.  They're from PaperArtsy EAB07 Dreaming & Doing.








I hope these pages have given your imagination something to dream about.  I'll be back in a few days with a special Guest appearance and some more autumn crafting, but for now I'll wish you all a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you again soon.

People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes.
Neil Gaiman

I'd like to share this in the Dreams or Wishes theme at Art Journal Journey
And at Country View Challenges the October theme is Bokeh

30 comments:

Helen said...

What a beautiful spread, Alison!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Goodness you were brave, Alison. I would have needed to add the Bokeh effect before I added the women and the architecture stamp. This turned out great, and I simply adore how you took us through this spread from start to finish. I absolutely LOVE that wreath. It turned out great. The entire spread is simply out of this world. Thanks for sharing it with us using Eileen's theme at Art Journal Journey.

Valerie-Jael said...

Fabulous journal page Alison, so many beautiful details and fantastic, cool colours. Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

Astrid Maclean said...

Finally back from Australia, so a little more time to visit blogs again....

This is a lovely soft and dreamy page, fabulous use of both stamps and images!

ann barnes said...

This is really a beautiful spread for the themes, I love the idea of a dream within a dream, your art and interpretation always give me reason to pause and consider, and I truly appreciate it

Craftyfield said...

The dolls in 2 sizes make for a clever narrative Alison! Fabulous page with lots of details and a subtle Bokeh effect. Delighted you could join us at Country View Challenges this month.

My name is Erika. said...

That garland circle really pops off the page, and how right you are about dreams taking us full circle. That is a really great garland as as being eye catching. I really enjoy this page a lot, especially the bits of gothic architecture on the bottom right. I do "need" that stamp set one of these days. I've looked it for quite awhile now. I wonder what the lady on your pages dreams of? I'm sure some things have changed since then and some things have not. Happy weekend. Hope it's a good one. Hugs-Erika

Dorthe said...

I`m totally in love,
Alison your embossed circle wreath giving
so much ,beautiful texture, I never saw the like !
And the dreamer , yes she captures my heart standing there in front of that wonderful Arch - pointing out the importance of dreaming.
Her dreaming self with the wing and the ivy -found a perfect place to rest .A beautiful story told , dear.
Hugs, Dorthe

Neet said...

How strange that I have been dreaming lately, well they say we all dream but seldom remember. I have done both. Not quite as dreamy and wistful as your dream pages which are beautiful. I love how you incorporated the Bokeh technique and used such pastel shades for your background.
The garland is absolutely beautiful, in colour and texture certainly but mainly visually for us too.The arched window is one of my favourite pieces on here and provides the perfect backdrop for the Petite Doll.
A truly wonderful piece Alison.
Hugs, Neet cx

Chrissy said...

Beautiful art journal page Alison..love the sentiment and beautiful garland and the lovely pastel shades..I don't think my dreams should be journaled but I have been dabbling of late with thoughts and putting them into my book..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Eileen The Artful Crafter said...

Gorgeous page, Alison. I can't tell you how delighted I am to see the Poe quote you used. Because it was one I wanted to use for this challenge, but I ran out of time. Thank you for sharing this gorgeous page with us at Art Journal Journey. Eileen xx

Redanne said...

The garland in the middle is beautiful, light and airy looking, the architecture window is fantastic and really adds to the dreamy nature of the page. The lady(ies) and the bokeh technique are perfect too. A wonderful spread! Anne xx

craftytrog said...

Great techniques! I love this Alison.

Amanda said...

Great double spread, so many signature little details build up your pages. Fabulous
Love
Amanda x

Patty O'Malley said...

Beautiful pages, Alison. I love the garland stencil. You always pick the most perfect quotes!

froebelsternchen said...

A simply wonderful spread Alison!
Thank you so much for joining AJJ again.
Happy new week ahead.
Big hugs, Susi

Mrs.B said...

A beautiful dreamy page Alison and the textured garland was a lovely starting point for your circle of dreams theme.
Avril xx

Meihsia Liu said...

Love your gorgeous journal pages, Alison. The texture and embellishments are so beautiful! :)

Let's Art Journal said...

Beautiful pages! It looks like you had a fun time with all the techniques that you used, and the texture and dimension that you created looks gorgeous 😁. Wishing you a happy new week! Hugs, Jo x

Cocofolies said...

A very beautiful page Alison, full of dreams indeed... The bokeh technique on your background is a great idea, and your words perfect!!! xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

A beautiful dreamy page! The ivy and that fabulous window are of course in my day dreams most of the time!
The bokeh effect works perfectly as the backdrop to dreams! Chrisxx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

The dreamy circular wreath in the middle really draws the eye in. LOVE all the circular bits, and the words...gorgeous and thoughtful pages.

sarascloset said...

A beautiful AJ spread, Alison! It certainly does have a dreamlike quality with the muted background! Gorgeous!

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Fabulous Alison! Loving the colours and the detail, perfect xXx

Roosterhead Designs said...

Wow Alison, simply fantastic! Each layer is beautiful! and also a learning session for me~ You share so much interesting detail - it is always appreciated~ I truly love your layered & textural work! These pages are unique and very lovely~ You are brave in your art & design; and it is richly rewarded in the outcome! <3 Hugs, karen o

Fonda said...

Lovely!

rachel said...

Stunning pages Alison! Love your bokeh effect and the beautiful soft colour palette. lush! Big hug hugs rachel x

Teresa said...

What a beautiful spread - thanks so much for joining in with the Bokeh challenge at CVC. Good luck and hope to see you again, Teresa DT

Sue said...

What a beautiful page Alison, full of fabulous techniques and details, and I love your bokeh, it's great when a plan comes together isn't it! Thank you so much for joining in with my challenge at Country View Crafts, and have a very happy weekend, Sue xx

Paper Profusion said...

Well now you have me floating off into dreamland - excellent timing given the late hour! These pages are beautifully gentile, ethereal and ladylike (in the old fashioned sense of the term). Delightfully done. I shall bid you good night and sweet dreams. Nicola x