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Tuesday, 29 October 2019

Glowing Acorns








Hello all!  I'm delighted to be here today with a Guest Designer project for the fabulous Try It On Tuesday challenge.

The theme this month is Colours of Autumn, so it couldn't have been more suited to my current crafting zone.

In fact, what I've created here is a partner tag to my October Acorns.  (You can see them both together at the end of the post.)

If the challenge had gone live only a couple of days later, I could have called these "November Acorns"... just that little bit more wintry than the previous tag!


















At long last, those die-cut leaves are putting in their appearance.

I promised you them all the way back at the beginning of the month when I first shared the photo below.  













The tiny punched leaves got used for my Tree Poetry tag and the Colours of Autumn ATCs.   The main tag was the base for the October Acorns, and now finally here are the large leaves which were actually the first thing I started doing with these inky/oxidey tags.












My original plan had included a blue background, trying to capture one of those vivid autumn skies.  It's a combination that's been a favourite on autumn projects in previous years, but somehow it just wasn't happening.  So instead this white-washed woodgrain took its place.















It's glued onto some packaging cardboard which gives it a nice solidity, and it's had a touch of Vintage Photo ink around the edges.















Then it was really just a question of arranging my autumnal gatherings in a pleasing composition.

This, as you know, is the only time of year you'll find me playing with orange, but I do love these acorns (real acorn cups, foam tops).














I must get some of the greenish ones into action soon before the season is over.












The leaves die-cut from the tag have those lovely golden gleaming spots courtesy of some of the Lindy's Stamp Gang Magicals powders over the Distress Inks and Oxides.













You have to catch the light at a certain angle to really see the shimmer.















But that's something I've always enjoyed creating - those now-you-see-it, now-you-don't moments.















There are some tangles of white moss...















... the strands add movement, dimension and texture all in one - that's pretty good going!















The Magicals powders are also in action on my tiny Scrapiniec confetti stars.
















Again, at the right angle they can be magical (hence the name, I suppose!)...















... and they also work for spattering if you mix them with some water on the craft mat.













There have to be some words, of course.  These are from my PaperArtsy EAB04 Autumn Edition set.









Some simple rustic twine finishes things off, and that's about that.  But before I go, here as promised is a shot of today's Glowing Acorns alongside the October Acorns.


I often work in pairs and trios, but for once this wasn't a planned pairing.  I guess I must have had some unfinished acorn business... I just had to follow that instinct to play with them again, and I'm happy I did.





Thank you so much to Avril and the rest of the fantastic Try It On Tuesday team for inviting me to be a Guest Designer alongside them this month.  I hope you'll hop over to see what autumnal wonders they've been cooking up, and be inspired to play along with your own Colours of Autumn too.




Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I'm hoping to have a bit of time this week to catch up with you all around Craftyblogland, and I'll be back later in the week with some more new challenge inspiration.  I hope to see you again soon.

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

You cannot plant an acorn in the morning, and expect that afternoon to sit in the shade of an oak.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

At Tag Tuesday you'll be happy to hear that Anything Goes (as long as it's a tag, obviously!)
They want to see Die-Cuts and Punches over at MOO Mania & More
These leaves have already tricked a couple of you, so I'd like to play along at the Funke Junkie Boutique Challenge Blog where they want to see that It Looks Real
At Let's Craft and Create the theme is Anything Goes + an option of Colours of Fall
And there's a theme of Anything Goes with an optional twist of Orange over at More Mixed Media
At the Bleeding Art Challenge they want to see mixed media, but other than that Anything Goes

48 comments:

froebelsternchen said...

Absolutely gorgeous dear Alison! Wonderful tags are these... I love them!
Thank you so much for being our GD this fortnight!
You make us so proud!

Happy week!

Susi

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what a stunning tag! I love the wintery feel with the cold background which really speaks to me with the frosty mornings that we had yesterday and today - brrrr 😀. The colours of autumn really stand out, I love those acorns and leaves and the words are so true - perfect! Thanks so much for the inspiration and for joining us at Try it on Tuesday as Guest Designer for the next two weeks! Happy wishes and hugs, Jo x

froebelsternchen said...

And thank you so much for supporting Moo Mania More as well dear Alison! Much appreciated!

Meggymay said...

A gorgeous autumn tag Alison, we are so happy that you are our Guest Designer for the new TioT's theme and for sharing your inspirational art with us. All the photos were lovely and showed so many wonderful details. i love the leaves and the shimmer shine on the acorns.
Yvonne xx

Rosie said...

What a gorgeous tag, Alison. So glad that you our guest designer this fortnight.

I say thank you for sharing over at MOO MANIA & MORE

Aimeslee Winans said...

Alison, you and Cath with your nature findings, wow! I've never seen REAL acorns used on a tag. Gorgeous! But get this, I thought those were REAL leaves until I scrolled down. Your tag is simply delightful! I hope to participate with some little something in this great theme. xoxo

mamablitger said...

They are gorgeous !!! Just love your work !! Hugs from Monica ... Spain

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful tag Alison, and just right for my challenge as I love everything autumn and the gorgeous colours. Thanks so much for joining us at Tag Tuesday, much appreciated! Hugs Valerie

craftytrog said...

Absolutely gorgeous Alison! Xx

Dorthe said...

A wonderful wintry tag , so beautiful , your leaves with Golden touches are so Stunning as is the stars , also flickering in the light. And thankyou for all the beautiful photos showing all you did.
Hugs xx

Cath Wilson said...

Love your autumnal leaves, Alison and a touch of mica always adds beauty - as you say, one of those 'now you see it' moments - I like them, too and often spray backgrounds with clear mica. Great to see the acorns...such an integral part of my childhood and so precious...beautiful shades, too. Great tags and lovely work. Thanks so much for guesting with TIOT!
Cath x

Craftyfield said...

Just as beautiful as the previous one! Love these nature inspired creations, Alison. x

Mrs.B said...

Lovely to have you join us as our Guest Designer at TioT for this challenge and with such a fabulous tag. As it's the end of October and we've had a couple of frosty mornings already, so the colours on this tag a perfect to reflect the frosts and mists at this time of the year. Love the quote you used, again - just perfect.
Avril xx

Redanne said...

Oh my, this tag is gorgeous Alison. I love the golden flecks on the leaves and the acorns look glossy and beautiful (I thought the tops were real) and of course, the sentiment is just perfect. I love this tag! Anne xx

Eileen The Artful Crafter said...

Gorgeous tag, Alison! I think the white-washed woodgrain background is just perfect to make the autumn colors shine. What a fab set the two of them make together. Congratulations on being guest designer at TioT! Well deserved. Eileen xx

Mac Mable said...

Congratulations on guesting and what a stunning tag you are guesting with Alison. The whitewash background is fabulous to show off the wonderful Autumnal pieces. The pop of orange looks striking and so glad it makes an appearance this time of year on your amazing and creative tags x.

Amanda said...

What a beautiful tag, yet again, and I just love the 2 tags side by side, a great pairing demonstrating how chilly our autumn weather can be.
Love
Amanda x

pearshapedcrafting said...

I am so pleased to see you as our Guest Designer Alison! This tag is such a treat to see - and even though you didn't want white as your background it does seem that you picked the right time as we have had beautiful sunny mornings, highlighting the colours on the trees, alongside frost!!! I love the sparkle on the leaves and stars! I see you have another fabulous tag alongside so I am going to treat myself to a catchup now we are home for a while! We have been spending more time at our caravan as we are sadly giving it up at the end of the year...we have other plans though!!! Hugs, Chrisx

pearshapedcrafting said...

I had no idea that I would have to go so far back - you certainly have had wonderful creative month....smiling as I head to bed!! Chrisxx

My name is Erika. said...

I'm so excited you are our guest designer for this challenge Alison. it is right up your alley as you do autumn so nicely. I like the faded wood look background too. It reminds me of all an old fence post and all the bits of fall debris that collections around it. That is such a perfect view. Nice! Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You have really capitalized on the DESIGNER in Guest Designer, Alison. I had NO idea those were real acorns. Guess I've never seen a real one before.

I love the shimmer, the movement, the sparkle, and most of all, those leaves that look just like ones that have fallen in my neighborhood, but with more shimmer. This is an amazing tag and compliments the other one perfectly. You really DO inspire!!!

Chrissy said...

I love your acorn tags Alison, the wonderful die cut Autumn leaves and the splatters of paint..FABulous.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh I love Autumn, and I absolutely adore your tags, both of them, both the more wintry one and the earlier one, they just make a lovely pair!
Love the addition of the natural elements (those acorns are so clever) and the die cut leaves are wonderful too!!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I read your comment on my blog, Alison. I read that the cups were real, but also read the tops (or caps) were foam. The actual acorn seed has already fallen out of the "shell" or cup, right? I guess I just didn't write enough in my previous comment. My fault for taking a shortcut and thinking you could read my mind. I STILL haven't seen an acorn, except in photos, though (grin).

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Autumn splendor! LOVE that the acorn tops look so real...just like the ones in my backyard and all over the place. The white wooden tag is the perfect substrate...really gorgeous and striking tag!

sarascloset said...

Alison, this is a wonderful pairing to your October Acorns, which is where I believe I've left off at your blog. I love the faux whitewashed wood background that really set off your gorgeous swirling stars and falling leaves and acorns. That white splatter is the icing on the cake! Just stunning! Congratulations on your well deserved Guest spot at TIOT! Oh, I just realized this tag would be perfect for the current challenge, 'It Looks Real', at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog because your wood sure looks real to me! Hugs! Sara Emily

Marjut said...

Fantastic tag. Beautifully designed.

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Alison, these are lovely. I was relieved when you said it was a partner for an earlier project because I looked at it and thought I've seen it before, checked the comment box, no comment and then read the rest of the post which just proves you need to read the post first Lol! I get so excited at seeing your projects that I look at the pics instead of reading the post silly me. Sending hugs and wishing you a lovely creative week, Angela xXx

sarascloset said...

Yay! I'm delighted to see you played along with our It Looks Real challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique blog! Those leaves look every bit as real as the brown dried leaves we get here for our fall foliage. And they look as if they have been kissed by dew and started to mildew ever so slightly. As I said before this tag is just stunning!

pinky said...

absolutely stunning tag Alison. Such attention to detail and great photos.

Loose Stitches said...

They are both gorgeous creations! Thank you for sharing with us over at Let's Craft and Create. We hope to see you again.
~ Sherry DT/Admin xx

Diana Taylor said...

Simply stunning! I just love your wood background and the chilly feel to this one, it really is gorgeous and is in perfect harmony with your first one - such glorious colours. I've always found the real acorn 'nut' wrinkles and splits as it dries out so your foam ones are a fantastic idea and the real cups make the whole thing look totally authentic. As always your beautiful detailed work is a joy to see.
Diana xx

Suzanne C said...

Gorgeous! I adore the acorns with the leaves and woodgrain all a beautiful tribute to Fall! Thanks for playing in the "It Looks Real" Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge!

ann barnes said...

Fabulous combination of those leaves and that whitewash wood grain! This tag is such a gorgeous representation of fall, each morning on my walks I see the fallen leaves and acorn caps scattered over the path and know that autumn has truly arrived.

Sue said...

This is stunning Alison, I love everything about it! Autumn is such a beautiful season xx

Patty O'Malley said...

Another fabulous tag, Alison! Perfect in every way! Thank you so much for always taking time to comment on my blog. It means a lot!

Monika Gulyas said...

Beautiful autumn colours and words on beautiful tags!!! xx

Cocofolies said...

What glorious pair of tags, wow! I absolutely love your golden gleaming spots on your leaves, and all these autumnal colours, so beautiful and realistic here.
Loving also your two quotes Alison, meaningful for me... Whatever they are in French or in English of course! Really need your stamp sets.
Well, like you I'm also a lover of this season, and I always regret to not enough create with mushrooms, acorns, and leaves... but without Halloween! :) xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

So nice to see you as a guest over at TioT Alison and a beautiful theme, i'm so blessed to be an Autumn baby. As your first tag was stunning your second is just as alluring with the white background moving towards the frosty edge of the season as it moves ever closer to Winter. Each and every element is matched to perfection. I'm just sorry I did not catch it earlier.. Playing catch up can be so hard when there is so many wonderful creatives in blogland.
Hugs Tracey x

Margaret said...

Both are wonderful and perfectly capture the color and mood of autumn! Love those leaves and the weathering they appear to have! It's like walking through the woods. As always, absolutely love your creations!!

Sandra Wright. said...

Fabulous Tags and I just love those acorns. I've been looking for real ones with the grand kiddies and only been finding the cups that are now in my craft room..think the squirrels beat us to the acorns..
Thank you for joining us at Tag Tuesday...x

WendyK said...

Another one of your fabulous textured and colourful tags. Thank you for joining us on Tag Tuesday.

Paper Profusion said...

Well I'm so glad you had some "unfinished acorn business"! This pair really do compliment each other beautifully. They look wonderful individually and even more splendid as a set. Such lovely composition and ingredients. Nicola x

Ginny @ Polly's Paper Studio said...

Sweet and simple and so very elegant. Thanks for joining us for our challenge at the Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog. Crafty hugs from Ginny at Polly's Paper Studio : )

Caty said...

Your tags are really Gorgeous Alison !! Love the so beautigul background and the acorns and the leaves are wonderful. Great colours. Congratulations for hosting this lovely theme this fortnight at Tiot.
I wish you a very nice new week,
Big hugs, Caty

Jenny Marples said...

Oh these sum up Autumn so beautifully Alison. The leaves have that look that makes you imagine them crunching under foot and the acorns gleam like seasonal jewels resplendent on their corresponding tags. Thank you for joining us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog xx

sally said...

I’m always drawn to the autumn art & its colours:-)

Sally xx

Neet said...

I could have sworn i had already commented on this tag. Have just been scrolling back to see what I have missed and thought this was the point I had to stop and go on one. Not so, sorry.
Well, it is a gorgeous tag Alison and I just love those words which describe my favourite season. I love the colours of autumn although they are not colours I wear but I am instantly drawn to the trees when they begin to turn.
Such a beautiful tag to go with the other one.
Hugs, Neet xx