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Saturday 25 January 2020

Hopes of Spring








Hello all!  I'm still in slightly rusty mode after my Rusted Hope tag the other day.  And I couldn't resist having another play with the chicken wire die - this time rusted slightly differently.

I made this tag to celebrate having completed my tax return.  It really was just a chance to play after sorting through invoices and receipts all day.

(Yes, I know, if I were more organised through the year, it would all be much simpler at this point... but that's just not how I work I'm afraid.  I'd rather restrict the financial admin to a couple of days each year than think about it all year long!)



















Like Rusted Hope, this tag plays with the contrast between the rusted "manmade" elements and the forces of nature. 















And it's well worth encouraging your hopes not your fears here, because nature definitely seems to be winning out this time round!














The background on this tag is really rather full on.  It started with some wrinkle-free-distressing with Broken China, Stormy Sky, Peeled Paint and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks.















Over that I stamped the teeny tiny text from Tim Holtz's Entomology stamp set and embossed it in bright white.

I then did some multiple stamping of two of the insects from the same set in Pumice Stone Distress Ink and embossed those in clear.













As always, I love how the glossy embossing captures light.














The chicken wire (or honeycomb, whichever way you want to think of it), cut from card, has had a coat of Finnabair's Art Extravagance Brown Rust Paste (grabbed in the sales).














Such a simple way to get a rusty texture... and I added some variation in colour with other paints and mediums.













The two delicate grass stems are cut from the mop-up tag created in the wrinkle-free-distressing earlier.  I brayered white paint over the top of my blues and greens, so the stems are lighter in tone than the vivid inks in the background.















This Paper Doll has been hovering on the desk for a while.















I'm worried about how serious he looks... as though he's wary about what life is going to throw at him next.













So I've grounded him on some tape to give him a safer standing in the world.














And I thought he could do with the reassurance provided by this particular Word Band.














If you read my previous post, you'll know that I'm feeling the need of the same advice.

I've been feeling very gloomy about the state of the world, but I have to stay hopeful that the power of nature will triumph in the end over all our attempts to destroy her. 













The butterflies are carrying my hopes on their fragile wings...













... as they hover over the lush greenery, and point us in the direction we need to go if we're to save this miraculous planet of ours.














Some simple rustic garden twine tops the whole thing off...
















... and I mounted the tag on some thick waste cardboard before inking the edges with Vintage Photo.  It gives it a really pleasing sturdiness.

That'll do for today.  I hope you're all enjoying a lovely weekend, and I look forward to doing some hopping to catch up with you all now that the tax return is done and dusted... yay!!  Happy crafting all!

One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken.
Leo Tolstoy




33 comments:

Helen said...

Fab tag, Alison and well done on the tax return!

Let's Art Journal said...

Beautiful tag! It captures spring beautifully with the beautiful green tones and light touches of stamping and pretty transparent butterfly wings - amazing 😁. The rusty elements are gorgeous too! Glad you had a respite from your tax forms, I hope you have it all completed soon. Take care and happy weekend! Hugs, Jo x

Chrissy said...

Beautiful tag Alison with the greens and blues and that dragon fly is gorgeous and I love the quote band too..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Valerie-Jael said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Valerie-Jael said...

Fabulous tag Alison!

My name is Erika. said...

Oh spring colors. It is time for those beautiful shades again. And what I really love is those cool butterflies. Very very clever Alison. This is a gorgeous tag. Happy rest of your weekend. Hugs-Erika

Margaret said...

Another beautiful tag! I love the hope filled colors you chose and the rusty chicken wire is fantastic! Congratulations on the taxes. I'm still sorting through mine...

Christine Alexander said...

Alison OMG I'm in awe this tag is gorgeous :)

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Not only do I adore the tag, I love that your rust was safe and non-toxic. It's wonderful.

Alison, I was born on Earth Day and I take this planet very seriously. I totally agree with you that we are trying to destroy it and our (the U.S.) president is doing his best to make that happen without any help from any other country. More than once he has said that global warming is a joke. He has turned over lands that were federally protected to lumber companies. He has deregulated companies that can now throw their waste into our precious rivers. He has now . .

OK. I'm off my soap box and just appreciate the beauty you have created in this tag.

Mary Elizabeth said...

Good morning my friend! I am sitting here watching it flurry outside with my favorite coffee (a vice that I get to enjoy only on very few occasions now due to the health issues of the past year). What a wonderful cozy morning to be inside and start a marathon "catch up" on my blog. I may not leave comments on all the posts but just know, like this one, I am enjoying them all.

I need to make several thank you notes and I think I'm going to use the layer embossed stamping idea from this tag for some of my backgrounds. How absolutely lovely. I must say that I'm surprised that this paper doll didn't just jump on this tag all on his own. He seems to just belong on this tag. How kind of you to give him a foundation to stand on. I think that's where the hope really is on this tag. The world as a whole is going crazy; however, it is the day-to-day experiences with the people that we each come in contact that makes the difference. Someone comes along and gives you a foundation to stand on when you need it. The same is true for the little things that we do each to save our planet. That's the hope that I see here. You know I absolutely love your rusty treatment of the chicken wire die. And those ethereal butterflies are hopes taking wing with the spinners pointing up. Stunning!!! Pinned! Well off to explore the rest of you posts over the last year. Whew! Hugs! -- Mary Elizabeth

Lagene said...

Awesome tag, love all the layers of color, embossed images and love those transparent insect wings!

Mac Mable said...

The look of the honeycomb/chicken wire looks so different from your previous tag Alison and equally amazing.
I love how you built up the background and I am intrigued to see the colour of the pumice stone showing up...I will remember that x.
The story telling and inspiration are both fabulous and I so enjoy reading your posts.
I do so hope those wonderful butterflies show us the way x.
Such a glorious tag, full of interest, fun techniques and a wonderful sentiment x.
I am so glad your tax return is done Alison.....x

Mrs.B said...

A lovely tag Alison, full of fresh spring colours and the promise of warmer days with the sight of butterflies. Love the contrast with the rusty wire.
I'm with you on the last minute Tax even though I say I will do it every April - but I put if off until necessary every year!
Avril xx

craftytrog said...

Beautiful tag Alison! xx

Redanne said...

You created some wonderful depth in the background and I love the look of the rust on the chicken wire/honeycomb, I think I need to invest in some of that paste. The little lad does look a bit unsure of himself! Those delicate butterflies are wonderful symbols of hope on your gorgeous tag. Anne x

Lys said...

I share your state of mind about the planet... Some fears reading the news all over the world, and hopes coming from some human according-to-nature-projects also. As we can make the worst as the best, let's show the best part, and your tag shows that perfectly; I love the delicate colours and textures (aaah your butterflies wings!) and the story of this young boy. Gorgeous.

Sue said...

This is so beautifull Allison! I love the white embossing, and the colours on the tag are so pretty. Well done on completing your tax return, at least it's all done for another year. Take care and have a very happy week, Sue xx

Amanda said...

Beautiful tag born out of a concerning issue, I try to do my bit but sometimes it feels so futile but we’ve got to try.
Glad the tax forms sorted, for another year anyway!
Love
Amandax

Marci said...

A pretty, pretty tag!

ann barnes said...

I absolutely love this!

Anneke said...

I love this tag! The colors are so fresh! It reminds me that spring is the next season to come.
Thank you for your tutorial!

Fliss said...

A really beautiful tag Alison and love the hint of spring you've achieved which might cheer up the serious looking young man on there.
Know what you mean about the state of the world, in the middle of ditching plastic here by converting to paper where possible and I have my own re-usable veggie bags.
Glad to hear you managed to get the dreaded tax return finished and can recommend a spreadsheet that you can add invoices and receipts to when you get them - a great time saver.
Thanks for your kind comments that mean a lot to me when I've not been visiting much but hope to remedy this year.
Fliss xx

Paper Profusion said...

How beautifully shimmery and light this is Alison whilst also having terrific 'earthy' grounding. A beautiful tag that tells a heartening story. Love it! Well done on the tax return. I am suffering from serious procrastination in general myself this month! Nicola x

Cocofolies said...

I love the delicatessen of this tag, so beautiful with the addition of these exquisite wings... They show well your hope that the fragile but also strong nature can triomph at the end! I hope so, sharing your feelings of course :)
Coco xxx

Craftyfield said...

Lovely, just lovely, great colours, great composition…
As to the taxes… I hate doing it so much that I do them as soon as I can, preferably before the summer holidays and let HMRC do the maths for me!

Dortesjs said...

Very beautiful tag Alison.

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Alison lovely tag, full of rusty goodness. Pleased I've never had to think about tax returns so well done to you. Have a lovely happy and creative week, Angela xxx

sarascloset said...

Congrats on getting your tax return done! Whew! I know that's a job, especially when we do it like the two of us do it. My husband would love to change this zebra's stripes and have me keep up with the forms/papers throughout the year, but I would find that exhausting.

Your tag is a wonderful celebration in those beautiful natural tones and all the rust. Great design and details, as always, and such a great inspiration! Hugs!

Neet said...

Another success with that chicken wire die. I love how you have used different materials on it but not detracted from the rusted, broken look.
You are quite right about the expression on the boy's face and so i am happy to see you have given him some hope both with his grounding and the metal tag.
I am glad I am not the only one feeling a bit down and gloomy at the moment with what is going on around us. The fires in Oz hit me hard to start off but then so manky other things came crowding in. Time for some sunshine I think.
Hugs, Neet xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

So refreshing to see those greens, it's like a sign of hope itself always a fabulous choice when teamed up with rust like best pals. The expression on the boys face is a little concerning, he's probably wanting to change out of his Sunday best and run freely amongst that lush greenery.
Another beautiful display Alison, makes me want to go make something but I think it's best to wait till morning where the light will be much kinder on the eyes.
Good to hear about the tax returns, I used to hate this time of year, glad I don't have to scramble around for petrol & resource receipts anymore there was always one or two that were missed.
Hugs Tracey xx

Patty O'Malley said...

Beautiful tag, Alison! Love the glossy text. The sentiment is perfect as I, too, have been a bit down lately and the state of the world doesn't help the feeling. Love the butterfly and the springy colors on this tag, too.

Anna-Karin said...

Another lovely tag! All that green and all the splatters are stunning. And I totally agree with you regarding the tax return, and sometimes a deadline does wonders when it comes to speeding up less fun things.

sally said...

Such joy to be able to play after the druge of tax returns!


Sally xx