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...

Friday 7 February 2020

The Golden Hours








Hello all!  I'm so glad you like the new sets of word stamps launched earlier this week over at PaperArtsy.  I've got a couple of new creations this weekend using stamps from the Time Edition, and here's the first of them.

It's doubling as my inspiration piece for the new challenge over at A Vintage Journey, hosted by the lovely Sara Emily, who would like us to work Against the Grain... the idea being to work with wood and woodgrain effects to create your projects.

So my golden clocks are set against a background of weathered wood planks.  Read on to see how it all came about.














The main inspiration for this wooden panel came from these words from my brand new Time Edition stamp set.  If you missed the launch post over at PaperArtsy earlier this week, sharing three new sets of quote stamps, do take a look.











The quote is by J.M. Barrie, whose most famous creation, Peter Pan, knew a thing or two about whiling away the odd golden hour.

I love how it sets up a problem or warning, and then answers itself!










The background was made with some printed woodplank paper - from a Craft Consortium pack called Wood Textures - but the planks were too wide to work on the size tag which is somewhere under here.  You'd only have had two and half planks, as you can see when it's set against the duplicate sheet in the pack.













So I simply cut them into narrower planks lengthwise.  I also cut a couple of them crossways so that I could have shorter planks adding extra interest.  I inked the edges and scuffed them with my scissor blade.













I mounted them on some thicker cardboard to give them a more substantial presence, and then glued them onto a large tag which I'd painted with a rich dark brown.  (I filled in the tag corner spaces with some more of the cardboard to keep it all nice and sturdy.)












I then had quite a lot of fun stamping labels and advertisements onto my wooden planks.  Some of these are Andy Skinner stamps...
















... and others are by Tim Holtz (I just typed him as Time Holtz... not surprising given how often I've typed the word Time in the last few days, what with the new stamps and all!).












I've been stuck in a bit of a rusty rut lately (see Hopes of Spring or Rusted Hope) and I wanted some more!  This is the other die-cut in the set with the chicken wire used on those earlier tags, and it looks just as good rusted up as that does.











I knew that as I was smearing the rust pastes on, there would be quite a lot of waste, so I did it over another piece of small card... and you've already seen that in action, trimmed to frame the words!

It's a combination of Art Extravagance Brown Rust and Imagination Crafts Rusty Patina, which has a more reddish-orange tone to warm up the brown.













I then started to gather timepieces to arrange on the wooden panel.  There are quite a lot of different sorts buried in the stash, in all sorts of metallic tones.











So it was out with the Treasure Gold waxes - my favourite White Fire and some Florentine Gold to bring everything into the same golden colour tones.


I'm generally more of a silvery kind of person, but I can't deny that the gleam of all that gold in the sunlight is rather lovely.






There's a large Idea-ology clock face (originally pewter-coloured, but now rather splendid in gold), complete with clock hands.














There are some actual watch parts, bought as part of a job lot.  I'm delighted to say that the tiny cog on this one still rotates when you touch it, despite the added waxes.
















I've used them occasionally on projects over the years, but then I tend to forget about them for months (years) at a time.















The large engraved circle is the back cover of a pendant watch which I actually used to wear as my watch.  Sadly, you can't replace the battery once it's worn down, so I turned it to crafty purposes.

And watch out tomorrow for the rest of the watch!!













The tiny glass brad on the top is from way back when - I think it may be by Bo Bunny.












Of course you need lots of cogs and gears to keep a clock or watch running well.

(I don't know what that flake of green paint is doing there - must have got in the way as I was photographing and I didn't notice.  It's not there any more.  Harrumph, and I've just checked and found it's in all the photos - bah humbug!)












Best to keep them away from rust, mind you... Oops!















There's lots of golden splatter alongside a bit of my customary white.  It has a spectacular gleam to it.















It's one of Jackson's Art Supplies drawing inks, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what else it can do.















I'm especially looking forward to combining it with other mediums, maybe adding it as some gilding on acrylic backgrounds... more to come soon, I hope.


















So that's me going Against The Grain - using gold, of all things! - but over a lovely weathered wood plank background.

There's lots more lovely woody grainy inspiration from my fellow Creative Guides over at A Vintage Journey, and we're looking forward to seeing your wood-grained creations this month.

Wood is universally beautiful to a man. It is the most humanly intimate of all materials.
Frank Lloyd Wright












I'd like to share this at Country View Challenges where the theme for February is Splatters, Splashes and Drips (something tells me this might not be my only entry!)

39 comments:

aussie aNNie said...

wow Alison this is AMAZING love how you make everything look awesome...I love 'studying' what you make but I would never be able to do the same..so will just drool over yours.xx

My name is Erika. said...

I love this ALison. The wood plank background is really clever and I like it. And you have some cool metal clock bits with work perfect. The rust aging really fits and breaks up the brass. Happy end of the week. Hugs-Erika

Helen said...

what a fabulous tag, those planks are wonderful. Love all the metalwork.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Not sure where to begin, since there is so much that impressed me. First, the planks turned out super. You would make a good carpenter and floor builder. You cut those planks beautifully. Then there are all the cogs, gears, watch parts, and rust. All so well placed. It was like you knew the best and most accurate position to place each of these pieces to produce maximum interest. Gold and rust work well for you, dear Alison. So does this incredible tag.

Valerie-Jael said...

Absolutely fantastic, it all looks so real. Well done! Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

craftytrog said...

Absolutely fabulous Alison! I love the rust and splatters! xx

sarascloset said...

Alison, what a wonderful and unexpected change of pace from your more organic color schemes! I do love how you've made that gorgeous wood paper work on a smaller surface, for an incredibly believable 'wood' background to your unified watch parts! So clever to see how this all came together (as always, I so enjoy your 'words'! Dang that green speck. (It happens to me all the time; just have to pretend it's part of the plan!) FL Wright is soooo right about his thoughts on wood! Thank you so much for your inspiration and being such a fabulous teammate! Big hugs! Sara Emily

sarascloset said...

PS I meant to say also, that rusty is NOT a rut! How stunning is your faux rust! You've really sold me on that new die set. Must include it in my next order if it's still available.

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, simply stunning! I adore the wording, many congratulations on the launch of your new Time Edition word stamps 😁. The wood plank background is a triumph with the pretty stamping and those timepieces, and the colours look amazing too - I love it! Happy February! Hugs, Jo x

Sandy said...

Your latest creation is gorgeous Alison - you sure do have an eye for composition. And you are so good with mixed media. I do believe that this piece is one of your very best. For me, the engraved cover sets the tone and that tiny brad on top is a stroke of genius. I always knew you were extremely talented and this just proves it! Bravo Alison!!!
Sandy xx

Lagene said...

AWESOME creation, I really ned to find this rust paste!

Christine Alexander said...

Wonderful tag Alison, when I first saw your post I thought it was a piece of wood plank :), so clever using paper. Love the stamping and layering of the cogs.

Chrissy said...

Fantastic piece of art Alison, love the planks and the rusty chicken wire and the time pieces are fabulous along with the quotes, love,love,love this...

Luv CHRISSYxx

Craftyfield said...

I can't believe you made your own planks! It works well of course and there's some lovely metallic hues as well as yummy rusty textures... Gorgeous!

Meggymay said...

A stunning project and the wood effect background looks amazing. I loved all the detail and the great quotes from you new stamp sets.
Yvonne xx

Hazel Agnew said...

Oh Alison. Where do I start. This speaks to me and makes me reflect! How I perceive the golden hours can change during a day. Just now, tonight, it speaks to me about my time of life and it is vital to not miss a single opportunity while it presents itself. Not a morbid outlook but made more special by the passing of the years. Loving the golden spatters....it has been one of addictions recently.
You have such a gift and I am so pleased that I am party to it! Fabulous!! ��

froebelsternchen said...

An outstanding project! This simply looks fantastic Alison!
Happy February!
Big hugs, Susi

froebelsternchen said...

Perfection in every little detail! What a unique project! WOW!

Aimeslee Winans said...

Alison, this is simply gorgeous! And such a wonderful tutorial, thank you so much for sharing! xoxox

Ann Chuang Crafts said...

Amazing project! I love how you made your own planks and love all the embellies you have added.
Hugs, Ann x

Fliss said...

Absolutely gorgeous panel Alison and such clever use of the paper to create the wooden look background. The perfect foil for all those beautiful altered time elements and I actually quite like the flake of green that crept in!
Fliss xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I am always in love with anything that has an industrial feel to it so this is perfect. Loving the new sentiment stamps too. Happy crafting, Angela xXx

Marci said...

Wonderful! I love the gold against the "wood".

Redanne said...

Alison, I am nearly speechless at this gorgeous creation. I love how you created the wood planks, the time elements are exquisite and I found the sentiment used in this context quite moving. Thank you so much for creating this wonderful piece! Anne xx

Margaret Mifsud said...

How awesome is this?? I love how you created your plank background Alison .. it looks exactly like part of an old crate! The rusted panels and the arrangement of watch parts is superb and the sentiments are absolutely perfect! You've blown me away again!!! xx

Neet said...

Oh dearAlison, having just said I have the watch/fob in your Curio Clock post I now have to tell you I have this paper stuck on a board left over from a workshop by a gentleman crafter.
I used to be obsessed by all things "Time" related and so I am sure I have some of those watch pieces you have used, but not the one sat on the watch back - sadly, 'cos I love it. Again you are reminding me that I stil need to buy the chicken wire die and especially if it also has the die you used here for your rusty piece. I love how you rust them.
Of course the words bring it all together, tying it all up like a piece of string would.
Another wonderful piece Alison, and all about 'time' too.
Hugs, Neet xx

Mac Mable said...

The wood background is great to showcase the wonderful clocks, cogs and rust. What fabulous sentiments and as always I always learn so much when I stop by. A glorious project Alison x.

Sue said...

This is fabulous Alison, those planks look so realistic and they fit in perfectly with your cogs and gears. Take care, Sue x

Dorthe said...

Alison you are genious , oh those planks , are amazing - after cutting them up, and giving them that aged look and lov e the stamps used on them. Ofcourse I`m totally in love with your rusted chicken wire , too - all so gorgeous .
Hugs, Dorthe

Deb said...

Gorgeous Alison, love your wood plank background and all of those lovely rusty bits and gleaming gold embellishments arranged so perfectly on top. Love that your little watch bits still have some movement in them as well <3 Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful tag, Deb xo

Mrs.B said...

A wonderful project Alison, the wood background looks very realistic and I can imagine it as a larger working piece in some gallery. Love your new quotes.
Avril xx

Patty O'Malley said...

Fantastic project, Alison!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love this! The wood paper looks so real. Once again you have added so many little touches that really make a difference to the whole project! Chrisx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

So glad to finally be here to visit Alison and what a starting point this evening. Those luscious golds look splendid against the rusty trellis like you I am more a silver girl but within art there is something quite special about golds amongst paint and paper. With it's wooden backdrop it's a wonderful way to showcase your words. Beautiful. Hugs Tracey xx
P.S I did smile when I read *Time Holtz.. :))

Craftyfield said...

Me again... Thanks for joining us at Country View Challenges this month!

Astrid Maclean said...

A fabulous project Alison, the "wood planks" look very realistic and the rusty clocks and gears, with their subtle splattering, really add to the overall effect! A wonderful creation!

Monika Gulyas said...

Beautiful work, Alison!!! I love the background of wood planks with the stamping and splattering!!! And I love how cleverly you created the design for your text!!! Thank you for joining the February challenge of the Country View Challenges!

Teresa said...

Thank you for joining our Splatters, Splashes, and Drips challenge at Country View Challenges. Good luck and hope to see you again. Teresa DT xx

Cocofolies said...

Looks like I missed this post and tag, fabulous with all the rust, and your idea of wood planks from simple patterend paper!!! xx