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 6 March 2020

Useful or Beautiful

Hello all!  It's so long since I've been here that I've almost forgotten how to write a blogpost!  My apologies for the long silence, both here at Words and Pictures and in terms of visiting... it's been a busy old time lately.  I've got a quieter time coming up, so hope to do some catching up with the crafting world now.

I simply couldn't miss Celebration Time over at A Vintage Journey today, though - it's a challenge celebrating our our sixth birthday.  Can you believe it?   Your projects don't have to be all about birthdays or big events.  Our host, the fabulous Brenda, also wants to know what you are celebrating in your crafting and creativity at the moment.


Well, I'm just celebrating being back at my craft desk by playing with lots of my favourite things... crackle, rusty wire, tiny houses and, of course, some words.  There are lots of glorious projects to enjoy from my fellow Creative Guides.  Do check out all the things they are celebrating, and we hope you'll share with us what you're celebrating this month.







You can see the rusty wire, words and tiny houses in that main picture, but maybe not the crackle, so this photo is just to prove that's in the mix too!













It all started with this gorgeous paper from the new Stamperia Forest collection.  It reminded me a bit of a William Morris print...














... so I thought it would be perfect to combine it with one of the most famous quotes on my new House & Home collection for PaperArtsy on some of Tim Holtz's Tiny Houses.













The words are stamped in Peat Moss Archival ink, which turned out to be a perfect match for the soft green of the leaves.













Apart from a splatter of paint which unhelpfully turned the word 'house' into the word 'horse'...














... I really love how the combination of words and pictures (and 3D objects) works.














And around the back of the tiniest house, you even get a reminder of whose words they are...













The roofs are cut out of corrugated cardboard, and have had a random application of Ranger Opaque crackle paste.  Over that, I blended Walnut Stain Distress Ink to highlight the cracks and darken the edges.
















I also blended the Walnut Stain ink onto the corners of the houses to give them a nice distressed look.  You can see the difference it makes from the clean cut look of the un-inked papers...













... to the inked edges with a vintage weathered appearance.














I added some metal accents - cogs are definitely useful things, so they work as a contrast to the beauty of the raspberry vines.















And this Muse Token seemed appropriate to go with the words.













And of course the other main metal accent is my much-loved rusty wire, twisted and twined around the centres of the houses.















Around the foot of the houses, I glued delicate strands of green moss to "ground" the houses.








As it turned out, when I was photographing these on the mossy railway sleeper in the garden, you can hardly tell the moss is there!


But there's another thing to celebrate here... the arrival of the symptoms of spring - both in the greenery (look at those lovely delicate grassy stems) and the weather which allowed me to get outside for half an hour!








I really like that you can just turn the houses around if you decide you'd like to get a proper look at those lovely papers without anything much getting in the way!

















I hope you like these tiny houses as much as I do.  They were certainly a lovely way to try to get my creative energy flowing again at the craft desk.















It's always tricky coming back from a consuming rehearsal process and getting back into the swing of crafty things.
















But with A Vintage Journey's sixth birthday to celebrate, I had the nudge I needed to get my fingers messy again.











Having some of my new word stamps to inspire me was also really helpful... the quotes always trigger ideas for me.

In fact, I knew even when I was collecting the House & Home quotes that I wanted to add them to some houses.  I'm guessing it won't be the last time you see some House & Home words on some little houses!

We hope you'll come and celebrate with us this month at A Vintage Journey.  Remember, your projects can be about celebrating your own creative journey - not just birthday or anniversary celebrations.  We can't wait to see what you are celebrating.










Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I'm very much looking forward to doing some visiting over the next week to catch up with all of you.

Celebrate your journey of life.
Laila Gifty Akita

People of our time are losing the power of celebration.  Instead of celebrating we seek to be amused or entertained.  Celebration is an active state, an act of expressing reverence or appreciation. To be entertained is a passive state - it is to receive pleasure afforded by an amusing act or a spectacle...  Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one's actions.
Abraham Joshua Heschel

I'd like to join in with the Anything Mixed Media Goes theme at Bleeding Art Challenge
I'd also like to share them at the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog where it's also Anything Mixed Media Goes
At More Mixed Media it's Anything Goes with an optional twist of Green

45 comments:

Julia Aston said...

What sweet little garden houses you created Alison - with their pretty raspberries, greenery and rusted wire wrapped 'round them - I can just imagine coming upon these in a clearing in the woods nestled near a giant tree trunk and surely little fairies would be nearby as well!! xx

Christine Alexander said...

beautiful Alison, love the DP with all the summer fruit and your rusty wire is a great addition :)

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You come up with the most beautiful, genuinely original, and well conceived designs. I love how the beautiful houses take on a definite feminine feel, that is balanced out by the more masculine cogs and rusty wire. Add to that the recycled corrugated cardboard and you have a genuine winner.

Helen said...

Splatter! crackle! rust! beautiful colours! I love these houses. Good to see you having time to create!

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful little houses, so beautiful. Great to see you back with us again, too. Hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

Oh wow.. these houses are so utterly beautiful and unique! You always have the most wonderful projects dear Alison! Awesome!
Happy weekend!
Susi xxx

Karen said...

These are beautiful ~ I love the metal accents and the distress crackling. Blessings on making more time for art ~

sally said...

Such fab “wee hoosies “ as they say in my part of the country! Loving the berries paper too :-)


Sally xx

Lys said...

A perfect scene for the hoped Spring to come. The paper is delightful and the textures you added enhance these houses so lovely.

Lys said...

And... of course, thanks for sharing at Creative Artiste Mixed Media challenge this month!

Let's Art Journal said...

Fabulous to see you back and I hope the rehearsals went well 😁. Your celebration houses are gorgeous, I love the papers you used and the wire, metal accents and moss looks so amazing! They celebrate our 6th birthday at AVJ perfectly ❤. Happy birthday wishes! Hugs, Jo x

Monika Gulyas said...

Amazingly beautiful little houses, Alison!!! I love the paper you covered them with!!! xx

Lagene said...

WONDERFUL creations, I love the quote from AJ Hershel at end of your post!

craftytrog said...

Your little houses are exquisite Alison! Rusty wire and crackle...what more could you ask for?! X

Chrissy said...

Your little houses are divine Alison, I love the papers and crackle, the wire and your quotes, I love the white splatters, moss and all the others details, just so sweet and cute..
I'm going for a quieter time too Alison as I am retiring in 15 days and cannot wait..think I may move into my craftroom and stay there forever..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

They are so wonderful. I specially like the background and the metal accent pieces.

-Soma

aussie aNNie said...

DP is stunning Alison, love this gorgeous design and amazing little added goodies. Had to re follow you again seems blogger took me off...xx

Margaret Mifsud said...

Oh my gosh! These little houses are adorable Alison! I love the paper, the quotes, the metal embellies .. it all goes together so beautifully! I love the corrugated board and the crackle finish on the roof .. just perfect .. and then, of course, there is the wrapped wire! So you!! Love, love, love this!! xx

ann barnes said...

So happy to see you back, and creating lovely pieces that I admire so much! The paper is a beautiful base for your words and I always love the way you incorporate the rusty pieces, it’s as if the wire has seen and experienced many things and binds it all together. Such a lovely post, thank you for sharing xx

Brenda Brown said...

Oh my gosh Alison your little houses are just a pure delight to look at. The forest papers are scrummy as are the crackled areas and the fabulous elements you have added as well. All in your own beautiful inimitable style. I love them and they're perfect as a celebratory project for our AVJ birthday.
Thanks for celebrating another year of the AVJ blog and your beautiful art.
hugs Brenda xxx

Craftyfield said...

Love these little houses and the paper you used, I recognised it immediately as I had a recent splurge on Stamperia and it's all I could do to stop myself from buying lots of their papers. Better not, as I would not dare to use them...
I haven't crafted very much lately, there's been a lot of procrastination for reason unknown to all but my mojo! Good thing that I made my Wild grasses card you liked before said mojo did his disappearing act!

Amanda said...

Just playing catch up, love your little houses as usual so much to look at, great crackle touches and my favourite, rusty wire.
Love
Amanda x

Annie said...

Love your tiny houses Alison x the paper used is lovely and the crackle, rusty wire and spots of paint are perfect additions x perfect words too xx
Hard to believe it’s the 6th Anniversary xx

Happy Sunday
Annie xx

Sandra Wright. said...

Your little houses are so scrummy..I love them and the sentiment too.
Thank you so much for joining us at More Mixed Media with these beauties..xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

These are just so gorgeous Alison. The papers are so perfect for this project and all the little extras just finish them perfectly. Sending happy creative thoughts, Angela xXx

Fliss said...

Your little houses are so beautiful Alison and the papers you created with are gorgeous and just like vines going up the sides of the houses.
The vintage weathering is so lovely as re those added metal accents and the touches of texture.
Lovely to see you creating again too and thank you so much for your kind visits.
Fliss xx

Redanne said...

Oh Alison, your little houses are fabulous and yes, those gorgeous papers remind me of William Morris too, I love them. The crackle looks amazing and I just love how you added the rusty wire - the icing on the cake.

Congratulations on 6 years with AVJ, I really do miss you all, you have done a tremendous job and just get better and better in my humble opinion! Hugs, Anne xxx

Marci said...

They look like Spring, so pretty.

Nikki Acton said...

Welcome back!!
Another inspiring design with your gorgeous trademark details. I need to go and find my Tiny Houses die - its collecting dust!! Nikki xxx

Cocofolies said...

Hi Alison, thanks for your visit on my blog! I'm trying to catch up a bit too with my friends (starting with you!) but it's hard to do well as I'd love to.
That's said, what a lovely project!! The texture and your wraping wire are fabulous ideas, the effect is so realistic and the paper and words you chose so beautiful.
I'm going to VS this year again, and if it is not cancelled, I hope I can find some of your stamps, on PA's stand, yippee!!! Fingers crossed :)
Corinne xx

Mac Mable said...

Adorable and creative little house. The William Morris looking paper is so perfect and love the texture, the wire and the crackle and of course 'The Words' on your creative houses x.Thank you so much for finding time to swing by my blog and leave such kind and generous comments, which I really do appreciate x.

pearshapedcrafting said...

What wonderful little houses - the Stamperia papers are fabulous aren't they? Of course I love the delicate touches, the crackle(Oh! what crackle!!!!) and the rusty wrapping! Hope things slow down for you soon! Hugs, Chrisx

Sue said...

What a wonderful project Alison! I always love your rusty wire, and these papers look fabulous. I've just got the Imagine papers and they are beauties too. Thank you so much for visiting my blog - I know how busy you must be. Have a very happy week, Sue xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Pinned these beauties! I LOVE every little detail and the colors and wire are brilliant!

Dorthe said...

Alison, they are so adorable , you know, I`m always in pink mood , lol- and the beautiful little houses, with the crackled effects here and there, the flowers, and lovely text- All so gorgeous, dear. As for the quote on the big house, I would NEVER be able to keep that promise :-) xo

Anke said...

Oh Alison I love your houses ...

Hugs
Anke

suzyb said...

Your work always puts a smile on my face. These little houses are just lovely. I have some to put together and it's nice to see examples of other houses to give me ideas. Thanks Alison, really a lovely project.

experiments in paper said...

Fabulous displays for your wonderful new Home stamps..... and that bit of red in those gorgeous berries is absolute perfection! I'm glad you're easing back into crafting... I'm doing the same with blogging, and visiting! Zglad I caught this! I posted elsewhere just a minute ago, I thought on the little grass tag post, but in case Blogger swallowed my thoughts whole, I'll repeat here! Thanks so much for your visit - I know you are insanely busy! I did take your advice and post to AVJ - I thought originally that my use of digital papers would disqualify me, but I guess it is worth a shot, particularly since I love that blog, and Brenda has been such an encouragement all these years, as have you! Hope things are settling down a bit - do you still have some sort of relocation happening, or did I miss that?! xxx Lynn

Judy McKay said...

Very beautiful project. Lovely design. Thank you for joining us at Bleeding Art this month. Hope to see your beautiful art work here again soon.

Andree said...

An adorable pair of little houses. The pretty paper, embellishments, rusty wire, splatters and crackle give them both fabulous character. A lovely quote too.
Thank you for joining in with our March challenge "Anything Mixed Media Goes" at Creative Artiste Mixed Media. Good luck x

Patty O'Malley said...

Awesome little houses, Alison. Perfect for spring decorating!

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

A lovely little duo Alison, you always give me a gentle reminder of stash I have that is barely touched. Beautiful houses that have hardly seen the light of day from my craft shelf. Such pretty colours all bound with love and care, who would have thought those words may portray a different story this week than when you first created this with the chaos & selfish greedy shoppers amidst us all. Wishing you well & Safe sending creative wishes your way Tracey xx

Mrs.B said...

Lovely little houses with so many details and of course, the words are perfect. Congratulations on 6yrs at AVJ.
Stay safe, Avril xx

Neet said...

I love your tiny houses, the rooftops particularly stirred my interest and it is something I hope to use in my crafting in the future. The paper you used is beautiful, and, although I adore the front of the houses you are right, it is nice to be able to adire the paper on its own when you feel you want to.
Such a beautiful piece of art - everything about it inspires me. Just wish my back would stand up to me working in my craft room.
Hugs, Neet xx

sarascloset said...

I love the Tiny Houses, and these are so pretty in the Forest paper. I love the quote and the metallic touches to these delightful little homes.