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...

Sunday 12 April 2020

Double Glazing





Hello all and a very happy Easter to you, or happy Passover, or happy spring or whatever else you're celebrating.

And in the midst of such unsettling times, I do think it's important to find the release valves - moments of celebration, contemplation or creativity to sustain ourselves.

When we did our Creative Skypeing a couple of weeks ago, Brenda was using a really pretty colour palette.

That day I was fixating on my spring greens and blues (as you'll see from any recent post - and there are still more to come!), but a couple of days afterwards I found myself leaning towards that palette, and a couple of tags appeared on the craft table which weren't blue and green!

I'll share one today and the other in a couple of days' time, and then the normal service of spring greens will be resumed.












I've called this post Double Glazing because I was playing with a couple of Tim Holtz's new Distress Embossing Glazes, and I used two on one image... clearly "double glazing"!














The two tags started out together with a coat of gesso to lighten the yellowish manila tone.  On one I stencilled Embossing ink through this fabulous Baroque flourish and sprinkled on Weathered Wood Glaze powder to the central areas and then some Hickory Smoke around most of the rest.  (I'll talk about the other tag when I post that.)











I did a bit of dipping and smooshing with Walnut Stain Distress Ink, and added in some purple shades as I went.














I think it's mostly Victorian Velvet and maybe Seedless Preserves put in an appearance.

You'll see there's some script stamping to add detail too.














Well, I liked that background rather a lot, so I looked for some fairly minimal embellishing to top it off without covering it up too much.
















I'm rarely without some Wildflower Stems on the craft table at present.














The lacy Crochet Thinlits seemed like a good match for the floral flourish look going on.


And I was particularly pleased when I tucked in the trimmed-off section to make a double layer for all that dimension.












A Photobooth photo nearly always does the trick for me as a focal point, and this young woman is a particular favourite.
















A touch of metal always makes me happy - this token with the lettering highlighted in Picket Fence Distress Crayon provides the only word on the tag, but it is an vital one.














I just love the sunlight shimmering on the translucent glossiness of the Glazes...













... and the mottling of that light sprinkling of Walnut Stain merging into the Weathered Wood.















Some tangled thread, a bit of inky edging, white spatter and some simple white twine to top things off and we're done.












I'm sorry not to have been visiting much in the last week.  I've been organising online voicework and breathing sessions with the actors I've worked with over the years, but now that those are up and running (across four time zones!), I'll be round to see you soon.

And I'll be back with tag two in a couple of days so that you can see where that background ended up.  But for now I'll leave you to enjoy Sunday in peace.

Stay safe, stay well, breathe deep - much love to all.

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.
Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk

35 comments:

Helen said...

Such a pretty, soft colour scheme - can see why you were drawn to it. Love the tag. Take care yourself.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Wow, this is beautiful, Alison. I simply adore the color palette you chose for these tags. I love the one you finished and think it will be hard to surpass. It's a subtle beauty, indeed. Happy Easter, dear.

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Alison, these colours are so delicate and work so well as a background for the gorgeous images you've chosen. I fear my work on the cabin has taken over a little and I need to get some projects started. Now I did notice my Gelli plates when I was moving stuff so maybe....we'll just have to see! Have a lovely Easter and hugs from me xXx

Karen said...

Very pretty ~ Subtle colors, calming with a reminder to breathe. Love the lacy die too. Happy Easter!

Valerie-Jael said...

This is a gorgeous tag, love the colours, and reflects quieter and more peaceful times. Have a nice day, take care. Hugs, Valerie

My name is Erika. said...

She (the lady in your photo) has a gorgeous smile. The breathe word is just the right touch for these times. It is a lovely tag and I like the silver swirl. Another beauty Alison. Hope you have a wonderful Easter and rest of your weekend. Hugs-Erika

Meggymay said...

A beautiful project and as always your colour combination and detail is always a joy to see.
Stay safe and well and enjoy the Easter weekend.
Yvonne xx

Dorthe said...

Dear Alison,
so delightful , and filled with beautiful peace , to safely breathe in ,on these days ,when we hardly dare breathe when outside once a day.
The glossy embossing is so wonderful, and love you added the dry stems matching the lovely womans colors . I love it all .
Thank you for your answer,--- here I try another time, to see if,-and hope you get it. A safe and cosy Easter to you, dear friend. Hugs, Dorthe

Monika Gulyas said...

Beautiful tag and beautiful background with the new glazes!!! Happy Easter dear Alison!!! xx

Mrs.B said...

A beautiful colour palette and I love the shading of the new glazes.
Happy Easter and stay safe, Avril xx

experiments in paper said...

Exquisite colors, exactly perfect for that wonderful flourish! And I love how you've embellished this beautiful background. Will definitely have to have a go soon with the glazes. Got a bit sidetracked making face masks.... but eager to get back to something more playful. So important as you say! Happy spring, and hope you had a lovely day however you celebrate. Thank you so much for your visit.... always lovely to hear from you and especially needed today. xxx Lynn

Redanne said...

I love the change in colour tones, they are so soft and lovely and the glazes look beautiful (not even opened mine yet) in the two tones. The paper lace is a lovely addition and the stems, as always, are the perfect finishing touch.

Happy Easter to you too. Stay safe and well. Anne xx

Amanda said...

Loving this colour palette and the tag looks lovely, I’ve also been playing with Tim’s powders but you’ll have to wait until Tuesday for that.
Love
Amanda x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Such a pretty palette of colour, i'm loving how the new embossing powders allow our work to still shine through and breath with an added hint of colour. Using two of my favourite die sets of lace & wild flower stems this certain gives off a sense of calm.. just what we all need right now. Thank you so much for sharing Alison. Take care of yourself & no need to worry about catch ups, life really is too short Hugs Tracey xx

Christine Alexander said...

wonderful mix of the distress colours and I love those glazes, I can see me spending money :)
I hope you had a fun Easter even with the stay at home life style :)
Christine

Margaret Mifsud said...

You do create the most amazing backgrounds Alison. This one is superb!! I love the colour palette (so soft and delicate)and the glazing looks fabulous. I love the paper lace and the touch of metal .. a brilliant combination! Your tag is stunning!! I hope you've had/are having a wonderful Easter and thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog. Been a bit quiet lately as I've not been 100% but, coming good now so, hopefully, I'll get back into the swing of things soon. Take care dear lady and stay safe. hugs xx

Craftyfield said...

Gorgeous Vintage look for this tag! Distress Glazes and Crochet Thinlits, hmmm I didn't think I needed those...
Happy Easter! x

craftytrog said...

Beautiful tag Alison, I love the background! Those glazes look interesting.
Alison xx

mamablitger said...

Lovely . Very pretty !!

Brenda Brown said...

Oh my gosh Alison this is absolutely glorious and a wonderful outcome to the palette conversations we had. The whole design, the layers, the glaze and stamps you used created a gorgeous background and I love the simple additions adding to the interest but placed perfectly to showcase what is behind. (So you! lol).
hugs Brenda xxx

ann barnes said...

This is gorgeous! It’s always interesting how when working in one direction we find ourselves off the beaten path and creating other beautiful things. I love the mix of the color palette

Ann Chuang Crafts said...

It’s so beautiful! I love the glazed and the amazing background!
Stay safe and healthy.
Hugs, Ann

Marci said...

Lovely.

scrappymo! said...

Gorgeous as always. This is a subtle combinations of colour tones. I like it!

Take care...

Chrissy said...

I love the soft colours here too Alison..lovely background beautiful lace and details..I have just started using tangled thread, I'm branching out..lol..

luv CHRISSYxx

Nikki Acton said...

Beautiful soft tones and wow I love the embossing! You mentioned it on Saturday - something catching the light and giving a little glimmer. Gorgeous as always xxx

Lagene said...

I absolutely love your double glazed tag!!!!

Mac Mable said...

A wonderful colour combination and love the subtlety on how you've added them. The lady image is so beautiful and what a fabulous smile she has x. Great double layering of the lace and as always love your attention to detail. Stay safe and well too Alison and keep breathing....x.

Cocofolies said...

What a glorious tag Alison!!!
I have no new Distress Glaze yet, but I envy you, the effect of it looks gorgeous! Despite your double glazing is hard to catch on photo...
Beautiful. So detailed, and meaningful as usual.
Have a lovely day, enjoy the Spring as I do too, in my own Garden, beautiful as never!
Coco xx

Sue said...

What a beautiful tag Alison, your background looks just like it's been cut from old wallpaper, and the photograph fits in perfectly! Take care, Sue xx

Neet said...

That Baroque flourish is fabulous isn't it. This is a completely different look in so many ways to what I have become used to in your work. Soft and delicate still but totally different in those creams and beiges and browns.
You put so much work into the background (love the script too) that there is little need for lots of stamping or embellishing on top and this is just right in its simplicity. Let the flourish show through!
Hugs, Neet xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Stunning! I hope to break out those powders soon!

Patty O'Malley said...

What a pretty tag, Alison! I love the sparkle the glaze creates.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My! I nearly missed this! This is an absolute beauty! Hugs, Chrisx

Aimeslee Winans said...

You seem to have all of Tim's stuff. I'm hit and miss, mostly miss, lol. I know there is glaze now but I have no idea how it works, well, now I do. I went and googled and watched a short video. Really glossy glassy translucent heat embossing, okay. It is pretty. If I didn't already have a lifetime supply of powders...I'm running out of space, otherwise, they would be my new collection. I always want to collect Tim's stuff and have had to intervention myself haha. Love your subtle color style. It's completely foreign to my work but thank goodness we can admire what we cannot have. Goodness the computer work sounds tedious. XOX