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Friday 29 May 2020

Happy in her Heart





Hello all, and welcome.  I hope you are all doing okay.  My mojo is still up and down - both creatively and for anything much really.

I've been pouring my creative energy into the Zoom sessions with actors from around the globe, and really enjoying sharing the virtual voicework, but that seems to leave me without much space for other things.

However, I'll always make an exception for a Tag Friday over at A Vintage Journey.  There are no rules... just to use a tag and follow your heart, and I suspect that I'm not the only one of the Creative Guides for whom it's a favourite task.

On this occasion, my heart seems to have been ahead of the game colour-wise.  The photos of the background are dated 13th May, a whole week before the brand new Distress Colour was revealed, but somehow I seem to have tuned in to the Speckled Egg vibe a bit early.  There's no actual Speckled Egg involved here... though I do have some on order - irresistible!!










As you'll see, the colours changed from their original look as I was working on the tag... it wasn't really Speckled Eggy to start with, but it all faded to this beautiful shade by the end.













There are plenty of layers to this background, starting with some Fresco chalk paints and Crackle Glaze.  There's Lawn and Beanstalk as the underlayer - here already coated with the Crackle Glaze which has dried, hence the slight sheen.













I painted a combination of Snowflake and Hint of Mint over the top, allowing them to mix on the brush and the tag...













... and let the crackle magic happen.  Somehow, I just never tire of it, whether it's a top glaze crackle or one of these between-paint-layers types.  It's just so satisfying.










Over that I did some dipping and smooshing with various Distress Inks and Oxides in blues and greens.


Tough to say which now - Stormy Sky is in there, and Bundled Sage, but beyond that... your guess is as good as mine!  Maybe Old Paper?









As I mentioned, you can see that the individual colours are quite distinct at this point but as they dried fully later, they ended up in paler tones.















I added some clear embossing powder in places, randomly allowing it to cling to any ink which was still wet enough.













And the last main background layer was a bit of stamping - some Field Notes labels and numbers stamped in Watering Can Archival.
















I fell in love with this Paper Doll the moment I saw her, and I couldn't wait to give her a rope swing to sit on.














It's something I did a couple of years ago with one of my favourite tags - Secret Things  - and I was happy to have the chance to revisit the idea.













She's already got some flowers in the original photograph, but I decided to give her an even better bunch to hold - one of the Field Notes ephemera snippets.













There's lots more ephemera from the Field Notes packs layered up behind the girl...
















... along with some of the delicate wooden grasses by Scrapiniec.













You'll notice there are some butterflies dotted around... three, to be precise.  The rule of three is a good one in visual design as well as verbal rhetoric.













Two of them are in her sketchbook notes, and one is perched in all its delicate beauty, ready to take flight.  (As I usually do, I put a light coat of gesso on the reverse to give it a bit more presence.)













You can be sure she's taking good note of the magic of nature.  Clearly it makes her so happy that she imagines she can hear music as she gazes around her.














All the word stickers are from the Idea-ology Clippings - somehow the right words always seem to bob to the surface just as you need them.













I love that in places you can still get a glimpse of all the scrumptious inky painty crackly layers in the background.

And yes, we're now fully in Speckled Egg territory - that delightful ambivalence between blue and green with a touch of grey to keep things gently wistful.













The twine which provides the girl with her seat is echoed up at the top of the tag for a simple rustic finish.














Distressed edges and some white card behind to create a frame and we're done.















Just look how the embossing on this tag captures the light... and you know that makes me happy in my heart!











Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I'm determined to repay some visits this coming weekend, and I'm looking forward to catching up with how you are all finding ways to be creative or simply stay sane at the moment.

One thing sure to inspire you would be a trip over to A Vintage Journey to see what the other Creative Guides have been making for their Tag Friday contributions. 

And if you've been making any tags this month, we'd love you to share them in our Tag Friday link party there too.

Stay safe, stay well, and I'll see you again soon, either here or elsewhere in Craftyblogland.

Nature's music is never over; her silences are pauses, not conclusions.
Mary Webb






At the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge this week, they are Going Around in Circles - they're subtle, but they're there... in the background stamping and echoed in the metal token
At Crafty Cardmakers they are looking for Butterflies
There's the tiniest delicate blush of pink on those flowers she's holding for the Anything Mixed Media Goes + Optional Pink theme at the More Mixed Media Challenge
At Tag Tuesday the theme is Animals - I'm never sure whether insects count as animals, but I'm sharing this trio of butterflies nonetheless

36 comments:

aussie aNNie said...

Always sensational and interesting work. Your crackle is also looking fabulous and the tag result is stunning.xx

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful tag, the background is fabulous. Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

craftytrog said...

I love this beauty Alison! Glad to see that your creative mojo hasn't vanished completely. My daily icads are keeping mine alive 😊
Happy weekend to you,
Alison xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Alison, another gorgeous tag. The rule of three works for me. I'm a bit obsessed with odd numbers in general, just makes things feel more balanced. Have a great weekend, Angela xXx

Let's Art Journal said...

Beautiful tag! The new Speckled Egg colour from TH looks so pretty and marries beautifully with your layers and additions - gorgeous 😁. Wishing you a happy Tag Friday and weekend! Hugs, Jo x

Words and Pictures said...

There's no actual Speckled Egg involved, Jo - though I know it looks that way! Still awaiting the arrival of my pre-order...
xx

Fonda said...

Your tag is very beautiful!

Margaret Mifsud said...

A beautiful tag Alison! Loving the background colour. Amazing how your brilliant techniques changed the plain old green you started with into that gorgeous, delicate colour at the end. I also really love the spots of embossing you added. It looks totally amazing! Your little girl on a swing is the perfect topper and I love the added bits of ephemera as well. Brilliant and beautiful tag!! hugs xx

Dorthe said...

So beautiful a tag dear Alison, I love that sweet girl sitting on her swing with the bouquet of flowers , so very beautiful, from that set, The butterfly behind her, is ever so fragile and lovely to watch, with the gessoed back, and all the sweet extra you places onto the gorgeous background, makes this a piece my eyes fall to rest on,- and which makes me smile.
Hugs from Dorthe xx

suzyb said...

Another little work of art Alison. Love this little girl. The colours are amazing and of course it all works together. Can't wait to see what you do with the new Speckled Egg. :)

Annie said...

Hi Alison x Yep,I am here in blogland after several months x I absolutely love your tag, from the fabulous background details of crackling,layering and smooshing, right down to the rope swing and fabulous butterfly (like the way you used those wings) I have still to play with my field note stamps and didn't realise there was ephemera too xx Must look out for it xx

Sending virtual hugs to you and your mum. Enjoy your zooming parties xx

Huge virtual hugs
Annie xx

Valerie-Jael said...

I forgot to say thanks for joining us at Tag Tuesday, much appreciated! Hugs, Valerie

Sue said...

This is such a beautiful tag Alison, and fancy you channeling your own version of Speckled Egg even before it's release! I love the crackle (as always)and these colours really lend themselves to the distressed edges. Take care and have a very happy weekend, Sue xx

My name is Erika. said...

Fabulous crackling and spattering Alison. Another cool tag. I think those TH found relatives are one of the best art supplies to come out. They have so many uses and so many of us love using them. I think you can be included in that statement. Happy weekend. Hugs-Erika

Chrissy said...

I love that cracklig and splattering Alsin, such loely colours and fabulous background..gorgeous tag.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Amanda said...

How spooky to go for speckled eggesque look before it was announced, your mojo might be lacking but your ability to see into the future is firing on all cylinders lol. Beautiful tag with one of my personal favourite techniques, never tire of the crackle effect.
Love
Amanda x

sirkkis said...

Love your charming tag, Allison. The background is gorgeous and all embellishments most beautiful. Your art is always elegant and well.

Happy weekend ❤️πŸ§›

Craftyfield said...

Speckled egg is a perfect colour for you, Alison! The tag is fabulous, composition, stamping, layers of colour and texture all combine in this subtle and harmonious whole. Enjoy this sunny weekend! x

Redanne said...

I love the crackle process too and even seeing it in your post makes me happy (and makes me want to get the crackle out too). If I had not read your post I would have thought it was Tim's Speckled Egg that you used! The background is gorgeous and the little girl looks so pretty on her rope swing with her bouquet of flowers. A truly beautiful tag. Anne xxx

Lagene said...

The crackled background is wonderful! Love the total tag design!

Glenda Atkins said...

Stunning tag, wonderfully designed, love the gorgeous background and the butterflies! Thanks for sharing with us at Crafty Cardmakers!. Hope to see your work again.
hugs
Glenda DT

Deb said...

Stunning as always Alison and I love your beautiful crackled background, there is something so magical at watching those paint cracks appear! Love your colour palette and how you were prescient about that wonderful new Distress colour, can't wait to see what you do with it when you get it! Your sweet young girl swinging on her rope swing is perfection, thanks so much for sharing your tag, Deb xo

Monika Gulyas said...

Such a pretty tag!!! I love how you made the background and how it looks, wonderful!!! Big hugs xx

Mac Mable said...

The adorable paper doll looks content on her 'swing' and loves the extra flowers. Wonderful cohesion of blues, greens and the grey and yes all speckled egg looking x. I just knew you would love the new distress colour and hope yours arrives soon x. Wonderful and beautiful tag Alison x.

Neet said...

I love all the processes you went to to a this wonderful colour. Especially delightful to me is the addition of clear ep letting it land wherever. An idea I might copy some time in the future if you don't mind (with credit to you of course). I think it adds so much to the overall background colour.
Your child is delightful, love the idea of her swinging on the rope with the additional flowers that she has picked on her way to her grandmother's house. (sorry, got carried away myself)
I too still delight in seeing the crackles appear, just as I still delight with heat embossing powder, especially with metallic powder. I feel like an alchemist discovering something for myself.
Another truly scrumptious tag Alison.
Hugs, Neet xx
ps the back is much more manageable now thank you - never will be right and will always cause problems for crafting but I can still enjoy seeing what others have made, especially yours. xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Absolutely wonderful! I love this background and loved reading and seeing how you created such fabulous colour and texture! Ever so slightly in the doldrums at the moment, no particular reason, guessing I have seen too much of the inside of our flat! Take care and take some time for yourself, Hugs, Chrisx

pinky said...

Oh wow it is absolutely stunning Alison. Thanks for sharing how you created it too!! Gorgeous! Thanks for joining us at Tag Tuesday animal challenge.

Patty O'Malley said...

Once again, another beautiful tag, Alison! I love everything about it!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Not sure how it took me so long to get here. Running behind seems to be my motto. I was so in awe of your little girl on her rope swing and even more impressed with your background. You always have loads of fabulous layers, too. This is a superb tag, Alison, and I'm sorry I missed it earlier.

Julia Aston said...

What wonderful layers and beautiful colors Alison! love that sweet girl with her pretty bouquet - sitting on her little swing - a beautiful tag!

Astrid Maclean said...

A lovely tag that came together beautifully. Wonderful collaging and I love how you often fray the edges of your tags, - gives it such a great vintage feel.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Time sure has a way of disappearing right now I have to admit, I certainly do not have any extra in or out of lock down but it's so nice to see you have been able to play, create and share during it all. Doesn't she sit so well upon your rope swing, posed with her sweet posy the background really is a beautiful mix of colour almost a shame to cover up it's splashy work of art.
Hope you are looking after yourself? I know times are changing rapid but the world is still very strange.. Hugs Tracey xx

Cocofolies said...

A new delicate and delicious vintage tag, as all the ones that you have the secret, with your personal and unique touch.
Hugs again, Coco xx

Meggymay said...

Sorry I am late calling in Alison. This is a beautiful vintage style tag. Its a sweet image and setting and does make you think of a magic garden where time could stand still.
Stay safe.
Yvonne xx

paperwishesbyamanda said...

Beautiful tag, your work ia always so delicate and poetic You have a great eye for bringing elements together the ephemera often fails to settle into a piece but all your elements look so good together. Thanks for sharing. xox

Diana Taylor said...

A beautiful tag full of 'Alison magic'! Your background layers are almost too gorgeous to cover up - but your chosen ephemera is so dreamy and perfect. An absolute delight to see.
Diana xx