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 August 2020

Look to the Speckled Skies!





Hello all!  We're playing with tags this month at A Vintage Journey... the lovely Amanda is our host and she says Tag, You're It!

As always, there's oodles of inspiration from my fellow Creative Guides, along with all the challenge details, and we hope you'll come and join in at some point.

Playing with tags is nothing out of the ordinary for me (in fact it's a rare week that goes by without one putting in an appearance) so to give this a little lift for the challenge, I've created a double-layered tag - two for the price of one, if you will.

And I've been playing with Speckled Egg Distress again... right down to some actual speckled eggs - but of course!

In fact, the regular sized tag mounted on the jumbo one here was my very first smooshing of the Speckled Egg (S.E.) when it arrived.









At some point the tag had had an oval cut out of it so it was just hanging around on the craft table when I wanted to play with my new colour, so now I had a Speckled Egg-smooshed tag with an oval cut-out sitting around.

It finally found a home when Amanda's challenge theme needed fulfilling... and here it is.









I've had these little plastic eggs in the stash for a while - they put in occasional appearances.  I used the S.E. Distress Paint along with a bit of white to coat the eggs, before spattering on some Mud Splat Fresco paint using a toothbrush.  They're inside the tape to stop them rolling around!












Given the tag already had the hole - and an egg-shaped hole at that - it immediately seemed like a good nook to rest a little nest in.   As you can see, I added some design tape, and a couple of my favourite stamps got pressed into action (yet) again.














The birds are embossed so they have that magical flash of movement as the light catches them.













I thought a wooden background made sense - sort of like a tree to hold up the nest - so I used some wood plank paper and whitewashed it...

















... before adding a bit of script stamping in S.E. Oxide...













... and some more of my favourite Tim Holtz grasses.
















And then it was really just a case of assembling things.














Some tangled moss and supporting twigs from the garden to form the nest.














The feathers have been gathering on my craft table.  I've been feeding the birds during lockdown.  Many, many different species have been visiting, so the occasional feather is really not hard to come by just outside the front door.












I suddenly thought that my quote (from PaperArtsy EAB11 Wings & Flight) would look good on another oval.  The original cut-out was long gone so I grabbed another S.E.-smooshed tag which was lying around and cut it from that.










It was then that I discovered the main tag must have had a wash of gesso/white paint before smooshing, because my sentiment egg has a far warmer manila tone.  But I love how it brings out the greener side of S.E. 

(I didn't want the author of the quote's name to appear (Gustave Flaubert, in case you're wondering), so I used some masking tape over it when I was inking up the tag and removed it before stamping.)













The speckled eggs look just as I imagined nestled in their mossy bed.














I'm sure that one of these birds will be back to keep an eye on them very soon.








I suddenly thought it might be nice to have a couple of glass pebble "dewdrops" glistening around the place, so I dug them out and played with the positioning to get the balance right.


They were definitely a happy last-minute thought.  I love how they catch your eye with a glimmer of light every now and then.






Gluing down wasn't entirely straightforward.  Feathers have their own ideas about which direction they want to curve in.

And those lovely soft fluffy bits die a death if you get glue on them!











But with the addition of some S.E.-dyed crinkle ribbon and frayed Idea-ology Linen Ribbon at the top, tied with fine twine, I was very happy by the time I'd finished.














I hope you like it too, and that you'll be inspired to come and play Tag, You're It with us this month at A Vintage Journey.  As always, we really enjoy seeing your creations and at the end of the challenge we'll be selecting three Pinworthies to go on our A Vintage Journey Pinworthies board.









As though there's not enough inspiration by the Creative Guides over at the main blog, I just want to finish off with a shot of my two recent Speckled Egg tags together.  They were made within 24 hours of each other, and I think this one and the Change your life tag work rather well as a pair.


Thanks so much for stopping by.  I look forward to some blog-visiting time this weekend to see what you've been up to lately.  Stay safe, stay well... the second wave is rising.  Best to stay indoors and do some crafting really!

I do not live happily or comfortably
With the cleverness of our times.
The talk is all about computers,
The news is all about bombs and blood.
This morning, in the fresh field,
I came upon a hidden nest.
It held four warm, speckled eggs.
I touched them.
Then went away softly,
Having felt something more wonderful
Than all the electricity of New York City.
Mary Oliver

34 comments:

My name is Erika. said...

The nest with the eggs is a great addition. I am glad you showed us how you made it. The feather works great too. This is a super tag Alison. Besides the feather and nest, you added so many details. Hope you made it to the Czech Republic ok. Happy weekend. Hugs-Erika

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful tag, love the colours, and the eggs and nest fit so well. Have a great weekend, Valerie

Helen said...

I love the tag! the feathers and eggs go so well! I think I must get hold of Speckled Egg in at least one form! Enjoy your weekend. You know where I'm headed!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Stunning! Gorgeous! Impressive! I agree on the feathers. Feathers have a mind of their own and defy you to position them where you really want them. Yours turned out great. I love the nest and the way you covered the hole. It's a fabulous tag.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...


Forgot to mention. YOU may be headed for the second wave, but we in the states are still in our first and very deadly wave!

Nan G said...

Oh my Alison, your speckled eggs tag duo is just amazing! I love the way you’ve incorporated all the various speckled egg in the making of these and the lovely nest of speckled eggs. ;)

scrappergirl56 said...

Really like this tag, I have a question, please. What stamp(s) are the Tim Holtz Grasses...I really like those...

Let's Art Journal said...

Simply stunning! I love all the layers of stamping on the base tag and the speckles of ink, feathers, next, eggs and quote look so beautiful - perfect 😀. Take care and wishing you a happy August! Hugs, Jo x

Words and Pictures said...

Thank you, scrappergirl56... they are just lovely, aren't they? The hedgerow flowers stamp comes as an individual wood-mounted stamp, U1-1344, and also as part of a set of cling-mounted rubber stamps, Nature's Discovery CMS049. They're very early Tim Holtz sets, so may not be widely available, but if you can't find them anywhere else, then the Stampers Anonymous site has them. (links below) Hope that helps, and thanks again for your visit.
Alison x

https://stampersanonymous.com/tim-holtz-wood-mounted-stamp-twigs-u1-1344.html

https://stampersanonymous.com/tim-holtz-cling-mount-stamps-natures-discovery-cms049.html

Fonda said...

Love both tags!

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Great tag Alison and love how you've used the eggs. I have some of those somewhere, another thing that I bought thinking they would be useful sometime Lol! The hole makes it look as though we are looking at the eggs from inside a tree and that's the way out, just love it. Happy creative weekend, Angela xXx P.S. Hugs from Maisie and Stan too xXx

Meggymay said...

A fabulous tag set. The speckled eggs and nest looks great and it was good to see how you created it.
I've enjoyed my catch up visit to your blog today.
Stay safe.
Yvonne xx

craftytrog said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! I just adore that little nest Alison, so clever and creative! xx

scrappergirl56 said...

Thanks Alison, I appreciate your time, I will take a look, I always love those wispy tendrils dancing around your backgrounds...I don't always comment, but I am always looking...

Words and Pictures said...

Hi again ... the other one I use a lot (a lot!!!) is from a set by Rubber Dance called Weed Love. Just in case...
Alison x

Sue said...

This is amazing Alison! I love your nest within a tag, within a tag. I'm really looking forward to getting hold of the speckled egg, it looks a wonderful colour. Take care and have a very happy weekend, Sue xx

Chrissy said...

Oh, I just love your nature tag Alison, love the eggs and nest, so cute and love the background and feathers all those splatters and texture just make me want to play..I had slightly lost my mojo and was struggling a bit..now I'm inspired.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

This really is a pretty picture love how the aperture in the smaller tag frames the nest and how you utilized the die cut with those stamped words. Nothing could be more perfect than the use of speckled egg on those wee eggs. Fab Tag.
Wishing you a super weekend Tracey xx

Craftyfield said...

I love the background paper and its whitewash treatment! The piece de resistance is of course the nest and wow... it looks so perfect! Fabulous tag, Alison!

Lys said...

What best than a nest to stay safe home... Speckled egg is really a wonderful colour in your hands. Your gorgeous scene fits so well Flaubert's quote.

Amanda said...

What a lovely way to collect your eggs. Beautiful tag and another stunning SE showcase
Love
Amanda x

Unknown said...

Hi Alison, I have been following your blog for quite some time now and you never cease to amaze me with your lovely creations. These two tags are just so beautifully put together, they fit perfectly. Love them to bits! Stay well and creative.
Hugs from Victoria, BC

Words and Pictures said...

Thanks so much, Victoria - glad you like them. (Grateful to all, obviously, but I've visited pretty much all of you, so you know I am I hope!)

maj. said...

What a glorious tag Alison. The colours and textures are wonderful !

Sandy said...

Wonderful!! I love birds and have a lot of feeders and a bird bath in my back yard. I have a hawk that loves to take a bath in the bird bath and I mean to tell you that is quite a sight. Your tag is outstanding!!!
I do watch even though I do not often comment. My best to you and your Mother!!
Sandy xx

aussie aNNie said...

wow love the tag designs and those cute eggs, just fabulous inspiration.. xx

Redanne said...

How fortuitous that you should have that tag with the oval already cut out, the bird nest looks fabulous and the eggs look so realistic. The feathers certainly look beautiful too. I love Speckled Egg more each time I see it used and your tags show it off wonderfully well.

Stay safe and well. Anne xxx

Mrs.B said...

A really beautiful nature inspired tag, the little eggs look perfect in their 'cozy nest'.
Avril xx

Mac Mable said...

Wonderful showcasing of the speckled egg colour. The two tags layered together look great and the feathers and eggs look perfect snuggled in their nest x.

Lagene said...

WOWZERS! Fantastic tags, absolutely love the nest!

Paper Profusion said...

I'm delighted I stopped by as your tag is very calming and I've now switched off from the headlines. Thank-you! The eggs look secure and cozy as if they should sit there forever. The dew drops are the perfect addition - well worth searching for! Nicola x

A Pink said...

Absolutely Gorgeous! Alison. Your considered use of colour, manmade art products and natural elements (supported by your narrated word) have come together to create a tag that holds true beauty and emits a calm and soothing energy.

Thank you so much for contributing to the challenge . It wouldn't have been a 'tag ' challenge without you.

Amanda x

At some point I really hope to pop back and do some serious catching up as I am SO aware I have a lot of your fabulous creativity to catch up on . So sorry for not keeping up despite my best intentions- one crazy year!!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

This makes me long for cool Spring instead of hot summer. You are blue are made for each other...you do it so well. This is romantic too for me. LOVE.

Julia Aston said...

Sorry I'm so late in dropping by here Alison - apparently doing nothing at home takes a lot of time for me!!! What a wonderful nest you created for your beautiful blue eggs - your background is gorgeous with it's flight of birds and that feather just draws the eye up and down the design! and then there's your lovely sentiment! (and your 2nd tag! love the mushrooms!) xx