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...

Saturday 31 October 2020

Secrets in a country churchyard

Hello all, and greetings to you on All Hallows' Eve.  There's a dark tale for you here today despite the surface beauty of the tags.  This post will probably still be up on All Saints' Day, but I'm fine with that because the story does takes place in a graveyard, so for those visiting on Sunday just don't look too closely and you can simply enjoy an unsuspecting sun-dappled walk in the country churchyard.

However, if you are paying attention, you'll see that the ivy hasn't quite covered up the evidence of something rather unpleasant going on, and definitely better fitted to All Souls' than All Saints'.

These tags are all about the layers... layers of ink and stamping and ephemera and die-cuts, of course, but also layers of time and evidence and hidden secrets under cover of the creeping ivy tendrils.

There's the sun-dappled greenery of a country churchyard on a sunny autumn day in the backgrounds of Distress Ink and Oxide smooshing.

There are the stony arches of the small country church (the test cut from the die packaging, smooshed in some Pumice Stone). There are ancient clerical texts and filigree wrought iron gates hovering in the layers.

But dig a little further down and you find the bony remnants of certain parishioners, buried in the undergrowth.

How many of them?  It's hard to tell, they're mostly parts and pieces, not in proper graves.

And what are these labels hiding under the ivy leaves?  Could they be evidence of foul play?

How exactly did those parishioners meet their respective ends?  We need a Miss Marple in the village to find the clues and uncover these dastardly crimes.

But these voices calling from the grave can't make themselves heard above the tolling of the church bells.

If only someone would take heed and dig in the cemetery, they might find some of these objects and start putting two and two together.

But no, the breeze whispers through the leaves of the ivy and carries the voices of the dead away on the wind.  Spooked yet?  I hope so... that is rather the point.    

As with the Fungi Poisoners, it's my favourite kind of eeriness - something which looks fine at first glance, and in fact even rather lovely, but then you look more closely and the cracks start to appear revealing something dark and horrible at the heart of things.

I wish you a good Samhain, and I hope the darker months whose arrival it heralds don't prove to be too dark.  Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great weekend all.

Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.
Edgar Allan Poe

Villainy wears many masks, none so dangerous as the mask of virtue.
From Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

So it's one final entry for the Country View Challenges October theme, Halloween - Make a Scene

And for All Hallows' Eve at Tag Tuesday

And my bony skeletons are Embossed so I'd love to share these at Try It On Tuesday where that's their theme this fortnight

#newbloggersucks

It's been a busy Halloween week here, which is unusual, so if you missed anything do check them out...

Fungi Poisoners

More Skull Distraction

Distracted by Skulls

or get your spook on with some Rusty Tin by Candlelight

Happy Halloween everyone!

22 comments:

Amanda said...

You have been spookily busy! Your story, which I am reading after midnight, has been a great spooky start to Halloween, just hope I can sleep now lol
Happy haunting
Love
Amanda x

Helen said...

Wow, there's a spooky story for sure.. you have a very vivid imagination! I love the tags, with their texture and colour and hidden horrors. Have a great weekend!

Valerie-Jael said...

So many beautiful and spooky tags, well done! Have a great weekend, Valerie

Craftyfield said...

Goodness you have been busy Alison... Last but not least in this series of Halloween projects! Gorgeous layers in this one and the bits of skeleton etc... peeking under the ivy are great! You do have a way with words and stories too, such an imagination! Hope you have a restful weekend. x

craftytrog said...

Great spooky fun Alison!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I have to say you go all out for Halloween, dear. These last two tags are brilliant. I love how you used the test die cut, cut it in half, and altered it beyond recognition of what it originally was.

I also like all the layers and your story of the dead in the cemetery. Miss Marple couldn't have done a better job of making me shiver. I love, love, love these last two tags because they are totally different from the others. Lovely tags to show how much you love Halloween, dear Alison.

Redanne said...

I am definitely loving the theme of these tags and the spooky story that goes with them too! What could be better on All Hallows Eve. I do feel a tad sorry for those parishioners being lost and undiscovered in the undergrowth though. Brilliant tags!

Apologies for being missing, the old eyes are a bit of a problem at the moment but hopefully will get sorted soon. Hope all is going to plan with the move. Anne xx

My name is Erika. said...

I like how these new tags match up. I have been eying that arched window die cut. Your tags are inspiring. And using the vines gives them a bit of life among all the vintageness. Hope it was aa great Halloween. Happy November!

Marci said...

I do love those arches! Happy Halloween!

Sue said...

You have had a busy Halloween, and I love your latest tags. What a fabulous story they tell and the window die cut is wonderful. I hope the latest lockdown news hasn't messed things up for your move. Take care and have a very happy November, Sue xx

Jacqui Blondel said...

Have just discovered your blog from Instagram. Love your creations and the story. Look forward to your next blog post. Meanwhile I am about to look at some of your older posts. Thanks for sharing your creativity

Patty O'Malley said...

Fabulous set of tags! Love the candle lights!

pearshapedcrafting said...

You really did get into the Halloween mood! I think I'll enjoy the graveyard walk, although I couldn't help but take a proper look at these brilliant details and the dreadful tales hidden there! I think churchyards can tel so many stories! Thank you once again for sharing at Try It On Tuesday! Chrisx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Oh Alison it's lovely to see so many spooktacular pieces all in one post a good catch up for me as i've missed so much by the look of things. Love how the top two match with the creeping ivy, so dramatic the perfect addition to any window and all those rusty leaves, falling gentle down onto other pieces. What a fabulous creative time you have had in October, i'm rather envious of it..
Hope all the move is going to plan and you are keeping well?
Take care Hugs Tracey x

Michele said...

you have excelled at making for all hallow's eve and all saints day! thanks for linking to tag tuesday! xo

pinky said...

Wow your tags and jars are amazing! Such attention to detail and so beautifully put together. You have such a creative eye! Thanks for joining us at Tag Tuesday.

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

Reading this now, I still felt the chill and the magic of Halloween. Incredible cards and the rusty tins look amazing!

-Soma

Neet said...

You confused me a bit with the other posts at the bottom of the Sunday one (which I had missed). Thank goodness I found the comment section because the new tags are utterly gorgeous. They are beautiful to look at and then you unravel the ivy and find all the spookiness. What fantastic work this is - always is - but this one blew my mind. Loved them!
Hugs Neet xx
ps I loved seeing all the others too x

Let's Art Journal said...

So many spooky makes and such a lovely way to celebrate the season too! Your church yard tags are gorgeous, I love the grungy look and the way they join together to create the arch - perfect 😀. Happy and creative wishes! Stay safe! Hugs, Jo x

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Loving the spooky story just perfect with those gorgeous tags. Happy creative weekend, Angela xXx

Margaret Mifsud said...

Really, really love these spooky churchyard tags Alison! Not only are the tags amazing, I also loved the story! Absolutely awesome and totally brilliant post!! xx

Let's Art Journal said...

... Thanks so much for joining in the fun at Try it on Tuesday with your fabulous tags 😀. I hope you're having a great week! Hugs, Jo x