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 30 September 2012

Love's light wings

Hello and welcome - it's lovely to have your company for a while here at Words and Pictures.  What a weekend it's been!

I'm still on a Romeo and Juliet kick at the moment, though in slightly merrier mood than before!  But the primary inspiration for this tag was the genius of the Funkie Junkie herself, Linda Coughlin, and her 12 Tags of Christmas challenge, sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique. The R&J quote just turned out, in the end, to be the right words to go with what I'd created.  Let me show you...



Once a week, between now and the 17th December, Linda is offering up an inspirational tag from which you can leap off in any direction you like.  

You can play the challenges in any order, at any time you like up until the deadline - Tag 2 has already appeared, but I'm on catch up with week 1 for now. This is the glorious tag Linda created to start us off.  

I did mention she's a genius, didn't I?!  If you've never visited her blog, The Funkie Junkie, or the Frilly and Funkie challenge blog - go now!

Some of what I've chosen to play with, inspired by Linda's tag, is pretty obvious, as are some of the changes.  I love the pinky-browns of hers, but whenever I do pink, it seems to go all girly - not what I like at all, so in the interests of staying happy I swung to my favourite blues!




I loved the embossed stars, so I decided I would have some embossed embellishments, and although the heart with wings is a popular motif in Craftyblogland, I'd never played with one - so I decided it was time to break that duck. 



I also wanted to include some of the lovely baroque flourishes in the background, but went about it slightly differently.  And the general levels of sparkle are not in my usual style - but I decided to give them a go!







The one thing I was unequivocally pleased with in my Romeo and Juliet journal pages was the background, so I decided to play in a similar way on this tag.  

I collaged text and music onto the tag, and then wrinkled tissue paper into the spaces between.   The whole thing then got a coat of gesso to tie it all together.

As I said, I wanted to use some flourishes to echo Linda's lovely glittery ones - but I decided to dry-emboss mine using the Tim Holtz Texture Trades flourish from the French Connection trio of baby embossing folders.  

I love that the text is still so present within the texture of the embossing - text and texture... what more could a girl want?!

I rubbed Rock Candy Stickles into the raised landscapes of the tissue paper, and then brushed on some Perfect Pearls mica powder - I love the lustre of this... it gleams with a kind of other-worldly beauty.









I love how it looks at this stage.  I'm definitely going to do this again and stick to the white palette at some point, but it was just a little too ethereal for me in today's mood.


Today, I wanted colour!

I am so happy that the mica gleam survived being blended over with the Chipped Sapphire DI.  And the flourishes got a fingertip-full of Frayed Burlap Distress Stickles each, for extra glamour.




The hearts are made out of Grungeboard (Tim Holtz), as I knew I'd be hitting them with lots of paints, inks and textures.  They're cut with a Sizzix die, and then embossed with the Music Notes Texture Fade folder (Tim Holtz - need you ask?).  

I started with a coat of white acrylic, then built up via Pumice Stone to Chipped Sapphire DI.  Finally they got heat-embossed with some StarDust embossing powder my sister-in-law passed on to me.



I don't have any wings in my stash, but one of the other folders in the French Connection trio is a wing, so I embossed that onto some Grungeboard twice, and cut them out.  

(It does mean that officially one of them is 'debossed', as you have to turn one over to get a symmetrical pair!)







And then the quote... I was tempted to follow Linda in that too - Holy Night is simply one of the most glorious Christmas songs of all time.  And the blues seemed night-timey.  I toyed with Silent Night for a while (one of the few to top Holy Night in my Christmas charts!) but in the end, I'm not quite ready to give in to Christmas fully yet.  (Yes, I know - what am I doing playing the 12 Tags of Christmas then?  But it does say you're allowed to take the inspiration in any direction...)





And I am still very wrapped up in A Tender Thing, the Romeo and Juliet adaptation I've been talking about.  In fact I'm back to Stratford upon Avon tomorrow to see it through to Press Night. So what with the wings and all the sparkling going on... this quote became inevitable!


I had great fun colouring some of the seam binding with Chipped Sapphire and Dusty Concord and then fraying the ends - romantically shabby chic, and very pleasing to me!



So from the vulnerable and raw state I found myself in, this weekend of crafting time has restored me to a sense of calm and well-being.  

It started with working through some of the turmoil in the journal pages; took a huge step in a very good direction reading your comments, and hearing the positivity of your support, for which I was very thankful; and that led to the 'postcard of gratitude', which gave me such joy in the making... and now I'm even prepared to look on the bright (and sparkling) side of love, with one of the strongest statements about the power of love you could find.

With Love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls,
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what Love can do, that dares Love attempt,
Therefore, thy kinsmen are no stop to me.
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare

I'm entering this in the following:
The Funkie Junkie's three month 12 Tags of Christmas challenge - Tag 1
Simon Says Stamp and Show are doing it For the Love of Sparkle this week
Anything But a Card have just, very helpfully, started a new theme called Shiny, Sparkly, Blingy 
That Craft Place Challenge would like us to Make Your Own Background - done!
And finally, I'd like to share my lightened heart with Hels Sheridan and her Sunday Stamper challenge Happy Heart.  As the last paragraph of the post says, being able to craft in itself is what has made my heart happy this weekend.

47 comments:

Lisa Minckler said...

Gorgeous tag Alison! You've reached for the stars on this one and succeeded. Fantastic entry for the challenges. :)

Jenny Marples said...

Oh boy have you taken us on a journey this weekend! Great take on Linda's tag (she is a genius isn't she? as I began to find out as I attempted to copy this first tag:) Love that you've really made it yours with the colours and the design. Hope you enjoy next week and wait with anticipation for the next instalment! Hugs, Buttons x

Redanne said...

A truly beautiful tag Alison, the blue is stunning, love how you created the whole thing. It does have such a happy feel about it with all that shimmer and shine. Gorgeous piece. Crafty hugs, Anne x

sam21ski said...

This is such a gorgeous tag, I'm not usually a fan of blue but this is an exception, it's sort of a dreamy bluey silver, whatever, there is no doubt it's stunning. Those hearts and wings just fit with the mood perfectly.

Thanks for sharing your fab techniques.

Sam xxx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous tag Alison, I am a great lover of texture and your piece has it in abundance which I love. Great monochromatic colour and I love the textural hearts . Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

catherine said...

Oh Alison this is beautiful and the colours are perfect. i must have a go at something like this as you do such a wonderful job of it.
x catherine

Candy C said...

Alison, you have been a busy girl this weekend! I really love your tags. The winged heart is so pretty and perfect with the sentiment. I always love your style. Thanks for sharing your tag with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

Kylie said...

You create such beautiful things, Alison. This is amazing xx

Kjersti said...

A gorgeous tag Alison, love how you did it! The blue colours are beautiful, and the dry-embossing looks fabulous with the text that barely shines through!
Have a nice week!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Mervi said...

Gorgeous tag Alison,
love the textures and embossed things, this is so wonderful!
I'm now following you;-))m

Brenda Brown said...

To be able to read your story and follow in pictures Alison, or should I say, to follow the picture line and read your story? Whichever way has been such pleasure this morning. The practicalities of making the tag and the emotions coming through reflect the artistic nature of your soul. Thank you for sharing both in such a beautiful way. Your tag is delightful with the colours, textures and layout, a treasure to behold.
Enjoy the week is SuA and good luck with it all.
Hugs Brenda xox

brenda said...

Wonderful tag Alison, so very tactile as well.

B x

Pia said...

what a stunning tag, beautiful and cool teknic, love the colours
hugs Pia

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Great shimmer on this tag...your background is so gorgeous again...and I love the sparkly hearts as well as the text and the wings, that fit so well Alison.

greetings, Alie :-)

Astrid Maclean said...

Another fantabulous piece! I am totally in love with your blue and brown colour combo and thank you for talking us through all the different steps you used so clearly, the effects are simply stunning!!!

Gio said...

This piece is soooo inspired, Alison. From the background, to the lovely colours, to the sweetest heart!

Claudia N. said...

Sooo lovely, Alison!

Wishes,
Claudia xx

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

A sensational theme piece full of wonderful textures and layers. I love that you went with blue and the way you built up the BG with stamping and tissue and gesso. I think I might be inspired by that for my next tag!

You are so kind with your compliments but I think you are stretching it a bit and I am definitely blushing! I'm ecstatic that you are joining in the 12 Tags of Christmas challenge on my blog!

Hugs,
Linda

Anonymous said...

Oh what a beautiful tag with that texture and dimension and such sweet words and sentiment behind it.
Wishes
Lynne

Hels Sheridan said...

Oooohhh, lushness indeedily! Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper x

Bärbel said...

Ein schönes und edles Tag mit einer wunderbaren Struktur des Hintergrundes!

Kim Dellow said...

Wonderful! What a fabulous look and I love the texture. Kim

Julia S-W said...

I love sparkle and shine that is subtle and this hits exactly the right note for me - it's there in abundance but doesn't reach out and strangle you! A beautiful take on Linda's tag and the colour is stunning. Love the quote to - where were you when I was doing A-Level English Lit?? (probably not born is the answer to that one!!)
I'm so glad you shared your gorgeous work with us again at ABAC and please share with us again won't you?
Juliaxxx

Julia S-W said...

I think that should have read: . . . quote too. . . . ! I hate typos and spelling mistakes and get very cross when I've made them - even worse is seeing them too late!
Juliaxx

Lawsbom said...

Wonderful! I hope we get these at Christmas! ;o) xxxx

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Absolutly exceptional, I'm impressed and inspired, awesome technique and result!

ElizabethR said...

It's a gorgeous tag love the wings. Elizabeth x

pearshapedcrafting said...

What an amazing tag! Glad you are feeling better - it's funny how sitting playing with a few bits and pieces and getting inky can restore your balance on life! Hoping for happy days ahead!

toni said...

I love this tag beautiful cool blues. I've just been catching up with some of you recent posts and I spy some fabulous work. I do hope things are becoming clearer for you, I think that working it out through your art is a great starting point. That Billie Holiday song is a favourite of mine particularly when in a melancholy mood, but as the mood starts to lift may I suggest jimmy Cliff, 'I can see clearly now' so uplifting x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Absolutely gorgeous!!! I love the metallic sheen!!!

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Amazing trip on your "love" trail, this is so pretty in the blues...peaceful and romantic. TU for your kind comment on my mixed media class 1....hugs

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Wow, beautiful tag Alison, lovely sparkle touch and look at those yummy textures! Gorgeous! xx

Shelby said...

Beautiful use of color and texture! The blues are fantastic and love the shimmer you've added into this gorgeous tag.

Shelby

Janny Jager said...

A very very beautiful tag Alison.
Love teh textures adn embossing
Also the color is great

Greetings Janny

cbee said...

Wow, I love your tag ... so much texture and I love the color and the sparkle!!

May said...

Wonderful tag Alison... Love the texture & design... the blues are just perfect!! as is the sparkle... Hugs May x x x

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Your tag is so beautiful. You always make such amazing things. My brain doesn't work that way at all. I would never think of all the details and little tricks that make it come out just right. You picked the perfect colors for your tag too.

Unknown said...

This is gorgeous and I love the detail on it. Super inspiration Alison. :)

Marjie Kemper said...

Love your winged heart and all your texture... the flourish is fantastic!

Sue said...

A wonderful tag full of beautiful texture and delicat sparkle. Thank you so much for the walk through of your technique, it's definitely one that I shall be trying x

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

The colour and texture you achieved Alison is just beautiful. How lucky are you to see performances at Stratford on Avon - I had a wonderful day there a couple of years ago!
Thank you for playing along with ABAC this challenge.

Mrs.B said...

Stunningly beautiful.
Love the background you have recreated for the tag, and such a beautiful colour.
Avril xx

Anonymous said...

This is such a gorgeous tag! Love the colours and the texture!! Really soo beautiful!

Lg siljan

Christy said...

I love the glittery coat and the blue is beautiful! Thanks for joining us at Anything but a Card! :) :)

Sazzle said...

Alison - Congratulations on your Top 3 place over at That Craft Place :-)


xx Sazzle xx

MJ's Kraze said...

Lovely tag. I love the simmer and the colors. Thanks for joining us over at ABAC.

Gretchen Wilson said...

This is drop dead gorgeous.