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 26 December 2014

Ring In The New!

Hello all! I hope you're all enjoying the festivities, as well as my Artistic Stamper 2014 top picks.

Christmas Day is blissfully quiet round here... it's the 26th that is the family celebration, so there'll be presents and lots of eating.  But while I'm busy with that - or recovering - it's time for a new challenge at A Vintage Journey, and our host is the wonderful Brenda.  The theme is Ring Out The Old, Ring In The New, and she's given us some words (yay!) to play with:

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Brenda suggests we focus on key words from the poem and interpret one or more of them in any way you like.  For instance, you could use something old/new on a project; include bells or snow on a card; design a new year card/project/invitation etc.  Be creative, and just tell us what your links are to the words and what your Tim inspiration is on the project.

So here's the card I came up with - a celebration of this time that I love between Christmas and New Year, the lull in activity before we go hurtling into fresh adventures.


I think the Tim inspiration is pretty clear - everything I've used is part of his ever-expanding and ever-desirable product line.  And there are lots of other inspirations going on, including Tim's December tag.

Work has meant I've missed the whole second half of the year tags-wise (more catching up to do!), so I'm very happy to be able to join in again for a last hurrah.  The sparkly die-cut, the sprays of Holiday Greens, the Distress Spray backgrounds, Distress Paint altered metal, and the little bells all find a place.  I didn't have any of the new Frosted - which looks so cool - but my embossing is within the card itself.






As you read, it will seem I must have spent hours working out how to include all the words of the poem, but it honestly wasn't like that.  I just wanted to play with some of my new toys!


I took advantage of one of the fabulous Country View Crafts Advent offers to grab the Festive Gent die...










... as well as the delicious Holly Branch embossing folder which provides the underlying texture on my kraft card panel.

There's also an old year/new year thing going on in the colour palette.  I started out in my Christmas neutrals, but found myself yearning for the vivid blue-greens which seem to be where my crafty instincts carry me in Jan/Feb (check the archive if you don't believe me).

So now the card combines them both!








I blended Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo DIs over the branch to make it pop, and used Broken China Distress Glitter over Glossy Accents to create the dimensional holly berries.










And I think the Holiday Greens Thinlits still count as new to my stash, even though they've had plenty of use since getting here...














... as do the Distress Spray Stains used to colour the greenery as well as to spatter the kraft background.










I used the Rays Layering Stencil with Vintage Photo DI to add extra movement and depth of colour, and then spritzed the panel with Picket Fence Distress Spray.













I had a lovely time creating spritzed blue/green backgrounds - but my fingers are still looking a little bluesy!











Once cut, I arranged the greenery (including the wax paper cuts) in loose sprays...













... and added the clock, altered with Distress Paints, and warning that it's almost midnight.  Our Festive Gent is going to have to hurry if he's going to be the First Footer tonight!









He, of course, is dressed up in sparklingly new array for the celebrations.  This is, in fact, the test cut that comes in the package (waste not, want not), inked up for some shading and then given a good dusting of Rock Candy Dry Glitter.












I edged him with a Big Brush Stampers Pen (shock, horror, not a Tim product!! - but that's allowed too, as long as you let us know your Tim inspiration) to make sure he stands out against the background.










Obviously, I've got my little rusty bells (rusty and therefore old)... and they're happy bells too, filled with the Merriment of the Idea-ology Muse Token (which I only noticed as a happy coincidence once I was taking the pictures... subconscious selection of the most appropriate token).








The bells are ringing out across the snow-y spatter of some Picket Fence Distress Spray Stain, and the alcohol-ink-altered Word Band lets us know the noise they're making as he goes.












The main kraft panel is layered up over some more of that Distress spritzed card, some white card and onto another kraft layer, all distressed with the TH distresser to create extra texture and dimension.











And since this is doing duty as a "voucher" during the present-giving today, I zhuzhed up a plain brown envelope to hold it.  I continued the holly theme spritzing Tumbled Glass and Evergreen Bough sprays through the Holly Bough Layering Stencil, and then spattering with Picket Fence.









Just as a little added extra, here's a sneak peek of some more handmade wrapping paper that will be putting in an appearance this afternoon...






This is done with Stormy Sky and Evergreen Bough sprays, also turning the stencil over occasionally to print with once it was nice and inky.













I always wrap gifts according to a wrapping paper code - each person has their own pattern/decoration so that I can tell what is for whom (not all handmade papers!)... these and the voucher are going to the same person.







That's quite enough from me... we hope you'll come and Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New with us.  If you're in need of further inspiration you'll find plenty of it over at A Vintage Journey, where my amazing team-mates have been busy, and you can also check out the small print of Brenda's challenge details and our Travelling Instructions - just to make sure you qualify for the chance to win the gift voucher from our generous sponsors, Country View Crafts (where you can also find all the goodies I've used to create this).


I hope you enjoy this quiet time in the run up to New Year's Eve.  I'll be hoping to do some hopping and see what you've all been up to but, until then, stay warm and safe and happy!

Of all sound of all bells... most solemn and touching is the peal which rings out the Old Year.
Charles Lamb

I'd like to enter this as my take on the December tag for Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2014
And in the Anything Goes theme over at That's Crafty Challenge Blog
With the ringing of the bells and the WordBand with the lyrics from "that song", I'd also like to join in with the Sing, Sing It Loud musical theme at the Inspiration Journal

41 comments:

Julia Aston said...

What a lovely post Alison! Your colors are wonderful on your card/panel - love that caroler (MORE Tim that I need!) and your beautiful greenery with some wax paper pieces mixed in add great texture - your wrapping paper makes for very pretty gift giving!

Nan G said...

Lovely mix of your colors, Alison! I scored the caroler die in a sale but missed the greenery. Sold out but no fears it will find its way to me eventually. Enjoy the Holidays. Looking forward to more inspiration in the New Year! Warm hugs.

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful project, ove the colours. The wrapping paper is wonderful! Valerie

Anonymous said...

Fabulous card Alison! Love the colours and as usual your narrative is a delight to read. Hope you have a fabulous day today! Sue C x

Helen said...

Happy Boxing Day! I love this piece, (I really wish I'd bought the Victorian gentleman die in my rather larger splurge!) and as Sue says,your post reads so well too. The pop of blue/green looks fabulous.

Jennie Atkinson said...

Totally caught up in your project and details Alison! What a stunning colour combination! - the greens and blues with the browns too. And I love what you have done with the Victorian gentlemen - also in my latest purchases, so thank you for some great inspiration! And those wonderful wrapping papers! Have a lovely Boxing Day! Jennie x

Jackie PN said...

A great interpretation piece Alison! Almost as if he is hurrying to ring in the New Year!! Beautiful colors and shades- and would love to have seen a pic of your inky hands! heehee
Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day to you!

Brenda Brown said...

Gorgeous Alison and wonderful ideas and inspiration for the theme. I love how you have incorporated the old and new colours into this piece as well as the fabulous sparkly gent and rusty bells. A brilliant offering and gift.
Hope you're having a wonderful Christmas.
Big hugs Brenda xxx

Scrapintheattic.com said...

Amazing Alison, I love all the details! I too got carried away with Countryview Crafts Advent sales and want to play with my new stuff x

sally said...

Absolutely gorgeous & I'm thinking I might even manage to join in this time round!

Redanne said...

Your project is simply gorgeous Alison, I love the wonderful colours and the gent looks very purposeful. For me, the rusty bells and the gorgeous green berries really stand out. Hope you have a wonderful New Year. Anne xx

Julie Lee said...

What a stunning project! I love the nostalgic quality of it, the vintage shades alongside those magical bluesy greens! Your glittery 'first footer' is a real man of mystery! I love the little rusty bells too! xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I ADORE this!!! LOVE how you colored him and the metal!!!

Jools Robertson said...

Beautiful! Amazing peacock colours and fabulous embossing details and die cuts Fabulous distress spray and paint techniques

Loving the fab festive wrapping paper!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year
All the very best for 2015

Jools x

Terry said...

Totally gorgeous, Alison! Love those beautiful colors and what a great way to Ring in the New! Love all the details. Happy New Year and hope your Christmas was wonderful. Hugs!

Marci said...

Sounds like you had fun making this! I love the colors, and of course the festive gent and the greenery. Your wrapping paper is very pretty, also. Now I want more of those sprays. :-)) Hope you enjoy your holidays.

Shirley said...

Such a fabulous fun make Alison and the dapper gentleman is amazing (looks like he's off to a party) lol.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

craftytrog said...

A wonderful project with beautiful colours Alison! xxx

Unknown said...

Wonderful card (love the colours, the background and the great details!!), also great handmade wrapping paper!!!! :D Hugs Coco xxx

Von said...

Love you colouring of the man ☺
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas
Von ♥

Kjersti said...

Beautiful Alison! Love the turquoise - think it is a favorite for you too:):) The wrapping paper looks gorgeous!
Hope you had a lovely Chrismas Alison, and I wish you all the best for 2015!
Hugs Kjersti:)

S@ndy Diller said...

Such a lovely color combination. It is always so exciting to see your creations. Wonderful as usual. Wishing you much happiness in 2015.

S@ndy xx

cathylynn said...

What a way to celebrate the end and the beginning of a year! This tag is awesome and you put so much thought and talent in creating this gorgeous tag. Love the textures, colors and everything else that you used. Great wrapping papers too! Have a very Happy and Blessed New Year!!!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Pamellia said...

Hi Alison! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, I sure did, but I admit it's great to be back to my craft room! This is yet another gorgeous make that I could stare at for hours! I just love your sense of style, all your bits are always perfectly put together to make a spectacular project! I look forward to learning from you and being inspired by you in the upcoming year! see you again soon, hugs :)

Tincan Crafter said...

Seriously though, how do you manage to be so original and creative and awesome all in the same go? Nobody quite does Blues, Browns, Green and whites like you do. I am always like "whoa Nelly!" whenever I see any of your stuff. I must confess that I havent been around the blog route as regularly recently, glad I came back though - to beinspired by you as always. Thanks for leaving a nice comment on my OCC Induction post as well. Made me smile to know that a cherished blogfriend had come by. Hugs - Candice -

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Gorgeous choice of colours, love it. Hope you had a great Christmas and your new year will be a happy one, Angela x

Lynne Moncrieff said...

There is such a lovely sense of energy and movement on your card, possibly due to the fact that this gent does look as though he is dashing around, possibly heading to the shops for some last minute Christmas gift buying. Beautiful colours and the matching envelope is an absolute treat.
I hope you had a lovely time over the festivities.
Wishes
Lynne

barbarayaya62 said...

Stunning project! Absolutely my favourite of your works! I adore every little details and color is perfect! Happy holidays !!!! BArbarayaya

Deborah said...

He's marching to 2015 with a real sense of purpose. Fabulous! And your wrapping paper is divine.

Jenny Marples said...

Loving the whole aqua and fresh green zing to the foliage and metal embellishments on this gorgeous piece. And I have to agree with everyone, the wrapping paper is fantastic. Jenny x

Kirsten said...

That is a completely stunning card, I love the greenery & the gift wrap is gorgeous.

Evelyn Walter said...

Hi dear Alison, I´ve seen this pretty colorful shiny card, but I didn´t find time to write. Dear, I love this card, it´s stunning! And your wrapping paper is wonderful.
xxx Evelyn

Lisa H said...

very very nice!! Thank you for joining us at the Inspiration Journal challenge this month. =)

scrappymo! said...

Gorgeous and also loved your homemade wrapping paper too!

Juliz Design Post said...

A great post to read Alison. Love your sparkly gent, looks as if he has been kissed by Jack Frost. Your wrapping paper also looks so effective.
Happy New Year to you, Julie x

Anonymous said...

YEY im here! Your a busy lady....I certainly have some catching up to do. Alison this is a WONDERFUL piece! The gentleman is superb in those colours. I'm loving the rusty bells too. Thanks so much for all your lovely comments on my blog. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. All the best for 2015!! Karen.x

Kezzy said...

Wow truly gorgeous card and wow on the wrapping as well. Your card is amazing, the details are stunning. I love the two weeks I get off (apart from paying wages in between or I would get some heated phone calls lol). Also my partner gets two weeks off and so does the kids (not that at almost 16 and 18 they are wanting to sit with their mum too much lol). The time after Christmas is always chill time with the family, no where to go, not wanting to go any where, such a peaceful time full of battery filling and exciting new beginnings. Hugs Kezzy :-) xxx

Margaret said...

Oh, this is absolutely amazing! The blues and greens look terrific with the neutrals, and once again you have added the perfect embellishments to properly tell your story! Happy new year to you and yours!

Ruth said...

Fabulous, wonderful card...and another twist on the wrapping paper idea using stencils...very effective again! Ruth x

Deb said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! What a wonderful creation, thank you for sharing your process and I envy your lucky gift recipients their beautiful wrapping paper :O)

Mary Elizabeth said...

Love the color combo on this!!! Definitely merry-making! --ME