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 2 October 2015

A Beautiful Adventure

Hello all!  It's my turn to host our challenge at A Vintage Journey, and I'm setting out to go Art Journalling with Tim.  As you'll know, Tim doesn't really do art journalling (or if he does, he keeps it to himself), so what we're really looking for is to see how you use Tim's techniques, products or vintage/grunge style in your own art journalling.

Do check out what my amazing team-mates have come up with to inspire you - what a joy to be on this journey with them - and here's my offering for you.


If you saw my first Wilted Violet playtime tags, you'll recognise the genesis of this journalling page.  And if you saw yesterday's Time to Fly tag for Country View Challenges, you'll know I'm in slightly melancholy autumnal mode.






But there's also tremendous beauty to this season, as well as the promise of journeying with all those migrating birds.  All this has come together, I think, in today's pages.











I started by putting some tissue tape on to create some textured earth.  Then I started smearing layers of colour onto my craft mat, direct from the ink pad.

From the top down it's Chipped Sapphire, Wilted Violet, Ground Espresso and Rusty Hinge.  I spritzed on plenty of water and then pressed my journal down onto the ink.




It's a medium sized book (this spread is 13 inches wide and 9 tall), and the pages seem to be slightly coated - they're certainly very smooth.  (I've no idea where it came from - I think it bobbed up in the house move a couple of years ago!)

This was the first "print", and you can see that the ink is pooling and spotting in really interesting ways.








I pressed down on to the ink a few more times, drying in between - basically it's wrinkle-free distressing on a large scale - and I love the end result.











I stamped the large Tim Holtz bare tree branches repeatedly in either Potting Soil or Jet Black, and sometimes in both, to create a canopy of trees at either side of the pages.











To give the "earth" some texture I blended on Ground Espresso and then stamped Tim's scratchy grunge stamp in Potting Soil (of course!) along under the tissue tape.







And from the soil, there are grasses and wildflowers growing, all Tim Holtz stamps, stamped mainly in Coffee and Sepia.


Well, it's me... of course there are grasses and wildflowers!  What did you expect?  (Click on the photos for a larger version.)







The birds, "at break of day arising from sullen earth", are setting off on their long journey southward.












The large Scratched Raven has been startled by the sudden flurry of sound and movement, but he's not going with them - just shaking his wings and settling down again to pass the long cold winter right where he is.










The words are cut out of cream card, and then I embossed them with Vanilla White.














This gives them more dimension, but also meant that they wouldn't soak up the ink as I shaded around them to bed them in to the page.














I've used the same colour shades, dipping a water brush into Distress Stains to add the shadows.












I toyed with adding other elements, trying out various bits of ephemera and embellishments, but in the end I just went with some subtle script stamping for a touch of extra detail.













I used my all-time favourite script from the Apothecary stamp set, and I stamped it in Rusty Hinge, Wilted Violet or Chipped Sapphire, according to where it was in the sky.











I'm really pleased with the tissue tape, given that I only really put it there initially to balance the necessary taping of the central spine to strengthen the pages. 













Whether travelling far to new horizons, or staying at home amongst friends and family...











... either way you can enjoy life's beautiful adventure.








I hope you like my journalling pages.  As you can see I've used Tim Holtz techniques and products, but I've also been inspired by the things I fell in love with when I first encountered Tim and his work - stamping and the Distress Inks - so I kept it fairly simple to let those elements shine.  And although I've been Art Journalling with Tim, I think I've also made it in my style.


I really hope you'll be inspired to come Art Journalling with Tim this month at A Vintage Journey.  Do remember to check out the journal pages from the rest of the team too.  As always, there's a prize voucher (drawn randomly) sponsored by Country View Crafts, and we'll be selecting our three Pinworthies to be displayed on our Vintage Journey Pinterest board.

I'm working away from home quite a lot over the next couple of weeks so it's likely to be quieter round here again, but I'll see you somewhere along the road!

The violets were past their prime,
Yet their departing breath
Was sweeter, in the blast of death,
Than all the lavish fragrance of the time.
From The Adventure of a Star by James Montgomery

I'd like to join in with the Ombre theme at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.  I'm not completely sure whether Ombre has to be tones of one colour or whether you can move from colour to colour - I'm hoping it's the latter!
I'd like to offer up my migrating birds and autumnal colours in the Autumn challenge at Try It On Tuesday
And I'd like to share these pages with the Love to Create challenge in their regular Anything Mixed Media/Creative Goes theme
And I'd like to join in yet again at Anything Goes with Autumn Colours at Mixed Media World - can you tell I've got my Autumn Hat on?!


Just a quick reminder... we are seeking two new Creative Guides.
If you would like more information and details please email Brenda at
brenda_brown25@hotmail.com by Monday 5th October.

74 comments:

S@ndy Diller said...

Thanks for such a great challenge Alison. The team did some wonderful artwork and many of us have stepped out of our comfort zone. Thank you for that. Love your pages and look forward to seeing more.
S@ndy xx

Julia Aston said...

I am loving just gazing at this beautiful creation Alison! Your sky and earth are just wonderful in color and composition - I read every description of each step so I can humbly attempt to try this myself - what a beautiful scene and story for these pages! Julia xx

Barbara said...

Stunning! A wonderful page, an outstanding choice of colors! Beautiful in its simplicity, a very accurate work for the background! I'm in love with your journal! Thank you for joining uscthis week on Simon Says Stamp Monday Chalkenge Blog! Barbarayaya

froebelsternchen said...

This pages are just WONDERFUL Alison! Mastery done! Thank you for joining Try It On Tuesday with it!
Happy weekend to you!
oxo Susi

Helen said...

Another masterpiece! I would love to see it - and the rest of your journal - in the flesh, I bet it's even better! Gorgeous tones you've used today.

chrissie said...

A. stunning spread Alison and a wonderful way to use the Distressed inks. Thank you for dharing how you
did the pages and for joining us at Try it on Tuesday

Love Chrissie xx

selena said...

Les couleurs et dégradés sont magnifiques

brenda said...

I love the graduation from purple to browns Alison and it makes for another stunning piece of artwork.

B x

Redanne said...

Your page is stunning Alison and creates such a wonderful autumnal mood with the bare trees and the migrating birds. I love your colour choices and the tissue tape 'grounds' the scene so well. The embossed words stand out beautifully too.
I have to say thank you for inspiring me and giving me the push I needed to start journalling. Hugs, Anne xx

Kath Stewart said...

beautiful Alison...love the colours and all the detail on your pages...who knows Mr H might now be inspired to take up art journalling hugs kath xxx

Lauren Hatwell said...

It's stunning! Absolutely stunning! Lx

hazel said...

Stunning pages Alison - wonderful design and the colours are beautiful.
xxx Hazel.

Lucy Edmondson said...

Oh wow, that big scale wrinkle free distress worked beautifully! I love the effect!

Lucy x

Rika said...

Stunning pages!

Renee said...

This is so absolutely gorgeous !

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Absolutely wonderful Alison, I just love your new colour combo, such a stunning piece should be made into wall art!
Have a lovely weekend
Hugs
Donna xxx

Candy C said...

Beautiful pages, Alison.

WendyK said...

Fabulous, just love those colours together. The textures and stamping is perfect, love it.

SewPaperPaint said...

This background is the most amazing thing I've seen!!! I truly love it and so want to leave work right now and go home and try to recreate - GAH! Love this, every inch! TFS!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

PINNED!!! Absolutely fabulous spooky scene! I LOVE this!!!

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful colour combination, altogether a glorious inky spread!! Love it and just right for this time of year!

Dorthe said...

Oh Alison, I have no words for telling how fabolous I think this is, just to start with the colours, of the evening coming close, the beautiful bare trees, such wonderful a stamp, and you used it fantastic to frame the spreads.
I love the flying birds, leaving the raven behind ( can I ask from where the birds stamp comes ? ) seeking south!
Also fantastic with the embossed text, and all the "splasches " . BEAUTIFUL ,dear !!
Dorthe, xx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Lovely pages Alison, I particularly love the white lettering which really pops against the backdrop and they almost looke 3D. The meadow stamping and branches are perfect and almost give the page an eerie feel, love it. Gorgeous wash of colours in the background too. Tracy x

Words and Pictures said...

Hi Dorthe - thank you for your lovely comment! I'll email too in case you don't get this, but if anyone else is also wondering... the bird stamps are both wood-mounted Tim Holtz by Stampers Anonymous (two of the very few wood-mounted stamps I have) - the birds in flight are called The Birds M1-1252 and the large one is Scratched Raven P1-1454.
Alison xx

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Ohh my !! Amazing pages!! You have created magic with these wonderful colours!! Lovely scene of Autumn! Wow

Sandy said...

You life is a beautiful adventure Alison and very well earned! I love your journal pages and even though Mr. Tim does not appear to have an art journal, maybe he should start one. I do think an art journal makes for a wonderful keepsake. You are really a very artistic lady and I certainly hope you will continue with this journal. Would dearly love to see more.
Sandy xx

Ellie Knol said...

SO beautiful!!

Corrie Herriman said...

I love these pages; the colours are stunning and the scene is very atmospheric and the black stamping provides a great contrast !
Corrie x

Jennie Atkinson said...

Such a fabulous mix of colours Alison and a gorgeous journal page on a fabulous background. Just stunning! Thank you for such a great challenge. Jennie x

rachel said...

evening Alison - this is simply delightful - really wonderful theme and fabulous inspiration - can't wait to join in!!! Big hugs rachel xx

Nikki Acton said...

One of the best things I have seen recently - stunning journalling Alison. Nikki xxx

craftytrog said...

Love that background!!! x

Lynne Moncrieff said...

The addition of the embossing on the words is a star turn! Also love the stamped grasses, really helping to set the scene.
Beautiful!
Wishes
Lynne

denthe said...

This is so beautiful. Love the background, so much to see there....

Anneke said...

Wonderful adventure. It really look great.
Love the background with the beautiful colors.

Margik said...

Wonderful and so inspiring pages, Alison! I adore the mix of colours and the mixed media you used. Love that you incorporated fabulous birds into the design, and the trees and plants are perfection!
Love the great poem too.
Mar xx

Deborah said...

The wrinkle-free technique is especially beautiful in that sky. Wow! And the embossed die cut words...what a great idea.

klistersøster said...

Excellent journal spread, I love your color scheme, the viewing is very Poetic.
Hugs, Susan

A Pink said...

Terrific journal pages that really do portray your autumn melancholy mode . Your canopy of trees are fabulous and I love your wrinkle free distress background . A real piece of Art that wouldn't make for a fabulous piece of wall art !
A great theme that I'm sure will be a challenge for me . I have two journals with minimal entries and neither one is the right size for an idea I have . lol x

Kerstin F. said...

Brilliant Alison, a wonderful colored background and a scene which tell stories, I love this!!

Jackie PN said...

Absolutely outstanding spread Alison! Your colors here are-mmmmm- just- breathtaking! I adore this!
Jackie xo

Terry said...

Alison, Tim may not art journal, but you captured what would be his style beautifully! The color choices are a stunning combination and the techniques shine through! Love this! Hugs!

Jenny Marples said...

Drinking in the details on this gorgeous spread Alison - I'm so glad you kept it simple so the beauty of that inky background can shine through. Outstanding (of course!) Jenny x

experiments in paper said...

Fabulous pages, Allison - I love how you are using the purples and browns lately! The subtle details here are perfect, and that tissue tape is fabulous as well. Beautiful pages, and a welcome brief respite today from work - itching to get to the craft table with such wonderful inspiration here, as always! xxx Lynn

catherine said...

Hello Alison and hope you are keeping well.
This is fabulous and just love how you have created these pages. Love how you have done the words and they do stand out really well. Fabulous colour choices too.
Have a good weekend
x catherine

sam21ski said...

Fantastic background with the Di's xx

Fliss said...

My jaw dropped when I saw this Alison. Totally amazing and the most fabulous background!
Fliss xx

Evelyn Walter said...

I love everything on this pages! The embossed words and the trees are my favourites here, and the background and ..... o.k. - evereything :-)
xxx Evelyn

Princess Judy Palmer said...

This speaks volumes to me. There is so much to love... the weeds at the bottom (grasses and wildflowers!), the birds, the bare branches, the colors (oh my wilted violet!), and the crisp air feeling of fall and the movement! So wonderful!!!!

The migratory hummingbirds are back in town now. I don't know where the come from but wherever that is I guess it is time for them to come here. Some just stay here until it gets cold and others winter it out here. I was surprised to hear them already, although I don't really have a time frame for when they usually come. It just seems early.

Mrs.B said...

Definitely your style with Tim's products - beautiful pages Alison, gorgeous depth of stamping and I love your colour combination, they work so well together, I've just bought the Wilted Violet (prompted by your previous tag - can't wait to use it).
Avril xx
p.s. Thanks for linking this to TioT

Kirsten said...

Stunning pages, I love everything.

Juliz Design Post said...

Superb Journalling Alison, the colours, design and depth to your pages is truly magnificent.
Julie x

Suzanne C said...

Alison these pages are gorgeous! That skyline is full of beautiful colors and waterspots. Fabulous journal pages! Thanks for playing along with us at the Ombre challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

Unknown said...

Lovely, Lovely AJ pages Alison! Such a wonderful theme at AVJ and you've done a spectacular job with creating this dramatic scene. It's beautiful and earthy and I get a bit of a gothic feel to it as well (but that could just be me!). Completely Awesome!! XOXO-Shari

Shirley said...

My oh my what a magnificent page. Wish you hadn't shown of those new colours they are gorgeous.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful project, thanks for joining us at TIOT, Valerie

Carol Q said...

wow that's such a beautiful spread Alison.

Bee and Dee said...

Lovely art journal link pages, love the colours and layout, thank you for joining us on the TIOT challenge hugs Bee.

Hettie said...

Funny I thought I had commented on this soon after you posted?
It is absolutely gorgeous and I love the colours on there. Such a clever girl Alison.
Hugs
xx

Etsuko said...

Beautiful pages of the scene and great colours. xx

Deb said...

Stunning journal page Alison, a beautiful colour palette and your images and words combine to make it come to life. Tim may well take up art journaling once he sees your gorgeous results inspired by his techniques! What a fabulous meme for this months challenge at AVJ, can't wait to give it a try. Thanks for sharing your beautiful page with us and hope you'll be able to find some time to create while you are away. Deb xo

Paper Profusion said...

Incredibly beautiful Alison. Wish I could soar with them! Nicola x

Unknown said...

Wow! I mean.. Wow! This is amazing! I think I have a new favourite when it comes to colour combos! Thank you very much for sharing it with us at Mixed Media World, Alison! Ingrid X

Julie Lee said...

Alison, this is absolute magic! I think it's one of the most beautiful, haunting journal spreads I have ever seen. It captures everything I love about Autumn, including a kind of beautiful melancholy. xx

Julie Lee said...

PS I adore those bare branches too! x

Gerrittina said...

Wauw!

Lula said...

A stunning spread Alison and a wonderful way to use the Distressed inks. Thank you for sharing how you
did the pages and for joining us at Try it on Tuesday

Anke said...

WOW WOW WOW fantastic work, Alison. Absolutely stunning, I love it.

Hugs
Anke

Curls N Twirls said...

Such a pretty work of Art !! I loved the embossed words ..

Unknown said...

Stunning page!!! Love the background...

Unknown said...

Probably my fav journal creation in the history of all the ones I nave ever viewed Alison. Just STUNNINGLY INCREDIBLE. I just want to go there and lay n the ground with your black bird. It's a beautiful place. GREAT WORK OF ART. j.

Karenliz Henderson said...

Your journal spread is stunning. So beautiful.

Kay Wallace said...

I missed this wonderful journal spread when I was on my "artful hiatus," but found it today through Marjie Kemper's great blog about tutorials. You are such a generous artist to be willing to share with us the processes by which you create unique and memorable art! Mwah!

Cocofolies said...

Oooh it looks strange that I didn't comment there Alison... I so LOVE this spread and fabulous pages!!!!
Sorry to have missed this wonderful post in the past...
Thanks for the reminder on your blog, in one of your recent posts :) xx