Sunday 8 September 2013

Welcome Alison Bomber Project #1 .... Lucky Number 3

"Hello all, it’s finally here... semester three, and the day I can officially celebrate sharing a project with you here at PaperArtsy.  And, oh boy, what a terrifying wait it’s been, with one amazing project after another here on the blog this year - and, not only that, but fabulous work from everyone each week inspired by what’s here, as well as brilliant makes from the PATWITS with their secret ingredients... Talk about a tough act to follow!
But when I was at the Craft Barn Extravaganza, I had a lovely chat with Mr PaperArtsy himself, who said, “Just do what you do, and remember to take lots of pictures.”  So that’s what I’ve tried to do... and regulars at Words and Pictures will know there’s never a problem with the second part of that advice"!
It’s Semester 3, and 3 is also my lucky number, so I’ve pressed it into service to ward off the nervous butterflies.  I’ve a trio of trios for you this week, and here’s the first one.
I started with three of the large Paper Mache Hanging Boards, and sponged on Snowflake, Cheesecake and Vanilla Frescos with some Cut N Dry foam, just blending as I went.

 

To add some background interest, I stamped the ledger from HP1217 onto some tissue paper several times, and ripped that up to add it to my boards.
 



 
I then added some more of the same colours, but this time in a slightly diluted wash - just spritzing the paint with water on the craft mat before applying - so that the tissue paper would be embedded into the background without the stamping being completely obliterated by the three opaque paints.



 
I used some more tissue paper just to try out my planned stamping.  By chance, I plumped for OliveArchival to do it... and that started to tell me where to go next with the colours.

 
My next step was some stencilling with the Mini Harlequin, using Hey Pesto and Tinned Peas.  I sponged the Hey Pesto first, and then added the Tinned Peas to some areas, but not all, so that you get a bit of colour variation.  But my main thing here was that I wanted to keep a slightly glossy wet-look to the paint, as well as getting a bit of texture, so I clear embossed as I went. 

 
You have to be quick, since Frescos dry quickly, but I only wanted a rough texture, so I’m happy with the result.  (I’ve been playing with fabulously thick and glossy effects with UTEE - but more of that next month, perhaps!)

I added the fabulous birds and grasses from HP1009 along the bottoms, as well as some taller grasses from HP1008 at the outer edges.


 
 HP1009
 

Some more stencilling - this time with Distress Inks - gave me some texture for the sky.  I blended through from Tumbled Glass to Broken China to Faded Jeans to get the shading.



Time to take a deep breath and get the main images in place... These were stamped mainly in Olive Archival, with touches of Aquamarine and Memento Teal Zeal, and also clear embossed for a glossy shimmer and to make them stand out from the matt, chalky background.

 

 
The flowers are from: HP1009, 1109 and 1203.


I used Snowflake and a very fine paintbrush to give the petals on all the flowers some definition from the Vanilla background.  Works well on some of these flower heads, less well on others, but overall I like the effect. 

 


The insects were left shimmeringly embossed rather than adding paint to them. 


I love when they catch the sun, and flash into vision, like catching sight of a butterfly or dragonfly on the wing in real life.




It felt a bit dotty up top and diamond-y down below, so I decided to balance it up by adding some dots down below too... Grunge Paste to the rescue, applied fairly sparingly and randomly amongst the diamonds and grasses.  (You can see I’d also done some inking with Broken China around and about the place by now.)

 
It was all very pretty, but still lacking something... so, another deep breath and time to change direction a bit, by adding some bold stamping in Sepia.  And not natural elements this time, but the fabulous advertisement from HP1109, as well some of the tiny text from HP1217.





Once the sepia stamping was there, it was inevitable that some Vintage Photo Distress Ink was going to make its way into the picture.  I did some gentle distressing right at the edges and corners and, as I did so, hit some of the Grunge Paste dots by mistake... and loved it!  So they got inked up too!

 
Of course, all of this goes over the edges of the hanging boards too... I never neglect my edges!  You can even still see the edges down between the panels if you look closely.



 
And then the three panels needed fastening together.  Any guesses what I used?  Chopsticks, anyone?!  A bit of Glossy Accents, and a bit of firm pressure, and we’re good to go. 

 
So there’s my first triptych of the week... hope it offers you some ideas to play with, and I do hope you’ll be able to join me over the next couple of days for some more treble trouble.


 
Thank you so much for stopping by.

Leandra Says: Ohhhh I love the layers and layers, and the embossing powder introduces shine and texture perfectly! The colours work so well, but when you added the sepia and bang! Contrast and it lifts it to the next level. Correct decision, even if a scary one to enact! Vintage photo on the grunge paste too was an happy accident! Wonderful opening post, and those hanging boards are so easy to work on, both sizes! Great start Alison!

Gillian Says: Alison it was so lovely to meet you in person last weekend, now I know the lady behind the beautiful designs. Awesome start to your GD Semester with my fave substrate of all time. The layers and texture along with your chosen colour palette make this simply gorgeous. I love the inked GP dots.

68 comments:

Steven said...

Bravo! Beautiful layer upon layers and love the greens so much.

Jennie Atkinson said...

Absolutely fabulous Alison and so you with all those layers! Thank you so much for the how to - all those scrumptious layers of tissue and paint and ink. And congratulations too - I can't wait to see you on this journey. Jennie x

Unknown said...

Cool project! Love the embossing on top of the paint! Going to be trying that! Thanks for the inspiration! xx

jojo79 said...

Great project Alison. I love all the layers.

Jo
x

Helen said...

You had no need to be nervous, Alison - this is beautiful!! I can't wait to try embossing Frescos, what an inspired idea..

Rebecca said...

Lovely work, well done no need to worry looking forward to the rest of the week :)
Happy craftin
Rebecca

Lin said...

Wow what a lovely project and how clever embossing the fresco paints genius!! I love the combination of colours you've used too and all the layers..great start!!!

Darcy Marshall said...

Truly gorgeous, I love this and looking forward to more of your posts. x

Unknown said...

These are absolutely beautiful. I love the subtle colours and the layering is lovely. The embossing powder is a really good idea too!

Emma x

Fliss said...

Absolutely stunning Alison. Such beautiful colours and amazing stamping.
Hugs, Fliss xx

Craftyfield said...

Fantastic start of the semester! Love the embossing and I didn't know you could emboss directly on the Fresco paints! Might try it out for this week's challenge...

sam21ski said...

Great make Alison, can't wait to have a go with embossing the fresco's - genius!!

Sam xx

margaret said...

Lovely project Alison looking forward to lots more over the coming weeks !!!! Margaret

Kathi said...

Good gosh! That's fantastic! I love the color scheme, textures, stamping, and images you used. I especially love the split-image design you used.

Brilliant to use chopsticks to bring it all together.

Thanks so much for the clear instructions and all the step-out photos.

I am curious about what Sepia ink you used.

Carol Q said...

Alison, how absolutely lovely to see you here. I know where in for a treat with your projects and the first is a stunner.

Lucy Edmondson said...

Gorgeous! Love those embossed frescos and the colours you have chosen. A perfect triptych,

Lucy x

Trish said...

Wow - gorgeous! I love all the layers, and it looks amazing!!! Great start!

Jacqui Chimes said...

Really lovely

Julie Lee said...

How lovely to see you here, Alison! And what a magnificent opening to this new semester. This is such a gorgeous project; your talent truly amazes me and your ability to experiment with the most fantastic results leaves me reeling! I can't wait to see what else you have in store! I do hope I have the time to play along this week! Julie Ann xx

Mark said...

This is a fabulous project! Love the many layers you made, and the clear instructions. Never used clear embossing powder on frescos, but I sure will try it myself!

Sid said...

What a fab and inspirational project, love the heat embossing we should do more !

Unknown said...

Allison this is absolutely amazing!!! Wow!! What a gorgeous and creative project!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous project Alison ! Love the embossing on the paint (must try that!) and the colour combo is beautiful. Sue C x

Jenny Marples said...

A fantastic way to start Alison. Love the depth and dimension all this layering has given your canvas trio. Hugs, Jenny x

JoFY said...

beautiful project!

Deborah said...

A stunning PA debut, Alison - not that I expected anything less. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!

misteejay said...

What a super project. I love the colour choice - beautiful.

Toni xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Great first PA project Alison, love how you have made the flowers pop and I really like the idea of mounting the three hanging thingies together, great make!

May said...

WOW...Beautiful work Alison, The layers are amazing the embossing is fantastic...Loved the tutorial... Hugs May x x x

Rita said...

What a wonderful creation Alison. It was very interesting too, reading how it all came together. Looking forward to seeing the next project now. Hugs Rita xxx

Anonymous said...

This is really lovely Alison.
What a wonderful GD you will be for Paper Artsy.
Eagerly await your other creations.
Wishes
Lynne

Claire said...

So lovely to see you as GD here Alison! Your project tonight is beautiful - the colours are fab and the way you embossed certain images really makes a difference to the overall feel of the piece. Can't wait to see what else you come up with! Claire x

craftimamma said...

What a fabulous start to your semester Alison! Wonderful trio of boards and all the layering is fantastic. Love the idea of embossing the Frescos and as others have said before me, that is such an inspired suggestion. Wonderful step by step photos too. Hope I get chance to play along.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Ginger said...

I love this Alison and your eye for colour never ceases to amaze me. x

massofhair said...

Fantastic start to your semester Alison, looking forward to more:-)

Redanne said...

What a fabulous start to your GD spot Alison. Great to see the how to as well. Look forward to seeing more!

Nan G said...

I knew...you blew them away with this fabulous first piece, butterfly! Nicely done. Love your use of colors on this one, Hun!

chrissie said...

Truly wonderful use of everything on this piece.

Love Chrissie x

kateri said...

I could feel your excitement grow as you left your trepidation behind. You created and made art that is so beautiful it boggles the mind. I appreciate you teaching us as you created. I love the colors you chose, or that chose you.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous gorgeous!!

crealinedance said...

Hallo ze zijn super mooi.Gr.Nel

Sarah B said...

Just gorgeous ! love the layers and how everythign blends together. Definitely going to try embossing with fresco paint. Can't wait to see what else you have in store for us ! xx

Andrea Small said...

Congratulations! Lovely design, lovely execution
Andrea x

Dianne said...

Standing and applauding your first design project,it's breathtaking, glorious,fantastic, every step you made was amazing it GORGEOUSSSSS. Thanks for sharing all this beauty...

Julia said...

Lost for words ..... It is stunning!
Congratulations on your debut piece.
Julia x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! Another inspiring piece - and a really wonderful start to your semester! Haven't tried embossing with Frescos so will definitely try this! Chrisx

Francesca said...

Hi Alison, congrts on being guest designer, and what a sttunning piece. Great stuff. Francesca xxx

Dame Jeanne Marie said...

Wow and Wow!! This is such a FAB project! You have inspired me!!!

ionabunny said...

Lovely panels. Love the embossing idea.

Susan said...

Lovely panels!!! Love embossing over paint idea never gave it a thought though I did know you can use plain water to emboss! Looking forward to your semester. Susan "LoveRibbons"

Dorthe said...

It is gorgeous Alison, I love the stamps pupping out,from embossing - and the paste you sepia painted ,- the stamps are all wonderful !!
xox, Dorthe

Annie said...

Wonderful layers with beautiful colours and fab stamps
Look forward to viewing more makes x
Crafty hugs
Annie x

Clare Lloyd said...

Fabulous.

Alison said...

What a fabulous triptych! Great start to your semester Alison! xxx

cathylynn said...

You're off to a fabulous start. I completely enjoyed this journey of creating a fabulous triptych. Who would think that starting with tissue could end up so colorful and radiate with so much texture and beauty! Another phenomenal job!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

toni said...

Totally love this project! wonderful colours and flow between the three panels gorgeous work Alison toni x

barbarayaya62 said...

i'm in love with this project! Every details are incredible! Barbarayaya

Wee Von said...

Alison, Congratulations I'm so happy for you and for us too of course. Your projects never fail to inspire me to get something out and get to work. More than once I have used your tutorials to get me going over some dry patch. Thank you!

Kath Stewart said...

absolutely fabulous Alison...love all the detail which just draws your eye in...thanks for the great tutorial...hugs kath xxx

Almo said...

Hi Alison, Fabulous first PA project (but then all your work is amazing) really enjoyed reading through your how to and all the piccies. Brilliant idea using chopsticks I have loads of these so must try this. Hugs Mo x

Cocofolies said...

As you know I love all your works Alison, and this one (I didn't put any comment yet because I really wanted to to look at it and read your post in details before) is no exception. It's a true masterpiece of art and I'm not surprised at all !!! Coco xx

Mary Elizabeth said...

Fabulous first project Alison!!! I love the colors and details. I'm so glad your first piece has a butterfly on it -- how appropriate :) Thanks for the idea of stamping on tissue paper first. I always worry about stamp placement -- such a simple solution to see what works! And I really love the PaperArtsy Fresco Finish!! I really would love to try that. Can't wait to see what's next Alison!!! -- Mary Elizabeth

Janet said...

fabulous project Alison
Janet

Maggie said...

Love the layers and texture along with the shiny embossing makes a fabulous project Alison

MaggieH

Jenny Marples said...

Another trio (I'm working backwards!) of deliciousness. Love the drama of this set. Hugs, Jenny x

Bonnie Irvine said...

Great call on the sepia stamping and the Vintage Photo over the Grunge Paste. Both provided that contrast and tension that makes this trio such a delight. I love the tip about using embossing powder with the Fresco paints. What a fantastic effect...can't wait to try it. Your gorgeous style is such a natural fit with Paper Artsy products. I'm happy to see the pairing.

Kezzy said...

WOW WOW WOW the minute I saw this I fell in love lol. I so love how you get everything to move together, it makes our eyes catch every detail absolutely gorgeous and completely inspirational, yep I must have a go at this some time :-) Kezzy xxx

Michelle Webb said...

This is shamazing Alison, love the layers they all work great together. Michelle x