Saturday 30 April 2016

A Fond Farewell

Hello all, it's Alison here from Words and Pictures.  I'm here today with a very fond farewell to the Country View Crafts Design Teams.  This will be my last post for both the Projects and Challenge blogs.  As most of you will know, work has taken me out of action in Craftyblogland lately, and - happily/sadly - the rest of the year is just as busy.

So I've reluctantly decided that I have to be sensible and free up some of my time by cutting back on DT work.  I've had the most wonderful time on the team here - and my thanks go to Susan, Chris and Brenda, as well as to all the fantastic designers I've served alongside here.  But I've a final project to share with you here - some journalling pages full of excitement about whatever life holds next.


I'm afraid I don't have very many making-of pictures as I got caught up in the doing... but there are a few guiding steps along the way.  I started with an old hardback book and a rough coat of gesso before stamping some of Tim Holtz's lovely watercolour hearts in Pumice Stone and Weathered Wood.  I inked the stamp and lightly spritzed with water before stamping, so you get a loose spontaneous look to the stamped image.


Then I gathered some cards from my much-loved Idea-ology Pocket Cards.  I don't use them for pockets, but there's such a variety of designs and in lots of different sizes that they are perfect for collaging.


Before sticking everything down, I roughed up the edges a bit, to give a more distressed look and add texture and dimension.


I selected my cards mainly based on colour tonality, but suddenly found I had these insistent question words dotted around, full of energy and on the look out for what's next...


Who?  What?  Where?


And there are some pieces from the Vellum Thrift Shop Ephemera Packs - both plain and vellum - too.


I did quite a lot of inky shading and painty splattering to add extra depth and extra life.


The butterflies are punched from another of the Pocket Cards, using Tim's butterfly punch - perched ready for take-off.


The woman is the wonderful Gloria Swanson - the brilliant silent film star who played an ageing silent film star, a grotesque version of herself, Norma Desmond, in Sunset Boulevard.  (One of the most famous exchanges from the film is my quote for today over at Words and Pictures, and there's a link to a clip of her in action - well worth a visit!)  You can see I used some doodled penwork to frame the picture.


And I added some of the tiny watercolour hearts, echoing the blue hearts in the background.  These are stamped in Versamark and embossed with Weathered White embossing powder...


I love the texture of this powder, so found myself trying to find more and more spots to fit them in as an accent.  See if you can spot them all!


I couldn't resist adding some metalwork...


And of course there had to be some Small Talk stickers, again full of anticipation for whatever is next - "life was meant for a great adventure. be fearless. follow your heart."


I hope you like this page spread, and although I'm very sad to be leaving the team, I think you can see there's also a positive energy about the change.


I know the team will go from strength to strength with our fantastic new members added to the mix, and I thank all of you for all your wonderful support and great feedback here.

I'll see you out there in Craftyblogland some time!

Thanks,
Alison x


29 comments:

  1. A wonderful project to say goodbye. It won't be the same without you xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Alison, we will miss you so much at CVC! It was a pleasure to be one of your your teammates! Lovely vintage pages with the main questions of life! Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  3. A fantastic final project Alison!! I am sure you will be greatly missed!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A beautiful, nostalgic page Alison!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful farewell page Alison. Enjoy whatever is around the corner, and see you in blogland xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. "Nostalgic as all hell" as a dear friend of mine would say! A truly wonderful Swanson swansong spread. I've no doubt everyone will miss you here.

    Sally x

    ReplyDelete
  7. A swan song eh! Well, you won't get away that easily....you will be followed wherever you go. You have inspired me more than anyone else Alison. Thankyou for the joy of your work and these pages are no exception! Xx 😍

    ReplyDelete
  8. So disappointed to read this. I've looked forward to all of your projects. You even have your very own folder I loved so many! Good luck and I hope your path is full of creative light.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fantastic project Alison. Flo x

    ReplyDelete
  10. What gorgeous pages, in such beautiful color tones, and with so many beautiful little sweet and fanatastic adds. The embossed hearts are so beautiful, Alison, and I love your splatter and raw edges. Yes truly a piece with positive energy, dear.I`m sure they will miss you so much on the Country View Crafts team, and I will miss seeing your amazing creations here. But hopefully, you will be found some other places, -we can`t let you totally go :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are so dang good Alison - beautiful spread - you really are pro when it comes to design!
    sandy xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. I know everyone at CVC will miss you - we all will - but what a way to bow out! Gorgeous pages, love the texture, colour and - well - everything!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm so sorry to see you go Alison. Your work has been so inspiring. I am sure that you will still be around in blog land so this is farewell not goodbye. What a wonderful final piece....encore...;-) Crafty hugs xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. So sorry to see you leaving the team, but sounds like some great new adventures await! Your work is wonderfully inspiring, and I hope we will still get to see more from you in one way or another! Bravo on a wonderful final journal page, but like Jane said above, Encore! Love the neutrals--they allow that wonderful photo to take center stage, and all the lovely Alison touches through out! Be still my heart! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  15. beautiful work Alison - gonna miss you xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a stunning farewell Alison. Your work is always inspirational, your signature style will be missed. wishing you all the very best for the future.

    ReplyDelete
  17. A stunning farewell project Alison, you are a truly inspiring artist! You will be missed... Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful. What a shame we couldn't work together a bit longer. I hope your year will be mega successful and I hope to still see you around.
    Corrie x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fabulous pages that bring both joy and sadness to my heart. You are always a delight to work with and I shall miss your wonderful art and inspiration here but so glad we will have our other contacts still.
    Enjoy your adventures.
    Hugs Brenda xxx

    ReplyDelete
  20. Amazing! A wonderful project to say goodbye!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Alison, as always you capture my imagination every time I read your posts and see your projects. Good luck in your next adventure ! Sue C x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fabulous last piece, I will miss seeing your projects and good luck in your future xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. Alison, you are a master of placement! Your pages always flow so beautifully and gracefully- this spread is gorgeous! xo

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your journal pages are fabulous Alison................filled with lots of details and yummy textures xx You will certainly be missed by the DT and followers but at least we can still keep in touch with you on your own blog...........huge Hugs
    Annie xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. A truly fantastic spread! Good Luck with your future travels! Hugs, Chrisx

    ReplyDelete
  26. Fabulous journo pages! Alison Good luck for the future xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a stunning piece Alison! Seriously! It's a beauty with perfect collaging. LOVE your splattering. I know you will be missed from CVC and this is a fab project to exit with. Happy New Adventures! Nicola x

    ReplyDelete
  28. An absolutely stunning vintage creation Alison and such gorgeous detail and texture.
    Sorry you've had to give up some of your Design Teams too.
    Fliss xx

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wonderful vintage pages for your last make here Alison, the care to the details is just awesome and the whole amazing!! I will of course continue to follow you, but I guess you will miss a lot the team here.. Coco xx

    ReplyDelete