Monday, May 6, 2013

Flowers to Bring a Smile

earthlaughs w border

These have been sad days, with my son’s family having just moved far away and my mother’s recent death still evoking emotional moments. Still, underlying the sadness, inexplicably, is an ecstatic joy. My son’s family is where they are because of their willingness to follow God wherever He leads. My mother’s absence from this earth means she is present with God in heaven.

Attempting to focus on the joy, rather than dwelling on the sadness, I am trying to get back to my “happy place” for daily routine, and that is crafting, playing with mixed media art, scrapbooking--wherever the mood leads me on any given day.

It was “good” for me to make this tag, with a happy reference to flowers, a reminder of the freshness of springtime in Missouri. It was good to create something once again, and the theme of the tag was good for my spirits!

I spent quite a bit of time on the background of the tag, and that is actually funny, given the fact that the background isn’t really visible! I started with chip board to which I adhered some woodgrain-textured scrapbooking paper (it was so pretty—wish you could see it—looked sort of like an old wooden fence). Then I used Tim Holtz’s Tag Die to cut a tag from the covered chip board.

I painted some blobs of Lumiere Halo Blue Gold around the edges and then spritzed with water and let the paint run, which made the “blue” part spread around but left the “gold” part of the Lumiere. I used stencils and gesso to add texture. I added some aqua chevrons (cut from card stock—there are three strips of them on the tag, but you so cannot see them!), with more paint (Golden fluid acrylic Bronze) on top of that. I cut some greenery from Tim Holtz’s Regal Crest die. Then I created a flower arrangement, making a lace bow for the base, and added some butterflies. To embellish the flower that was totally white, I painted all the edges with Inka-Gold Old Silver. The crinkle ribbon was saturated with the Halo Blue Gold paint and the Golden fluid acrylic bronze paint.

Thanks to Lynne Forsythe for some of the technique inspiration for this tag.

Linking to:

 Simon Says Stamp and Show Inspired by Challenge (technique inspired by Lynne and using quote from a favorite author).

Simon Says Stamp Challenge.

Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge Anything Goes.

14 comments:

Lynne Forsythe said...

You are VERY WELCOME Barbara!! In those darkest times in my life I have found GREAT healing by creating....I am sooo glad you have found it too!!!

shari said...

Your tag is just beautiful! You can tell you took alot of time to make it. I hope things get easier for you everyday.

Dorothy said...

Barb, Your tag is beautiful!!!
So sorry about your mom.

Linda said...

Hello Barbara, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Even though you know that she is with the Lord, it still takes a while to work through grief. I know because I've been there. My mom and dad died one month apart from each other in 2007. It was touch to deal with, but the Lord brought me through it as He will for you too. I'm so glad that you have your artwork to also help you. Your tag is absolutely beautiful.



Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous tag Barbara :-) all the details are fabulous ! WOW, this is stunning !

Crafting is a good healer,,it does help us to get through some difficult times,, something to focus on. So sorry to hear of your Mum and hope your Son and his family settle well into their new life xx

thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge
luv
Lols x x x

Ivonne said...

So sorry to hear about your mom. I am sure crafting will make the healing process a little bit easier. Your tag is absolutely gorgeous!! I love the fabulous flowers and the beautiful sentiment. Thanks for joining us at Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge! Big hug, Ivonne

Candy C said...

Barb....First of all, let me say how sorry I am to read about the passing of your Mother. Having lost my mother as well, I understand the depths of your sorrow; but you are right. There is such comfort in knowing that she is with our Heavenly Father and oh, what a glorious day it will be when you are reunited! Your tag is beautiful. I love the colors and the flowers. It's message is one of hope and rebirth. Thank you for sharing it and your inspiration with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

Scrappin' Stacy said...

Beautiful tag! I hope your heart heals soon.

Shell said...

Oh this is gorjuss, thanks for joining us at Fussy And Fancy.
Shell xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I am so THRILLED to see you back!!! Just so happy! I've been worried about you! I'm glad you found some inspiration in Lynne to be able to make something, and this something is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The color, the roses, the quote...everything! Welcome back! Thank you so much for being inspired this week and sharing it with us at Simon Says Stamp & Show!

Joy said...

Stunning card, love all the different layers.. thanks for joining us at Simon Says Challenge blog

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous Work!Lovely combinations of colors! Thanks for joining us this week at Simon Says Stamp and Show! - Ashli :)

RebeccaHoot said...

First time to vist your blog. Beautiful Blog and yes Crafting is a happy place.

www.creativepointe.blogspot.com said...

Just Gorgeous! Glad your creating is helping to heal your heart.