Thursday 24 April 2014

Cry Me A River

Hello everyone, Alison (butterfly) here with a hanging icon to share with you today.  It all started because I wanted to play with my new Croco Crackling Colour, and ended up taking on a musical twist... singing the blues again!


I guess my Our Creative Corner challenge to use a song title or lyrics has infected me more than I'd realised!  Part way through, the project just started to take on the flavour of the brilliant Cry Me A River (sung by the extraordinary Julie London in the link I've given you).


I began by smearing the Croco Crackling onto opposite corners of the hanging board with a palette knife.  Mine's white to start with, though it also comes in gold.  I left it overnight to crackle, though I don't think it needed that long - but I had several other things on the go at the same time, so there was plenty to be getting on with.


I love the chunky crackle effect - I put it on quite thickly to get this, and I didn't intentionally create that river flowing down the centre, but that's what it turned into once it was blue!


Once it was completely dry, I added various colours of Distress Stains, all shades of blue, over the top, blending with an occasional spritz of water as I went.


The woman is one of my favourites from the Faces No.2 stamp plate.  She's stamped in a combination of Cobalt, Cornflower Blue and Hydrangea Archival inks, and inked with at touch of Faded Jeans Distress Ink, so as to tone in with the Distress Stains.


I mounted her over some swirls of white water (otherwise known as cheesecloth), frothing as it charges downriver.


And the chains of grief still surround her, echoing the path of the river of tears (those would be Idea-ology Lace Chains of grief).


The Idea-ology Enamelled Tag is adorned with some Tim Holtz rub-ons.  The eye was a must, and some of the damask flourishes seemed to work well with the whole look of the piece.


And the words...


... the pay-off line of the refrain...


... always with me the words!


Everything pours over the edges, of course - you know me! - so the swirling waters continue in three dimensions.


So that's me for today - singing the blues (though that's not necessarily a sign that I'm unhappy - I have an ex-boyfriend who used to complain that I sang sad songs when I was happy and when I was blue, so how was he supposed to tell?  What can I say?  I like sad songs!).  I hope you like it.


Thanks so much for stopping by.  Don't forget, there's still almost a week to join in with our Embossing and Texture challenge here at The Artistic Stamper - hope to see you there!

Ingredients used:
Artistic Stamper stamps: Faces #2
Distress Stains: Chipped Sapphire, Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky, Tumbled Glass, Broken China
Idea-ology: Enamelled Tag, Lace Chains from my stash
Archival Inks: Cornflower Blue, Cobalt, Hydrangea
Distress Inks: Faded Jeans

36 comments:

massofhair said...

Must try my Croco Crackle, had it for ages so thanks for the push.

Beautiful song, love your pictorial interpretation and all the movement. Stunning Tag Alison:-) xxx

Nan G said...

Love the way you interpret the blues. A fab piece butterfly! Now to find me some of that Croco Crackle. ;)

Helen said...

how fantastic this piece is, Alison. I love how the croco crackle led you down this river of the blue... it is wonderful!

froebelsternchen said...

Oh what a blue dream .. so much depth and love in it..
gorgeous use of amazing techniques...
a masterpiece indeed!

May said...

Hi Alison, WOW...A fantastic creation the texture is fabulous..Beautiful image.. the blues & white are perfect...Wonderful work... Hugs May x x

Deborah Wainwright said...

Love this Alison the colours look really good and not heard of croco crackle now on my must get list. I also love the interpretation of the song and the creation of your river. The whole piece is very inspirational x

Rosie said...

Wowowow, this is gorgeous and breathtaking. Thank you for showing the step by step making

Amanda said...

One of my favourite songs (but the Mari Wilson version) brilliantly used as your inspiration. Love that crackle!! Have a lovely birthday.
Love
Amanda x

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh, I think this is going to be a new favourite!!! Stunning all round! The crackle looks fab of course, the touch of the chain in combo with the cheese cloth is inspired, LOVE this big time!!!!

sally said...

Such a great song and yes I do Evan the Julie London version, I grew up with her music ( I think my dad still has the L Ps) I always find it amazing how song titles & expressions can get stuck in ones head & lead to some terrific creations.

Your blue river is terrific & I will be putting some of that crocodile paste on my shopping list!

Sally

Dagmar said...

What a fantastic creation- i love the crackle background- great work!!!!

Deborah said...

Wonderful crackle! I also love the face not being stamped in black (for some reason I nearly always use black) - it gives the face such a different dynamic.

craftytrog said...

Fab crackle & I love the eye embellishment! xxx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

What a great crackles Alison...it gives the creation such a wonderful look. It looks like the words created a river in the colours because of the crying...NICE!

kind regards, Alie :-)

Lisa :) said...

So beautiful!! A really exquisite piece!

Kay Wallace said...

This piece is just amazing, Alison. Of course, I love that crackling, and the blue(s), and the chain...well, everything! But, it is the combination of elements that really makes this work so well. I have to say that I am most impressed with what you did with what I thought was a vintage charm! Now, that is crafty, not to mention beautiful! Well done, Sister!

Unknown said...

The crackle is stupendous and I love that your lady is blue. ;) Blue women rock! Now I have this song stuck in my head but it's Susan Boyle's voice I hear lol. Fantastic project, as always, Alison!!! Happy Birthday again. :) xx

Unknown said...

Love This, Alison!! Just gorgeous and moving! Love the chain, the enamel tag...everything! Another fantastic piece to drool over :) and be inspired by :) XOXO-Shari

Cocofolies said...

Another fabulous hanging icon by Alison, not only amazing in the texture, but also so intense and artistic.. Totally LOVE this. Coco xx

Dorthe said...

Wow, what a crackle, -you alwayes makes fabolous crackles, Alison, but this one is more than fantastic!!
Also the chececloth benieth the woman and the chain looks great.
xoxo,Dorthe

Cardgenie said...

Alison, this is fabulous. Just love the colour and the crackle. Gorgeous! Jean.x

Redanne said...

I cannot get over just how wonderful that crackle looks - it is fabulous! But then so is the whole piece... Anne xx

Julie Lee said...

What a wonderful canvas! That Crackle is 'to die for' and Julie London's 'Cry me a River' is sublime - one of my favourite songs! That stamp is so lovely and the little enamel medallion looks terrific. Alison, this piece is gorgeous! Julie Ann xxx

Anonymous said...

Julie London singing Cry Me A River is sheer musical perfection & your project is perfect too & absolutely stunning. Fab crackle!

Corrie Herriman said...

This is amazing, beautiful !
Corrie x

Jennie Atkinson said...

Oh this is stunning Alison - what fabulous crackle and it takes the DIs so beautifully resulting in such gorgeous blues, a sort of washed denim on crackle! Cry me a River - oh that will be in my head for days now! Jennie x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh the crackle, the cheesecloth white water, the fabulous image and those chains! A stunning combination! "Cry me a river" by Julie London used to be my favourite but then along came Michael Buble! (sorry to lower the tone here!) Hugs, Chrisx

Anonymous said...

That stamp is incredibly beautiful as is your project.
Gorgeous crackle and of course I like the inclusion of the cheesecloth.
An absolute favourite of mine is this song, the depth of emotion she sings it with sends shivers down my spine.
Wishes
Lynne

Sid said...

Lovely art Alison !!

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is glorious, Alison, one of my favourite songs! I love the river running through the middle, the spume, the enamelled tag, the crackle. Really evocative and wonderful,

Lucy x

Annie said...

fantastic piece Alison and the crackle looks wonderful. Love all the fabulous details from the chains to the muslin and of course the stamps

Have a lovely weekend

Annie x

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Gorgeous! I love the river flowing through your project.

Paper Profusion said...

The croco is soooo distinctive Alison - my fave crackle for sure. As for this piece - well even when you aren't using many words your artwork is incredibly expressive. The chains are inspired and I so love the blue. Brilliant make. Happy times in CZ. Nicola x

Jenny Marples said...

Loving the combo of the crackle and chains Alison. A fab piece. Jenny x

Marjie Kemper said...

Oh, those cracks are pulling me in... would love to see this gorgeous piece in person! Love the addition of the chains and soft muslin. A beautiful piece!

Kezzy said...

Wow absolutely gorgeous creation, that crackle is awesome and I really love the theme you ended up with, stunning. Kezzy:-) xxx