Skip to main content

The Tree

I tried. I really did. I tried so hard. All I wanted to do was make one card for the latest Color Throwdown. But, my daughter just wouldn’t have it. No way. She was pretty unhappy today. I have no idea why. She just cried and cried. She’s not sick or anything… So, my card never got made.

But, that’s why I am so glad I decided to post some of my “pre-blog” stuff up. Here is one of my all-time favorite layouts. And, it goes right along with the “Quiet” layout I posted the other day.
IMG_7438

Please click on my photos to see them bigger. There is actually a lot going on in this layout. Let’s start with the photo itself.

IMG_7440

You really need to see this one blown up… Why? Because I am IN this tree! It’s hard to tell with the photo being so small. This is the same cemetery I wrote about the other day. It’s in Salem, Mass. I love this tree. If I could take it home and keep it forever I would. It’s so majestic, old and beautiful. Yes, I am a Tree-Hugger! I sit in this tree for so long whenever we visit Salem. It could be my favorite place to be in that city. Please note: that little tombstone in the lower right corner is a tiny embellishment that I aged a bit and added on. Looks like it belongs there huh?

IMG_7441

So I drew this title. But not only that, this was a plain piece of cardstock to start off! I used my beloved wood grain stamp across the whole thing, then I tore the cardstock, and aged it with Distress Ink in Weathered Wood, Walnut Stain and a bit of black. Then I drew on my title. This was my second try. The first was too small.

IMG_7442

I used the same techniques on this piece of cardstock. These are my feelings about this tree. It’s been a few years since we’ve visited Salem. I was hoping we could get there this year, but that doesn’t seem possible. Maybe next year…

I made this layout in 2006, but it is still one of my favorites. I really love everything about it. The distressing, the words, my title, the photo itself… but I especially love the emotions that I feel when I think back to sitting in that tree. I was at peace. One with mother nature. The tree and I were so very alive, in a place that housed death. A beautiful contradiction.

Comments

I love the wood grain and I'm enjoying your stories about Salem! I hope Rhi gives you a few minutes for yourself today :-)

PS I totally ADORE your halloween blog background!
Arts by Sara said…
Alison! This is awesome! I love this layout! I am also intrigued by cemeteries! You did a wonderful job, the wood grain is awesome! I take it you draw? Thanks of sharing! Have a wicked day! Sara

Popular posts from this blog

Our Favorites: ADfD Blog Hop

***Sorry for the late posting....Blogger doesn't always play nice! Today is the first day of our  ADFD Blog Hop  - a celebration of all of the beautiful images Tammy has created over the years. As a special surprise for Tammy, we have a combination of current and former DT members participating in the hop. Her inspiring art and generous heart have touched us all. We want to take a moment to show our gratitude and thank Tammy for the blessings and joys we have received as members of the ADFD DT. Our theme is “A Collection of ADFD Favorites” - so each DT member’s blog you visit will share something she has created with one of her favorite ADFD images.  The hop has   hidden prizes  - a commenter from each hidden prize stop will win a choice of one image from the ADFD Shop ! You won’t know where the prizes are hidden, so be sure to leave a comment at each stop of the Hop!  Our Blog Hop will run from 7:00 a.m. eastern standard time on Saturday, February 25, 2017 until 9:00 p.m. eas

Christmas in July with Imagine Crafts & Stencil Girl!

Hello! Have you heard? The Imagine AIRs have been hopping with Stencil Girl! If you have been here before, you know I loooove me some stencils, so this collaboration was very exciting for me! The teams are hopping for 3 consecutive Saturdays, and this is week 2. I have the entire list of hop links at the bottom of the post. Be sure you don't miss anyone! I decided to to create an extra large gift tag with my new stencils. Using red cardstock, I taped down the Journal Texture #8 Stencil  and inked it up with Golden Glitz Delicata ink . I promise you, this is the BEST gold ink you will ever use! The Journal stamp only has 2 diamonds on it (it's a 4x4" stencil), so after I inked up the first pair, I moved over the stencil, lined it up, and inked again. Next I wanted to do something textural with the Urban Insiders Star . So I took some evergreen cardstock, taped down the star, and slathered on some yummy Iridescent Green Creative Medium . After the medium dried, I ga

Remembering Aletha

Greetings, Friends. This post today is part of a very special blog hop. We are celebrating the life of an amazingly talented artist and friend. The crafting community lost Aletha Jane Williams on May 5, 2019. Those of us that worked with her on Design Teams or on Challenge Blogs all agree that she was one of the sweetest and most talented women we knew. We are not here to mourn her loss though. This hop is happening in conjunction with a very special celebration of her life and her art that her husband Bob is holding in her home city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Please join us in honoring our incredibly creative friend Aletha . My card features the "Remembering Aletha" Sprite, which Mitzi (owner and artist of Aurora Wings ) created specifically for this hop. She is generously giving the digi away to all, over on her blog. This sweet Sprite looks so much like Aletha, and I know she would have been honored. If you download this digi for yourself, please be sure to give a huge "