Thursday, May 19, 2011

Feeling the colours on the inside and out...

Evening Greetings,
Almost weekend, ready for that Friday feeling and glad to report the off-track creative mood of late is on the decline. No complete meltdowns, just an "it ain't working..." thing. Yesterday I stumbled across a theme that captivated me, and got me back on home ground...therefore my post title. Two offerings to share tonight.
Firstly a tag a la Grungy Monday with Mr.T's colour blocking. I have to admit I wasn't so keen at first. Sorry, it's just me. Still learning simple is beautiful too.
Scattered Straw, Rusty Hinge, Stormy Sky, Bundled Sage and Fired Brick Distress Inks, all given a good blending to soften the edges and then edged with Brushed Corduroy. Over-stamped with polka dots, two yummy splats with Distress Stain followed by some paint rings!

 Love this stamp by Tin Can Mail, it just oozes vintage. I re-stamped the gals and words for extra depth, love snipping away with the scissors...
It needed a blast of something so numbers and Distress powder. I created a faux enamel flower topped with a paper one where you can just about read 'proud hearts'. Finished off with a few staples and fake stitching around the edges. Tageology therapy complete! Liked it so much it found a way into the next one.

This Saturday it is Armed Forces Day in America. I'm in England, but it makes no difference. I don't think I can fully appreciate or comprehend the privilege of living in a country at peace, or having a loved one out at war.
A few years back I watched the truly amazing Band of Brothers, and to this day it still moves me. Over at The Kraft Journal the theme is Stand and Salute. It's not about the challenge, this one is from the heart...

Evacuation poster, England 1942. In Britain during WWII 827,000 schoolchildren and their teachers, 524,000 mothers with children under five and 12,000 pregnant women were evacuated.



 A glimpse of an Identity Card and the colour-blocked Kraft tag stamped, with someone's loved ones and the simple word "together"... I mounted the whole piece on an old brown envelope as it kind of echoes the make do and mend attitude that was necessary at the time.




This vintage photo of a British Air Pilot was my inspiration. It touched me so deeply, the picture says it all.



An old French map, a Union Jack flag and stars to symbolise, among many all over the world, the soldiers who fought together from Britain, France and the United States during the Second World War.
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." Winston Churchill's famous words after visiting the forces.


A Kraft rosette as a symbol of honour and pride and also the date on which Mr. Churchill gave his famous speech during the Battle of Britain.
It's not an easy subject. This is just a very small gesture to honour those that have been and those that are still on the front-line, because what ever you believe, to remember is good.

Thanks for calling by.

Sarah.
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32 comments:

  1. Kaz May 19, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Hi Sarah

    These are both beauties!! love them both, but my fav is the forces themed one, so many different elements to look at, this is something pretty special xxx

    kazxx

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  2. having a {me} dayMay 19, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    Beautiful tag, I love all the gorgeous colours used. Amazing armed forces piece too. WOW! keeley

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  3. fairy thoughtsMay 19, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    great tags, the colour blocking is very coloutfull, i especially like the ink blot, it adds a nice contrast to the main shapes
    janet

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  4. The Craft Cupboard Under the StairsMay 20, 2011 at 12:44 AM

    Wow Sarah. These are wonderful. I always look forward to seeing the beautiful things that you make

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  5. TerryMay 20, 2011 at 1:40 AM

    Both of these are fabulous! The colors and detailing is just amazing! Love these!

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  6. ...DarleneMay 20, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    Wow, the colors just pop on the tag. The vintage are stunning. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. JaneMay 20, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    I love both pieces of art. The background on the tag is beautiful. But your armed services piece is spectacular!

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  8. Scrappy~SarahMay 20, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    beautiful work

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  9. AnonymousMay 20, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Both pieces are truely amazing. Yuur tag is saturated with color and the polka-dots and paint circles add great depth. Love the vintage feel of both pieces, both are full of emotion. Looks like you back on track.

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  10. craftytrogMay 20, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Love both of these beautiful pieces Sarah, especially the tag, which inspired me to finish my Grungy Monday entry! Thanks! xx

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  11. UnknownMay 20, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Your Armed Forces Day project and the story you've written here about it is moving beyond words! We've selected your project to be showcased at The Kraft Journal on Friday May 27, please be sure to stop by the blog to pick up your Featured Artist button and thank you so very much for sharing this touching project with us at The Kraft Journal.

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  12. Crafty Chick DesignsMay 20, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Your color blocking is fun and festive, a celebration of friendship - bright colors, circles and dots. Thanks for sharing your armed forces card. You put so much thought & heart into it. Well done & congratulations on the showcase. It is well deserved.

    Debbie

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  13. DebbieMay 20, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    Love this! Love the vibrant colours and all the details! Your Armed Forces Day project is stunning! Very creative in both!

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  14. GabrielleMay 20, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Tee hee! just read your comment on my blog. Potato stamping is exactly what it is!!! No wonder F&T were better at it than me! I love the army theme - so very sensitively done x

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  15. Craft Addicts - Tracy EvansMay 20, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Fabulous creations, the forces piece is very special, lovevall the details. Love your grungy Monday piece, the colours are wonderful and I love the splash too. Very creative. Tracy x

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  16. salamandaMay 20, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    Love the colour blocking and all the evacuee and war ephemera

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  17. france papillonMay 20, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    the colors of your tag are yummishly vibrant, love it. But the card for Armed Forced Day is my favorite. It really touches me and the multiple little messages and symbols really work with it!

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  18. RachelxxMay 20, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    Beautiful pieces of art :-) Love the way you have combined all the elements.

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  19. Chris ArlingtonMay 21, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    OMG! Both are so awesome! I am striving to be able to embellish like this. I think I overthink too much.

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  20. ShelannMay 21, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    These are both beautiful, very professionally done with the colors and details.

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  21. TracyMay 21, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    WOW! This is such ha fantastic collage of patriotic memorabilia. You put so much thought and personal emotion into this project. It's absolutely wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing it with us this week at The Kraft Journal!

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  22. DanieleMay 21, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    what stunning a stunning tag....very retro, and the patriotic piece you did is stunning so many elements that bring together such a wonderful sentiment
    hugs

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  23. KezzyMay 21, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Wow your forces project is stunning, and very heartfelt. I love your tag its mega fab really coolourful. I always love seeing your art as its truly inspirational and full of creativity. Kezzy x

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  24. hazelMay 21, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Two fabulous pieces of work with such a lot to look at. I love them.
    xxx Hazel.

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  25. Gillian ....May 21, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    Hi Sarah, know the feeling of "it just ain't working", however you have worked up two beautiful projects. Love the boldness of your GM tag, the stitching detail and flower finish it off prfectly.
    The Armed Forces Project just rocks, the vintage tones and sentiments capture the essence of how much our troops do for us all. Bravo! x

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  26. Audrey PettitMay 21, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Wow! I've got goosebumps from your post! What an amazing and touching tribute your remembrance card is! I absolutely adore all the vintage ephemera you included and all the symbolism. This is a gorgeous card, every way you look at it. Thank you so much for sharing it with us at The Kraft Journal.

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  27. WendyMay 21, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    These are just wonderful. I love the colours you used for the colour blocking. And you've put so much thought into your war creations, it's just stunning and very touching.

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  28. Sherry GoodloeMay 22, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    oooh i love these! i am so glad you stopped by so i could stop by your blog and meet you. you've got another "follower". xo

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  29. Lesley EdmondsMay 22, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    You are queen of the art of layering. Just love this piece. And the tag - such glorious colours.
    x

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  30. HettieMay 22, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    These are both beautiful and the second one has a poignancy to me as my Daddy was one of those little boys with a small suitcase and gas mask round his kneck as an evacuee!!! Well done!!

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  31. Silvia(Barnie)May 22, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Wohow, such fantastic pieces, both of them. Love the bright colors on your tag.

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  32. Kathy EddyMay 23, 2011 at 2:48 AM

    these are both so lovely. I love the colorful one with the vintage glas by the car. I have that stamp also. And the patriotic piece is just amazing! Love your work.

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