I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Friday 7 April 2017

Three Little Birds

Hello all!  It's time for a new challenge at A Vintage Journey.  Our host this month is the lovely Annie, and she would like you to conjure up The Magic of Three.  There's lots of amazing inspiration from my fabulous team-mates, and here's my offering to get you started.


I've kept things very simple really.  You can see my main "three" straight away... the trio of birds trilling away together on this ATC.  There are also three words to go with them.  And at least three layers in the background!





The whole thing is constructed using Calico Craft Parts - one of their sturdy ATC blanks and this delightful Songbird Trio on Spring Branch.  (That's actually what it's called.)

The medium-sized version is exactly the right size for an ATC.










I started with a coat of DecoArt Americana WhiteWash and then applied a rough coat of gesso.

Over that rough texture I added some PaperArtsy Fresco paint in Sky (well, of course), with some touches of a couple of other blues for depth.












And over that, I put a layer of the Media Crackle Glaze and once it was fully crackled and dry, I used Antiquing Cream and Media Fluid paints to highlight the cracks...














... as well as to darken the edges, drawing the eye inward.  And of course adding some white paint splatter.   See?  At least three layers...















I used a little bit of gesso and then Snowflake Fresco paint to highlight areas of the birds' wings and breasts.














The fantastic texture in the Craft Parts makes it really easy to make them look good!













I also gave the leaves a coat of gesso on the surface first, to allow the greens which followed to show to their full advantage.

I forget now, but there's Green Gold and Sap Green involved from the DecoArt Media Fluids, and I think some Hey Pesto and Hyde Park from the Frescos.










The branches themselves have been left entirely "naked".  Bare Craft Parts also look good!

I'm always amazed at the delicate cutting possible with these fabulous MDF shapes.












And I really love the dimension you get both with the ATC blanks and using Craft Parts generally.  It's a lovely way to add a touch of permanence and solidity to the ATC format.











And finally, of course, there are those ChitChat stickers...














... three of them, adding the Words component, and another little bit of threesome magic.

So that's my simple ATC for you, celebrating the Magic of Three.






I hope you'll check out the inspiration offered up for you by my fabulous travelling companions over at A Vintage Journey, and we hope you'll come and play along this month.

You might get selected as one of our Pinworthy projects, or be our lucky randomly-generated winner, with a fabulous prize on offer for April from Emerald Creek Craft Supplies.  Happy crafting all!

Rise up this mornin’,
Smiled with the risin’ sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin’, “This is my message to you-ou-ou:”

“Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.” 
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right!”
Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

48 comments:

Julia Aston said...

What sweet little birds Alison, perched on that lovely branch with it's bright green leaves and with the beautiful blue and crackled background! A lovely sentiment and great study of the Magic of 3's! Julia xx

Jenny Marples said...

Simple, well I'd say that background is more than simple! And stunning? TOTALLY! I love the delicate design of those birds on the branch xx

sarascloset said...

Alison, this chunky ATC is so adorable! Your crackled background is the prettiest I've seen and it really shows off those beautiful little birdies! You have made some beautiful magic here with your sets of three! Hugs!

Lucy said...

The 3 Little birds just jump out at you. The whole piece is wonderful and how nicely it goes with the Bob Marley song. Thank you.

Monika Gulyas said...

What a beautiful ATC, Alison! I love your background and your sweet little birds! Great design! xx

Valerie-Jael said...

Gorgeous piece! Hugs, Valerie

Chrissy said...

Oh,WOW..this is awesome Alison..I love the background with the wonderful crackle and those little birds on the branch are FABulous..love this.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Helen said...

the birds are so cute! love the crackly sparkly sky; and the leaves look so textural! fantastic as always.

maria's knutselplezier said...

Fantastic!! I really love this!!

Have fun!!
Maria

Brenda Brown said...

Love your trilling birds and gorgeous design Alison, I don't know why but three words came into my head, snap, crackle and pop. Snap for the old branches falling off making way for the new Spring growth, crackle, well that beautiful crackled background is glorious and the pop of the three lovely birds trilling away together to herald the start of the warmer days. Love it xxx

Dortesjs said...

this is so adorable, i love it, thanks for tut.

Etsuko said...

That's stunning Alison. Fabulous the cracked back ground and beautiful blue, Lovely birds in tweeting. xx

Redanne said...

Your ATC (three letters - clever) is an absolute delight! The trilling birds look beautiful on top of the wonderfully textured and coloured branch and the crackled background is stunning! Anne xx

chrissie said...

Such wonderful and deep crackle on your background and terrific colours for the birds and branch. Good to see an ATC revival as well Alison

Love Chrissie xx

froebelsternchen said...

This is absolutely ADORABLE dear Alison!
A fantastic project!
Such special techniques brought together to a little masterpiece
AWESOME!
Happy weekend !
oxo Susi

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is glorious, alison! I love the crackle background and the glorious detail of the birds,

Lucy x

Astrid Maclean said...

A delightful little ATC Alison with all your trademark techniques and colours. Love those 3 happy little birds, a lovely interpretation of the magic of three!

Diana Taylor said...

These little birds are just adorable, I love the way you've highlighted them, and the crackle background is fab.

Meggymay said...

It is a gorgeous ATC, at first look it seemed much larger. The birds on the branch are so sweet and the crackle background looks fantastic.
Yvonne xx

Nan G said...

Fabulous little ATC! Love all of the layers and texture. Hugs

Dorthe said...

Such sweet birdies, resting on that amazing crackled sky background, Alison. They are so lovely painted, and the crackle is gorgeous, and your splashes highlight wonderfully . Love your ATC of three :-). xox

S@ndy Diller said...

Love the birds, your three are perfect. Great crackle too. Love it all and so perfect for spring. Hugs. Sandy

Lys said...

Simple? Magically gorgeous! The background and its layers is amazing, and these cute little birds... I love them!

Cocofolies said...

I absolutely love your offering to this challenge Alison, really magical!!! This set of birds is just totally adorable against your crackle background, the birds are well highlighted by the little touches of Gesso and snowflakes as well as all the paints and layers you used on the small leaves around.. And your background is terrific!! Gorgeous make and great sets of three(s)!!! Corinne xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Oooh another stunner Alison, adore that crackle effect it's so beautiful
hugs
Donna xx

Craftyfield said...

Fantastic piece Alison, the crackled background is perfect and the Calico Craft birds so beautiful in their detailed texture. Love it!

A Pink said...

A superb example of 'small is beautiful'! Alison. I LOVE and adore your ATC . A really wonderful project for the theme .
x

Gitte said...

Beautiful.

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous piece, love the crackle background and there's so much detail to those little birds on the branch. Wonderful.
Avril xx

Kirsten said...

That is beautiful, i love the crackle.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My Alison!! This is so beautiful and I'm loving that crackle background! I was singing the song from the start - a song that always makes me feel happy! Hugs, Chrisx

Barbara said...

Delightful piece! Crackle effect is fabulous! Barbara

Jackie PN said...

So beautiful Alison!
I just love your background and how easy you make it seem to achieve such beautiful textures!
Have a gorgeous day! hugs,Jackie xo

Julia said...

A lovely little Spring project in perfect blues and browns. The crackle with white splatters is just lovely.

Nikki Acton said...

A perfect ATC! Love your design, the crackle, colours and Calico parts - wonderful xxx

Karen said...

Love this!! Great use of the emboss powders!

Deb said...

This is so adorable Alison, love the fabulous textures on your ATC background and that wee trio of birds on the branch are just too cute! The depth of colour on the leaves is gorgeous and the white on the birds breasts against the dark branches draws your eye to those sweet wee creatures. Thanks so much for sharing it, Deb xo

Sue said...

Really gorgeous Alison, love the crackle background, and these craft parts work perfectly with it xx

SewPaperPaint said...

What a lovely set of bird images and yes the chippies make for an impactful project on their own! What fun is this and how I love that crackled background! Hugs, Autumn

Jennie Atkinson said...

Just gorgeous Alison! Such a fabulous use of the three's theme and I love the background crackle. And the gorgeous birds too! Jennie x

maj. said...

Absolutely gorgeous piece of art, Alison!
Happy Easter!!!!

Anke said...

Zauberhaft und wunderschön, liebe Alison.

Herzliche Grüße
von Anke

Annie said...

This is so sweet Alison xx love the background with the fabulous crackle and your three birds are so cute xx apologies for being a bit later dropping in but I have been away from home since last Friday xx hope all good with you xx sending huge hugs Annie x

Art By Wanda said...

Oh, I love this too!!!!!!!!!

crafty creations said...

Wow Alison what an amazing piece the background is amazing and the little birds so sweet xx Hilda

Paper Profusion said...

Yikes!! I've missed loads! I LOVE this one too!!! This is just perfect for the 'threes' theme! Beautiful make!!! Nicola x

Julie Lee said...

A little treasure! I really love the combination of painting on the branch and leaving bare. This is gorgeousness in miniature and a wonderful celebration of 3! xx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Leave it to you to do up ATCs way above and beyond what any of us even think about. As you said the wood adds permanence and I like that solidness to your ATC, more than just a card, a serious work of art. Gorgeous background with the crackle. It all works so well together.