Tuesday 21 August 2012

A murder of crows, a blue moon and an ill wind - what a nightmare!

The challenge at Dragons Dream TIO this week is quite dark compared to the last Alice theme. We are asked to include a murder of crows (always wondered about that one!), a blue moon and an ill wind to create a nightmare.

I have struggled with this one because it is slightly outside my box: no flowers, no gold and no crow stamp just to name a few!

On my tag I have tried to capture the scary image of a murder of crows coming down with their claws out ready for action. . . . . . . . I had a little old moon stamp and for the wind I added some lines stamped with fruit packaging - the sort that is like a lattice net made from pliable polystyrene -  if you know what I mean!!

I have purposely kept my colour palette limited to shades of blue with a little black soot for good measure! However, I did manage to get the glossy accents out for this one!

A very different offering from me: hope you like it!



The background was created by blending distress inks, script stamping (not visible now!) and stamped fruit net (in the same distress colours) to give the impression of wind movement.

Stamped the moon over the first blue layer then masked it whilst darkening the tag. The letters are die cuts inked, stamped with black script and some white gel pen on the edge. I stuck them down to follow the direction of the wind and the crows.

The smaller crows were found on the internet, resized as required and printed onto card from which a tag was cut. The bottom crow was cut out, given an extra coat of black archival and then clear embossed. The other crows had glossy accents added (yay! love that stuff!). Each crow was given a white eye using the gel pen.

I think this shot shows some of the movement created by the positioning of the crows and the stamping.

I like the finished tag but it is so 'unadorned' for me that I have trouble recognising it as mine! Hopefully, it fits the bill though! I'd better hurry now or else I will miss the deadline and that wouldn't do after putting in the effort - I know, it doesn't look like much effort but trust me, it still took me ages. . . . . .!

30 comments:

  1. Very cool and i love the deep bleu background! I love the glossy stuff too
    ;-)) I also wanted to join this challenge, but i am too late :-(
    Well, so much funny things to do and too little time, but thats better than the way around isn't it
    Have a great week.

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  2. Wow, that's a breathtaking tag, looks fantastic. Thanks for dreaming with us on TIO this fortnight.

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  3. Extremely cool Julia and I love the sense of direction and movement that you have evoked with your background. Love what you did to the lettering too, it's those details that make something so enjoyable to look at xx

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  4. Hi Julia, you have got your fabulous murder of crows, the moon is blue and the wind effect is there too so I would say you have more than achieved what you set out to achieve because it is brilliant! It has menace, movement and that wonderful blue background is cool. Love how you incorporated the glossy accents too. Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  5. You've captured the wind so well Julia...amazing how you did that, using some lines and the crows with their wings up.
    Cool coloring! You did great!!!

    All the best, hugs, Alie :-)

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  6. The way you have captured the wind and the crows flying is very impressive my lovely. You have done an amazing job as its out of your comfort zone! A really brooding tag xxx

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  7. Seriously terrifying Julia!! I could see this on the front of a book (maybe an Agatha Christie?) as it starts to envoke all sorts of images and storylines - in my head anyway! Love the glossy accents/embossing on the crows too. It really makes them stand out. Isn't it good to step outside your comfort zone :) What will they set us for the next challenge? Can't wait. Thanks for your lovely email. Will be in touch soon. Hugs, Buttons x

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  8. that's fab. wouldn't like to have that lot coming towards me!

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  9. A wonderful tag,love your tale on the challenge!,thanks also for all the lovely comments you have left while we have been away! They mean a lot...merrily trying to catch up now!!!! Trace x

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  10. Definitely a bit scary and loads of movement. BJ

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  11. No, that's stunning! Just perfect. The ackground ist great and I love the birds :-))
    Best, Suzanne x

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  12. Calling a flock of crows a "murder" just doesn't sound right, does it? I mean I never hear anyone use it either, but it is a correct term. Your tag is awesome, wondering how you will use it...for Halloween perhaps? or a hint to someone you are mad at! lol I think it shows great movement and I love the crows! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  13. Oooh great job with crows Julia

    Sam xxx

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  14. Great tag, you can really feel that chill wind!

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  15. Brilliant tag Julia, love the crows! x

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  16. Fabulous tag... very dramatic. Love it.

    Cassidy

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  17. Hi Julia, fabulous tag - I've just checked the remit and I think you have captured it all brilliantly - especially those crows, they'd scare the hell out of me. Elizabeth xx

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  18. Very cool, and very ominous! I love your embossed crows, and then the fussy cut one on the edge - so dramatic and atmospheric... fabulous!
    Alison x

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  19. They say necessity is the mother of invention and you have been so creative. Personally, I love it!

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  20. This is so awesome. Brilliant tag love the crows and can feel the chill. Thanks for sharing at tio

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  21. What gorgeous colors! I love the crows. Great tag!

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  22. A great tag Julia.
    Good luck at the Challenge.

    Greetings Janny

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  23. Love this! The way you've positioned and inked the letters, looks like they are flying too. I linked to your blog on mine today after being inspired by your 8/11 creation :-)

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  24. Wow! I'm telling you, Julia, have you checked out the Stampington magazines yet? Your work would fit right in, and you are VERY good at this style of stamping and paper crafting. I think it's a shoe-in.

    Love the little touches of white you gave the crows to really highlight them. Fabulous!

    Thank you for coming by to visit....I always appreciate you!

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  25. This is amazing! Love the impression of flight from the crows and that sky is awesome!!

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  26. Love that moon stamp and the crows are fabulous! You have certainly captured the feeling with this one - I think it is quite perfect!
    Hugs, Neet xx

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  27. WOW! Julia, this tag looks AMAZING! LOVE the richness of the color, the highlighted letters and those crow images.
    Hugs and smiles

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  28. I have some catch up to do here on your blog! This tag is SCARY COOL!!! What a super CREATIVE tag...the title combined within the art and at a slant is brilliant!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax