This week has been an extremely busy one for me professionally, and it made me think about the many different roles we play in life and the personas we juggle with on a day to day basis.... Wife, mother, professional, artist or crafter, friend, - we all will have our own list of personas that we display to the world in different situations. Probably one of the reasons so many of us turn to art journaling, because that is a place where we can totally be ourselves. Anyway, enough waffle, just to share some of the thoughts behind this tag which eventually will be integrated into an art journal spread.
I am not a great fan of buttons on the whole, but I wanted to play in the current Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge and buttons kind of fitted my theme. To quote the wonderful Mark Twain:
Biographies are but the clothes and buttons of the man, the biography of the man himself cannot be written. So very true, and in addition, people can press our buttons or we button up etc. etc.
Anyway, I shall stop philosophising and get on to my tag: The background was created with a mixture of paints and Distress Inks. I added some TIm Holtz Tissue Tape, some background stamping and embossing with a couple of different folders.The button at the top I found in my stash and I surrounded it with a couple of Tim's wings, altered with some paints and alcohol inks
Hope you like it, if you want to see a larger image, just click on the photo. Thank you for visiting and have a fantastic weekend!
I am entering this into the current Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge "Buttons"
Hi Astrid, I love the back story to the tag, it gives the tag much more meaning. I love that face and your reference on the tag to time and to tears. It is a good reminder for us all to take time to reflect. A really beautifully decorated tag. Hugs, Anne x
ReplyDeleteI do like this Astrid, love the colours they remind me of a masquerade, so perfect for your sentiment,, thanks for all the lovely comments you leave for me :). Debi x
ReplyDeletePs thanks heaps for adding me to your blog list, honoured to be included :)
ReplyDeleteAnd this 'Buttons' loves it. Think many of us are finding it difficult to juggle everything at times and if you get too tired/stressed/under pressure you can actually lose your mojo altogether.
ReplyDeleteHope next week is calmer for you. Have a restful weekend Astrid, and thanks for the lovely email. Hugs, Jenny x
Beautiful tag!! Great colors and design!!
ReplyDeletea very touching tag
ReplyDeleteOh I know what you mean ...and agree with Jenny as these things all take a toll on our mojo... I think yourctag is fab and love how youbhave used the buttons....Itoo struggle with buttons as a crafty thing! Funny isn't it...well a fab make wishing you a more restful week...hugs ..oh and if you find my mojo it's missing !! Xx
ReplyDeleteA thought provoking tag with wonderful colours, words and images. I love all the little 'extras' that make it special
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend
Chrissie x
Totally fabulous, Astrid. I love that little clay heart and the gorgeous colouring.
ReplyDeleteOh my god this is so beautiful Astrid. I just love it, and I also loved to hear the story behind it. It somehow get it to make more sense, when you read that first, and understand everything a lot better, and I can sure recognize everything you said and totally agree to every word. This is just so beautiful and sooo well made. Have a wonderful week-end hun.
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant and I love to hear about your thoughts behind your art!
ReplyDelete{{{hugs}}} Sylvia
Phew, Astrid when I saw the link on FB my heart literally sank as I thought something dreadful had happened. Thank goodness that isn't the case, lol!
ReplyDeleteThis is a brilliant and thought provoking post and the tag is a stunner. Love all the tiny details you always incorporate and the colours are wonderful. It would take me forever to come up with something like this.
Hugs
Lesley Xx
how strange, I've been thinking exactly along these lines too Astrid and what an absolutely beautiful tag
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible stunning tag. Love this colours and the sad girl. Wonderful!!
ReplyDeletexxx Marianne
Fabulous tag, Astrid x
ReplyDeleteHi Astrid, such a stunning tag, gorgeous colouring and love the peg stamping of behind the mask. I struggle with journalling as I really introspective do hide behind a crafty mask. xx
ReplyDeleteMorning Astrid. When I started reading your post, I must admit the word "buttons"made me sqeamish (being a strange soul with a phobia of such things) but after reading on I love your take on the word. I must remember that when buttons are called for I love it and your tag is so poignant. What a sad lady, she's so beautiful. Your artwork always has such depth, you are a true artist.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great weekend.
hugs Lisax
Oh Astrid,...this is such a wonderful tag. I love the tears, makes it so real and the colors are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Crafting
Tracie
Totally fantastic tag, love all the little elements and the stamped image is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteAnne x
Astrid, another gorgeous tag! Love the colors and highlighting you added around her face, so much depth! Many wonderful details and the clay heart is a great touch! Well I hope you have a restful and creative weekend and hopefully with a little sunshine! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWonderful buttons wordplay, and the thoughts about the mask make this all the more beautiful as a piece. Wonderful glowing colours, and I love both the winged button and the doodled teardrops... Hope next week gives you a bit more time without the mask on.
ReplyDeleteAlison x
Beautiful! So much symbolism! I can so relate to this tag as can everyone! Love her face and all the color! Love the tiny buttons too! Thanks for buttoning up with us this week here at Simon Says Stamp & Show!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tag and it certainly tells the story well. Annette x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tag, I love the colors and all elements :)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and enigmatic tag - love the teardrops, the button with wings and the gorgeous embossing. Margie x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and thought provoking
ReplyDeleteRosie x
Love the colour palette Astrid and the embellishments are stunning. The main stamped image is one of my favourites. I am certainly taking on a few new personas at present but would not have it any other way. Looking forward to catching up soon.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Annie xx
I love the way you colour and emboss the backgrounds on your tags Astrid. Then with the stamping and the elements you add on they are always so gorgeous and unique. Love your art!! ox
ReplyDeleteAstrid....as with all of your work, I love this. I love the colors, the design and all of the different elements you used to create such a gorgeous tag. The bits of ideaology are pefectly placed. Love the wings at the top with the flower button center. Being altered with alcohol inks looks amazing! I love the random embossing you did on the tag, too. It adds great texture. The tissue tape looks fantastic and it great transition from that classic face to the rest of the tag. Love it! I also love our doodled tears...very neat idea. Your Mark Twain quote is so true and a wonderful inspiration for your tag. Thanks for sharing your art with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy
ReplyDeleteA wonderful mixture of inks and embossing and beautifully stamped too ... This is so very meaningful ... which I like!
ReplyDeleteHi Astrid, your tag is gorgeous. I love,the texture in the background, giving such a tactile element to your piece. The wings are a fabu,ous touch and ass wonderful dimension . Ii love the tears you added too and a great quote . Wonderful. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x
ReplyDeleteHi - Just wanted to stop by and thank you for all of your freebies. How silly that I hoard them ! Such ethereal work, so charming and fairy-like. -Jan-
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous Astrid, so much thought has gone into creating this project and the finished tag is stunning
ReplyDeleteClaire xx
Wonderful tag. I love all the great details.
ReplyDeletePinning it for inspiration!
55 well deserved comments dear Astri, this tag is jaw droppingly beautiful, the background, the texture, the stamping its all just an amazing work of art, thanks so much for sharing your story and all your inspiration..
ReplyDeletewonderful details, colors, texture... a fantastic piece!
ReplyDeleteDear Astrid,- back again, and love your post--Oh yes we all wear so many masks, and so you are right that they all leave us "naked" when we create!!
ReplyDeleteYour amazing tag, leaves me with much admiration for you and your creation... I love the gorgeous background, you made with embossing and stamps, and your sweet heart, and winged button are so beautiful and stunning! She is a wonderful example of : Behind the mask!!
Hugs from Dorthe
Astrid, this is so beautiful... love the story behind it as well as all the gorgeous details. The composition is stunning. Sure wish we could have a crafting play together one day!
ReplyDeleteEs ist ein atemberaubendes Tag, liebe Astrid, die Gestaltung ist großartig und die Tränen in dem Mädchengesicht sind sehr berührend.
ReplyDeleteLiebe Grüße, Bärbel
Love this Astrid and what it represents. I now have the song of the same name by Eric Clapton rolling around my head lol.
ReplyDeletehugs {brenda} x0x
Reflections are wonderful, and your tag so inspiring Astrid. You never cease to amaze me with your absolute intricate detail and texture.
ReplyDelete