PEP tangles - my Zentangle Inspired Art blog

Thursday 22 November 2012

Xanthophyll & Xylem Alphatag


I had a look at what the letter "X" might entail when the Baroque Guild Alphatag swap first began & decided that I could make a tag based upon the word xanthophyll (a compound responsible for the yellow colour of autumnal leaves) using an assortment of Chocolate Baroque leaf stamps. It was my fellow Alphatagger Sarah's mentioning that she'd not used xylem (woody tissue) for her tag that gave me the idea to incorporate that & the whole concept crystallized when I caught sight of this (see photo above) a couple of weeks ago in the woodland forming part of our back garden.

front of tag
angled view showing dimensional shaping of leaves 
close-up of upper section
close-up of lower section showing background
stamping & shine of wet embossed "X"
close-up showing dimensional shaping of
punched oak leaf embellishments 
back of tag 
close-up showing paper pierced scallops & inked edges
of theme panel plus overstamping of patterned paper

The leaves for the garland were stamped in Van Dyke Brown (Nick Bantock) onto the watercolour paper & water coloured using a damp brush which I'd dipped into some Scattered Straw Distress Marker ink scribbled onto an acrylic block. As moisture touches the Van Dyke Brown stamped imprint (so far it's the only one of Nick Bantock's inkpads that I've used in this way) a number of browns & greens emerge. For the "X" I double inked the stamp, first with VersaMark & then the Van Dyke Brown, prior to adding the clear embossing powder for heat setting. I find this gives a smoother finish than when using the Van Dyke Brown alone with  embossing powder. The background was made by stamping the large leaf image (starting at the top) using VersaMark in rows & masking each successive row as I went down the tag so as to create a layered effect.

Recipe
Stamps Chocolate Baroque UDLSP0121 Holly Ivy Mix (large leaf), UDLSP0234 Autumn Hedgerow (oak leaf), UDLSP0235 Nature Table (maple leaf) & UA6GW0349 Teeny Weeny Meadow (tree); Elusive Images UDLHC0181 Sketchy Alphabet (letter "X").
Inks Nick Bantock Vandyke Brown (tree, leaves on front & back, letter "X" & inking various card stock edges); VersaMark watermark stamp pad: by itself for tag front background stamping & together with Vandyke Brown plus Stewart Gill Ultrafine Embossing Powder for the letter "X".
Markers etc... Scattered Straw Distress Marker, Signo uni-ball copper gel pen.
Cardstock An assortment of greens plus yellow from stash, Winsor & Newton Cotman 190gsm Cold Presset/NOT Grain Fin Watercolour Paper.
Paper Graphicus Guild Membership Pack.
Die Sizzix Movers & Shapers L Die - Tag & Bookplates.
Punches Woodware (scalloped squares, oak & maple leaves).
The ribbon is from stash.

20 comments:

Aquarius said...

I might have guessed you would come up with something amazing in the way of 'X' words and must admit I almost went for the woody words myself but couldn't work them with the stamps I have. Another lovely tag that I would love to own.

brenda said...

Beautiful how you've interpretated the leaves and foliage Paula, another lovely tag.

B x

Sandra said...

Fabulous tag Paula. I love the garland of leaves. The ink you used looks very interesting.
I trawled through the dictionary for "X" words! Came across alovely idea - xylography meaning engraved in wood. Glenda did have a set called Earth Spirit which would have been perfect, but alas no more!
Sandra

jackiescrafts said...

A fantastic tag Paula and I should have guessed you'd find something unusual for your X tag. I love the dimension you have managed to get on those leaves

Jackie x

Sally H said...

You clever, clever lady! Such a beautiful creation too. Love the detail you have got on those little leaves. Definitely my sort of tag!

Jean said...

Beautiful tag Paula, the colours of the leaves are gorgeous and I love the background stamping. I knew you would find an interesting X word. Jean x

GinaA said...

Another stunning creation, your fall of leaves down the tag is so beautiful. I love the way you have created the colour, and the reverse is just as good as the front. Fabulous.

Gillatwoodlandfantasy.blogspot.com said...

Wow Paula, we used the same word for our X tags - amazing but guess what, they are so different.
Gill x

Elaine said...

Very clever choice of words, I would have expected nothinhg less. I love the swirl of leaves as you would expect, I use this sort of touch a lot and never tire of the beauty it adds. Great detail and execution as always. I have chosen x marks the spot for my design after all. My OH's suggestions after my xylophone of CB papers was a failure! Hope you are safe and sound in this dreadful weather. Elaine x

alexandra s.m. said...

Love your take on Nature's beauty Paula!
Great Tag!
Thank You~

Elizabeth Allan said...

"X" marks the creative spot with this tag Paula. I am amazed at how many "x" elements you have ingeniously combined!

craftimamma said...

What an excellent interpretation for this letter Paula. You are so clever and I love all the pretty leaves cascading down the tag. I'm glad you included a close up of the bottom of the tag because I hadn't noticed all the lovely stamped leaves in the background on the main photo. Beautiful work once again and someone has been very lucky to have this tag added to their collection.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Kath Stewart said...

wow Paula...loving your take on the tag...those leaves are so lifelike...keep warm and cosy...hugs kath & buddy xxx

Cathy A said...

Visiting your blog I learn so much...never knew that is what coloured the leaves, wonderful tag with the leaves cascading down.

veronica said...

another great idea Paula - you must know the dictionary by heart now!

Sarah said...

Paula - it's fabulous (as usual). So glad you could make use of the X word I thought of AFTER making my rubbish tag!!! Sarah x

xxxtglxxx said...

How wonderful to share the pic you used as inspiration, I can definately see where you came from with this :)

Lovely angles and arrangement Paula and its very classy too :)

hugs

xxalisonxx

Anonymous said...

Terrific tag, so much better than my pathetic effort. I love the dimension of the leaves.

Heather said...

Hi Paula, I think I'm fully back - phewww!!!
Your tag is stunning, brilliant colours, a sweet image and your leaves are beautiful - great dimension.

hugs
Heather xx

maria's knutselplezier said...

I went to see your work on your blog and your work of ART is really , really beautifull, so my choose was made, I will become your follower!! Congrats for your amazing job!!!I really love what you create!!

Greetings
Maria