Sunday 4 September 2011

The Altered Alice Chapter 7 Challenge, Week 1: Text As Nonsense

"Alice didn't dare to argue the point, but went on: `-- and I thought I'd try and find my way to the top of that hill -- ' `When you say "hill,"' the Queen interrupted, `I could show you hills, in comparison with which you'd call that a valley.' `No, I shouldn't,' said Alice, surprised into contradicting her at last: `a hill can't be a valley, you know. That would be nonsense -- ' The Red Queen shook her head, `You may call it "nonsense" if you like,' she said, ` but I've heard nonsense, compared with which that would be as sensible as a dictionary!' -- Chapter 2, Through The Looking Glass and What Alice Found There

Using text as pattern is a trend right now that I really love. Your challenge is to use text as nonsense - not to read but as pattern on your project! Of course you can still have words or sentiments, but we also need to see text used in a non-reading way. I have a stack of old books and dictionaries that I use for this purpose.
Our sponsor is Stamp Attack, a British company that is well known (among other things) for their fantastic Alice stamp plates which have sold to customers all over the world. In fact, Helena Bonham Carter, the actress who played the Red Queen in the Tim Burton Alice movie, purchased sets of Alice stamps from Stamp Attack, which were then delivered to the studio!  Enabler alert: Stamp Attack offers speedy worldwide shipping for only £1 on unmounted stamp orders, so go on and check out their beautiful stamps!

I decorated a letter 'A' to represent ALICE.  I covered the letter with book pages from an old Alice in Wonderland book and coloured with Distress Stain Broken China. I also cut a flower from the same book pages using the Tattered Floral die from Tim Holtz. A letter 'A' was added to the centre of my flower.
I have used images from Stamp Attack to decorate the sides and the front. The card suits have been stamped in black archival ink and the images in coffee archival.
This is the back of my letter, again images from Stamp Attack added along with some small playing cards, a key from Maya Road, ALICE metal letters and some Idea-Ology. The edges have been aged with Distress Ink Vintage Photo.
I have added a couple of hearts made from air dry clay and coloured with silver paint dabber, I love adding dimensional pieces in my creations.  Two glass bottles have also been added with DRINK ME added from the Stamp Attack set. The watch dangling from my flower is an old K and Co. piece I found hiding away in my draws.
I love the fact that the images of Alice and the Rabbit also have text within the image, a perfect fit I thought for this months challenge.

The winner will receive a Stamp Attack gift certificate for £13.50, which is equivalent to one of the stamp plates that the design team are using throughout the month.

You have until Friday, September 23 to enter your creation and the winner and honorable mentions will be announced on the last Sunday of the month, September 25.  All kinds of projects are welcome, they do not have to be "altered art" and as always, entries that feature some aspect of Wonderland are given two chances instead of one in the random prize drawing. You may enter multiple times as long as each project is on a separate post.

We are also saying goodbye to our  current crop of guest designers, so please leave them some special love this month as their projects have been FABULOUS! Thanks so much ladies, you have added so much to The Altered Alice! And stay tuned, there will be some special design team announcements next month too!

I look forward to seeing your creations at The Altered Alice.  Thanks for stopping by. Tracy x x 

17 comments:

Helen said...

Love your A for Alice.. I love using text like this too.

DonnaMundinger said...

Oh this is fabulous, Tracy! Really beautiful "Alice" blue and it's fun seeing the number of stamps and cool embellies you've used to decorate. The flower is just gorgeous! Love it! xxD

Nigel said...

Superb creation, definitely an A+ :)

Sandy said...

An amazing project Tracy.
Love the colors. Awesome.

Netty said...

Such a terrific idea Tracy, you are such an inspiration. Annette x

Photocat said...

That is one great looking letter A... Well done! Love your art. Love the colours you used and the small embellishments.

Anonymous said...

Such a cool piece of art with so much thought put into it. The embellishments are fabulous
Imagine the stamps being delivered to the studio, I didn't know that little story.
Wishes
Lynne

hazel said...

Brilliant Tracy, a lovely colour and I love all the bits and bobs that you've used.
xxx Hazel.

Lynne Phelps said...

I love this piece, there is so much to look at, yet it is all cohesive with your lovely blue to tie it all together! I love all the dimension and embellishments, it is really fab!

Anonymous said...

Such a fabulous creation Tracy! I love everything about it! x

Julia Dunnit said...

Nice stuff Tracy - a surprise too - don't often see you using Blue!

Sarah said...

I just love Alice - there just so much more in those stories than we realise. This is a wonderful blue and the script stamping looks fab indeed! Loving all the elements and that's a corker of a flower.
You is one busy but very creative lady Mrs. Tracy!

Lynn Stevens said...

A+++++++ What a creative use for the letter A. Very inspiring Tracy!
hugs Lynn

Gabrielle said...

oooh! This is truly lush - lovely colour and such brilliant idea! But the challenge is really hard for me - can't imagine text that isn't there to read... Will have to get my thinking cap on!

Anonymous said...

What a great piece, Tracy. The flower is fantastic...all the layers....so pretty :) Don't you love using the little bottles? I think they're the perfect touch on your piece.

Suzanne C said...

Fabulous! This is wow!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Fantastic. Love your altered A.