Monday 6 May 2013

Inspired By...


The theme over on the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge is "Inspired by...".  I've been a huge fan of British singer/songwriter Kate Bush since I was in my teens, so I knew that it would have to be one of her songs that I chose as my inspiration.  The only problem was which one!

Her song "Moments of Pleasure" has always been one of my favourites and it has bittersweet associations for me.  You can see the video of it here (Youtube).  It's all about how important it is to make the most of each moment we're given, while we can, and it looks back to people who are no longer in her life and some of the moments they shared together.

At around the same time as this song was released (1993) a close friend of mine was diagnosed with a terminal illness.  I had come into a little money at that time and took us both off to New York and the west coast of the USA for a vacation before they became too sick for that to be possible.  There's a line in this song that goes "On a balcony in New York it's just started to snow.  He meets us at the lift, like Douglas Fairbanks, waving his walking stick, but he isn't well at all.  The buildings of New York look just like mountains through the snow", so this song makes me smile to think of the fun we had on that trip, but also of the loss of a good friend.

So, now that I've completely depressed you all (don't be, I have fond memories of that trip), it's time to talk about this week's piece!

The background is a piece taken from the Destinations paper stash.  I added a strip of Commute tissue
tape and highlights parts of both with a white pen.  There are some faint snowflakes from the Winter Sketchbook scattered around, stamped with watered down gesso.

Lady Liberty is from the Americana Blueprints set and she was coloured with Promarker and Picket Fence distress stain.  The clock is taken from the Vintage Things set and stamped, painted, then stamped again.


Supplies I used included:

Our ever-generous sponsor Simon Says Stamp is offering a $50 gift voucher as the prize again this week, just make something for the challenge and you could the winner! The winner will be chosen at random from those who enter the challenge, so why not give it a try? At the very least why not head over to the Challenge Blog to see how the other members of the design team have interpreted this weeks theme! :)

Don't forget, Simon Says Stamp have a great Facebook page too!  Check them out here!

11 comments :

Candy C said...

Dan...I really like your piece and I love your inspiration behind it. What a wonderful way to combine your love of a song and the memories it brings of your very special trip to New York with some dear friends. Your piece is wonderful! Thanks for sharing it and your story. <3 Candy

misteejay said...

Thank you for sharing what is obviously a very special memory.

The layers and content of your piece are super.

Toni xx

Sandra said...

What a gorgeous piece, and I love the inspiration and tribute of it! Hugs, sandra

Dorothy said...

Great piece Dan!!

Suzanne C said...

What a thoughtful and beautiful tribute to a time and place which hold lovely memories for you. Striking imagery and beautiful design.

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

What a wonderful tribute and a great piece to commemorate your trip . Loved reading how,you were inspired Dan. Great use of images and wonderful design too. Tracy x

ria gall said...

Hi Dan
what a great card with a moving story behind it, your memories must have come flooding back while making this wonderful creation
Ria

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What a wonderful story, and a wonderful thing you did! You tribute piece here is awesome!

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

This is beautiful and I love the story behind it! I have a love of NYC which made me love it before I even read your story :)

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Words and Pictures said...

Fabulous, funky urban grunge - what a great make, Dan!
Alison x

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

What a a wonderful tribute to your friend and personal interpretation of a song, Dan. The layering in the collage is flawless, and the composition captured the exuberance of New York City. Blessings!

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