Wednesday, 29 June 2016

June's Forgotten Stash and the Peppered Moth

For June's Forgotten Stash project, where I find stash I've never used and decide whether to keep it or move it on, I dug out a bark effect embossing folder - never used and long forgotten.  I was inspired by a beautiful card made by Shoshi here (do pop over and have a look, her work is beautiful).
My idea though was moths (of course) and the camouflage of them against the bark - I wanted to create dark moths against dark bark.

 I was also influenced by the story of the Peppered Moth - through research in the 1950's it was thought to change to a darker shade to blend in with the industrially polluted cities of England.  A fascinating story on many levels, and well worth a Google!  I'm adding a link to a recent BBC news story concerning the current research for anyone interested.


I used an old photo album page as the frame and I covered the embossed bark so thoroughly it's difficult to see it, but you can make it out in the image below.  
I am linking up with Jan (who is Julia once again!) for WOYWW.  Sending love and best wishes to the both of them and thanking Jan for holding the fort so superbly once again!


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33 comments:

  1. Kathyk29 June 2016 at 11:16

    WOW! Like this ... a LOT!

    Happy WOYWW

    Kathyk
    #16

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  2. Chidkid29 June 2016 at 11:23

    This is awesome. Very striking. Elaine no. 20

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  3. Maryanne29 June 2016 at 13:52

    Another beautiful project, Diana!

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  4. Carol Rigby29 June 2016 at 13:58

    I love the darker colour of this and the moth is beautiful.

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  5. Carol Rigby29 June 2016 at 13:58

    I love the darker colour of this and the moth is beautiful.

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  6. shazsilverwolf29 June 2016 at 14:04

    Hi Diane, that is gorgeous, it all blends together so well. I too have embossing folders I forget I have! It's not just you, lol. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #6 xxx

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  7. BJ29 June 2016 at 14:14

    Oh that is gorgeous love the little beads. BJ #24

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  8. Kelly29 June 2016 at 14:50

    Very artistic. Love the varying layers. Creative Blessings! Kelly #32

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  9. Unknown29 June 2016 at 15:59

    Forgotten stash--I love that! Beautiful work. Happy Wednesday. Sandy Leigh #31

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  10. Lunch Lady Jan29 June 2016 at 17:55

    Oh, I know all about the peppered moth - I studied social history and geography as part of my degree and quite a large part of one module was devoted to how the moth changed! Blimey, that was a long time ago...the degree, I mean :-). I adore the colours and textures you've used, sombre yet beautiful.
    Thank you for your lovely comment today - I really am ok, sad but happy that my dad was such an amazing man. The choir singing was amazing - I think Welsh is definitely the language of heaven.
    Hugs (and see you soon?) LLJ xxx

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  11. Lynn Holland29 June 2016 at 19:58

    I've just been looking at the little stitched picture frame that you sent me, it really is exquisite.
    You've done really well sticking with using up your stash. You are to be congratulated Diana
    Lynn 13 xx

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  12. Elaine29 June 2016 at 20:22

    That is really beautiful. Love the colours and different textures, a perfectly lovely composition.

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  13. pearshapedcrafting29 June 2016 at 21:56

    This is so beautiful! Chrisx 37

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  14. Terri Corona29 June 2016 at 23:08

    That WAS an interesting Google! I love that kind of stuff. And your piece is beautiful, so many lovely layers, and I appreciate it even more after reading about them. What I can see of your embossed bark under there looks like it's a keeper as well.

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  15. sandra de30 June 2016 at 01:30

    Gorgeous art work and I have to say seeing such detail in the darker shades makes for an very interesing piece. But what am I saying all your work is always interesting/stunning/beautiful. Have a lovely week.
    sandra de @21

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  16. Astrid Maclean30 June 2016 at 10:12

    Another beautiful and creative project Dianna and thanks for the link to Shoshi's blog too.

    I always feel so inspired after visiting your blog, thank you for that!

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  17. Shoshi30 June 2016 at 11:53

    Diana, this is gorgeous... as always!!! What an inspiration you are. Thank you so much for your kind words and for the link to my blog. I feel humbled that you are inspired by my work when I always consider it to be the other way round!

    Shoshi

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  18. Felicia30 June 2016 at 16:11

    Diana, this is totally gorgeous! I love, love what you did here! I love looking at Shoshi's stuff as well, shes such a sweet lady! You really inspired me with this guy, to go through old stash, drag it out and craft! Once again, this is a WOW! Blessings, Felicia #36

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  19. dmgarafalo30 June 2016 at 16:37

    awesome! donna #9

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  20. Paper rainbow30 June 2016 at 22:26

    SO beautiful Diana.

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  21. Shoshi30 June 2016 at 22:51

    Thanks for visiting, Diana, and I'm so glad you like my new baby card. I had fun making it and I'm so thrilled to have Sheba working again - it's part of getting my life back again! We are very, very fortunate to have our wonderful NHS and also the cancer charity Macmillan's which is organising the course - we are way ahead of other nations when it comes to individual patient support in so many ways. Nothing is too much trouble for them and I am so grateful for the care I have had, and it's lovely to be able to "put something back" by sharing my experiences and what we are learning on the course with others who are not so fortunate.

    Shoshi

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  22. SewPaperPaint1 July 2016 at 02:46

    This piece grabs you and draws you in - a very good thing. :)

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  23. Words and Pictures1 July 2016 at 12:45

    There's such a smoky atmospheric feel to this, helped by the idea of the Peppered Moth altering his appearance to suit the dark heart of industrialised man. Beautiful and also a little sad.
    Alison x

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    Replies
    1. Shoshi2 July 2016 at 22:47

      Actually the "evolution" of light peppered mmoths into dark ones is a myth - this theory was debunked in the 1980s as a fraud.

      Shoshi

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    2. Diana Taylor3 July 2016 at 09:11

      This debate has been going on for years and research has been ongoing up to present day - only last month an article on the BBC news reported that researchers at Liverpool University have managed to pinpoint the gene that caused the mutation (published in the journal Nature). They have also calculated the most likely date for the mutation as 1819. It all makes for fascinating reading. I am adding a link to the BBC news article in the blog post for anyone interested.

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    3. Shoshi4 July 2016 at 23:24

      Thanks Diana. Even if the moths have changed colour, this isn't "evolution" - they are still moths, and better yet, still peppered moths! The fraud was that the moths were dead, and stuck onto the tree trunks, a place that they didn't normally frequent, anyway. Oh well, this will probably run and run...

      Thank you for your visit and your lovely comment - so glad you like my Infusions experiments! I'm working on the leaves now, but no time at the moment. I'm very busy with other things!

      Shoshi

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  24. Twiglet1 July 2016 at 13:25

    Such a beautiful muted colour scheme Diana. x Jo

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  25. Felix the Crafty Cat2 July 2016 at 21:10

    Gorgeous project Diana and beautifully finished as usual.
    Happy crafty weekend, Angela x

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  26. Unknown2 July 2016 at 21:30

    Nice to meet you today. Very nice blog. Alison Hulme

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  27. Hazel Agnew3 July 2016 at 20:40

    What an interesting debate about the moth. Your work is really beautiful Diana! Xx

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  28. Ruth4 July 2016 at 15:55

    Delightful, stunning work so beautifully executed, the moth looks so realistic. Ruth xx

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  29. K J D28 July 2016 at 14:59

    I don't know how I have managed to miss so much!

    You always manage to get so much movement and detail into your work... it looks like the butterfly has just landed on the piece. Love the frame too :)

    Karen x

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  30. PocketSize9 August 2016 at 15:05

    I just love all the texture in this! The colors are fabulous, too. They may be the colors of pollution and urbanization, but you've made them seem soft and tranquil, too.

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