Monday 29 June 2015

More chic than shabby perhaps...

Greetings!

It's my turn to play the last post this morning so here is my second make for this theme...




My first make was a canvas, my second is a album - you can see what my favourite projects are at the moment, can't you?  I seem to be making less and less cards and more and more home decor and gift items but these are also being donated to my favourite charities.  This has been made with a mixture of brands some of which are quite contemporary designs but they seemed to work together.  You'll find all the details on my blog if you'd like to see more.

Chris xxx



An eclectic mix but I hope you like it.

We have reached the end of the posts today and so you have until 11:45 tomorrow night (23:45 hrs) to link and enter before we close the doors.  You also have until the challenge closes to enter our Magpie Day candy competition and be in with a chance of winning our crafty candy!

All that remains is for us to thank you for joining in with us this month either as a visitor or as an entrant and we look forward to seeing you all again next month!

Have a great day!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Saturday 27 June 2015

It's a Magpie Day today!!


Greetings dear crafters!

Yes, today we're having one of our Magpie Days and it's a candy day for our commenters.  No, you don't need to be a follower but you do have to leave a comment today or between now and June 30th, the challenge end, to qualify for the draw.

How does it work?  One comment per visitor/follower on THIS post please and after the close of the challenge we will count the number of comments and let random.org choose the lucky winner.  (Anyone leaving more than one comment on THIS post will disqualify themselves, we'd like it to be fair for all please.) 

Here are our candy details...




2 12" x 12" scrapbooking packs
5 x A4 sheets of thick greyboard
5 x A4 sheets of thin greyboard
Set of Sizzix embossing folders
2 packs assorted sticky backed ribbons
2 small sets of decorative rub-ons
Pack of 12 white roses (great for inking/spraying)
Spellbinders die set
3 pots of glitter (gold, silver, copper)



We will announce the winner in July and once we have your details the candy will be mailed to you.  The competition is open to EVERYONE, wherever you are in the world.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!!!

Have a wonderful day and a great weekend, I'll be back with the last post for the month on Monday.

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Thursday 25 June 2015

It's vintage shabby from Trace...

Hey there!

Trace is wih us this morning to share her second DT creation and she displays her own inimitable style with this gorgeous make...





For my second piece I have stayed true to my love of the neutrals, using another one of my own vintage photos, buttons, vintage music paper and some handmade flowers to complete the piece. All the details can be found on my blog here. Trace x



How beautiful this is Trace - thank you!

We're counting down the days now folks so please start finishing and preparing to set your links for the month end.  We still have more to come and on Saturday we'll be back with our Magpie Day and something for you to win!  Until then, have fun!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Tuesday 23 June 2015

Straight from the heart...

Good Day all!

This morning Sue B joins us again with a fabulous piece of home decor which would be ideal as a wedding gift or any celebration of love...





I used an eclectic mix of materials to make this Shabby Heart, there are more details on my Blog.



This is stunning Sue, fine enough to grace any wall, thank you!

How are YOU all doing?  Have you finished your project yet?  We have just 7 days left in which to get your projects finished and linked - we hope you will!

Trace is up next so please visit us on Thrsday to see what she has in store for you.

Take care and have fun!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Sunday 21 June 2015

Nikki's gone all out shabby today!

Howdy Bloggers!

We hope you're all looking forward to a creative Sunday and to get us exactly in the mood what better than Nikki's second DT project for the month...





My second creation for this month's Shabby Chic theme is a feminine card, not my usual style! For more details please do hop over to my blog today.




We love this Nikki, it's stunning.  Not your usual style but we hope you'll do more of it - gorgeous!  Thanks!

We want to see what you're up to.  Whatever your style, whatever you like creating, we would like you to share it.  Anyone that enters our challenge has a chance of winning, the selection is done using random.org.

Sue B will be here on Tuesday - don't miss it!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Friday 19 June 2015

Wow - a double DTMSM post today!

Hi there Crafters!

It's Friday, the end of the week and, for some of us, looking forward to the weekend off!  If you're not so lucky and have to work then what better than to cheer you up with a double post today.  It's not often that we award TWO DTMSM badges for a challenge bu this is what happened in April and this morning we are lucky to have both Linda and Liz here with us sharing their interpretations of our theme...





Hi, I am Linda Simpson, a mum to 2 sons and a step son.  I have to gorgeous granddaughters Alice and Florence. I was born in Malta and lived in the Far East and now live in the UK with my very understanding and supportive husband Rick.  I love to create and share my creations on my blog.  Thank you to everyone at Country View for asking me to be GDT this time.

~  o  ~  O  ~  o  ~



I love Shabby Chic and don't do it very often.  My card was created using an array of beautiful papers and embellished with a doily, flowers and pearl heart gem.
I love embellishing my card and my love is lace, pearls, ribbons and flowers.





I have always crafted one way or another since being young, I was always found colouring with felt pens and still love to colour  now, though I use  copics or distress re-inkers, in my teens I did Tapestry, embroidery, and sewing and used to make my own clothes, when i was pregnant with my son my mum taught me knitting.
I am happily married and it is was our 35th Wedding Anniversary last month, we have two grown up children, a boy and a Girl and one Grand daughter which I look after 4 days a week, In my free time I love to craft, my style varies from Shabby Chic which is my favourite to grunge and anything in between, I love to add texture and embellishments on my projects too, some of which are 3D.

I am very lucky to be on some fabulous design teams including The Ribbon Girl and Sweet Lilac flowers, I have a blog http://lizscreativecorner.blogspot.co.uk where you can see more of my work.

~  o  ~  O  ~  o  ~


I made my card base 17.9cm x 12.7cm, cut a layer of paper 17.5cm  x 12.3cm, then my designer paper 16.5cm x 11.9cm, these I edged with distress ink in vintage photo then distressed with my distress tool. On the top edge I took my Maja Design paper and used the wet paper technique to make folds in it, for the hint of lace to peek out of from  behind, I then used a  top stitch thread around the rest of the paper, I tore some corrugated card, lightly added white Gesso and layered this on top of a doily.
I added my large Lace on the bottom of my card, then added flowers, a Prima birdcage, Prima rusty type zipper, and some rose organza lace too, to finish it off I added some butterflies from maya Road and to these I added a Tim Holtz pen nib coated with a hint of white Gesso, a Bark heart, Cheesecloth and some pearl string.



Linda, Liz, both of your creations are gorgeous!  They are wildly different and such an excellent example of how 'Shabby chic' as a style can be added to any other, vintage or contemporary, to give it a wow factor.  These are both beautiful in their own right, thank you both so much for joining us and sharing your creativity!

Nikki will be back with us on Sunday so in the meantime, have a great weekend, whatever you're doing!

Chris and the CVC team xx

Wednesday 17 June 2015

Beautiful home decor from Jennie...

'Morning everyone!

Jennie is here with us today sharing her second DT make for this theme and what a beaut it is too!...




For my second piece this month I decided to alter a mirror with all my favourite shabby chic elements - lace, hand made flowers, fancy metal, buttons and pearl pins. Most have had a coating of gesso and were then sprayed with Victorian Velvet and Vintage Photo Distress Ink Sprays.  Please do visit my blog if you want to see more.



Jennie, you never fail to wow us with your flowers and lace and this is no exception - gorgeous - thank you!

Whether you're into vintage or more contemporary genres it matters not - you can make anything with a shabby feel to it.  We'd like to see more of what you're doing so if you want to enter more than once you can, all we ask is that you follow our simple rules.

We have a double whammy on Friday, two guest posts in one so please come back and visit to see what our guests have in store for you!

Have fun!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Monday 15 June 2015

Scrolls and florals from our guest today...

Happy Monday, crafters!

This morning we're delighted to introduce another guest who has put together a project just for our theme.  Karen is a previous Top 3 winner and joins us to share her interpretation of 'Shabby chic'....




Hi everyone, I’m Karen and so happy to be GDT June.  I was brought up in a very crafty family so have been crafting in one way or another all of my life, starting at 6 years old and learning to knit which went on to crocheting, dress making, cross stitching, designing and making wedding cakes and of course paper crafting.  My all time love is stamping and like most stampers, I have far too many stamps, and still keep buying more, I just can’t help myself….. lol.  When I’m not at work or doing the usual ‘House’ stuff, I can be found in my craft room, which is my little haven, love it!

 ~  o  ~  O  ~  o  ~



The backing papers are from the Linen Closet paper stack by DCWV.  I cut them to size and distressed the edges a little.  I used a Sue Wilson dies for the lager oval, and a die from the same set for the sentiment oval.  The sentiment is a stamp by Phil Martin.  The flourishes were cut with a Marianne die and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, which I coloured a little with Distress Inks.



A beautiful card Karen, love the elegant composition, thank you!

We're literally half way through he challenge folks with LOADS more to come.  We know you'll be enjoying the gorgeous weather (inbetween the showers of course, lol) but hope that you'll still find time to do some crafting and join in with us.

Jennie will be here on Wednesday with her second project of the month, see you then.  Have a great week!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Saturday 13 June 2015

Gabrielle goes shabby romantic!

Hello there!

Gabrielle is joining us this morning and she has applied the theme to a more romantic piece for her second make of the month.  We luurrrrve this!...




I enjoyed making the roses for my first project so much that I couldn't stop! Then I had to think what to make with them! I thought perhaps something with a little romance and used one of my all too precious 'Found Relative' cards! As always, there's more on my blog. Gabrielle x



This is gorgeous Gabrielle, thank you!

Gabrielle's make could be used as a stand alone make or it could be added to a card or shadow box to make a gifted item for a wedding, anniversary, engagement or any other romantic occasion - how kewl!

We're still waiting to see what you make of our theme - have you joined in yet?  Can we remind you that the (random) winner will receive a £20 shop voucher from Country View Crafts and FOUR further selections will be made by our DT for our 'Top 3' entries and a Special mention too!

We have a previous Top 3 guest joining us on Monday - please join us again then!  Have a great weekend!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Friday 12 June 2015

Announcing our winners AND...

Good evening all!

It's time to announce the winners of last months 'Simply scenic' challenge.  We had a splendid array of styles and interpretations so THANK YOU to everyone who joined in with us.

As you will be aware, we select the winner of the £20 shop voucher, kindly donated by our sponsor Country View Crafts, at random using random.org.  As Donna chose the theme for May, she has had the honour of choosing the winners of our Top 3 and DTMSM (DT Member's Special Mention) badge.  So.... here we go...



Our winner, chosen by random.org is...





http://casscreatingnow.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/robyns-fetish-challenge-263-lots-of.html

Well done Cass, Country View Crafts will be in contact with you shortly regarding your prize voucher.



Our Top 3 badge winners are...(in numeric order)...

http://pushingtherightbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/saturday-step-by-step-at-frilly-and.html

Donna said:
"I love these journal pages that Jenny has produced, they're such fun! Just like taking a walk in flower border!"
~  o  ~  O  ~  o  ~

http://amanda-momentsofinspiration.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/for-thats-crafty-live-gently-upon-this.html

Donna said:
" Love the gelli plate background that Amanda has used on her piece, reminds me of a print from an old book.....fabulous."
~  o  ~  O  ~  o  ~

http://www.craftroomgran.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/sunset.html

Donna said:
"Such a pretty piece of completely original art created by Hazel; love the looseness of the scribbled trees and the lines around the edge framing the whole piece.....lovely."

Well done everyone, great examples of our theme and beautiful projects.  Emails and badges are on their way!



Our DTMSM badge winner is...

http://inkythings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/scene-in-pastel.html

Donna said:
"A stunning piece of real art, truly beautiful. The feeling of space and light is magical."

Great work Hilda, congratulations, your badge is on it's way!


A huge thank you also goes to those of you who stopped by, especially if you commented as it means so much to us to learn what you think.

We're also giving you a heads up for our next 'Magpie Day' which will take place on June 27th.  This month we'll be having another candy giveaway but you'll have to visit and enter to be in with a chance.  We hope you'll take part!

Have a great weekend everyone, Gabrielle will be with you in the morning.

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Thursday 11 June 2015

Doreen's contemporary shabby chic!

Good morning friends!

This morning we have Doreen's second make for the month.  Our Doreen is, perhaps, often seen as having a strong CAS/contemporary/stamping style but whatever she does, she ALWAYS produces the most stunning results.  Today she has brought us her second project which, although we might view 'shabby chic' as being a vintage style, she has appled it to a more contemporary design and produced this fabulous result!....




Hello to you all,I am back with my second share for our Shabby Chic Challenge
details of how I made this can be found on my blog.



Nice one Doreen, we love what you've done here, an original take on this theme, thank you!

Has Doreen fired your magination, has she shown you that you can take contemporary designs and still create something shabby chic?  We hope so!

Join in with us before the end of the month to have a chance of winning our £20 shop voucher from Country View Crafts!

Gabrielle wil be here on Saturday to show you her second make.  In the meantime, have fun!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Tuesday 9 June 2015

Donna's going out wth a bang!

Hi to you all!

Yes, most of you will have seen our recent DT call and we're sorry to say it is because our talented Donna is leaving us.  She may be going, but she is most definitely going out with a 'bang' with this beautiful project...



Well it's time for my second 'Shabby Chic' make and more importantly my last post as part of the DT.......it has truly been a privilege to be part of such a talented group of artistic ladies and I've enjoyed every minute. Unfortunately work and other commitments mean I must step down, but not before showing you this second make......


...using many of the same products and techniques as my first but hopefully showing how the same products can produce a different end product.  Please stop by my blog and say hi if you get the chance :)

Donna xx



This is gorgeous Donna, thank you!

Donna has been a valued member of out DT for the past 18 months and we're sure you'll want to join in with us in saying a huge thank you for all her hard work and fabulous projects.  We'll miss you Donna but we wish you well for the future!

Doreen will be here on Thursday with another wonderful project so we hope to see you then.

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Sunday 7 June 2015

A canvas AND a tutorial from Brenda...

Hello bloggers!

You have an extra treat today because, as well as a fabulous project, Brenda has also provided a tutorial over on her own blog.  Nice one Brenda!  >:o)




I had a wonderful day in my work room creating this canvas and it consists of many of my favourite things to use - a found relatives photo, some lace, rust, film strip and lots of mixed media layers for the background. There is a tutorial on my blog if you would like to have a go at something similar.



This is stunning Brenda, thank you!!

If you aspire to create projects like this and have never attempted it then please do visit Brenda's blog, it's a source of useful tips, tricks and tutorials including this one!  (Brenda also runs workshops for Country View Crafts every 2-3 months and you can find out about these and book places HERE.)

We're hoping to see lots of entries this month as everyone has their own 'take' on shabby chic.  There is no right or wrong, there is only creativity [s].  Every entry has an opportunity of winning so please let's see what your interpretation is.

Donna will be here on Tuesday and it's her last appearance so we're hoping you'll come and show your appreciation and say goodbye to her.

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Friday 5 June 2015

Branka is guesting today

Good morning folks!

We love having guests join us here at Country View Challenges and we're extremely grateful for the time they dedicate to creating something especially for our theme.

Today we have Branka joining us - Branka is a previous Top 3 winner and we think you'll have no problem in understanding why!  Here she is...




Hello! My name is Branka (also known as Vintage Handmade).

I am so honored and thrilled to be a Guest DT today at fabulous Country View Challenges blog! It's a great pleasure for me to have such an amazing opportunity from the super talented DT here!

Let me introduce myself. I am a proud mom of two amazing children - a boy (17) and a girl (11) and I am a wife of a wonderful husband. We live in a small town in Croatia in our family home, we have a huge yard and a sweet little puppy that we all love. My main profession is an interpreter/translator.

In December 2013, I discovered scrapbooking/paper crafting by chance and it was love at first sight :) I started with my blog last year and my first challenge entry was in last October. My style is rather masculine and grunge but I try to express myself in other styles as well. I am in love with mixed media art and art journaling and I like to mix Tim's and Dyan's (Reaveley) products and techniques when I do art journaling. It is so fun! I also create cards, mini albums and journals for my friends, relatives and people I love.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

I have decided to alter a clipboard for the 'Shabby Chic' challenge theme chosen by fabulous Astrid.
 

I have gessoed the background and used several Martha Stewart silk acrylic paints in soft tones. To add some texture I used Golden crackle paste and one of the new Tim's stencils (hope you can see the texture :) The old photo (Paper Whimsy) is glued down on a piece of canvas previously embossed and sprayed with several glimmer mists. I used alcohol ink mixative in white on all metal embellishments there. The seam binding is hand dyed. I also used Tim's mixed media die, Sizzix music note die, an old music notes sheet, some lace ribbons and different embellishments from my stash.




This is gorgeous Branka, dare I say a beautiful 'interpretation' of our theme, thank you!!  >:o)

As the month progresses we will be bringing you a diverse range of styles but all in the 'shabby chic' genre.  Whether this is 'your thing' or not, we hope you'll find the time to make something and tell us what has inspired you to create it.  If shabby chic is new to you or a real step away from your usual crafting then why not drop us an email (using the widget on the sidebar) and let us know?

Brenda will be here on Sunday..... don't miss her post!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Wednesday 3 June 2015

Astrid's chosen a butterfly...

Greetings all!

Many of you know Astrid, either personally or through her DT work and beautiful blog.  As she chose the theme for this challenge, she has the honour of leading the first of our individual project posts.  Astrid's work is always beautiful and there is no exception here - she's chosen a butterfly for her second make... gorgeous!!...




For this project I created a butterfly shaped album cover, playing with texture paste crackle, paints and shabby colours. Further details can be found HERE



You've done yourself proud again Astrid, this is beautiful, thank you!

So, we are off and running and waiting to see what you make of Astrid's theme.  You can enter as many times as you like throughout the month as long as you follow our rules.  (If you don't, and your entry number is chosen by random.org, we will disqualify it and randomize again to select another entry that has complied with the rules.  This also applies to our blog badge awards.  Please don't disqualify yourself!)

We have lots of great projects coming up so please remember to come back and visit us every other day.  We have a Top 3 guest on Friday..... with a very special project.... hope to see you then.

Chris and the CVC team xxx


Monday 1 June 2015

Summer is here and what a June challenge!

Welcome, friends!

Yes, We're officially into 'Summer' and, whilst we know many of you will be spending less time in the craft room and more time out in the garden, our lovely Astrid has chosen a theme for this month to entice you to join in - it is...




We're hoping that you will ALL join in.  If this is not a genre that you're used to crafting, perhaps you've NEVER attempted it, please do!  Our outright winner of the £20 shop voucher, generously sponsored by Country View Crafts, is chosen at random.  Our four blog badge awards are chosen by the DT and we often recognise those crafters who have stepped outside of their normal boundaries of comfortability to try something new and join in wth us.  All we ask is that you follow our simple rules so that you don't inadvertently disqualify yourself.  The challenge remains open until 11.45 pm/23.45 hours on the last day of the month.  Winners are announced usually around the 10th of the following month.

Our DT have excelled themselves again this month and provided a crafter's feast for the eyes.  They are led out by TWO previous winners, who have created makes especialy for you - thank you to both Becky and Paula, your projects are stunning!!...




Hi, I'm Becky from 'Crawsome Creations'. I've always been 'arty' and always felt that is where my future lay but I took the safe option and am now in a secure adult type job which has zero opportunities for artistic flair or imagination!  Hence all my crafty longings are now fitted into the tiny amount of free time I have between a full time job, a husband, a young son and a very lively cocker spaniel.


~  o  ~  O  ~  o  ~


I have to admit that shabby chic does not come naturally to me! I'm much more of a brights and grunge person but I was determined to give it a go. I decided to take an altered art approach and made over an empty pickle jar. I primed the jar with a couple of coats of white gesso before using texture paste through a harlequin stencil. Once dried I sponged over Tim Holtz distress paints in bundled safe and tumbled glass. The next step was adding a decoupage rose and peacock image in a dusty attic frame.  The remainder of the project involved trying to 'artistically' arrange ribbon, pearls, paper flowers, dusty attic butterfly and beads to create a the finished piece. I'm pleasantly surprised at how it turned out considering half way through the project I felt completely lost! Thank you so much to CVC for giving me this opportunity, it's great to be here :)







Morning All – My name is Paula and you’ll have to excuse me as I’m rubbish at writing about myself…..so, what’s there to say – I started card making in 2004 and have been playing/creating ever since. I’ve had work published in UK and US based magazines. I mainly love to make clean and simple pieces using minimal materials but now and again I’ll dip my toe in to the mixed media side of things.

~  o  ~  O  ~  o  ~



When I was told the topic was ‘Shabby Chic’ – I have to admit I was scared stiff because what is Shabby Chic! Anyhow, I had a look round and just went with my gut instincts. I’ve used a Wendy Vecchi Arts Parts Arched Frame as my base and covered it in a thin layer of white gesso. I then used DecoArt Modelling Paste through a Tim Holtz Stencil. Once the modelling past was dry, I took sandpaper to the frame to give it a work look, followed by some brown ink and stamping a splatter effect stamp around the edges too. I made the roses using the Tim Holtz Sizzix pine cone die and the centre panel is patterned paper and a stamped image of a woman. For more info just hop over to my blog http://justforoneday11.blogspot.co.uk






June Often being the month of wedding I decided to make a card that could be used as a wedding card. Layers and home made flowers often define Shabby Chic for me, so that's what I did. More details can be found on my blog




I have thoroughly enjoyed making a shabby card for Astrid's fabulous challenge theme, it seems years since I last made one. One thing I do when I have a design I like is make two or three of them so I can add them to my card box as I never seem to have enough choice these days.




Just recently I've started to challenge myself to use products I have that are rarely used.  For my Shabby chic make I decided to use two colours that don't often see the light of day - yellow and orange.  I also made use of this rarely used stamp too.  You can find the step x step pic's and products used over on my blog if you'd like to see them.   Chris xxx



I'm never really sure exactly what Shabby Chic is but hopefully my first make where I've combined a distressed embossed background with some vintage images and some floral elements, all in soft muted colours fits the bill.....


...details are on my blog, please stop by and say hi :)
Donna xx




Hello , I have got to say I am totally out of my comfort zone with this months challenge, I could never figure out how two words Shabby and Chic could be remotely related to each other but there you go... I have come up with what I consider Shabby Chic. I hope you like it
More details from my blog.




Shabby Chic! Well, I haven't tackled this theme in a long time! That's the lovely thing about challenges, they often ask you to think outside your current comfort zone!  I hadn't use this birdcage die for a long time and so made a simple plaque. As always, there's more on my blog here!   Gabrielle x


Shabby Chic is just about my all time favourite style so I put together this card using all the elements which for me are "shabby chic".  It was a great design for using up some much loved Maja Design papers and scraps. Please do visit me on my blog if you want to see some more close ups.




For my first 'Shabby Chic' post of the month I have made some cute little wall hangings using fresco paints and the cracked glass technique. There are more details over at Addicted to Art today.




The theme Shabby Chic is one of my favourites, this is my go to genre whenever I have a creativity block. Do not let the word Shabby fool you, even though the look is at times unstructured the effect can look timeless. More details on how this card was made up is on my Blog.




For my second piece this month I decided to alter a mirror with all my favourite shabby chic elements - lace, hand made flowers, fancy metal, buttons and pearl pins. Most have had a coating of gesso and were then sprayed with Victorian Velvet and Vintage Photo Distress Ink Sprays.  Please do visit my blog if you want to see more.



Wow, great work everyone - fabulous projects, a great variety in style, lots of inspiration!

We hope you like our line up, we also hope that it motivates you to have a go and join in.  As usual, we will be posting a new project by either a DTM or a guest every alternate day for the rest of the month.  Having seen them all, we can tell you that you're in for a huge treat!

Good luck everyone!

Chris and the CVC team xxx