A mini booklet from Brenda

We're right at the beginning of our challenge and what better way to take a step forward is there than by having a post from one of our DTMs? Today Brenda is posting details of her second project on this theme...

Brenda

Bumblebees and Butterflies

"I have used some of the new Tim Holtz stamps to create a mini booklet and will use it as a positivity journal adding affirmative, supportive and encouraging quotes throughout the year.

The first page is a simple introduction and a happy reminder that every new day that dawns can be the start of something new. If you would like to see how I made the book and a simple way to sew your own pages to insert them into a journal you will find all the details on my blog."

How creative - it's beautiful, thank you Brenda!

We hope this inspires you along the way. There will be another post in a few days.

Have a fab day! xxx

Its challenge #14!

Hi everyone, thank you for all your entries for March, we're now in the process of choosing our Top 3 and DTMSM and we'll be announcing the winners soon. In the meantime, it's April, it's challenge #14 and Chris has chosen our theme for this month, it's...

'NEW BEGINNINGS'

Our challenge is about what 'New beginnings' means to YOU. It could be a baby, a wedding, a new home, Spring, Easter, a change of career, emigrating to another country, and much, much more. We'd like to see how you interpret the theme and, then, what your creative thoughts produce!

As usual, to get you started, we have a line up from our talented DT...

Chris

My corner of heaven

"My 'New beginnings' project is a wedding planner which was brought to mind by the news that 2 family members will be getting married later this year, starting new lives with their respective partners. The planner uses Tim's new clipboard clips and has been made to look like a book.

You'll find a step x step and product gallery on my blog."

Donna

Donna's Little Crafty Corner

New Beginnings......thought about this trying to decide what to do and being a bit of a quote lover decided that that was the route I would take.  Actually new beginnings is pretty apt for me at the moment because I'm going to have to make one myself and the quote that I've used on this tag for my first challenge piece is really one that I need to hang on to!

Full details of what I've used are on my blog."

Gabrielle

crafty thoughts

"New Beginnings is a wonderfully all-encompassing theme which sparks loads of ideas for me. I chose to focus on Spring in the hope that it encourages my garden to begin to come alive! I adore Jo's stamps and think they represent Spring beautifully. The flowers were stamped again on a separate piece of card and coloured with Dylusion inks and then I added water so they 'bled' creating lighter shades in the inner circles. The butterfly was coloured the opposite way! I then cut them out and added them to the tag."

Jennie

Live The Dream

"I thought I would use our fabulous challenge theme - New Beginnings - to try out some new techniques.  So here is the first! I am not sure what you would call it but I first dry embossed my tag using an embossing folder and then I used a palette knife to smear Distress Paints over the top.  Messy and fun but oh what a lovely effect! I decorated the tag with some  handcrafted flowers.

There are more pictures on my blog and details of the paint smearing and of course the flowers."

Sue

Stamping Sue Style

"New Beginnings for me is really apt at the moment as we're in the process of moving house. So for my first project of the month I had this theme in mind and wanted something that I could display in my new home."

Brenda

Bumblebees and Butterflies

"I have had fun with the new Chatsworth collection of papers and stamps from PaperArtsy. When I think about new beginnings this time of year I always am reminded about re-birth, re-growth and new plants in the garden. I love my pots and use them to give me additional bursts of colour around the patio and decking and that was the inspiration for my piece of art today.

By altering the paper I feel I have created greater depth to the background and these beautiful blooms by Lin Brown became my focal point. The final piece has ended up in my art journal."

 

Now it's over to you! We hope you like the challenge this month, you have lots of choice so we're hoping to see lots of entries. There will be our usual prize of a £20 shop voucher from our fabulous sponsor, Country View Crafts, the winner is chosen at random by random.org. The DT choose the three projects they like the best who receive blog badges and there is a 'special mention' award too for the project we think shows the most originality and creativity.

Our Guests and DT Members will be posting new projects every few days throughout the month to keep you motivated and, hopefully, to add some inspiration to the mix.

Have a great month! xxx

An InLinkz Link-up

Double trouble - It's Donna & Gabrielle

Although Gabrielle is rostered off this month she still found the time to create another DT piece for us so today you have a treat - TWO DT projects to finish our fabulous BLOGAVERSARY month off with a big bang!

Donna's second DT make

"So for my second offering for our paper theme I have lots of little Paper Pinwheels, made with various dies,  strung together to make a fun little garland.....

 http://www.donnaslittlecraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/

More pics and details on my blog."

Gabrielle's 2nd DT make

http://gabrielle-price.blogspot.co.uk/

"Paper is often something I take for granted but it really is the building block of most of my projects. For this tag I used paper to make all of the images as well as sneaking in a little Clearly for Art for the jar! The ruler is acting a shelf for my art supplies and I used a variety of Distress Stains and Markers to colour them in. I made far too many supplies for my shelf so I have a few left over for another project - I love it when that happens!"

These are fabulous makes ladies - so diverse too! It's amazing how we all interpret the theme so differently!

We have just 3 days to clsosing time ladies and gentlemen so if you haven't entered yet please do so!

Enjoy the rest of the month and we'll be back on April Fool's day with another fab challenge for April. 

Have fun! xxx

Ana's done it again!

Today we're delighted to be joined again by the very talented Ana K of Anina papirckalnica who has won a Top 3 badge two months in a row! Over to Ana...

"My name is Ana Kavcic and I live in beautiful Slovenia. I start with paper crafting about 3 years ago and I love it more and more. I would describe my style as a mixed media with vintage feeling... I love to use old paper, fabric and flea market finds…above all I create with my heart."

"I love playing with paper and making collages, so this is the perfect challenge for me. I decided to alter some ATCs, but I ended with a little book filled with my favourite quotes.

Each card is altered with vintage images, old book pages and note paper. Covers are made with thick paper, embossed and painted with brown acrylic paint.

http://anina-papirckalnica.blogspot.co.uk/

Once the covers were dry I embellished with winged broken doll. Wings I made of paper; I used flower die and cut two petals for upper pair and leaf die for lower pair of wings. Upper pair I smeared with glossy accents and added some beads. For binding I simply used two cotton strips, so I still can add more pages. If you want to see more about this little book, you are welcome to visit my blog."

This is stunning Ana, so very creative - thank you!

We have about a week to go folks so please get your projects finished and entered. Don't forget we have TWO PRIZES OF £20 SHOP VOUCHERS for the lucky winners this month who are chosen at random!

We still have more to come from the DT so please check back in a few days! xxx

A masterpiece from Brenda

You're all in for a treat today with a beautiful project from our very own and talented Brenda of bumblebeesandbutterflies.com...

"We are coming up to the end of our first anniversary challenge and I wanted to make something special to finish off with. This is an album full of flaps and pockets but I included some of my altered playing cards I have been making as well. The album itself has been made from chipboard with a card cover and every page has been designed with flaps or pockets that will hold some family photos.

 

Here you can see how the album looks with each page completed (although there are no photos in it yet).

The front cover also has a flap and the altered playing card is double sided and can be lifted to reveal a mat for adding the photo to.

 

Every double page has a different colour palette and design.

I used lots of Tim Holtz papers, die-cuts and embellishments to complete the look."

This is stunning Brenda, thank you!

Whether you're a card maker, into tag art, altered art, scrapbooking, journalling, whatever you happen to like crafting, there's plenty of scope with this month's topic. With TWO prizes to be awarded this month and the winners to be chosen at random (random.org) EVERYONE has a chance of winning. We have another 10 days to go so please come and join in!

Another fab project in a few days. xxx

A match anyone?

Today's post is from Claudia, aka die amelie of Von Pappe II, who is making a guest appearance to share this fabulous make with us. Claudia was the winner of our DTM's Special Mention badge in January:

"Servus, my name is Claudia - also known as "die amelie". I live in Vienna with my son, my husband, my dog Bluna, a little budgie family and some fish in a tank.

I have been drawing and crafting since I can remember and I have worked as an arts and crafts teacher for almost twenty years before I became a full time mom and houswife. Now I enjoy a lot of spare time to follow my creative hobbies which are mainly creating with stamps and/or mixed media of all kinds, reading thrillers, watching good TV series and movies with my husband, photography, dancing and being outdoors with my dog in the lovely Vienna Woods. I stumbled upon crafty blogland about two years ago and have been learning so much since that day. I love the inspiration I get from visiting other creative people's blogs and enjoy the massive load of online tutorials. Having finally found crafty blogland a whole new world of possibilities for being creative has opened up to me and there's so much still waiting for me to be explored."

"As I love small notebooks, everything vintage and especially old photographs I decided to do a little vintage style notebook using the Sizzix "Matchbook" die I only recently bought at a sale.

I die cut the matchbook and four tags from white manila card and blended all with DI "pumice stone". I did the same with a cut to size spine that is to hold the four tags. I gave it all some spritzes of water to create a stained and aged look. Some scraps were torn from an old book page  and glued to the tags and the booklet with matte "Decou-page" glue and seal. To add some more texture I used a chicken wire stamp from BoBunny and Ranger black jet archival ink. Using the "Tiny Tags and Tabs" Sizzix die I randomly cut some out and glued them to the prepared tags to add some space for handwritten notes that should be well visible. Once the tags were finished I glued them onto the spine and then glued the whole signature into the matchbook.

The main focus lies on the two lovely photograph stamps from The Artistic Outpost and the Tim Holtz idea-ology hinge clip that holds the matchbook closed. The woman's image also has a layer of rough burlap ribbon underneath and is fixed to that with four tiny brads before I glued the whole panel onto the back cover of the matchbook. The "notes" words were finally added to front and back using my favourite Hero Arts letter stamps. Done!"

This is stunning Claudia - thank you!

There are so many beautiful things to create using paper, whether you prefer to stamp, like diecutting, draw your own sketches - whatever your passion is we'd like to see it please! We have almost another two weeks so there's plenty of time to get your project made, or perhaps a second entry.....?

More from our own DT in a few days. xxx

Trace

Trace is surely scoring a winning goal today with this beautifully layered project - definitely a paper chase here Trace!

 

"For this paper inspired piece, I started with some Tim Holtz paper...and some inking and distressing later my layers seemed to lend themselves to a fairly simple piece...all inspired by the colours and pattern on the paper. I also used the paper to guide my colour choice and to make the flowers..and even resist the urge to add lots of embellishments!"

This is fabulous Trace! Thank you!

We're half way through the challenge but we still have lots more to show you. We're delighted to see the variety of all the projects entered so far but we'd like to see more of what YOU are up to in your craftroom! There will be two lucky voucher winners this month so come on in and join us!

More in a few days. xxx

Terry's dawn chorus

Today we're delighted to be joined by the talented Terry of TERRY'S WORK IN PROGRESS. Terry is one of our Top 3 from January and she is sharing this beautiful project with us supporting our 'Paper chase' challenge...

 

"I have not been paper crafting as long as many, but my passion and love keeps me moving forward and I can't seem to quench my thirst for learning more techniques! I love the vintage with a grungy feel and more and more am dabbling in mixed media as I can! My sewing and painting have definitely taken a back seat to paper, ink and rubber!"

 

"My "Paper Chase" theme is more like a paper trail. The focal stamps were actually gifted to me by Chris and I felt no better way to use them than to wish "Country View Crafts" a Happy 1st Year Anniversary! This started with a paper background that I applied paint to a background stamp for texture. The sweet little birds were inked and clear embossed and then a subtle coloring of Tattered Rose. The Happy Anniversary was computer generated and then some chit chat words for the postage stamps. The die cut lace trim was distressed as well as the paper flowers."  

This is so beautiful Terry, thank you!!

There are so many ways that you can interpret our topic this month so please jump in and join us. Remember, Country View Crafts are sponsoring TWO PRIZES OF £20 shop vouchers this month and the winners will be chosen at random - everyone has a chance of winning.

More in a few days. xxx

Sue has paper chasing paper!

Today we have another post from Sue, one of our permanent DTMs. Sue, renowned for her love of stamping, has put together another wowser of a project to share with us! It's paper, paper, paper, all the way...

Sue

of Stamping Sue Style

 

 http://www.stampingsuestyle.blogspot.co.uk/

 "Speciality Stamping Paper is a fabulous surface to work on and I took the opportunity with this project to dabble with Wendy Vecchi's re-inker and rubbing alcohol technique."

 Beautiful colours, beautiful design, this is gorgeous Sue, thank you!

We hope we're demonstrating some great and creative paper projects for you. 

Remember, for this month only, we will be having TWO £20 SHOP VOUCHERS TO BE WON and both winners will be chosen at random!

More in a few days time. xxx

Oh my! kanda's made a stunner!

We love having guest DTMs joining us each month, there are so, so many wonderfully talented crafters out there in blogland - you're all phenomenal! All our guests add dynamism to our blog and the exciting thing is that we never know what the guest project is until it pops into the inbox! Today we have another guest, one of January's Top 3 winners, and she is sharing this corker with us!...

kanda

of KandA Creative Moments

"Hi, my name is Andrea but in blogland I go under the crafty name of kanda.

I was taught so many types of different crafts as a child as it was part of the way of life in those days - cardigans were always hand knitted,  dresses were sewn and those were skills I'd learnt even before I started school.  I made the obligatory cards as a child at school but never really started paper crafting until a few years ago. Now I'm hooked and haven't sent a shop bought card since I started blogging a couple of years ago."

"I was so delighted to be invited to join in as a GDT with this months 1st blogaversary challenge and rather than make a card I decided to do something different with paper.

This basket is made with a selection of papers of varying thickness and finish. The 'cube' base is made with a 12 inch paper so you get a nice size basket that would be ideal for mothers day. The flowers, butterflies and tag are all made with dies / punches and I just added a few gems and a lace bow to finish. If you want any further details I will list the materials I used on my blog."

http://kandacreativemoments.blogspot.co.uk

This is stunning Andrea and what a fabulous idea - this works well at any time of year but would be extra fabulous for Mother's Day and Easter! Thank you!

Having 'Paper chase' as a topic this month really gives everyone carte blanche! We're exited to see such contrasting and stunning projects being entered already - please keep them coming!

More soon. xxx

February’s winners !!

It’s that time again and we’re delighted to announce the details of February’s award winners!

Overall WINNER of the challenge, as chosen by random.org, is…

… #4 – Lainey of craftyacts   

Well done Lainey – a £20 shop voucher is on it’s way to you so please watch your email in box!

Our other prestigious award winners have been chosen by Trace this month – they are (numerically)…

TOP 3

#33 - Alison of CRAFTYTROG'S INKY ADVENTURES “An amazing use of painty layers and colours to create a really eye catching piece.”
#69 - Julie Ann of magpieheaven “Love the colours and textures in this beautifully detailed piece. Gorgeous colours.”
#91 - Ellen of Scrapellen ”Love the textures and colours in this beautiful piece.”

DTM’s SPECIAL MENTION

And Trace has chosen…

#24 - Elly of Mixed Media and more ”I love the idea of creating not only such a gorgeous painty creation but also such a great dimensional piece.”

WELL DONE ALL! Your blog badges are on the way!

More tomorrow. xxx

Jennie on her travels...

We're off the sub's bench and running down the field and here, ready to score our first goal, is Jennie with this beautiful layout...

Jennie
of live the dream

"There is a certain satisfaction from distressing paper! and just about every piece on this layout has been scrunched with water, edge distressed or been attacked with sandpaper or an emery board! As usual my flowers are handmade from cream cardstock and a favourite butterfly stamp used directly on text paper. Lovely memories of an Autumn day in a Swiss forest."

http://www.jennie-livethedream.blogspot.co.uk/





This is stunning Jennie, thank you! (And here's a reminder for any of you that haven't seen Jennie's flower making tutorials, you can find them on her blog HERE by scrolling down the sidbar.)

More in a few days. xxx