Doreen's 'Merry & bright'

Hi everyone!

We've kicked the month off in grand style with our fabulous procession of projects so now we're into the team's personal contributions. Our Doreen is taking the lead this month as it's her challenge choice so here is her second make for the month...

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Doreen

Hello I am back with another Christmas card, I am determined to have them all made in plenty of time this year...

It was very hard to get the glitter to show but I can assure you the trees are covered with it.

Details on my Blog here.

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It's over to you now to get busy making. Your project can be simple or more advanced, contemporary through to vintage and of any genre you like. We appreciate crafters of all standards from beginners upwards which is why we choose the winner of our shop voucher at random (using random.org) - everyone has a chance of winning!

We will be back on Sunday for Gabrielle's second project, we hope to see you then.

Have a great weekend!

Chris and the team xxx

Welcome to October's challenge!!

Good morning to you all, welcome to October's challenge!!  Now you might think that, being autumn and the month of Halloween, that we'd be following a seasonal theme....?  Nope, this month our lovely Doreen is choosing the theme for the challenge and she has decided to open it right up with the fabulous theme of......

Those of you that want to create Halloween pieces can do so, but the theme is completely open. What we want to see is a clear dose of anything that sparkles and shines so metal, foil, glaze, glossy accents, glitter, enamels, lustre paints and shiny finishes, acetate, mirri card, buttons, whatever you can think of that will meet the theme!

We invite all to enter, wherever you are in the world and the winner will receive a £20 shop voucher from our fabulous sponsor, Country View Crafts. Doreen will also be choosing her Top 3 entries and our Special mention award for the one she thinks has shown the most original and creative representation of her theme - all of whom will receive blog badges.  We also invite all of our winners to join us the month after the winners' announcement as guest designers.

For the launch of our challenge, ALL of our wonderful DT Members have created a project to get you thinking and to offer some inspiration. (Normally the line up would be led by our most recent winner but Dagmar cannot join us until later this month so do watch out for her project later on.)  Here is our sparkly line up...

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Doreen

Well this months Challenge has been set by me, and when I think of Sparkle and Shine I think Christmas....Lets face it we only have about 11 weeks left till the big day.

 I have gone for a misty, frosty look for this card. Full details can be seen on my blog here.

Gabrielle

I love our monthly challenges as they really make me think! I don't really do much with sparkle or shine usually so I was really challenged! For my first project this month I made a tag using metallic glaze paint, glossy accents, clear embossing paste and a little distress glitter. I enjoyed it so much I made a Christmassy one! You can see that one on my blog.

Jennie

Having recently purchased (at long last) the Tattered Poinsettia die I was inspired to make this fabulous flower which Tim Holtz showcased on his December 2013 tag. I thought it would make a perfect sparkly centre piece on a Christmas card - my first of the season. There are more details on my blog and a link to Tim's flower tutorial.

Sue D
I'm not prepared to give up on Summer just yet so I'm staying in the garden for my 1st project.

 

We have gilding flakes, and all manner of shiny things, and you can find more details here at Sue The Iron x

Trace

I love all things vintage and the found relative cards make the perfect festive vintage make with a hint of vintage sparkle. For all the details please see my blog here .

Alison

Sparkly shininess is fairly unusual for me, but I had lots of fun playing with Doreen's theme this month.  This first piece is full of gilding, and it also has a satiny ribbon and even some glittery accents!  Come over to Words and Pictures to see all the details.

Astrid

When I saw the theme of the challenge, I was delighted, as I knew this would be the perfect chance to start on my Christmas cards. I kept the card relatively plain without to many embellishments, so it will be easier to post. There is lots of Sparkle on the snowflakes, but it was hard to capture that in the photo. More details of how I put it together, can be found on my blog.

Brenda

Ok so I had great fun with the embossing powder and distress glitters for Doreen's great challenge and it also gave me the chance to a) start my Christmas cards and b) open a new pack of  Tim Holtz stamps. There's plenty of sparkle and shine on this card.

Chris

 I'm busy making Christmas cards to sell for my charities and I also make loads for my friends who don't craft but love to give handmade cards. Seizing the opportunity of this fabulous theme, I've used textured silver mirri card, crystals, glitter, silver gilding wax with some shiny heart-shaped brads just to put the cherry on top! Details of the what and how can be found on My corner of Heaven. Chris xxx

Donna

With Christmas fast approaching and with a them of Sparkle and Shine I just had to create a festive make! So got the glitter, some gilding wax and a few dies to make this Christmas bauble......

 ..more pics and details are on my blog.   Donna xx

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There we have it, a lustrous line-up to get you started. We're hoping to see lots of lovely, sparkling entries as we start the countdown to Christmas. Your makes don't have to be seasonal, you have complete choice of topic, just remember to include something that sparkles and shines! (Before entering, PLEASE read our rules if you're not familiar with them as we would hate to see you disqualify yourself - they are very precise and simple.)

We will be following our usual schedule by posting a new project every other day throughout the month, some from our DTMs and some from our guests, so please do pop back and visit to see what they are sharing with you.  Most of all, have a wonderful month and HAVE FUN - GOOD LUCK! >:o)

Chris and the team xxx

Gabrielle's swimming today!

Hi everyone!

Last but not least, we have some gorgeous journalling for you today from our talented Gabrielle...

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For my second Nautically themed project I turned to one of my journals and used this fabulous Lynne Perrella image in its entirety (I used the ship in my first project this month). The quotation (by Jonathan Winters) seemed pretty apt!

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A fabulous journal page Gabrielle, we're loving the quotation too - thank you!

Okay everyone, that's it from the team and guests for this month, so please get your projects finished and entered before the challenge closes tomorrow evening. We have been busy getting projects ready for our new challenge which starts on Wednesday and we hope to see you then.

For all of you who have taken the time to enter this month...... GOOD LUCK!! >:o)

Chris and the team xxx

North, South, East, West with Sue B

Hi everyone,

Today is our penultimate post for this month and it's a beauty!  Sue B has taken a simpler approach to the nautical theme but there's nothing simple about her creativity, she's come up with this stunning project...

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My second project on the Nautical theme; I went shabby, the compass I felt lent itself to be embellished this way, details are on my blog.

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Wow, this is gorgeous Sue, what a fabulous look, thank you!

We have 3 days to go for you to get your entries in folks and one more post from the team. On Monday Gabrielle will be here to wind up the month and it's a stunner of a project so don't forget to pop back and see it.

Chris and the team xxx

Hello there!

This morning we have a second project from Doreen. Those of you who follow her will know how well known she is for her stamping and today's project is a terrific example of how she can take a simple stamp and turn it into something amazing!...

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Hello I am back with my second make, this time I have made a card with a moonlight.

More details from here

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This is beautiful Doreen, such a wonderful example of how elegant the theme can be, thank you!

We have just under a week to go folks so please get a wriggle on and finish your projects. >:o)

There's still more to come from the team and on Saturday Sue B will be here with her second project - don't miss it!

Chris and the team xxx

Donna's looking for treasure!

Good morning all!

We're really loving this theme, the diversty is fabulous! Continuing the theme, but with yet another totally different take on it, Donna is sharing her second make with us...

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Donna

Well 'shiver me timbers' what's more nautical than pirates ?! 

So for my second challenge make I've created this little pirate hanging, pop across the gangplank my hearties to my blog to check out more details.....see you there, Donna xx

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This is gorgeous Donna and what a brilliant take on the theme - thank you!

We're hoping that you're busy out there with your crafty thoughts and putting together something that will meet our nautical challenge....? Don't forget, the winner is chosen at random so everyone has a chance of winning the £20 shop voucher from our generous sponsor, Country View Crafts.

We're into the final week now but we STILL have lots to show you! Doreen will be here on Thursday with another beautiful make. Cya then we hope!

Chris and the team xxx

It's First Class all the way with Julie

Good morning all!

We have another guest post for you today and it's from one of our regular entrants who won a Top 3 badge in July's challenge. Many of you will already know her because, although she is relatively new to crafty blogland, she has created a special place for herself already with her amazing projects...

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Julie Lavalette of Juliz Design Post

Hi there, I am delighted to be able to share my Nautical project with all the Countryview Challenge followers after being chosen in the Top 3 Stencil It challenge. I have been blogging now for 9 months and thoroughly enjoying every minute of it, although started crafting around 9 years ago when I need Wedding Invitations.

My love for my Garden Flowers, Vintage, History, Bygone eras and Antiquities, I express through my crafting. I often find myself so absorbed in a craft project it can take me days to finish as I build a story around my whole project. It's not about how quick I can make something but enjoying the whole journey of that project and putting detail into the tiniest little thing is key for me as I craft.

For my Nautical project I decided to make a memory frame book that held memories and keepsakes of a Victorian couple as they embarked on their World Cruise and as they travelled the world picking up souvenirs.

My book was made out of a couple of cereal boxes. I cut my card to size, scored and glued the 2 parts together down the spine. It measures finished 7x9 inches. Next I added a whole layer of tissue paper with multi medium crinkling it as I applied it. Once dry I placed a swirl stencil on top and added Grunge Paste for more texture. The spine I covered in tissue paper and added some string for dimension. Once this was all dry I used paints and stains to achieve my Olde Worlde look.

If you would like to see more on my project and how I made it, pop over to

my blog. I'd love to have you visit. Thanks once again to everyone at

Countryview Crafts. It has been an absolute honour to share my post with

such a talented Team.

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Another stunning project Julie, absolutely beautiful and you've created some amazing texture too, thank you!

Julie has demonstrated just how easy it is to find nautical elements in your craft cupboard so drag them out and get crafting please! >:o)

Another project for you on Tuesday, this time it's from Donna.

Chris and the team xxx

Yvonne's way ahead!

Hi everyone!

We love to see lateral thinking in your creativity and today's project is exactly that, a terrific example of taking the theme to entirely different level! This project has been created for us by the talented Meggymay (aka Yvonne) whom many of you will already know and what a stunner it is...

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Meggymay of Meggy's Way

Hello I am Yvonne, known to many folk in blogland as Meggymay. I have been a crafter for many years, now happily retired, I have time spend in the craft room and spend time  away in our caravan.  I  enjoy   trying out new techniques and getting inky. My  latest  crafting adictions are mixed media and Journalling.

When I read that the new theme was Nautical, I had this Lynne Perrella image in mind to use. This was heat embossed before water colouring and edged with Frantage Powder. Next came papers from a  Graphics 45 paper pad, with trimmings from my box. The netting I dyed myself to suit the colours I used.

I enjoyed the theme and thank you all at CVC for inviting me to be your guest.

Meggy's Way

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This is gorgeous Yvonne and such a great demonstration of using the theme for something quite different, thank you!

Well, we're seeing lots of fabulous examples out there from those of you who have already entered the challenge but we'd like to see more. Don't forget we have a £20 shopping voucher for the winner, generously donated by our sponsor, Country View Crafts.

Another guest post on Sunday, see you then!  Have a lovely weekend!

Chris and the team xxx

Brenda's at the bottom of the deep blue sea

Hi Everyone, it's Brenda here with the second of my DT pieces for this fabulous 'nautical' challenge. Have you been inspired to make something yet for the challenge? Well I hope this might inspire you a little to get grungy and industrial and make a book cover.

This was a workshop make and inspired by the fabulous Andy Skinner who showed us how to layer embossed card, texture paste and paints to create aged and rusted effects. As we working on it I just knew I wanted this to look like a shipwreck at the bottom of the ocean so I ensured I used the colours and textures  to try and create that look and when I got home I added some embellishments to help further that illusion.

Click my name above if you would like to see more photos and the back of the book cover too.

We are just over half way through this challenge so there is still plenty of time to get your paints and texture pastes out and have some grungy fun.

We look forward to seeing your additions to the linky and thanks to all of you who have already submitted an entry.

Thanks also for joining us for our inspiration pieces.

hugs Brenda xxx

Claire's riding the waves!

Hi everyone!

We've another stunning project from one of our guests today, a beautiful wall hanging from Claire, our DTMSM blog badge winner of July's challenge...

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Claire C of CLAIRE'S CRAFTY CREATIONS

I'm so excited to have the chance to be Guest Designer with such a lovely talented team and this month's theme is one of my all time favourites too. I've been crafting for many years but since I discovered rubber stamping about 8 years ago I've been addicted. I love to try new techniques and I'm a real 'messy crafter'. I work  for a mental health charity and my job can be really stressful so I love to escape to my craft room after a hectic day at work.

I created my base from strips of mountboard, stencilled and painted and then sprized with some coffee. The focal scene was stamped on kraft card using stamps from Chocolate Baroque and has been coloured with distress markers. I've surrounded the scenewith some more stamped images, this time using stamps from Crafty Individuals, adding some colour with distress markers and coloured pencils and again spritzed with coffee.  I've added all sorts of bits and pieces from my stash including shells, old netting and scraps of cheesecloth fabric to fiinish off.

CLAIRE'S CRAFTY CREATIONS

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A beautifully stamped, creative and imaginitive piece of wall art Claire, simply gorgeous - thank you!

With all these beautiful pieces of home decor we're seeing, we think that there are a few very lucky recipients out there! Have you created something to enter yet? If not, why not have a go at making something that you can gift afterwards? We'd like to see what you can come up with that has our 'Nautical' theme and we're only half way through the month so there's still lots of time to get busy and enter. >:o)

We'll have another fab project for you in a couple of days so we hope to see you then!

Have fun!

Chris and the team xxx

Astrid's sailing in her own style!

Hi everyone,

We've a fabulous project today and a terrific example of how you can make a nautical piece even if you don't have anything appropriate in your stash. Astrid has cleverly made her own nautical elements...

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Astrid

This month's challenge theme has been a challenge for me indeed, as I don't really have any nautical supplies to speak of. So instead I decided to create my own and had great fun doing so. If you want to know more about how I did that, there is a step by step on my blog, all you need to do is click here.

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This is so clever Astrid, a gorgeous make and what a terrific demonstration of how to come up with something relevant to our theme from scratch - just brilliant!

Right everyone, you really do have NO excuse now! >:o)  We'd like to see lots more nautical masterpieces and that can be anything - an ATC, ATB, tag, card, journal or scrapbook page, altered art, home decor or any other crafty genre. We don't mind what your style is, from CAS (clean and simple) to grunge, contemporary to vintage, we lurrrrve them all, lol. >:o)

On Monday we have another guest spotlight so please be sure to come visit and take a peek!

Have a great weekend! >:o)

Chris and the team xxx

Word play winners

It's that time again! Yes, time to announce our latest winners, those for August's challenge and Alison's 'Word play' theme. Our winner of the £20 shopping voucher sponsored by our host Country View Crafts is chosen each month at random by random.org....

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WINNER - #81

Dagmar of Schaerfchens Kreative Welt

Congratulations Dagmar! >:o)

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Blog badge winners have been awarded this month by Alison, as follows...

TOP 3

#15 Geezercrafter - Bryan of GeezerCrafter

I love the slate effect created for the background, and the glow of the light bulbs. It's such a simple but effective illustration of beautiful words. So original.

#45 Susan Janicula of 

A fantastic fairytale feel to this piece. I love how it's completely inspired by the beautiful song lyrics, and the rustic feel to the simple woodland scene to illustrate them. Fabulous crackle too!

#46 2amScrapper of Lotsa Scrap

Hilarious words - and the design really puts them centre stage. I love the white on white texture with those fab little pearly accents, and the fishnet topping - so cool!

DTMSM (DT Members' Special Mention)

#54 Nikki of Addicted to Art

Words galore in this fantastic mini-book... layers of text and script as well as the whole piece being based around the notion of writing and reading. Beautiful!

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Congratulations to all of our worthy winners, your badges and invitations to be a Guest DTM are on the way!

Well done and thank you to everyone else that entered, they were all fabulous entries and Alison told me how hard it was to make her choices!

Good luck to everyone for his month - another project post tomorrow!

Chris and the team xxx

Kezzy's made it plain sailing!

Hello all!

We're featuring another guest today, Kezzy J (aka Kerry), who was one of our July Top 3 badge winners. Kezzy has put together a really fabulous piece of art to share with you...

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Kezzy of KEZZY'S CRAFTY JOURNEY

My name is Kerry (aka Kezzy) and I’m extremely honoured to be here today.  I started crafting in 2006 and blogging in Jan 2011.  I work part time as an accountant mainly at home due to a bad back, I have two children 15 and 17 and I live with my partner and our dog Jasmine who is almost 13.  Art is a huge part of my life, especially during times when I’m in pain as I can lose myself in paint and stamps, I reckon if art was a pill then everyone would be pain free lol.  I definitely am in to mixed media, I lurrrrrve working with paint, stamps, inks and general messiness.  I taught myself to crochet last year and have become addicted to bright colourful yarn and love to make bright funky flowers for my art.  It’s a big year for me as on the 1^st September I became 40, I have a journal ready and decorated so I can record this special year, as they say, Life begins at 40 and I feel good in the knowledge that as long as I have ART then everything will be alright.  I have thoroughly enjoyed doing this project for you today, and have lots more photos, plus a full step by step of how it was made.

I started with a small wooden frame (4 by 4 inch) and painted it with Fresco paint, then used Fresco crackle medium and back with lighter colour paint.  You probably can’t see much of it left, but it’s there lol.  I then used a heavy gel medium in areas and covered with sand to add texture.  I then painted lots of Fresco greens and blue paints plus used blue embossing powder mixed with UTEE to make the embossing run while heating.  All the embellishments were done with the same treatment of paint and crackle, sand and then paint.  I made a fish from fimo as I couldn’t find a fish embellishment lol.  I actually studied a picture on a ship wreck to see how the water affects the ship and that is how I got the colours and texture (picture on my blog).  I wanted to show how the sea flows through the sunken ship and how the sea life makes it home.  Finally I added some sand and drift wood to the top with the title sea wreck.

KEZZY'S CRAFTY JOURNEY

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Wow, what a stunning decorative piece of art, thank you Kezzy!

Our projects so far this month have been amazing (even if we say so ourselves, lol) but there's a lot more to come, we're not even half way through yet!  We hope that you're feeling inspired and gathering lots of ideas to put your project together to enter.......?

Our next post is on Saturday, from Astrid, and she has created an amazing piece from scratch - please don't miss it!  Hope to see you then. >:o)

Chris and the team xxx