Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Brenda's on a dare today!

Greetings!

Sometimes it's easy to connect drips and drops with the grungier side of crafting but nothing could be further from the case.  To demonstrate how pretty and effective such FX can be take a look at our project today - how could anyone fail to be impressed with the beauty of this tag from Brenda?...


I know it's still February but I must be really looking forward to seeing Spring come round. Can you tell? I have used lots of distress products to create this tag with drips and drops (and puddles) everywhere, particularly on the background.



Yes, we definitely get the feel of Spring from this Brenda and what a great example of how drips and drops can be subtle and pretty, great job, this is gorgeous - thank you!

So many genres, so many styles, so many different types of media - what's your choice?  Join in our challenge this month and you could be one of our winners.

We'll have more on Friday (the 13th - eek!) when our clever Jennie will be here to share - cya then!

Chris and the team xxx

Monday, 9 February 2015

It's mixed media with Astrid!

Welcome all!

Our talented Astrid is here to cheer us out of those gloomy Monday morning blues today with her wonderful share, this gorgeous mixed media make...


The moment I read the great theme for this month, I knew I wanted to have some real mixed media fun, so I created this canvas full of drips and drops, messing about with texture, sprays and dies and playing to my hearts content. If you want to see how I put this together in more detail, please hop over to my blog.



Oooooooh, fabulous textures and blending Astrid - what a beautiful make - thank you!

We hope Astrid's style will add to your motivation because we'd like to see as many projects as you can make!  Our winner is chosen at random so EVERYONE has a chance of winning the fab' £20 voucher from Country View Crafts.

Brenda will be here on Wednesday - don't miss it!  >:o)

See you soon,

Chris and the team xxx

Saturday, 7 February 2015

Doreen's on a nature trail today!

A very good morning to you all!

Doreen is with us today with something totally different and it has a promise of warmer times to come - beautiful.....



Hello to you all I am back with share no 2, I have had great inky fun with this and full details are available from my blog.




Absolutely gorgeous Doreen, loving the cheerful feel to this, we can almost feel the warm weather and azure skies of summer.  Great design, fab colours and what a great saying too - thank you!

We'll be showing you lots of different styles and genres throughout the month so there should be something to inspire everyone to join in, we hope so!  Astrid will be here on Monday with another beautiful make to share so please don't forget to come back!

Have a great weekend!

Chris and the team xxx

Thursday, 5 February 2015

Chris is dreaming today...

Morning folks!

It's my turn to show my second make for the month today, it's another card but a far more colourful one this time...



http://www.mycornerofheaven.com/2015/02/more-drips-and-drops.html

I seem to have a penchant for purple (Seedless preserves) and blue (Peacock feathers) at the moment so what better than to use a dragonfly to decorate my card as I love the bluey/purple coloured gossamer like wings on them.  I decided to use a totally contrasting colour (Rusty hinge) to highlight the drips and drops.  You'll find more details HERE.  Chris xxx



With Sue's theme this month, there really is NO excuse not to join in, all we need to see is your take on drips and drops, be they few or many!

Doreen will be here on Saturday with another of her gorgeous projects so we hope to see you then.  >:o)

Have a great day,

Chris xxx

Tuesday, 3 February 2015

Sue B has a big heart!

Hi everyone!

We're off and running and as our lovely Sue B chose our theme for the month she has the priviledge of leading out the personal posts for the month.  Sue is not only taking the lead but she's setting the example too with this stunning card...



A mixed media Valentines Card, my 'Drips and Drops' were created with Acrylic paints and Gelatos. More details on how I created this on my Blog.



Colourful, eclectic and a fab', fab' make Sue - this is beautiful!  Thank you!

Rainbow colours abundant and plenty of drips and drops, what do you have in mind?  It doesn't matter what your style is, just think of adding some drips and drops somewhere in your make and you can join in.

I'll be here on Thursday with my second make so I hope you'll join me there.

Take care and have fun,

Chris and the team xxx

Sunday, 1 February 2015

Happy February, what a theme we have this month!

Hello dear Bloggers!

It's Sunday, it's bleak and icy for many of us, BUT we have a fab' new challenge to get you all warmed up with, lol!  Our lovely, talented Sue B (who is currently situated in much warmer climes!) has set our theme for February and little could she have known just how appropriate it would be, it's.....


Whether you prefer paint or ink, watercolours or gels, stains or other media, you can choose any of them and your own topic as long as we can see you demonstrate 'drips and drops'.  It might be that you choose to use a graphic to represent the theme (eg splats, raindrops, cup stains, etc), they are equally as valid.

The challenge will run until 5 minutes to midnight (London time) on February 28th and you can enter as many projects as you like providing that you follow our very simple rules.  The winner will be chosen at random (random.org) to ensure that everyone has a fair chance of winning and will receive a £20 shop voucher from our generous sponsor, Country View Crafts.

As it is Sue B's theme, she will be choosing her Top 3 entries and the DTMSM (DT Member's Special Mention) all of whom will receive a blog badge and an invitation to guest with us in April.  So, to get you all started, the DTMs are off of the bench, warming up and presenting thier first makes for the month...



If you have never designed a Bg with 'Drips and Drops' then let me tell you it is so much fun.
Once you start you don't want to stop, I used watery paint for my drips, my drops are more subtle. I used the word 'SMILE' because that was what I was doing when constructing this mixed media  card. Of course I have more details on my blog.


What a fantastic theme from Sue - I've had so much fun.  For my first piece I used some of the ideas behind one of my Winter Journalling pages, and created a tag of two halves.  There's ink dripping down the crackle on the lower half, and spritzing, spraying and splatter on the top half.  In the midst of all that fun, it actually has a more sombre message.  Come over to Words and Pictures to find out more.


It being February, I could not help adding a heart to my Drippy Droppy card. But this is not your ordinary Valentines card as you can probably see. Naughty black little cupid is in the process of breaking a heart, but luckily there is some hope somewhere along the line. To see more details and a brief step by step please visit my blog.


I have used the 'Drips and Drops' theme to make a card for Spring or Easter. I decided to run with several of my favourite 'go to' techniques using distress inks to create a speckled background which complements that gorgeous egg image. I have a step x step at Bumblebees and Butterflies if you are interested in finding out more.



http://www.mycornerofheaven.com/2015/02/drips-and-drops.html
Lots of stains, water and ink as well as some splat stamps made this tag card.  You'll find more detailed pics and my steps here on my blog.  Chris xxx


Colourful, watery drips and drops for my first offering for this challenge...
 
 ...step by step pics on my blog if you fancy popping over to say hi :)  Donna xx


Hello to you all
My drips and drops come in the form of a technique and a Raindrops stamp.
This has pushed me to try a technique I have never tried before....
You can get more details of how this was made from my blog.


 I was so thrilled to see this month's theme! There are simply loads of ways you can incorporate Drips and Drops! I chose, for my first project, to make some drips into flower stalks! As always, if you would like to see more, please do pop over to my blog! Gabrielle x


I had a great time with this lovely challenge theme chosen by Sue! Normally any drips I do are accidental so it was fun creating these - although they didn't quite go where I wanted them to!  There are also lots of drops (and splatters) here and there too, so hop on over to my blog if you would like to find out more!


With Valentine's Day approaching I used my Drips and Drops to create the background to this card. I removed ink with dropping water, added ink with splatters and made some glittery droplets with glossy accents. Do pay a visit to Addicted to Art for more details.



Thank you teamies!

We hope you like what the CVC team have made for you, now it's your turn.  Remember, we post a new project on the theme every other day (odd days) throughout the month for you to see and, hopefully, these will inspire those of you looking for some ideas.  First up is Sue B herself, she will be here on Tuesday with another fabulous make so please pop back and see it.

Good luck everyone, stay safe and HAVE FUN!

Chris and the team xxx



Thursday, 29 January 2015

Alison's playing with vellum...

Hello there!

This month we've seen new products, new techniques and new things we haven't tried before and today Alison is showing how she has started working with a new material to her (and with great success!)...



For my second creation this month, I'm still playing with a material new to me - vellum.  I've loved the look of the Wallflower Vellum collection since it appeared, and now I have some!  This tag needs at least two photos to do it justice, I'm afraid, as it's a very different creature according to whether the light is shining on it...


... or coming from behind it.


Come over to Words and Pictures to see the details of my ancient stone wall, and see one final illumination that is really dramatic!



These are gorgeous Alison and so creative, thank you!

Today is our last post for the month but YOU still have until 11:55 pm on the 31st to enter your project into the challenge so please get a wriggle on, it could be you winning the fabulous £20 shop voucher!  >;o)

We will be back on Sunday with a brand new challenge for February and a very kewl theme chosen by Sue B!  We hope to see you then, have a wonderful weekend!

Chris and the team xxx

Wednesday, 28 January 2015

It's a late winners' post this month

Good evening friends!

Sincere apologies for the lateness of this post this month, totally my fault, I've been so busy I met myself coming back and totally forgot it, lol!  "Get on with it Chris!" I hear you shout.... 




DECEMBER'S WINNER


random.org has chosen.......  #55, kanda of KandA Creative Moments

http://kandacreativemoments.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/more-christmas-nostalgis.html


DECEMBER'S TOP 3

Astrid chose our topic for December and here is her Top 3 selection (numerical order)...






#52 - Carol of Crafty-Stamper       http://crafty-stamper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/cas-christmas.html



DECEMBER'S DTMSM (DT Members' Special Mention)

Astrid's choice for the most original and creative make for her theme is...


#96 - Kerstin of Scrapbook Dreams       http://scrapdesigns77.blogspot.de/2014/12/altered-book-nutcracker-suite.html



Congratulations one and all, emails are winging their way to you so please watch for them.

Alison will be here in the morning with our last project post for this month - please don't miss it!

Take care,

Chris and the team xxx

Tuesday, 27 January 2015

Sara Emily's making an art doll!

Hello and Good Morning!

Today's post is one from one of our previous Top 3 winners - Sara Emily from Sara's closet - and she's here with a special make and something different for her to share with you all...




Hi! I’m Sara Emily aka sarascloset and I reside in Wilmington, NC, USA with my husband, 16 year old boy/girl twins,and my twin kitties. I started my crafting “career with a box of macaroni, some paper and home made paste as a child. As an elementary aged kid, I would draw and “furnish” rooms. In high school I signed up for every art class I could fit in my schedule. My art was put on hold while I finished college, started and finished a career in Physical Therapy and then raised my kids. When I finally returned about one and a half years ago, it was more to craft than art. So I’m kind of learning as I go, and it has been an amazing and rewarding experience for me.


When Chris over at Country View Challenges asked if I’d want to be a guest designer for Brenda’s challenge “Use Something New to You” I was thrilled and immediately had an art doll in mind! Full details can be found on my blog.This little bunny is nothing like what I had envisioned, but I was able to make it almost entirely from new products. Since I’ve never made an art doll, I guess that’s “new”, too! I hope this inspires YOU to try something you’ve never done or used before, and link up to this inspiring challenge. I can’t wait to see what you create!


A fabulous make, a terrific idea and gorgeous colours - thank you Sara Emily!

So, if you've been looking for a new idea rather than using new products, how about an art doll, such a fab make!

Alison will be here on Thursday with her second, and our final, make for this challenge - don't miss it!

See you Thursday!

Chris and the team xxx

Sunday, 25 January 2015

A stitch in time from Sue D!

Good morning!

It's Sunday and Sue D is here with a beautiful and colourful project to get you out of bed and inspired to craft today!





For my second piece this month I've used more new Dina stamps and a Tim Holtz stencil. I really enjoyed making this and I even did some hand sewing!


Hope you like it, and full details can be found on my blog here.



Wow, this is gorgeous Sue, a fabulous splash of colour and great to see stitching and felt included here as part of the materials used, brilliant - thank you!

Whatever your preferred craft, we'd like to see what you're making that includes something new to you.  It may be a card, a tag, journal or scrapbook, it could be a piece of home decor, altered art, it might be something sewn, knitted or even some jewellery, there are so many crafts to choose from - all are welcome!

We will be back on Tuesday with another fabulous guest post, until then, have fun!

Chris and the team xxx

Friday, 23 January 2015

Butterflies with a difference from Sue B

Hello all!

There are some images that we see in abundance out there in blogland and butterflies are one of them.  Today, Sue B has taken them to a totally different level with this beautiful card...





Another Bg using the Bister Ink, I have added Texture and Patterned papers, to create this card. Step by step on my Blog.



How gorgeous is this?  A fabulous array of butterflies Sue with great colours and texturing, thank you!

Whatever your favourite images are just get them out and show us something new to you to enter our challenge this month.  Our randomly chosen winner will receive a £20 shop voucher from our generous sponsor, Country View Crafts.

Our other Sue, Sue D, will be here on Sunday to inspire you with her second make for this month.

Have a fun weekend!

Chris and the team xxx

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Nikki's here today...

Hello out there!

Good morning all, today Nikki's joining us with her second project and she has more new things to share...




For my second project this month I have used more new layering stencils and also some new distress paints. I am slowly increasing my range of colours and love them! More details and photos can be found over on my blog, Addicted to Art.



This is beautiul Nikki and demonstrates how using new colours and stencils can produce a totally different result and completely revamps our older and favourite dies - thank you!

So what did you get that's new?  If you've new items then we'd like to see what you're doing with them.  If you didn't get any new goodies then why not try a new technique or use a material that you haven't used before?  Whatever you have, whatever you're trying, why not have a go and show us the end result?

Sue B will be here on Friday with another fabulous make so we hope to see you then!

Chris and the team xxx

Monday, 19 January 2015

It's a guest with Gelatos today!

Good morning all!

This morning we welcome our DTMSM winner from November's challenge, Jackie of Creating without crayons who is sharing her project made for our theme and she is going all out with Gelatos...




Hello, Jackie P Neal here! 

To begin, I am a mainly self-taught, mixed media artist,loving all sorts and types of mediums and products- texture and color exciting my muse!
I live in a rural town in upstate New York,called Wolcott,on a small "farmette" of 13 acres,as we like to call it.Unfortunately for me, but good for the pocketbook,we live about 50 miles from any art supply stores! Ugh!- thank you Internet shopping!! heehee Everyday life for me is spending time with my husband and Golden Retriever; either gardening, walking the woods, putting up vegetables,organizing in the pole barn or in my studio playing and making art.
My life is truly blessed and I'm really so glad to be able to share some of  it with others- find more at my blog~  www.creatingwithoutcrayons-jackiepneal.com


WOW! was I ever thrilled to be asked to be a guest designer for Country View Challenges!!
On any given day, the inspiration that is shown on CVC is to say the least, Incredible- so when I was notified by Chris, I was over the moon excited!  Next came the mind racking- what shall I create? Well if you follow along I'll show and tell and hopefully will have inspired you to go try something new!!


My project this month was a piece created by using or doing something new to me. I had to think hard on this because I like to try everything once, sometimes twice-teehee so I wasn't sure of what I would do.  Recently I was watching a tutorial from a friend's blog, Susanne Rose where she was using Gelatos on ATC's. Light-bulb moment here - I remembered in the beginning of the year, I won a set of Gelatos from Retro Cafe' Art and had not yet used them!!  This is what I created, a mini piece of wall art, featuring my using Gelatos for the first time.


For my substrate I used a piece of cardstock that had nice edging on both sides. I used the blue Gelato around the outside edges,smoothed in with my fingers and just inside of the blue on the top I used gold which was feathered-in to the blue. My next thing was to use a piece of scrap paper and apply with gel medium some vintage text. On this I used the same technique, applying Gelatos blue and gold, with my favorite art tool, my fingers! This time I used more of the gold, filling up the center of the text. Next was to add a few sprays of Lindy's starbursts,which is seen better in close-up. After that I added some DecoArt crackle glaze to give that vintage look to the center piece.  This part was then adhered to the substrate and scrap art graphics by itKuPiLLi were added.


The tiny gold stars at the top are pieces of gold gilt-applied with gel medium.And then I added just a hint of liquid glitter to the edges.On the bottom I added a smaller piece made the same way and attached this with a series of 3 jump rings. And to this hanging piece, I added my quote.

Thank you so much for joining me and many thanks and big hugs to Chris and the others at CVC for asking me along!   Jackie P Neal 



This is beautiful Jackie, what a success - thank you!

If you have been given some new crafty items then we'd like to see what you've done with them.  We don't mind whether you're an expert or a beginner, just tell us what it is that's new to you.  Our prize winner is chosen at random so everyone that enters has a fair chance of winning.  We also have four blog badge winners, our Top 3 and our DT Members' Special Mention and all winners are invited to join us as guests on our DT for the following month.

Nikki will be here on Wednesday so we hope you'll make that a date!  Have a fun day!

Chris and the team xxx