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...

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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

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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

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)

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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.

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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

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...

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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.

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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.

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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

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!!...

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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

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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

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!!...

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BECKY of Crawsome Creations

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.

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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 :)

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PAULA of Just For One Day

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.

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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

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ASTRID

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

BRENDA

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.

CHRIS

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

DONNA

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

DOREEN

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.

GABRIELLE

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

JENNIE

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.

NIKKI

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.

SUE B - scrumplescrunch

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.

TRACE

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.

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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

An InLinkz Link-up

Linda's featuring with stamped home decor!

'Morning all!

Our last post of the month is a cracker!  Many of you will either know or at least be familiar with our guest as she has had quite a career in the craft world...

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LINDA

Hi ….. my name’s Linda and I’m a stampaholic!!  And I’m absolutely thrilled to have been invited as a Guest Designer for the Country View Crafts Blog Challenge.

I’ve been in the world of craft for over 13 years now ….. doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun!  I’ve worked in a large craft shop, run workshops, been on various Design Teams, and done work for the TV and magazines. And  since moving to the Isle of Man in 2011 I have plenty of time to spend doing what I love!

My passion is rubber stamping, and playing with inks and paints.  I love anything from Clean and Simple right through to the shabby chic, grungy look (I’m a BIG Tim Holtz fan too!!)  I do hope you like my inspiration piece for the latest challenge.

I decided to make a little altered frame, a home decor piece seeing as we’ve just moved house. I’ve created a pretty summer meadow scene ........ using Distress Inks to give colour to the background, then spritzed with water to create a little more interest.  I stamped the meadow using an IndigoBlu stamp called Wild Flowers, and added some pretty butterflies into the picture.

The JOFY sentiment finishes it off perfectly I think.  We should all take time .... and enjoy the summer ..... it probably won’t last that long!!!

Thanks for looking

Happy stamping!

Linda

xx

Visit Linda's blog and see her project here.

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This is BEAUTIFUL Linda and what a fabulous piece of home decor - thank you!!

Well dear friends, that's our lot for May but you still have a couple of days to join in if you can.  We'll be back on Monday with a brand new challenge so have a great weekend and we hope to see you in June!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

A picture story book today...

Hi there,

I get the pleasure of posting my second project of the month today and I decided to make a picture story book.  Last year I bought some X Cut dies that are all based on various scenes and I've chosen one that reminds me of the streets of London at the time of the Great Fire.  I wonder what it conjures up for you...?

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CHRIS

It's made with a broad and eclectic range of products, both inside and out.

I love the dimensional feel of the 'scene'.

You'll find the full details in step x step pictures on my blog, here.

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We're getting close to the end of the month now so please think about getting your projects finished and linked - someone is going to win and it could be YOU!

We have one final post - it's a cracker and from a guest.  That's on Friday so we hope you'll pop back and see us for the 'grand finale'.

Have fun!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Astrid's moonlight serenade...

Happy (UK Holiday) Monday everyone!

Astrid is with us this morning with a stunning project - what a beauty!......

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Astrid

I loved Donna's theme this month as it meant I could dust off some of my old "Scenic" stamps. I had great fun creating a card using some masking and stencilling techniques. More details can be found on my blog

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This is a wonderfully creative piece of art Astrid, thank you so much!

We have exactly a week left to this challenge theme Ladies and Gentlemen so please, if you haven't entered yet, dust off your crafting tools, get out your inks and paints and join us!!  >:o)

I'll be back on Wednesday with my second project for the month so I hope to see you all then.

Chris and the CVC team xxx

MAGPIE: It's a DT's postcard day today!

Hello there!

It's a Magpie Day today and some of the DT have got together and followed our theme to create some postcards for you.  Here's our line up...

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DOREEN

I have gone for a vibrant postcard scene from somewhere hot and sunny,you can find out how I made this over on my blog

SUE D

Hi, I've gone for some un-inked rubber for my postcard, and some new paints.

Details can be found here on my blog x

JENNIE

With hardly anything "scenic" in my (vast) stamp collection I have gone for a vintage sepia postcard  with a "wish you were here" feel! As usual there are a few more details on my blog.

ASTRID

One of my all time favourite stampers is the very talented Paula Whittaker who blogs at Just for One Day. This little scene was very much inspired by her wonderful work. If you want to see how I put it together, all you need to do is click here

ALISON

I didn't have time this month to be part of the main Simply Scenic inspiration, so I'm really happy that I was able to squeeze in a Magpie Day postcard.  I kept it simple with some stamping and some of my favourite Distress Ink colours.  Hop over to Words and Pictures if you'd like to see more.

CHRIS

My choice is inspired by my recent Tim Holtz aquisitions, put together in an ode to purple, lol!  You can find my step x step here.

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We hope you like our little interlude, normal service resumes on Monday, lol!!

Have a great weekend everyone, make it a crafty one!  >:o)

Chris and the CVC team xxx

DT CALL

Hi everyone!

We're very sad that we're losing one of our talented DT Members from our team shortly and that leaves us with an opening. Are YOU interested?  If so, we're looking for someone with the following credentials:

• An experienced crafter with a good knowledge of the current craft market, genres, techniques and products:
• Has been blogging their own craft projects regularly for at least 6 months (preferably, though not essentially, using Blogger):
• Can contribute at least 2 projects per month:
• Has the time to contribute to commenting on our linked entries:
• Can commit to being part of the DT for a mnimum of 12 months.

If this is you, please contact us using the email widget on the sidebar (right) and we'll get back to you in a day or two.

CLOSING DATE:   Friday May 22nd 2015

Chris and the CVC team xxx

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NORMAL BLOG POSTS RESUME BELOW

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Trace is looking through a window...

Greetings all!

Today we have yet another spin on this month's theme, very creatively put together by our talented Trace!...

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For my second piece I created a window type scene using an old mirror and the inside of a small canvas, plenty more distress goodies and idea-ology and this fab Brett Weldele stamp, for Tim Holtz. All the details can be found on my blog here. Trace x

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We think this is very clever - there are soooo many ways to express something 'scenic' - great work Trace, thank you!

Do you have a clever idea that fits in wth the 'Simply scenic' theme?  Whatever ideas you come up with, we'd like to see them!  We're 3 weeks in to the challenge and now facing the downhill run.  That said, you still have ooodles of time to get something made and entered.

On Saturday we have something different so please come back and see us then and we'll share what we're up to.

Have a great weekend!

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Ingrid Kristina is wowing us with colour today!

Hi there!

We're delighted to be joined by Ingrid Kristina this morning as our talented guest and a previous DTMSM blog badge winner.  There is no doubt in our mind that you'll love her project...

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Ingrid Kristina V = a cardmaker, an amateur yet enthusiastic arstist and an explorer of all artistic :) If you visit my blog you will find anything from cards, journaling, fun tutorials, results of my experiments and wild ideas, but mainly mixed media projects. I love creating abstract art and mixed media is my most go to when I create. There is nothing more satisfying that creating various textures and patterns and adding colour with a dash of grunge. I tend to create rather organic patterns and love using anything naturally aged. Fabric and other materials are so much fun too! If you share my passion I would like to invite you to join my blog Ingrid's Crafts Corner. I also run a  mixed media challenge blog Mixed Media World where my dear talented friends and I share our creations organise fun challenges for you to join. If you prefer cardmaking then simply purchase an issue of the wonderful UK nationwide magazine Simply Cards and Papercraft where I share my projects as a Designer. 

A big thank you to Christ and her wonderful team for inviting me to share my project here with you today! It is always a pleasure and an honour. 

Have a wonderful day! 

Ingrid xxx

 

I spent so much time brainstorming and creating and chucking in the bin when I decided to stop brainstorming and trying so hard and embraced the simple play with colours. 

 

I got my beloved Brusho crystals out and started adding colours to my wet watercolour paper, sprinkled some coarse salt over some areas to create the blotchy effect and let it dry. I cut it to size and added the wording with the label embellishment to front, painted a couple of grey boards in black gesso, glued on top and punched holes adding some eyelets. 

I intend to add the rings when I can finally find them and put together as covers with some watercolour paper. This will now be my watercolour journal.  I look forward to filling it with pages of watercolour paintings.

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How fabulous is this!!??  Such richness in the colours and yet another brilliant spin on the 'Simply scenic' theme.  Very creative and absolutely gorgeous Ingrid Kristina, thank you!

How are you doing with your entry?  Have you decided on your project yet, started it?  We'd like to see more of how you're interpreting this theme.  One entrant will be the lucky winner of the £20 shop voucher from our generous sponsor Country View Crafts but we also have 4 blog badges to give away.  All winners will be invited to join us as guests for a future challenge too!

Trace will be here on Thursday so we hope you'll join us again then!

Have a great day!  >:o)

Chris and the CVC team xxx

Sue D is a friend of Alice...

Good morning friends!

Now, you know how much we love to bring you diversity.... styles, genres, techniques...  This morning our clever Sue D has created a gorgeous scene in quite a different way...

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Happy Sunday everyone, here's my second piece for the Simply Scenic challenge.

My Stampotique stamps are playing happy families, and more details can be found here on my blog x

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Wow Sue, bright and colourful and certainly VERY creative, we love where you went with this - thank you!!

So many ways to express our theme this month.  Why not cast convention aside, do some lateral thinking and come up with your own take on 'Simply sceneic' and join in?

On Tuesday we'll be featuring another guest and we KNOW you're going to LOVE what she has come up with!  Make a date in your diary, we'll see you then!

Chris and the CVC team xxx