Jennie 2

Welcome to our regular inspiration posts for October and it's Jennie who kicks us off with this beautiful scrapbook page and fabulous layout.

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Jennie

Our gorgeous granddaughter had her second birthday a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to create a layout to replace the one which sits in our sitting room following her first birthday. I adore this photograph and didn't want to take anything away from it, so a neutral textured background and embellishments was my aim. Please hop on over to my blog if you would like to see more details. Unfortunately everything is so "subtle" it makes it very difficult to photograph!

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Thanks Jennie, that's just such a beautiful photo and what a very special way to keep the memories alive of for such an adorable granddaughter. I would love to see your scrapbooks they must be full of amazing pages.


I see we have had a number of entries already to our texture challenge, thanks everyone for sharing your talents with us and we look forward to visiting your blogs. Don't forget the quick link in the sidebar to be transported straight over to the challenge post.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

hugs Brenda and the CVC team xxx

October - #32 - ADD some texture

Hi all!

A HUGE THANK YOU to Brenda for covering my absence in September!!!!!  Because of this, we have competition winners not yet published - keep your eyes peeled!!!!

October conjures up many images and thoughts - some of autumn, some of thanksgiving, some of harvest festival, some of later holidays.  Whatever your thoughts, whatever you're doing, we want to reflect your lives!!  Whether your projects reflect your experiences or your imagination, we want to see the results - indulge us - this is a topic chosen by Jennie!!!

If you think about this, you will be in danger of winning the £20 voucher from our generous sponsor, Country View Crafts!l! So, for those of you that want to enter our challenge, this is what our October competition is all about!  Go for it - 

ADD SOME TEXTURE!!!

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Gabrielle

I love texture and have decided to create some art for my Studio by adding Grunge Paste to a wooden block and then adding lots of layers of paint (PaperArtsy's new Limited Edition) to add some visual texture too. There's a step by step guide on my blog if you'd like to see more! Gabrielle x

Brenda

I found these chipboard baubles at Ally Pally recently and also bought some brushos so I decided to get some Christmas craft bits out and decorate them mixed media style. I added texture with gesso and modelling paste and used distress paints as well on the holly one. I can't believe I am already starting to get in Christmas mode - where has the year gone?

Jennie

Long gone are the days when anything I made was flat! I love adding texture in many different ways to whatever I make and this tag was no exception.  I wanted to create an Autumn flower using coffee filter papers which already have such a lovely texture even before being sprayed and embossed.  It is a bit of a whopper but would look great in a vase too. Please visit my blog to see what inspired me to make this flower and where you will find more details of all the different textures.

Rachel

Hello there! Rachel here with the first of my makes for this month. I have made some mini canvasses for my daughter Penny's bedroom. You can find the full details on my blog here

Sue

Hi, love it or hate it it's all around us! I've done a spot of graffiti for my first piece for this months challenge, and yes I did use spray paint - not out of a can though, it's DecoArt Media Misters.

More details can be found here on my blog x.

Monika

For the October Challenge - Add some texture - first I created two birthday cards for two October born ladies: my mum and my mother-in-law. I wanted to show the October colours with some texture. More details and pictures on my blog. Thanks, Monika

Debs

Hello everybody, Debs here with my first inspiration for the new challenge, Texture,  which was chosen for us by the lovely Jennie. You can catch up with all the details on my blog.

   Take care Hugs Debs xxx

Alison

Well, I'm always happy to add some texture, thank you Jennie!  For my first piece this month, I'm in slightly melancholy mood, inspired by the departure of the birds for warmer climes once they see the leaves begin to fall.  Do come over to Words and Pictures if you'd like to see the texture in close up!

Doreen

Hello 

I really had some fun with my first card for you and love how it came out.

More details can be found on my 

Blog

Astrid

I created two cards, using a gelli plate to show  examples of how texture can be created using lots of painty layers, stencils and dies. More details can be found on my blog  like usual.

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So there we have it for October and what a fabulous display of texture inspiration from the design team, thank you ladies.
We hope you will join us with your projects and show us what you have been making in the lead up to Halloween and Christmas, with such a fabulous 'open' challenge theme you have loads of scope.

hugs Chris, Brenda and the team. xx

An InLinkz Link-up

A natty little number

Jennie found a number to start her design and created this gorgeous tag.

Jennie

I found this little grungeboard number 4 when I was clearing out a drawer in the craft room and decided to design the rest of my tag around this little number! I still can't get enough of Blueprint and Twisted Citron Distress Inks and love the wonderful bright feel of the colours which are so different from my normal vintage hues! Hop on over to my blog if you would like to see more details.

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Well this is our last inspirational project for the month - where did September go???? Thanks Jennie for finishing it with a great design and beautiful colour combination.

We will be choosing the winner real soon so keep your eyes open for the news.

See you soon for the launch of the October challenge and I wonder what the theme will be???

hugs Brenda and the CVC Team xxx

You rule my world

Gabrielle is here today with a fabulous quirky tag.

Gabrielle

For my second project this month I made a grungy imaged tag as my house if full of teenagers this holiday! Not that there's a blossoming romance you understand but my daughter does have blue hair! It, will of course, be back to 'boring' brown for school in September. Shame as I really like it! As always, there's more on my blog including a step by step guide! Gabrielle x

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Great tag Gabrielle, I love the connection between your sentiment and the ruler background depicting the numbers for this months challenge. Brilliant.

There's still a couple of days to get your entry in and do pop over and peruse all those who have already joined us, there's some amazing projects to see.

hugs Brenda and the CVC Team xxx

Special 73

Welcome to Monika who is sharing her third DT sample for the Numbers challenge.

Monika

Which number is my number? Of course, 73 when my husband and I were born. But from my blog you can find out why the 73 is the best number and how you can make a tag like this. Thank you and a have a great day! Monika

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What a lovely colour combination and variety of numbers you have used Monika. Thanks for sharing it today.

There are numbers around us everywhere so I hope you have had an idea for a challenge entry, there aren't many days left to enter now. If you have joined us already thanks for taking part and good luck in the winner's drawe.

hugs Brenda and the CVC Team

Perspective

Using a numbers stamp to create a background provides a fabulous backdrop for a focus image like this gorgeous butterfly but is also a great way to get an entry into our Numbers challenge this month.

Doreen

I am sharing a tag for my second piece this month

Details from my blog

Here

Than you Doreen for a beautiful tag with gorgeous colours and for providing a great idea for our readers to participate in the current challenge. Don't forget you can find it instantly by clicking September in the side bar.

Thanks for joining us today.

hugs Brenda and the CVC Team xxx

Key of the door

We welcopme Debs today with a special numbers card.

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 Debs 

 Hello everyone,  Debs here with my second post for the theme Numbers. It was really useful too as I had a 21st birthday card to make and thought what a perfect match.

For the full details of how I made this please visit my blog

Take care, hugs Debs xx

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Thank you Debs. How often do we realise we need a special number card and have to go and buy one? I shall be popping over to see how you made this as it looks a fabulous design to follow.

Thanks to everyone who stops by to see our inspirational pieces. We know from Blogger stats that there are so many of you who do and we appreciate each and every visit.

Take care.

hugs Brenda and the CVC Team

Antique number plates

Hi it's Brenda here and I am sharing my second project for our current Numbers challenge.

Brenda

Following on the number plaques theme from my first DT sample today I am sharing a set of  antique enamelled number plates using Tim Holtz products. There is a step by step and this sweet little wall hanging for you to try out at Bumblebees and Butterflies.

 

 This is a little hanging canvas I made using one of the number plates, so you see I still have four that can be used later. I love having bits and pieces to choose from when I am creating new projects, especially when they are my leftovers.

Have you joined us yet? Thanks to everyone who has already joined in, it's lovely looking at all your different ideas.

See you again soon.

hugs Brenda and the CVC Team xxx

Thankful Thoughts

Welcome to our CVC challenge blog where we bring you exciting monthly challenges with a £20 Country View Crafts online store token for the lucky winner. Every couple of days we share a new project to provide you with on-going ideas and inspiration and hope you will join in and share yours too. Today it's Alison's turn to show us what she has focussed on for her second numbers project.

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Alison 

My second numbers project is a little handmade book for counting your blessings with.  Again I've layered up the numerical ingredients - stamping, stencilling, papers, die-cutting, stickers and Idea-ology.

If you'd like a closer look at the pages inside and at my first proper bit of book-binding, do come over to Words and Pictures for the details.

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Thanks Alison I will be over to take a look as I love positivity joutnals so this looks right up my street.

Thanks for stopping by all you lovely crafters and readers.

hugs Brenda and the Team xxx

Beware Halloween

It's that spooky time of the year coming up and all the crafty ghosts and ghools are starting to come out to play. Let's take a look at how Trace is embracing the season.

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Trace

For my second numbers inspired make I used lots of number rub-ons in the background and then focused on 31, which let me go off and play with all my Halloween goodies! I used a number plaque as the focus for this number inspired piece...

For all the details please hop to my blog here . trace  x

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Thank you Trace for getting us into the Halloween mood and sharing this fabulous tag with a focus on the number 31.

Don't forget our September challenge, click in the side bar and you will be transported there straight away.

Have a great Sunday and new week ahead.

hugs Brenda and the CVC Team xxx

We have guests today

Hello everyone, it's always lovely to share what you have been making and today we have Moira and Asia who are our special Top 3 and DTMSM guests.

Moira

I am delighted to have been asked to do a Guest spot on the blog.

I started crafting in 2006 when I got married and wanted to have a go at making my own wedding favours.  Over the next couple of years I got into stamping and altering.  I then set up the Happy Daze online craft shop which I ran until I took early retirement die to ill health.  Unfortunately the blog I ran for many years was lost when I closed the shop, I have a new blog which commenced in January 2014.  The main focus of my work is mixed media including art journaling and altered art, journaling etc.  My work is usually quite bright and colourful with forays into the vintage and shabby.    I like working with paint, texture, stencils, ink sprays, stamps, coloured pencils.  

I am currently Guest DT for July and August for That’s Crafty and I was asked by Creative Cardmaking for a piece as they were looking for something more challenging for their readers and my card appeared in Issue 36.  

I am a member of the DecoArt Outreach Blogger Programme.

I’ve got your number

 

Wood Door Hangar

Gesso

DecoArt Modelling Paste

Number Stencil

DecoArt Media Acrylic Fluid  in Cobalt Teal, Cerulean Blue

American Multisurface Neon – Green

Eclectica EM12 stamp by Paper Artsy

Small number stamp  from Grunge stamp set by Art Journey

Archival Inkpad Jet Black

Pitt Big Brush Stamper PEns

White Sharpie Pen

Text stickers

Tim Holtz Remnant Rubs Numbers

Treasure Gold – Renaissance

DecoArt Media Texture Crackle

 

1.       Coat  the wood hangar in gesso

2.       Spread DecoArt Modelling paste through the number stencil with a palette knife

3.       Stamp the Eclectica stamp on the hangar and mask

4.       Apply  a thin layer of the Texture Crackle in odd spots here and there.

5.       Paint with the Cobalt Teal, Cerulean Blue  and Neo Green paints blending as you go

6.       Over stamp in a random fashion with a number stamp using the Pitt Big Brush Stamper Pen in green.

7.       Remove the mask and colour in the stamp with  Pitt Big Brush pens and pick out white highlights with the Sharpie pen

8.       Go over outline with black pen to ensure it pops

9.       Add text stickers

10.   Highlight the stencilled numbers and edges with Treasure Gold

Asia King

Hello everyone!

My name is Asia and you might already know me from my blog Under a Creative Spell. (link http://underacreativespell.blogspot.co.uk)

I'm Polish but I now live in the UK with my lovely hubby and an adorable cat Kropek. I work full time as a property manager and my crafting hobby is a real blessing after a long day at work. I am really lucky to live on the doorstep of the Cotswolds, a truly magical part of England and I often draw inspiration from its traditional vintage and country cottage style. 

I've always had a creative bug of one form or another. But my crafting adventure really took off after my wedding 6 years ago. It all started with our wedding stationery, then I made my first scrapbook album with the wedding and honeymoon photos. After that I just couldn't stop crafting!

Today I am a happy stamper and card maker, occasional scrapbooker, mixed media fan and handmade home decor lover.

My inspiration today is a wedding card I made for an amazing couple who celebrated their special day in a Château in Chef Boutonne in France. The area is known for its picturesque sunflower fields and these graceful blooms were chosen as the flowers of the wedding. No surprise then that they also had to feature in my card! :).

For more details and close-up photos of my card please hop over to my blog Under A Creative Spell.

permalink: http://underacreativespell.blogspot.com/2015/09/chateau-style-birthdays-and-sunflower.html

Thank you so much to Chris and the DT for inviting me to join the September's challenge. I hope my card has inspired you to play along with the Numbers theme! x

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Thank you both for your fabulous contributions today and providing more inspiration to our lovely readers. I am on the road today but I will be over to leave some love asap and I am sure some of our fabulous readers will be too.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. We will be back on Sunday with another brilliant project from one of the design team. See you then.

hugs Brenda and the CVC Team xxx

Ninety-nine

It's the lovely Sue's turn to share her second project today with a fabulous page from her journal.

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Sue

For my second piece I've gone back to the 1980's (did you see what I did there, more numbers lol) and one of the most annoying songs ever...

For more pictures click here for my blog.

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Haha Sue I remember it but couldn't think what it was all about so I looked it up. Apparently it is an anti war song, although the English version has slightly different lyrics to the original German one

If you want to listen to it, you can find it here on You Tube. Wikipedia explains that the lyrics of the original German version tell a story: 99 balloons are mistaken for UFOs, causing a general to send pilots to investigate. Finding nothing but child's balloons, the pilots decide to put on a show and shoot them down. The display of force worries the nations along the borders and the war ministers on each side bang the drums of conflict to grab power for themselves. In the end, a 99-year war results from the otherwise harmless flight of balloons, causing devastation on all sides without a victor. At the end, the singer walks through the devastated ruins and lets loose a balloon, watching it fly away.

Now don't ask what took me off on that tac but that's the musical history lesson over for today lol.

Thanks for the reminder of the song and a great page Sue.

We hope your week is going well.

hugs Brenda and the CVC Team xxx

Numbers everywhere

Welcome to a new week and a lovely start to Monday morning.

We have the lovely Rachel joining us with a numbers tag.

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Rachel

Hello all - for my second make for the numbers challenge I have made a tag using Tim Holtz and Dina Wakley goodies!

For full details please check out my blog here.

Hugs

Rachel x

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I'm off to take a look at the details on Rachel's blog. I love the number rectangles in the background which produce a lovely pop of colour for the Dina Wakley image to sit on. Thanks Rachel, this is lovely.

Have you seen our challenge yet? Have you thought about what you could make? Have you even already joined in? We're looking forward to seeing all your crafty number makes so I hope to see you over on the challenge blog.

Have a wonderful week.

hugs Brenda and the CVC Team