Introducing Pamellia

Hello Everyone!

Today I am here to introduce you to the final member of the Anything But Cute design team, and that would be me!! I am also the owner and designer so if anyone ever has a question, please feel free to leave a comment or click the "Send us an email" button in the sidebar. A little bit about me...

Pamellia Johnson of My Little Craft Things

Hello Everyone! My name is Pamellia Johnson and I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with my wonderful husband and our two little girls, Scully (a teacup Maltese) and Pebbles (a teacup black Pomeranian).

When I was just a kid, I spent several weeks dumping the cereal and crackers out of every box I could find, so that I could build a doll house, complete with pots and pans in the kitchen and throw cushions on the couch. It took up half of the attic and I got in so much trouble, but oh what fun I had! Not much has changed since then. I still dump the cereal out so I can use the box and I still have so much fun crafting, I just don't get in trouble any more! lol

I think what I enjoy making the most is handmade cards. In the past I have mostly created in a shabby chic style but I have recently discovered the messy and oh so fun world of mixed media and it has stolen my heart. Whenever possible, I try and make every aspect of my projects by hand. I prefer to make my own backgrounds and flowers, I dye my own ribbons, I even make some of my embellishments out of clay. I find such a sense of accomplishment in knowing that I made it myself.

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I have chosen a few of my favourite mixed media projects so you can get an idea of my style.

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First up two of my favourite cards on opposite ends of the style spectrum, but both represent first experiences with mixed media. I really enjoy the soft pastels and spring theme of the first one, this was my first time playing with using 3d elements to create texture. The second card was my first ever attempt at steampunk, and I thoroughly enjoyed the grungy feel.

This next project I called my Bunk-Bed Button Box. It was so much fun to make and it still sits on my desk full of fancy gold buttons. I made this out of pizza boxes and drew the template myself.

This is my very first mixed media canvas and also my first time giving mixed media flowers a try, something I'm completely hooked on now. I really love the contrast with the colours and playing with crackle paint is always fun!

My dragonfly trinket box was my first time ever altering a wooden piece. I made so many mistakes with this project and learned so much! This was also my first mixed media project using the ink sprays, oh what fun!

This was a very recent project that I made and, once again, I had to eat a lot of pizzas in order to build it. It was my first time ever creating something with a fantasy theme and I really enjoyed the whimsy feel to this.

This is my biggest and baddest project to date. I had no idea when I pulled out those first pizza boxes last year, what a huge task I was about to undertake. I also had no idea how much fun I was going to have building it!

5 trips to the dollar store, 4 pizza boxes, 3 weeks of my life, 2 containers of black paint and a partridge in a pear tree...it's my favourite creation ever! If you would like to check out a billion close-up pictures of my Halloween House  CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL POST

I would like to send a special thank you to the lovely and talented ladies who have come on board with me for this next leg of my crafty adventure. I also want to thank all of you for your wonderful support. I am really looking forward to seeing what you all come up with for our challenges!!

Don't forget, here at ANYTHING BUT CUTE, we love to see all the seasoned and expert mixed media artists, but we also want to encourage those who are just getting their feet wet. Our design team will always be on the lookout for these exceptional projects and artists. You just never know when we might be giving out something special to a talented mixed media newcomer. We all have to start somewhere, right?

Make sure to mention in your post that you are new to the mixed media arts.

OUR FIRST CHALLENGE STARTS IN JUST 5 DAYS!! 
See you on May 5th!

Happy Crafting! Pamellia :)

Introducing Samra

Hello Everyone!

Today I am here to introduce you the next member of the Anything But Cute design team. Samra was one of my very first followers and I knew the minute I visited her blog that we would be great friends! We have much in common with our crafting styles and yet her work is completely unique. She is a wonderful woman and a talented lady, stick around and learn more about this fabulous artist!

Samra of Paper Talk with Samra

Hello, my name is Samra Leshinski and I live in fabulous Las Vegas, NV USA with my loving husband Don, son Tarik, 3 dogs, 31 turtles and 9 mini dart frogs. 

 I work at Customer Care department of Water Company in Las Vegas. I have been making my own party invitations for several years now, (love to throw parties) but I consider card making my hobby for about over a year now. I ventured into actual blogging and participating in challenges since April of last year.

If I had to pick my favorite style that would definitely be Shabby Chic, but I try to have variety in my work. I also base my creation on a person that will be receiving my card; what are their interests, style and favorite colors. It makes me so happy to see big smile on someone’s face when they receive my handmade card. I make my own flowers for card embellishing, from daisies to roses and am still learning a lot about all the different ways to create textures and details on a project.

 I know that my card making is not going to change the world, but spreading a little joy here and there is one small step that I can make. 

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Samra has picked out a few of her favourite mixed media projects to share with us today. She has no limits with her creativity and seems to master every style she tries with the ease of an expert!

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I love this Valentine's card, my favorite color and lots of handmade flowers and different textures.

This is my Steampunk Spring card created using tons of embellishments and distress paints in green tones. I am still trying to learn this fun style of crafting.... 

This card is one of my favorite :) All the flowers are handmade, resin bicycle is hand died and there is a vellum banner, my go to material for sentiment placement.

This is one of my most elaborate projects. I created this book/shadow box from scratch out of cardboard! I have it displayed at my home as a decoration piece. :)

This is my attempt to glamorise ( I just made up a word) grunge. I had fun creating this set, lots of texture and playing with paint. 

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Well, I think you will agree that Samra's work is raising the bar high! I for one can't wait to see what she comes up with for our challenges!

Please come and visit us again on Thursday, April 30 when we introduce our next Design Team member, and don't forget to hit that Follow button while you're here!

8 DAYS UNTIL OUR FIRST CHALLENGE GOES LIVE - MAY 5 - DON"T MISS IT!

Happy Crafting!
Pamellia :)

Introducing Cec

Hello Everyone!

Today I am here to introduce you the next member of the Anything But Cute design team. She is a super talented artist and also a sweet dear friend, whom I have had the amazing pleasure of getting to know face to face. I have been an admirer of Cec's since before I started blogging, so it's a real treat for me to work and play along side this talented gal. Please hang around and learn a little bit more about this fabulous lady and see some of her spectacular mixed media work!

 Cec of CW Card Creations

I am a retired Director of Finance and live with my wonderful husband of 39 years just outside Toronto, Canada.  He is still working to support my crafting habit and I am not encouraging him to retire any time soon.  We have one daughter who is married and has blessed us with two fabulous grandchildren.  Both my daughter and my granddaughter are very creative so I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

I have been crafting for as long as I can remember and came by it naturally since my mother was a very creative person.  I have done counted cross stitch and dried flower arranging in the past - heck, I even did macrame at one time :)  I started card making around 2006 but really just dabbled at it until I lost my job in 2009 and then had lots of time to play.  A couple of years ago I started to make more vintage and shabby chic cards and was hooked.  In the past year I have started adding more mixed media to my repertoire.

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Cec has picked out a few of her favourite mixed media projects to share with us today. She has such a wonderful range of styles and her techniques are definitely on my MUST-LEARN-LIST!

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This little sewing tin started as a holder for a gift card and shows how mixed media can transform all sorts of items.  I love that the eclectic bits and pieces that I added to the top are all tied together with paint and wax paste.

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This masculine card is a favourite because I got to play in the sand and make paper that looks like rust.  I also played with metal foil tape from the hardware store - so much fun.

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I love this project because I was able to turn something that would have been in the garbage once empty into something pretty and useful when it is filled with something like bath beads.

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This project is a favourite because I made my own stencil for the pebbles, molded some of the elements from crafter’s clay and played with more metal foil tape.  I also love the colours and despite my inability to draw, I think my mermaid is just so fabulous, even if she is having a bad hair day.

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I love this art journal page because it has a nice vintage vibe and it allowed me to pretend I am a very frilly and feminine gal, which I am not really.  Getting to Paris is on my bucket list but right now with the exchange rate as it is, all I can do is look at this page and dream.

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Well, I think you will agree that Cec is such a talented lady and I for one, can't wait to see what she comes up with for our challenges!

Please come and visit us again on Monday, April 27 when we introduce our next Design Team member, and don't forget to hit that Follow button while you're here!

12 DAYS UNTIL OUR FIRST CHALLENGE GOES LIVE - MAY 5 - DON"T MISS IT!

Happy Crafting!
Pamellia :)

Introducing Sara Emily

Hello Everyone!

Today I am here to introduce you the next member of the Anything But Cute design team. I have been following Sara Emily's work for some time now and not only is she a dear friend but she is talented beyond all get out! Please hang around and learn a little bit more about this wonderful artist and see some of her one-of-kind mixed media creations!

Sara Emily Barker - sarascloset

My name is Sara Emily Barker, and I live about 7 miles from the most beautiful beach on the Eastern Coast of USA, in Wilmington, NC.  I am married and have 16 year old boy/girl twins, and two identical cats.

I am a "retired" Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, but am now self employed as a gardener, Organizer and Personal Assistant. I have been blogging since March 2014,  but have been crafty as long as I can remember. I've enjoyed  painting, sculpting, stained glass, scrap booking, up-cycling furniture and other found goodies, and most recently paper crafting and card making.  I started card making as a way to help a relative get through a long illness--making and sending a card every day for 18 months!  Having gotten a little burnt out on that, I've found my true passion--mixed media/altering found objects. Oh, I do an occasional card, but can't help but layer it on, even with a card! Here are a few of my favorite's since I've started blogging.

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Sara Emily has picked out a few of her favourite mixed media projects to share with us today. Her creativity knows no bounds and her projects are truly unique and beautiful!

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Time Flies August 2014

This was my first canvas, and it's a favorite because I really had to think outside the box to depict how time flies.  I also love the Dr. Seuss poem I used.

12 Tags of 2014 March 2015

I created this in just four days, and accomplished my goal to complete Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014, although a little late to the party! So many great techniques to try on this sampler.

Plan B September 2014

I'm a collector of vintage sewing gear, so I had a blast making a box to stash it all--well, not ALL!  I made decorated folders to keep things organized inside. It was great fun to include some of my collection in the design, too!  This is one of those things you have to visit my blog to see it all.

Dream On October 2014

This is a favorite, because I  LOVE  Halloween, and this was my most meaningful example of my Halloween projects.  I had the best time creating this out of an old bird house. Another piece you need to visit my blog to see it all.

 Tim's  12 Tags of 2015 January 2015

My absolute favorite!  I made this Valentine out of a cigar box lid for my lovely daughter and giggled the entire time I was working on it, knowing how much she was going to love it! Every single thing on it has special meaning to her. This is why I create!  

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Well, I think you will agree that Sara Emily is a mixed media artist that can pull a rabbit out of a hat, I am just so excited to see what she comes up with for our challenges!

Please come and visit us again on Thursday, April 23rd when we introduce our next Design Team member, and don't forget to hit that Follow button while you're here!

15 DAYS UNTIL OUR FIRST CHALLENGE GOES LIVE - MAY 5 - DON"T MISS IT!

Happy Crafting!

Pamellia :)

Introducing Georgie

Hello Everyone!

Today I am here to introduce you the next member of the Anything But Cute design team. I found Georgie out there in blog land, when it seemed like every time I clicked on a thumbnail that looked interesting, it took me to her blog. I fell in love with her work instantly! Please hang around and learn a little bit more about this talented artist and see some of her gorgeous mixed media creations!

Georgie - Little Blue Craft Box

Helloooo!! My name is Georgie from the Little Blue Craft Box blog, I’m based in the quiet county of Dorset on the south coast of the UK. Artistically, I am a lover of altered art, shabby chic, vintage grunge, art journalling, paper crafting… anything arty/crafty really, I love it all!!! My biggest love is mixed media within any of these forms.

Colours really entice me!!! From light and airy, to dark and gothic (and everything in between). I believe the way hues ebb and flow together is what really makes a project, and gives it that ‘wow factor’. I adore how colours are enhanced by mediums used beneath, around, or over them. The possibilities are beautifully endless…

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Georgie has picked out a few of her favourite mixed media projects to share with us today. No matter what type of project she makes, the beauty and skill of her creations shine like the North Star!

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Treasures of the Sea

A mixed media altered chest, using dry wall tape, texture paste with stencils and fibres. Then some gorgeous Lindy's were used give it a worn, yet magical shimmery feel.

 I Dream In Colour - Scrapbook Page. 

I love to create layouts, in various styles. I find they give me some great creative freedom. I see a photo and a light bulb nearly always hits me and I just know it has to be 'scrapped'!!

Prima Wedding Card

This is wedding card I made using Prima products, I love creating layers and dimension, adding paint, and where possible including some stitching! :)

Ten Tiny Toes - Scrapbook Page

Lots of goodies and dimension! I love taking a sketch and just running with what feels like the right direction, bringing elements and colour together.

By The Sea - Scrapbook Page

One of my biggest achievements was accomplished with this page, winning the November 2014 BAP (Build A Page) at Prima!! This was made using nearly Prima products, I love how you can create colourful yet delicate projects with their product lines. This one was using Seashore.

Scrap-Tag - Time for a Vacation

I love exploring new ideas and concepts. This version of scrapping was one of them, and far easier to store :) 

The Keeper

LOVED making this!! I wanted to create something for someone who keeps and love bees and when I thought of the phrase The Keeper, the mental image of an old book cover kept springing to my mind and then this came to life.

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Well, I think you will agree that Georgie is a mixed media artist like no other, I am on the edge of seat, waiting to see what she comes up with for our challenges!

Please come and visit us again on Monday, April 20th when we introduce our next Design Team member, and don't forget to hit that Follow button while you're here!

19 DAYS UNTIL OUR FIRST CHALLENGE GOES LIVE - MAY 5 - DON"T MISS IT!

Happy Crafting!

Pamellia :)

Introducing Niki

Hello Everyone!

Today I am here to introduce you the next member of the Anything But Cute design team. I only recently discovered Niki's blog, but I knew instantly that she was a talented lady that I wanted to get to know better. Please hang around and learn a little bit more about this fabulous artist and see some of her amazing mixed media work!

Niki of Pawsitively Creative Crafts

Hello there y'all! I am a Southern girl (but not a Southern Belle) that loves any and all animals. I have been a Veterinary Technician for over 12 years and my fur babies are my heart, my DH is on that list as well but he is my heart and soul. Awwww! I love being able to help any and all animals (even the slimy ones, and ones with scales-snakes are one of my favorites) stay healthy and live long, amazing lives. Every day I work with animals I feel that unconditional love and am overwhelmed by the depth of their devotion to their human. Amazing creatures!

I am relatively new to mixed media and challenge blogs. Back in April 2014 my husband bought me a couple of canvases and an acrylic paint set for my birthday. I wasn't thrilled about it at first. When I was younger I drew, painted, and crafted all the time but at age 17 I broke both of my arms, and never got back into my art because I couldn't use my left hand/wrist like normal. I gave up my art. So when I saw the art supplies my husband bought me I figured I would give it a go just to make him happy. Boy was he (and I) in for a huge surprise when I finished my first piece. At the time, I loved my first piece but kept thinking that I could improve and I like to believe that I have improved by leaps and bound due to the challenge blogs that I found and also because of the wonderfully talented and supportive people I have found in Blog lang. You all make me challenge myself every time I create something and I just want to say thank you very much for that.

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Niki has picked out a few of her favourite mixed media projects to share with us today. She has such an amazing way of combining textures and her ideas are so unique and simply brilliant!

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This is the first canvas I ever created. I leave it hanging up on my wall because it reminds me of how far I have come with my mixed media. I think it is certainly lacking in a lot of areas but I did make my own texture paste and had fun using sprays, mists, and inks on it. Do you still have your first art piece? We all improve with practice and the willingness to create outside our comfort zones. :)

The title says it all for this canvas-Dark Paradise. I just lost my baby girl Raj on 9/30/14. She was 15 years old and had Mast Cell Tumors/Cancer. I did 7 surgeries on my baby and also chemo. She was wagging her tail and happy until the last surgery. She just couldn't recover from it and she looked at me, I asked her if it was her time to go and she layed down. That let me know she was done and I had to let go. This was the hardest decision I have ever had to make but I loved her enough to let go. She is greatly missed more and more each day that she is gone and will never be forgotten. Some people may wonder why 7 surgeries, at first I wasn't going to do any more after 3 but the tumors ulcerated and had to be removed.

This next piece is an ATB, my first ever ATB-Artist Trading Block. I made the box by hand and kept with my inspiration of Breakfast At Tiffany's. This was given to another artist in a swap. It was fun to make a decorate all the different sides but the best part is what is hidden in the box-a washcloth cupcake! I didn't want to ship a real cupcake. Lol

I have always been a fan of anything Steampunk and it is my go to for creating. I made this flat back canvas using Rusting Powder and materials that I upcycled/recycled. Rusting powder is interesting and fun to use-plus you have to use vinegar to activate it-wait WHAT! Yeppers. Intrigued? Want to know more about Rusting Powder? Check back here on May 26th to learn more!

My next art share, is along the lines of Steampunk as well. I have been on the lookout for a wonderful shaped top hat to make some Steampunk creations but could never find anything I liked. A month or two ago I happened upon this wonderful template and have been creating these mini top hats with glee. There are so many possibilities!

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Well, I think you will agree that Niki is a mixed media genius, I am so excited to see what she comes up with for our challenges!

Please come and visit us again on Thursday, April 16 when we introduce our next Design Team member, and don't forget to hit that Follow button while you're here!

22 DAYS UNTIL OUR FIRST CHALLENGE GOES LIVE - MAY 5 - DON"T MISS IT!

Happy Crafting!

Pamellia :)

Introducing Branka

Hello Everyone!

My name is Pamellia Johnson and I would like to welcome you to Anything But Cute Mixed Media Challenges! We are a monthly mixed media challenge blog with a new challenge the 5th day of every month at 7:00 am EST.

Please make sure to check out our challenge details and rules HERE and feel free to grab our badge HERE.

I would like to introduce you to the first member of the Anything But Cute design team. I haven't known her for long, but in the short time I have been following her, I have fallen in love with her sweet-hearted personality and her amazing art!                                                                                                                                                        

Branka of Vintage Handmade

Hello! My name is Branka (also known as Vintage Handmade). 

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. It was love at first sight :) I am not consider myself as an artist but Tim's (Holtz) genius techniques are so fun and easy to follow that everyone can express himself in an artistic way using them. 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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Branka has picked out a few of her favourite mixed media projects to share with us today. She has a wonderful versatility with her art and she can do just about any type of project!

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Journal Pages
I started with art journaling for about a month ago. It's a fun way to express yourself and I enjoy very much doing it. I almost never have a plan in art journaling. Usually, I start playing with different color combinations and techniques without any idea of the final result.

Card and tag
I create cards for my friends and relatives to make them happy. I love to use Tim Holtz's dies and techniques a lot and the color combination of brown and blue tones I love the most.

This tag is one of my favorites. I used Tim's Rock Candy Distress Glitter technique on the background, Perfect pearl mists on the layered butterfly, Rub'n'Buff in gold for a final touch. I love to play with layered Tim's dies very much.

Faux metal plate
I am in heaven when I am playing with rust powders and metallic paints. For the background of this plate I used Tim's industrial technique and added some bronze antique paste. All the metal embellishments are rusted with the help of my rust powders.

Altered book
I am in love with cogs and gears. This altered book was made in steampunk style which I love probably the most. All the cogs and gears there were cut from the craft heavy weight cardstock and rusted with several different distress stains and paints.

Mini album
This mini album was totally made in Tim's style full of stamping, distressing, ephemera and other fun stuff. It's a Vintage valise shaped mini album with lots of pockets, tags and embellishments.

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Well, I think you will agree that Branka is a wonderful artist and I am so looking forward to seeing what she creates for our challenges!

Please come and visit us again on Monday, April 13 when we introduce our next Design Team member, and don't forget to hit that Follow button while you're here!

ONLY 26 DAYS UNTIL OUR FIRST CHALLENGE GOES LIVE - MAY 5 - DON"T MISS IT!

Happy Crafting!
Pamellia :)