Challenge #17 - Friendship

Hello Everyone!

Branka here and I am your hostess this for this month's challenge here at Anything But Cute. First, I would like to thank everyone who participated in Lisa's amazing 'Shabby Garden Mood Board' challenge last month with all their fabulous shabby garden projects! It was a pleasure to see all your gorgeous entries! Don't forget to check back with us next Monday when Lisa and the team announce the winners of the 'Shabby Garden Mood Board' challenge. Now on to this month's theme.

I believe that friendship is one of the most important things in our life and that everyone needs a good friend to count on. We all have at least one really good friend who we love and cherish. So, this challenge theme is dedicated to our lovely friends.

FRIENDSHIP

Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between two or more people. We want you to show us a mixed media creation that's inspired by friendship. You can create anything, from tags to art journal pages but make sure it's a mixed media piece. Let's celebrate friendship together!

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And now for some inspiration from the talented Anything But Cute design team!

Anne - Redanne

Hmm, what has this got to do with friendship?  My lovely friend Sandy and I have been blog friends for a few years now and we love to send cards/projects/gifts to each other.  Sandy very kindly sent me the new Tim Holtz Village Manor die (how lucky am I!) and since we share a love of Halloween, I have made this little scene to send back to her, I hope she likes it!

Autumn - Sew Paper Paint

Very few people can say they have had a best friend since before they can remember, but I am in that lucky minority.  My friend Trish remembers our first meeting from kindergarten, when I can't remember that far back!  We've been thick as thieves since.  Good times and bad, she's stuck by my side and had my back.  My DT photo here at Anything But Cute comes from this pic of me happy as can be, because that's how I feel when we are together (and how I feel about being on this fabulous team).  <3

Branka - Vintage Handmade

Dogs are man's best friend. They are simply awesome and do all of the little things that put smiles on our faces. They give you love, support, understanding and most of all they are loyal. I decided to create an art journal page about our pet friends. I used an old book as a journal, some texture paste, my Decoart media products, a stencil, an old photo from Tim Holtz collection and some frames to create my project.

Lisa - A Mermaid's Crafts

I love Branka's theme of friendship! I created this textured reverse-canvas for one of my oldest friends, celebrating some of her favorite things: nature, flowers, owls and traveling! I included a clock to symbolize the duration of our friendship and incorporated her favorite colors of pink and blue!

Niki - Pawsitively Creative Crafts

While creating a new flower garden in the back yard, my friend and I discovered this hidden treasure. We decided to call it "Mortem Lectulo (latin for "death bed"). The outside is beautifully creepy but when we opened the coffin it revealed a delightful surprise. I believe this was made using chalky paint, distress paint, and some artisan powder la chapeliere and other things, but we are still investigating and researching this pixie coffin. Carpe Diem!

Sara Emily-sarascloset

What a lovely and timely theme chosen by our dear Branka! Since my little girl has headed off to college, I wanted to make her a photo frame to hold photos of her besties to keep on her desk. Until she chooses which photos to put in it, I thought I'd offer her a little freshman advice in the meantime. I altered this tiny folding frame (it's just 4 inches tall) using gesso, Distress paints, inks and sprays, and texture paste as my wet media. And as always, there's always two sides to every story. Check out the rest on my blog.

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Wow, what a truly inspirational and absolutely beautiful range of projects created by my super talented teamies! It's a feast for the eyes! Please hop over to the team blogs to see more photos and get some details on how these projects were made. And don't forget to leave some bloggy love while you're there.

I hope that we have inspired you to celebrate friendship with us and to create your wonderful mixed media piece that shows all the love for your dear friends! 

The winner will receive the honour of being our Feature Artist for an upcoming challenge!

Here at Anything But Cute we just 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 lucky mixed media newcomer. We all have to start somewhere, right?

Challenge runs until October 4th - we can't wait to see what you come up with! Happy Crafting from the entire team and thanks for visiting Anything But Cute!

An InLinkz Link-up

Feature Artist - Shabby Garden - Welcome Suzz!!

Hello Lovelies!!

Niki here and I am super stoked to be sharing this post about our Featured Artist! This artist was the winner of my "The Birds and the Bee's" challenge in June. I would love to introduce you to Suzz from Suzz's Stamping Spot! Say hello and welcome to Suzz!

Suzz is a multifaceted artist that doesn't limit herself to one style. She shows so many wonderful ways to make mixed media designs, everything from geometric to grunge and shabby chic. I don't know how she does it but WOWZERS! Hats off to you darlin!

Suzz has created another stunner for our Shabby Garden moodboard designed by Lisa. Her attention to detail and texture has me gobsmacked! Get ready to drool and oogle over this tempting and splendid creation!

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Hi Suzz here!  I am thrilled to be a featured artist at Anything But Cute!  The design team is creative and fabulously talented and inspires me every month with their art.

I am Suzanne Czosek (stampersuzz)  of Suzz's Stamping Spot.  I am a mother to 3 wonderful children, 2 dogs and a wife to a wonderful husband. I live in the Midwest in the USA. 

I have always been inspired by art and enjoyed trying new techniques, crafts and mediums.  A good friend of mine at work started me on card making and I have been hooked ever since. 

I am in love the Shabby Garden Mood Board provided by Lisa for this month's challenge.  Who doesn't love a beautiful garden full of texture, beautiful colors and a shabby effect?

You could spend days wandering through these gardens enjoying the smells, the feel and the beauty of the garden.  This had me thinking of how I could emulate the effect of the garden fence in all it's distressed glory alongside the cottage.

I started with the fence by creating a template for the pickets. I cut out enough for the front and back of my mini book.

I then painted them with a lovely soft lavender.

After they were dry I added a layer of Distress Crackle Paint - White to the posts and strips to go behind the fence posts.  I then let that dry and repeated the process on the back sides of the fence.

After everything dried I gave it a lovely spray of gray distress stain and followed it up with a smear of black dye ink over the surface.  Then I spritzed a little water over the black ink.  I ended up with a lovely mix of gray, white and lavender peeking through.

Next up I created a few houses to put as the main covers to my mini book.  These were just cut to scale with my fence.

I decided to create a roof line with tissue tape wrapped around the front.  I then decided a heart cut out would be pretty and used a die to cut a heart shape in the roof. I place them on top of each other with the tissue tape facing out and centered the heart and cut them both at the same time.

I then sponged on the same shade of lavender inside and out of the house. I stamped a ledger stamp in soft gray to add a little siding to my house.

I stamped some images and sentiments on the houses.

 My favorite part is the pretty bits and pieces on the front of the fence.

Thanks to the Anything But Cute team for letting me play along with them this month!

Suzz

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GOBSMACKED right? I know I sure am. The added flowers, clock and butterfly to the distressed fence is beautiful and shabbyliscious! How can you not be inspired to join in with this challenge after taking a gander at Suzz's creation. Get those shabby garden ideas out of your head and onto some canvas or paper and join in with Lisa's Shabby Garden Mood Board!

You have until the 4th of September to play - and you'll find all the challenge details as well as lots of inspiration from the brilliant Anything But Cute design team by clicking on the challenge link.

Happy Crafting and Carpe Diem!
~Niki

WINNERS - Challenge #15 - Summertime Fun!

Hello and welcome, Anne here and firstly I would like to say a HUGE thank you to those who entered the Summertime Fun challenge.  I was completely blown away to see so many wonderfully creative and truly inspiring entries.  I could have chosen at least ten winners and thoroughly enjoyed pouring over all the gorgeous creations. In the end there can only be one winner though (or two in my case) and so the winner is:

WINNER - #43 Bumblebees and Butterflies

Brenda created the most gorgeous watery background, it made feel as if I could dive into the beautiful turquoise water and explore the sea floor...  The bubbles look so realistic, the seahorse is delightful and the frame is so beautifully textured it just makes you want to reach out and touch it.  The whole piece is just exquisite and Brenda has a fabulous tutorial on her blog too!

Congratulations Brenda!  Pamellia will be in touch by email to send you a personalized winner's badge and to provide details about being our Feature Artist for the next challenge.

RUNNER-UP - #24 Suzzstampingspot

Suzz created this stunning canvas and also a gorgeous card, they are both so opulent and elegant, full of gold sparkle and shine.  I can just imagine these seahorses glinting in the light.  Suzz has close ups on her blog and it is definitely worth a look at how she created the fabulous sea bottom!

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Now let's have a look at our DT favourites:




Autumn's Favourites

- #42 Mimi of She's Crafty

What could represent summertime fun more than two best girlfriends planning a summer wedding together!  Mimi's gorgeous shower decor stole my heart!  The letters are absolutely lovely against this stunning layered and textured background.  The lace up ties are so romantic and the beach vibe is perfect for a casual party.  Well done Mimi!

AND - #38 Drea of Drea's Scraps of Inspiration

Drea's lake collage reminds me of summers in South Carolina, with days spent at the lake, searching for that shade tree here and there.  I just love her loose layering style and stitches, along with the gorgeous banner she created.  The colors are perfectly balanced and draw you in to inspect this beauty!  Love it Drea!

Branka's Favourites

#43 Bumblebees and Butterflies

This utterly stunning under the sea project has stolen my heart! Brenda has managed to achieve such fantastic rich textures and to incorporate so many amazing elements together in such an awesome way! I love it to bits!

AND - #24 Suzzstampingspot

I was so impressed by this magical and dreamy canvas with those fantastic golden sea horses! This is so elegant and absolutely beautiful! I am completely in love with this project!

Lisa's Favourites

#43 Bumblebees and Butterflies

I feel like I'm swimming under the ocean, experiencing the amazing colors and textures of sea life when I look at this stunning project!! The details are just amazing and the elements blend together perfectly!!

AND - #24 Suzzstampingspot

I love this card!! One of the most beautiful seahorses I've ever seen!! Her canvas is spectacular, too, but I love how the seahorse takes center stage here, in all of it's sparkly, golden glory!! Wow!!

Niki's Favourites

#12 Catherine's Craft Corner

Catherine has created a fun and whimsical design with a free from thought process. She has enjoyed the moment of the creation and the memories evoked from her summer garden. Gorgeous colors and layers to this fantabulous piece of art!

I just have to list another favorite of mine! With so many stunning entries, I had to include
#6 Creative Journey 

Katelyn's use of the netting and those wonderful raw chippies is exceptional! Her photo is the perfect focal image for this background and the soft ocean colors and breathtakingly beautiful. I would visit this place in the summer in a heartbeat!

Sara Emily Favourites

#43 Bumblebees and Butterflies

It was incredibly hard to choose just one favorite this month, but in the end I chose Brenda's textural and realistic underwater reverse canvas. I fell in love with that little seahorse and her watery mixed media background! She has posted a fabulous tutorial which is the cherry on the top!

AND - #36 KAVA craft

I was so happy Pamellia gave me the thumbs up to list  another favorite, because I could not resist Anna's sea themed reverse canvas! I fell in love with the texture and colors on the frame and that lovely sea and beach. The simplicity of this scene is charming!

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16. Maria                17. tofa                  21. Nicola                29. Ann Chuang

      

37. Karen H            40. SARI              41. Laneen               44. Irena's art

      

A huge congratulation everyone! Thank you so much to everyone who played along with us last month and don't forget to grab your badges! You earned them!!

There is still plenty of time to enter Lisa's current challenge Shabby Garden Mood Board! We can't wait to see what you come up with this time!

Hugs to all, from the 'Anything But Cute' Design Team

Challenge #16 - Shabby Garden Mood Board

Hello Everyone! Lisa here and I am excited to be your hostess this for this month's challenge here at Anything But Cute. Thank all of you who joined us for our challenge last month! Wow! All of the entries are amazing and it's going to be so hard to choose our favorites! Don't forget to check back with us next Friday when Anne and the team announce the winners of the Summertime Fun challenge. Now on to this month's theme.

There is something so relaxing about strolling through a summer garden blooming with fragrant flowers. When I think of a shabby chic garden, so many images come to mind: coming across a timeworn bench that has been painted so many times over the years, the old paint shows through the worn areas; watching birds take a drink from a fountain that has cracked with age but still stands proudly with regal beauty; birds making a home inside a house that has withstood the elements and still provides a safe haven for the babies about to be born; a couple saying their vows beneath a crystal chandelier hanging from a trellis covered in flowering vines, petals lining the ground. Those images were my inspiration for this month's theme.

SHABBY GARDEN MOOD BOARD

For this challenge, we are asking you to take a stroll through a romantic shabby garden. Create any mixed media project strongly inspired by the mood board. Think flowers and plants in cracked pots, peeling paint bird feeders, distressed timeworn furniture, crumbling statues, soft pastels and feminine accessories. Don't forget to tell us how the mood board inspired your project and have fun!

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And now for some inspiration from the talented Anything But Cute design team!

Anne - Redanne

I was so inspired by Lisa's gorgeous mood board that I tried to incorporate a little bit of each photo into my card design. I used loads of bits from my stash and also a gift from a lovely friend....

Autumn - Sew Paper Paint

Branka - Vintage Handmade

I was inspired by beautiful colors of this amazing mood board to alter the clock. I used some of my Decoart supplies, some Prima embellishments and some natural elements to create this.

Lisa - A Mermaid's Crafts

I love everything shabby and I love watching the birds in my yard, so I combined the two to create this mixed media birdhouse!! Covered with mega crackle and dripping a carpet of flowers and vines, I wanted to create a shabby oasis for our feathered friends!!

Niki - Pawsitively Creative Crafts

Lisa's shabby moodboard inspired me to create a peeled/chipped paint design featuring "barn doors" that open to reveal elements of my shabby garden. The shutters inspired the shadow box design.

I used 3 different kinds of chalky paint creating 7 layers of paint, some sandpaper and some CHAPSTICK! Yeppers, chapstick. This was a challenge and I think I have finally figured out how to do shabby chic in my own way. Yippee! Carpe Diem!

Sara Emily - sarascloset

I was inspired by the colors and peeling paint in Lisa's beautiful mood board, as well as the windows and hearts, and of course the sense of romance. I used Distress and DecoArt products to get my peeled paint look and lots of stuff from my stash to make this shabby wedding card.

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Truly inspirational projects by the design team, wouldn't you say! Please hop over to the team blogs to see more photos and get some details on how these projects were made. And don't forget to leave some bloggy love while you're there.

I hope that we have inspired you to get out your vibrant colours and create some wonderful projects for our challenge!

The winner will receive the honour of being our Feature Artist for an upcoming challenge!

Here at Anything But Cute we just 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 lucky mixed media newcomer. We all have to start somewhere, right?

Challenge runs until September 4th - we can't wait to see what you come up with! Happy Crafting from the entire team and thanks for visiting Anything But Cute!

An InLinkz Link-up