Creative Artiste #67 December 2020

Christmas preparations are well underway now in our house although it will be a very different celebration this year. No big family get together for us, we have decided to wait until everyone can be safe. But there are still presents to wrap, cards to write and goodies to gather before I can put my feet up.

Meanwhile ....

.... there's a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge in November. Your projects were all fabulous and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
and we have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for our winners.

I have made some mixed media Christmas cards to show you.

These cards are all A5 (13 x 18 cm) in size. I've used stamps and die cuts from various companies and a few different techniques.

The main panel on this card was created using the shaving foam technique with acrylic paints in red, yellow and gold. I added texture paste through Stencil #13 from Aall & Create and gold paint splatters.

I stamped the flower (Stamps by Chloe) onto another piece of card from the same foam mix and fussy cut it out. I fixed the flower onto a die cut circle and added the sentiment.

The main panel was then matted onto card that I coloured with Candied Apple Distress Ink.

The background for this card was created with acrylic paints and a Brayer. I used two shades of green and a gold. I then painted over with white gesso and created a "spotlight" circle. I added texture paste through Stencil #20 from Aall & Create and defined the circle with squiggles and a black Posca pen.

I stamped the trees (Visible Image) in the circle and some branches (Stamps by Chloe) on the panel before adding the sentiment. I finished the card with splatters from a white Posca pen.

This card features Stencils #20 and #21 from Aall & Create. The first using the shaving foam technique with green and gold acrylic paints and the second with texture paste. The spotlight circle was made by masking a circle and using Lucky Clover Distress Oxide in an outwards movement.

The die cut trees and a fern from Tim Holtz were coloured with Lucky Clover DOX as was the card  the panel was added to. Some white Posca pen splatters and a sentiment finish the card.

This last card features a spotlight circle created with the shaving foam technique using Distress Oxide refills in Peacock Feathers, Cracked Pistachio and Faded Jeans. I added a die-cut snowflake from Spellbinders and used Stencil #13 from Aall & Create with texture paste and a loose stamp that I've had for years. I defined the circle with doodles and a black Posca pen and finished the card with white Posca pen splatters and a sentiment.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge up to three times. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our December challenge. 

The Creative Artiste Design Team will be taking a break during January but the challenge will be back on 5th February 2021.

Have a lovely Christmas everyone, however you are able to spend it.

I have entered these cards in the following challenges:

https://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.com/2020/12/december-2020-anything-christmas.html

https://merrylittlechristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2020/12/mlccb-29-december-anything-christmas.html

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/12/miucb-44-anything-goes-clean-and-simple.html

Crafts Galore Encore December 2020

December already! Although this global nightmare is no where near being over at least we can begin to put this awful year behind us and welcome a more hopeful new year soon. Our little princess is lightening our mood and looking forward to decorating the tree, writing cards, wrapping presents and a visit from Santa.

But before that ....

.... There is a new challenge at

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog. 

Thank you to everyone who joined in with November's challenge. The winners have been announced on the challenge blog. This is a month long challenge and you can enter up to three times. There is a full list of rules on the challenge blog.

Our theme every month is the popular

"Anything Goes"

and our sponsor this month is:

Jan's Digi Stamps

who are offering a $10 gift certificate for the lucky winner.

I have made a couple of Christmas cards to show you.

Both cards are made from 8"x 8" card blanks and use two of the gorgeous trees from Jan's Tree Scene digi set. All the metal snowflake embellishments and the little tree charms were a gift from a friend - Thank you Pam!

I used papers from an old Lily of the Valley paper pad - the cover is long gone so I don't know which one - sorry. I matted and layered the papers with silver mirri card. The bow is made with polka dot ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons.

I used a computer program to merge four trees into one image and coloured them with various green Copics. I added Glamour Dust to the snow on the branches.

I die cut the sentiment, layered it onto silver mirri card and mounted it with foam pads onto the card.

This second card was created by scoring a vertical fold down the centre of the front to make a sideways easel card fold. The papers are also from an old LOTV paper pad - Classic Christmas - and were layered with gold mirri card.

I printed two of the trees, coloured them with Copics and cut them out to leave a white border. I used Glamour Dust on the snowy branches and fixed the trees to the card front with foam pads.

This time I just die cut the sentiment, attached a gold charm tree and fixed it to the card with foam pads to act as a stopper for the front fold.

Now please visit the  Crafts Galore Encore challenge blog where you can see the wonderful projects and cards created by our talented design team using Jan's Digi Stamps images.

Grab some inspiration while you're there and enter your "Anything Goes" creations in the December challenge.

Stay safe everyone!

I have entered these cards in the following challenges:

https://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com/2020/12/craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper.html

Creative Artiste #66 November 2020

It's all change here in Britain again. As Wales comes out of it's firebreak lockdown England goes into one. New rules for everyone means our family still can not get together as we are not allowed to travel from one country to the other. I just hope that everyone follows the rules, stays safe and the virus rates come down so we can start to plan Christmas....

Meanwhile ....

.... there's a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge in October. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
and we have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for our winners.

I have made an 8"x 8" (20 x 20 cm) shadow box frame.

I made the box frame from stiff white card and covered it with tissue paper to strengthen it and give some light texture.

I used DecoArt acrylic paint in Raw Umber over the frame. Once dry I then used Tim Holtz mini stencil from set 10 with Archival black ink to give the wood effect. Lastly, I touched up the edges with Pebeo Gold Gilding wax.

I took a piece of watercolour card and coloured it using Lindy's Flat Magicals Caribbean Blue and Ocean Breeze Blue.  I cut a piece to fit inside the box frame and used the remainder to stamp the hot air balloon from IndigoBlu Mixed Media box set 2.

For the floral arrangement I coloured another large piece of card with Distress Oxides Broken China and Chipped Sapphire. Once dry I splashed it with a gold Posca pen. I then die cut and assembled some flowers. I also used some flowers from my stash. The tickets were stamped onto card coloured with Antique Linen and Broken China DOX using another stamp from the IndigoBlu set. 

The little balls were painted with gold acrylic and gold centres were added to the flowers. I touched up the edges of the flowers with Pebeo gold gilding wax. The bow was created with seam binding from Fantastic Ribbons that I dyed with Chipped Sapphire DOX. 

I finished the insert panel with words stamped from the same previous IndigoBlu set. Once the insert was fitted into the frame I built up the floral arrangement with Prima's Soft Matt Gel.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge up to three times. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our November challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.com/2020/11/november-2020-anything-but-card.html

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2020/11/morgans-artworld-challenge-11.html x

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/11/classic-design-challenge-november-11.html x

Crafts Galore Encore November 2020

It's been a half term school break here for the past two weeks and Wales has been placed in another lockdown. Not that we could go anywhere anyway as the weather has been awful with strong winds and heavy rain. Thank goodness it's back to school tomorrow as we're running out of things to do indoors. At least I've made a start on Christmas cards and ....

.... There is a new challenge at

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog. 

Thank you to everyone who joined in with October's challenge. The winners have been announced on the challenge blog. This is a month long challenge and you can enter up to three times. There is a full list of rules on the challenge blog.

Our theme every month is the popular

"Anything Goes"

and our sponsor this month is:

Gecko Galz

who have a $25 voucher to their online store for our lucky winner.

I have made a selection of 6"x 6" (15 x 15 cm) Christmas cards.

These adorable little gnomes are from the Gnome for the Holidays digital collage set. The set has 17  delightful gnome images over two pages.

I paired the images with the papers from the Merry and Bright ATC Collection.

I used coloured card, mirror card, doileys and die cut snowflakes from my stash. The lovely ribbons are all from Fantastic Ribbons.

Here are a couple of Z-fold cards, one with a band. The great advantage to having Gecko Galz digital sets means you can print the images you want to use and the papers to match for each card. There are lots of fabulous collage and paper sets to choose from, so, grab a coffee and have a browse.

Now please visit the  Crafts Galore Encore challenge blog where you can see the wonderful projects and cards created by our talented design team using Gecko Galz images.

Grab some inspiration while you're there and enter your "Anything Goes" creations in the November challenge.

Stay safe everyone!

I have entered these cards in the following challenges:

http://geckogalzscrapbooking.blogspot.com/2020/11/white-christmas-challenge.html x

Creative Artiste #65 October 2020

Yay, it's Friday! But a typical Welsh weekend of rain and strong winds is forecast so we will be staying in. Lots of playing games, watching films and indoor fun for us. Maybe even some crafty messiness to look forward to.

Meanwhile ....

.... there's a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge in September. Your projects were all fabulous and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
and we have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for our winners.

I have created a box lid and decorated it.

I started by making a 6"x 6" (15 x 15 cm) box lid from watercolour card and cutting a square of card to fit on it. 

I used texture paste through stencil #13 from Aall & Create on the piece of card and the sides of the box lid. I darkened the top edge of the lid with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink.

I arranged some paper straws, resin flowers, a resin frame and some glass beads on the piece of card. I used Distress Inks and Oxides to colour them. All the colours have been added using splatters and splashes by mixing the inks with water and using a brush. I splashed the sides too.

I finished the colours with some splashes of blue Posca pens and added a white flower from my stash. I then fixed the card to the box lid. Now I just have to make the box base and fill it.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge up to three times. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our October challenge. 

I have entered this project in the following challenges:

https://abitmoretimetocraftextra.blogspot.com/2020/10/abmttc-extra-challenge-october-anything.html

https://abitmoretimetocraft.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-bit-more-time-to-craft-challenge-125.html

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-perfect-time-to-craft-challenge-for.html HM

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/10/classic-design-challenge-october.html BT

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/10/miucb-42-anything-goes-distressing.html x

Crafts Galore Encore October 2020

 October already! Not that I'm complaining. The sooner this year is over, the better. We no sooner get used to one routine when it's all change for different rules. It's a bit like being on a merry-go-round that constantly changes direction. I'm so dizzy now and can't wait for it to stop.

But, in the meantime ....

.... There is a new challenge at

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog. 

Thank you to everyone who joined in with September's challenge. The winners have been announced on the challenge blog. This is a month long challenge and you can enter up to three times. There is a full list of rules on the challenge blog.

Our theme every month is the popular

"Anything Goes"

and our sponsor this month is:

Artsystamper

who are offering one digi stamp set to our lucky winner.

I have made a 6"x 6" (15 x 15cm) card using an image, a paper and a sentiment from our sponsor.

I started by matting and layering two pieces of Papermania textured card in shades of orange. The patterned paper is from the Sunny Sunflower Digital Stamp and Paper Kit that I used.

I took the single sunflower from the set and used a graphics programme to print five copies in varying sizes, flipping a couple of the images. I fussy cut them all out and arranged them in a circle on the card.

The Sunny Sunflower set comes with two hand drawn flower images in both black and white and colour. There are also six papers. I used the pre-coloured sunflower image as I love the way it has been beautifully coloured by Bev, the owner. 

The digi set also includes three sentiments and I chose this happy one for my card. I finished the card with some gold gems.

Now please visit the  Crafts Galore Encore challenge blog where you can see the wonderful projects and cards created by our talented design team using Artsystamper images.

Grab some inspiration while you're there and enter your "Anything Goes" creations in the October challenge.

Stay safe everyone!

I have entered this card in the following challenges:

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-perfect-time-to-craft-challenge-for.html x

https://abitmoretimetocraftextra.blogspot.com/2020/10/abmttc-extra-challenge-october-anything.html

https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2020/10/ltccb-51-october-anything-goes.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/10/classic-design-challenge-october.html x

https://friendship-challenge.blogspot.com/2020/10/challenge-58-use-sentiment.html x

Creative Artiste #64 September 2020

 I'm pleased to say that 'Back to School' has been a success for our little princess and she likes her new teacher and classroom. Now we can look forward to 'Back to the Office' for Granddad and I can have my house and routine back!

But, before that ....

.... there's a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge in August. Your projects were all fabulous and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
and we have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for our winners.

I have made a 6"x 6" (15 x 15 cm) folder.

I cut two squares and one rectangle from mountboard and attached them together with black tape to make the folder. I then painted white gesso on all the sides. I attached some beads to elastic as a closure for the folder and added three loops of elastic to hold the signatures.

On the outsides of the folder I used texture paste and #70 Diamond Life stencil from Aall & Create in random areas. I coloured the folder using Broken China and Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxides with water.

I finished the outside panels with #235 All Measured Up Aall & Create stamp and added the title with a stamp from their #195 Flowers & Gears stamp set.

On the inside covers I used Aall & Create's #17 stencil with texture paste and parts of their #109 Blossomed Numbers stamp. I coloured the panels using the same previous two DOX colours and Scattered Straw DOX.

The flowers on the front and inside back cover are from the #109 Blossomed Numbers stamp and were coloured with the same DOX previously used. I cut the flowers out and stuck them down with soft matt gel.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge up to three times. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team and meet our new team member.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our September challenge. 

Crafts Galore Encore September 2020

There is excitement in our house this week as it's time to go back to school. I'm not sure if it's me or our little princess who is looking forward to this more. I have every confidence in the local school that they are taking all the correct measures to keep everyone as safe as they can. Only time will tell. Meanwhile...

 .... There is a new challenge at

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog. 

Thank you to everyone who joined in with August's challenge. The winners have been announced on the challenge blog. This is a month long challenge and you can enter up to three times. There is a full list of rules on the challenge blog.

Our theme every month is the popular

"Anything Goes"

and our sponsor this month is:

Beccy's Place

who are offering a $10 AUS voucher to our lucky winner.

I have made this 8"x 8" (20 x 20cm) card and I'll add a sentiment before using.

The backing paper is from the Mulberry Kisses pad from First Edition. The textured green card is from Papermania.

I chose the cute Koala Mum image from the Warm Fuzzies digi set and coloured it with Copics.

I fussy cut some leaves from the leftover paper and added six gems to finish the card.

Now please visit the  Crafts Galore Encore challenge blog where you can see the wonderful projects and cards created by our talented design team using Beccy's Place images.

Grab some inspiration while you're there and enter your "Anything Goes" creations in the September challenge.
Stay safe everyone!

I have entered this card in the following challenges:

https://beccyschallenges.blogspot.com/2020/09/september-challenge.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/09/classic-design-challenge-september-9.html x

https://2craftycrittercrazies.blogspot.com/2020/09/september-1-challenge-42.html x

http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com/2020/09/craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper.html x

Creative Artiste #63 August 2020

We heard it was going to be nice weather this week so decided to have a few days away visiting family. Although its been warm, I'm not sure where the sun has gone. But, while I wait ....

.... there's a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge in July. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
and we have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for our winners.

I have a home decor project to show this month.

This is an 8"x 8" (20cm x 20cm) wooden box frame. I started by disassembling it and discarding the glass.

I cut a sheet of watercolour card to fit and gave it a coat of pale yellow acrylic paint. I did some random, second generation text stamping and sprinkled on some spots of Lindy's Magicals with water.

I painted a couple of wooden hearts with gesso then used texture paste through a text stencil. Once dry, I gave them a coat of pale pink acrylic. I added some lace flowers to the base card and fixed the hearts on top.

I started the main arrangement with some pieces of bark and wooden skewers. I then added some fabric flowers, leaves and Prima Artstones around the arrangement.

I put everything back together and now have a lovely piece of home decor.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge up to three times. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our August challenge. 

Yay! The sun has come out to play!

I've entered this project in the following challenges:

https://abitmoretimetocraftextra.blogspot.com/2020/08/abmttc-extra-challenge-august-anything.html

https://abitmoretimetocraft.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-bit-more-time-to-craft-challenge-120.html

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-perfect-time-to-craft-challenge-for.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/08/classic-design-challenge-august-8.html x

https://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/2020/08/august-challenge-412-anything-goes.html x

Crafts Galore Encore August 2020

Still uncertain times for everyone but we are learning to balance staying safe and grabbing good times when we can.

The upside to spending more time at home is that there is more time to craft. But one thing I didn't want to have to waste my time on is the new Blogger dashboard. Why do they hide the buttons you need to use most? And why do I now have to click twice as many of them to do the simplest things? A steep learning curve I didn't need. 

But I managed it, so, ....

.... There is a new challenge at

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog. 

Thank you to everyone who joined in with July's challenge. The winners have been announced on the challenge blog. This is a month long challenge and you can enter up to three times. There is a full list of rules on the challenge blog.

Our theme every month is the popular

"Anything Goes"

and our sponsor this month is:

Fabrika Fantasy
who are offering a prize of 3 digi stamps from their store.

I have made an 8"x 8" (20 x 20cm) card and will add a sentiment when I decide who it's for.

I started by outlining the card base with an orange Copic then I created a background with Turquoise and White Brushos.

We were given a choice of images from Fabrika Fantasy and I chose the Beautiful Seahorse image. I coloured it with Copics and cut it out with a circle die. I cut a second, slightly larger, circle which I edged in orange for a mat.

I used an orange Brusho on watercolour card and punched out some circles to represent bubbles around the image. Lastly, I splattered on some white with a Posca Pen.

Now please visit the  Crafts Galore Encore challenge blog where you can see the fabulous projects and cards created by our talented design team using Fabrika Fantasy images.

Grab some inspiration while you're there and enter your "Anything Goes" creations in the August challenge.
Stay safe everyone!

I have entered this card in the following challenges:

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2020/08/morgans-artworld-challenge-8.html x

https://abitmoretimetocraftextra.blogspot.com/2020/08/abmttc-extra-challenge-august-anything.html

https://abitmoretimetocraft.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-bit-more-time-to-craft-challenge-120.html

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-perfect-time-to-craft-challenge-for.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/08/classic-design-challenge-august-8.html x

https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/ltccb-49-august-anything-goes.html

Creative Artiste #62 July 2020

Finally there is light at the end of the tunnel. From Monday, in Wales, we will be allowed to travel out of our local area and even mix indoors with one other group from our family. I can't wait till next week when I can see my youngest daughter for the first time since mid February.
But, before then ....

.... there's a new challenge at

Creative Artiste

Creative Artiste is a challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. So, as long as you like to use various mediums on your creations, we'd love to see you enter the challenge.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered the challenge in June. Your projects were all wonderful and our winners have been announced on the blog.

Our theme is always
"Anything Mixed Media Goes"
and we have opportunities to be a Guest Designer for our winners.

I have created a little underwater scene from some leftover packaging.

The box is 6"x 3" (15.5 x 7.5 cm). I started by strengthening the box with layers of tissue paper which I then painted with watercolours. Once dry I added some Prima Artstones with gel for sand and painted that.

The fish were created with Katy Sue moulds and paper clay. They were coloured with Copics, acrylic paint and a black Posca pen to look like Clown fish. I added glass beads for bubbles.

All the die-cut foliage was coloured with watercolour paints. The shells were made using Katy Sue moulds and paper clay. They were coloured with Copics.

The anchor was cut with a Spellbinder die and was given a rusty look with acrylics and crushed Artstones.

Now it's your turn to have fun and create your mixed media projects. You can enter our challenge up to three times. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. For more inspiration please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the fabulous mixed media projects created by our multi talented team.
Remember to have fun crafting and enter your "Anything Mixed Media Goes" creations in our July challenge.

Stay safe everyone!

I've entered this project in the following challenges:
https://abitmoretimetocraftextra.blogspot.com/2020/07/abmttc-extra-challenge-july-anything.html x
https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-perfect-time-to-craft-challenge.html x
https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/07/classic-design-challenge-july-7-2020.html DT Fav
https://lovetocraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2020/07/ltccb-48-july-anything-goes.html x
https://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2020/07/ltscb-135-anything-goes.html DT Fav
https://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.com/2020/07/july-2020-do-what-makes-you-happy.html