Awfully Big Art Adventure

GOODBYE AND THANK-YOU

2009-12-05T10:32:00.002Z

We know this will make a lot of you sad but, after a year, Linda and I have decided not to continue with the Awfully Big Art Adventure. A lot has changed for each of us in that time, and these days we are both teaching craft classes and generally stretching our wings in new directions. The truth is that ABAA is no longer something which is a joy to do, but has become something we feel we ought to do in order not to let people down. It all takes up a surprising amount of time and we both feel that we need a break from it. We'll be leaving the blog up as inspiration, at least for the time being, and if anyone feels they could take over and run with it then please do get in touch.

So a huge thank you to all of you who've taken part in our challenges, and generally loved, encouraged, supported (and challenged) us! It's been an amazing journey and we've loved seeing what you do and learning just how much talent there is out there in blogland.

Our very best wishes to you all, and keep right on altering ....

Twinkling Twinchies!

2009-11-05T19:54:00.011Z

Its nearly that time of year.......time to start thinking about glitter and glitz and twinkly things!!
Well this month we challenge you to make a 'Twinkling Twinchie'......you could put it on a festive card if you want to.
I'm sure you know that Twinchies are little works of art just 2" x 2". You could make it in any medium; fabric, paper, metal, paperclay....just make sure its got sparkle and shine!
Here are my efforts: the example above is an old Christmas stamp I bought in a set from ebay...... I stitched onto glittery Angelina film and fibres with a background of hand-made felt.

This heart has been stitched onto sparkly fabric and then purple velvet (why does it skid around so much?!!) I love the word whisper...... it just makes me want to walk on tiptoe; all hushed and peaceful.

I used the first Twinchie to make a Christmas card. I do like art to be used in some way ..... if at all possible.

And finally here is a set of lovely blue twinchies made by Rosie. Its a great size to work with, I hope you agree.

So......get twinchin'!!!!!! And make them glitzy - I can't wait to see what you create!!!!!
Love Linda

MORE INSPIRATION

2009-10-19T10:59:00.005+01:00

We just HAD to share this inspirational theatre work from Betty which we hope will give you even more ideas on how to complete our challenge! As you can see she has made a theatre within a theatre - so clever! Remember that it doesn't have to be a large piece of work - you could even make one in a matchbox or shrine ... so go on, what are you waiting for??

AND YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE IS ...

2009-10-09T09:58:00.007+01:00

Theatrical! Lori so impressed us with the theatres she made for some of our preceding challenges that we asked her to be our Guest Designer for this month. She's provided several views of her fabulous piece so you can see it from all angles - and it was built on a 6" square unfinished wooden craft box with sliding doors made from the lid, available at any number of craft stores.

Lori says she loves paper dolls and all things Gothic, and with Halloween approaching wanted to create something in a darker mood. She searched out artist papers and images, attaching them with spray adhesive (brayer the image to remove air bubbles). Once all the surfaces were covered she glued the removeable doors to the side of the box to create the "wings". She then added trim to represent footlights and her paper dolls have a support behind them.

So there you have your fabulous inspiration for our theatre theme!! Maybe you will want to have a go at making a theatre, large or small, of your own, or adapt the theme in some way? Whatever you do we want to see it!! Can't wait to see what you come up with ....

Rosie

Showcase Time!

2009-10-09T08:02:00.003+01:00

Its time to display some of your fabulous pieces of art from the last few challenges........ if you want to know a specific artists name please email me (Linda).

Story in a Box ChallengeLinda.........Tammara

Lori.........Mizmollye

Katrina

Anni...........Lumilyon

Luisa.........Gini

Thank you to everyone who joined in!!!

2009-10-08T08:30:00.018+01:00

Bird Challenge

Debsea........Fiona
G-Lori.......Jaqi

Gini....Tine....Sylvia
Rein....Melisa....Rosie

Sue.......Valerie
Patty.......Peggy

Catharina.......Christen
Jo.......Meikoningen

Anni.......Lay Hoon
Lori........Lorraine

Jean

All absolutely fabulous....what a talented lot you are!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!

2009-09-19T10:56:00.003+01:00

Patty emailed me to say .. did we realise that it's the Art Adventure's first birthday today? Well, no we didn't and we're both amazed to find that a year has gone by already! It seems to have been a success as well as an adventure - I don't think there are many challenge blogs as specific to altered art as ours? If there are others please tell us about them!

So Happy Birthday to us and to all of you who've made this journey with us! We hope that you've grown with and through the art you make, and like us learned something about yourself in the process.

Here's to our next year!! ... and no that's not me and Linda up there, but I like the idea!!

THE KEY THING IS ....

2009-09-11T09:28:00.002+01:00

There seems to be something special about keys for me, since they turn up in so many of the projects I make! This little ATC tin, my transformation of a box file, and my Harry Potter(ish) book box.

It's such a potent symbol when you think about it - the revelation of secrets, the hiddenness of others; being able to hide or discover something. And then there's that thing about opening up too, sometimes needing great care in case it is a Pandora's Box? Perhaps it's also about safety and keeping our deepest things safely locked away?

So our challenge this month is to use a key or keys in your art, with extra "smarty points" if you make the key yourself. The keys on the purple book and the little tin are both made using a mould and Delight paperclay, a really brilliant medium. The key on the pink box file is Tim Holtz grunge board, another excellent material you can do so much with.

As ever, it will be so exciting for us to see the wonderful and fantastic ways in which you respond - can't wait!!

Rosie

A VERY CLEVER IDEA ...

2009-09-01T17:07:00.003+01:00

Just look what fun Katrina had with our latest challenge! What a clever take on the whole idea of a "story in a box" - I love the paper dolls and the story. It makes you want to play with it doesn't it?

Keep your lovely entries coming, we do enjoy seeing what you get up to!

A Story in a Box

2009-08-14T09:39:00.013+01:00

I really hope you decide to have a go at this months challenge ...... you are such a talented gang; this could prove to be VERY interesting!
We would like you to tell us a story in a box. It could be one made up by you .... or you could do what I've done and use a ready-made story.
You could use any kind of box/container and materials. My box is 4" x 4".

You may already know that I have a passion for Pre-Raphaelite paintings and so decided to choose one of my favourites as a basis for a story. The painting is 'Pia De' Tolomei' by Rossetti. (The model was William Morris's wife Jane - who Rossetti was in love with at the time.)
The story originates from Dante Alighieri's 'The Divine Comedy' in which he descrives his journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise - see here for more info. In the 'Purgatory' section Dante describes his meeting with Pia de' Tolomei who had been imprisoned in a fortress in Maremma (Tuscany). Its a very sad story!
Ghino has fallen in love with Pia, wife of his cousin Nello. When she refuses his love, in revenge Ghino informs Nello that he has discovered a secret message proving that Pia is having an adulterous relationship. This is untrue but Nello imprisons his wife and leaves her to die.

In the painting Pia is toying with her wedding ring...once a joy and now a mockery. She is surrounded by ivy - representative of clinging memory. A rosary rests on a book of prayers beneath which can be seen old love letters from her husband.
Pia has a very sad and wistful expression.
I have tried to use these symbols in my work. The outside of the box is covered in torn text representing the love letters. I used a smaller box lid inside and cut the picture to raise the area where her head is. I found a rosary in my treasure box and used an old bronze brooch at the top.

(Click on picture.)

You can make your piece as simple or as complicated as you like....I can't wait to see your stories!
Linda x

'What a Hoot'.......and a Dragonfly Showcase

2009-08-07T09:49:00.008+01:00

Just wondered if you'd all seen Christen's wonderful owl she made for our bird challenge......isn't he gorgeous?!! We'll be showcasing all your beautiful birds in the middle of next week, just before our new challenge which will be on Friday 14th August.
Here are your dragonflies from last month, in all their glory....a wonderful mix of digital art, fabric, collage, charms and altered art. Thank you everyone who contributed - you always amaze and inspire us!

Maureen................Meikoningin

Sue..............Lumilyon
Jan...............Wildgoose

Beth........................Christen
Daisy...............................Gini

Genie .............................. Jean
Viv...................................Genie

Lynn..............................Jaqi
Lyn..............................Patty

Jackie........................Lori
The Gypsy.....................Rein

Sylvia-Anne

If I have got any names wrong, or missed anyone out, please let me know.
Linda x

A BIRD IN THE HAND?

2009-07-17T09:20:00.003+01:00

Our challenge this month is to use a bird theme - it can be anything you like from ATC to three dimensional piece, or digital, as long as there's a bird in there somewhere!

I've had this birdcage a LONG time, waiting for inspiration to strike. I bought it in a hardware store sale, and it was verdigris green at the time, but not a pleasing effect. I spray painted it cream and antiqued it a little, adding a perch for my bird to sit on. The ivy leaves are individually cut out and glued in place.

But don't limit yourself - you could make a bird like this lovely felt one Linda made for me - the choice of materials is yours and the result only limited by your imagination! We can't wait to see what you come up with!

EVEN MORE DRAGONFLIES ...

2009-07-10T10:14:00.003+01:00

Well it's nearly time for a new challenge - look out for it on the 17th. I must apologise that my own dragonfly never appeared to complement Linda's beautiful effort. Sad to say I was working on a metal piece, but when it was done I HATED it, so it might have to go in the bin ... I tell you this as reassurance that we can make rubbish art as skilfully as the next person. But isn't it wonderful when it all goes right ....?

Anyway, I wanted to highlight these two dragonflies, not least because they're so different from each other!

Jan's tiny gold backed piece is a wonderful example of shimmery, vivid colours which she's achieved with shrink plastic and mica paint, sealed with Diamond Glaze. Lynn has taken a completely different approach to her 6" canvas, using natural colours and textures, but I love this too. Each in their own way is a striking example of the diverse ways you can approach a theme, and I only wish my piece had been half as good ....

It's not too late to enter, you still have a week or so!!

Rosie

Digital Art

2009-06-30T18:36:00.004+01:00

I've never thought much about digital art until recently.
But we seem to have had more and more contributions from digital artists over the last few challenges........and now I am being converted. We've already had some beautiful ATCs, tags and collages from you for the dragonfly challenge (you still have 2 weeks to join in), but I wanted to give these two pieces a particular mention.
The first is by Lori at http://ravenpainting.blogspot.com/ ....... absolutely stunning.
The second is by Lumilyon http://lumilyon.blogspot.com/ ........ totally enchanting.I hope you agree.
Now I want to learn how to do it!!

Linda x

A DAZZLE OF DRAGONFLIES........

2009-06-18T13:12:00.010+01:00

........... is what we'd love to see from you this month.
Dragonflies are such beautiful creatures, its such a shame they only live for a few weeks. But fortunately your art can give pleasure for much longer than that, so we challenge you to use the image in your artwork........... ATCs, fabric, jewellery, inchies, twinchies, metal.....the choice is yours!
I've made a mixed-media piece using fabric, Angelina fibres, a Crafty Individuals stamp, rusty leaves from Retro Cafe Art, Angelina film, text and gems.
The words are from a poem by Dante Gabriel Rossetti:
Deep in the sun-searched growths the dragonfly
Hangs like a blue thread loosened from the sky.........

Come back next week to see an example from Rosie.

Have fun!

Love Linda x

Shell Challenge Showcase

2009-06-18T10:45:00.019+01:00

What a great challenge this has been.......such a wonderful variety of work to behold!!
Thank you all so much for taking the time to join in; your artwork is amazing...........

Rein

Patty (Magpie's Nest)

Pattie (The Joy of Nesting)

Ooglebloops

Meikoningen

Sharon

Lynn Stevens

Lynn (Her Creative Spirit)

Lynn (Its A July Thing)

Lumilyon

Luisa

Lilibulle

Lay Hoon

Kimmie

Jaqi

Gini

The Gypsy

Debsea

Daisy

Christen

Blackdragon

Annie

We'd especially like to thank those of you who take the time to visit all these blogs and comment on people's work. (Blog links in comments box)

Come back later for a new challenge!!

Shell Challenge

2009-05-22T08:22:00.007+01:00

Hope you're all ready for a new challenge!
If you wish to join in, you have 3 and a half weeks to make a piece of art (ATC, canvas, painting, collage, fabric, etc...) on the theme of shells. You can use real shells or pictures.........Rosie chose to use real ones for her gorgeous piece of art.

This is Rosie's challenge but she's currently on holiday in Florida (lucky girl!) so has asked me to post these words for her........

"Shells have always been special to me - in fact I love all natural (God-given as opposed to man-made) beautiful things. The quote I've used is from The Prophet by Kahil Gibran, and is one of my all time favourites, and has very deep meaning for me. I used a small 5 x 5"canvas which is deeper than they usually are at 1 1/4" and turned it around to take advantage of the deep "window" inside it.

The canvas is painted with acrylic (Folk Art Bayberry) which I then sanded and distressed. I lightly stained and matte varnished the wooden frame because I liked it the way it was - and it also seemed right for the "natural" beach feel I was after. Linda gave me some of this amazing tissue paper which has a small script all over it, and I put a panel of it deep inside to provide a backdrop for my lovely shell which I found in Malta.

Thinking about the brokenness of the theme I tore and pasted more strips of tissue fairly randomly using Mod Podge, and gave the quote (computer generated) a similar treatment. I had a box of tiny shells which seemed just right, and the larger one on the outside is from a necklace. I loved the friend who gave it to me but never liked the necklace which was very large and chunky, so I took it to pieces and used the shells instead. Although she is gone now I'm pretty sure she would approve."

I'm sure you'll agree Rosie has made a beautiful example for us.

We're looking forward to seeing your creations as always!!

Linda x

"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain."

Kahlil Gibran

PS We have a new friend who has just set up a blog for the first time and has created a mini book for Jaqi's photo challenge. It would be lovely if you could go along and say hello..... her name is Gini.

PHOTO CHALLENGE SHOWCASE!

2009-05-21T08:51:00.014+01:00

Well, I think Jaqi's great aunt Rosina would have been thrilled to see all these wonderful pieces of art.....we certainly are!! A huge thanks to everyone who joined in and of course to Jaqi for being our guest challenger. Don't forget to come back tomorrow for a new challenge!

Now just enjoy this fabulous gallery of art ..............Great Aunt Rosina

Chimene

Sandee

Rubymay

Rein

Patty

Ooglebloops

Michelle - Bohemian Gypsy

Mary Ann

Lynn

Lilibulle

Lay Hoon

Jeanette

Jan

Hazel

Glycerine

Filetta

Fifi Flowers

Denise

Daisy

Christen

Annie

Ali

Jaqi

Rosie

Linda

If I have missed anyone out or typed any names incorrectly please let me know - email address here.

Thank you

Love Linda

MORE GORGEOUS ENTRIES ...

2009-05-08T09:32:00.002+01:00

We hope that having extra time means that more of you will feel able to take part this month? It's been particularly interesting to see that, presumably because of our photo theme, we've had a number of digital entries. Daisy's collage above makes me think of an old travel journal page, with pictures, hand written notes and pencil drawings. It makes a fantastic page for the book she's putting together, and really showcases the possibilities of digi work.

Patty on the other hand went for a paper based collage, and I love how she's used the figure of Aunt Rosina against a cottage backdrop. The colours against the black and white photo are particularly effective, but my favourite part is the teapot!!

Do keep the entries coming - you have until the next challenge (we're working on it) goes up on 22nd May .....

Photo Challenge Update.....

2009-05-01T16:52:00.003+01:00

Jaqi, Rosie and I are enjoying seeing what you've been doing with our special photo this month .... all the entries are unique and lovely. We've also been smiling over 'the mystery of the missing bird'. I think when you see a cage, it only natural to look in the cage for the bird - we didn't think of looking anywhere else at first! But well done Patty - you were the first to mention the bird on the shoulder......well spotted!

Rein has created a wonderful vintage piece with text, stitching, lace, a bird and a flower. Very pretty. We have been intrigued by the number of digital collages this time. This one caught my eye from Glycerine...she has created a gorgeous, almost ghostly image with floating feathers and leaves. For me, it evokes a feeling of time passing by.

Watch out for more examples from Rosie next week!

Linda x

PS I will showcase everyones work during the last few days before our next challenge (which will be 22nd May).

HAVE YOU SPOTTED THE BIRD?

2009-04-25T13:31:00.002+01:00

Some people are wondering where the bird is in Jaqi's photo....well it is there.
Can you spot it? (Its like one of those childrens puzzle books, LOL!!)

PHOTO CHALLENGE

2009-04-24T07:48:00.010+01:00

Welcome back everyone - and thanks again for your amazing support, suggestions and comments which we've taken on board. This month we have another guest challenger; our lovely friend Jaqi http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/
Last week she emailed some wonderful old photos for me to look at which had been found recently in a garage. They are thought to have belonged to Jaqi's great grandfather who was a photographer. She thinks this is a photo of her great aunt Rosina who owned the local bakery in Boldon.
I suggested to Jaqi that this would make a great challenge.....to use this image in our artwork.

Jaqi has created a lovely 12"x 12" scrapbook layout.......

I made a transfer of the picture (using gel medium) on a 5"x 5" chunky canvas then collaged around it ....

.......and Rosie used the image to create a page for a little board book she's making (and made up a story around the picture - as Rosie loves to do!)

(To see more pictures of our work, please visit our individual blogs.)

Thanks to Jaqi for inspiring our challenge..........we hope you'll join in and have a go!

Copy the image to any size you like and make something in any medium that inspires you.

Can't wait to see the results....

Linda x

WELL THAT'S DECIDED THEN

2009-04-17T14:46:00.002+01:00

Thank you for your brilliant response to the previous post! We were amazed and relieved to discover how many of you a) loved the blog and b) felt that weekly was actually a bit TOO often!! This takes a lot of pressure off us, and if we can also include guest designers as well this may solve our problem.

So we've decided that the Art Adventure continues and we will try it monthly for now and see how it goes. Since there's another monthly challenge blog that starts on the 1st of each month we thought ours should be at a different time, so we'll put one up next Friday and around about the 20th of the month thereafter ... or something like that.

Thank you so much for the support you've given us - we've loved it all but we now know what a huge commitment something like this is. We both hope that making these decisions will mean that we can go back to really enjoying it, and not feeling constantly under pressure.

We're always delighted to receive ideas for challenges - or links to something you've seen. Saves our poor menopausal brain cells from having to think up something original too!!

SORRY BUT ....

2009-04-10T11:08:00.002+01:00

So sorry, but there won't be a challenge this week - the Easter holiday has caught up with both of us and we just haven't had time!! Perhaps if like us you have family visiting etc you wouldn't have time to do it either?

Our apologies for not saying this before - which if we'd thought it through we could have. We are both finding it quite a strain to keep coming up with interesting challenges, and may need to use this next week to make some decisions about the future.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday weekend.
Linda & Rosie

2009-04-09T15:08:00.003+01:00

Wow we had some lovely entries for the felt challenge this week! Joan's felt ATCs just made me smile SO much - aren't they great? See more here on her blog. Lay Hoon's cake tickled me too and what an inspiration, totally calorie free cake! I love the orange slice on the top. See more on her blog here.

And Lynn's beautiful felt hanging took my eye straightaway - don't you just love that flower? Have a look at her blog here.

We have an announcement for you tomorrow so watch this space please.

IT'S FUZZY - IT'S FELT!

2009-04-03T09:10:00.004+01:00

Here's a new challenge for you - to making something using felt! This is such a versatile material - cheap and readily available in a wide range of colours, and you can stick it or sew it, so what's stopping you? Some of you may even be making your own felt - Linda's exploring this at the moment, but I'm still using the bought kind.

And you can see just how many different ways you can use it - the pincushions are made from a tutorial here and are made around a plastic bottle cap so they're tiny and make wonderful little presents. Then there's a flower brooch made using felt "beads", and Linda made me this little pink birdie as a present ....

This blue house hanging is lightly padded and appliqued with felt and buttons, with a hanging metal charm to finish it off.

Now I'm sure that you'll be showing us ideas and possibilities we'd never have thought of - which is what we love about doing this. But please nicely, if at all possible, we'd prefer it to be new original work and not just something you made ages ago which "fits". Anything else is outside the spirit of what we're trying to do here, which is explore new media, try new techniques and find out that we can do more than we ever dreamed we could!!

Cutlery Showcase

2009-04-02T19:38:00.010+01:00

Patty says that this has been such a fun week and she's enjoyed the opportunity to be "Guest Designer". We asked her to pick her favourites from the challenge entries and she came up with these four:-

Jan
http://jan-jansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/03/awfully-big-art-adventure-altered.html

RubyMay
http://rubymay-days.blogspot.com/2009/03/altered-cutlery-for-abaa.html

Viv
http://vivsvisuals.blogspot.com/2009/03/mother-nature.html

Melisa
http://www.virtuallydesigned.com/gottamake/2009/03/29/altered-silver-spoon

Thank you to everyone who took part - the entries were outstanding as always! A new challenge follows shortly so watch this space!

ALTERED CUTLERY - GUEST DESIGNER!

2009-03-27T09:14:00.016Z

This week we are very honoured to have Patty Szymkowicz as our guest designer/challenger! Her blog is full of fabulous art, ideas and inspiration. I recommend you pay her a visit and whilst you're there scroll down the right hand side to categories then click on Altered Cutlery. You will see all the amazing things she has created with knives, forks and spoons.
For our challenge this week she has made a place-setting! (On her blog you can see close-up views).

This is what Patty said.....
The 'Celebrate' fork on the left has "wings" made of flattened champagne cages with silver and gold wire bullion wrapped around plus a Paper Whimsy face.
The 'Wings to Fly' knife is close to an example of not needing to bend or drill holes (altho there is one hole at the bottom), it's wire and bead wrapped with a loop at the top for hanging.
The flattened spoon pendant on the right has a bit of velvet wrapped around the top, the hand deco in the middle is an odd earring.
I always like an excuse to play with cutlery, I have not been the same since last January when I first discovered it! Thanks to you and Rosie for getting me going again!

They are all fabulous Patty - great fun and very inspiring!

I thought I'd better have a go too and found an old (tiny) mustard spoon which I decorated with gems, wire and a bird in a nest........
.......plus a vintage fork. I curled back the prongs with pliers and gave it the Mona treatment.

(Click on all pics for better views)
So.....there you are..... Patty, Rosie and I challenge you to alter a piece of cutlery! I hope you decide to join in; we can't wait to see what you make......

Linda xx

Beauteous Birdhouses

2009-03-26T20:57:00.005Z

This has been a great week...I have loved looking at all your birdhouses; each one is fabulous and inspiring. Thank you for joining in.

I really liked the way Genie used a chipboard stand from the back of a photo frame - it makes a great (and quirky!) birdhouse. I recommed a visit to her blog - and make sure you read the 'Crafters Commandments' whilst you're there!

Sue's version is such fun, I love her use of different materials (are those clothespeg trees?) Go visit her blog and see some close-ups.

Finally Maureen's birdhouse.....absolutely charming ..... and another example of a great use of materials.

I'll let you into a secret; tomorrow we have a Guest Designer!!!!!! Make sure you visit and see what we're up to......

'MAKE A LITTLE BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL'

2009-03-20T11:52:00.007Z

I love that song .... (see my blog for a video clip later) .... anyway, with spring coming and the bluetits fighting over the nesting box in our garden I thought this week we could have a go at making birdhouses. I made this one from a very small 'blank' box. I cut into the sides of the lid and bent the top to make a roof. I got the nest from a local craftshop for 30p and made the eggs myself from paperclay. I used one of my favourite poems again for the inside .....hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul......

The (very lime!) one is on a block of wood cut out for me by my DH. I just collaged, gessoed and painted (my favourite things!)

Many of the images come from the wonderful Vintage Moth - where they are free! - thank you Abbie!

And finally..... 2 ATCs. Rosie made the cute one on the left and the other is one I did for a swap last year.

Hope you'll take on the challenge - can't wait to see what you get up to............

Have a great weekend!

Love Linda x

GORGEOUS NEWSPRINT

2009-03-20T10:27:00.007Z

Well you all responded magnificently to the newsprint challenge, but I'm guessing Lay Hoon had the most fun getting messy and sticky - and showed the whole process on her blog! This bookmark is just one of the things she made.

Patty's work made me think of the sixties with that heavy mascara, and don't you love the way she has a bird's nest around her neck?? Great fun!

Jan's book cover is very striking with it's Picasso theme, I love how she's used the newsprint to tell a story. A record entry this week so thanks to everyone who took part, and a new challenge coming very shortly .....

HERE IS THE NEWS .... PRINT!

2009-03-13T09:16:00.005Z

You may well have noticed by now that we're very keen on recycling - and anyway, which of us doesn't enjoy making something out of nothing ... especially things that would normally be thrown away? Most of us probably throw away more newsprint than anything else, so your challenge this week is to use it to make something beautiful instead!! The paper flowers above were made by mounting newsprint onto cardstock, then cutting the shapes with a die cutter and curling the edges a bit. An antique brad finishes each off and they'll find their way onto a scrapbook layout very soon!

But to illustrate the possibilities I've also made an ATC and a bookmark, and as ever Linda's contributions below show yet another way to use this versatile and free resource, using lots of colour and adding Artchix images!

Now show us what YOU can do ....

Brilliant Bookmarks

2009-03-12T20:24:00.004Z

I loved this challenge! Thank you so much for your support and thank you everyone who swapped with me. I made lots of extra ones and managed to exchange with everyone who asked!
All the bookmarks were lovely... and hopefully will prove useful as well.
I thought this idea from Sue was very original - she used an old radio valve for the dangly bit!!

Rosie's colourscheme attracted my eye straightaway - and the way she attached the ribbon.
(Thats Rosie at alteredartandstuff...not our Rosie!)

Finally, a new friend, Lynn at http://hercreativespirit.blogspot.com/ - I love the shape, plus the richness and detail she has achieved in this bookmark. Check out her blog; there's a lovely wooden heart which would have been great for Rosie's 'blanks' challenge.

Great work everyone! Remember to come back tomorrow for a new challenge.

Hugs

Linda

AND THE WINNER IS ...

2009-03-10T14:50:00.002Z

The winner of our selection of Artchix goodies is JEAN for her beautiful box! Get in touch Jean and we'll get your prize in the post!!

Bookmarks

2009-03-06T08:23:00.008Z

Something nice and gentle for you this week....... I challenge you to make a bookmark.

I have made a few which are up for swapping if you want to visit my blog and send me an email or leave a comment there. You could use a quote for inspiration; I have put some at the end of this post plus there are loads here http://www.richmond.k12.va.us/readamillion/readingquotes.htm and http://www.quotegarden.com/books.html

Or you might want to try an idea from Sarah Whitmire's Soul Journalling prompts to scan or photocopy some of your own work then cut it up and re-arrange it, as I did here......

Don't forget to visit my blog if you want to do a swap!

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. Chinese proverb

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. Jorge Luis Borges

No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting. Lady M. W. Montague

My home is where my books are. Ellen Thompson

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend. Paul Sweeney

And finally, two by Groucho Marx......

I must say that I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a book.

Outside a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read.

GORGEOUS WORK

2009-03-05T14:11:00.004Z

Well it's been extremely hard to choose my favourites this week, and what these three have in common is the vivid colours used. Liz's jewelled cross is just an explosion of colour, Hurley Murley's felt box is so simple but jumped right off the page at me, and Jean's beautiful box has the turquoise and green of my favourite colour combinations. You would never guess that they all started life as plain cardboard or wood. Linda and I get so much pleasure from seeing what you do with our challenges - and very often the results are much better than ours! Well done everyone and look out for a new challenge from Linda tomorrow!

A "BLANK" CANVAS ....?

2009-02-27T09:38:00.007Z

Hope that you managed to find some kind of card or wooden blank to alter - they are such fun and (as they say around here) cheap as chips! My book blanks were two for one pound which can't be bad. I wanted to make it into a Harry Potter-ish tome, vaguely weird and wizardly, so I had a LOT of fun with this. I've used a K&Co paper from the Verbena range, and all sorts of bits of brass from my collection, plus a hand-made key. I lined the inside in a toning striped paper and the book plate says "enquire within" partly because I haven't yet decided what I'm going to put in it!! The sides were made of finely corrugated cardboard to suggest pages, so I painted them gold and then antiqued and distressed it because it was too bright and brassy.

Linda's blank was a tissue box cover which comes in two parts - base and lid. She's used all kinds of images, including birds and nests to cover it, and as you can see there is a quote running around the edges of the lid which reads
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words and never stops at all. - Emily Dickenson

Now we look forward to seeing what YOU can do .... and courtesy of our lovely sponsor Artchix this time there'll be this lovely prize on offer! (see below) Do go and visit their site as you'll find a selection of the most delicious materials you could ever want to play with!
Also included in the package is a new Tim Holtz ATC background stamp and a flower mini-book.

Rock On!!

2009-02-26T19:59:00.011Z

I want to thank everyone who was crazy enough to join in with my 'rock'n'roll challenge' this week!

I found it very difficult deciding which ones to show because I liked them all for different reasons, but in the end I chose....... Jendy http://jendypendy.blogspot.com/ - I loved all the bits and pieces you added, especially the curly quote! (And I adore gold leaf.)

Kimmie http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/2009/02/rocks.html ..... I was so touched by the fact that you made not one, but TWO memorials for your pet fish! They are both beautiful.

Hope you've managed to find 'an alterable blank' for the next challenge; I'm doing a chipboard tissue box...in fact I'd better go and get on with it.......

AND FOR OUR NEXT TRICK .....!

2009-02-23T15:10:00.003Z

Ssshhhh, don't tell anybody I told you but ... our next challenge will involve using a ready made wood or cardboard shape. I call these "blanks" but it seems not everybody recognises that description!

Anyway, this is a photo of the one I'll be using - it's a book shape box which is open for this picture. You can get all kinds - not long ago I altered a tissue box blank, and somewhere I've got some wooden door hangers. You can use any shape you like, but it would be good to see a photo of it before you altered it as well as after!

So your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go out and get one before Friday!! I got mine from the pound shop .....

THE END OF THE SHOWCASES

2009-02-22T14:41:00.004Z

Linda and I have had to admit defeat on the showcase front - we love the idea but are victims of our own success because each one is taking so long! Sadly we've had to decide that each week the person who sets the challenge (we take it in turns) will choose her favourites). So sorry but we just don't have time to do it the other way ...

Anyhow, I've chosen Jaqi and Jean's efforts out of the doors you all made. Jean's is the bright one on the left above, and see more pictures here. I love the block base she's used and the vivid colours - gorgeous work Jean! The pink one above is Jaqi's, see more here. I love how it opens up to show the Moulin Rouge and the variety of materials she's used. Great entry Jaqi!!

ROCK 2

2009-02-21T11:46:00.002Z

I had a go at Linda's rock challenge too, but only just finished it. Managed to nettle myself collecting this from the garden, but I suppose we all have to suffer for our art!!

I painted it with a gorgeous Lumiere paint called Metallic Russet - it looks more like pink to me - added a pewter heart and the message "love is all you need".

Finished it off with a spiral pattern of silver dots - more pictures on my blog.

Rock 'n' Roll!

2009-02-20T08:35:00.006Z

OK, you're probably going to think I've lost the plot a little this week..........but I want you to go in your garden (or a friend or relatives) and find yourself a rock. Now I know some rocks and pebbles are already very beautiful without any help from us - I have loads in my home (I prefer them to ornaments), but try to find a fairly plain one. Then.....alter it!

On this one I used alcohol inks, gesso, gold flakes, Lumiere paint, a German scrap border and an image from Artchix.

On the other side I painted the background with Lumiere paint and gold ink then used my own drawing of Venus as a gel transfer (instructions below!) I added a few extra lines with a permanent pen. The letters are from a Tim Holtz Distressables sheet.

Finally I coated both sides with Liquitex Gloss Medium and Varnish.

I really hope you'll join in and have a go at this......and of course you'll have an attractive paperweight at the end of it!!

Gel Transfer

1. Print a copy of your chosen picture (I used a smaller version of my Venus sketch ). Cut around it (just roughly).

2. Paint a layer of gel medium onto the stone and place the picture on it face down.

3. Press hard and burnish with the back of a spoon or bone folder.

4. Let it dry for a few hours.

5. Wet the paper thouroughly and start to rub it away very gently. The image should remain on the stone when all the paper has gone.

It won't be perfect - but that can look good!

Hearts and Crows

2009-02-19T20:32:00.018Z

I have put these two showcases together because I am a bit behind in displaying them - sorry!
Anyway.......enjoy the fabulous artwork which follows:

Ellen - http://scrappanic.blogspot.com/

June - http://junesartyretreat.blogspot.com/2009/02/milagros-heart.html

and

Rubymay - http://rubymay-days.blogspot.com/

Rosemary - http://freeadvicewortheverypenny.blogspot.com/2009/02/challenge-milagros-heart.html

and
Viv - http://vivsvisuals.blogspot.com/2009/02/milagros-heart.html

Linda - http://my-littlebit.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-world-one-heart-participant.html
and
Maureen - http://maureen-maureensmixture.blogspot.com/

Veebee - http://veebscraft.blogspot.com/2009/01/stone-crows.html

and
Jana - http://icantwanna.blogspot.com/2009/02/milagro-heart.html

Sharon - http://magpiesarttreasurechest.blogspot.com/2009/02/crow.html

and
Tine - http://nordseetine.blogspot.com/2009/01/awfully-big-art-adventure-krahen.html#links

Hazel - http://craftyhazelnut.blogspot.com/2009/02/unusual-subject.html

and
Patty - http://bitze.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/a-crow-perched-on-a-withered-tree

Sassa - http://anniemilia.vuodatus.net/blog/1780183/

Ezzie - http://ezziesart.blogspot.com/2009/02/big-art-adventure-crows.html

Hilda - http://inkythings.blogspot.com/2009/01/art-adventure-crows.html
and
Gayle - http://gaylepage-robak.blogspot.com/2009/02/art-adventure.html

Pattie - http://thejoyofnesting.blogspot.com/2009/02/black-bird-on-steroids-awfully-big-art.html
and
Virginia - http://littlebookofme.blogspot.com/2009/01/combined-challenge.html

Rosie - http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/love-and-milagros-hearts/

Sue - http://suesartstuff.blogspot.com/2009/02/something-to-crow-about.html

and

Sue - http://sroddis.blogspot.com/2009/02/milagros-heart.html

Kimmie - http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/

Jendy - http://jendypendy.blogspot.com/

Jean - http://bluebirdslivinginthemeadow.blogspot.com/

Jaqi - http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/

Jan - http://jan-jansjournal.blogspot.com/

Ali - http://alis-space.blogspot.com/

Thank you for taking the time to join in with our challenges!

(PS This was rather difficult to do so please would you let me know if I have made any mistakes ....... Linda x)

DOORS

2009-02-13T09:51:00.003Z

Here's our challenge for this week - make something with a door in it. It can open or not, just as you like, it can be literal or metaphorical ... you choose!

The lower picture shows a fairy door in the skirting board of my Studio. I made it from lolly sticks, paperclay, the hinges are card and the handle is an upholstery tack. I put it there for my grand-daughter to find and at 3 she already loves it! Now I have to think of somewhere else in the house to hide one.

The upper photos show a hanging I made from card and paper. I was thinking a lot about the idea of home, and going home, not least because my own mother is dying. So I wanted my piece to be about home as in house, but also an eternal home element. Looking forward to seeing your doors and hearing what they mean to you .....

GORGEOUS CANVASES!!

2009-02-08T12:18:00.025Z

Milagros Hearts (and Bottletops)

2009-02-06T09:31:00.008Z

With Valentine's Day coming up we thought we'd challenge you to create a milagros heart. Milagros are small metal religious charms found in many areas of Latin America, especially Mexico and Peru. The word “Milagro” means “miracle”. They often depict arms, legs, hearts and animals and are pinned to crosses or wooden statues of various saints, the Virgin Mary or Christ. If you google (images) milagros heart you should find lots of examples to inspire you.
I decided to make a needle-felted heart which I then stitched onto a quilted organza background. Under the organza is a piece of text I transferred onto some fabric using jetFX. Finally I couched sari silk around the edge, stitched on some beads and made a metal heart for the centre.

Rosie made a heart out of metal and coloured it with alcohol inks. The image inside is from Artchix.

Of course you don't have to make them out of fabric or metal ..... we know you will come up with all sorts of other ideas!
We look forward to seeing your artwork as always.

Better late than never....... here are your wonderful bottletop creations!!
Virginia - http://littlebookofme.blogspot.com/2009/01/awfully-big-art-adventurebottle-tops.html

Sherry - http://gotart4u.blogspot.com/2008/02/time-for-martinis-happy-hour-record.html

Rosie - http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/altered-tins/

Patty - http://bitze.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/abaa-bottle-caps

Pattie - http://thejoyofnesting.blogspot.com/2009/01/rabs-scavenger-hunt.html

Nicky - http://thealteredinker.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-very-first-art-doll.html

Jendy - http://jendypendy.blogspot.com/2009/01/abaa-bottle-cap.html

Jaqi - http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/2009/01/awfully-big-art-adventure-bottletop.html

Jan- http://jan-jansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/01/2cre8art-bottletop-challenge.html

Dawne - http://dawne-abitofthisabitofthat.blogspot.com/2009/01/awfully-big-art-adventure.html

Ellen - http://scrappanic.blogspot.com/2009/01/tin-and-bottlecap.html

Hilda - http://inkythings.blogspot.com/2009/01/art-adventure-bottle-tops.html

Something To Crow About

2009-01-30T08:47:00.011Z

Many of us like to use bird images in our artwork ..... especially black birds. I've been doing some research this week because I was a bit confused by all the different kinds. I've discovered that blackbirds belong to the thrush family, whereas crows, ravens, rooks and jackdaws all belong to the corvus group.

I chose to work with crows this week. They entertain me by jumping around on the roof of the house opposite ...I can often see them when I look out of my craft room window.

This is Crazy Crow! I found the instructions and inspiration in an old copy of 'Cloth, Paper, Scissors'. (The artist was Kelli Perkins.) Its made of black felt and fabric scraps.

This is a journal page I created after discovering the phrase A murder of crows. They can look rather sinister at times! (BTW a group of ravens is called an unkindness.)

I was inspired by the amazing work of Michelle Ward and her Street Team challenges where she gives loads of brilliant ideas and techniques. I recommend you take a look!

Finally - an ATC from me...and a glam pink one from Rosie!

So, we challenge you all this week to make art with crows! Or ravens....or rooks.....or blackbirds...........

Most of all.......have fun!

Charms

2009-01-30T08:04:00.005Z

I'm sorry this showcase is rather late ..... I've been having a few problems with my laptop recently ...... but a new PC is arriving tomorrow, woohoo!
Your charms are absolutely wonderful; so much variety....... and loads of inspiration. Take a look..........

Sue: http://www.stampndaly.com/?p=1070

Rosie; http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/charm-ing

Patty: http://bitze.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/absolutely-charming/

Kimmie: http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/2009/01/charming-keys.html

Pattie: http://thejoyofnesting.blogspot.com/2009/01/ive-got-that-naked-kinda-feeling.html

Nicky: http://thealteredinker.blogspot.com/2009/01/just-charming.html

Sue: http://suesartstuff.blogspot.com/2009/01/awfully-big-art-adventure-absolutely.html

Jendy: http://jendypendy.blogspot.com/2009/01/charmed-im-sure.html

http://indybev.blogspot.com/2009/01/big-art-adventure-charms_06.html

Hilda: http://inkythings.blogspot.com/2009/01/art-adventure-charms.html

Chris: http://bling-kin-eck.blogspot.com/2009/01/big-art-adventure-challenge-charms.html

http://rileycoyotecreations.blogspot.com/2009/01/charms-for-challenge.html

Altered Canvas

2009-01-27T14:49:00.004Z

Here's my altered canvas...its a little chunky one, 4"x6".
I'm going to give it away as part of the One World One Heart event. See my blog for more details.

All the images are from Artchix collage sheets.

ALTER A CANVAS

2009-01-23T09:19:00.003Z

This week's Challenge is to alter a canvas - they're everywhere at the moment from art shops to pound shops (and dollar stores) and they come in all shapes and sizes. The larger one above is 8" square, and the small one is 2.5". What you can't see very well from these photos is that, inspired by Viola, I've turned them both around and used them as a kind of deep frame.

On each of them the central photo is raised up to give a 3D effect (which doesn't photograph very well). On the smaller one the reverse side of the canvas was a nice natural linen look, so I left it like that and painted the canvas edges with distress crackle paint in antique linen. I've always enjoyed Viola's use of lace too, so both canvases feature it, although I think I may age the lace on the larger one a bit, it seems to look too pristine. The metal plaque on the larger canvas is meant for a title when I can think of one!!

Look forward to seeing your creations and, as ever, I do want to say how much we enjoy sharing them!

A Word of Warning ...

2009-01-19T18:19:00.002Z

Just a quickie to let you know that for Friday's challenge you'll need a framed canvas. You can use any size you like, the one I'm working on is TINY!!

BOTTLETOPS!!

2009-01-16T09:04:00.006Z

This week we'd like to challenge you to use bottletops. As you can see here they're very versatile (although I confess to having only recently discovered them) ...

They make excellent frames - as in my assemblage where I used one on the back wall, and Linda used one to make this very pretty charm.

What I didn't realise at first is that they work better if you flatten them, so once I discovered I could do that in my Big Shot I was away! You can use alcohol inks to colour them, or metallic paints or permanent markers, there are endless possibilities. If you have a one inch circle punch this fits perfectly inside a bottletop!!
So over to you and can't wait to see the wonderful things you always come up with.

Give Me a Sign Showcase
Here are your fabulous signs - there was such a great response to this and it was very interesting to read your explanations. Thank you as always for joining in and providing such wonderful inspiration.

Sharon - http://magpiesarttreasurechest.blogspot.com/

Virginia - http://littlebookofme.blogspot.com/2009/01/awfully-big-art-adventurepeace.html

Sue - http://suesartstuff.blogspot.com/2009/01/awfully-big-art-adventure-give-me-sign.html
http://stampoasis.blogspot.com/2009/01/blog-post_10.html

Sandy - http://stempelchaotin.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/awfully-big-art-adventure-give-me-a-sign/

Rosie - http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/2009/01/11/give-me-a-sign

Nicky - http://thealteredinker.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-word.html

Nancy - http://neatcs.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/abaa/

Linda - http://lindavincent.blogspot.com/2009/01/word-challenge-and-soul-journal.html

Kimmie - http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/2009/01/give-me-sign.html

Karen - http://karenscarryons.blogspot.com/2009/01/big-art-adventure-give-me-sign.html

Jendy - http://jendypendy.blogspot.com/2009/01/abaa-heres-your-sign.html

Jean - http://bluebirdslivinginthemeadow.blogspot.com/

Jaqi - http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/

Gillian - http://scrappydoo-gillian.blogspot.com/2009/01/give-me-sign.html

Fiona - http://magickdiva.blogspot.com/2009/01/happy-new-year.html

Denise - http://denise-blessthismess.blogspot.com/2009/01/l-r-challenge.html

Hilda - http://inkythings.blogspot.com/2009/01/art-adventure-make-sign.html

Sunday - http://scrapbooking-layout-inspiration.blogspot.com/2009/01/thank-you-layout.html

Sharon - http://sharon-ward.blogspot.com/2009/01/give-me-sign.html

Sue http://www.stampndaly.com/?p=1081

GIVE ME A SIGN!!

2009-01-09T10:06:00.002Z

A New Year makes many of us look ahead and think about what we want for the months to come. I like to have a "word" for the year - and I make a sign and put it on my wall to remind me. My new word is "thanks", to remind me to be deeply grateful for all that I have ... rather than hankering after things out of reach! This is my sign (well it HAD to be pink didn't it?) and the challenge is to make one for yourself - a message to yourself for the year ahead, perhaps a goal for the year, or a saying you want to live by. Just remember that this is for YOU.

I made it out of mountboard with pink scrapbook paper, cutting the lettering with a Cricut machine, and added butterflies downloaded from the internet. The scroll at the bottom is a stamp. Couldn't resist adding pink sparkly stones either .....

The other sign I made for a dear friend (who has probably already guessed it's for her - and it's in the post to you!). I've used her favourite colours and a little wooden frame I bought from a dollar store.

Can't wait to see your signs - don't forget to share with us why the words are special to you!

Pretty Pink Recycling

2009-01-09T10:02:00.004Z

A couple of weeks ago we challenged you to recycle - well the challenge was well and truly taken up by Jean. She did a fabulous job and we recommend you take a look at her blog http://bluebirdslivinginthemeadow.blogspot.com/

Window Challenge

2009-01-09T09:33:00.006Z

Sorry this is a little late, but here are the wonderful windows you created for our challenge a few weeks ago. Thanks to everyone who took part - your artwork is inspiring and imaginative, as always!

Sandy - http://stempelchaotin.wordpress.com/2008/12/12/artsy-background-red-awfully-big-art-adventure-windows/

Chriss - http://thepapergirls.blogspot.com/2008/12/abaa-windows.html

Denise - http://denise-blessthismess.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-post.html

Ilonka - http://kreativgeschwafel.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/big-art-adventure-window/

http://indybev.blogspot.com/2008/12/big-art-adventure-window.html

http://inkythings.blogspot.com/2008/12/friday-art-adventure-windows.html

Jaqi - http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/2008/12/abaa-window-challange.html

Katie - http://ferrishyn-frontier.blogspot.com/2008/12/art-adventure.html

Kimmie - http://kimmiekrazykorner.blogspot.com/2008/12/window-challenge.html

Lisa - http://lafemmepapier.blogspot.com/2008/12/windows.html

Linda - http://lindavincent.blogspot.com/2008/12/big-art-adventure-challenge-windows.html

Rosie - http://bigartadventure.blogspot.com/2008/12/windows.html

ABSOLUTELY CHARMING!

2009-01-02T11:18:00.014Z

Rosie and I have been making charms this week and hope that you will join in! We've used a variety of materials; Artchix frames and mini shrines, bottle tops, broken bits of jewellery, dominoes and so on.

Here are my attempts........

And here are Rosie's........

...and this is a charm Rosie made for me about 8 months ago at the start of our friendship.

Hope you'll find some time this week to have a go. We are looking forward to seeing what you come up with!!!

In the next couple of days I will post the pictures of the wonderful windows you made a few weeks ago...so come back soon.

Thank you for supporting our challenge blog........Happy New Year everyone!!!!

CHRISTMAS RECYCLING CHALLENGE!

2008-12-19T09:55:00.002Z

This next challenge will also run for 2 weeks - we figure you might have one or two other things to keep you busy??

In this season of much goodwill and even more RUBBISH (all that wrapping paper and packaging etc) we challenge you to keep your eye out for packaging you can recycle into art! For example my silver topped wooden box was a Christmas gift from last year - it had a "Hotel Chocolat" logo right across the lid. Now this is safely covered up and the unfinished wood has several coats of varnish.

The other piece you've seen before as part of our "make a house" challenge, but it was also recycled from last Christmas - it's built on a gift box base which contained my new watch! This is an item that would definitely have been thrown away without a squirrel like me in the house ...

So keep your eyes open for packaging you can use, and you have until 2nd January to transform it into something else!! Looking forward to seeing what you can find .....

Artful Angels

2008-12-11T14:20:00.007Z

Enjoy these wonderful Artful Angels!!
Thank you all for joining in and producing such fabulous and unique works of art.......

Sesga - http://sesgaloves1950s.blogspot.com/

Lisa - http://lafemmepapier.blogspot.com/2008/11/angel-collage.html

Patty - http://bitze.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/altered-angel

Sharon - http://magpiesarttreasurechest.blogspot.com/2008/11/angels.html

Lorraine - http://loveofcollage.blogspot.com/2008/12/awfully-big-art-adventure-angel.html

Jaqi - http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/2008/12/awfully-big-art-adventure-dark-angel.html

Princess Jessie - http://craftygirlox.blogspot.com/

Denise - http://denise-blessthismess.blogspot.com/

Chriss - http://thepapergirls.blogspot.com/2008/12/awfully-big-art-adventure.html

Amy - http://craftyfingerz.blogspot.com/2008/11/angel-tree-topper.html

Kimmie - http://kimmiekrazykorner.blogspot.com/

WINDOWS

2008-12-05T10:18:00.008Z

Here we go again with a new challenge for you! Because it's a busy time of year for everyone we've decided that this will run over the next 2 weeks to give you a bit longer, and then we'll set another challenge on 19th December to run into the New Year. After that it will be back to weekly as usual.

So this challenge is to make a window, and we hope this gives you plenty of scope to make something as simple as an ATC (which my Frida window is) if time is short, or something much larger if you want to. My vintage window is based around a wooden picture frame, into which I inserted some wooden struts to give a window-like appearance.

Don't forget that shrines can be windows too, as in the little photo - which is only about the size of a matchbox and was made with a kit from Retro Cafe Art. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!! Don't forget - no panic with this one because you have two weeks to do it.

Rosie

Altered Tins Gallery

2008-12-02T14:06:00.012Z

Here are your altered tins ..... thank you to everyone who sent pictures in (and there were a lot!!) Once again a great variety of ideas and materials. I recommend you visit the blogs and see all the extra pictures.
All very inspiring.........

Audrey - http://smallcreations.blogspot.com/

Jaqi - http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/2008/11/abaa-week-10-altered-tin.html

Patty - http://bitze.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/alter-a-tin-dream

Rosie - http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/magic-and-a-big-adventure-tin/

Chriss - http://thepapergirls.blogspot.com/

Sherry - http://gotart4u.blogspot.com/2008/11/awfully-big-art-adventure.html

Sharon - http://magpiesarttreasurechest.blogspot.com/2008/11/altered-tin.html

Sandy - http://stempelchaotin.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/awfully-big-art-adventure-alter-a-tin/

Nicky - http://thealteredinker.blogspot.com/2008/11/me-2-u-november-edition.html

Nancy - http://neatcs.wordpress.com/2008/11/28/big-adventure-tin/

Kittie - http://kleinigkeitenundmehr.blogspot.com/2008/11/verndere-eine-blechdosealter-tin.html

Kimmie - http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/2008/11/alter-tin.html

http://inkythings.blogspot.com/2008/11/art-adventure-altered-tin.html

Heather - http://creativesolace.blogspot.com/2008/11/big-art-adventure-alter-tin.html

Lorraine - http://loveofcollage.blogspot.com/2008/11/awfully-big-art-adventure-tin-tgif.html

Kimmie - http://kimmiekrazykorner.blogspot.com/

Karen - http://karenscarryons.blogspot.com/2008/11/altered-tin_25.html

Lay Hoon - http://mescrap.blogspot.com/2008/11/awfully-big-art-adventure-altered-tin.html

If any of the links are incorrect, please let me know. It was a tough job this week!!!

Art Angels

2008-11-28T10:09:00.009Z

This week we are challenging you to make angels...they may come in handy for Christmas decorations! Feel free to use your imagination and make them out of whatever you like.....
Rosie used scrapbook papers for her Christmas decoration, and painted the face and wings herself - clever girl.
She used an Artchix dreambox for this one, plus Artchix collage sheet and wings. Very classy Rosie - love those blue wings!

I used Artchix images for all my pieces - this one is in a memory frame, with added metal halo and wings.

This one ended up quite bizarre - but I like her! The body is made of paperclay.

I stuck the famous Archix mascot onto a chunky block (covered in music and text) with a panel of Angelina fibre and a metal heart.

Better late than never - this is my altered tin. It was an M&S mint tin that I sanded and covered in alcohol ink. This is one of my favourite images.

It is now home for my sequin collection!

The 2 little angels were from a chocolate wrapper and I've mounted them onto Angelina.
Ok....now its your turn!

PS If you want to use an angel quote, I'll be putting lots on my blog later today.

Audrey's blog

2008-11-28T10:05:00.002Z

We were very grateful to Audrey at http://smallcreations.blogspot.com/ for inspiring us to make chunky ATCs. She wasn't able to join in with our challenge that week, but has since made some more beautiful examples. I recommend you take a look at her work.

Incredible Inchies!

2008-11-24T18:44:00.012Z

I'm sorry this post is late, but I was away at Rosies last week (having fun).
Your artwork for the Inchie Challenge has been a joy to behold!
Such a variety of techniques, materials and lay-outs. Thank you very much for taking part and inspiring us all............

Round of applause!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before I go I'd just like to thank Yvonne at http://boxoftrix.blogspot.com/ for allowing us to show her inchies on our original post. I recommend you take a look at her blog - you'll see lots more beautiful pieces of fabric art.

Like this......

ALTER A TIN

2008-11-21T09:13:00.002Z

Our challenge this week is to alter a tin, so we've got three examples to show you. The square tin is recycled and has been alcohol inked over the silver body, and a metal panel hides the manufacturers name on the lid!

The "secrets" tin is actually a bought for altering "band-aid" tin, which has been covered in script paper, then distressed and sealed.

The pink tin is another bought for altering tin - a small size "lunch tin", which again has been altered with scrapbook papers and quite a lot of ribbons!

We hope this will just give you a flavour of the many possibilities ... and once again provide something you can either use or give away as a gift! So show us what you can do ....

JUST A HINT ....

2008-11-19T14:13:00.002Z

Just a hint that you'll be needing a tin for Friday's challenge - so it's time to dig out that one you've had put aside for ages just waiting for you to get round to it! Buy one, recycle one, whatever you like .... Any kind of tin will do, I've used a bought lunch tin, a band-aid tin and one that had sweets in it, it's what you do with it that matters!

Inchie Inspiration

2008-11-17T16:47:00.005Z

I just had to show you these.... they might inspire you to make fabric inchies! They were made by Dot and you can see more detail here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/createarian/2910943379/
and here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/createarian/355235453/in/set-72157594543185922/

Thank you Dot for letting us see these. Your work is inspirational!

ARTCHIX SPONSORSHIP

2008-11-17T13:44:00.002Z

The lovely Helga from our absolute favourite supplier Artchix Studio has so kindly offered us sponsorship, and just LOOK what she's sent us! She's even remember to send two of each size of the lil dreamboxes so we don't fight (as if!) but then we somehow have to share out the gorgeous collage sheets ....

If you don't already know of this supplier (or even if you do) get on over there and see for yourself the wondrous goodies in store. It's the sort of place where you want to buy everything!!.

And you might not know that Helga issues weekly challenges through her blog here so take a look over there as well.

Look out for all this delicious stuff in future challenge samples ....

Rosie

GIVE US AN INCH ... AND WE'LL MAKE ART!

2008-11-14T09:34:00.008Z

G'morning all, it's challenge day again and this time it's inchies!
Now before you groan and mutter things like "too small" "can't do them" or "oh no what a stoopid idea" hear me out (convinced inchie makers can skip this bit).

I was an inchie hater too - the smallest thing I ever made was a twinchie, and that seemed tiny enough. I think the problem for most of us is that the format just doesn't give enough scope? But then, browsing through my favourite magazine Somerset Studio, I came across someone who made sets of inchies, and it all started to make sense. When you look at them individually there's not much happening, but when you see a whole set ..... anyway, I made these and have to admit I actually enjoyed it!

And what's more you don't have to stick to card and paper, because look what I found on Dot's blog - fabric inchies, made by a lady in Scotland. Aren't they BRILLIANT? And I also thought .... what about metal inchies??

I can hear you asking "what constitutes a set" and please don't be put off by the quantities made here because when I consulted Linda we concluded that a set could be as few as three. Since I made mine I've also come across sets that tell a story, so I might have to have a go at that (well you all know about my penchant for telling stories).

And Linda managed to combine last week's challenge with this one and make a block with a set of inchies on it! She calls it a "Celebration of Women" and one of the pictures is of her mum.

So we look forward to seeing your sets, which as usual will be MUCH better than ours, and make us say "why didn't we think of that"! And by the way (seasonal hint) don't you think a set like this mounted into a frame would make a lovely Christmas gift??????

Chunky ATCs

2008-11-13T15:05:00.018Z

We are aware that this was a tricky challenge for some of you because of the woodblock, but we want to say a BIG thank you to those of you who had a go - the results are fantastic and inspirational!
We have to give a special mention to Patty at Magpie's Nest who threw her heart and soul into the challenge and couldn't stop making them!

Please visit all her links and see what else she made. http://bitze.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/purple-is-the-color
http://bitze.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/mixed-media-monday-2
http://bitze.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/paradise
http://bitze.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/chunky-artist-trading-cards http://kimmiekrazykorner.blogspot.com/

http://random-ramblings-of-a-crafter.blogspot.com/2008/11/blog-inspiration.htmlWell done Crissi for finding a novel way of making a woodblock (see her post)

http://thepapergirls.blogspot.com/2008/11/awfully-big-art-adventure-l-r.html

and another clever idea for a woodblock from Chriss Rollins http://inkythings.blogspot.com/2008/11/art-adventure-wood-block.html

http://bling-kin-eck.blogspot.com/2008/11/big-art-adventure-challenge-3d-atc.html

http://magpiesarttreasurechest.blogspot.com/

http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/2008/11/awfully-big-art-adventure-week-7.html

http://studiorose.wordpress.com/

http://neatcs.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/linda-and-rosies-adventure/

http://dawne-abitofthisabitofthat.blogspot.com/2008/11/awfully-big-adventure.html

Rosie's Chunky ATC and An Award

2008-11-07T08:53:00.008Z

Rosie emailed the pictures of her woodblock to me last night and it is GORGEOUS!

I can't wait to make more of these. Its really nice to hold something thats decorated on all sides.

Rosie has taken the words Angels in the Architecture from a Paul Simon song.

Hopefully she's inspired you to have a go...........

We are very grateful to Helga at Artchix for giving our blog an award. Helga's blog is very inspiring (as is her website) - full of wonderful colours, fabulous art materials and inspirational ideas. I recommend you take a look.......

http://www.myartisticlife.typepad.com/

http://www.artchixstudio.com/

More news to come about Artchix in the coming weeks - Rosie and I are very excited ...... so watch this space!

Chunky ATCs

2008-11-06T12:09:00.011Z

I'm posting this a day early in the hope that you might be able to get hold of a woodblock, given a little extra time.

I first saw this brilliant idea on Audrey's blog http://smallcreations.blogspot.com/2008/09/chunky-atcs.html and http://smallcreations.blogspot.com/2008/08/woodworks.html

I have asked Audrey's permission to use her work as this week's inspiration and she kindly agreed. So....... we challenge you to make a 3D ATC using collage, paint, lace, words, embellishments - whatever you like!

The dimensions would ideally be ATC-sized and roughly 1" thick. Although size doesn't really matter...as they say!

Please go and look at Audrey's artwork for inspiration. You may have already seen half of mine on my blog - here's the rest.

I did the back as well...but thats not compulsory! (You don't have to paint a face - but you can if you want!)

Rosie's version will be shown in a few days - so please come back and have a look.

We are really excited to see what you talented people come up with this week.

PS I'd like to thank Margaret Rodgers for the free angel image -

http://margaretrodgersblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/cemetery-angel-pictures-to-share.html

Beautiful Box Files

2008-11-06T11:28:00.013Z

We loved this challenge and feel inspired to do more now we've seen your contributions!
Thank you girls.........

http://bling-kin-eck.blogspot.com/2008/11/big-art-adventure-challenge-altered-box.html

http://thepapergirls.blogspot.com/2008/11/altered-box-file.html

http://magpiesarttreasurechest.blogspot.com/2008/11/box-file.html

http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/altered-file-box/

http://dawne-abitofthisabitofthat.blogspot.com/2008/11/awfully-big-art-adventure.html

http://mescrap.blogspot.com/2008/11/awfully-big-art-adventure-altered.html

http://inkythings.blogspot.com/2008/10/art-adventure-box-file.html

http://hurleymurley.blogspot.com/2008/11/altered-box-file.html

http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/2008/11/awfully-big-art-adventure-week-6.html

ALTER A BOX FILE

2008-10-31T09:31:00.003Z

Oooo we had some fun with ours, and hope you will too! My pink (and though you can't see it SPARKLY!) box is a foolscap size, and Linda's is a smaller A5, so there's lots of scope. Neither of ours were new, but did I point out that they do come in lovely colours now, so you might be tempted to buy one specially?? And of course this is yet another challenge in which you make something you can actually USE.

Funnily enough we've both used K & Co papers - the pink is from the Smitten range and the gorgeous folksy one is Wild Saffron. The interesting details are mainly the gorgeous grungeboard that Karen from Scrapz was kind enough to send us. It's fabulous stuff so get on over there to buy some!
The pink box was originally dark red and a bit scruffy, so I painted it with acrylics (Anita's Fuschia) and then added a sealant coat of matte Mod Podge. I fastened the paper down with double-sided tape taken right to the edge as this gives a really strong bond. I painted the hinges and other decorations with metallic black, which as you can see from the close-up gave a really good effect.

We're both very pleased with our efforts (and won't they look great on the shelf) but as usual we expect you'll have even better and more original ideas .... so can't wait to see them!

Beautiful Box Houses

2008-10-30T21:23:00.016Z

There are some stunning and very inspiring pieces of artwork this week. You have been very imaginative - we are impressed!! Thank you again for rising to the challenge. For more details, please visit the blogs......... Chriss - http://thepapergirls.blogspot.com/

Jaqi - http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/

Sharon - http://magpiesarttreasurechest.blogspot.com/

Sandy - http://stempelchaotin.wordpress.com/

Sue - http://suesartstuff.blogspot.com/

Nancy - http://neatcs.wordpress.com/

Lay Hoon - http://mescrap.blogspot.com/

Kimmie 1 - http://kimmiekrazykorner.blogspot.com/

Kimmie 2 - http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/

Kathryn - http://gallery.mac.com/kathrynantyr#100110/love-birdhouse-2007&bgcolor=black

http://www.collagediva.com/Site/Kathryns_Blog/Kathryns_Blog.html

Isa - http://scrapandstamp.co.uk/

http://inkythings.blogspot.com/

http://hurleymurley.blogspot.com/

Dawne - http://dawne-abitofthisabitofthat.blogspot.com/

Alix - http://creativechaos-alix.blogspot.com/

HAVE YOU GOT AN OLD BOX FILE?

2008-10-28T15:48:00.002Z

We'll be altering a box file for our next challenge so we thought you would need advance notice - I'm recycling an old foolscap one that used to hold work files (and I nearly threw it out last week) and Linda is going to be using a smaller one. Of course you can splash out on a new one if you feel like treating yourself, they come in some yummy colours now .... !

Award

2008-10-27T15:57:00.003Z

Rosie and I would like to thank Jaqi for giving us this award

....and whilst we're at it we'd also like to thank everyone who has supported our new venture over the last 6 weeks. We are truly humbled by all the wonderful comments and amazing pieces of artwork you've shared with us. We'd like to pass this award on to every one of you.

MAKE A 3D HOUSE!

2008-10-24T09:52:00.007+01:00

Most of us have made houses of one kind or another - house ATCs having been very popular for a while - but now our challenge is to make a truly 3D house! Anything goes and the size is totally up to you - mine are 4.5" high and 2.5" so on the small side, but I think that's because I used to be a miniaturist and seem not to think on a bigger scale!

Can you believe that Linda's gorgeous tall house is made from a drinks carton - AND it serves as a pen container? Both of us have used found objects to recycle as a "frame" to build on - mine were based on a watch presentation box and a ring box!

So we're looking forward to seeing what YOU can do ... let's build a whole town, with extra smartypants points for those who manage to make theirs useful as well as decorative!!

Fabulous Fabric Arches

2008-10-23T17:38:00.051+01:00

Once again - a terrific response to our challenge. Thanks to everyone who joined in; we know many of you moved out of your comfort zone and tried something new. Click on the pictures to see more and find out who made each one. If I've missed anyone out, please let me know.

http://bling-kin-eck.blogspot.com/

http://carol-paperplay-carol.blogspot.com/

http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/

http://dawne-abitofthisabitofthat.blogspot.com/

http://thepapergirls.blogspot.com/

http://madebyjoanne.blogspot.com/

Another Altered Can

2008-10-17T17:06:00.006+01:00

Please take some time to visit Patty's blog and see her fabulous creation for our altered can challenge. Here's a little snippet ......... ....go and see more and find out how she made it.

Chriss has just posted her gorgeous can on the Papergirls blog......go and have a look and you'll also see lots of lovely pictures of her match box challenge, too. Thanks for joining in Chriss!

And here's another late addition.......from Kimmie at http://kimmiekrazykorner.blogspot.com/
This is great fun - we love it!!

Fabric Arches

2008-10-16T21:13:00.011+01:00

I thought we'd have yet another change of material this week and work with fabric. I challenged Rosie to make a fabric arch.......and I hope you will join in too!!!
I hope she won't mind me saying that she wasn't wild about the idea - but I think she's done a great job. As I kept reminding her our blog is about pushing the boundaries of what we believe we can do (her words on the right!)
This is her finished piece...I love the colours, the pretty machine stitching and the clever hand stitching. A gorgeous arch Rosie!Here are my attempts.............

The first one is a mixture of hand and machine stitching.
The middle one has Angelina fibres and is totally machine stitched.
On the third one I glued everything down except the word which is hand stitched.
So...glue, machine or hand stitch....will you take on the challenge?
(Pictures are clickable for a better view)

Boxes

2008-10-16T15:53:00.005+01:00

For our next couple of challenges (after tomorrows) you might like to collect a few small boxes or drinks cartons - although if you're anything like us you've probably already got a few amongst your stash!

I'd quickly like to mention Chris here http://bling-kin-eck.blogspot.com/ she did a wonderful job of her artdoll and matchbox but didn't have her camera working to take pictures at the time. So here they are...............and they are fabulous! To see more pictures please visit Chris's blog (you're guaranteed a giggle or two as well.)

Terrific Tin Cans!

2008-10-16T09:10:00.016+01:00

We just can't believe the response we've had to the can challenge! You have excelled yourselves with your imaginative and inspiring creations. Click on each picture to visit the blog and see more details........

...........and thank you for joining in with the fun!

SPONSORSHIP!

2008-10-15T14:37:00.002+01:00

Well, not only have we had 3,000 visitors in our first month (!! yes really, and thank you) but our lovely friend Karen from Scrapz has sent us all these goodies by way of sponsorship. Isn't she fab? The shop keeps loads of great altered art stuff so get on over there and have a browse around.

I immediately bagged the metal so Linda got the wooden box, and we've shared the yummy grungeboard, so watch this space to see what we do with it!

Amazing ATC Art Dolls

2008-10-10T20:31:00.036+01:00

We were amazed by all the different ideas you came up with this week - every doll is different and special. Thank you for joining in and contributing to our art adventure, we are so grateful for your support. If you want to find out more, please look in the comments box for blog addresses. As always - if I have missed anyone out, please email me.
Linda x

TIN CAN ALLEY

2008-10-10T08:52:00.005+01:00

Welcome to our Week 4 Challenge! As you can see - for this one we've raided the trash (well we wanted to use something everybody would have!) and recycled some empty cans (also very ecologically sound).

Now we never wanted to set ourselves up as "arty experts" in this blog, we are making the same journey of discovery that you are. The truth is that often we've never tried the challenges we come up with either, so bear in mind that sometimes our examples may be a bit "off the wall"? Obviously we do this deliberately to encourage you all to realise how much better you can do ......

Rosie's husband calls the black effort her "Harley Davidson" can - and you can see what he means! It had a coat of black gloss and then got liberally decorated with silver bits. In case you were wondering, she punched the holes for the dangles using her trusty Cropadile.

She's gone a bit metal crazy at the moment, so her other effort features this heavily too! The celtic pen holder was done using a sheet of art metal which she embossed and then antiqued. The finished panel was wrapped around and fastened to the can (with difficulty).

Linda took a very different approach (not being as metal struck as Rosie) and gave her can a coat of gesso, followed by a lot of layers of paint and paper till she was (fairly) happy with it! The Ralph Waldo Emerson quote reads "adopt the pace of nature her secret is patience".

Now show us what YOU can do .....

YOU'LL BE NEEDING ONE OF THESE!

2008-10-08T15:33:00.003+01:00

Just to give you advance warning that Friday's challenge will require one of these - a standard issue tin can, beans for the use of. I thought it was something everyone would have or could get ...

Of course if you've got access to catering size cans so much the better (depending on what you want to use it for). You can of course use the shorter kind too ... the entire can world is open before you!!

Magnificent Matchboxes

2008-10-05T21:48:00.018+01:00

Thank you very much to everyone who joined in with the matchbox challenge - all your artwork is so fabulous and inspiring, its hard to believe that it's matchbox-sized!

Please follow the links to see the original photos and more detail.

Sandy - http://stempelchaotin.wordpress.com/

Viola - http://www.saray-viola.blogspot.com/

Sharon - http://magpiesarttreasurechest.blogspot.com/

Sue - http://suesartstuff.blogspot.com/

Denise - http://denise-blessthismess.blogspot.com/

Michele - http://eyembellishments.com/

Nancy - http://neatcs.wordpress.com/

Jaqi - http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/

Ros - http://stampandscrape.blogspot.com/

Rosemary - http://freeadvicewortheverypenny.blogspot.com/

If I've missed anyone out, please let me know.

Inspiration

2008-10-05T17:56:00.004+01:00

I have asked Sharon's permission to show her art doll on our blog. If you follow this link you'll see more pictures and details.....

http://allnorahsart.blogspot.com/2008/01/paper-doll-party-continued.html

Now you can see where I got some of my inspiration from.

Sharon's blog is very beautiful and inspiring - I recommend you take a look.

Linda