Hello and welcome to 'A Vintage Journey'.
Vintage is a word that can have several meanings. Its primary
definition is of old, recognized and enduring interest, importance or quality.
It can be used as a noun or as an adjective, and is usually associated with the
quality of aging, enduring or improving over time. Journey is to travel
somewhere or the passage or progress from one stage to another. Put the two
together and that is what we are doing here, following our guru Tim Holtz and
sharing our creativity, expertise and talents to bring the vintage genre to
centre stage.
We hope you will be able to find some time to join us on this
voyage of discovery to see more and to do more in this amazing world of art and
craft that we are part of. There is no map just lots of tours, excursions and
adventures of exploration, stretching the mind and imagination.
We are travelling with an incredible group of guides who
will lead us into known and unknown pastures and expeditions of revelation,
sharing stories and insights into this vintage/shabby/mixed-media style that we
love.
Here they are -
UPDATE 3rd March
The 11th Creative Guide is now added to the list, Jennie Atkinson.
Jennie has been away and her details went astray it seems somewhere in the ether, but we have them now and you can read her bio below.
UPDATE 3rd March
The 11th Creative Guide is now added to the list, Jennie Atkinson.
Jennie has been away and her details went astray it seems somewhere in the ether, but we have them now and you can read her bio below.
Alison (butterfly)
My creativity was never really on the visual side - I was more
the words, music, books, theatre type. When I became a freelancer in Spring 2012
after eight years at the Royal Shakespeare Company as a Text and Voice Coach, it
was supposed to give me more time for friends and family. I had no idea that
within weeks I would be in thrall to a whole new creative passion -
stamps/inks/paints/texture - you name it, I want to play with it... there's so
much to learn, discover and explore.
Now I have to balance the two worlds - hence Words and Pictures. And it's
pretty much all down to Tim Holtz and his stamps and Distress mediums - my first
crafting love. Yup - another addict here... so much for friends and family!
Anne
I have been crafting for most of my life, although working,
marriage and a family stopped my crafting for many years. I contracted a
serious illness about 7 years ago which caused me to retire early. My Daughter
in Law and I decided to make our own Christmas cards a few years ago and I have
been 'hooked' ever since. Once I discovered Tim Holtz and his products there
was no holding me back, I am now totally addicted! I would say that crafting
has been a life saver for me and I cannot imagine my life without it now.
Annie
I have been crafting for many years but once I started
stamping/making cards around mid 90's it became an addiction. Never in my
wildest dreams did I think that stamping would develop as it has over the last
10 years! Around 2004 I remember watching a well known shopping channel and
there was a young man who inspired me with his enthusiasm for stamping and
Ranger Products....yes....it was Tim Holtz!! I purchased the DVD and Distress
Embossing Powders and have been a huge fan since this time.
It's been amazing watching Tim and his products/projects grow.
I adore his stamps and the Distress range of inks, paints, stains, glue mediums,
tools etc and use them in all my crafty makes. Like most, my creative style has
certainly evolved and I love vintage/grunge/mixed media. I joined blogland in
2012 and have never looked back, its great to share makes/tips/techniques and to
be inspired by fellow crafters. I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this
wonderful Challenge Blog and Design Team and I look forward to sharing
projects/techniques with all of you along the way. x
Astrid
Art and craft have been a huge part of my life for as long as I
can remember, painting, drawing, knitting and dyeing wool have all been part of
my creative repertoire. I have been paper crafting and stamping probably for
about 10 years or so, but did not get seriously into it until about 2007.
Being a teacher by profession I received my first stamp, a box
of embossing powers and embossing ink, as a Christmas present from a child in my
class whose mum owned a rubber stamp shop. That was the beginning of a hobby
that no doubt will last well into retirement! I have been a huge admirer of Tim
Holtz and his products since I first discovered Distress Inks, so being part of
this team is like a dream come true!
Brenda
I have designed and created things all my life even as a child
in primary school I can remember designing patterns and images for my cross
stitching, and it was my Mum who taught me how to knit and to use a sewing
machine. As I got older I loved observational drawing and studied oil painting
at college. As a teacher I loved taking my children out into the environment to
draw and look for examples of art and architecture and we always made our own
books to keep our topic work in. This kept me going through my teaching years as
there wasn't much time to explore my creative side, but since retiring I have
been able to have the luxury of designing, creating and making in my work room
much more. I love all things Tim Holtz and my most favourite genres are vintage
and shabby chic. I am looking forward to this next journey and so happy it's a
vintage one.
Candy
Art makes me happy. It started with crayons and coloring books
and has always been a part of who I am.
Although I don’t have degrees in art, I’m not convinced that
most creativity comes from a book. I think, to a certain extent, it just “is”.
Without regret, my family took priority over my artistic adventures for quite a
while. Then, a few years ago, my daughter asked me to help her make a scrapbook
as a shower gift. That was the rebirth of my creative journey. I can’t seem to
get enough of learning and playing. Tim Holtz and his vintage style captured my
heart. I am drawn to it because I think it reminds all of us of days gone by
when we were children living in a much simpler world. It has such a nostalgic,
calming effect and I adore creating vintage pieces that hopefully convey that
gentle feeling. I am proud to be a Ranger U alumni and a member of this very
talented design team.
Chris
Now medically retired, and crafting when mobility and dexterity
allow, I started designing for the craft market in 2000 and brought the first
commercial crafting CD to market on Ideal World in 2001. I did regular TV
appearances on Ideal World and then Create and Craft and various exhibition
workshops up until 2004 when my health stopped me. I continued designing CDs for
Create and Craft until 2009 when I retired. Crafting has now returned to being a
hobby and also a therapy for my hands and wrists, it remains an absolute
passion!
Jenny
I've been artistic and crafty all my life, sewing, drawing,
stitching, sometimes for pleasure, often out of necessity. As a keen genealogist
I needed to find a way of presenting my extensive family history research and
discovered the joys of scrapbooking. One thing led to another and card making
for friends and family soon took over. A persistent Hels Sheridan encouraged me
to start a blog in April 2012, I discovered the world of Distress, and it all
grew exponentially from there. As a qualified teacher I have a real passion for
sharing techniques and ideas with anyone who'll listen! After all, isn't this
about 'sharing the love'?
Terry
The first time I touched a stamp was in the Summer of 2007. I
had been invited to a Stampin Up workshop and my only thought was wasting a
Sunday afternoon! I attended a few workshops here and there, but I still had
very little interest in this hobby. Then I attended a stamping convention in
2008 and saw Mr. Holtz in action and fell in love with all things vintage,
grungy and Tim! I found myself wanting to learn more, but there was nothing
"Tim" going on in my area, so I learned on my own about this incredible
inspiration and by 2010 became a real blogger. Let's just say a hobby I found
interesting, but somewhat boring, has become a way of life and in many ways a
lifesaver!
I am a mum of three beautiful children, two boys and one little
girl..aged 11, 9 and 4. I am married to my best friend and so much more.. I
have always loved crafting and even from an early age was always creating in one
way or another. My style has grown and changed and is still evolving but always
present is my love for all things Tim, distress and steampunk.
I can still remember the first time I went to a stamping class and left armed with heat tool, stamps inks and powders and from that moment I was hooked!
I love tags and making dimensional pieces and am always learning from the talented places in blogland and love trying and developing new things! My love for all thing Tim Holtz, distress and vintage is my true passion and there is usually plenty of distress goodness and stamping involved. I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this fab design team and am loving my creative journey .
I can still remember the first time I went to a stamping class and left armed with heat tool, stamps inks and powders and from that moment I was hooked!
I love tags and making dimensional pieces and am always learning from the talented places in blogland and love trying and developing new things! My love for all thing Tim Holtz, distress and vintage is my true passion and there is usually plenty of distress goodness and stamping involved. I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this fab design team and am loving my creative journey .
Jennie
I can't remember a time when I didn't craft - in particular
cereal box handbags, slippers and dolls houses from an early age! I have always
loved anything to do with paper and nine years ago was a founder member of
Shetland Scrapbookers after a friend got a book for Christmas about scrapbooking
and we were totally hooked. However, after discovering Tim Holtz and Ranger
products a couple of years later life was never quite the same! I love all the
wonderful techniques Tim shares with us and I love to use these in scrapbook
layouts and mini books of my two lively grandchildren, as well as heritage
photographs.
I am somewhat obsessed with making flowers, mainly in a shabby
rose style and I am always trying to think of new ways to use Tim's dies to
create different looks. I love the vintage style as I love crafting with lace,
subtle colours and old style ribbons and buttons, and it is amazing how well
they fit with my favourite distressed and inky look too. I am really excited to
be part of this wonderful vintage journey with you all.
The Travelling Instructions are in the side bar and if you pop over to the Creative Travellers' (DT) blogs you will see what an amazing team we have to guide and inspire you.
So please step aboard and join the fun. Remember the quote from
Ralph Waldo Emmerson?
Life is a journey, not a destination.
That is so true about what we are starting here.
See you next Friday where the fun begins.
