This is a unique challenge blog where we are inspired by and focus on the Vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial, timeworn and steampunk genres and encompass the talent, flair, expertise and ideas of many artists that we are inspired by. We welcome all types of projects - cards, journaling, assemblage, layouts, albums, atcs, altered art in fact whatever you want to share (as long as it is in good taste).

Friday 30 January 2015

Welcome Barbarayaya and new winners.

Hello everyone, another Friday has come round and we have more fabulous inspiration for you from the wonderfully talented Barbarayaya.






"Hello everyone, I'm Barbara from Italy and I'm really thrilled to be your Guest Creative Guide today!

I began to be creative since I was a little girl, 5 years I had with me scissors and newspapers to make collages! My colored pencils were divided by shades, all red, all yellow etc. etc. I always had an obsession with the nuances! I went through different stages, are passed from collage, decoupage, to cardmaking, I discovered scrapbooking in 2006, after the birth of my youngest child. I started from traditional scrapbooking with Layout and photos, then in 2008, wandering the web, I found Tim Holtz! In this moment there was my turning point! I am totally in love with his style, Distress inks are absolutely my favorite inks, in all possible variations! I love everything of Tim : dies, Idea-ology, inks, stencils, stamps .... So now that I have found my true way to make art, I continue on that!!! I'll be happy if you will want to to check out my blog to know me better : http://yayascrap.blogspot.it/!

This challenge is hosted by the amazing artist Astrid Maclean and the theme is "love is in the air"!

For you, I created an ATB! I love so much to make ATBs, they are versatile, you can put together in many ways and interpret in all styles! The photos that I used are really vintage, are my parents at the time of their engagement in the 50s!

I really hope you like it and you can take some creative ideas!"

"Let's go! I prepared four collage of photos that show you how I made this project.






I cut on Manila cardstock my cubes and I've colored them with Distress Stain and Distress sprays stain (Evergreen bough, Tumbled glass and Pumice stone).
I like this technique with these colors so fluid and mixable, and the effect that is created after drying!
This is the result after drying and inking of the edges with my favourite Distress, Walnut stain!





Once I have completed the coloring, I cut on opposite sides, two hearts with Tim's die, to create a hole, under which to put my photos.

As embellishments for the two sides without hole, I cut with the same die, two hearts on grungeboard, I have colored them and then I add  Mica flakes in large quantities.



To create the background I used two Tim's stamps. The first one, with the letter, in a traditional way, using Distress ink. For the second one,with the rays, I used a method "alternative", I stamped with acrylic. I recommend you to clean it immediatly after stamping, otherwise your stamp will not be usable another time.


The latest series of pictures is completely dedicated to finishing the project. I used various techniques, crackle paint, staining with distress paints, hot embossing with powder colored copper/patina. I would add that the small pictures of my parents were printed on sticky back canvas, to make them even more vintage!"

I hope you enjoyed my ATB, thanks from my heart to the wonderful creatives who gave me the opportunity to participate as Guest Creative guides! "


It's certainly a great pleasure to have you join us Barbara and with such a wonderful project to share with all our readers. I adore the ATB statue with the most wonderful photo of your parents on it and those gorgeous hearts are just delightful. Thank you for sharing it with us and for a very informative post as well.



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So to finish off we now share who the winner and Pinworthy Mentions are for the last challenge and it was the lovely S@ndy who had the pleasure of making the final decisions.




For this challenge we had so many excellent entries it was difficult for the team to come up with only one winner. As you will see, they are all well deserved. Congratulations Ladies.




Winner:




#27 Sara of Sarascloset 







Sara shared her Gentlemen's Club flip frame filled with so many yummy layers of Tim's goodness. Love the flip frame.

Congratulations Sara your badge and voucher from Country View Crafts will be on it's way very soon.




Pinworthies:


#12 Chris of pearshapedcrafting



Chris shared a wonderful project where she used a portrait of her Grandfather "Billy". So clever and well done.



#20 Jan of Scrapbooking From The Attic



Jan used many layers of fabric and sewing to show her lovely journal cover. A great way to begin a journal.



#21 Ruth of Lerusho



Ruth's beautifully textured frame was perfect for showing off a sweet portrait. Love the rusty gears.


Congratulations to all of you too for also creating beautiful projects that captured the hearts of the Creative Guides.


Today sees the beginning of the second week of our challenge 'love is in the air' and we would 'love' to see you join in with a 'love/Valentine' themed project and if you haven't yet seen the amazing inspirational projects from the Creative Guides I would like to point you over to take a look.

Have a wonderful weekend from everyone at AVJ.

hugs Brenda xxx

25 comments:

  1. I love this! So much eye candy in one piece. Fabulous project.

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  2. Barbara is one of my creative heroines and I absolutely adore this ATB tower creation! Thank you Barbara for sharing this fabulous tutorial. And huge congratulations to our winner Sara and our Pinworthies Chris, Jan and Ruth. Jenny x

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  3. Barbara it is wonderful to have you guesting with us today, I LOVE your ATB tower, and what a fantastic step by step! The idea of printing your photos on sticky back is so clever and the effect looks great! Lovely also to find out a bit more about your crafty journey! It always amazes me, how many people's crafting styles have changed forever after "finding" Tim...

    Big congrats to Sara, your flip frame is amazing, and Chris, Jan and Ruth certainly are well deserved pin worthies, great projects from everyone!!

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  4. So thrilled that you are a Guest Creative Guide with us today Barbara, your work is always outstanding and I love that you used ATBs for this gorgeous creation! The photo of your parent's engagement is so lovely and thanks so much for the excellent tutorial too.

    Huge congratulations to Sara for her fabulous winning project and to Chris, Jan and Ruth, our wonderful pinworthies! Anne xx

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  5. What a fabulous creation from Barbara, especially love the hearts. Huge congratulations to Sara and all the pinworthies...wonderful creations everyone! Ruth x

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  6. What a fabulous creation from Barbara, especially love the hearts. Huge congratulations to Sara and all the pinworthies...wonderful creations everyone! Ruth x

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  7. Stunning creation from Barbara - her work is truly inspirational! A keen follower. Congrats to Sara, Ruth, Chris and Jan on your entries last month. Off to pin them now on the 'A Vintage Journey' Pinterest boards.
    Nikki xx

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  8. Wow Barbara, what a fabulous ATB project, just love your work with the flakes! Congratulations Sara, what an amazing project! Congrats also to Ruth, Chris and Jan! :)

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  9. I lOVE this idea! The hearts are PERFECT = )

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  10. Such a stunning creation Barbara - all my favourite colours! a great tutorial and I just love those flying hearts! Congratulations to Sara on your win - such a beautifully designed and created piece. And congrats to Ruth, Chris and Jan!

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  11. Wooow, what a beautiful ATB! These are my favorite colors. Stunning! Congratulations to the winner and the pinworthies! Bravo! Such a wonderful creations!

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  12. Welcome to AVJ, Barbara! What a wonderful design on your ATB and so stunning and perfect for Valentine's Day! Congratulations to all the winners!

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  13. My jaw was already dropping after seeing Barbara's fabulous project - when I saw my name and it dropped to the floor!! Thank you so much for including me in your pinworthies! Congratulations to Sarah for her fabulous flip frame and also to fellow pinworthies Jan and Ruth Chrisx

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  14. LOVE your ATB Barbara, so beautifully designed with a fantastic tutorial. TFS. Congrats to Sara with her fabulous Flip Frame and to our wonderful Pinworthies.
    Julie xx

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  15. Another awesome creation from you, Barbarayaya! Love your work!!

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  16. I just love this whimsical box Barbara with the hearts on the wires - the chip love letters and the wonderful photo of your parents (what a handsome couple!) The colors of your box are lovely - thanks so much for sharing this delightful project with us! and congrats to all the winners - such inspiring creations all!

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  17. Congrats to the winners! I love Barbara's ATB project too. =)

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  18. Barbara your project is awesome. Love all the details and the cut-out hearts are just lovely with the photo inside.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Hugs from Monica... Spain

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  19. Love Barbara's work!
    Thank you for choosing me as Pinworthy, so excited! Congratualations Sara, well deserved and Chris and Ruth

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  20. Gorgeous Barbara, I love the co,ours and the heart apertures to showcase your photos, beautiful. Your design is gorgeous. Tracy x

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  21. I just love your project Barbara - I especially like how you have used non traditional colors for Valentine's Day. Your talents speak for themselves with all the lovely details. So happy to have you with us.

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  22. I apologies for the delay but I have several problems with my PC!!! Thanks to all for your kind comments !!!!! Congrats to all winners!!! I'm proud to be with you in this "journey"!!! BArbarayaya

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  23. Wow! Please don't hate me! I thought I had commented on this, but I think I got side tracked (as I often do) and visited Barbara's, Jan's, Ruth's and Chris' lovely blogs to leave them some love, and never came back to comment on how ABSOLUTELY T H R I L L E D and shocked that I was picked as the winner with all those other stunning portrait creations! Thank you to all of the Curiosity Crew for choosing my entry with all those other beauties out there! (I could have swore I already wrote this!!!--I keep scrolling up to see if I missed my comment somehow!) Congratulations to the Pinworthies; you all made some beautiful and unique artwork! Sara Emily

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  24. Wow! Please don't hate me! I thought I had commented on this, but I think I got side tracked (as I often do) and visited Barbara's, Jan's, Ruth's and Chris' lovely blogs to leave them some love, and never came back to comment on how ABSOLUTELY T H R I L L E D and shocked that I was picked as the winner with all those other stunning portrait creations! Thank you to all of the Curiosity Crew for choosing my entry with all those other beauties out there! (I could have swore I already wrote this!!!--I keep scrolling up to see if I missed my comment somehow!) Congratulations to the Pinworthies; you all made some beautiful and unique artwork! Sara Emily

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  25. Fabulous! Love this the box is stunning and the hearts are beautiful

    Jools x

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