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 4 March 2016

The new A Vintage Journey and our Birthday Celebration Challenge

Welcome to a very special AVJ Birthday challenge. Today sees us changing things round a bit and introducing new ideas. We are very pleased to announce that we are extending and broadening our challenge themes and also the influences on our styles. Please take time to look at our 'Travelling Instructions' and 'Guide to interpreting our preferred genres' to get a clear understanding of what we try to achieve in our challenge projects and what we hope to see in your entries. You can get a quick feel by reading the explanation under the new blog banner above. 


Just before we move onto the new challenge we sadly have to say goodbye to one of our original Creative Guides, our dear friend Annie. We will miss her talent, her friendship and her wonderful personality as part of the team but wish her well in new ventures and as we say farewell to one inspirational artist we welcome another Julia Stratford-Wright from Julia's Stuff. Julia is a fabulous mixed media artist who loves bright colours and has a wealth of knowledge at her fingertips. If you haven't seen Julia's work before I can say that a visit to her blog will be a wonderful inspirational experience.

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March Challenge 
Destination Inspiration Travel Bag

Hi everyone, Nikki here, and it is my great pleasure to host the first challenge of our new year and new challenges. For our birthday celebration and new style we have a slightly different challenge this month.
In March 2015 we introduced our new look Destination Inspiration posts. Each month, four Creative Guides play with the same ‘travel bag’ as each other, and create very individual creations which have hopefully inspired you.  The travel bag always consists of one substrate, one colour, one technique and one product. 
We have enjoyed this so much we thought it would make for an exciting challenge this month! So our challenge theme for March is to use the Destination Inspiration Travel Bag for this month which consists of: 

Substrate – Board (eg - grey board, coaster board, cardboard, chipboard) 
Main Colour – Lilac or pale purple 
Technique – Rust Effects (perhaps using rusting or embossing powders or rust coloured paints) 
Product – Something metal 

Of course other products and colours can be used but the project should be focussed around these four areas. Please do visit any of our Destination Inspiration posts from the last year (every Monday) to see how the Creative Guides have utilised the travel bag contents in the past. 

We have a fabulous sponsor for this challenge -  
Andy Skinner.
Andy's mixed media creations are sensational - if you are not familiar with his work do check out his website. Andy has kindly donated a fabulous package to this month's lucky winner which will be made up of his brand new stencils and stamps.


As usual we will have the lucky random winner (who wins our sponsor's prize) and our three pinworthies selected by the creative guides who will be invited to rejoin us as guest creative guides for a future challenge. 

Let's see how the Creative Guides have used the travel bag.

To celebrate our new style I have combined my love of Tim Holtz and Andy Skinner's styles to create this industrial style canvas. I have more details over at Addicted to Art today.

I made an Adirondack chair for the Easter Bunny using the March Travel Bag Supplies.  I embossed the chair, die cut out of matboard, in purple, added embossed metal flowers to the chair and used the Eroded Metallic Technique on the matboard die cut bunny.  
If you'd like to see more photos and a brief 'how to' - please visit my blog post here.

Having recently been converted to drinking tea I thought I would celebrate by using the Travel Bag goodies to make a hanging with all things tea related, including this gorgeous little spoon. If you would like to find out more  (including the brew which has made me a sudden convert!) then please hop on over to my blog where I will share all.

Happy birthday AVJ!  I wanted to do something extra special for our birthday celebration this month so decided to make my very first ATB (artist's trading block).  With Spring in the air here in British Columbia, the prompt of lilac's in Nikki's challenge theme and some newly purchased Tim Holtz Idea-ology that I was itching to use as inspiration, I ended up making this Lilac Spring ATB.  Come on over to my blog for a closer look.

Any shade of purple/mauve/lilac is not usually part of my colour palette so it was really outside my comfort zone to use it, but I have to say when I had finished the project I really was quite pleased with the effects I had achieved - with some deep purple, lilac and pink I think I made it work for me. I also used distress embossing powder for my rusted effects and the bow and chain is made from metal. All travel bag contents present and correct!! Now as I had to do it all a second time I hope you will pop back on Monday to see my Destination Inspiration post. Have a wonderful weekend. xx

Purple is a colour I usually shy away from for one main  reason - it can be difficult to photograph! I love the grungy, crackled look and I was pleased with the finished piece. I love to rust anything really but I have to confess that the gorgeous heart was bought ready rusted. I'm so excited to be here on AVJ's birthday post with my introductory piece. I look forward to many more challenges!

I loved the idea of Nikki's challenge theme, but in the end found it quite a challenge, rusting technique and pale lilac are not two things I would normally combine. But a challenge is a challenge and so this is what I came up with, a large card that uses board for the central layer. If you want to see how this came together, you can check it out HERE

 I'm sure you all know by now that I love 'wall art' , especially if it has meaning so for this months Challenge theme I have created a wall hanging using the contents of the Destination Inspiration Travel bag. A typed token provides the message for the rusty old heart to 'never, never give up!' 
If you would to see more you are more than welcome to stop  by my blog

This challenge came at just the right time for me, I've been opening my travel bag from CHA.  I just received some of the new items that were introduced and had a small chance to play.  I'm showing my first go at the new Distress Crayons.  What fun they are to use, I hope you will come over to my blog - My "Crafty" Life on the Internet - to see more.

I thoroughly enjoyed making my project for Nikki's challenge, as this certainly took me out of my comfort zone creating with Purple shades. Close up photos and info on techniques can all be seen on my blog HERE. Love to have you stop by.

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You can see how the travel bag can be interpreted in so many ways. We look forward to seeing your creations. This challenge is open until Thursday March 31st and we will announce the winner of our fabulous prize and pinworthies on April 8th.

Do pop back on Monday for more inspiration from one of the team.
Nikki, Brenda and the Creative Guides
xxxx

60 comments:

  1. My goodness - can you believe we all used the same contents of the travel bag??!! what a beautiful array of inspirational projects here! We're so happy to have you join us Julia S-W - what wonderful creative talents you bring to the team! And I can't wait to see what all of our AVJ friends create this month using the same supplies!

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  2. Amazing inspiration team...love them all!

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    1. Thank you Shilpa for your lovely comments and support. xxx

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  3. Ich bin absolut begeistert von den vielen wundervollen Werken die das Designteam zeigt. Ein Werk so wunderschön wie das andere. Vielen Dank für die Inspirationen. Liebe Grüße Silvi

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    1. I had to get this translated Silvi but thank you for leaving us such a lovely comment. xx

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  4. Brilliant work from everyone!!! I agree with Julia, amazing what different people will do with the same "ingredients". I look forward to visit everyone later today, meanwhile, happy birthday AVJ!!! xxx

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  5. Happy Birthday AVJ! This is an amazing challenge, great goodie bag to play with and as always some amazing inspirations from the creative guides.

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    1. Thanks for leaving us some love Rupa and for your support. xx

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  6. How wonderful to be here with such amazingly talented ladies! Gorgeous inspiration from my new teamies!! xxx

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  7. Well it just goes to show how incorporating four elements can produce such diverse and wonderful projects - thanks everyone! Nikki x

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  8. WOW these are amazing! Love them all.
    Hugs
    Linda xxx

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    1. Thanks Linda - hope you can join us this month. xx

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  9. I love the relaunch extending the scope of vintage, I haven't joined in for a while and not sure I'll get to this time around but will be doing so in the future. Huge congrats on the addition of Julia, she is so talented!! Great inspiration from the team as always. Ruth xx

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    1. Thanks for leaving a lovely comment Ruth and for your support. Hope to see you join in soon with your fabulous work. xx

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  10. Just been over to see how all these amazing projects have come together and wow my very talented teamies have rocked this challenge and created some seriously amazing inspiration for us all. Thanks everyone - what a great way to celebrate our second birthday here at AVJ.
    Have a great weekend one and all.
    hugs Brenda xxx

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  11. Happy birthday AVJ, one of my favourite blogs. I'm delighted to see that your journey has wandered into a broader range to enable more crafters to enter your great challenges. I hope to be able to enter more often now. What lovely projects you all made with your bag contents. The only think I may struggle with is the rusting but if I get time I will try some play and see what happens!Happy nearly spring...bring on the sunshine. Hugs xx

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    1. Thanks Jane for your visits, comments and support, looking forward to seeing what you make and yay for a bit of sunshine here in Surrey today. xxx

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  12. Happy Birthday! AVJ . Its so wonderful to be celebrating this 2nd birthday as part of the team . I still can't quite believe it!
    Fabulous projects created by all , each one differing from the next, but all offering a wealth of inspiration.
    Great job ladies you are so talented .
    hugs x

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  13. Happy Birthday AVJ! Fantastic trip the team took with their travel bags! Always inspiring and beautiful projects by the DT!

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    1. Thank you Sue, we really appreciate your lovely comments, visits and support. xx

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  14. The team always creates so beautifully! I always look forward to popping in! I love that you've changed things up. Change is always good... even when they are wee adjustments. WOW, 2 years already! So happy for you all :)

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    1. Thanks Nicole we always appreciate your lovely art, comments and support. Thanks for also being part of the journey. xx

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  15. A sad goodbye to the lovely Annie, and a huge welcome to the talented Julia! Happy Birthday A Vintage Journey, it doesn't seem long since we all set out on this wonderful adventure! Looking forward to travelling along with our new extended and broadened challenge themes. Fabulous work ladies, so much inspiration from all my talented teamies!! Hugs, Anne xx

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  16. Happy birthday AVJ! Although I've not had much time to join in, you talented ladies have put together some fantastic projects over the last couple of years. Nice to see another talented lady joining your team! I know Julia will be a fabulous asset! Looking forward to hopping over and seeing what you all come up with over the next two years ! Toni xx

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    1. It's always lovely to see you whenever you can pop in Toni and thanks for your support xx

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  17. Happy birthday, AVJ! I love the new style, fabulous adventures are coming here! Thanks for your inspiration, ladies!

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    1. Thanks for your support and stopping by Lys xx

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  18. Happy Birthday!!! Great challenge this month and thanks for all the fantastic inspiration!!

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    1. Thank you Helen, we love making our inspirational projects xx

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  19. Sad to see Annie go, all the very best Annie and welcome Julia. I love all your artwork ladies. I love how you have all been inspired so differently. It's always a treat to see which direction the ingredients take you all. Happy Birthday AVJ, thrilled to be a part of the team. Tracy x

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  20. wonderful that you are doing this sort of challenge - I always love these features on the blog and really look forward to joining in! Hugs rachel x

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    1. Thanks Rachel, looking forward to seeing what you make xx

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  21. Glad to see the changes, and nice to See Julia-SW on the team too. fab inspiration everyone from everyone I adore the colours and hope to play along. Hugs to all Debs xx

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    1. Thanks Debs - come and play, it will be good to see you xx

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  22. Happy Birthday AVJ where did the time go 2years already! Love the small changes you have made and as always the very talented DT have made some stunning projects will definately be visiting their blogs fo a closer look. Hope to join in this great challenge love purple........rusting now there's a challenge lol.
    MaggieH

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    1. Hoping to see you this month Maggie and thanks for stopping by and leaving some love xx

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  23. I'm sorry to see Annie leave, she will be missed and I send her warmest wishes for new adventures. Welcome to another talented Julia, looking forward to her makes. Very positive to see that inspiration can now be taken from a broader range, opens up lots more possibilities and exposure to a greater variety of vintage creative styles. Super lineup of makes from the design team. Nicola x

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    1. Thank you Nicola for your comment and support xx

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  24. Happy Birthday to AVJ! Love the inspiration from the DT today - awesome projects! xxx

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    1. Glad you like the line up Chris, thanks for stopping by. xx

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  25. Holy moly, my head exploded looking at all these beautiful projects! Absolutely gorgeous in every way, and all so amazingly unique! Happy birthday--and many happy returns!

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    1. Aw thank you Terri glad you like our makes xx

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  26. Fabulous projects from the DT, I don't know which pleases me more from Julia's chair or Brenda's dress form card! I like the idea of the travel bag as a challenge theme and this first one sounds fun and interesting!

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    1. Glad you like the DI travel bag theme - maybe you will be able to join us Christine. xx

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  27. ღஐƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒஐღ !-HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVJ-! ღஐƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒஐღ

    Soooo glad you are a part of my life. I may not enter many challenges but I for sure watch and truly admire you all. To me, A Vintage Journey brings such a elegantly elite perspective to the art world. The DT is so extremely talented - just look at these makes listed on this page for example. All are the ultimate of upscale creativity.

    Julia seems like a perfect addition to your team - that's exciting! Best wishes to Annie - for sure to be missed. Again Happy Birthday AVJ and thank you for all your INSPIRATIONS. You definitely challenge me to be better and inspire me to create. Hugs to you all. j.

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    1. Thank you so much Joi for such wonderful comments. We are just so pleased that you and others find our projects inspirational and that you are challenged to create outside your box sometimes. xx

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  28. Happy birthday AVJ! So sad to see Annie leaving but wishing her much joy as she starts new adventures and a big welcome to Julia-SW, what a wonderful addition to the Creative Guide team here at AVJ! Fabulous inspiration from everyone using the contents of our travel bags and the diversity of the projects created never ceases to amaze me. So excited to see where our new directions will take us and can't wait to see what our followers link up this month. A big thank you as well to Andy Skinner for his very generous prize sponsorship this month, someone is going to be very lucky to win all those wonderful supplies! Deb xo

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  29. All this creativity is cause for celebration. Happy birthday AVJ! Annie, we will miss and your creative works of art.
    I look forward to seeing what happens next. S@ndy xx

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  30. Happy Birthday AVJ xx what a great challenge theme and wonderful projects created by the team. X I will miss all of you so much but I will certainly keep in touch xx
    Thank you to our amazing followers for their lovely comments too.

    Sending my best wishes

    Annie x x

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    1. Thanks for everything Annie - you have been such an AVJ stalwart we are really going to miss having you around but looking forward to hearing about trips, visits and other crafty things in the future.
      Lots of love and hugs.
      Brenda xxx

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  31. So sad to say goodbye to Annie - but a very warm welcome to Julia, and happy birthday to everybody! The projects look amazing, and I'm delighted to have some time today to hop around for a closer look!
    Alison x

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  32. I am late to the Birthday Party! but HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVJ. There are some fabulous inspirational projects from the team for this new challenge. Love the idea that we can all join in with the travel bags, it will be so great to see how many different projects are linked by using the same ingrediants. Bye Bye Annie, I wish you good luck in your new ventures and a big hello to Julia. Mo x

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    1. Thank you Mo, hopefully you will take the travel bag out and have a go with us. xxx

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  33. Always late, but always present! Fabulous challenge this month, Nikki! You ladies rocked it, too! Love all this inspiration, and I hope to get by each your blogs shortly. Welcome to Julia-what a wise choice you made to add her to the team. Annie you will be sorely missed, but I wish you well in your future endeavors! Happy Birthday, AVJ!

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    1. Thank you Sara - better late than never but actually I don't think you are. Good to have you stop by and thank you for your lovely comments too xxx

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  34. Love the new look and design!
    Great inspiration from everyone!
    happy birthday!

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    1. Thank you Jackie, glad you like the line up and also the look of the changes. xxx

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  35. Hello ladies, it is my first time here, lol, so I am hoping I have followed the brief completely and appropriately. If there is a problem with my entry please let me know if you need me to delete it. Fabulous inspirations and a great tutorial too, thank you for the challenge and for sharing your art with us Karen x

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  36. Happy Birthday and gorgeous creations by the DT! Such an interesting and challenging theme. You all created such different designs using the same thing. That's amazing! ~Niki

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  37. Happy Birthday AVJ! I'm a little late to the party ...I hope there's still cake?! Love this month's challenge and the new travel bag format. The creative team has inspired me with all that gorgeous art WOW! I'm definitely going to play along. Now about that cake... ;)

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