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, 5 April 2019

Neutral Zone - April Challenge

Challenge and Creative Guide Call


Hi everyone, Nikki here from Addicted to Art to host our latest challenge - Neutral Zone. But before I introduce this month's theme we are excited to be holding a Creative Guide Call!

Creative Guide Call....
Are you interested in joining our popular challenge blog as a new Creative Guide? We are looking for one or two new people to join the team, to create projects in one of our favourite styles and to share in the hosting of challenges and commenting on entries. We are an extremely friendly group, helpful, supportive and positive in all ways. We have a flexible schedule for completing a minimum requirement of projects and you can choose which months suit you best, you are not expected to join in every one. If you would like to find out more about what you would need to do as a Creative Guide then email Brenda at brenda_brown25@hotmail.com and she will send you more information for you to see whether the commitment is right for you. We're looking forward to expanding the team a little more so as to provide even more flexibility for our wonderfully talented members. 

Challenge time......
Back to our April challenge and it is time to banish colour! We are creating in the Neutral Zone. You can create with blacks, whites, greys, beiges, creams and browns but whatever you make, and whatever style, it needs to stay in the neutral zone. And remember to create in one of our preferred styles of vintage, shabby, mixed media, art journaling, industrial, timeworn or steampunk.

Here are our designs which we hope provide a little inspiration to get you started.

Textured Wall Art with Tim Holtz / Sizzix Faceted Heart die
My 8x8 inch panel is full of varying textures but only black, grey, silver and white. For some close ups and a sneak peak of a second version I made, do head over to my blog. I will be back here in 2 weeks with our project tutorial (April 19th) - with all the details of how I made this.

I have taken the chance to create a wrapped journal using one of Eileen Hull's fabulous dies. The outside is shabby vintage in a neutral palette but I have left the option to add some pastel colours when I create the inside pages. I decorated the back of the journal too. Lots more photos and details can be seen at Bumblebees and Butterflies if you have a moment to pop by. xx

I decided to create a mixed media shadow box for Nikki's 'Neutral Zone' challenge filled with all of the wonderful Tim Holtz Wildflower dies that we now have available to us.  Pop on over to my blog to take a stroll through my neutral garden!

I really gave myself permission to play in my art journal for Nikki's Neutral Zone challenge. I hope you stop by my blog for the details.
I made an eggshaped tag for Nikki's fun challenge seeing this month we will celebrate Easter. I then thought to use the tag to decorate the cover of my latest journal insert. In the last moment I decided to add one of my dried ferns, which of course adds a little spot of colour, but I hope this will still qualify as most of it is definitely in the neutral zone....If you want to see how it all came together, all you need to do is click here.

When I hear neutral - my mind automatically goes to brown, yellow and manila.   I made a card front for a future card that will go to a family member who is coming to town later in the year.  My parents are celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary.  You can see more details on my blog here.

I have created a Mixed Media Canvas for Nikki's challenge working with a neutral palette of black white, grey and silver - one of my favourite palettes to create with!  It features one of the many 'Faceted Hearts' I have had lying around my desk for the past few months - Thanks Nikki for providing the ideal opportunity to finally feature one of 'the many' in my art. You are more than welcome to pop by my blog to see and read more.... 

Alison
Well, I don't need much persuasion to step into the Neutral Zone... and this made for a lovely return to the craft room after two months away.  There were some long-neglected leftover bits and bobs on the table which all just fell into place on this MDF tag.  Do come over to Words and Pictures to see all the details.

******

We very much look forward to seeing how you use this neutral palette in your projects! This challenge is open until 2nd May so lots of time to get the thinking hat on and the fingers messy. In the meantime we will be back next week with our Pinworthy winners announcement from the last challenge. Happy crafting everyone.

Nikki xxx

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

21 comments:

  1. Beautiful work by everyone. So inspiring too. Hugs Rita xx

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  2. What fabulous samples you all made (as always!)

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  3. Fabulous work ladies - will look forward to visiting you all later. Not sure why I didn't join in this challenge as most of my work is neutrals !!! lol ! Jennie

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  4. Fabulous 'Neutral Zone' Creativity ladies. Great challenge Nikki and so pleased to be contributin this time :) .

    All projects are now pinned and I'll be hopping around you all to delight in the deatail in the coming days - please bear with me as I am on 'catch up'

    Have a lovely weekend Everyone
    x

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  5. Fabulous work from everyone, I really enjoyed doing the rounds just now!

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  6. Gorgeous projects from everyone, a wonderful diverse range . Love them ❤️❤️❤️

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  7. Awesome challenge this month!! The work from the DT is so inspirational! Thanks!

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  8. I've had a lovely time hopping round - what beautiful neutral tones in the neutral zone. Looking forward to seeing lots more from the challenge entrants!
    Alison x

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  9. What gorgeous neutral creations, can't wait to pop around and see the details! Fabulous inspiration from the DT as always and can't wait to see what our followers link up! Deb xo

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  10. I've been to visit each and every one of the Creative Guides today - BRAVO LADIES.

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  11. Gorgeous makes from everyone, all very Vintage looking, perfect!

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  12. Beautiful creations from the Team, you always go above and beyond to bring a vintage masterpiece to us all. Thank you for sharing, i'm look forward to taking a closer look at them all xx

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  13. Fabulous everyone! Thank you xx

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  14. such wonderful creations by my teamies x amazing details and all so inspiring too xx huge hugs Annie xx

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  15. Loving the neutral zone. so many delightfully varied and fabulous makes from the team.

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  16. What a wonderful theme for the month! I love the neutral creations from the Creative Guides too, thanks so much for the inspiration 😁. Happy and creative wishes! J 😊 x

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  17. Loving the theme and look forward to joining in. Happy creative weekend, Angela xXx

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  18. Great inspiration DT. I love all your creations. Tfs

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  19. So enjoyed reading the post and being amazed at the stunning creations and thank you for the fabulous inspiration x

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  20. Superbes créations de la DT.
    Merci pour ce beau challenge.
    Bises.
    MaryannG

    Beautiful creations of the DT.
    Thank you for this beautiful challenge.
    Hugs.

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  21. Thank you for the challenge lovely ladies and for your beautiful inspirations xx

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