Archive for Monthly Challenge

Swab-Bot? Swap-Not.

// March 5th, 2013 // 2 Comments » // Art Exchanges & Swaps, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Monthly Challenge

Have you seen the latest Journal Swap on Crafty Link?  If not, check out the information here, and keep an eye out for the swap next month!  And don’t forget to visit the Swap Page on CraftyLink.com.

Anyway, one of the prompts for this month’s journal page was ‘Joyful’.  Being that it is starting to become spring, flowers will be blooming soon and we will be celebrating Easter I thought how much more joyful could you get?  So, this is my creation.

Be Joyful

Well, as I was creating this I fell in love.  I don’t think that I will be able to part with this piece.  I think it may find a place on the wall in my dining room.  I am sorry to tell my partner that they will NOT receive this piece, but I promise I will create something special for you, too!

I is not too late to join our Monthly Journal Page or ATC swap.  Check out Crafty Link for details on how you can join in the fun!

~Nikki

Join an Art Group and Have Some Fun

// February 25th, 2013 // 2 Comments » // Art Exchanges & Swaps, Monthly Challenge

Love to share with others? Need a place to get some crafty inspiration? You have come to the right place, we have lots of fun groups you can join for free in our community. We love to share ideas, photos, tutorials and so much more! There are even swaps going on every month that you can join in. You can find all the groups at this link http://craftylink.com/page/art-groups

http://craftylink.com/page/art-groups

http://craftylink.com/page/art-groups

Mixed Media, can you find the Art Kit?

// December 13th, 2012 // Comments Off // Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Monthly Challenge

‘Tis the Christmas season.  Combine that with the Winter Wonderland Kit available on Crafty Link I had to get to work.  This wintery, romantic kit is perfect for art featuring the solemn reflections brought forth with the season or frolicking in the snow.

One of the images reminded me of a Victorian wallpaper.  That lead to a peaceful evening in a warm living room.  Some of the papers also led to a feel of ‘pine boughs’.  I printed the background on some light weight paper, and the ‘pine’ on heavy green card stock.

Using some light molding paste and a crafter’s workshop stencil I created a wood grain on some cardstock then painted it in a dark brown.  Cutting out the brown papers into strips, I formed them into a window frame then used yet another pattern from the kit as the background in my window.  I added crackle medium to my window panes then layered paint, wiping it off and layering it on again until I was happy with the way the window looked.

While my window was drying I applied the ‘wallpaper’ to a sheet of heavy watercolor paper and layered on dark paints to tone down the colors a little.  (After all, it is a night time scene as you will soon see…).  I then outlined the area my tree would be using a light color of paint, and I added paint to give the idea of a wall and a floor.

Once I was happy with my background I applied my window then began to layer in my tree.  First I used some Distress Crackle for the trunk.  I like using this for the trunk because the crackles can add a tree trunk texture.  Once it was dry I used a dark brown paint to add in the trunk detail and red to add my tree skirt.

I tore the green paper I had printed my downloaded paper on into irregular triangles, making sure I had some rough edges to work with.  Using a combination of gel medium, brown acrylic paint and green Tattered Angles Glimmer Glam I layered piece after piece to create my tree, and when it was done I added dots of paints to my tree for lights.  Finally I used acrylic paint, gel pens, glitter and watercolors to add a star at the top of my tree.

Finally, seeing I had a blank area on my canvas I added a fireplace with a cozy fire and some final trimming to my tree and my window.

Once I was happy there I used a gel pen and a sharpie to add the words “O Holy Night”  to the creation.  I hope you enjoy this piece.  I am looking forward to sharing with you the other pieces I have in the works!

 

~Nikki

Blog Giveaway! What’s your life strap-line?

// October 25th, 2012 // Comments Off // Blog, Monthly Challenge

Hello all!

I am having a blog giveaway -  something made specifically for the winner – over at my blog www.traciness.wordpress.com and thought you might want to take part in a little bit of fun. Just pop over using the link below and add your entry in the comments. I’ll be picking a winner on the 1st of November and will then make a mini wall hanging using your strap-line as the theme which will then be sent out to you in the post. To find out more hop over and have a look here:

https://traciness.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/blog-giveaway-what-would-your-life-strap-line-be/

Fancy Swapping?

// October 17th, 2012 // Comments Off // Monthly Challenge


This was a swap I created recently – it was an art swap and the only specification was that it was on A5 paper.

Hello Everyone!

It was suggested during a Tuesday Schmoozeday live demo that it might be nice to have some swaps going. For those of you who are new to the world of swapping; it is pretty much what it says – you make something then send it away and you recieve a creation made by someone else within our community of very talented, wonderful members!

I only started swapping a few months ago and I’ve loved getting post through my door with handwritten envelopes, and packages. I’ve received postcards, ATCs, Paintings, Letters… and even a hand made plushy. I’ve recieved them from people all over the world! It also means that I get to play often, and it forces me to make something on a regular basis – keeping my creative juices flowing to ensure I never run out of ideas!

Rather than recreate the wheel, we have created a group on the swapping website www.swap-bot.com called CraftyLink.com. This will make it easy for the design team to set up swaps – one click sorts out all of the partners for each swap.

We’ll have different swaps being held each month, and you’ll get the whole month to get your creations ready and in the post!

We’ll also have at least two to choose from to meet different tastes, abilities etc and of course you will also have a whole host of other swaps that you can sign up to within swap-bot.

To find out more and sign up come and join the Swap and Exchange group here at http://craftylink.com/group/art-exchanges-and-swaps

Happy swapping! :D

I wrote a blog post about my new addiction to ATCs.. http://traciness.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/atcs-the-very-addictive-world-of-artist-trading-cards

Looking for a challenge?

// September 21st, 2012 // Comments Off // Monthly Challenge

It is that time again, time to introduce a new October Mystery Craft Kit available from Home and Garden Welcome!  This month I am going to try something a little different.  In addition to giving you the description of the kit’s theme I will also show one of the items that will be included in the kit.  All the rules are still in place, and the chance to WIN is still there.  The clue for October is:

Whether October calls to mind ghouls or gourds, frightful sites or frosty mornings, jack-o-lanterns or juicy apples

this kit will help you create the perfect piece of artwork for these cool fall days.

Included in this kit is a package of Ranger Shrink Plastic to help you create your fall masterpiece.

Of course, there is still time to purchase the September Mystery Kit and create an entry for your chance to WIN! Why not purchase both the September and October kits and get FREE SHIPPING on your order?

What will you create?

As always, the mystery contest rules can be found here.

Die Cuts with the Mixed Media Monthly Melange? Why Yes, Please!

// September 20th, 2012 // 1 Comment » // Kids Crafts, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Monthly Challenge, Uncategorized

Ok as you ALL know I am a mixed media freak…Well and I am a clay freak and a paper freak and a….Well you get my point! SO….I was looking at the papers I had left sitting on my desk and then it hit me….DIE CUTS! So I whipped out my die cutter (actually my husband took it off shelf for me! lol) and just pulled a few dies out and started cutting. Here is a pic of what I cut out playing around and I am doing a little page with them right now and I will post that tomorrow BUT TONIGHT–Thursday is the last day to get the Monthly Mixed Media Kit for half off! SO i just wanted to throw in a new thing I thought about! Oh and little tip too…when you cut them out with die cutter…..You can use the remaining piece as a stencil! Can you tell how much I love this kit and the fun I am having? Please post pics of what YOU do as I am so excited to see!!! Look for the finished pic soon! Have a Creative Day!

Tuesday Schmoozeday Mixed Media Piece with Monthly Kit

// September 19th, 2012 // Comments Off // Blog, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Monthly Challenge, Tuesday Shmoozeday

I love Mixed Media and it can be as simple as throwing together a few pieces of paper and some paint or adding layer upon layers. I was so inspired by the new Mixed Media Monthly Melange that I HAD to use it this week in my project and show. It is half price (5.00) until Thursday evening and then will go back to 10.00 (which with all you get is STILL a FANTASTIC deal!) Here is a finished picture of my Mixed Media Painting and my replay to watch how I made it and the papers I used from the kit! You can watch my replay HERE.

April 2012 Monthly Craft Challenge Winners!

// May 15th, 2012 // 3 Comments » // Monthly Challenge

Come one, come all and see the amazing art and display of the winning pieces from the April 2012 Monthly Craft Challenge.

 

We had quite a bit of interest and as your host, thank you to everyone who participated, everything entered was incredible! Thank you for sharing your talent and your art with us. Furthermore, the entries were ranked so closely they came within a 10th of a point each other and some even had to have a tie breaker.Needless to say, it was a very close race for the winning places!

Thus with no further ado, I give you the winners of the April 2012 Things Crafty Monthly Craft Challenge

First Place: Tammy Fender

Second Place: Jan Whetzel

Third Place: Mallory Hoffman

People’s Choice Award: Nancy Welch

 

If you are a winner and not claimed your prize, please contact Martiel directly at martiel.beatty@gmail.com or via the ning network to arrange delivery of your winnings.

Again, thank you everyone for your participation and congratulations to our winners!

Last Day to Vote!

// May 10th, 2012 // Comments Off // Monthly Challenge, Uncategorized

What are you waiting for? Today is the last day to vote for your favorite April 2012 Things Crafty Monthly Crafty Challenge Entry!

Vote now for the People’s Choice Award!

Rules for Voting (Posted before, but who couldn’t use another reminder, right?):

  • Only one vote per person.
  • Voting is open to any Things Crafty community member, not just challenge participants.
  • Voting for yourself is highly discouraged. Please share the love.
  • This platform will be open from May 1, 2012 until May 10, 2012 at 11:59 EST. After which it will not longer be available. Please vote prior to this so you do not miss out on the opportunity to participate.

Go to the People’s Choice Award Ballot and place your vote today!

Having trouble with the link? Try CLICKING HERE. And if you are still having trouble, contact the challenge host Martiel at martiel.beatty@gmail.com

 

Happy Voting!