Friday 1 March 2013

A new Challenge launches TODAY

A BRAND NEW CHALLENGE SITE OPENS TODAY


"Where challenges are fun and open to all crafters. Whether you like vintage or cute, shabby chic or simple elegance, cardmaking, scrapping or altered art then we want to see what you are making. Join in with our challenge community and share your crafting ideas".

Country View Crafts' Challenges is sponsored by Country View Crafts an on-line shop for all your crafting needs with very keen prices. There is also a Country View Crafts' Updates blog where you can get news on new releases and inspiration samples made by Gabrielle and Chris.

This is starting as a monthly challenge blog and the theme for March is 'Pic 'n' Mix' also known as 'Anything Goes'. My DT piece is an altered domino book.


I have been in education all my life and wanted to make something that reminded me of my view that learning is for life, something that I am experiencing again now with all my endeavours to learn new techniques and to have new ideas in this creative world of ours. 


I started by using alcohol inks and a script stamp on the domino covers, then added a piece of Tim Holtz filmstrip on which I glued a clock (to represent the time I have been a teacher and educator), and three words dedicated to my philosophy.


The little charms hanging at the sides all have meaning too. The letter B and the bee insect to represent me, the key which is about unlocking the knowledge and learning and wings because I believe that when teaching we should take our students to the edge of learning and let them fly.



Inside, I masked and inked a piece of card and stamped over this using the clock image, then cut pieces for the pages. I created my own inspirational words on the PC.


I do hope you will join in our challenges with your own inspiration piece. The rules of entry can be read on the blog and it would be lovely to see you over there. At the end of the month the winner will receive a £20.00 voucher to use at Country View Crafts on-line shop. Pretty decent eh?

Have a great creative month of March - Spring is on the way in the northern hemisphere.

hugs {brenda} x0x

Photobucket

45 comments:

Gabrielle said...

Brenda, this is stunning! What an amazing project - truly wonderful x

Inkypinkycraft said...

this is a stunning make, with so much gorgeous detail!so excited to be part of this new team with you hugs trace x

Unknown said...

This is stunning Bren, really beautiful, it's inspiring and I wish others could see it for real. We are delighted that such an inspiring artist is joining us on this new venture. Thanks for all your hard work and support this week. Chris xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Wow, I adore this little book, from the wonderful creative cover with all its meaningful detail, to the inside pages , closure and design. LOVE IT!! And as a fellow teacher I could n't agree more on the thought behind it!! Brilliant and on top of it all Countryview Crafts is one of my favourite online shops!

Amanda said...

Wow Brenda absolutely stunning!
Love
Amanda x

lainey said...

this is fantastic Brenda!! lainey x

Redanne said...

A truly stunning little piece of art Brenda, I love that it has such a great message behind it. As a retired Trainer I believe in lifelong learning too and this piece warms my heart. Pleased to see you connected to my favourite shopping place too, along with Trace, what could be better. Hugs, Anne x

Dagmar said...

wow - what a fantastic work! It´s great!!!

Jenny Marples said...

It's difficult to know where to start with explaining how much I adore this project. Domino pieces always fascinate me but this goes SO much further. Love; the colours, the filmstrip and clock, the purpose of the piece, the stamping arrangement inside, the perfect embellishments, your use of alcohol inks... just superb. Huge good luck wishes with this new venture. You've got an awesome team around you and a fab company behind you so it is bound to be a huge success when coupled with your talent. Huge hugs, Jenny x

Yvonne Garner said...

Oh Brenda! Your little book is lovely and one I will remember always. Thank you for all your visits to my blog this week. Hugs, Yvonne

Yvonne Garner said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rosie said...

I really love your Dominobook, Brenda, it is gorgeous.

Have a wonderful weekend

Sophie said...

Meine Güte, Brenda, was für ein tolles Domino-Buch.
Das ist so kunstvoll gemacht, ich kann nur staunen.
Und deine Gedanken dazu sind einfach wundervoll.

Ein schönes Wochenende
wünscht dir Sophie xx

Ephemera said...

WOW Brenda, love this, completely gorgeous altered domino book, STUNNING. XX

Claudia N. said...

LOVE your altered domino booklet, Brenda!

And how cool: another new challenge blog in town!!!! (Started ours also just today ;). I will sure have a look as soon as possible!!!

Greetings from Vienna,

die amelie x

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Brenda
I have been following you for quite awhile now, and I am always impressed by what you create, but today as I open up your site, I am WoWed! Like many of us who have commented, I am captivated by the beauty of this little piece, and it has to be one of the best creations you have made. Making it to symbolise a part of you life is all the more special. I would like to break it down and comment in detail but it really would take up too much space, just know that I love every part of the design, palette and your added elements.
Good luck with the new Challenge Blog also, I will pop over and have a browse.
Smiles:)
Sue

hazel said...

I love your little book Brenda - it's gorgeous.
xxx Hazel.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous project Brenda, and I love how every little piece has significance for you. Congrats on your DT spot too ! Sue C x

Gina said...

Aaaaaaaaaarrrgh! All that is domino sized????? Thought it was going to be a small journal...the reveal was awesome!! Was thinking about joining in a few challenges again, will check it out :D XXX

Juls said...

wow brenda, your work is always just so so amazing!! This is such a fantastic work of art, thank you so much for sharing, and giving us some inspiration!! hugs Juls

Netty said...

oh wow Brenda your domino book is out of this world fabulous. Hugs Annette x

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Wooow hooo! Congrats on your DT spot - and how exciting to hear there is a new challenge blog. I love Countryview Crafts so will be sure to visit it often. Your DT piece is absolutely stunning, so much detail and that little watch face on the front is sooooo adorable! xxx

Gram's Treasures said...

Beautiful work, Brenda! Love all the details and your colour choice. It all fits together so well. Definitely not spring here yet. Going south with my daughter and her family next week for a short holiday. Hope to bring some warmer weather back with me.
Joyce xx

Terry said...

Well Brenda, you certainly woke me up with that most incredible domino book! You really know how how to add embellishments to blend in just perfectly! Love this and will have to go check this new challenge blog out! Oh congratulations on another DT! Big Hugs!

505whimsygirl said...

Wow Brenda!! This is so amazing - on so many different levels! You really blow my mind with what you create!

Thanks for stopping by my WOYWW post.

Hugs, Kay

Karin said...

This looks great, love it! Have a nice weekend!

Shirl said...

Oh my Brenda this is a piece of art so detailed and I love your writing on the piece.

Good luck with the new challenge blog.

Hugs Shirley x x

Joan said...

What an amazing piece or art! Love it. I usually go to Countryview Crafts first when I,m shopping so I'm going to be entering their challenges for sure

Joan

Rossella said...

Hi Brenda,
This is so fab, I love the pages and the words you have chosen.
I will definitely pop oover to Countryview,
Rosie x

Marjie Kemper said...

Thud and Whoosh!

Thud - my chin hitting the desk. This is AMAZING in every way, and I love that it all has such personal meaning.

Whoosh - this one has skyrocketed to the very long list of my Favorite Brenda Projects.

Have a great weekend, Crafty Girl!

Daniele said...

totally stunning Brenda, perfect minature piece of art
hugs

1CardCreator said...

This is stunning Brenda! ~Diane

craftytrog said...

Thanks for the heads up on the new challenge Brenda! Your domino book is fabulous!
Alison xx

Meggymay said...

Congratulations on your new DT with a new challenge blo. Its a fantastic project, so detailed.
Yvonne x,

Lisa Jane said...

oh wow this is amazing .. i love it!!

Claire said...

Wow Brendathis is a real stunner. So many gorgeous things in such a tiny project. Have a great weekend
Claire xx

Junibears said...

Oh how wonderful this is Brenda! You are so clever and I really admire your 'hands on' work! Hugs xx

Ellie Knol said...

Beautiful project - one disadvantage of wanting to comment on your blog is that you have to scroll down so far, always! (too many comments hehe)

2amscrapper said...

This is an amazing little work of art! We also are an education family and firmly believe in lifelong learning. Like you, I'm putting that philosophy into learning new art techniques. Your new challenge site sounds like a great idea, too.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

You are on fire lately...so much Mojo...please share! WOW!!! Coolest project ever! Love the theme, the grunge, the pages, the covers, the details, the clocks, the bee...just everything! The whole eduction theme is brilliant! Fabulous!

Lucy Edmondson said...

Huge good luck to you and Chris in your new venture. I absolutely love this domino book. I love the little clock and the film strip, and I love the charms and the thought and meaning behind them,

Lucy x

Words and Pictures said...

Totally and utterly stunning, Brenda - I'm just blown away by this whole project. If this is any indication... this new challenge is going to be an absolute wow!!
Alison xx

Gráinne said...

Jaw droppingly awesome, Brenda! Love everything about it ... so many gorgeous details. Stunning piece of art.
Suzanne

Betsy Skagen said...

Fabulous!

Hettie said...

Wow!!!! I came across this post via Pinterest. So glad I did. Stunning!!
xx