Here at Anything But Cute we love to see all the seasoned and expert mixed media artists, but we also want to encourage those who are just getting their feet wet. Our design team will always be on the lookout for these exceptional artists, and you just never know when we might be giving out something special to a talented mixed media newcomer.
Make sure to put 'newbie' after your name in the linky so we know who you are.
(new refers to 'new to mixed media' NOT 'new to our challenge')
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Friday, February 26, 2016

Spotlight Artist - Samra - Handmade Flowers

Hello dear "Anything But Cute" readers!

Samra here, and thrilled to show you how I make the flowers for my projects. Mind you, this is nothing new, but it is the presentation of how I create flowers. So, there will be tons of pictures, everything is very self explanatory and as you will see, I don't have any fancy tools, just what I can find in my kitchen or crafting supplies that helps with the process.



















Now, I'll show you how I make flowers with pearl stamens. (Prepping of the petals is the same as it is for the roses)









Very important thing is that you add glue on the bottom to ensure that flower does not come apart. And here are a few pics for the smaller flower version:




Now onto the wrapping tissue paper flowers: the only difference in making this type of flowers as oppose to paper/card stock flowers that you have to take several die cuts of the same size and glue them together to the stamen before going to the next size cutouts.







Well, that is it from me...I hope you found some useful tips and that you enjoyed this picture show :) There is still plenty of time to join in on our current challenge Grungy Love hosted by Sara Emily.

Thank you for stopping by...
Samra

Friday, February 19, 2016

Feature Artist - Grungy Love - Welcome Elli

Hello Artists!

Niki here, and I am so excited to finally get the chance to introduce you to our Feature Artist for February. She was the winner of my "You've Got Happy Mail" challenge in December. Welcome Elli of Made for an Angel!!

Elli is a very versatile artist and does everything from Shabby Chic to Grunge to Recycled Art! She combines colors and textures in such wonderful ways and always has you asking the question, "How'd she do that?" while inspiring you to create with abandon. Fantabulous!

I think you will all agree that Elli is an inspirational artist and I am so proud of the project she put together for our current challenge "Grungy Love"! Feast your eyes on this grungy good design she has shared with us today!

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Hi, I’m Elli from ‘Made for an Angel’ and art has always been a part of my life. I turn into art almost anything that I find interesting in any way. My work is a reflection of my inner world- my feelings and sense of beauty and harmony.

I discovered my passion for mixed media when I first started making cards, about a year ago. Starting with watercolor cards, I experimented with my own imagination and realized that I was falling in love with mixed media. And  it’s  love that inspired me for this project. I’m thankful to Sara Emily for this ‘Grungy Love’ Challenge.


Texture is something that I use in almost every project and it’s certainly part of this one as well. I started with some homemade gesso, acrylic paints and some old clock parts.

The small electric bulb is an old one that I recently replaced with a new one and since the person next to me is an electrician, I thought it would be a nice finishing touch to the card. I also added a silver plated pendant of a flying bird that I really liked a lot and small pieces of cardboard.



The pictures are made during the day and night, because I find it interesting the different looks that the card gets both ways. I have to say that I’m unable to make lots of pictures during the process because the decisions I make are spontaneous most of the times and before I know it I realize that I’ve almost finished my project.



Some ink pen finishing lines and there it is- the love card for ‘him’ is done. And it can be also hanged on the wall, like a painting (it is solid enough, like a canvas) :)  I hope you will enjoy it.

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Masterful and so grunge-aliscious, is about all I can muster and a whole lot of wowzers! Her pictures make this design look like an acrylic painting in some lights-genius! What a brilliant way to recycle the mini light bulb! My vocabulary escapes me!

I hope that seeing Elli's wonderful creation will inspire you to join me for our current challenge...Grungy Love!

You have until the 4th of March to play - and you'll find all the challenge details as well as lots of inspiration from the brilliant Anything But Cute design team by clicking on the challenge link.

Hugz and Carpe Diem!
Niki!

Friday, February 12, 2016

WINNERS - #10 - Ring out the Old, Bring in the New

Hi, Anne here, this was my first challenge theme with the team and I was completely and utterly blown away by the number and the fantastic quality of the entries we received.  I never fail to be impressed by the amazing talent that is out there in blogland! A HUGE thank you to all of our entrants, I was in mixed media heaven each day when I checked the entries, I could easily have chosen ten winners! Choosing one was a huge dilemma for me but after much soul searching I made my decision!

WINNER -  No. 56 - Jenny Marples
My heart skipped a beat when I saw this stunning piece of art, with it's beautiful textures, colours and the wonderful layering of the elements.  The composition is superb and Jenny has given it a wonderful 'organic' feel by adding the 'real' paintbrush and scissors.  I would urge you to visit Jenny's blog to see this in more detail.

Congratulations Jenny!  Pamellia will be in touch by email to send you a personalized winner's badge and to provide details about being our Feature Artist for the next challenge.

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And now for the Runner-Up, well I could not choose just one so this month we have two, they are listed in numerical order.



RUNNER-UP - Helen #29
I was amazed to see that Helen used old computer parts to create this fabulous piece of art, how utterly clever is that!  I love the arrangement of items, the delicious black/blue background and the way the individual items are highlighted - this is such a fun and clever piece!

RUNNER-UP - Jane #68
Inspired by a visit to the Shard, a famous London landmark, Jane took those memories and put them together layer by layer to create a very striking and beautiful piece of mixed media art.  You can take a wonderful cyber visit to the Shard in Jane's blog post.

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Now let's have a look at our DT favourites:




Branka's Favourite#36 Sanderijn de Bruin
I was blown away by this exquisite piece of art with such a delicious colour combo and a stunning design! So many fabulous details and fantastic textures! Simply amazing!


Niki's Favourite - #29-Helen
Helen's use of the "new" to her computer parts in this design are genius and so creative! Its the guts from a computer!!! I love the play of masculine with feminine pieces and the many different layers created from the motherboard. Amazing and it makes my heart go pitter patter. Awesome sauce!

Pamellia's Favourites:

39. Lozzy
The shabby chic girl inside me could just not resist these bright and cheery spring pastels and the stunning butterflies fluttering about this gorgeous mixed media canvas! The background textures are subtle but add just the right amount of interest! Love it!

60. Aisha
I have never seen such a unique mixed media piece before! I was just sucked right in to all of that amazing texture created by so many wonderful elements! The filigree metal pieces are cut and twisted to build the lion's face, how incredible the creativity is!! Just gorgeous!!

103. Silje Kristin
This is one of the most interesting masculine cards I have ever seen. It's like a tower of paper stuffed with nails and screws!! So many layers, each one stained by hand and they just go on forever and ever! I just can't get enough of this mixed media nuts and bolts tower!! Amazing work!!


Samra's Favourite#75 Katerinna
Gorgeous Shabby Chic ornaments! So many wonderfully and tastefully arranged embellishments. I was simply swept away by this entry!


Sara Emily's FavouriteJenny Marples

With so many wonderful entries to choose from, my decision was tough.  But Jenny's beautiful mixed media canvas stole my heart with amazing colors, lot's of intricate layers and fabulous details! Not only is this a must see, Jenny's post is a must read! Magnificent in a word!

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4. Butterfly                 11. Jane                 21. Deb Riddell                 28. Janis
      

32. Nicola                   35. IrinaR                    43. Marilyn                 63. Autumn
      

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A huge congratulation everyone! Thank you so much to everyone who played along with us last month and don't forget to grab your badges! You earned them!!

There is still plenty of time to enter Sara Emily's current challenge "GRUNGY LOVE"! We can't wait to see what you come up with this time!

Hugs to all, from the 'Anything But Cute' Design Team