Hi, everyone!
I have some wonderful news to share with you today! It's our first anniversary at Anything But Cute mixed media challenge blog and I am so excited! I can't believe I was a member of such a fantastic design team for a whole year! How awesome is that!
As we celebrate our First Anniversary at Anything But Cute, we want you to celebrate what you do best...mixed media! This is your chance to do it your way, in your favourite style...so pull out those inks and paints and show us what you're made of! You can make anything you want, in any theme you want and any style you want, just as long as it has some mixed media products on it and no cute images. HAVE FUN!
I wanted to celebrate my style and our first anniversary with this colorful handmade canvas art journal.
Back cover:
Now, more about our anniversary challenge:
We have some special treats for you this month. Along with our design team projects, we have invited our Favourite Artists from last year to come and celebrate with us. You don't want to miss the incredible line up of inspiration they have provided for you!! We also have a wonderful line up of prizes from some amazing sponsors...lots of chances to win some goodies, so don't miss out!
I love to play with different materials, with vibrant colors and different techniques. I used a lot of sewing, a lot of hand dyed fabrics and ribbons, a lot of acrylic paints (mostly Dylusions and some of my Liquitex and Amsterdam Specialties paints). Also, I played with some yarn, fiber and inks.
I love pompom trims in vibrant colors so I decorated my edges with these.
I started with some pieces of fabric and some seam binding and my Dylusions ink sprays. Here is the result of hand dyeing.
This is how I started to build my art journal. I attached a hand dyed piece of fabric to my spine. I wanted to create a completely loose project.
To achieve some interesting textures I used the faux plaster paper technique on my covers. Some matte medium, white gesso and pieces of paper towels previously used to clean all the ink and paint waste on my working surface.
I went with several layers of paper towel pieces.
You can see how super cool textures you can get using this awesome technique.
More close up look of the back cover.
On my first page I used acrylic paints, hand dyed fabrics, Dina Wakley stamps and stencils and some of my TCW stencils. I also used my Dylusions inks to make some drips.
Dylsuions inks, Dina Wakley stamp, TCW stencils, Dylusions stencils and acrylic paints have been used in creating this page.
I used Tim Holtz's stencils, Dina Wakley stamps, my acrylic paints and my neon oil pastels here.
I stamped Dina Wakley's image on a piece of fabric and used my Inktense pencils to add some accents. For the quote I used Tim Holtz's stamp. TCW stencils, acrylic paints and some of my hand dyed fabric pieces have been used in creating this page.
On my last page I used Dina Wakley stencil, her awesome bird stamp, some fabric pieces, my neon thread and my fluo acrylic paints. I also used one of Dina's stamps for the quote.
I hope that I have inspired you to Celebrate Your Style and our First Anniversary with us this month.
Challenge runs until June 4th - we can't wait to see what you come up with!
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving lovely comments! I read and appreciate each and every one of them!
Hugs! Branka xx
Challenges:
Country View Challenges - Use A Stencil - I used Tim Holtz, Dylusions, Dina Wakley and TCW stencils
Mixed Media Place - Creative Gym #18 - I was inspired by the quote to create my first canvas art journal with a lot of sewing included
Art Journal Journey - Journeys - I am on a creative journey since I started to include more sewing and more fabric elements in my creations
Moo Mania - Quotes - I used Dina Wakley and Tim Holtz stamps with quotes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenges - Stencil It - I used Tim Holtz, Dylusions, Dina Wakley and TCW stencils
Oh wow, Branka, this is absolutely stunning!! I love the bold colors!! Using the paper towels gives such amazing texture!! I couldn't even attempt to make something this amazing!! I love every single detail!! Wow!! In awe!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Aw, thank you so much, Lisa! You are such a sweetheart! I am so glad you like it! Hugs! xx
DeleteWhat a fun and bright project Branka! Love the way you decorated the pages and all the texture.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra
Thanks so much, my lovely! Hugs! xx
DeleteFun project, thanks for joining us at Moo Mania and More, Valerie
ReplyDeleteWow Branka, this is completely amazing!! I am totally captivated by all those bright and vibrant colours, it's like spring has exploded into my room through the screen! You really captured the essence of our anniversary challenge because this is all of the best 'Branka' things in one amazing project!! Bright colours, your favourite Dylusions products and unique design elements! LOVE IT!! I started a canvas recipe book a few weeks ago and put it aside because I lost my mojo for it, but you have inspired me to pull it out again!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Branka, for all of your support and friendship over the last year, it's such an honour to have you on my team and have you as a friend! I look forward to another year of inspiration from you! big hugs :)
Awww, thank you so much, my lovely! You made my day with this wonderful and warm comment!
DeleteThank YOU for the friendship, support and kindness, Pamellia! I am so blessed to have you as a friend and as a teamie!
Big hugs to you! xx
WooooooW! Branka, darling, you have outdone even YOU, and that is one amazing feat! You know I am not a "bright" person, but you have converted me for sure with this amazing work of textile-heavy mixed media work of ART! This surely deserves to be placed in a special case in an art museum, REALLY! If I had this in my hands, I know I wouldn't be able to put it down for a very long time, because there are so many things to see and so many textures to touch! Branka, indeed, this is my FAVORITE piece of bold artwork, ever, not just of yours! I'm am so grateful for our friendship; it has been over a year since I first darkened your door here, and it has been one fantastic year! Much love to you!
ReplyDeleteOooh, my dear Sara, thank you so much for ýour sweet and kind words! I am so honored to have a friend like you!
DeleteYes, dear, it has been one fantastic year and I am looking forward to many years of friendship and support! Lots of love to you, my lovely friend! xx
This is an amazing and delicious sight to behold Branka, it really reminds me of the 60's and 70's when art was bright, bold and absolutely fabulous! I loved seeing how you made the faux paper plaster technique, it is so very effective, the bright pom pom edges just make me feel so happy!! Stunning, stunning, stunning!!! It has been a delight to get to know you during these last few months, your art is always so inspirational - and you are such a beautiful person too! Hugs, Anne xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, dear Anne for such a wonderful comment! I am really glad you like it!
DeleteIt's an honor to have you as a teamie and a friend! You are a super talented and a warmhearted lady! Lots of love to you! xx
Hi Branka...wow what a gorgeous zesty piece. Such vibrant colours and lovely details. Many congrats on the year anniversary.
ReplyDeleteI'm also here with my DT hat on from Country View Challenges. Thanks so much for joining in with our May "Use a stencil" challenge and good luck in the draw x
Jane
Branka, this is STUNNING and should be in a magazine! I would definitely buy an issue with this on the cover! Every page is a treat for the eyes! I love how you dyed the fabrics and added the pom pom fringe - gorgeous! I couldn't be happier to work with you and get to know you better. You are so kind and uplifting and I hope some of your vibrancy will rub off on me. Biggest hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteBranka, this is STUNNING and should be in a magazine! I would definitely buy an issue with this on the cover! Every page is a treat for the eyes! I love how you dyed the fabrics and added the pom pom fringe - gorgeous! I couldn't be happier to work with you and get to know you better. You are so kind and uplifting and I hope some of your vibrancy will rub off on me. Biggest hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteI know how you like those Pom poms and it adds such fun movement to your design. I am shaking my tag right meow to see the pompoms move! Love your bold brilliant vibrant Branka colors and the many different ways you have added fabric into this stunning book. I don't know anyone else that can use color like you do dearie. You are amazing and orginal! You have totally captured you in this design and that is hard to do. Amazeballs and gobsmackingly brilliant design!
ReplyDeleteI am super stoked to share another year with you as a teamie and as a friend. You are such a vibrant and inspiring person, not to mention So very sweet! You rocke dearie! Huge hugz to you and Happy Anniversary! ~Niki
How wonderfully brilliant in both colors and design! Love all the fibers and stitching! Julia xx
ReplyDeleteanother really awesome project Branka - you're on fire today - love it .... hugs rachel x
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with that journal ♥
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful weekend!
Michelle ♥
Stunning handmade book. Love the strong colours and design. Thank you for joining us at Altered Eclectics this month. Hope to see you back here again soon. Judy DT
ReplyDeleteWow!!!...that is a really unique take on a journaling book. Love the bright colours. Thank you for sharing and for joining in our May challenge at Eclectic Ellapu; good luck.
ReplyDeleteAn AMAZING project Branka - Stunning! I am thrilled about it! Thank you for joining us at Moo Mania & More!
ReplyDeleteoxo Susi
wow lovely pop of colors. Thanks for playing at MIxed media place challenge
ReplyDeleteAnother fantastic colourful piece. So cheerful. Thank you for entering your project at Rhedd’s Creative Spirit. Sammy-x
ReplyDeleteGreat book ! Thanks for joining us over at Country View Challenges!
ReplyDeleteCorrie x
Fabulous creation Branka! The colours are so bold and striking and the texture looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Mandy xx
Totally uplifting post - this is a feelgood project if there ever was one. What a brilliant way to celebrate the anniversary.
ReplyDeleteAlison x
This is simply beautiful, I love the brilliant colours! And Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteOh wow...the cover for your tag book is amzing...love all the colours and textures...great blog post too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining in with our challenge over at Rhedd's Creative Spirit...x
What an explosion of colors! Beautiful! Thank you from MMP!
ReplyDeleteoooo wow! I am sooo in love with your colors and fabulously amazing texture! I so want to reach out and touch this book, awesome treasure. Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring!~kim
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful vibrant journal the colors and design are inspiring!
ReplyDelete