Tuesday 5 May 2015

Vintage Garden Challenge at Anything But Cute blog

Hello, friends! I am so happy and excited today as our first challenge ever has started at Anything But Cute mixed media challenge blog and I have an honor to be the first hostess there! Our first challenge is 'Vintage Garden'. 


What do you think of when you hear the word Garden? Is it flowers, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, lattice, vines, fences? Whatever garden vision you have, we want to see it. But make sure it's in a vintage style.

I was inspired by my past memories to make a reverse canvas and this is what I started with.
I put one coat of gesso on the borders and then used my brown acrylic paint over it. To achieve a worn look I went over it with my cream acrylic paint randomly.



Now, I would like to show you how I made my butterfly for this project. I used my Butterfly duo die and embossing folder, Cracked pistachio distress stain spray, some Lindy's stamp Moon Shadow mists and a piece of manila cardstock. 


This is what I came up with my sprays.


I cut out the butterfly, embossed it and applied my Walnut stain distress ink on the raised areas using my ink blending tool.


To add a final touch, I used my water brush pen and Cracked pistachio distress stain spray to color the lower areas of my butterfly. Simple, isn't it?


That is how my finished 'Vintage Garden' project looks like. 


Here are some closer looks. You can see the rest of my sprayed cardstock attached inside the reverse canvas as a background. The butterfly is attached to a piece of chicken wire and I put the branches I found in my yard. The leaves are from my stash.


Every vintage garden has to have an old rust key so I put mine :)


The fence was a part of an Easter arrangement I bought last year and I just had to adjust it to fit to my canvas. The branches on the bottom are attached with a piece of an old wire. I added the bird nest, some flowers distressed with my Walnut stain ink and some greenery (Tim Holts die - cut out from manila card stock and  sprayed with several different distress stain sprays in green tones). 


To embellish the whole thing I used some of my Ideology goodies. The frame was cut out (Tim Holtz cabinet card dies) from a cereal box and covered with a distress crackle paint in Clear rock candy. I went over it with my various distress stains. The little butterfly is embossed with distress embossing powders in Rust and Verdigris. I glued a piece of beautiful paper from my favorite Tim's Wallflower collection, inside the frame.


To get the more realistic look I added some moss behind the fence. 



I hope you'll hop over to Anything But Cute mixed media challenge blog to see all the inspiration my talented teamies have created and hopefully you'll decide to play along.

Our first challenge 'Vintage Garden' runs until June 4th and the winner will receive the honor of being our Guest Designer for an upcoming challenge!

Happy crafting!






















50 comments:

  1. WOW Branka!! Now that I can see your project in detail, I am even MORE impressed! This is just spectacular!! I really love how your butterfly turned out, the shimmer spray was an excellent choice! I love the real bits you included, like the moss and the chicken wire! They just add such an amazing feeling of the outdoors! Absolutely brilliant my teamie!! hugs :)

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    1. Awww, thank you so much, my lovely teamie, for those kind words! You made my day with such a sweet comment! I am so proud to be a part of your fantastic team!
      Big hugs to you, my dear friend!
      xxx

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  2. What an amazingly stunning piece of art this is!!! A jaw dropper, that is what it is! Breathtaking masterpiece!!! I could go on and on!!! Branka, you outdid yourself with this one!!! I am so impressed! Thank you for making my day with this wonderful make!

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    1. Thank you so much, my lovely Samra! You made me so very happy with your wonderful comment! It's a great pleasure to be your teamie!
      Have a great day, my friend!
      Big hugs :)
      xxx

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  3. Now THIS is what I'm talking about! Branka, what a beautiful mixed media project with that supercalafragalistic butterfly--well, both of them! I love that paper you made--just yummy! I wish I could pick this up in my hands and have a real look at it...so many wonderful details you have included here! Bravo, my friend and big crafty hugs!

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    1. Thank you so much, my dear teamie for those kind words! I am so excited that you like my version of vintage garden and thrilled to be your teamie!
      Big hugs :)
      xxx

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  4. Now THIS is what I'm talking about! Branka, what a beautiful mixed media project with that supercalafragalistic butterfly--well, both of them! I love that paper you made--just yummy! I wish I could pick this up in my hands and have a real look at it...so many wonderful details you have included here! Bravo, my friend and big crafty hugs!

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  5. Branka, I absolutely adore this mixed media project. Those butterflies are superb, love the way they turned out with inks and embossing. Great composition with those interesting elements including fence and moss!
    Love this and pinned!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Shilpa, for taking the time to visit my blog and leave such a kind comment! I am glad you like my canvas!
      xxx

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  6. Congratulations - so glad you are part of this DT and really love your choice of the Vintage Garden theme. It is definitely a challenge out of my comfort zone but that's a good thing!! Your Vintage Garden is so unique. Love the close up pictures - you can see every amazing detail. I love that your butterfly matches part of the background! The colors are lovely but it's all the special little details like the key and nest and chicken wire that makes it so fun for me! Wonderful creation. Thanks for getting ANYTHING BUT CUTE off to a GREAT START Branka! j.

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    1. Thank you so much, Joi! Those are very kind words and I am really thrilled that you like my creation! Thank you very much for taking the time to visit my blog and leave such a sweet comment!
      Hugs :)
      xxx

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  7. Ohhh Branka, your butterfly is anything but simple girlie! This is just Amazeballs and I am so happy to get to see the process and close ups! That key, the chicken wire, the moss, the twigs, the background, the frame=fan-freakin-tastic! Wonderful make my teamie! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

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    1. Thanks so much, my lovely teamie! i am always happy to see you here! Thanks for making my day with your sweet comment!
      Big hugs :)
      xxx

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  8. Fantastic piece. It looks a window on the world - the garden world, that is. I love the treatment of the butterflies, especially the large one. The addition of the branches brings the real outdoors to your project and compliments the flowers and leaves. The chicken wire is such a fun addition as are the idea-ology bits.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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    1. Thank you so much, Cec! I am glad you like my vintage garden creation!
      Hugs :)
      xxx

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  9. Hello Branka,
    What an eclectic creation; it has texture, beautiful elements and all I want to do is touch it. A gorgeous piece indeed.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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    1. Thank you so much, Sue for such a sweet comment!
      Hugs :)
      xxx

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  10. Oh Branka, I LOVE how this turned out, the wiring, the flowers, all the embillies!!! The colours used are so perfectly vintage and blend together beautifully. You've done such a cracking job with this, I can't wait to see what you do next dear friend xx

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    1. Thanks so much, my friend! You made me smile :)
      Hugs :)
      xxx

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  11. Hello Again, Branka!! So nice to see you at my April Showers Brings May Flowers again!! Sooo appreciated! I just love little details and you've incorporated so many wonderful ones in this sweet garden scene! I love all of your blooms, I love the little nest with eggs and that touch of chicken wire! Love That!! :) Thank you again for coming over to Our Creative Corner!! :) XOXO-Shari

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    1. Thank you so much, Shari! You have chosen a fabulous theme for your challenge!
      Hugs :)
      Branka xxx

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  12. This does look like an old, vintage garden. Great make! You chose a really great theme for the first challenge.

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  13. Gorgeous project Branka, with so many beautiful details to look at and a great vintage design.
    Julie x

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  14. Hi Branka!! I get to love you up again, except this time as a Creative Guide at A Vintage Journey :) Twice as nice ogling this fabulous creation again :) :) Thank you for joining in with Astrid's Spring Colors challenge this month :) All of this Springtime inspiration! AMAZING!! XOXO-Shari

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  15. I love your beautifull vintage scene!
    Irena

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  16. Gorgeous vintage scene and dimensions.

    Hugs Diane

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  17. Gorgeous vintage scene and dimensions.

    Hugs Diane

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  18. Hi Branka, wow I love your garden scene! There are so many fabulous techniques here, my current favourite die is the butterfly and embossing folder. I keep going back to look at all the details! Great work. Thank you for joining in the challenge at Our Creative Corner, hugs Jan x

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    1. Thank you so much, Jan for those kind words!
      Hugs :)
      Branka xxx

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  19. this is a great piece and I love that you shared your step by step process, very nice of you!

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  20. Oh Branka, this is one of the most beautiful Vintage Garden creations I have seen, - it is absolutely stunning!! So much to look at and admire! Love the tactile elements like the eggs, just wonderful!
    Thanks so much also for adding it to our challenge at A Vintage Journey, Countryview Challenges and Mixed Media Monthly!!

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    1. Thank you very much, Astrid! I really appreciate your comments and I am so happy you like my vintage garden creation!
      Hugs :)
      xxx

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  21. wonderful project. Thanks for playing the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge with us!

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  22. Beautiful!! LOVE all the layers and details - I keep seeing new details in every picture!! Thank you for playing along with us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Karen! I am glad you like my creation!
      Branka x

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  23. Beautiful! Love all of the details! Thanks for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

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  24. Thank you Branka for the lovely encouraging comment, but now it is my turn....your reverse canvas is amazing! There are so many fabulous details, using many great techniques. I love that you have included so many photographs showing your processes, and lots of close ups from different angles, so we can all 'drool' over your gorgeous creation. I can only dream that one day I can produce something like this.

    Hugs,
    Jennifer xx

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    1. Thank you so much, Jennifer, for those kind words! Happy to see you here!
      Hugs :)
      Branka xxx

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  25. Wow, Branka - your garden is so beautiful. I love how you've included the natural elements, for a hint of rustic wildness, and the chicken wire is wonderful - the gorgeous butterfly looks fabulous perched there. The yellow eggs and flowers give the whole thing a touch of spring sunshine - just lovely. Thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey.
    Alison xx

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    1. Oh, Alison, thank you so much! Those are very kind words! I am so happy you like my reverse canvas!
      Hugs :)
      Branka xxx

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  26. The details in your project are amazing! I love that you recycled the fence. And thanks for sharing your process for the butterfly. It is gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for taking the time to visit my blog and leaving a sweet comment!
      Branka x

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  27. Love the gorgeous vintage garden you created! Thanks so much for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

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  28. Loved spending time in your Vintage garden! I like all the elements here and that butterfly is a stunner!

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  29. Such a beautiful vintage garden scene - looking over that garden gate and into such a wonderfully created nature garden. Fabulous! Thank you for sharing it with us at A Vintage Journey for our challenge this month. Jennie x

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