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October 01, 2013

DDCC CHALLENGE 1 - THE DESIGNER BEHIND THE PROJECT


Hey everyone, welcome, thank you for visiting my Blog today and thank you for joining us for the Dreamtime Designs craft challenge :)  As promised by our fearless leader Lisa, this is certainly a challenge with a difference :)

Well as you will have seen by now, the challenge consists of 5 questions, all that have to be answered - in your head, on paper, where ever you like and then incorporated into your project. If you haven't seen the challenge or rules yet, please visit the DDCC here. Also don't forget to check out my DDCC sisters wonderful creations too, you can find a link to their blogs in my side bar :)
Happy crafting and I look forward to seeing all your fantastic work :)

Here's my take on the challenge:
I live in a smallish town based in Essex, England. 
Essex does have a bit of a reputation attached to it for 6 inch white stilettos, fake tan, too much make up and false eyelashes.
However I can assure you that despite living about 20 minutes away from where the popular TV series 'The only way is Essex' is filmed, It is not as the stereo type would have you believe!
Essex is a lovely county and I think if the statistics are right, actually has far more middle classed, hard working folk living here than stereo types would have you believe. It is a county made up of many towns, some historic towns, some far newer towns (still old, but new, if you get what I mean) and it holds some lovely country parks. 
We are very fortunate to have one of these country parks, literally a stones throw from our house with another at least 3 within 10 minutes of driving distance. 
Photo from our local country Park
We are central to all of our family, whichever area they live in and we don't have to go far in any direction to visit any of them and we are close to where we both work.
My favourite season has got to be Autumn, I'm not a sun lover, in fact I avoid it at all costs! It leaves me feeling headachey, tired and fed up! But Autumn is fresher and cooler. 
I prefer Autumn to spring as our springs here seem to actually be wetter and colder than our Autumn! lol and I don't think you can beat the beautiful autumn colours the trees create, the trees truly come to life in the Autumn. 
Look at the beautiful warm autumn colours - Tree in local Country Park
We love going out for walks or exploring and there's nothing better than having a puddle to jump in, or a pile of leaves to throw in the air :) The dog also enjoys his walks more in the cooler months as with his thick coat, he struggles in the sun :(
Our Gorgeous dog Vinnie
Vinnie Enjoying the park!




These walks are some of my favourite things to do as we are out together as a family enjoying nature. We are also lucky enough that the park closest to us has a very large pond (and a fishing lake) so there is always an abundance of ducks, swans or geese that want to be fed!!...:) 
Pond

Duck with chicks

Migrating Geese on their stop over!
Its also wonderful to watch all these birds when they create their nests and to see the chicks hatch :)
This is a photo of a breeding pair of swans that seem to come back to the pond every year :)
Breeding swan pair
And this is my project:
I have never made an easel card before, I have never stamped with glue to use gilding flakes and I have never made backgrounds in this way before. So this challenge really did get me thinking and trying out lots of new things :) I hope it does for you too. 
I really tried to capture the autumn colour of the leaves and the beauty of the trees.
The trees are Kanban stamps and were stamped with gilding glue. I then added some red/gold gilding flakes to the leaves and branches of the main tree, as I thought this gave it the autumn colours it needed, I gilded the trunk in gold only. I masked up and then did the opposite for the smaller trees, so that they stood out from the main tree and didn't get lost. I also made some additional leaves up and added these as a raised element, to make the main tree more of a feature. 

Plus I added some on the bottom section of the card to give the impression of fallen leaves.
The backgrounds were both made using a piece of white card, coloured with distress inks and then stamped with a versamark image onto the background and then I covered the whole thing with perfect pearls, as I dusted it off, the stamped images were revealed and all over a lovely sheen of glittery gold was left behind.
I used a leaf image on the upright background, to match the tree and to hopefully resemble the falling leaves. For the bottom background paper, I used the two words 'dream' and 'cherish' as I cherish these memories with my family and we fulfill our dreams together :)
Pieces were then edged or bordered with black ribbon and I added an Autumn quote as the stop.
I hope you like it, I really enjoyed making it and can't wait to see what the next DDC challenge is :)





Don't forget to check out my DT sisters wonderful challenge projects and we would so love for you to join us for this months challenge :) 
You can find all the challenge rules and details HERE - Don't forget this is a challenge with a difference and will really get your creative juices going. Our wonderful little group of DT sisters can't wait to visit all your blogs and leave heartfelt, genuine messages, that actually relate to the work you have done. Afterall you take the time to make and create, we want to take the time to appreciate it :) And if that isn't appealing enough our shining star winner will receive a whopping $20 cash to spend at any craft store of their choice!!!! (Australian dollars via paypal)
And yippee Lisa really spoils us all, I got this fab badge for taking part and completing the challenge, this will take pride of place on my sidebar :) This beautiful badge will be made available to all that participate and complete the monthly challenges (a new badge each month! Yayyy) So what are you waiting for :) Everyones a winner :) :)
Hugs

34 comments:

  1. Sam what a wonderful and lovely project! All the lovely gold gilding and stamping, so much intricate work, just amazing! What a great job you did for the first time using the gold flakes, it looks like you.ve been doing for ages! I love the CAS design of your project, it looks soooo elegant, FAB job! Hugs, Joanne

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  2. Sam, You have really gone outside of your comfort zone trying so many new things in a single project...and you've mastered all of the new techniques!
    The part of Indiana where I grew up is very much like Essex (minus the stilettos, etc) and is most beautiful in the autumn. In fact, your card reminds me of Brown County, IN. That's a good thing. It makes me smile from happy memories.
    What do you think of easel cards? I LOVE them and might be a bit addicted to them.
    I'm so happy to have met you and can't wait for our next challenge at DDCC. Hopefully, we'll be a bit more relaxed this go 'round.
    hugs--
    Roberta
    Dreamtime Designs Craft Challenge Design Team
    Queen Bee Paper Crafts

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  3. Hi Sam, I am in love with your card, those Gilding Flakes are so pretty! I have had a glue pad for ages and couldn't work out how to use it! You have inspired me to have another try! Your photos are so pretty. My Father was born in Essex, I will have to show him! And my daughter Bella will love that squirrel! You have done an amazing Job! Hugs Julie xox

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  4. Sam, I really love this, I like the way you have made the trees! I like the place you live, such a beautiful nature! I also love the perfect pearls you have used! Your first project foor DDCC is a big success! I love it! Hugs, Cindy

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  5. I love Vinnie!! Lol but I do love your card! Another thing I want to try with the golden prettiness!! I think it's so eye catching an sets the rest of the card off perfectly! I really like the sentiment, never heard that before, you have some gorgeous views too! It's a stunning creation Sam :)


    Dreamtime Designs Craft Challenge

    Coloured Imaginations


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  6. Woooww... This easel card is soooo wonderful! Really as warm and sweet like you, Sam! <3 I love it! Love the way you put gold and red that create autumn colours :) :) I want to try your technique someday. And, I love Vinnie too, like Emmey, lol x

    Hugs, Mikha

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  7. such a gorgeous card Sam! the tree stamps are lovely and the gilding flakes gives them such a beautiful autumn effect! Gem xx

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  8. This is beautiful honey, considering you haven't tried either an easel card or guilding before, they are both perfect. (I haven't tried gilding, I'll have to get some pointers from you). I love all things out doorsy too, your pictures are all absolutely inspiring. With so much beauty around I can see why you selected the colours and materials of your card hun. Its stunning and I love the 3D effect flowers, they really make the image pop out at you. Its just the perfect autumn card!!! Big Cuddles Jay xxx

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  9. Hi sweetie,
    OMGoodness I've gotta get me some Gilded Flakes. I have never even heard of this technique before. You are such an inspiration Sam. This is absolutely gorgeous. I know that you have created this as an easel design but truly this would look perfect on a wall. Such beautiful colours & the image of the trees are perfect. Next time I pop over to the UK for a visit I'm going to have to come & see you, your family, Vinnie & that squirrel. I adore them & don't get them over here in Oz...well not that I've seen anyway. I love your take on the first challenge at DDCC & can't wait to see what you do for the next one :) Brilliant work Sam. I love it. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Lisa.

    Dreamtime Designs Blog
    NEW Dreamtime Designs Craft Challenge

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  10. Hi Sam, I agree with Lisa, it certainly would look wonderful as a wall hanging! I love the distressed green at the back too!
    Thank you for your lovely message honey, it was very kind of you :) I buy most of my card making goodies at Live and Love Crafts as well as the ribbon girl, the links are both in my sidebar. I'm sure that I bought the apples at Live and Love Crafts, they have also started doing green apples, which in my opinion are much better! I hope this helps honey. Cuddles Jay xxx

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  11. What a stylish and so lovely card, alas to be eligable for a prize or a top 3 you may combine our challenge with 4 others. I do hope you will join us soon again, hugs, Marion

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    Replies
    1. I forgot to mention thanks for joining us at Cards und More :)

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    2. Ah my bad, i missed that part, sorry. And yes i will certainly be joining in again :)

      x

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  12. wow what a gorgeous easel card! love the softness feel it has and all the details! thanks for joining us for our Anything Goes challenge at Loves Rubberstamps!

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  13. Gorjeous card! I love trees on cards, and yours are wonderful! Regards, TokBobok

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  14. Such a beautiful card.
    Thank you for joining in the Feeling Crafty challenge, good luck x

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  15. Wow, this is a gorgeous card Samantha!! Love the colors and all the flowers!!
    Thanks for joining the TTCRD challenges!
    Hugs,Sandra

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  16. Hi Sweetie, i'm back with another DT hat on,
    Thank you for joining in the Crafting Café challenge, good luck x

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  17. Fab easel card! Thanks for joining at Creative Craft Challenges: Anything Goes
    Hugs
    Dewi

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  18. What a lovely easle card . Thank you for joining in over at Seemacrafts

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  19. Wonderful easel card!! the image is so intricate... very beautiful!!
    Thanks for playing along with us at Tuesday Throwdown!!
    Blessings to you!!

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  20. I also have to mention our challenge rules (maximum of five).

    But I just want to honour your wonderful sparkling card - and I like the idea of your new challenge! Think I will join :)

    Thank you for joining us at Cards and More
    xx Sabrina

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    Replies
    1. My apologies Sabrina. But thank you so much for your lovely comment :) We would love to see you for DDCC :) its a really unique challenge and is so much fun to do something so different. Hugs x

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  21. Das ist eine außergewöhnliche Karte. Gefällt mir sehr gut.
    Vielen Dank für deine Teilnahme am Kreativeinkauf-Challengeblog.

    LG, Ilonka

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  22. Thanks for entering our challenge at One Crazy Stamper, awesome job, so pretty, love the colors!

    Leanne DT!
    OCS

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  23. This is just gorgeous! Great job! Thanks for joining the Oozak Challenge!

    -Samantha

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  24. Your card is gorgeous! I agree that Autumn is the best season of them all. Thanks for playing with us at Mema's Crafts. Hope you'll continue to visit and play with us. Good Luck!

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  25. This is awesome! Love everything about it! You Rock!! Thank You so much for joining us here at Loves Rubber Stamps this week. We are so happy you shared your fab project with us.
    Tons of Hugs, Dangina

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  26. Stunning! I love it! Thanks for playing at The Crafting Cafe this time!
    Good Luck
    Hugs
    Dawn xx

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  27. This is gorgeous, i love those trees. What a handsome dog Vinnie is too am sure if he is anything like my Poppy he loves a good run in the mud lol
    Thanks for joining us this month over at Seemacrafts challenge blog.
    Good Luck with the challenge
    Hugs
    Marie (DT for Seemacrafts)
    xxxx

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  28. what a lovely card you did - thanks a lot for playing arround with us at Kreativeinkaufchallenge,
    hugs Andrea

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  29. Gorgeous card with beautiful techniques!!!! Thanks for playing with us at One Crazy Stamper.

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  30. Very beautiful card, Just loved the fall colors you used, thanks for sharing it with us in the Fall Challenge at Seemacrafts and hope to see more of your amazingly beautiful cards in the future. Crafty Hugs Larelle-Susanne

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  31. Stunning card - just stunning! I love the gilding flakes & your trees look like they are dancing in the Autumn air! Such a fab card!

    Your Vinnie is a handsome fella, enjoyed seeing your pics & vinnie loving his runs in the park!

    From one Essex girl to another..those days are long gone where white stilettos were worn on my feet! LOL But I do agree, we have some beautiful countryside & history. :)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment, all comments are much appreciated
xx

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