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Thursday 5 May 2016

Celebrations at Anything But Cute!

Anything But Cute is one year old and I have been invited to join in the Anniversary celebrations as a Guest Designer alongside some amazing artists…yes I did pinch myself…several times…!!!

I have been given this….. to display on my blog -forever!!
So…to the challenge...

The theme is Celebrate Your Style - as I have confessed before my style is Eclectic (very, some of you might say!)
I do love using my scraps though..and stamping…and Paris..and making little books and journals... so this is what I made.


Front Cover
The Front cover - which of course is corrugated card from THAT online company. I don't know where the Metro stamp is from but the Paris on the label is from my Caravelle Studio French collage stamp. The little brad at the top is from a set I bought last year in France. 
Back Cover
The butterfly is part of a Crafty Individual stamp and the Bonjour is from an old Elusive Images set(now Chocolate Baroque)

So, would you like to see inside? Please do!!
I will go through from the beginning - some will be double pages some individual, but all in order.
Some don't need a caption but I may add some as we go along
 The inside cover paper and images here, as several are, come from my paper stash and most, I think, are Papermania.

 Using some scraps - the flower has been around for ages.
 I wanted this page to show the butterflies on the next page too so I cut out the triangle.


I used tinted crackle paint(with DecoArt Primary Cyan)through a favourite stencil. The butterfly has also been cut out for a while. The ticket was cut from some paper I bought last year in France.

 Some tinted (with English red oxide DecoArt Fluid acrylics) texture paste through a stencil - Not very neat I'm afraid…..err- embracing imperfection? The Sacre Couer here is from a little set I bought in France. 
 Paper Artsy Mini stamp onto French book paper

 The Chocolaterie (not sure where from) stamped onto tissue paper partly coloured from behind.
A dinner money envelope stencilled using a Rebekah Meir stencil and Worn Lipstick distress ink - another Paper Artsy Mini and the Moulin Rouge cut from an old calendar.
The tag inside has a Darkroom door image of the Notre Dame on one side and is some patterned paper from my scraps stamped with an address and some bits of my new scarf fringe - way too long for my liking but the scarf is lovely!

Instead of thread or ribbon I used some French book paper folded into a little fan shape. 
 Lace doily stencil using Brushed Corduroy DI. 'Paris in the Spring' stamped using Perfect Medium then used two colours of Stampendous Embossing powders.
 More scraps, calendar images and a stamp topper that I have had for ages!

 Background stamped using Emma Godfrey's Eclectica French set from Paper Artsy(EEG07)The little canvas watch from set I bought in France last year, the words are cut from a shopping mall guide I picked up this year (we found a great little mall near Place D'Italie)
The little Eiffel Tower here is a gel type sticker that I backed with paper as it didn't show up very well - I have a whole load of these type - bought in a sale at Accesorize years ago and never opened!!

 TH stamp from Attic Treasures set and some Papermania tissue paper crumpled and inked over with Vintage Photo DI
Now you may notice my undeliberate mistake here..as I made these pages separately before making up my book I accidentally stamped my favourite Crafty Individuals background stamp upside down!
The Sacre Couer image is part of the Paris collage from Carabelle Studios - I find the best way to stamp on fabric is to ink up the stamp and then lay the fabric over and rub gently to ensure good coverage. Paris (part of the TH stamp) was stamped onto another piece of scrap that already had some script on it. Emma Godfrey's set also had 'j'adore' - just right!!
My final page has the Eiffel Tower from the Caravelle set stamped onto another piece of stencilled scrap. I covered the page with some cheesecloth that I had distressed with my needle felting tool.I attached the 'Memoir' pin before glueing down with Multi- matte medium. I wrote Paris onto part of a coffee stirrer and added a tiny bit of stamping at each end, the gel flag sticker is from the set previously mentioned.

I used my Crop-O-Dile to punch holes big enough to thread some lace through to hold the book together. 

I do hope you like my little book and I have given you some ideas for using scraps.

The celebrations continue at Anything But Cute so please go and join in - it's Your Style they would like to see!

Thank you to the team at ABC for inviting me to your celebration party - I look forward to many more fantastic challenges in the future!

Thanks for looking, Chris

32 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Fantastic mini book, you have lots of memories to treasure there. What a lot of wonderful stamps you have used. Congrats on being chosen as guest designer at Anything But Cute, what an honour! Have a fun day, hugs, Valerie

Pamellia said...

HOLY MACARONI!! Chris, this is just amazing! This definitely just shot to the top of my list of favourites of yours! I've been scrolling up and down for some time now taking in all of the fabulous details! You really captured the essence of our challenge theme because this so your style! Fun, interesting and filled with inspiration from the outside world and travels! (never would have noticed the upside down stamp btw) lol.

Thank you so much for putting such hard work into this amazing book! It's an honour to have you with us at Anything But Cute to help us celebrate our first blogiversary! Thanks for all of your inspiration and support over the last year as well, looking forward to another year of your amazing work! hugs :)

Redanne said...

Your style is definitely eclectic Chris, you have a wonderful ability to turn your hand to so many different styles! This album is an absolute delight from start to finish - this is a perfect way to celebrate our Anniversary and also your recent trip - how clever. I was drooling over that gorgeous piece of lace in there and I did not notice the upside down stamping at all. The whole album is a delight! Big hugs, Anne xxx

chrissie said...

This is wonderful work on all the pages. What a fantastic project

Love Chrissie xx

Anonymous said...

WOW Chris this is so gorgeous, I love it...not only is it of my favourite place it also has your 'stamp' and style all over it. Stunning. xxx

Sandy said...

I love little books and journals and yours is wonderful!
sandy xx

sirkkis said...

What a gorgeous mini book, Chris. Love every lovely page.
Hugs ❤

Dianne said...

Truly stunning, so many gorgeous details! The little fan shape on the tag instead of ribbon really caught my eye. Congratulations on being chosen to highlight your art!

Dianne said...

Truly stunning, so many gorgeous details! The little fan shape on the tag instead of ribbon really caught my eye. Congratulations on being chosen to highlight your art!

Christine said...

LOVE, LOVE, THE BOOK!!!!
You have made a fantastic creation there, definitely a keeper.
Well done.
x

Julia Aston said...

What wonderful pages you created inside your beautiful corrugated cardboard covers Chris! love all the stampings and fibers you used! Julia xx

Words and Pictures said...

Delighted to see you spotlit over at ABC to celebrate their first anniversary, and what a wonderful mini album to celebrate your style! Love the corrugated covers with the wonderful sepia collaging, and all your Parisian images and ephemera make for a charming and romantic interior - just lovely!
Alison x

Juliz Design Post said...

Congrats Chris. What a wonderful project, your attention to details and textures is fantastic. Absolutely stunning.
Julie x

sarascloset said...

chris, I had such a lovely time reading through your post, and was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was coming next! Truly a labor of love and my favorite project of yours ever! I love the way you carried the theme throughout your pages and how effortlessly the pages slowed from one to the next. Just like a good interior designer carries the color from one room to another to make them all relate to one another, you have managed to make your colors blend from one to the next. ( Ihope that makes sense!). My favorite little Chris "touch" is folded French book papers you used in place of ribbon or fibers on the tags! You really need to enter this into Our Creative Corner's current challenge.

Thank you for being one of our FAVORITE ARTISTS at Anything But Cute and making our celebration extra special with your lovely artwork! Biggest hugs!

Meggymay said...

A gorgeous little book, filled with so many wonderful textures, details and images. Congratulations Chris on your Guest DT spot.
Yvonne xx

Jane said...

What a wonderful book Chris..so many gorgeous pages with endless gorgeous textures. This is one to really treason, congratulations on your guest spot.Hugs xx

Paper Profusion said...

Wow Chris, you have absolutely poured your love of Paris and all things French into this beautiful book. Its filled with so many gorgeous little details that its hard to take them all in at first view. My kind of project for sure. Im smiling that you cut the fringe from your NEW scarf to decorate. I can relate to your doing this - so glad Im not the only one overdedicated to what i craft! Anyway the snipped part of fringe looks fabulous here and Im sure your scarf isnt any the less for it. Love your folded paper for top of tag, I might copy that sometime! Snap, there is upsidedown stamping over on my trinket box too! Your 'vintaging' the cheesecloth is very clever, it fits the fabric in perfectly to the whole vintage feel. You must have spent a long time creating this, its a stunning labour of love, with wonderful personalised ephemera. So lovely to feature alongside you. Nicola x

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!
What a treat for the eyes this is. Your book perfectly captures your love of Paris and with such attention to detail. I love the colours and also the textures you incorporated.
A thing of beauty indeed.
Wishes
Lynne

Lisa said...

Oh wow, this is absolutely amazing!! What a spectacular book this is!! I love the corrugated cover!! The pages are so fabulous!! The details are perfect and the texture is awesome!! I'm so glad you joined in with our Anything But Cute celebration!! You did such an amazing job!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

They couldn't have picked a better guest designer to celebrate their anniversary. Your style is truly eclectic, and definitely anything except cute. Your little book on Paris is unbelievable, and I have SO many ideas swimming in my head right now. I truly LOVE this. You are the BEST.

Mimi said...

How cool is this?! Your little bits from your travels make this such an awesome little piece... Hope you'll not some memories and tuck some pix :-)
Congrats on GD spot :-)

Deb said...

What an amazing book Chris, tres chic! I fell in love with your cover but then I saw all your fabulous layered,stamped and embellished pages and I was head over heels! So many lovely details to enjoy, thank you for sharing it and congratulations on being chosen as one of Anything But Cute's favourite artists of the year! Deb xo

Rita said...

Congratulations, Lady! You do have your own style. To me, it's a very pretty kind of feminine grunge. Enjoy yourself!! :)

Brenda Brown said...

Congratulations Chris on your well deserved accolade, your book is a fabulous tribute to your style. I love the grungy feel to this and all the amazing pages. Well done xxx

Hettie said...

This may not be cute bit it is BEAUTIFUL! I love all the pages and layers. Even the upside don one is fabulous.
Cpngratulations too!!
Hugs
xxx

Nancy Dynes said...

Hi Chris!!
I haven't been able to come by recently as I've been caring for my dad, but I had a few moments and hopped right on over to your blog to see what you've been up to! First let me say congratulations on the well deserved honor, and second, WOW what a fabulous album!! I've been pouring over your blog for 20 minutes trying to take in all the techniques and special touches. Your album is an absolute treasure. I'm not even sure where to start. You've put so much love and a wealth of creative genius into this creation. Thank you so much for always inspiring me!!
Hugs,
Nancy

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

First, I have NO idea how I missed your calendar pages. I've been so busy trying to get Annette's pages off to her and working in my yard that I completely gave up all computer time for a couple of days. I posted, then went back to making art or whatever.

I wanted to apologize to you because when I pulled photos off my camera, I knew why I felt I had rushed posting the pages you sent me. I forgot your lovely gifts, which I am in the process of trying to load right now. It takes so long with this computer and even worse if I try to multitask like I am right now. But, again, my sincere apology because I completely intended to share the goodies you sent along with my b'day card, too!

Pawsitively Creative said...

As a avid book lover I totally enjoyed this post! Making a book from scratch is on my to try list and I will definitely be referencing this post. Hehe! Awesome sauce details and the lace binding is beautiful. I can totally see your love for Paris captured amazingly in this design. Fantabulous and gorgeous stamps, and details and lace! You told a story with this album and what a story it is! Gorrrrrrrgeous!

So happy you joined our Anniversary celebration at Anything But Cute and designed this masterpiece! Your style is captured beautifully! And eclectic mix of feminine with a touch of grunge=wowzers! Congrats on being one of our Favorite Artists! Hugz! ~Niki

Sandy said...

I just looked at your French Keepsake and thought to myself WOW! How in the world do you come up with all of these fantastic ideas!!
sandy xx

SewPaperPaint said...

Your book is absolutely fabulous, filled to the brim with stamping, just the way I like it. So amazing and inspiring! Thanks so much for joining in our anniversary celebration at Anything But Cute. Great to have you! Hugs, Autumn

Electra said...

This is pure loveliness! And Congratulations!

Ruth said...

Fabulous little book, choc full of delightful treasures. Love the vintage tones. Ruth xx