The Artists on the Block - A New Year

It is not quite the New Year, I know, but I am sitting here wondering where on earth the last two weeks have gone!

My Design Team project for January for The Artists on the Block (where Amy is showing a summary of the team's favourites from 2014) is a perpetual calendar - I promise this is my last one but I have really enjoyed making these for some special people in my life.

The calendar is made up using Eileen Hull's Artist Trading Block die by Sizzix #658984 and it has three blocks on the one die and is my favourite go to die for 3D projects.  I used the smallest block for the calendar months and days and then created a base for them to sit in.

I hope this last calendar has now arrived safely at its destination.  If not, hopefully it will be a nice surprise when it does!

I used some fabulous Bo Bunny papers that I had been saving in my stash, I wanted the calendar to have a light and fresh look, suitable for all year long.

You can see from this view, the shape that the base needs to be in order to angle the months and numbers.  The angle inside the base is quite deep so that the days and months can be viewed easily.

And finally the back view.  The calendar blocks have been covered with the same papers with some light distressing to the edges.  The months have been added with tissue paper.  I typed the months out and then added a sheet of tissue paper to a sheet of printer paper with a strip of tape across the top and ran it through my printer.  I used Glue 'N' Seal to add the tissue to the blocks and then coated the blocks with the seam medium (as the blocks will be handled quite regularly).

Eileen has a challenge running on her Art With Heart blog HERE with the theme of 'Fresh Ideas'.  As always, there is a wonderful prize on offer.  It would be lovely if you did use a Sizzix die but Eileen just wants to see what is inspiring you at the moment - your fresh ideas!

If you would like to see the Artists on the Block Design Team favourites from 2014 you can see them HERE.  You will find lots of wonderful inspiration if you need a kick-start for this new year!

Thanks for looking and I really appreciate any comments you leave!  Big hugs,  Anne xx

The Artists on the Block - Exciting News!

Hello everyone.  I think those of you who follow me regularly already know how much I love working with ATBs (Artist Trading Blocks) designed by the wonderfully talented designer, Eileen Hull, who designs for Sizzix.   Well, I have some wonderful news!

I am completely thrilled and very excited to have been invited to join Team ATB at THE ARTISTS ON THE BLOCK -  by Eileen and the fantastic designer Amy Bowerman, who leads Team ATB!  How fabulous is that!  I have had to keep it under my hat for a little while now and I cannot wait to get started...

The very talented Design Team create ATBs using Eileen's fantastic dies, which I have had the pleasure of using for a few months now.  One of my loves is creating 3D projects - the dies are so versatile and can be adapted in different ways, as the Design Team and many others have shown.  As Amy says, 'ATBs are the building blocks of creativity' and she is so right.  If you want to be totally blown away by some examples of ATBs have a look at the Pinterest page, there are some fabulous ideas there.

In honour of joining this amazing team I have made a special project, dedicated to Eileen, which in my own small way shows the versatility of the blocks.  If you have not tried using these blocks, please do, they are such fun.... and very addictive.  So, on to my first official creation for Team ATB:

From this (can you see what it might be?)

To this - a steam train.... quirky and lots of fun to make!

I used a mix of dies, obviously Eileen Hull's ATB, other Sizzix dies for the windows and doors, Tim Holtz sized circles for the wheels (along with Brushed Pewter Distress Paint) and I added a few Prima embellishments for lights, wheel nuts and bumpers - the rest is simply strong black card, with a little red thrown in.

My lovely DH is very keen on steam trains and he lent me his rail track to stand it on, he has since claimed the steam train as his own...

As I said, I wanted to show the versatility of the ATBs here but there is no need to create elaborate pieces - but it is great fun and I have lots more ideas in my head! If you pop over to The Artists on the Block HERE you will see lots of innovative ATBs that the inspirational Design Team created during this past month alone. 

Eileen also has a monthly challenge called Art With Heart where you can express your creativity (not just with ATBs either) based on a challenge theme and there are wonderful prizes on offer.  It is definitely worth a look there too, if you have the time (the May challenge has now finished).

Amy has asked me to show a few of my favourite projects from the past few months.  Click on the photos for a larger view.

One of my most favourite projects is the beach hut I created, details of which you can find here.  This showcases the versatility of Eileen's ATB die beautifully and also my love of 3D objects.  The hut now lives with my lovely friend Mo in her seaside themed guest room.

Another favourite project is my Mini Storage Box, a 3D project that showcases my love of all things Tim Holtz, I used Tim's beautiful Wallflower papers, Remnant Rubs and Idea-ology, the details are here.

My third project is a favourite from last year - an altered clock base, another of Tim Holtz's Idea-ology pieces - full details here.

Well, I think I have kept you long enough.  Thank you for looking, I hope you like my steam train and I hope you will follow my adventures with  ATBs and maybe even make some yourselves!  Take care and I hope to see you soon.  Hugs, Anne xx