Monday 25 November 2013

Let The Bells Ring - Spotlight at 'Crafts-Too Challenge You'

Hello and Welcome!

Recently I was thrilled to be selected in the Top 3 over at 'Crafts-Too Challenge You' blog and am delighted to accept their kind invitation to feature today in their Spotlight post.

Their challenge theme this month is 'Vintage Christmas' with the current twist being 'polychromatic' - meaning multi-coloured. I've adapted a Melissa Frances chipboard 'large church/house' for my spotlight piece. Here it is:



My three main colours are gold, blue and red. I've used all Scandinavian papers (By Inkido, Pion Design and Maja Design) as they have the perfect vintage look. The lacy roof is made using a Cheery Lynn die and the roof papers are sprayed with a Perfect Pearls mist for a frosty look. The little windows are painted with PaperArtsy 'Nougat'. The whole project has been liberally treated with Melissa Frances crushed glass glitter, Snow-tex and Mica Flakes. The eaves are painted with PaperArtsy 'Old Gold' before being wrapped in paper and speckled with glitter.


The surrounding fence has also being painted and then stenciled using Crafty Individuals mask and Dreamweaver paste. When dry I coated the fence with multi-matte medium, somehow the chemical interactions have produced a greenish tinge in parts - but doesn't that all add to the vintage feel! All the church/house edges were inked with Versamark and then embossed using my favourite Ranger's 'Queen's Gold' EP. I've hung some bells in the belfry so that they can ring out on Christmas morning! The spire was stencilled using a Crafter's Workshop 'damask' stencil, painted and then gold embossed. The same stencil was used on the doors - can you see Santa peeking out from one door? Idea-ology ring fasteners make really cute door knockers too.


I gilded a cocktail stick and attached a Moon diecut (Sizzix / Tim Holtz) and stamped/embossed sentiment (Artistic Outpost). There's also a lot of script type stamping on the 'ground' area but as usual I've gone and covered most of it up! I also ran a ribbon trim around the 'ground' edge. The little Christmas Tree has been gilded and frantaged (thank-heavens I noticed the smoke before it turned to flame!) and dotted with pearls.

It took a lot of careful training to coax those dashing reindeer to slow-down and stand 'unaided'! Added a selection of embellishments, tossed on even more glitter and stickles for good measure and afixed to the Idea-ology box feet that I had rubbed with some Treasure Gold to warm up. The whole piece sparkles fabulously in artificial light so I'm looking forward to seeing it on display at Christmas!

Very many thanks to 'Crafts-Too Challenge You' for generously allowing me feature - why don't you pop over and join in with their fantastic challenge blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Have a lovely week,
Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, sponsors and design teams at the following challenges that I wish to enter:
Frilly and Funkie - Christmas Preparations
Vintage Udfordring - Christmas
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Shabby Chic Christmas
Rhedd and Rosie Challenge - Christmas Is Coming (with key items)
Stamping Sensations - Christmas
A Creative Romance - Vintage Style
Allsorts Challenge - Bring On The Bling
Crafty Hands Challenge Blog - Sparkle and Bling
Vintage Stamping Challenges - Traditional Christmas
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge - Shabby Chic / Vintage

60 comments:

  1. Oh my gracious Nicola, this is truly a master piece. It is breathtaking and simply magical! Your attention to details is amazing. Have a wonderful week!
    Hugs, Katie

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  2. wow what an incredible piece of work, just absolutely gorgeous x hugs x

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  3. Oh my goodness! Wow! An amazing piece of artistry here, just fantastic, I'm so in awe of it, think you so much for sharing it at Rhedd and Rosie's, good luck Hun,Zoe DT xx

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  4. WOW...Nicola this is breathtaking...Totally beautiful...The design & attention to detail is outstanding... Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous...Love it all....Hugs May x x x

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  5. That is seriously gorgeous Nicola! I love the reindeer, the vintage look to it and all the wonderful details. Wouldn't this look fabulous as a Christmas table centrepiece. So inspiring. Love, Margie xx

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  6. Is there a bigger word than WOW??!! This is truly amazing. I am in awe! Thank you so much for joining us at Rhedd & Rosies.
    Hugs
    Fiona x

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  7. Wow,beautiful amazing creation.
    Gr Elly

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  8. Oh wow Nicola, this is more than amazing, what an incredible make!! I absolutely love what you did with the MF church house!!!! The book pages together with all the gold embellishments look so fantastic, that is going to be one big talking piece over Christmas I bet, - just stunning!!!

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  9. Wow this is amazing, such a beautiful project, I can't think of enough good things to say about it - what a clever lady! Many thanks for entering the Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge and good luck! Melissa (DT) xxxx

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  10. Amazing!!! What a piece of work.Thanks for joining the Vintage Challenge this time. DT Heidi

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  11. I am nearly speechless Nicola, this is an absolutely stunning Christmas home decor piece! The reindeer flying overhead, the gorgeous moon, the bells in the belfry, the fabulous fence - everything is just amazing. This is a true labour of love and you have done a brilliant job. Love it! Hugs, Anne x

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  12. Wow... Just wow! Such a stunning creation. Incredible! Thanks for playing along with the current CraftyHands challenge. Sammy-x

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  13. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, I just adore this Nicola, it is one amazing decoration for your Christmas sideboard. Thank you so much for all the effort in creating this for the C2CU spotlight. You are a star.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  14. Stunning ornament!! Thank you so much for sharing with us at rhedd and Rosie's challenge, good luck! x

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  15. wOOw Nicola, this decoration is simply divine and stunning and gorgeous and stuff! I love the sparkle, the opulence of embellishments and the festive feel - beautiful work my friend! xx

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  16. How on earth did you manage to turn chipboard and papers into this FANTASTIC church! I'm SO impressed I'm speechless, I don't think I can describe with words how much I love this piece!

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  17. I really hope it didn't just lose that huge comment I left...
    Alison xx

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  18. This certainly makes a beautiful statement Nicola. Love all the intricate detail, how gorgeous will this look in your home on the 25th.

    Thank you for sharing with us at Vintage Stamping challenges.

    Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

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  19. Oh wow, Nicola! A stunning Christmas creation! what a lot of work must have gone into this! Thanks for joining us at stamping Sensations this month and good luck!

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  20. Oh my eyes are so excited! This is gorgeous and so many lovely details right down to the training of the deer. Love this! Thank you for joining us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges!

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  21. Ah well... cross with Blogger, but more than happy to sing the praises of this amazing project again! An exquisite make... every detail is perfect: the church itself, the papers, the gilding and texture and all that snowy loveliness - gulp! I'm almost speechless (though not quite, obviously)... Brilliant!
    Alison xx

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  22. Oh WOW!!! this is amazing Nicola - such a fantastic make with so many beautiful details, love all the gold with those papers.
    Congrats on being a featured artist - and so pleased you shared this with FSC
    Avril xx

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  23. what a fabulous project Nicola......I love it !! The papers are gorgeous and I love the roof. Such a beautiful Christmas make to treasure.

    Best Wishes

    Annie x

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  24. That must have taken forever to create! WOW Nicola! Absolutely superb work. Your attention to detail is amazing - lots of animals, Santa peeping out from behind the door and the bells in the tower. No wonder you have been put in the spotlight this way. Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

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  25. WOW WOW WOW, what a fabulous Christmas project Nicola....!!! Yesterday I was not allowed to leave you a comment from my work, but could not stop to click on each and every image to look at all the detail.. really magnificent project! Hugs, hope you are going well! Coco xx

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  26. Oh wow, this is stunning and must have taken forever to complete with all the wonderful details. I love how you have used the patterned paper, the layers on the roof and then added all the wonderful reindeer and that sweet vintage angel. Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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  27. Wowsers this is AMAZING nicola.so many details to find and see and your sparkle is stunning lD

    xx coops xx

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  28. Wow Nicola ! Absolutely gorgeous project, love the roof and all the details ! Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Sue C x

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  29. Thanks for playing at Allsorts this week, this is one AMAZING creation, just wonderful and so beautiful. xxxx

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  30. Oh My Goodness Me!!!! This is absolutely stunning, I am blown away, such a fantastic work of art. I love your attention to detail this is a sure show stopper.

    Thank you so much for coming over and joining in with our Challenge #3 'Sparkle and Bling' CraftyHands Challenge Blog.

    Great Big Huge Hugs

    Becca xx (DT member)

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  31. This is fabulous and will be for years to come
    Rosie x

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  32. Wow! What an amazing project! So much work gone into it. It's all so beautiful, but I especially love the reindeer! Thank you for sharing it with us at Stamping Sensations this month.

    Lynne

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  33. omg............wow, this is amazing! so much detail!!!

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  34. Oh my! What a fantastic project! Love all the shimmery detail!

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  35. Wauw ... what a house! Amazing work!

    Thank you for joining us at Vintageudfordring.

    Jytte, DT.

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  36. Back again for another mooch Nicola with my other hat on. Still a beautiful make x x

    Thank you for sharing with us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges.

    Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

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  37. WOW!!! This is stunning, you are so creative it's brilliant.
    Well done on your big win today too at Pion :) xxx

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  38. Sorry I am not about at the moment Nicola, but couldn't miss saying what a stunning creation and thanks for sharing at my challenges.

    B x

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  39. Absolutely stunning and magical! The perfect Christmas creation! Julie Ann xx

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  40. Wow Nicola, this is such an eye catching and creative piece. Well done for such an inspiring project! Chris xxx

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  41. Goodness me this is amazing!!!! Wow!!!

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  42. Dear Nicola
    Oh my goodness, this is spectacular!
    I doubt I have every laid eyes upon anything so charming for the festivities.
    It conjures up images of window displays in the most fashionable stores, especially in New York when the excel at Christmas displays.
    The detailing is astonishing and that wonderful sparkle. It exudes love and care and I believe you had a bundle of fun as you sat creating this.
    How special to have this on display in your home.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  43. What a magical make Nicola. I saw this and just stared in awe. Oh ... my ... goodness!!!!! I love every bit of it. Stunning gilt and glitter. Love the deer and birds and people. I adore the roof and windows. Really ... I just love everything. INsanely creative my friend!!!! -- Mary Elizabeth

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  44. WOW - what an amazing beautiful creation, such gorgeous details, Thanks so much for sharing with us at FSC...Esther xx

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  45. Hi Nicola! This is extraordinary! I would not even know where to begin! Bravo!!!

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  46. How could this have slipped my attention, Nicola....?!!!

    This is such an outstandingly brilliant and gorgeous make! So very enchanting and perfect for evoking a lot of wonderful advent-feelings! A stunning make and so very beautiful!

    Hugs,
    (and congrats on winning at Frilly and Funky too! Absolutely deserved!)

    Claudia xx

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  47. This is one of the prettiest projects I think I've ever seen. Gorgeous, wonderful work!!

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  48. i'm speechless!!!! this project is absolutely stunning! fabulous work! BArbarayaya

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  49. Wow! Such a beautiful job. You should be so proud of this art.

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  50. Incredible work! This is quite a Christmas inspiration. You got yourself a new blog follower. Happy Christmas Month.--Shawn

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  51. This is MAGNIFICENT!!!! A village piece to have for years and to be proud of! I love every detail....amazing work!!!!

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  52. What can I say, it is so amazing, your work is always fabulous, but you have surpassed your self. Love it.

    Moira xxx

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  53. wow wow what a fantastic project, beautiful
    hugs Pia

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  54. OMGosh......this couldn't be more amazing!!!! I'm in almost shock...lol and nearly speechless!! This is the epitome of Christmas wonderfulness!! What you've created here makes me smile from ear to ear and really hopeful that I ended up Santa's nice list for once! ;) FANTASTIC job Nicola!!
    hugs,
    Lisa

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  55. Ok -- so I'm back here for a second comment. I wasn't around when all the awards for this piece came in. Of course ... it's absolutely obvious that it won so many accolades. Seriously Nicola ... you are on a creative role. I'm so thrilled to see it recognized by so many. Congrats!! -- Mary Elizabeth

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Thank-you! Your visit and comment is very much appreciated. Nicola x