May 5, 2016

Masculine Accordion Fold Cardboard Mini Album

mini 1

Today is my first official post for Anything But Cute, and it couldn't have come at a more exciting time.  As we celebrate our First Anniversary at Anything But Cute, we want you to celebrate what you do best...mixed media! This month's challenge theme is Celebrate Your Style!  This is your chance to do it your way, in your favorite style...so pull out those inks and paints and show us what you're made of! You can make anything you want, in any theme you want and any style you want, just as long as it has some mixed media products on it and no cute images. HAVE FUN!

Anything-But-Cute

We have some special treats for you this month. Along with our design team projects, we have invited our Favourite Artists from last year to come and celebrate with us. You don't want to miss the incredible line up of inspiration they have provided for you!! We also have a wonderful line up of prizes from some amazing sponsors...lots of chances to win some goodies, so don't miss out!

mini 2

I wanted to create a mini album to celebrate all of the things I love best.  I simply cut four pieces of cardboard to arounf 4x6" and punched holes in the sides, then tied them together with jute twine to fashion an accordion fold.  I gessoed each panel, but love to leave the edges raw to create more color variation in the next steps.

mini 3

I embossed a Stampers Anonymouse background stamp in Walnut Stain Distress Embossing Powder, then stenciled a Prima dots stencil with texture paste.  Rather than using my palette watercolors, I wanted to use up a product that I've had in my stash for ages, Walnut Tintz.  They are similar to Distress Stain.  I simply dabbed and puddled each color.  I purposely left some white spaces.  This is so much fun to do!!!

mini 4

Next, I created some inky background panels to use in my collage, and picked out a few Prima papers that would coordinate.  The lavender doesn't quite show up in the photos, but the mini is predominately lavender.

mini 5

To build my little groupings, I stamped each focal image, distressed the edges, then layered over the inky paper and torn designer paper, mixing in a hilarious book page I found and some extra stamping and ephemera.

mini 6

This is my industrial theme attempt.  I am trying to embrace industrial/steampunk - but doing so with my vintage grunge style.

mini 6

Notice that I stamped the papers tucked in behind.  I love creating my own patterns!  The book page here listed all the don't do's - including no spitting!  LOL!

mini 7

I used a chipboard sticker over this stamped hourglass.  I finally picked up the Tim Holtz honeycomb border die.
mini 8

My sweet friend, Bonnie, shared these cogs with me - thanks Bonnie!  You're the best.  This is my favorite section of the book page.  You'll also notice some Rub-Ons.

mini 9

I decided to leave the black plain, because I just love looking at that yummy watercolor and texture.

mini 10

I'm also playing with these great challenges:
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

77 comments:

Words and Pictures said...

Simply brilliant! What more can I say? A fabulous debut for ABC, and a great way to celebrate the one-year anniversary and your own glorious style. Love the collaging, the funky mixed media backgrounds, and the chunky cardboard pages. Okay - turns out there was more to say...
Alison x

Lisa said...

Autumn, this is absolutely amazing!! What a fabulous mini this is!! I love the layers and all of the details you added!! Each page is spectacular!! The texture and colors are gorgeous!! Wow!! Love this!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Samra said...

Truly gorgeous specimen of grunge art!
Hugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra

Pamellia said...

Wow Autumn, you just exploded our challenge with this awesome piece of 'Autumn-ish' work! lol. You have really pulled out all the stops for your first challenge and I am swooning over the finished project! Stamping, stencilling, vintage, looks like a piece of art that should be hanging on a wall in a gallery!!

It is such an honour to have you joining our team and I'm thrilled that you get to celebrate our first blogiversary with us as a new team member! Welcome!! I look forward to getting to know you better and learning from you! hugs :)

Vintagehandmade said...

Oh, what a fantastic start on your Anything But Cute journey and what a brilliant piece of art celebrating your wonderful style and our first anniversary, Autumn!
Each page of this super cool project is a masterpiece! It's simply spectacular with all those fabulous layers, beautiful textures and amazing collaging! I absolutely love it!
Big hugs! Branka xx

IrinaR (Irina Rakovets) said...

It's great! I really liked it)))

Redanne said...

What an amazing debut Autumn! Your little album is packed full of so many gorgeous elements, wonderful colours, very funny words, beautiful collage and very much in the industrial/steampunk style! The back is every bit as gorgeous as the front too. Fabulous!! Hugs, Anne xx

Rainey's Craft Room said...

Wow! this is just fantastic work! So grungy and magnificent. Love all the details.
Lorraine

sarascloset said...

Autumn, this amazing layered mini really shouts Autumn's Style in a big way! I love those painty corrugated backdrops to all your bits and pieces!

I'm thrilled you have joined the team! Your work and YOU are awesome, and I'm so looking forward to getting to know you better both as an artist and as a friend! Big hugs!

SD pooja said...

This is really amazing how you have transformed plain cardboard into a fab mini ! I loved the grungy industrial look !

Pawsitively Creative said...

This is even better when I see if up close and all laid out! I love books, any type of book, and this handmade one sure is amazing. I love that you kept the back plain so as to see the lovely colors and inks better. The inside of the book had me in stitches laughing at the papers you used! No taking, no loitering, no eating, dead end my friend! Where ever did you find that paper? Incredible! So many layers and details to look at! This is a splendid and smashing way to start your adventure with Anything But Cute! Awesome sauce and fantabulous design dearie!

Happy to call you a teamie and to learn more about you through this next year of great adventure! You are a doll and so very sweet! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

klistersøster said...

WOW it is a beautiful and amazing album. I'm crazy about it !! Congratulations with the new DTmembership on ABC.
Hugs, Susan

Paper Profusion said...

Gosh what brilliant layering and collaging Autumn! It must be wonderful to hold. LOVE the funny book pages you incorporated, makes it wacky and fun! Stunning vintage effects. What a fab project for your first piece with ABC. Nicola x

Electra said...

Absolutely stunning!!

Julia Aston said...

First off - I love your pages with just all the stains on them - all by themselves! and then you added all your wonderful stampings paper and ephemera - and each one could stand alone as a lovely vignette! Super job on this beautiful accordion fold book Autumn! Julia xx

Juliz Design Post said...

A super stunning project Autumn, love everything about it.
Julie x

Willy said...

Wow what a beautful book, love all the details!!

rachel said...

so much detail - love it to bits x

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Autumn, I absolutely love your vintage book with so much detail and you definitely convey a sense of the masculine.
I cannot thank you enough, not only for your visits to my Blog especially when I have been almost absent from blogland but also, for your words on my tree panel. It is one thing to have notions and try to express them in whatever project I am working on but to then share it and have an artist like yourself, connect with what you see, that touches my heart. Thank you so much.
Wishes
Lynne

Sue said...

This is just amazing Autumn, I love these inky backgrounds and the way that you've just used pieces of cardboard for your pages. There are so many wonderful touches and great ideas (that I shall squirrel away for later lol) xx

Jane said...

Such a beautiful book Autumn,well done on your first post, you're a great asset to the talented team at ATBC x

MaryH said...

So much to look at and enjoy, so thanks for sharing the how-to step by step photos. Since I don't do this craft, it's very interesting to see how it all comes together so cohesively. Love all the little bits & pieces you've combined, and what fun it was to see the pages laid out. Lots of color & texture with the elements you've selected, and what a beautiful album you have created to enjoy. And to think, it all started with plain old cardboard! TFS (it looked more vintage to me than Grunge, but I liked it lots!)

Lin said...

Your album is fantastic, Autumn! I would really like to climb through my monitor and pick it up and look at it more closely, but you did a great job with your photos! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

What creative exploration you undertook with your delightful book Autumn. Every page has something to look at carefully. Love It! Thank you for joining in at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month.

Deb said...

Fabulous Autumn, what a wonderful accordian book, perfect in every vintage detail! Love the panels and the layered embellishments are so much fun, the book pages are fab! Congratulations on your first DT post at ABC, they are so lucky to have you! Deb xo

Brenda Brown said...

Love this fabulous album Autumn which you have beautifully distressed and put together, the layers, colours and images are delightful. Congrats on your new team role your creative style will be just perfect for ABC. Enjoy and have fun xxx

kiwimeskreations said...

What an amazing and fascinating book Autumn - love all the texture and wonderful colours and images.
Blessings
Maxine

Helen Wallace said...

A wonderful amalgam of MM and collage with a vintage/steampunk feel. Just cries out to be held and touched. Lovely work. Thanks for the inspiration.

jenndub71 said...

This is beautiful! I love it in every way! The colors,techniques,mediums! Looks like fun to create! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Rhedds Creative Spirit!

SueC said...

Fantastic project Autumn and congratulations on your DT position too ! Sue C x

Gio said...

Wow, wow wow! Beside all the grunginess and marvellous inside, I am so in awe of the masculine look, so hard to achieve,, at least for me. Brava!!

Marjut said...

A fabulous mini album. Thank you for joining us at TioT.

Donna Ellis said...

Autumn, how do you even think up these amazing design ideas! I can just FEEL the textures and papers in my hands from the fabulous photos you have shared. The paper weaving is especially eye catching with all the colors, stamped images, and textures involved. Your project is incredible, and so wondrously put together! I enjoy your imagination and skills! hugs, de

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

This is phenomenal Autumn! Love that grunginess so much! Great idea for the binding! - Fantastic all around!

pearshapedcrafting said...

This is such a great project - a wonderful combination of texture, colour and images that illustrate how talented you are! Congratulations! It's good to see you on the ABC team! Hugs, Chrisx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oops! Forgot to say -it's also great to see you here again at Try It On Tuesday! Chrisx

Craftyfield said...

Love this... Vintage, a touch grungy, lots of texture and stamping... everything I love. So much work too! Thanks for joining us for the Use a Stencil challenge at Country View Challenges!

Petra Swart said...

Oh, you are so good at doing mixed media, Autumn!!!!! This is so beautiful!!! I love the lavender!!!!
Have a great day!!!
Hugz

froebelsternchen said...

An AMAZING project! So glad you linked it to our Vintage theme at TioT's!
oxo Susi

Diana Taylor said...

Stunning work - such amazing textures and images, and all put together beautifully. Love it!

Elaine aka Ellapu said...

I just love books, I love texture, I love Vintage look and welll did I mention I love everything about this. Well done you have certainly made me want to reach and touchy feely this beautiful work of art. Thank you for sharing with us over at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month and hope to see you again in future challenges.

Handcrafted by Ellapu
Mother Hen for Altered Eclectics
Mother Hen for Eclectic Ellapu
DT Rhedd's Creative Spirit

Mrs.B said...

This is just fabulous Autumn, so many gorgeous details.
Thanks for sharing with us at TioT
Avril x

Sammy said...

I LOVE this. LOVE. I must admit to loving the "masculine vintage" look more than any other, and this is just amazing. Love. Thank you for entering your project at Rhedd’s Creative Spirit. Sammy-x

Unknown said...

Ohhhhhhhhh so INCREDIBLY SPECTACULAR Autumn. Wow. You always give me such YUMMINESS girl!!! I love your art. And... CONGRATULATIONS on becoming part of Anything But Cute. I so love everyone there and YOU are just the icing on the cake - the perfect addition for sure. XXj

Now with my DT hat on: It's wonderful to see you at Our Creative Corner for the 'Hit the Books' Challenge.j.

Mimi said...

So glad you didn't cover up the back :-)... Too much magic back there!!! What a fun project... All your bits and baubs and texture and dies are like... Chocolate for the eyes??? Idk, I mean it's beautiful!

Susan (rainy) said...

Your vintage grunge style works beautifully into the steampunk look. Fabulous album.

Monika Gulyas said...

Stunning vintage album with many stenciling and stamping! Great job! Thank you for sharing your project at Country View Challenges!

Jo Nevill said...

Wow, this is amazing ! Such fantastic detail.
Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week.

Jo x

Candy C said...

Autumn, you are so talented, girl! I love your masculine accordion card. Every background is just fabulous. I love the colors and the mixed media vibe to every page! Love your choice of stamps and your designs on each page...all very vintage and a hint of steampunk thrown into the mix! Thank you, too, for the sweet comments you left on my blog! They are always read and appreciated. LOVE THIS ACCORDION BOOK!!!!

Evelyn Walter said...

I´ve seen you entered a second piece to CVC and I MUST comment it - this is sooo gorgeous!!! Love it!
xx Evelyn

Linda Manning Findley said...

This is just awesome as your work always is ... I just love how you create so many levels of interest for the eye to feast on ...

Tonya said...

Love! Love! Love! The details, the textures and layers are wonderful! Autumn you rock!

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Brilliant, love it too bits. Happy crafting, Angela x

Mac Mable said...

You looked like you had fun with this project. Love your attention to detail, the colours, layouts and texture x

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh this is so brilliant, love, love, love it!!

experiments in paper said...

Wow, Autumn!! Your make here is incredible, as is your step-through! Absolutely fantastic!! Definitely on my bookmarks! You are so talented, girl - glad I found your blog last year!! xxx Lynn

Electra said...

I just can't get enough of this, I keep coming back to see more!
And Happy Anniversary!

Sandra Wright. said...

Just stunning, your albums are so inspirational...I've never made one using corrugated card...it is now on my "to do" list.
Thank you for joining in with our challenge over at Altered Eclectics...x

Tincan Crafter said...

Wow Autumn this is beyond gorgeous. All the layers, texturing, intricate details, binding. Just perfect. Thank you for submitting this to the "Hit the Books" Challenge over at Our Creative Corner. - Candice -

Marty F said...

This is amazing, Autumn, and so fun to look at. There's just so much to ooh and ahh over, your colors, layering, textures. You've done it again!

Kerstin F. said...

what a wonderful project, gorgeous and brilliant!!

Carol said...

A fabulous project Autumn, great use of your stencils too. Thanks for joining us this month at the Stencil Sunday Mixed Media challenge. Carol DT x

Mimi said...

Congratulations on your win with this! Booyah, girl! And by the way, love your new look! (Blog heading is so cute... you know you had me with the owl!):) Hope all is well...

Maria Lillepruun said...

Gorgeous!
Congratulations, I am your number 100 fan :)

A Pink said...

First up Congratulations on joining ABC design team Autumn - well deserved . Secondly - apologies for my late arrival - life hey just keeps getting in the way and finally a few words about your make .
Wow its utterly fab, full of inspiration and its more than obvious how much time and love has gone into creating this . All credit to you Autumn . Thank you so much for sharing hugs x

Asmah Zainal Abidin said...

A definitely...absolutely...certainly...totally...AMAZING AUTUMN!!! Incredibly gorgeous and I truly love the water coloring {my favorite part}; layering, quotes, texture and the grungy look. Thank you for playing along at STAMPlorations May Mixed Media Challenge. Join us again in next challenge. Happy creating and have great days always!
Hugs&Smiles,
Asmah
STAMPlorations Mixed Media DT
Qinaahana Arts and Crafts {My Blog}

Lace & Pearls Designs said...

Fantastic, love it!!! Thank you for joining us at Altered Eclectics!!!
Arlette DT xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

A quite stunning book Autumn - every page is just filled with the most wonderful quotes, layering, textures and colours. Just fabulous. Thank you for joining us at Our Creative Corner for our Hit the Books challenge. Jennie x

Cocofolies said...

Wow! What a brilliant project and beautiful vintage little book Autumn!!!! Absolutely delightful!! :)
Hugs, Coco xx

TangledBlueRose said...

Amazing vintage book, love the great textures and imagery. So wonderful to spend time with, thanks for sharing!~kim

Mimi said...

Haha, just came across this again... so much to see! Again, I think, "candy for the eyes..."

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Wow! This is super grungy, vintage, masculine and yes...steampunk too, all rolled into one masterpiece!Love it!Thanks for sharing this with us at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month. Good luck, Rupa (DT).

miranda said...

Amazing vintage industrial mini album you have created Ohh i want this for my home!Cool eye candy! !

Unknown said...

Stunning! I have been wanting to make a mini album for a while and this is just the inspiration I needed, Autumn. I love all the yummy textures you created!

Unknown said...

I am all about the steampunk - this is so very cool! Love all the detail you've got going on & the colors you used - it's outstanding!

Suzanne C said...

Very inspiring! Each page has beautiful details and texture! Awesome journal!

Rocky said...

Your album is a real work of art, so much attention to detail, it must have taken ages to make but SO worth it. Thank you very much for sharing it with us at Altered Eclectics.

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