Mar 2, 2017

Upcycled Cardboard Mixed Media Collage


I am thrilled beyond words to announce that I am now a creative guide at A Vintage Journey!!!  Secretly, this has been a huge goal of mine and I am over the moon happy!  To make it even more exciting, my crafty bud Sara Emily of Sara's Closet is also joining the team.  Please hop over and show her some bloggy love.  <3


March marks the third anniversary of the challenge blog and our coordinator and hostess Brenda has chosen our theme stating, "Come join in our ALL ABOARD challenge where you choose what you want to step on board with and although we still need to see you working with the styles and genres listed in the banner at the top of the page you can choose whether you share a card, some altered art, a journal page, a painting, in fact whatever you fancy, but with no theme to follow. Let's have some fun, share our current creations and enjoy the informal feel of our birthday celebrations!"


I was in one of my "moods" and thought why not make a mess?!  I had a pile of really pliable cardboard notebook backs that I decided to use for my substrate.  I cut each one down increasingly 3/4" smaller than the last and tore the bottoms off.  I used the torn off bottoms between each layer to add rough edges along the sides.  In the end the "canvas" is about an inch thick and roughly 8" wide by 10" long - quite large!  I gessoed it heavily to prepare the surface for adding my watercolor.


I used texture paste through a stencil for the top section.  Then I slopped on my color, drying between layers, then flecked a bunch of paint all over.  These are regular old pan watercolors.  My gals are the new Paper Dolls by Tim Holtz.  What birthday celebration would be complete without a party hat?


Here you can see the depth that I achieved with the torn layers.


Splatters, staples, string...  Some book pages for text with some interesting verbiage.  The flower was hand cut from a tiny print of my buddy Zsuzsa's gelli print work - stunning Zsuzsa - thank you!  I added a gesso wash around the stenciled motif and scribbled in highlights with a pen.  All in all fun stuff!


A good "All Aboard" challenge should definitely inspire you to have a play, so do join us!  The creative guides have whipped up inspiration overload, so hop on over to A Vintage Journey and check it out.  Our sponsor this month is Country View Crafts, with a £20 Voucher!  Thanks for your visit today.  Hugs, Autumn


47 comments:

sarascloset said...

Bravo, Autumn! this is a fantastic start to your journey as a Creative Guide! Brenda was one smart cookie to sign you up! Love the soft blues on this and all that delicious texture! Love the girls and the party hat! Now I am in a party mood! Gorgeous splatters; I think you need to link this up to Emerald Creek Dares challenge this month! By the way, you were even cuter as a kid! What an amazing picture! You're a beauty--inside and out! Sending great big hugs! I'm so happy we started this journey together!

sarascloset said...

PS Iwas so excited I forgot to thank you for the sweet shout out! XXOO

Donna Ellis said...

What an incredible vintage project, Congratulations, Autumn, on your dream team... AND... that Sara is also going as a teamie! Thank you for your "guiding" photographs! Looking forward to seeing your beautiful creations. XOXO

Lisa said...

Huge congratulations on your new DT, Autumn!! It's such a perfect fit for you!! Your project is amazing!! I love the layers and the texture!! The colors are gorgeous!! I love the vintage image you used!! Spectacular first project, my sweet friend!! I love it!! Have a great evening!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

aussie aNNie said...

This is so good, fabulous creative work.xx[aNNie]

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Well done Autumn & so well deserved. An adorable creation as always, love the build up of layers and all those added elements. I look forward to following your *Vintage Journey* Hugs Tracey xx

Beulah Bee said...

Nice!

S@ndy Diller said...

Welcome aboard Autumn - you have started out in a great way. I love all the layers on your collage and the colors are so lovely. Looking forward to working with you. S@ndy xx

Brenda Brown said...

Yay Autumn this is a perfect opening project for AVJ and I'm so happy you said yes to joining us as a Creative Guide, you are a perfect match and fit to the team. This amazing layered canvas with those gorgeous painty blends, textures and fab images is perfect to kick off our birthday celebrations and there's even a party hat, brilliant. So looking forward to seeing more AVJ makes in the future. Welcome aboard xxx

Ruth said...

Huge Congrats Autumn, a fabulous addition to their team...along with Sara! This is another stunning piece, what a brilliant idea using layers of cardboard, one of those why didn't I think of that? moments. Beautiful colours and splatterings and fabulous additions of string, art stones and texture. Wow!! Hugs Ruth xx

Redanne said...

Autumn, it really is a pleasure to have you on board at A Vintage Journey, you are a wonderful addition to the team and it is lovely to be working alongside you again too!

Your 'canvas' is stunning, so full of texture and beautiful colour tones. I am totally in love with those paper dolls (mine are on the way, cannot wait!) and the hat you added is just delightful and I love that gorgeous textured flower! Hugs, Anne xxx

Vintagehandmade said...

Oooooooooh, Autumn, you have outdone even yourself with this glorious piece of art! I am pretty much speechless here! This is definitely my new favourite of yours, my friend! Congrats on your first post with AVJ! You really nailed this amazing challenge theme! I am completely in awe! Big hugs! Branka xx

gibonik said...

I really love this piece:) all your projects are unique and so inspiring..... cheers:)

Annie said...

It's great to have you on board at AVJ Autumn xx this is a fabulous project with lots of beautiful layers and inks. The outcome is stunning x

Huge hugs Annie x

Pamellia said...

Such a gorgeous piece Autumn. A huge congratulations on your new Creative Guide gig. They are lucky to have you. Your style fits with them perfectly and you will be a wonderful addition to their team!! Best wishes to you for this new crafty adventure! hugs :)

Words and Pictures said...

This is stunning, Autumn - those torn layers make up such a fabulous substrate, adding texture and dimension before you've even started with all the wonderful blended and spattered paint effects. A glorious debut! It's wonderful to have you on board for A Vintage Journey - welcome.
Alison x

Suzanne C said...

Congrats Autumn! Beautiful layered canvas!!

Cec said...

Congratulations. You will be a great addition to this team. Love your hanging with all the fabulous layers that look like handmade paper before you added all the mixed media goodness to them. You have used such a great colour palette to showcase that very vintage image.
Hugs!
Cec

Cec said...

Congratulations. You will be a great addition to this team. Love your hanging with all the fabulous layers that look like handmade paper before you added all the mixed media goodness to them. You have used such a great colour palette to showcase that very vintage image.
Hugs!
Cec

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

First of all a huge WELCOME, so thrilled you have joined our creative journey. I love your piece and the substrate works beautifully as does the wonderful colour and imagery. This looks so tactile, a piece you really want to pick up and feel. Love all the layers you added. Tracy x

Mac Mable said...

Congratulations on becoming a creative guide...so well deserved and I am so happy for you. Amazing project today, full of texture and fabulous colour-way x

Art By Wanda said...

Definitely fun and totally fabulous!!!!!!!!!

Petra Swart said...

Congrats, Autumn ...so happy for you to be part of the team!!!! Your project is simply amazing!!!!! Love all the layers and detail and the colours are lovely!!!! Beautiful!!!!
Have a great weekend!!!
Hugz

Paula Cheney said...

fantastic project Autumn!

Margik said...

Congratulations Autumn! Well deserved! Stunning hanging, the layers are fabulous.
Mar x

Craftyfield said...

A beautiful first make for your Vintage Journey debut! Congratulations Autumn, well deserved and I think your creative style is the perfect fit for that talented team.

Astrid Maclean said...

Such a super piece Autumn, I adore those torn and distressed layers, the colours textures and splatters make the perfect background to that wonderful vintage photo! It is wonderful to have you be part of our AVJ family, a big welcome!!! xxx

Paper Profusion said...

Well done to you Autumn! I'm so pleased for you that your star continues to ascend... Wishing you wonderful times with AVJ, I'll look forward to seeing your makes with one of my very favourite challenge teams. Nicola x

rachel said...

absolutely beautiful Autumn - and so very well done on making it to the team - you are so very talented. Gorgeous colours, layers - yummilicious!

Anonymous said...

félicitations Automne merci pour toutes ces inspirations que tu vas nous partager ,ton projet est magnifique à bientôt Nate

Julia Aston said...

So happy and excited to welcome you as a Creative Guide at AVJ Autumn! I admire your work and always learn something from your creations! What a clever idea to layer all these pieces of cardboard - beautiful colors on them with the little pebbles and bits - love the celebrating birthday girls and fun hat! A lovely wall hanging to celebrate AVJ's 3rd year! Julia xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Wow - this is amazing Autumn... love the layers and bits you have popped in between them, vnever mind the stunning and textural top layer. A wonderful creation
Blessings
Maxine

Marty F said...

Congrats, Autumn! Love your cool layered wall hanging project with the pretty blues and textures, it's amazing. Simple, but not! Hugs :-)

A Pink said...

Its a thrill and an honour to be working alongside you at AVJ Autumn.
Your debut project is an absolute stunner. I Love everything about it - the layers , the colours , the texture, the quote , the party girls....... Wonderful creativity and so inspiring.
Happy AVJ Birthday and welcome aboard.
x

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Congratulations! I love your project with the depth of color and lovely torn edges.

Nikki Acton said...

Just want to reach out and touch this Autumn - stunning texture and layers. I know we have said it already - but wonderful to have you join us at AVJ! xx

Jackie PN said...

Congratulations and so well deserved on your new DT assignment!!Good going Autumn!
This piece is a stunner to begin your journey with! I just LOVE it! Gorgeous gorgeous!I do love the way you layer Autumn!
huge hugs,Jackie

Helen Wallace said...

Warmest congrats on the DT appointment. Love this super textured and layered project with it's charming vintage image and soft colours.

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Wow, this has got to me one of my favourites of yours so far! That layered, distressed substrate is genius - I can see the torn paper fibres in the close-ups - just marvellous! Congratulation on being appointed a Creative Guide - I can't think of anyone more creative than you!

Evelyn Walter said...

Love, love, love this, Autumn! All those layers are beautiful!
Oh, and congrats for being a Creative Guide! Well deserved =)
xx

SueC said...

Congratulations Autumn, well deserved ! What a brilliant idea to use layers of cardboard, fabulous texture too ! Sue C x

Susan said...

Been out of town for a week so catching up. I adore this canvas! The texture is amazing and, of course, all the wonderful little details you always add. Well done!

Barbara said...

big congrats!!!! well deserved! this project is fabulous! I adore the layers, colors is my favorite! great design too! Barbara

Karen Petitt said...

I was so happy to see you there as part of the DT. Why did they wait so long? You are a perfect fit for them and I am looking forward to seeing your posts and projects, you more than deserve to be on that team sweetie as your projects inspire all of us a lot! xx

Deb said...

This is so gorgeous Autumn, adore all your torn and tattered layers, what an inventive way to create your canvas! Fabulous colour palette and love the image you used (love the party hat!) and amazing textures. Thanks so much for sharing it and thrilled that you have joined us at A Vintage Journey, here's to many more years of creative fun! Deb xo

crafty creations said...

Absolutely stunning work Autumn the layers are amazing

Jenny Marples said...

Totally yummy layers and a beautiful design Autumn! A magnificent start to your Vintage Journey xx

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