Friday 4 December 2020

Getting Merry and saying goodbye!

 

Hi everyone - it has been some time - I have turned into a reluctant blogger! Today sees our final challenge at A Vintage Journey.  I know, very sad - but the craft world seems to be moving away from blogging into the instant social media world! For me, I hope this changes - I find most (not all!) of social media quite toxic and find I am using it less and less. I feel it creates more harm than good - but that's just me! 

For our final challenge we have created on the theme of Merry Little Christmas - ATC's to celebrate this wonderful time of year. I created some inky backgrounds with Distress inks / oxides and added some background stamping. The stamps are a combination of Sara Naumann (PaperArtsy) and Tim Holtz.


I have combined stamping on some painty backgrounds with stamping and fussy cutting on book paper.


Can't beat a few splatters to finish off! The designs originate from a recent Tracy Evans workshop I did. Tracy was one of the original AVJ DT! 

Our final make is another ATC to say goodbye!
This time a gelli print background with a fussy cut bird from Tracy Evans (AALL and CREATE).


The words say it all - I cherish my 6.5 years with AVJ -  a wonderful experience and some fabulous friendships made! But we must focus on today - even in Covid times - and adapt as we can to what is 'in the now'.

Love and hugs to everyone at AVJ, past and present, and the wonderful followers of our blog.
Nikki
xxxx

8 comments:

  1. Wow, simply stunning! I'm loving your Christmas ATCs with those gorgeous blues and reds, and your final ATC with the gelli print background is so beautiful too 😁. I so enjoyed being part of the Creative Guide team with you at A Vintage Journey, thank you for all your support, guidance and friendship! You've been such an inspiration - thank you so much for being part of my creative journey! Love and hugs, Jo x

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  2. Beautiful ATC's shared here Nikki! love the blue/red colors on your pretty Christmas designs - and the vibrant orange/red gelli print background on your farewell ATC - I have so enjoyed being on this team with you and have gotten much inspiration from your creations over the years! Julia xx

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  3. I will miss your blogs, Nikki, for I have enjoyed each and every post over the years. Like you, for the most part, I don’t go to social media very often. I like the personal touch that goes into blogs, and I too hope, folks will return to blogging. I send my best to you and I know, you’ll keep creating.

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  4. Hi Nikki x I love your ATC's and the wonderful details on each and every one x It has been an absolute pleasure being on the team with you and I am forever grateful for the support and inspiration that you have provided both personally and in your artwork.
    I hope you continue to create but I do uderstand what you are saying about the social media platforms xx

    Merry Christmas and Best Wishes in 2021

    Annie xx

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  5. Nikki it has been a blast! I am so happy you agreed to become a Creative Guide; you have been the most wonderfully creative artist and supporter and you have also been the most amazing friend. It's been great watching you develop your talent in so many new ways and directions and sharing your ideas and thoughts with us all.
    Your ATCs are just right for our last challenge at A Vintage Journey. Using your amazing ability to compose and layer up your designs you have created three fabulous little works of art that reflect the two themes perfectly.
    Thank you for everything you have done for the team and for me. Huge hugs Brenda xxx

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  6. Dear Nikki, let me start by saying that your ATCs are fabulous. Brenda has expressed so eloquently what is fabulous about them, that I won't even try to say it in a different way... It has been wonderful to have you as part of the team at AVJ, you have always been so supportive and encouraging to all of us, thank you for that. It has been an amazing journey, but I hope we will stay in touch via Instagram. Wishing you and yours a fabulous Christmas and all the best for 2021!
    Astrid xxx

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  7. I suppose I've been putting this off because visiting makes it real! And it's not just you at all with the social media world - for the most part I continue to refuse to engage, and I'm playing IG very much on my own terms. (The endless rounds of public thank you, no thank you, no thank you are not going to consume my time... one private thank you is enough.) And though I may try to exploit FB Lives as a way to make some money at some point, I'm still avoiding the place like the plague, so it may not work out!

    To happier (or at least bitter sweet) things... your ATCs are a treat. I love the icy backgrounds with the hit of red zinging them to life in the festive pair and the farewell ATC has a glorious glow about it. Reversing the colour contrast to have that fiery sunrise/sunset with the gentle bluebird in the foreground ties all three of them together beautifully. Love the bold words and those sparkling sequins (maybe a sparkling tear in the eye?). They're fabulous.

    You've been a tower of strength along the Vintage Journey road - your technical knowhow has been such a huge blessing, but most of all I've enjoyed the complex layering and bold colour palettes of your brilliant work. I know that for us it's au revoir not goodbye, but I will miss the AVJ contact nonetheless. Happy future travels, wherever they take us!
    Alison x

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  8. Dang, Nikki, why have I been away so long?! Your ATC's are so inspiring and I love the cheerful colors and funky vibe! You are a master, and truly one of the reasons I was drawn to A Vintage Journey so many years ago (so it seems!). You've been a fabulous bloggy friend, and I appreciate YOU! I tend to feel exactly as you re: social media, and I've pretty much given up on the computer altogether, preferring to as you say, be 'in the now'. I find that life is much slower and can be savored in this respect. I will be sure to pop in from time to time, but I am truly going to miss AVJ (I hope your blog will still be fired up.) Big hugs and all the best in the New Year! Sara Emily

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Thanks so much for leaving a comment. Nikki