Love in My Heart

It is time for the new challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog and Suzz, our hostess for this one is calling it Groundhog Day. Don't let the title put you off because when you read her description you will realize that it is really quite simple and something anyone can accomplish with no problem.

"This challenge is inspired by the movie Groundhog Day. In the movie Bill Murray is forced to repeat the same day over and over again for 10 years. This past year has been a little challenging and people have felt like they might be in a little bit of a Groundhog Day time loop. I am challenging you to create a shabby chic or vintage project that uses a technique, stamp, ink, or any other consistent tool that you find yourself using over an over in your art. Think of this as your opportunity to share what you find yourself repeating in your art frequently. Be sure to share with us in your post what it is that you keep repeating in your art"

Since Valentine Day is fast approaching, I thought I would make a little canvas and use one of the canvas boards that my Grandchildren gave me for Christmas. I really should have made a card for my husband so now I will be scrambling. Here is how this little canvas comes together:

• Use a wet glue such as Mod Podge to adhere tissue paper that has been wadded into a ball and then carefully opened up again to the top of a 5" x 7" flat canvas board - this is my repetitive element since it is a great way to make instant texture

Reminder: Just pat it down to adhere and don't rub it because it will tear when it is wet from the glue

• Cut the corners off the tissue off on the diagonal and then glue the overhang to the back of the canvas board making sure to create sharp corners

• Glue a panel of Botanical Collage Paper to the canvas board
• Dry brush some White Gesso over the canvas board

• Use the Bubble Stencil and texture paste to add random texture on the panel - this is another go-to element in my mixed media projects 
• Decorate the unprinted side of hearts that have been cut from cracker boxes - these were laser cut for me by my husband but if you have a heart die, the cracker box material will go through your die-cutting machine

1. Ink with Watering Can Archival Ink and then stencil with a Speckles stencil and some Picket Fence Distress Ink

2. Layer 3 hearts together, paint with Titanium White Acrylic Paint aptting it to give it some texture and then add some heart shapes punched from card stock and paper scraps 

3. Cover with computer generated paper (create in word processing program with a variety of fonts)

4. Ink with Watering Can Archival Ink and then stamp with a criss cross stamp using Jet Black Archival Ink 

5. Cover with patterned paper scrap

• Stamp the word love on a scrap of card stock using Red Geranium Archival Ink and ink the edges with Watering Can Archival Ink 
• Ink the edges of a Quote Chip with Watering Can Archival Ink 
• To assemble the canvas, add some loopy lengths of white thread followed by the hearts, sentiments and finally a few red sequins

I hope you will join us for the challenge, which runs until 11:55pm EST on Tuesday, February 16th. The Design Team will choose their 4 top picks with the overall winner receiving a gift certificate to shop at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

Supplies list:

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Bubble THS002
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Speckles THS021
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Picket Fence TIM40781
Prima Art Alchemy Liquid Acrylic Paint - Titanium White
Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool - With 4 Blending Foams IBT40965
Tim Holtz Botanical Collage Wrap
Tim Holtz Quote Chips
Tim Holtz Stamps #THMM01
Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink - Watering Cab, Red Geranium
Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink
Graphic 45 Mon Amour 6"x6" Paper Pad
White Gesso
Texture Paste
Thread
Dollarama Tissue Paper, Heart Punch, Sequins
Martha Stewart Heart Border Punch
Studio G Alphabet Stamp Set

Love Hearts

It is time for the new challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog.  Jenny is our hostess this time and is calling it Love is All Around Us.  

She describes it this way:

With Valentines Day approaching it's time to share a little love. Create something vintage or shabby chic featuring hearts. Here's a few ideas to get you started;

I decided I would use the hearts in this mood board as my inspiration but would go with pinks rather than reds om my vintage card.

Here is how to put this card together:

• Distress a panel of patterned paper from the Love Story paper pad, ink the edges with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and adhere to a card blank to create the background
• Distress a narrow panel, add some ruffled tulle to the back top of the panel and add it about a third of the way down from the top
• Add a strip of wide venise lace on the bottom of the narrow panel
• Add another distressed narrow panel on top of the first panel and then add a strip of lace along the bottom
• Cut two chevrons, distress, ink and add to the bottom panel
• Cover a wooden Love word with white Gesso and add to the chevrons
• Hand cut two hearts, distress, layer and add along with some tiny flowers
• Fussy cut a cupid and add beside the pair of hearts
• Die cut flourishes from Rose Gold Metallic Kraft Stock and add below chevrons
• Dye some seam binding with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink and create a loopy bow
• Paint a small resin heart with some acrylic paint and then rub with some Rose Gold Metallique wax

I love how a bunch of layers can make a card look so difficult when in fact, it is so simple.  I hope you will join us for this challenge.  One randomly chosen entry will receive a gift certificate to shop at The Funkie Junkie Boutique and the Design Team will choose their top picks with the overall winner receiving an opportunity to be a Guest Designer with us at a future date.

Supplies List:

Prima Marketing 12x12 Paper Pad - Love Story
Prima Art Alchemy by Finnabair - Metallique Wax- Rose Gold
Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic 2 Kraft Stock - Rose Gold & Copper TH93780
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Frayed Burlap TIM21469
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Victorian Velvet TIM27195
Rayon Seam Binding
Venise Lace Trim - 2 inches
Venise Lace Trim - 5/8 inch
Dina Wakley Media Mediums - White Gesso MDM41689
Scor Tape
Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool - With 4 Blending Foams IBT40965
Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Paper Distresser 370E
Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Roses
Dollarama Resin Heart
Bazzill Card Stock Scrap
Staples White Card Stock for Card Blank
Husband Cut Wood Word
Spellbinders Venetion Motifs Die Set

Key to My Heart

It is the beginning of a new challenge at Frilly and Funkie.  Our hostess for this one is Maggi and she calls it Vintage Valentines.  Here is how she describes the challenge:

It's sweetheart time and what could be more fun than creating Valentine's for our loved ones? For this challenge I want to see vintage valentines in vintage colors like pinks, blues, purples. No bright red please. Show me your vintage side with vintage colors and images. If you need some inspiration, click here to link to a great vintage color palette.

I have created a romantic card with lots of flowers and some gorgeous papers.  It was simple to put together so there are no process photos this time but I will walk you through it.  At the end I will provide links to the supplies I used from The Funkie Junkie Boutique or suggested alternatives in cases where I am using older supplies.

1.  Distress the edges of two pieces of Love Story patterned paper (Prima), one that is 1/4" smaller than the card blank and another that is 1/4" smaller than the first piece and adhere them to the blank.
2.  Add a strip of venise lace across the patterned paper.
3.  Cut the sentiment ephemera from the paper pad and distress it and a romantic image before adding to the card.  I found the image online but have had it in my files for so long that I can't remember the source.
4.  Hand cut a heart from heavy card stock and run it through an embossing folder.
5.  Coat the heart with Versamark, sprinkle with Rose Gold Embossing Powder (Emerald Creek) and heat to melt the powder.  Repeat the process one more time.
6.  Use your fingers to rub some Rose Gold Metallique Wax (Finnabair for Prima) on the raised areas and then glue the heart to the card.
7.  Use the Skeleton Leaves die (Tim Holtz) to cut the leaf branch from white card stock and then cut the leaves from the stem so you have individual leaves.
8.  Add the leaves and a variety of paper flowers to create a bouquet on the card.
9.  Make a loopy bow from pink ribbon (May Arts), add a little bow of white twine and a key charm to it and adhere it to the card.
10.  Punch a butterfly from pink card stock and add some tiny adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft) to the body before adding to the card.

I think this very romantic and very shabby card is so pretty but I need to make something a little less frilly for my husband so I better get at it because Valentine's Day will be here before you know it.  This challenge is the perfect opportunity for you to get your Valentine's cards done so I hope you will create and share the creations with us.

The challenge is open until 11:55 pm EST on Tuesday, January 29th and you have the chance to be the random winner of a gift certificate to The Funkie Junkie Boutique or to be Guest Designer at a future date.

Following are links to supplies used or suggested that can be obtained from The Funkie Junkie Boutique:

Prima Marketing 8x8 Paper Pad - Love Story
Prima Art Alchemy by Finnabair - Metallique Wax- Rose Gold
Emerald Creek Alure Powders - Rose Gold
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 5pk - Skeleton Leaves by Tim Holtz 663094
Set of 10 Metal Keys for Scrapbooking and Mixed Media
KAISERCRAFT Pearls - Self Adhesive - Pearl
VersaMark Watermark Ink Stamp Pad
Scor-Pal Scor-Tape 1/4" x 27 Yards
Scor-Pal Scor-Tape 1/8" x 27 Yards
Scor-Pal Scor-Tape 3/8" x 27 Yards
Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Paper Distresser 370E
Tim Holtz 5 Inch/ 12.3cm Titanium Snip 816E
Venise Lace Trim - 2 inches - I have this lace too and grabbed one that isn't in stock anymore but this one would be so pretty - now I wish I had used it instead.
Ivory/White Jute Twine - I was out of this great jute twine when I made the card.
May Arts 5/8 Inch Crochet Ribbon - Light Pink - I used a plain ribbon but since it is no longer in stock, I am linking to the lovely crochet ribbon but since it is a bit wider, you might want to just make a couple loops.
Prima Marketing Moon Child Flowers - Crescent Moon and/or
Prima Marketing Moon Child Flowers - Absolute Aurora and/or
Prima Marketing Moon Child Flowers - First Eclipse - These Moon Child flowers would be a nice alternative to the flowers I used from my stash.

Two Hearts

It is time for the next challenge at Frilly and Funkie.  Zoe is back with us and is the hostess for this one that she calls All You Need Is Love.  She describes the challenge this way:

Create a vintage or shabby chic project with the word "LOVE" somewhere on the project. It can be the focus or just a tiny detail.

Since Valentine's Day is fast approaching, I decided to make a card for my husband and went super simple this time.  I started with a panel of red paper that was in my stash, distressed the edges and inked the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink.  All the paper was distressed in the same manner.

Next I added a panel of black patterned paper from Graphic 45's Mon Amour pad popping it up with some dimensional foam.  As I often do, I used fun foam from the dollar store and add double sided tape.

I embossed a piece of white card using an old Texture Fade called Love (Tim Holtz) and rubbed it with Treasure Pewter wax paste by Connoisseur Studio - sadly the camera didn't pick up the shimmer.  This panel was also popped up with dimensional foam.

A strip of black patterned paper from the same Graphic 45 pad was added next and then topped with some silver crochet ribbon and a strip of red burlap.

The hearts were hand cut from the master board I shared for a recent Saturday Showcase - you can find it HERE.

The word love is a wooden piece cut by my husband.  I coated it with Versamark and then heat embossed it with Stirling Silver Embossing Powder (Stampendous).  I repeated this process a second time and then mounted it on the burlap.

Finally I added some black adhesive pearls and this card is done and manly enough for my husband.  I hope you will share the love and join us for this challenge.  The Design Team will pick one winner who will have the opportunity to do a Guest designer spot with us.  One random winner will get a $25 gift certificate to The Funkie Junkie Boutique and three more crafters will earn Top Pick badges.

The following products used to create this card came from The Funkie Junkie Boutique:

Five Hearts

I am sharing a new card over at IndigoBlu today.  This is a departure from my usual shabby or vintage style so pop on over there and check out how this simple card was made.

Fun and Funky Valentine

It is time for me to share my first project for February for the IndigoBlu International Design Team.  The theme this month is Love so I made a funky valentine card as my first project.

The background was created by taking a piece of grey card stock and adding some stamping using Jet Black Archival Ink and the Script Background Stamp as well as stamps from the Tasty Textures and Rugged Edge sets.

I used some Red Geranium Archival Ink through the Texture stencil and then added some circles with Gee-SSo Good White and a cap from a spray bottle.

To make the heart I started by cutting a piece of red paper from the Damaged Damask 12"x12"paper set and ran it through my crimper over and over and over until it became almost as soft as fabric.  Over time the layers of paper separate as you can see in the photo.  Once I thought it was soft enough I ironed it from the back side with a dry iron to smooth it out.

I got so engrossed in creating that I forgot to take process photos of how the "fabric" paper became a heart.  I cut two hearts from some scrap card stock and another one the same size from quilt batting.  Then I cut another heart from the red paper adding a quarter of an inch all the way around.  The batting heart was glued to the card stock and then the paper heart was added on top with the border glued to the back making sure that the curves were clipped so they would lie flat.  I then glued the second card stock heart to the back.

Some Lindy's Frozen Jack Frost Ink was spritzed on the heart and then a natural sea sponge was used to dab on some Ruby Slippers and Raven Black Metallic paint.

Next I stamped the Big Butterfly on some white card stock with Gee-SSo Good Black and painted it with Ruby Slippers Metallic paint.  A little Mulberry Bush paint was mixed with the Ruby Slippers to add a bit of shading.

I added the background to my card blank, attached the butterfly and then the heart.  Finally I printed the sentiment on the computer, added scribbled frames and then inked the edges with Red Geranium Archival Ink.

I am sharing this post with Gio and Ksenija so pop on over to IndigoBlu and check out all the lovely projects.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Creative Artiste - Anything Mixed Media Goes
The Artistic Stamper - Love Hearts
Let's Craft and Create - Love is in the Air

Shabby Valentine

The new challenge starts today at Frilly and Funkie.  Zoe is our hostess and calls it Be My Valentine!  She describes the challenge this way:

Love is in the air, and with Valentines Day just around the corner, this challenge is to make a card for your sweet Valentine in a vintage or shabby chic style.

I originally thought I would make a card for my husband but once I got going, it became shabbier and frillier and definitely not one for a guy so I will have to come up with something else for him.

I lost some files when our anti-virus software started churning out false positives and quarantining hundreds of thousands of files so I don't have process photos for this one but am happy to describe what I did. I am also happy that only a few photos could not be restored or I would be sitting in a corner blubbering because sadly, we have become so dependent on our computers and I am no exception.

I started with some Bazzill card stock for the blank and then added a panel of paper called True Love from Graphic 45 Mon Amour 8"x8" pad.  I topped that with a panel from Prima Vintage Emporium and then a couple chevrons from the Graphic 45 Mon Amour 6"x6" pad.  All the paper was distressed before I added it.

Next I made a pleated heart from some scrap paper in my stash.  I started by making a template based on one I saw online and then formed it the same way you would a round rosette.  I cut the shank off a fancy button and added that to the centre.

I hand cut some leaves from black card stock, shaped them and rubbed some Pewter wax from Treasure Gold on them.  Next I topped them with a Wild Orchid magnolia flower along with a couple flowers from the dollar store.  I made a big plaid bow, added a loopy bow from black cord and then the big button with hearts and flowers.

I cut the sentiment from the Mon Amour 8"x8" pad and attached it with a little red clothespin.  Finally I scatted some Kaisercraft pearls around.

The following products used to create this card came from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

Love Is In The Air

It is time for another new challenge at Frilly and Funkie and Zoe is our hostess this time.  She is calling this one Love Is In The Air and describes it this way:

"Create a vintage or shabby chic project with love as the central theme. Think hearts, cupid, love and romance in whatever colour palette your heart desires."

I decided to use a new Graphic 45 paper pad called Mon Amour to make my card.  Great minds think alike because I wasn't the only gal on the frilly team that had the same idea.

I started with some Bazzill card stock for the blank and added a black and white script paper first.  Then I added three more papers on an angle, distressing all of them with my scissors and inking the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  I lightly coloured some venise lace with Antique Linen Distress Ink and tucked it under each of the angled edges.

Next I fussy cut the large image, the oval image and the sentiment from some of the papers, inked them with Vintage Photo DI and added them with some foam dimensionals. 

I altered the colour of a bronze filigree corner with some Folk Art acrylic paint called Promenade but still didn't like the colour so I mixed some Lindy's Magicals (Cosmopolitan Pink, Fuzzy Navel Peach and A Bit o'Bubbly) with some Winsor & Newton Gum Arabic and painted that on - better.

I used some crinoline to cut flowers from the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die.  It was a bit larger than I wanted so I just took some Fiskars fancy scissors called Deckle and cut the petals down to a size I wanted.  Next I dyed the crinoline with some Abandoned Coral Distress Ink.  When it was dry I shaped and layered the flower and added a big pearl for a centre.

The rest of flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I have added some May Arts black crochet ribbon.

I hope you will join us and show us a LOVE-LY project.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Cardz 4 Guyz - Valentine or Love
Fan-Tastic Tuesday - Anything Goes with a Twist - So In Love (must be square)
Try It On Tuesday - A Fine Romance
Crafty Cardmakers - Love, Love. Love
Crazy Challenge - Love
Craft and Smash - Vintage
Creative Moments - Anything Goes with a Twist - Romance/Love
Eclectic Ellapu - Love Actually
Corrosive Challenges - Love, Love, Love
Creatalicious Challenges - Love Is In The Air

The following products used in the creation of this card came from The Funkie Junkie Boutique - a fabulous place to shop with the BEST customer service:

Grungy Valentine

The new challenge starts today at Anything But Cute and the lovely Sara Emily is our hostess this time and is calling the challenge Grungy Love.  She describes it this way:

To celebrate St. Valentine's Day, we would like to see you make a Grungy Valentine's project for your sweetheart! It can be a card, tag, or anything else you might give a loved one to show them how much you care. Just be sure it's grungy!

I decided to make a grungy valentine card with some feminine touches.  I started with some grey card stock from Bazzill for my blank and then added a red panel of card stock from my stash.

The next panel had a number of steps.  First I took some Black Soot Distress Ink and patted it in on my craft mat, spritzed it with water and smooshed it onto a piece of Terra Skin paper.  This paper is very thin and has a plastic feel to it but it will not warp when you add lots of wet mediums to it, which is a good thing.  The downside is that it is best left to dry on its own and if you do use a heat tool you have to keep it very far away or the Terra Skin will start to buckle and shrivel.

Next I added some Golden Light Molding Paste through a Tim Holtz Flourish stencil in opposite corners.  Then I dripped some FW Crimson Acrylic Ink in various spots and blasted them with some canned air.  I watered down some white acrylic paint and dabbed it all over with a natural sea sponge, let it dry for a few minutes and then carefully blotted it with a paper towel to take a bit back off.  Then I gave it a light spray with Hickory Smoke Distress Spray and again blotted it to take some off.  Finally I used some Wendy Vecchi Red Geranium Archival Ink through a heart stencil that my husband cut for me on the laser cutter.

The next step was to dye some cheesecloth with Black Soot DI and lay it down.  I had the crackled heart already made from a cracker box, coated with paint and then topped with Clear Rock Candy Distress Paint but the colour was all wrong so I painted it with some Deco Art Dark Scarlet Acrylic Paint.

The metal key and lock were in my stash and I painted them with some Deco Art Black Coal One Step Metal Paint and then highlighted them with some Treasure Pewter wax paste.

The flourish was a little wood piece I picked up at WalMart and I covered it with Folk Art Metallic Silver Sterling acrylic paint and then rubbed it with the Treasure Pewter.

The sentiment is from TPC Studios and was stamped with Jet Black Archival Ink, distressed and inked with some Black Soot DI and attached with a little red clothespin that came in a little goodie pack from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

Finally I added a big button from The Funkie Junkie Boutique along with some buttons from my stash and some beads from Michaels.

I hope you will join us for this grungy challenge.

Inky Valentine

The new challenge starts today at Stamps and Stencils and Sue is our hostess and here is what she has for us:

Splatter, Spritz, Smoosh! What can be better that getting messy in your craft room, so for this challenge it's time to get out those sprays, paints and inks and really get messy ! We want to see splattering, spritzing and smooshing ! Just remember to include either some stamping or stencilling.

To make this inky valentine I started with a piece of Recollections card stock for my blank and then I made an inky background.

I started with a piece of Yupo paper, which didn't warp when I added all the wet mediums to it, which was a good thing but it is a little pricey.  First I patted Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry and Fired Brick Distress Ink on my craft mat and spritzed it with water before I dragged the Yupo paper through it.

Once that layer was dry I dripped a few drops of Wild Plum Alcohol Ink on it and spritzed it with some Rubbing Alcohol that I picked up from the dollar store.

For the next layer I sprayed some Lindy's Starburst Ramblin Rose on it.  Finally I used some Wendy Vecchi Translucent Embossing Paste through a Dylusions Dotted Flowers Stencil in opposite corners.

The lace is from a wholesale warehouse in Fancy Gap, Virginia and I dyed it with some Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry DI.  I topped that with a filigree medallion that I painted with some Folk Art Plum Metallic acrylic paint.  I also added the word Love that was cut on my husband's laser cutter out of mat board and inked with Worn Lipstick DI.

Next came the hearts.  The one at the top was hand cut from card stock and then I ran it through a Cuttlebug embossing folder called Victoria.  It was painted with some Craftsmart Pink Blush Pearl acrylic paint and then inked with Worn Lipstick DI.

The middle heart was cut from a cracker box, coated with Gesso, painted with some Clear Rock Candy Crackle Paint and when it was dry it was inked with Worn Lipstick DI and then some FW Sundown Magenta acrylic ink was dabbed on with a natural sea sponge.  I took some beads from my stash and twisted them in some Artistic wire to add to the centre.

The bottom heart was also hand cut, painted with some Fresco Finish Blush chalk acrylic and then stamped with a script stamp from Recollections using Deep Purple Archival Ink.

The big flowers are from Recollections and the little roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts and all have been in my stash for ages.

Finally, the butterfly was stamped using Jet Black Archival Ink and a hero Arts stamp, fussy cut and then coloured using a Lavender Prismacolor pencil blended with Gotrick OMS.  I used some Artistic Wire to add back his antennae.

Here are some close up views since I wasn't able to take any process photos along the way. Just click on the photos to get a larger version.

I hope you will get inky and join us for this challenge.

Together Heart

I decided I better get moving and make a Valentine's Day card for my husband and this is what I came up with.  I know this has a lot of pink on it but my husband has a couple of fabulous plaid shirts that have predominately pink in them and he feels quite confident to wear them so I forged ahead - pink and all.  BTW, he eats quiche too :)

I started with some Recollections white card stock for my blank and then tackled the background.  The background started with a pink and white striped paper from a My Mind's Eye pad called Blush.  First I did some random stenciling - Wendy Vecchi Watering Can Archival Ink and a TCW stencil called Mini Chickenwire Reversed and then Aged Mahogany Distress Ink from Ranger and a Wendy Vecchi Stencil called Polka Dotty.

Then I used some Jet Black Archival Ink from Ranger to stamp some flourishes from Wendy Vecchi's Daisy Art stamp set.  The next step was to put some of Wendy's White Texture Paste through a cross hatch stencil that I made myself on my Cameo.  The final step for the background was to distress the edges and add some scraps of a polka dot paper from the MME pad to a couple of torn spots and then run the Aged Mahogany DI around the edge.

Next I used some Glue and Seal from Inkssentials to add a piece of old book paper to a scrap of white card stock.  Once it was dry I used some of the Aged Mahogany DI and a large multi heart stencil from Heidi Swapp to make all the little hearts.  I outlined each one with a black Pigma Micron pen.  I cut each one out and then took some Jet Black Archival Ink and stamped bits on each heart using the Wendy Vecchi Large Collage background stamp that I have cut into sections.  You will notice that the Aged Mahogany looks a little more brown on the old book paper and for a split second I throwing them out and starting over but then decided they were kind of funky and I was just going to live with them.

I took another scrap of Recollections card stock, cut a heart out of it and then ran it through a Tim Holtz embossing folder called Sheet Music.  I rubbed the raised areas with Treasure Gold Rose Quartz and a little bit of Jaygot Silver wax paste.  Next I took a scrap of floral paper from the MME pad and softened it with my crimper until it felt almost like fabric - a trick I learned from my friend Pamellia. Once it was soft enough I stamped it with some Aged Mahagony DI and a Recollections script stamp.

I added the softened paper to the back of the cutout and then added a couple layers of quilt batting cut in the heart shape and then a backing rectangle of card stock so the patterned paper now puffs out of the cutout.

Next I cut some filigree leaves with my Cameo from white card stock and then rubbed them with silver wax paste.  I made some shabby roses from a couple sizes of Marvy Uchida punches.  The little flowers were made from scraps of grey card stock and have Making Memories pewter brads for centres.  The larger flower is made from another paper from the MME pad.  All the flowers have had a bit of white acrylic paint added to the edges.

The sentiment was printed on my computer, cut into individual words and the edges were inked with Aged Mahogany DI.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Artist Trading Post Exchange - Love Is In The Air
Make Art Challenge - Hearts
The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge - Think Pink
Penny's Paper Crafty - Embossing
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Sweethearts and Roses
Stampotique Designers Challenge - It's All Love and Hearts - SDC 182
Papertake Weekly  - Hearts and Flowers
Tuesday Throwdown - Love Is In The Air
In The Pink Challenge  - Love Is In The Air
Crafty Cardmakers - Love, Love, Love

Valen-twine

Today is the start of another new challenge at Frilly and Funkie . Pamellia is our host for this challenge and she is calling it Be My Valen-twine. She wants to see vintage or shabby chic projects that can be used for Valentine's Day, an Anniversary or a Wedding but they must include some twine.

I saw this card on Gabrielle Pollaco's blog and decided to CASE it but of course, I gave it my own touches.

I started with some Recollections card stock for the blank and then used a piece of paper from a Maja Designs pad called Coffee in the Arbour for the background.  Next came a square of cheesecloth.  I mounted another piece of Maja Designs paper from the Vintage Autumn Basics pad to a square of Recollections card stock and added that on top of the cheesecloth.

The large heart was hand cut from a scrap of Maja Design paper from the Vintage Autumn Basics paper and I coated it with some Clear Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint.  The little heart is hand cut from a piece of Maja Design paper from the Coffee in the Arbour pad and mounted on some card stock.  Some pearls from Dollarama were added to one side.

I put a border of lace topped with some satin ribbon across the bottom and added a frame with a computer generated sentiment.

The large flower that looks like a carnation was made from a strip of white crepe paper and coloured with Victorian Velvet and Milled Lavender Distress Ink.   The Milled Lavender is the most difficult pad I have to work with because it doesn't give off much colour so I had to go over the flower numerous times to get the depth of colour but I am really happy with the end result.  The best part was that my husband's first reaction when he saw it was to say "That looks just like a carnation."

The large rose came from a wholesale shop in England and I coloured it with a Maroon Promarker.  The other flowers are from Wild Rose Crafts.  I added a flourish that Pamellia gave me and made a stick pin from beads in my stash.  Finally I added some burlap twine and little lock and key charms.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes with Optional Create Your Own Challenge (1. Patterned Paper, 2. Charms, 3. Solid Colour Paper, 4. Flowers, 5. Square Card)
That Craft Place - Love/Valentine
My Sheri Crafts - Valentine's Day
Time Out Challenges - Valentine's Day (optional twist of hearts)
The Crafting Cafe  - Lots of Layers
Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge Blog - Anything Goes (twist to add layers)
Creative Card Crew  - Shabby Chic

The following products used in the creation of this project came from The Funkie Junkie Boutique:

I Love Blue Denim

I had a chance to play just for fun in my craft room this weekend and here is the card I came up with. 

I started by making my own background.  First I painted some chipboard with Paisley Blue Acrylic paint from Folk Art.  Then I covered it with Lake Wanaka Fresco Finish Paint from Paper Artsy and using a technique that Sue Carrington showed recently on Paper Artsy, I dried it slightly with my heat gun and then wiped some back with a baby wipe.  I repeated the process with a coat of Antarctic Fresco Finish.

I added some Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste through a Chevron stencil from Prima and then used Faded Jeans Distress Ink from Ranger through a Dylusions stencil called Letter Jumble and through a Wendy Vecchi stencil called Polka Dotty.

Next I added a bit of stamping using the harlequin square from Wendy Vecchi's Large Collage stamp (I have chopped my stamp up to make nine little stamps).  At this point I changed my mind about what I wanted to do and covered the background with a layer of crumpled up tissue paper.  Then I went back and did more stamping with three more of the sections from Wendy's stamp.  I used her Watering Can Archival Ink with no block.  So now there is some stamping under and on top of the tissue.

The next step was to make the heart, which was hand cut, covered with Wendy Vecchi Crackled Texture Paste and then inked with Fired Brick Distress Ink when it was dry.

I made the flowers from some denim fabric that I bought to make a skirt for my Granddaughter but before I could get it done, she decided that Grandma's hand made clothes were not cool anymore - LOL.  The large flower is made from a 1" strip of denim that I folded in half and glued on the long edge.  The folded edge was then cut every quarter inch or so.  Using my hot glue gun and starting on the outer edge, I glued the strip to a circle of card stock spiraling in towards the centre.  I added a button for the centre and a hand cut denim leaf.  It is hard to see in the photo but the flower is quite frayed.  The other two flowers were just strips that were rolled and glued to card stock circles with little hand cut leaves.

I cut a couple of flourishes from some scrap Recollections card stock using a Spellbinders Venetian Motifs die and then made a sentiment from one of the stamps in Wendy Vecchi's The Beauty of Art set.  I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap of white card stock with Versamark and then embossed it with Wendy's Watering Can Embossing Powder.  The next step was to hand cut around it and ink it with some Stormy Sky Distress Ink.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Artist Trading Post Exchange - Flower Power
Try it on Tuesday - Add Some Fabric
The Stamping Boutique - Make Your Own Background
The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge - Something New for the New Year (I have never tried making the large flower style and never used denim for flowers before)
Make Art Challenge  - Embossing Paste

Love and Adore

It is time for a new two-week challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow and we are calling it LOVE AND ADORE.  This time we want to see vintage or shabby chic cards or other paper-crafted projects that depict love and this could be for Valentine's Day if you wish or it could be something for an anniversary or wedding.

From the bottom up, here are the details of my card:

I started with a piece of cream card stock from Staples to make my card blank.  Then I added a piece of patterned paper from Far Far Hill for my background. 

Next came some crochet lace from my sewing cabinet and cream coloured satin ribbon from Fabricland.  I used a Martha Stewart Edge Punch to cut a border on one edge of a rose pink piece of card stock from my scraps and on the off cut from the beige card stock.  Both were sponged with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink from Ranger.

Next I added a vintage image from Vintage Feedsacks, which was also inked with Distress Ink.  Paper flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts were added on the side some of which had some Stardust Stickles from Ranger added to make them sparkle.  The little heart stick pins came from Maya Road.

I used a Martha Stewart punch to make the large heart from some scrap red card stock and then spritzed some pearl Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels on it before I added a pearl sticker from Recollections.  The little hearts were treated the same way but we leftovers from an attempt to create a heart background on my Cameo.  I thought I had it welded together but when it cut, it all fell apart so I have a bag of big hearts and teeny hearts.  I will definitely have to revisit that design.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Divas By Design - Vintage with Lace
Sweet Stamps - Lace and Hearts

Valentine's Day - With a Twist

It is time for a new two-week challenge at Frilly and Funkie and I am the hostess this time and chose Valentine's Day - With a Twist.  I want to see vintage or shabby chic projects in the traditional colours of red, pink and white but the twist is that there can be no hearts on your project. I sure hope you will play along with us.

Here are the details of my project from the bottom up:

I started with some white card stock from Staples for my card blank and then added a couple of layers of beautiful Maja patterned paper that were distressed with my scissors.  Since this paper is so precious, I decided to conserve as much as I could and cut a big square out of the middle of the bottom layer to use for another project. Nobody was going to see that piece anyway.

Next I made a fan from some crepe paper and then mounted the sweet vintage cherub that I picked up online somewhere (sorry, I missed tagging it).  Next I used a monogram stamp from Recollections and black Archival Ink to stamp the word LOVE.  They were inked with some Fired Brick Distress Ink and some teeny red gems from Michaels were added.

Next I altered a round filigree piece by painting it white and then dabbing some Fired Brick Distress Ink on it.  A white paper rose from Wild Orchid Crafts was dyed with a Copic marker and added to the filigree circle.  I added a few seed beads from my stash to the rose to look like water droplets.

The corner piece was cut from the Venetian Motifs die from Spellbinders and I sprayed it with some Perfect Pearls mist before I added more gems.

A gorgeous piece of Venise lace was added to the bottom and topped with some pleated pink satin ribbon to which I added a row of pearls and more seed beads.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Loves Rubber Stamps - Use Lace
Our Daily Bread Designs - Pink, Red & White
The Pink Elephant Challenge  - Love
Victorine Stamps - Valentines/Love
Allsorts Challenge - Vintage
Fussy and Fancy - Vintage
The Artistic Stamper - Love is in the Air

The following items used in the creation of this card came from The Funkie Junkie Boutique where everything is already discounted and you will get the best customer service from the Owner, Linda Coughlin:

The Mailman

I wanted to play in the challenge at Sassy Cheryl's this week because I haven't been able to for some time . Since the challenge was called With Love and they want you to use a heart, I dug out this image from the Sassy Cheryl's shop that I have had for ages but had never used.  Either she is really happy to see the mailman because he is bringing something special or he is the something special.

The hearts were cut with my Cameo and next week I am off to visit with a lovely crafting friend in Mississippi and she is a Cameo whiz so I hope to start doing lots of great cuts when I return because I am going to get one on one lessons.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Sassy Cheryl's - With Love (Use a Heart)
Art Impressions Stamps - Show Me The Love (Hearts Required)
Creative Belli - Valentine/Hearts
Fresh Brewed Designs - Hearts & Dots

Image:  Special Delivery (Sassy Cheryl's)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  White (Staples), Red (Lasting Impressions), Blue (Recollections)
Papers:  Hearts (Sweet Tweet Designs), Polka Dot (Recollections)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) and OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Other Embellishments:  Buttons (Dress It Up), Cameo, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)

Valentine Feathers

The challenge this week at Sugar Creek Hollow is called Feathers & Fur.  We want you to make vintage or shabby chic cards or other paper-crafted projects that feature either birds or furry animals.

This week we have a wonderful Guest Designer joining us at Sugar Creek Hollow.  Please pop over to the blog and see the fabulous card that Sandra Mathis  is sharing with all of us and then go to her blog and leave her some love.

Last week I made a super girlie valentine and knew I couldn't give it to my husband but when I found this image, I knew it would work for a more masculine valentine and perfect for the theme this week.

I started with the background, which is just card stock that I inked with some Distress Inks and then spritzed with some water and added some MME papers.  I was hunting for something in the black hole that my craft room is starting to become and in the process found a cardboard tube with some lightweight aluminum sheet metal in it so I hand cut the big heart from it.  Then I embossed the heart and applied alcohol ink to it and also to the little heart-shaped lock charm.  I created the calendar on the computer and then added some old trim, a word tag and some card candy.

TIP:  To seal the end on this sort of trim because it always unravels just use liquid fray stop that can be found in the notions section at your local fabric store.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Divas by Design - Winged Things
Fab 'n' Funky - Valentines/Hearts
Paper Pretties - Valentines
Simon Says Stamp - Heart
Emerald Faeries - Love
Party Time Tuesday's - Love & Romance
Top Tip Tuesday - Let Me Call You Sweetheart
Artistic Inspirations - Embossing
Created with Love - Valentine's Day
Crafty Catz  - Love is in the Air (feature a heart)

Image:  The Graphics Fairy
Card Stock:  Recollections
Papers:  MME
Tools & Embellishments:  Aged Mahogany Distress Ink (Ranger), Card Candy (Craftwork Cards), Word Tag (Dollarama), Brads (Making Memories), Trim (My Stash), Heart Lock Charm (Arton Bead Supply)

Romantic Love

The challenge this week at Sugar Creek Hollow is called Romantic Love.  With Valentine's Day coming up you can make a card for your loved one but you could also make an Anniversary or Wedding card as any of these would fit the theme.  To win any of the prizes, your project must be either vintage or shabby chic.

I am going to see if my Son-in-Law would like to give this card to my Daughter because it is just a bit too frilly for me to give to my husband.

I started with some paper that I found online, added a strip of ruffled crepe paper to which I added a piece of satin ribbon and some lace.  An embossed heart, doily, vintage cupid image, some pearls, a pretty bow and a vintage looking button complete the card.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Crafting For All Seasons - Buttons & Bows
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Stampavie & More - Love
Deep Ocean Challenge - Love & Lace
Flourishes - Vintage
Our Daily Bread Designs - Love
Partytime Tuesdays - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash - Valentines, Hearts, Red, Love, etc.
Inky Chicks - Bingo (Ribbon, Image, Pearls)
Forever Friends - Ribbon or Lace
Incy Wincy Designs - Pearls & Lace
Crafty Ribbons  - Anything Goes with Ribbon
It's All About The Vintage - Lace & Pearls
Brown Sugar Challenge  - Go Red/Hearts
Creative Corners - Love & Hearts

Image:  The Graphics Fairy
Card Stock:  White (Staples), Red (My Scrap Stash)
Paper:  Funky Fairy Papercrafts
Tools & Embellishments:  Doily (Wilton), Victoria Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Pearl Stickers (Recollections), Button (Fabricland), Lace (My Stash), Satin Ribbon (Fabricland), Crepe Paper (Dollarama), Fired Brick Distress Ink (Ranger)

Masculine Valentine

The challenge this week at Sugar Creek Hollow is to make a MASCULINE VALENTINE in a vintage, shabby chic or primitive style.

One random winner will receive a digi of our choice and a winner's badge to display. In addition, the Design Team will choose one project as Card of the Week and the creator will receive a badge and will be in the running for a Guest Designer spot.

Our Design Team has created gorgeous cards for your inspiration and if you would like the details, just click on their name to be taken directly to their blog.

I really struggled with this one because everything that popped into my head was flowery or girly and many of the vintages images I found online were geared towards women or children. After two days (yes, 2) I finally had this idea so I hope you like it. I hope my husband likes it too because it is going to be given to him.

Image: Cupid (The Graphics Fairy)
Sentiment: My Design
Card Stock: Red (Bazzill)
Papers: Background Heart Paper (Aramisdream), Heart Paper Piecing (Combination of Aramis Dreams & Cuddlebeez)
Tools & Embellishments: Antique Linen & Fired Brick Distress Ink (Ranger), Heart Brads (Making Memories), Blue Rust Pearl-Ex (Jacquard), Fibre (EK Success), Button (Dollar Giant), Corrugated Cardboard (My Recycle Bin), Ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

Love Cycle

Our challenge to you this week at Phindy's Friday Challenge Blog is to create a card using the photo below as your inspiration. While it does lend itself to a valentine card, you can make something entirely different if that is how the photo inspires you.

You don't have to use a Phindy image in your project but if you do, please follow the instructions on the challenge blog sidebar and enter your card twice. If you don't have any Phindy images, run right over to the store and pick a few up. There are lots of great images and if you want to make a valentine card, there are many newly released images that would be perfect.

We will choose one random winner who will receive a $5 gift certificate to Phindy's store. The Design Team will choose one project as Card of the Week. The creator will also receive a $5 gift certificate to Phindy's store and will be in the running for a monthly Guest Designer spot.

The Design Team has made some wonderful cards for your inspiration this week so check out their blogs for the details.  This week we are joined by a Guest Designer, Katja, so make sure you visit her too.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Cooking it up with Katie - Hearts, Emboss, Punch
Creative Belli - Hearts/Valentines
Little Red Wagon - Valentine's Day or Love
Stamp n Doodle - Love, Romance and/or Valentine's Day
The Stamping Boutique - Valentines
Top Tip Tuesday - Valentines
Tuesday Throwdown - Use Hearts
Digi Makover - Valentines
Stamps R Us - Valentine/Love

Image: Love Cycle (Phindy's Place)
Card Stock: White Staples), Red (Wassau)
Papers: Hearts & Red (My Stash), Polka Dots (Recollections)
Colouring Medium: Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments: Buttons (Fabricland), Ribbon (Kate's Paperie), Rose (Wild Orchid), Heart Punch (EK Paper Shapers), Heart Texture Plate (Fiskars)