Beauty in Simplicity

Hello, friends! First off, I want to thank you for all the lovely comments on my last post. I am looking forward to some extra time to return the visit and catch up with your lovely creations. I hope you are doing well and continue to stay safe, sane and healthy wherever you are in the world. Our state continues to be on stay at home orders, and I have to admit I'm itching to get back to some sense of normalcy and routine. But we are still keeping our routine at The Funkie Junkie Boutique blog, and today we start a new challenge. Cec is our hostess this time, and she has chosen the theme, Sew Sweet. Here's what she says about the challenge:

Create a shabby chic or vintage project with a sewing theme incorporating items and/or images related to sewing - think rubber stamps of sewing machines or dress forms e.g., fabric, pattern tissue and even notions such as buttons, zippers, thread, etc.

 As always, the winner will earn a chance to be a Guest Designer at a future date at The Funkie Junkie Boutique blog, and everyone who enters and follows the rules will go into the draw for the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. There are also Top 3 Badges for three additional outstanding entries, chosen by the Design Team. Please see the blog for details.

I chose to make a card for my Mom using some of the beautiful papers from Stamperia's Old Lace 12 x 12 collection. The prints on these are amazingly detailed and give a real dimensional look to whatever you choose to use them on. I had some fun using my sewing machine to add details. My Mom tried so hard to teach me to sew, so I think she will appreciate the wonky stitches.

Here are some closeups, and following I have a few process shots and a brief outline of what I did. The heart is fussy cut from the collection's cover and I added Distress Antique Linen and Weathered Wood Embossing Glazes to add even more dimension.

Using the lacy print from the pack and one of the darker prints, as well as a scrap of chipboard, I die cut three mannequins using Tim Holtz old Sewing Room Bigz die. I embossed the dark paper dress form with Walnut Stain Embossing Glaze. I cut off the 'wood' top and bottom and layered them over the lacy die cut. I glued this to the chipboard die cut to create a sturdy piece which I later popped up using cardboard scraps. I used a snip of seam binding colored with Tattered Rose Oxide and a bow shaped button (shank removed) from my stash for the belt and a piece of trim to embellish the skirt.

In both photos above and below you can see that I've tucked in a couple of dress pattern scraps. I had to find a Simplicity pattern in my stash to go with the stamped (Tiny Text) quote.

  I did some stitching with my machine around the edge of the background panel as well as the brown Stacked Postage die cut. I cut the postage piece from a scrap of really thick paper that's almost like felt, and it didn't cut through all the way at the top. I decided to embrace imperfection and pretend it was a plan, to borrow a few Tim Holtz quotes.

Here's some shots to show what I did. These gorgeous oxide colors add just the right amount of pink to the otherwise neutral background. Almost too pretty to cover up!

I cut a square of fabric and stamped it with an old Boundless Flight Tim Holtz image, since my new Baroque stamps haven't made it to my doorstep yet. (I'll link to the new set in my product list below.) I added some faux stitching with the Stitches set in Archival ink. Lastly, I frayed the edges before adhering with Distress Collage Medium Matte.

Not one to let even a 1/2 inch of paper go to waste, I used the front cover from the Old Lace collection to stamp the quote on. I cut up the quote and edged with Ground Espresso Archival ink.

That's all for me today! Be sure to stop over to the blog to see what my talented teammates have sewn up for you. Then it's over to you! I can't wait to see what you will create for our Sew Sweet challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique blog. Take care of yourselves! Big hugs! 

Happy crafting!

Sara Emily

The following products were used and can be purchased at  The Funkie Junkie Boutique:

Distress Embossing Glaze - Antique Linen, Weathered Wood, Walnut Stain
Distress Embossing Dabber
Distress Embossing Pen
Distress Archival Ink -Ground Espresso
Distress Oxide - Tattered Rose, Aged Mahogany
Distress Collage Medium Matte
Stamperia Old Lace
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Tiny Text
Tim Holtz Cling Stamps - Stitches
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Baroque
Rayon Seam Binding
Tim Holtz Stamp Platform