Copper Penned Panel

Welcome! It's time for a new challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique and today it's Suzz's turn to host. You can always rest assured, she is going to come up with the most creative challenge theme. She titles her challenge, 'Positively Pensive' and here's her description:

Today is Ballpoint Pen day! The challenge is to thoughtfully use a ballpoint pen on your project.  You can doodle, journal, sketch or trace an outline using any color ballpoint pen on your art.  Create a vintage or shabby chic project with some form of ink from a ballpoint pen and if it isn't obvious how it was used make sure to tell us in your post!

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 tried many different ways to use my ball point pens, and had so much fun with Suzz's challenge. But in the end, I decided on a penned background panel for my project. It seems I'm in a butterfly rut right now, although I've see very few in my garden (odd!). When I started, I visualized something a bit more bright and sun-shiney, but it just didn't work out that way. Perhaps it was the pensive mood I was in.

Let's get started. My first matter of business was to go through my pens to find one that didn't work.  You can see by my scribbling it required quite a bit of trials before coming up with one.

First I'll share some close ups, then I'll share a bit of the making.

I did some Field Notes stamping in Archival ink on the background at the top and bottom. I wish my penmanship was that graceful and elegant and my lettering that precise.

So where did I use a ball point pen? I removed the spring from the pen, pulled it apart a bit and used it for my butterfly's body. Before dismantling it, I also used my non working pen in another way, but I can't give all the details yet. Since Suzz directs that we tell how we used our pens, I'll give you a hint: I traced a design onto my background. I'll share all the details on how I made my background and Decor Frame that backs the butterfly in my June 20 Saturday Showcase.

I've finished the back with some old Tim Holtz paper stash.

Here's a bit on how I altered the frame and quote chip, and made the butterfly:

I chose a Vignette Frame and painted it with my finger and Distress Weathered Wood paint. You can see I didn't do a thorough job, and this is intentional. ;)

Next I dribbled on some Mushroom Alcohol ink  and spritzed it with water to disperse the ink into the cracks. I used my heat tool to chase around the thinned color and dry.

Last, I scribbled with Distress crayon and blended with a dampened finger.

Now I move onto the Scribbly Butterfly cut from Rose Gold Metallic Kraft Stock, and painted with a bit of Picket Fence paint and more of the Mushroom Alcohol ink, just around the wing tips (not pictured). I want my butterfly to shine. The spring is adhered with Distress Collage Medium Matte.

I altered one of the old Quote Chips (I've linked to the newer ones below) with Embossing Glaze and crayon. Swipe the chip with Embossing Dabber, sprinkle with the glaze, tap off excess, and heat to melt. When it's cool, scribble and blend with crayon.

So that wraps up my copper penned panel. I hope you will hop on over to the blog to see what amazing projects my talented teammates created with their ball point pens. And then, it's your turn to show and tell us how you've used your own pens to create a vintage or shabby chic project; I can't wait to see what you will make! Happy crafting! Sara Emily  

Challenge shares:

Simon Says Stamp Monday It’s A Man Thing I know it's a butterfly, but they have boy butterflies, too, right? Otherwise, pretty masculine.
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Something Metallic
Creative Artiste Challenge #61
We Love 2 Create at Polkadoodles Challenge #6- Anything Goes Mixed Media
Country View Challenges June 2020 - Summer Fields

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

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Quote Chips, Theories

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Metallic 2 Kraft Stock

Sizzix Chapter 2 Tim Holtz Bigz Die - Decor Frames

Sizzix Chapter 1 Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Scribbly Butterflies

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Vignette Frames

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Field Notes

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Stencil - Bouquet

Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Picket Fence, Weathered Wood, Black Soot

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons -  Black Soot
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Black Soot

Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Dabber

Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Glaze -  Weathered Wood
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Archival Ink - Black Soot

Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink - Mushroom

Prima Finnabair Art Alchemy Wax Paste - Patina Green
Tim Holtz Distress Texture Paste

Wood Grain Tutorial at A Vintage Journey

Hello friends! This is just a reminder that I have a tutorial on the steps I took to create this framed collage over at A Vintage Journey. I hope you'll join me there! Hugs! Sara Emily

Mixed Media Vignette Mini Tutorial - Your Heart's Desire for A Vintage Journey

Hello! It's time for a new challenge at A Vintage Journey, and our hostess, Annie has chosen the theme Your Heart's Desire -- so appropriate for the upcoming Valentine's holiday. 

"Since February is the month of love, we would like you to include hearts as the 'main' focus of your project. Just be sure your design is in keeping with our vintage, shabby, mixed media, art journaling, industrial, timeworn or steampunk styles that we prefer."

These are the steps I took to alter my vignette tray using contractor's foil tape, Tim Holtz Kaleidoscope Texture Fade, Prima and DecoArt paints and powder. The hoarded tray was the perfect size and depth and was a gift from my fellow Creative Guide and wonderful friend, Autumn. Thank you!

I cut a strip of foil tape for each side of the tray adding about 1/2 inch to each of the measurements. I applied Prima's Steampunk Copper paint to each foil strip using a cheap foam brush. This paint is really gooey, and I don't want to mess with washing out a brush when I'm done. I use a pouncing motion, rather than brushing it on, to get good coverage and to give some variation in color. Any texture will be flattened out by the dry embossing.

When the copper paint is completely dry, I emboss the strips using the Kaleidoscope embossing folder. Do not wet the foil as you would if you were using paper. I did pass it through my die cut machine the prescribed three times, but I doubt it needed more than one pass.

I apply DecoArt Green Patina Antiquing Cream over the surface with my finger and allow it to dry a bit. Then I wipe with a slightly dampened paper towel, leaving the color in the recesses. I don't particularly care for the shine from the foil, so I apply Prima Color Clay Artisan Powder with my finger over the entire surface and wipe off the excess with a dry paper towel.

It's very easy to adhere the tape over the edges of the frame, since the foil is adhesive backed. **I make all my cuts before removing the protective backing. ** I mark the width of the inside of the frame opening on the back of the long edge of the foil strip.  I add 1/4 inch to the depth of the frame (1/2 inch) and mark a line horizontally on the back of the strip at 3/4 inches from the long edge. I make vertical cuts to that line from the previous markings. I score this flap at 1/4 inch and again at 3/4 inch.

I fold the strip at 1/4 score line and this surface goes on the 'floor' of the frame. The score at 3/4 inch  will be at the inside lip of the frame. Use scissors to cut in at an angle to miter the corners. Now I remove the protective backing and starting at the floor of the tray, adhere to each surface. Once the scored and folded part of the strip is adhered, I simply fold and form the remaining portion over the remaining edges.

I got lucky and the design aligned at one of the corners! Now here are some more  photos of the finished project.

I used another foil strip to create the Retro Repeat panel in the background and paired it with a panel colored with Distress paints. Behind the Retro Repeat is a scrap of paper I used to ink up some die cuts on awhile back--I didn't want to waste the ink. LOL

The Faceted Heart is cut from Distress Metallic Kraft Stock, heat embossed in clear with Lattice and Flourish stamp set. It's colored with Distress Crayon, antiquing cream and Artisan powder. I used a couple of Big Chat stickers for my sentiment.

The wooden cogs were also a gift from Autumn, and I heat embossed them with a mix of Baked Texture powders. I altered and added Faucet Knob, an old Ideaology word token and some chain from my stash. I threaded rusty wire through the token hole and twisted it up. Black Soot paint splatters finish it off.

I can write a personal message on the back, which is finished off with a stamped Oxide panel from my stash.

I hope you'll hop on over to A Vintage Journey to see how my talented fellow Creative Guides have interpreted this theme. Then I hope you'll play along! I can't wait to see YOUR Heart's Desire!

As always, your visit and your sweet comments brighten my day! Sara Emily

Challenge shares:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Love Is In The Air

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes

Scrapy Land Challenge #106 Anything Goes I used 2 Sizzix dies.

Crafts Dreamy Anything Goes Challenge #2

Mixed Media Place January Challenge Inspired by the bottom right photo and by the cinnamon sticks matte brown color.

Links to products used stocked by The Funkie Junkie Boutique:

Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Faceted Heart by Tim Holtz

Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Retro Repeat 

Sizzix 3-D Impresslits Embossing Folder - Kaleidoscope 663296	Prima Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint - Metallique Steampunk Copper	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium Matte TDA47933	Ranger Tim Holtz Ground Espresso Distress Paint TDF50605	Tim Holtz Ranger Metallic Distress Paint - Antiqued Bronze TDF52913
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Rusty Hinge TDF53217	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Evergreen Bough TDF53026	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Fossilized Amber TDF50209	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Black Soot TDF52937	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayon - Chipped Sapphire TDB49609
Seth Apter Baked Texture Bundle - 7pieces	(LATE OCTOBER PRE-ORDER) Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad 12 Color Bundle #5	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Faucet Knobs	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Big Chat Stickers TH93192	Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Lattice and Flourish CMS257

Thoughts and Theories on Tangled Twigs

Hello friends! I just pulled out my new Tim Holtz Tangled Twigs Thinlits die right before Hurricane Florence came knocking on our door and knocking down trees and everything else in it's path. For 'just' a Category 1 storm, it sure let it's presence be known here on the middle eastern coast of USA. These photos were taken on our 20 ft. tall pile of storm debris.

My inspiration came from the question of where all the birds, bugs and animals go when there is such a dreadful storm and from the "I Spy Spooky Night" children's book I kept myself occupied with during the beginning of the storm.

I started this project right before the power went out and took photos of my cheapo yard sale find frame and the Tangled Twigs die cuts. How apropos, those tangled twigs! I applied 3 coats of gesso to the frame and cut the frames from the twigs. I left some of the waste pieces in the twigs die cuts, just for fun, but in the end, it gave a sense of those twigs receding into the background.  (I think.) I adhered the die cuts with Distress Collage Medium Matte and gave it all a final coat of Crazing medium.

  I colored the frame front and interior and exterior sides with Pumice Stone Distress paint, and then rubbed the raised areas with Distress Crayons and finally with Black Soot ink here and there to further define some of the twigs.

The 'wood' background was an experiment that was left on my work top. It's Tim's old Ideaology Kraft Glassine paper embossed with the Lumber 3D Texture Fade. Crazing was added in random areas, and I had already colored it. It didn't fully cover the opening of the frame, so I folded it in half and embossed it again to extend the pattern. I tried to match up the colors I used at first, using various Distress paints and crayons.

The Ornate Owl die cut was spread with various thicknesses of Distress Opaque Crackle Paste, and when dry, sprayed with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain. To add more contrast, I used crayons and inks, and drew in the eyes with Sharpie marker. I colored Mixed Media Heavystock with Distress Oxides and traced around the owl and cut it out to back the die cut.

Leaves were cut from Classic Kraft Stock using the Skeleton Leaves Thinlits die, sanded and colored with Distress crayons. Two birds are peeking out from the twigs, waiting for the storm to pass. I had the thought to add them and a butterfly after I adhered the twigs, so the effect of having them peek out from behind the twigs didn't really work. The chickadees are torn from Ideaology Aviary Collage Paper and the butterfly from Botanical Layers. It just so happens, chickadees were the first birds I saw return several days after the storm was over. I chose a Monarch, because my neighbor down the street said the 100 some monarchs she raised in mesh tents, although ready, would not fly the day before the storm. Smart bugs!

The Quote Chip was lightly sanded and colored with Distress inks. Creating this framed owl gave me much joy when things were dismal during and after the hurricane.

I am very grateful to so many of you who have kept the people of Wilmington and neighboring counties in your thoughts and prayers.  

Hugs and Blessings!

Sara Emily

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

Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Tangled Twigs by Tim Holtz 663086	Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Ornate Owl by Tim Holtz 662380	Sizzix 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Lumber	Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 5pk - Skeleton Leaves by Tim Holtz 663094	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Collage Paper Aviary
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Botanical Layers	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Quote Chips	Ranger Opaque Crackle Texture Paste	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium Matte TDA47933	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium Crazing TDA47957
TIm Holtz Distress Mixed Media Heavystock TDA53835	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons - 6PC Set #2 TDBK47919	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons - 6PC Set #3 TDBK47926	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Black Soot TDF52937	Ranger Tim Holtz Ground Espresso Distress Paint TDF50605
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Pumice Stone TDF53194	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Antique Linen TDF52906	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Weathered Wood TDF53378	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Spray Stain- Antique Linen TSS42136	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Black Soot TIM19541
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Frayed Burlap TIM21469	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Ground Espresso TIM43270	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Forest Moss TIM27133	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Black Soot	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Frayed Burlap
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Fossilized Amber	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Carved Pumpkin