Saturday Showcase for The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog

Today the whole team at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog is sharing the Saturday Showcase post.  We have decided to make Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) for fun and swap them amongst us rather than stashing them in a box and forgetting about them.

I am featuring Graphic 45 papers to make my shabby ATCs and while I have used paper collections I have had for some time and they may not be available anymore, I encourage you to go to the shop and check out all the paper collections to be had because there are so many that would work if you want to recreate my ATCs.

An ATC is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" and can be made from chipboard, heavy card stock, watercolor card stock or even playing cards. The chipboard pieces I used were cut by my husband and I started by covering them with patterned paper but I did not like where they were going so I peeled off the paper. When I did that some of the chipboard peeled off too leaving a bumpy surface. I added a very thin layer of texture paste smoothing it with an old credit card but after they dried the surface was still bumpy. Right then I decided that I didn't mind the texture, especially since I planned to add more texture.

I covered both sides of the ATCs with White Gesso and then added torn pieces from an old book but you could add any paper as your collage items. I dry brushed a bit more White Gesso over the book paper.

The next step was to add some texture paste on both sides through the Flourish stencil (Tim Holtz).

I added a little bit of water to some Sand Acrylic Paint (Dina Wakley) and covered the ATC on both sides.

The next step was to create embellishments for the ATCs and there are no process photos since it just involved cutting and punching but you can see them all in these close-ups. Everything was inked on the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. I made computer generated sentiments, hand-cut hearts and little tags. punched flowers and butterflies and my husband cut some honeycomb pieces out of cracker box material for me. Little bows made from Burlap String, pieces of lace and dollar store adhesive pearls for the flower centres were added to finish the ATCs off.

Pop over to The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog where you will find the treasures created by my teammies for this Saturday Showcase. You will want to go on to each of their blogs to get the details on how they created their tiny works of art.

If you want to participate in the challenge, it can be founbd HERE and runs until 11:55 pm on Tuesday, March 16th. You can create anything but make sure it is either shabby chic or vintage.
Supplies list:

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Flourish THS032
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Gathered Twigs TIM32823
Dina Wakley Heavy Body Acrylic Paint - Sand - 1oz Bottle
Burlap String - 12 Colors
Scor Tape
Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool - With 4 Blending Foams IBT40965
Graphic 45 Paper Pads - A Ladies Diary, Bloom, Fairie Dust and Floral Shoppe
Liquitex White Gesso
Chipboard
Liquitex Regular Modeling Paste
EK Success Flower Punches
Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch
Dollarama Adhesive Pearls
Lace

Tiny Neutral Accordion Book

The new challenge starts today at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog and Sara Emily is our hostess for this one. She is calling it Mostly Neutral and she describes it this way:

For this challenge, I would like you to use mainly neutrals, but I will allow you one accent color or use of metallic accents. Let's see how you use beige, ivory, taupe, brown, black, gray or shades of white or any combination of these to make any vintage/shabby chic project you would like.

I thought it might be fun to make a really tiny accordion book and use all sorts of bits and pieces from my stash. In truth I was inspired by a new button and elastic closure that I saw online and wanted to make it so I needed a book for it.

Since there are so many pages I am not going to show a step by step but will give you an idea of the products and techniques used to put it together. I started with the accordion base and cut two pieces 3 7/8" x 12" and then scored it on the long side at 2 7/8", 5 3/4", 8 5/8" and 11 1/2". I cut away the 1/2" leftover piece on one of the strips and angled the ends of the 1/2" leftover piece on the other strip. I glued the 1/2" strip to one side of the other strip and then folded the resulting long strip into mountain and valley folds - you should end up with the panels on each end going the same direction. If you want a larger book, you can add another strip.

Next I created the covers by cutting two pieces of cracker box material 4" x 9" and then scored them on the long side at 3" and 6". I folded one side to the front of the centre and the other to the back of the centre and then glued each in place so that I ended up with a piece 3" x 4" that was three layers thick. One layer of thick chipboard, mat board or book board could be used instead but I like the idea of recycling the cracker boxes.

The next step was to add paper to one side of each cover. I cut the paper 4" x 5", centred the cover block on the wrong side of the paper and glued it on. The corners were mitered when I glued the excess to the back side to get nice sharp corners. Glue the covers to the accordion base on the panels at each end that face the same direction making sure to centre the panel on the back side of the cover.

Now it was time to make the panels that would be decorated. Since I wanted to use some wet media, I cut pieces of water colour card 2 3/4" x 3 3/4" and then I distressed the edges with a pair of scissors.

I had decided to use a nature theme for the book so I set about to decorate each page with that theme in mind. Each panel was inked with distress inks or painted with watered down paints or Scribble Sticks and then collaged with bits of paper, laces, fibers, die cuts, charms (altered with Alcohol Ink), stamped bits, some Chit-chat stickers and stenciling with ink and texture paste.re are some close-ups to give you an idea of what I did on each page.

Once each panel (as shown in these close-ups was decorated, they were glued onto the accordion base. I decided which order I wanted them to go in and mounted the flattest ones first on each side and then mounted ones with more dimension.

Finally I decorated the covers starting with the front as shown at the top and then the back as shown above.

Once the book was all put together I determined the thickness and made the closure by taking thin round elastic cord and wrapping it around the book twice. Once I determined the length I cut it off the spool and folded it in half. The open ends were threaded through the button holes and tied together. The closure was wrapped around the book and looped over the button. This is a super easy closure and will stretch a bit to accommodate thicker embellishments without detracting from your cover design. The button can be a design element in itself as was this leaf button I used.

I hope you will join us for this challenge. The Design Team will choose their top four picks with the overall winner receiving a gift certificate to shop at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. All four will receive badges to display on their blogs. The challenge runs until 11:55 pm EST on Tuesday, March 2nd.

Supplies list:

Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Gathered Twigs, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Pumice Stone, Black Soot
Tim Holtz Distress Oxides - Hickory Smoke, Pumice Stone
Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks - Umber, Sand
Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks - Pitch Black, Rust, Mushroom, Blending Solution
Tim Holtz Distress Crayons - Antique Linen
Tim Holtz Bubble Stencil
Wendy Vecchi Dots and Stripes Border Stencil
TCW Stencils - Mini Tiny Circles, Mini Geometric Art Layers
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Entomology
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Nature's Wonder
Wendy Vecchi Country Flowers Stamp Set
Tim Holtz Thinlets Dies - Entomology, Garden Greens, Wildflower Stems #2 Sizzix Circle Die Set
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Kraft Glassine, Chit-chat Stickers
Stamperia Alchemy Paper Pad
Graphic 45 Mon Amour Paper Pad
Miscellaneous - Charms, Burlap String, Burlap, Ric-rac, Wool, Lace, Button, Cardboard, Cork, Skeleton Leaf, Feather, Embroidery Floss, Fabric Scraps
Recollections Black Card stock
Canson Watercolour Card Stock
Elastic Cord
Scor Tape
Liquitex Modeling Paste
Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink

Hexagonal Needle Books

It is time for the new challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog.  Jenny is our hostess for this one and is calling it So Delicate!  Here is how she describes it:

Although it's not always evident in my projects, I have a real passion for delicate laces, fragile flowers, fine stitching, intricate artwork and exquisite architecture. For this challenge create something delicate or a vintage/shabby chic project that features delicate things in it.

I think I might be going a little rogue with my offering for this one because my projects are not as delicate as they probably should be. I was tidying up my fabric cupboard and told myself that I better get a move on and use some of it up because there are lots of leftovers from past projects that I haven't really touched for a few years. I even have t-shirt fabric from when I made clothes for my daughter when she was little and it is now decades old.

I chose three that I thought I could feature, convinced my husband to cut me some hexagons out of cracker boxes to use as templates and started cutting. These are no sew projects so everything is put together with PVA glue, which made them really easy to construct.

Template sizes measured from one flat edge to the opposite flat edge:

Fabric - 5 1/8"
Cardboard Base and Quilt Batting - 4 3/8"
Felt Liner - 4 1/4"
Flannelette Pages - 4"

Tip: To draw on the fabric I used a Pilot Frixion gel rollerball pen because it is erasable by just running an iron over the fabric and works beautifully.

Here is how to create these heaxagon needle books:

• Use the fabric template to cut two each of the three fabrics
• Use the second largest template to cut two cardboard hexagons and two from low loft quilt batting for each needle book
• Glue a piece of quilt batting to one side of each cardboard piece
• Centre the batting side of the cardboard bases over the wrong side of each fabric piece

• Turn the fabric over the edges and glue - do one edge and then the opposite edge making sure to gently pull to ensure that the right side is smooth - continue until all six sides are turned

• Cut 2" x 5" rectangles of each fabric, press 1/4" hem on the short edges in and then fold in half and press to create hinged "spines" for the book
• Centre the hinges over the inside of the book leaving a gap between the font and back cover - I left 1/8" but 1/4" would have been better
• Glue the the sides of the hinges to the inside of the covers

• Use Distress Ink to dye seam binding to match the fabric
• Glue a piece of seam binding on each side of the cardboard to act as closures

• Cut pieces of felt to cover the inside of each cover and glue in place - they should be slightly smaller so they don't show when the book is closed (shown on right side in photo above)
• Use regular scissors and pinking sheers to cut a couple of pieces of flannelette for each book (shown on left side in photo above)
• Glue the pages on top of the felt with the straight edge against the felt edge that is next to the "spine"

• Cover the glued edge of the flannel with a tiny strip of lace
• Decorate the front of each book

Note: I used a number of items in my stash to decorate the books that came from The Funkie Junkie Boutique but may not be available now because of the recent sales or because they have been discontinued. Like the fabric, I decided it was time to use some of these things up because if I make space, I can buy more - just saying. :)

Red Book:

• Cover a filigree medallion with Ocean Acrylic Paint (Dina Wakley) and add some red gems
• Paint a wooden star with Lemon Acrylic Paint (Dina Wakley) and add a large red gem
• Add the star to the centre of the medallion
• Glue the medallion to the centre of the book front

Pink Floral Book:

• Cover two filigree leaves with White Gesso
• Heat emboss with Clear Embossing Powder
• Cut some pink leaf branches using the Garden Green Die Set (Tim Holtz), shape the petals and ink edges with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
• Layer a couple of paper flowers
• Adhere all the elements to the front of the book

Cream Book:

• Adhere a strip of Idea-ology Ruler Ribbon (Tim Holtz) across the front
• Use a flourish die (Spellbinders Venetian Motifs) and paper from Precious paper (Graphic 45) to cut two flourishes and adhere next
• Use ruffled ribbon (Melissa Frances) to create a flower, add a button to the centre and adhere
• Glue a scissors charm to the front cover

Supplies list:

Dina Wakley Paints - Ocean, Lemon
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Spin Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Candied Apple
Bronze Scissor Charms - Set of 5
Antique Bronze Filigree Flower Wraps - set of 3
Bronze Leaf Embellishments - Set of 6
Rayon Seam Binding
VersaMark Watermark Ink Stamp Pad
Gems
Wooden Star
Tim Holtz Garden Greens Die Set
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Ruler Ribbon
Melissa Francess Ruffled Ribbon
Spellbinders Venetian Motifs Die Set
Button
Paper Flowers
White Gesso
Clear Embossing Powder
Lace scraps

Life is a Beautiful Ride

Today is the start of a new challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog.  I am the hostess this time and am calling it Put A Good Word In!  Here is how I describe the challenge:

Create a shabby chic or vintage projects that includes a word or words that are positive or happy or uplifting in nature. Single words or sentiments/quotes can be used. Given what we have all been through for the last months nothing sad or negative please.

I was digging through some untouched ignored bins in my craft space and came across this resin bicycle that I bought on a visit to the US a few years ago and thought it was high time I used it. Then I set about trying to come up with some appropriate words to go with it. I found this sentiment online and it spoke volumes to me.

At any time in our life and especially in times like this it is so easy to think nothing is beautiful but even in the midst of all the problems and trials we experience there is something beautiful to latch on to. Right now it might be that we have become closer to our families because we are spending more time together or we can rejoice because our communities have stepped up in a big way to help each other and especially those that are alone. It might be that we can be thankful for all the technology that we have so we can stay connected or it might be something fun like having had the time to learn something new. It is true that the times are tough but life is still a beautiful ride even with obstacles.

I thought I would make a whimsical little canvas to showcase my bicycle. I used a variety of Dina Wakley acrylic paints along with scraps of paper from Graphic 45 and some dies from Tim Holtz and inks from Tim and Wendy Vecchi. Normally I would share my process with you but this time I am just giving you a sneak peek.  I am presenting the Saturday Showcase on January 9th where I will detail how I created it so save the date and check out the post on The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog.

Fall Foliage

It is time for the next challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog and Jenny is our hostess for this one. She is calling it Fall Foliage and here is how she describes it:

According to most search engines the Fall season has officially begun so we should be starting to see the emergence of all those beautiful Autumnal colours, unless Mother Nature throws us a curve ball! Let's celebrate them anyway by creating a vintage or shabby chic project in traditional Fall shades that includes some form of foliage like leaves, berries and so on

I just received a fabulous sketched flower stamp set by Dina Wakley called Always Flowers and that became my inspiration for this card.

I started by covering a panel of card stock with some Melange Tissue Wrap and then I distressed the edges.

After carefully adding the lovely tissue wrap, I proceeded to cover most of it with some Texture Paste - lol.

I forgot to take photos along the way when I altered the textured panel but the steps I took were:

1. Patted some Wild Honey, Vintage Photo and Gathered Twigs Distress Ink on a kraft sheet, spritzed with water and pounced the panel on the puddles
2. Added some texture paste through a Bubble stencil
3. Used Jet Black Archival ink to stamp some text from the Entomology stamp set

Next I used Jet Black Archival ink to stamp the flower images on watercolor card stock. Each flower was then fussy cut.

To colour the flowers I used a variety of Scribble Sticks - Lime, Evergreen, Olive, Cheddar, Tangerine, Ruby and Lemon - with a watercolour paint brush. The method I use is to spritz a tiny but of water on my kraft sheet and then rub the stick in the water to create a little puddle of colour that I can dip my brush into. If I want a little more concentrated colour I wet the brush and rub it right on the stick.

To assemble the card I distressed a panel of rusty red card stock and added that to my card blank and then topped it with my textured panel. Next I added my flowers, a strip of burlap and a Small Talk sticker inked with Vintage Photo DI. Finally I added a loopy bow created from Burlap String.

This bright card will likely be heading to my Niece for her birthday, which happens not long after all the bright colours have faded and fall is coming to a close, just when she might need something cheerful in these difficult times.

I hope you will join us for the challenge, which runs until 11:55 pm EDT on Tuesday, October 13th. One randomly chosen winner 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 later date.

Supplies list:

Dina Wakley Media Stamp - Always Flowers MDR66224
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Entomology
Ranger Texture Paste Opaque Matte INK44444
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Wild Honey
Ranger Archival Ink Pad - Jet Black AIP31468
Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Bubble THS002
Burlap String
Scor Tape
Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool - With 4 Blending Foams IBT40965
Tim Holtz Melange Tissue Wrap
Tim Holtz Small Talk Idea-ology Stickers

Christmas Backgrounds

Today is the beginning of the challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog and I am the hostess for this one.  I am calling it Staying in the Background and here is how I describe it:

My challenge to you is to create your own background and use it in a shabby chic or vintage project - no pre-printed patterned paper this time. You can create the background in any number of ways and it can be simple or intricate. Using embossing folders. stencils, dies, stamps, washi tape, paints, inks or a gel press are just a few ideas. Make sure you give a brief description of how you created your background in your post.

I decided to make some more simply decorated Christmas cards for the challenge. All my cards are quite flat intentionally so I can mail them with standard letter mail postage, which is already obscene at $1.07 + 13% tax for a single stamp (they give us a break if we buy a book of 10 - 97 cents each plus 13% tax).

For this first card I used Versamark to randonly stamp snowflakes from an old stamp set over some white card stock. Then I heat embossed the snowflakes with Clear embossing powder. Once the embossing was cool, I inked over the whole panel with Stormy Sky, Tumbled Glass and Faded Jeans Distress Ink. The embossing acted as a resist but to ensure that the snowflakes popped, I took a paper towel and rubbed it over the panel.

I forgot to take a photo of the embellishment process but it was very simple. I cut some branches from some white shimmer card stock using the Holiday Greens die set. I also die cut an oval from Metallic Kraft StockJewels . The sentiment was cut for me by my husband.

To assemble the card I added a panel of the Metallic Kraft Stock to the card blank, then added the background panel followed by the embellishments.

For the next card, I made a painted background. Using one of my ratty brushes I painted crisscrosses on white card stock with Ruby, Evergreen and Ancient Acrylic Paint.

I used scraps of card stock to cut a poinsettia and branches from a die set called Festive Greens. The branches and the poinsettia centre were painted with the Ancient Acrylic Paint.

To assemble the card I added a panel of red card stock to the card blank and then adhered the painted background. Next came a little strip of green card stock that I ran through a dots embossing folder. The sentiment was painted with Ancient Acrylic Paint and added along with the poinsettia and branches.

For the final card I put some Faded Jeans, Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky Distress Ink on my kraft sheet, added some water and dragged a piece of white card stock through it. Once it was dry I used Faded Jeans Distress Ink and a stars stencil to add some stenciling.

I cut a large snowflake from the shimmer card stock using the Flurry #3 die and split it in half.

To assemble this card I added a panel of dark blue card stock to my card blank and then added the stenciled panel on top. The split snowflake was added to the back of a strip of card stock that I ran through a swirls embossing folder and then the sentiment was painted with white paint mized with Pearlizing Medium and added.

I would love to see your backgrounds so do join us in the challenge, which can be found HERE and runs until 11:55 pm on Tuesday, September 29th. One randomly chosen entrant will win a gift certificate to shop at The Funkie Junkie Boutique and with all the new products arriving, that should be super fun. The Design Team will choose their top picks and the overall winner will receive an opportunity to Guest Design at a future date.

Supplies list:

Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Faded Jeans, Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky
Tim Holtz Thinlets Dies - Flurry #3, Holiday Greens, Festive Greens
Dina Wakley Acrylic Paints - Ruby, Evergreen, Ancient
Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic Jewels Kraft Stock
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Falling Stars THS115
VersaMark Watermark Ink Stamp Pad
Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool - With 4 Blending Foams IBT40965
Scor Tape
Recollections Clear Embossing Powder
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders - D'Vine Swirls, Swiss Dots
Spellbinders Petite Ovals Large Die Set

Bird on a Branch

The new challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog starts today and Suzz, our hostess is calling it Birds. Here is how she describes it:

For this Challenge I want you to be inspired by our flying friends. You can take the challenge literally and have images or die cuts of birds on your art, you can be inspired by the words describing birds or even showcase their homes. Make sure to share with us how you were inspired by the birds.

I decided to take the challenge literally and show a bird on my project. I was inspired by a canvas I saw online with a bird and a branch but then went off in my own direction.

I started by covering an 8 x 10" canvas board with White Gesso. I used some Wild Honeysuckle Coral Stardust Ink Spray and some Roast Chestnut IZink Pigment Ink like watercolours by mixing them in small puddles of water on my kraft sheet and then painting them onto the canvas. I did a layer of the Coral first, the the Roast Chestnut and then more Coral. Note: I forgot to take a photo at the end of this step but I am sure you can see the colour below the stenciling.

Next I added some stenciling with a Mini Ledger Stencil and some Coffee Archival Ink. I also used a Criss-Cross stencil I designed myself and my husband cut to add some texture with Textue Paste.

My husband designed and cut the branch with leaves from chipboard for me and I gave it a coat of White Gesso. I used my finger to add some roughness on the wood with texture paste and then painted it with Melted Chocolate Acrylic Paint followed by some Umber Acrylic Paint. The leaves were painted with Aloe Acrylic Paint.

The flowers were punched from a paper collection called Garden Goddess, the edges inked with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and some tiny dollar store gems were added to the centres.

The little bird is cut from some fine corrugated cardboard that I had in my stash. I have a large stencil of different birds and I just traced him and then cut him out. Next I have him a coat of White Gesso followed by some Sedona Acrylic Paint and then a dry brushing of more Gesso. Once the paint was dry I rubbed some Rose Quartz wax paste over the raised areas and then added a gem for an eye.

The clock was cut from a cracker box by my husband and then I coated it with Umber Acrylic Paint, a sprinkling of playground sand and finally a coat of Mod Podge.

I ran a strip of Rose Gold Metallics Kraft Stock through an embossing folder called Paisley Palooza to create a textured strip for the background. I also die cut a scalloped circle from card stock, ran it through a Bubble embossing folder, inked the edges with Gathered Twigs DI and dry brushed White Gesso onto the highlights. Sorry I forgot to photograph this step - brain turning to mush being home for so long.

I die cut a circle from cracker box material, coated it with White Gesso and then inked it with Dried Marigold Distress Ink. I used the Bubble stencil and some Coffee Archival Ink to add some markings and then covered the circle with some Clear Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paste. The Crackle Paste was really thick (a.k.a. pretty well dead) so it didn't really crack well.

To assemble the canvas, I put the metallic strip down first, followed by the scalloped circle, the clock and the stenciled circle. The branch was added next followed by the bird. Finally I added some iridescent sequins and a little Small Talk sticker that I inked with Gathered Twigs.

I hope you will join us for the challenge, which runs until 11:55 pm EDT on Tuesday, September 15th. One randomly chosen winner will receive a gift certificate to shop at The Funkie Junkie Boutique and the Design Team will choose their Top 4 Picks with the overall winner receiving an opportunity to be a Guest Designer at a future date.

Supplies list:

Dina Wakley Media Mediums - White Gesso MDM41689
Seth Apter Izink Pigment - Roast Chestnut 80638
Dina Wakley Acrylic Paint - Aloe, Umber, Sedona
Dylusions Paints, Melted Chocolate DYP46011
Ranger Archival Ink Pad - Coffee AIP31451
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads - Gathered Twigs, Dried Marigold
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Bubble THS002
Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic 2 Kraft Stock - Rose Gold & Copper TH93780
Ranger Texture Paste Opaque Matte INK44444
Scor Tape
Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool - With 4 Blending Foams IBT40965
Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Small Talk Stickers
Graphic 45 Garden Goddess 12" x 12" Paper
Lindy's Wild Honeysuckle Coral Stardust Ink Spray
Treasure Gold Rose Quartz Wax Paste
Mini Ledger & Criss Cross Stencils
Circle and Scalloped Circle Dies
Mini Flower Punch
Micro Gems
Chipboard Branch with Leaves & Chipboard Clock Iridescent Sequins

Shabby Floral Wedding Card

It is time for a new challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog and this time Suzz is our hostess and is calling it With This Ring.  Here is how she describes it:

Summer is a traditional time for weddings. This year we have seen many of the celebrations become virtual, rescheduled or limited to few people participating. We as craft makers can still share our art with the happy couples by creating something beautiful to celebrate their special occasion. I challenge you to create something celebrating a wedding, it can be anything including: layout, card, decor, or gift.

I have created a shabby card with lots of flowers and two hearts that speaks to the romantic nature of a wedding.

I started with some paper from the Pretty Mosaics collection (Prima) and toned the colour down by using my ratty bristle brush to add some White Gesso. The panel was distressed on the edges and then added to my card blank.

The next panel was created by brushing Blushing and Carnation Acrylic Paint (Dina Wakley) onto a piece of white card stock.

Once the paint was dry, I added some stenciling with a Flourish stencil (Tim Holtz) and Watering Can Archival Ink (Wendy Vecchi). This was followed with some White Gesso to tone it down. It was still too bold for me so I crumpled up some white tissue paper (Dollarama), opened it back up and glued it over the panel, making sure to pat it down so it didn't tear while it was still wet. Finally I distressed the edges and layered it on top of the background panel.

Next I worked on the embellishments.  I covered a chipboard heart cut by my husband with White Gesso and then added some Texture Paste Crackle (Tim Holtz) using a stipple brush. When it was dry I painted the heart with Elephant Acrylic Paint (Dina Wakley) and then rubbed some Pearl Perfect Pearl (Ranger) over the heart to add some shimmer to the high areas.

The word love is a wooden piece my husband made for me and it also has been covered with the Texture Paste Crackle and White Gesso. The little heart charm came from my stash and has been coated with White Gesso and then sanded for an aged look. A string of teeny seed beads have been added to the charm. Both the charm and word were then added to the large heart, which was then adhered to the card.

A strip of venise lace was added near the bottom.  I used the Skeleton Leaves and the Garden Greens die sets (Tim Holtz) to cut some leaves from scraps of white shimmer card stock. Seam binding was dyed with Hickory Smoke Distress Ink (Tim Holtz) and created a loopy bow to which I added a pearl cluster.

To create the large white flower I tore a strip of sheer drapery fabric from my sewing stash,folded it in half on the long side and using a running stitch on the side opposite the fold I ruffled it forming it into a flower shape and then added a paper flower to the centre. The rest of the flowers are a variety of paper flowers singles from my stash that have been layered with either paper roses or adhesive pearls added to the centres.

I finished the inside of the card by creating a second panel exactly like the background panel and then added a white panel with a sentiment.

I hope you will join us for this challenge.  One randomly chosen winner will receive a gift certificate to shop at The Funkie Junkie Boutique and the Design Team will choose their top four picks with the overall winner receiving an opportunity to guest design with us at a future date.  The challenge can be found HERE and runs until 11:55 pm on Tuesday, August 4th.

Supplies list:

Prima Marketing Pretty Mosaic - A4 Paper Pad 642181
Dina Wakley Media Mediums - White Gesso MDM41689
Tim Holtz Distress Texture Paste 3oz Crackle TDA71303
Dina Wakley Media Acrylic Paint - Elephant, 1oz Bottle
Dina Wakley Media Acrylic Paint - Blushing, 1oz Bottle
Dina Wakley Heavy Body Acrylic Paint - Carnation - 1oz Bottle
Rayon Seam Binding
15 Piece Ivory Acrylic Imitation Pearl Clusters
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Flourish THS032
Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink Pad - Watering Can AID39006
KAISERCRAFT Pearls - Self Adhesive - Pearl
Scor Tape
Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Paper Distresser 370E
Tim Holtz Skeleton Leaves Die Set
Tim Holtz Garden Greens Die Set
Perfect Pearl Perfect Pearls
White Adhesive Pearls
Venise Lace
Sheer Fabric
Wild Orchid Crafts and Recollections Paper Flowers
Seed Beads
Heart Charm