Welcome to today's Guest Designer, Nikki!

Today is the day that we welcome our next Guest Designer, Nikki of A2A - Addicted to Art. Nikki was the DT's chosen winner from the 'Stencils and Texture' challenge. So, let's move on quickly to hear from Nikki and see what project she's sharing with us today.

Hi everyone, I am Nikki and I live in Hampshire, England. I work for my local hospice and apart from crafting enjoy sport, although my newly acquired crafting pursuits seem to be taking over! I started crafting just over 5 months ago after being introduced to it by a friend, when I popped to her house to borrow a Halloween costume! When the pupil is ready, the teacher appears.

Over the years I have explored art in different forms but was quite disillusioned and hadn't done anything for a few years. Seeing Cath's work and very healthy stash of goodies I was inspired! I love the vintage style, getting messy with inks and paints and exploring different techniques. It is a pleasure to be asked to be the Guest Designer at Frilly and Funkie and I hope you like my project.

When I was informed of the theme for my appearance as guest designer I was relieved! Time after Time or clocks is a topic I enjoy working with and more importantly I had some stamps and dies that fitted the subject. However it is quite daunting being a guest designer for the first time so I did feel a little under pressure at first – then I realised I can only do what I can do, so relaxed a little. I hope you enjoy my work.

I decided to make a wall hanging using a chipboard frame. The overall size is 10.25 x 8.25 inches with the aperture 7x5 inches. I wanted to age it so used Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paints and crackle glaze. It started off quite pale (stone), but I later made it darker adding Chocolate Pudding paint and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

For the panel inside the frame I took some card and just starting adding various bits and pieces; old die cuts, stamped material, book pages etc. I realised this needed subduing a bit so added a watered down gesso wash and some subtle Paper Artsy paints to tone in with my embellishments. I die cut 3 clocks (Cheery Lynn Clock w/Angel wing) and proceeded to add more Fresco paints and finally some aged taupe embossing enamel. I then cut them up and added them to the border of the inside panel.My butterfly (also Cheery Lynn) was changed several times before I was happy with it – finally I just painted it with Chocolate Pudding and added UTEE.

 

I try to live my life each day and this is the message I wanted to convey, it is easy to make our happiness contingent on future events - when really all we have is today – so the time is now! ‘Live for the Moment’ was stamped on a book page distressed with walnut stain and mounted onto a piece of die cut corrugated cardboard which I painted, distressed and inked. I love my new Heartfelt Creations – Once upon a Time stamps – so I proceeded to stamp and die cut some clocks to embellish the frame. I treated them all differently with inking, paints, gilding, mica and embossing powders.

Many thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing all your creations.

Nikki

I'm sure you'll agree that Nikki's project is fantastic! It definitely gives you even more inspiration for the current challenge, 'Time After Time', and if you enter you too could be joining us as a Guest Designer.

Saturday Step x Step - Neglected die

Hello and welcome to today's step x step ! It's Sue here and today I'm sharing the details behind my project for the current challenge, to use a neglected die. I was very fortunate to attend one of Lin Brown's classes last week end which was making a chunky book, and today I'm sharing my version. You may need a cup of tea handy for this one !

The die that I have, ashamedly, neglected is the Cabinet die. I even bought the smaller Movers & Shapers die and still didn't do anything with it ! So when Lin showed us last week how to use it and create a chunky book I thought it was the perfect time to dig it out, dust it off and put it through my Big Shot ! I've used grey board as the substrate, which I think may also be known as chipboard. It comes in different thicknesses and is excellent as a substrate as it takes a lot of punishment without warping ! I die cut several pieces using both the large and small die and also created a frame from one of the larger die cut pieces.

The frame is what I've used for my front cover. First of all I spread black Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste over it, once dry I then spread Wendy's Crackled Texture Paste over the top and put it to one side to dry.

And this is what happens ! Isn't it fantastic ! The black from the underneath shows through the cracks and really highlights the crackled surface.

I then used Archival inks and Cut 'n' Dry foam to sponge ink over the frame.

I then got carried away and apologies, didn't take many staged photo's so I'll have to describe what went on ! I painted the inside of the frame and then stamped it using the check stamp from the Nature's Art set using Potting Soil Archival ink. Then on to page 1 ! I covered these pages with designer paper and gave them a coat of Matt Medium to seal them. Then I stencilled the checks using the Prima Checker stencil using white acrylic paint. Once dry I used more acrylic paint that's been watered down over the top. The white paint resists the later layers, I then dry brushed around the edge with brown acrylic paint. The smaller panel has also been covered with paper and then I've used the Wendy Vecchi The Beauty of Art and Approved Art sets stamping with black Archival ink.

On the other side of page one I painted the board white first of all then I started to build up the colour. Watering down my paint and drying in between layers. Then I used the Prima Rattan stencil and again used the same technique, starting off with white drying the paint and then re-positioning the stencil to build up the layers of colour.

I kept the next page small and again I've painted it white and then built up the colour. I then stamped the grass from the Wendy Vecchi Art Comforts set and painted the little flower. The litte girl is from the Artistic Outpost A Lovely Day set and I've painted her with acrylic paint and cut her out.

On the reverse side I've used the Prima Floral Rose no.1 stencil and then stamped the sentiment from the Art Comforts set over the top. Again, I've dry brushed around the edge with brown acrylic paint.

 The next page was also cover in paper and sealed with Matt Medium. I then used another stencil, again with white acrylic paint and brushed over it with watered down paint. I love how the text from the paper and the stencilling shows through.

I painted the flower from the Wendy Vecchi The Beauty of Art set and cut it out and glued it down using Matt Medium. The sentiment is also from The Beauty of Art set.

On the other side, this was also covered in paper and I used the stamp from the Approved Art set and stamped with white acrylic paint. The same technique was used to build up layers of colour over the top and I stamped the sentiment from The Beauty of Art set with black Archival ink.

This is definitely my favourite page in the book ! Both die cuts have been covered with paper, then I stencilled with white acrylic paint on the larger shape and painted over it. Then I used the stamp from the Daisy Art set and stamped with black Archival ink. On the smaller die cut I've stamped the same flower but this time with white acrylic paint so it's used as a resist. I've used the two flourishes from the same set and the border stamp is from The Beauty of Art set. The flower has been painted, cut out and glued to the page.

To finish off, the back page has been painted white and then the same technique of building up the colour. I then stamped with white acrylic paint using the background stamp from the Heirloom Art set. The fabulous approved stamp is from the Approved Art set. All of the pages have had Treasure Gold brushed around the edge to finish them off. I punched holes in each page and used jewellery twine to bind them all together.

I hope you've enjoyed today's Step x Step and it's encouraged you to rummage through your dies and create something !

Sue
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Friday Focus - Buttons

It's Cec here and it is time for another Friday Focus and this week I am showing you some projects that feature a variety of the buttons that Linda has at The Funkie Junkie Boutique and for the next week she will be offering a 15% discount on buttons until March 27th so pop over and pick some up.

I have made a couple new cards to showcase her buttons.  First up is a card that would work for a guy - buttons make a great substitute for flowers and bows.

I don't have step by step photos for you this time but here is how I made the card from the bottom up:

I started with some blue card stock for my blank and then added a fabulous plaid Maja paper from the Autumn Basics pad that I distressed a bit with my scissors.  Next came some kraft corrugated cardboard that I roughed up and swiped with some Gesso.

The next layer is another paper from the Maja pad that I also distressed and stenciled with some Walnut Stain Distress Ink and an offset of some Rose Quartz Treasure Gold wax paste.  Both papers were inked on the edges with Weathered Wood distress ink.  I added a gorgeous filigree corner and some copper crochet lace.

Next I added a vintage image of an old McCall's shirt pattern and then I took a button card image and sewed some carved coconut shell buttons on it.  I think those buttons on a shirt would make for one special garment.  These pieces were inked on the edges with some Vintage Photo distress ink.  The final step was to add a trinket pin and a copper mosaic tile.

My second new card is one for a gal and has a mixture of buttons from my stash with a gorgeous floral button from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

 

This time I started with some grey card stock for the blank and again pulled papers from the Maja Autumn Basics pad for the background.  Next I added a panel that is one corner from another paper from the pad and was already printed with the flourish and text.  I took yet another paper and punched a lace edge on it and then added some ivory crochet lace on top.  

The heart was hand cut from some Grunge Paper and then inked with Tattered Rose distress ink and stamped with the crosshatch stamp from the Tim Holtz Ultimate Grunge set using Archival Ink.

The fan is just a strip of another Maja paper that I inked on one edge with Aged Mahogany distress ink, spritzed with water and then gathered into shape.  I glued it to a strip of card stock and then added some lace to the bottom and a flower button.  

The butterfly was punched with a Martha Stewart punch and the sentiment is computer generated.  The big rose is made from another Maja paper and sits on top of a couple ribbon loops that are actually seam binding that I dyed with some Milled Lavender distress ink.

Finally I added a couple more buttons from my stash and that gorgeous rose button and then scattered a few pink gems about for sparkle.

I have used buttons on recent projects to make flower centres, including the project in the current challenge that you can see here.  In the first example below I turned one of the coconut shell buttons upside down to make a centre for the yellow flower.  In the next example I used the buttons as is and in the bottom example I topped the big black and white button with a tiny red rose for a pop of colour.

 

I hope you will be inspired to use buttons on your next projects.

The following items used in the making of the new cards came from The Funkie Junie Boutique:

Card 1


Card 2


Check out the buttons that I used on the projects I am showing you again, including the collage in the current challenge:

Neglected Dies

It's Week Two of our latest challenge here at Frilly and Funkie - 'Neglected Dies'. The challenge is to choose a neglected die from your stash and let's see what you can create with it! Think outside of the box... or in it! Then share your projects with us to be in with a chance of winning a Guest DT spot here at Frilly and Funkie or a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique!

Remember, to enter you must create a new project, link it below and make sure you add a link in your post back to this challenge. You can combine our challenge with up to 10 challenges (including this one) to be in with a chance of winning.

This week we unveil the projects created by the Funkie side;

Jenny

Trace

Sue 

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WEEK ONE

Hi there, Rebecca here. First of all thank you to everyone who participated in Sue's 'Stencils and texture' challenge. We had some amazing entries and will be letting you know who the winners are next Monday, March 17th, so do remember to come back and see them.

I am presenting this week's challenge here at Frilly and Funkie - 'Neglected Dies'. The challenge is to choose a neglected die from your stash and let's see what you can create with it! Think outside of the box... or in it! Then share your projects with us to be in with a chance of winning a Guest DT spot here at Frilly and Funkie or a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique!

Remember, to enter you must create a new project, link it below and make sure you add a link in your post back to this challenge. You can combine our challenge with up to 10 challenges (including this one) to be in with a chance of winning.

And so it's time to unveil the projects created by our fabulous Frilly side;

Cec Wintonyk - CW Card Creations

Nancy Dynes ~ Tattered Treasures 

Rebecca Deeprose - Paper Primrose

Linda Coughlin - The Funkie Junkie

We look forward to seeing where your creativity leads you! Whether you are a Frilly or a Funkie crafter we hope you will join us for this challenge because we would love to see what you create. You may upload your vintage style project at any time. If you are using a public forum, please use keyword F&F. Don't forget to provide link back to our challenge in your post and please, please, please be sure to turn off your Word Verification so our design team can leave comments on your blogs.

Challenge Winners - Stencils and Texture

Welcome everyone to the Frilly and Funkie challenge blog for the start of a new week. It's time to announce the winners of  the 'Stencils and Texture' challenge. Thank you so much to all of our talented entrants for choosing to take the time to link up some magnificent projects. We often say (and mean) that the voting by the DT is close, but this challenge was by far the most difficult to call in a long time. After much debate our final decision went with #30 Nikki A.

Nikki's canvas is a feast of texture and stencilling and we loved the whole composition. Congratulations Nikki on being our favourite for the 'Stencils and Texture' challenge and winning the opportunity to be a Guest Designer here at Frilly and Funkie for a future challenge.

And Random.org has chosen a winner for our $25 gift certificate to The Funkie Junkie Boutique. Our congratulations go to #32 Dorothy S.

A huge thanks from the Frilly and Funkie team to everyone who took part in this challenge and congratulations again to our winners. Please email Linda at thefunkiejunkie@gmail.com for the codes for the winner's badge and to give us your email address for the Guest Designer details (Nikki A) and for the gift certificate details (Dorothy S).

Our current challenge, 'Neglected Dies', runs through Tuesday, March 25th. We hope to see you entering this time around so that you too can be in with a chance to win. And remember, you can enter up to 10 challenges including ours, and a maximum of 3 entries per person to our challenge. Please remember to link back to our challenge in your entry and mention in your post that you are entering this Frilly and Funkie challenge.

Have a great week!

Saturday StepxStep

Hello Frilly and Funkie friends.  Linda here this week with our Saturday StepxStep post, sharing a shabby chic card.  Since our Friday Focus 15% off product week is gorgeous Maja Design paper, I decided to use that for my project.  

Sorry this post is running a bit late but I have been packing and shipping order like crazy.  Lots of restocking going on at The Funkie Junkie Boutique plus a large shipment from Stampers Anonymous is coming in on Monday with the new Stamp It, Stencil It (SISI) sets, some Brett Weldele stamp sets and from Ranger...wait for it...FINALLY the Mini Ink Blending Tool.  I will have enough to fill all your pre-orders, but will have to wait for the next shipment before you will see it up for sale as a in-stock product in the boutique.  

Okay, enough of the shop updates, let's get to the StepxStep.  When I pulled out my package of Maja Design Summer Vintage collection, I found this card base cut, distressed, inked and ready to go.  It seemed like the perfect starting point, but became a bit of a problem at the end (you will have to read all the way to the end to find out why).

I have used all sorts of edge distressing methods, changing and evolving over time, from Tim Holtz's edge distressing tool to scissors to my fingernail.  Right now, it's the fingernail.  The edges were all sponged with Vintage Photo, my go-to pad for aging/edging paper.  

I can't seem to make anything lately without some sort of stenciling, either with inks or embossing paste.  (I haven't gotten into spray inks just yet, but I feel that coming on soon :)  I wanted some embossing texture but didn't want to cover up the lovely Maja paper so I just edged the corners with a bit of paste using a Prima mask.  

This time I applied it with my finger to give it sort of a smudged look.  When I took the stencil off, I smudged the straight edge a bit more to give it less of an abrupt transition.  

For my embellishments, I decided I wanted to die cut some foliage from felt.  I used the new Garden Greens Bigz die to cut the leaf spray from the irony felt.  I forgot to snap a pic of it, but I dyed it with Mowed Lawn Distress Stain.  It was way too bright so I softened it by misting it with water and then blotting the excess moisture out with a paper towel until I got it to a shade that pleased me.  

Next I cut two flowers.  The larger one was cut with the Jumbo Tattered Florals die.  I like that size flower - it's not the really jumbo one on the die.  The smaller of the two was cut with the Tattered Florals Bigz die.  When I layered the two together, the smaller one sort of faded into the larger one.  To give it some definition, I painted it with a bit of reinker mixture.  I call it my Perfect Baby Pink.  Here's my little recipe - I take a mini mister and do 3 or 4 pumps of mist into a small cup, then add 4 drops of Tattered Rose reinker and 1 drop of Victorian Velvet reinker.  I lightly dotted it on around the petal edges and then misted it with water and blotted out the excess.  That gave it just a hint of pink to make it stand out against the layer behind it.

I also cut a piece of white Venise lace and applied my Perfect Baby Pink with a few strokes of the brush.  I did the same with another piece of Venise lace to be used at the bottom of the card as well as one of my sweet Venise lace butterflies.  

Next I started laying out all my embellishments to figure out how I wanted them arranged.  I grabbed one of my little vintage hearts that I made and sent out with orders around Valentine's Day.  They were cut with an older Sizzix die, stamped with Wendy Vecchi's script stamp from Live and Make Art with Potting Soil archival ink, edges inked with Frayed Burlap and misted with Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls.  I added a sweet little sentiment (Verve Thankful Hearts set) stamped with Jet Black archival, fussy cut and sponged with Victoria Velvet.

Next I started gluing the pieces to the base.  I use Claudine Hellmuth's Multi Medium Matte, which has now been discontinued and replaced with Ranger's Multi Medium Matte, which I assume is the same product.  I like it because it dries completely clear, but you have to watch out that you don't get it on an area where you have used distress ink because it will remove the color.  I also use the multi medium matte to glue down the filigree metals when I use them.

Because the heart was going to be partially layered over another element, to give it stability I added a piece of craft to foam to the section that wasn't layered.

Now that all the elements had been affixed to the base layer, it was time to create the actual card shell and that's where the problem using an existing piece that wasn't cut specifically for the shell came in. I normally would have used another card stock layer between the front base and the card shell, but my front base was just a tad too large.  

For my shell, I cut a 11x5.5" piece of plain white card stock and scored the 11" side at 5.5" and folded it to get a 5.5x5.5" square.  I sponged the edges with Mowed Lawn DI and then toned it down a bit by going over it lightly with Vintage Photo DI.  When I laid my card face over it, it was boring so I grabbed a new Speckles stencil and stenciled on Picket Fence Distress Paint.  I really like the look of that and you will be seeing lots more of the Speckles stencil in my work!

Here's the finished card.  I really wish the card front was a little smaller so you could see more of the shell.  I would have trimmed the card front down a quarter of an inch if I had realized it sooner, but it was all finished and it would have messed up the placements of the embellishments if I had started trimming the sides at that point.  Live and learn - LOL!  

Thanks so much for stopping by Frilly and Funkie.  Wishing you a sunny spring weekend!

These products used to make the above project can be purchased at The Funkie Junkie Boutique where most name brand products are always 20% below MSRP.  

Maja Design Paper - Vintage Summer Basics (Full 30 sheet set)	*Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Garden Greens Bigz Die	PRE-ORDER Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz Jumbo Tattered Florals Bigz XL	Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Die	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain - Mowed Lawn
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Mowed Lawn	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo	Ranger Tim Holtz Tattered Rose Distress Ink Reinker	Ranger Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet Distress Ink Reinker	Venise Lace Butterflies
Venise Lace Trim1.375 Inches Wide	Melissa Frances Cream Pearl Embellishments	Natural Jute Mesh (Burlap)	Burlap String - 12 Colors	Floral Decorated Wooden Buttons - 5/8"
Stampers Anonymous Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Stamps - Live and Make Art	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink - Potting Soil	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Frayed Burlap	Ranger Perfect Pearls Mists - Heirloom Gold	Prima Masks - 12" x 2" Stencils
Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste - White