'Put Your Inking Cap On' Challenge for Frilly and Funkie

Hello, friends! I hope you are well and having a great day. I'd love to hear what is new with you and what you're working on at the moment. 

I've been busy in my craft room. It's time for another new challenge at The Frilly and Funkie Blog! Our hostess this time is the lovely Kathy with the theme of Put Your Inking Cap On. Her guidelines are as follows: Create a vintage or shabby chic mixed media project without using patterned paper of any kind. You may use Distress Inks, Sprays, Paints, Stencils, Stamps, Embossing powders or any medium you choose but NO patterned paper allowed!

At the end of the challenge the team will choose their top four picks. Our first place winner will be invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at The Frilly and Funkie Blog. Three additional talented participants will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and adheres to the challenge guidelines will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique! For entry specifics and inspiration from my fabulous teammates just click on the blog link above. 

This challenge is super difficult for me. I'm quite disappointed with my results as it is obviously does not reflect my style. Y'all know how much I love my patterned papers, and I find myself a bit lost without any. I'm sorry I have not done justice with this wonderful new journal cover from Eileen Hull's brand release (from which she generously sent us each a die cut cover). I have reworked this three times and I am finally raising the white flag. But what a great learning experience this is! I'm thankful for the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone. I rationalize that we all have projects that don't turn out as planned now and again, right? I'm bravely posting it and I haven't even made the photos as teeny tiny as possible (I actually thought about that!).  

I'm working with plain white cardstock for this and it is rejecting my usual distressing and layering techniques. There is a ton of stamping but most of it is covered up by the Distress Sprays... 'sad sigh'. The flowers are from my stash and colored with Distress Sprays. There is also a die cut butterfly under there somewhere. Full disclosure: the journal base is supposed to be a pastel green. 

I think the universe must know I'm a feeling little down and need a pick-me-up, as the below goodies arrived on my doorstep just as I was heading for my chocolate stash: 

What girl doesn't love a little Chanel? It's actually only refills of some of my skin care and makeup products, but they always wrap it up like it's worth a million dollars. They even put the 'free samples' in sweet little Chanel pouches. Best of all, I didn't eat the chocolate!! 

That's all I have for today, but don't give up on me. I refuse to be thwarted (except possibly by this journal) and I WILL be back-lol. I plan to purchase this die set and create one of these journals in my very own style. I hope to see you over at the Frilly and Funkie Blog so I can admire your beautiful creations! Sending wishes to you for all things wonderful. 

Hugs, 

Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios 9.5" Titanium Scissors	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Kushgrip Snip w/Non-Stick Blade & Cap	Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape - 1/2"
CutterPiller Pro Precision Paper Trimmer- 12"	Sizzix® Accessory - Cutting Pads, Standard, 1 Pair	Sizzix® Accessory - Precision Base Plate for Wafer-Thin Dies	Ranger ADHESIVE - WHITE FOAM ROLL 1/2" X 1/16"x 2.1 YDS.	Sizzix Alternations Tim Holtz Bigz Die with Texture Fade - Layered Butterfly
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Ledger Script	Seth Apter Dot Matrix	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain - Wilted Violet	Ranger Tim Holtz Ground Espresso Distress Spray Stain	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Bundled Sage
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Walnut Stain	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Dusty Concord	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Seedless Preserves	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Antique Linen	Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black Pad #3
2014 CHA Release - Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink - Tree Branch	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink - Potting Soil	Ranger Archival Ink - Coffee	Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Grid Blocks XL	(APRIL pre-order) Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Journal by Eileen Hull 661906
Venise Lace Trim1.375 Inches Wide

Springtime Tea!

A happy hello to all of my crafty friends! I'm presenting today on the Maja Design Blog! I always get so excited about sharing my adoration of these beautiful papers with you. I'm feeling lots of love for the Coffee in the Arbour collection at the moment. Every single paper in the collection brings to mind the joy of a lovely spring day. I prefer tea to coffee, however, so I'm going with a teatime theme. With this 'Springtime Tea' card pastels are combined with a fun pop of bright color.  

Each paper is distressed, layered, and stitched to form the base of the card. The card is designed around the focal image, which is found in the paper collection.

Prima flowers, die cut leaves, glass pearls, and a twine bow round out the embellishments. 

Below is a closer look at the design paper. I know I say this all the time, but it truly is amazing how beautifully the papers work together. Honestly, the hardest part is narrowing down which papers to use. SO many choices!

Thank you so much for joining me today. If you are wondering where you can purchase these gorgeous Maja Design Papers, I have a link to the list of online sellers here. Would you like to win an entire set of Maja Design papers? All you need to do is check out our current Mood Board Challenge here and start creating. I send wishes for a week filled with all things bright and beautiful!

Hugs,

  Maja Design Papers Used: 

Additional Supplies: Magnolia Rose Leaf Die, Prima Flowers, Glass Pearls, Natural Twine, Foam Adhesive, Sewing Machine, Thread.

Did you know Maja Design is on Social Media?

Pinterest: Did you know that Maja Design has a Pinterest Page? You can find it right here.

Facebook: You can follow us on Facebook right here and of course "LIKE" us.

Instagram: Maja also has an Instagram account – majadesigninsweden.

(Use the hashtag #majadesigninsweden or the tag @majadesigninsweden

with your Maja papers so we can find you.)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MajaDesignChannel

April Showers Card!

Hello! Welcome to one and all of my favorite people! What has been going on in your life lately? Are you busy in your craft room, or maybe outdoors planting beautiful gardens and taking in the lovely weather? I've been slack with my flowers so far, but have plans to finish my window boxes in the next couple of weeks. I'm busy preparing for my Man of Number's graduation. Mostly it's down to finalizing travel plans and packing our bags. Our family has changed so much since the last college graduation in that attendance has become much smaller. Our other children are busy and spread across the nation, and of course there is the loss of my sweet mother and major health issues with my dad. But our Man of Numbers will be well represented by his proud parents as he walks up to receive his diplomas.          

The big news today is our challenge beginning at The Frilly and Funkie Blog! The talented Suzz is our 'hostess with the mostest' this time around. She's chosen a delightful theme for this time of year, Aprils Showers! Her guidelines are as follows: Create a shabby chic or vintage project inspired by the word showers. Think rain, storms, umbrellas, baby showers, wedding showers whatever comes to mind and start creating.

At the end of the challenge the team will choose their top four picks. Our first place winner will be invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at The Frilly and Funkie Blog. Three additional talented participants will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and adheres to the challenge guidelines will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique! For entry specifics and inspiration from my fabulous teammates just click on the blog link above. 

My mind went straight to 'April Showers brings May Flowers'. I know it's overused, but I love it and it has become the theme of my card. The sentiment below is computer generated. 

The umbrella is fashioned from part of a Spellbinders circle die cut. I made the umbrella scallops with a small circle punch. There are Prima flowers aplenty, as well as a twine bow for a frilly finish. 

Thank you so much for coming here and sharing your time and warm thoughts with me. It's time to turn the challenge over to you. Y'all are the heart of the challenge, so rush to your craft space and start creating your gorgeous art work! I send wishes for a wonderful day!  

Hugs,

Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios 9.5" Titanium Scissors	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Kushgrip Snip w/Non-Stick Blade & Cap	Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape - 1/2"
CutterPiller Pro Precision Paper Trimmer- 12"	Sizzix® Accessory - Cutting Pads, Standard, 1 Pair	Sizzix® Accessory - Precision Base Plate for Wafer-Thin Dies	Ranger ADHESIVE - WHITE FOAM ROLL 1/2" X 1/16"x 2.1 YDS.	Maja Design 6x6" Scrapbook Paper Stack - Coffee in the Arbour