From the Flower Market

A happy hello to my amazing blog friends! It is such an honor to have you visit. I hope this day finds you well and doing everything that brings you joy. I'm super excited because our son will be home for spring break in a few days. We haven't seen him since he went back to college in early January. He stays so busy that he can't come home unless there's a break, so I cherish every moment I have with him.

Another 2 weeks have flown by and it's time for another fun challenge at the Frilly and Funkie Blog! Rebecca is our host, and she challenges us to select a neglected die from our stash and see what we can create with it, thinking outside the box...or in it!! 

This was the perfect challenge for me. I get set in my ways and tend to pick up the same dies over and over, letting others sit on a shelf collecting dust. Well, I blew off that dust and chose 5 dies I purchased months ago but have never used, as well as a couple of stamp sets. I'll include a supply list at the bottom of my post in case you're interested. 

The coming of spring has me longing for the Farmers Market with its bounty of fresh produce and blooms. I went with that theme to create this vintage inspired flower cart, overflowing with roses in all shades of purple and lavender.    

My first challenge was to create the wheelbarrow using a Sizzix Die. I covered it in Tim Holtz Picket Fence crackle paint, then wiped on vintage photo distress stain to give it an aged appearance. I also did a little stamping on the sides using Distress Ink.

Next on the list came the roses, and lots of them. I used a Tim Holtz die and Maja Papers to create these tiny beauties. It was time consuming work, but well worth it in the end. Once I had the flowers arranged to my liking I filled in the base with natural moss.

I used another die and stamp set from my stash to craft the little 'sale' sign. A few delicate butterflies have fluttered around my flower cart as a finishing touch. 

   

I thank you for stopping by to take a peek at my little wheelbarrow. I send my wishes to you for a day filled with happiness and all things wonderful! 

Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Ranger Inkssentials Mister Bottle	Maja Design Paper - Ska vi ta en Fika? (Full 30 sheet set)	Ranger Distress Crackle Paint - Picket Fence White
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain - Vintage Photo	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Walnut Stain	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Grunge Paper	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Grungeboard Basics Plain	Sizzix Alterations Decorative Strip Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers Die

Additional Supplies: Stamps: Crafty Secrets Price Tags, Stampendous Eiffel Tower Clear Set; Dies: Sizzix Wheelbarrow, Cheery Lynn Small Exotic Butterflies and Build a Flower 2, Magnolia Peaky Flower Tab; Natural Moss and Floral Wire from my stash.

Spring Bouquet of Handmade Flowers: Time Began in a Garden Card

Hello friends! It's hard to believe that two weeks have flown by, and even harder to believe we are expecting another ice storm here in Charleston. We were bracing for the same quirky weather at the time of my last post! I know it is much worse in other areas of the country, so wherever you are, please stay safe and warm. 

If it can't be springtime in truth, I am bringing it into my home in the form of these cheery paper flowers. That is the challenge that Jenny is hosting for the next two weeks at the Frilly and Funky Blog! You are invited to create any type of project featuring handmade flowers, and enter for a chance to win a guest design spot or a gift certificate to the Funkie Junkie Boutique!! 

   

In my head I was imagining a hidden garden. Those lucky enough to chance upon it would be delighted by an wealth of exquisite roses trailing along a tattered lattice fence. I looks as though I was in a purple mood this week, because it seems every shade of the color is represented somewhere in my card. I pulled out my favorite Maja Design papers and Spellbinders dies, and began cutting, distressing, and layering. I'll post a full list of the products I used at the bottom of my post.   

I accented my bouquet with some vintage tinted lace.

I stamped my sentiment, shaping it with an oval punch popped up over a scalloped oval punch.

I enjoy adding detail to the entire card, so here is a peek at the inside layers.  

I fashioned a bow with some hand tinted and crinkled seam binding. I also added a metal clock charm which I altered with Gesso, paint daubers, and distress ink.   

Thank you so much for coming here today and taking a peek at my crafty share. I hope you'll think about joining us in the challenge. It's such a fun theme with so many possibilities! 

Hugs

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Walnut Stain	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Tim Holtz Ranger Idea-ology Sanding Grip	Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape - 1/4"
Maja Design Paper - Ska vi ta en Fika? (Full 30 sheet set)	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain - Seedless Preserves	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Old Paper	Rayon Seam Binding	Ranger Inkssentials Manila Card Stock 8.5x11
Core′dinations - Tim Holtz Ranger- Nostalgic Kraft Core Cardstock 12 x 12

Other products used: Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms die, Spellbinders Fancy Lattice die, Magnolia Rose Leaf die, Impression Obsession Clear Stamp (sentiment), Viva Decor Crystal Clear gel pen, oval punch, scalloped oval punch, lace and charm from my stash.  

'Raindrops on Roses' Valentine Card with Maja Papers

Hello dear friends! I hope you are having a wonderful day! It's probably the coldest day of the year here in Charleston. We will be dipping into the 30's and our forecast calls for freezing rain and maybe even (dare I say it...) SNOW! Schools are closed and we are burrowing in for a rare winter storm. I have chili in the crock pot and cornbread in the oven, hoping to chase away at least part of the chill. 

I have some fun news today. It is the beginning of a new challenge at the Frilly and Funkie Blog! Cec is our host and her theme is 'Valentines Day with a Twist.' The mission, (if you choose to accept it:-)) is to create a card in red, white, and pink with NO hearts.

For this challenge I decided to create a card with a bounty of luscious roses, fresh with the morning dew. My favorite Maja design papers provided the perfect shades of vintage pinks and reds. The roses are courtesy of Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms die, and the leaves are from a Magnolia Rose Leaf die. The dew drops were made using a Viva Decor Crystal Clear Gel pen.   

The vintage image is from the talented JanetKDesign offerings of free digital images. Janet is an amazing artist, and I highly recommend a visit to her blog. 

I kept piling on the layers, adding a bit of cotton twine to tie everything together and accent my focal point. I also tucked in some frayed cheesecloth for a bit of a soft, shabby texture. 

I distressed and sanded the edges of all my papers, and created the corner flourishes using a die from Whimsy Stamps called Large Leafy Flourish. 

As a perfectionist, I always embellish the inside and backs of my cards. Here is a peek beneath the cover. The verse is from a Penny Black stamp called Garden of Life.   

I hope you'll join along in the fun at the Frilly and Funkie Blog! The challenge runs for two weeks, after which a winner will be selected. Your entry also qualifies you for a chance to win a 25.00 dollar gift certificate to the Funkie Junkie Boutique! 

Thank you for visiting with me today! My warmest wishes are being sent your way. May you have the comfort of a cozy home, a warm heart, and be surrounded by all the people you love the most! 

Hugs,

Maja Design 6x6" Scrapbook Paper Pad - Vintage Summer Basics	Maja Design 6x6" Scrapbook Paper Pad - It′s Christmas Time	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Walnut Stain	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet
Tim Holtz Ranger Idea-ology Sanding Grip	Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape - 1/4"