2023 Favorites!

Hi!  I am sharing my favorite from 2023!  I loved the Floral Trims from Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz and did a series of tags with it earlier this year but wanted to bring it back out and play with it one more time! 

 This is a multi-layered card using the floral trims stamps.  First the stamp was stamped on white cardstock with black ink.

The background was sponged with black dye ink around the images.  Then splatter the background with white paint.  

Stamp the flowers again on tissue paper and white cardstock using black archival ink.

Color the images with watercolor pencils and blend with a water brush on both the white cardstock and tissue paper.  Heat set the colors on the images.

Cover the entire  colored image with versamark watermark ink.  Apply clear embossing powder over the tissue paper and  heat emboss until the embossing powder completely melts.

Cut out the flowers as a complete image from the white cardstock and apply to the black sponged inky background.  Cut out the flower petals and leaves from the transparent colored image to apply over the images on the cardbase.

This will give the card a layered 3 dimensional effect. 

 Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Floral Trims 
• Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black
• Versamark Watermark Ink 
• Ranger Clear Embossing Powder
• Ranger Tim Holtz Watercolor Pencils
• Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Kraft Black Paper
• Dina Wakely White Acrylic Paint 
• Ranger Distress Ink  Soot Black 
• Tim Holtz Detail Scissors

Holiday Homecoming!

Welcome to the holidays!  The team at The Funkie Junkie Inspiration Ave is sharing their holiday homecoming a celebration of the holidays with family and friends.  

I was inspired by wreaths that my mother and I made years ago for holiday craft shows. It was fun picking out different flowers, garland, and embellishments to decorate the wreathes.  

My wreath of joy started from a collection of poinsettias cut from white cardstock.  I started by cutting many different shapes to play with in different mediums and ended up with poinsettias on white cardstock because of how I wanted the colors to saturate and stand out.

Next up was making the beautiful colors on the flowers and branches.  The flower pieces were all sponged with a red dye ink.  After that they smaller pieces received a distressing with a brown dye ink and the larger flowers were sponged around the edges with the brown dye ink.  

The branches were sponged with versamark and embossed with a shimmery silver.  (I am still glittering in random spots on my face and hair!)  

I next cut out a circle to hold onto my wreath from cardboard.

I sponged the front of the circle to match the flowers in case any of the cardboard peeked through the flowers. 

Then I heat set the flowers before attaching the layers as the distress ink can remain damp and cause the tape to not stick properly.  I attached the layers to the flowers petals.  Then the flowers were alternated on the frame of the wreath using tape for the bottom flower and pop dots to create depth on the alternating flowers.

After all the flowers were placed on the wreath the various branches were tucked into the wreath around the edges using tape and glue dots.  Then a lovely little sentiment was placed on the banner on the front with a few extra twigs. 

The centers of the flowers were a mixture of embellishments.  

Have a happy holiday! 

Suzz

Products: 

• Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits Festive Bouquet
• Ranger Distress Ink Lumberjack Plaid 
• Ranger Distress Oxide Vintage Photo  
• Versamark Watermark Ink 
• Ranger Embossing Powder Silver  
  

Deck the Halls!

Hi! The design team at The Funkie Junkie Inspiraton Ave is highlighting Tim Holtz Idea-Ology!  It is time to get festive and we are in the midst of gathering gifts and wrapping them!  I was sorting through my Tim Holtz Idea-Ology and I found the mini clipboard.  What better way to get organized on my gift planning and tags for presents than having a clipboard to hold my tags and list of gifts! 

I knew I wanted to use some of the beautiful backdrop paper to cover the clipboard surfaces. 

 Steps for the clipboard:

1.  Pick out papers to cover the clipboard.
2. Remove the clip from the clipboard
3. Trace the clip board on the papers including the holes for the screws for the clip. 
4. Cut out the papers and punch holes for the screws. 
5. Stamp the images onto the paper.  (I traced where the clip was going to be to help determine placement of sentiment and peppermint stick) 
6. Heat set the images before going onto the next step. 
7. Ink up a background stamp with versamark. Stamp randomly over the open areas of the background. 
8. Sprinkle stamped areas with clear embossing powder. 
9. Brush off any embossing powder on your Santa, Sentiment, Peppermint Stick. 
10. Heat set the background image. 
11. Attach the papers to the front and back. 
12. Paint around the outside of the edges with white acrylic paint. 
13. Smear some of the paint on the embossed background to pick up the pattern of the stamped image. 
    
14. Highlight Santa with white gel pen. 
15. Put the clip back on the board and accessorize with charms and ribbon. 

To go with the cute clipboard I wanted to start creating a variety of gift tags for various presents.  I used the scraps of backdrop paper and some of my test run images of santa.

I stamped the Santa image to try out the colors on different backdrop papers and just cut them out into a tag shape.

I accented with mummy cloth ribbon dyed to coordinate using the Mica Stain Sprays.

I also found some of the ephemera and bells to add to the tags and pulled sentiments from various Stampers Anonymous holiday sets.

Now I have a lovely organized set of tags and a list of gifts!  There are some great deals happening in the store!  Go check them out!  Also you have to look at all the beautiful vignettes the team created highlighting the Tim Holtz Idea-Ology!

Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Jolly Holiday
• Stampers Anonymous - Darling Christmas 
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz - Mini Clipboard  
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz - Backdrops Volume #4
• Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Tiny Bells 
• Ranger Distress Paint - Picket Fence  
• Ranger Distress Ink - Vintage Photo 
• Ranger Distress Mica Stain Sprays Holiday Set #3 
• Versamark Watermark Ink
• Ranger Clear Embossing Powder 
• Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black 
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Tapestry
  

A Snowy Day

Brrr... As the weather starts to shift I am already anticipating the snow!  I pulled out my warm winter holiday knits to keep me warm against the snow that is coming!  That had the Holiday Knit Embossing folder being the perfect inspiration for A Snowy Day at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Inspiration Ave! 

I embossed multiple sheets of white cardstock with the Holiday Knit texture fade.  I then cut out multiple stars in varying stars.  This card is a snowy starry night in winter.

After the stars were cut they were layered with foam to add multiple depths and texture on the background of the Holiday Knit. 

Then some glass stars were painted with white paint and glittered to add as accents. 

The branches and bow are from the adorable vintage sled die from Sizzix and Tim Ho;tz.  It added the perfect touch to the front of the card. 

Suzz

Products: 

• Sizzix Tim Holtz Holiday Knit Texture Fade
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits Die Vintage Sled 
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz Glass Stars 
• Ranger Distress Glitter Dust Vintage Platinum
• Dina Wakely White Acrylic Paint

A Season of Gratitude

 Hi!  The seasons are changing rapidly here as is the weather.  Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  It is this time of year we count our blessings and express our gratitude.  I decided to play around with the Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Sketchy leaves to capture the fall feeling and then paired it with a simple sentiment around the sweet life. 

I started with a series of leaves stamped in various styles.  I used one of the leaves as my focal point on this card.  I love the idea of showing gratitude in recognizing how sweet life can be.  This card used a spritzed background layered with some mummy cloth (died to coordinate) with a leaf cut out along with a few simple embellishments. 

I created a few other card bases using the sketchy leaves.

They were stamped using versamark watermark ink on the white background.  Then they were clear embossed.  After that then a mix of red, orange, and yellow dye inks were sponged over the embossed surface.

Then to finish them off a dry piece of paper towel was used to buff off the excess ink from the images.  This made them shine brightly against the beautiful fall colors.

I actually stamped and embossed the leaves on a variety of surfaces including an alcohol ink background.

I hope you season of gratitude is full of love and joy. 

Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Sketchy Leaves
• Versamark Watermark Ink
• Ranger Clear Embossing Powder
• Ranger Dye Oxide Ink - Lumberjack Plaid
• Ranger Distress Oxide - Gathered Twigs
• Ranger Oxide Dye Ink - Crackling Campfire
  
• Ranger TIm Holtz Yupo Paper
  
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz Christmas Paper Dolls
  
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz Stitched Scrap Basics
  

Mixed Media Madness

The inspiration theme for the Funkie Junkie Inspiration Ave this time is Mixed Media Madness.  I was curious what the internet said about mixed media and did a search and captured a few pieces of the results to share. The simple definition of mixed media  "the use of a variety of media in an entertainment or work of art."  Google Dictionary results from oxford languages  Right below that was a few other questions and answers about mixed media which I found interesting as well:  "Mixed media is a type of visual art that combines more than one medium or material. This can take many forms, but the three most common are collages, assemblages, and sculptures. Many mixed media artworks feature different materials such as paint, fabric, paper, and found objects."  - The institute for Arts Integration and Steam

I decided to try to mix up my textures and mediums on my art and go small with my designs. 

I started with leftover backgrounds from an inky mix of mica stain sprays on white cardstock.

On that base of inky backgrounds I layered in tissue tape across the bottom of the atc.  Then stamped over the surface and embossed with embossing powder to make the image pop. 

Then some small dragonflies punched out from an embossed background were added to add a layer of texture.  

Then using the same background the floral trims were stamped and embossed onto that background.  Then watercolor pencils were used to add a hint of color to the flowers and leaves. 

The bottom  have of the atc was painted in brown acrylics and embossed with brown embossing powder.  There were multiple layers embossed to make it thick enough to stamp into.  The script stamp was inked in versamark and stamped into the warm embossing powder to create a reverse image. 

I repeated the effect with different colors and a different embossed background on the bottom. 

After I did my first series I thought about using other bits and pieces to create more texture and different effects.

I again pulled a leftover inky background to start a few of my different pieces.  I had a shimmery metallic silver form the mica stain sprays and cut it up into pieces where I liked the effect of the spray.

Then I used those pieces by pulling out pieces of different embellishments to layer and create an effect.

I had fun trying different embossing and stamping techniques with different mediums.  The background for the in the summer was created with a smeared brown paint with script stamped using a white ink.  To preserve the effect it was clear embossed.   The reset was layered tissue tape with an punched butterfly removed and placed above. 

The background on this was stamped using mica stain spray as the ink and then layered over an embossed gold background.   

For my final piece of tiny art I added some mica stain spray smeared on with a paint brush on the top and bottom.  The feather was in my leftover bin and already had the gold tip.  The heart received a touch of gilded wax to turn it from clear resin to a golden heart. 

I hope this has you inspired to mix your mediums! 

Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Floral Trims
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Exquisite
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Tapestry
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Halloween The Obscure 
  
• Ranger Distress Mica Stain Sprays Halloween #3 
• Ranger Distress Stain Spray Tarnished Brass 
• Ranger Distress Mica Stain Sprays Halloween #5
• Ranger Distress Mica Stain Sprays  Holiday #3
  
• Ranger Embossing Powder Clear
• Ranger Embossing Powder Gold
• Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Bouquet
  
• Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
• Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Merchant Tissue Tape 
• Prima Marketing Spring Abstract Flowers
• Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Felt Trims Neutral

Make A Scene

We were challenged by the Funkie Junkie Inspiration Ave to make a scene this time around.  I was thinking what did I have that represented a vignette or a scene... 

Well.... the beautiful lion from Finnabair's Regal Lion mold was my inspiration.  I was thinking about creating a series of items that would fit in a treasure chest.  I heated up a big batch of gold and black embossing powder and poured that into the molds.  I let them cool off and popped out the pieces.  The embossing powder I had was mixed ended up with more black on the images than gold.  I wanted more gold to prevalent,  so I used the metallique wax to smear over the surface and add the gold highlights.

You can see the various pieces from the molds mixed in with the other treasures.

Then I decided to work on additional goodies to fill the treasure chest.  I pulled out pearls (Tim Holtz's bubbles or baubles work great) and had them ready to put in the treasure chest.   

I also envisioned gold doubloons and decided to create my own.  I started with cut circles die cut  from cardboard.  I covered both sides with versamark ink.  Then they were dipped into the mix of gold and black embossing powder.  Heated up to melt all off the embossing powder.  I repeated this multiple times to increase the depth of the embossing powder on the coins.   You can either re-ink with versamark and dip back into the embossing powder or heat up the coin holding it with rubber handled tweezer and dip it back in again and melt it right away.   Then to add an image to the gold coin you will ink up the stamp you want to use with versamark and then heat up your coin until the embossing powder is molten or soft and then place the stamp into the heated embossing powder.  Press down and leave to cool off.  Once it is cool you can pull the stamp out and have an impression on the embossed surface and your stamp will be clean.  (I only do this with the rubber stamps) 

There also had to be a treasure map!  I cut a piece of scrap paper and spritzed it with the same mica stain sprays used on the outside of my chest.  After it dried I added stamped script on the inside along with picking up some extra inky stains.  Then it was wrinkled and rolled up and tied with some twine. 

The remainder is a mix of shimmery buttons, old fake jewelry and a watch fob to add to my treasures!

To create the treasure chest: 

1. I drew a template for my box along with the circle for the arch on the sides of my top. 
2. I cut all the pieces based on my measurements and template. 
3. I ran all the cardstock through the texture fade cracked. 
4. I sprayed them all with two mica stain sprays (fallen acorn and unravelled)
5. I then assembled my box.  I reinforced the inside with sheets of cardboard that were sprayed to coordinate. 
6. The top was cut in strips to emulate wood strips.  They then were applied to a sheet of cardstock that was attached to the arched ends.   This was also reinforced with a rectangle of cardstock around the bottom.
   

The decorative trim is the lace dies cut from tissue paper and embossed with gold embossing powder.  They made a beautiful decorative edge around the corners.

Suzz

Products:

• Prima Finnabair Mould Regal Lions
• Prima Marketing Art Alchemy Metallique Wax - White Gold
  
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz Holiday Baubles
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Vintage Labels Dies (Gold Pieces)
  
• Ranger Mica Stain Sprays Seasonal  #5
  
• Ranger Gold Embossing Powder(I used a mixed gold and black embossing powder)
  
• Sizzix Tim Holtz - Texture Fade - Cracked
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz - Exquisite
  
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz - Correspondence
  
• Versamark Watermark Ink