16 September 2015

Stamps Be Gone! at Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome. It's the second week of the current challenge over at Frilly and Funkie and this time our fabulous host Pamellia has chosen a great theme, 'Stamps Be Gone'. How would you decorate your project if you didn't own any stamps? Embossing folders, stencils, or perhaps a little hand doodling? Well, let's put it to the test for this challenge. Other than a small sentiment you need to use no stamps at all on your vintage or shabby chic creations.

And why enter? The Design Team will choose their top four picks with the winner being invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at Frilly and Funkie and the next three will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and follows the rules will be entered into the draw to have the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.


At this point you're probably wondering if I've lost the plot! If you haven't seen my Facebook page recently, you'll not know that a long held dream of mine came true at the beginning of September when my darling hubby booked a romantic trip for two to Venice (to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary)... oh be still my beating heart! Visiting Venice has been on my 'bucket list' for ever and it COMPLETELY lived up to all expectations. I have so many wonderful memories and took hundreds of photos, and my 'Stamps Be Gone' project focuses on one of these...

(click on each image for a closer look)

Wherever you look in Venice there's another gorgeous view featuring it's famous canals and colourful crumbling architecture. Renovation is an ongoing battle when you are surrounded by the sea but, like a fine wine, they seem to have improved with age and even dilapidation looks fabulous! I took this photo along one of the many tiny side 'streets' enchanted by the ornate archway and exposed brickwork. Warm colours and wisteria blended beautifully and I wanted to capture all of this on a canvas, keeping the photo as the focal point.


I adhered paper from Tim Holtz's Wallflower Paper Stash to a blank canvas with Glue n Seal, sanding the edges for a worn look. Mixing Frayed Burlap Distress Paint to texture paste I scraped on an uneven layer of 'plaster', then added Fired Brick, Fossilized Amber and Hickory Smoke flavours to what was left and spread it through the Wendy Vecchi Basically Bricks stencil. A quick spritz of Pumice Stone and Frayed Burlap Distress Stain Sprays added extra mottling.



To echo the photo I added a similar die cut pediment and kraft core window directly onto the canvas. I'd already layered the photo onto similar sized pieces of Tim Holtz Menagerie Paper Stash, sanding back all the edges and adding some spare mountboard to ensure it 'floated' above the surface of the canvas. It allowed for the trailing leaves to be inserted underneath and in-between those layers to echo the foliage in the photo. Having used various shades of green Distress inks on manilla card these were die cut with the Garden Greens and Fall Foliage and layered with brass leaves and Heirloom Roses. I finished as usual with some splattering - Hickory Smoke and Antique Linen Distress Paints with Lindy's Stamp Gang Golden Doubloons Moon Shadow Mist (an essential these days!)



It has to be said I did miss using my stamps but as Pamellia said, there are plenty of other ways to add interest and detail to your projects. I can't wait to see what you come up with! Now, for some more inspiration a trip to the Frilly and Funkie challenge blog is essential where my Funkie team mates have some stunning projects to share with you.

Whatever you're up to this Wednesday take care of yourselves. Jenny xxx



17 comments:

  1. Wow, wonderful project to record such a special memory for you. I love how your background imitates the walls in both texture and colour.
    Well done. x

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  2. Great project! I love it Jenny!
    And yes: Venice is a great city....
    Lia xx

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  3. Absolutely beautiful, Jenny. Firstly, I'm so happy to hear that Venice more than lived up to your expectations, and your amazing canvas really captures that look of stucco and crumbling brick and plasterwork - still beautiful in its dilapidation. Love the trailing greenery - I hope there'll be a whole series of these (hundreds?!) to go with all those photos...
    Alison xx

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  4. This is stunning Jenny, the details and layers are beautiful and show off that fabulous photo perfectly. Great one Gary, Jenny will remember those moments for ever.
    hugs Brenda xxx

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  5. Fabulous layout Jenny ! What a great way to record such a wonderful memory. Sue C x

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  6. I love the way you made this layout feel like a frescoe...soooo amazing! You captured something really special here, Jenny!

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  7. so very wonderful jenny - i adore what you have done here - Venice is a truely wonderful place - I have fond memories of my time there - on my own and with Shaun - lovely xx

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  8. Lucky you! I would live to visit. Beautiful piece, with wonderful sense of layers and depth. Everything complements the photo wonderfully, as you intended. Congrats on your silver anniversary too! Nicola x

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  9. Wonderful romantic reminder of your special trip.. Love the colours and images

    Chrissie xx

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  10. WOOO HOOOO.....Firstly,Happy belated Anniversary AND thank you for the virtual vacation!!! I'm so super excited to think that I only have 5 more years to go before we hit the silver and I'm gonna be getting my butt in gear with that bucket list....oh boy, the ideas in my head!! ;)
    Secondly, holy wow that's a scrumptious piece of paper memory. That layout is truly stunning. I love the way my eye turned to follow the triple layering under the photo and the way you landscaped it with the greenery....yummmy!!!!
    I can only imagine how romantic and relaxing that must have been.
    Hugs and Happy weekend to you,
    Lisa x

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  11. Just so stunning! I love your projects and how much inspiration they give me x

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  12. Love this layout. The background is fabulous and I love the vines and branches framing the photo.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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  13. What a fabulous way to keep those memories of your very special visit to Venice alive each and everyday . I love how you have echoed features of the photo on your canvas. The trailing foliage is beautiful and the perfect accent for such great photo . So glad you were able to put a tick on your bucket list ! Hope you've replaced it with a new wish xx

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  14. Gorgeous canvas, Jenny. I adore your colors. You've so perfectly arranged all of that gorgeous greenery to really cause the eye to focus on that lovely photograph. Love your background as well. Beautiful piece!

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  15. Beautiful canvas, Jenny! You have really done a lovely job of showcasing that photo of the architecture of Venice. I love that you've echoed the colors and the elements of the photo in your brilliant plastered wall, The greenery serves as a fabulous accent to the beautiful photo. This is just lovely!

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  16. I am so glad you got to go to Venice. Isn't the food absolutely incredible in Italy.
    Your makes are always wonderful and I always go ohhhhh and ahhhh!
    sandy xx

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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