All in The Family at Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome! After a much needed family break to France and Switzerland I'm back with a new canvas as part of the latest Frilly and Funkie challenge. The amazing Suzanne Czosek is our host for this one and has chosen the theme 'All in The Family'; "With the summer months we spend more time with the family at celebrations and it had me thinking about some of our favourite traditions, memories and just funny stories we tell about what we have had happen as a family. So for the latest challenge create something inspired by your family. Whether it is your ancestors, a favourite family memory or family outings, create a vintage or shabby chic project reflecting your family."

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 here at Frilly and Funkie. 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!

If you are wondering what this canvas has to with family well in mine the skills of silk weaving and stitching run deep. In the course of researching my family tree, aided considerably by another member of the family, I discovered that for many generations on my maternal side East End silk weavers toiled away on their wooden looms to create silks for the ladies and gentlemen of the day. In fact the roots of this tradition spread back to my Hugenot ancestors who arrived from France fleeing persecution. Sadly as fashions and economic conditions changed so their trade died out.

I've looked to capture the feel of aged, faded damask wallpaper as the base of this canvas (there's a new tutorial to come for that) and then layered on sewing ephemera; the tape measures come from the Dapper paper stash collection and there are pieces of die cut lace together with canvas spacers to represent the struts from the weaving frames (simply by applying Walnut Stain Spray they turn from a pale pine to rich teak with nail heads providing the perfect accents). The quote band, coloured with alcohol ink, sums the whole piece up to me; "Your greatest creation is always going to be your life story" and if that story is remembered then the legacy will continue to live on.

So this is my tribute to one important part of my family tree - what will yours be? Or will you recall those family traditions and funny stories? Make sure you share them with us at Frilly and Funkie to be in with a chance to win. And to give you even more inspiration for your entry be sure you hop on over to see the fantastic creations from the rest of the Design Team.

Thank you for joining me today. I'll be back to share the tutorial for the eroded wallpaper background shortly and there's lots more to come now I'm back from those travels abroad. Whatever you're up to for the rest of the week have a good one and take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx