26 July 2017

Christmas in July for Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome! For the past week it's been Cec Wintonyk's turn to host the latest challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge blog. She's called it 'Christmas in July'; "You might be experiencing summer heat but let's think cool by getting a head start on Christmas preparations. Your vintage or shabby chic creation could be a card, something to present a gift in or a decor item for the house or tree."

The 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, so there are plenty of reasons for joining in the fun.

There's a whole host of seasonal releases going on right now and although I'd rather not think about Christmas until much closer to the actual event, it is exciting to see what's being lined up for the holiday season. In particular I've really been taken with the new Snowglobe #2 die set from Tim Holtz. The little village with snow topped roofs looks so inviting - but remains, for now, only available to pre-order. So I got to thinking about a way of recreating a similar look with the dies I do have right now and of course I reached for my favourite Cityscapes, Suburbia set (which has previously taken me to New York City, Tuscany and the Orient). Now it's time to head off to the beauty of the Swiss Alps.

Here's the completed card, taking that idea of snowy die cut rooftops adding a backdrop of glacial mountains and an aged background with hints of metallic shine. And of course there's a tutorial to follow so you can create your own versions.


  • Start with a sheet of gold Metallic Kraft Cardstock, lightly sand it (in one direction) before brushing light swipes of Black Soot Distress Paint over the top. When dry rub Tree Branch Archival Ink over the top, direct from the ink pad. Set this sheet aside to dry fully then cut a piece large enough to cover a 6" square leaving a small border.
  • Cut a piece of white card just smaller than the altered metallic sheet and cover completely with Texture Paste through the Dot Fade stencil.


  • When the paste is dry cover the card with white gesso, then Picket Fence Distress Paint. When dry brush a highly diluted mix of water and Hickory Smoke Distress Paint over the card, allowing it to seep between the raised dots. Before it dies completely rub gently over the surface of the raised dots with a moist towel/cloth to bring them back to a white colour. This will also make the lower layer streaky so rub in a vertical direction.


  • Take a smaller piece of white card, press Candied Apple Distress Oxide ink into your craft mat, spritz with water and dip the card into the ink. Continue to dip then dry with a heat tool until the card is covered, then add drips of water over the top. Allow the water droplets to reactivate the ink and dry.
  • Repeat this process with Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap Distress Oxide inks. Press a small amount of Black Soot Distress Oxide ink into your craft mat, add a little water, mix and splatter over the three strips of card. Soak up the leftover ink onto a separate small piece of white card, covering it as before.


  • Using the Cityscapes Suburbia set cut the roof buildings from the red, brown and cream card, roofs and trees from white card and the balconies, window frames etc from the Hickory Smoke and altered Metallic Kraft cardstock. Layer together as shown, inking the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.


  • Take a wide strip of white card the same width as the stencilled layer and cut into 'mountains' as shown above. Ink the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.
  • To finish, layer the stencilled card over the square metallic layer, then add the 'mountains' about a third of the way down from the top. Add the buildings and trees using dimensional foam to support the upper layers. Cut a white Woodlands tree and another from green Kraft Cardstock which has been pre-sanded to reveal the core. Layer together and add to the bottom of the 'scene'. Finally add Small Talk Occasions stickers (or similar) and stick onto a 6" square card blank.

Now here's a couple of close ups of the finished card showing some of those details, freshly chilled and ready for Christmas!



That's it for my DT project for the current Frilly and Funkie challenge 'Christmas in July'. Make sure you hop on over to see what my talented team mates have been inspired to create for this Christmas themed challenge, and remember to link your own shabby chic or vintage Christmas projects, to be in with a chance of winning one of the fabulous prizes that are up for grabs.

Have a fantastic end to your week, take care of yourselves and get creative! Jenny xxx


40 comments:

  1. Another fab design Jenny! Must get the Christmas box out and start playing soon. Love these little dies and your mountain backdrop is just perfect xx

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    1. Thank you Nikki - I'm so glad you like it. Christmas will be with us soon!!! xx

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  2. How fabulous Jenny. The colours are so nice together, but it certainly has the look again factor. Hugs Rita xxxx

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    1. Thank you Rita - I'm so glad you like it xx

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  3. This is a great card. I love the way you used these dies. Very inspiring.

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    1. Thank you Lucy - I'm so glad you like it xx

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  4. Great use of the new Oxide colours to create your little Alpine village - this is a fabulous festive card. I can never get my head round Christmas in July - so a double bravo!
    Alison x

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    1. Thank you Alison - I'm so glad you like it. Christmas always arrives too early for me too xx

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  5. I love this color palette and your awesome mountain range (which I just did in a completely different way last night - ha!) Really stunning layers and design. Hugs, Autumn

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    1. Thank you Autumn - I'm so glad you like it. Tried to go simple on those mountains! xx

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  6. Oh wow Jenny, who wouldn't just love to receive a Christmas card like this! I love your Alpine village, it is an absolute delight - the snowy rooftops and the gorgeous warm coloured buildings give such a lovely 'glow' and the tree is just the perfect finishing touch. Another mini masterpiece my friend! Anne xx

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    1. Thank you Anne - I'm so glad you like it! xx

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  7. PS - fabulous tutorial too!!

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  8. What a lovely card. Once back from my hols, I'm definitely going to have a go at distressing some metallic card. I don't have Oxides yet but they are on my list. Thank you for another inspirational post.

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    1. Thank you Fergus - I'm so glad you like it! You'll love playing with those Oxides xx

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  9. This is so clever and very awesome! I love the texture you built up into the buildings and the tree is the perfect focal point in the foreground!

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    1. Thank you Suzanne - I'm so glad you like it xx

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  10. That touch of gold just really sets it off. Love your mountain village card.

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    1. Thank you Marci - I'm so glad you like it and totally agree about the gold xx

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  11. How delightful is this? I can almost feel the nip in the air and hear Christmas carolers in the background. You have used this die in such a clever and innovative way. The textured background is fabulous and I love your Swiss Alps! You added such a great sense of dimension by adding the tree in the foreground. Clever you!

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    1. Thank you Kathy - I'm so glad you like it! xx

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  12. Jenny, every time I visit your blog I have a new favorite! Your inspiration is never-ending and this card is over the top wonderful! The colors, the mountains over the 'snowy' background, and that lovely townscape all make for a lovely and most unique Christmas card. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it to BITS! Sending you my address--tee hee! and hugs!

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    1. Thank you Sara Emily - I'm so glad you like it! xx

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    1. Thank you Nicola - I'm so glad you like it xx

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  14. Wow! This really is a fabulous card! Reminds me of Innsbruck! It also brings back memories of making mountains for a wall display when I was teaching! Hugs, Chrisx

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment Chris - I'm glad it brought back so many wonderful memories xx

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  15. Such a delightful winter village scene Jenny. You have such a knack of creating incredible designs and putting layers together and coming up with something so unique and beautiful. Love it xxx

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    1. Thank you so much Brenda for your lovely comment. It's fun to try to reinvent something this way and I'm glad you like it xx

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  16. What a fun little village. I love those dies, reminds me of starbucks cups too...lol!

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    1. Thank you so much Anita - that's exactly what my hubby said!!! xx

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  17. WOW..the most beautiful one I seen using this set. You have a LOT of patience. I just received mine in the mail and I cut 2 of each, a sample and hopefully the other to do a project. I think Tim and his tiny pieces are getting the best of me! My inspiration came from you and thank you for that.

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  18. This is such a fun card Jenny and so colourful......... only 5 months to go to Christmas !!!!! Where has this year gone !!!!

    Sending you my best wishes
    Annie xxxx

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  19. *Shouts very loudly from over the mountains* I LOVE this ( thats shouted louder than the font would suggest ;0 ) . The dot fade stenciling , the colours , the layers , the whole scene and concept make for one stunning Christmas card. Only hearts and love for this one Jenny
    hugs x

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  20. I'm glad it brought back so many wonderful memories 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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