Three Is Not A Crowd at Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome! Here we are at the beginning of a new year and over at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge blog we are already half way through the first challenge, 'Three Is Not A Crowd'. For this one we want you to create a vintage or shabby chic project that includes three of something, be it three different patterned papers, three colours, three layers, three flowers, three bows - the list goes on. This would also be a perfect time to use some of the new supplies you received for Christmas or to make space in your stash by using up old supplies. Just remember to think in multiples of three. As ever, 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, so there are plenty of reasons for joining in the fun.

With time being eaten up rapidly in preparation for the upcoming US AFCI trade show (Creativation) I've kept my project relatively simple but nevertheless effective - can you spot the 'three' in this birthday card?;

Here's a quick tutorial for recreating it; begin with a 5 1/2 inch square piece of white card. Stamp the numbers from the Purveyor stamp set across the bottom third of the card using Brushed Corduroy Distress Paint. Make sure you clean off your stamp with cold water as soon as you've finished. Dry the stamping thoroughly with a heat tool before moving on to the next step.

Blend Tumbled Glass Distress Ink all over the card (including the stamping) using a Mini Blending Tool. Use a slightly moist piece of cloth or tissue to wipe away any ink from the surface of the stamping. Then add droplets of water across the card, allowing it to 'bleach' the ink before drying.

Stamp the smaller of the script images from the Ledger Script stamp set using Carnation Red Archival Ink and dry it with a heat tool before moving on.

Using the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform stamp the cutlery image from the Daydream (or Nature Walk) stamp set using Black Archival Ink. When finished leave the stamp in place as you'll be re-stamping in exactly the same place later. Again, heat set the ink before moving on.

Use a water brush or paint brush dipped in water to apply water around the edges of the three images. When dry this will create a halo effect around them and becomes important later.

Paint over the images using a silver coloured acrylic paint. I used Dina Wakley's 'Sterling' paint because it has a heavy body that gives good coverage with just one coat and doesn't bleed beyond the image.

Place the painted card back into the Stamp Platform in the same place as before and re-stamp the image with more Black Archival Ink. This is why you needed to leave the stamp in situ after the first application.

When the archival ink is dry blend Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink over the three images and around the edges of the card. The colour around the edges of the images will be much 'cleaner' because it's not been mixed with the Tumbled Glass - the result of creating that halo effect with the water. You can remove ink from the painted images as before, rubbing over them carefully with some slightly moist tissue.

Layer this completed background onto Metallic and Classic Kraft Card, sanding the edges to reveal some of the kraft core. I added stitching to create another border but you could also draw a line or two with a permanent marker if you prefer. Cut the lettering from more sanded Classic Kraft Card using the Alphanumeric Thinlits Dies; the Sizzix Sidekick works perfectly with these small dies. I finished the design with a Remnant Rub, an Index Clip and a sentiment from the Small Talk Occasions sticker set.

That's it for my DT project for the current Frilly and Funkie challenge. My talented team mates have been hard at work creating lots of beautiful pieces for this challenge too so make sure you hop on over and check them out HERE. And remember to link up your own die cut shabby chic or vintage projects, to be in with a chance of winning one of the fabulous prizes.

In the meantime take care of yourselves and get creative! Jenny xxx