Elegant Jewels for Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome. Over at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge blog we are already half way through the latest challenge, 'Elegant Jewels'. Here is how our host Cec Wintonyk describes it: "Let's make a vintage or shabby chic project in jewel tone colours such as deep purple, emerald green, jade green, burgundy, bright turquoise to name a few AND to make your project extra special, add some sort of jewel or gem, which can be anything from a dollar store find to a piece of broken jewelry."

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 Top 3 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.

For this challenge I decided to build on the basics from my latest video tutorial, using the gesso resist technique to create the background for this card and adding the jewel colours to the centre.

When thinking about how to depict elegant jewels I was inspired by these beautiful postcards, sent from Belgium in 1915/16 home to my relatives. They have timeworn embossed frames and centres filled with the most detailed embroidery on fine gauze. Despite being over 100 years old the colours still pop against the neutral backgrounds.

To recreate the aged look to the background I used the gesso resist technique, this time using Tim Holtz Cutout Floral Cling Foam Stamps to apply it in the design of a bouquet. The remaining gesso was scraped onto the edges of the card with a spatula to create an uneven border. Just as in the video for my previous card I blended Antique Linen Distress Oxide Ink over the dried gesso and removed the excess with a slightly damp wipe.

In an added step I sprinkled a little water onto the ink to reactivate it and create the look of aged watermarks. To enhance the lacy border I added some stamping using Tim's Ornate Trims stamp set with Watering Can Archival Ink and some uneven stitching, before blending Potting Soil Archival Ink onto the edges and scuffing them with a Paper Distresser.

To recreate those bejewelled pops of colour seen on the embroidered postcards I used Distress Inks as they are bright, not muted like Oxide Inks. Having blended my chosen colours onto scraps of white card I die cut them with the Sizzix Alterations 'Funky Florals #1' Thinlits set, assembling the blooms before arranging them over the background bouquet. A Small Talk sentiment and some Mirrored Hearts added the touch of bling required for the challenge.

That's it for my elegant jewel floral creation for the current Frilly and Funkie challenge. My talented team mates have also created lots of amazing projects for this challenge so make sure you hop on over and check them out HERE. And remember to link up your own shabby chic or vintage floral projects to be in with a chance of winning one of the fabulous prizes.

Take care of yourselves and get creative!

Jenny xxx