The Warmth of Winter at Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone. It's the second week of the latest challenge over at Frilly and Funkie, and our host Rebecca has chosen 'The Warmth of Winter' as her theme. "This time of year we can bring warmth to those who are feeling the chill! Create a card or project that will warm the heart of someone dear to you." If you are picked as a winner by the team you could be asked to join us as a Guest Designer, and there is also a random draw for  the prize of a $25 coupon to be spent at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. I'm sure you'll agree with me in saying that it is well worth entering to be in with a chance of receiving either of these opportunities.

You get a 'twofer' from me today. Here's the first...

January is a very busy month for birthdays in our family, and both my Mum in Law and Dad definitely need some heart-warming words (for different reasons) at the moment. I adore this sentiment from the Wendy Vecchi stamp set 'Heirloom Art', and found that it would sit perfectly inside the heart shape traced from the 'Never Enough Hearts' stencil. So that's where I started, using a blend of Red Geranium and Orange Blossom Archival Inks through the stencil onto white card and then fussy cutting it.

To help compose a card with a main focal image/shape (in this case the heart) I tend to draw around it onto the blank background and work from there. Now as Fired Brick and Rusty Hinge Distress Paints echo the Archival colours I'd used on the heart they were the perfect choice for applying to the base in a blotchy fashion. Next I stamped on a repeat background pattern in white acrylic paint.

With the traced heart shape still visible on the base I could then add/layer lots of die cut shapes and some flat doily paper to the card, knowing how they would look when the heart was put on top. After dry brushing gesso over these elements I blended more of the same paint over them before adding the heart. I then used a Victorian Velvet Distress Marker to outline the main shapes.

Stencils were then used to add an acrylic paint brick finish to the edges and some Archival Ink flourishes over the heart.. Finally I stamped the floral flourishes using another Distress Marker and added the die cut lettering.

I loved this design so much, and decided to see how a 'male' version could work. The base started in much the same way, with a mix of blue Distress Paints in a more random fashion. The blank areas were blended with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink before I used a new Prima stencil to add a white acrylic paint pattern over it.

This time I stencilled the striped line in before adding the painted die cuts. More Distress Marker outlining and some architectural stamping at either edge of the card added deeper blue tones .

Unlike the flowing pattern for the first card, this second one felt far more angular, and the balance of the design felt more complete with the addition of black paint lines (using the edges of a stamping block and a ruler).

I know these cards have already warmed a couple of hearts already and hope you get your own warmth and inspiration from the ideas presented. Don't forget, if you ever have any questions you can leave a comment here or drop me an email and I'll do my best to help. And I do hope to see you entering the challenge over at Frilly and Funkie.

Take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

Stampers Anonymous Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Stamps - Heirloom Art	Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Stencil - Never Enough Hearts	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink - Orange Blossom	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink - Red Geranium	Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Fired Brick	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Rusty Hinge	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Wild Honey
Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber - Snow Cap White	Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Stencil - Brick Wall	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Markers - Full Set - $129	Sizzix Alterations Decorative Strip Tim Holtz WANTED Alphabet Die	Paper Lace Doily	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Weathered Wood	PRE-ORDER Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Stormy Sky	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Tumbled Glass
Prima 6x6 Stencil - Flourish	Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Stencil - Dots & Stripes Borders	Sizzix Alterations Decorative Strip Tim Holtz Mini Filmstrip & Mini Tickets	Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Classics 2	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink - Cornflower Blue	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Black Soot