A Little Bit French at A Vintage Journey

Hi everyone. Oooh La La! Astrid is our host for the latest challenge over at A Vintage Journey, and she wants us to give our projects that little bit of a French feel. Tim has so many products that can be used to create a Springtime in Paris make. If that does not take your fancy, why not something grungy and/or vintage but with a bit of a French flair? Think stamps, embossing folders, Distress products, the possibilities are endless... Whatever you do enjoy the journey (but take it to France!)

 DT team mate Anne was kind enough to gift me some papers from the new Tim Holtz Wallflower collection and I just couldn't resist working with them for this card. It's definitely got that 'Springtime in Paris' feel, with a slight twist on the bleu/blanc/rouge colour scheme. Tim seems to have a passion for French design and this particular piece featured vintage French text, ephemera and butterflies so I ran with it.

Never be afraid to 'mess' with your precious papers. Remember, Tim has designed his Idea-ology Paper Stash range specifically for this purpose. I started by adding to the collection of butterflies already printed on the paper, using the Papillon set and some Watering Can Archival Ink. Then all of the butterflies were over- stamped and clear embossed to recreate that 'resist' feel. It meant that when I added Picket Fence Distress Paint to 'draw in' the design and calm down the brighter parts of the paper those butterflies shone through.

Next came the splatters, lots of them. Distress Stain and stencilled/coloured embossing paste over the various layers. I love being able to have a certain amount of control over this process whilst giving the impression of random shabbiness (not that I'm OCD about these things - much!!)

One of my favourite elements is the chipboard die cut ATC. Having been covered in Distress Crackle Paint and Distress Stain to age it I stamped over the top with Archival Inks before adding the corners and fussy cut Eiffel Tower.

The key to this card was the addition of different textures; embossed and distressed Coredinations card, distressed edges to paper pieces, heat embossing and Glossy Accents highlights all add to the shabby chic feel.

I must admit to loving fussy cutting. It takes time but allows me to layer lots of images and elements, such as the Eiffel Tower and the vellum butterflies. Never be afraid to overlap your embellishments and elements. Often they look so much better when you only get a partial view and it allows you to hold the composition together.

By now you should feel somewhat transported to France in the spring. For an even greater injection of Parisian style from my talented team mates head over to A Vintage Journey. Then it's over to you. Remember it's a vintage/retro challenge which looks for that 'Tim influence' in your projects. We look forward to seeing them!

Take care of yourselves and have a great weekend, Jenny xxx

Links to Country View Crafts;

Tim Holtz Stamp Sets

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Papers

Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powders 

Tim Holtz Distress Stains

Tim Holtz Layering Stencils