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