Timeworn for Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome! Autumn Clark is our host for the latest challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge blog. She's called it 'Timeworn' and here's the description for what's required; "As the last leaves fall from autumn trees, we are reminded of the beauty of yesterday. The leaves crinkled underfoot, the clock ticking onward, a fleeting memory... For this challenge, we would love to see your timeworn vintage or shabby chic creations celebrating the beauty of the aged, dated or weathered."

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.

I haven't created a new 8 x 8 inch deep-edged canvas in a while and with some heavy duty rusty artefacts to include this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Every element has been aged, either by time or technique.

So how did this all come together. The base of the canvas was covered with uneven layers of Ground Espresso, Walnut Stain, Gathered Twigs and Vintage Photo Distress Paint before a layer of Texture Paste was scraped across the top and sides. When dry, more Texture Paste was applied through the 'Crossed' Layering Stencil followed by Fractured Ice Embossing Powder to give it a unique glassy look. For that final aged effect Rust Alcohol Ink was dribbled across the edges and Brushed Pewter Distress Paint dabbed on sparingly.

I have long admired those artists who combine fabric and stitching in their work - projects from the likes of Nellie Wortman, Roxanne Evans Stout and Jennalee Anderson (to name but a few of the best) leave me drooling and desperate to include more in my creations. So out came some plain calico, not exactly aged, ready for some uneven stitching. I added age spots by dipping it in drops of Mushroom Alcohol Ink on my craft mat before gluing paper on top with Distress Collage Medium Matte. When dry it was dampened and partially ripped off to leave remnants of paper on the surface of the fabric.

I'd already decided to use one of Tim Holtz' 'Ravens' as the focal image. By stamping it into molten layers of Burnt Copper Leaves Embossing Powder with a mix of Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Paint and Jet Black Archival Ink, a more dramatic effect was achieved. This was added to a piece of Woodgrain Cardstock (coloured with Vintage Photo, Tea Dye, Iced Spruce and Evergreen Bough Distress Paint and Potting Soil Archival Ink) book paper (stained with Iced Spruce Distress Paint and Rust Alcohol Ink) Metallic Kraft Stock (aged with Black Soot Distress Paint) and more fabric. These were held together with Distress Collage Medium Matte (fast becoming my go to glue) whilst some staples added extra security and a decorative touch.

The pieces of rusted metal were salvaged by my hubby (he's forever finding bits and pieces that 'might come in useful'!) I wrapped metallic wire around the large loop in order to hide the stems of Beaded Berries and to assist in securing the rest of the loop over the embossed panel. You can colour those Beaded Berries with inks (in this case more Rust Alcohol Ink) and to me the addition of Metallic Kraft Stock holly leaves worked well with them. Tucked underneath the berries is a former luggage strap holder, now most definitely aged to the point that pieces were flaking off in my hands! A coat of Distress Collage Medium Matte sealed them in place and again helped to secure them on the canvas so that a Quote Chip could be glued on top.

That's it from me for the current Frilly and Funkie challenge 'Timeworn'. Make sure you hop on over to see what my talented team mates have been inspired to create for this challenge, and remember to link your own shabby chic or vintage 'timeworn' projects to be in with a chance of winning one of the fabulous prizes that are up for grabs.

Thanks for joining me today. Whatever you're up to for the rest of the week take care of yourselves and get creative! Jenny xxx