Bloomin' Marvellous at Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome. Over at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge blog we are already half way through the latest challenge, 'Bloomin' Marvellous'. This is what our host for this challenge, Zoe Hillman, is looking for; "As Spring pokes it's head through the frozen ground, let's celebrate the season and create a vintage or shabby chic project with flowers as the focus and in vintage muted pastel tones, (no brights)."

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.

Funky Floral Mannequin

Having seen some beautiful mannequins recently I was inspired to create one myself, getting the opportunity to decorate it with flowers and leaves using Tim Holtz 'Funky Florals' Sizzix Alterations Thinlits Die Set. In line with the challenge requirements I kept the colour palette muted with shades of blue and green accented with pops of white and mustard.

First up I'll explain how I put the mannequin base together. The body is made from Papier-mâché that has been covered in a layer of white gesso and thick crackle texture paste. After a coat of Weathered Wood Distress Paint I've applied pieces of painted Collage Paper (Stormy Sky Distress Paint) before dry brushing it all with White Acrylic Paint.

At the base of the mannequin I've added one of the new Ideaology Vignette Bases which is a sturdy metal with a beautiful filigree pattern on it. Then I've added some of the Ideaology Vignette Finial Structures to the base and top of the mannequin to extend it's length. To make them match and give the wooden finials the look of burnished metal I painted them with Black Acrylic Paint before dry brushing both them and the Vignette Base with Sterling Acrylic Paint.

The two layers of lace trim at the bottom of the body are Venise Lace from The Funkie Junkie Boutique - Linda has a good stock of different designs and they are perfect for adding a touch of feminine elegance to projects. The ruler tape trim is from the Ideaology Vintage Design Tape set - I used a little Matte Collage Medium to secure it in place firmly around the lace trim and neck of the mannequin.

And so to those flowers; Tim's Funky Florals #1 Die Set has a wonderful array of leaf and flower designs that cut intricate shapes which work together beautifully. I cut them all from Classic Kraft Cardstock which had been sanded to reveal the core. I love that there's no need to colour the reverse or edges of the card before shaping.

That's it for my muted 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