Deck The Halls with The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge Blog

Hi everyone and welcome. It's time for another challenge over at the The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog. Sara Emily is your host for this one and she's called it 'Deck The Halls'. "For this challenge, we would like to see those vintage or shabby chic Christmas decorations! This is not about Christmas cards this time, but think about tree ornaments, wreathes, vignettes, mantle or table decorations, etc. with a Christmas theme."

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 The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog and three additional outstanding entries 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.

Rather than go with crackers, which are pretty much a 'one and done' when used (so not the best environmentally) I decided to make gift boxes that can be refilled and will sit on the plates of each of the family members sat around our Christmas table this year. 

The base for this box is Eileen Hull's Gift Box which when cut from mount board forms a sturdy surface ready for decorating and will stand up to being stored for 11 months of the year. I painted the edges with 'Black' Acrylic Paint (Dina Wakley Media) before dry brushing them with the 'Gilt' version.

To decorate the sides, top and bottom of the box I cut squares of kraft card, stamped them with Wendy Vecchi's 'Register' Background Stamp in 'Barn Door' Archival Ink and embossed them with the Sizzix 'Tileable' 3D Embossing Folder - giving the card a light mist with water ensures the embossing is really crisp and deep. The embossed card was covered in a thin coat of soft gel medium to act as a resist when I added a coat of 'Umber' Acrylic Paint. After allowing the paint to settle into the embossed parts I wiped away the excess to reveal the colour underneath. To finish more 'Gilt' Paint was dry brushed over the surface and the 'Barn Door' Archival Ink pad was lightly rubbed over, at which point the embossed squares could be glued onto the faces of the box.

To decorate the top of the box I used the 'Winter Poinsettia' die to cut four of the larger flower shapes and eight of the smaller ones from more kraft card. The top three layers were painted with 'Sedona' Acrylic Paint whilst the bottom layer had a coat covered with a mix of 'Evergreen' and 'Olive' Acrylic Paint. For the centres I used a gold paint pen to colour the stamens and added cabochons altered with 'Coral' Alcohol Ink. Holly leaves were also cut from kraft card using the same die and were painted with more of the 'Evergreen' and 'Olive' Acrylic Paint. It really helps to shape the petals and leaves before adding colour to them.

To finish the decoration the flowers and leaves were nestled between 'Antique Gold' Mesh Ribbon and white needles cut using the Sizzix Thinlits 'Hidden Leaves' Die Set. Once glued into position the top of the box was misted with some Seth Apter 'Goldmine' Izink Die Spray. White cotton lace was soaked in dilute 'Sedona' Acrylic Paint and dry brushed with the 'Gilt' version before being glued around the centre of the box.

So that's my take on the theme 'Deck The Halls'. My talented team mates have also come up with their own festive 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 pieces to be in with a chance of winning one of the fabulous prizes that's up for grabs.

Thanks for visiting,
Jenny xxx

Products used to create this gift box are available from The Funkie Junkie Boutique and are listed/linked below.

Eileen Hull Designs Sizzix Scoreboards XL Die - 'Gift Box w/Scalloped Edge'

Sizzix Bigz Die - Winter Poinsettia

Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Hidden Leaves

Sizzix 3D Embossing Folder - Tileable

Seth Apter Izink Dye Spray by Aladine - Goldmine

Dina Wakley Media Acrylic Paints and Gessos

Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink - Coral

Ranger Archival Inks

Drusy Resin Dome Seals Cabochon Round Gold 12mm- Set of 5

Drusy Resin Dome Seals Cabochon Round Gold 8mm- Set of 5

May Arts Metallic Antique Gold Mesh Ribbon - 1.5"