Artists Trading Coins Challenge at The Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog

The Challenge

Time for a new challenge at the Frilly and Funkie Blog and Suzz is hosting this time around.  The challenge is to create an Artist Trading Coin.  They are a fun and new way of capturing a little bit of art to share with others. Your challenge is to create a trading coin which should be a circle shape 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

My Artist Trading Coins

Bold and Bright

This was a great challenge that I had lots of fun with.  I went in several different directions making my coins.  To make this one, I cut a 2.5" circle  from white card stock, mounted it on a lightweight piece of chipboard,  and added a piece of washi tape down the middle.  Then I stenciled on the "Travel" work and the rosettes with black texture paste.  I tape over the parts of the stencil that I didn't want to use so that I would not stencil over the washi tape or right side of the coin.  I used another piece of washi tape underneath the "Travel" word and trimmed it to fit the coin.   Easy, peasy, so fun!

Study in Metallic

I have a fascination with metallic finishes so this was really fun to make.  First I used a 3-D Texture Fades embossing folder to emboss my coin which I cut from light weight chipboard.  Then I misted it with black ink.   After that dried, I brushed my finger over the surface of Prima's Old Silver wax and lightly brushed my finger over the coin's surface.  I just love how the details of the embossing popped out as I rubbed on the silver wax.  Then I just added the embellishments to finish it off.

My First Coin

I was just warming up when I made this coin and really had no idea what I was doing or what direction I wanted to go in.   I started out with a lightweight chipboard embossed coin and misted it with Lindy's.   Then I applied Prima's was in several colors.  That still didn't produce what I wanted so I got out the embossing powders.  I used Emerald Creeks Bronze Age and Ancient Amber.  To keep from applying embossing powder all over the coin, I painted on embossing ink just where I wanted heat embossing.  Welll...that look didn't please me either so I went bold with Rocky Road embossing powder on the left gear.  Ugh, that was a disaster.  Time to get the waxes out!  I rubbed Bronze Age deep into the Rocky Road embossed area and that was an improvement!  I topped it with two silver flowers that I also heat embossed with Bronze Age.   Not my favorite, but we all have to start somewhere, right?

Let's Sew

These two coins are a nod to my Mom who was an excellent seamstress.  She made my wedding dress, tailored suits for me, she was amazing!  Too bad, I did not inherit the love for sewing from her, in fact I hate to sew.  Now I can sew and did a lot in my younger years when I could not afford to buy my wardrobe, plus I am tall and finding clothes that fit correctly within my budget was difficult.  I even made my own jeans with flat felled seams.  But still, sewing is a frustrating experience for me and making these coins sure reminded me of that.  You see, on the coin on the right, I was going to stitch around the coin.  Took 15 minutes to get that working, the thread was not coming off the bobbin correctly so the machine kept hanging up.  Finally I managed to stitch around the edge.  Oh my, that looked awful so I decided to cover up the stitching holes with the lace!

I gave up on using the sewing machine at that point and just added some bits and bobs to these two coins!

How to enter the challenge

Create a vintage or shabby chic Artist's Trading Coin and link it to the Frilly and Funkie Challenge any time between now and 11:55 Eastern Time on Tuesday,
The Design Team will choose their top four picks, with the winner being invited to be a guest designer in one of our Frillie and Funkie challenges. The other three winners will receive Top 3 badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and follows the rules will be entered into a draw to have the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to take a look at the creations of my talented teammates, you can see their creations here, at the Frillie and Funkie Blog.


Supplies from The Funkie Junkie Boutique

Bold and Bright:

Dylusions Washi Tape #1

Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste - Black

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Rosette

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Traveler

Study in Metallic:

Sizzix 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Mechanics

Dyan Reaveley's Dylusions Ink Spray - Black Marble

Prima Art Alchemy by Finnabair - Metallique Wax - Old Silver

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Pen Nibs

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Typed Token

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper Dolls, Ancestors

My First Coin:

Sizzix 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Mechanics

Prima Art Alchemy by Finnabair- Antique Brilliance - Red Amber

Prima Art Alchemy by Finnabair-Metallique Wax- Bronze Age

Seth Apter Baked Texture Embossing Powder - Rocky Road

Seth Apter Baked Texture - Ancient Amber

Let's Sew

Stamperia - Precious Gift 12x12 Paper Pack

Venise Lace Trim - 1/2 inch wide

5 Piece Bronze Scissor Charms

Carved Coconut Shell Buttons - 5/8"

Sewing Themed Embellishments

Burlap String - 12 Colors

Graphic 45 By the Sea

I am so thrilled that By the Sea is back as as a Deluxe Collector's Edition!  I'm going on a cruise the end of March so I made this Traveler's Journal styled mini to preserve my vacation memories.  

The Collection includes a page of cut-aparts printed on both sides.  I used these to embellish the front and back covers of my journal.  Layer up the cut-aparts with other design papers for a stunning presentation  Tip:  Give your cover that "extra" look by popping up the cut-apart with dimensional foam tape.  Or, to save on supply costs, use cardboard as a backing to pop it up.

Another cut-apart tip: This collection includes design paper that is printed on both sides with the same sized cut-aparts.  Just cut the paper in half horizontally, fold accordion style and you have an instant pull out page.

This journal is wider than many at 1 1/2" wide.  I started with Eileen Hull Designs by Sizzix journal die and cut two journal covers.  Instead of assembling using just the two covers,  I made a spine by cutting a piece of chipboard 1 1/2" wide and the same length as the journal covers.  Then I glued the two journal covers to the spine side by side. (The spine should fit perfectly between the outer score lines where the covers fold.) Cut another piece of thin (like shirt packaging) cardboard and glue to the inside of the spine.  This makes the spine nice and strong. Use a Crop-a-dile to punch holes in the spine using the already die-cut holes as a guide.  At this point string the elastic as you do for an Traveler's Notebook styled journal.  Here's a link to a traditionally made Traveler's Notebook using Graphic 45's Imagination Collection.  

I've recorded a video flip through of the mini so that you can see all of the pages.

I used a simple design on the back cover, using another cut-apart, so that the journal would store easily.

 Instead of wrapping the journal with an elastic band, I used long lengths of seam binding.  You can either wrap ribbon around the journal as I have done in the above photo, or simply tie it and let the long ribbon tails dangle as in the top photos.

 This journal will hold 4 signatures but I have only included 3 so that there is lots of room inside.  The signatures are the individual books inside this journal and they are quickly bound inside with elastic thread that is secured to the book's spine.

Tip:  If you don't want the elastic to show on your outer spine, cut a piece of chipboard to fit the spine, cover with design paper and glue to fit over the spine.  Add a fun chain of charms as an embellishment.

I am so crazy about Graphic 45's new Rose Bouquet Collection!!  The ones I used here are Bon Voyage & French Blue, aren't they just fabulously gorgeous and so perfectly matched to G45's colors.  The flowers also come with the greenery you see underlying the roses. 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

Graphic 45 By the Sea Collector's Edition
Staples ATC Tags Kraft
Staples Large Tag, ATC Tag and Flower Dies
Staples Rose Bouquet Collection—Bon Voyage & French Blue
Decades Ink - Bon Voyage Blue, Triumphant Red

Other Supplies:

Eileen Hull Designs by Sizzix Journal Die
Chipboard
Snug Hug Rust Seam Binding
Metal Charms - The Funkie Junkie Boutique

Let Me Count the Ways Challenge at The Frilly & Funkie Blog with Graphic 45's Garden Goddess

The Challenge

Today begins a new challenge at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog and the theme this time around is Let Me Count the Ways hosted by Sara Emily.  In her words, "Since it's just a day away from Valentine's Day, the opening line of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's famous love poem "Let Me Count the Ways" (Sonnet 43) comes to mind. "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." For this theme, I would like to see your vintage or shabby chic project that includes three of something. This could be three colors, three words, 3 stamps (you get the idea); just be sure to tell us what those three elements are."

My Take on the Challenge

 Three is a magic word in my paper arts world.  Why?  Generally speaking, elements always look better when done in threes.  You can do 3 or 6 or 9.  Well you get the picture.  That's not to say, that 4 elements won't look good, but usually and odd number will look better like 3 (or groups of 3 or 5.

So I made a simple card to share with you using the gorgeous Graphic 45 Garden Goddess Collection.

On the front there are 3 rosebuds.  These are from Graphic 45's new Rose Bouquet Collection in Precious Pink.  Oh!  These roses are so GORGEOUS!

I die cut the cover on the left side using the Mixed Media Thinlit Mixed Media #5 die.  I love how that allows the paper beneath to show through the die-cut.  Then I tucked in a pretty ribbon to set off those pretty rosebuds!

Inside I used 3 words and 3 border strips.   The strip at the top is cut from the design paper and the 2 strips at the bottom are from the sticker sheet that comes with the 12 x 12 collection pack.

There's another sticker border on the front page.  Notice that the front page is not as long as the back of the card.  That allows the pretty scalloped border to show through.

Supplies from The Funkie Junkie Boutique:

Garden Goddess - 12 x 12 Solids & Patterns

Garden Goddess 12 x 12 Collection

Graphic 45 Staples - Rose Bouquet Collection - Precious Pink

Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 13PK - Celebration Words: 

Block by Tim Holtz (similar to the lettering I have used)

Sizzix Thinlits Set - Mixed Media #5 by Tim Holtz

Ranger Tim Holtz Mini Distress Ink Pad - Mowed Lawn

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Tattered Rose

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Forest Moss

Rayon Seam Binding

How to Enter the Challenge

Create a vintage or shabby chic project that includes  three of something and link it up to the Frilly and Funkie Challenge.
The Design Team will choose their top four picks, with the winner being invited to be a guest designer in one of our Frillie and Funkie challenges. The other three winners will receive Top 3 badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and follows the rules will be entered into a draw to have the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to take a look at the creations of my talented teammates, you can see their creations here, at the Frillie and Funkie Blog.

The New Treasure Box Die by Eileen Hull Designs for Sizzix

The New Treasure Box Die

Hello friends, I'm back with another Valentine's box and I've used Eileen Hull's Treasure Box die to make this awesome little box that is perfectly sized for so many things.  I'm going to fill this one with chocolate and give it to my hubby  I am sure that he will love it, being as how he is a connoisseur of all things chocolate! 

I tried not to get too feminine with this but you know that is hard!

This box is just the right size to use for recipes, wouldn't a recipe box make a fun gift?  And, guess what, you know those cute little stacking drawers I showed you last week, well a stack of 3 fits perfectly inside this box!  Isn't that awesome?

Tutorial

Let's take a look at how to assemble this box.

Supplies:

Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die by Eileen Hull Designs - Treasure Box

Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Journaling Cards, Hearts

Sizzix Adhesive Sheets - 6" x 6", Permanent, 10 Sheets

Sizzix Little Sizzles - 6" x 13" Mat Board Pack, 6 Cream Sheets

12 x 12 Design paper - 2 sheets

Strong Quick Drying Adhesive

Ink

Step 1:

Cut the 12 x 12 papers in two pieces, each 6" x 12".  You will need two pieces of chipboard as you will need to cut two pieces of each pattern on the die.  Adhere the paper to the chipboard using something like Sizzix Adhesive Sheets.  Be sure to burnish the adhesive paper down well before pulling the backing off.  If you want the inside of the box covered in design paper, you will need to cover the chipboard on both sides.  Once you have adhered paper to both sides of the chip or mat board, place the paper with the box's outside design down on the die and run it through your die-cut machine.

Step 2:

You will need two pieces of each design so you should end up with the pieces shown below.  (I have shown both the inside and outside of the pieces.)  Take care when running through your die cut machine that you have the same side down on both pieces.

Step 3:

The largest piece is the body of the box.  Carefully bend at the score lines and join the two pieces together by adhering the tab on one piece to the non-tab end of the 2nd piece.  Form a box and adhere the 2nd tab.  A clothespin works great for holding it together while the glue dries.

Step 4:

Take the two smaller pieces and for the lid for the box, joining together in the same manner as the box body.

Step 5:

The two rectangle pieces are for the top of the lid and the bottom of the box.  Adhere such that the tabs are on the inside of the box lid and box bottom. You can see this in the next photo.

Step 6:

Adhere the hinge to the body of the box first.  I would suggest using something really strong for the hinges as they have a tendency to tear over time.  Tim Holtz's Substrate Sheets work really well as would fabric (felt) or any kind of leather.  When adhering the lid to the box, be sure that you have it positioned such that the lid opens fully.  If you join the box and lid too closely, the lid will not open very well.

If you don't like the look of the tabs showing inside the box and lid, you can cut a rectangle to fit inside the box and lid covering the tabs.  You could also mount the tabs on the outside of the box but I thought that would put more stress on the tabs and thought they would eventually pull away from the box.

Thanks so much for joining me today!  Keep an eye on Eileen's blog to see more great projects from the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team using the Stacking Drawers and Treasure Box dies.