Frilly and Funkie Challenge #21; Impress Me...Veteran's Day Salute

      November blew in last week, bringing with it: rain, cold, falling leaves in their last hues of golden brown, and the last desperate TV ads smearing each other to sway your opinion one way or the other before Election Day (which thankfully is tomorrow, finally). And long before Thanksgiving gets here; we'll have all had our share of "Black Friday" shopping ads, as well. While I dislike all the commercialism pushed at us during this time of year, a part of me always enjoys finding a treasure that will bring a smile to the face of someone I love. My ChiefHubby, our 2 sets of adult kids, and our Wittle Peanut Grandson are at the top of my list. We'll soon be adding another name to that list as Peanut welcomes a baby Brother or Sister in March 2019. Our younger set of kids already added another Grandpup to our family just this past week; making 3 pups now in their household and we get to meet her during our Thanksgiving weekend trip up to Red Wing. I also have to admit that it gives me a chance for great deals on craft items that were a bit too expensive at a regular price. It also means crunch time is here for crafting any handmade items to be given as gifts, as well as baking time. I do like making things to celebrate each holiday in the year and November gives us all more than one of those to celebrate our thankfulness for freedom here in the USA. I chose the first one of those- Veteran's Day- to get inspired for the "Impress Me" Frilly & Funkie Challenge.

I started out by choosing a few things I knew I wanted to use- TH Dapper Paper, 

the new TH 3D Impressionlits- Foundry and Mechanics, TH Numeric and/or Numbered Stencil,

IdeaOlogy items, and the TH Alterations Movers and Shapers Dies: Pocketwatch Frame, & Pocketwatch/Clock Key set, Ranger Texture Paste and various TH Distress Inks and Oxide Inks.  

I started off with a page of Dapper Paperie and used the Numeric Stencil to add a second layer of numbers.

I also chose some of that Americana paper ribbon I found at Treasure Mart and took the Distress Inks and Oxides to it after doing the same to the layers of numbers.

You can see the difference it makes to each piece- those TH Distress/Oxides really age a normal-looking paper into something old and awesome!

I would need A LOT of metal foiled paperie for this project, so I chose to make some sheets on my own from real foil (I use heavy duty because it is easier to handle without too much crinkling), and adhere it to some plain white or cream cardstock using Modpodge and allow it to dry a full day.

For all the layers I needed to do each watch with - took about 3 sheets total. I wanted to be able to really look down into each pocketwatch, but still have it made of PAPER. 

I finally got my hands on a couple packages of the large metal gears, choosing to leave them as is, but using alcohol inks (Sail Boat Blue onto the IdeaOlogy Number Brads which hold the Gears in place on the tag itself) (and Silver Metallic on all the die cuts and cut edges).

You can see the impression made by the 3D Mechanics folder: NICE!!

I rubbed some Black Soot Distress Paint onto it with my finger, adding a bit of age to the foil.

Here's how the Frontside background looked -finished- but without anything else on it yet.

That 3D Foundry folder and some Gold Metallic Alcohol Ink smudged all over...

really makes that pop!

Too many TH Paper Dolls... and not nearly enough time in the week to play with ALL of them!

After asking a bit about the differences of the packages, I decided I needed one package- 

at least- of each!! Never know what occasion will call for a certain doll. :)

After choosing all the Paper Dolls I wanted, I had to pick out some paperie for the flowers that are mentioned in the song used on the backside (that ties in with the frontside theme).

So my Memoranda Paperie won out.

Using the WORLD MAP for the top of the flowers (that would show where all the Soldiers had served, died, and been buried), an IdeaOlogy Long Fastener, then inked up with some Distress Fired Brick, with a touch of Distress Oxide in Vintage Photo.... 

the Doll heads were easily added with a bit of roller tape.

You need to remember to use HEAT on all the inking before gluing or taping.

The heat dries the Distress Inks, which not only changes the inks, but allows it to be adhered to.

So, here's two views of the FRONT SIDE:

And here's two views of the BACKSIDE:

Enjoy a few CLOSEUPS of BOTH SIDES:

We cannot "see" time....

...but we know it is THERE!

The Clock Key is supposed to look UNused. Because we cannot control time. 

I believe only our Creator GOD can control time itself.

So the key is looking new and unused.

Ditto with the gears- they've been running since forever on my tag- yet show no use nor wear.

It gives the impression that time itself cannot be explained by any of us.

We cannot control it, nor even plan with it. We just have to use it as it comes.

Time is a gift to us from GOD. 

No matter which -war or peace- comes upon us, time just keeps going.

It seems as if each war only 'took' lives because once the war was over- the only real changes that

seemed to come out of it all were the changes felt in each HOUSEHOLD- the loss of people.

And time, once again, just marched on, and the world kept on spinning as if nothing had occurred.

The song is well-remembered by me since my Dad (WWII Veteran status at age 16 then rejoined at age 17 after the war was over) also loved that song.

Note that the TH Frame looks like a "graveyard" for the "flowers"

 (which I chose to make into Poppies, since that is the flower chosen to represent Veterans) 

for the original day appointed to be each November 11th every year after World War I,

WWI came to be known as "The Great War". 

Sadly, we would have to protect the entire world once again in World War II 

which would come to be called "The War To End All Wars".

My Tag is intended to represent the First World War 

and the Armistice Day/Remembrance Day which we now know as Veteran's Day.

This ribbon is the same kind used on most medal awards giving around the neck of the winner.

These two young girls bring tears to my eyes- 

thinking of all the millions of "flowers" grown in all the graveyards the world over...

in so many wars during which so many young husbands, sons, fathers, 

and young men have all died...

for our FREEDOM.

I hope you've enjoyed this read, and I THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for joining me!

I humbly invite you to join our next adventure on

The Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog

and give it a try...perhaps winning a shopping trip from the Sponsor;

The Funkie Junkie Boutique !

I'm giving a HUGE SHOUTOUT of "THANKS!"

for all the sweet comments for my last Frilly and Funkie Guest Host spot ,

plus all the WONDERFUL Birthday wishes in October!!

My Grandson's "other Grandma" took me to lunch with our shared Daughter and Grandson

and we all had a really GREAT DAY!

We keep each other up on photos each visit we have with Wittle Peanut

and we are both waiting (NOT SO) patiently to find out if we are also sharing

a new Baby Brother or Baby Sister in March!

I am THRILLED that BOTH my Sons have another set of Parents to love them,

and am HONORED to share them with their extended families!

I see each as bringing more LOVE to share in their futures.

Our Wittle Peanut Cole 

with his Fasha (aka Grammy Michael)

and his Meemaw (aka Grammy Larimore)

Brian's Older Baby

Cole- 18 months Nov 7th

October 31, 2018

Brian- 3 and 1/2 yrs old

Brett- 6 months old

October 31, 1989

 Be Safe and 

HAPPY BLOGGING!