Year 2013 & Year 2014 2

Year 2013 & Year 2014 2

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge #8 A Study in Contrasts...Building Folder (with pun intended)!

   Happy Easter! Praise GOD that JESUS is risen! I'll play no games when it comes to this point: all my hope lay in the fact that we celebrate HIS death for the sole reason that HE conquered it once and for all time- for us. Otherwise, what would we have to look forward to that we can be sure of? This life is certainly meant to be - and is -beautiful, and a greater gift than life itself cannot be had. Yet, we will have troubles in this life. While I see brokenness in this world, I remind myself that there is always something we can do to help; pray! I'm doing my share of that and it's in my thoughts as I type this post. I know many people who are facing choices they'd rather not make, illness they'd rather not have, and feeling depression or loneliness they'd rather not go through. They've lost what they'd rather keep and cried more when they'd rather have laughed. I could go on, and none of it is anything new. What stands out is that each can say "But, it's happening to ME," and my heart breaks, even as I hold out hope. I've been there in most of those things mentioned above; that's why my hope is JESUS. And it's why we have Easter. It's not about the bunny, the chocolate, nor Peeps. Ohhh, but, hey... we like those, too! ;)

    When I need a lift, my smile returns at the mere thought of my Grandbabies. I am 100% positive I'm not the only grandma who feels that way! (I'm smiling just thinking about it!) So many of my peers are joining me in this "granny thing", and the numbers are growing by the day- literally! Just about all of our kids' classmates have recently begun their own families either by getting married or starting to fill the nursery. Most of the news of these "kids" (I think we will always think of them as kids even as we see how capable they have become as adults) somehow makes its way to me via SM, and it's a very good feeling to be able to type "Congratulations!" onto their feed. It's the best news in life; sharing news of LIFE! It was recently announced that one of our Besties is having their first Grandbaby; due the very week our own (likely) last Grandbaby is due. Then they announced it was a girl; how exciting! And we received our own news the very next evening (which was younger Son, Brett's 30th Birthday): he and Holli just had an ultrasound that morning: It's a GIRL!! How blessed we feel to have 2 boys and 2 girls!! I actually sat and cried that next afternoon when I realized how 'perfect' GOD chose to give to us: 10 in our family. "Ten" numerically means "complete". On the other hand, if it turns out that it's not....lol....there'll always be room for more nuts on the Larimore Family Tree. I'm thinking this one's an Almond. ;)

    The Funkie Junkie Boutique's newest Challenge is titled "A Study in Contrasts" with Lisa heading up this one. She's asking for us to highlight contrasts in our project, saying: "It could be themes, colors, textures or forms. We are looking forward to seeing your creative interpretations and juxtapositions of things that are contrasting!" I took on her idea in more than one way- scroll on!

My project began with one simple item- an old hanging file folder.
Get out your favorite cutting and scoring tools, and you're set to use your imagination!

I started by removing the metal hangars (carefully- they're usually pretty sharp)
and used the edges as a straight line to cut against for trimming off the folded edges.
I then set them out to the recycle barrel.

I kept the trimmed folded edges and sanded the cut sides a bit.
(Later, I'll wish I had sanded the inside glue residue- just to make sure it didn't end up in my photos!)

I set the trimmed, sanded edges aside and just from folding, knew I needed to trim off 
a bit more from one side of the folder's top or bottom. Otherwise, it would overlap.

I knew I wanted to keep as many of the folds already there as possible.
So I chose 2 of those folds- the top (opposite of the excess trimmed top)
and the very last fold of the bottom.
As for making other folds: I wanted 2, so I scored at 5 inches and 10 inches.
You'll note from the photo above that the very far right is wider- to fold into 3 parts.

The key to getting any fold to lay flat: cut 'darts' or a V shape instead of just cutting straight.
This gives each edge some room when you fold them into the same shared space.

This means cutting that dart (or V shape) at each fold.
You can see I used my TH Sheers for this- to make one longer, smoother slice, rather than
using a shorter set of blades and shorter movements. 

It was pretty easy to just follow the folded line, cutting along each side.

This is what I had when I finished the folding and cutting.

As completely folded.

I originally thought I might use my 3D Folders-
I'd gotten caught up with inspiration from TFJB's Saturday Showcase,
but space became a factor causing me to keep my inside design flat.

I wanted one pocket and this is where those cut off folded edges came in...

...one on each side, with the bottom folded up: a nice big pocket!

I still had one more cut off edge, so I took a 'page' from Tim Holtz' Folio
(which I have one for each Grandchild made up, and 2 more saved back, "just in case"
I got more...lol!)
and decided to put in extra pages here.
You'll see these in the finished photos below.

And then I got out some of my fave patterns of Tim paperie;
and began simply measuring each page for its cover paper.
I waited until very LAST to adhere all the paper covers onto the folder parts.
The folder would have expanded and made it harder to design the front and back.

I actually did this last, but stuck the photo in at this point.
Inking some contrasting color along all the Tim paper edges and corners.
I did this by holding each in one hand, instead of flat on the Glass Mat.
That way, the color stood out more starkly, or so I thought.
After heat-drying each of the covers, I set them all aside so I could work on the
front and back covers of the folder while it was as flat as possible.

The first thing I did: use one of my fave TH Stamp Sets (Architecture).
After seeing this same stamp used by an entry in the last Challenge:
I made a decision after that "Blustery Challenge" to use my stamps and stencils more.
Practice makes perfect, only if I try!
I fell in love with her embossed stamping that stood out yet stayed in the background,
and thought it was a good start to handle.
I actually managed to stamp and emboss each only ONE TIME successfully,
without two tons of rethinking each move. Progress!
Thanks, Jo, for that inspiration!!
That gave me one part of my planned contrast in textures.

Next up: stencil practice- for more texture contrast.
This is always fun for me, but challenging to decide where and how much to use it.
I'm deciding to JUST DO IT and live with what it is.
Being picky can come later- after mastering not making a complete mess, lol.
You'll note here: the TH Stencil is actually backwards...

...that was done so I could flip it and match the two sides together.
After it dried, I used my TH Sander to rub a bit off where it met together and smooth it out.

Some edging done in Distress Ink to the stamped image, 
and Distress Crayon to the Window and Quote Chip...

...more Distress to the metal IdeaOlogy pieces, and a bit of (retired) Distress Emboss
for rusty Mini Gears... adding to the conrasting texture- as well as 
CONTRASTNG COLORS for that 'pop' needed.

The leftover from all the cutting whispered to me that it all wanted to be
used as inserts for more journaling/photo space inside the folder.
Yeah, I'm deaf.
But I swear to you; this stuff TALKS to me!! ;)

Instead of making them into Tags, I got out the TH Tiny Attacher to keep
the smaller pieces together with a larger. It also helped keep everything flat.

My main Tools and Materials:
(Click on the wording for info link.)


We've been doing more "building"- mostly fixing things that need being redone
here in the Indiana house. Hopefully, we'll get both the inside and outside projects caught up before the summer gets here and allows us time to spend with family and friends.
You can tell- from my choices here- it's been on my mind. 
I played with the wording since it was both building the folder as well
as being a "Building Folder" where I could tuck in notes or photos along the way.

I scrubbed some of that yummy TH Distress Oxide in Salvaged Patina across this
after using the Tim Holtz 3D "Mechanics" Texture Fade (regular size).
(I listed the Mini -which I found available- above.)


Yes; I did choose to leave some parts uncovered.
This file folder had a nice shade of brown, whereas the rest of them I had
were all a greenish color. So I was tempted to leave some of the brown showing.

Fully opened...

...with flipping pages in the upper right corner panels.


YES! I couldn't resist the matching shade of Tim's newest Distress color Saltwater Taffy!!
These little blossoms are just the perfect touch here- so SPRING!
The color contrasted so nicely with TH Distress Paint Salvaged Patina used on the Industrial piece.
 Those same Peach Tea Prima Marketing as used in my previous projects:
and

Tim's IdeaOlogy Paper Dolls are just too much fun!

I was very pleased it worked out well as a flat folder that could show off some nice photos.

Now it's YOUR TURN!
Grab one of those old files and use it for the backing
- keep it simple, or go for more complicated than I did.
Stack on some layers of contrasting papers, colors, or textures.
Add a few bits and bobs, and ribbon for some fun.
Write in a sentiment, and you've got an instant card for a gift!
It's that easy!
Be sure to follow the simple rules and upload a photo of your make at 
YOU could win a $25 GC
Sponsored by:


THANKS! for all the LOVE in likes and SWEET comments for all my recent projects!
I've been so inspired by so many hugely talented folks out there,
so I must give credit where it's due; it's all about sharing ideas!
I hope my take on these makes inspire others to take up their
tools and go one step...or more...further!
GOD willing; there's always more to come. ;)

Until next time...

Stay Safe &
HAPPY BLOGGING!






Tuesday, April 5, 2022

The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge #7... April Flowers Bring May Flowers... 50


      W
e've been back in Indiana for a week now, but what a week. Somehow, I received a bug as a going away present from Florida; I was feeling flu-like symptoms and slept all the way back to Indiana. It's still hanging on a bit, so trying to get the house back to normal living condition has been a bit rough. At least the Indiana weather has been warmer! We did make it back in time for quite a lot of things going on (most of which I had to skip), including Princess Pistachio's (Chloe's) "Golden" Birthday; she turned 3 years old on April 3rd. Her Mommy & Daddy had a party at their house- with both sets of Grandparents and her Big Bubby Cole (Peanut). The birthday season in our family began with Older Daughter (their Mommy) March 23rd and the ball rolls on from there. Next on the list is their Uncle Brett on April 14th. Brett has had most of his birthdays as "Hoppy Birthday" since Easter falls around that time each year. He was born 4 days before Easter in 1992. So we'll be trying to make our first trip to their new home in Upstate New York the week after that. Baby Pecan (Jamie): he got his first haircut on April 2nd. Our Grandbabies have a lot more hair than their Dads did when they were little. Our boys were mostly bald until they were about 2. But then...they had the only huge blonde 'fro' hairdos out of the entire school, by Jr High. Unfortunately, they got that from their Mother's naturally frizzy/curly/blonde head- from my Daughtery (bio Father's) side. Lol. The Grandbabies all have the most BEAUTIFUL heads of hair in the world: smooth and silky wit blonde for the older 2 and "strawberry blonde" for Jamie. I'm expecting the New Baby to have beautiful hair also! No criers during haircuts in this family- both boys just take it in stride. Princess is the only one yet to have a cut.



    I was glad I'd made my inspiration make for this new "April Showers Bring May Flowers" before I left Florida. It was given as a gift just 2 days before we left. But getting it blogged has been an entirely different kind of challenge in itself. I really had a great time constructing the past 2 Challenge makes, so I decided to 'take a break' with this one and just do a simple Tag. I'd forgotten how involved just playing with inks and Paper Dolls/Found Relatives can get- so much FUN! So, scroll on down and I'll show you what I did...

I had quite a bit leftover of the Prima Marketing Peach Tea 6x6 Paper Pad
You really get your money's worth from it; it's a double-sided good cardstock paper.
I also had peach colored PM Peach Tea Flowers and plenty of the 
Peach Tea SIIC (Say It In Crystals) leftover and I thought they were just
too pretty to stash away till next Spring. 
It turned out that a couple at our Florida Home Church Away-From-Home-Church
were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on March 27th.
Vickie and her Husband, Dan, do quite a lot in Church- helping with many things.
Vickie does a stellar job of crafting table decor and flowers for events.
I learned a few tricks she used and admire her talent!
So I thought a Tag for their gift would go over well, and this PM set was perfect for it!

Here are the main items/tools I used- each item listed is linked so you can find one:

I started out by using a die cut Tag as a pattern since I didn't bring my 
Tim Holtz Thinlits Die Set Tags with me. 
I chose a fave sheet from the TH double-sided cardstock paper,
then inked around the edges of 2 cuts (for Front and Back)
with TH Distress Oxide Ink in Iced Spruce.

Then I used some TH Ground Espresso Oxide to edge them a bit more,
and also do same with 2 of the manilla colored Tag die cuts.
(I keep a stack of them handy, in different colors, papers, and thicknesses, 
since I have both the TH Thinlits Tag Dies Set and the much older Bigz L Die Tag and Bookplates.)

For something different;
I decided to just use my Oxide Ink Pads to color the 
TH Found Relative card. The Saltwater Taffy and Speckled Egg shades
just go along so PERFECTLY with that Prima Marketing Peach Tea line of products!
I used my heat gun in between each :
Dab ink, wipe with baby wipe (and Qtip) then heat dry, & repeat till satisfied.

Adding some TH Distress Oxide Ground Espresso gives the Found Relative card 
a bit of depth by shading around the edges and corners.


And it was THAT simple!

I tore a couple hunks of the PM Peach Tea paper and shaded each
with matching Oxide Inks as the couple in the FR card.
Clipped a Ground Espresso Oxide Inked TH Ephemera Snippet piece with
a Tiny Clip, and added an older TH IdeaOlogy Adornment- Mirrored Heart  
using Glossy Accents.
Bunching up a "bouquet" of the PM Peach Tea Flowers,
a few Say It In Chrystals, and a 
TH Trinket Pin/ TH IdeaOlogy Jump Ring (older items) holding a 
that came with one of my recent orders.
( FREEBIES from THE FUNKIE JUNKIE BOUTIQUE- with every order!

50 years married is a VERY special occassion and we were honored to
be able to help celebrate with them!
Dan smoked all the pork himself while Vickie made all the DELISH 
dishes to go along with that- to feed the entire congregation.



The Back is simply Tim Paperie with some Ground Espresso and Iced Spruce
Oxide Inking all around. A satin ribbon from stash completes the look.
The photos were taken at the Anniversary party- 
using the gift of a big, beautiful arrangement of flowers (from our Besties)
to Dan and Vickie as the background for the gifted Tag.
I helped get the flowers the day before on a trip out 
with my Bestie and 3 of her 4 girls for their yearly Crestview Nursery outing.
While there- enjoying the thousands of plants, flowers, trees, and arrangements
on display, we had fun taking photos together and making our planting choices.
This year, I picked out 2 more palm trees: Majestic and Edible Date Palm,
and got them planted into the ground before we left for Indiana.


for you to show off those beautiful blooms everyone loves to put on their makes.
Don't forget to add a few bugs or butterflies- to help keep those blooms blooming! ;)
Share your finished make on our Challenge Blog 
and you could win - a Top 3 Badge, Guest Designer spot, or a $25 GC
Sponsored by




Let the showers come down and spend some time "planting" flowers
in your Craft Studio!

THANKS SO MUCH for the many peeks at all the makes-
especially for the Saturday Showcase!
Come back again, soon... and often!

Until next time...

Stay Safe &
HAPPY BLOGGING!!