The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge #17; Stamped With Love... It's A Girl: Princess Rose!

   That ultrasound photo to the left was taken just the same morning that our fourth - and likely last- Grandbaby arrived into this world. It's so amazing to me how clearly we can see her and how she had her tiny hand up near her face! When it was the ChiefHubby and I having our sons so many years ago, we had no idea we were having a boy the first time. No ultrasound, or video, etc. And second time around, with Brett (the newest Daddy), we did have one set of what came out as hard sheets of Xrays back then. Early in, about 8 weeks, to make sure it was only one baby, and at 20 weeks to make sure again there was no 2nd baby hiding in there. Coming from 2 families of many twin sets, I am so surprised -and thankful- we didn't have any in our tree for us. Yet, we did get to see we were having another boy and I was overjoyed at that; the only one in all sides of my family to have only 2 boys and no girls. I loved raising those two sons, and never missed having girls since I had tons of Nieces. I was blessed with two Daughters when each Son brought home his Wife, and both are beautiful girls whom I love as much as my Sons! They've blessed me twice over, each, now! This last baby was a total surprise since it took so long and so much for the younger kids to have Baby Pecan. Imagine our SUPER surprise (I was honestly thinking it was going to be a boy) to get a GIRL this time! No way! I had to sit down and just cry because GOD blessed me with a Grandson, a Granddaughter, another Grandson, and another Granddaughter!!! It's overwhelming...and I'm loving every second of it all! We had a bit of a scare with this one. So far, only Princess Pistachio has shown any kind of health problems (another huge blessing- especially considering this Memaw's life!) as she has a bit of what her Daddy had since birth; unruly high temperatures. Our older Son, Brian, was born premature at just over 4 weeks early. He came out blue and was in an incubator for his low temperature. Later, he had many Febrile Seizures well into his 3rd year. They finally stopped, but he would get a fever and it would just shoot up in seconds. Princess has that, and it's very scary for parents. We just support them when she gets sick- as she did while we were in New York last week. This new baby sure had her Mommy ill the entire 8 1/2 months. It was touch and go at 8 months hoping they could make it till 9. Not so; problems arose and they got sent in with noone to be there to help with Pecan... and good old Covid19. Her Sister scrambled to get there from Canada to stay with Pecan till we could get up there. A 10-hour drive with five bags crammed into the car: one suitcase packed full of only my meds in case I ended up staying longer than 1 week and going into my normal month-long-stay September to October. All's well now, however, as you'll see later in this post!

    When Teri posted her idea for The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge "Stamped With Love", I had no idea what mine would transpire into. I simply wrote down the details and I'll share them with you here:

 "Look through your collections of Tim Holtz stamps- old and new- and choose one of your favorites to create whatever you imagine with it. Your entry could be a card, a vignette, a layout, or something even more amazing!"

     I sat down and thought about what to do, but concern for both our girls was nagging at me even through all my prayers for them. Our older Daughter is facing a lot of new health issues that had her in constant pain without any answers. Our younger Daughter was not able to keep her food down (up to 5x a day!) throughout her pregnancy and we were on alert for a possible early delivery. That was not good. With that last thought, I got up and started packaging the beautiful baby sets I'd bought for this new Baby Girl. Keep busy! I needed a tag for it, and that's all it took! I got down Princess Pistachio's Treasure Box (I keep one for each Grandchild along with a Tim Holtz Folio for each inside) and found her tag I'd made for her impending birth in 2019. If you'd like to see it, CLICK HERE.

Now I had a PLAN!

My plan for the stamped tissue paper worked out very well!

It's very easy to do and you can make as much or as little as you need.

I am forgetting to include into my photo, one old wooden stamp of wonky numbers I used in there

that is also Tim Holtz.  But I concentrated on redoing the same exact background

used in the first Tag I did like this. These above are among my oldest and fave stamps and

they're kept very handy. Those "three guys" were the ancestors of The Professor, lol!

Here's a list of links that will help you find products still sold:

Halloween 2022 Tim Holtz Idea-ology Worn Wallpaper Scraps

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Ephemera Pack, Keepsakes (paper roses)

Prima Marketing Peach Tea SIIC

Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Kushgrip Snip w/Non-Stick Blade & Cap 7"-Small

Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents

Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool + 2 Blending Foams

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Heirloom Florals

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Squeezed Lemonade

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Uncharted Mariner

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Vintage Photo

Ranger Archival #0 Ink Pad - Jet Black

Ranger Archival Ink Cleaner

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Picket Fence

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons - Set #5 (Shaded Lilac)

Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps (many new sets)

I started out by adhering the stamped, heat-dried tissue paper to a Tag.

My Tag was cut with TH Movers & Shapers Tags and Bookplates Die,

so I could use matboard for the base. I needed something sturdy.

I did this to both sides of the matboard tag and heat dried it again.

I chose similar colors that complimented the color of the TH Halloween purple sheet

that I chose for the TH M&S Pocket Watch Frame Die cut.

Front

Back

Here's all the cuts at the start- I changed the lineup of photos.

Note the layers I needed for the clock since the inside was going to have a backing,

yet the watch was going to overhang and be seen on the other side.

I made sure the backside would be nice enough to show as overhung on both sides.

Have some FUN with the SIIC and TH IdeaOlogy!

I used several Distress products to color the sides, and fronts as I wanted.

I left the Paper Doll plain except for some Vintage Photo Oxide edging

and Shaded Lilac Crayon on her bow and the rose she's holding.

I'd just gotten it all finished, except to put on the year numbers and the dried painted roses.

 I was tinkering with the clockface, when I looked to see what time was on

my Craft Room wall clock... just hit 4:00am.

I was thinking "What if...?" and put the hands on the tag to show that time.

It was just a few minutes later when I saw my phone go off...

and a video plus this photo came through from the younger Son!!!

I just about hit the ceiling jumping up and down!

UNBELIEVABLE!!

This is the Tag that will go into her treasure box...

FRONT

Judith Rose is the 2nd child of the 2nd child!

BACK

A few more pics definitely worth more than words can say!

Judith Rose Larimore

Tuesday; August 16, 2022  4:01am New York time

9 pounds  0.5 ounce

21 1/2 inches long

2 days later- I was just waking up at noon.

Trying to tell the ChiefHubby to not get too excited as soon as they

walked into the door- experience says they need time to just settle in first!

Papaw was excited!

I did get a bit of a chance to do some pics, but want to do more!

Her poor little hand bruised from the IV she had to have for a couple of days.

She'd been put on O2 right away, but did well as the hours passed.

Go back up to look at that ultrasound photo....

She's got Mommy's light hair and definitely Mommy's cute nose.

She also has Memaw's line on the chin- same as her Daddy.

Poor thing has Memaw's long fingers and long toes.

I'm so sorry, my Princess Rose! lol

Big Bubby Pecan was overjoyed to have Daddy and Mommy home!

Both were helping him be gentle to Baby Sissy.

He sawed logs for Memaw and Papaw that first night.

Second night was not as good- definitely missed his Mommy and Daddy,

but was willing to snuggle in with Memaw.

Pecan will always be my BABY- same as Peanut and Princess Pistachio!

But now he seems so much bigger and is a Big Bubby like Cousin Peanut.

We took him over to the State Park while there in Upstate NY.

The videos I took show him boldly diving into the water... like the fish he is.

But now, this Minnesota/Muddy Mississippi-born fish 

is definitely a New York/Lake Ontario kid!

But he'll always be a Mama's boy, and that's all good!

There's 2 weeks for this new Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge "Stamped With Love",

so get those stamps out to get inky with! Make it for yourself, or even better; 

give it away to someone who needs a smile put on their face!

Check out all the Design Team inspiration makes,then join in on the fun

Sponsored by;

The Funkie Junkie Boutique

Thanks so much for coming in and allowing me to share!

Until next time...

Stay Safe &

HAPPY BLOGGING!!!

The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge #16 Chillin' in the Heat...The Pool Works!

     Summer is blowing by and whether I like it or not, the heat won't stay as strong as it was. Funny thing that, loving the heat while wanting to stay cool in it. Yet, that's the way we roll. I'm like a woman on a mission this week, with so many lose ends to tie up before the end of August gets here, finishing up Sunday School Lessons; I've only got two more to finish making and printing out and I will have a full file of 52 reusable lessons fitting in up to 12 kids at once, for my PreK/1st Grade class. That was a 2-year project if there ever was one! The other goal is to get caught up in my Craft Room with all my "Want to Do" full list of items. Tim Holtz is not making it any easier- and neither is Eileen Hull, by the way- with all their new Chapter 3 products that are soooo cool! What Crafter ever said, "I have enough," without revisiting that with, "I lied," lol!

    We've had a wee bit of excitement in our planning for trips to New York for the soon-to-be-due Newest Grandbaby. Younger Daughter had a bit of high blood pressure, and we were...concerned.... about that meaning the baby would have to come as early as 4 weeks. I hesitated with the word 'concerned' because when the news got to me, I simply freaked out. I had our first was just over 4 weeks early and that ended up with lasting effects for our older Son that passed on to our Princess Pistachio- temperature problems and febrile seizures. Not to even mention that Baby Pecan was going to need someone with him while only one person gets to be at the hospital (which is still somewhat under Covid19 rules). Things settled down over the weekend and we enter into this "3 weeks to go" phase with a bit less anxiety. The older Daughter has had some very rough times also, and I immediately went into prayer mode for BOTH! For parents who think they're off the hook once their kids turn 18: forget that! When you bring a child into this world, a true gift from GOD, being a parent never ends. The type of care changes, and your relationship deepens even as they continue to branch out and create their own families in their own homes, but the concern and urge to make sure they're always "ok" still manages to overflow in your heart. It multiplies all the more as your family grows bigger.  

   This new Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge is called "Chillin' in the Heat" and I'm taking the lead on it with challenging you to think about these last days of Summer before School begins. What's your favorite part; the heat of the sunshine and laying by the pool or on the beach... or keeping cool in the water, and loading up on cold lemonade in the shade? Let's see a tag, panel, book, or even 3D project using either HOT design using warm colors (red, orange, yellow. etc) or COOL design using cool colors (blues and greens). Use your dies, stamps, pastes, etc, at your will to dress up your design and compliment your idea of the perfect degree!

     While the heat of summer is definitely my thrill, chilling out in the BLUES are my fave things!! All my Grands have baby blues, the 2 older went with Mommy to buy a blue Subaru, and my LA Dodgers are definitely blue hitting out into the blue! I so miss those JT/Adrian selfie moments, and we're ALL going to miss Vin! My Hunni Pi is feeling blue along with me at the thought.

                           I'll show you where the COOL colors took me!

Here are some LINKS to help you find products I've used:

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera Mini Tag Thickboards

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Backdrops Volume 3 (I used Volume 2)

Tim Holtz Idea-ology 6x9 Kraft Stock, Cool

Sizzix Chapter 3 Tim Holtz 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Industrious

(EARLY AUGUST PRE-ORDER) Halloween 2022 Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adornments Locks & Keys

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Hardware Heads

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Long Fasteners

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Gauge Dials

Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool + 2 Blending Foams

Tim Holtz Tonic Studios 9.5" Black Kushgrip Titanium Shears

Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Black Kushgrip Snip w/Non-Stick Blade & Cap 5"

Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Salvaged Patina

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Walnut Stain

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Black Soot

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Uncharted Mariner

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Ground Espresso

Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Blending Solution 2oz

Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink - Caramel

Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink - Ginger

Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Alloy 2oz

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Foundry Wax Kit #2 - Sterling/Statue

I chose 2 different sheets from the TH Backdrop Papers (double-sided) with

complimenting patterns. One might say the solid was a 'leather' but when I stared at it,

I decided it could pass for metal also, which was my goal. Both sheets covered 

the TH Etcetera Mini Tag nicely with excess to spare.

Not wanting to waste any, I chose to use the 1st sheet's leftovers for edges on the blue backside.

The backside here was going to be the water side. The blue...cells??.... will end up

adding a nice touch of whimsy in the end result.

Each layer would need to be rusted in order for the edging to look right.

So, when it came time for coloring plastics (shown in later pics below), I used alcohol inks.

For the paper layers; I used TH Distress Paint in Walnut Stain with that yummy

retired TH Embossing Distress Powder in Vintage Photo.

Heat setting everything along the way got me into a jam with the plastics at one point.

(I'll show you when we get to that.)

Meanwhile- the plastic was the layer on top of the 'water' with the green rusted on top of that.

Cutting up some plastic trash and figuring out which TH Bigz Die I was going to use with it all.

Here's my Creative Chaos! Trying to decide if I was going to add more paper color

or just use the one TH Kraft Stock (shown up near the Pipeline Bigz)

I originally planned on using. I stuck to my plan.

But, changed one thing: I got out the foil/cardstock for some faux metal pieces.

Here's some heavy-duty foil taped to plain white cardstock scrap.

Don't let lines concern you; they will not show up after embossing with Tim's 3D Folders!

(Which was my next step for each piece except the very bottom of the light bulb.)

Time for the piping- the water was going to look 'totally ikky' and that's why this weird geenish

twin of the blue cell paper was perfect for the piping and kept within the Challenge's colors.

Remember to FOLLOW DIRECTIONS for the Challenges- the point of the challenge!

I cut doubles of everything in case overlapping pieces could be seen from

the other side of the tag when my project was finished.

I used my Glossy Accents (my 'go to' glue), as usual.

I made sure to fit each of the pieces I needed onto the tag FIRST- this way 

I didn't have any leftovers of wasted paper. THEN I die cut all the plastics to fit.

This meant having those other sides also covered- if they overlapped to the back side of the tag.

Set those plastics aside for now. We've got another step to do first....

... Rusting up the piping paper. And fitting them together into one full piece.

All the heat drying needed to be finished up in this step.

Once we get to the plastics... no more heat!

Now it's time for the plastics.... adding some Alcohol Ink in Ginger all around the plastic edges.

That just added to the rust and depth for the piping look.

Notice you don't see any AI on this piece yet- so you can see the difference from the result.

Here's the AI getting done.

Then all the plastics adhered to the papers after this.

I DID try some of the Foundry Wax on these pieces. But, sadly, none of it was going

to end up showing up as only the last coats would get the wax and the

plastic would already be inside- I wouldn't be able to heat it up.

I'll have to think on that for a bit and see if I can figure out how to make it happen next time.

Meanwhile... I used my usual Alcohol Metallic Ink.

Same here: die cut the pieces, color them all in AInk and glue them together

before adding them onto the finished layer.

That Industrious 3D Folder, tho!!!

It worked FABULOUSLY on the TH Voltage Die pieces!

Again- the Foundry Wax was not able to be used on this for the same plastics reason.

This was my first chance to finally get those TH IdeaOlogy Dials out!!!

I grew up around my Grandpa's restored antique cars, 

so, I can tell you that these dials are

definitely realistic

And what to do for the post windows??

I heared Ollie Octopus calling out my name.

She knows it's about "that time of year" once again. :`(

And here it comes: the Pool Works!

(And yes, it does work up till a few weeks from now.)

The Pool Works FRONT

That crack is a happy accident! I think it added a lot of charm!

The Pool Works BACKSIDE

The rope is tied like a sailor ties!

How cool is that Tag's hole reinforcer?!

Put Metallic Silver Alcohol Ink on it, brush it up with some Black Soot Distress Ink,

and it almost looks REAL!

Plain plastic portal closed, but you can easily check the water color...?? LOL!

I only wish I had completely cleaned up that Foundry Wax dust all over

before I headed out to take photos for the finished results. 

*sigh*

Live and learn.

Poor little Ollie Octopus!

She's deadset on NOT closing up that pool!

She's just gonna sit in there all by herself. Just until that first ch-ch-chilly day,

then she's gonna pack it in...

And head for FLORIDA!

I absolutely detest closing the pool. It's one of my very UNfavorite chores.

The older 3 Grandbabies have morphed into fishies this year, and that's going to hurt.

But this year, closing earlier than normal has a good ending:

GRANDBABY NUMBER FOUR!!!

That's the reason I'll be spending September to October up there in New York.

Probably going to need some battery-operated undies to keep me warm in the tooshie.

But my heart will be totally warmed spending some time with Little Man Pecan

and the youngest of the Larimore Family!

I am so blessed to have 2 boys and 2 Princesses!!

I'm sending out another SHOUTOUT of THANK YOU!!!

for all the kind comments on all my recent makes!!

THANKS, everyone, for spending the Summer of 2022 popping into my blog

and being on the waves of the Journey with me!

Now it's YOUR TURN!

Simply take a peek at 

The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge Blog's Latest Challenge:

"Chillin' in the Heat"

Sponsored by:

The Funkie Junkie Boutique

The Design Team are ladies of very fine talents who have great ideas and a lot of 

simply FUN techniques in each Challenge. Take some time to yourself and try one out.

I'll be watching for YOURS!

Until next time...

Stay Safe & 

HAPPY BLOGGING!!!