The Funkie Junkie Boutique's Inspiration Ave #20; Isn't that SCARY?! ... The Scary Get Scared!

   Summer really is over, I guess. It's been pretty much a not-enough-rain and too cool couple of weeks here. I've had to keep adding water to the pool and not exactly fond of getting into that chilled-down temp. But it's supposed to heat up this week and I'll have a lot on my plate. The New York kids are coming down (driving even as this goes live) and staying for a week to attend a family reunion on the younger Daughter's side. So I'll hopefully get the chance to have all four Grandbabies together at the same time at some point this week. They're all growing so fast and time just keeps slipping by on me even as I spend it with them. The ChiefHubby turned 61 years old (!!) on September 15th and the older set brought Chinese and cake for him. Peanut had spent the week before being the first one of his Kindergarten class to be honored for his helpfulness in school (not surprising; he's a Teddy Bear like his Daddy and Uncle were)! He got to have the sign out on the road where everyone would see it. What a surprise for him to find that on the way to school that morning! Princess Pistachio is still like Memaw- in Summer mode still, but Wittle Pecan is ready for Halloween and dressing up is one of his favorite fun things to do! He's been counting the "sleeps" (marking off the days on a calendar) until he visits Indiana! As for Princess Rose... I can't wait to hold that cutest baby in the whole world once again!! 

   Backing up a month ago, when we were visiting up in New York, we had both the younger Grandbabies with us and happened on an old cemetery... the "spooky" kind. While it wasn't as scary during the daylight, the stones were beyond COOL and included one honored American Revolutionary Veteran Soldier! One of our own is right behind our house. Most of them date into the 1800's and the folk are actually from lower down the ridge nearer to the Wabash River. People buried their dead up higher in case of (usual back then) flooding of the Wabash. Time has taken its toll on most of the stones, but there is a group who are interested in taking the time to put it all back together; piecing each stone together and into it's probable place. The forest changes with time from year to year, and is never the same. Earthquakes (yes, we've had a few in my lifetime here), floods, fallen trees, fire, drought, tornados, and animals, all count in on the changes. Not to mention the human presence, or course, probably counts the most in change. So the photos show how spread out and knocked around the cemetery here is. One of my favorite stones belongs to a man who was alive during the Revolutionary War, and it will be interesting to find out if it's recorded somewhere and he turns out to be a RW Veteran.

   We're starting another new theme and Linda, owner of The Funkie Junkie Boutique, is challenging the Design Team to make some fun with this one: "Isn't that scary?!" and I'm all in! With those tombstones and the cemeteries in mind, I had a plan to try something new. 

Get ready for the Trick-or-Treaters... or in this case; the TRICKS!

There's old and NEW mixed in this make, but here's a handy list of LINKS!

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera: Cathedral Windows

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holz Etcetera Mini Tombstone

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera Scallop Trims

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera: Bracket Trims

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera Mini Tag Thickboards

Sizzix Tim Holtz Christmas 2023 Thinlits Die Set 49PK - Santa Greetings, Colorize

Sizzix Tim Holtz Halloween 2023 Thinlits Die Set 7PK - Edison, Colorize

Sizzix Tim Holtz Halloween 2023 Thinlits Die Set 10PK - Halloween Night

Sizzix Tim Holtz 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Skulls

Halloween 2022 Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adornments - Halloween

(LIMITED EDITION SEASONAL RELEASE) Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Halloween Grit Paste - Crypt

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Grit Paste Opaque

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Pumice Stone

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Vintage Photo

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Black Soot

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Picket Fence

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Reinker Tea Dye

Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink - Ginger

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

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons - Set #2

Tim Holtz Distress Sanding Disks

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Palette Knives 2pc
Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool + 2 Blending Foams

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

Tim now has MANY choices in the Etcetera line of products!

Since I didn't have any Etcetera Tombstones on hand (I did put the LINK in my list for you),

I wondered if I could make my own. I was inspired by Tim's new release of shapes.

I certainly already had quite a few different packages to try it!

I started out just using the "leftover pieces and then added on using more shapes on top

to build outward on both sides equally. This made sure it was going to stand up on its own if needed.

The Scalloped Shelf added a cute touch.

If I didn't want to waste filling in with Etcetera, I simply got out the matboard.

Matboard filled in the middle of the Windows Cathedral, so it would look "carved" into.

I missed getting this 3D Texture Fade "Skulls" when it first came out, but got it on sale

earlier this year... check out the off-season & Clearance at

The Funkie Junkie Boutique!

A good coat of Gesso.

Here's the stone after filling in with Texture Paste and Crackle Paste.

Some Statue Foundey Wax sealed the deal!

Notice the alphabet is facing down and the numbering is facing up...

... using the newest TH Santa Greeting for lettering: The numbers need to go the opposite side 

of the paper from the alphabet lettering.

I added more ink, heat-dried, then Crackle Paste, then heat-dried and repeated the ink and drying.

I purposefully got some into the lettering, to help it look more aged.

I cut 4 layers of the gates (largest pieces only) 2 of foam and 2 of the TH Blackout (scraps):

Some older TH items mixing in with the brand new.

Added some full Black Soot Distress Paint for some darkening on these returning IdeaOlogy pieces.

I doubled all the cuts and sanded both sides.

Some cuts of Mr. Bones, Edison, and a Mummy in progress.

The Mummy was fussy cut and wrapped with Tea Dye Distress Reinker- sprayed with water first-

then carefully heat-dried.

And here's what went down behind the scare...

Here's the full look of the stone before I added the Halloween Night (kids) die cuts.

Here come the Trick or Treaters!

Tim's new "Halloween Night" Die can be used in many different ways!

I kept everything double-sided so it could be viewed from both sides of the tombstone.

The Grit Paste, Crypt Paste, Translucent Crackle Paste, and the awesome lettering

from the TH Stretch (Uppercase) as well as the new TH Thinlits Die Santa Greetings

 all helped give this stone as realistic look!

I scratched out a few more of my own details and sanded the edges.

Ghost was jumping the gun- already rushing out to scare.

Bat was rolling his eyes at the rest of the monster gang; wishing they'd stop goofing off.

The Mr. Bones twins started the entire thing: instead of shaking the chain to scare

the Trick or Treaters, they were playing Tug of War... that is... until one twin lost his arms.

The sudden appearance of Hal O. Wen emerging from his grave scared the lower 

Frightful Things Ghost and set Edison to giggling. Mummy tried in vain to stuff

one of his loose rags into Edison's mouth so they wouldn't be heard by the kids.

That's a wrap for this theme- for me, but if you'll check back in over at 

Inspriation Ave during the next 2 weeks, you're in for more... SCARY... makes from the rest of 

The Funkie Junkie Boutique's amazing Design Team!

Don't forget to join in on all the product release fun;

making room for the new CHRISTMAS line from Tim Holtz: 

IT'S NOT OVER YET!!

Until next time...

Stay Safe &

HAPPY BLOGGING!!

The Funkie Junkie Boutique's Inspiration Ave #18 Fall Colors... A Sunflower Art Kitchen Book!

    Summer is winding down, like it or not, and Labor Day usually has a way of bringing intense heat with a sense of urgency in all the bugs. They know the hour is late for them now and I find myself swatting sweat bees and constantly swiping down cobwebs off the porches. School has already been in session for the past month, but what's different is most places that were open for the summer, are now closed. Everyone tries to get in one last "hurrah" over Labor Day Weekend, and we were no exception- taking off with the camper to Salamonie State Park with some of our Besties. It's only an hour or so from home, but we'd never visited that area and the town of Wabash much, other than a funeral once. It was a fun weekend filled with hot, sunny weather which produced beautiful sunsets. We got in a few walks and even decorated Hawaiian for supper one evening and I even got in some time at the beach on the lake there. The internet was sparse at best, but we did get updated pictures from the Grandbabies: Peanut got a haircut, and both he and Princess Pistachio walked the underpass to Canal Park after Pizza. Pecan and Princess Rose called to let me know they are counting the days (15 now) till they come down to Indiana- very excited to see both sides of their family! 

   While the actual Fall season is still a couple weeks away, The Funkie Junkie Boutique is in full Fall mode with so many new Designer Chapter 3 products, molds, papers, and embellishments, it's hard not to get excited for the coming month! Owner Linda Coughlin has our Design Team right on top of things with the new theme for this next 2 weeks: "Fall Colors"! I don't normally go outside Tim Holtz very often, but when I saw Stamperia's new line of papers, I just had to grab the 12x12 set of "Sunflower Art". Come along with me and you'll see what I paired it up with to make a fall birthday gift for one of my Besties. I'm calling this one "Sunflower Art Kitchen Book" and it's filled with cool elements!

Happy Mail from The Funkie Junkie Boutique!

The older 2022 Eileen Hull Sunflower Die was part of my plan as soon as I laid eyes

on the new Stamperia Sunflower Art 12x12 Paper Set.

Yay! I was finally able to get the set of Lumberjack Plaid included.

My thought was to use neutral color Oxide Ink, but if I wanted to go

with redish Sunflowers instead.... I was all set!

The plan was to use the Eileen Hull Frame Pocket Bigz Plus Die once again,

and use some smaller Thinlits Dies with it.

At the end of this tutorial, 

you'll find that while I didn't use the Eileen Hull Library Card Thinlits Set,

I've still included it- further down explained.

I'm pairing this new Stamperia with TH Backdrops, Bronze Leaf Embellishments-

both from TFJB- with a few salvaged items from stash.

I couldn't let this tutorial go without showing you my fave papers...

I'm a horse girl- born and bred.

The one on the right became the outside of my book,

along with the left side complementing.

This set has lots of fussy-cut items to choose from.

I used the left side to cut two simple foldout cards to put into the tuck pockets.

The color of the photo might not be exact, but in person: it's stunning together!

Here's some LINKS to help you get these products at great prices!

Stamperia Sunflower Art by Sara Alcobendas - 12x12 Paper Pad

Sizzix Bigz L Die Sunflower by Eileen Hull

Sizzix Thinlits Die - Snail Mail by Eileen Hull

Sizzix Thinlits Dies - Library Pocket, ATC Card & Tabs by Eileen Hull

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Backdrops Volume 5

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Linen Tape, Patchwork

Bronze Leaf Embellishments - Set of 6

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Large Fasteners

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Long Fasteners

Sizzix Scoreboards Plus Die - Frame Pocket Journal by Eileen Hull

Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool + 2 Blending Foams

Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents

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

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

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Vintage Photo

First things first:

Cut the layers of the cover and match up the holes in the spine so that the tablet

will have enough room on both sides of the cover to fit into the book without hanging out the front.

Then cut to fit the other side of the spine- where the closure will be.

This Eileen Hull Frame Pocket Journal Plus Die makes a journal book that folds over.

Then cut the rest of the pieces for the book part.

I inked up the pockets and then heat-dried before I covered them both with clear laminate.

This was just for the sake of strength to hold anything heavier than Tags.

As it was, I ended up with 4 double-layered tags in one side and 3 in the other.

Here's my mistake that I am embracing for another project- another day.

I found these two in my stash and thought they were a cute match 

for a "sunflower look" put together as a closure.

And it worked!

Later, I would tear out this brad piece and use a TH Large Fasterner

attaching the Sunflower petals instead.

I used another smaller piece of scrap in between the two-layered envelope-shaped closure

for some added strength, and tied the hemp string to the button.

All the pieces were ready to assemble.

There were 2 sets of front and back for the cover- one outside layer 

and one inside layer. So I matched each piece to have outside and inside as well.

I inked up the tablet and heat-dried it- the glitter on it is gold and aged nicely!

I used Upholstery thread and a needle small enough to fit into the holes

in the middle of the already-sewn tablet.

The needle easily glided through and tied tightly to the glued spine.

Time for the fun of making a sunflower!

By this time, we were at the campground and I finally got to use my Big Shot Foldaway!!

I kept the same neutral edging going on...

and puffed out the middle by doubling up a circle underneath the main middle piece.

I cut a piece of "pie" from the puffed piece and glued it smaller.

Then inked both circles up and adhered them together, using some

double-sided sticky foam underneath to pop it out more.

To make a tuck pocket out of the cover:

simply fussy-cut 3 pieces of paper and score each long-way in half.

Ink up all along the folded edges and heat dry.

Then add the cut/inked papers to three sides between two layers of the cover.

If it's a tight tuck, you can open it up a bit just by using a circle punch along the open edge,

for an area of the tucked tag to show at the opening.

Oh, dear.... the closure was going to rub up against the flower,

and, it was just not looking like they were both going to fit and be eye-pleasing.

So, a re-do was necessary.

After I redid the closure, I inked it up and added a fussy-cut element from the Stamperia.

Last thing to do was re-tie the hemp string and wrap the spine with Linen Tape.

Those stash flowers may have actually been Black-Eyed Susans, but I used them 

GA glued/wired wrapped onto a TH Hinge Clip as tiny Sunflowers.

The TH Linen Tape was a matching stroke of lucky find!

The Bronze Leaf Embellishments added a sweet "old" touch!

I used TH Long Fasteners to attach the Bronze Leaf to the paper leaf,

and TH Large Fasterner to attach the petals to the button.

Shown here is the Eileen Hull Scoreboards Plus Frame Pocket Journal Die's pocket- used

on both sides of the tablet. But, if I wanted to keep this book (or a later book) thinner,

I could have substituted Eileen Hull's Library Card Thinlit Die for a thinner pocket.

The Foldouts are double-sided and one side of each has a little tie-on cut out.

The Tags are all 2 papers thick.

Foldouts and Tags: On the far right bottom is the only set made with TH Backdrops Vol 5

and the Eileen Hull Thinlits "Snail Mail" Set. I just couldn't resist using that paper with

the cute play on the flower (which could be a Sunflower or a Marigold).

I am forever looking for a bit of paper to tear off for a note.... aren't you?

Tuck Pocket 1

Tuck Pocket 2

Tuck Pocket 3

BACK

         And now it's your turn to take out your tools and make something with "Fall Colors"!

  Still not quite ready? No worries: there's more Inspiration Ave is headed your way from the rest 

      of the Design Team in the next two weeks, so don't forget to pop back in often!

   Be sure to drop in over at The Funkie Junkie Boutique in order to keep up with all the new products releasing for fall.... and now CHRISTMAS is getting set to debut- don't miss it!!

The FUN is just beginning at The Funkie Junkie Boutique!

Until next time...

Stay Safe &

HAPPY BLOGGING!!