The Funkie Junkie Boutique Inspiration Ave. #25; Tim Holtz's Christmas IdeaOlogy ... Deck The Halls!

   The 2023 Christmas Holiday Season is here in all its glory- snow and all! Yes, we've had 2 snowfalls in Indiana with the 2nd leaving its remnants on the ground even as we leave for Florida. It's that time and we're currently on the way, stopping over in Birmingham, AL, to spend some time with some very dear, long-time friends of ours that we don't see enough of. The month of November simply flew past me and I really struggled to keep up. But it was definitely worth every bit of it: we managed to get in time with all our Besties, as well as time with all our Kids and Grandbabies- all together! The younger NY Kids came down for Thanksgiving weekend and we divided our time between both sets- spending Thanksgiving Day with the Older Daughter's side of the family in Hebron, IN. (Thank you, Debbie and Rick; what a fantastic FEAST!) For Black Friday, instead of the rush of shopping, I had ours all finished, wrapped, and ready for the Grandbabies to open and enjoy. What a fun time that is for me and I treasure every second of it all! After a full day playing, visits from several of our Besties (Thank you, Cindy, for the MM plates- brings back memories of a Christmas gift from my Grandparents- circa 1974!), a very late movie, and many bouncy shenanigans, it was finally time for bed. At the rate these four kids are growing, my trundle day-bed is not going to fit them in a few years down the road. I'll definitely need a new couch well before then. The next afternoon (Saturday), we took the older 3 Grandbabies to ride the Dentzel Carousel in our hometown while Baby Princess napped. It was the last time for the rides for the year and we were finally able to get them in for it. After a supper of our favorite Chinese takeout, I read the CHRISTmas story of JESUS' birth to everyone... Papaw actually fell asleep in his chair, lol... the Grandbabies took turns opening their gifts. We took the older 2 Grandbabies to church while the younger family headed back to NY on Sunday. Parting with each set always leaves the ChiefHubby and I wiping tears, but knowing we need the time away together just as much as our kids all need time away from us... it's bittersweet. While taking pics of my finished project, I found prints in the snow on the back deck that made me smile and warmed my heart ! The memories will hold us over till we wrap them in our arms again!

   It's that time over at The Funkie Junkie Boutique: Tim Holtz Christmas IdeaOlogy is back for the 2023 Holiday Season and TFJB owner, Linda Coughlin, has the Design Team busy with her newest theme for these next two weeks: "Deck the Halls" and instead of decking the halls with boughs of holly, we're using IdeaOlogy! This is always one of my favorite types of crafting and I'm sliding right in!

Here's that handy list of LINKS:

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2023 Holdiay Bells

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2023 Sticker Book Christmas

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2023 Woodland Trees Alpine

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2022 Baseboards Christmas 

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2023 - Confections

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2023 Salvaged Figures Large

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Long Fasteners

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper Dolls Christmas 2022

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Wire Pins

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera Scallop Trims

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera: Bracket Trims

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera Mini Tag Thickboards

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Vintage Photo

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

(LIMITED EDITION SEASONAL RELEASE) Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Holiday Pearlescent Crayon Set #3

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer
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"

I chose a couple sheets from an old TH Seasonal pad and burnished it (Glossy Accents glued and sanded edges all around) onto both sides of my Etcetera Mini Tag. I had a leftover reinforcer, so this Mini Tag got one on both sides.

I always make a physical plan with my IdeaOlogy pieces so I’m not left squishing things in, or worse: not enough space for the most important pieces.

I do the same planning on both sides. 

Sometimes my plan will change but it’s usually because I come up with a better idea this way.

Then, I was able to matchup the Etcetera Shelf pieces (both Scalloped and Bracket) to fit around the Baseboard Lace Frame, to form a box.

There was a LOT of burnishing going on. While I do love this technique, my hands were pretty sore afterwards.

(I knew I should’ve gotten the TH Thinlits Set for die cutting pieces to cover the Etcetera Shelf pieces!!

When will I learn to grab it instead of taking too long to mull it over???)

Time to add Distress. And, of course; the new Christmas Crayon Set #3 added the right pearly sparkle, with some Vintage Photo Oxide Ink.

My, Oh, My: that new toy soldier!!!!

And now you can get Santa and the Snowman in a LARGE size!!! I had to have that larger sized set because I wanted a Toy Soldier like the tall ones around the lake I walk around in Florida- Lake DeFuniak. 

The Alpine Tree had to come first, so I’d be able to tuck the top into the Shelf inside the box. Since I planned a Dura-Lar window, the tree has to be cut down on the front and back to thin it out.

Yet, from side to side, it was thin enough to fit perfectly. LOVE these new skinny Alpine Trees, Tim!!!

Here, you can see I’m attending to little details:

the rug is fussy cut from TH Patchwork Linen Tape. Even though you might not see it, I wanted it all to be as realistic as possible- the small details are important!

I made “presents” for each Grandbaby, using retired TH Letterpress letters. I used those yummy new pearly Distress Crayons (RED- for the girls Judith and Chloe, and BLUE for the boys- Jamie and Cole) and “wrapped” each with sticker ribbons from the Christmas 2023 Sticker Book. Numbers 2 & 5 are in there, also.

Here, you can see I needed to lift up all the presents a bit higher to be seen in the window- and allow Paper Doll Judith to get higher up- so I pulled a “Paula” aka Paula Cheney, who likes to use little blocks and bits to stabilize items or add height. Going for the small details; I wrapped retired TH Chip Block Letters in the same Patchwork Linen Tape as the rug.

If you liked the 2022 Confections, you’ll LOVE the 2023 Confections which now are shaped like real Candy Canes as well as being a deeper red, there are new GREEN candy pieces!!! Time to cut a few up for dipping into the TH Mica Flakes and toss them into a Vial jar!

Making a doorway is easy: use TH Baseboards and Linen Tape, covering the backside of the door’s Long Fasteners with more Tim papers.

I needed my (smaller sized) Santa to go on a bit of a diet to fit where I needed him, so I used some rougher sand paper scraps to give him a rubdown.

And using Black Soot Crayon rubbed into the cracks with a bit of water on a paintbrush- after a couple of good FAST coats/heat treatments with Foundry Wax… viola!

And here's the finished project...

FRONT 

FRONT- the 3 older Grandchildren are waiting to get out the door and into the snow.

And yes; it did snow when they were at our house,

as if by magic!

Closeups follow…

The new 2023 bells are SWEET!

BACK

Little Judith just started walking and stayed inside.

But she’s a CLIMBER!!

Here she is- going after the candy…

or is she curious to see more of the Baby JESUS in the manger….??

She’d better get back to bed because Santa is taking advantage of the older Grands being outside; he’s got places to go and toys to leave!

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care… 

with the help of TH Baseboards (both 2023 & 2022).

JESUS: the Reason for the Season!!!

Letterpress presents… for my Grandbabies with LOVE!

Thanks so much for sharing this time with me! 

Don't forget to go see all the new

Inspiration Ave

makes from our awesome Design Team,

and check out the 

AWESOME CLEARANCE SALE 

GOING ON NOW at

The Funkie Junkie Boutique!!

Stay Safe &

HAPPY CHRISTMAS BLOGGING!!

The Funkie Junkie Boutique's Inspiration Ave #24; Snowy Day... Snovember Sing!

 

   November's cold actually blew in on the afternoon of Halloween on October 31st. We got a very early snow that could be measured (1/4 inch) which most TrickOrTreaters didn't venture out in. It's been freezing at night ever since. I'm ready to fly SOUTH now, where the sandy beaches are still warm and waiting for me! I was getting a bit stressed trying to finish up the work for closing up the Indiana house, yet, we made good progress the first week of the month. We've still got a few things left to do, but for now, we are currently further north- Upstate New York- to celebrate younger Grandson Pecan's (Jamie) 4th Birthday! It's the last birthday of the year in our family and while he had his party with friends over on Sunday, the actual day is Tuesday; November 14th (as it just turned while I type this late after midnight). This little boy is defintely gifted and blows through the tech toys, catching on quickly. He's talented on an iPhone camera and uses filters and effects like nobody's business! He's actually taught ME a thing or two on there! So his 'Rents got him a more age-appropriate type of camera. He's got it mastered in one day and has taken over 1,000 photos; reworking his faves into real art .He's also enjoying his first real bicycle and practiced nearly 4 entire hours on Saturday- to show off his new skill during his party. I am very much enjoying the time with both the younger Grandbabies- with Princess Rose welcoming me with open arms and remembering us for the first time! She usually has had to have a chance to warm up to us that first day we're here. She's such a beautiful child and my heart bursts to see her smile and laugh! On our way up here, we got some pics from the older Daughter- she was trying to take some fall photos of the older Grandbabies for us, and Princess Chloe never fails to be positively sweet! She's got a thing for stuffed animals and especially kitties right now. Right after those pics came in, we got another msg that Peanut (OIder Grandson) was chosen out of all his school to be "Cougar of the Day"! Actually, it's not a huge surprise; he's a VERY good student and is always helpful when he's at Memaw& Papaw's house! He's a great example to his little Sissy and she's copying him in the classroom- always getting compliments at Church, too. My heart gushes over these four WONDERFUL GIFTS!!!!

Over at Inspiration Ave, we've got another fun 2 weeks of makes to share with you:

we're excited for the new theme suggestion "Snowy Day" from Linda Coughlin- owner of

 The Funkie Junkie Boutique! Lyla here, to start out once again: I'm taking you caroling!

I've also tossed in a couple other snow-related activities in my most recent make, so bundle up

and let's head out the door into the "SNOWY DAY"!

Happy Mail from The Funkie Junkie Boutique gives you a peek at more makes to come!

First up; that handy List of Links for things I've used here:

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera Mini Tag Thickboards

Sizzix Tim Holtz Christmas 2023 Thinlits Die Set 14PK - Trim A Tree, Colorize

Sizzix Tim Holtz Christmas 2023 Thinlits Die Set 23PK - Candle Shop, Colorize

Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits Die Set - Woodgrain, Colorize

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper Dolls Christmas 2022

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tiny Bells Christmas 2022

Antique Silver Christmas Snowflake Charms - Set of 6

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Kraft Stock, Black

Tim Holtz Idea-ology 6x9 Kraft Stock, Cool

Tim Holtz Idea-ology 6x9 Kraft Stock, Neutral

Tim Holtz Idea-ology 6x9 Kraft Stock, Warm

(LIMITED EDITION SEASONAL RELEASE) Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Holiday Mica Stains Set #3

(LIMITED EDITION SEASONAL RELEASE) Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Holiday Mica Stains Set #5

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Ground Espresso

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Iced Spruce

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Pine Needles

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Vintage Photo

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Picket Fence

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Walnut Stain

Various Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons

Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink - Ginger

Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Blending Solution 2oz

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer
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"

Tonic Tim Holtz Rotary Media Trimmer

I printed out a few favorite Christmas Music Sheets after sizing them on my computer

to fit on a TH Mini Etcetera Tag. You can also just use a copy machine, but this way saves it as made.

I also wanted my sheets double-sided.

So I did some cloning to make the same coloring to the backside.

I'm using regular white cardstock to print onto.

Here, you see the finished backsides, slighly wider than the front-sided music.

After printing the cardstocks, I also sized and printed a couple more Christmas song sheets.

These were printed on regular cream-colored paper.

I used my TH Rotary Trimmer to cut each the same size.

I adhered the cardstocks to each side of the Etcetera Tags, 

and made a song book of the paper prints by doubling them up so each page had a song.

The top sheet of each side was going to be a clone of the cardstock- 

to look like a 'stack' of music sheets.

I sprayed some of the new TH Mica Spray and then dragged the Etcetera Tag through it on all the edges only... Juniper Berry on the BACK and Fresh Balsam on the FRONT.

I crinkled both top sheets and gave them a Distress Ink job, to age them.

This is FRONT... 

... and this is BACK.

Lastly, for the backgrounds of the Tags, I dry-brushed Picket Fence Distress Paint lightly

onto all of the music sheets just in the center bottoms.

I looked up Tim's helpful video as a guide to the Trim A Tree Thinlits Die Set

(CLICK HERE for VIDEO)

I take screen shots of the main ideas to help me later on remember how to assemble it again.

I made two different trees- in slightly different shades of green.

I did use the same Pine Needles Distress Oxide on both trees, 

and also some Vintage Photo Oxide.

This die set is "Da BOMB"!!

It's so FUN to make and the dies are so EASY on the fingers!

Heat-drying is the most fun of all- the tree just spreads out all by itself!

Instead of the pot set that comes with the Trim A Tree Dies, I chose to make the trunk

and had a few ready-made 'planks'.

To rust these new TH Bells (the 2023 sets have new cute "sleigh bells" in the sets!):

1) Use Alcohol Ink in Ginger- all over bells.

2) Dab Distress Paint in Walnut Stain (or darker) and then

3) Dip into Distress Embossing Powder and Heat Dry,

4) Repeat process until happy dancing happens.

I decided to use the TH Candleshop Thinlits Die Set once again,

It was the perfect look for "Silent Night" on the BACK.

(CLICK HERE for the tutorial on making the Candleshop candle on my last project.)

The Christmas Tree on the FRONT needed a couple of TH Victorian Carolers (retired)

cut from TH Blackout.

Some added IdeaOlogy and TFJB charms with TH Paper Dolls

and an old, rusted star from stash... the finishing touches!

And here's what I finished with...

Fun in the snow for the whole family!

After caroling, this family goes out to choose the perfect tree for their home.

BACK of Tag

The best song is sung last- for The CHRIST Child- the Reason for the Season!

Peace... one day, it will come.

The next two weeks will feature more makes from the rest of the Design Team-

so be sure not to miss any of it at Inspiration Ave!

And, remember to check in at the supplies in stock at The Funkie Junkie Boutique;

your place for Christmas goodies!

Be sure to check out all the latest Tim Holtz Mica Sprays to add shimmer to your own

"Snowy Day" make... while they last!

Until next time...

Stay Safe &

HAPPY BLOGGING!!