The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge #23; It Looks Real!........The Book of Experiments

    November has blown in with gusty winds spreading the falling leaves faster than I can keep up with. So far, anyway; what Leaf Battles I have fought in the past few weeks, I have won. But the Leaf War is not yet over for 2019. We've succeeded in getting everything winterized and put away, except for the camper moved out to the new overhead storage. A bit of trouble getting it installed (they finally showed up last week) and they  actually set it up in the dark! Next day sunlight revealed that they really CAN do that with their eyes closed. But don't try that on your own, folks, lol! A bit of adjustments to the bottom anchor boards and then it will be ready. In the meantime; I'll be up on the roof, getting the last of the leaves blown off, and reciting "I'm king of a hill..." That children's poem always comes to my mind up there. In another few years, we plan on putting up a metal roof. I can't see walking on that in my socks the way I do this tar-shingle roofing. Unless I want to crack my back...the hard way. This house has been ours since 1987, and we have probably redone every single bit of it- at least once- to get it where it is now. I absolutely LOVE my home, and while no house is ever going to be perfect, I can honestly say that this house is perfect for us. We still have things we want to redo, like the roof, but I dare anyone to say they are satisfied with the way their house is. Because it's then you will find something that needs to be fixed. The "Dream Home" is what you make yours to be. So this one is mine!
           The theme for this Challenge on The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge Blog put me in the mood for a mix of old and new. You see; this appears to be "The Year of Replacements" for us. You all know what that means if you own your home; things are going to wear out or break down with use, and need to be replaced. No matter how well you take care of things, it's just going to HAPPEN. And, more often than not; it comes one after the other in rapid succession. I think  it started with the little spare AC in the master bedroom. Some years back, our central air puttered out and we replaced it. But after that, we built on the large Family Room, as our boys were getting bigger and we needed a bit more common living space. We didn't plan to do things in that order, but the AC had gone out before we were ready to build on, and at the time we weren't sure we were even staying in this house... or purchase a larger home? So, unbeknownst to us then; that AC was too small and eventually wore down to non-use. We had our hands full getting both boys through very expensive High School years and then, getting them into college/out on their own. Installing two window ACs made more sense at that time, and we decided to wait until putting on a metal roof,; we'd get all the ducts rechecked/worked on all at once. We learned that re-siding a house, new windows/doors installed....can be very messy. Especially when your house is "The Neighborhood House".
   That all brings me back to the REPLACEMENTS.... after that 'small AC problem; easily fixed; boom; good to go', then it was the weed whacker. With mowing and trimming this much land, a light-duty weed whacker is a no-go here. So it was get a new heavy-duty tool. Thanks, Amazon! I'd already had a replacement mower the year before. I LOVE that little "Gumpmobile" that does look just like Forrest Gump's red mower. It mulches anything and everything in its path. And it can actually take off on you. (Happened to a few of us-including my Older Kids' other Mom- from whom it came!)
But after this second belt broke, in the middle of summer (it was no easy feat to replace the first one- 2 different belts on it) , no less...*sigh*….it was time to go ahead and get a new one. AGAIN. Yes, we have had several brand new mowers in the 32 years here. And yes, we DO mow THAT MUCH! So the ChiefHubby went shopping and got little old me a zero-turn Cub Cadet in a "very purty yellow". Mowing now takes half the time it ever did before (normal is 4 hours), and my RA thanks him so very much! Not to go to waste; the Gumpmobile, and its new belt, is already promised to a guy who needs it. We are so BLESSED to be able to afford all we have, so we always GIVE to others without cost. Okaaaaay. After that, it was several little things around the house. Small, but replacements nonetheless.
      With a lot of thoughts going this path all through this year so far...shall we knock on wood, here?.....I decided to make something that I've wanted to try for ages. It involves - just like a real home- a mixture of old and new. I also took note of a few other Designers' inspirational makes to help me blend my idea together. So here we go!

                                        Is this BOOK real?

Not really! And it was fun to make!

Yes, I doubled the paper, and coated the inside with ModPodge 

to keep the layers stuck together.

Painting the box first, then adding my makes all on top of that paint.

The paint serves as a base.

Crumple. Smooth out. Ink up. Heat. Repeat... till satisfied.

Here's where I thought I was stuck;

I wanted to put my usual coat of Distress Collage in Vintage Photo...

until I opened up the bottle to find what was left at the bottom- all dried up and useless.

Then, I had a thought: Distress Rock Candy Crackle will just ADD more tiny wrinkles!

After it dried, I gave it another coat of Vintage Photo Distress Ink, then

finally (after the binding was added) coated the entire thing with Multi-Medium Matte.

I've made faux leather before, and a book, as well, but pure & simple INSPIRATION

got me going on this choice... 

THANK YOU for the inspiration, TFJBCB Design Team Member, Jenny Marples!

Is this KEY real?

The Bookmark string is coated hemp (purchased like that).

I grunged it up by simply running it roughly through my hands- at the very last-

when I had all that grungy, messy ink all over!

Hey, that was the EASIEST distress job I've ever done!

Nope! Just some stacked TH Grungeboard with TH Distress Inks and a heat tool.

The matching "LOCK" on the front of the BOOK was made the same way.

How about the BLACK CAST IRON?

Or the WOODEN SIGN?

Or the VOLTAGE...

Is any of that REAL?

NOPE! But, creating it to LOOK real, was REAL(ly) FUN!

I also used the TH Alterations Movers & Shapers Dies: Base Tray and Mini Labels.

The TH Alterations Voltage Die is brand new and this was my first chance to use it.

I had a little help- you can see in the background- from ZOE HILLMAN's take on it.

THANK YOU, ZOE!!!

The Voltage base at the bottom was a mix of all these products!

Talk about messy FUN!!

Most of my die cuts were all thick mat boards. Then stacked up in 3 layers.

If you look closely at the finished project; you can see how '3D' it looks from this thick layering!

The WOODEN SIGN was made the same way, but with thinner cardstock,

then run through the Big Shot with TH 3D Impresslits Folder Lumber

The best way to make the 'cast iron' is to really cover the item with Black Soot Distress Paint,

then 'sift' it through PLAIN EMBOSSING POWDER.

(Tim's Distress Powders won't give a smooth look, and I like using his for rust and grungy looks.)

I added Ranger Texture Paste all around with a bit of water on my fingers, 

shaped it rounded to match the stacked walls on the outside- to smooth the sides-

then sanded it down and added the rest of the paint as a second coat.

The Professor would need water piped in to cool those gears...

I just LOVE that TH 3d Impresslits Folder: FOUNDRY!!

This was my first chance to reeeeeally make a larger thing with it.

Trash plastic becomes treasure plastic!!

Water in the Lab needs a tank:

one for holding and constantly filtering/cooling the water, and a holding tank as well.

Painting a mixture of Alcohol Ink with Glossy Accents gives a fast-drying medium

as well as coloring!

This was the first attempt at piping and trying to make it look rounded.

I cut 3 of each piece to layer them, but only one had the "WATER"

colored onto it. They were all three held together with Glossy Accents without the Alcohol Ink.

PVC piping does come in clear for laboratories! 

I tried shaping the FIRST BATCH with heat to round it out.

Nixed the above set, and made this new set the same way, but leaving it flat this time.

Making the light fixture/fan was just simple stamping with the Stamp Platform and

The Professor (CMS373) Stamp Set.

While this book was a large project, I've wanted to do this for a long time.

Not just a works on a Tag, but the whole 3D shebang!

I think it turned out pretty good, too.

THANKS!! for all the sweet comments, and for the app. 1,600 folks who peeked

in on my blog last month! WOW; I was blown away!

Thank you, The Funkie Junkie Boutique ,

for always having what someone needs, and at nice prices!

TFJB is the Sponsor for these amazingly fun Challenges,

so try one out and see what you can do, too!

Until next time, folks...

Be Safe &

HAPPY BLOGGING!

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!