A Chief's Wife's Heart's 'aFire

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

The Funkie Junkie Boutique's Inspiration Ave #26, Holiday Homecoming... The Christmas Tree Hunt!

December in Florida passes by just as quickly as it does back in Indiana- for different reasons, of course. I keep more than plenty busy and the days often pass by before I realize my Grandbabies are already in bed and getting ready for the next day. By the time I finally got around to Dr-advised walking again or having a chance to shop any, the lights were already all up around Lake DeFuniak and the "Circle of Lights" was going strong. So much for having more time to get ready for the season by leaving Indiana right after Thanksgiving. *sigh* Things happen and life tosses surprises here and there between all the "hurry up and go, go, go". Even beach time has suffered only a couple hours in one walk. We are enjoying not just our Family who live here in Florida, but some who have come down from Indiana to also serve The LORD here! It's kept all the work fun, and the Worship time has been "like old times" in a way. I'm hoofing it to keep up with everyone else... just like old times, lol! I give a big KUDOS! to my 4 kids for keeping us up to date on the Grandbabies through pics and Facetime calls. The older set of Kids (Brian & Ashley) are keeping up with each child in a different school (both K and PreK), which has to be a feat these days! They sent us notice that Peanut- having been "Cougar of the Day" a few weeks ago- was invited to ride the School Bus, representing his school (from Kindergarten Class), in their town's Christmas Parade. Princess Chloe was excited to get to join him- and no doubt; wear her latest fashion! I chuckled at Mommy's description of "Chloe and the other kids jumping up and down on the bus, with Cole sitting in his seat and looking at them all with his 'Bus Rules are to SIT DOWN!' looks". Peanut is a stickler for the rules, just like his Memaw, as much as Chloe's excitedness is like me, also! Younger set of Kids (Brett and Holli) - both Purdue grads- are lucky; living near Toronto, Canada, where the Boilermaker Men's Basketball just happened to be in a tourney. After scoring some 2nd row tix (and her Sis and BroInLaw as babysitters for Pecan and Princess Rose) they had a nice, nail-biting time at the televised game. #4 Purdue did win the game. We watched from here and I was able to pick them out at one point but missed taking a photo of them on the screen. Aunt Krista took lots of pictures of the fun Pecan and Princess had while staying with their Cousins. When I look at Princess Rose, I feel like I am staring into a mirror of myself at her age! She looks the most of them all like me and it feels sweetly uncanny! When they returned home, Jamie, who just turned 4, showed off his marker skills that he's been practicing on- wrote his own name on the calendar while his Parents were updating it!

We're so very PROUD of each of these Grandbabies and we are SO BLESSED that they not only enjoy learning and reading, but they're ready to use it to help others in their examples doing these things!! We miss them all quite a lot but we love to step back and watch them all grow together, because we know we are SO BLESSED to be down here and serve The LORD!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, indeed! Especially over at The Funkie Junkie Boutique where the Tim Holtz Christmas products are on SALE! Once again, I'm introducing the latest theme going on for the next two weeks where the Design Team will be sharing makes on "Holiday Homecoming" featuring Tim Holtz's newest stamp sets by Stampers Anonymous... get 'em while they last, folks! I was so taken by one set, that I went back in and ordered another- at a

HUGE BARGAIN during TFJB's awesome deals going on, and it's like getting total freebies!

I have so many ideas for these sets!

Come with! Grab a snack and scroll on...

The Happy Mail from my second order for another set of Tim stamps!

Linda's gone bananas with these deals- in a GOOD way, lol!!

Here's a list of LINKS- but don't forget to come back after you shop, hehe!!

Year End Clearance Bundle - Stamp Set Jolly Holly + Woodland Tree Lot Large + Layer Frames + Christmas Confections

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Stamp Set Christmas 2023 - Winter Woodlands

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2023 - Baseboards + Transparencies

(LIMITED EDITION SEASONAL RELEASE) Tim Holtz Distress Holiday Grit Paste - Snowfall

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

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Layer Frames, Collage

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2023 Holdiay Bells

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2023 Sticker Book Christmas

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2022 Baseboards Christmas

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas 2023 - Confections

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tiny Clips

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Long Fasteners

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Wire Pins

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera: Bracket Trims

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera Mini Tag Thickboards

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Backdrops Volume 4

Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Dura - Lar Clear Transparent

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Black Soot

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Ground Espresso

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Vintage Photo

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Squeezed Lemonade

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons - 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 began with using the Etcetera Mini Tag and Bracket Trims, again this time.

I can't get enough of these!

I did my fave thing: adhering and sanding all the edges.

Then I edged the Etc Mini Tag and Brackets with the latest

Tim Distress Crayons from the Pearlescent Set #3.

I got out my new package of TH Baseboards and Transparentcies for a window to use...

...to make sure the window would fit the Mini Tag with room to spare for the Trims.

Then I started getting out some IdeaOlogy- some from 2021. 2022 and 2023- for good measure.

Here come the TH Stamp Sets and the detailing is just sooo cool!!

But I had a problem... as I do quite a few days this year, *sigh*...

I had forgotten to pack any of my stamp blocks!

After an hour of looking around for something, I spotted my TH 3D Folders

(which I forgot to bring LAST year) and wondered if one would work as a "block"

in a pinch?? YES; it did!! (Who knew?!)

Again; the detail of the pine cones and wording is just so exquisite!

And this Santa was so sweet in that he's able to be colored in!

So, I used my Pearlescent Set again.

And now I am glad I tossed a bunch of things from stash into my bags...

these leftover little beads were just the things I needed to add to my TH Pinecone Adornments

from several years ago. I wasn't able to get the newest set, but these still matched nicely!

After successful stamping, I decided "why not?"

and made use of the Cracked 3D Embossing Folder which I happened to grab,

and put some scrap Vol. 4 paper to use!

I added some DO Squeezed Lemonade to make it more Pine-shaded wood.

The Baseboards and Transparencies are better than ever: I love the way Tim's

adding more larger windows and doors- the printed plastics are bonus!

I decided Santa was going to be seen inside the window,

so I needed to use my Dura-Lar (a must-have item, I think).

I used my Picket Fence Distress Crayon to color over the same areas as the

frame lines of the window. I placed the tissue (from the pack of Dura-Lar) underneath

the window frame, the topped the window frame with the Dura-Lar.

I used my finger to swipe and run at the Crayon and repeated until I had a good set of lines.

This shows you how smudged the lines looked. Any bits of the Crayon got left also.

Then I heat dried each time to see the total effect between repeats till I was happy.

I did add another sheet of Dura-Lar so the Crayon was in the middle of the 2 sheets.

I adhered both together by using Glossy Accents all around only the edges of

the plastics after it was cut to the window's size.

Then I adhered it with the GA to the window frame.

The result is really COOL- a store front window during a cold & snowy day!

An older TH Thinlits Die (Christmastime) was used to make the light pole,

with a few green plastic mistletoe beads taken from the table setting of our

Church Ladies' Christmas Party last weekend.

I used a bit of leftover tissue paper and DO Squeezed Lemonade for the lantern of the light pole.

After heat-drying it the pole, I used the GA onto the top of the tissue- the result is a "glass" lamp.

Miniature Christmas trim edges the window.

Just look at how snowy and icy that Tim Holtz Distress Snowfall Grit Paste is!!

And here's what I ended up with...

FRONT of Tag

The brightly decorated storefronts of our Home Away From Home

(DeFuniak Springs, Florida)

is shown in the background.

Closeups following,,,

Here's the BACK of the Tag...

Chipley Park surrounds the only naturally perfectly round lake in the USA;

Lake DeFuniak is totally lit up with lights on nearly every Pine, Palm,

and Magnolia tree in the entire park.

I walk this 1 mile around as many days a week as possible

while here for the winter months.

The TH Winter Woodlands Stamp Set was perfect for showing off the Pines here!

The Stamps can be used on your other IdeaOlogy items as well!

That's it from for now, but keep your browser open to

Inspiration Ave

so you can come back in every couple of days to see what the rest of our talented

Design Team

has created for your Christmas crafting inspiration!

We've got 2 more weeks beyond this theme, as well, so that means

there's yet another theme to come before Christmas!!

That'll give you more reasons to shop The Funkie Junkie Boutique!!

Till next time...

Stay Safe &

HAPPY BLOGGING!!

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

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...