Sunday 29 July 2012

Stitched With Love

Hello folks, I'm here at this early hour (scheduled tee hee as not up!) to wish Fashionable Stamping Challenges a very Happy First Birthday. I can't believe it's now a year since the challenges begun so it's true that time flies when you're having fun!
To celebrate our challenge theme for the fortnight is Anything Goes and I actually found this more difficult than having a set theme. However, I was looking for something the other day and came across a background I made a few months ago and inspiration struck.
Here's the result which is an altered shadow box.


The background I made uses a technique I learnt several years ago from the lovely ladies of Magenta and it gives a look similar to Florentine Bargello embroidery. I made strips of decorated paper using Distress inks (too many to list here!) and then stamped on them with more Distress inks and various floral, leaf and dot design stamps. I then assembled the strips into the pattern you see and added stamped splatters for an aged effect. The design was inspired by a patchwork quilt I saw.
I then painted a grungeboard flourish with orange acrylic paint and stamped on a grid design with Stazon Pumpkin ink. I die cut a Tim Holtz dress form from kraft card and stamped a Kanban lace design on the body section with Archival Coffee ink. I dry embossed some ridges for definition and inked with umber ink.
I die cut a shaped mat for the dress form with the Tim Holtz baroque die and Sissix Tim Holtz Kraft Core card. I embossed the shape with a Sissix rose folder and then sanded some of the raised areas to expose the kraft core.
I stamped 3 lace corners (Personal Impressions) on white card with the coffee ink and then inked these with Antique Linen Distress ink and cut them out. I stamped the text (Creative Expressions) on kraft card and die cut this with a Papermania label die.
I painted the box frame with avocado acrylic paint and then stamped with a button border and green ink.
I assembled it as you see embellishing with various buttons, pearls and a ribbon flower. I was aiming at a rather retro/vintage look so hope you think I've achieved it here.

The entries for the messy and inky challenge were amazing and we can't wait to see what you come up with for this one. Don't forget to stamp though, as this is what our challenges are all about. You also should check out the Design Team inspiration as my DT sisters have made some stunning creations.
Have a great Sunday.
Hugs, Fliss xx

Challenges for my altered shadow box:
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Hey Girl (inspired by my fashion designing daughter)
It's All About Vintage - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Sarah Hurley Challenge - Alter Something
Crafty Creations - Buttons

23 comments:

Terry said...

What a great sentiment and the background is so cherry and vibrant! Of course I love all the sewing elements that so nicely fill this fabulous shadow box! I have been so delighted to be on the same team with you and so look forward to year #2!

Suzanne B aka brookfies said...

Hi Fliss....fabulous! Love the mix of colours, great detailing! Enjoy the sun today. Suz x

cheryl said...

oh hun this is brilliant love the colours and all the detail amazing hugs Cherylxxxxxxxx

Jenny Marples said...

Good grief!! How much work has gone into this! Don't know how you had the patience to get that quilted background so perfect. Love it. Hugs, Buttons x

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful piece, just lovely, bright and sunny! Valerie

Caroline said...

This is gorgeous love the layout and the colours are beautiful. Caroline xxx

Brenda Brown said...

I love the story here, the fabulous sewing theme and wonderful patchwork background. A wonderful shadow box Fliss.
hugs {brenda} xox

Anonymous said...

Hi Fliss
Your background is astonishing, the patience required for that!
It is so perfect as is every element in your shadow box.
Wishes
Lynne

Mrs.B said...

Hi Fliss, WOW what a background, looks great for a sewing themed project. Love it.
Avril xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A beautiful sewing collage, fantastic colors.

Meggymay said...

Wow, fantastic background, so detailed, love the box and the sewing theme collage.
Yvonne x

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Great shadow box Fliss! The background looks really striking, love the collage of colours! xx

May said...

my favorite detail is the background - all those rectangles of pattern I just love how that came together. Thank you so much for joining us this week at Simon Says Stamp and Show!

Ellie Knol said...

Beautiful!
xxx Ellie xxx

Heather said...

Stunning!!!
An amazing shadow box and your backgroumd is sensational - I love all your added details.

hugs
Heather xx
Thanks so much for joining us with Simon Says Stamp challenge.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous project Fliss, I love the bright colours and the background of the strips is really effective. Sue C x

Anonymous said...

Fantastic project, so bright and vibrant! Thank you so much for joining us at the Sarah Hurley challenge Blog!!

Unknown said...

This is such a pretty card, i adore the lovely details and lovely colors!Thank you so much for joining us over at It's All About The Vintage & Beauty Challenge! Good Luck! Hugs and sunshine

Ephemera said...

Hi Fliss, WOW what an amazing technique for the background, stunning. Sew (sorry I couldn't resist!) much attention to detail, love the stamping on the shadow box frame too. xx

fatmonica said...

It's gorgeous.I love the way you've made the background,it looks so good!Thanks for sharing it at Sarah Hurley's Challenge Blog.

Sanna Saksija said...

Oh, that's a super card for someone who likes sewing! Love the patchwork background! Thanks for taking part in It's all about the Vintage and Beauty!

Ink Art Designs said...

Hi Fliss...wow, this is amazing! I always love the colours that you use, and no exception here! The patchwork background looks right at home with all the sewing bits...beautifully placed.
Gorgeous Fliss.
Dot x

jaine drake said...

Wow I love this, it's so colourful. Thank you for entering it into the challenge with Sarah Hurley.