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