Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Frilly and Funkie - Vintage Seaside

Hello Friends!  I was thrilled and honored when Linda asked me to join this challenge as a guest designer!  This challenge is hosted by Nancy and the theme is Vintage Seaside.   We've been tasked to create a vintage project that focuses on the sea or the beach.  As you probably know, Artist Trading Blocks are quite the rage right now!  I've wanted to make one for a while so I thought I'd give that a try.  Then I remembered that I have some vintage mermaid doll stamps.  And inspiration struck!!  So here's my Haute Mermaid ATB!!


(My block is slightly larger than the artist trading block die that cuts the three different sizes.  The largest block on that die wasn't big enough to support the mermaid.  This block was cut from an older Sizzix square gift box die that I have.)


 
 
 
 
For the box, I started with various shades of blue watercolor on watercolor paper, then I added some twinkling H2Os and sprinkled on gold Pearl-Ex powder while it was still wet.  Once it dried I stamped the little bubbles with Salty Ocean DI.  After assembling the box I distressed the edges with Walnut Stain DI.  I used a piece of scrapbook paper from my stash to create the waves.  They are inked with Salty Ocean DI and stamped with bubbles.

 
I used a piece of Tim's kraft resist paper behind the mini-blueprint images which I stained with Tumbled Glass distress stain.  Don't you just love these mini blueprint stamps of sea life!!  They were the perfect images to add to the sides of my ATB.  I stamped the images twice.  I used the detail water brush and distress markers to add color.  Then I fussy cut one image and layered it onto the other for dimension.  The edges were distressed with Walnut Stain DI and then layered on top of the torn kraft resist background.  Then I added a little more sparkle with the pearls and gems.

 


The mermaid and her accessories were watercolored using Distress Markers and Twinkling H2Os.  Then cut out and assembled.  I glued a bamboo skewer to the back of the mermaid and then inserted that down through the box to hold her up.  Then I finished it up by adding some shells and the phrase to the waves!

I want to thank Linda again for asking me to participate in this challenge!  If you haven't already checked out The Funkie Junkie Boutique you definitely should!  Linda has the best prices and she provides top-notch customer service!!

I hope that you are inspired to create your own Vintage Seaside project for the challenge.  You could win a guest designer spot and you will also be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to The Funkie Junkie Boutique!

Thanks so much for stopping by!




      
 


15 comments:

  1. Wow Donna, your block is fabulous! You have used my current favourite set of blueprint stamps and ATBs are imprinted into my soul so this is right up my street. You have done a beautiful job constructing this fabulous mermaid scene - I especially love her handbag! So, so beautiful. Anne xx

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    1. Thank you Anne! I am in awe of your ATBs and can't wait to see more from you!

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  2. Love your ATB! And it's even better looking In Real Life!

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  3. Oh Donna this is fabulous! I love the way you've arranged your gorgeous mermaid so she's floating in the waves and the nautical stamped elements around the sides of the ATB are superb. LOVE IT! So glad to have you back for this very special guest appearance too. Jenny x

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    1. Thank you Jenny! It's an honor to create along with the Frilly and Funkie team again!

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  4. Oh my word Donna this is incredible! I can't even pin, Facebook, and share it everywhere fast enough!!

    Amy*

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    1. Thank you Amy! Sometimes you get an idea and it really works. This was one of those times!!

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  5. Absolutely fantastic, I adore the mermaid and her fish handbag, brilliant. Gorgeous piece. Tracy x

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  6. Oh my gosh Donna- your ATB is out of this world! I love the mermaid and all of her surroundings- this is stunning!

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  7. I absolutely love this! Hurray for ATBs!

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  8. Wow, a gorgeous piece of art. Fantastic idea.

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  9. Love, love, love this, Donna! You did an absolutely brilliant job with this challenge. That vintage mermaid stamp is out-of-this-world cool and so so perfect for the vintage beach theme! I'm absolutely delighted to have you back guest designing for us. Thank you SO much for this lovely piece of eye candy you contributed for our visitors to drool over!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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