Graphic 45 Twelve Days of Christmas Card Folio for Frilly and Funkie “Impress Us” Challenge

Hello, Friends!  It’s time for a brand new challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Blog.  I’ve created this Graphic 45 Twelve Days of Christmas Card Folio using the new Deluxe Collector’s Edition.  We’ll take a closer look at it in just a second, but first, let’s see what our lovely hostess, Sarah Emily, has to say about the challenge.

Challenge Theme:  Impress Us
Who doesn’t want to make a great first impression? For this challenge, we would like you to use your embossing folders or any other way you can make an impression on your vintage or shabby chic project. Go ahead and ‘Impress Us’ with your creativity!

Twelve Days of Christmas Card Folio: The Inspiration

The inspiration for this card was my new Tim Holtz Laurel 3-D Impresslits Texture Fade.  I’ve had it in my stash for a while now, and always intended to use it to create a wreath. This challenge afforded the perfect opportunity!  And what would go better with a wreath than a Christmas project?  So I pulled out my Graphic 45 Twelve Days of Christmas DCE and went to work.

Twelve Days of Christmas Card Folio: Making the Impression

These are the steps I followed to create this dimensional winter wreath.

• First, create an inky background with a mix of green Distress Oxide Inks.  I used the faithful smoosh and spritz method that we are all so familiar with.
• Next, cut the inked panels to fit inside the Laurel 3-D Impresslits Folder. The wreath uses 3 embossed pieces, but I did extra so I could experiment.
• Now, place the inked panels in the folder ink side up if you want to EMBOSS (raised edges) or ink side down if you want to DEBOSS (recessed edges). Run through your die cutting machine following manufacturer instructions.  The folder will cut and emboss at the same time, which I love.
• Then, tap the raised edges of the laurel with a little Ground Espresso Distress Oxide Ink.
• Next, sprinkle on some Seth Apter Ancient Amber Baked Texture.  Tap off the excess and heat emboss.
• Spatter with diluted white acrylic paint and dry brush the edges as well.
• Finally, lay 3 branches in a circular shape and adhere the ends to form a wreath.

Twelve Days of Christmas Card Folio: The Details

The base layer for this 5″ x 7″ is a 4 7/8″ x 6 7/8″ panel from the “B” side of Twelve Days. Give the folio a rustic feel by distressing all the edges, inking with Ground Espresso Distress Oxide and dry brushing with white acrylic paint.  I also dry brushed the flowers and foliage.

Stitch a 4″ x 6″ panel from “Five Golden Rings” onto a slightly larger piece of burlap and fringe the edges.  Place dimensionals on the back and adhere to the card.  Then place dimensionals on the back of the wreath and adhere.  Adhere the chipboard frame directly to the wreath.  You will need to back the circle chip with a couple layers of dimensionals before adhering.

Twelve Days of Christmas Card Folio: Ribbons and Flowers

Tie a double loop bow with Christmas Traditions Plaid Ribbon.   Create a floral cascade with Renae Scarlet Flowers and Rosemund Moonlight Roses from Little Birdie Crafts.  Tuck the “Dec 25” chipboard in under the bow cluster.

Twelve Days of Christmas Card Folio: A Peek Inside

To turn a card into what I call a card folio, simply add pockets and/or some interactive elements.  I’ve done both on this festive card.

The large pocket holds this 4.25″ x 6.25 tea bag wallet.  There’s room to write a personal greeting on the front of the wallet.

Then tuck a tea bag, honey stick and cute Christmas spoon inside to turn it into a gift.  You could also add a photo, gift card or note here.

The interactive element is this accordion fold mechanism.  It will hold 4″ x 6″ photos so you can add all the happy memories of your family Christmas here.

Here’s a peek at the inside of the accordion fold mechanism.  Room for journaling, a pocket to hold little mementos, tuck spots and room for photos, too.  The mechanism is held shut with a magnetic closure.

Go Ahead…Impress Us!

We’d love to have you join in on this fun challenge.  To do so, simply create a vintage or shabby chic project using embossing folders.  Then link it up over on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog before 11:55PM EST on Tuesday, November 6th.

Every linked project that follows the challenge guidelines will be entered into a drawing for a $25 shopping spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  The team will ask the designer of our favorite project to join us as a Guest Designer on the Frilly and Funkie Blog.  And there are Top Three Badges for further outstanding entries.  You can read all the challenge guidelines HERE.

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and inspiration that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.  And, you can find links to all the products I’ve used from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Product Links to The Funkie Junkie Boutique