Sea Dreams Mixed Media Card Folio for Surf’s Up Challenge at Frilly and Funkie
Hello, Friends! It’s time for a brand new challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Blog. I have the honor of hosting the challenge this go round, and the theme is “Surf’s Up!” We’ll look at the delectable Sea Dreams Mixed Media Card Folio I prepared in just a second, but first, let’s get the details on this fun challenge.
Challenge Theme
Who’s ready for a little sand, a little sun, and a little surf? Let’s take this challenge for a little stroll beside the shore! Create a vintage or shabby chic project with a beachy theme. Use ocean colors and beach images to add a seaside feel to your project.
Sea Dreams Mixed Media Card Folio: Stamperia Sea Land Collection
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love the beach! It’s where I go to think, to relax, to refresh and regain my perspective on life. Sitting in the sand, the beach breeze messing up my hair, warm sand between my toes, little sea birds darting along the shore…gazing at the horizon…. OK, let’s pack up and go right now! Who’s with me?
This 5.25″ x 7.25″ card folio is made with Stamperia’s Sea Land paper pack. When I began creating for this challenge, I knew I wanted to incorporate lots of layers and texture. Mixed media has been calling to me lately, and this challenge seemed like a good opportunity to answer the call.
Sea Dreams Mixed Media Card Folio: Bringing the Texture!
For starters, I pulled out my Tim Holtz Woodgrain Texture Fade. Frayed Burlap Distress Oxide Ink seemed like a great color to complement these pretty beach papers. So I rubbed the ink pad directly onto the surface of my texture fade, misted my paper with a little water and ran it through my machine. It really brought this woodgrain pattern to life!
Next, I used my Distress Tool to rough up all the edges. Then I added two rows of machine stitching around the perimeter. The final step for this woodgrain layer was a touch of Frayed Burlap Distress Ink along the edges.
Sea Dreams Mixed Media Card Folio: Bringing the Dimension!
Torn paper layers add to the distressed feel of this mixed media card. I tore 2 strips to create the shoreline and the horizon line on my card. Each layer is backed with waste chipboard to add height and dimension.
TIP: For controlled paper tearing, “paint” a line with a water brush then wait a minute. The water will soften the paper fibers and you’ll be able to tear the precise area that you want to add to your composition.
Once I had my shoreline and horizon line in place, I randomly brushed the water with Transparent Gloss Texture Paste to add texture. For that sun glinting off the water look, i dusted the Texture Paste with Vintage Distress Dust.
Next, I fussy cut the hot air balloons and sponged the edges with more Frayed Burlap. Next, I coated them with Vintage Distress Collage Medium. Once that was dry, I added a layer of Transparent Gloss Texture Paste and just a very light dusting of Vintage Distress Glitter Dust.
When the hot air balloons were dry, I placed them face down on my foam mat and rounded out the edges with my largest ball stylus. Then I arranged and adhered them to the upper third of the card. I added a bunch of Tim Holtz Remnant Rubs for extra layers without adding extra bulk.
Sea Dreams Mixed Media Card: The Little Details
To create this shoreline collage, I wove some blades of sea grass that I’d salvaged after a storm into a sort of wreath. That created the base for the sand dollar (also scavenged from along the shoreline) some little sea plants, tiny shells, a real starfish and a brass seahorse charm. I also coiled up some very thin strips of paper and added them to the base of the wreath because I liked the texture they added. The lovely sentiment is from the paper collection, too.
The tiny vial of sand is resting on a bit of driftwood, surrounded by more tiny shells. Prills add extra texture and mimic a rocky coastline…at least in my mind!
Little Birdie Flowers were tapped with Frayed Burlap and dry brushed with Antique Linen Distress Paint. Then I dry brushed Antique Linen Paint all along the card edges. I diluted what was left on my craft mat, then spattered it all over the card.
Sea Dreams Mixed Media Card Folio: A Peek Inside
This cut apart image from the collection serves as a flap…
I pulled one of my favorite old beach stamps from my stash and hid it behind the flap. Then I wrote the sentiment in with a sharpie pen.
And of course, there’s a pocket with a gift card wallet!
And this time I made a quick little bookmark as an add in.
The gift card wallet is decorated with pretty paper scraps, a tiny chocolate and a tag.
This was such a fun, relaxing project. Almost as good as a walk along the shore!
Surf’s Up! Now it’s YOUR Turn!
I hope you’re feeling inspired to join in the fun on this Surf’s Up Challenge. Just create a shabby chic or vintage project of your choice that uses beach colors and images. Then link up on the Frilly and Funkie Blog before 11:59PM EDT on Tuesday, May 22nd.
The team will will pick their four favorite projects. The top winner will be invited to join us in a Guest Designer spot on the Frilly and Funkie Blog. The next three will receive badges to display proudly on their blogs. And everyone who enters and follows the challenge rules will be eligible to win a $25 shopping spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.
You can find all the challenge rules and details HERE.
I can’t wait to see what you make!
I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheerio,
kathy
Products from The Funkie Junkie Boutique
Gorgeous! I adore the hot air balloons over the beach! The little bits on the bottom are ingenious. Beautiful card. The inside is so beautiful with the pockets and tags!
Oh Kathy, as ever I love the layering and the idea of floating off in one of those balloons is such a restful idea. But then the beach scene you’ve created at the base of the card is simply stunning and so realistic! From the pebbles and shells with the washed up bottle to the inclusion of seaweed around the starfish it’s such a beautifully observed composition. LOVE it!!! xx
This is fabulous. The colours are perfect for the beach and I love the combination of beach icons with the hot air balloons – makes me want to soar high and far, right to the beach. If the beach of a lake counts, I wouldn’t need the balloon because I can drive there in 15 minutes and if I have to sit, I should sit there.
Kathy, I’ve been saving this visit for my Sunday morning cup(s) of coffee–the only day of the week where I get a full 1/2 hour of computer time at a stretch! Oh, I feel like I’ve just been for a stroll along the beach; no tourists, no wet dogs, no bugs, no blowing gales, just the soft whisper of the breeze, the sound of the waves lapping at the shoreline and the gulls calling and the warmth of the sun. I love how you’ve mixed the papers up with your mixed media touches, and how you’ve guided us through your process. Those papers look amazing, and you have created such a lovely scene on the outside by layering the different ones and adding your own touches. Wow! Real live beach finds that you have cleverly incorporated into your design!
Inside is such a treat using more of those papers for the flap, wallet, tag, and bookmark. I love your stamped image and admire your handwriting for your message. You knocked it out of the ballpark once again! Your love for the seashore really shines through on this folio! Sending hot, humid hugs from Wilmington!
Kathy, this paper is so beautiful in it’s toned down, vintage look! You’ve certainly used it to perfection with these gorgeous layers and dimensional accents. I love the inside on this one just as much as the outside. Hot air balloons are my favorites and I’m just wowed by this piece, just wowed! 🙂 Hugs, Autumn
LOVE LOVE LOVE…the balloons with the sea theme is wonderful! Just a gorgeous design in and out.
Hi Kathy, this is awesome, so much detail and texture, thank you for all the details. a real keeper for inspiration an joy. I love every part of it. just not brave enough to take a balloon ride, myself. all the ladies expressed my thoughts, You are amazing……big hugs.
Kathy, what a stunning project. Your attention to detail is amazing. I kept gazing at the card front to see the variety of media you added, not to mention the paper layering. Thanks for sharing this project and the tip for paper tearing–that’s so helpful. As for the invitation to pack up for the beach, I’d join you…but I’d be sitting on the porch, under the awning, sipping limeade 🙂
Oh my Kathy! This is another most beautifully designed beach card! You can sure tell your luv of the beach …in these cards! All your details are just amazing! I still remember the wooden dowel that you turned into a life preserver with a little blue washi tape! Just luv it all! Thanks for the tip of wetting the paper before you tear it! Did not know that! Hugs to you from Suzy Q
Wow! Please keep answering that mixed media call! Your latest makes with the Stamperia papers have blown me away! This card is stunning! All of your special touches and details really take this over the top!
Oh wow, wow, wow! I LOVE this folio and the paper collection is fabulous! The colors, the shabby chic design!
Oh my! Before I even saw the pictures I knew this card folio was going to be spectacular! And it was beyond that! I just love the colors, again kind of the neutral hues. I’m really falling in love with
those color schemes. Thanks again, Kathy, for a beautiful card! Have a wonderful day!
What an amazing project! As always, your creativity is stunning!
Gorgeous!
What wonderful card folio! I love how the balloons pop!!
You have out done yourself. Any chance you will list on Ebay? I would love to buy it.
Absolutely stunning as always Kathy. I have the Sealand collection…..going to give this a try. Thanks as ever for the wonderful inspiration
Beautiful!
Kathy I absolutely love the look of this folio…of course all your work is gorgeous..and the balloons just jump off the front…..pick me up please..ill hang on and ride my wheelchair lol
Stunning. You are amazing Kathy.- a true ray of sunshine! Thank you for sharing.
Blessings from SUNNY UK
Hi, loving the inspiration…the papers are wonderful….no wonder you made a fantastic beach card. Love it! Inky Hugs