Stamperia Winter Blues Folio for The Frilly & Funkie Challenge Blog
Hello, Friends! Today marks the start of a brand new challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog. The challenge theme is “Winter Blues” and I am the hostess this go round. This Stamperia Winter Blues Folio is filled with interactive elements…and a really fun surprise. We’ll take a look at it in just a second, but first, let me lay out the challenge guidelines for you so you can play along.
Challenge Theme: Winter Blues
January is the longest winter month and lots of us get the “winter blues”. Let’s take the winter blues in a positive direction and create a mostly monochromatic vintage or shabby chic project done up in shades of blue. You may use a bit of white, beige or grey for contrast, but I would like the blues to be front and center in this project.
Stamperia Winter Blues Folio: Covering the Bases
Stamperia Blues answered the call for this challenge. Filled with all shades of blue from grey blue to deep blue, it reminds me of winter twilight in my native Vermont. I adore songbirds, and this dapper little fellow in his parchment blue feathers warms my heart. So he won the place of honor on the cover of this 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ trifold folio.
One of the things I love about Stamperia papers is that the mixed media effects are built into the paper design. I did, however, stencil on some winter leaves and berries with Ranger Opaque Crackle Texture Paste. These are placed in such a way to make it appear that our bird is resting on a wintry branch. And you can see a little nest there, too, filled with 3 sweet eggs. These are made from clay, colored with alcohol inks. A clutch of feathers, a wintry blue flower and mustard seeds add color, texture and design.
Machine stitching is another way to add texture and interest to a simple cover like this one. I also strung some beads and added them to the mix. Contrast soft textures like the ribbon, thread and lichen in the nest with hard textures like the vintage button, beads, eggs and mustard seeds to create visual interest in your compositions.
Stamperia Winter Blues Folio: A little Bit Boho
I dressed up the spine of the folio with bohemian inspired baubles. Clear beads, a painted feather charm, heart and arrow charm and a wee apothecary bottle filled with blue glitter look right at home on the spine.
Stamperia Winter Blues Folio: A Peek Inside
Designing this folio was so much fun. Tim Holtz Paper Dolls, Botanical Layers, Clipping Stickers and Small Talk Stickers feel right at home with Stamperia Blues. The collection is loaded with lovely little tags. I’ve tucked them into pocket and used them as tuck spots throughout the folio.
There were far too many details in the folio to share in this post, so I created a video tour where you can see all the flips, flaps, folds and fun. You’ll find that at the end of this post.
Stamperia Winter Blues Folio: Eileen Hull Passport Journal Insert
The heart of this project is the box style center pocket, where this lovely little Eileen Hull Passport Journal fits neat as a glove. It is bound with seam binding ribbon to keep everything looking soft and shabby chic.
Only the covers of the signatures are decorated. The rest of the blue parchment pages are blank for journal entries or photos.
Any time I can add vintage buttons to a project, I’m a happy girl.
Stamperia Winter Blues Folio Tour on YouTube
I created a 10 minute video tour of this Winter Blues project with tips and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures. I hope you enjoy!
Winter Blues: Now it’s YOUR turn!
I hope you will join in on this fun challenge. To do so, simply create your own vintage or shabby chic project where blue takes center stage. Then link it up over on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog before 11:55PM EST on Tuesday, February 12th.
The winner will earn the chance of a Guest Designer spot at Frilly and Funkie, and everyone who enters and follows the rules will go into the draw for the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. In addition, the Design Team will select three further outstanding entries and those creators will receive a Top Pick badge to display on their blogs!
I can’t wait to see what you make!
I hope I’ve helped to chase away your winter blues. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheerio,
kathy
Stamperia Winter Blues Folio Supply List
- Blues 12×12 paper pad by Stamperia (You could use Blue Stars or Blue Land)
- Stamperia Leaves Stencil
- Small Talk Stickers by Tim Holtz/Idea-Ology
- Idea-Ology Clippings Stickers
- Quote Chips
- Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Botanical Layers
- Idea-Ology Paper Dolls, Ancestors
- Ranger Opaque Crackle Texture Paste
- Seth Apter Baked Texture: Ancient Amber/Vintage Beeswax
- Embossing Ink Reinker
- Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink
- Alcohol Ink: Stone Washed/Sail Boat Blue
Love this, you are so creative.
Wow, that is stunning Kathy, adore your wee bird getting pride of place on your beautiful cover and the embellishments inside are equally gorgeous, thank you so much for sharing it! Deb xo
Kathy your folios are always the gift that keeps on giving! The cover itself is beautiful with those beads and flourishes giving it an irresistible boho charm and then it opens to reveal page after page of clever design ideas with ephemera and of course those gorgeous papers. I love that you’ve even included an Eileen Passport book inside too!
Gorgeous folio Kathy and I love all your blue layers. I especially love how you incorporated Eileen’s passport book into your design!
Stitching, hand beading and so many beautiful pages, Oh My! Beautiful mini journal and so many wonderful details! I love the anticipation of the beautiful pages and tags always tucked inside of your art!
What a creative way to celebrate blue, Kathy. The idea of a journal inside the folio is so clever…a great way to collect/record happy thoughts on the gray days. Outside of winter, this folio design would work up well as a travel journal project to give as a gift before a special trip. As always, thanks for sharing your fabulous work and inspiring my crafting.
Kathy this project is just so beautiful! Stamperia’s papers are one of my favorites . You always know the perfect accents for all of your projects and I love looking at them. Thanks so much for including my Passport Book in your design <3
Love the Stamperia papers!! I picked up a “blue” pack. Can’t remember the name, darn it. Anyway, this is another spectacular creation of yours Kathy. You brain must never shut off except when you sleep, and I bet you even dream creations. You are so gifted. Love this piece!!! hugs to you from me.
Kathy, you have created another stunner! OMG that paper collection is just beautiful. It certainly does say winter. I don’t even know where to begin….I love everything you’ve done! And that little passport journal in the middle is over the top amazing! How cool! The beads, the birdies, all of your interactive elements are just so magical and creative. What a wonderful gift this folio will make! Thank you for sharing! Hugs!
Beautiful!! Love your folios and this one really spoke to me. I think because I love the color “blue” so much. Your creations are outstanding!
Really really striking and lovely, Kathy. Love the little folio and how you’ve once again managed to put so much detail into small areas. The blues are so striking! I’m not a huge blue fan but this is really an attention getter! Love the birds as well. This gives me hope that spring is coming! 🙂
This is absolutely beautiful! I really enjoyed the video closeup look at this creative folio. The folio within the folio was a sweet surprise. I really admire your fabulous work.
Sandra Smith
Talk about eye candy – this folio is chock full. Love the paper collection you used and adding a journal inside a folio is sheer genius. I love the little bead chain down the front and the blue bird in his place of prominence among the wintery leaves.
I’m at a loss yet again for what to say! My favorite color and birds no less! I’m embarrassed to say I ordered supplies before I watched the video. It’s just exquisite Kathy. oxoxo
Oh Kathy …luv this little Stamperia Blues Folio! This just looks like it was fun to make! And that would of course chase away the winter blues! Great thinking! And in your favorite colors too! Thanks so much for sharing every page in your tutorial of the passport book! Luv that little guy! Hugs and stay warm, Suzy Q
BRILLIANT! Your winter blues are chasing mine away, my talented friend! I love the bird/botanical theme carried throughout and your details are just amazing, as always! I especially love that you have colored those neutral flowers from the Botanical Layers to make them tie into your color scheme. Just sooo gorgeous throughout! I can’t wait to sit down and watch your video for a REAL treat! You have knocked this one clear out of the ballpark and into the next county, Kathy! Hugs!
Good Cold Winter Morning Kathy!!!
Nothing makes me happier than waking up to a fabulous new design by Kathy Clement. This Eileen Hull Passport Journal folio is even better because I already have the die in my collection. Oh happy day!!!
Not going anywhere today….too cold. Great excuse. LOL. I picked up spaghetti last night so no cooking. Turning on some soft music for atmosphere. Can’t wait to see what I create. Enjoy your day also, Kathy. Thank you for the inspiration !!
Blessings,
Vicki
This is so beautiful. Thanks so very much for sharing
This is so pretty ! I don’t know how you keep coming up with all the wonderful things that you do but keep it coming because they are beautiful.