Audrie took us to a FABULOUS Pinterest collection of shabby chic/romantic images. Reminded me of decades ago when I was looking for my first home. I was on a very low budget and looked at many homes that were circa late 1800s to 1930s. Many of them were decorated shabby chic with layers of wallpaper, painted over in shades of white, pale greens, blues, pinks. They were rippled and 'textured' and looked so amazing. The homes were filled with antique and reproduction upholstered furniture with loads of wonderful fabric accessories such as pillows, lace, doilies, embroidered pieces. Many homes still had the original windows and inside were weathered wood doors with fancy hardware. What a wonderful time I had remembering how I fell in love with the decor of every home. My boyfriend at the time, reminded me that he grew up in a home like that and as the years passed, the windows leaked and would not close properly, likewise the doors were ill-fitted. It was cold and damp and some walls cracked. Because I knew that might very well end up being the case, I didn't buy one of those vintage beauties. I did find a wonderful home built in the 1950s. I remodeled the kitchen and bathrooms and worked on the fireplace and refinished the oak wood floors. I noticed the wood floor pieces were wider than I'd seen in homes this age. I found out they were installed by a third generation carpenter, who used old pieces from his father and gr-father's time. Over the years, I had collected primitive antiques, some shabby chic and loads of wonderful accessories. I filled my home with them and love. Insert happy sigh here. Ahhhh ...
Onto the card ...
I was inspired by so many pictures on this Pinterest page that many cards came to mind. I decided to combine some favorite elements from several pictures as inspiration for my card.
Nearly all of the pictures had one or more old, weathered doors, windows, shutters. I had to use my Stampouri shutter stamp for a background. On a pale green panel, I masked and stamped it three times in PTI new canvas, dried it w/my heat gun, then stamped over them with MFT natural. Next, in MFT hybrid licorice, I stamped my CHF jar with cone (?) flower stamp. Colored and watercolored it with lots of markers. Direct to paper, distressed the panel with MFT kraft. Fitted and attached a piece of 'vintage-looking' SU dp and attached to my card base. Stamped the sentiment in MFT kraft, added the vintage lace and SU enamel dots. Direct to paper distressed the edges of the card, again with MFT kraft.
Fun, fun, fun! I hope I have time to make a couple more.
Ink: MFT Colorbox natural and kraft, PTI new canvas, MFT Hybrid licorice, SU primrose petals, regal rose, creamy carmel, so saffron, bashful blue, bordering blue, one more blue I can't recall
Accessories: vintage lace from antique store, SU enamel dots (pale pink), heat gun, SU blender pen, SU aqua brush
Techniques: masking, watercoloring, direct to paper distress
Registered: June 4, 2009 Location: Deatsville, Alabama Posts: 83888
Sat, Aug 02, 2014 @ 5:58 AM
Love your bg story and the fun details you added to this card. Funny how styles come back around and this one is fabulous. Love your creativity on this. Hugz!
------------------------------ Nancy Williams - Hope your day is Spirit-filled and ink-filled (in that order)!DRS Designs-DT, Punchkateerforever, Dirty Dozen Alumni
Registered: December 16, 2008 Location: Woodinville, Washington Posts: 11566
Sat, Aug 02, 2014 @ 7:16 AM
Thanks so much for sharing your story! I would have loved to have gone house shopping with you back then! Thanks so much for taking the challenge and creating something so deeply inspired today!
Registered: March 5, 2007 Location: Coatesville, Pennsylvania Posts: 44981
Sat, Aug 02, 2014 @ 9:14 AM
Beautifully created! Thanks so much for sharing a part of your life with us.....I would love to see your home someday!
------------------------------ Lesley Proud Fan Club and RAK Member He is the GOD of the Impossible!!!! Kookzi the Rookzie Punchkateer It is by the grace of God that we take our next breath.