Vintage Freestyle

I love vintage styles in all their forms from full on Steampunk to gentle shabby chic. I also love freestyle collage styles which is why I am having so much fun today because I get to work with the most amazing set of dies from that clever, clever lady Brenda Walton which allows me to indulge both of my favourite styles at the same time.

This set really is the best value for money and yes.... I know that I say that every week but we just keep turning out these great sets, what can I do?

the die set in question is called Floral Wreath You can see the set below and it comprises of 23 separate dies.... 23!!!

I also used one of my recent favourites the Mixed Media set of Thinlits from Tim Holtz. The thing that I love about freestyle collage is that sometimes you have no idea where you are going and that is exactly what I am going to do today! As you can see below I have prepared three separate blank cards in various sizes and.....well, that's it....that's my plan!

Lets see how it works out!

 Before I begin I would like to apologise for the fact that I have absolutely no idea where the patterned card stock comes from! I have it in my stash but without a cover.

I started by cutting a strip of pale blue paper before die-cutting a lattice pattern down one side. Next, I stamped some text onto the base card and attached the lattice together with a distressed rectangle of green patterned card. I continued to add die cut elements until I found my preferred balance of tones and shapes and that's the trick with this style!

Finally, I used my super-useful little rotary phrase stamp to stamp the phrase 'you are loved' five times onto cream card before trimming each to size with scissors and gently distressing the edges using Old Paper Distress Ink.

All that was left to do was attach the phrases using a combination of PVA glue and adhesive foam pads to add a little dimension. Once attached I rounded off the composition by adding a smattering of adhesive pearls and gems.

I think we have time for one more?

 I cut a strip of ivory patterned paper and distressed to top edge with the blade of my scissors before adding some die-cut detail to the bottom edge. I lightly stamped a vintage clock face onto my base card before attaching the strip and adding a row of faux stitching using a pattern wheel and fine marker.

I added a length of knotted twine and a green die-cut scalloped circle. I die-cut the butterfly from two shades of patterned card and gently curled the wings of the top butterfly before matting them together. Next, I tied a couple of lengths of twine into a bow and ran a pearl headed hat pin through the knot, the butterfly was then mounted onto the base card together with a die-cut banner.

I was sorely tempted to add a few more die-cut elements but with this style knowing where to stop is almost as important as knowing where to start. I did add the phrase made with my rotary stamp and a few staples... and that's it!

OK... definitely the last one!

I used the Hexagon mixed media die to trim a torn piece of blue card which I attached to the base card along with some of the separate hexagons and the scalloped circle. The bird was die-cut in two parts and mounted with adhesive foam pads and the 'Happy Place' phrase was stamped and over-stamped in the bottom right hand corner. Next I added a few extra die-cut elements and a selection of adhesive pearls and gems.

And that's as they say is that! Hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have although I don't see how that is possible because I had a blast!!!