Happy Halloween... Counting Two Times the October 12 Tags of 2013 FUN!!!

Happy Halloween!!! I can't believe this month is at the end. I had to crack down three days ago and say NO MORE Halloween projects and move on to Christmas projects. In doing so I managed to complete two variations of the Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of 2013 for October. When I saw T!m's tag for October - it was SCREAMING for Amazing Crafting Products... so I have created all my embellishments for this tag using Amazing Mold Putty, Amazing Casting Resin and an assortment of Alumilite Dyes. This tag is totally a Halloween Treat! 

My AMAZING tag for October!

PLEASE CLICK HERE to see the HOW-TO.

Now for the second version - a stamped winter wonderland using the same techniques just different a color scheme and elements... and of course some Amazing Mold Putty too!

PLEASE CLICK HERE to see the HOW-TO.

Thanks for dropping by today. Hope you have a safe and happily haunted Halloween! See you Saturday for my weekly Unscripted Sketches project. :) Sb

The EYES are Watching this Halloween with Unscripted Sketches #228

Welcome to Sketch-It Saturday with Unscripted Sketches #228. Today's card is a total upcycle project. Last year I made hundreds of these eyeball wrappers for blow-pops for a Halloween event that one of my crafty pals was having. Having a handmade creative business - this was a perfect way to hand out candy complete with my contact info on the back. Please CLICK HERE for more info on how I made these.

My friend was sweet to save the leftover wrappers and gave them back to me to re-use. Some I handed out to trick-or-treaters and I still had about a dozen left. Today's sketch was the perfect project to utilize some of these leftover wrappers. I cut out the eyes {which are complete with gogglies} and lined them up on top of corrugated purple cardstock. 

The My Mind's Eye "Happy Halloween" patterned paper brings provides the sentiment and this creepy card is complete!

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun... and post your creation on their page via inlinkz for all the world to see!

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LAST CALL... Unscripted Sketches has a Design Team Call and the deadline to apply is MONDAY, Oct. 28th. Wouldn't you love to join myself and the other creative ladies sharing our twist on the weekly Sketch-it Saturday sketch. CLICK HERE for all the details on applying. Go ahead and give it a try!

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Thanks for dropping by today. Have creative weekend!
:) Sb

Flashback Friday... Halloween Shaker Accordion with Ranger Distress Ink Faux Wood Pages

Hi Everyone! It's finally Friday and I'm sharing a Halloween project that I made back in July {you know us crafters working on whatever strikes our muse at the moment}. This project is full of inked and stamped goodness... and SPOOKY - too!

I created this haunted accordion book using two sections of the Genuinely Jane Studios Wood Book - Square With Star Cut Out - G102 Size: 4 x 4" for the covers of this Spooky Stamped Mini Book. The wood pages are covered using misted brown paper mounted using VLVS! MIRACLE SHEETS; then overstamped with layers of barbed wire background #5793... just to start! The inside accordion pages are a plethora of inky stamped goodness using loads of VLVS! stamps and a SURPRISE awaits on the back cover. Please read on for a little how-to of how I got the stamped detailing on the cover and more of my book...

I started with some seasonal paper scraps, the Genuinely Jane Studios Wood Book - Square With Star Cut Out - G102 Size: 4 x 4" and some blank cardstock and my stash of Halloween Viva Las VegaStamps!

Misted and painted crumpled brown paper will cover the wood base pages to house my accordion.

I taped over the holes with masking tape to create a flat surface and adhered to backside of painted paper using a pre-cut section of MIRACLE SHEET.

I cut the paper with approx. 1/2" overhang, then used Miracle Tape around the edges.

Making nice hospital corners, I wrapped the edges around to create the front and back cover. I repeated these steps to cover the other panel with the star cutout {see below}.

Originally I had started with an accordion cardstock of natural/creme color, but it was too stark with the beautiful covers. So I quickly cut, scored and assembled another out of chipboard using more sections of MIRACLE SHEET {I LOVE THIS STUFF}. Then using several Ranger Distress Inks colors, I rubbed ink pad to paper in liner strokes to create this faux wood grain that has loads of depth and detail. My hands were permanently orange for the weekend, too! Setting this aside to dry, I got to work on my covers again.

Using the barbed wire I stamped it in pigment ink and then applied a rust embossing powder. This is before I heat set. After I heat set some of the detail was lost as the embossing powder was very distress-like and pretty much covered everywhere - even the negative areas.

So I inked up the stamp again and applied more barbed wire right on top, then heat set again. This made for nice depth as some of the detail stayed forward and some of the newly stamped image blended into the embossing powder. I never reapplied more EP.

This is the completed front cover after a third stamped layer and heat setting. I finished up by adding some faux barbed wire decor from the Dollar Tree and a salvaged vintage cabinet knob. 

This is the back cover wrapped the same way. Because I am making this side a shaker star, I left off the barbed wire detail... I have something else in mind. I lined the backside with one of my patterned paper scraps and ran a bead of Diamond Glaze in the edges to seal the cracks so my confetti doesn't get lodged there in the Miracle Tape.

I have a fun selection of seasonal confetti - they are fun for all kinds of projects and perfect to make shakers. I selected some stars and other shapes and also a few colors of seed beads. To seal up I ran a bead of Diamond Glaze near the outer edge of the star shape then took a toothpick to spread it close to the edge - being careful not to let it seep over the edge. I waited a couple minutes for it to begin to set up, then I applied my acetate stamped with the Oct. 31 #18899, Fancy Spider Web Corner #19208, and Spider #16794 all Viva Las VegaStamps! in Jet Black StazOn ink. I added doodle accents with a black and white pen, and also my fav Sakura of America Gelly Roll Stardust Clear Pen. I set an acrylic block on top to give even pressure to the Diamond Glaze and left to dry for a little bit.

  

I finished off the edges with some fiber wrapped black metallic pipe cleaners and screwbrads that have the same rusted embossing powder treatment.

There is so much more to go inside this book - now that Halloween is finally just days away... I will have plenty of memories to tuck inside!

Have a wonderfully creative weekend. I hope you are inspired to get in your studio and PLAY! See you tomorrow for Sketch-it Saturday with Unscripted Sketches :) Sb

All Dolled Up for the Halloween Ball... and for the May Arts Halloween Craft Challenge

Happy Thursday! I can't believe Halloween is just a week away... but this Ghoulish Gal is ready to par-tay wearing this fanciful witches hat complete with matching handbag. 

These creations were inspired by the May Arts Halloween Craft Challenge and I was one of the twenty selected participants provided with May Arts Ribbon to create with using this inspiration...

You know me I love a good challenge and I love to greencraft whenever possible. I set off to gather up some goodies in my stash to add to the five gorgeous ribbons sent to me by the Bethney {a.k.a. the Ribbon Lady} at May Arts Ribbon. I received a generous amount of each of these to create with {except for the black burlap twine}.

I've been in a streak of purple projects lately and this one was no exception because I have a bag of scraps containing many off-cut strips of purple organza waiting for the perfect project to be utilized. Well this Halloween Craft Challenge was it!

I first began with the purse which started out as an empty recycled vinyl tote - you know the ones that contain gifts of lotions and potions and other tasty goodness around the holidays... I save these for repurposing for crafty projects.

I am all about the details and these beautiful May Arts Ribbon are full of it. I layered three of the ribbons using stitch witchery {iron-on fusible webbing} to create the strap which wraps all the way around the vinyl purse structure.

I put the layered side of the ribbon down which can be seen on the inside and also is a nice detail and contrast on the inside of the handle.

The side of the handle is tied off with the black crinkle satin and accented with some blinged up party favors. 

My favorite part is the skeleton hand that looks like its crawling through the spider web ruffles on the front. Some purple organza tucked inside to conceal the contents and this purse is complete.

The hat is made from a recycled piece of black canson paper that had something I started drawing on it... so long ago that I can't even recall what it was. So a witch hat base it became! I adhered the purple organza to the top and to the brim them began adding the spider web ruffles and the layered ribbon around as a belt with a buckle from my notions box. I twisted and coiled the black satin crinkle around the cone with gives a playful twist. With my strappy purple satin heels, little black dress and purple spiderwebbed cape... this duo completes my Halloween party attire.

Please take time to jump over to the May Arts Ribbon blog to see all the entries for the Halloween Craft Challenge. CLICK HERE to go there and make sure to leave a comment to vote for your favorite and you could win some May Arts Ribbon!

Thanks for visiting! What are you creating today??? :) Sb

Orange and Black Breed Fun and Festive Halloween Treats with Anything But a Card Challenges No. 28

Happy Sunday! Today begins the THIRD and final week of Anything But a Card Challenges #28 "Orange and Black" Color Challenge. To see more fabulous work from my fellow design team members today over at ABAC, CLICK HERE.

Being part of the ABAC is quite fun and we have planned the challenges quite far in advance. I love creating Halloween projects and I have been patiently waiting to share these projects for this "orange and black" challenge... and they are full of Halloween goodness. So I am sharing two projects with you today. One has a how-to, and due to the length, the other has a link to jump over to another how-to. ENJOY!!!

Inspired by my orange and black stash of crêpe paper, I made a fun treat holder with handmade fringe, distress stained acetate, and a handmade acetate prize ribbon... with my Miracle Tape, assembly is quick and easy!

Also - I've made my own crêpe paper fringe with Miracle Tape! It's super easy and adds just the right amount of seasonal color and festive texture. First I layered an orange section of crepe paper {about 3 feet long}; then ran a stripe of 1/4" Miracle Tape down the center for the entire length. Then I repeated with black; then tape and repeated 4 more times alternating colors until I had six layers.

I added a stripe of Miracle Tape to the back of the first layer; then pressed everything flat to get good adhesion in the layers and folded the whole thing in half. The final stem is trimming small cuts at about 1/4" intervals to make the fringe.

I waited until after I adhered it to my piece to fluff it out.

Now for painting the acetate. I spread some Peeled Paint and Seedless Grape Ranger Distress Stains onto a craft sheet and rolled over with my brayer. This will make a nice drippy background.

I dragged the acetate through the puddles of distress stain, rolled a little with my brayer and repeated until I got the effect I desired. This particular acetate I'm using takes ink very well because it is recycled film from my imagesetter at work {please test inks on your inkjet or overhead projector acetate before trying with your final project}. I let it sit and dry for about a 1/2 an hour and while I waited, I mopped up the rest of this inky goodness with some blank tags and cardstock for use later. Before forming my cone, I stamped the creepy tree with Staz-On Black ink and accented the eerie eyes in the bat, pumpkin and stump with Sakura of America Souffle® 3-D Opaque yellow pen to make them glow.

I added strips of Miracle Tape to the length along the bottom edge and also along the short edge where the seam will meet. I formed it into a cylinder shape, exposed the tape and sealed my tube. This is a good time to secure with a couple staples for good measure.

Now a bit about the ribbon rosette... if you are going to attempt this in acetate - you need a hot glue gun and several hands {though I managed to do it with just two}. I reserved a section of stained acetate that was mainly purple and cut three strips using my Fiskars deckle edge scissors. I stamped the winner stamp on a scrap of green/purple stained cardstock and punched out with a tag punch. I gave it a shimmery touch with my Sakura of America Gelly Roll® Stardust® Glitter Pen. The Stardust is my most used of all pens - it's sheer and gives a twinkle to everything. 

Two of the strips I accented with ribbon for the tails. The third section I scored at 1/4" intervals on my Scor-Pal® and accordion folded. Now for the tricky part. Form the accordion into a loop and secure the ends together with Miracle Tape, then lay it flat and form it into a circle. I had another punched tag ready with Miracle Tape to secure the back, but it popped off as soon as I let go. So I put loads of hot glue in the center and sandwiched the top stamped tag on top to hold it tight. I put a glass on top to keep it flat until the glue completely cooled {about 10 minutes}. When cooled I added a small dab to hold the tails on and it's all complete.

I added the fringe and fluffed it pretty; punched holes and laced some coordinating ribbon and filled my cone with candy corn - topped off with some green and purple paper fringe that makes the Prize Ribbon "POP".

This prize is ready to be awarded... or I've earned my sweet reward - LOL!

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Supplies used: STAMPS - "Costume Contest Winner" #19211 and "Halloween Tree Silhouette" #19205. Other supplies: white cardstock; Staz-On Black ink; Miracle Tape; Sakura of America Gelly Roll® Stardust® Glitter Pens; Sakura of America Souffle® 3-D Opaque Pens; Ranger Distress Stains - Peeled Paint and Seedless Grape; Scor-Pal®; hot glue gun; Fiskars deckle edge scissors; recycled acetate; decorative paper shred, candy corn; and ribbon.

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Now for my second project - a spooky fringed mini accordion book complete with a shaker box... the perfect home for all the fun seasonal confetti we crafters hoard for projects {c'mon... admit it - you can't resist all those fun festive confettis - I know I can't}.

This accordion mini book is full of inked and stamped goodness and is ready and waiting to house this year's Halloween photos. Please CLICK HERE to see the full-how to of how I created this book.

I hope you are inspired to play along with the "Orange and Black" challenge - you have a full week left to create! Thanks for dropping by to visit. Today I have my monthly art club and it's the last day I will have to tool around in my convertible MINI Cooper {crossing my fingers the weather stays nice}. Have a great Sunday!!! Sb

Going to the Circus with Unscripted Sketches #227

Welcome to Sketch-It Saturday with Unscripted Sketches #227. I've spent the last couple weeks taking some workshops in my free time and learning some new things. I took an awesome art journaling workshop with Dina Wakley {totally love her}. Today's take on the sketch uses a couple of fun techniques I picked up at the Creative Chemistry 102  and I was excited to play with some bright colors and my new plate #949 of carnival stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps!

To see how I created this card... please CLICK HERE for all the details :)

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun... and post your creation on their page via inlinkz for all the world to see!

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AN ANNOUNCEMENT... Unscripted Sketches has a Design Team Call and the deadline to apply is Oct. 28th. Go ahead and give it a try! Wouldn't you love to join myself and the other creative ladies in inspiring the world with our twist on the weekly Sketch-it Saturday sketch. CLICK HERE for all the details on applying. 

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Thanks for dropping by today. Have creative weekend!
:) Sb

Scaring Up Some BOOtiful Halloween Jewels with Amazing Crafting Products

With Halloween just around the corner - I wanted to have something new to wear for the holiday. I wanted to share a quick and easy jewelry piece I created using Amazing Mold Putty and cast in Amazing Casting Resin!

CLICK HERE to see the HOW-TO on how I created the mold and casting for my new jewels  {you'll want to grab a drink - it's via video}.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great evening! :) Sb