BATS, BONES, BOO! A CHIPBOARD HAUNTED HOUSE!

Hope you enjoy looking as much as I enjoyed making this one!  I'm entering this into the GINGERSNAP CREATIONS (GC74) Spicy Supply Challenge - VersaMark.  Click on the title of this post to go directly there.

The structure is a kit from Retired Let's Do Lunch.  I've used their kits a couple of times and love the simplicity of assembly and sturdiness.  While I also ordered the Halloween Kit all I used were the ghost cut-outs, the cardboard circle base  and the sheet of vellum for the windows. 

I heat embossed the sides of the house using VersaMark, Distress Embossing Powder in Weathered Wood and a faux bois stamp from CTMH as a starting point.

I inked the shutters with Spicy Marmalade Distress Ink, then stamped a brocade design with VersaMark and used  black American Crafts Zing embossing powder to heat emboss.  The "Juliet" balconies I made using the Martha Stewart Halloween fence punch to which I added a bit of glam using Platinum (my favorite all around!) Stickles.  I added a bit of white faux stitching for a bit more definition.  I added some black paper flowers to the two side balconies, touched again with a bit of the Platinum Stickles.  The ghost cut-outs I covered with Crackle Accents and a tiny bit of the same Stickles and black faux stitching for accent.  I love the way they curled.

The skeleton in the doorway was stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with white Stampin' Up embossing powder.  I then inked the door with Black Soot Distress Ink and the embossed skeleton "resisted" the black ink.  A bit of my signature  faux stitching round the door frame.  The door was then coated with Crackle Accent and a bit of warm highlights glitter from Glitter Ritz.

The Boo Wreath - a Christmas bit converted with a little white acrylic paint, orange glitter and a metal Boo brad.   The Candy Corn flower beds - acrylic stickers I found at Michael's last year.

The roof I heat embossed with black Stampin' Up embossing powder and a spotty background stamp, which I then inked with several of the green based Distress Inks.  The gable and chimney are inked with the greens and then coated with Crackle Accents.  I then trimmed the roof and gable with black bat "ribbon".  The chimney cap I heat embossed with VersaMark, copper embossing powder and a cheesecloth background stamp from CTMH.  I topped the cap with a black paper bat which I wired and poked through the top. 

I've been without my notebook for the last several weeks hence the late posting.  Maybe you will bookmark this one for next year though.

A FUN AND FUNKY STEAMPUNK HALLOWEEN BLINKIE FROM ME TO YOU!

The incredibly talented Susie Jefferson of Blogology has done a fabulous Steampunk Halloween blinkie for me!  Please do come and take a copy "home" with you!  Eighteen days until the big day!

BIRDS, BATS AND BOO! - A HALLOWEEN BANNER

I'm entering this into the GC73: Chestnut Theme Challenge - Gothic Elements at Gingersnap Creations (click here or on the title of this post to go directly there).  Do check out all of the great "Goth-ober" creations!

Between the glittery crows (aren't they always a bit menacing?), the funereal fringe, shrouding and other dark bits (black roses) mixed with some childish "treats",  I think this gives that touch of creep needed in a Gothic creation.

BEST COSTUME - VINTAGE STYLE HALLOWEEN RIBBON

I am entering this in the "Week #30 Vintage Halloween" Challenge at The Shabby Tea Room (click on the title of this post or here to go directly there).  Please do go and check out all of the entries!

I have had "doing an exhibition style ribbon" on my list for quite some time and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.   The image I have used for the center is a vintage Halloween image.  I've also broken into my for real, really vintage black crepe paper.  I've kept the glitter to a minimum for an authentic aged look.  I used the JBS Bingo letters for the title which I think fits perfectly here.

The basic structure is built on 4" beer coasters, I picked up a sleeve of unused ones in a thrift store this summer for $2!  I've covered the central image in several layers of  Rock Candy Distress Paint.  The ribbons are wired ones that I purchased at Michael's.  I used wired ribbons to get more overall dimension but you wouldn't have to.  I also couldn't find a satin ribbon that was the right tone.

Contact me if you would like a bit more instruction (e-mail button at top right).  This has been a fun project and I just might do a couple more!

VINTAGE MOVIE POSTERS - BOOKMARK

This is one of two bookmarks I`ve made for a ``bookmark mingle`` at Pages In Time.  The theme is "vintage" and I chose vintage movie posters.

This month is still all about Halloween for me - what is more nostalgic than our Halloweens as children - what was it that influenced costume choices?  Movies and TV.  Yep - born in the '50s.  (Hate to admit it but the '50s are vintage.)  Loved the old "Dracula and crew" movies, the hilarious but scary "B" movies which were on TV Saturday afternoons and of course WOZ was and still is a favorite!  Below this post are two vintage images of movie theatre tickets - just couldn't work them into these but do go and grab them.

I printed out the poster images - available in the public domain - wallet size and then arranged them into a collage 1 3/4 x 5 3/4" then adhered that to a black 2 x 6" mat.  Strengthened the whole with a few coats of Crackle Accent (tiny bit of warm highlights glitter thrown over) front and back and then wiped some Vintage Paper Distress Ink into the cracks.   The top is some vintage black seam binding.

MOVIE TICKETS - VINTAGE IMAGES

CHILDREN IN THEIR HALLOWEEN COSTUMES - A VINTAGE PHOTO

I meant to share this when I posted "Deadly Morsels" (September 24/10).  This picture is out in the public domain so you may have seen it.  The resolution is not great but that just adds to the "Halloween'ness" of it!   Have fun - so many possibilities!

WOW ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN - A SCRAPBOOKING LAYOUT (BASIC GREY)

This is my entry to the "Boy Oh Boy October Challenge" at Pages In Time (click here or on the title of this post to go directly there).   The challenge was to use one of the September Thursday Sketches (this one is based on the September 2nd sketch), use the colors cream and brown, at least one button and use a picture of a boy (human or animal).

I've used several Basic Grey patterned papers and Core'dinations cardstock.  The arrows are chipboard AcuCut dies.  The alpha is from Paper Crate.  "MAC" is from some Scrabble like tiles I picked up awhile ago.  (|Thanks to Marilyn - I now have vintage Scrabble tiles, the old ones made from REAL Vermont maple and made in the US.)  The buttons are from my stash, I liked the texture on the underneath so showed that and toned down the orange by swiping them with brown StaZon ink.  Clean and simple layout - no ribbons, light sanding and inking!   Faux stitching with a brown marker...if you know me you can always find a bit of that!

McLean is one of our 8 grands!  See that smile and those dimples?  This little guy works so hard everyday, it is just amazing.  He is loving school.  There will be more on Mac's adventures in school!

HALLOWEEN MAIL ART

At Pages In Time I am participating in my first Mail Art Swap - what fun!  The rules at Canada Post have just changed - any decorated envelope etc going out of the country is considered a parcel so do check with them if you are wanting to do something.

There are 6 swappers so I will get Mail Art back from 5 others.  This is an example of what I have generally done.  I have used Distress Inks and Archival Ink.  I created a mask for the center and sponged Black Soot and Chipped Sapphire around the edges.

The fence is a punch by Martha Stewart - I have either adhered the fence on the envelope or used it as a stencil.  This witch and the bats are also MS punches - on some I have used a flying witch stamp.  The moon is another mask that I have used several of the yellow/orange Distress Inks on.  (Thanks Marilyn for the punches!)

I have used a Quickie Glue Pen to write the name and address of the recipient in and covered that with micro fine orange glitter.  The return address I have used a silvery glitter pen.

Here is my brilliant idea (yes, I checked with Canada Post) - at this point I cover the entire envelope front with clear cellophane packing tape and trim the sides with a kraft knife.  Then I turn the envelope over and re-write the sender/receiver addresses using the back as the front.  This is where the postage, customs form etc will also be.  This way the recipient gets their mail art without having all of that covering it up.  It will be brilliant if the recipients think so!

Part of the adventure of Mail Art is seeing how it survives the postal system.  I think that used to be simpler.  So is this not in the true spirit or is it adapting to change?   There is likely debate on that..

SWEET BABY GIRL - BASIC GREY LAYOUT OF THE MONTH (OLIVIA - AUGUST)

Another great paper line "Olivia" from Basic Grey.  Busy, busy everywhere that is our Lucy!

IT'S BEEN A GREAT WEEK FOR MAIL!!

I received two packages from England this week!

I won a packet of tree themed papers, images and stamps by Crafty Individuals (a British company) for winning the August Challenge at "Our Vintage Affair"  -these are all lovely quality goodies!  And just in time to create some autumn projects.  Do go and check out the monthly challenges at "Our Vintage Affair".  Thank you Polly and all of the followers who voted for my entry!

The second parcel from England is courtesy of Natalie at Scrapbook Challenges - a lovely RAK I won in the Seasons of Change (on line crop weekend) Fabric Challenge.  What fun - some favorites and some UK products new to me - suitable for girls and boys and with all the grands in this family - bring it on!