Make It Spooky - A Vintage Journey

Today sees the start of a new challenge over at A Vintage Journey and this month our host is the lovely Anne. Here is what Anne says about this months challenge.

"As we approach All Hallows' Eve we want you to create a vintage, shabby, industrial, steampunk or mixed media project to celebrate the spookiness of Halloween, don't limit yourself to black, orange and purple - just 'Make it Spooky'!"

 

I had a fabulous Laser Cut ATC Block from Fernli Designs that I wanted to decorate and this seemed the perfect opportunity. I began by painting the Block with a coat of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Carbon Black and I then dried the paint with a heat tool. The next layer was a coat of Medium Grey Antiquing Cream and once dry I then rubbed away some of the Antiquing Cream, around the edges and randomly around the Block using a soft baby wipe. Once I was happy with the look I then used Andy Skinner's background stamp from his Toxic set to stamp around the block. I stamped using Black Stazon which I then dried with my heat tool. I then applied a coat of DecoArt Matte Medium to make sure the Antiquing Cream was then permanent and could no longer be moved.

I then had great fun with a new skull mould I have just taken delivery of. I broke up some old childrens crayons and added them to the mould. I did not melt the crayons as I added layers, I simply added all the crayons in one go and then started to melt. I was hoping that the top crayons would melt before all the bottom layer of crayons and it worked! some of the crayon pieces have stayed whole which I absolutely love! Once I had melted the crayons I allowed them to set overnight before removing from the mould.

I just adore the detail in the teeth; it's the little details that always make me happy!

I added a touch of stencilling to the background before adhering the skull. Applying DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Carbon Black over Andy Skinner's French Elements Stencil to add numbers to the background, giving a further layer of interest. I also added splatters of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Pyrrole Red to coordinate with the red in my skull. I added some cotton thread and a circle of twine around the skull for added texture.

I added skulls around each side of my Block using Andy Skinner's Day of the Dead stencil; again using Carbon Black Fluid Acrylic. More splatters of red paint added as a contrast.

A second skull around the other side and more of those red splatters.

I love that all the layers are still visible which adds so much interest to the background.

Our sponsor this month is Country View Crafts who are offering a £20 voucher to one randomly drawn winner.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

"Holiday Jumpstart" with Eileen Hull

Morning and welcome, today Eileen Hull's Design Team are showcasing a whole range of products to kickstart the holiday season; that could be Autumn, Halloween, Christmas, whatever takes your fancy!

I was on a roll and decided to create three projects whilst I felt inspired! I decorated a Pumpkin, created an Autumnal card and created an ATB using techniques from Tim Holtz tag for September 2016 which you can find HERE.

Beginning with the card I used a few of Andy Skinner's techniques to create this rustic card. I began by applying DecoArt Media Crackle Paste over Tim Holtz new leaf stencil allowing to dry completely before moving onto the next step.

Once the crackle was completely dry I then applied a wash of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Dark Grey Value 3. I simply added a small amount of paint to my non-stick craft sheet and then mixed with water. I then dried the first coat of the wash with my heat tool and then added a second coat of the wash; I repeated this process until I was happy. Whilst the paint was fluid and still quite wet on my third coat I added a few sprinkles of coarse sea salt and then allowed to dry naturally.

Once the salt/paint wash was completely dry, I removed any salt particles and then added a wash of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Quinacridone Gold to give that rusty tone and to age further. I applied a couple of coats of the Quinacridone Gold, drying between each application. I cut two leaves from a separate piece I created and this time painted with a more concentrated mix of the same paints. I then used Eileen Hull's Twist and Style Tool to add the spirals of rusty wire behind the leaves for added interest and texture. To complete, I added an 'autumn' sticker. Black Soot Distress Ink has been added around the edges of the panel for definition.

I then moved onto the pumpkin which was so much fun to decorate! I began by once again applying a wash of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Dark Grey Value 3 and then drying with my heat tool. I then repeated the same process several times and on the last layer I again added a few sprinkles of Coarse Sea Salt and allowed to dry. Once completely dry, I removed the salt and then added layers of a wash of Quinacridone Gold and then dried with my heat tool.

For added interest I then used Tim Holtz Leaf Stencil to add stencilled leaves around the pumpkin; applying DecoArt Media Titan Buff over the stencil; using a very light touch and then drying with my heat tool. I used Andy Skinner's Toxic stamp set to add a touch of background stamping using Black Archival Ink; stamping with the stamp as is and not applying to an acrylic block. Stamping is much simplified this way as you can bend the stamp around the curved areas. I repeated this process with the leaves from Tim Holtz Leaf Prints stamp set, again stamping with Black Archival Ink.

The Fig. stamp is from Tim Holtz Undertaker stamp set which I thought worked perfectly with the leaf imagery.

I love my rusty flower which has been cut from coffee filter papers using Eileen Hull's Flower, Romance die. I added Quinacridone Gold and Raw Umber Fluid Acrylic to a spritz bottle, added water and then spritzed the flower with the mixes. I scrunched the flower whilst wet and then allowed to dry completely. Once completely dry I added a touch more intense colour with the paints using my finger. I added one of Finnabair's rusty stars to the centre to add to the rustic tones. Once again I used Eileen Hull's Twist and Style Tool to add the spirals of rusty tin wire.

No pumpkin is complete without a spooky hand!! The hand is made from plastic and once again I coloured with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics.

A touch more stamping adds further to the layers of interest.

I love the layers of colour that you can achieve from a few simple washes!

Now onto the ATB created using Eileen Hull's Block, Cube Die which I die cut from black mountboard. I then used Tim's techniques from his September 2016 tag to decorate each side; using the Undertaker stamp set and many stencils to add further interest. I also added further stamping using Black StazOn Ink.

I used Pitch Black and Latte on Yupo and the two colours together gave a purple tinge to the background which I loved. I then stamped the imagery on each side with Archival Ink and then used a soft cloth to remove the ink to reveal the resist.

I love the ghostly effect from the resist which works so well with a touch of overstamping for further detail, love it!

A touch of resist on this panel using a stencil and Alcohol Ink Blending Solution.

I added a jump ring to this skull for added interest; he looks rather dashing with his monocle!

I added touches of white paint to the edges of each panel to lift each panel a little from the black backdrop.

I added the same detail to the top of the ATB along with a plastic skeleton and a few bones from Tim's Idea-ology range.

I left a few drips of hot glue to add further to the texture.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Quirky Flower Heads

I took a break from deadlines this morning and took a second opportunity to make something just for fun. Andy Skinner and Tracy Weinzapfel have a "We Dare You To Create" challenge on their Facebook page which you can find here and I thought I would take this opportunity to join in once again.

I created a quirky canvas using the following products from the DecoArt Media range:

1. DecoArt Media Crackle Paint
2. DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics - Cadmium Red Hue, Cobalt Teal Hue, Burnt Umber, Titan Buff
3. DecoArt Media Matte Medium
4. DecoArt Media Ultra Matte Varnish (applied over the crackle to protect)

Along with Weathered Wood to create Andy Skinner's Mega Crackle.

Clay faces adorn the centre of my flowers.

Coils of rusty wire add further texture and the hands add a further quirky feel.

I cut the flower petals from an Alice in Wonderland book page.

'Flower Heads' is computer generated text.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a lovely weekend. Tracy x x #

Circle of Life

I could not sleep last night so thought I would take the opportunity to make something just for fun. Andy Skinner and Tracy Weinzapfel have a "We Dare You To Create" challenge on their Facebook page which you can find here and I thought I would take this opportunity to join in.

I decided to have a change from making cards and try a canvas just for fun.

1. Paint canvas with a coat of Gesso.
2. Apply DecoArt Fluid Acrylics Diarylide Yellow, Vermilion and Cobalt Teal Hue to the background of the canvas, applying with your fingers. Do not think about it too much you are aiming for a real random feel.
3. Place Andy Skinner's Industrial Elements stencil onto the background and then apply Cobal Teal Hue randomly over the stencil. Repeat this process with Titanium White Fluid Acrylic.
4. Using an old credit/store card add scratchy paint lines to the background using Vermilion and Cobalt Teal Hue Fluid Acrylics.
5. Add a touch of random background stamping with Black Archival Ink for added interest. 
6. Apply Titanium White Fluid Acrylic to paint lids and stamp the lids onto the background.
7. Add delicate splatters of Titanium White Fluid Acrylic to the background.

1. Once I was happy with the background stamping I then added DecoArt Carbon Black Fluid Acrylic to paint lids and stamped the circles onto the decorated background and dried with a heat tool. I then painted around the circular areas with Cobalt Teal Hue Fluid Acrylic, blocking out the background pattern apart from the cricular areas. I applied three coats to completely cover the background.

1.  Paint around each of the circles using a fine paintbrush with a layer of Texture Sand Paste and allow to dry. Then apply one coat of DecoArt Burnt Umber Fluid Acrylic.
2. Add touches of DecoArt Quinacridone Gold Fluid Acrylic around the circles.
3. Add small touches of Carbon Black Fluid Acylic around the circles to add further to the rust effect.

1. Die cut a wild flower from white card using Tim Holtz Wildflowers Die and then colour the stem with Diarylide Yellow and touches of Vermilion Fluid Actylics.
2. Add splatters of Vermilion Fluid Acrylic to the background.
3. Add touches of DecoArt Crackle Glaze here and there for added interest.

1. Add touches of Carbon Black Fluid Acrylic to the edges of the canvas, applying with a finger.

 I had fun with this piece and love the contrast of the bright colours against the subtle rusted areas.

Thanks so much for popping by. Hope you are enjoing the Easter break. Tracy x x