Happy Halloween

I know it’s too early for Halloween … but Karen Burniston came out with this adorable ghost charm for Elizabeth Craft Designs and I had a post due for Just Imagine — Kreaxions, so …

I made it even easier by starting with a pre-embossed card. I cut the circle with the Kreaxions Circle Cutter. I used an eyelet and a few jump rings to hang the little ghost charm. I added a bit of cardstock to the inside of the card so the ghost would stand out. Stamped a sentiment. And, there you have it … quick and easy enough to make for Trick-or-Treaters!

Plate of the Dead

I’m not one for Halloween, but when I saw these new stencils from etchall, I knew I had to have them to make something for my cousin. She loves skulls. Personally, I do not understand her obsession, but I knew they would be the perfect gift.

These Etchnet reusable stencils are quick and easy to use. You simply cut them apart, tape to your project and apply etching cream. Then, rinse and dry and use again and again.

I started with six dinner plates I found at Goodwill. I love how the scratches created a spooky feeling to the dishes and thought they would be perfect for this project.

I taped the stencil to each plate with painters tape. In order to get the stencil tight, I taped one side to the plate. Then I placed tape on the opposite side of the stencil and pulled it taught before sticking it to the plate.

Next, I used the squeegee to push the etching cream through the stencil and then piled it nice and thick to sit for 15 minutes.

Because I planned to use three of the stencils from the package, I was able to do three plates at a time, so the entire process went quickly.

When the first three plates were finished, I removed and washed the stencils and then reapplied them to the remaining three plates. That is the great thing about these new stencils — you can use them over and over, which makes them perfect for party favors, or dishes!

Here is the first one …

And the next one …

And my personal favorite … super scary!

Can you imagine sitting down to dinner and slowly seeing these creepy skulls appear as you finish your meal?! My cousin is sure to love them.

Are you ready to create your own creepy masterpiece? etchall is ready to help … use the code CANDYS and you will get 10% off your entire order — including the brand new Etchnet stencils. Click here and get etching today!

NOTE: I received compensation for this post.

Halloween Spoons

I love altered art. It is my favorite type of paper crafting. There is just something super special about turning an unused, unwanted or common item into something beautiful. In my time, I have altered frames, books, boxes, trays, cupcakes and even a window. Naturally, when I saw Vicki Chrisman’s post about altered spoons, I knew I had to try them.

Vicki’s original altered spoons were elegant antique ones topped with birds and nests and such lovely things. I wanted to try it, but never found elegant spoons to work with. This time, Vicki made Halloween spoons, covered in glitter and ribbon and enough stuff that it did not really matter what type of spoons were used.

So, I headed to my favorite store, Goodwill, and picked up several spoons for .25 each. I found some with little teeth at the end, that I thought would be perfect for Halloween, and some that were bent kind of like a ladle. And, I found some plain ones, too.

I asked my husband to bend the handle on each one so I would have a hook to tie a ribbon to so they would hang. During this process, Matt decided the plain ones were unbendable and, since they were far better than anything contained in our silverware drawer, he confiscated them. While I am still waiting for him to reimburse me the .75 cents he owes me, I went ahead and decorated a few of the spoons for a little home-decor resale shop in Argentine. (The owner asked me to make some Halloween items for her to sell.)

I covered the spoons with Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive and then glitter in orange. Then I cut out images from Graphic 45 and Reminisce paper and used dimensional foam tape to adhere them to the spoons.

I added twine to this one …

and tied a bow on this one …

 

And a little plastic flower from Maya Road to this one.

I love how they turned out — even if they are Halloween, my least favorite holiday.

One thing I can be sure of … there will be NO more Halloween crafts in my house this year! I am so over Halloween ….

 

 

 

Trick-or-Treat Canvas

My how time flies when you are having fun!

I have so much to do right now, I get overwhelmed, cannot figure out where to start and end up doing nothing. Do you ever have that problem?

Well, one thing I did manage to finish this week is a Trick-or-Treat Canvas. It is my first attempt at making a canvas and I love how it turned out!

This project was inspired by Jen Starr’s canvas, here …

I ran into a few problems … did you know Perfect Pearls Mists and Distress Inks will not work on treated canvas? Glimmer Mists will, so that is what I used on this one.

After spritzing and spraying Glimmer Mists until I liked the result, I added black paint to the edges and a bit of dry brushing to the front side.

The houses are cut from Tim Holtz/Sizzix die cuts in both cardstock and Shimmer Sheetz. The Shimmer Sheetz are then embossed with texture folders and I added a bit of alcohol ink to the silver ones.

The little bits behind the windows are cut from Reminisce paper and covered in Glastique to give them a bit of sheen. I then added some ribbons, buttons, lace, etc.

The witch is cut from Graphic 45 paper. I coated her with a thin layer of Glastique, too. It gives her the look of a canvas painting.

 

The letters are chip board from Maya Road.

I started by adhering them with Removable Glue Dots onto my non-stick craft sheet.

Then, I used Ranger Archival Ink to color the tops. This time, I didn’t want any color on the sides of the letters, so the ink pad worked well. (Don’t use Distress Ink for this — it will react with the Glastique).

Then I added a thick coat of Glastique to the top. It goes on white, but dries crystal clear.

As a final touch, I made a few dots and stripes with Liquid Pearls, added a bit of twine and Dew Drop from Robin’s Nest.

The bats are actually cut from a strip of ribbon.

I think it turned out pretty cool. It is going to be for sale at a resale shop that sells home goods in Argentine — between the Police Station and Seymour Road, on Silver Lake Road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Halloween

I hate Halloween.

I don’t like spiders or vampires or things that go bump in the night and I find the whole holiday rather creepy. I know, it is supposed to be that way, but frankly there is nothing about being scared that appeals to me. So I avoid all things related to Halloween — normally.

But then new paper started arriving at Capture A Memory and I fell in love. So, when I was asked to make some samples for the store, I agreed and came up with these from the new line Hallowe’en by Reminisce.

 

This piece of Halloween art is made with a picture frame made for a 4×6 photo. The center is a giant sticker from Reminisce — yes, a 4×6 sticker! How perfect is that. I then used a bit of Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive to glue a bit of baker’s twine around the edge of the frame.

Then I added some orange buttons I found in my stash. I attached them with Glue Dots Pop Up because the thick adhesive allows them to attach firmly to the uneven levels on the frame.

Finally, I grabbed in old bottle cap from my stash, flattened it with a mallet and used a 1″ punch to cut a picture out of another sheet of Reminisce paper and then glued it to the frame.

Super simple, super easy and super cute!

Next, I turned my attention to a little altered book. I started with a mini composition book … Staples usually has these in stock this time of year for about .50 each. They are 3 1/4″ x 4 1/2″ — the perfect size for a pad to fit in the purse or for a little gift to someone special.

I covered the book cover with paper from the Reminisce line and sanded the edges so they matched the shape of the book. Then I cut out the little girl greeting from another sheet and attached it. I wrapped twine around a few times and added a little charm from My Mind’s Eye.

Another super easy, super cute project!

Finally, I used some of the papers to make a layout for the store. I cut the little pumpkin guys out and used dimensional foam to adhere them.

My dislike of Halloween is so great, I don’t have any photos to use, so it is going to the store without the picture!

Stop by Capture-A-Memory to see all of these projects in person, or click on the photos for a better view.

 

One-eyed Spiders

I am not a big fan of Halloween. I don’t like blood, ghosts and things that go bump in the night.  So, when asked to create a Halloween project for my first Design Team submission for Glue Dots®, I was more than a little challenged — not just in what to make, but what to do with it after I make it!

A friend suggested I use the Glue Dots® to make little spiders. I latched onto the idea and after several attempts, I created these adorable fuzzy one-eyed spiders.

Even someone like me who runs from the room screaming when they see a spider, has to agree that these little guys are cute! Of course, the best part is that they are super easy to make with Glue Dots®, Sparkly Fluff by OurCraftLounge,net, Dew Drops by Robin’s Nest and my newest favorite tool — Glaze Pen.

Here are the instructions for both the spiders and the little treat jar I made. The Glue Dots® give the spider dimension and the Sparkly Fluff makes him both fuzzy and just a little glittery. Too cute!

One-eyed Spiders Treat Jar

1. Ink the lid of a small, plastic jar with Slate Alcohol Ink. (I used an inexpensive jar from Meijer found in the kitchenware section of the store.)

2. Cut out a circle of paper (I used some Cloud 9 Design paper) to fit the top. Ink the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink and adhere to the lid with Glue Dots®. You will want to use one of the flat varieties — I used Mini Glue Dots®.

3. Apply a Pop Up Glue Dots® where you would like your spider to be. This serves as his body.

4. Cover in Sparkly Fluff (I used Coffee Bean Brown). Push in slightly to adhere well, being careful not to squish the spider. Tap off excess.

5. Use a Mini Glue Dots® to adhere a Dew Drop as the giant eye.

6. Create a dimensional circle in the center and legs with the black Glaze Pen to complete the look.

7. For the jar portion, cut a strip of paper to the desired width and ink the edges (it covers up the white edges you get from cutting patterned paper.)

8. Apply several Glue Dots® to one edge of the paper, make sure it is centered and straight and then press down. The Glue Dots® will provide an immediate hold. Then, wrap the paper around the jar until it starts to overlap. Trim. Apply another row of Glue Dots® and adhere.

9. The cobwebs are just a piece of May Arts ribbon, inked with Black Soot Distress Ink to match (they were a buttery cream color) and wrapped and adhered with Mini Glue Dots®. Only a few are needed this time.

10. The fence is made from American Crafts white cardstock and the Picket Fence Border die by Dies Direct. I inked it with Pumice Stone Distress Ink to add dimension and make it not quite so white. I used several Glue Dots® to adhere the first portion and then wrapped it just like the background paper and ribbon. However, I added Glue Dots® here and there on some of the posts. This makes the paper bend in and out and provides some added dimension. At the end, I added several Glue Dots® to finish it off.

11. The tag is made from the new Tim Holtz stamp set by Stampers Anonymous and the ticket strip die by Tim Holtz from Sizzix. I used the same white cardstock and then inked it with Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink and adhered with two more Glue Dots®. Be sure to ink the backside, as well, if you want it to stick out like mine does.

12. Finally, add a few more spiders — they are fun to make so stopping might be a problem.

13. Fill with your favorite treat (mine is filled with Candy Corn) and give to a teacher, co-worker or special child for Halloween!

(I wrote this blog while participating on the Glue Dots® Design Team)