The Witches Of Artistic Outpost

***Four more days until my 1st Blogiversary and a major giveaway to one of you!!!

I've not been using my Artistic Outpost images much, so I decided to take part in their Monthly Referral Program, and yikes, it's the last day to do so! Remember my Magic Inside Us Tag? I'm going with the same idea, but tweaking it up for Halloween. However, I couldn't stop with just her, because AO has too many wonderful heavy hitting lady images, so I've done four. (HUGE WARNING....LONG POST...Get nourishment and beverage!)
As I was working on them, my imagination started working on overload, and next thing you know, I'm making up my own story with the witches, sort of a cross between Wicked and The Witches Of Eastwick. Mr. E. E. Forrest, Druggist, is their pusher who wants them to drink his mysterious potion, which elevates their powers for evil, and causes them to wreck havoc on the land and the mortals. He plays upon their weaknesses in character, and has sentiments for each of them which coerces them to buy his concoction time after time. Next thing you know, witches from all over are standing in line to purchase the potion. He gets rich, gets powerful, gets overloaded and sloppy, and starts cutting back on the now hard to find ingredients, all the while looking for world domination and using the witches to do his dirty work.  The less than par brew causes horrible side effects for the witches, some even death, so civil unrest bursts forth. Alas, young Lowly Self Esteem, figures it all out, and enlists the help of Ima So Vain, Worriesa Too Much, and Issy Very Mean. Together, they destroy Forrest's Apothecary, where he meets his doom in the scourge at his own hand. During this, each one comes to terms with their flaws and insecurities, and help each other to get well. They decide to build a recreational retreat and spa, on the spot where the old Apothecary was laying in ruins. They name it Love Potion #9, and witches, as well as mortals, came from near and far to receive therapy and just talk, relax and unwind, and participate in a variety of activities like Bingo and Crafting. It's very successful and the land is whole once again!

Miss Lowly Self Esteem

Miss Ima So Vain

Miss Worriesa Too Much

Miss Issy Very Mean

I used Tim's technique for Alcohol Ink & Reflection Stamps from the 2011 12 Tags of Christmas, Day 5. I used Purple Twilight and Pitch Black Alcohol Inks.

I used the Halloween Reflection Stamp. I found that you let the Archival Ink penetrate about 30 seconds, then with the slightest of hand rub gently, then a little firmer when it starts to come off. You can see spots where I was too aggressive. You can just reapply Alcohol Ink put I left it for interest.

I stamped this frame from AO's Whimsical Melange Set  in Jet Black Archival onto Specialty Stamping Paper, and heat embossed it with Ranger's Clear Fine Embossing Powder.

I cut out the centers of each frame to use for stamping other images, then taped it down on a paper towel using Tissue Tape so that the parts I wanted to color in would be free from color. I sprayed Adirondack Color Wash in Buttscotch and then Perfect Pearls Mist in Sunflower Sparkle (my new favorite combo).

I colored in the clean white squares with an Orange Glaze Pen, but then curiosity got me, and I colored in the other parts of the frame over the Color Wash, and IT WORKED! This means I did all the taping for nothing....lesson learned. It's good to experiment! The Glaze Pen makes a very shiny and raised color!

Grand Central STAMPING ensued next! A slew of AO images where stamped in Jet Black on Specialty Stamping Paper, along with a few Tim Holtz ones. All of the sentiments are AO's and they were stamped onto black cardstock with Sunset Orange Acrylic Paint Dabber. Mr. E. E. Forrest was stamped inside the prescription with the new Brushed Pewter Metallic Distress Stain. On the ladies, I added ink straight from the pad to make a darkened area so I cut cut hats from. I used the girl's net as the pointed hat and made a brim for it. The stick is her wand. The cauldron was made by stamping the base of the bottle on the AO Apothecary set. I flipped it upside down and free hand cut the shape with the fire flames. Several images were inked with Dusty Concord Distress Ink after they were cut out.

All ladies were colored with Distress Markers using Tim's technique from Compendium of Curiosities II. I love their Shabby Shutters green skin! I cut them out and adhered them to the frame. Lots of  Stickles were used to highlight them. Witches hats were also given to each ancestor in cameo. This was foam taped and added on top of the Alcohol Inked Halloween words transparency.

Antique Linen Distress Stain was used to color the prescriptions and cardstock for the moon. I freehand the moon. Be careful Staining over the Metallic Stain...I removed a little of the detail on one of them by using too much pressure. I wrinkled these up and distressed the edges and gave them a little Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

Using Idea-ology Corked Vials, I colored them with Lettuce Alcohol Ink. Then I coated them in Crackle Accents rather than Rock Candy Crackle Paint to just see what it would do, to try and mimic Wendy's Faux Cracked Glass. It worked well, and dried fast, with no peeling, but the cracks are not as deep, and the Distress Ink did not adhere very well. I still like the look though, so I kept it. It's go to experiment! I stamped the $.10 (no cents sign on the keyboard???) in Emerald Archival onto kraft paper, cut them out, and used them on Idea-ology Type Key Charms. I used wire to put them onto the necks of the mini bottles.

For the jumbo sized #10 tag, I stamped Tim's web, spider, Halloween script, and bats in Brushed Pewter Metallic Stain, and the stars in White Picket Fence Stain with his 'fly poop'  (hehe) Speckled image. I distressed the sides of the tag. I die cut the 31 into the moons using Tim's Sizzix Cargo Stencil, and used black cardstock to diecut the trim from the Vintage Lace die. I used the Tiny Attacher to fix the trim on the tag. I adhered the left over Alcohol Inked Halloween words on the transparency to the moons, and glued them the tag corners. All the other elements were added to the tag as well. The bats and spider received some Stickles as well.

I colored seam binding with various colors of Adirondack Color Wash, scrunched them up, and dried them with a heat tool! Gorgeous color! These ribbons completed the tag.

It's okay being green!

She's too sexy for her hat...or is that cat?!?

Don't sweat the small stuff!

You catch more spiders with sugar than poison...oh you know what I mean!!!

I wish the photos picked up the color and sheen better. It's really not matte like this.

I am also submitting this to Linda's Studio L3 Compendium of Curiosities II Challenge, based on Tim's book, page 50, for "Distress Markers", and this time a prize is offered up from Mario!

Supplies:
From My Stash- heavy transparency, black cardstock, white cardstock


I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!

Choose To Shine...At School!

***One more week until my 1st Blogiversary and a major giveaway to one of you!

No heckles or jeckles please! I know what you are thinking...."Scrap-booking?" Yes, and long over due! It was one of my Creative Resolutions...to get back to doing some very overdue layouts. I don't want my kids to start having kids before I finish their school scrapbooks.  Aside from coloring in books, scrap-booking opened the door to my paper crafting about 16 years ago, and I'm only about 5 years behind!

I've not added pictures yet to this, as it will hold the photos from this school year for my daughter. She has entered the land of Jr. High. Help me!!! She loves it though, and that makes me so happy!

Using the Graphic 45 ABC Primer papers, I misted Dylusions Ink Spray.

Dylusions Stencils and more Ink Spray were used on top.

Dylusions stamps using the Letters and Numbers were stamped in Archival.

More stamping, this time using Border images, then highlighting them with a white pen and Dylusions Ink Spray inside of water brushes. Then I stamped the girl and house images onto Specialty Stamping Paper and colored them in with the water pens and Distress Markers. Two G45 borders were added as well.

 

I am conveniently (;D) submitting this to Inspiration Journal's monthly challenge of "ABC 123 School Time Fun", the Sunday Stamper's challenge of "Masks/Stencils", and the challenge at Simon Says Stamp & Show is "For The Love Of Sparkle".

Supplies:
From My Stash: string, Girls Paperie #7 Cloth Brad


I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!

A Heavy Metal Autumn (12 Tags of 2012 - Sept.)

Are you feeling Funkie??? I guess I am! Frilly & Funkie that is! It's the middle of the fortnight when it's our time to share. The challenge is "Fall Into Fall", and is hosted by the uber talented Linda Coughlin, of The Funkie Junkie. Linda wants to see the rich colors of nature and the bounty of the harvest, as Fall is her favorite season. Help us celebrate Autumn this fortnight by using a Fall color palette in your work...suggestions are browns, oranges, olives, rusts, cranberries, or harvest gold.

The Design Team has produced a color explosion of beautiful projects. Drop them a comment if you can. 

Linda Coughlin - The Funkie Junkie

Marjie Kemper - She Who Stamps and Scraps 

Teresa Kline - Paperie Blooms

Terry Horrall -  Terry's Work In Progress 

Sue Carrington - Stamping Sue Style 

Tammy Roberts - Paperie Sweetness

Can metal pumpkins and leaves count as Faux Riveted Metal? I hope so, because this tag is also my take on Tim's September tag. It's also my submit for Compendium of Curiosities II Challenge for the "Riveted Patchwork" technique from page 57 of Tim's book, which is also being sponsored by The Funkie Junkie, which has a new site...YAY!

Metal Foil Sizzix leaves, pumpkins, and acorns were used to achieve Tim's technique...genius I tell you!!!!

Here is the background before it's covered up.  I really like the way it came out.

The RRHD Relish Reading September Data image was perfect for the paper background. I stamped it using Ranger's Sepia Archival Ink.

I've always wanted an antique red Royal Typewriter, and scour Ebay frequently, but they are difficult to find, and cost a pretty penny, so I just colored my mini one to fit that bill.

Artistic Outpost's Mid-Winter set has the perfect sentiment for every season of the year! I stamped it with Ranger's Jet Black Archival.

Vintaj Patinas were used to enamel some Idea-ology foliage. Remember Shelly's acorns? Another genius...I've used her idea a lot, and this time a light bulb popped up. I colored it with Ranger's Adirondack Alcohol Ink. They didn't fit exactly as I wanted them to, so a little Glossy Accents really helped. Autumn was stamped in Jet Black onto the Filmstrip, and the 22nd (first day of Autumn this year) received a little Adirondack Espresso Paint Dabber. Distress Stains colored the Seam Binding Ribbons.

 

Supplies:

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!

R.I.P. 31

When it comes to Halloween, I tend to be on the warm, fuzzy, and cute side, rather than the scary, spooky or wicked. Why? Because I am a big Fraidy Cat!!! I don't like scary...no movies, no shows, no creepy crawly things...no way no how!  Hubby likes to watch those ghost documentaries on the tele, and sometimes I watch between fingers over my covered eyes. They give me nightmares, and I like sweet dreams of chocolate, crafting, flat tummies, and smooth pretty tight skin. So with all that being said, you can see how this tag is BIG for me! I really let my imagination run wild, and although it might not be much to you, it is for me. It is a replica of the most scariest cemetery I've seen...the one right next to my high school. Yup, that's right! It was separated only by our playground with only the tattered and torn picket fence dividing the two. It really should have been in one of those creepy Hitchcock movies.

I had a horrible time trying to photograph this. The metallic sheen really casts glares with my shoddy picture taking skills...sorry. And up close, you just don't see things clearly anyway. It's best viewed from a distance...like a painting.

It didn't take much to bring this tag to life.

I started with pieces of Idea-ology Tissue Tape stuck onto an Inkssentials Black Surfaces #10 Jumbo Tag. Simon Says Stamp & Show's challenge is "Tape It Up", so I will submit this to them.

I used Tim's technique of "Blended Stains" from his book Compendium of Curiousities II, page. 45, using all of the new Metallic Distress Stains. The technique also happens to be the challenge at Studio L3's CCIIC, and is being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. I stamped the mini headstones onto each piece of stained tape and the big headstone onto another stained tag, cut it out, and adhered it to the tag. Shading was added with Distress Markers and inking with the Jet Black. More stamping using grasses and people were added. Prima glittered stars finished the tag. I think the metallic and foggy look really adds to the scary effect.

Can you see these 5 ghostly beings? There are three more...can you find them?

 

Supplies:

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!