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.
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| 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. |
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| It didn't take much to bring this tag to life. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Can you see these 5 ghostly beings? There are three more...can you find them? |
Supplies:
I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!
Great tag - I love the ghostly beings :) Those sparkly stars give it just the right amount of lift too. Congrats on facing your fears and completing this piece! Thanks so much for joining us for this week's Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge!
ReplyDeleteWoah! That is truly spooky and genuinely the best use of those stains I have seen thus far! Just loving the layering over the tape and giving the gravestones plenty of shadow really makes them pop out. Having ethereal beings hanging around too just finishes (me!) the whole tag off completely. Well done Anita. Think you've mastered spooky in one hit there. Hugs, Buttons x
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a cool tag. All these sparkling stars are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI hope Blogger lets me post this comment.....
ReplyDeleteStunning tag!!! I look at all the pictures before I read your explanation & when I spotted the ghost people I yelled in delight, pointing at the screen, going; "Look!! Ghosts!!!" (I am alone!) Or am I??? Anyway, it really is gorgeous. The stains look so good, I love the stars & you've created a very spooky cemetery.
Properly scary tag, Anita! The ghostly fog of the cemetery is so spooky, the gravestones stamped onto the tissue tape is a genius idea, but the real killer is the appearance of those ghostly children (who I find haunting at the best of times)... brilliant, atmospheric work! And my favourite use of the blended stains so far (I'm not having fun with this technique - my colours don't go!!)...
ReplyDeleteAlison x
What a great stains Anita...I didn't see or hear about them in Holland yet. Great effects! And your tag looks amazing in total!
ReplyDeletegreetings, Alie :-)
TOTALLY STUNNING!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow What a great Tag Anita.I love it a lot.Your works are always so special.
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Felicie
I love it! The colors are blended so beautifully and the tape is a great touch. I guess I'll have to cross checking out spooky cemeteries off our to-do list when we finally get together!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE this tag....the muted by grungy colors are gorgeous!!!!! Love all the detail as well!!! GREAT job gal!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, beautiful and yet a little spooky!
ReplyDeleteGreat tag! I'm still waiting on my pre-order of the new Metallics. Can't wait to get them and play!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the spooky scary stuff. Been thinking about just having "wuss" tattooed on my forehead! Nah...even THAT skeers me!!
Fabulous tag, full of atmosphere and great that you've used the metallic stains . I love the way the images appear very spooky and that tree is a triumph ! X
ReplyDeleteAnita...this is so cool! I loved reading about your real life experience with that spooky cemetery by your house, too. I love Tim's "creepy kids"! I love how you've made them look so ghost like in your cemetery! Great tag! Thanks for sharing it with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy
ReplyDeleteLove it, Anita!
ReplyDeleteWow Anita - this is great!! I really like how you did the tombstones and the creepy look of it all. You did a great job capturing that eery cemetery feel. I love the addition of the stars - just the right extra touch!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, this is just too too cool, Anita! Thanks so much for sharing how you developed this piece. What a fantastic job with the blended stains. I tried that technique for my fall piece this week and ended up not using it because I didn't like the outcome. Love your ghostly stamping - It was really inspired to put use the images like that! Unlike you, I LOVE Halloween art, but not big on scary movies. I just like the artiness of gothic Halloween. This is an awesome example!
ReplyDeleteIt's a fabulous tag and even kinda creepy looking...great effect! When we lived in MS my dad almost bought a house next to a cemetery. At least the neighborhood would have been quiet! lol
ReplyDeleteWow, Anita, this is fab! Love the "ghostly" feel to it, with that terrific background...cool!
ReplyDeleteHi Anita, Wow! I can't tell you how much I LOVE this tag! Those ghostly images are positively spooky and I actually got goosebumps when I noticed them!! This is BRILLIANT!!!
ReplyDeleteWow I love this tag. It is great idea for Halloween.
ReplyDeleteohhhh this is so freaking cool! Really like all the sparkling you gave this tag! Love that you've transformed those little bits of tissue tape into tomb stones! Great use of those creepy kids! Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Hugs, Sandra
ReplyDeleteA wonderful make, I LOve this tag!!! The stars are fab and a great contrast to the spooky background! Great make trace. X
ReplyDeletePerfect Halloween tag! I didn`t know that you are such a scary person...:)
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS Anita. really love this tag xx
ReplyDeleteI didn't read much once you began the tutorial...because I know I can come back to it - and thank you. But the pictures of your most scariest graveyard right up next to your high school were hair-raising. I love the special effects that you achieved. I love also that your art has developed to the point where you can give a tutorial on it. And I'll be back to read it as soon as I catch up!
ReplyDeleteUnique as always (:o) Love the colours and the little touch of bling on your tag. Thanks for the tutorial, i always appreciate.
ReplyDeleteOh Anita, this is fabulous, really spooking looking - well done for creating it given your dislike of all things spooky! As a child in Canada our house backed onto a graveyard and now I live in England - guess what? There is one not more than 200 feet away--- I don't like them much either! Great job. Crafty hugs, Anne x
ReplyDeleteReally stunning! The ghosting is amazing! Perfect for Halloween. I love the stars and the background is wonderful! Barbarayaya
ReplyDeleteWow...this is a stunning tag for Halloween. Love it! ... :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not big on scary, either, Anita...but I do love this tag. It has a real dreamlike quality to it. The stars wrapped all around the tag help to create that, I think...and then the ghosted images in the upper left corner reinforce it. It's really beautiful ....in a scary sort of way. LOL
ReplyDeleteОй.... Ну, Анита, у меня опять нет слов!...
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing!! I love it!! I need to get going on some fun ATC's too!! this is a great inspiration!! thnx!
ReplyDeleteFabulous scary tag Anita.. I'm scared of my own shadow and the dark so I don't do scary... This is fantastic.. love the ghostly feel to the images. Hugs May x x x
ReplyDeleteUtter coolness. Love the way you used those stamps!!!
ReplyDeleteI love it love it love it!That is magnificent and all the sparkling stars are heavenly.
ReplyDeletexox Anja
Gorgeous and elegant at the same time. love your take on Halloween.
ReplyDeletehugs Lynn