Trick or Treat Lighted Burlap Panel Plus Winners!!!

Hello Crafters and happy Friday! I have a Halloween project and step outs to share today...a lighted burlap panel using Tim's new Snow Globe Thinlets from Sizzix...and as promised, to announce the WINNERS from my 5th Blogiversary give-away! Huge thanks to all of you that commented and participated. Some of the comments even made me tear up...THANK YOU!!! I feel so loved and appreciated, and I am so very thankful for all of you...AND it's especially sweet that I didn't get to much razzing about my chart!!!

Unlit at Night

Lit at Night

I did lots of die cutting using oldies and newbies with either Ranger Kraft, Black, or Watercolor Cardstock. I also adhered Halloween Deco Sheets on some of the black cardstock for the children, rooftops, and windows.  Then I assembled all the pieces. The Snow Globe dies can be used for tons of things and with a plethora of papers....it might be a new favorite.

I taped off the edges of a burlap panel so it would have a framed feel, and then I slathered the middle with Gesso...for two reasons: durability and spreadability.  You will see why next.

Since I wanted to add lights to this piece, I knew I'd have to drill through it as the panel is solid, which I love. If I were to drill through with no Gesso to make the burlap rigid, it could have unraveled with the drilling. Plus...I just love to use my Dremel!!! I punched holes into my houses were I wanted the lights to go with the Crop-A-Dile. I used the ruler to make sure my houses were straight when I laid them out, then I poked a hole with the Craft Pick through the holes in the houses where I wanted the lights to go. That hole will also guide the drill so it doesn't skip around. The backing of the panel is thin enough that you can poke a hole all the way through. I also poked holes were the stars would go, then I drilled through all of them to make the holes larger.

Another reason for the Gesso was to make a smoother surface so I could smudge in Distress Crayons, and not fray up the burlap. To cover this, I scribbled color on and smoothed it over first with a lightly moist towel to really push the color into the cracks. Then I added more color over this and blended with my finger. All the colors blended so nicely and didn't muddy up...gotta love Distress Crayons.

I gave the surface a dry, and then stenciled in the Halloween word from the Mini Layering Stencil Set 23, with Wendy Vecchi's Hydrangea Archival Ink from Ranger. I chose this color because it's a purply gray and was dark enough to ink over the crayon. It's a very versatile color.

I lightly spritzed over the the background with Wendy's Buttercup Mica Spray for some sparkly Halloween night splendor. I removed the tape, and then added the black glittery Design Tape from the new Materialize stash.

I used more Distress Crayons to color in parts of my other dies. They even work on black cardstock...love that. I inked in the kraft bats with more Hydrangea...cool huh?!! I also inked the edges of the fence and trees with it. I painted in the moon and stars with Pearl Paint Dabber.

I painted in my sentiment with Distress Paint so it would pop more, and covered that with Glossy Accents. Then I adhered my pieces on with either Multi Medium or Foam Adhesive. I glued on the stars and waited until they completely dried before poking a hole into them. NOTE: They are so tiny, that when I went to poke holes for the lights, some of them tore. I really wanted to use Micro Dots Lights (I suggest them over the minis.), because I thought this would happen once I saw how tiny the stars were, but my craft store didn't have them. I could have used larger stars...from Tim's Paper Punch...but I decided to just go with it to see the outcome. I am okay with them, but I want you to be advised that the Micros would be better. I pushed in the lights from behind and taped between each one, on the back of the panel for security. I used velcro to adhere the battery pack to the back as well...sorry I forgot to photograph that part...but it's ugly anyway.

Lit in the Day

Unlit at Night

 

It's such fun to use dies intended for Christmas and Winter at Halloween. This one probably needs an idea chart too! :0) I think I will hang this in my wreath on the front door for Halloween night! Such fun!

And now for our winners. I had three hats...one for each monster. Those of you that wanted any, your name went into each hat. Those that wanted a particular, your name went in twice in that particular hat...just to make it a little more fair. Oh how I wish I could give each of you the dies...so hard for me, but...(drum roll sound)...

The Monster Thinlets go to CRAFTY HOPE! Who said,
Those tags have so much detail in them! Beautifully done. And, the thought put into to make that list is inspiring. You really get a bang for your buck with all those options! Now that I see how versatile these are, I'd be happy to win any of the three. Thanks so much for the opportunity and your amazing inspiration!

The Vampire Thinlets go to REDANNE! Who said,
Yay on the 5 years!! I love all three tags, they look amazing!! But your charts - WOW, you have given me so many ideas now for my one and only die in this set - the Zombie - thank you so much (sadly, ideas do not flow for me like they do for you). Your chart is fantastic! I agree, blogging is time consuming and often difficult, but it takes us ages to make creations and it is always nice to give/receive some encouragement, it makes it all worthwhile! If I am lucky enough to win, I would love either the Monster or Dracula.... Hugs, Anne xx

The Zombie Thinlets go to JACKIE P. NEAL! Who said,
OMGosh Anita! I am still laughing at some of those phrases!! What a mind you have-awesome! haahaa i still think my favorite is "zombies don't like fast food-keep running! LOL Your tags are absolutely too cool- not only the die parts, but your backgrounds really do speak to me- you added so much interest to these- well done!! Geesh I don't have any of the dies and if i was the lucky one to be picked I would be happy with whatever you chose to send! ") Happy Blog-i-versary and thank you so much for taking the time to create and share all that you do! It means alot to so many of us!
hugs,Jackie

Congrats to all three of you, and AGAIN a huge thank you from my whole heart. Please email me your address so I can get these out as soon as possible. 

Supplies:

Eanger surfaces Black cardstock	Inkssentials Surfaces Kraft Cardstock 8.5x11	Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Deco Sheets in Halloween	Tim Holtz Idea-ology REGIONS BEYOND Design Tape
Tim Holtz Idea-ology LABORATORIE Tissue Tape	Tim Holtz Sizzix SNOWGLOBE Thinlits die	Sizzix Alterations Decorative Strip Tim Holtz Halloween Shadows	Tim Holtz Sizzix Twisted Edge Thinlits Die	Sizzix Tim Holtz Movers & Shapers Owl & Crescent Moon Set Die
Ranger Multi Medium Matte 3.8 oz Jar	Tim Holtz District Market Burlap Panel In 6x8	Dina Wakley Ranger WHITE GESSO	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Design Ruler	*We R Memory Keepers CROP-A-DILE Eyelet and Snap Punch Pink
Tim Holtz Tonic CRAFT PICK Retractable Needle Too	Tim Holtz Distress Crayons SET 1	Tim Holtz Distress Crayons SET 2	Tim Holtz Distress Crayons SET 3	Tim Holtz Distress Crayons set 4
MINI ROUND INK BLENDING TOOLS	Ranger Archival Hydrangea Ink Pad	Tim Holtz Mini stencil set 23	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Mica Spray Set	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Design Tape in Materialize
Ranger Adhesive Foam in Black	Ranger Paint Dabber PEARL METALLIC	Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Spiced Marmalade	Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Seedless Preserves	Distress Paint Wilted Violet
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Marker in Hickory Smoke	Ranger Glossy Accents Glue

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!

12 Tags of 2016 Remix - October + Give-Away!!!

Hello! Hope this post finds you all well. I have three things to share with you. FIRST, I have my October tag(s) for Tim's 12 Tags of 2016 Remix. I had soooooo much fun making these, and loved the remix of the February, 2015 (See mine here.) tag, and the October, 2015 (See mine here.) tag. That Tim inspires me in leaps and bounds, and I couldn't decide on just one of the creatures, so I did all three, and used up almost a whole pack of ephemera...gotta love that! I followed Tim to the tee, aside from adding more paint colors and Word Keys, so there are no step out photos today.  Make sure you keep reading until the end for the other two things I have to share.

 

 

SECOND, I am showing and sharing with you a glimpse into my mad brain. It like yours, never turns off, and so I make notes or draw all my ideas out (even on napkins), because if I don't I'll forget. And then...I make charts. I make charts for everything...and I mean everything. Yes, feel free to feel sorry for my family, but hey, we are so organized around here. So, when I purchased these dies last year, I made a chart for other ways I could use them besides at Halloween. I like to get a lot of bang for my buck, so when I purchase very themed oriented products, I think of different ways I can use them, and write them all out in A CHART. I have files and files of charts on my computer. Yikes, that's scary! So in the chart below, I have listed by occasion ways you can use these creatures other than at Halloween, and some sentiments that you can use on tags or cards, or to help generate ideas and inspire you. You can see how versatile these dies are. DO NOT JUDGE ME! Some of the sentiments are a bit racy and rude, but that's how I roll. Feel free to print (I had to copy and paste, so it's not the best copy...sorry.) and add to, and please share your ideas with me and others.

Occasion	Monster (#660959)	Vampire (#660960)	Zombie (#660961) Or Lost Zombie (#661590)
Valentines or Love	Let's do the Monster Mash! Valentine...I could just eat you up! I'm crazy mad for you! You may be a monster, but you're my monster.	It was love at first bite. Valentine, you don't suck. Bite me! Creatures of the night, exchanging glances... Your cold blood is about to get hot.	I love you to the tomb and back. I love you almost as much as zombies love brains. Zombies...they love you for what's on the inside. My love for you will never die. Tonight, we're gonna wake the dead.
Mothers/Fathers Day	From Your Little Monster From Your Mini Me Quite frankly, you're the best parent ever. You're the best Momster ever!	As a parent, you don't suck. Thanks for letting me suck the life out of you. For teaching me to always suck it up...Thanks. Just think, if you hadn't of bitten me back, who knows where I'd be now. Thanks for putting your stake into me. Thanks for all the blood, sweat, and tears. Blood is thicker than water.	You brought me into this world, and I'm glad you didn't take me out. If it wasn't for you, I'd have no killer instinct. For all the times it went unsaid, "Thanks for not beating my brains out." I'm so glad I got my brains from you!
Birthday/Congrats	You're in for a monster of a good time! Birthdays can be monstrous. Hope yours isn't. Wishing you  a monstrously awesome birthday! Scream...it's your birthday! Happy Frankin' Birthday. It's your birthday. Eat, drink, and be scary. We're monster jammin' tonight! I'm monstrously proud of you! Have no fear! You can do it!	Have a fang-tastic day. I hope your birthday doesn't suck! I hope your birthday doesn't bite! I vant to suck...the helium from your birthday balloons! In honor of your birthday, tonight we're dining at a stake-house. Hope your birthday  doesn't give you high blood pressure. Party 'til the sun comes up! In true vampire form, never reveal your real age. Fang-tastic news! I'd stake my claim in you. Congrats!	Happy Birthday to the only person I would rescue in the event of a zombie apocalypse. A little closer to the grave...have a happy birthday! Let's party until the dead of the night! Today, on your birthday, choose your outfit carefully. You may become a zombie and have to wear it forever. Hope you survive your birthday. Birthdays are like zombies...they just keep coming and coming until you're dead. I heard zom-body's having a  birthday. Congratulations...zombies love a girl with brains! Congrats Brainiac! Dead proud of you!
Get Well/Cheer Up	Sorry you feel monstrous...get well fast!	In the old days, they'd bleed you to get well...talk about sucking!  Hope that makes you feel better.	Sorry you feel like the Walking Dead...get better soon. Zombies hate fast food...just keep running! Sometimes you have to burn a few bridges to keep the zombies from following you!
Apology	Jealousy is a green eyed monster. I'm so sorry. Sorry I've been a monster to deal with. I'm sorry I got so mad. Why should I apologize for the monster I've become? No one has apologized for making me this way!	I'm sorry I'm so cold blooded. I suck. Please forgive. I've been a real blood sucker. My tongue is as sharp as my teeth. Please forgive what I said. I'm sorry I showed my fangs. I deserve a stake through my heart.	I'm so completely brain dead...please forgive me. I was so dead wrong. You probably wish I was dead... A zombie no more...I've snapped back to my senses. Please forgive me.
Friendship	Friends don't let friends become monsters! Without you my life would be monstrous.	You don't suck. So glad we're friends!	You're a great friend, but if zombies are chasing us, I'm tripping you! I'm so happy you are my zombie apocalypse buddy!
Just For Fun	There lives a monster in all of us. The Artist must bow to the monster of his own imagination. As we got older, the monsters crept from under our bed to inside our head. Instead of a sign that says, "Do not disturb.", I need one that says, "Already disturbed,  proceed with caution!"	If there's one thing we've learned from fairytales, it's that men can be monsters or vampires, but a woman will still fall in love with them! I'm not a morning person. Warning: I bite. Keep Calm And Nom Nom Nom.	Zombie: (n.) The only men that will love you for your brain. When life closes a door, it opens a window...and then zombies climb in and eat you. When I die, I want my tombstone to offer free wifi...just so people visit more often. If you can't beat them, eat them! What happens in the dead of the night, stays in the dead of the night.

THIRD, since the Monster Dies are only available this year until they run out, AND since this October marks my 5 year blogiversary, I've decided to do a give-away of all three dies. When you comment below, make sure to tell me if you don't have any of them and want a particular creature or all three. I'll put you in the running for the dies, and announce the winners on Friday. Where you live is no matter. If you already have the dies, of course I would still appreciate your comment. ;0) I'll also print you out a copy of the chart above to help your ideas flourish. Good luck!

A huge thank you to all of you who have supported me these five years, with your comments, likes, shares, class attendance, demo attention and the like, here and on social media, and of course in person. My cup truly runneth over! Those of you who blog, know that it's time consuming and sometimes hard work, and of course there is no compensation. I (and you) do this to share our love for the Art, and it's you the readers with your generosity of time and words, that make why I and others do this. Your validation and encouragement mean the world to me, and I hope that I do the same for you. Life would be dull without all of you. MWAH!!!

Supplies:

Inkssentials Surfaces Tags In Black #10	Tim Holtz Idea-ology CURIOSITIES Ephemera	Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium in Crazing	Tim Holtz Collage Brushes	Tim Holtz Distress Crayons SET 3
Tim Holtz Distress Crayons SET 2	Tim Holtz Distress Crayons SET 1	Tim Holtz Splatter Brush	Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Black Soot	Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher Stapler
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adornments in Wicked	Ranger foil tape sheets	Tim Holtz Sizzix MONSTER Thinlits Die 660959	Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlets in Zombie	Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlets in Vampire
Sizzix Tim Holtz Texture Fades in Diamond Plate and Riveted Metal	Ranger Glossy Accents Glue	Tarnished Brass - Distress Paint	Antiqued Bronze - Distress Paint	Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Picket Fence
Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Barn Door	Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Peeled Paint	Ranger DIY Archival Ink Pad	Ranger Tim Holtz Archival Ink Reinker in Hickory Smoke	MINI ROUND INK BLENDING TOOLS
Ranger Adhesive Foam in Black	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Marker in Hickory Smoke	Tim Holtz Idea-ology INCANTATION Metal Word Bands	Tim Holtz Idea-ology METAL WORD KEYS	Tim Holtz Idea-ology HALLOWEEN METAL TYPED TOKENS
Jump Rings - Idea-ology	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Crinkle Ribbon	Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain SPICED MARMALADE Ranger	Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain ABANDONED CORAL Ranger	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain in Twisted Citron
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain in Peeled Paint	Distress Spray Antique linen

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!