Edgar Allan Poe Tunnel Shadow Box

Hello crafty friends!  I'm here today to share a new project made with elements from the Alpha Stamps August Kit:  Tunnel Book!

The kit comes with great seasonal papers and timely sunflowers, but my 4x4 Arch Tunnel Book is a little darker with an Edgar Allan Poe theme.  Hey, I'm a Baltimore girl and I can't pass up a Poe project opportunity!

The design team will show you different ways to use the tunnel. I made mine into a shadow box.

To begin, I chose the center element first.  This photo shows how I rigged it up so I could see the chipboard layers and plan the elements.  (Note to self: put wee lights in the next tunnel book.)

I painted all pieces with black gesso, then decided to cover with papers.  The easiest for me was to paint the adhesive onto the tunnel panels, then put that onto the paper and allow to dry.

I cut the centers out with a straight edge on a self-healing mat. See how ragged they are?  My fix for that is sandpaper.  I used two grits - first was 320 to sand the paper up to the chipboard, then a finer grit of 600 (or higher) to "polish" the paper and get it ready for the next step.

Using sandpaper on your projects is a lot like using a good knife in the kitchen.  Choose the right tool and it will do the work for you.  You'll only need the smallest amount of pressure.  And maybe more patience.

White core on paper makes me squint and squish my nose, so I use the edge of a brush marker to color it in.  If you want to try this, keep light contact between the paper and marker -- the paper will soak up only what it needs.  Polishing the paper with the 600+ grit sandpaper keeps the sanded area from soaking up too much ink, so it's an important step.

I used the brush marker (brown or black) to color the edges of all the collage sheet elements.  When doing this, make sure you always come from behind, as I've done in the photo below.  It's easy to "fall off" the edge of the element (especially fussy cuts) and accidentally swipe a dark brush stroke on the surface.  Much better to have that on the back than the front!

Here's a view of the panels, ready for assembly.  The polka-dot panel is already attached to the Edgar panel (the back of the book).  I was a little eager and didn't photograph before putting those two together.

There are so many great motifs throughout Poe's writing.  Here I've included a raven, heart, cask, skull, and, of course, Lenore, all from Alpha Stamps collage sheets.  There's also a pendulum, eyes, premature burial, and doubles.  Oh... if only I'd used the 6x6 Arch Tunnel Book!  :)

Back to the project at hand, Susan... To create the space in between, I used layered strips of excess chipboard to separate the panels.  I save all kinds of board "just in case".  I'm not a pack rat... just a planner!

Once all the panels were attached, I covered the sides and back with heavy black card stock, and used the same for the top and bottom.

Thanks for your visit today!  You can view my complete Alpha Stamps supply list HERE.

Cheers
Susan


Other supplies used
My Mind's Eye paper
Heavy black card stock
Mod Podge
White glue
Zig glue pen to adhere dresden trim
Gold paint pen around interior window openings
Black gesso and acrylic paint
Black Tombow brush marker

Fright Night Tombstone

Hi creepy crafty friends!  I'm getting ready to do a Halloween table at my local 3rd Friday and have a new bit of tabletop decor to share with you.  Well, new-to-you, anyway.  I found the blank tombstone at a box store last year and promptly made this guy.  I went back and bought a handful (or two) more to make a whole cemetery but this is the only one I have so far... Best laid plans and all!

Here's the other side!

The tombstones are wood and stand 17cm x 12cm (6 1/2" x 4 1/2").  Fun!

Thanks for visiting today.  (This is also available in my Etsy shop in case you can't make it for 3rd Friday. *wink*)

Cheers,
Susan

Skelly Tin Series - "Be Very Afraid"

Hi folks!  I'm here with another of my 'Skelly Tins' for the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Education Team.  I think the Altoids Inserts Fairy Tale Frames is just about the best invention ever!  Let me show you what the next frame inspired me to create.

Isn't this guy fun?  Eh, a little unnerving also.  *wink*

I made the tin with most of the same steps as this 'Creepy' one.  You might remember I struggled a little using a new-to-me medium on the frame itself, so I tried something different with today's project.

Instead of painting the Ranger crazing medium, I cut off the used tip of a foam brush (that had dried too much to wash and reuse).  I dipped it in the medium and used it as a stipple brush on the gesso-painted frame.

It worked perfectly, creating texture and a slight sheen.  No additional steps needed!  You can see the direction of the sponge (I held it perpendicular to the frame) so I will vary how I stipple next time.  The frame handled the thick wet medium like a champ.

Here is the Skelly Tin series so far.

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
Altoids Inserts - Fairy Tale Frames #YB23A

Other Supplies Used
Altoids tin
My Mind's Eye halloween paper
Cheese cloth 
Dollar store skeleton
Black twine
Black gesso
Ranger Collage Medium/Crazing
Mod Podge (to affix paper to tin)
Glossy Accents as glue and dimensional effect
Fabri-Tac glue
Ranger Ground Espresso ink for edges
Burlap
Orange Peel Stickles

Skelly Tin Series: "Creepy"

Hello crafty peeps!  Over on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog I'm dipping into the dark side and dragging you with me.  That's OK, right?  Let's go!

For the project I used the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts' Altoids Fairy Tale Inserts.  There are 3 in the package.  I set the other two aside for my next tins.  Yay!

The first step for me is to rough up the metal to give the paint and adhesive something to grab.  Next I  gesso'd the edges since there is always a chance bits will show after the paper is applied.

 I knew the "creepy" would take a long time to dry, so that was cut out and glued to the laser cut.  I then filled the space with Glassy Accents and set it aside.

I decided which papers I wanted, cut them out, and inked the edges.  Mod Podge does great to adhere paper to the tin, although this jar is getting thick.  Can water be added to thin it out?  I'll try!

Ugh.  I put the inside sheet in upside down.  Keen powers of observation, Susan!  Since it's text, I couldn't fake it.  Luckily I had more paper and cut out a new one.  I think Mr. Skelly is laughing at me!

Once that was fixed I added the cheese cloth and random wood shaving curlicues with white glue.  I wanted to raise the bat up so I made a platform with bits of the extra laser cut chipboard.  Fiddly work but worth it.  Not pictured is the front bat painted with micaceous oxide -- this is actually going to be the bat's shadow layer.

I painted the Fairy Tale Insert with black gesso, then tried out the Ranger Collage Medium/Crazing for the first time.  I'll admit I wasn't crazy about it due to brush strokes and lack of actual crazing... then I tried to sand the brush strokes off with very fine sand paper.  Voilà!  Brush strokes gone and crazing visible.

 I used a little bit of watered-down black acrylic paint to cover the sanding marks.

Once that dried I put a fine line of glue around the inside of the insert and clamped it to the tin.

As that dried I gesso'd the base and top.  I used the large round disc to give the project more stability. On top of the gesso is black acrylic with a very subtle sheen and a few random swipes of quinacridone gold (orange-gold) and interference gold (bright gold) paints.

Glue those last pieces on and this is the finished project:

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts
Altoids Fairy Tale Inserts #YB23A

Other Supplies
Altoids tin
Wood candlestick
Wood base
Wood dowel rod end
My Mind's Eye halloween paper
Wood bats
Swarovski SS5 tanzanite crystals
Cheese cloth 
Random wood shaving curlicues (it's been around so long I can't remember the source)
Dollar store skeleton painted with white and off-white
Black lace scrap (spider web)
Black Stickles (spider)
Black twine
Black gesso
Black acrylic paint
Quinacridone gold paint
Golden Interference Gold paint (love this!) 
Ranger Collage Medium/Crazing
Golden Micaeous Oxide (on front bat)
Mod Podge (to affix paper to tin)
Glossy Accents as glue and dimensional effect
White glue
Brown ink for edges

Halloween Witches Greeting Card, Not Your Average Tea Party!

I adore this party of 4 witches in their hats... discussing spells... who to hex next. You know, the normal topics of conversation at tea parties!

The witchy women are a digitally printed vintage image. All the designer papers are from The My Mind's Eye "Wicked" pad. The ticket is a Tim Holtz stamp and the flowers are a combination of Dusty Attic, Prima, Petaloo, and Wild Orchid. The rhinestones are Prima, I think. They are old enough that I had to add extra adhesive to keep them down.

This card is available for purchase via my Etsy paper shop. Thanks for visiting!

Cheers,
Susan

Halloween Poison Greeting Card

This Halloween greeting card is sure to cure what ails you! We've got dried and preserved black locust poison (it's good for you... trust us!), lizard legs, and that extra special spine tingling tonic. You know you want it!

My Mind's Eye "Lost and Found Halloween" help put this emporium of wonders together. What a great paper line!

Inside you'll find a bonus dose of carbolic acid -- it's all the rage these days!

This card is available for purchase via my Etsy paper shop... if you can handle it! Thanks for visiting!

Cheers,
Susan

Something Wicked This Way Comes, Haunted House Greeting Card

This is a favorite! It is simple only because the My Mind's Eye "Wicked" papers made it so easy to design. The three pages flowed together so well. I spent my formidable years in a town with a big historic cemetery and a Victorian house similar to the one on the inside.

The house is made of the peacock grungeboard and cut out using a Tim Holtz Sizzix die. I crinkled vellum paper to give the effect of broken glass. The smoke coming from the fireplace is actual peacock feathers. The little girl is a digital vintage image. Shh... we won't talk about the ghostly rhinestones coming from the window; they might hear us.

This card is available for purchase via my Etsy paper shop. Thanks for visiting!

Cheers,
Susan

It's Halloween! Let's Go Costume Crazy!

Boo!
Eek!

What's your Halloween costume this year? I think I'll dress as a roller derby girl. I'm still working that one out... If not, I'll go as a witch. I colored my hair auburn red recently and it will fit in with both personas!

This card is all about My Mind's Eye Lost And Found Halloween. Did you buy tons of it when it came out? I love it so much I did exactly that!

On the inside

It comes with a coordinating gift box, too!

This card is available for purchase, either in-person at the Sept 18th "3rd Friday" festival in Salisbury, MD or via my Etsy paper shop after the festival. If you are interested now, please let me know! Thanks for visiting!

Cheers,
Susan

Black Cat In A Pumpkin Halloween Greeting Card

Hello hello! This is such a cute digital vintage image, isn't it? It really isn't Halloween without black cats and pumpkins. :) I used more of that fabulous My Mind's Eye "Wicked" paper and added loads of texture with sewing, lace, and flowers. The buttons are vintage glass and are sewn on by hand.

So sweet!

Inside

A matching gift box, too!

This card is available for purchase, either in-person at the Sept 18th "3rd Friday" festival in Salisbury, MD or via my Etsy paper shop after the festival. If you are interested now, please let me know! Thanks for visiting!

Cheers,
Susan

Halloween Skeleton Salesman Greeting Card, Vintage Antikamnia Image, My Mind's Eye

Hello! As I was looking through my Halloween paper stash, I found an unused 6x6 pad of My Mind's Eye "Wicked" paper line. How did I ever miss this one?! I don't know what year it came out, but I do know it's great.

The skellie salesman is a digital print from an old Antikamnia Chemical Company. They sold the products that would "cure what ails ya"... until they were shut down in 1914. Oops.

The salesman is layered... you might think he's walking right off the card!

This card is available for purchase, either in-person at the Sept 18th "3rd Friday" festival in Salisbury, MD or via my Etsy paper shop after the festival. If you are interested now, please let me know! Thanks for visiting!

Cheers,
Susan