Around the Skellie Neighborhood

Hello crafty friends!  I'm here today to share my latest Halloween-themed Alpha Stamps project. As you know, October's kit is Twilight, and I've used the fantastic Twilight papers found there to create this glimpse into the everyday life of The Skellingtons.  Come take a walk down the lane with me!

I've used linen hinging tape painted black to bind the houses together, and bits and pieces of the twilight papers to bring the houses to life.

Dresden trim of all sorts as well as gold paint highlight the roof lines.

The skeletons are fussy cut and adhered with white adhesive foam.  There are two layers of foam on a few to pop them up more than their companions.

To see all my Alpha Stamps used for the neighborhood, please visit my source list HERE.  Thanks for your visit today!  

Cheers,
Susan

"Study" Shadow Box

Hello crafty friends!  Over on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog today I have a peek into a curious person's study.  I don't know if a mad scientist lives here or just a collector of ... oddities.  I can only imagine what's tucked into corners all over the room!

Come visit to see the step-by-step for this box!

Cheers,
Susan

Something Wicked Shadow Box

Hello crafty friends!  Today I want to share a steampunk-y shadow box made from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts' ATC Shrine Box.

The first thing to do is wipe down the edges with a damp cloth to remove laser residue (if any).  Lay the pieces out and put a dab of glue on the edges that fit together.  I did one panel at a time and held in place for a few seconds to give the glue a chance to catch.  Let this dry completely before measuring for paper inserts.

I used a corner of the 12x12 Texture Sheet Gears for the inside back, embossing it with a red/black/brown powder mixture I made a few projects ago.

I wanted a dash of color so I cut off a piece of the Banner Border Strips, traced each pennant on a different scrap of paper, then painted the pennant with black gesso.  While that dried I cut the triangles and inked the edges.  They are all slightly larger than the actual chipboard piece and overlap nicely to cover the space between each triangle.

I use the Zig glue writers a lot, and this one came in handy to draw a line on the pennant edges and allow me to easily apply the papers.

Next I picked out a few gears and backgrounds from the Steampunk Shape Set and painted them with  metallic paints I have on hand.

Once everything was dry I assembled in a whirlwind and didn't stop to take photos.  *sigh*  In the next two photos you can see the hint of the texture gear sheet in the back.  I chose a plain paper (black with white dots) so attention wasn't diverted from the embossed texture gears.

The pennants are raised up on a layer or two of scrap chipboard for added dimension.  You can also see the metallic gears layered in the right front corner, on which a black cat is perched.

I used more plain paper for the inside walls and ended up using strips of straight black Dresden foil  to finish the inside corners.  Once the outside was covered I used a more ornate Dresden foil to finish the front frame.

Here's a look at the back!

Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers ~ Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used

ATC Shrine Box BD12X
Texture Sheet Gears HR1
Steampunk Shape Set D33A
Banner Border Strips D34D

Other Supplies Used:
Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells
assorted acrylic paint
custom embossing powder
white glue
Zig writer glue
Brown ink for edges
Dresden foil
wood feet
assorted ribbon

A Set of Halloween Art Cards/ATC/ACEO

Hello crafty friends!  I'm here today to share steampunk-y art cards made with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts ATCs!

Do you know the difference between ATC, ACEO, and art cards?  Lemme tell you my take on all of it.  ATC is short for "Artist Trading Card".  The creation of an ATC has to follow a size rule: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".  An ATC isn't for sale, rather made for trading with other artists.  It's a great way to collect and share original art!

ACEO is "Art Card, Editions and Originals".  Yes, that's a mouthful!  ACEOs follow the same size rule but are traditionally the sellable version of an ATC.  They can be original works or numbered limited editions.

An art card is basically an ACEO.  I'm just not fancy enough to use ACEO, y'know?

I cut paper for the front and back sides to 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches.  Using the last bits of a glue medium I painted it onto the chipboard and added the paper.  Not shown is my brayer -- I rolled it on to smooth out the glue clumps.  You can also use a ruler or anything that will flatten out the paper if needed.

Next, I used the Postage Frames to give dimension to the spooky stamps.

And that's it!  These were quick projects to make and look neat as a set.  Here's a view of the back sides.

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,

Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
ATCs - set of 3 (coming soon)
Postage Frames D79C

Other Supplies Used
Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells
Cheese cloth
Black and brown inks
Scor-Tape
Ranger Glue n Seal
TH Halloween baubles

More Halloween Cards!

Hello hello!

I'm still in love with this Graphic 45 "Happy Haunting" Halloween paper collection.  Here are a few greeting cards made using it!

Each card has a coordinating gift box and is available in my shop today!

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

Halloween Cards

Hiya crafty folks!  I have a series of Halloween keepsake cards using Tim Holtz papers and ephemera.  Fun!

Here are the individual photos.  Each one of a kind card comes with a coordinating gift box is available in the shop.

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

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

Love Potion Altered Tin

Hello folks!  Today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog I share a lighter version of my year 'round skeleton obsession.  Our friend here is in love and offers you a little magic love potion... don't mind the tombstones over there.  His love lasts an eternity.

I started out with the GSL products I needed to paint/finish with wet stuff.  I cut the tree with a paper cutter.

I knew the skellie would hold something, so I snipped the connector piece at the ribs and left the shoulder bone attached.  Later I reinforced the shoulder bone with a spot of clear glue on the back.

With my typical finger painting style, I covered all the chipboard with white gesso.

I wasn't sure how the tombstones would look at the end, so I started with the general color I was hoping for... The silver was covered over with a Golden micaceous iron oxide later, then I used a tiny bit of white acrylic paint on my finger tip for a weathered marble look.  It worked out even though it doesn't really look like weathered marble.  :)

I finger-dabbed white acrylic paint on the skeleton, then used a tiny brush with a super-watered-down brown to age him.  I painted one small section at a time, waited a beat or two then dabbed the excess of with a paper towel.

I covered the love potion "label" on the paper with Diamond Glaze and let it sit over night.  I'll be honest that I don't love this product since it's prone to air bubbles and is much thinner than Ranger Glossy Accents.  I'm working my way to the bottom of the bottle because I can't bring myself to throw it away.

The love potion paper and the various edges were cut out and glued in with Glue n Seal.  I used a scrap piece of wood for the base, and screwed it in.  (I'm moving away from just gluing these types of parts together; you don't have to!)

Here's a look at the finished GSL skeleton, creepy tree, and tombstones.  The piles of excess chipboard and the paper-covered pile of chipboard next to the skeleton are going to be used behind the pieces to create a 3D effect.

The tree was glued in then I layered the tombstones and "ground fog".  I used regular white glue for each of these layers.

The skelly boost was glued on the back, then I added him to the tin along with his party hat!  The shoulder reinforcement glue is visible in this photo also.  It was just a little bit, but it made me feel better.

Ta da!  It's party time!

Here's a look at the back. I will probably add more silver tinsel around the edges.

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

GSL supplies used
Creepy Tree 5 Inch #D127D
Skeleton Shape Set D136S
Tiny Tombstones C55S

Other Supplies Used
3x5 tin
Scrap wood
Fancy Pants "Oct 31" paper
Cheese cloth
White gesso
Golden & Liquitex acrylic paints
Golden Micaceous Iron Oxide
Stickles glitter glue
Crafter's Pick white glue
Ranger Glue n Seal

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