Scary Edgar Allan Poe Raven Inspired Canvas September Inspiration Board entry for Scraps of Elegance/Darkness on Facebook

With Halloween just around the corner I finally decided to put this on my blog even though I have been holding it back.  However I decided to publish it now because next month will be all scary, ghouly and witchy LOL!!!

Scraps of Elegance Scraps of Darkness Scrapbook Store has an amazing owner in Melinda and this month her Inspiration Board was perfect for this so it's going to be my second entry for this month on Facebook!! 

I absolutely adore the concept of Inspiration Boards because I really don't think that I am very good at doing layouts according to Sketches but I love making pieces like this.

The Supplies I Used
I don't remember everything that I used but here is some that I do.

Canvas 8" x 8"
Tim Holtz Bigz Die Boo 31
Tim Holtz Bigz Raven and Scaredy Cat
Tim Holtz Bats Mover and Shapers
Black Gesso and Black Paint
Hot Glue and Hot Glue Gun
Heavy Mixed Medium Gel Liquitex or Golden
Tim Holtz Grungeboard
Tim Holtz Grungepaper
Tim Holtz Mirrored Sheets
8" x 8" Piece of Diamante Trim from a local Drapery
Finnabair Prima Mechanicals including Metal Caps/Metal Brads/Metal Washers/Gears/Vintage Setters/Metal Flowers/Mechanical Roses/Clock Face/Roman Numerals/Mechanical Flowers etc
Tim Holtz Idea'ology Arrows/Nature Adornments/Brads/Alpha Chips/Monocle Findings/Crossbones/Mirrored Stars/Wishbones/Enameled Tags/Buttons/Knobs etc
Prima Junkyard Findings Zippers/Nuts and Boltz/Lamp post/Street Signs/Jeans Plates etc
Wood Buttons
Wood Embellishments
Ranger Crackle Accents
Lindy Stamp Gang Magicals and Sprays in Time Travel Teal, Red Hot Poker Orange, Autumn Maple Crimson, Scramin' Banshee Black, Witch's Potion Purple, Hag's Wart Orange, Cowabunga Copper, Gag Me With A Spoon Gray,  Whale Watch Blue, Tweedle Dee Denim, Queen of Hearts Red,  Cheshire Cat Cherry, Salt Water Taffy, Hydrangea Blue, Azure Sea Asters, Sea Mint Green, Tea Pot Purple, Sweet Violet Purple Teal, Bougainvillea Fuchsia, Jazzy Jivin Purple, Danny Zuko Denim, Delphinium Turquoise, A bit o'Bubbly, Creme Brulee Cream.
Light Lutradur
Prima Flowers With Long Stems
Tim Holtz Sanding Tool
Tim Holtz Distress Paint Brushed Pewter

 If you look under the number and bats that there is a studded texture that I used as the base of my piece.  I started by painting the entire canvas in Black Paint and then placed the studded lattice cloth and glued it to the entire canvas with gel medium and then when it was dry I painted it all in black again.  When it was dry, I started adhering a Prima Vine Flower to the left and then pulled the vine around and off the canvas and that became the level of dimension that I wanted. 

 It is a little difficult to see from the angle of this photo but if you look to the upper left you can see a bat that has the tips of it's wings almost touching and what you can't tell is that the bat is glued on the raised vine. 

I worked almost exclusively after this using the hot glue gun and then when I glued all the different findings to the canvas I then used lots of hot glue to look like webbing and cobwebs and gave it a real spooky feel to it.  With thicker hot glue 'vines' I gave the impression of old overgrown and dark vines almot like it was forgotten.

 I used Grungepaper to die cut the Bats and Grungeboard to die cut the Raven painted them black and when dry apply crackle and let everything dry naturally to the Raven and I did not apply crackle accents to all of the bats

For the Boo and the No. 31 I used the Mirrored Sheets and I feel you should run it through your Big Shot (by far the best manual and versatile die-cutting machine) and remember to remove the clear plastic covering off and sanded it down to mute the shine in order to keep the overall theme of it.

Once I was happy with everything, I started applying all the different Magicals wetted with a gel medium and just built up the colour until I was happy with the overall look then I  pulled strands of lutradur apart and then built up the grey white colour of the cobwebs and that was it really.  I really enjoyed the process and I am happy with how it came out altogether.

Let me know what you think and tell me on Facebook or here what you are doing to celebrate Halloween.

Hugs

Celina

Lindy's Stamp Gang September Challenge and Scraps of Darkness Scraps of Elegance Inspiration Board

Embossing Powder - Spray

Hyacinth Blue Green - Danny Zuko's Denim

Silver Moon Mistletoe - Gag Me With A Spoon Gray

Desert Moon Cooper Teal - Fuzzy Navel Peach

Madonna Robe Blue - Ocean Breeze Blue

Cleopatra's Copper - Cowabunga Copper

Other Supplies:
Chocolate Baroque Mackintosh Beauty Stamp
Chocolate Baroque Mackintosh Sentiments Unmounted Clear Cling Stamps
Sue Wilson Dies Finishing Touches Collection - Classic Roses
Sue Wilson Cascading Hearts A4 Embossing Folder
Spellbinders Decorative Labels 28
Creative Expressions Pearly Head Pins
Viva Decor Pearl Pen - Copper
Prima Finnabair 12x12 Butterfly Stencil
Centura Pearl A4 Cardstock in White Gold, Chocolate Brown and Navy.
Copic Marker Pinkish White
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Wild Honey
Tim Holtz Trellis Framework Die
Tim Holtz Mirrored Sheets

How I Did This

It's a little hard to see but on the shimmery side of the Centura Pearl Snow White Cardstock I cut it down to 71/2" x 71/2" and put the Prima Elementals Finnabair Stencil Butterfly on top and sprayed with the LSG Ocean Breeze Blue and let it sit and remvove the stencil and dried it thoroughly with my heat tool.

When completely dry I sprayed the whole thing with the Same Spray lightly and then dried it again thouroughly.  I loved how it looked and I stamped the Chocolate Baroque Mackintosh Sentiments Stamp 'Happy Birthday' on the lower Left Side and then embossed it with the Sue Wilson Cascading Hearts Embossing folder and then put it to the side.

On another Centura Snow White Cardstock and I Stamped the Chocolate Baroque Mackintosh Beauty on the reverse of the cardstock which is fantastic for colouring and painting and inking!  I embossed the image with the fabulous Silver Moon Mistletoe and when cool I started the fun fun stuff!!

I have all the sprays and powders but not the magicals and I really wanted to color in the image so I gave it a little go.  I colored the skin areas with Copic Marker 'Pinkish White'

I opened all the bottles and dipped my fine paintbrush into the bottle itself.

I used the Gag Me With A Spoon Grey for her hair.  I painted all the flowers with the Ocean Breeze Blue.  I did the ribbon in Fuzzy Naval Peach.  I did the dress in the Cowabunga Copper and Fuzzy Naval Peach to accent here and there and the Danny Zuko Denim for the sleeve.

I let it dry naturally before I cut it out with the largest die from the Spellbinders Decorative Labels 28 and then used the TimHoltz Wild Honey Distress Ink Pad around the edge.

 To do the flowers and leaves I cut the White Centura Pearl Card into 3 strips and sprayed 1 with the Gag Me With A Spoon Gray, and Fuzzy Naval Peach dried them well and cut out 2 flower outline 2 of the detailed flower and 2 large/extra large and 2 small leaves and applied as seen the peach with the gray detailed flower pinched the petals for dimension and then put the bottom part in reverse and glued them in place.  I put the leaves where I wanted and then put it all to the left of the stamped image.

For the band that goes across and under the die cut spellbinders piece I cut out 3 Frameworks Trellis from Tim Holtz. 2 in plain cardstock and one in the Tim Holtz Mirror sheet.  Sometimes it's neccessary to put the mirror sheet through your Big Shot (just remember to change the piece you want cut around a little so it will cut more) because the sheets are quite thick.  On the 2 I cut from cardstock I inked them up with clear embossing and poured the Hyacinth Blue Jade Embossing Powder over it and heat embossed (I did this twice to ensue a thick and complete impression)

Then with the little pieces I applied glue and covered some with Gag Me With A Spoon Gray Glitter and others with the Cowabunga CopperGlitter  (which are both from the Totally 80's set) and 1 with the magicals powder itself of the Cowabunga Copper (it was an accident but I loved the look of that piece). I also used a some of the mirror sheet pieces.

Once I was happy with where I wanted to place the focal point raised up slightly with double sided foam adhesive pads on the embossed cardstock I glued the Trellis piece and then put everything together.  I layered it all and rounded the corners with the We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper Deco/Stub and I used the Viva Decor Pearl Pen to create dots all around the edge (it was the 1st time I did this and they are by no means perfect I'm afraid!).

To Finish I layered the piece to Brown and then Navy Centura Pearl cardstock.

Let me know what you think of this.

Hugs for everyone!

Scraps of Elegance July Inspiration Board Challenge

For July Melinda decided that an inspiration board would be the challenge for this month rather than the usual sketch for Scraps of Elegance

You can find the kit listed here and a description of all the products used.

Other Supplies Used

Elizabeth Craft Designs Silk Glitter
PaperArtsy Grunge Paste
Golden Extra Heavy Gel Medium (matte)
Tim Holtz Dies Ornate Frames, Courtyard, Lattice
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Walnut Stain
Tim Holtz Stars
Inkssentials Crackle Accents
Inkssentials Glossy Accents
Cosmic Shimmer Hologram glitter
PaperArtsy 9" x 11" stencil
Prima Butterfly Stencil
Prima Resin Frames
Fabscraps Die cut shape (Forever and Always)
Lindy Stamp Gang Hydrangea Blue Mauve embossing powder

I used the IB panel 3 had different frames and I cut out 2 from the Sizzix Ornate frames and applied glossy accents.  I accented those with a Prima rsin heart frame and embossed it with LSG desert moon turquoise

The first IB panel is focussed on the phrase so I used this one from Fabscraps and embosses LSG embossing powder in 2 layers to build it up and give it a great shine

The butterfly on IB panel 4 is shown in a few ways. I used the Prima Butterfly stencil with Golden extra heavy paste and put fuchsia silks glitter on most of them and Cosmic Shimmer Iced Snow on the rest.  I used the same colour on the board and put it in the glitter on the grunge paste on the circles.  I used the dark gray from the IB as my scrapbook page.  I used the reneabouquet butterfly as an accent.

On the last IB panel the little girl is wearing a crown of pink flowers which I put on the bottom right.  I also thought it looks aged so I used the clock charm to accent it.  I used the Prima Chalk pink through a paperartsy stencil.  I used the courtyard die to cut out all circles (like a crown)

I really hope Melinda keeps the IB panel because it works so much better than a sketch and most of us show much more than a sketch piece on the forum/community.

Tell me what you think

Hugs

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014 July

 Excerpt from Edgar Allan Poe poem

The Raven

(Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.' .....

.....
But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking `Nevermore.')

This is Tim Holtz Tag for July if you just follow the link

                                        

This was a tough technique for me today because I thought my lovely Big Shot Pro machine was going to break trying to emboss construction acetate (I didn't have Shrink film to hand)!!! Honestly I don't know why it didn't break!!

I have been trying to do his tag techniques in a way that makes my own appear pretty.  That's why I loved his June Tag so much.  But, I didn't do all the steps since I only wanted to do what would make something appealing. 

That is my comfort zone.  And I need to be pushed out of it.  Pretty is what I love, however, I think that's making me far too rigid in my arty expressions so I'm going to push my boundaries creatively and enjoy learning and executing new instructions.

So this time I was much more careful to follow each of the steps.
 
  









I am subscribed to Melinda Kelly's Scraps of Elegance and Scraps of Darkness scrapbooking kits, and her SOE kit for July is all about Marion Smith Designs, Mad Tea Party.  That is when I thought about the Mad Hatter's question from Alice in Wonderland "Why is a raven like a writing desk? That thought led me to the raven from Edgar Allen Poe and the word "Nevermore" and I knew what I wanted my tag to have.



That one word "Nevermore" scared the holy moley outta  me when I was really young and I'd come across poem.  I am aware now that it is about loss and the depression felt by those left behind and I believe for different reason why this poem is still able to scare me.

Supplies
TH Writing Desk Bigz Die
TH Raven And Scaredy Cat Bigz Die
TH Cobweb Decorative Strip
TH Movers and Shapers Die - Mini Bat and Skull Set
Graphic 45 Nevermore (Steampunk Spells)
TH Distress Paint Seedless Preserves, Black Soot, Tea Dye, Walnut Stain, Faded Jeans, Old paper, Dusty Concord,
TH Distress Stain Faded Jeans, Seedless Preserves,
TH Distress Ink-pads, Tea Dye, Walnut Stain, Black Soot, Picket Fence, Old Paper
TH Distress Pen Seedless Preserves, Black Soot, Faded Jeans
TH Spritzer
TH Grungeboard
TH Cracked Embossing Folder
TH Word Band
Clear UTEE
Adirondack Red embossing powder
Glossy Accents
Distress Glitter Rusty Hinge, Seedless Preserves
Construction Acetate
Size 12 Manilla Tag
Eerie Graphic 45 Cardstock
Black Ribbon
Crackle Accents
TH Staples/stapler
Golden Gold imit paint
Black Cardstock

Well I hope you like it and tell me what you think.

Hugs

Celina

SOD Stationers Desk Large Tag May 2014 Facebook Challenge

I saw a post on Facebook about making something using a dressform (Tim Holtz die I believe) and if you didn't have the right die anything would be really ok as an alternative.

I'd made this tag which actually started off as a bookmark, magetized and everything, then it morphed into something else as these things always end up doing (everyone can relate right? :) )

Kit Supplies

• 5 double sided papers from Prima's Stationer's Desk Collection
• 5 double sided papers from Prima's Cartographer Collection
• Prima: Stationer's Desk Collection - Pencil Flowers
• Prims :Everyday Vintage Paintables 
• Prima: Cartographer - Type Keys Clips
• Prima: Ingvild Bolme - Mannequins
• Ranger: Liquid Pearls - Copper
• 1 Floral Bronze Metal Embellishment
• Martha Stewart Circle Edge Punch Cartridge - Flower Arches (my stash)
• DIY 3 x 4 Chalkboard Sheet (my stash)
• Prima Stationers Desk - Tag Me - Ticket and Tag Set
• Small Office Hinge Clip (my stash)
• Tim Holtz Distress inks  Weathered Wood, Red Brick, Frayed Burlap, Old Paper (my stash)
• Creative Impressions - Antique Ruler Twill Ribbon   

As you can all see, Melinda really delivered on a kit (I've said this a few times already I know!! LOL) that is so versatile.

I already had this made so I knew I would be able to post it in by the deadline.  I not sure if I like how it turned out.  I used everything except the chalkboard which, can be swapped for something else as the brass flower is actually adhered to an office hinge clip that I had in my stash.

I started off using a size #10 tag I believe and used the Stationer's Desk Red Romance and cut the paper down to size and distressed it by wetting it slightly and crumpling it up over and over and then ripped into the edges and opened it out and glued it to the tag.  Then I inked the edges with the Tim Holtz Distress ink (LOVE LOVE LOVE his genius!!!!) and put the twill ribbon under the cardstock and then inked that with some frayed burlap ink to age it too.

I put the wonderful big flowers bottom left and upper right that came in the kit and only stuck the bottom half and upper right of the flowers to the paper so the Paintables which I coloured with my distress markers Red Brick and Pine Needles a little.  Then I put the coloured image between the flowers and then used the Type Keys Clips and Stationers Desk Tags and Tickets and placed them around the paintables. Then I used the Martha Stewart French Scroll Punch with some of the Red Ink cardstock and applied it between the tag and red cardstock.  Used some Weathered Wood Ink to the edges of the punched out cardstock.  I put the mannequin piece from the kit on the top left and then thought it only looked ok.  Certainly not the best thing I've ever done and left it alone to wait for inspiration.

Later I realised that I needed to make another layer and see what would happen (I'm not a tag making sort of person.  It's a real crap-shoot how it turns out! (& no I've never played craps but I have seen Guys and Dolls loads of times and like the song 'Luck be a Lady Tonight') I love that movie!! :)

I used the Cartographer Faire un Voyage and used the Martha Stewart Flower Arches Cartridge and cut an 8" circle and then inked the edges with Frayed Burlap and Folded half to the front and glued the back.  I put tiny little dots of the Perfect Pearls Copper strategically as accents and then using the packaging from the Tickets and Tags and Used the WRMK Deco corner chomper punch side and then inked the edges and stuck on to the front of the circle.

Then I got the the Brass Flower and glued it to a small Hinge clip and Glued it to the top of the Deco cut piece and finally I got to finish it up using another piece of the resin corset and put that on the lower left and used some more of the tags and type keys to complete it.  After it was all done I used white chalk and scribbled it over the 3x4 chalkboard and then wrote Dress up time!!!  Fun Fun Fun

Hugs for Everyone

Celina

Scraps Of Darkness 'His and Hers' April Kit Kathy Orta Paper Phenomenon Faux Paperbag Album

• 5 double sided papers from Prima's Stationer's Desk Collection
• 5 double sided papers from Prima's Cartographer Collection
• Prima: Stationer's Desk Collection - Pencil Flowers
• Prims :Everyday Vintage Paintables 
• Prima: Cartographer - Type Keys Clips
• Prima: Ingvild Bolme - Mannequins
• Ranger: Liquid Pearls - Copper
• 1 Floral Bronze Metal Embellishment
• Martha Stewart Circle Edge Punch Cartridge - Flower Arches
• DIY 3 x 4 Chalkboard Sheet
• Prima Stationers Desk - Tag Me - Ticket and Tag Set
• Small Office Hinge Clip (own stash)
• Antique Bike Charm
• Wrights - Ivory Bead/Sequin Wedding Embroidery Lace
• Creative Impressions - Antique Ruler Twill Ribbon 
• Heavy Weight Chipboard Sheets  
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Fired Brick, Weathered Wood, Black Soot, Old Paper, Frayed Burlap
• Martha Stewart Punches
• Core'dinations Black and Red cardstock
• Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Spray Frozen Jack Frost

As I've said before I have been taking part in Kathy Orta's Digital/Everyday Kit Club and loving every minute of it!!!

This album is actually one of her older ones and I made it this way because I didn't have access to paper lunch bags here in Ireland.  I searched everywhere and finally sourced my own but as I'd already started this and I was under a deadline I finished this one and as it was for someone in her mid thirties and Italian.  When I met her I thought she was cultured, well read, intelligent, elegant and refined.

So I instantly went to this kit collection because I love this palate in papers and embellishments.  They were perfect!!!  Once again let me say that Melinda struck the scrapbook kit ball out of the park!!! Fab!! Fab!! Fab!!

So I can't tell you how I made but Kathy's hidden hinge binding is easy and really clever.  But I used LSG Frozen Jack Frost to dye the lace to the blue/gray that matches the blue/gray in some of the Prima cardstock

Iadded some of my own embellishments strategically so there was no gluing any pictures and move them around as much as she likes.  I actually didn't completely add all the embellishments because I thought she would enjoy doing some of the fun herself.


Let me know what you think.

Hugs

Celina