Happy Halloween

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Phone Stand

Hi everyone, its Angela here today with you to share a Phone Holder that I made.

Firstly I laid out my pieces and knocked out the slots, then I took a silver Painters marker and painted all the edges with it along with a line around the outside of the top and bottom of each piece.

Next I laid out the pieces on a sheet of 12 x 12 paper and cut around them with a sharp knife, turned them over and cut again. This gave me a piece for each side.

The first piece I put together was the bottom as this has the slots in it. I applied glue to the paper and placed it on one side of the bottom of the stand. I then turned this over onto a cutting mat and used a sharp knife to cut the slots in the paper on the top side of the stand.

Once I had cut the slots I glued on the piece I had cut for the other side. I used a brayer to ensure the paper was stuck down well. I then stuck the paper to the other pieces of the stand.

I used some embellishments from Momenta to decorate the pieces. 

I decided that this would be a portable stand so I haven't glued it together. I just put a band around it and keep it in the bag it came in. 

Supply List
GSL Cuts Tablet/Ipad/Phone holder
Bo Bunny Double Dots Paper
Momenta Embelishments
Painters Silver Argent Plata paint marker

"The Mad Hatter's Secrets" Hidden Drawer Book

This is one of those projects that just kind of sprouted. All the supplies just kind of jumped up and shouted "ME! ME!". I'm glad they did because I'm smitten with this project.

I've used the 6" Hidden Drawer Book Box as my base and then ran with the Mad Hatter theme from the Hallowe'en in Wonderland Deluxe Collectors Edition from Graphic 45.

I've repeated the cobweb theme of the scrapbook paper with a wed stamp and gold embossing powder.

I used that same stamp, repeatedly, on a Layered Frame Aria then added a spade charm to the tippy top for some added interest.

I used the same stamping and embossing technique for the top and bottom elements on the spine. I used a Deco Frame, then trimmed the elements I wanted to use.

Also on the spine and cover, I've used more elements from Hallowe'en in Wonderland Deluxe Collectors Edition and added a Metal Door Plate and Knob.

Inside, the Hatter's Tea Party! I really just sort went to town and filled the interior with suitable miniatures already in my stash including: a pocketwatch pendant, miniature wine bottle, a dormouse, playing cards, cakes and cookies and more. 

If you'd like to see the process of making this piece, take a gander over HERE for the video walkthrough.

And here is the list of supplies I used:

6" Hidden Drawer Book Box
Layered Frame Aria
Deco Frame

Web Stamp

Hallowe'en in Wonderland Deluxe Collectors Edition

Metal Door Plate and Knob

Embossing powder

Acrylic paint

Hot glue and white glue

Foam squares

Bits and pieces for the interior

Memories 12x12 Layout

Hi everyone!  Leigh Ann here for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts with a 12x12 layout using 49th and Market products and several different chipboard sets from Gypsy Soul. 

First, I coated my background with clear gesso to give it a little more stability, though I'm not sure it needed it because these 49th and Market papers are amazingly thick!  I laid out all of the chipboard pieces that I thought I would use, as well as my picture and pieces of paper for layering behind the photo. 

I then coated all of the chipboard pieces with a coat of white gesso for a clean backdrop.  I coated the honeycomb pieces with white distress crackle paint, the scribble circle I rubbed with Rose Distress Ink, the filmstrip and "memories" piece were coated with Tin Can Prima Chalk Ink, and the leaves were colored with a few different Distress Stains. 

I took my photo mat and layering pieces and distressed them.  I used a combination of scissors, sandpaper, and a distress tool, then inked the edges with Tim Can Prima Chalk Ink to give it more dimension. A trick I've found and prefer is to staple my layers in a couple of places rather than glue them. This allows me to place additional pieces between the layers, and makes them more dimensional on the final piece. 

Next, I glued my layer piece to the layout and glued down most of my chipboard pieces.  Once I had finished attaching all pieces, and added some splatters of Color Bloom spray in antique gold, I glued down my photo.  I like to use Glossy Accents as adhesive for heavier pieces like this, but any quick drying liquid glue should get the job done. I would not suggest using a tape runner for this type of project.  They are great for simple layouts, but not for a bulky one like this. 

I added my final chipboard pieces and laid out my flowers and other embellishments next.  Most of the flowers are also from 49th and Market, with a couple from Kaiser Craft and Prima.  The ephemera piece in the lower right corner is from the Prima Rose Quartz set, and the metal quote is from Tim Holtz's Ideaology line. 

This turned out to be the perfect way to showcase a photo of my three year old daughter checking out the layouts I made at my last retreat. 

I used the following Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Products on this layout:
Honeycomb & Bees Large (pieces of the honeycomb)
Say Cheese Shape Set (filmstrip)
Scribble Frame Butterfly (circle without the butterfly)
Words & Phrases 1 (memories)
Rose Leaves (leaves under flowers)

I hope everyone has a great crafty week!
Leigh Ann

Making Mixed Media Elements by Betsy Skagen

Let's face it, thousands upon thousands of crafters, myself included, use the same mass-produced decorative elements in their projects. However, there is another option. If you don't want your art to feature the same materials hordes of other artists are using, you can easily create your own elements.

By applying mixed media techniques to chipboard elements you add unique texture and interest to journal pages and other craft projects. This particular journal page combines some of those mass produced decorations with elements I created.

I recently was lucky enough to attend a mixed media class by artist Seth Apter. If you have the chance, I highly recommend taking one of his classes. The class inspired me to tweak a couple of Apter's techniques to make my own mixed media elements.

Tutorial on How to Make Mixed Media Elements

Before we begin, I just want to note that while I adapt some of Seth's techniques to create my own process, this tutorial does not cover the wonderful techniques Seth teaches in his classes.

Begin by punching out the chipboard. Use a utility knife to cut the tiny segments that keep the chipboard intact for shipping.

Next, cover the chain with black gesso.

After the gesso dries, dry brush Quinacridone Gold and yellow acrylic paint over the surface.

 Dry the paint with a heat gun. Don't worry if you overheat and get a few bubbles as that will add to the finished texture.

Cover the entire surface with embossing ink.

Cover with Chunky Rust Embossing Powder and set with heat. Repeat until you get the effect you want.

 Adhere your elements to a journal page that you have prepared and your project is complete. Have fun creating your own mixed media elements!

Great Stuff

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Flourished Chain Small
Black gesso
Quinacridone Nickle Azo Gold acrylic paint
Yellow acrylic paint
Embossing ink
Seth Apter Chunky Rust Embossing Powder
Ribbon
7Gypsies Architextures typewriter element
Tim Holtz word band

Had so much fun creating this gypsy caravan from using Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts!

Shabby Chic Halloween Dressform Hangup

Hi everyone!  Today we are going to make our Halloween costume … in miniature!  And we will be using the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Dressform Hang Up to begin the process.

To make the shabbiest, creepy dress possible, tear a piece of 12x12 double sided print card stock into irregular triangular shapes.

I found it easiest to use a ruler and tear the paper towards me.

Mist the triangles with water and carefully pleat and scrunch the shapes, allowing some of the reverse side of the print to show on the front.  Let the shapes dry.

Trace around the bodice portion of the hang up onto the back side of a piece of glittery fabric and cut out.

Ink up top portion of hang up with black pigment ink and heat emboss with Oil Rubbed Bronze embossing powder.  Don't worry if some of the embossing powder gets onto the bodice portion.  It will be covered up with our fabric piece.

Glue fabric to bodice portion of hang up, as shown.

Glue paper triangles together with hot glue at the top where it will be joined with the bodice.

You will need to scrunch it together enough so it will fit behind the bodice.

Cut strips of creepy cloth gauze and glue to the top of the skirt.

Glue skirt to bodice.

Wrap black lace around front of bodice and skirt and glue to the back.

I made a bow using black plastic netting from a bag that held produce and glued it to the top of the bodice.

Spray entire dress with Fully Purple mist and let dry.  Spread random patches of green glitter paint onto high spots of paper triangle strips.  You may want to enlarge the picture to see the colors better.

Paint the raven with Paynes Grey, then Black Ice glitter paint.  Paint the the bat with Berry Metallic, then Black Ice glitter paint.  Let dry.

Add dots of Lime Green Liquid Pearls to bat's eyes and one dot of Emerald Green Liquid Pearls to raven's eye. Let dry.  (I added tiny black dots to the eyes with a black Sharpie marker).

Glue bat to top of hanger and raven to bodice, as shown.

Lay out three lengths of chain, each one longer than the first.  My chain lengths measure approximately 3-1/2", 6-1/2", and 9".

Use jump rings to connect the ends of each chain length. They should drape as shown  below.

Add skull charms to each length of chain, as shown.

Use small brads to attach the jump rings on each side to the top of the skirt.  I simply pierced a small hole through the paper part of the skirt and inserted the brad prongs.  A touch of glossy accents will keep everything in place.

At the last minute, I found this tiny metal gear on my desk, and instead of risking losing it, I glued it to the raven's eye, then added a tiny dot of the same Liquid Pearls to the center.

Here is a closer look at the bat and his beady eyes.  I also glued a small skull charm to the center of the bow, as shown.

Find a nice place to hang your costume, and you will be ready for the mini Halloween ball.

Supplies Used:

GSL Dressform Hang Up
GSL Spooky Shape Set (bat)
GSL Creepy Critters Shape Set (raven)
Colorbox Black pigment ink
Emerald Creek Oil Rubbed Bronze embossing powder
DecoArt Acrylic Paints (Payne's Grey, Berry Metallic, Black Ice Glitter Paint)
Ranger Liquid Pearls (Lime Green, Emerald Green)
Tattered Angels Fully Purple spray mist
Black Creepy Cloth gauze (Dollar Tree)
Black plastic netting bag that held vegetables (used to make bow)
Charms (skulls)
Jewelry chain and jump rings

I hope you enjoyed my project today.  Be sure to check out the online shop for more chipboard ideas and inspiration.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and have a very happy Halloween!

Barbara