Indigoblu - Red is the Colour!

I was so thrilled to be in the Top 3 at Indigoblu with my Grungy Heart piece and then even more

thrilled when I was asked to do another project for their challenge blog HERE.

I am patiently waiting for my new Indigoblu flower stamps to arrive so I thought I would use the

very first Indigoblu stamp I purchased (Blazing Poppies), it must be 3 or 4 years ago and I think it is probably my most used stamp as it suits so many occasions.  The brief was to use red - so this stamp was just perfect for that!

It also gave me the chance to try out my new Tim Holtz Distress Crayons!

I stamped the image onto Watercolour Cardstock, with Ranger Black Archival Ink and then quickly added some Ranger Clear Embossing Powder and heat set it.

I took the advice that Tim gave to Jenny (Buttons) at Stitches - he said that 'Less is More' is not the way to play with the crayons - it is 'More is More'!!  I laid down loads of red and then used a water brush to move it out to the edges.  All I can say is, the crayons are simply lush and so easy to use!  For the yellow tinge in the background I put some of the Mustard Seed onto my little glass dish, added lots of water and created a 'wash' for my background.

To finish off, I dyed some vintage ribbon, made a messy bow and added a heart charm.  I added some layers of black and red card before attaching it to my white base card.

Thank you to the ladies at Indigoblu for giving me this opportunity, I absolutely love this stamp!

I would like to add this to the fabulous Darnell's NBUS Challenge #6.  My never before used items is my new Distress Crayons.

Thanks for looking, see you again tomorrow!

Hugs, Anne xx

A Haunted House....!

Before I show you the house I just wanted to say that as well as being on the DT for The Artists on the Block, I have now also joined Eileen Hull's Inspiration Team - I am so thrilled !!  Eileen is the fantastic designer behind Artist Trading Blocks which so many of have come to love.  It is awe inspiring to see the wonderful way people use these little blocks and create some astonishing little works of art!

My Haunted House was made for both The Artists on the Block and also Eileen's Art with Heart Inspiration Team.

Eileen is offering a fantastic prize for her latest Art with Heart Challenge - Tricks and Treats which you can find HERE.  The prize is one of Eileen's Scoreboard Artist Trading Block Dies!  That's one challenge not to be missed!!

On to the house now........ here it is finished.

Those who know me, know how much I adore Halloween in spite of the fact that it is not widely celebrated here in the UK, so having some of Tim Holtz's dies is a must for me.  I gathered all my elements together first.

Two of Eileen's large blocks and four of the medium size all cut from mat board and heavy card.  I cut some windows from an old Spellbinders die and cut the rest of my embellishments from Tim Holtz dies - the fence, the little people, and the border trim to cover up the joins.

before constructing the boxes I cut a few windows and doors and used some cut up blocks to create the roof line.  One of the larger blocks opens at the back of the house so that a tea light (battery operated) can sit inside to provide some spooky light.

At this point I got a little carried away with the construction and did not take photos.....  The house was painted with my new favourite - IndigoBlu's black Gesso (Gee-Sso Good), it gives the most wonderful matte finish and it has chalkboard like qualities.  I dipped my fingers into Picket Fence Distress Paint to give the black walls a distressed look.

The roof tiles were simply strips of grey pearlised card which again was distressed with Picket Fence DP.  The curtains are made from white gauze stained with Spiced Marmalade Spray Distress Stain,  If you have not tried the spray stains yet - please do, they are fabulous to use.

I made a wreath for the front door using Tim's tinsel and some string which was coloured with stain.  The tree was sprayed with Black Soot Spray Distress Stain, lightly coated with Ranger Multi Medium Matte and then dipped in Dusty Concord Distress Glitter, it has just the right amount of sparkle without being too 'in your face'.  Some florist moss was added in the garden.

The tree was created using one of Tim's embossing folders (I don't have the tree die yet), I embossed black card and fussy cut the tree out and added some Autumn Leaves from one of Tim's foliage strip dies.  I added a tombstone and a jolly pumpkin for added interest.

This is the best picture I could get to show how the house looks lit up!  I love the owl's eyes - very creepy!

I hope you like my Haunted House and feel inspired to create something for Eileen's Challenge - don't forget that great prize that is on offer!

This is my main Halloween piece for this year but I will also be bringing out my box from last year - for those who may have missed it..........

Can you see the same shaped house and also the tree?  I did this as part of a tutorial that the fabulous Richele Christensen did last year.

I would like to enter my Haunted House into Simon Says Stamp blog Monday Challenge where the challenge is 'O'.  My 'O' is October and owl for the owl in the tree...  there is a fabulous prize of $50 on offer for one lucky winner.

I am also linking up to the Sizzix Challenge - Halloween HERE as I used a number of Sizzix dies in my creation - Eileen Hull's Artist Trading Block dies, Tim Holtz Autumn Gatherings, Halloween Shadows, Vintage Lace and also the On the Fence On the Edge Die.  The fabulous prize is a selection of Tim's new releases!

Thanks for looking and I hope to see you again soon.  Take care.  Hugs, Anne xx