Wood.. A Word ... Something Wild ...

Hello Crafty Friends!

A quick post from me today.  The lovely Cheryl at Creative Carte Blanche is challenging

us this month to create something using Wood.... A Word ...and Something Wild.

I was lucky enough recently to attend an Andy Skinner Ministry of Mixology workshop where I created a project you can see HERE, if you missed it first time around.  I loved it so much that I bought another kit from Tando Creative and had another go!  I created a sea themed box for our (fairly new) bathroom (which already has a seaside theme). 

I would not be fair to Andy if I went into detail on all the techniques I used to create  this piece but I can tell you that I used Gesso and lots and lots of DecoArt Media Fluid Paints to create the frame.  The panel inside uses one of Andy's newest stamps - Toxic.

The above is a close-up of the inner frame which has lovely faux rusty bolts added.

And here is a close up of the inner piece on which I used Andy's new stamp and also attached

my lovely metal seahorse.  The seahorse was plain white initially and I just touched him up

with some paint.  I LOVE him!!

I am entering this at Creative Carte Blanche, where they have some wonderful entries
so far, if you want a treat, do pop over and have a look.  The CCB team always provide such
wonderful inspiration for us too.

So, by way of explanation, my Wood is the frame, my Word/Words are' beach and drift' and my Wild is the seahorse - I have this vision of looking through the porthole of a ship and seeing him - a bit far fetched I know, but that's how my mind works - lol.

Edited:  I have just noticed that SanDee & Amelie's challenge is Anything Goes - Steampunk/Industrial - mine is more industrial but I think it fits the theme.

As always, thanks for looking and I hope to see you again soon!

Big hugs, Anne xx

Halloween begins...

Hello everyone, it's nice to have you visit.  I have a slight obsession with all things Autumn, Halloween in particular.  I miss the days when I made costumes for the children and have to satisfy myself with crafty things instead!

Whilst searching the internet for Halloween goodies (so difficult here in the UK) I found some spooky arches by Tando Creative and some other bits and pieces which may appear in a future post.  I had to dig out my Tim Holtz skull stamp from the Apothecary set, my favourite, next to the Chemist set of stamps, to make this simple Halloween decoration.

The frame itself comes in four parts, the base and the third layer were painted in the lush new Ripe Persimmon Distress Paint and then overstamped with a cobweb stamp by Stampendous.  The second and top layer, which includes the large cobweb were painted in Black Soot Distress Paint.  Before assembling, I stamped the skull on the base, then stamped another skull on white card with Wendy Vecchi Archival ink in the fabulous Watering Can - much more subtle than black.  I cut out the eyes and part of the mouth from the separate stamped piece and added this, raised up with foam pads, for dimension.

I added the spooky orange gem eyes and the spider who has a bottom glittered with Ranger Stickles in Paprika.  To finish off, I filled an Idea-ology jar with some cream coloured embossing powder and added a Tim Rub on - bone dust........ love that!

The frame is quite sturdy and I added a little stand at the back so it will sit in the window on Halloween night.

I am entering this into Country View Crafts - 'Something Spooky' Challenge.

I am also entering this into Ali-Craft's 'Halloween' Challenge.

Over at Haunted Design House the challenge (177) is to create something with dimension, so I am entering my piece - the frame is dimensional and the skull is raised up.

Edited: I have just found that Tando Creative have a Challenge blog so I would love to enter as the theme is 'spooky', hope this is spooky enough!

I know Halloween/Spooky is not to everyone's taste but normal service will resume after the end of October!  Keep well.  Big hugs,  Anne xx