Tuesday, October 28, 2014

My Muffins Are to Die For

I just couldn't resist making one more Halloween baking tray!  I bought a couple of these really nice,crusty, well-loved muffin pans at an estate sale late this summer, with Halloween in mind, of course, not to bake with!

A Vintage Journey is wrapping up a delightful challenge A Halloween to Die For. and the Creative Guides and the guest designers have really outdone themselves on this one.  I thought I might join in at the last minute.

Linda Ledbetter and the Curiosity Crew also have a wonderful challenge...Compendium of Curiosities 3, Challenge 14 "Colored Crackle". I urge you to check out. You can find this and other wonderful techniques in Tim Holtz' book A Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 3, and if you enter this challenge--the mystery unravels on Pg. 53, you could win a fabulous $25 shopping spree from the very lovely Linda Coughlin, owner of The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  If you are the Curiosity Crew Choice winner, you will win an awesome assortment of Tim's goodies compliments of Tim and Mario. Remember, you must work from your own copy of Tim's book.  You can get your autographed copy here.

Here is my Halloween muffin tin...



I am not going to bore you with details on this one.  Let's just suffice it to say I threw everything at this.  I only have one  no Halloween dies (was thinking ticket strip is Halloween, but that is the stamp), so at first I was going to sit this one out.  But hold on there a minute!  I can do this without any stinkin' Halloween dies, because I see potential in anything when it comes to Halloween! So I gathered a pile of non-Halloween dies and went to town, layering on inks, paints, stains, texture paste, and a secret ingredient and technique I can't divulge out of respect to Tim--you have to get his book for yourself and read all about it on page 53 . The papers I used were of all kinds, too--everything from  printed scrapbook paper to notebook covers from my kids school notebooks (see man and woman).  Now in all fairness, you will see two Halloween die cuts...a spider and a Halloween cat by Sizzix on my project.  These were from one of those sweet surprises you get when you place an order with the generous Linda at  the Funkie Junkie Boutique.

I tried  mono printing on the spider's background using the shattered stencil.  
                                             

The Halloween cat is on the harlequin background. The crackle really shows up on the frame here.



Here is a list of the dies I used:

Tim Holtz  Sizzix Alterations and Decorative Strips:

Ornate Frame
Tattered Banners
Mini Paper Rosettes
Ticket Strip
Spring and Festive Greenery dies
Weathered Clock
Pediments
Bird Branch

Spellbinders:

Standard Circles Large
Fleur De Lis Squares
Classic Squares Large
Labels Twenty-Two
Blossom Tags and Accents

A series of close up shots to show (hopefully) the Colored Crackle technique--sorry for the blurries.

I did the technique just at the edges of the rosette using Pewter.

I did the technique through a stencil-pretty cool!

The tombstone is a labels die cut with the bottom cut off.  I used the technique around the bottom, top and one edge only. The crackle looks really special on this pediment.

And on the banner.




You can really see the crust on this old muffin tin! Lots of layers of foliage in this cemetery!

The cracks really show nicely on the witch hat, but also used the technique on the pediment and frame.


Here are the colors of Distress Paints I used: Mowed Grass, browns, blues, Seedless Preserves, Pewter, Picket Fence,  and Antique Linen--not one drop of anything in the orange or black range--don't have it.

I also used various colors of Distress Inks, Stains, and Markers, as well as embossing powder, Dylusions and Perfect Pearls sprays on skully's background, black texture paste and a homemade texture paste. I made my own witches hat, the star is a die cut (premade by K and Co.).  I also used a couple of stencils (Tim's Gothic, Shatter and Halloween, TCW's  tree and harlequin) for backgrounds, as well as a few stamps (Tim's Trick or Treat and Odds and Ends, All Night Media and Martha Stewart).  I used copper Paint Dabber on the Weathered clock, one of the few surfaces I did not use the Colored Crackle on. Also used a chit chat sticker to cover up a ghastly stamping mistake when my kitty jumped on my worktable.

My spider swings freely on his silver thread in his muffin cup. The banner says "A frightful time".

Mr. Skully was stamped  in Distress paint and heat embossed with  white embossing powder. It looks like there is an eye socket, a mouth and cheekbone on Mr. Skully--this happened quite by accident--just part of the background stenciling.

A couple of Halloween tickets kept behind a cargo net in a muffin cup.


The cargo net I made with the bag some sculls came in.  I used 2 different die sets to make the frame.  I inked the black/white polka dot paper with Wild Honey for a ouch of traditional Halloween colors.


Other supplies include silver thread, moss, lichen and a plastic netting from a bag of skulls. I am happy to report that no kids Halloween toys,  plastic spiders or skeletons were harmed during the making of this project!

 I pushed the envelope a little of some of the Crackle pieces trying different ways and different substrates to achieve different looks, but I did follow Tim's instructions as they appear on page 53.  I am so pleased with the way each piece came out, although you can see that the lighter colors provide a nicer result. The technique was used on the Ornate Frames, the spider, the cat, both of their backgrounds, the banner, the rosette and the backing to the rosette, the pediments, witches hat, and the tombstone.

Enjoy the pictures, and I hope you have a Happy Halloween--back to decorating for the trick or treaters!  Stop back on Halloween-I hope to have some nice photos of the yard display for you.  You are getting a tiny taste as my muffin tin made the rounds in my yard.


That background behind Mr. Skully has a real ghastly glow to it!  I don't think I could every reproduce the background again!  Should have written down the recipe!




It looks like the warlock's head is floating in his framed muffin cup. I used a piece of black card stock to pop him to the front of the cup.




This guy sits in his own life sized coffin and I've lit him up with the most ghastly green light-- a real beauty at night and my pride and joy!

Had to break out the hammer and nails to make my picket fence.


I would also like to enter this into the following inspiring, talent-filled challenges:
Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge #18, "Layer It" Layers and layers of ink, stain, paint, texture paste, embossing powders and secret ingredient on die cuts
Country View Challenges Sparkle and Shine Shine all over this!
Inspiration Journal "In Disguise" I've disguised my muffin tin as a creepy hangout for all my Halloween creepy dies, my kid's school notebook cover as a witch and a warlock,  and the Halloween toy bag is cargo rope.
Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge "Treats"
The Sizzix Challenge "Halloween"
Artist Trading Post Exchange "Halloween"
Re-Cycle, Re-Purpose, and Re-Invent Fall Harvest Halloween Part 2

49 comments:

  1. This is fabulous Sara....your imagination is wonderful and you have created the most stunning Halloween project. Love all the techniques and details you have shared. Its great to have you join in with us at Artist Trading Post this fortnight.
    HUgs Annie x

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    1. So late responding to all these lovely comments, but I just want to say thank you no only for your sweet comment, but for choosing me as one of the Top 3. The standard was certainly high, and I am so honored to be considered in this great group!

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  2. Wow, I enjoyed looking at your muffin tin!x

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    1. So happy you enjoyed your visit! I love it when you visit, and thank you for leaving your sweet comment.

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  3. This is so creative! So much attention to detail! Thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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  4. How fun! I love the rusty, crusty, metallic finishes you added! Great use of dies! You must have the most decorated Halloween home ever! Thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Kathy, I always smile when I read your comments on my blog. Thank you for your kind words!

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  5. Wow Sara! Your creativity knows no ends! A Halloween muffin tin??? WHAT!!!! I can't believe how many wonderful looks you achieved using Tim's crackle technique, just amazing! I have to say, I just love that cargo net holding the tickets, wow, what a brilliant element! I also love the FRIGHTFUL banner and the witch and the spider and, and, and...I love every darned bit!!! Big hugs my creative crafty friend!

    PS, I wanted to email you to answer your questions about my Halloween House, but couldn't find any info for that. If you get a chance can you email me at pamellia1162(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Oh, Pamellia, You are TOO kind, oh Queen of Halloween! Congratulations on that well-deserved win! LOVE that Haunted House!

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  6. What a fun and creative idea to use the old muffin tin Sara! love how you've decorated each area - SO much to look at - you can't really see it all with one glance! Thanks so much for joining in the AVJ To Die for challenge!!

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    1. Thank you, Julia! That muffin tin has seen a lot of action, and I wanted to make it feel wanted again! What a fun project to make! And thank you to you and AVJ Creative Guides for choosing my project for a Pinworthy mention! I'm so honored!

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  7. What fantastic use of an old muffin tin Sarah and I think it's the perfect base for a Halloween creation. Wonderful use of techniques and great detail. thanks for joining us at A Vintage Journey and good luck.
    Julie x

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    1. thank you, Julie, and thanks to all the Creative Guides for choosing my tin for a Pinworthy mention! I am thrilled you are enjoying my Halloween bakeware!

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  8. Sara this is the best looking muffin tin I've ever seen! So much detail and so much work involved. Looks like it was really fun to make.
    Thanks so much for sharing with us at the ATP Exchange
    Julia xx

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    1. Julia, Thank you! Yes it was so much fun to make, and it was practically screaming at me to do something with it! I'm so honored to be among the Top 3 in the Halloween challenge at ATP Exchange!

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  9. I am with Julia, above, it is the best looking muffin tin!! How very inventive of you to use it in this wonderful way - great use of all those dies - I love how you made it look so creepy!! I am so impressed that you really have a life size coffin for that scary skull man.... Thanks so much for joining our Halloween - To Die For Challenge at A Vintage Journey. Anne x

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    1. Hi, Anne! Thank you for all your sweet words, and thank you and all the Creative Guides for choosing my tin for a Pinworthy mention! I'm thrilled that you like my Halloween bakeware! And, actually I have 2 life sized coffins! If you like Halloween visit my 10/31 post Happy Halloween for a tour of the decorations.

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  10. Back with another hat on! Thank you for joining in our 'In Disguise' Challenge at Inspiration Journal too. Anne x

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  11. Sara...this is so cool! I've never seen a muffin tin used like this before and I think it is "wicked"! So creative and fun! Great job on the crackling effect. It really adds to the eerie-ness of your piece. Love the eerie colors you've used, too. Thanks for sharing with all of us at CC3C. <3 Candy

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    1. Candy, It's always a pleasure when you visit and leave your sweet, thoughtful comments! I'm so happy you liked my tin, and the crackling! It actually worked quite well for me on the first try! A first!

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  12. Ingenious Sara - love what you have created out of an old tray - brilliant

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    1. Thank you! I really appreciate your comment and your visit to my blog!

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  13. This is such a fun and cute Halloween project! Love all those beautiful details. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)

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  14. I love your altered muffin tin!! I love all those frames (I think this is the year of frames for me, love 'em). You did such a nice job making the colored crackle technique a featured part of this piece. How cool!!

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    1. Thank you, Cheryl! My head is swelling with your wonderful praise! this piece was just begging for that Colored Crackle technique to be used on it, and was so happy for the challenge.

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  15. Love the crackle and frames! Thanks for joining us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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  16. Very creative! Love all the elements of your muffin tin. Thanks for joining us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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  17. How flipping cool is this?!! LOVE that you used what you had, and you can totally tell you had a blast making it! LOVE each little cubby, and all the goodies, and all the crackle! Thanks so much for playing along with us on the Colored Crackle technique at CC3Challenge!!!

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    1. Wow, Anita! What generous praise you give! I'm very happy you liked it! I am so happy for the challenge, because I might not have gotten to that technique on my own! And yes! I did have a blast making this! I love to create for Halloween!

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  18. Well, as others have said already, this is one amazing project, so many interesting details, so many techniques, fantastic! Thanks so much for adding it to Countryview Challenges and A Vintage Journey!

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    1. Astrid, Thank you for all your kind words, and I'm thrilled to find out that my tin has earned a place of honor in both of these challenges! I'm honored and humbled, as there were so many great entries!

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  19. Wow, Sara! This is such a fabulous and unique project! Love the idea of using an old muffin tin and the title that goes with it. I am so glad you posted a lot of pictures as there are so many details to see! There is a lot of Cracklin' going on as well as use of tons of fun ephemera! Love it!

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    1. Wow, Susan, thank you for your lovely comment! What a fun project to make!

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  20. I'll just add to all those lovely comments by saying that I really enjoyed seeing your creation. I have had a muffin tin sitting around so may dig it our and do something.
    Love all your details and layers, thanks for joining us here at A Vintage Journey.

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    1. Thank you, Sandy to you and the Creative Guides, too, for choosing my tin for a Pinworthy mention! I'm thrilled and honored to be selected among the other great creations! I had a poke around Pinterest for something yesterday, and saw another more current tin also transformed into some decoration, so evidently, I am not the only one who doesn't bake!

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  21. What a great use of the muffin pan. Very unique and your crackling is fabulous. Great project! Thank you for sharing with us at CC3C!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet, heart-warming comment!

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  22. Seriously? You are so amazing I don't even know what to say any more! I have always wanted to make one of those muffin tin projects. And now I REEEAALLLY want to make one! Well done! Thanks for playing along with us a Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Gloria, you always make me chuckle! I can see that muffin tin of yours REEEAALLLY decorated for Christmas! Thank you for your visit and comment!

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  23. This is a great project. I love the muffing tin! It's like each spot tells a spooky story! Congrats on being Pinworthy at Vintage Journey! Had to come peek.

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    1. Nicole, thank you for your peek! Your village and many great Halloween projects have been such a treat! I am in awe of your Halloween style!

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  24. How clever! Love all the different frames you used and the tin as base = so clever! Loads of glorious details. Thanks so much for sharing it with us at CC3C!

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  25. I love your imagination Sara!! Would never have thought of using a tray like this - such fun and totally brilliant creativity at play! Love each and every wonderful detail. Congrats on your win at AVJ and thank-you too for your delicious comment at my blog. Nicola x

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