Monday, October 5, 2015

Anything But Cute Mixed Media Challenge #6-- 31 Days of Halloween

Hello friends!

It's my turn to play hostess Anything But Cute, and the theme this time is "31 Days of Halloween". I'll give you the challenge description, but first here's my  31 Days of Halloween altered box. I found this old box in a dirty, damp cellar, and I dusted it off. Baaaad mistake! What I found inside sent shivers up and down my spine!
Disclaimer: I will warn you...this a VERY long post, but fortunately, mostly due to the number of photos. Let's get started...


If you love Halloween like I do, it's more than just one day out of the year, it's a season! For this challenge, I would like you to make a mixed media card or project for Halloween. It can be spooky or not, but you MUST include the number "31" somewhere in your project.  We can't wait to see the creative ways you'll be incorporating this number in your mixed media piece!


It all started with this old wooden box in somewhat sad shape.  


Look what I found inside! An old newspaper lining dated 1890! Could this be real?


I tried to remove the paper so I could use it again, so I sprayed with some water hoping to loosen the glue. It didn't work, so I ended up covering it. See that article titled "Life and Death"?  And how about that message that magically appeared  to the right of that dark spot?  No kidding...that was not there before I sprayed it with water! These things prompted me to do what I had to do to bring this lost soul to life.


But first, let's take a look at the outside...I applied DecoArt Media crackle paste through a Tim Holtz stencil and inked, painted and stained it, wiping off the color from the background, as I wanted that pretty wood to show through.

I made the frame using 5 layers of card cut with Tim Holtz Postage Stamp die and hand cut the ovals using my OLD Creative Memories ovals--we used these in the dark ages before we had die cutting machines! Lots of  paints and Crackle paint and manipulating and even some sutures to make this disgusting old frame.  I got my inspiration  from Jan Hobbins. Jan, you're a genius!


Obituaries are from Tim Holtz Regions Beyond paper stash and cut and re-worked and inked to get all the important details and an aged look. Oct. is from my stash (but I believe it's one of Tim's Alpha Parts) and painted with more Distress paints, and the metal "31" are from Ideaology and altered using gel medium, UTEE and Perfect Pearls powders--my technique can be found in my tutorial at Anything But Cute,and the details are at the end of this post.


Evidence Word Band (Tim Holtz Ideaology) is altered using Distress paint.


More Ideaology,  paint, and Remnant rubs to make my pull.  The key hole is original to the box. The pull really does closely match the key hole in color, but my photography stinks.


Are you ready to see what 's lurking inside?


A boneyard with...what else?  A creepy spider! I think I gave him too much of a blast with my heat gun while I was melting my embossing powders! He was my last one, so I had to go with it! My number one reason I LOVE Halloween is I don't have to be perfect!


The background is inked and stenciled using various stamped images (Stampendous) and stencils (Tim Holtz) and inks on water color paper. Lightning strikes! (Stampa Rosa image and Brilliance Black Lightening ink)


Mr. Skelly is fussy cut from Tim Holtz Kraft Resist paper stash, inked,crackled and layered up (although difficult to see in the photo). The background image to his left is of a graveyard, but also hard to see here. I used water color paper, but if I had time for a do-over, I'd use a smooth paper for the background.


Two tombstones and crow were made from acetate cut outs I had in my stash.  I altered the tombstones with DecoArt Media gesso and Distress paints and popped them up on layers of foam tape. I just added Multi Matte Medium to the crow to take the shine off.
Here's what the stones looked like:




The white plastic fence was altered using alcohol inks and Rock Candy Crackle Distress paint.


Eeewww!  What is that scurrying into it's hole? Oh, that's just a rubber rat!


One last look and then let's see what else is here...


Oh, it's a slimy, damp cellar!


I sprayed the inside of my bottle with Krylon spray paint and used Tim's  Faux Cracked Glass technique on the outside. There's lots of goo and a swarm of spiders oozing out of that bottle! What's causing that bottle to tip?



Uggg!


For a brief tutorial on how I made the background paper, please scroll down.


The pumpkins were made using my Warts and All technique. The rosette was made using a Tim Holtz die. The "31" image is from Recollections. The ticket is Tim's die and stamp.


My skulls started out looking like this.  DecoArt Modeling paste, inks and paints transform them...


into this:




The business end of the rat.  I added Stickles to his eyes, and if you look closely you can see his eyes glint ever so little.


I made the moldy pumpkin from paper clay and painted with Distress paints. The "31" seen here is from Tim's Regions Beyond paper stash. I distressed it, crackled, and attached it with my Tiny Attacher to a piece of leather from my husbands almost 40 year old work boots!


The "31" in the background is from Tim's Kraft Resist paper stash colored with paints and inks.



How did I do that? For the metal "31" embellishment on the front of the box I spread some Gel Matte medium onto the metal, then sprinkled on a mix of black UTEE and Pewter Perfect Pearls mica powder.  I heated it with my heat gun until bubbly, let it cool and added Caramel alcohol ink in the "open" areas.

                                      
                   
For the background in the cellar, I started with water color paper. Mistake, actually, but for time's sake I had to go with it.  I tried this previously on manila card, and it turned out much better. I spritzed the back of  Tim's Halloween stencil with Hickory Smoke Distress spray stain, and then spritzed with water. I laid my paper over this and ran it over with a brayer to transfer the color.  I repeated to cover the areas I knew would show in my display. I then washed my stencil.


It appears I forgot to photograph my next step, but I applied a variety of Distress inks to color the background. Next I carefully replaced my stencil over the background aligning it with the previous stenciling and spread transparent matte texture paste. I removed the stencil and placed it in water immediately.



While the paste was still wet, I sprinkled on embossing powder randomly and  tilted my card around to get the powder to lay onto the paste in a come-what-may fashion. I allowed this to air dry and then heated to melt the powder. I repeated these steps with the additional stenciled areas.  For the "31's" I used regular texture paste and Wow embossing powder using the same steps.  I guess I forgot to photograph that, too!  I was working fast, as this was my 3rd attempt--my colors were off on previous attempts.



I hope you will be inspired to join my31 Days of Halloween challenge at Anything But Cute--you have an entire month to enter!  Don't forget to show us your "31"!!!  And be sure to check back on the 12th of October to see if you are a winner in our Mixed Media Makeover challenge.

I would like to enter my altered box into the following inspiring challenges:
Country View Challenges October #32 ADD some Texture
Stamps and Stencils Make It 3D With a Hop
That Craft Place Mixed Media Anything Goes
Eclectic Ellapu Purple Team Halloween/Dark/Horror
Mixed Media World MMW#7 Anything Goes With Autumn Colors
Our Creative Corner Halloween Horror
DecoArt Mixed Media Haunts Challenge
Try It On Tuesdays Autumn Halloween is my favorite Autumn holiday!
Left of Center Challenge # 98 Montsters With Ike's Art
Creatalicious Challenge # 79 Halloween (+ DT call)


Here's one last look at the completed project.





Thank you for hanging in there!  I bet some of you even read the text!  There is a Halloween treat for doing so...if you can name my number one reason why I love Halloween, I will send you some Halloween tickets and rosettes die cuts (you will need to assemble the rosettes and will be able to color your tickets as you desire). Open to the first 5 commenters who get the correct answer and open to continental USA residents only, please, due to shipping costs.You do not need to be a follower.
Thank you for stopping by today and for all your lovely comments! Hugs and Blessings!
Sara Emily

 They liked it!!!!
Top 3

52 comments:

  1. Ohhhh squeal!!!! I loved the front of this layered box and then you upped the anty with the horribly awesome design inside!! Holy cow muffin! I need to see this in person and ooogle it some more! That rat is one of my favorite items!! Your attention to details is superb in this piece! Awesomely gross spiders and skulls and skeletons and goop and wowwowwowwow!!! I love that your spider was a little melted, just adds to the aesthetics!

    How creepy that the word appeared when you sprayed it with water and the Life and Death article just adds even more to this story!!! Creepville Sara style! This is absolutely AMAZEBALLS!!!!! My new favorite design from you! Huge Hugz to you muffin!

    Why I think you love Halloween-you can be anything, or anyone you want to be and being perfect isn't a must!?!?

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    1. Yeah, it WAS VERY creepy to see those letters appear. They didn't seem to spell anything, but I wonder if there's a million dollar bill hiding behind that paper??? I'm happy you like my box and that your favorite is the rat...mine, too! And yes, I don't have to be pefict on Halloween! hugs to you, Punkin'

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  2. Really gorgeous project, it is amazing!
    Thank you for joining us at TioT.

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  3. OMG, Sara, I couldn't wait to see the inside of your box! So many oooohs and aaaahs from me! My dear friend, this is one of the best altered boxes I've ever seen! What a creative mind you have! I love every single detail here! What amazing stencilling work, textures and such a brilliant design! Thank you so much for a detailed step by step, I really enjoyed reading it because I was so curious how you created this wonderful piece of art!
    Lots of love to you! Branka xxx

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    1. Awe, Branka, you made my day! I'm so happy you like my crazy box! Love and Hugs to you!

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  4. Wow! What a wonderful box you discovered here, what a story! You made a fantastic work on it, and the details...! Perfect for Halloween! Aha, Sara Emily, I have the answer and I think I could win your giveway... But I'm not in the USA'.. So... I keep this answer for me, hehe!!

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    1. Well, I'm happy you read through to the end...I may just have to change my mind and send internationally! I'm so happy you liked my box! Hugs!

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  5. I absolutely love how you re-purposed the wooden box. Love that the newspaper inside was so old yet captured your theme perfectly. The inside of the box is amazing! Love the skeleton and pile of skulls. Spooktacular design!

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    1. Thank you, Tia, and thank you for becoming one of my latest followers! I'm going to try and find your blog again.

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  6. Utterly brilliant, I adore when you do Halloween. The skulls are fantastic as is everything and how creepy to have the wording on the piece of paper inside the box. A wonderful project and please don't apologise for all the photos it was great seeing them all.
    Julie x

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    1. Julie, I'm so happy you didn't mind the excess photos, and you really made me happy with this sweet comment! Hugs!

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  7. OMGoodness, I thought the outside was incredible BUT the inside is absolutely sensational!! I loved looking at all the photos (never too many of those) to see how you brought this masterpiece together. The box was certainly a wonderful find and you have really brought it to life - I love the skulls and spiders, they are so utterly creepy (and fabulous). I adore Halloween and I adore this wonderful creation of yours! Hugs, Anne xx

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    1. Anne, you just made my day! I'm so happy you can tolerate the creepy side of my crafting! I'll have to say, I had a lot of fun with this one! Hugs!

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  8. I hardly dare say that I am not a fan of Halloween because this box has had me scrolling back and to so that I could take in all the fabulous spooky details! BRILLIANT! Thank you for joining us at Try It On Tuesday! Chrisx

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    1. Thank you for putting up with my Halloween silliness, Chris! I feel so bad you had to click on my post when you don't care for Halloween, but you are a wonderful sport to put up with it, and to leave me this sweet message! Hugs!

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  9. What an amazing project Sara Emily, but I really did not expect any less from you my dear! So many fantastic details I keep going back and forth to soak in all the gorgeous creepy details! Oh boy, I am in Halloween heaven!
    Hugs
    Samra

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    1. I'm so happy you like it, Samra. It means so much to me, because no one does Halloween like you. If I lived closer, I'd be crashing those Halloween parties! big hugs to you!

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  10. fabulous project! Thank you for joining us at TIOT's!

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  11. Oh. My. Word! This had to have taken you days and days to complete. It is soooo loaded with techniques and creativity and Halloween fun. I just can't get over how many layers and how much you packed into this amazing box. I love the crackle texture paste on the box cover...so Gothic and sets the stage for the creepy scene you've built inside. And the rat cracks me up! I can tell you had a blast making this...it translates right into the finished project...which is amazing, totally amazing, my friend!

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    1. Thank you immensely, Kathy! I did have a blast putting this together...it actually put itself together; I just provided the supplies! Ghastly! Big hugs, and lots of love!

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  12. Horror Sara! Where are the skulls from? Love your treatment of them. Hugs Jan x

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    1. Thank you so much Jan! I left a message on your blog about the skulls. They were much fun to alter! Well...it all was! hugs to you!

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  13. Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! You scared the bijeepers out of me!!!(ya, I don't know where that word came from-I made it up!)
    SaraEmily!! This is absolutely one of the COOLEST Halloween displays I have ever-laid my eyes on! How long did this take? This is incredible really! Your sight to create and distort these seemingly average bits into Spooktacular bobs- well, it just dumbfounds me!
    You rocked this one out of the park sista!!
    I love that rat tail as well- and lets not forget your narration-had me on the edge of my seat all the way through!
    BRAVO!!
    Jackie xoxo

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    1. Hey, Jackie, you better keep your bijeepers in! I think there's an ordinance about that!

      To answer your question on how long it took--about 10 days--much more than it should, because I kept having to re-do things, and there was lots of drying time. But I could do this 365 days a year, if I didn't have anything else to do! Nothing but FUN all the way! And I'm so happy you like it so much, oh Queen of Upcycling! You have totally made my month, sweetie! Hugs to you!

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  14. A fantastic project for Halloween, awesome details. Thank you for sharing it with us at TioT's as well.
    Yvonne

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    1. Thank you, Yvonne! I'm so happy you like my box!

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  15. WOW this is awesome and amazing.
    Thank you for joining us at Simon says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.
    Luv
    Debby

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  16. Oh my gosh, Sara!! This is beyond creepy cool! What a fantastic use of DecoArt's products to create such a wonderfully altered old wooden box! Gosh...from the very beginning with the old newspaper stuck inside and the "life or death" headline; this was just meant to be! Your outside is very cool. And then the interior...well...genius! I adore your iron fence with the skeleton and the creepy slimy cellar. So many details packed into such a small space!! And then the other side with those amazing skulls and the pumpkins! WOW! Fantastic work!

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  17. Absolutely amazing project. Well worth the time it will have taken to make this. The end result is fantastic and beautifully spooky! Love it! Thanks for joining us over at That Craft Place, Nicola X

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  18. Totally amazing. Your skulls look wonderful. All of it is so very fabulous. You are quite talented! Thanks for sharing at LOC!!
    Peace,
    KristyLee
    (LOC DT)

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  19. Absolutely incredible Sara, you definitely did that spooky old box proud, what an amazing work of art! Deb xo

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  20. Oh my word - you really are a Halloween fiend, aren't you?! Magnificent work... they say the devil is in the details, so he's certainly haunting your wonderful altered box. Love the texture on the lid, and the spooky spiders, skulls, mouldy pumpkins and giant rats on the inside. The crackled bottle full of spiders is enough to give anyone the heebie jeebies all by itself! A marvel of a make!
    Alison xx

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  21. Oh, and a hilariously written post too... I really enjoyed it xx

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  22. Sorry, me again... I got so carried away I forgot to say thanks so much for playing along at Country View Challenges!!

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  23. Wow how long did this stunner take to make?! Absolutely love it in all its spooky glory and thanks for joining us at MMW and good luck ;)
    Hugs
    Donna xxx

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  24. Sara...you already know that i love your style.♥ Thumbs up for this outstanding altered box ( inside and out) Hugs xoxo

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  25. This is sooo coo!! The amounts of work that's fine into this.. Wonderfully spooky Halloween project. Thank you very much for sharing it with us at Mixed Media World! Ingrid X

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  26. Sorry hun it has taken me so long to get round, still a tad manic here! Love what you do with Halloween (as I seem to say a lot, but I really mean it) You have such attention to detail, no spooky stone left unturned. The skulls have really caught my attention this time and how you've altered them to grunge them up some more!

    Thanks also hun for playing along at Mixed Media World xx

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  27. WOW, this is so creepy!!!! It makes me go eeewwwwwwww. ;-) You did a fantastic job on it.

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  28. OMGosh this Halloween box is amazing!! Fabulous textures and designs and I love all of the spooky details! Thanks so much for joining us at Creatalicious this month!
    Tammy x

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  29. What a spooktacular box Sara! and how fun that it started out with that old newspaper to scare you right from the start! so may creative details on this - love the skulls, the spiders, the yucky rat!!! Julia xx

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  30. Wow Sara, what a great project and interesting/kinda spooky find. Really love all the details you added to make it extra spooky. Thanks for joining the DecoArt Media Haunts Challenge :D

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  31. Oh my goodness! This has to be my favourite Halloween creation I've seen this year! I love it! ... And that newspaper! ... Thank you for joining us for the challenge over on the That Craft Place Challenge Blog..
    xxSAMxx TCP Design Team.
    ❤My Blog❤
    ❤That Craft Place Challenge Blog❤
    ❤That Craft Place on Facebook❤

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  32. A wonderful Halloween project!
    Thank you soo much for taking part in our "Halloween” challenge over at Creatalicious & good luck in the draw.
    Hope to see you again in our new challenge as well…

    Hugs,
    Melanie
    (DT Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges)
    (DT-Coordinator Creatalicious Challenges)
    (DT Come and Get It)
    (DT Crafty Friends)
    (DT Tuesday Throwdown)

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  33. Oh my gosh, I don't even know where to start!! I just want to study your pictures to see all of the amazing techniques you used!! WOW!! This is phenomenal!! The details are amazing!! How cool to find the old paper inside (spooky, too!!). This is just beyond description!! Perfect for Halloween!! Wow!! Have a great weekend :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  34. What a cool Halloween idea, spooktacular Sara and really fantastic!

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  35. Sara this is totally stunning! I was spooked by the message on the old newspaper and the 'life and death' headline - you could imagine all kinds of scenarios from this alone! Your superb use of products and techniques makes this so amazing and it has to be my favourite Halloween piece this year! Thanks so much for joining us at Our Creative Corner. Juliax

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  36. Wow Sara, this is awesome creation...I love every single detail, little skulls and pumpkin...just stunning!
    Thank you for playing with us at Our Creative Corner!
    Best wishes from Slovenia

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  37. Well, yes, it's time now to give you my answer to your Halloweeen question: the first reason you love Halloween is because you don't have to be perfect. Don't worry, you don't have to be perfect anyway! Every creation you make is so full of passion and idea and life... It's perfect enough for me! Don't worry about your giveway, I' m happy enough to have had fun reading your post. I hope you were not too disappointed about the result of your game. Hugs!

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  38. Fantastic so much detail and thank you for sharing all those techniques. Thanks again for joining Stamps and Stencils...
    Sharon xx

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Thank you for leaving your comments...they mean so much to me.