Jelly Belly Halloween surprise

It's been raining since 8am. It's now 3:00pm and it's still coming down; drizzling. Shortly I'm about to head outside with my sketch pad, to enjoy the rest of this weather while it last.

Today I decided to try my hand at some hand-made crochet flowers. I've seen them all over the Internet and have been itching to create one. They're so tiny and feminine. Here's a few Cindy Van Sluys created. Seeing her lovelies is what first put the idea into my head.




I took me close to 3 HOURS to make just one of flower. Now, it didn't take me three hours to crochet. Some of that time was spent looking for suitable fiber, a needle, getting old books from the attic, browsing through said books and looking for info on how particular chains were made.

As a last resort I opted for an online video from You Tube. I still had trouble with it. My flower was twice the size of the instructor. I was never good a crocheting. Still, I'm persistent in getting one made that is nice enough for my art. Practice makes perfect I guess.

Now on to the second project of the day. A fun little jellybean treat card for the kids. The card uses From the Crypt stamp set (SU!)., a few circle punches and one recycled object.



A close-up of the side of the card. The container is filled with pear flavored Jelly Bellies. Those gourmet can be quite pricey, but they work well for this particular project; any project really where you need to 'color coordinate'.

Here is what the jellybean case is made of. Great idea huh? I have some of those mini Mott's Applesauce containers saved for another project very similar to this. Maybe fill it up with cookies or marshmallows. YUM!

SU! will be coming out with something very similar in September. Unfortunately I didn't want to wait. Besides, isn't it great to recycle the things you have?

The images below will show you the basic assembly. You can make the square the main cup is in any size you want. What's important is the size of the hole for laying over the cup. I used a 1 7/8" circle punch to make the hole. You could probably use another size but that seemed to work well. You want the circle large enough to go over the cup and lie flat on top of the card.

The green circle inside the cup is simply for extra support (to keep the jelly's in). Lay sticky strip over the cup; this will secure it to the main card.

Turn the cup over and lay it on your base square layer (refer to the main image for layering). Press down on the cup to secure those strips of tape.

Attach your stamped image right over the top of the olive green base. Note: both circles use the same circle punch. Two dimensionals were placed on top of the cup to 'lift' the skull image away. You want to lift it up, it will not lie nicely flat on the cup; the inner circle has a recess.

That's it! Now, it's your turn. Save those crystal light containers, applesauce and other plastic cups to create your own. I'd love for everyone to see what you have created. Send me what you've done by August 7th and I'll post all the images here for others to see.

Charmingly Spooky

Still having fun playing with From the Crypt stamp set. Here's my latest creations.

A Halloween invite that opens from the front. The black border was created with the eyelet border punch. The elaborate black images were stamped in black craft ink and then embossed with clear EP. They would have really looked better with black flocking.

The spiders are stamped in red and the text around them is from the Batty for You stamp set.



The next project took me 3 days to create. The goal was achieve 3D and texture. Here's how it all came together.

The main shape is the Scallop #2 die cut and was cut on black heavy-weight mat board. The entire piece is then covered with Cast a Spell designer paper from SU!.

The white skull and word "Spooky" are rub-ons from Spooky Treats. The black swatch at the top is velvet-like and cut from a sheet of scrapbook paper I had. Purple dewdrops were created from a glue gun and Misty lavender Pearl Ex. All the extras were just a few things I had laying around : cheesecloth, purple beads and the faux rhinestones.

The word "BOO" was from an old SU! mini alpha set. A few swipes of black acrylic paint and some Twinkling H2O's on top and walla!

LOTS of details in this one! The star and circles (which are covered by the rhinestones) are stenciled from an old metal cookie cutter I purchased years ago at a garage sale. Isn't it great when you can finally use the junk items purchased from all those garage sales?



Here's a close-up of the spider web drawn with a fine tip black marker. Gives it a little extra. The entire piece is finished off with a magnet on the back.



You can find most of the supplies on my demo website.

Hankering for Halloween

This little tidbit was supposed for be posted Saturday. I was side-tracked as usual. I'm working on some MORE Halloween goodies, hoping if I keep designing for the season it will 'feel' cooler.

This sampled was created with the new 'From the Crypt'. I'm not a big skull and crossbones kind of girl but THIS has a girly flair to it. It's appropriately up to trend using skulls with flourishes (or in this case, pumpkins, bats, crows and more). I LOVE it.



To create the card, you need to stamp the entire image in Basic Grey ink. Once inked, use your lilac and black marker, go over the areas you colored differently. I topped it all off with some purple Cosmo Glitter to create an eye patch. He's one stylish skull.

There's also paper that coordinates with the "From the Crypt" stamp set (for those who like their papers to match their stamped images). I have to say, the colors and intricate images for this particular pattern paper is wonderful. It's got great details to be used for an entire card background or for using punches on particular sections of the paper.



This image came out fuzzy, but you can still see the lacy vines weaving between the green and orange pumpkins.



For curious minds who want to know what the grey fabric used on the card, it's a Halloween door decoration. I purchased it at the Dollar Tree a few weeks ago. There was no need to debate on whether I 'needed' it or not. For anyone who loves cheesecloth, you'll want to go grab a bag before it's gone. It's not really cheesecloth, more like a netting soft cotton. The boys and I made another run out today and picked up some in black.

Here it is hanging on my light in my studio. It's to pretty to be kept bagged up; besides, I've been putting it to use in my crafts since the purchase.



Below is a view of how it is positioned on the card before applying the top layer. It was simply held in place with the sticky strip.



I've created another card using the same set. I'll share tomorrow (promise). I'm not all that pleased with it. Hopefully the idea alone will spark something for you to create.

Nite,

Melanie

Freelance Friday

I'm not even sure what Freelance Friday means. Well, I know what freelance means, and Friday of course, but am not sure how it relates to the random images I'm about to share within this post.

Thinking of a clever title for a post can be challenging. It should be related to the post and of course, I want my title to be fun and creative. Starting out stumped for a post title is never a good thing. Wanna know the trick to overcome thinking up a title? Start typing. Soon the post becomes it's own and a title is revealed. This post title is starting out as "Freelance Friday". Let's see where the text takes us and if it will need changing before I reach the end.

It's Friday, and my Artful Blogging came earlier in the week. I rip off the plastic wrapping to get a look at the cover art when any of my art publications arrive. The cover art after all will set the feeling for the entire publication. What do you think of the colors of this issue? Soft grey and pinks. A lovely, cooling Summer issue, much different from the bright oranges and yellows of typical summer.




I started reading the publication earlier in the week, but I don't delve to far into it unless I know I can read it uninterrupted with no distractions, allowing full absorption of each issue.

Since the issue arrived, I've really only had time to scan the pages. Then the boys asked to go swimming (next door at the neighbors house; who is always kind enough to let us cool off in the pool). So, off we went, boys with swim gear and I with my lovely publication and sketch pad.

Two hours later, I've read the entire issue. So many creative people in the world. There are bloggers around the world looking for time to create and write about what's happening in their lives. Simply, an online journal. Isn't it amazing how far we've come from the old fashioned pen and paper journal?

Let me share a few more images I took while sitting out.

The first, is an old wood shutter that is supposed to be hiding the pool pump. I have my eye on it, hoping soon it'll be out to the curb. It's falling apart I know, BUT I have plans for it. I'd think those slats would look great painted or stamped with some personalized art. Not sure what kind of art yet, maybe some really elongated bunnies. What about a collage of painted images on those slats displayed in a frame? Lots of possibilities, you just need to think outside the box.

I think those red hibiscus are making it even more enticing to me.




Here's another view from my chair. How can one not resist taking a photo of clear blue water on an airy summer day? It's not the best image with the chair in the way. I could have gotten up and taken a shot at a better angle, but then you wouldn't be seeing the view from 'my eyes', ya know?



Addison, who has finally mastered floating,



Now, here is where the subject kind of changes in relation to the post.

A few ago (or so) I purchased some sort of cheesecloth-like fabric I at the Dollar tree. It's not really cheesecloth, it's more of a cotton fabric. It's supposed to be some sort of door decoration for Halloween, but I bought it specifically for creating art. I love gray color and look of it.

It's hanging on my lamp here because I wanted to be able to look at it. No different from someone hanging up really pretty scrapbook paper or their favorite quilting fabric. This is the lamp in my art room. Some how last week I found the entire cloth inside the mouth of the dog. No doubt the kids gave it to him, because if it doesn't not have their name on it then it is up for grabs.



I did make something a small square from the fabric, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what it is. Here's a sneak peek.

So, how's the Freelance Friday do for today's post? Nothing really popped out at me. After reading this post, what would 'you' have called it?

I'm going to work on some more Halloween projects so I can post them tomorrow with my full From the Crypt card. Until tomorrow. Have a great Friday night!

Melanie