Day #31 Happy Halloween 2015!

Halloween Countdown Day #31 and done!  Whew!  It's been a fun and challenging month to keep up with daily posts.  I was a day late a couple times, but hey, I got caught up and finished!  Yay me!

I truly hope you enjoyed this month long assortment of cards and projects!  I have loved sharing them with you!

So, with one last Halloween post for October 2015 comes photos of my hubby and myself dressed up in our best scarecrow finery.  I totally changed gears last minute and in one day threw these costumes together!  My original plan will have to be for Halloween 2016. 

I did use some CTMH product for the photo booth!  There are CTMH Artiste and Artbooking Cricut Cartridges shapes of pumpkin and ghost faces and spiders cut from  White Daisy, Honey and Gypsy cardstock.  

 I hope you had a spooktacular month!  Boo to you and yours!

Day #30 Steampunk Scoundrels Tag Card

Day #30 and we're almost finished with this crazy month of Halloween Countdown posts!  Funny thing is, I could keep on going with fun cards and ideas, but we're moving on folks!

This is another card I quickly put together with bits, pieces and stamped images which had no place to go....put them altogether and we have a spooky steampunk spider-crow card!

Supplies:

Steampunk Scoundrels and Ink Blot Stamp Sets

Nevermore Paper Pack and Complements

CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

Black Stamp Pad, Journaling Pen

Retired- Black Hemp and Black Sparkles Flourishes

Day #29 Mixed Media Photo Canvas

Day #29 is a mixed media canvas project I've wanted to create for a couple of years.  I finally sat down the other day and did it!  Actually, I made two, one as a gift for my sister and one for myself.  The project features one my all-time favorite Halloween pictures!  It was an early morning photo taken in 1966 as my sis and I were on our way to school.  I was in 1st grade and she was in 6th.  This was the only year we were ever in the in the same school, which happened to be a little country school with 15 or so kids in all six grades!  

It was sort of "Little House on the Prairie" in rural Minnesota!

 On a 6x8 stretched canvas, I used acrylic paints, Nevermore patterned paper, glitter paper, Mod-Podge, and assorted accents.  

I cut a pumpkin face stencil with my CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge and stenciled little golden, glowing faces on the sides of the canvas along free hand checkerboard and spider web designs.

The bottom has a row of little Goldrush and Sunset pumpkins and a Black Glitter paper spider cut with the CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  I painted detail on the pumpkins after they were Mod-Podged onto the canvas.

I finished up this fun mixed media canvas with some Sparkles, Black Enamel Stars and retired Haunted Assortments.

See you tomorrow for #30 and #31 as I complete the Halloween Countdown!

A Day Late with #28 Halloween Countdown

#28 comes a day late, but who's counting???  Well, I guess that would be me.  Not sure anyone will notice, but oh well, I'll get them all in by the end!

Today is a Throwback Thursday all the way back to 1990!  Here's a vintage photo of my with adorable daughters who were 8 and 6 years old at the time.  Where has the time gone?

As you see, I'm sporting a perm and stonewashed jeans.  

Too funny!

What's even funnier is that I still have the sweatshirts!  I dug them out of a box today so I could take a close up photo of the design.  I actually taught a sweatshirt painting class that year!  I wonder if all the ladies who took the class still have their shirts too?  Haha!

Fabric paints and glow-in-dark puffy paint!  Oh, those crazy 1990s!

Happy Haunting!

Day #27 Little Monsters

Little Monsters doing the Monster Mash under a full moon!  Day #27 is a cute little card using a Picture My Life shape from the Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge and a darling stamp set called Little Monsters.  Aren't they fun?

I actually put this card together with bits and pieces of other card parts.  Yes, sort of a Frankenstein of  cards.  I had experimented with the Little Monsters for a card swap and didn't end up using them.  I had an extra tombstone laying around, as well as a Sunset circle which was the inside of a circle frame from a previous card.  The PML frame was a piece that didn't make it onto any other projects so far, so I put them all together, and this is the creation from my laboratory tonight!  I love when I can use up pieces I've already put a little time into.

Supplies:

Little Monsters and Pumpkin Chevron stamp sets

Nevermore Paper Pack

Black and Slate Stamp Pads

CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge

Green and Black Shimmer Trim, Gold Sequins

Clear Bitty Sparkles

NonCTMH- Google Eyes 

Day# 26 Witchy Is Here!

Five more days remaining in my Halloween Countdown!  This month has flown by like a witch in a full moon spooky sky!  I've been waiting until this week to share one of my favorites of favorites in my Halloween decor collection.  

Here she is, Witchy! 

I designed and painted old gal in 1995.  My woodworker hubby cut her out, actually he cut out several of her because she was a very popular class project back 20 years ago.  

Witchy has a nose made from sculpty clay.  I remember giggling as I formed a pie tin filled with noses and baked them in the oven for a dozen or so witches!  

She's a tall drink of potion measuring 21"!  Everyone who painted her in my class loved her.  I hope you do as well!

See you tomorrow for #27!

Day #25 Magic Pumpkin

 We're really getting close to Halloween now!  Day #25 brings this eerie pumpkin with his black sparkly face and spider friend!

The Nevermore Complements sentiment says 
"There is magic in the night when pumpkins glow with candlelight"
This one isn't glowing, but I kind of like the spookiness of the 
dark sparkly jack o'lantern face!  

Artbooking shapes: Pumpkin 2.50", Spider 1", 
Spiderweb Frame 4" x 5.25" edited shape with Explore Design Space

Supplies:

Nevermore Paper Pack and Complements
CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge
Saffron and Poppy cardstock 
Black Glitter Paper
Clear Sparkle Assortment 

Day #24 - Painted Witch Centerpiece

Back in my life BDCTMH, (Before DOTS/CTMH), I used to paint.  I painted A LOT!  Day and night I painted wood pieces, canvases, basically anything that stood still.  I taught, I traveled to seminars and conventions, I took part in and held my own boutiques.  Then came DOTS/CTMH, and although my painting life took a back burner, I have always felt at home with a paintbrush in my hand.

Today's Halloween Countdown post has me sharing a wood piece cut by my favorite woodworker which I painted...oh....about 22-25 years ago.  I guess that makes this an oldie, but ghoulie!  I've always referred to her as Hazel.  She not only celebrates Halloween, but Thanksgiving as well with her turkey sidekick!

Here's a closeup of Hazel's face glowing with her greenish complexion and perfectly manicured nails.  She's a tall old gal standing about 22".

The back of Hazel is finished making her a centerpiece for all locations!  Love the dangling spider from her coat!

I hope you enjoy this little piece of my painting past.  There will be some current painting projects coming soon for the remainder of my countdown to the 31st!  

See you for #25!

Day # 23 - Flashback Friday Ghost Card

Day #23 is a Flashback to about 13 - 15 years ago.  Yes, I kept a card around that long!  I guess I must like this card!   It was inspired by another consultant, and I apologize to her and to you because I don't recall who it was!  Thought I'd share it anyway since it's a cute idea!

The ghosts are colored using a fun resist technique.  

1. Tear a piece of paper and lay it on the card base to mask the right side.

2. Stamp ghosts in black ink.

3. Color ghosts with a white color crayon

4.  Keeping the mask in place, sponge ink over the left side.  

5.  The crayon will resist the ink and stay white. 

6.  Take a tissue and rub any ink residue that might be on the ghosts.

7. Accent with ribbon and staples.  Some cobwebs and sparkles would be fun to add!

Supplies:

Retired stamp set, Pansy Purple and Olive stamp pads

Black Grosgrain and Checkerboard Ribbon.

Day #22 Circles and Spiders!

Day #22 is all about spiders and circles!  

This card went together in a snap with simple circles and Nevermore Complements.  I cut 3/4", 1" and 1 1/4" circles out of a variety of Nevermore pattern paper and Black Glitter paper.

Then I played with the shapes until like was happy with the arrangement.

I added a sparkly Haunted House gem from the Nevermore Assortment and a few sparkles to fill in some open space 

and ta-da, it's complete!

Quick and easy!

See you soon for #23!

Supplies:
CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge: Spider 3/4" and 1"
Nevermore Paper, Complements, Assortment (bling)
Black Glitter Paper
Clear Sparkles Assortment, Micro Mini GlueDots

Day #21 Cute Container!

These little My Creations Pint-Sized Containers are CUTE!  You use them for Halloween treats, Birthday favors, homemade Christmas goodies or other small gifts!

This one of several projects we made this week at my Boo University 3 workshops.  We had a blast dressing in costume and creating banners, treat containers, and cards!

The pint containers come three in a package, so you can decorate them and give them away to your special peeps!

Nevermore Papers, Complements and Accents are perfect for decorating.

Adding a little sparkle, some shimmer and a few stickers make these containers festive and fun!

Hope you'll give them a try!

Supplies:

Nevermore Paper, Complements, and Assortment

Black and Purple Shimmer Trim

Clear Sparkles Assortment

Day #20 Treats For Someone Sweet!

Day #20...wow, this month is going fast!  My Halloween Countdown continues with this fun Matchbox Treat holder.  This project was inspired by a CTMH fellow consultant Julie Berg.  (Pretty much stamp lifted.  Thanks Julie!) 

I cut the matchbox with the CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge using some Nevermore papers.  Add some stamping, a little coloring, and a touch of shimmer trim make this little project a super sweet treat!  

I stamped Frank from the Trick or Treat Sweets stamp set using my new favorite black stamp pad!  The Memento Tuxedo Black is fantastic for coloring with ShinHan Touch Twin Markers or Watercolors.  It is permanent and cleans off our stamps well.  Win, win!

Hope you'll try this project and surprise someone with some sweet treats this Halloween!

Supplies:

Nevermore Paper Pack, Gypsy cardstock 

Stamp Set: Trick or Treat Sweets

CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge - Sweet Treats shape

CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge - Matchbox cut at 6.5"

Memento Tuxedo Black stamp pad, Sunset stamp pad
Green Shimmer Trim

Day #19 The Boo Crew

This Day #19 Halloween Countdown card makes me smile as I remember Trick or Treating with my daughters.  One year, they were taught a cute little Halloween song at preschool.  As we stopped at each house to Trick Or Treat, they were more than happy to sing for their treats!  

It went something like this:  

"I like to take a walk in the dark,

I like to shout and scream!

I like to take a walk in the dark,

BOO it's Halloween!"

Enjoy!

Supplies:

Nevermore Paper Pack, Complements, and Assortment.

Confetti Stars Embossing Folder

Art Philosophy CTMH Cricut Cartridge

Black Glitter Paper 

Catch Up Time! Day #18

It's time to catch up on a couple Countdown Days that slipped by with a very busy Sunday and Monday!

This post represents Day #18 for Sunday.

I had my 3rd Annual Boo University tonight and here's one of several projects we created! 

No stamping on this ghostly card...just a lot of fun with all the Nevermore products.

Love how quickly and easily this card came together!

Hope you enjoy these "Spookish" ghosts and the zany pumpkin!

Supplies:

Nevermore Paper Pack, Complements, and Assortments.

Clear Sparkle Assortment

Day #17 Pumpkin Carriage

Welcome to Day #17 of my Halloween Countdown!  Today I am sharing a painting project from fall 2014.  I'm not sure why I didn't post last year, but better late than never!

This is a pumpkin carriage fit for Cinderella herself!  Each year, I help at our local Pumpkin Festival at the Nelson Farm with painted projects to decorate the farm.  Mrs. Farmer Nelson had always, for 25 years, wanted a pumpkin carriage on the farm.  2014 was the year her wish came true!

Here's the beginning stages of the project with two 4' x 8' sheets of plywood. 

   

 I drew on the design and my handyman husband cut it out for me.  Then it was back to base painting for me and finally, my favorite, the detail part of the project was complete!   

Just like that, Bibbity, Bobbity, Boo, Mrs. Farmer Nelson's pumpkin carriage was in place on the farm ready for hundreds of happy little faces to peek through the windows.  I wonder how many photos will be taken to remember a special visit to the Pumpkin Festival?

I think it looks pretty good standing there with the beautiful flag on a gorgeous fall day!  I love being part of this wonderful family friendly destination each year.  
Definitely one of my "happy places"!

Thank you Farmer and Mrs. Farmer Nelson for the past 26 years!  Here's to many more beautiful fall seasons
 at the best farm in Minnesota!

Day #16 - Halloween Flap Card

I created this flap style card this past week for a Stamp Club project.  It was a lot of fun to make! 

Can you spy the two stamps from the October Stamp of the Month "Twinkle" which happens to be a Christmas stamp set?!

This is the view of the card front with a jazzy spider web gem from the Nevermore Assortment.  Love them!

The picture in the upper right corner of the photo collage shows the card with the flap opened.

The bottom photo shows inside of the card.  BOO!

 S1510 October Stamp of the Month "Twinkle" 

 B1488 Pumpkin Chevron

Supplies:

Pumpkin Chevron Stamp Set and Twinkle (October Stamp of the Month) 
Nevermore paper pack, Nevermore Assortment

Black stamp pad, Black Shimmer Trim,

Versamark Pad, White Embossing Powder

Craft Heater, CTMH Artistry Cricut Cartridge

Day #15 Scary Monkey Lamp!

A new addition to my Halloween decor!  This lovely lamp was $1 in a Facebook Buy and Sell group.

I thought it had some spooky potential, so I snapped it up for a buck!  Funny thing is, there were a few others who were very disappointed they missed it.  

(Note:  I forgot to take a before photo, but luckily I still had the photo posted by the seller)

I got out my can of black spray paint and set to work of making it even spookier than the creepy monkey already was!  The lamp shade was dirty, dusty and smelled like smoke.  I gave it a quick vacuuming, then sprayed the shade with the same black paint.

I love it!

After the base dried, I gave it a little wash of white paint to make the details stand out.

He sort of reminds me of the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz!  Spoooooky!

Day #14 BOO!

Here we go a haunting with Day #14!  Boo from Skeley!  

This is a card we made tonight at Stamp Club.  

Hope you enjoy today's pick!

I love the Little Monsters Stamp Set!  They are all so cute, I can't decide which is my favorite.  I must admit the Skeleton and Mummy are fun because they don't need any coloring.

Supplies:

Little Monsters and Pumpkin Chevron

Slate, Whisper, Thistle and Black Stamp Pads

Nevermore Paper Pack, Nevermore Assortment

Clear Sparkles Assortment, Purple Shimmer Trim

#13 Haunted House Card

Returning from a 2014 October post is this haunted house card made with the CTMH Artbooking Cartridge!  It's one of my favorite Halloween cards, so I think it deserves a second look!

If you saw it the first time around, I hope you enjoy it again!

See you tomorrow for #14!  

Day #12 Pumpkin Gifts

I'm trying to remember how many years I've been painting happy faces on pumpkins each fall.  I am guessing it's about 34 years or so!  How can that be?  In the early days, I'd paint dozens in all sizes and shapes to sell.  After several years of mass producing painted pumpkins, I cut back and just created a few each year.  I'd give one to my mother-in-law and one to my sister's mother-in-law for their October Birthdays.  Both of these sweet ladies are gone now and I miss making them their special happy pumpkins.  I know they loved them as much as I loved creating them.

I now I get my paints out to make one for my cute little granddaughters.  It's Olivia's 2nd Birthday tomorrow, so I'll be surprising her with this little one.

 I've added some bug friends among the leaves and flowers.  I hope she has fun finding the bee, ladybugs, butterflies!

May your autumn be filled with lots of traditions and sweet memories.

See you tomorrow as the Halloween Countdown continues!

Day #11 ~ If The Broom Fits!

Quickly before the clock strikes midnight on October 11th,  here's today's countdown card!

My photos are less than great, but you get the idea of this cute little witch and her sassy sentiment! 

Sentiment inside the card.

Stamp set - Halloween Greetings 

Black and Purple Shimmer Trim

Retired - Scaredy Cat Paper Pack

#10 Spider Invasion!

Day 10 already for the Halloween Countdown!  This month is creeping away!  Get, it...creeping?  Haha, well anyway...today I'm showing you an easy way to add little spooky touches here and there with some spiders!  

I cut them at 2" with my CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  I added a little black glitter to their bodies to make sparkle, because a sparkly spider just seems friendlier!  

I used a little double stick tape on the back and stuck them to the wall and anywhere I wanted a little extra spooky-fun!

Supplies:

Black Cardstock, CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge 

Bonding Memories Glue Pen, Black Glitter

Day #9 Spider Web Background

The Halloween Countdown continues with #9 and this card created with a fun technique!   The happy pumpkin might be the focal point, but the background steals the show!  

It's super easy to make too!

I know I should have some photos to show you the technique in action, however, it's so simple to do, I can talk you through it!

#1 - Find a cardboard shoebox bottom.

#2 - Place a 4.25" x 5.50" piece of black cardstock into the box.

#2 - Take some white acrylic paint and thin it with a bit of water in a shallow bowl.

#3 - Place a marble in the paint to cover it.

#4 - Remove the marble and put it in the box with the black paper.  

#5 - Tilt it around so it criss-crosses back and forth over the paper.

#6 - Re-coat the marble with paint as needed until you get the desired amount of spider web.

#7 - Let dry and decorate your card with pumpkins, spiders, bats, or any spooky character you'd like!

Try it!  It's fun! I think it would be fun with colors of paint on white or other light colored paper as well.

Supplies:

Black cardstock, White Acrylic Paint

Retired: Twitterpated B&T paper, Olive Cardstock
 Spooky Smiles Stamp set

Olive Button and Black Ribbon