Thursday, October 29, 2009

Halloween Paper Piecing Ideas

I can’t believe that Halloween is just two days away! Over the past couple of months I’ve been having a blast creating several Halloween inspired projects. Like the other designers here I’ve really enjoyed making some of my own Halloween Décor and cards.

One of my favorite paper crafting techniques is paper piecing. I love comi
ng up with my own embellishments ideas using punches and shape templates. I’ve found that I can do so many things with even the most basic shapes like circles and ovals. Today, I want to share with you two projects I’ve made doing just this.

This first piece is a card with an owl that is made using several circle punches. Almost every feature on his cute little self is from a circle punch including his body, wings, eyes and feet.

Title: Halloween HOOT Card
Designer:
Patti Milazzo

Supply List:

Eerie - Freak & Beware by Basic Grey

Trick or Treat – Monstrer Mash and RIP by Fancy Pants

Haunted – Ominous by Cosmo Cricket

Anna Sophia – Worn Stripes by Bo Bunny

Tools: Halloween Fun Clear Stamps by Cloud 9 Design/Fiskars Americas

Fiskars Americas - Ultra ShapeXpress Tool; Woodland Tree; Super Size Circle Template; Circle Pop Up Punch; Mint Condition and Round ‘n Round Squeeze Punches; Scallop Paper Edgers; 1/8” and 1/16” Circle Hand Punches; Stamp Blocks

Other: PermaTack Adhesive by Glue Arts; Machine stitching; black twill ribbon

Computer fonts: Lucida Handwriting

Instructions:

  1. Cut 5” x 8” card front from purple patterned paper; ink edges.
  2. Cut 6” circle from yellow patterned paper; ink edges; adhere part over upper left side of card front; trim off excess and machine stitch around twice.
  3. Cut curved hill from brown patterned paper; ink edges; adhere to bottom card; trim off any excess and machine stitch along curve twice.
  4. Cut tree silhouette from black cardstock; adhere part over left side of card; trim off excess and machine stitch trunk and branches several times.
  5. Punch circles to create the body; wings; feet and eyes for the owl. *The body is a 1.5” circle which I then punched again with the circle punch to remove the portion forming the top of his head. The wings are from a single circle cut in half. The eyes include white circles with smaller black circles (with tiny circles punched out) for the pupils and half circles to give the eyes a hooded appearance. His feet are a small circle trimmed with scallop scissors. Use adhesive foam dots to pop up the eyes as well as the body of the owl from the card.

  6. Stamp bat silhouettes on the moon in the background.
  7. Punch leaves; ink and adhere at tips of branches and at bottom of tree trunk.
  8. Print sentiment on cardstock; ink and adhere to card.


Other suggestions: Instead of a card, create this as wall art or home décor. Simply change or omit the sentiment; enlarge the scale of the project if needed; add a few more leaves, then matte or frame for display.

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For this next project, a mini tri-fold screen, I used ovals to create the pumpkins and a variety of basic geometric shape punches and shape templates to make the jack-o-lanterns' features.

Title of Project: Jack-o-Lantern Trio Home Decor
Designer:
Patti Milazzo

Supply List:
Trick or Treat – RIP and Candy Corn by Fancy Pants Designs; Rough & Tough – All Stars by Fancy Pants Designs; Black Cardstock;PermaTack Adhesive by Glue Arts; Chalk Ink- Olive Pastel, Burnt Sienna, Charcoal and Chestnut Roan by Clearsnap
Tools: Fiskars Americas – Ultra ShapeXpress Tool; Oval Shape Template; ¼” Circle and Rectangle Hand Punches; Circle Pop Up Punch; Brick, Nice Tri and Round ‘n Round Squeeze Punches.
Spooky FrightfulClear Stamps by Li’l Davis/Fiskars
Americas
Other: PermaTack Adhesive by Glue Arts; Machine stitching

Instructions:

  1. Cut 6 – 5” squares of black cardstock.
  2. Cut 6 – 5” chipboard squares and ink edges in black.
  3. Cut 4 – 3” x 5/8” pieces of black twill ribbon and adhere to back of chipboard squares. 2 strips between each square with chipboard squares spaced ¼” apart. Be sure to keep the ribbon lined up evenly across.
  4. Adhere 3 – 5” black cardstock squares to chipboard covering the ribbon strips.
  5. Adhere remaining 3 – 5” black cardstock squares to cover front of each piece of chipboard. The body of the mini tri-fold screen is complete. Set aside.
  6. Cut 3 – 4.5” squares from kraft cardstock; ink edges ; and stamp Halloween background images. I used spiderwebs and flourishes for this project.
  7. With a stiff bristle paint brush, splatter black acrylic paint on surface of each squ are; let dry and set aside.
  8. To create each jack-o-lantern, cut 3 ovals for each pumpkin; ink edges and layer 2 side by side (slightly overlapping) and the last on centered on top.
  9. Use punches, die cuts or shape templates to create facial features. I like mine goofy and happy but you could certainly go for scary and creepy, too!


  10. Cut or punch leaves and stems. I free handed mine with a swivel craft knife after lightly sketching the shapes I wanted.
  11. Once the jack-o-lanterns are complete adhere them to the center of each kraft cardstock square and the project complete!


Tips and other suggestions:

--Ink edges by applying 2 or more colors. On the pumpkin ovals, I inked Burnt Sienna, then brown, and then black. I like the depth effect it gives to the pumpkins. They almost seem to glow! On the kraft cardstock squares I used black and brown to give the pieces and aged look that goes well with the stamping and splatter effect.

--Display the project as a screen or fold it into a triangle and place a small floral arrangement in the middle to create a unique centerpiece. Enlarge the scale of the project to make it really stand out on your table if needed.

--Have your project be two in one. Create another trio of embellished squares for the backside of this project – maybe scary jack-o-lantern faces, other Halloween images (ghosts, bats, etc) or simply pumpkins and gourds to celebrate fall.

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There’s still a couple of days left to put together a few more crafty Halloween projects so I hope I’ve offered you a little inspiration in making your own fun embellishments. And I hope you have a Spook-tacular Halloween!


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Turn Back....Halloween Is Near!!!

Halloween truly is a favorite time of the year for our family! We love decorating the house, covering it with cobwebs, ghosts, bats...scary rats and crows.

Each year we add more and more to the house and this year we've added more than any other!

This year we added a wood fence that we found on our local Freecycle list. We took it apart and made a scary fence and fun scene for our front yard. Fun, cool and best of all...free!!

Here's two new decorations I made for inside our house...











"Turn Back" Halloween Swag
Designer: Julia Sandvoss

My Mind's Eye "The Spider's Web" papers and punchouts
Pink Paislee Twilight Rubons, Chipboard Letters
Making Memories Spellbound Diecuts
Cricut Diecut Machine - Storybook Cartridge
Colorbox Chalk Inks
GlueGlider Pro by GlueArts
Martha Stewart Edger Punches
Sparkly Spiders from Hobby Lobby
Lil Davis Chipboard Alphabet
Satin Ribbon
Bo Bunny Double Dot Ribbon



1) Cut a 7 inch pennant shape for your template. Trace this out onto five papers.

2) Use the Cricut diecut machine for shapes. Layer them working with sizes from 3 1/2 inches to 4 inches depending on the shape.

3) Adhere to pennants. Add diecuts, spiders, rubons to embellish swag

4) I used my sewing machine to sew the pennant pieces to the ribbon. Tie additional green ribbon to the ends for a color contrast.







Halloween Light (that my family calls the Halloween cake!LOL)
Designer: Julia Sandvoss

My Mind's Eye "The Spider's Web" papers and punchouts
Pink Paislee Twilight Papers and Brads
Pink Paislee Captivating Paper
Cricut Diecut Machine - Plantain Schoolbook Cartridge
Colorbox Chalk Inks
GlueGlider Pro by GlueArts
Sparkly Spiders from Hobby Lobby
Googly Eyes
Black Crayon
Cobweb
Flickr Light bulb from Hobby Lobby
Light from Gordman's


1) Cover the sides and top of each layer. The layers were loose which helped me separate them to cut circles for the tops. Ink the edges of the papers before adhering.

2) I used the "grass" feature on the Schoolbook cartridge and turned it upsidedown for the scary edges. Ink those before adhering.

3) Melt black crayon with lighter and allow to drip down all over the light.

4) Wrap in cobwebs. Add spider and googly eyes..and finish off with cool flickr bulb!

5) Plug in and remind your family it is not a cake...although a Halloween cake does sound yummy!!


A special thanks to Pink Paislee and My Mind's Eye for sponsoring me with their products for these projects.

Happy Halloween!!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Halloween decorating projects: glittered skull & make-your-own tombstones


I have been thinking about buying a few Halloween decoration items in stores but wanted to try and find a way to make them for a fraction of the store's prices. One item was a skull and the second were the lawn tombstones, both items requested by the three boys who reside here.
I went to the craft store and found a paper mache skull for 99 cents and set out to make my own. With a little black paint, Mod Podge, foam paint brush and black glitter- all of which I already had- it was a success! I saved about $6.00 on this project and about an hour of my time! I had glittered quite a few pumpkins last year, so I decided a glittered skull would be neat.


To glitter the skull, I just added a coat of Mod Podge and sprinkled the black glitter; continuing to move around the entire skull until it was coated. (You can paint it black, first. I just decided to glitter it as is and paint the inside black so you couldn't see the newspaper.

After the entire skull is covered with glitter, I use a super-inexpensive aerosol hairspray to keep the glitter from getting all over.

Next, were the tombstones the boys had been asking us to buy for the front yard. I looked at the ones in the stores and they were made of thin foam. I had been shipped some things in the mail and hadn't yet tossed the foam packing; I was in luck!!! Plus, the foam we used was about 1.5 to 2" thick. I simply sketched 5 different tombstones on the foam and cut them out with a saw. As you can see, it is far from perfect.

Next, I painted them grey using acrylic paints (the really inexpensive kind from craft stores). I bought 4 bottles of grey paint at 2 for $1.00. I already had black and various other colors. I coated them well with the grey paint and allowed them to dry. Next, I added some faux cracks, mossy looking stuff, black outline, etc. It was very rough looking....!

Lastly, I took a dry brush and added a lot of distressing with various colors and here is the final product! I will also use a spray protectant to protect them from rain or snow (gasp!). It has been raining so once it dries up, and I get them sprayed with the weather protector, we will put them in the yard & use stakes to secure them. We now have 5 tombstones for $2.00 that were priced in the stores between $6.00-$8.00 EACH! That means we saved $30.00-$40.00 by spending a few hours painting and we even recycled the foam that would have otherwise been tossed out!


Some of our tombstones have empitaphs instead of just the "RIP". We have "Ben Dismembered", "I. Emma Ghost", "Abby Normal" and "M.T. Tomb". Do a search on the web for halloween tombstone epitaphs and you will get a huge list! Have a fun, safe, and Happy Halloween!!

(digital pumpkin: Summertime Designs)

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Pink Ribbon Bracelet

Inspired by Dance I was so inspired by a dance on So You Think You Can Dance last season that I just had to create this 'Pink Ribbon' Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet.

Not sure how many of you watched 'So You Think You Can Dance' last season?
Well....if you did, then you can't help but remember and have been touched by the emotional dance performed by Melissa and Ade about Breast Cancer.


It is the most beautiful dance I have ever seen on that show. Just breathtaking.
I was so inspired by that dance, that I knew I wanted to create this pink bracelet with the sterling silver folded ribbon charm...and brought it all together with a beautiful sterling silver heart toggle clasp.
I have it posted in my Etsy Shop (Rockology3) here:
Rockology3






Title: Pink Ribbon Bracelet
Designer: Dee Gallimore-Perry
Supplies: 8mm rose quartz faceted round beads (http://www.auntiesbeads.com/), 5mm sterling silver rondelle spacer beads, 22X11mm sterling silver folded ribbon charm, 17X15mm sterling silver heart toggle clasp, silver plated beading wire (Beadalon), sterling silver crimp beads and jump ring (All Findings from www.firemountaingems.com - unless specified)

Instructions:
1. Cut a 10” length of silver plated beading wire. Thread a crimp bead, one half of the toggle clasp then back through the crimp bead and crimp.
2. String a rose quartz faceted round bead, a sterling silver spacer, a rose quartz faceted round bead and repeat until desired length is achieved, ending with a sterling silver spacer.
3. Thread a crimp bead, the 2nd half of the toggle clasp, back through the crimp bead (and a few of the strung beads) and crimp.
4. Hang ribbon charm with jumpring to toggle clasp.
Dee :)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Haunted House Project




Have you ever gotten the eerie feeling that you’re being watched?

That all eyes are upon you?

Well, they are… with this spook-tacularly charming haunted house! It’s chock full of adorable witches, ghouls, ghosts, one-eyed spiders and even a few bats already celebrating the coming of All Hallow’s Eve. As you can see, with Halloween just around the corner I simply couldn’t wait to use Bo Bunny’s Boo Crew collection to construct this not so scary haunt. It was wickedly fun, but BEWARE…it might entice you to be as addicted to Bo Bunny as I am!








Halloween Haunted House
Designer: Patti Milazzo

Bo Bunny’s Boo Crew – Goblins, Masquerade, Ghoul Friends, Here’s Looking at You, Dot, Cut Outs, Stripe patterned paper; My Eye On You iCandy Jewels

Designer Tip: Start with a chipboard, wood or cardstock frame for your house. I created mine with black cardstock. You can find templates on-line if needed. Cover each surface with paper. Add interesting details, like a scalloped roof or windows and doors with characters peeking out. I used the Boo Crew Cut Out sheet for the cute characters peeking out from the windows then created several layers stacked on top of one another for dimension. I cut my ghosts from the Ghoul Friends paper then backed them with white cardstock and inserted wire that I coiled around a pen and inserted into the top and side of the house.

Happy Haunting!!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Imaginisce Spooky Town Finale!


Spooky Town!!!!


Well with all good things they must come to an end and today is our final day showcasing Imaginisce's fun Spooky Town line!

Today's post offers ideas for cards, gift bags, wall hangings and pendants...

Read on for more fun projects with Spooky Town!







Happy Halloween Card

Designer: Stacey Stamitoles

Imaginisce Spooky Town Bestitched Paper, Fraidy Cat Paper, Trick or Treat Paper(for “Happy Halloween”), Witches Stew Rubons

Other Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Circle cutter: Fiskars, Ribbon: Offray, Sewing machine , Button, Ink: VersaFine by Tsukineko



Treat Bag
Designer: Kristen Swain

Imaginisce Spooky Town Bestitched Paper, Boo Buttons Paper, Spooky Sticker Stackers, Witches Stew Rubons, Orange Paper(from Rubon packaging)






Eeek! Wall Hanging
Designer: Julia Sandvoss

Imaginisce Spooky Town Bestitched Paper, Orange Paper (from Rubon packaging)Fraidy Cat Paper, Boo Whooo?! Paper, Tombstone Terrors Chipboard Stickers, Spooky Sticker Stackers

Other Supplies:
Sign from craft store, May Arts Ribbon, GlueGlider Pro by GlueArts, Colorbox Chalk Inks, Doodlebug Limeade Paper Frills, Ki Memories Alphabet Stickers







Halloween Glass Pendants

Designer: Julia Sandvoss

Imaginisce Spooky Town Monster Mash

Other Supplies: Adhesive, Glass, Bails, Stickles Glitter, Judikins Diamond Glaze, E6000 Adhesive

Designer Tip: I purchase the glass pieces from tile stores. Select glass tiles that are not too thick and heavy and are not distorted. I usually work with the 7/7 by 1 7/8 inch rectangle glass, small 7/8 inch squares a circles in a size around 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Use the glass to position over design to make sure it fits on the shape, then trace around glass. Cut out shape and then add any glitter accents. Next apply a fair size drop of glaze onto the backside of the glass, firmly press the design onto glass making sure to smooth out any air bubbles and excess glaze. I then use the glaze that squeezes out the sides to smooth over the backside of the paper so it has a nice, smooth finish when dry. Sit the glass face down and allow to dry. If any trimming is needed for the design...use an Exacto knife to clean up the edges. Use E-6000 adhesive to adhere bail onto backside of glass ensuring that it's positioned in the center of the design and glass.



So that's it...well not it for Halloween ideas...we have more of those to share! We would like to extend a thank you once again to Don and Imaginisce for sending us their products to work with! We hope you were inspired to make some projects too!

And as a thank you to you....we're giving away one of the Halloween pendants! Leave a comment by this Sunday, October 18th and let us know which one is your favorite and we'll pull a random name to win one along with a chain to wear for Halloween!! We'll post the winners name on Monday!

Be sure to tell your friends about the Pursuit of CraftYness!!!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

We're back...with more Spooky Town!


IT'S HALLOWEEN

Well not quite but it's really looking like it around my house!

Here's a fun poem to get you into the spirit of this fun holiday!





It's Halloween! It's Halloween!
The moon is full and bright
And we shall see what can't be seen
On any other night.

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,
Grinning goblins fighting duels,
Werewolves rising from their tombs,
Witches on their magic brooms.

In masks and gowns
we haunt the street
And knock on doors
for trick or treat.

Tonight we are
the king and queen,
For oh tonight
it's Halloween!

~Jack Prelutsky~


And...some more creations using the Imaginisce Spooky Town line!



Pumpkin Patch Layout
Designer: Julia Sandvoss

Imaginisce Spooky Town Boo Buttons Paper (front & back), Fraidy Cat Paper, Witches Stew Rubons, Pumpkin Parade Rubons, Spooky Sticker Stackers,
GlueGlider Pro by GlueArts, Colorbox Chalk Inks




Happy Halloween Card & Gift Bag
Designer: Sherry Wright

Imaginisce Spooky Town Bestitched Paper, Boo Whooo?! Paper, Tombstone Terrors Chipboard Stickers, Witches Stew Rubons




October 31st Layout
Designer: Kristen Swain

Imagininsce Spooky Town Fraidy Cat Paper, Be Stitched Paper, Tombstone Terrors Chipboard Stickers, Boo Hooligans Rubons




Boo! Card
Designer: Stacey Stamitoles

Imaginisce Spooky townCollection: Bestitched, Fraidy Cat, Trick or Treat (for “Happy Halloween”)Rubons: Witches Stew

Other Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Circle cutter: Fiskars, Ribbon: Offray, Sewing machine, Button, Ink: VersaFine by Tsukineko



Hiss Boo Card
Designer: Julia Sandvoss

Imaginisce Spooky Town Bestitched Paper, Fraidy Cat Paper, Witches Stew Rubons, Spooky Sticker Stackers, Boo Hooligans Rubons


Making Memories Ledger Stickers & Brad, GlueGlider Pro by GlueArts, Colorbox Chalk Inks - Charcoal, Ki Memories Alphabet Stickers, Bazzill Cardstock. Googly eyes


That's it for today...be sure to visit us Thursday for our final day showing off Imaginisce's new Spooky Town!!