Monday 30 June 2014

Macabre Monday #Eerie Inspiration


We're going to go easy on you guys (and our aching heads), 
with a photo inspiration challenge, we like to call,
Eerie Inspiration.    
 
This collage photo should be able to coax your mojo to come out to play.
Interpret this as you'd like, it's purely for inspiration. 
There is no wrong way to do this challenge.
 
 
For my project I decided to alter one of those little book boxes. I started by giving it a coat of  DecoArt Americana Lamp Black acrylic paint. Once dry a technique learnt in Andy Skinners Book of Ruination Online Class was applied and once dry painted with DecoArt Traditions Burnt Umber. The spine of the book was also given a coat of DecoArt Traditions Raw Sienna and left to dry. Once completely dry the spine was given a touch of Decoart Dazzling metallics in Glorious Gold and the front of the book given a wash of Decoart Traditions Quinacrodone Gold. Once dry some dry brushing was applied to bring out the texture. A skull was then cast using techniques learnt in Andy Skinners online class The Outcasts. Once set and completely dry the skull was then painted using techniques learnt in Andy Skinners online class Timeworn Techniques. A back drop for the skull was diecut using a spellbinders die, painted and then aged. This was then applied to the front of the book and the skull applied on top. A coat of DecoArt spray Matt sealer was then applied to protect and preserve.
 
Skull Book Box Frnt.

                                                          Skull Book Box Angle View.

                                                         Skull Book Box Side View.
 
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read. Hope you will come play with us in the dungeon over at Haunted Design House.
Hugs Fiona.

Monday 23 June 2014

Macabre Monday-666 The Number of the Beast Week 2.

 
 
Yes, you read the title correctly.
We are celebrating how close we are to 666 followers of
our quaint little, dark sided challenge blog here.
There are now 666 + 1 beasties who follow our blog! Wow!
Thank you to everyone who stops by, comments, and even dares to
play with us. We appreciate you all, and look forward to spreading
the word of the "dark artist", to all who will listen. 
Join us, if you dare!

So to truly celebrate, we are having a 
Number of the Beast 
themed challenge this fortnight.  

 
Hey! Where is everybody?
Did some devil horns scare everyone away?
So far only one of you has been brave enough to play with us
for this challenge.
Now not to mess up her gig here, but we have LOTS of
marvelously macabre prizes to share with the winners of this
challenge. If there is only one winner, she gets it all!
I'm talking about free digis from Smeared Ink, a creepy grab bag from
me (Creepy Glowbugg), handmade items and goodies from the Minions,
a killer digi from Delicious Darkness, plus extra schtuff still to be determined.

Bring out yer beasties and yer monsties! You could even use the number
six (or multiple sixes) in your project, or make an Iron Maiden project as well.
It's up to you. Interpret the theme as you like, but remember to keep it
creepy, dark, Gothic, Steampunk, or Hallowe'en in nature. 
 
 
So onto my little contribution. As many of my close friends know I am a Mahoosive Iron Maiden fan. I have been following this group around since the early seventies and they just get better with age. I decided to create a devilishly little notebook. I started out by measuring some 300gsm cardstock to cover the notebook. This was then embossed using a spellbinders 3d embossing folder and glued to the front and back covers of the notebook.The covers were then given a couple of coats of DecoArt Lamp Black Acrylic paint and allowed to dry. I then cast three Eddie Heads ( Iron Maidens Mascot Eddie the Head ) using techniques learnt in Andy Skinners Outcasts online Workshop. Once dry these were then given a coat of DecoArt Americana Lamp Black Acrylic paint and once dry, drybrushed using DecoArt Americana Dazzling Metallics acrylic paint in silver to give the effect of Pewter. A circle mount was cut from chipboard and painted and my Eddies were strategically placed. Chipboard number 6's three of course were then cut and painted with DecoArt Americana Acrylic paint in True Red and strategically placed in between the Eddie's. This was then attached to the front cover of the notebook.  couple of coats of DecoArt  spray sealer/finisher in matte was then applied to the whole ook to seal and protect which also leaves a soft sheen finish. There you have it.
 
 
 
 
The Number of the Beast Notebook. 


Hope you will join us over at Haunted Design House and take part in this special challenge as there are some awesome prizes to be had.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read.
Hugs Fiona.

Monday 2 June 2014

Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble. HDH Challenge #190.

Our new Macabre Monday challenge theme is
"Bubble, Bubble, Toil, and Trouble".
Hope you did some shopping, because it's a recipe challenge.
Your project must include the following ingredients: Black, Purple, Green, Metal and a flourish.
Now, toss them all together and make something creepy, spooky, and brilliant!
 
For my contribution to this weeks challenge I decided to make a Witches Rolodex. Even an old Hag has to keep track of her creepy friends Right!! I took an old hardback cover book and folded all the pages in half four at a time .When  complete you get the rolodex shape and you should end up with something like this..............
 
 
                                                           All book pages folded.

I then painted the edges of the hardback cover with some DecoArt Americana Lamp Black Acrylic paint. Whilst waiting for the paint to dry on the covers. I embossed some 300gsm black cardstock and applied Amethyst Gilding wax to get my Purple end covers. I then glued the end covers to the book covers after cutting to size. I then attached some antique gold chain to antique gold book corners. Adhered to each corner of the covers thus pulling the back cover into an upright position. I then fired up photoshop to create my divider tabs adorned with a flourish and names added. I also designed some photo cards with the recipients contact details added to the back. Printed and the cut out. Edged with black Archival ink and the strategically placed in the Rolodex. Some creepy cobwebs and a couple of spiders add the finishing touch. Forgot to add something green but hey I think it turned out just fine.
 
                                                              
Full Frontal View.

                                                               Side Angled View.
 
A fun project and I hope you will come join us in the dungeon to play over at Haunted Design House.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read.
Hugs Fiona.