Odd? Why yes, yes I am!

This week over at HDH we have an inspiration photo to

set your mojo a flowin'.

I actually chose the photo due to my (un)healthy obsession

with the Science Channel's, "Oddities" series.  

I have a mad crush on Ryan Matthew, the bone guy from the original

"Obscura" shop in NY.

Ryan makes articulated skeletal displays,

and my favorite, "exploding skull" displays. Ryan also lives in the most

amazing home, decorated with the most amazing specimens, taxidermy, bones,

etc... I told you, I loves him.

Now I have added, 'hippo skull' to my long list of

skeletal wants. 

Maybe he'd just let me clean and cook for him for free.

No strings, other than the fact that I can run around and touch all

his stuff, ... naked.

Sounds like a deal to me, but selling the hubby on it will be

rough since I kind of have the same deal going with him.

Anyhoo,

I went the very literal route and just reproduced the inspiration photo

as an ATC card. It seemed a little easier than actually mulling through all of my

schtuff to find just the right skull and bottles to work with.

It looked way cooler when it was just a pencil sketch, but

I need to remember that "practice makes perfect".

I colored it with Copics and Distress inks.

Since I have been bitten by the ATC bug, I needed a place to keep

all of the little cards until I decide what to do with them.  

I love iced tea. It is my favorite beverage, and I go through

a box of my favorite tea every other week.

I decided to put this little box to good use to hold my cards.

I had to make it cool, so after reinforcing the interior of the box, 

I painted it a flat black with acrylic paint.

I added some metallic ruby accent paint  to appear like aged wood grain.

I added a few Hallowe'en border stickers that I have too many of, and added a

cool skull button to act as a way to open the box.

I then painted Distress Stickles in Antique Linen all over the entire box to seal

everything and give it a nice speckled, shimmery finish.

And lastly,  

Juan got a new hat!

Thank you Hobby Lobby, for carrying Iguana hats!