Smudgy Antics and stained digits

I am having such a good time playing along with the shenanigans over at 

Smudgy Antics  

that I have decided to work on a recycled children's board book. 

I plan to fill it with neat-o images from Smeared Ink and some 

of my very own handy work via inks and pastes and such. 

I envision a good time will be had by all in attendance. 

  

WARNING:

Very photo heavy post ahead.

Here is the book I used to begin my smeared and smudged journey.

Fifty cents at the local thrift store. Nothing beats recycling.

First and foremost, gesso is essential to a good base for your sprays and inks.

I guess white acrylic paint will do in a pinch, but gesso is a great investment

at minimal cost. I painted two coats of gesso onto the pages I was working with. 

I just received the black embossing paste and the new bat stencil.

Both are perfect for this layout. 

When I opened the paste the lid came off like this.

Kinda cool, huh?

I used the black paste with the bat stencil, waiting impatiently for it to dry

I opted for the heat gun. Not sure if it was the heat gun or if that is the way 

the paste actually dries, but it reminded me of liquid applique in the way it

seems sponge-y. Still after a week, it still is a bit sponge-y in the thicker

parts. No big deal, just unexpected.

After the bats were dry (ish), I painted over my mistakes with more gesso.

I even went over the edges of the bats a little to give a blended effect. 

I finally activated all of my Lindy's sprays. I had 8 new ones awaiting

just the right project to be used upon. I am loving these vivid sprays.

Vivid colors, and gorgeous interference shine and sparkle.

These are from the Halloween set.  

I was finally pleased with this version of the background. 

I spritzed some water to blend the colors a bit more, and

I added some TH distress stains in white and black speckles 

to give a more cohesive feel between colors. I also edged the pages 

with black acrylic paint on my finger. Gave a looser feel than

using a paint brush, I think.  

I colored up some Halloween images from Smeared Ink

and made a Halloween spread  in my board book.

This contortionist kitty is actually Wolf Girl

from the Hallocuties line at Smeared Ink. 

She is so cute, and rather schmexy, too!

Added a Halloween embellie that I fancied up with Crackle Accents.  

For the second page, I used Pet Bats, also from the 

Hallocuties set.

I used more new goodies like the TH Halloween words thinlit dies.

So cool! I added another crackled bit for more interest. I went pretty

simple on this layout to allow the eye to see that gorgeous background,

and those super cute and timely images from Smeared Ink. 

   

Here is the blog roll so you don't miss a single, awesome,
Smeared Ink project!

BLOG ROLL

BLACKDRAGON

SHELL

ELENOR

LEIGH

FIONA

GDT   CREEPY GLOWBUGG - me!