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!

Cloudee with a chance of lightning

How flippin' cute is this cloud?

He's part of a new release at Smeared Ink called, 'Hallocuties'.

His name is of course, 'Cloudee'.

I colored him with Copics, and totally scored when I ran

across this paper in my stash. Perfection!

I tried to make lightning-type bolts on the sentiment, but they

kinda suck. Not a big deal though. Just add Stickles.

Popped on some cloud die cuts, and voila!

Thanks for dropping by today.

Keep it creepy.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly - To die for (I used the cloud die cuts)
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

New release at Smeared Ink

There are some new images being released at

Smeared Ink today.  

I am working with some images from the Hallocuties digital set.

It would appear that this little Hallocutie has her head caught in a gourd.

And that she forgot her panties.... 

The sentiment is also available as a digi, and works with tons of images.

I fussy cut this one out because I wanted it to appear as part of the design, 

as opposed to a white rectangular box containing the sentiment. Which is the route I

normally take. The block letters make it easy to do.

I'll be back with another new release sample next week.  

Be sure to drop by Smeared Ink to see the rest of this set, and to check out this month's 

exclusive rubber club selection. 

The rubber club is now open to the public!!! That's right!

You no longer have to join the club to get exclusive Smeared Ink rubber designs!! 

Anyone to can purchase new and past rubber offerings!! 

Check out the details here.