October 1, 2015: And the race is on!

Today is October first. The day I anticipate every year, yet I am 

never quite ready for it to begin. This year is no different, except I 

was smart enough to know I wasn't going to be able to participate in 

the usual October festivities like The Countdown to Halloween,

or the 31 Days of Halloween. I knew I didn't even want to try this year.

Last year the stress almost killed me...

Today being the first, is the start of the new challenge at Smudgy Antics.

The theme is always Anything Goes as long as you use a Smeared Ink image.

No other rules apply. 

I am working on my repurposed children's board book.

These are wonderful substrates for a multitude of mediums

and techniques. Not to mention, they are stupid cheap at thriftstores

and yard sales.

I decided to go in an unusual direction for me by using pretty much

only black, white, and silver for this layout. The dp set the stage being

gray and white. The vintage images lent themselves to a muted palette as well.

I used the Anatomy 101 Ribs by cutting them right down the middle. 

I used black soot distress ink and made it blend into the dp better.

Then I highlighted the ribs with a white Posca paint pen. 

I really like how this turned out.

How can you not love these guys?

They are only two of the fifteen bat images available in the

A Little Bit Batty set. It was hard to choose just two. 

Here's the other side of the rib cage, along with a TH rub-on.

The red, black, and  white splatter really sets these images off quite nicely.

Bat 1 from the A Little Bit Batty set, some more rub-ons,

and a small medical ephemera.

This made me giggle a bit. I used the Profile Head from the 

Gross Anatomy set, and matched it with a card meant for tasty

Halloween treats. I like it better used this way. 

That's it for me today.

Be sure to stop by the Smudgy Antics challenge blog and check

out all of the other inspiring projects to whet your October appetite. 

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!

DT New Release Hop for Smeared Ink

Yes, that's right, I have joined the ranks of the uber talented DT for 

Smeared Ink.
It's quite an honor. I look forward to working with everyone at SI.

Today is a new release blog hop featuring a set of

 horse images, like you've never seen before!

I have used the new Daemon Horse 5  for my project.

I also generated the My Little Pony Nightmare in Gimp.

I printed this handsome fellow out on kraft cardstock, and

colored him with colored pencils. No, really, I used colored pencils.

I usually prefer a more vibrantly colored image, but I do like how

I was able to blend, and use the white pencil for the highlights.

I still prefer my Copics, but wanted to try something different this time.

I glittered his mane with the original MLPs in mind. Not sure it translates

that well, but it sure is sparkly! 

And what creepy card is complete without some MS Drippy Goo punch?

I layered two shades of red, and then covered it all with Glossy Accents.

First time I ever tried doing that. It has now been added to my crafty repertoire.   

Here is the New Release Hop list, as you simply must

hop along and check out the other wicked makes for this release.

Black Dragon

Shell

Susan

Julia

Creepy Glowbugg - that's me!
Kapree