Halloween Hanger

For the month of September, I'm hosting the COF swap and I of course picked Fall/Halloween as my theme, as I do every year!  And as I will for every year that I get to host this month for the years to come!  :)  ANYWAYS... I really am in love with the new stamps from Inkadinkado that I got for this year's images, so I of course used them for this swap as well.  This image, the Madam Fortune, is what gave me this idea for what I created for COF.  I went with a square format this time and because I've been really liking the crepe paper (thanks Caroline for calling my attention to it!), I used it again, but really jazzed things up.  Used my copic markers (which I LOVE!) to add some subtle color to the stamped image and then I rimmed the crepe circle I created with some of my new favorite Martha Stewart Glitter paint in Peridot.  I attached all of this to a piece of chipboard painted black with a layer of Obsidian glitter paint (MS as well).  And because I decided I wanted to make this into an easily hang-able piece of art, I had an excuse to buy a new tool that easily punches through heavier materials.  See, totally justified...!;)  Can't wait to send these out to everyone! (also can't wait to get my permanent spot set up so I can have much better lighting for pictures! sigh...)

Halloween Tags

I recently found a Halloween-themed tag swap to join, where the challenge was to create 5.  I just got these new stamps from Inkadinkado and couldn't wait to use them.  They are smaller stamps, so they are just perfect for a tag-sized image.  I used a office supply cheap manila tag based, attached cardstock to both sides to give it some strength, inked the edges and stamped on the backs (not shown).  I used crepe paper and glitter glue to rim the edges of the oval and attached everything together with some pop dots to give it a little extra dimension.  I also glazed the image with a paper glaze and it didn't do what I set out to have it do originally, but instead it created an aged effect on my stamped image, so it was okay with me, a happy accident lets say.  I added some fibers to the hole and voila, all done!  I had a lot of fun making these and I can't wait to see what I get back in return!

Holiday Fun with Paper Clay

In an effort to find some easy to do crafts for kids to make, I tried my hand at working with some paper clay.  A friend at work let me look at a magazine she had that had an example of the snowman on the right.  I went ahead and tried my own version and then I decided why not try a pumpkin as well because as you may have figured out, I heart anything Halloween related.  I worked pretty closely with the instructions the magazine had for the snowman and it turned alright.  Next time I make it, I would use a stronger wire for the loop if it is to actually be hung up as an ornament.  Couldn't find my good wire as everything is packed up in the basement (which I will use the lack of good lighting as my excuse for the not so great quality of the photo as well because I'm not in my regular spot and my lights are also packed up...), but when I dig everything out again I will give it another shot.

I already have plans to make some more pumpkins, definitely designed with a flatter bottom as I wasn't thinking about that aspect as I made this one and it tends to roll a little bit.  I'm going to try some different shapes, faces and finishes, so we'll see what comes out of it.  I'll be sure to post the results!