Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Some Fall Crafts

Wow, Bloglanders, it's been forever since I've posted. I hit a little bit of a slump for a while where I didn't feel much like crafting, so I haven't had anything to blog. But I just finished up some really inspiring classes this weekend, and also got caught up on my blog reading, which inspired me to get going again. I'm actually going to combine two projects in this post because....well, because I'm too lazy to write two posts, honestly. =P Anyway, the first one is my Grungy Monday entry for this week, hosted as always over on the Studio L3 blog. This week's challenge is to use Tim's Perfect Distress technique, which I have to admit I've never done before. I love Perfect Pearls mists, but every time I try to use the loose powder I just end up making a mess. However, after a refesher from the video, I was ready to give it another go. Here's what I made:


It's not too late for some Halloween crafts, right? =) I made a background just like Tim does in the video but I used TWO colors, Spiced Marmalade and Ripe Persimmon. I also have been dying to break out the Seedless Preserves, because I LOVE purple, so I used it on the edges of the tag, for the "sentiment" stamping, and to color the '31' (made with Grungeboard Minis). All of the stamps are from Tim's Halloween Minis set and the technique was done on the cobwebs, with Black Soot and the "Pearl" Perfect Pearls. Despite my history with Perfect Pearls I have to say it turned out fairly well, although I did make a mental note-to-self to do this technique with a less detailed stamp in future. It got pretty runny in places (places that are now cleverly covered up with those rosettes). Here's some close-ups:



I almost forgot to mention, I will also be entering this in the monthly challenge over at the Inspiration Emporium blog. It's a color challenge this month, and if you get a chance you should head over and give them some love. They have fun challenges each month and a great prize! (And no, I am not being paid to say that. =P )

My second project is a little ATC I did, inspired by the Sunday Stamper challenge over at Hels Sheridan's blog. I've been a long time stalker reader of Hels' blog, and I love her work and her posts are always hilarious, but I have never participated in her challenges before. However I couldn't resist one using fall colors, especially when I have new fall Distress Inks to play with! I was going to make a tag and then found these pre-cut ATCs made of watercolor paper that I forgot I purchased =P so I decided to give those a whirl:



I colored the background with Scattered Straw, Ripe Persimmon, and Spiced Marmalade, edged the whole thing with Scattered Twigs and then sprayed the bejeezus out of it with water and a couple sprays of Biscotti Perfect Pearls mist. The colors moved around on the paper and made the coolest blended background. Will definitely be trying that trick again! =) Here's a couple close-ups...one is a goof where the flash went off but is the only photo that actually shows the Perfect Pearls!




I think that about covers it. Sorry for the horrifically long post, and if you got this far, thanks for sticking it out to the end! Hopefully I will post again soon without another long break.

Thanks for looking!

*~M~*





7 comments:

  1. Corrrr... lushness abounds! Loving your Hallowe'en tag... being a boring Brit, I am embracing Hallowe'en even more than usual... we never seem to get it right over here lol Your ATC is marvellous, loving that Biscotti shimmer... tis my fave PP Mist too... thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper...hope to see you again real soon x

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  2. fab tag, very scary. Some lovely colouring and stamping.I dont 'do' halloween either but appreciate the art work
    janet

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  3. Great projects, Mary! Love your colors and the stacked rosettes on top.

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  4. great Seasonal creations and that's a fab rosette on your tag!

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  5. Mary, this is fabulous! You did an awesome job with the GM24 technique, and the design is pure Halloween perfection! LOVE the rosette, too! I'm delighted that you joined in!

    Your autumnal ATC is great, too!

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  6. Beautiful! Love your stacked rosettes. Good luck on winning the IE challenge!

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Thank you to everyone who takes the time to comment. I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement! =)

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