Steampunk Costume Accessory - Altered Toy Pop Gun ~ Creative Embellishments

Happy Halloween Crafty Friends! Today I'm sharing an Altered Toy Pop Gun that would be the perfect accessory to a Steampunk-Inspired Halloween Costume! I started off with a cheap plastic foam-dart gun from the dollar store - it was originally fluorescent orange and green - and added several different sizes of Creative Embellishments Gears, a glass bottle as a scope and some metal embellishments from Prima Marketing. Once I was happy with the arrangement of the chipboard and embellishments, I painted everything with Prima Art Basics Black Gesso and then dry-brushed on Prima Art Basics White Gesso to bring out the details. Next, I dry-brushed the gun with Prima Art Alchemy Metallique Paint in Steampunk Copper. I added some additional colour with Prima Art Alchemy Waxes - Antique Brilliance Lucky Emerald and Mystic Turquoise and Metallique Bronze Age. Finally, I finished off the project by adding two clear Prima Melange Art Pebbles to either end of the glass bottle 'scope'.

"Bird of Paradise" - Mixed Media Altered Mask ~ Creative Embellishments

Hi There crafty friends! Today I'm sharing a new mixed media project with you - what I'm calling my "Bird of Paradise" Altered Mask. I started out with a (very) cheap mask from the dollar store. Then, I started layering lots of Creative Embellishments chipboard elements on the mask, including:

• Wing Set 2,
• Door Knockers,
• Flourish 4,
• Mini Frames (some full, as well as pieces cut from some), and
• Lace Border 3 (cut into individual pieces).

Once I was happy with the design, I primed everything with Prima Art Basics Black Gesso and then dry-brushed Prima Art Basics White Gesso to bring out the details. I added colour using Prima Art Alchemy Paints - Sparks in Mermaid Sparkle, Magical Pond, Fairy Wings, and Unicorn's Hair; and Metallique in White Pearl and Silver Spoon. I finished off the colour with Prima Art Alchemy Waxes - Antique Brilliance in Lucky Emerald and Mystic Turquoise; Opal Magic in Turquoise Satin; and Metallique in Old Silver. Finally, I added a few silver-toned half-pearls around the eyes for a bit of bling.

A Murder at 221B Baker St. - House Vignette ~ Creative Embellishments

Hi There Crafty Friends! Today, I'm sharing a new Creative Embellishments House Vignette with you! I love the CE House Vignette SO much - it is such fun to create with - and this time I have used Graphic 45's Master Detective collection to create A Murder at 221B Baker St.

(Note: If you're going to be creating your own CE House Vignette,

I have a video tutorial on my YouTube Channel showing how I put it together.)

For the exterior of the House Vignette, I first covered the house with the Graphic 45 papers. Then, I added two Greek Gable End Ornaments as planters on either side of the house. I painted the ornaments with Prima Art Alchemy Metallique Paint in Steampunk Copper and then rubbed them with Art Alchemy Antique Brilliance Waxes in Lucky Emerald and Fire Ruby. I used the Arched Doors Set 2, one of the Windows Set of 4, and one of the Arrow Banners and embossed them with Stampendous Aged Black Embossing Enamel. I added some spiderweb paper behind the window and some Tim Holtz Vellum on the back of the doors. I hinged the doors and added Tim Holtz Mini Fasteners as knobs. The hinged doors open to reveal a fussy-cut of Sherlock Holmes (and Friends) in the doorway. Finally, I fussy cut "221B Baker St." from the Graphic 45 papers and added it to the Arrow Banner.

I used the Title Page of the 8x8 Master Detective collection to cover the interior of the House Vignette and then fussy cut elements from a second Title Page to create the 3D vignette inside the house. I added some spiderwebs and spiders, as well as some moss to the top of the house. I added moss along the floor of the house, along with skulls, a poison bottle, an evidence scroll, and a pumpkin. Here's a close-up of all the little decorative bits!

Trick or Treat - Baby's 1st Year October Layout

Hi there Crafty Friends! Happy Halloween! I have a quick share for you today - my Baby's 1st Year Layout for October. I just love the funny look on my son's face in this picture from his first Halloween! Such a cutie!

Once again, I've used a combination of several Graphic 45 paper collections (A Place in Time, Children's Hour, and Happy Haunting) to create this layout - and inked all the paper edges with Distress Ink in Ground Espresso. I used two chipboard Jolly Jack-o-Lanterns by Creative Embellishments to embellish the layout - I wanted these to look similar to those on the Happy Haunting paper, so I painted them with orange and green acrylic paint and backed them with some dark yellow paper - then I inked them with Ground Espresso Distress Ink and gave them a generous coat of crackle accents! Here's a close-up of the layered section and a couple of different angles so you can see the details/dimensions.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Happy Trick or Treating!

Master Detective CLUE Game ~ Creative Embellishments

Oh No! Sherlock Holmes has been murdered and it can only have been by one of those closest to him! You are now a Master Detective and must discover which one of Holmes' companions has committed the crime! 

Hi there Crafty Friends! Today I'm sharing my Master Detective Clue Game with you! We LOVE playing games in our family and Clue (by Hasbro) is one of our favourites! As soon as I saw the Master Detective Collection by Graphic 45, I knew I had to create my own version of Clue using the papers!

I created the folding gameboard and covered the back of the board with papers from the Master Detective 12 x 12 Patterns and Solids. All the papers for the game are inked with Distress Ink in Ground Espresso. I outlined the front panel of the gameboard with some Tim Holtz Halloween-themed Design Tape that perfectly complements these papers! I used the Signature Page from the 8x8 Paper Pad to decorate the front of the board.

I made a large envelope for the back of the 8x8 page and attached it with velcro dots - this way it can be used as storage for all of the game cards! I made a second smaller envelope (tucked into the pocket on the front) that can be used during the game to hold the suspect, weapon and location cards for the mystery.

I created the Weapon and Location cards by printing on some of the papers from the 12 x 12 Patterns and Solids - I sized these cards to fit on the 12 x 12 Master Detective Card cut-outs - so all of the cards, including the Character Cards, have the "Master Detective" Design on the back. I also created the game score cards using paper and colours that coordinate with the Master Detective Collection. I laminated all the cards so they could be played with and not get damaged; I also laminated the score cards so that they can be used with dry-erase marker! The game tokens are some small skulls I cut off of a Halloween costume necklace!

For the Game Board itself, I used different papers for each room (and a journalling card for one of the rooms) and then outlined each room with some Tim Holtz Design Tape so that the room boundaries were defined. The game spaces were made using alternating colours of the Houndstooth patterned paper from the 12 x 12 Patterns and Solids. All the room labels, as well as the weapons and "Clue" title are Custom Cut Creative Embellishments Chipboard! Did you know you can ask Nicolle for custom cuts if there is a design you simply must have?!?!?!? All of the room labels and the title are embossed with Vintage Gold Embossing Powder, as was the Candlestick. The Pistol, Wrench, Lead Pipe and Dagger were painted with Prima Metallique and Sparks Acrylic Paints. The Rope was embossed with Distress Embossing Powder in Mustard Seed.

Here's a closer look at all the cards, weapons and game tokens!

Halloween in Wonderland Configuration Book ~ Creative Embellishments

Hi there crafty friend! Today I'm sharing a super fun new project with you! This is my Halloween in Wonderland Configuration Book - combining two of my absolute favourite things - Halloween and Alice in Wonderland!

I started out with a Tim Holtz Configuration Book, which I covered with the blue-toned papers from the G45 collection. Then, I started layering elements from the papers, along with some awesome Creative Embellishments chipboard pieces, to create my cover design. I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut a keyhole shape from the black & white check paper and layered that over main image from the collection's signature page. Next, I cut the characters from a second sheet of the signature page so I could pop them up to create a 3D effect. I added the CE "We're All Mad Here" title and the Mad Hatter Top Hat (from the We're All Mad... chipboard set), which I painted with Prima Sparks acrylic paints. I also added in some CE Pumpkins and Pumpkin Vine Flourishes - painted with Prima Sparks and Prima Metallique Acrylic Paints. Finally, I finished off the cover with a Graphic 45 Shabby Chic Door Plate and Knob and a Graphic 45 Shabby Chic Key.

For the inside of the Configuration Book, I tried to include images of all the main characters from the Wonderland Books. On the left side, I I had to include the Mad Tea Party image, layered on some of the checked paper - I added some stickers from the collection to three of the corners, and one of the cups from the CE Tea Cup Set, which I painted with Prima Sparks and Prima Metallique Acrylic Paints.

For the right side, I used the following CE chipboard elements:

• Mini Web - painted white and then coated with Frosted Lace Stickles
• Simple Key Hole Plate - painted with Prima Metallique Acrylic Paints, with Prima Brads and a peek-a-boo image of Alice from the G45 papers
• One of the open Books, painted with Prima Metallique Acrylic Paints and stamped using the CE Distressed Text Stamp
• An Arched Window (with the Arch cut off) - painted with Prima Metallique Acrylic Paint
• A few Potion Bottles, painted with Prima Sparks Acrylic Paints and decorated with some circle images punched from the G45 papers
• Another Pumpkin (same as on the cover)
• One of the Mini Mushrooms, painted with Prima Metallique Acrylic Paint
• Creepy Gates - painted with Prima Metallique Acrylic Paint - and hinged so the gates open to show the little scene in behind

Here are some close-ups so you can see all the details:

Dia de Los Muertos Altered Doll ~ Creative Embellishments October Challenge

I can't believe its October already! My favourite time of year - beautiful Autumn weather and Halloween! The first of the month means a new challenge is up on the Creative Embellishments Blog. Here is October's inspiration photo and the twist for this month is to make a black & white project!

I was inspired by this month's challenge photo to create this Dia de Los Muertos Altered Doll. The project is mostly black & white (for this month's twist) - but I cheated a little with some neutral for the dress and, of course, the red roses on the Sugar Skull and in her hair.

I started off with a Barbie that I picked up from a local second hand store - I painted her white and braided and put her hair up in a style reminiscent of Frida Kahlo - I used Prima Art Extravagance Clear Sculpture Medium on her hair so that it would stay permanently styled. I made the dress in a flamenco style using tissue paper and patterned papers from Graphic 45's Curtain Call collection. All the papers are inked with Distress Ink in Black Soot. To complete the outfit, I added some handmade paper flowers, a black lace shawl and a white veil.

Nicolle (the owner of Creative Embellishments) is so awesome and cut me a smaller version of the Sugar Skulls just so I could do this project! I primed the small Sugar Skull with white gesso and used Fine Tip Sharpie to outline the details; next, I smudged the mouth with some Distress Ink in Black Soot and I used a thick black Sharpie to outline the outside of the skull and the eye/nose holes. Finally, I coated the sugar skull with a generous coat of Ranger Crackle Accents.

For the shadowbox component of the project, I used the Crackled Brick Stencil with some Liquitex Resin Sand Texture Gel - then painted the box with black gesso and sponged white gesso on to highlight the texture. I added the CE chipboard Wrought Iron Fence 4 and the hanging lamp from the Lamp Post Set. I wanted these two chipboard pieces to look light white-painted wrought iron, so I primed them with white gesso and then sponged on a mixture of White Gesso, Prima Art Alchemy Metallique Acrylic Paint in White Pearl and Prima Art Ingredients Texture Powder. Finally, I added a piece of vellum to the back of the street lamp.

The posters on the fence and wall are cut from the Curtain Call paper. I found the Dia de los Muertos poster online, converted it to black and white, printed it, and matted it on some of he Curtain Call paper.

Here are some close-ups so you can see all the details!

I hope you like my interpretation of this month's challenge - I can't wait to see what you create! Remember to follow the Rules for the Challenge so that you're eligible to win!

Challenge Rules:

• Create a NEW project (i.e., layout, mini album, tag, card, canvas, etc…) as of October 1st 2017.
• Please no back linking (meaning projects from previous months that may fit the challenge requirements). Please link only NEW projects.
• Combining the CE Challenge with other challenges is permitted.
• Please add your entry to the InLinkz box on the Challenge Post on the Creative Embellishments Blog to be eligible for the prize. You have until the last day of each month 11:55 pm eastern time to enter.
• It is required that you mention in your blog post that you are playing along at Creative Embellishments together with a link back to our blog. Please make sure to reference our challenge. 
• We would love to see you USE AT LEAST 1 OF CE products on your projects but it isn’t required to play along; however, everyone who does use CE product will get and extra chance at winning.
• WINNERS will have 2 weeks to claim their prize. The winner will be announced on the CE blog post the day after the challenge ends.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! 

The Poisoner's Handbook ATCs

In October, I played along with an ATC exchange on the Scraps of Darkness/Scarps of Elegance Facebook Group. I created this set of three ATCs using the Materialize 8x8 paper stack, Curiosities Ephemera and Embellishments by Tim Holtz. I inked all the papers with Ground Espresso Distress Ink. I added Distress Crackle Paint and a Tim Holtz Apothecary Vial Label to the glass vial on the 1st ATC. I added an Incantation Metal Word Band, Gothic Remnant Rubs and a small skull to the 2nd ATC. For the 3rd ATC, I added an Arrow Adornment, some spider webbing and a small plastic spider. I'm calling this set "The Poisoner's Handbook ATCs" because each card has some poison warning labels.

Here are some close-ups so you can see the details on each card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Magic of Oz - Illuminated Pumpkin Shadowbox ~ Creative Embellishments

Today I'm sharing a super-fun Halloween project created for the Creative Embellishments Design Team! I have been hoarding my Graphic 45 The Magic of Oz paper in my stash for ages and decided to haul it out and create this Illuminated Pumpkin Shadowbox using fussy-cuts from the papers and Creative Embellishments Chipboard pieces that were just perfect for this project! I started off with an Orange Craft Pumpkin with a Shadowbox cut-out. I painted the outside of the pumpkin with black gesso so I could have a two-toned pumpkin and really draw the eye to the bright orange inside. I added a string of LED lights (hidden at the top of the pumpkin) and two 'flickering candle' battery-operated tealights to light up the inside of the pumpkin - this looks so much more striking in real life! The photos don't do it justice! I also added two cute witch's legs I found at the craft store under the pumpkin - to look like a crushed witch!

I fussy cut the main characters, along with a bunch of other elements, from the papers to create the scene for the pumpkin. All the papers are inked along the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink. I started building the scene by putting some brown excelsior and graveyard moss in the bottom of the pumpkin. I used the Creative Embellishments Spiky Gate and Creepy Gates as the central elements to start building the scene around. I painted the gates with black gesso and then coated them with Crackle Accents. I also used a Creative Embellishments Poppy Cluster along the gates, which I painted with Art Alchemy Metallique Acrylic Paints in colours similar to the poppies on the Graphic 45 papers.

I fussy cut the Wicked Witch and backed her on black cardstock for stability. I added a glitter pumpkin and small skull from my stash as "steps" for her so it looks like she's stepping out of the pumpkin. I finished off this section with a black fabric leaf, some graveyard moss and a bit cut from the Creative Embellishments Brick Pieces. I painted the bricks with Art Alchemy Metallique Acrylic Paint in Pure Sunshine and then smudged the Brick Pieces with Black Soot Distress Ink to make them look aged/worn.

Inside the pumpkin, I added the Scarecrow and his "Wanted - A Brain" sign. I made a "Broken Yellow Brick Road" using the Creative Embellishments Brick Pieces. I added lots of fussy-cut poppies and a compass, a small sugar pumpkin and a small skull around the Scarecrow's feet. The poppies hide the tealight in front of the Scarecrow. I also added a fussy cut Emerald City at the back of the pumpkin so that it looks like the Yellow Brick Road is leading around through the gates to the city.

I placed the Cowardly Lion behind the Spiky Gate and the Tin Man and Dorothy in front of and on either side of the Creepy Gates. I also fussy-cut the Oz circle as a closure for the Creepy Gates. The Wizard of Oz is suspended from the top of the pumpkin in his hot air balloon. I added a few of the Creative Embellishments Creepy Trees - you can see these tucked in behind the lion, in front of the balloon basket and behind the gate on the right side of the pumpkin. The trees were painted with brown acrylic paint and then coated with Crackle Accents. You can see the painted poppy cluster and some more fussy-cut poppies, as well as another small skull tucked in the back behind the Creepy Gates. The poppies in front of Dorothy hide the second tealight.

The title from the main page of The Magic of Oz collection fit perfectly across the top of the pumpkin's opening. I fussy-cut the title and backed it on some black cardstock - and after cutting it out (again) I inked the edges with Distress Ink in Black Soot. I also fussy-cut some flying monkeys and added them to the left side of the title and added a small fussy-cut compass to the right side.

I poured mod podge over the top of the pumpkin and let it run down the sides and then added lots of black glitter to create glitter drips all around the pumpkin. I used the Creative Embellishments Pumpkin Vine Flourishes to decorate the top of the pumpkin. I painted the pumpkin stem and vine flourishes with green acrylic craft paint and then coated them with crackle accents.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!
Hope you're having a Spook-tacular October!