MDS Mixed Media Halloween Canvas

When I started to work on this project, I didn't have a game plan in mind.  I just knew after three years of visiting Cheryl's house on Halloween, I really needed to do something to say thank you for the hospitality.  You see, Cheryl, our family friend, is a Halloween fanatic.  She goes all out for the holiday and has amazing Halloween props that she has bought and made throughout the years.  While some of it is quite creepy, it's always amazing to see how she lays everything out year after year.

I had a goal this year to spend more time tapping into the artsy side of myself and not just the stamp and inks side of things.  I feel like Mixed Media canvases are a great way to combine different medias for a unique result.  I'm not sure that Modge Podge is the best product for a pregnant woman but thankfully the weather was nice when I finished this project up so I could open the window.

For the background of this project, I used My Digital Studio.  I took three photos from Cheryl's house that I got during Callie's first and second Halloweens.   Isn't she adorable!!!

 

 

I created a custom project in MDS that was 8 x 8, which was the size of my canvas.  I put a photo box on the project that was 8 x 8.  I added the first of the photos and zoomed in until only the gravestone appeared.  I got the pixilation warning but it was okay because with this type of project, it's okay if it's a little blurry. 

I changed the opacity to 30% and used the photo effects to make it black and white.  I repeated this process with the other two photos to get the curio cabinet and spider web.  The opacity setting is completely up to you - do what allows you to see all three images to the right degree.  Also, use the page layers icon to help put them in the right order so that you have the correct image on the top of your project.  Then use the Print option under Share from the Design Center to print the project on White cardstock.

Once printed, I cut it out with my trimmer and attached to my canvas using Modge Podge.  For the zombie girl, I was inspired by this picture I found on Pinterest.  A few highlights:

• I cut her head freehand using Very Vanilla cardstock. 
• I used the Boho Blossoms punch to punch out a daisy for one eye. 
• I did not use our Basic Black marker as it will smear with the Modge Podge so I used a Sharpie for this project. 
• The skull is stamped in White craft ink and cut out.  Instead of using dimensionals, I used a glue gun to give it depth so that it wouldn't fall off when hung. 
• The shoes are done using the Scallop Edge Border punch and cut down individual scallops.

Supplies:

• Cardstock/DSP: Witches' Brew DSP, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
• Stamp Set: Halloween Hello
• Ink: White Craft
• Accessories:  Black Wire (retired), Neutrals Candy Dots, Summer Starfruit Stitched Ribbon, Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Black Permanent Marker, Glue Gun, Scallop Edge Border Punch.

When you order online, make sure you use hostess code TUBSEAHG and be entered for a drawing as the mystery hostess at the end of the month.  I have enough orders to qualify for a $250 workshop so someone will be a lucky winner of $65 in free merchandise!!!!  I will draw a name on 10/24!

I just finished my Creative Convention Online where I got a lot of great ideas from Ronda Wade and Maggie Patterson.  I'm pretty excited about all the things I learned from them and the other demonstrators through the live chats.  You will see a different business model from me in 2014 but I think you will all really enjoy the changes.

Remember that today is the last day to join my Stampin' Up! family for only $25.  Contact me today for more details!

Halloween Mixed Media - Lessons Learned

At Convention in July, I took three of the best business classes. Can you tell how much I enjoyed Convention this year?

 

One of the classes I took was called Living the Creative Life.  As a quote junkie, I loved all the creative quotes that she had throughout the class.  But it was the words she said, not the words she found, that made the most impact for me.

 

The class was taught by Carrie Cudney,  one of the wonderful employees at the Stampin' Up! main office.  She started the class by asking us what a creative life looks like.   Until the question was raised, I assumed I lived one.   She included five keys to living a creative life.   

1. Be aware.  Of your creativity and of your need to live a creative life which you deserve to live.
2. Be playful.  Think of a way to do something fun while doing something you do not like - like wearing crazy makeup while weeding.
3. Be adventurous.  Be open to trying new things.
4. Be courageous.  Share your creativity.  You can teach someone something new.  You can boost someone's self-esteem.  You can help someone be more self-aware.  You can give someone an escape.  You can provide an opportunity for someone to make a difference.  Because creativity is a cycle.
5. Be kind.

I realize that I live a creative life by crafting with Callie and learning to see things through her eyes.  I also know that I've committed to a creative life by leaving the corporate workplace and embracing the time I have in my life to be a stay at home mom and teach my classes.

 

At the end of the class, Carrie provided a few samples that she put together that embraced the five points above.  She had never done mixed media before and set forth to do it with our new Witches Brew DSP and washi tape.  She did three canvases and walked us through how she came up with the ideas from other Pinterest pins or showing samples.

 

Her canvases look like they were 6x6x2.   I only had a 6x8x1/2 canvas so I had to make a few adjustments.  Below is the canvas I came up with.  And the experience taught Callie what "glue" smells like and she doesn't like it!

 

Supplies:

• Paper: Witches Brew Designer Series Paper, Silver Glitter Paper
• Markers: Basic Black
• Accessories:  Canvas, Pumpkin Pie Ink Refill, White Paint, Foam Brushes, Modge Podge, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds, Simply Pressed Clay, Witches' Brew Washi Tape, Multi-Purpose Adhesive, and Scissors.

Craftastic Notes:

• Modge Podge will smear our markers.  That is what happened in the upper corner with the spider web.  I would suggest doing the Modge Podge, Painting, Modge Podge, Layering of the DSP pieces, Modge Podge, and then doodling.   You don't need to seal the doodling.
• When doing the clay buttons, mix the clay with the ink refills in a baggie (to avoid getting black on your fingers) or leave it white and color it after it's dry.  Press into the mold.  Put the mold in the freezer for a few minutes to harden it and it will pop right out of the mold.
• Mix your paint with water and refills.  This will allow the DSP under it to show through a little.  If it's not dark enough, you can drop the refill right on the canvas (after Modge Podge is applied) to make it darker.
• To give the shadow, apply the marker and then go right after it and smear it.

Click the link below to see these great products and view details!

Witches' Brew DSP - 132185 - $10.95

Witches' Brew Washi Tape - 132156 - $4.95

 

There was room for improvement in my canvas - I learned those lessons the hard way.  But I was courageous by trying and adventurous by not giving up when I thought I ruined it!  And I'm sharing it so you can learn from those lessons when you try one yourself!   I think I'm in love with living a creative life.  How are you living a creative life?

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy