Artfully Musing: 2019

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Angel Themed Christmas Ornaments & Tags - NEW IMAGE SETS

The ornaments and tags were inspired by the December AlphaStamps Vintage Victorian Ornaments kit and the lovely Vintage Saga 6x6 paper pad. I was drawn to the non-traditional color scheme and imagery (pinks, cream and red with flowers and birds) on the Vintage Saga paper. I was also inspired to create a series of new collage sheets to complement the paper. The new flowers and bird collage sheets would also work well for all kinds of other themed projects.

Dress My Craft - 6 x 6 Paper Pad - Vintage Saga

Using lovely paper, Dresden and some images it was easy to put together a set of Victorian-style ornaments using a die-cut wood ornament shape as the base.

While I was at it, I thought, why not make a set of large gift tags for some of the girlfriend Christmas gifts I am giving.

NEW COLLAGE SHEETS

ANGELS

This sheet contains 10 Victorian style angels with coordinating flowers. To purchase this sheet, click on the image below.

FLOWERS #1 & FLOWERS #2

These two collage sheets are loaded with all kinds of colorful flowers in two sizes. To purchase theses sheets, click on the image below.

BIRDS

This sheet contains all kinds of colorful birds. To purchase this sheet, click on the image below.

MINI BIRDS

This half sheet contains all kinds of colorful birds (the same ones as in the larger sheet) but is smaller in size.

THE DETAILS

Ornaments

I started by painting the edges and the tops of the wood ornaments a cream color then covered them in decorative paper. Next, I used frames from two of my frame themed digital image sets to dress up the ornaments.

For the ornament pictured below, I collaged Dresden roses and a Dresden child with wings.

For the ornament pictured below, I used another Dresden child with wings and flowers and a bird from the new collage sheets. In the center of each flower, I added microbeads.

For the ornament below I used another Dresden child with wings, a harp charm, and flowers from the new collage sheets. I once again added microbeads to the center of the flowers as well as gold stamen and pieces of red pip berry garland.

Tags

I covered each tag in the same paper as the ornaments (Vintage Saga 6x6 paper pad).

For the tag pictured below, I added a beaded ribbon and some flower lace with flat back pearls glued to the center of each lace flower. The rose garland is made by twisting the wire stems of paper roses together then wrapping the garland with a cream leaf ribbon. The angel and birds are from the new collage sheets.

For the tag pictured below, I used more of the Dresden roses in the background, a Dresden banjo, and an angel and bird images from the new collage sheets.

For the lace, I dyed two different pieces of cream lace pink to match the color scheme of the tag. I used Alcohol Ink diluted with Alcohol Blending solution to keep the color from being too intense. After soaking the lace in the solution, I laid it on a piece of plastic to dry. DO NOT lay the lace on something absorbent, or it will pull the color from the lace. DO NOT hang the lace to dry, or the color will sink to the end of the lace and give you an ombre effect (unless that is what you want).

For the tag pictured below, I used more of the Dresden roses in the background, lace from my stash with more of the flatback pearls glued to the lace flowers (painted red to match the background) and another brass harp. The angel is from the new collage sheet.

For the tag pictured below, I used a beaded ribbon and beaded trim from my stash. I also used more of the cream lace (not dyed). The angel and bird are from the new collage sheets. I attached pieces of green stitched leaf ribbon and added more of the flatback pearls as an accent.

Click here to jump to the complete supply list at AlphaStamps

Saturday, October 19, 2019

SPELL & POTION BOOK - NEW IMAGES - VIDEO TUTORIAL

Halloween would not be complete without a spooky book of spells and potions. The overall size is approximately 9" x 7" and made out of out of heavy chipboard. To give the book texture, I’ve used a crackle technique which I cover in the video tutorial. The skull in the center is made with polymer clay using a mold.

For this project, I’ve created a new set of Magical Book Pages to complement my older collection which gave me a total of 27 magical pages to work with (there is also a new mini version that can be used for a miniature book.)

To fill out the book, I used blank distressed looking pages to which I can add images over time and paper from the Cosmos 12 x 12 Scrapbook Paper pad, which I also used to line the inside of the book.

I’ve used beautiful hardware to connect the chipboard pieces. In the video, I’ll show you how to transform simple hinges to elegant ones.

I used various techniques to distress the pages and will demonstrate a lemon juice and heat gun technique which give pages and authentic burnt look.

NEW COLLAGE SHEET & DIGI IMAGE SET

MAGIC BOOK PAGES #2 COLLAGE SHEET

This collage sheet contains 14 pages of spells, incantations, enchantments, potions, and magical symbols. Included are: Summon a Dragon, Conjure a Storm, Memory Charm, Forget, Healing, Reveal the Truth, and Dream. This set compliments the first Magic Book Pages collage sheet. To purchase this sheet, click on the image below.

MAGICAL BOOK PAGES – LARGE VERSION #2 SET DOWNLOAD

This set includes 14 pages sized 7” x 5” that are perfect for creating a book of magic. The pages contain spells, incantations, enchantments, potions, and magical symbols. Included are: Summon a Dragon, Conjure a Storm, Memory Charm, Forget, Healing, Reveal the Truth, and Dream. This set compliments the first Magical Book Pages – Large Version digital image set. To purchase this digital image set, click on the image below.

VIDEO TUTORIAL

Click here to jump to the complete supply list at AlphaStamps

Detail Supply List

Magical Book Pages – Large Version – Set Download

MagicalBook Pages #2 – Large Version – Set Download

Cosmos 12x12 Paper Pad

3D Skull Silicone Mold

Creepy Tree – 5 Inch

Fancy Filigree Hinge

Large Bronze Filigree Wrap or Corner Protector

Tall Scalloped Jewelry Box Latch

If you are interested in making a mini version.

MagicBook Pages Collage Sheet

MagicBook Pages #2 Collage Sheet

Saturday, October 12, 2019

House of Horrors Handmade Book - New Image Sets - Video Tutorial

Just in time for Halloween, I have a spooky book project for you titled “House of Horrors.” I’ve packed in lots of creepiness from my new image sets and other embellishments. The book is constructed using chipboard haunted house and tombstone shapes which makes it easy to assemble and decorate.

The house is full of spooky pictures of vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches, skeleton people, and headless women. Inside you’ll find a trunk full of creepy doll heads. Behind a gate is a vampire with her coffin. The brickwork was made using a plastic mold and paper clay. I’ve used lots of candles on the pages, as I think they add to the creep factor.

A house of horrors would not be complete without ghouls. Below is a cavern with a bloody guillotine, a barrel of dolls and skeleton heads, a skeleton in a cage, and a bloody clawed coffin (made from a chipboard coffin book.)

Below are more of the spooky portraits, and note the ghost in the mirror about the dresser and the doll-headed spider climbing down the wall. To add trim to the walls on several of the pages, I used black Dresden along with spiderweb and bat die-cut chipboard borders.

On the back of the book, there is a shrouded skeleton walking through a graveyard with blood flowing from a fountain (I have the fountain image for you further down in the post.) I used paper roses with their stems twisted together to make a vine. A blood-red moon and bats complete the scene and, of course, more candles.

I choose to bind the book using some spider web ribbon from my stash. In the video tutorial, I show you an alternative method of binding the book.

NEW COLLAGE SHEETS & DIGI IMAGE SETS

SPOOKY PORTRAITS COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet contains 9 unique spooky portraits of ghosts, ghouls, vampires, werewolves, and more. There are 4 different sizes for each portrait for a total of 36 images. These images work well with 1:12 scale projects and smaller as well as the houses in Grimsley Village. To purchase this sheet, click on the image below.

HOUSE OF HORRORS #1 & #2 COLLAGE SHEETS

These sheets are filled with all kinds of spooky and creepy images to decorate a haunted house. These images work well with a 1:12 scale project and the houses in Grimsley Village. To purchase these sheets, click on the images below.

CANDLES COLLAGE SHEET

This half sheet contains 38 unique candle images that work well with a 1:12 scale project and the houses in Grimsley Village, and my other miniature projects. To purchase this sheet, click on the image below.

HOUSE OF HORRORS DIGITAL IMAGE SET

This image set is filled with all kinds of spooky and creepy images to decorate a haunted house. These images work well with a 1:12 scale project and the houses in Grimsley Village. Included are all of the images from the House of Horrors #1 & #2 collage sheets, the images from the Spooky Portraits, and much more, for a total of 100 images. To purchase this image set, click on the image below.

VIDEO TUTORIAL

FREE IMAGE
Feel free to download this image and use it in your art. Right-click on the images and select "Save Image As."

Detail Supply List

IMAGES

Spooky Portraits Collage Sheet

House of Horrors #1 Collage Sheet

House of Horrors #2 Collage Sheet

Candles Collage Sheet

Lanterns Collage Sheet

House of Horrors Digital Image Set

Old Windows Collage Sheet
Old Doors Collage Sheet
or
Old Windows & Digital Image Set

Ghosts Download Set

PAPER

Twilight 8x8 Paper Set

Happy Halloween Custom 12x12 Paper Set

Spectrum BlackJack Dots & Stripes Scrapbook Paper

Spectrum Tricycle Red & Stripes Scrapbook Paper

Brick Wall Scrapbook Paper

Hampton Brick Scrapbook Paper

Double Dot Vintage Gingerbread Scrapbook Paper

Baroque Dresden Borders - Black

Tiny Dot Dresden Borders - Black

Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Black

CHIPBOARD & WOOD

Wrought Iron Gate for Arched Shrine Shadowbox

Small Chunky Coffin w Bat Shape Set - Set of 3

Bat Border – 7 Inch

Spider Web Border – 7 Inch

Gothic Window – Laser Cut Wood

Single Gravestone - Laser Cut Wood

Etched Gothic Wooden Gravestone Shape

Gothic Gates Set - Laser Cut Wood

Poison Jar - Laser Cut Wood

Chipboard Bats Set

EMBELLISHMENTS

White Turquoise Skull Beads – 12mm

Acrylic Black Sitting Cat Cut-Outs

Acrylic Bat Cut-Outs

Mini Rose Buds-Black

Tiny Paper Roses - Black

Black Spider & Webs Shape Set

Set of Mini Brick Wall & Woodgrain Textures Molds

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Alice in Wonderland Tunnel Book - New Image Set - Video Tutorial

This is the second in a series of tunnel book video tutorials with this one focusing on Alice in Wonderland. For this project, I created a large new digital image set titled "Strange People" which includes images from my other Strange People collage sheets plus a ton more. You can see some of them framed as pictures on the wall below, I thought they fit right in with the story's strange and whimsical characters.

If you aren’t familiar with tunnel books, they are made by connecting a series of pages with the first page having the largest hole and each subsequent page having a smaller hole than the one before, giving the book a tunnel effect. Adding to the tunnel effect are the images on each page that slightly protrude into the openings. The way I designed this book, the tunnel effect works no matter which direction you look (from the front to the back of from the back to the front).

I constructed the book using a 6x6 ArchTunnel Book that contains 6 pages which gave me lots of surfaces to embellish.

This is an image-intensive project wherein I used lots of collage sheets and digital image sets.

My approach was to illustrate several of my favorite Alice in Wonderland scenes although I couldn’t resist adding Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum and Humpty Dumpty from Through the Looking Glass.

In the video tutorial, I’ll walk you through how I assembled the book and how to make the mini Alice book on the cover.

NEW DIGITAL IMAGE SET

STRANGE PEOPLE DIGITAL IMAGE SET

This set is packed with all kinds of strange anthropomorphic people included are; 34 animal characters, 20 skeleton characters, 20 vegetable, and fruit people and 8 moon men for a total of 82 images. You can find some of these images on the Strange People, Strange People #2 and Halloween Carnival collage sheets. To purchase this image set, click on the image below.

VIDEO TUTORIAL

FREE IMAGES

Feel free to download these images and use them in your artwork. To save the images, right-click on the image and select the “Save image as” option on the dropdown menu.