Macabre Monday Vile Vintage (Warning! Possibly offensive or at the very least, distasteful...just sayin')

This week at HDH our challenge is Vile Vintage, take something vintage and make it vile or use something vintage you find vile.  This one was a total no brainer for me.  Behold a layout featuring Victorian Post Mortem Photography (meaning, at least somebody in these pics are DEAD, peeps, not sleeping, DEAD.  EEEEWWWW!!!!).  Apparently this was common practice back in the day, with professional photography being pretty pricey, so in some cases these were the ony photos families had of their loved ones.  Gives me the total creeps. I'm not overly fond of wakes, either and the images of people I've seen who were dead are permanently burned into my memory, so having a reminder to hang on the wall is not my cup of tea.

How about a whole family shot?  Often the dead person was propped up or put on a stand and their eyes were painted in later.  As keeper of the family archives on both sides, I actually thought I had a few of these, but upon further investigation, I guess a lot of my family just wasn't that photogenic.  LOL  No question here who the dead ones are.  The coffins sort of give that away.  Bummer it's a twofer.  Sooo sad.  I did make the fab mat for this which reminded me of many of my vintage photos.  I used the Cuttlebug Gracie's Frame folder with Tim Holtz Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection card stock and sanded it after using a craft knife to cut out the inside.  Looks just like some of my real antique mats. 

Or just the kids?  Don't they look thrilled?  Couldn't resist the title, done with my Dymo.

The photo album and camera are from Graphic 45.  Added a dried rose that could have been part of a funeral bouquet.  Don't know if you can read the rest of the title, but it says "and say cheese".  I really edited the photos I found on the net.  Some were either too heart wrenching or just plain gross.  I got a kick out of how pissed this little girl looks having to pose with her dead brother.  Her look says "Are we done yet?"  Wondering if it was starting to smell like cheese (limberger, I'd bet) in there since I'm pretty sure this was before embalming was popular.  Okay, I could go on and on about this but I'll release you to the rest of the Minions HERE to see what exactly they find vile and can't wait to see how you interpret our Vile Vintage Challenge.

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge "F" is for...

Don'tcha just LOVE ATC's?  Working in minature allows a few minutes of crafting time (ok, maybe more than a few, but...) to turn into something pretty darn cute and they're so much fun to make.  I had those few minutes and wanted to join in this week's Wicked Wednesday "F" is for...challenge.  (Stop laughing Carole and Margie)  In my case, F is for friend.  I used another of the new framed images at Dilly Beans, complete with sentiment.  You can find it HERE and BTW, Megan has a sale going on at the SHOP through July 4th of buy 10, get 10 free.  I just loved paper piecing these cute little gals and the frame sized perfectly in my Printmaster Program to work on the 2 1/2" by 3 1/2" card requirement.  I'm so glad there's that Saturday Reminder for the Wicked Wednesday Challenges or I might have missd this one.  And there's just loads of inspiration from the DT two times a week.  WooHoo!   I'm also entering this in the ATC's and Cards with Attitude challenge # 17 Anything Goes.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend.  Where'd our sunshine go?

Dilo en Espanol Blog Hop Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the fabulous Dilo en Espanol (Say it in Spanish) Blog hop, celebrating the new release of  6 new clear stamps designed by Megan K. Suarez (of Dilly Beans) HERE as well as the new Bella Amistad sentiment set which is all about friendship.  Each of Megan's designs is available individually as well, shipping July 6th.  WoooHoo!  If you've arrived from the fabulous Cristina's Blog you're on the right track.  If not, you may wish to start HERE at the Dilo in Espanol Blog so you don't miss a thing.  There are prizes to be had, chosen randomly, so don't forget to comment on each of the stops.

My project features the lovely Cualtzin.  She's colored with Copics and I've added tiny metal roses to her hair.  She's fussy cut and popped a top a felt coaster and adorned with additional flowers.  The sentiment is from the Muy Agradecido set, although she comes with a sentiment of her own that translates to  "The dead to the grave, the living to mischief".  I plan to get some use out of that fun sentiment, as well. So off you go to Stefani's fabulous blog for more inspiration.  If you get lost long the way, here's a complete list of today's hop destinations and if you missed yesterday, scroll down at Dilo en Espanol and check out Friday's lineup as well.

Dilo En Español- http://www.retosabby.com/
Monica- http://www.monicascreativemadness.com/
Yvonne- http://scrappingisbliss.blogspot.com/
Gaby- http://www.gabycreates.com/
Xochitl- http://cricutcritter.blogspot.com/
Michelle- http://www.scrappinwithmybug.com/
Kate- http://scrapperscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Cristina- http://rutscht.blogspot.com/
Donna- http://donnamundinger-popsicletoes.blogspot.com/
Stefani - http://www.stylesbystefani.blogspot.com/
Gloria- http://creepyglowbugg.blogspot.com/
Melissa Nash- http://8ers.blogspot.com/
Abby- http://www.scrapbookaholicbyabby.com/

Dilly Beans TAGS!

TGIF!!!!  Couldn't have come sooner.  LOL  We're playing TAG at the Dilly Beans Challenge blog this week and I guess I'm still in a patriotic frame of mind.  I've used one of Megan's newest images, #427 Happy Birthday Framed (check the rest of them out HERE) and changed the coloring of the sentiment with my Printmaster Pro Program and then copied and pasted the "happys" to make the background paper as well.  Fun, fun!  Great for a July birthday, or just celebrating the 4th, don'tcha think?  She's colored with Copics and I've added tiny adhesive stars to her dress and a metallic one to her party hat.  The star behind her is a Nestie.  I've been hoarding that red, white and blue ribbon for the perfect project and this was it!  I kinda love how this turned out.  Tags are soo much fun to make.  For more inspiration visit the Challenge Blog.  Hope you join us this week.

I'm also adding this to CCEE Stampers Tags Challenge, Cute Card Thursday Patriotic Challenge, Moving Along with the Times Birthday Challenge, Shelly's Images Stars Stripes and Sparkle (the tiny stars on her dress are sparkly),and the AUD Sentiments Bingo Challenge (I've used "Happy", Ribbon, Die Cut).

BBTB2 Patriotic Project

Happy Monday!  It's time for another challenge at BBTB2, this time chosen by my dear friend and fellow MSU Spartan, Susan and wait 'til you see the FABULOUS challenge and project she has in store for you.  Susan chose a Patriotic theme which gives everyone the opportunity to create for the Fourth a full week in advance.  WooHoo!  We're so hoping to see tons of red, white and blue from you all!  I couldn't help but go to A Child's Year for a start since the adorable silhouettes really bring sweet memories of the celebrations of my childhood.  I love a parade!  But then I saw that little guy on the rocket and just had to use him.  (I love fireworks even MORE!)

Shaped front using the shadows of the boy, fireworks from Stand and Salute, and sentiment from Celebrations.  I took my colors from the fab striped DP with a little extra pop for the fireworks with gold and silver mirror CS.  I wasn't quite sure what color to cut the boy in.  All red didn't do it for me, so I cut him again in the light blue and trimmed a bit on both cuts and embossed and popped the layers to add a bit more interest.

I really lucked out on the tiny stars.  They're glitter foam I had in my stash and they fit perfectly on the cut.  The dimensional stars in the center of the fireworks were also in my stash.  I managed quite a bit of dimension and finished off the sentiment with a bit of doodling.  My DT sisters have truly knocked this one out of the park, so be sure and visit BBTB2 and start waving your flag.  Can't wait to see what you create.

I'm also entering this in My Sheri Crafts "Oh I Love America" Challenge.

Macabre Monday Strange Brew

Hello, creepsters.  Miss me last week?  Seems I just couldn't get it together for Eerie Elegance, but this week at Haunted Design House we have a Strange Brew "Recipe Challenge" in honor of our sponsor Strange Skin.  I fancy myself quite the gourmet, so this is right up my alley.  And they always say, "The way to a man's heart is through his...no (you naughty minds!) STOMACH"!  I've chosen the fabulous Love You to the Bone.  Our mission was to create a dark, Gothic or Halloween based piece using the recipe: 2 layers+main image panel+metal bits+black pearls+single punched element+ribbon/trim.  Easy peasy, eh?

A couple things of note.  The keyhole on the image made me crave some DP with keys but there was none to be found in my stash so I embossed printed paper with one of the Cuttlebug folders from the Sentimentals Cricut companion set and sanded it.  I have to remember that.  I rarely emboss printed paper but I really love how it turned out.

The image was printed twice and the front of the ribcage was fussy cut and popped so there was room for my single punched element (the heart).  My metal bits are the key and Muse token.  Fabby red ribbon trim.  Looks like shredded stockings, me thinks.

Black pearls, no problem.  Heck, half the cards I make have those on 'em.  So in case you're missing that this is all about love, here's the sentiment.  Not a requirement, just how I'm feeling.  Put it all together and it reads "Only you hold the key to my heart forevermore".  xxxxx  Now off you go to HDH to see the rest of the Minions' fab creations and we sure do hope you cook up one of your own.  Don't you just love a good potluck?

I'm also entering this in the Poisoned Peas Goth/Emo Challenge, and the Forever Night Anything Goes Challenge.

Dilly Beans DOTS

Gee, as if you couldn't tell.  LOL  Our Dilly Beans challenge this week is DOTS!  Perhaps I took that a bit tooo seriously.  Lots of the adorable framed images at the Dilly Beans Shop have fun dotty backgrounds.  This time I chose #354 Amalia Framed (and flipped her).  She's easy to paper piece and I took my color scheme from the Sabrina 8x8 paper pack from Making Memories.  Just added a dotty bow and called it done.  Come on over to the Dilly Beans Challenge blog and go dotty!  Loads of inspiration and be sure to check out the SHOP where there's loads of new stamps.  WooHoo! 

I'm also entering this in the Fab 'n Funky Polka Dots Challenge, Ruby's Rainbow Black White and One Other Color challenge, Shelly's Images Anything Goes, and Nutcrafters Spots/and or Stripes.

Wicked Wednesday Pantomine Challenge

Just under the wire for this week's Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge which is Pantomime/ Express Feelings Without Words.  My first thought the the adorable Sad Little Pierrot from the Octopode Factory (the fab sponsor this week) but that was what the fab DT worked with.  So I sort of forgot about it until today while I was browsing images for my Dilly Beans Challenge for Friday.  WooHoo, Megan's #153 Cheshire Cat has about the biggest grin imaginable so I tabled all other projects and quickly went to work.  Sometimes you've just gotta go where the mojo flows.  Besides, I'm in kind of a smiley mood, so...

A couple of things that were still laying out on my table (big surprise) ended up on this ATC, like the lidded google eyes and the action wobble.  Can't stop giggling when he shakes his head with excitement.  His bow is attached under his chin so that moves too.  LOL  OOps, gotta scrape off some of my messy stickles on his teeth before they dry.  I told you I was in a hurry. Gotta go link.  

BBTB2 Birthday Card with Pearls

Clearly, I'm having a bit of trouble crafting these days, so you'll have to wait for Macabre Monday to be posted on Wretched Wednesday.  Awww, don't cry.  LOL  I did manage this week's BBTB2 challenge though, chosen by one of our fabulous new DT members, Stephanie.  Stephanie wants to see Birthday Cards with pearls.  My first thought was to go elegant of course, but last week while browsing through the booklet of Sesame Street Friends trying to remember why the heck I bought that cart, I came across this hilarious frog.  THAT was why!  Isn't she (actually I think he's called "frog prince".  OOps!  not today! LOL) about the cutest froggy EVER?  There's a birthday coming up and considering how late I always am with cards (if they ever get sent at all) I decided this was a perfect opportunity.  Clearly, she will know immediately this card is for her, but the surprise will be if it actually shows up in the mail.  Better yet, on TIME!  HeeHee!

Yup, shaped front.  I'd actually checked My Cut Search to see if there already was a phrase "Hoppy Birthday" because I was feelin' kinda lazy and there was, on Birthday Bash.  However, it didn't fit into my design all that well so I welded the shadow letters using the font from that cart instead.  To make it a bit sturdier, I added a swirl from Ashlyn's Alphabet.  I thhink it kinda makes it look like shes twirling.  Well come on, I know it's Monday, but use your imagination.  Besides, more places to put pearls.

There isn't quite as much regular dimension because I wanted to put our little ballerina on an action wobble.  As it is, she's not exactly light on her feet, but she still dances...sort of.  And aren't her pretty pearly toenails FAB?

Well, this obviously explains the choice of attire.  I just love this sentiment.  It does look a bit plain though, come to think of it, but I prefer the front of a shaped card to hide the inside sentiment and there wasn't a whole lot of room.  Perhaps I can add a little something before I send it.  My DT sisters have glorious inspiration this week (well, don't they ALWAYS?) so be sure and hop over to BBTB2 and have a look see.  We sure would love it if you'd play along too, but we've been having a bit of trouble lately with people not following the rules.  I sure hate to have to delete an entry, so please make sure you've got your bases covered before linking up.  As always, you have 2 weeks for the challenge which means there's still time to enter our Rose Challenge HERE.  Enjoy your week!

Dilly Beans Sugar

It's Friday and that means time for a new challenge at the Dilly Beans Challenge Blog.  Our challenge is "Sugar".   Open to interpretation, I'd say.  I chose to go the sweet candy route with #199 Batboy Loves Candy flying over the fabulous #282 Candy Border.  I went all pastel with the coloring because I think Batboy looks pretty darn sweet in his little onesie.  I added some Stickles for some sugary texture and mounted the mat embossed with a Cuttlebug Mini Monsters Cricut companion folder on top of two glitter mats...YUMBO!  "Sweet" is a rub-on from Heidi Grace and I was thrilled that it still worked over the embossing.  We seem to be running a bit behind at the Challenge Blog, but my DT sisters have some fab inspiration, so either wait awhile or click on their names on the sidebar to see what they've been up to.  I'm also entering this in the Incy Wincy More Than One Digi challenge.

Macabre Monday Perlexing Pigment Play

Okay, you non creepmeisters. Here's your chance for a none too creepy challenge from the Minions at Haunted Design House.  Every once in awhile we're lured by creepy cuteness and this is one of those weeks.  We're proud to be sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps who's vast array of adorable images even a Minion can love.  Our challenge is to create a dark, creepy(cute) or Halloween based project using the colors purple, lime green, teal and black.
 
We are sponsored this week by

Bugaboo has generously offered up 7 free images from their online store!

They have so many cute and unique images,
I'm sure you'll find something that fits your crafting needs.
Bugaboo also have a challenge blog and they give away
a free digital image every week. It's a great way to check out
digis without the commitment or the cash.

I've chosen the adorable Halloween Skelekinz - Sitter and perched her atop one of the branches of the Skull Tree Silhouette.  I cropped out the cat and pumpkin from this digi in my Printmaster Program and printed it directly on DP, and then again on yellow cardstock and cut out the full moon with my Nesties and pasted it on.  The adorable witch is colored with Copics and fussy cut and popped.  the sentiment is Stampin' Up.  For those of you die hards who can't quite swallow cuteness, I urge you to check out the Silhouette section of Bugaboo where some pretty fab and creepy images can be found.  For everyone else, all Bugaboo is a veritable candy store of digi delights.  Be sure to visit HDH and see what the Minions and Guest minions have in store for you.

And I'm apologizing in advance, but as of this morning, I'm missing the BBTB2 challenge this week.  It's designed, but I just couldn't get it together.  Perhaps later, but not today.  So sorry.  Sometmes I just need a break.  If you're dying for a Cricut card.  Please scroll down for the Graduation card I DID manage to finish.

Graduation 2012

TWO of my BFF's sons have graduated high school this year.  I've known them since before they were born and I think I'm as proud as their parents to see how they've grown into amazing young men.  I was lucky enough to attend Alex's graduation on Thursday but Andy's was in Michigan and his party is today.  Bummer I'm missing it and of course, his card is late.  (Big surprise, eh Beck?)Don't look, 'cause Andy's card may just be pretty darn similar (or at least look surprised when it finally comes in the mail.  LOL xx)

Don't faint, Sandy E.  It's a Cricut card and it's not even Monday.  Shaped front, of course.  The cuts are welded in DS from Happy Graduation and Varsity Letter to a rounded rectangle from George.  Cool that Dublin High colors are red, white and blue so I could use some 3D star stickers I got at M's.

The diploma is embossed in the center with a script folder and I used a stylis on the ends that seems invisible in the pix.  At least you can see the dimension.  I almost didn't get pix at all, since I finished this about 10 minutes before we were supposed to leave and I wasn't dressed yet.  Well worth the effort, though.  Alex is one of my biggest fans as far as card making goes.

I'm also entering this in the SJ Crafts Shop Monthly Challenge #5 All About the Boy and the something extra I've used from my stash are the dimensional star stickers (at least 2 years old), The Card a Day June Red White and Blue Challenge, and the Cooking with Cricut End of School Year/Graduation Challenge.