BBTB2 Halloween Witch Challenge

Oh my!  Halloween is almost here.  Are you ready?  We gals at BBTB2 sure are.  My dear and talented friend, fellow MSU Spartan and DT Sister Susan, has chosen any witch from any cartridge as our challenge this week at BBTB2 and there are lots of them from "witch" to choose.  LOL  Since Goliath has been terrorizing the backyard, the critters are up in arms and have called upon the powers of this cutie from Happy Hauntings.  They've asked her (him?) to conjure up a spell to make them all invisible to cats.  Best of luck!  I'm sorta sick of scooping up body parts from the back porch.

It's a shaped front card, welded in DS.  The "EEK!" is also from Happy Hauntings and the big ol' moon, just a circle from George.  Not sure why, but I also seem to always favor a rounded rectangle for the back.  Softer look maybe, or just a creature of habit. And I can't tell you how thrilled I was to find BLACK Alpha Beads.  BE STILL MY HEART!  There a a few little details, like wire whiskers, a bit of doodling and a fuzzy nose.  The teeny bats are from K&Co.

Yup, she's layered up, alright.  If I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna do it right, which brings me to an apology for not participating last week.  I'm really not a "work ahead" kinda gal.  (wish I were but...)  Of all of my DT's, BBTB2 is the most difficult and time consuming for me (but also one of the most rewarding).  I've been on the team for a long time and have been asked to do some of the same challenges over and over.  Since I really put my heart into them, sometimes I just can't come up with a new idea.  I just can't get past a favorite project from before, or like last week, I wrack my brain and come up with something, and it just doesn't pass muster.  I've been having a bit of a crafting crisis lately and rather than post something I'm ashamed of, I just can't post at all.  Sorry, it's a matter of personal pride in my work, especially if it's for a DT.  I really appreciate the fact that probably the majority of my followers come here for Cricut inspiration, so that's a bit of an added pressure.  Sometimes though, I want to try new things, explore different mediums.  I hope I don't let you down.

I'm also entering this in the Moving Along With the Times Too Cute to Spook Challenge, the Scrapilicious USA Halloweenie Challenge, and Crafty Creations Halloween Spooks.

Dilly Beans Halloween Challenge

OOOps!  sorry about the late post, here.  Had to run to the airport and pick up the hubby.  This week at Dilly Beans we have our final Halloween Challenge.  Instead of a card, I did a little witch's broom treat bag (Google it, there's tons of tuts) and decorated it with the adorable #150 Framed Halloween and Candy Witch (scroll down to the bottom of the page for her).  She's colored with Copics, her lolly sparkles with Stickles and there's a bit of Glossy Accents on the candy on her hat.  The little candy string is by K&Co.  The team has some fabulously bright and fun projects for you so be sure to check them out HERE.

I'm also entering this in the Scrapalicious USA Halloweenie Challenge and the Decorate to Celebrate Halloween Party (Part 2).

Haunted Design House Nosferatu Ad nauseum

Well, today I'm doing the mid week inspiration ( 'cause I obviously couldn't get my act together this past weekend) post for Haunted Design House and the theme is Nosferatu Ad nauseum  (Vampires, lots and lots of VAMPIRES).  WooHoo!

Our sponsor this week is Rick St. Dennis.

Rick has a wonderfully dark line of Creepmas images and many
masterfully drawn everyday macabre images.
He also has more mainstream images available as well.

Now not only have the Minions been given some digis to work with, but
BOTH Gruesome Twosomes will win 3 digis of their choice.
I think we will be inundated with entries this week!

There is also a challenge blog called Sparkle and Glitter with Rick St. Dennis,
which features a couple of our own Minions as DT members.

Rick has so many fab vamps in his collection that I had a hard time choosing but then I fell in love with the handsome and irresistible Baron Blood. (I think it was the earring.  I just wanna nibble nibble ear, don't you?) 

I lovingly colored him with a mix of Copics and Prisma Pencils but then made the fatal error of deciding he needed to sparkle.  Out came the Stickles which masked the ab fab job I'd done on his hair.  Now he sorta looks like he just stepped out of the shower (do Vamps shower or do they rely on their natural musky scent to seduce?) which ain't a bad thought either but...  P.S., note the earring, it's a real one and BTW, there is a sparkle in his eye too, but it's not showing up in the pic. 

 As you can see, he be 3D.  Again, a labor of LOVE!  xx

 

The cool vampire bat is another of Rick's that I'd won last year while participating in the 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop over at Smeared Ink (going on now, and you can still win daily prizes) but you can find him HERE in the shop.

Pretty simple card but it wouldn't be complete without a liberal dose of Drippy Goo.  The sentiment is in Alpha Beads, perhaps not the best font but it's the only one they come in and the scale was right and how about them chompers?  Oh yeah, BITE ME and drain me dry, you Bad Boy!

I'm aso entering this in the Sparkle and Glitter with Rick Sweet or Spooky Halloween, and Digital Tuesday Halloween/Spooky.

Week 3 Chapter 20- Twinkle Like a Bat, Shine Like a Tea Tray

...it was at the great concert given by the Queen of Hearts, and I had to sing "Twinkle, twinkle, little bat!How I wonder what you're at!"You know the song, perhaps?' `I've heard something like it,' said Alice. `It goes on, you know,' the Hatter continued, `in this way:-- "Up above the world you fly,Like a tea-tray in the sky.Twinkle, twinkle--"'-- Chapter 7, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
 

 Just like the Mad Hatter's song, we at The Altered Alice, want you to create something that twinkles or shines; bats are optional! Think bling, metal, glitter, mirror card; the possibilites are endless! Some of the design team will be using some very unusual Alice-inspired designs. Just like you dress up for Halloween and take on another persona, these racy images have Alice and other characters all grown up and taking a walk on the wild side!

My project is a wall hanging using the fabulous White Rabbit Single, one of our great sponsor's fabulous Wonderland images.  This ain't no ordinary fairy tale.  LOL

Our sponsor this month is Smeared Ink, home of edgy, wild and fun designs in rubber and digital forms has released a Wonderland Collection; images are available individually or as a set. The randomly-chosen winner of this month's challenge will receive a $15 shopping spree in their online store.

Smeared and Smudged is an online community of rubber stampers and crafters who enjoy using alternative, gothic, edgy, and unique stamps in their designs. We thrive on different and unusual. We welcome the macabre and devious side of things, and most of all, we embrace ALL types and styles of art. Whether or not you “come to the dark side”, your creations should be a reflection of you. At Smeared and Smudged, the most important thing is being yourself. There are lots of ways to interact with the community! [ Ning Community | Challenge Blog | Facebook Group ]

Here's a close-up of the fabulous image.  I've colored with a mix of Copics and metallic gel pens and added a serious amount of bling with adhesive gems.  The clock hands are part of the Tim Holtz die cut I've layered the image on.

I had a particulary fun time with the White Rabbit herself, fussy (or should I say fuzzy, LOL) cutting and flocking her and adding a fluffy white tail.

The fabulous glittered and embossed wings were done with the Cuttlebug Vintage Collage Emboss Plus folder, the scalloped circle and shaped mat layer with Nesties Grands.  Time certainly does fly, almost right off the page as each layer is popped with dimensional foam.

Finally, I've added tea time charms from Alpha Stamps  and spelled out the rather obvious sentiment with colored Alpha Beads. (I just couldn't help myself).
There is more fabulous inspiration for our sparkly theme on The Altered Allice and if you haven't already, scroll down to see the previous 2 week's offerings.  There's still time to shine in this month's challenge.

Enter your project by Friday, October 25 for a chance at the shopping spree. As always, multiple entries are encouraged (after all, this is a monthly challenge) but each entry must be on a separate post. All projects that meet the challenge criteria are welcome, but entries that feature Wonderland will have two chances with each project entered instead of one.  DON'T BE LATE!

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Your Favorites Challenge (mine being dimensional layering, combining stamps and die cuts, and Alice in Wonderland.)

Dilly Beans Cute and Creepy

It's Friday and that means another fun Challenge at Dilly Beans.  We're gearing up for Halloween and asking for Cute and Creepy.  I've used the adorable #476 Me & Pops and #478 Little Monster & Bat.  It's just a fun family out trick or treating.  The sentiment is a freebie from Tiddly Inks found HERE on Christy's Blog.  It's cut and matted with Nesties labels Eighteen and embellished with a Wonky Eyed Skull from our own Creepy Glowbugg's Etsy Shop.  (Fab stuff there, just sayin')

It's an easel card.  Been awhile since I've done one and they make the cutest scenes.

The monsters were merged in Printmaster, printed a  whole bunch of times, colored with Copics and fussy cut and layered within an inch of their lives.  I must say fussy cutting is theraputic when you're having a bad night and major bout with insomnia.  I even layered the bat and wired him.  HeeHee!

The house is a Tim Holtz for Sizzix die that I've embossed with the Bricked Sizzix folder.  The roof is cut again, popped and embossed with Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes.  The cool banner is K&Co.  So it's time to get creepy and cute and join us at The Dilly Beans Challenge blog.  Loads of adorable inspiration by the rest of the team there too.

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Joy's Eerie Inspiration challenge.

Rick St. Dennis Sparkle and Glitter Challenge

 

How exciting!  Rick St. Dennis has a new Challenge Blog and I'm so happy to be able to play along with his very first challenge Anything Goes With Sparkle and Glitter (how apropo!)  I had a hard time choosing which of Rick's fab digis to use but finally decided on WacKy WiTCh because she totally looks like a "glitter girl".  The sentiment is a combo of black Alpha Beads and Cricut.  I welded letters from the Stamped cartridge which I ran through my Xyron right side down and coated with chunky glitter.

I colored her with Copics and then added Stickles, metallic gel and Spica pens for additional glitz.  Sure wish it showed up a little better.  The fussy cutting gave me fits since I'm at the age where multi-focal lenses are appropriate but eventually it was all good.

She's popped on an action wobble which is why I decided to cut her out.  I snipped apart a bling web but forgot to put my cute spider gem brads in the center before I took the pix and as I'm still having issues with the desk top, you're just gonna have to take my word for it.  It really bugs me that they're not here, though.  The upper corner spider has amber gems, while the bottom one is purple.

Now look at her Boo-gie!   Sure wish I could figure out how to do a video. You still have a day to enter this fab challenge and the DT and participants have done an outstanding  job.  See ya there!  (BTW, you don't even have to use one of Rick's images to play, but if you do, you get 2 chances to win.  WooHoo!)

Wicked Wednesday's First Birthday

Congrats to Jenn and the gang at Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge.  They just turned 1 and I almost missed the party.  Strawberry Girl from The Octopode Factory DP from MME.  Gotta run and get this uploaded.

BBTB2 Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge

Happy Monday, everyone.  Time for another challenge at BBTB2.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and that is our theme in honor of those we've loved and lost, those who have fought and won and those who we hope will never be touched by this horrible disease.

I've chosen the signature pink for my color scheme. It's a shape front card I designed in DS using a shape from Lacy labels welded to the shadow of the ribbon from Stand and Salute and "Hope" from Home Decor.

The butterfly is a Spellbinders die.  Here's the dimension shot.  I've added embossing and adhesive pearls to accent the cuts.  Please visit BBTB2 to view our inspiring projects.

I'm also adding this to the Simon Says Stamp Dies or Punches Challenge.

Macabre Monday R.I.P.

I'm finally liiving up to my Creepy Cricut Cween Minion moniker with what I think is a dlightfully creepy card from the October 31st cartridge.  Our challenge at Haunted Design House is R.I.P. this week.  You know, graveyards, gravestones, and the like.

Because there are no shadows or other layers on this cart, I had to mess a bit with hiding contours and some trimming to get the dimension I wanted.  Then inked, shaded a bit with Copics and added some moss.

The scary dude on top is welded to the back only.  The letters are stickers and the cross a Spellbinder's die.  sorry for the short post.  (Well, short for me anyway.)  both my laptop and my desktop are giving me fits and I don't even know when I log on whether I can upload pix or post or comment at all.  Tearing my hair out!  Please stop by HDH and check out the glorious inspiration by the rest of the Minions and don't forget our mid week inspiration from Creepy Glo.

I'm also adding this to the Simon Says Stamp Dies or Punches Challenge.

Dilly Beans Spooky Girls

I'm having major issues with my computer that is screwing with everything imaginable.  It especially doesn't want to upload pix so I'm pulling my hair out.  WooHoo!  Looks like this one took.  Our challlenge this week at Dilly Beans is Spooky Girls.  I've used #379 Ophelia's Heart but instead of having her heart on the string, she's walking her pet spider in front of the cemetary.  She's such a girly ghoul, colored with Copics and popped.  The punches are MS and the tombstone is a Cuttlebug die.  The DT has a bevy of beauties that are too cute to sppok so go have a look and come and join along.  We had 50 participants last week.  WooHoo!

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Dies or Punches Challenge, Moving Along with the Times Tag it Challenge, and the Scrapalicious USA Tag! You're It! challenge.

BBTB2 Happy Fall/Pumpkin Challenge

This week at BBTB2 our lovely and talented Glenda has asked us to celebrate Fall by using a pumpkin in our project.  The catch?  NO HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS.  I'm always avoiding the Disney carts because of the tiny detailed cuts, but the fablous pumpkin and vines on Happily Ever After called to me so I decided to give it a go.  I welded the shadow to the shadow of "Give Thanks" from Phrases and went from there.  Because my Cricut blades are terribly dull and I haven't been able to find replacements for awhile, I cut this pretty large.  (I'm thinkin' 4" for each, but I almost never pay attention to that.)  Oops!  Too large for a card, in fact so this project hasn't found it's final resting place.  I was going to attach a ribbon for a door hanger, but I'm leaning towards matting and framing it.  As usual, I was late in finishing it so for now, it is what it is.

Here's the dimension shot.  I intended one more layer so I could pop the "T", "a", and "s" in "Thanks" (which were trimmed from the entire phrase by hand) but my crap blade and non sticky mat screwed up the last pumpkin shadow I would have needed to do that, so I glued the plaid letters flat.  I shadowed the pumpkin and leaves a bit with Copics and did a little doodling and called it done enough to submit.  LOL  I'm telling you, I really am struggling with the crafting these days.  Hope I can snap out of it.  My teamies are on the ball with fabulous projects, so be sure and stop by BBTB2 and have a look see.  Can't wait to see what you have in mind, too, but remember to follow the rules and make your Cricut cut pumpkin NON HALLOWEEN or it will vanish without a trace from the Linky.

Macabre Monday Bats in the Belfry

Still struggling on the crafting scene but our current challenge at Haunted Design House posed all sorts of inspiration. I've always been pretty fascinated with bats.  I remember walking around the block as a little girl and one of the trees sort of tweaked the sidewalk and at the base was a hollow where baby bats were hanging, all snug in their nest.  Too cool!  I love, love, LOVE the little critters!  Well, Bats in the Belfry sort of means you're nuts and that sort of fits.  LOL  I went literal and found a copyright free image of a belfry on the net and added a ton of bats from the Smeared Ink A Little Bit Batty Set, specifically Bat 3 and Bat 2, which are also available as singles.

This is actually a wall hanging.  The mats were cut with various Nesties Grands with my Grand Caliber and attached wort of wonky, simulating the irratic flight.  (Hey Fi, look at the tassels!)

Loads of dimension as I printed the batties multiple times and fussy cut up a storm.  Really wanted it to look like they were coming at ya!  Besides the general inking, I actually spritzed a bit with my Mini misters and Distress reinkers.   Oh what fun!  My teamies rocked this challenge so go have a look HERE.

Dilly Beans Black Purple and Pink

Clearly I'm having trouble getting back in the crafting groove but I did manage this week's Dilly Beans Challenge which is Black, Purple and Pink.  I've used the adorable Teeghan's Spider Framed 2 which was a tough call because Megan has added so many fab new stamps to the Dilly Beans Store.  I printed her multiple times, on white and then on purple for the background.  Her hair is paper pieced and I'll give you a little tip,  to paper piece with a dark background, flip your original image and then print on the reverse side so you can see where to cut.  After about 4 different tries, I finally managed to punch around the page with Martha's webby punch (I swear it's designed to make you feel like a total idiot) and added a gingham bow and flower from my stash.

Had a bit of fun with dimension with the skully bow and cute spider and couldn't resist some google eyes and gems for the skull.  Be sure to visit the Dilly Beans Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the DT cooked up this week and come play along.

I'm also entering this in Shelly's Images Tic Tac Toe Challenge (using ribbon, free, and die cut or punch), Addicted to Stamps and More Halloween Challenge, and the Art With No Bounderies October/Halloween Challenge.

BBTB2 Tree Challenge

Happy Monday everyone!  Do you believe it's OCT 1?  I certainly can't, especially since we're having more of a heat wave than we did nearly all summer.  I'm afraid I have to apologise to our fabulously talented hostess Jayne at BBTB2 today, because I didn't complete my  project for this week.  I've been in Chicago for my 40th high school class reunion and the excitement (and stress) of traveling did me in.  Decided to pull out some previous "Tree Projects" just so there was something new (well, old, but YKWIM) on the blog here.  I think the one above is my absolute fave from April 5th 2010.  The baby rocks.  You can read about it HERE.

The second one was published in the March 2012 Cricut Magazine on pages 104 and 105.  (yea!) You can read about it HERE.

Okay, that's enough because you really really really have to rush over to BBTB2 and see the absolutely FABULOUS work by the DT this week.  Looks like they didn't miss me a bit.  LOL  Also, although I'm a bit behind at commenting and visiting everyone because of my trip, I can't wait to see what you come up with for this wonderful challenge.  Just remember the rules and cut your tree with the Cricut.