Remembering Lily for the Poe Appreciation Hop

It's the final day of the Poe Appreciation Blog Hop.  The Linky expires at 11:55 pm PST TONIGHT but I feel I must share at least one last past project.  My favorite of all of Poe's works is Annabel Lee and this project fills me with sadness as the artist, Lily Chilvers of the Octopode Factory, also tragically passed away in 2015.  Fortunately, her art lives on and her spirit lives in the hearts of all she touched.  The stamps are still available as a set HERE and you can read the original post and details of my project HERE. ​

An InLinkz Link-up

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge-Baby it's Cold Outside

Cutting it close this time for the current Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge.  It's not like I haven't been thinking about it all week, it's just I couldn't decide on an image for the Baby it's Cold Outside Theme.  ReaLLY?  Then a friend mentioned missing my projects with The Octopode Factory Stamps and decision made.  I have to say I'm also missing the beautiful and talented artist, Lily Chilvers, behind the quirky Octopode images.  May she live on through her fabulous art.

I chose Frozen Frosty for my ATC and printed him with a digi background from a Gecko Galz digi paper pack.  He's colored with Copics with Glossy Accents on his eyes, buttons and holly berries, flocking on the pom poms at the end of his scarf, Stardust Stickles on the snow on his hat nose and umbrella and Frosted Lace Stickles outlining Frosty himself.  I added a line of icicles across the top with more Stardust Stickles and some Flower Soft snow at his feet.  (what feet?) BBBrrrr!!!  Is he giving you the shivers?

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, the Cards and More Winter/Winter Sports challenge, and Simon Says Monday Inspired by a Song (Frosty the Snowman).

Kickstart Your Art- the 7th and Final Day!

Well, it's been a fabulous week at Smeared and Smudged.  The Kickstart Your Art 7 Day Art journal Challenge is coming to a close and I've managed to make it through the entire week.  WooHoo!  I've learned a lot and had all kinds of fun, but today was a real challenge as I had 3 projects to complete.  Today's prompt was an Easy Water Blotting Background with a fabulous tut, again by LauraB.  I have to say the whole self made background thing is new to me and I've learned so much. This one was particularly fun, kinda like magic, and none too difficult, thank God!, since it was the 3rd thing I did today.

Started with Distress Inks and blending tool and then just swiped the pad on the page to get more depth of color. Spritzed with a Mini Mister and water to blend colors and blotted.

More supplies collected.  Sprayed with Dylusions, then did the water blotting with that dart thingy for the dots, the Dylusions spray cap for the open circles ana a brush for the wavy lines (I was going for an underwater look).

Had planned on a mermaid or something and then remembered the fab image from the Steampunk Misses from Octopode.  Just how I felt.  Even too tired to say more.  The page says it all.

12 Days of Creepmas Day 5

It's the 5th Day of Creepmas sponsored by the Smeared and Smudged forum (see side bar for full list of participants) and I have the perfect gifty for your favorite Scrooge.  I've made a little bottle tag to bring some Creepmas Cheer.

I've used the Tim Holtz Halloween skull die and stamp set and layered it up with a digi Santa hat that was a Freebie from The Octopode Factory and a Memory Box wreath die.

I kinda winged it on the tag itself, but did pop the stamp layers for dimension and glittered the cuff and pom pom of the Santa hat.

So what's the black stuff, you ask?  it's Blavod BLACK vodka to match Scrooge's BLACK mood (although I'll bet this attitude changes somewhat after a few nips of this.  LOL)

And doesn't it just look FABULOUS in the skully shot glass?  Great gift set, (if I do say so myself).  I tried hard to put little red gems in the eyes, but I couldn't get my fat little fingers in there.  LOL  OOOppss!  Had to do a little tasted test to make sure it was all that it's cracked up to be...YUP!  I think I'll have another.  Now off to Violent Kitty you go.

I'm also entering this in the Drunken Stampers Person:(Santa Claus) Challenge  (heehee, kinda fitting, eh?), the PunkYouGirl Black Christmas Challenge, and Left of Center Winter or Holiday Challenge.

The Octopode Factory Witches Challenge

So happy to finally play along with The Octopode Factory Friday Challenge again.  Lily's images are some of the most whimsical stamps on the net and a definite FAVE of mine.  This fortnight's challenge is Witches and I've use the newest Gloomsville witch, available separately or with the Gloomsville set for my tag or bookmark.  Kinda went all Dr. Seuss for this.  When I was considering what to do, this came to me and STUCK!  Cropped the image in my Printmaster program and of course, the words are computer generated.  Colored with Copics, inked with Distress and stamped with Tim Holtz rubber.  The twine colors match the witches.  Hope you get a kick out of it.
 

Macabre Monday Halloween in Your FACE Week Two

We're gearing up for Halloween at Haunted Design House (ok, so we sort of do that all year round, but still...) with Week TWO of our Halloween in Your Face Challenge.  We wanna see Halloween colors and images and LOtS of them.    The Minions are lucky enough to use images from the new Gloomsville set from our fabulous sponsor, THE OCTOPODE FACTORY. 

Available individually or as a set, I've chosen the Gloomsville Witch and her Gothic Cat Cesar.

I couldn't make up my mind, so I had to color her 3 different times.  The orange swirling vortex is the from the Circus Procession set at Smeared Ink.I printed it on orange card stock. cut it our with a Nesties Circle and then with the Spiral Die from Sizzix.

In order to get the depth, I mounted it on another tent card.  The stars are hand drawn and colored, the sentiment is computer generated.  Be sure to stop by Haunted Design House to see more of the Minions fabulous art using Lily's fun quirky images and be sure to play along for the chance to win! 

I'm also entering this in the Left of Center Challenge 13 (LOC theme), 613 Avenue Create #36 Anything Goes, and the DL Art Sept Linky Party.

TOFF Inspired by Music Challenge

The current challenge at Octopode is Inspired by Music and with all the hoopla about The Great Gatsby, I came up with this wall hanging.  Been dying to use one of the fab newish Flappers and this is Coco.  I searched the web for some music from the era and did a digital collage with Coco on top. (Sooo happy that the image comes in png form as well as jpg).  The keyboard and dark music is from a Graphic 45 Curtain Call 8x8 pad, the notes, Cuttlebug dies from scraps, and the "All that Jazz" Computer generated using the Theater font.

Coco is colored with Copics and I used maribou feathers for her skirt and adhesive pearls for her jewelry.  Isn't she gorgeous?  Not exactly sure that this is dark enough for the Smudgy Antics Fur and/or Feathers Challenge, but I added the real feathers with that challenge in mind.  Wouldn't you seriously LOVE a dress like that?

I'm also entering this in the Creative Inspirations "Inspired by Anything Goes" (in this case The Great Gatsby) challenge and the DLArt May Linky Challenge.

Macabre Monday Skeletal Remains

It's our second week for the Skeletal Remains Challenge at Haunted Design House sponsored by the fabulous Octopode Factory.  Lily's quirky stamps are  fave of mine and I'm thrilled that's she's offering the winner of this challenge a $15.00 gift certificate to her Etsy Shop.  I've made a Double Zig Zag card that I found on Deneen's Blog.  Thanks for the fab instructions, Deneen!  Here it is closed with a band I made with my new Spellbinders Arched Windows, and MS fence punch and Octopode's Saint Valentine, and Pirate Skull and Crossbones.

Inside a lovely graveyard wedding scene unfolds.  I've been wanting to enter the Sharon's April Guest Designer's Challenge, add an Architectural Element on the Smeared and Smudged Forum so out came the the Arched Window again, this time backed by the Fancy Lattice (also Spellbinders).  The Stair Steps are attached between the back panels and are embossed with the Tim Holts Bricked folder and the steps fold up when the card is closed.

Terrence officiates and the Day of the Dead couple are decked out in their finest for the big day.

I've used Digi Paper from Crafty Chaos (NLIB, boohoo!) with Octopode's Hallowe'en Tombstones both inside,

 

and out.  The edges are trimmed with another MS punch.

You still hangin' in there?  I kinda loved this project, even though it took me forever, so I took GOBS of pix.  LOL  But this is the last one.  Please visit Haunted Design House to see the fab makes by the rest of the Minions (both last week and this) and finds some Skeletal Remains and play along.

Besides Sharon's April Guest DT Challenge at Smeared and Smudged, I'm also entering it in the Cheerful Stamp Pad Gothic Cuties Challenge, and Left of Center (LOC).

The Altered Alice For the Love of Wonderland

"So she sat on, with closed eyes, and half believed herself in Wonderland, though she knew she had but to open them again, and all would change to dull reality--the grass would be only rustling in the wind, and the pool rippling to the waving of the reeds--the rattling teacups would change to tinkling sheep- bells, and the Queen's shrill cries to the voice of the shepherd boy--and the sneeze of the baby, the shriek of the Gryphon, and all thy other queer noises, would change (she knew) to the confused clamour of the busy farm-yard--while the lowing of the cattle in the distance would take the place of the Mock Turtle's heavy sobs." -- Chapter 12, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
 

Changes are coming for The Altered Alice. Due to pressures of work and other pesky distractions, next month will be our last regularly scheduled challenge. So this month we are sponsor-free and the design team members are sharing any projects they like that show their love of Alice.  Since our winner of last month's challenge has just been named (our Mad Hatter's watch seems to be running a bit more than 2 days slow) I made another project from our fabulous March Sponsor, The Octopode Factory.

I've made "Flip Book" with some of the most beloved characters from Wonderland. Sit back with a cuppa 'cause I've got LOADS of pix. On the cover, I have the Caterpillar who asks "Who are you? First you see each character in his/her entirety. On the opposite page there's a quote. Of course I started with Alice.

 

Next, the Mad Hatter.

 

 

The White Rabbit

 

 

The Queen of Hearts

 

 

And finally, The Chesire Cat

 

 

Each page of the book was cut in threes so the head, torsos and legs can be flipped to create fun new characters in countless ways.  The quotes then become more nonsensical as well.  See if you can tell who's who now.

 

 

 

Have to say, this one's my fave.  Dig the sentiment.  HeeHee!

 

 

 

How do you like Chessie's new hairdo?

 

 

I could go on and on.  This was so fun to make and play with.  Please visit The Altered Alice and check out the winner of the $30 Gift Certificate to The Octopode Factory and check back for the inspiration (and Linky) for our April Challenge.

 

We invite you to do the same and show us your love of Wonderland this month. You may enter older projects for this challenge only. Enter by April 27 to share the best of your Wonderland creations with our community.

We will of course have honorable mentions and a challenge winner, but you will be playing for the glory this month as we do not have a sponsor. We will try to organize some kind of prize although no promises! Would anyone like to donate a prize?

Next month, we will be sponsored by Stampotique, who took a chance on us and sponsored our very first challenge. I like the symmetry, alpha and omega, closing the circle.

We may have challenges in the future, but they will be more spontaneously scheduled, and in the meantime we will share "Alice sightings" and miscellaneous Alice projects with you, so stay tuned!

I'm also entering this in the DLArt April Linky Party , The Squirrel and the Fox Inspired by a Song or Movie Challenge and the Artistic Inspirations Anything but a Card Challenge.

__._,_.___

TOFF Easter Time Challenge

I was thrilled when TOFF announced their Easter Time Challenge ON Easter.  Since I'm always running BEHIND the holiday, it gave me a couple of weeks to get my Easter on.  WooHoo!  As it was, I didn't get my rear in gear until now, with only about 8 hours 'til the challenge closes.  Never mind, I made it, using Easter Bunny Norman and  whole crapload of chicks from the Easter and Spring Set.

I couldn't resist adding googly eyes to the chicks.  Kinda creepy, eh?  Heed Norman's warning, those Peeps are NASTY!

The Altered Alice Chapter 25: Mad as a March Hare

The Hatter was the first to break the silence. `What day of the month is it?' he said, turning to Alice: he had taken his watch out of his pocket, and was looking at it uneasily, shaking it every now and then, and holding it to his ear. Alice considered a little, and then said `The fourth.' `Two days wrong!' sighed the Hatter. `I told you butter wouldn't suit the works!' he added looking angrily at the March Hare. `It was the BEST butter,' the March Hare meekly replied. `Yes, but some crumbs must have got in as well,' the Hatter grumbled: `you shouldn't have put it in with the bread-knife.' The March Hare took the watch and looked at it gloomily: then he dipped it into his cup of tea, and looked at it again: but he could think of nothing better to say than his first remark, `It was the BEST butter, you know.' -- Chapter 7, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
 

We're so excited at The Altered Alice to be working with the fun, fabulous, quirky stamps from The Octopode Factory this month.  Lily has offered a generous $30 gift certificate to The Octopode Factory to one random winner so I'm sure you'll all be putting your crafty thinking caps on.

 [ Etsy Store - Digital | Rubber Stamps | Blog | Challenge Blog | Facebook | Flickr ]

The talented Lily Chilvers started The Octopode Factory when she was only seventeen and they were an instant hit. Originally available only in digital form, they are now also available in rubber stamps, and she has a wealth of amazing Alice in Wonderland images. Be sure to check out these wacky images through the links above!

For this challenge I took an inexpensive Walmart frame and turned it into a working clock with works from the local craft store. Instead of a pocket watch image, I chose Octopode's quirky Clockwork flower

 

 .

 I printed Clockwork Flower several times so I could fussy cut and layer it, adding some "butter" to the gears which were cut with Spellbinders dies.  It's colored with metallic Sharpies.  I also added to the "stem" so it would run the entire length of the frame.
 

 

The "Tick tock" is included with the stamp and was cut apart to add to the background.  All of the fab DP is from Heidi Grace.  I really thought it had a Wonderland feel.  Of course I added some alpha beads but didn't realize that I'd misquoted the text until just now.  It should read "Two days wrong"  OOPS!  This is gonna bug me to no end, but I can't correct it without ripping the background.  Sometimes Glossy Accents can be a little too permanent.  BUMMER!  Please ignore and promise me you won't tell.

 

 

The term "Mad as a hare’ which was common during Carroll's time, alludes to the crazy capers of the male hare during March, it's rutting season, and the straw on his head in the original Tenniel illustrations was also a symbol of madness. (from Lenny's Alice in Wonderland site)

Umm..., well this March Hare looks anything but randy and I dare say he'll need more than a cuppa before he's ready for any "crazy capers".  LOL  Where he isn't paper pieced, he's colored with Copics and is available individually HERE or as part of the 6 stamp Wonderful World of Wonderland set HERE.  The teapot is also paper pieced and is available as part of the 11 stamp Alice Elements set.

As March is the month we celebrate the mad March Hare, ANYTHING GOES is our challenge.

Please remember that although we're called The Altered Alice any and all projects are welcome.  This is the place to "get your Alice on"! 

You have until Friday, March 29 to enter your creations. As always, multiple entries are allowed but each must be on a separate post. All entries are welcome, but those that feature Wonderland will have two chances at the prize instead of one. And what a prize it is! A $30 gift certificate for digital images from the fabulous, fantastical world of The Octopode Factory!

 

I'm also entering this in the Movie Magic Monthly Alice in Wonderland Challenge, the 2 Sisters Fairytales/Fantasy challenge (I'm hoping this fits), Emergency Crafters Mad as a March Hare, Hotshot Craft anything but a Card and Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes.

Week 2: the Poetry and Prose of Poe

It's the second week of our Haunted Design House challenge honoring the poetry and prose of Poe.  Lunatic, or Romantic?  We'd like your opinion.  Certainly the man has his demons and even his truly romantic works are filled with loss and despair but I chose a few lines from my fave "Annabel Lee" that captures the essence of true love when every breath, every beat of your heart, every thought is of your "One".  Obsession?  Perhaps, but is that such a bad thing?

"and this maiden

she lived

with no other thought

than to love

and be loved

by me"

Been there, done that.  Quite a lovely way to pass the time.

I've had this one in my head for months but just couldn't quite pull it together.  Poe and Annabel Lee are from The Octopode Factory. The come individually or as a Set of 8 Poe images.  The Lighthouse is from Tiddly Inks.  I'd always planned to go monochromatic but achieving the right mood escaped me until I saw the February Junk Funk challenge on the Smeared and Smudged Forum.  Used dryer sheets!  Of course.  I've got wads of those laying around so I spritzed and inked and ripped and taped (mostly around the back) until I'd set up a proper fog.  WooHoo!

I've also been trying to enter the Octopode Factory Friday Challenge with Octopode images for months but my time always got away from me.  This fortnight is Glitter.  Perfect!  After coloring Annabel Lee with Copics, I covered her with a Be Creative Tape sheet and sprinkled on Glitter Ritz transparent microfine glitter in cool highlight.  Even though I'd colored first, this stuff is so fine that you can actually stamp and color over it without damaging your marker nibs and gave Annabel the ghostly ethereal look I was after.  Cool!

Be sure to stop by HDH to view more Minion eye candy and come join us.  Inquiring minds want to know your opinion.  Romantic, or Lunatic?  Well, I dare say love can drive you mad.  So come and join us.  Just be sure that your entry has an obvious nod to the Master, Poe. 

Wicked Wednesday Snails or Stripes

 For Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge.  Late again!  The challenge is Snails or Stripes.  Image is Octopode Factory.  So sorry!  I seem not to be able to get my act together (still!)

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.

Happy Birthday!

Aren't men cute?  They never really grow up, do they, but would we have it any other way?  Male birthday cards aren't my forte, but while I was perusing my (bazllion) digis from The Octopode Factory I came across Peter Pan.  Perfect, hee hee (it was the earring that got me).  I don't know if anyone remembers the tv special with Mary Martin playing Peter Pan, but she/he sings a song called "I won't grow up!", so I used that and created word circles in my Card Factory program 'cause I thought it looked cool and I could enter this in the TOFF Circles Challenge.  (Don't faint, it's my second entry, WOOHOO!) 

Kept the card simple.  He likes it that way.  Just colored with Copics and fussy cut.  So loved the eyes I popped them twice.

Inside, another Octopode Factory image.  This time Pinocchio.  He kind of inspired the sentiment (changed the age because I thought it was more fitting).  Nice woody!  Hope this is good for a giggle.  I think I'll leave it at that.

This also conveniently works with the Annabelle Stamps Say it With Spots, Dots, and Anything Round.  I'm hoping I can sneak in another entry over there with an Annabelle Stamp I WON over there but I've got to finish my DT stuff first.

I'm also entering this in the Clearly Inspired Circles Challenge, the Fat Pages and Cards with Attitude anything Goes/Music challenge (inspired by the song "I Won't Grow Up"), and Penny's Paper-Crafty Masculine Challenge.