Saturday, October 27, 2018

The Memory of It...

Hi friends!

I have a fun Halloween project today created with a small Etcetera Tombstone.  I started by adding Worn Wallpaper (Halloween) to the surface with Collage Medium.  I also added a layer of Collage Medium over the top to seal the paper then dried the surface with a heat tool.
I used the Falling Stars Layering Stencil and Grit-Paste to add stars to the background.  This process does take a little patience as you need to wait for one side to dry before adding the stars to the other side.
At the beginning of the drying process I used a Q-tip to remove a few stars to give more open space.  This is the reason I added the Collage Medium in the beginning - it sealed the paper which allows you to remove the Grit-Paste star with no residue.  You could not do this if it was just the Worn Wallpaper.
Now wait...tick-tock!
About 30 minutes later I added the stars to the right side of the tag.  Now wait again for the Grit-Paste to dry!
While waiting, I painted the Tombstone parts that come with the tag.  Once dry, I sanded each piece quite heavily.
When sanding like this it always brings up little pieces of the wood.
I solved this problem by rubbing a thin layer of Collage Medium over the surface.  Perfect medium for this job!
I added more Worn Wallpaper to the center and added a layer of Collage Medium to seal the paper.
 Because I sealed the Worn Wallpaper I can add Distress Crayon to the slick surface.
So my Grit-Paste stars are now dry.
Another thin layer of Collage Medium right over the top of the stars (yes, I always use my hands to get a thin coat.).
Dry with a heat tool.
I scribbled three colors of Distress Crayons on the non-stick mat then used a damp paint brush to color the surface (stars and all).  Remember the surface is sealed so you can pounce a wet wipe to remove crayon if it gets too dark.  Dry with a heat tool.
Once the surface was dry, I scribbled Tarnished Brass Distress Crayon over the stars and then rubbed it in with my fingertip.
 I even added a bit of Stickles!
I wanted to create a shelf for this piece so I used my Tonic scissors to cut two Ruler Pieces to size.  I sandwiched them together with Collage Medium and used two binder clips to hold them in place for about 5 minutes.
I colored the shelf with Black Soot Distress Ink.  Once you rub the ink over the Ruler, spritz it with water to let the ink run then dry with a heat tool.
 Once you adhere the two pieces that come with the Tombstone, you can add the shelf to the top.
 While the shelf is drying, I cut a Baseboard frame to make a doorway.
I rubbed more Grit=Paste on the inside edge of the frame and let it dry (what's with all this drying time?)
 Okay, so I'll color my Paper Doll with Distress Markers while I wait.
I waited at least 40 minutes before moving on to this step - it all depends on how thick the Grit-Paste is.
I sprayed it with Peeled Paint Distress Stain and then used a damp brush to move the color into highs and lows of the Grit-Paste.
I sprayed the doorway with Hickory Smoke Distress Spray Stain before moving on to this step where I added the moss.
 I also grunged up a Metal Gate using paint and alcohol ink, then promptly broke it in half.
I added foam squares to the back of the doorway so it stands out from the surface.  I broke the fence in half and added it to each side.  I did sandwich two bingo chips together to get the perfect riser for the paper doll.
Now the Mummy Cloth...my new best friend.  I sprayed it with Distress Spray Satin in multiple colors.  Love this stuff because you can pull it and shred it so easily!  I am going to be very sad when it goes away with the Halloween line!
 Mummy Cloth added with just a dab of Collage Medium.  Super easy to manipulate the Mummy Cloth with tweezers.
*You might notice I was testing a metal piece at the bottom.  Ultimately it will end up at the top of the piece so you could see it better.

Next up some Bouquet flowers.
I sprayed the bunch with Antique Linen and then rubbed them into a mix of Seedless Preserves Oxide and water to pick up some purple color.  Dry with a heat tool.
 Flowers added...
Now my favorite part, the Clipping stickers.
I recently watched the movie "Mary Shelly"with Dakota Fanning which tells the tale of Mary's life leading up to writing Frankenstein (I believe she was only 20 or 21 when she wrote it).  The movie was panned by the critics but I liked it because it kept me guessing (since I didn't really know anything about her personal life).  The cinematography and costuming were wonderful too.
 I love to challenge myself to create a story from the words on the Clipping sheet rather than using just one phrase.  This was so fun to put together (all the while thinking of Frankenstein!)

Here is that Electrical plate I added with Hex Fasteners.  I thought it spoke to the "Frankenstein" aspect of the piece because you can't have Frankenstein without electricity!
I added two long twigs to visually connect the top to the base.  They are each held in place with some Collage Medium at the top and bottom.
 

I love how this piece came together.  The Tombstone really makes for great substrate for so many pieces.  I think you could use this shape way beyond Halloween.
Now carry on,
paula

18 comments:

  1. Awesome piece! Halloween may not be my jam, but I sure do appreciate the work that went into this. And no Iced Spruce anywhere!

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  2. All of the details that make this piece spectacular! Love it and the step by step - oh, and the twigs - always love the twigs!

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  3. Your tombstone is stunning and I love the story behind the inspiration. I haven’t seen the movie but I’m putting it on my list. Thanks for sharing how you made this <3

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  4. Absolutely stunning!! Love the tip about collage medium, and being able to remove some grit paste!

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  5. Every detail is absolute perfection! Paula you have this amazing ability to bring all of your creations to life,that only you can do. Phenomenal tutorial as always, thanks. You have definitely intrigued me and now I want to see the movie. xx

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  6. Super fabulous Paula!! I adore all of the little details, textures and layers. You are so good at that! I just love love love the halloweeen Wallpaper. I haven’t seen that movie yet but definitely need to see it. And yes, that electrical plate was the perfect touch.

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  7. awesome project and a great tutorial, I agree about the waiting for stuff to dry time and hey Mummy Cloth should be available all year round, let's start a petition, hugs kath xxx

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  8. Appears to be a spooky doorway to somewhere... I applaud you for the long story; I tried a story, but it is not as easy as it would seem. My story was short... I adore the way you put the wallpapers together, the colors and textures! And, just added mummy cloth to my wants or is it needs? Gloriously spooky; thanks for sharing your story and inspiration.

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  9. Paula, you just know how to thrill! Gorgeous!

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  10. LOVE Mummy Cloth too...used it two days ago for the first time! You always amaze me, and when I have done something you've done, I feel proud...lol! LOVE the way you use the words and make this piece all the more fabulous! LOVE the door way covered in moss and the addition of the branches! LOVE the flowers...you do those so well! Just super fun and not too scary...love that...and yet so beautiful too! I need to see that movie as well...sounds good.

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  11. An incredible tag Paula with just the right amount of spook. I love the small details - the flowers, the broken fence and the shelf and the words are just perfect. Sadly, I got the movie wrong, I thought it was Spellbound with Gregory Peck, an old B&W film... xx

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  12. Your blog posts are precious because of their rarity these days and I appreciate them more (if that's even possible). You mentioned drying time and I thought you'd get a kick out of the fact that, in the summer here in Phoenix, all I have to do is set my project in the garage for about 5 minutes and it's bone dry. I miss this shortcut in the winter. Also, I wonder what will you do when your bingo chip stash runs dry? I didn't know about the mummy cloth and must investigate as I was shopping for cheese cloth recently and was very disappointed as it is more flimsy than it used to be. I must look for your movie, too, and appreciate that your projects always tell a story (and always with heart). I love the idea of selecting a clippings sticker first and then build a project around it. I usually do just the opposite. Thank you for inspiring me, Paula, your project is just terrific!

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  13. I love everything about this Paula! Those pops of purple from the flowers are divine...

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  14. Oh wow i love this project and thanks for the tutorial x

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  15. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome info! I am looking forward to see more postsby you! https://www.mykioskey.com/kiosks/food-kiosk/juice-kiosk/

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  16. This is such a great project! I keep coming back for all the tips and tricks.

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