Eileen Hull 2021 Halloween Screaming Skull Journal

Hey, Crafty Friends!! It's that time of the year again! My favorite season, SPOOKY SEASON... Halloween!! And you know I just had to continue with my tradition of making a creepy-cool Halloween journal. So here is my new 2021 "Screaming Skull"!!

This year I kick it up a notch because this one lights up!!

Let me show you how I created this horrifically haunting masterpiece...

Supplies Used

Creative Station (Xyron)

Eileen Hull Full Size Journal (Sizzix)

Big Shot Plus Machine (Sizzix)

Luster Wax- Rose Gold (Sizzix)

Black Chipboard (Grafix)

Black Gesso (Golden)

Mint Tape (Scrapbook.com)

Plastic Skulls

Plastic Skeleton Hands (Recollections)

Black Netting 

Plastic Halloween Toy Bugs

Spider LED String Lights

Chipboard Frame

Quick Dry Glue

Bone Folder

Scissors

Paper Trimmer

I started by making the base, the journal cover. For this, I used the Eileen Hull Full Size Journal Die. I trimmed a piece of 12" x 12" black chipboard down to 8-1/2 " x 12". Then laid it over the die and ran it through my Big Shot Plus Machine. This die has to use the Big Shot Plus or Pro Machines. It is a very large die and will NOT fit in the other smaller machines. 

To make a single journal you must cut the die out twice.

Once you have all your pieces cut, take the two cover pieces and attach them together.

 Add glue to the spine portion and overlap the spines. I like to use clothespins while the glue is drying to keep them in place.

When the glue is completely dry, I ran the entire cover (FACED DOWN) through my Xyron Creative Station. Then I burnished the protective film thoroughly to get maximum adhesion before peeling.

Then I peeled the protective film completely off and immediately covered it with the black netting.

I trimmed off any overhanging excess with kitchen sheers... this stuff is pretty thick.

I found a chipboard frame and painted it with black gesso then attached it to the front of my journal cover using quick-drying glue.

I bought these cool "spider" string lights from the dollar store and really wanted to incorporate them into my journal but it has a big battery pack so there was no way to hide it IN the journal itself... so I hid it in plain sight by adding it directly to the cover.

Keep reading to see how I disguised it!!

And it is important to note that I placed this pack with the switch facing down toward the bottom of the cover. You'll see why.

Here's how I did it... I used the skull head!

These plastic skulls are hallowed. I cut off the entire backside of the skull and sliced it in between the lower and upper teeth to create a separated jaw.

Then attached the upper part of the skull over the battery pack with more quick-drying glue, concealing it. Once I liked the position I attached the bottom portion of the jaw to the cover as well.

Then draped more netting around the skull to cover the rough edges and any gaps.

I strung the light around the skull around the back cover. Then glued on an assortment of plastic bugs. I used more black netting to conceal the wires and glued those over them. It's ok if they faintly show because the next step will completely hide anything else showing...

First I used mint tape to cover the lights. And added some black netting into the skull's mouth.

Then I painted over EVERYTHING with black gesso. And when I say EVERYTHING, I mean EVERYTHING!

The skull, hands, bugs, and yes, even the netting itself!

Once the gesso was completely dry, I rubbed a bit of Rose Gold Luster wax over everything. It really highlights all the raised areas and really brings out all the gorgeous textures.

Once it was completely covered here is what it looked like!

Remember, I placed the battery pack inside the skull...

So to turn it on and off you actually have to reach inside its mouth!! Ewww!! LOL!

This was why it was important for me to place the switch in the direction I did... So you could access it through the mouth!

It was worth it because here it is all lit up...

I am obsessed with it! I think this is my favorite creepy journal I have made so far!

I hope you enjoyed my process!!

Thanks for stopping by!

And until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsyana

 

Spooktacular Treat Boxes

Hey, Crafty Friends!

I'm excited to finally bring you the tutorials for my Eileen Hull Chapter 4 Releases! I will show you how I created both projects today so this will be a lengthy one.

 I will do one project at a tie starting with the Teacup and then followed by the Post Box.

The supply list is for BOTH projects together.

Supplies Used

 Eileen Hull 3D Teacup & Spoon Die (Sizzix)

 Eileen Hull Post Box Die  (Sizzix)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Mat Board(Sizzix)

Masquerade Collection (Authentique)

Creative Station (Xyron)

Disposable 3"Sticker Maker  (Xyron)

150 Sticker Maker  (Xyron)

Grey Medium Daisy (I Am Flowers)

Orange Carnations (I Am Flowers)

Black Rose Leaves (I Am Flowers)

Tim Holtz Ideaology Halloween Typed Tokens

Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink- Black Soot (Ranger)

Mini Ink Blending Tool (Ranger)

Clear Drying Liquid Glue

Black Twine

Flat Magnets

Candy

Clothespins- Optional

3D Teacup & Spoon Die

For the cup box, I used Eileen Hull's 3D Teacup & Spoon Die along with White Mat Board.

This is a smaller die and I didn't need a full-size sheet of matboard so I cut it down.  I also cut down my sheets of Authentique's Masquerade Collection to the same sizes as the mat board.

I ran my paper through the Xyron Creative Station then mounted them onto the front of my mat board.

Then with my Sizzix Big Shot, I die cut the cups. I needed a mirror image of the cups, so I cut one cup with the paper facing me and one cup with the paper facing toward the blades/die. This gave me two die cuts with the paper on the opposite side so they will be on the outsides of the box once assembled.

Next, I die cut the box component of the die from a piece of plain white mat board. Once cut, I folded it along the premade creases.

I added glue along the creased edges then attached a cup to each side. I made sure they aligned perfectly then weighted it down till my glue set.

I ran this harlequin paper (which is the reverse side of the skulls sheet) from the Masquerade Collection through my creative station and mounted it on more mat board. This time covering both the back and front of the mat board. Then die cut just the spoon from the Teacup die.

I used Black Soot Distress Oxide ink and a blender tool to ink along the edges of the spoon.

I tied a multi-looped bow from black twine and fastened it to a Tim Holtz token that reads "poison" and then attached it to my spoon.

I added an assortment of premade flowers and leaves in dark Halloween colors onto the teacup and tucked a few black leaves and another multi-looped bow underneath.

Then attached my spoon directly to my cup.

Once the glue was dried I stuffed the box with an assortment of DARK CHOCOLATE candies.

And here is my finished teacup treat box...

And now to make the Post Box...

Post Box Die

I used more papers from the Masquerade Collection and cut them into 6 wide pieces.

I needed to cover an entire sheet of mat board this time but wanted to use two different patterns. I ran my papers through my Creative Station, peeled off the protective film, and place the papers onto the die with the ADHESIVE SIDE UP, laying each pattern paper onto the sections I wanted to cover with that each pattern. I carefully placed the mat board directly over top and cut off the excess with non-stick scissors. 

Then I die cut the box in one run.

I folded the box along the prescored edges. Then added glue just onto the middle flaps, bent the front over, and attached the front flaps to the glued ones. 

I used clothespins to hold the flaps in place until the glue set. 

 I cut out these adorable images from the 12x12 and 6x6 of the Masquerade Collection.

The small 6x6 paper was used to help decorate the front flap of my Post Box. 

While the 12x12 images were used to mount onto chipboard pieces to create Artist Trading Cards.

I cut words and strips from the Masquerade Elements sheet, inked around their edges, then ran them through my sticker maker and mounted them onto my box.

Lastly, I attached flat magnets to the box to act as a closure.

And here is my finished Post Box...

I love how both of these turned out! And because I used papers from the same collection they coordinate perfectly together!!

Close-up View

I hoped you enjoyed my projects for today!! I know it's much longer than my usual posts but I felt that they belonged with one another and I just had to show them together!  

Thanks for stopping in and bearing with me!!

Have a spooktacular Halloween Everyone 

and 

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsyana

 

Creepy Skull Trio- Easy Mixed Media with Xyron

Hey, Crafty Guys & Ghouls...

I'm baaaaaack!! And this time with some spooky mixed media! I created this Creepy Skull Trio Journal for Team Xyron... It will be a cringe-worthy piece to add to anyone's Halloween collection.

Let me show you how I simplify my mixed media creations with the help of my Xyron Creative Station!

Supplies Used

Creative Station (Xyron)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Pocket Notebook Die (Sizzix)

Black Chipboard (Graffix)

Black Gesso (Golen)

Gilding Wax (Pebeo)

Black Netting

Cheesecloth

Plastic Bugs

Plastic Skulls

2mm Elastic Cording (Darice)

Strong Liquid Glue 

Tweezers

Non-Stick Scissors

Paintbrush (Prima Marketing)

4" x 6" Notebooks

Clothes Pins (Optional)

I love making little books and journals. They are great as gifts but also make wonderful home decor.

I love to display my finished pieces on my living room mantle and they are always an eyecatcher.

For this book, I used Eileen Hull's new Pocket Notebook Die to create the base and cut 2 panels from black chipboard using my Sizzix Big Shot.

I use strong liquid glue on the spine to attach the two panels together. I secure them in place with clothespins till the glue sets.

While the glue is setting, I cut 2 8"x 8" pieces of black netting. I ran each piece of netting through my Xyron Creative Station. I make sure to burnish each piece with my bone folder for maximum adhesion to the netting. 

Then, I peel them off the protective film an attach the netting to the outside my book cover.

For me, using my Creative Station and adding adhesive this way. cuts down my creative process time by at least half. A lot of wet adhesive mediums take hours and sometimes days to fully dry. By adhering my materials this way, I save myself a lot of unproductivity and unnecessary waiting.

Next, I used non-stick scissors to trim off any excess or hangovers.

I found these little plastic skulls at the dollar store... loved their dimension but their heads stuck too far out. So, I cut the back half of their skulls off. These skulls were hollow so they were very easy to cut just using scissors.

Then, I added glue along the rim an attached the skulls onto the front of my journal cover.

To hide any glue, I shrouded the skulls with little wrapped hoods.

I created each hood by running layers of cheesecloth through my Xyron Creative Station and cutting them into strips and draped the cloth over and around each head.

After I've hooded the skulls, I attache plastic insect toy figures to the front and back cover.

Then coated everything with black gesso. 

Gesso dries fairly quickly. And once my gesso was dried, I used my finger to rub gold gilding wax over the raised areas. 

I wanted to have texture on the inside of my journal cover, so I ran more cheesecloth through my Creative Station and adhered it to the inside flaps. Then covered the entire inside with more black gesso.

I threaded 2mm black elastic coring through the pre-cut holes in the journal using needle-nose tweezers. 

Then inserted premade 4"x6" notebooks under each elastic band. These books were a good-sized thickness, so I used only 3 books to fill my journal cover. 

And here is my finished book...

I absolutely love how simply painting my project completely black then rubbing a metallic wax over the raised areas can look so awesome!!

Check out all the amazing dimension...

Front Cover

Look at all that texture and detail just pop!!  Look at the texture on the fly wings and those teeth on those skulls... WOW!!

Back Cover

The Entire Outer Cover

I hope this project doesn't give you too many heebee-jeebees!!

I think it is totally wicked!!

I hope it inspires you to try this mixed media hack and create something spooktacular of your own!!

Happy Haunting!
~Mitsyana

Trick Or Treat Yo'self- Halloween Card

Hey, Guys & Ghouls...

I'm back again and this time with the creepy-cute Halloween card using Maker's Movement's new Trick Or Treat Yo'self stamps & dies! 

Did, I ever mention before that I absolutely LOVE Halloween?! Well, I do!! Immensely! 

In fact, when I saw this Trick Or Treat Yo'self set, I knew I just had to have it! These characters look almost like little voodoo dolls... but cute ones! They were just screaming to be made into a card. And that's exactly what I did. Let me show you how...

Supplies Used

Trick Or Treat Yo'self stamp (Maker's Movement)

Trick Or Treat Yo'self Die Set (Makers Movement)

Crossover II (Crafter's Edge)

Creative Station (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Watercolor Paper 

 110 lb White Cardstock (Recollections)

110 lb Black Cardstock ( Recollections)

MISTI (My Sweet Petunia)

Verasafine Onyx Black Ink (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

Twin-tip Markers (Derwent Academy)

Waterbrush Pen

Star Stencil

Distress Oxide Ink- Carved Pumpkin, Salty Ocean, Blueprint Sketch, 

Lucky Clover, Mowed Lawn (Ranger Ink)

Washi Tape

Button Shank Remover (Buttons Galore)

Life Changing Blender Brushes (Picket Fence Studios)

I started by collecting my supplies. In an attempt to keep my dies together and to save time, before stamping my images, I usee my to help with stamp placement. I slid each coordinating stamp under its matching die. 

I only snipped the inner dies and separated them out those images could be stamped and cut separately. To snip apart the inner dies I used a button shank remover I had on hand.

Once I had my stamps positioned accordingly, I removed the dies, closed the lid and adhered the stamps to my MISTI. Then inked my images using Verasafine Onyx Black Ink.

I used my Derwent Twin-tip Markers to color the images then blended it out with a water brush.

After coloring my images, I used the matching Trick and Treat Yo'self dies to die-cut them out using my Crossover II machine.

For my card front, I  wanted to create a starry skyline. So I used washi tape and taped

off the upper section of the cardstock. I placed my stencil over the paper and inked on Carved Pumpkin, Salty Ocean, & Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide inks with my Life Changing Blender Brushes.

                                                                                                

I removed the stencil then brushed on more ink over the stenciled background. Carved Pumpkin over the Pumpkin stars, Salty Ocean over the Salty Ocean stars, and Blueprint Sketch over the Blueprint Sketch stars. 

Then I retaped the skyline and expose the uninked bottom portion. I blended on and covered the entire bottom with Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide ink. Then blended the edges with some Lucky Clover.

I removed the washi tape and stamped along the horizon with the fence stamp with more Verasafine Onyx Black Ink.

Then stamped "Trick or Treat Yo'self" at the bottom corner.

I used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach the card front to a black 

Before attaching my images, I wanted to give them a bit of dimension... so I ran a sheet of craft foam through my Xyron Creative Station., flipped it over and ran it through a second time to create my own DIY foam adhesive.

I cut out the amount I needed and attached it to the back of my colored images, then mounted them onto my card front.

And here is my finished card...

These little guys came out so stinking cute!!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are it inspires you to create your own spooktacular Halloween scene!

Thanks so much for stopping by 

AND 

CREEP IT REAL, Crafty Peeps!

See you all next time!!

~Mitsyana