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

 

Beautiful Winter Wishes Card

Hey, Crafty Friends! I'm back with Team Eileen and today I'll show you how to create this simple and elegant slimline card.

The summer heat is barely dying down but I'm looking forward to cooler weather already. It's still getting into the late 90s here and I would really love it if mother nature blew a few flurries my way! There's just something about snow that is so beautiful and serene. I think that there is something lulling about the way it blankets everything after heavy snowfall. 

So, today, I'll be using Eileen Hull's Wreath & Snowflake die to create this flurry-laced card.

Supplies Used

Eileen Hull Wreath & Snowflake (Sizzix)

 Big Shot Foldaway (Sizzix)

Creative Station (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

White Cardstock

Red Cardstock

Gold  Glitter Cardstock

Vellum

Tim Holtz Big Chat

Gold Foil Stickers (Scrapbook.com)

I started by running a sheet of white cardstock through my Xyron Creative Station. 

Then, I used the Snowflake die from the Wreath & Snowflake die set to die cut about 7 or 8 snowflakes.

I cut a piece of red cardstock down to measure 

3-1/2" × 8.-1/2" and adhered my snowflakes onto the front. 

I spread the snowflakes out along the card front until I was happy with the way it looked. Then, I trimmed off any overhanging pieces.

I used the star included in the Wreath & Snowflake set to die cut 6 stars from gold cardstock. Then adhere them in between the snowflakes.

Using my Xyron Mega Runner, I mounted my card front onto a 3-5/8"x 8-5/8" piece of gold cardstock. Then attached it to a white 9" x 4" slimline card base.

I cut a 1-1/2" strip of vellum and laid it across my card at a diagonal and attached the sides around the back so the adhesive was not visible. Then I used gold foil stickers to spell out the word WINTER across the vellum. Lastly, I word from Tim Holtz's Big Chat sticker stack to complete my card sentiment.

And here is my finished card...

I love how this card turned out!

Even though there were a few steps, it came together pretty quickly.

I hope you enjoyed my card for today! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...

Happy Crafting, Friends!!

For more creative inspiration head on over to my Instagram account where I post even more crafty projects...

www.instagram.com/mitsyana/

 

IAR Monthly Challenge - You Are Loved Card

Hello Crafty Friends! 

It's March 15th and time for another I Am Rosses Blog Challenge!!

If you are unfamiliar with the IAR Blog Challenge,  Every month, on the 15th, there is a new Blog Challenge. Create a project using I Am Roses products and link your project to their blog by the end of the month and winners will be chosen to win some amazing prizes. I recommend you head on over to their blog to check it out!! There you will see inspiration from the I Am Roses Design Team and what other creators such as yourself are making.

For more info or to participate and link your project, go to the I am Roses Challenge Blog.

Here is what I created for this month's Challenge...

IAR Supplies Used

Pink Variegated Belinda's Dream Rose

Pink Variegated Cherry Blossoms 

 Hot Pink Variegated Rosebuds

Pale Green on Soft Yellow Leaves

Other Supplies Used

Big Shot Foldaway  (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Mandala Die (Sizzix)

Chrome Precision Cutting Plate (Sizzix)

Die Brush w/ Magnetic Pickup Tool (Sizzix)

Rejoice Sentiment Dies- You are Loved (Diamond Press)

Creative Station (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Disposable 3"Sticker Maker  (Xyron)

Patterned Paper  (Kingston Crafts)

110 lb White Cardstock

Distress Oxide Ink- Picked Raspberry (Ranger)

Blending Tool, Mini Ink Blending Tool (Ranger)

Heart Rhinestones (Buttons Galore)

Clear Drying Liquid Glue

I started by building my card base from a 5 1/2" x 11" piece of 110 lb white cardstock folded in half to create a 5 1/2" squared card. Then attached a 5 1/4" piece of Kingston Crafts' teal and white polka dot patterned paper using my Xyron Mega Runner.

To create the intricate doily, I ran more white cardstock through my Creative Station machine and die-cut it using my Eileen Hull Mandala Die through a Big Shot Foldaway machine. Because this is a very intricate die, I substituted one cutting plate for a chrome precision plate to ensure that it would cut out each tiny detail. Then poked out all the tiny tidbits with ease with the help of my die brush tool.

I created a simple shadow for my doily by placing my mandala die flat onto a piece of pink paper, also from Kingston Crafts, and tracing out its silhouette. Then cut it out by hand with a scissor.

I adhered the mandala die-cut on top and inked around the edges using Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide Ink and a mini blender tool then attached it to my card base.

Finally, I can start building up those beautiful flowers...

I usually start with the biggest which is the Pink Belinda's Dream Rose. This one I wanted in the center of the arrangement.

Then I surrounded the big rose with a bundle of three Pink Variegated Cherry Blossoms on each side.

Next, I tucked in Pale Green Leaves. I used a total of six.

Then I tucked in draped small Hot Pink Variegated Rose Buds. I used a total of ten of them. You will see all of them in the final card pictures.

I planned on sending this card to a dear friend of mine who is going through a difficult time so I wanted the sentiment big and heartfelt. So I chose this sentiment that says "You are Loved" and die cut the background from vellum and the words itself from more white cardstock. 

Then to blended on more Picked Raspberry ink onto the die-cut to tie it onto the card better.

Lastly. I used these tiny heart-shaped rhinestones and attached them by sticking them onto my mega runner and peeling them up. It applied instant adhesive to the backs of my rhinestones without having to wait for any glue to dry. Then I simply added the gems to my card.

And here is my finished card...

I hope you enjoyed today's project and are inspired to create something beautiful of your own!

Don't forget to head on over to the I am Roses Challenge Blog for more inspiration 

OR

To enter and link up your projects!!

Thanks for stopping by and 

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsyana

 

DIY Dimensional Sticker Embellishemnts

Hello, my crafty friends!!

I have been getting tons of questions on my social media in regards to how I create my 3D embellishments. How do I make my die-cuts look so dimensional? Here is my quick answer... with craft foam and my handy-dandy Xyron Creative Station !!

Today, I will show you how you can create 3D Stickers with the dies you have!! Follow along with me as I use this technique to create this gorgeous Mandala Zendoodle Card!

Supplies Used

Creative Station (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Big Shot Foldaway (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Mandala Die (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Folio Page, Pocket & Flowers (Sizzix)

Distress Oxide Inks- Mermaid Lagoon, Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry, (Ranger)

Blending Tool, Mini Ink Blending Tool (Ranger)

Tim Holtz- Big Chat (Advantus)

Craft Foam

110 lb Black Cardstock

110 lb White Cardstock

Cutterbee Scissors (EK Success)

Paper Trimmer (Swingline)

White Gel Pen

Pencil

I started by making a background for my Mandala... this die is very intricate so I wanted to give it a little bit of heft, ground it, and draw the eye directly to the Mandala and make it the focal point(s).

So, I used the Mandala Die as a stencil and traced around the die with a pencil onto white cardstock.

Then hand cut out the traced image using my scissors.

I blended Distress Oxide inks in Mermaid Lagoon, Wilted Violet, and Picked Raspberry in kind of a "bullseye" pattern, overlapping each color slightly.

Now, here is where the fun and magic begin...

To make my die-cuts 3D, I first run my cardstock through my Creative Station and die-cut it with my Mandala die.

Then, I run my craft foam through my Creative Station and die cut the same Mandala from the foam.

Now, I have a Mandala from both cardstock and foam... and layer the cardstock onto the craft foam!

Then, I adhered that onto the inked background.

I wanted to create a slimline card and decided to distribute the Mandala across the card by cutting it in half.

Then attached the split pieces diagonally across the card front. I could have run my background Mandala through my Creative Station but the thought totally slipped my mind. So, I ended up just running my Xyron Mega Runner across the back instead.

Wow, these really pop off the card!

Even though the die-cuts were absolutely gorgeous "As-Is', I wasn't feeling all the blank space. 

So, I took a white gel pen and Zendoodled throughout the blank spaces...

I hand drew a simple striped border. Then outlined each mandala half and added a scalloped border.

I drew arches that I filled with more arches. And even used a leaf die from Eileen Hull's Folio Page, Pocket & Flowers set as a stencil to add leaves.

Then, I filled in some of my patterns for a bolder look and added little polka dots into the remaining blank spaces.

I made a simple sentiment for my card using word stickers from Tim Holtz's Big Chat stack and inked them using more Distress Oxide Inks in Mermaid Lagoon and Wilted Violet.

I adhere the words onto a 1/4" strip of black cardstock. 

But I didn't want these to be flat and wanted them to be dimensional too, so I added - you got it- more craft foam behind the words to make them pop up!

And here is my finished card...

Look at how much dimension there is! I angled my card for better viewing...

And even though this card is pretty thick it does not weigh very much. Using craft foam doesn't just make it dimensional, it also makes the die-cut embellishments very lightweight too!

I hope you liked this technique!! For more inspiration, here are a few other cards I created using this same technique using Craft Foam in my Creative Station...

As you can see, this technique is a real game-changer that can transform your cards from flat and boring to dimensional and STUNNING!!

That's it for today!! Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon!!

Until then...

    HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsyana