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

 

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

Dia de los Muertos Mini Art Journal

Hello, Crafty Friends!!

No, This is not a late Halloween post. This is actually right on time! Because this is a Day of the Dead (or Dia de los Muertos) themed project. 

Day of the Dead is a Mexican Holiday that celebrates family, love, and remembrance of those who passed. And ironically is not just a "day" but three days long. Each day is reserved for the remembrance of a child lost (Oct. 31) or an adult (Nov. 1) and for visiting of the souls at the graves of the departed loved ones (Nov. 2). Graves are cleaned and decorated. These shrines are often adorned with marigolds and sugar skulls and the favorite food or drink of the deceased. You can read more about this amazing holiday here.

I have come to love this wonderful holiday. I am drawn to the traditions, bright colors, flowers, and of course, sugar skulls. And though I am not of Mexican descent, I still have a huge respect for the culture. What's there not to love?? So I made this Dia de los Muertos inspired Art Journal to show my love for this amazing and beautiful holiday!

Supplies Used

Big Shot Machine (Sizzix)

 Eileen Hull Passport Die (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Leaves, Spring (Sizzix)

Crafty Chica Sugar Skull Framelits Stamps & Die Set (Sizzix)

Crafty Chica Hola Flower Stamps & Die Set (Sizzix)

Crafty Chica My Happy Life Cardstock Pad (Sizzix)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Eileen Hull Blends- Nutmeg (ClearSnap)

Tim Holtz Distress Ink-Vintage Photo (Ranger)

140 lb. Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)

VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Pad (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers - 60 pk (Kuretake/ Zig)

Chipboard

Hemp Twine

3D Dots (EK Success)

Tacky Glue (Collall's)

I start by cutting two pieces of chipboard down to 4.25" x 5.5" pieces. Then, I run both pieces through my Xyron Creative Station Lite machine and add adhesive onto both sides of each of the chipboard pieces.

I also cut my patterned paper, from Crafty Chica's My Happy Life Cardstock Pad to 4.25" x 5.5" pieces.

I peeled the protective film off and adhere a sheet of cardstock onto both sides of each cardboard piece.

I also repeated those same steps onto a 3" x 6" piece of chipboard. But only applied paper to one side of the chipboard piece.

Then, I laid both pieces onto my Eileen Hull Passport Die and cranked it through my Big Shot machine. Tip: Make sure to put whichever paper /side you want on the outside of your cover to be faced down against the blade.

Here I have the basic parts of the book all cut out.

I add tacky white glue down the spine and adhere the front and back covers together. To ensure and good grip and proper alignment I like to use mini clothespins to hold my pieces in place.

Then, once the glue set I inked the edges of the entire book with an Eille Hull Blends applicator in Nutmeg.

I stamped the skull image from Crafty Chica's Sugar Skull and Hola Flower Stamps & Die Sets 

onto mixed media paper using VersaFine Onyx Black ink.

Then, colored them in using my Zig Clean Color Real Markers.

Once I was pleased with my coloring, I die cut the images using the matching dies that came in each set.

I die cut a few leaves out of green cardstock using Eileen Hull's Leaves, Spring die.

I folded down the center to create a spine. Then folded at a diagonal to create the veins in the leaf.

I inked over the raised creases with distress ink and a blending tool.

Then attached the leaves, twine bow, and sugar skull onto the front cover of my book. Then I attached the flowers over those. I added foam dots under the skull and one of the flowers for a bit of dimension.

Now that the cover is done, I moved onto the inside.

I die cut the insert pages from the Eileen Hull Passport Die out of plain chipboard. Then simply folded and creased each chipboard page.

I fastened each page to the spine using hemp twine. I inserted each individual strand through the hole in the page, then, through the hole in the book. 

I gathered the strand on the outside of the spine and tied at a basic knot.

And here is my finished book...

I left all the pages blank because I plan on using this as a mini art journal. Chipboard is great at holding its shape against moisture. All I need to do is slap coat of gesso onto the page if I plan to paint. The gesso helps to prevent the paint from getting sucked up by the chipboard and makes your paint spread further. 

I hope you enjoyed this project for today!! 

Happy Day of the Dead Everyone!!

~Mitsyana

Sabor Papel - Mi Amor

Hello, Crafty Friends!! Today I have something bright, colorful, and exciting!! Craftwell has teamed up with the awesome people at Sabor Papel for the month of May and together we will be bring you some amazing projects because we will be celebrating Cinco De Mayo all month long!

Supplies Used

Teresa Collins Cut'n'boss Machine (Craftwell)

Teresa Collins Pocket Dies- Lover's Lane, Thankful Holiday (Craftwell)

Sentimentos Amor- Amor (Sabor Papel)

Corazonzitos- Amor (Sabor Papel)

La Guitarra- Ole (Sabor Papel)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

1.5" Stacker Maker (Xyron)

Hypnotic-Black Magic (Core'dinations)

Black Cardstock

Versafine Onyx Black Ink (Imagine Crafts/ Tsukineko)

VersaMagic Jumbo Java Ink (Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko)

Sponge Daubers

Beige Organza Ribbon

Skull Brad

PITT Artist Pen XS (Faber-Castell)

Cutterbee Scissors

Paper Trimmer

Corner Punch

Liquid Lacquer

For my project I made this gorgeous "Amor" card with Sabor's vibrant papers... I absolutely love the Amor collection! It's filled with romantic patterns and cool and ghoulish skeletons. The sheet below is called Sentimentos Amor. 

I simply cut sections of this sheet with my scissors. I used the skeleton couple as my focal point and  the assorted flowers as embellishments. I inked the edges of all my cut-outs using a PITT Artist Pen to hide all the white edges and give them a more finished look.

To accentuate my cut-outs I used the doily from the Teresa Collins Lover's Lane pocket die set, and the leaves and  berry stem from the Thankful Holiday Set using the backsides of the Sentimentos Amor and Corazonzitos papers. Then I inked the edges with black and brown ink using a sponge dauber.

Then I ran my cut-outs through my Xyron Creative Station Lite machine to turn all my cut-out into stickers.

I also cut the border strips form the Sentimentos Amor sheet and ran them through my Xyron X.

For my background I used a corner punch to give the corners a ticketed edge. I used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach my Laguitarra sheet to a black mat. The guitar are one side (backside) but the other side are really lovely images of music sheets. This will be the side of the paper I incorporate into my card.

Now all I need to do is assemble my card ... I simply peel and stick my cut-outs. I tucked a few flowers behind my doily to add a little more color. 

Then I attached my die cut leaves and stems with Liquid Lacquer. I also tied my bow and attached a skull brad (again with Liquid Lacquer) and then attached the bow onto the card front with, you guessed it, more Liquid Lacquer.

And here is my finished card...

I hope you all love today's project!! I really loved putting this one together and absolutely love how it turned out!!

Stay tuned for more exciting projects from Craftwell & Sabor Papel!!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsy