Getting my creep on with Barbie

I recently hosted a swap over at ArtCharms called Getting Your Creep on. The specifications of the swap was to use doll/body parts. I started out with 10 Barbie dolls and created 33 "creepy" charms.

I started out pulling off Barbies head. I used the face portion of the head and maneuvered them to fit in a bottle cap. I then pounded over the edge to help hold them in place.

I had to use those cute little ears hidden under all that hair. I had these cute little bottles that I thought would make a great vessel to hold the ears.

For my last charm I used Barbies hands. I used a brass cap to cover the end of the hand/arm where I had cut it off and with a little bit of wire wrapping it had a completed look.

Here is my completed project with all the Get Your Creep On charms swapped over at ArtCharms.

eeepy, creepy skellies and a eyeball to boot..

Saturday I had to make a run down south past Detroit to pick up an order. My friend Rhea was able to ride along with me. We hadn't seen each other in awhile so it was nice to catch up. We headed out early in the morning. It didn't take long of construction on the highway, that we decided to back road it. It was a beautiful, sunny fall day. Along our journey we hit a flea market and made a couple good scores. On to pick up my order and do a little shopping. On our list of stops was the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale, Michigan. A venue I had been wanting to see for quite some time. What a wonderful place, so full of some amazing artistic one of a kind items. Really got me thinking about Christmas.

To my surprise, Rhea brought me a gift and I want to share with all of you. I absolutely love it. I'm all into skellies and eyeballs.. the more the merrier. Her assemblage work is awesome. She has such a great eye for putting them together. Take a second and check out stargazer creates.

Haunted House Tour...

You don't know what your going to find waiting you at the 2011 AlteredWithOutLimits haunted house tour. This year I had some exceptional houses from the gals in my little yahoo group, AlteredWithOutLimits.

I found this cute little box that fit my pages perfectly. I covered it with Some Like it Haunt paper from the Midnight Dreary collection from gotmoxxie.

Enjoy the tour. Who knows what creatures are awaiting you.

The moon is full and all sorts of bewitching creatures are out to meet us at Cathy's garden gate.

Down a dark winding tree whispering trail you find Deb's english cottage and her ghosties of the night out playing.

As we head down towards the lake we run into Ellen's little cottages. Wonder what is being cooked up down there.

Continuing the haunted tour takes us to Jean's. Where we find a house full of toil and trouble.

Up on the hill is Judy's spirit filled mansion. Take care as you enter. Who knows what ghostly sights await you inside.

Down the lane to Lori's. We find a skellie dancing into the night. Who might that be watching out the windows.

Heading down to the Big Star state we find Mary Lynn's covenant waiting to cast a spell.

Ending our tour, takes us to Sandy's. A house filled with all kinds of winged delights.

Hope you enjoyed our little haunted tour.

Haunted house.... creepy, crawly, spooky.... Oh yeah!!!!!

Couple weeks ago I was playing with blogger and lost a couple of posts. Here is one that I had up.

I love halloween.. creepy, crawly, bird screeching halloween.

I participated in a swap over at AlphaStamps. We created 4 pages for a haunted house. One of my first projects for the halloween season.

Metal Deck.... final project from CREATE

Be prepared this is a long one. I just couldn't decide what to share. I feel that you need to see the whole thing to get the real feel of the deck. The Vintage Metal deck was a awesome class taught by Leighanna Light. This class was from 9 am to 9 pm and chucked full of information. We worked on 10 blackplate cards. We each worked in our own theme. I chose a theme familiar to me. I enjoyed watching others eyeballing my deck throughout the day..

This is my cover. It started out as a simple robin. I collaged images added a nest and eggs.. it was sealed with Bullseye Amber Shellac. I added the Porkchop Show doll eyes to put some creep on.

On this set of pages... I used my creepy dolls from Alphastamps. On the back I painted some blue metallic paint them covered it in a light coating of Ultrecht gesso, then stamped with a number rubber stamp.

I started this page with a gesso back ground that I used a circle stamp to remove some of the gesso. Collage and added a doo dad or two. The back is blue metallic under coat with the same gesso stamp removal.

My he/she image was given a eyelet for a eye piece. Collage, blending of paints, some cheese cloth... ring of keys for the keyhole. A vintage rook card is the focal point for the back. I tried a patina effect and it came out with a rusted look. Which I am very happy with.

Some more collage work with another one of my skellie guys, old playing card. The background is a page from a book. The back is gesso applied through a stencil. At some point I probably will paint it and see what I get.

Another patina that turned out looking like rust. It looks great with my calavera, some grungeboard heart with some wings finishes out this Day of the Dead theme. The back some of the blue patina took. I like just looking at it so I probably will leave it.

My ghost guys. The were created doing a image transfer with Ultrecht gesso. This technique is awesome. I love transfers and do several. And I can't wait to play with this one some more. I colored in my guys inked the edges. Added a TH doo dad. The star charm hanging on the side was created by my friend Rhea for a charm swap we participated in while at CREATE. It just fit in with my guys. The back more collage and continuation of my ladies, gesso stamping and a piece leave piece that I did some patina on.

This page was a gesso stamp them punched bubble with a doming tool.. It was created purely because I was playing with all the option Leighanna showed us. The back is another attempt to patina.. good thing I like the look of rust.. lol

Another gesso image transfer. I love image transfers. I then tried to patina it and got.. well you got it.. I then rubberstamped wordage around the image. Added a skull with glasses.. Inked it up.. The back is the start of collaged images.. my lady again.. I will add more at a later time

I love this owl image.. he is both cool looking and creepy. Basic page.. image, inked up page, rubber stamped with gesso. The back and the back cover of my deck is image, inked.. cheese cloth for texture, some more gesso stamping and a flip off button.

I will add more I'm sure. At the moment its more charms and texture. As you flip through it you will get a hint at my inner personality. Enjoy.. this was a blast to do.

Another CREATE day

The inspiration and fun was contagious in Chicago. I could hardly wait for another day to come. Now I am working hard at holding back and showing you my creations one day at a time. I just want to post them up for you to see. In this workshop Uncle Charley has Left the Room Pendant, we cut copper and created a soldered bezel with a cold connection, added brass embellishments and made a wonder cloth necklace to hold our pendant. Our instructor Jean Van Brederode was so full of energy, she shared a wealth of information. The garage door clasp was fantastic. Each one of us left wearing our totally unique pendants.

My skeleton book..

Here is a page I'm working on in my skeleton book.. its a work in progress.. now that I have taken a pic.. I see I need more work on this page.. but time will lead me to what is missing...

Daniel Torrente meets Martha

I seldom list product makers unless its required in a swap. But this time I thought I would share my eclectic little group.

I found this KaiserCraft Cuckoo clock at one of my favorite shopping haunts, The Outlet and right away saw haunted house. This is my Daniel Torrente of Stampotique meets Martha Stewart. The two stamped images are from Stampotique (3 in a round and Linda), background paper is Martha Stewart. Its inked up real well with dripping blood made of Liquitex string gel colored with Goldens quinacridon crimson.

I do not work for any of the above listed products. Strictly a consumer.