How creepy can I get?

I think today is IT.  I mean truly creepy, not shocking, just the skin crawling heebie jeebies :).  I have combined the Smudgefest challenge to use the scariest image from Smeared Ink with the Haunted Design House Macabre Monday challenge to be influenced by the legendary Vincent Price.

Ok- so let me share the process my twisted mind went through :).  I knew that the spider image from Killer Bo Peep was what HAD to be used as the creepiest/scariest one of Smeared Ink I have.  I mean, lets face it, Zombies are just plain funny, not scary, but hairy legs spiders are WAY ooky.  I was doing some research and found that one of the many movies Vincent Price was part of was called The Web.  I went looking for some images from it and found this:

Now- I have NO IDEA what this image is from, but I want to say "Geez Vincent, do ya think...."  So, I kept looking and found not the poster for the movie The Web, but to The Fly.

BY JOVE, I think she's got it!  However, during the process I saw many, many of what I would call classic Vincent Price of him with a skull of some sort like this one.

 So, after all of this, I pulled out the supplies and got busy.  This is the result.....

Spiders are from Killer Bo Peep set as is the skull- which my brain hears doing the infamous Vincent Price evil cackle.  The grave is from the Zombies set.  Hope you like it :)

Challenges:
Smudgefest Day 2- Terrifying Tuesday
Haunted Design House #100- Varying Visages of Vincent
Simon Says - A Tag

Get Inky!
Alex

Smeared and Smudged March Member Hop

Most months, the Smeared and Smudged Forum trys to have a member hop.  This is completely optional, but gives us the chance to check out each others creations while we get to show off our dark side for those who like to see it.  This month we were also given the challenge to use the colors of green and brown.

Lately Charlie Sheen has been in the news, a LOT.  I am not condoning his actions nor do I truly wish to give him anymore internet time.  However, it has come to my attention that he has a fear of Trolls.  I beg to differ with him and remind him that there are things in life much worse than trolls.  Things like, well, sock monkeys!

Seriously, these things frighten me.  I am pretty sure that deep underneath they ALL look like this one.  So just a reminder, beware of the sock monkeys during the Zombie Apocalypse because I know they are already turned and waiting for us to fall asleep.

That fabulous looking dimensional blood, viva decor pen.  I use that a lot and love it!

I am also entering this in the Macabre Monday challenge- body bags and toe tags

As a bonus- Strange Skin is offering some BLOG CANDY for this hop.  One lucky winner will get these images!  You get an entry if you comment on everyone's blog.  Not one of those 'here is my comment' comments, I know you are more creative than that! 

Here are the others participating on the Smeared and Smudged Forum hop this month.  Take a look at their creations and leave them some love along the way.  If you are interested, we would love to have you join us in the forum where dark and creepy is normal!


Tori http://ndustrial-lemon.blogspot.com
Alison http://alisonsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com
Kelli http://cajunstampingqueen.blogspot.com
Ladybrayton http://www.ladybrayton71.blogspot.com
Sugar http://sugscardsnmore.blogspot.com/
Black Dragon http://lynsblogger.blogspot.com/
Monica http://giddygreetings.com
Kapree http://kc-consultant.blogspot.com
Alex http://www.paperandstring.blogspot.com/
Tiffany http://bkfastattiffanys.blogspot.com/
Jane http://jcocraft.blogspot.com/
Meredith http://www.papercanteen.com/
Dianne http://dkspinner.blogspot.com
Judy http://creatingartwithheart.blogspot.com/
Lisa http://www.ldfdesign.blogspot.com/
Kimberly http://www.heartflywithpassion.com

Get Inky!

Alex

31 Days of Halloween - Day 27

Hello! I get to bring you another fabulous tag that Alex did up. This one has a background created by stamping dye ink pads onto a craft mat, spritzing with water and then smooshing (technical term here) the tag on top to pick up the ink.  I am a bit concerned that one day she is going to spritz or smoosh me by accident, so I make certain my observational hovering is just out of reach.

Alex used a portion of a ROCKIN' stamp from Smeared Ink's Holy City set as well as that gorgeous flying raven from the same set.  The sentiment is from Mad Hatter stamps and reads "All Journeys have Secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware".

Alex then distressed the edge with more purple ink to finish everything off.  Since purple is her favorite color, I know that made her happy.  I'm currently a bit partial to pink myself, but more on THAT at another time.

Challenges:
Macabre Monday #062 - Smudged & Smeared
Gingersnap Creations #GC73 - Gothic Elements
C.R.A.F.T. #73 - Spooky
Paper Playtime #22 - Halloween
Art on the Darkside #65 - Halloween

See you tomorrow!

Happy Halloween!
Edgar

31 Days of Halloween - Day 20

Well, today I was presented with quite the quandary.  Alex gave me a stack, all be it a short stack, of completed projects and told me to pick one to share.  Excuse me?  I am the talent, not the worker bee here.  There seems to be a bit of confusion as to what the roles are.  However, since Alex looked a bit tired and flustered (and I like to eat) I decided to help her out.

I selected another one of the Halloween tags.  I really enjoy sharing the tags and I know Alex likes making them. 

The background color for this one was achieved by splotching dye ink pads on the craft mat, spritzing with just a tiny bit of water and then putting the tag down on top of the whole mess to soak it up.  The image is a stamp from Third Coast Stamps and one of our favorite lovely ladies.  The dark ground was created by sponging on some charcoal chalk ink.

I have also decided this tag will be Alex's entry into the Macabre Monday challenge of  A Lil' Lurid & Lovesick.  A vampire hanging out at her lover's grave, yep- that qualifies in my book!

Challenges:
Macabre Monday HDH #061 - A Lil' Lurid & Lovesick

Tomorrow is another lovely lady who seems be 'working' the dead angle.  Hope to see you then!

Happy Halloween!
Edgar

31 Days of Halloween - Day 2

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your first day of Halloween yesterday!  If you are confused about what I mean, please check out all the details here
There is some truly "WICKED"  talent participating you do not want to miss!
Today, Alex has created a Halloween goodie bag.  She has just been itching to use that spider web ribbon with the tiny spiders on it.  I was sure that one day it would be a picture of ME with a bow on my head if she didn't get a chance soon.  Thank goodness for the Stamp It Crazy challenge, PHEW!

As you can imagine, the image is from Stamp It Crazy and called Zoie.  I suggested something tasteful, but nooooooooooooo Alex went all tacky 70's makeup on poor Zoie.  She does look happy though doesn't she?  There was a lot of glossy accents added to the crystal ball to give it the realistic look.  Fortunately this week, Alex refrained from touching it to see if it was dry.  Much better!  I suggest you check out the rest of the creations by the Stamp It Crazy challenge DT.  They are some very talented ladies and since the challenge this week is "Halloween, but not a card" there should be some fabulous items to see.  Then, participate and link here for your chance to WIN!

Challenges:
Macabre Monday #HDH058 - Magical Mayhem


Happy Halloween!
Edgar!

Haunted House.....

This is the new Haunted House stamp by Kraftin' Kimmie I got from SCACD.  I think is it FUN.  I was going to save it for my 31 Days of Halloween, but just couldn't!

The image is stamped in Momento ink and then colored in with markers.  The background paper is from Basic Grey Eerie collection and that fabulous skull is from a seller on ETSY.

Isn't it soooooooooo much better than a sentiment?  (insert evil laugh here)

Challenges:
Macabre Monday HDH# 057 - Horrific Haunts
The Burtonesque Dolls #19- Trick or Treating in Burton's neighborhood
2 Sketches 4 You - sketch
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps #46- Mostly Black & White
Stamping with the Dragon #10 - Black White & one other color

Get Inky!

Alex

Atlantia- elegantly evil

Atlantia is a stunning and fairly mythical feeling image drawn by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD. Nothing evil about her. However, when I decided to work on the challenge for Macabre Monday this week "Elegantly Evil" I decided it would be much more fun to take a very non-evil, but elegant image and evil it up, so to speak.



First thing I did was color my tag with some various dye inks watered down and let it dry. I then stamped Atlantia with Momento Ink on the tag. I colored in her hair and dress lightly with color pencils. I used the red Spica glitter pen for the starfish in her hair. I stamped the webs and spiders around her. To finish it all off I used my Craft-T Metallic rub-ons to give it some darkness and a bit of shimmer- just a touch!

Challenges:
Macabre Monday/HDH055- Elegantly Evil

QKD - Tuesday BLOG HOP with Victoria

Welcome to the Queen Kat Designs Stamp Co. Blog Hop. You should have arrived from my other creation at the Dark Ink Sorority Blog. If not, thank you so much for stopping by my blog on your own! If you would like to see the entire hop it begins at the Queen Kat Designs Royal Blog.

This week we are challenged to use the sketch that you can see on the Queen Kat Designs Royal Blog at the beginning. With Halloween on the way, I decided to pull out Victoria Mermaid Stamp by Maigan Lynn. She has a bit of sass and touch of mystery. One of my very favorite Maigan Lynn stamps. So much one of my favorites, that I actually have the ORIGINAL of her that Maigan drew. I know, I am sooooooooooooooo lucky!!! If you don't have the Victoria Mermaid Stamp, be certain you stop by the store after the hop and grab her!

Anyway, after stamping Victoria and coloring her, I paired her with Basic Grey Oliver paper that a sweet friend gave me. Thank you Lynn! I used Viva Decor Pearl Pen in black to create the pearls down the side and tied a ribbon on the side of the image.

I have also entered in some challenges with Victoria!:
The Burtonesque Dolls #14 - Burtonesque girls victorian style
Macabre Monday #51 - Netherworld Nymphs
Basic Grey #26- Pearls plus Basic Grey

Your next stop on the hop is Anita's BLOG. Check it out, and leave her some love!

ETSY Inspired Challenge #93

ETSY Inspired Challenge #93 - this week the inspiration store is White Birch Designs.

I drew my inspiration from this GORGEOUS piece. The slight color addition is inspired by these FABULOUS earrings! Whatever you do, spend some time looking at this store. WOW- this is one talented artist! I am seriously considering adding that necklace and a bracelet or two to my jewelry box!

So- here is what I came up with.

This is Kadona. He just seemed to fit the colors and the 'feel' of the piece well to me. I have to admit, this was FUN to create :). I hope you enjoy it as well.


TWO WINNERS THIS WEEK! Be sure to link up your entry!

Shop:
White Birch Designs
http://www.etsy.com/shop/whitebirchdesigns

Sponsor:
One Stop Card Crafts
http://www.onestopcardcrafts.co.uk/
Winner giveaway: 10 pound (UK currency) voucher and FREE SHIPPING

ALSO, 10% discount for any of our followers the week of the challenge (shipping is not free).

Check out all the ETSY Inspired Designers for inspiration!

Ashley
De
Emily
Joy
Kerry

Shannon

Challenges:
Macabre Monday #43 - Truebie or not Truebie

Vile Vintage

The challenge for Macabre Monday this week at Haunted House Design is to create something that is "Vile Vintage".


I used a vintage feel paper. I stamped the tree from Stamp-It- Crazy directly on the patterned paper and also onto cardstock. I cut out and popped up the tree from cardstock. I didn't have any pop dots with me so I used some of the extra rubber trimmed from my stamp and glue. Thank you to the person who shared this tip with me! Wish I could remember who it was.....
The graveyard is a border punch and the grass was hand cut by my good friend Nej -
THANK YOU!!. The moon is punched from cream cardstock, smudged with charcoal ink and then covered in white smooch. The ravens on the tombstones and the tree are covered with black smooch.

Challenges:
Macabre Monday #41- Vile Vintage

Butterflies can be beastly?

The challenge on Haunted Design House for Macabre Monday challenge #40 this week is beautiful beastly butterflies. When I first saw this challenge my thought was - well, I am not sure how to make butterflies 'beastly' or dark. Then my brain began playing with the colors and thinking red and black butterflies. It didn't take long for my vision to include the butterflies with a skull. The real creating happened during the process however. Once I had the skull cut out from a template I found here, it just began. I hope that all of you know the process I am talking about because it is what makes creating so much FUN! The moment your brain has ideas as your hands work. When you giggle and grin as you go.


I used a couple of different colors of Glimmer Mist and the butterfly shaped Glimmer Screen on an already cuttlebug embossed piece of cardstock for the background. I sprayed the skull with walnut ink and edged with charcoal chalk ink to help it stand out. The butterflies, ladybugs and fly are from a set called Things With Wings from SCACD and were stamped on assorted scraps then fussy cut before being placed.

Just a little pinch....

The challenge from Macabre Monday was

Devious Doctors & Fiendish Florence Nightingales

I know that this is typically Donna Fairy from PMS and a sweet and adorable image. However, when I read this challenge, the first thing that came to my mind was her holding this HUGE syringe. I knew I could play with it just enough to make it a bit gruesome and not so sweet. Sorry Katie and Diem, but I just HAD to!
I have a good friend who can not STAND paisley print, it makes her think of amoebas. Well, what could be more creepy than amoebas with skulls in them?
oh Nej & Sandi- I USED the tape! :D

Challenges:
Macabre Monday #39 - Devious Doctors & Fiendish Florence Nightingales
The Burtonesque Dolls #3 - black flowers and skulls
FBW #110- flowers with fairy, butterfly or angel
PMS Makeup for the Weekend #27 - Use 3 flowers

Darque Obsession - New Release

There is a new release at Stamp Happens titled Darque Obsession. You have GOT to get these, they are AMAZING!!! Just look at what I made with Biker Chic.

I will admit that I also have this image colored up 4 other ways already and can not wait to do more. I also am very much looking forward to playing with the other 2 images from Darque Obsession. FFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNN!!!

You have a chance to win your choice of one of the images from this release. There will actually be THREE lucky winners who will win their choice of an image from this set. How do you enter you ask? Be certain to leave a comment on Tonya's blog for your chance to win!

I am also entering this for:

the Macabre Monday Challenge #037- Ode to the Bruise. This is provided Barb counts the gold frame as the requirement for yellow :)

The Burtonesque Dolls #01- Stripes- the striped ribbon you know. This is another really cool challenge blog and it just got started. The samples by the DT are inspiring- you need to go look just for the purpose of eye candy!

Flutter By Wednesday # 107 and other challenges

It is time to Flutter By! The FBW #107 challenge is clean and simple. I had to stop myself, but DID add a little bling! Be certain to use a BUTTERFLY, FAIRY or ANGEL in your creation!


This image is titled Restless Thoughts and is part of the ching-chou kuiks Fantasy Art Collection. I hadn't looked at the artist's colored version in some time, so find it interesting that we both used purple, or perhaps not since purple is my favorite color. I also managed to see her with a bit more skin showing, LOL! That is one of the things I love about stamps- everyone sees them just a bit differently!

Challenges:
FBW #107 - Clean and Simple


This is my second attempt at a Michelle Zindorf style card. There seems to be some interest in what that means and how this is done. I start with a white piece of cardstock and use a brayer to apply the color. I also use sponges for other parts and of course stamps for the images. It is FUN! I have so many ideas rolling around in my head and I want to play, play, play!!!

Challenges:
Macabre Monday #036 - Music Mayehm - Witchy Woman
Stamp-It-Crazy - Full Moon
Color Create Challenge #43 - Burnt Orange, Black & Cream
Darkness Inspiration - Bewitched

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaains

This was FUN! Jean at Smeared & Smudged kept making cards with this awesome skull paper. I FINALLY ran across some a couple weeks ago and grabbed it. When I saw the challenge for Macabre Monday was Walking Dead Divas (aka Zombie) I knew it would be perfect! The paper, my Stampotique Prom Queen image and some skull beads. TA DA!

Macabre Monday #35- Walking Dead Divas

Grim Gift Boxes

The challenge for Macabre Monday #034 is 'Grim Gift Boxes'.


I designed this in my head instead of falling asleep the other night, but didn't actually get to work on it until today. I was with some friends while working on it and they PROMISED that they will come and bedazzle my coffin for me after I die! -I'm holding you gals to this!-

Another friend has a brother who is discussing a Halloween wedding. The talk was filling these with the bone candy. LOL! Wouldn't that be a HOOT?!?!?!

Bat Winged Lolita

I have had the most fun stamps to create with lately and this is absolutely no exception. it is called Bat Winged Lolita by Che Gilson for QKD. I tried to make her wings super 'batty' by using glossy effects, but the picture doesn't show it well. Had the perfect charm around and actually USED it instead of waiting to see if something more perfect would come along, LOL!

Hope to do some more fun creating this weekend that I can share with you!

Challenges:

Macabre Monday #033 - Freaker's Free For All

To be, or not to be....

So, it is no secret that I love challenges and that there are a few I particularly enjoy. When I saw that Macabre Monday was to use a Shakespeare quote, I was certain I could do it. Then I got this stamp in the mail from Stamp It Crazy and KNEW there must be a Shakespeare quote I could use with the image.

Then I went to the ETSY Inspired Challenge and found this item in the store for this week. Love the bright color with black and white and the ovals so decided to use that as inspiration. I ended up a little more pink red than orange red like the charm, but close :)

Last, but not least, the PERFECT sketch- ovals and all at Sketch Saturday.



So- what do you think? I am thrilled with how it all came together! The quote I used is "The course of true love never did run smooth" from a Midsummer's Night Dream by William Shakespeare.

Challenges:
Macabre Monday#32 - Somber Shakespeare
ETSY Inspired Challenge #82 - This item
Sketch Saturday #97 - sketch

Once Upon a Time

I want to tell you the story of a princess. The Princess lived in a wonderful land that was also at war with the land next to them. In an effort to bring peace to the land, the two kings decided that their children should marry. There was a grand feast held in the castle so that the Princess might meet her future husband from the neighboring land. The Princess was beautiful and polite and spent much time talking with the Prince from the neighboring land. After the feast, the Princess told her father, the King, that she would be in her room, preparing for war.

This image is from a new company called Smeared Ink and their set 'Chicks Dig Guns'. The second I saw this image I thought of Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter.

Challenges:
Macabre Mondays #31 - Perilous Princess

Just for fun

I am really, really enjoying altering books. I have so many ideas rambling around my head I want to get out. I HAVE to share this with you though as it is also my entry for this week's Macabre Monday challenge #30- Hello Dolly. You might not be able to tell, but this 'gal' is tearing apart a teddy bear and throwing him into the fire. How could I resist using that picture! Guess I should have read the story to see what her deal was :)