Sunday 14 October 2012

Halloween At Anything But A Card. . . .


The challenge at Anything But A Card for the next fortnight covers Halloween, Autumn (Fall) or Earthy Colours.  If you don't like Halloween,  make something to fit one or both of the two alternatives and link up with us over at Anything But A Card

I'm not a Halloween follower but I really love the opportunities that it gives to use something a little different. The images really work for me and in particular I like skulls so I've used one in my project for Anything But A Card this time.

You must go over and see what my fellow designers have come up with too - being 'Anything But A Card', you'll find all kinds of things made by the girls.

I'm also going to link my work up with Simon Says Stamp and Show as their challenge this week is 'Rustification' and I hope my project fits that theme.

I've just spotted the challenge at Sunday Stampers too and I'm linking up there with this piece too - hope Hels won't mind! Her theme this week is 'Metal Gods' - mine isn't real but I've tried hard to make it look real!

I decided to make another journal as they are fun and can be given as gifts or used by me! Here's what I made (lots of pictures I'm afraid!):



Front cover of the journal. The frame was created with stamping, distress inks and two part crackle glaze by Decoart. The red layer was made using an Andy Skinner  paint technique called pitted and chipped. I've used the version which looks like pitted and chipped metal. The nails and the Tando skull were rusted again, courtesy of Andy Skinner. Some washers were coloured with a sharpie pen then sanded to age them. The frame is described later in the photo sequence.
Inside the front cover. The design was created using distress stain, masks, stamps, acrylic paint and white gel pen.
Close up to show stamping, acrylic paint work and gel pen. Some areas were 'bleached' with a water brush to add definition.
Back cover of the journal. The centre panel was inked, stamped and flicked with water. The die cut witch and bats were inked with distress then crackle glazed using the Decoart two step method.
Inside the back cover. Tim paper with added stamping and inked edges.
Close up to show stamping and the paper design peeping through. 

The skull was embossed in a chequer plate folder then rusted. The nails were aged using the same technique. The flowers were added for fun and are die cuts which were assembled, stamped, coloured, scrunched up and shaped then dried. You get a peek at the pitted and chipped painted metal here too.
The frame was made using the method described for the front cover. Some black acrylic paint was gently rubbed into the cracks to finish the look.
If you're still with me then thank you for sticking with it! I loved making this journal and want to try more of Andy's amazing techniques in my work. I'd love to hear what you think of my journal.








28 comments:

  1. The front is really Spooky Julia,but so beautiful made and the back is great with the With
    Love it

    Greetings Janny

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  2. What a great project!I really like the cover with the rusty nails, but it's all amazing.

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  3. An awesome creation Julia and the skull cover is just amazing. Fabulous spooky pages too and love all the textures you've incorporated.
    Hugs, Fliss xx

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  4. Awesome job Julia!!!! I LOVE the flowers in the eye sockets, it's all kinda creepy and feminine at the same time! lol Your rusted/chipped metal is fantastic, you did a great job! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  5. WOW! This looks very spooky indeed, but love all the different textures and techniques you have incorporated in these pages. The addition of the flowers is a great touch.
    Avril xx

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  6. love the flowers for the eyes. and you have andy's rust technique down perfectly. what a great journal. really love it, It is right up my street.
    you should come and join us at Haunted design house.
    ps have just posted the fleur de lis, so sorry it's taken this long, have not done much crafting this week. x

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  7. that looks truly fab. so many different techniques used. do like your flowers used as the eyes

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  8. Hi Julia, this is amazingly spooky. Your rusting is superb and love the flowers for the eyes too. Totally brilliant book, inside and out! Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  9. Like Mark I LOVE the flowery eyes. They seriously deserved a close-up. The crackle background has also worked a treat. What a feast for the eyes Julia. Hugs, Buttons x

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  10. AIKSSSSSS don't scare me this way Julia!!! Hahahaha...oeffff Halloween is nog my cup of tea...but I can see that you did so well with this creation!

    All the best, Alie :-)

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  11. Oooh Julia what an amazing journal my lovely, what patience, skill and vision you have. I love the techniques you have used to such great effect, particularly Sir Skinner's paint technique on your fabulous skull.
    Thank-you sooooooo much for finding that stamp for me, I really do appreciate you taking the time.
    Huge hugs x x x x

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  12. Isn't the Andy Skinner rust technique fabulous. Your skull looks amazing, love the texture. Very creative piece. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

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  13. Ooooh it's really worderful and great artwork. Bravo !!!

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  14. An amazing piece of work... so inventive, I hate you.. NOT. Will consider my piece for the ABAC.

    Cassidy xx

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  15. WOW Fantastic journal but really love that skull on the front.

    Sam xxx

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  16. Unbelievable textures and techniques, Julia - your rusts and rivets are brilliant, as is your crusty old witch! And the skull page with the white highlighter pen is genuinely unearthly - very eery. Fantastic work!! Have a lovely week.
    Alison x

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  17. Wow. Your journal is full of very cool textures, techniques and spooky Halloween images. Love it from cover to cover! Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

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  18. Words fail me, Julia, this is absolutely amazing, adore the rusty skull with the bright colored flower-eyes.
    Hugs, Suzanne xx

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  19. Honestly Julia, that skull really looks like a piece of rusty old metal and I have to say, he does look rather gruesome! Love his flower eyes and the wonderful colour of the inside. A fabulous journal. xx

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  20. Wow Julia you really have gone the full mile on this one amazing work !
    Von ♥

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  21. This is fabulous and very spooky! Awesome rusty effect and great stamping. Thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!

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  22. An amazing project Julia! I am so glad you showed all the photographs as all the different layers are fantastic. What a fun way of using flowers!!!!!!!

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  23. Fab project! Love the flower eyes on the cover!

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  24. Absolutely LOVE all of your creaitons, especially love the flowers in the eyes! How cool! Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper x

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  25. Such a fun journal! The rust technique looks so real on this and I love the flowers in the eye sockets!

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  26. This is fabulous. It really does look like rusty metal. Also love the witch.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax