The Undertaker...

Hello friends and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge...

This week, our challenge theme is called ~ NOT A CARD and this is an easy one, because you could make something simple like a tag or bookmark, or be more adventurous and decorate a journal page or make a Halloween or Christmas decoration. Whatever you decide to make we will be looking forward to seeing your creation and hope you'll join us for our fun challenge...

For my project, and I think by now you know that I LOVE all things Halloween, I decided to get my "spook on" once again and create a project that can be one of two things, which you will see as I go through the creative process...but for now welcome to The Undertaker's parlour...

 

...and here's how I created this fun Halloween project!

To begin with I used Tim Holtz's Vignette Coffin Box and I wanted to keep the wood looking really natural and show the grain and texture but I did want it slightly darker, so for this I used Black Soot Distress Paint and just painted the coffin, inside and out.

I then wanted to create a lining for my box and I found the perfect paper in the Halloween Paper Stash. I cut each panel of paper to fit the bottom, sides and the top of my box and adhered them into place using Collage Medium.

To create a more worn, vintage feel to the wood, I dry brushed the surface with Pumice Stone Distress Paint and then added just a touch of Alchemy Wax around the edges.

For the finishing touch to the box, I added some Hinge Fasteners to create the handles, placing two fasteners on each side of the coffin. I then applied a small amount of Steampunk Copper, Gold Rush and Black Soot Paint around the outside of the fastener to give the look of rust around the metal.

Now for the top section and the embellishments...

To begin with I made my cobweb by die cutting black card and then embossing the web to create a more substantial structure. To emboss it, I dabbed the surface with Versamark Ink and then sprinkled over black and Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder which I heat embossed until molten and shiny. Repeat this for a couple more times.

I mounted the undertaker sign onto woodgrain card, coloured with Black Soot Distress Paint and then attached two mini brads to each side.

The cobweb, undertaker sign and the Halloween Ephemera piece are all attached to a piece of black card which I folded to create a cube shape of approximately 1.5 x 1cm.

This will hold the skeleton, lightly coloured and proudly displaying his Halloween Heirloom Rose and the cobweb securely in place, allowing them to stand upright and not bend or waver, it also creates great dimension to the finished project when stuck down onto the coffin lid.

I then added some sisal fibres and cheesecloth that is dyed using Peeled Paint and Antique Linen Distress Spray Stains, arranging the material and fibres so they are draped around my upright skeleton and coffin. Attach these to the lid using small amounts of Collage Medium to secure them into place.

I then added my idea-ology pieces...mini pumpkins, boneyard findings, a bouquet finding coloured with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain and the skull.

I also added a roll of paper, tied up with string which I cut from the paper stash and then just rolled it up to look like an old newspaper. To complete the lid of the coffin, I added some moss and a little spider from the Halloween Adornments, which is just climbing out of the newspaper roll.

Finally, I added some chain to drape around the coffin and attached one of the Halloween Typed Tokens, altered with Copper Alcohol Ink, and placed it to hang from the corner section.

 

Now, as I mentioned...this can be one of two things ~ you can either add lights inside the coffin so it lights up from beyond....

...or it could be a candy box, filled to the brim with spooky chocolates ready to display on your halloween table!

However you choose to use your Undertaker's coffin, I really hope you've enjoyed the creative process of how I made this project!

As always, if you do need any further inspiration, then look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for stopping by today and see you again very soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Sizzix: Cobweb
Distress Spray Stain: Peeled Paint, Antique Linen

Distress Paints: Black Soot, Pumice Stone

Idea-ology: Heirloom Roses Halloween, Skulls, Boneyard Findings,
Mediums: Collage Medium, Versamark Ink Pad, Black Embossing Powder, Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder, Halloween Typed Token, Halloween Ephemera, Hitch Fasteners, Vignette Coffin Box, Bouquet Findings, Mini Screws/Brads, Halloween Adornments
Alcohol Ink: Copper Mixative
Surfaces: Halloween Paper Stash, Black Card
Prima Marketing: Alchemy Aged Brass Wax, Steampunk Copper, Gold Rush
Ranger Craft Sheet
Alcohol Ink Applicator

Big Shot

Heat Gun
 Cheesecloth, chain and sisal floristry fibres from my own stash