That's Life: tiny lights

Showing posts with label tiny lights. Show all posts

Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Hello everyone, welcome to the Witch Market and an update...

Hello everyone...it's been a while since I was last here and many of you have very kindly been sending messages to ask if I was ok and I thought now was the time to take this opportunity to update you all. If you follow me on social media, you probably already know the reasons why I've been absent from my blog, and why I've taken a break over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge but for those who don’t follow me, I thought I'd drop by, say hello and just fill you in on what's been happening since my last post in May.

So, here we go, and this isn't the easiest post I've ever written, I don’t usually share personal things on here, but I wanted to share this and hope you don’t mind reading it…

In May, my Mum suffered a Haemorrhagic Stroke and from the very beginning, the medics told us that we should hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. My Mum was a fighter though, she always had been and she wasn't prepared to leave us without one last fight of her life. And that’s what she did, she fought so hard and so bravely, but after 9 days, my Dad and I had to say goodbye and that was the hardest thing to do, because this beautiful woman, who had a smile that would light up a room and a sense of humour that would brighten our day, was everything to us ~ she wasn't just my Mum, she was my best friend, a beloved wife and a very special lady to everyone who knew her.

For the next 9 weeks, Dad and I tried to get used to life without Mum...it was hard, and it was definitely the most difficult time we had ever faced but no matter what we were going through, we had each other, and that was how we coped with the heartbreak.

But at the end of July, after spending a lovely day together, my Dad started to feel unwell and he was rushed to hospital. After a very long 5 hours, hoping and praying that I’d be able to take him home, my wonderful Dad, my hero, passed away and once again, I had to say goodbye. In the space of 9 weeks, my world had fallen apart….

These last five months have been extremely painful and I can't tell you how much I miss both of them, it's more than words could ever describe but they are always in my heart, by my side and they will never be forgotten because every night, they are both shining bright in the sky!

So, as I begin to slowly ease myself back into a world of creativity, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has sent messages, cards, flowers and just been there for me during these last months. I especially want to say thank you to Tim, Mario, Paula, ❤️❤️❤️ and everyone at Simon Says Stamp. ❤️ You have all been so caring, and so supportive and it really has meant so much to me as I've tried to move forward and cope with all the chaos that comes with this huge loss.

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…and now, to the second half of this post, and if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you will have seen a few of the makes I've created for Tim's recent Halloween Sizzix, Ranger Ink and Christmas Stampers Anonymous releases.

I also shared this piece that I was creating for the Halloween idea-ology Live Launch. I'd actually already made this project just before Dad passed away but unfortunately, it wasn't quite finished in time for Tim's YouTube Live. But for those who haven’t seen it on my socials, it’s now time to welcome you to the Witch Market....

This post is really to show you around the make, it’s not a tutorial but I wanted to share some of the close up details with you and the products I’ve used. If you do have any questions though, then please don't hesitate to message me.

Products used in this post are available at Simon Says Stamp

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To create this piece, I began by choosing the Square Vignette Panel as a base, using the inside to create the appearance of a box. I painted the entire box, inside and out with Black Soot Distress Paint and then adhered Design Tape Trim around the four edges of the panel.

To add texture to the sides, I used the spider's web die in the Sizzix Vaults Fright Night Thinlits set. The web is cut from black card and I just snipped into the die cut to create sections and pieces which I then attached directly onto the box using Matte Collage Medium. Once dry, I just gently rubbed some Sterling Foundry Wax over the raised areas to accentuate the detail before I heat set the wax, using a low setting on my heat tool.

To add even more texture, I used Black Opaque Distress Texture Paste to create a gnarly, vintage effect, and once that was dry, I again used the Foundry Wax to highlight the details. To complete the box, I added some Hitch Fasteners to the top of the panel, and a Machinery Head on either side.

As we begin to walk around the market, you'll notice that I covered the back of the panel with the brand new Halloween Large Collage Strips. These are a favourite of mine and I love that you can use the strips just as they come out of the pack or like I did on this piece, where I cut them into sections so that they all fit perfectly. It’s a bit like a jigsaw and you will need to place some horizontally, and some vertically.

Inside the box, you can see that I built up the main central focal point by layering an Etcetera Facade, (with the circular piece in the centre removed), over the top of the smaller rectangular Etcetera Panel. Both of these pieces are covered with gorgeous papers from the Halloween Backdrops pack and on the centre of the Etcetera Panel, I also attached the black and white circular layer, which is from the Halloween Layers and Paper Dolls pack. You can just see this through the aperture and creates the perfect backdrop for the witches.

Now to add those Halloween Tiny Lights to create that perfect purple glow behind the witches. I attached the lights by drilling a hole through the back of the vignette panel, and continued drilling through the Etcetera Panel which I had fixed into position using Matte Collage Medium.

I then used hot glue to attach the lights to the back of the Facade, placing them around the edge of the circle. With these firmly attached, I used the risers that come in the facade pack, placed these on the back of this piece, and adhered this into position.

On either side of the facade, I used a Bat Web Etcetera Trim. Each trim is painted with Black Soot Distress Paint and then attached ~ one on the left, one on the right.. Once again, I added Black Opaque Distress Paste to each trim for added texture and accentuated this detail with Sterling Foundry Wax.

To complete this focal point, I used Spanish Moss and Mummy Cloth that I dyed with Frayed Burlap and Antique Linen Distress Sprays and tucked this in around the edge of the facade.

Now to move onto the witches...

To create support for the witches and to add some more depth to that central area, I attached "wooden planks". These realistic planks are from the Baseboards pack, and are perfect for adding to a window, or an opening to create a spooky effect.

I added two of these planks to form a cross, which as I mentioned, also doubles as the support needed for the witches heads to rest upon.

I actually used a combination of two Halloween Paper Dolls ~ one is the woman and child, and the other is the older lady, who sits on the right. I then added the eye mask and the witches hats, both of which are from the Halloween Sticker Book, before surrounding them with floral layers on either side.

At this stage, I also added the spider, painted with Distress Paint, and the Shake Well Before Using Label which I adhered directly onto the Facade. I also added the No.13 Remnant Rub, rubbed onto one of the Cello Sticker onto the left hand side, and finally some Screwheads.

Tucked into each side of the panel, and nestled amongst the floral display are some Drippy Candles and all that I did with these to add that orange glow is dab some Stickles Glitter Glue to each of the wicks.

To ensure that the figures look as if they are grounded and their feet aren't floating in mid air, I added an Etcetera Trim across the bottom section of the facade. I painted the trim with Black Soot Distress Paint, and attached it with Matte Collage Medium before adding moss, some Boneyard Findings and Mummy Cloth around their feet.

You'll also notice that I added a key from the Gothic Gates set. This key, which I altered with Distress Paints to create a rusty effect, hangs down on a chain which is attached to a Nail Tack, hammered into the facade.

Now to add some details and on either side of this panel, I attached the gothic gates which I made to look rusty using Transluscent Grit Paste and Distress Paints. I then added a spider along the very bottom, just crawling out of the gate....

...and on the opposite side, I attached a lock, which hangs from this open gate. Once again, Distress paints did their job of creating the look of a patina on the metal.

Now, no Witch Market is complete without bottles full of potions, poison and other elixirs, and this market is no exception because these three witches have been busy and as the 31st October draws near, they are obviously working their magic ~ ready and waiting to cast a spell or two....

I used a combination of Corked Vials and Tiny Corked Vials for this. You can read all about how I alter these clear glass vials on a previous post, and you can also see more of this technique HERE.

Once all my tiny vials were ready and all the little Curator labels were attached to the fronts, I just positioned them across the bottom of the panel, adding moss in and around each bottle.

Finally, I added the Witch Market sticker onto one of the "wooden planks" and used Nail Tacks to attach this to the bottom edge of the panel.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope to be back full time with you very soon but before I go, this post is dedicated to my parents because without them, and without their encouragement to dip my toe into the craft world ~ I wouldn't be here! My Mum bought me my very first kit because she believed that I'd be quite good at making something!

So, with this in mind ~ I hope I made you both so proud of me and I hope you'll always be looking down to see the next part of my journey!

Love you both and shine bright!

xxx

Saturday, 28 October 2023

Something Dreadfully Wicked Globe for Simon Says Stamp

Hello friends!

Today, I'm so happy to be back on the Simon Says Stamp Store blog to share my latest Halloween project with you all and if you love the sneak peek below and dare to see more of this piece, then you can head over to their blog, CLICK HERE to check out the step by step process of how I created my make!

Hope you love what I've made and as always, I can't wait to see if you've been inspired by this make and if you are, then please tag me on social media or here on the blog and I will pop by to see your wonderful makes!

Thanks so much for stopping by and see you again soon!

Love Emma x

Monday, 28 August 2023

Halloween Town...

Hey everyone...

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend but how, how...is it the end of August already?!?! This year has gone so quickly and here in the UK, I'm not even sure if we've had Summer ~ after a brief heatwave in June, it's not been the greatest but saying that, it suits me as I'm not someone who enjoys intense heat and I'm always ready for Autumn!

So, back to today and this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge which is called Sparkle and Shine! There's so many products out there that you can use to play along with our fun challenge and I hope you'll join us and can't wait to see what you create.

For my make, I chose to create a project using Mica Stains and Tiny Lights to create plenty of shine, and quite a bit of sparkle ~ I just hope the photos can do it all justice. I combined all this with some of the new Halloween products from Tim Holtz, including the Halloween Night Thinlits Dies, the Moonlit Die and the window and shattered glass from the idea-ology release and if you dare to enter, then welcome to the dead of night....

For this make, I used a small Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Etcetera Panel.

BACKGROUND

To begin with I'll start with the shimmery sparkly background for my panel and I cut a piece of Heavystock Mixed Media Card the same size as the panel itself and apppied Black Texture Paste through the brand new Fractured Layering Stencil, which was my favourite from the new Halloween release that Tim showcased on his YouTube Live on Saturday.

Once the paste is dry, I then spritzed over the top using the Mica Stains, and chose a combination of Unravelled, Fallen Acorn, Specimen, Phantom Mist and Mulled Cider, spraying each colour individually and misting a small amount of water over the top to blend them. Once happy, I dried the panel, cut a small portion away from the bottom and machine stitched a border around the outside before I adhered this onto the top half of the Etcetera Panel.

I then cut a piece of the brick wall paper from the Halloween Backdrops pack and after adding a few rips and tears around the edge, I machine stitched a border around the edge and placed this onto the panel, beneath the inked card.

To create a nice, finished edge around the panel, I added some design tape, which is the perfect width for these panels.

Across the panel, I added a ledge which will be where I place my trick or treaters. The ledge is created from a Pinked Etcetera Trim, painted with Black Soot Distress Paint and when attached with Matte Collage Medium, it slightly overhangs each side of the panel.

We're now ready to move onto the next step, the die cuts that will create the scene...

DIE CUTS

I used a selection of dies for this make, the Trick or Treaters from the Halloween Nights set, combined with bats and moon from the Moonlight set.

I began with the moon, which is cut from Mixed Media Heavystock card. This is in two separate sections and I used the smaller size moon in the pack. Once I had my pieces cut, I then spritzed the moon with Unravelled and Phantom Mist Mica Stains, allowed them to dry and then inked the edges of each piece, before layering them together to form the moon. I adhered this die cut with foam pads, placing it in the top left hand corner of the panel.

Die cut a selection of bats from black card, using the same die set and shape the wings to make them appear as if they're in flight.

Now for the trick or treaters and these are cut from black card. I cut three layers of this image and then layered them together to form one substantial die cut. You can see the depth this creates in the photo below.

I lightly spritzed Phantom Mist Mica Stain over the top of the die cut and then set it to one side to dry. After cutting another image of the trick or treaters, this time from silver metallic kraft card, I then attached the silver card to the back of the die cut, slightly offsetting it to from a shadow cast by the moonlight.

To add more detail to the black silhoutte, I used a white pencil and just drew in highlights on each figure.

For the final detail to these little people, I cut the pumpkins from cardstock inked with Carved Pumpkin Distress Ink. I then placed each pumpkin over the top of the die cut, and outlined the handle with a silver pen.

We're now ready to bring the scene to life...

WINDOW FRAME AND LIGHTS

Starting with the tiny lights, which create the perfect glow (or shine) behind the window and highlight the silhouettes so well...

To begin with, I drilled a small hole through the panel, placing it where the lights will be attached behind the window. I did this at the top of my frame and just wound the wired backwards and forwards before attaching them to the panel with hot glue. You can wait to do this when you have the frame ready to fit onto the panel, and then this will ensure you hide the lights behind the frame and get the right position.

The frame itself is from the Halloween Layers pack, which also contains the shattered window. (If you need more of the acetate/shattered windows then you can buy these separately)! I cut a panel of the shattered window to fit behind my frame. This can be attached with either matte collage medium or red line tape.

With the frame good to go, I then applied some Translucent Grit Paste around the frame, and around the windows, which I allowed to dry before altering it with a little Distress Paint ~ Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Vintage Photo and Ground Espresso.

I cut a piece of the purple floral design Halloween Backdrops paper and attached this to the back of the frame with foam pads, and this helps to create the look of wallpaper behind the window.

On the top facade of the frame, I added a small Remnant Rub, No.31 from an older set that Tim made for Halloween a few years ago and I also attached an Adornment Star, which I altered with Statue and Sterling Foundry Wax. Remember to heat set the wax to create a permanent finish.

CREATING THE SCENE

Attach your frame to the panel with more foam pads, placing it to slightly overlap the corner of the moon.

Next, I attached the Trick or Treaters, placing them along the ledge and applying foam pads to the back for more dimension.

Add clumps of moss around the base of their feet, along the ledge and then I tucked some Spanish Moss into the arrangement.

I also added some moss around the window frame.

Adhere the bats into position, I placed two on the moon and third in the top right hand corner and then I added some small silver stars. These are always on my desk, leftover from previous projects and I cut them using the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Falling Stars Die.

Finally, I added some Bubbles and Baubles along the ledge. I chose a selection of sizes from each set and then popped them into a clip bag, together with a few drops of Amethyst Alcohol Ink. Clip and seal the bag before shaking them and coating them in the ink.

Tip them out onto a paper towel and once dry, I attached them with Glossy Accents, placing them on each side of the ledge.

Finally, I added the quote chip, "The Dead of Night", which is from the Halloween Baseboards and Transparencies set, and I placed this on the lower section of the panel, adding Hardware Heads on either side and above the quote, I attached a Boneyard Finding. I wrapped some black cotton thread around the bone and then attached it with Matte Collage Medium.

So that's my project for this week complete and as always, I hope you love the piece I've made and will be inspired to try out some of the 'tricks and treats' fo this make.

As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....