Not so weird ...

Now I know that we here at the weird scissors usually like to bring you something a little different. This project - well not so much - but I'm pleased with how it turned out.

I do love me a matchbox so I couldn't resist the mini matchbox swap set up by the lovely Sian. My partner wanted art journal prompts and, after going round the houses somewhat, I got there in the end even if I did make not one but three matchboxes.

So, here they are ...

A little glimpse of what's inside ...

This is the first one I made by cutting up some magazines, a few stamped images and a lot of ink. It's basically a collection of mini art journal pages. Not really prompts, more inspiration perhaps, so time to do another one.

This probably fits the brief the best, although it's actually the last one I did. Lots of inky, painty, stencilled and stamped backgrounds with a some prompts and a bit of washi tape thrown in for good measure. There are over 30 cards to keep my partner going for a while.

And finally a little bonus box. I went completely off piste with this one after I had some success making faux leather out of paper. It came out really well, although I was just experimenting and have not been able to recreate the results since! Anyway, I used the faux leather as the cover for a little mini journal. It's the first time I've actually done proper sewn in signatures but it won't be the last.

The book is just a collection of papers, many from vintage books and maps, with bits and bobs added here and there, plus some more quotes paper clipped in that can be used in the book or for further inspiration.

I hope my partner likes it. I've had a lot of fun so I may just make some more for myself.

Have a good one and thanks for looking.

Bex

Left of Center and Kenny K

Another Friday challenge at Left of Center, this time using Lady Victoria from Kenny K. I know it kind of looks like a card,but it's actually a cover for one of my many plain black spiral bound journals. I love this image - I think she looks pretty sassy - and I found a quote from my bag o' quotes that seemed to fit. Actually, it was my second choice, but an unfortunate accident with some red ink rendered my first choice unuseable! Sometimes the best things come out of these happy accidents.

I coloured her with my new copics as I had to have a play with them. Love having some darker colours new and only wish I could afford the whole set! Need to win the lottery (need to play the lottery first perhaps). Matted onto a few sheets of DCWV Once Upon a Time paper and added a few bits and bats that I had lying around and bob's your uncle. 

I'm glad I made the effort and it certainly has livened up my rather plain journal. Off to do some more soon, but first I'll be finishing off a few projects for sci fi May, so stay tuned.

Also remember to show us your project* for a chance to win real life craft vouchers. (*see previous posts or facebook for terms)  You can now use this link up tool to participate.

Bex

16 From Junk to Junque

WOW what fabulous Junk Keys from Jas yesterday, I'm intrigued, I wonder why she wants us to hang on to our plastic bottles!!

Day 4 I showcased my Junque Journal covers, and heres a few pages to add to my Halloween JJ.  Stencilling seems to be the technique of the day!!

1. As Darkness Descends

Take an old A4 folder and cut pages to desired size and cover in scraps of paper.

Slap on lots of red acrylic paint, and while wet sponge over some cheap gold paint.

Leave to dry.

Using the Andy Skinner Skullduggery stencil, a sponge and black gesso work the design onto the page.

Leave to dry.

Using The Crafters Workshop 6x6 confetti stencil, repeat the process used with the skull stencil until you are happy with the finished look.

Leave to dry.

Run black gesso around the edges.

2. Beware The Magic

Take an old A4 folder and cut pages to desired size and cover in scraps of paper.

Slap on a layer of white gesso mixed with cream/fawn acrylic paint.

Leave to dry.

Cut out a sizzix gingerbread man and use as a mask.  

Slap on and blend lots of aubergine, terracotta and purple acrlyic paint and while wet sponge over some cheap bronze paint, this creates the background.

Leave to dry.

Using the stencil part of the die cut draw around the gingerbread man to define the edges and with the stencil in place stamp over the gingerbread man image with vintage photo distress ink and the kaiercraft Sketchy stamp.

Punch a small heart out of red card and attach with glue.

Using a permanent marker draw on the stitch marks, mouth and eyes.

Using the sizzix Spooktacular alphabet die cut out your words and attach with glue.

The word "The" was made using my Dymo.

I  do have a slight fasination with Voodoo Dolls!

WICKED

Take an old A4 folder and cut pages to desired size and slap on a layer of white gesso.

Blend a mix of blue and purple chalk pastels to colour the background. 

I use hairspray to 'fix' the chalk pastels.  

Leave to dry.

Use The Crafters Workshop 6x6 confetti stencil with white gesso  and silver glitter glue and 

 Jas's fabby splatter technique from a few days ago, splatter white gesso over the background.

Make your own witches hat stencil and stencil with black gesso.

Stencil the word "WICKED" (from the Tim Holtz Halloween Stencil THS027) with silver ink 

Add a spider cut using a sizzix die.

I've just found an istencil (02-00017), it looks like blood drips and blood splatter, 

guess what I'm off to play with!!

Bex, you're up next!!

TFL Lou x

6. Beware! Warning signs ahead..

Its a spooky time of year. The nights are drawing in and everything looks that little bit more sinister. What we need are warning signs to keep us on the safe path or in true movie style to completely ignore and run towards :)

What you will need to make a warning banner:

2 12x2 Acid yellow card, & 1 12x12 Black Card. Black pen. corner rounder, danger tape, or black seam binding/ribbon.

Cut your yellow squares the smallest is 3" or 7.5cm x9 then the largest 3 3/4" or 9.5cms you should get 9 out of a 12x12 sheet.

From the black you need to cut the middle squares, these are 3 1/2" or 9cm you will also need 9.

(However if you're brave enough you could always gut the small yellow squares from the middle of the largest yellow as it'll be hidden with the black, or just cut the largest squares and draw on the black stripe. Either way works)

Attack all pieces liberally with your corner rounder.

Pick your designs and either print directly onto your mini cards or trace them on and colour them in.

Firstly I went with the normal warnings (clockwise): bio-hazard, death, nuclear/chemical, electricity, for the second lot I went more old school horror dangers: aliens, witches, vampires, werewolves. 

Finally I couldn't help myself with an old school movies theme (anti clockwise): Wizard of OZ' flying monkeys, Godzilla, King Kong, Sleepy Hollow's Headless Horseman.

But the fun truly began with my nod to the more alternative movie villains: Mega Piranha, Sharknado, the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog (Monty Pythons Holy Grail), and the hotly anticipated although completely made up disaster movie Giraffalanche!

at the end rough them up a bit with some bending, a couple of holes, some excess paint dribbles, distress ink etc to make them seem a bit more authentic, I also sprayed mine with clear enamel just to give them a bit protection.

String them together and hang.

Anyway, I hope you like my banner, and have a go at your own warning sign, whether its one big one, a little one on a page in your book, or the whole banner. Good luck and Enjoy

I have entered this into the PunkYouGirl challenge blog.

Hope to see you back tomorrow for some fun with Lou.

Jaz x

4 - Arachnophilia, for the LOVE of SPIDERS

Good Morning fellow Halloweeners.  Today I'll show you how I created these gorgeous Junque Journal Covers.  The only limitation is your imagination.

Material Used.
Old Sketchbook cardboard  back cover
Plastic Halloween toys (spider and a skeleton)
Black Tissue paper
Hot Glue & Gun
PVA Glue
Acrylic Paints in Black and Red
Treasure Gold (in Gold)

1. Draw a spiders web onto the cardboard.
2. Using hot glue trace over your pencil lines.
3. Attach spider with hot glue gun.

4. Tear up black tissue paper into small pieces, mine where roughly 1"x2".
5. Slap on lots of PVA glue and stick down lots of tissue paper.  Apply to front and back.
6.  Once dry, use the black and red acrylic paint to add colour to the tissue paper, colour both front and back.

7. Once dry highlight with Treasure Gold.

My finished front and back covers.

I am entering this into the  Frilly and Funkie Halloween challenge.

Googling "altered halloween book covers" will return a freaky selection of ideas, enjoy!

Lou x