simple dreams

"BOO" Your Neighbor --- It's a Good Thing!

This activity has been one my family has REALLY enjoyed, especially when my girls were a little younger than they are now ;-D It is always so much fun to hear the laughter as they tell their get away stories and it just feels good to bring this little "tradition" to other families.

Here at work I started asking the others if they had ever "Boo'ed" their neighbors. They gave me the funniest look when I asked this question. I then realized that everyone but Cathy had no clue what I was talking about! Thank you for sharing your poem with us Cathy (I couldn't find mine - insert pink cheeks here).

BOO!

The Phantom Ghost has come to call, and left some goodies for one and all.

The Treats that came with this special note, are yours to keep, enjoy them both.

The fun comes when friends like you, will copy this and make it two.

Then others here among our friends, will give warm puzzles that will not end.

We'll have smiles upon our face, no one will know who boo'ed whose place.

Just one short day to work your fun, or a big zap will strike, so run!

And don't forget a nifty treat, like something cute or something sweet.

Please join the fun, let's really bear it, and spread some boos and a kind spirit.

So here is what you do:

1. Make two fun "ghostly" tags,
2. Make two copies of the attached BOO! poem and stamp some fun images around the corners: Download Boo Poem
3. Fill two bags with a couple of treats,
   
4. Place a copy of the BOO! poem in each bag,
5. Secretly deliver to two neighbors or friends,
6. Watch the excitement grow :-D

Above are just a couple of close-ups to help you replicate this design if you choose. I had so much fun masking, aging, texturizing... I hope to share the how-to's for all these fabulous techniques soon :-D

stamps: Stampers Anonymous Winter Sketchbook, Hero Arts ClearDesign Frightful

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Ink - Vintage Photo and Tea Dye; Copic Markers

paper: Manila Tags, #10 (X-Large), Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante 8x8

accessories: Sizzix DIes - Rickety House and On the Fence; Texture Fades - Bricked and Wooden; Martha Stewart Witch and Cauldron, Frisket Film, Adirondack Dabbers - Snow Cap and Espresso, Tim Holtz TImepieces, Game Spinner, Film Strip Ribbon, Memo Pin and Tiny Attacher, 7 Gypsies Antique Brass Reinforcers, White Prismacolor Pencil,  Gold Silk Ribbon

Alice Visits the White Rabbit's House at Hallowe'en in Wonderland

Today let's travel down the rabbit hole and take a peek inside the strange world of Alice!

This project was created for something very special that we are working on here at Ellen Hutson, LLC. Time unfortunately is getting away from us and so I am sharing this project here instead, so that those of you who enjoy creating for fall and Halloween can recreate this little piece of wall art for your own home.

CLUE #4

Silhouettes are big this year! Silhouette your own children with a timeless keepsake that can keep you "in touch" with friends and grandparents.

ETA: Direct link to Clue #5.

I love detail - can you tell? When I was little I made a house out of cardboard, using snippets of fabric, drawing on paper and trying to be resourceful with the few supplies I had. It really wasn't pretty - LOL - but it was fun! When I got this idea in my head I knew I just had to act on it. The Hallowe'en in Wonderland 8x8 paper collection is incredible and so very easy to use to create this magical little piece of wall decor!

When you enlarge the picture above you will note the following details:

• who painted the roses red? I did of course using my Copic airbrush system :-D Hopefully the queen won't "off my head,"
• the arch of unfurling playing cards was inspired by a pop-up book I read to my girls when they were younger - simply cut out the cards from the Jabberwocky 8x8 sheet and arrange as shown,
• Alice was cut out of the tag sheet and the Queen was cut from the Jabberwocky 8x8 sheet,
• the tree and Chesire cat were from the Hallowe'en in Wonderland 8x8 sheet,
• LOVE the Scary Fence punch from Martha Stewart,
• add ivy using the same technique as shared by Susan Tierney Cockburn in this post
• pumpkins were most definitely necessary and I will show you how to create those below :-)

I used Copic Various Ink to color my Sculpey Clay. I HIGHLY recommend wearing gloves as you mix in the color. Add a couple of drops and then work your clay. It will make your clay a little gummy, but I really like the end result.

As you can see I started with Ivory Sculpey and added a couple of drops at a time.

If you stop working the clay you can end up with a very interesting marbled effect.

I rolled the clay into little balls and then added the stem and charcter with a toothpick.

Bake according to the directions. I have to admit I overbaked mine because I wasn't paying close attention (oops,) but the change in coloring turned out to my advantage. The pumpkins looked much more mysterious :-D

Inserting Fantasy Film behind the windows created a wonderful holographic, ghostly effect. I then used one of the spiderweb adhesive images and glitter to add additional charm.

There are SO many more details that will be shared in the near future regarding these awesome little Colonial houses. Like I said earlier we are working on something we hope you will be as excited about as we are ;-D

• Vintage Colonial House
• Label Style Backdrops
• Hallowe'en in Wonderland, Uncommon Nonsense
• White & Cream Crepe Paper
• Hallowe'en in Wonderland 8x8 paper pad
• Hallowe'en in Wonderland, Tags
• Sculpey Clay, Ivory
• Scary Fence Edger Punch
• Open Scallop Edger Punch
• Fall Leaves Edger Punch (used for Ivy)
• Flower Soft Wire
• Mini Gypso Flowers
• Dandelion Fantasy Film
• Fright Night Design Adhesive
• Black Microfine Glitter Ritz
• Tim Holtz Typewriter Charm
• 1/2" punch