Monday, September 26, 2011

It's starting to look like Halloween

I'm in a Halloween houses swap on ABC Yahoo Group. It was suggested by Kiram at Ponderings of a Mind, whose digital art I fell in love with at Christmas. You can see her entry on her blog. I know Patty and Marlynn will both love her house.

Kiram's idea was to have the house width 4 inches, like when we make our 4 X 4s. The house couldn't be more than 4 inches wide, but could be as tall as you chose, with a roof of your choice. My house is definitely not as spooky as some I've seen.


I still can't believe I spent over a week working on these. I started with a digital image of a woman with wings and an owl. Then I added a scanned pumpkin. Digital is hard! No getting around it, I would rather cut and paste using paper and scissors than Photoshop, but sometimes you just have to do it. Size can be so restrictive. For instance, I have a couple of die cut pumpkins left from some I made with my friend Kathy's die cutter a couple of years ago. But try as I might, these were too big and I didn't have enough for the number of houses I had to make. After a bit of trial and error (mostly error), I scanned them, then cut them to size. Next, I painted the backgrounds. I added the door, sewed the painted roof (a row (roll) of numbers I got at Dollar Tree), and punched the cat and crow I colored using some black paint. I didn't add the door knob and the focal image until the very end because both were dimensional.


Next, I cut the window using a punch. Gotta' admit, I used a lot of punches on this house. I sewed my information to the inside of the window, then added the cat, also a punch. Next I sewed on the corrugated cardboard roof, then sewed the house together.

The secret to the house was I used 12 X 12 white scrapbook paper that I colored using orange and black paint, then cut into 4 inch X 12 inch strips. I folded the strips in half widthwise then cut the roofs. It looks like Halloween has taken shape in my house (pun possibly intended as an afterthought).

19 thoughtful remarks:

Darla said...

Too darned cute! I don't really do digital, can't get my mind around learning it. It is amazing that you can sew through corrugated paper too. I'm sure people will be delighted with your swap.

Darla

Halle said...

Even though I'm not a fan of Halloween, I can appreciate the thought and work that went into these. They are quite wonderful! You are getting very skilled with that sewing machine.

Ohhh Snap said...

Those are gorgeous!!! I still struggle with digital crafting.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

This is just amazing! Your swap partner is going to be so happy! I love all the details & I always enjoy reading about your process!

Anonymous said...

Digital is hard, I can do the basics, but not much more. Every time I think I have figured something out, it never works the same way twice. Lovely (not so spooky) houses. Reminds me of a 40's movie with a glamourous woman about to enter a dance in a lovely barn somewhere. xox Corrine

Unknown said...

I LOVE this- so cool, and I think all the extra step you added really make this special!

Margaret said...

I love what you've done with your house, well wor the effort! makes me want to get started with some autmn projects! Mx

Sonya Johnson said...

What a great piece! I like that you described your process for creating it, too. For someone who doesn't do (but would like to) mixed media, these are great posts.

Thanks so much for the blog visit and comment - I'm glad I found your blog and am happy to be a new follower :).

Dianne said...

you are farther along with digital than I am! love your house...getting a lot of mileage out of the stamps is a good thing...especially that bird!

jgr said...

Your house is SO festive!! You've inspired me to do something seasonal-maybe something easy-like a Fall wreath.

Thank you for your comment today, I had always wanted to try gelatin prints but it seemed like too much trouble-the Gelli plate is SO easy and as you said it won't 'spoil' or dry up.

voodoo vixen said...

Aaaaw, your spook house is adorable and I love the image of the angelic lady. I am with you on the digi stuff... I know it would probably save me heaps of money and time long term if I would just sit and learn it... but I'm a paper and glue kinda gal and I don't think I'll be changing any time soon!!

~*~Patty S said...

ooo I am such a fan of house shapes...right up there with arches! I will check out her link E...thank you!

Your house really captures the feeling of the season...the corrugated rooftop is brilliant too!

If it would cool down and not feel so sticky out I would believe that fall is right around the corner!
oxo

~*~Patty S said...

ooo checked out the link and YES...Mz Marlynn will enjoy that one too! ;)
oxo

Sue said...

Hi ya hun
how ya didlin?? fabulous creation, sometimes it takes me longer when i am playing with digi, luv what you have created, sue,x

Julia Dunnit said...

How fun - I can believe how long they took..I'm hopeless at Digi, so I congratulate you for sticking with it. I like herself at the door, and the roll of numbers - verrrrry useful!

Caterina Giglio said...

I think your house is elegantly spooky!

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

You are quite right, it should have been 7000 (seven thousand), typo there. Sorry about that. I now have a half functioning desk, and have done a little creating as well as a lot of tidying up.

Angie said...

Thanks for your visit and nice comments ... somehow I seem to miss your blog and then have a huge catch up ...not any more ...I now follow you ...thought I already did but that is why I miss what you are up to. The things you do are fascinating ...a different world of art and crafts...but I love it all.xx

Linda Manning Findley said...

Not to spooky and very lovely ... Linda F