I'm not big on Halloween, but this year I've gotten sucked into the Halloween spirit via both paper and fabric. I started by cutting a few tags from my friend Kathy's old Sizzix. Since I only wanted one side of the tags, I cut the felt and paper into strips I could manage in the die.
It didn't take long until I had enough tags for both my paper and fabric collages. For the paper collage, I used a double sheet of cardboard weight I glued together. In fact, I had this background sitting around since the beginning of the year when I made several of these for One World One Heart. After I decided on a design, I moved on to
the fabric, which I tried to match closely with the tissue paper and thread backing I had previously made.
It was time to bring out the colored Sharpies and 91% rubbing alcohol to color the white muslin.
I used all the green Sharpies and my only blue Sharpie for the background.
I added the alcohol, and as has happened previously,
I got way too much alcohol on the fabric. I used even more muslin cleaning up the mess, but I got some nice blue fabric (with a hint of brown) as a result.
As the fabric dried,
I decided to make a cross from a rubber eraser. I have a bunch of these erasers I bought last year at Big Lots. I think they were two for $1.00 at that time, so I stocked up on them, hoping I would find my carving tools after my basement supplies had been returned. 
No such luck! It's great that these were straight lines, because they were
relatively difficult to cut, even with my arthritic friendly paring knife.
I tried several times to get the cross right. I had to carve it at least twice more before I got it right.
Finally! I was pleased with the really irregular way the cross turned out, too.
I was a bit disappointed with the design because I had wanted a tree in the cemetery, but realized after I had everything in place, that there was no room for it.
I was marginally happier with the headstones in the fabric cemetery. I even added a quilted moon. In fact, this is the first time I have ever tried to quilt a quiltlet that wasn't
just a bunch of haphazard patterns like what is on the back. Now all I have to do is even up the quiltlet with the backing, add a hanger, and it will be ready to display in my rather under decorated Halloween home.Do you celebrate Halloween?
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14 thoughtful remarks:
We don't anymore. We go out to eat as a family then usually visit the in-laws.
It's nice to see you getting all ghoulish and ghosty and I love your little quiltlet. I haven't made anything Halloween-ish this year.... yet!! Having both Chris and Mum about kinda cramps my time in the scrap room but I live in hope that I will be able to make something soon!! ;)
I am a FOOL for Halloween- but of course, I like ALL the holidays! Great tutorial btw and congrats on being one of our winners at Inspiration Avenue!
I don't know about halloween but I'm liking the sharpies and alchohol. excellent
I just spotted (on my second time through) the little bird on top of one tombstone. Heee!
I like both the process you used and the finished product.
Darla
I keep meaning to try that method you use with the alcohol and sharpies. I love the batik effect you manage to get, even though you added too much alcohol. I don't see how it could look any better.
I'm not much into Halloween either but I really like your creative endeavors! I'm going to have to try the Sharpies and alcohol idea. I'm amazed at how it blends the colors.
aren't erasers magical things? xx
When my daughter was younger, we decorated big for Halloween since it is near her birthday & is her favorite holiday. After being flooded by Irene, everything is piled in the garage so I have not had a chance to decorate this year. Perhaps, next year.
I guess I missed your other experiment with alcohol and markers. Thanks for sharing your how-to and results. And your cross carving was a perfect touch to your piece - I like that it's not a "perfect" shape.
Thanks for continuing to visit and comment on my efforts - it's SO much appreciated.
Really interesting what you did with the Sharpie colours. I love your self carved stamp, well done for persevering, the end result is fab!
Ingenious method. How long does it take for the alcohol smell to dissipate? Pretty cool how you carved your own stamp...these turned out beautifully!
Check out DT Call at
http://itscraftingtime.blogspot.com/2011/10/woyww-design-team-call.html
Helen x
gostei muito!
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