HDH135 Distressed Mistress...

I'm not really distressed...

because I actually got to play along with the challenge this week!  Smeared Ink was awesome enough to offer up a sponsorship, and the Minions and I couldn't be happier... thanks SI!!

We tailored this week's challenge, "Pass the Distressing, Please", specifically for Smeared Ink...

their name says it all!  Ink it, rip it, tear it, file it, crumple it... you get the idea :)  Here is my offering:

other details:  Tim Holtz edge die & key die, Maya Road stick pin & rose trim, Karen Foster paper

I LOVE how this turned out.  In real life, the red is a true BLOOD red!  I added color with my Copics and then went to town distressing the edges & gettin' inky.  I even colored a clear crystal stick pin to match the red... me likey.

I used two of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE Smeared Ink images:

 Skull - Quoth the Raven

Plaque - As Death
 

Aren't they fantastic?!  These images would be perfect to use on June 4th,
which happens to be:

Skull Appreciation Day!

Get more info about SAD over at the Skull-A-Day blog 

And Smeared Ink is doing a blog hop that day, so be sure to check it out to get your fix for everything skully >`:)

So, what do you think, stalkers?  Skulls today AND Monday... ahhh... bliss.

HDH100 - Varying Visages of Vincent... & a little BLOG CANDY-CORN!

Ok, macabre fans... this week marks HDH's 100th challenge! I can't believe it... who knew there were so many creeptastically cool people out there?! Thanks to everyone for tuning in and having fun with this little ol' blog :)

So, to celebrate this milestone, we're going to do a few things different this week >;) The general list of rules still apply (see sidebar), so be sure to follow them to be considered for the coveted Gruesome Twosome & Master of the Macabre titles!

There is BLOG CANDY-CORN to be had this week! That's right... keep reading...

Did you know that Vincent Price would've been 100 this year?!
Yes, so it is divine providence that this week's challenge is:

"Varying Visages of Vincent"

(translates to: the many faces of Vinny)
You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween-based art piece

that is inspired by the TRUE Master of the Macabre, Vincent Price.
A movie, character, poem, narration, song or quote... anything that the great Vincent Price has touched can be used for inspiration. If you need a little help, HERE is a link for some images, HERE is the official Vincent Price website, and HERE is a link to a website with some audio clips.

Now, about the blog candy... Here's a pic so far:

There are rubber and clear stamps, a handful of cards created by The Masterful Mistress herself, chipboard shapes and letters, altered chipboard purse & album pages, skullies, ribbons, floss, embellishments, Distress Stickles, rub-ons... Even a cute stuffed jacko (he's my favorite)... and much much MORE!

As we get more comments & challenge entries,
there MIGHT be more thrown in throughout the week!
AND some of the Minions will be giving away additional blog candy on their own blogs...
be sure to check them out!

The rules for entering blog candy drawing:
1. Readers shall hop to each of the Macabre Minions blogs to see their take on the challenge...
readers must comment on each of the (6) posts.
2. Spread the word about the candy corn via your blog, Twitter, whatevah. Then just comment on this HDH post with a link to the announcement about it.
3. If you play along with the HDH Macabre Monday 100th challenge, you get TWO extra chances to win... just linky up and then add two more comments. We will be selecting a Gruesome Twosome like we normally do.

Now let's see what the Minions have in store for you:

Sultana of the Sinister Lynx

Creepy Cricut Cween Donna

Devious Digital Demoness Susan

Agent of the Abominable Andrea

Temptress of Terror Teri

Cadaverous Concoctor of Chaos Creepy Glowbugg

We can't wait to see everyone's take on this VIVP (Very Important Vincent Price) challenge!

Skull Appreciation Day Blog Hop!

It's finally here!  JUST in case you hadn't heard about this through the grave-vine, the awesome Skull-A-Day blog has declared June 4th to be forever-more
Skull Appreciation Day
:)  For the full deets on this, check out THIS POST at S.A.D.

To help spread the word and share a little skulliness (that would be skull happiness) with the masses, Smeared Ink has organized a fabulous blog hop for us creative & crafty types ;)  AND there are a ton of prizes to be won along the way!  For the full details, list of sponsors & prizes, or if you get lost along the way, just pop over to Terra's blog!  Be prepared to see some fan-freakin'-tastic skull action throughout this hop... a myriad of artists and craftsman have created some terrific works!

If you've arrived here from Dianne's blog, you are right on track.

I'll warn you up front... this card is super simple and not nearly as cool as a lot of the other creations you'll see, but it uses my all-time favorite skull rubber stamp from Artful Illusions (in Wichita, Kansas).  Love love L.O.V.E. this stamp:

(click to enlarge for background detail)

It's so large that it doesn't leave much room for anything else on the card ;)  I heat embossed the background with some Inkadinkado stamps, crumpled & distressed it all.  Then I used some Copper Shimmer spray... which is quite delightful, I must say.

I stamped the image, used BG99, BG96 & BG93 Copics to add a little POP to the image before cutting it out and popping it up.

(click to enlarge for background detail)

Told ya'... super simple.  But that's how I'm celebrating S.A.D. today :)  Now, your next stop on this skulltastic ride is JenniLynne's blog!

So... did you do YOUR part to celebrate today?

SBS 50's Emos Final Preview & Release Day!

It's here!  The Simply Betty Stamps 50's Emos Release  :)  Be sure to pop over to the Simply Betty Stamps blog for details on how to get your mitts on these images!  Now, on to today's preview

50's Emo Betty:

I HAD to ghoul this one up!  Betty is just so happy rolling around on her skully skates... and why shouldn't she be smiling?  Nothing is better than a little brain burger, right?

Yes, our awesome Creepy Glowbugg made some custom GlowBwainz for me :)  Thanks, Glo!  As soon as I saw this image I knew I had to have 50's Betty serving up a little sumpin' sumpin' "off menu" so-to-speak :)

That's it for this week's release!  Don't forget to check out what the rest of the DT has done with this image!  Enjoy!

card recipe:

image:  50's Emo Betty (SBS)

sentiment:  More Bone Appetit (TAC)

paper:  Bazzill & Neenah cardstocks, patterned paper from stash (can't remember)

other:  custom GlowBwainz, Copic markers, EK Success edge punch, misc. ribbon

SBS Teen Scene - Release Day!

It's finally here :)  The Simply Betty Stamps DT girls are doing a little hop to show off the last of the new Teen Scene rubber stamp images!  So, if you've arrived from Guest DT Lisa's blog, then you are on the right track... if not, be sure to start at the Simply Betty Stamps blog for details on how to get these awesome images at a discount... or even FREE!

Today we're showcasing Teen Scene Chaos & Christian:

Gotta love that little lizard hangin' off of the skateboard!

This image is perfect for a tween, teenager, young adult... or if your man is like mine:  eternal kid-at-heart kinda guy :)

And check it... I used yet another of Creepy Glowbugg's GlowSkullz!!  I just love those little things :)  A little MS edge punch action, a retired TAC sentiment stamp, Copic markers, Neenah & Bazzill cardstocks, and some fun paper from my stash and it's a wrap.

Your next stop on this Teen Scene creative ride is Carla!  Be sure to hop by everyone's blogs... there is so much creativity & inspiration :)

***edited to add:  since Blogger went all funky for the last day & half or so, please note that some of the DT's blogs may not be adjusted.  We're hoping everyone gets posted by 8pm central time :)

A Celebratory Romp...

... sounds kinda dirty, doesn't it?  ;)  MUCH more fun than just a mere birthday bloghop, no?  Me & a couple of the Minions are doing a little Fiendishly Festive Friday Frolic to honor the Devious Digital Demoness' birthday today, Susan!  Susan does SO much for HDH, from writing up the challenge posts, to finding WONDERFUL little gems for Fiendishly Fun Fridays, to cracking us up with comments and suggestions.  We love ya' baby!

I know this little card isn't much, and of course you won't be receiving it in the mail today, but you will eventually!  I had hoped to create some bit of awesomeness like Creepy Glowbugg, but time once again slipped away from me... and she has all of that natural talent an all :P

All of the stamps are from The Angel Company, Palette inks, EK Success edger punch, Cricut diecut fence & of course... Stickles.  Susan loves purple and sparkly things, so there you go :)

Happy Birthday, Susan!  I hope today  is as awesome as you are!  

Now, if you'd like to see what some of the others have made for Susan:

Creepy Glowbugg - Cadaverous Concoctor of Chaos

Donna - Creepy Cricut Cween

Andrea - Agent of the Abominable

SBS Veronica & Gang Blog Hop

Betty from Simply Betty Stamps has been cracking the whip, and her new artists are cranking out some fun stuff!  Today, I'll be showing you a couple of new images from the Veronica & Gang line.  If you've arrived from Angela's blog, you are on the right track... if not, please head over to the Simply Betty Stamps Challenge blog for details on how you can get your mitts on some of these images... possibly for free!

Now, for today's bit of crafty-goodness:

This is Mary Jane, and she is my FAVORITE of this line.  VERY cute, but me thinks you could vamp her out a bit :)  The sentiment is from StampInsanity.

How do you like the GlowSkullz garter embellishment?!  Me LOVES it :)  My girl and Macabre Minion, Creepy Glowbugg hooked me up with some of these sah-weet skully buttons in white... thanks, man!  She makes several colors... you can purchase some HERE.  And check out her Etsy store HERE!

There's a lot of pop-dot action on this baby... even the white panel is popped up.

Now, since I was pressed for time, I decided to just use this same card design for Zoe:

Pink, black & white... good ol' standard color combo, no?  A couple of Maya Road stick pins and an awesome gray/black button finishes it off nicely.  The sentiment is a retired one from The Angel Company...

I like to imagine that Zoe is doing a little internet Dom bih-ness in her spare time...  

IF you know what I'm sayin'.  >;)

There I go... makin' up stories again.

Well, if you made it through this far... thanks!

And now on to some more Veronica & Gang fun at

Betty Boo's blog!

And don't forget... if you get lost along the hop,

just go back to the SBS Challenge blog for the full hop list :)

SBS Steampunk Romance Blog Hop

Simply Betty Stamps is releasing a new line of steampunk images... ala Romance! These are perfect for love, anniversary, engagement, or "just because" cards & projects. If you've arrived via Angela's blog, then you are on the right track, if not, be sure to start at the Simply Betty Stamps Challenge Blog for details on how you can get your mitts on some of these fantastic new images at a discount or for FREE!

I am loving Betty's new artist that creates these steampunk lines! All of the clothing folds and details... they are so much fun to color.

First up is Grace. I thought she was lookin' a little forlorn, so I created a "miss you" card. Super clean & simple!

Digi: Steampunk Romance Grace
Rubber Stamps (The Angel Company): Background Soup, (can't remember the senti set)
Paper: Bazzill & Caboodle white cardstocks
Ink: VersaFine Onyx
Other: Copic markers, MS border punch, misc. ribbon

Don't you LOVE the little bat wings on the heart?!


And next up is Emma. She is my FAVORITE of the six new Steampunks!

I cut the card front short so the edge punch showed up better. I thought the hearts were pretty fitting.

Digi: Steampunk Romance Emma
Rubber Stamp (The Angel Company): Love You
Paper: misc. eggplant, kraft & Caboodle white cardstocks
Ink: VersaFine Onyx
Other: Copic markers, EK Success edge punch

I'm very pleased with how the coloring came out on this image! It looks even better in person :) But do you see why I love this new line?! Look at all of those folds. {sigh}

Well, that's it for today, folks... but don't fret! There is much more Steampunk Romance-inspired work to see... your next stop on this hop is Betty Boo's blog. And don't forget that if you get lost along the way, just go to the Simply Betty Stamps Challenge Blog for the full hop list!

SBS Valentine Emos Release Day Hop!

Yeay!  It's finally here :)  Simply Betty Stamps' Valentine Emos Release par-tay!  If you've arrived here via Angela's blog, you are on the right track... if not or if you get lost along the way, please go to the Simply Betty Challenge blog.  While you are there, you might want to check out how to win a couple of these awesome Valentine Emo digi's!

And here is my little bit o' love today...

Yes, the infamous Cupid Christian feeding Valentine Lola a line ;)  I really couldn't figure out a whopper of a witty sentiment... I'm sure y'all can have a little fun with THAT!  Some others I was kicking around:

"What are you tryin' to say...  this outfit isn't sexy?"

or 

"How many guys CAN pull off this look, huh?!"

:)

I know... silly.  But fun!  I LOVE the look in Lola's eye... is it not devious?!  I Stickled her up a bit for a bit o' blinginess... I mean she had to match Christian's halo & wings, right?

That face!  {giggling}  I don't know of any dude (of sound mind) that would don a diaper to impress the ladies... I'm just sayin'.  :)

Well, that's it for this Fiendishly Fun Friday!  Don't forget to leave some lovin' along the hop... you could win a little sumpin' sumpin' ;)

Your next stop on this Virtual Valentine Voyage is Betty Boo!

My Top 10 Cards of 2010 Blog Hop

Fellow SBS DT member, Suzi, has organized a fun blog hop to round out the year!

All you have to do to join in, is create a  post on your blog entitled

'My Top Ten Cards of 2010'.  Then link that post to Suzi's post, using the inlinkz tool at the bottom of her post... please visit that post to see details about prizes along the hop!

 

 

Sooooooooo, here are my faves for the year:

Images by:  Simply Betty Stamps (vampire),

The Angel Company (foliage & sentiment)

Images by:  Kenny K (girl), The Angel Company (sentiment & background)

Image by Stamp It Crazy

Image by Delicious Doodles

Images by:  Simply Betty Stamps (vampires), Stampers Anonymous (sentiment)

Images by:  Tiddly Inks (house & fairy), Viva Las Vegas Stamps (sentiment)

Images by:  Stamp It Crazy (fairy), Stampers Anonymous (tree),

The Angel Company (foliage & sentiment)

Images by:  Simply Betty Stamps (boy), unknown sentiment

 

Image by:  Tidldy Inks (witch), The Angel Company (Boo!)

 

And my absolute most favorite for the year has to be this one...

I think it's the hand drawn knife that's the clincher:

Images by:  B-line Designs (boy w/ wagon), Kraftin' Kimmie (dolls),

The Angel Company (fleur), Bombshell (skull), and unknown sentiment

What do you think?

New Simply Betty Release - Christmas Emos Release Day Blog Hop

Yeay!  It's here!  SBS Release Day Hop... if you have arrived here from Angela's blog, then you are on the right track... if not, head over to the SBS blog for all of the hop details!  Let me just say this:  there are SEVERAL fab prizes to win!!!

Rio really knows how to trim a tree... skullies & pink bling... what could be more festive?!   And just look at her eyes... they turned out pretty cool, if I may say so myself :)  Ah, the beauty of Copic coloring... you can change your eye color to match your sweater EVERY time :)

Digi/Rubber Stamp:  Rio Trimming the Tree

Sentiment stamp:  Merry Words (retired TAC)

Paper:  Sophie (retired BG); Black, Mimi & Caboodle white cs (TAC)

Other:  Copic markers, pink Stardust glitter pen, VersaFine Onyx ink, misc. ribbon & pink rhinestones

Now on to the rest of the Simply Betty Stamps Christmas Emos Blog Hop!

Your next stop is Catherine's blog!  Happy hopping!

TI & SBS Trick or Treat Blog Hop

Two great companies, one awesome hop :)  Christy & Betty just happen to be BIG Halloween fans, so guess what...  Yep, Tiddly Inks & Simply Betty Stamps decided to do a little swap hop... the TI DT worked with Simply Betty images, and the SBS gals got to play with Tiddly Inks images.  Should be fun!

What's even better is that this hop will involve you, too!  Yes, you can do a little Trick or Treating with us and maybe score some gift vouchers to Tiddly Inks or Simply Betty Stamps!  How?  Simply go check out Christy's blog for all of the details... she's the one that is gonna kick this hop off :)  And if you've arrived from Angela's blog, you are on the right track!

Now, here's the little twist to this hop, we were to create a Trick (a favorite technique) or a Treat (just a project to share).  Well, I'm usually a trickster, but I decided to just go for the treat this time :)

 I worked with TI's Betty Belfrey... isn't she freakin' adorable!?  She was so fun to color.  And for some reason I was kinda in a scrappy mood... so I just kept layering... pop dots are my friends :)

Digi:  Betty Belfrey (Tiddly Inks);  Rubber stamp:  Boo! (retired TAC);  Paper:  Icky from Heebie Jeebies (WRMK), flocked dot (Hobby Lobby), Penelope & Caboodle white cs;  Other:  Copic markers, VersaFine Onyx ink, iron fence punch (MS), bat & webbed trims (May Arts), moon transparency (MM), pumpkin brad (OTC)

I fussy-cut the 6x6 Heebie frame and glued it to a slightly smaller white card base.  Love the shape and that image just makes me smile.

:)

See?

Well, off you go to Catherine's blog for more Tricks or Treats :)

Enjoy the hop and I hope your Halloween is frightfully fun!