Random poll question:

Since I have been sucking (in a bad way) at posting, and keeping up on schtuff... should I enlist the help of you good (or evil) readers?  I guess it would be KINDA like a design team, but since I don't own some awesome stamp store, compensation would be a whole separate poll question :)

(HDH design team picture stolen from Google images)

See, when I first started this little ol' blog, I thought I would be surfing the net, finding all kinds of random creepy and weird stuff to post... photos, links, whatever.  How much of THAT has gone on here?

Exactly... notsomuch.  Busy busy... which is good in some ways & NOT in others :)

Sooooooooo, what should we do?  I am definitely keeping Macabre Mondays going, but right now I don't know very far in advance as to what the challenge will be.

{to be read as:  drum up something the night before or night of posting :) }

procrastinate much?

I need to bite the bullet and figure stuff out a minimum of a month ahead

(haaaa haa haaaa.... oh, sorry)

IF I do that, maybe we could do a little team thing?  I don't know... what do you think?

I'm just randomly typing crap here, guys :)  

What would suck (in a bad way) is that if we get a team going and then no participation in challenges happen except team people... know what I'm sayin'?  So, please please let me know your thoughts...

I really DO appreciate all of you!

you are the skull to my crossbones

the wand to my spells

the nail in my coffin... er, ummm... 

... maybe that last one was a bit much?

Please excuse the brain lapse...

... but if you have not received a prize package that you are due, please email asap to:  barbi007@kc.rr.com !  If you happen to know for which HDH challenge, that would be a bonus.  I'm playing catch-up this weekend, and I am even going to try to pre-package some for future winners. 

{Hellooooooo... there's a freakin' concept}

I apologize profusely for my tardiness in getting these to you, ladies... I'm really not this flaky... normally :)  Now that my annual direct-sales seminar is over, I will hopefully be more focused!  Thanks!!!

~Barb... the not-so-Masterful Mistress of the Macabre

No. I haven't done my challenge card yet...

...but thanks for asking :)  I do have an IDEA for one.  Does that count?

Instead, I thought I'd post this super simple card I did last night.

This is London.  Isn't she cute?  What about the green hair?  I struggled with that one... I just didn't have quite the right markers to get the color right, so I kept layering and layering.  You should see the back of the panel... it has as much color on it as the front :)

I'm not sure who makes the sentiment stamp... I removed it from the wood and didn't write down the company a loooooong time ago.  But don't you love it?  And don't we all have a little wonkeyness?

Stamps:  London (Simply Betty), sentiment (unknown)

Paper:  Olivia (BG), teal base (Bazzill), white ultrasmooth & black (TAC)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo

Other:  flowers (MM & Bazzill), brad, silver Stardust glitter pen

Copics:  0, E000, E00, E11, R32, R35, R37, BG72, BG78, YG01, YG03, YG91, G24

Maybe I'll work on my challenge card tonight :)

Don't forget about the sale...

... at Simply Betty Stamps!  It ends tonight at 11:59pm Pacific time!!

HDH045 - Marvelous Masking

HDH Macabre Monday Rules:
1. Create a dark and macabre SOMETHING (card, scrap page, altered item, whatever) that follows the specific Macabre Monday challenge given. Cutesy is fine, but creepy is better :)
2. You have until the following Sunday night @ 5pm central time to post your creation and please leave a direct-link back here.
3. If you upload to any online galleries (TACPCC, S&S, PCP, SCS, etc.), please tag the title using HDH045.
4. Weekly giveaways!  Some weeks will be loaded with loot, others not-so-much... but the thrill is in the win, right?!  Some prizes shall be by random drawing, others hand picked... and I'm not telling you ahead of time :)
5. I'll be selecting a weekly Gruesome Twosome (my top two favorite creations) from all the players. At the end of every month these will be compiled and a Master of Macabre will be selected. He/she will be asked to be a guest blogger for the following month, if they so wish, and receive a little giftie from me... this could be stamp sets, handmade items, papers, halloweenie embellishments... you just never know.

Ok, my little pretties... your challenge this week:

Marvelous Masking

 You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween page, project or card using the stamp masking technique.  Not familiar with this?  There are very extensive masking techniques, and then there is the quick & easy like post-it notes :)  Take a rubber stamp, cover (mask) the area you do NOT want to see, ink up the stamp image, remove mask, and stamp image.  Additional masking on the stamped panel may be required as well... do a little, or a lot... but let's see whatcha' create!!

Lynx is a FABULOUS resource for masked stamped projects... me likey... A LOT!  And don't think you have to rock it like Lynx... simple one-image masking will do just fine for this challenge (that's probably what I'll be doing!!!).  We just want to see you try it!

Ok, sorry I've been MIA lately... I had a weekend seminar to attend, and I'm not very tech savvy away from home (to be read as loser) :)  I am hoping to have something fan-tab-u-lous for you sometime this week... but in the meantime... are YOU up for the challenge?!!

Enabling at it's best...

In celebration of the official start of summer, Simply Betty Stamps is having a sale!!! From now through June 29th:

• Buy all six My Kids Emo World rubber stamps for $45... that's like getting one FREE!!!  Use Code 6EMOS45
• Buy all six DT Diva Digis for $15... that's like getting one FREE!!! Use Code 6DTDD15
•  
• Buy all six My Kids Emo World rubber stamps AND all six DT Diva Digis for $50!!!! That's a discount of more than 30%!!!!!!! EMODTCOMBO

Kenny K's DT call

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge blog is having a DT call through Saturday, June 26th!  These are some cute digi's, I must say.  And if you go to his greeting card shop, you'll see a bunch of fabulous little goth girls, which I am hoping will be released as digi images in the future {crossing fingers}!

So, this post is my bid for a DT spot :)  We're supposed to choose one of our best creations, colored images are a must, and post it.  What is difficult, is that what I think is my best and what someone else thinks is my best are probably totally different :)   Plus, Copic coloring looks very different from colored pencil rendering, so which do you choose?  So, I'm posting more than one... will that totally disqualify me?  :)  

Click on the photos to see them up close and personal!

What do you think... which is your favorite?

Cuteness alert...

Ok... I know you guys are into the dark side of things and all, but I have to share this super cute Kraftin' Kimmie card I made over at my "normal" blog :)

Please click HERE

HDH044 - Noxious Toxins

HDH Macabre Monday Rules:
1. Create a dark and macabre SOMETHING (card, scrap page, altered item, whatever) that follows the specific Macabre Monday challenge given. Cutesy is fine, but creepy is better :)
2. You have until the following Sunday night @ 5pm central time to post your creation and please leave a direct-link back here.
3. If you upload to any online galleries (TACPCC, S&S, PCP, SCS, etc.), please tag the title using HDH044.
4. Weekly giveaways!  Some weeks will be loaded with loot, others not-so-much... but the thrill is in the win, right?!  Some prizes shall be by random drawing, others hand picked... and I'm not telling you ahead of time :)
5. I'll be selecting a weekly Gruesome Twosome (my top two favorite creations) from all the players. At the end of every month these will be compiled and a Master of Macabre will be selected. He/she will be asked to be a guest blogger for the following month, if they so wish, and receive a little giftie from me... this could be stamp sets, handmade items, papers, halloweenie embellishments... you just never know.

Ok, my little pretties... your challenge this week:

Noxious Toxins

 You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween page, project or card using images & sentiments of a poisonous nature.   Arsenic bottles, killer ivy, venomous snakes, pollutants of nature...
... it's a toxic free-for-all.

Check it!  Another week of getting my card done on time :)
Oh, man... I probably just jinxed myself!

Is this not freakin' adorable?  I know... I REALLY like the dark & creepy, but I saw this image and had to have it.  I love the sweet & sinister look on her face :)  This image is huge... not much room for any extra schtuff.  I should have done a 5-1/2" square card... but that's out of my comfort zone :)

Stamps:  Perfect Poison (or is it Pretty Poison? -- Kraftin' Kimmie)
Paper:  Neenah white, TAC black & DCWV green cardstocks
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo
Other:  MS border punch, Crystal Lacquer, Offray & HL ribbons
Copics:  0, E000, E00, E11, V93, V95, V99, YG01, YG05, BV20, BV23

I added a little lacquer to the bottle, her eyes, & barrettes.  I know... ANOTHER dotty background... but it is totally in keeping with this image, no?!  Me loves it.

Ok.  Your turn.  Are y'all up for concocting a little sumpin' sumpin' for this week's challenge?

Double-duty challenge card...

... ala Stampotique :)  Creepy Glowbugg, being one of the coolest creepy chicks I know, agreed to swap a couple of stamp images with me... and of course, Bowtie from Stampotique is STILL on my wishlist :)  Thanks, CGB!

I've been wanting to participate in challenges, but just have not had the time or mojo to get it goin' on... so I forced myself to play today!  I created Bowtie Birthday for The Burtonesque Dolls #7 (Burton birthday) & I used Stamp Insanity's SISC14 sketch & card size (dollar bill:  2-5/8"x6").

Fun time... except for sad Mr. Bowtie... suck it up man, it's just another freakin' birthday!  :)  Yeah, remember I said this come March next year when I turn the big 4-0 (GASP!)  Actually it will be more like {GASP... HOLY $%&^, I'M HOW DAMN OLD?!!!}  :)

Stamps:  Bowtie (Stampotique)

Paper:  Bazzill & DCWV cardstocks

Ink:  stamped from CGB, so not sure :)

Other:  Micron pen, foam tape, misc. gems
Copics:  E000, E00, E11, RV06, RV09, BG10, BG49, BG78

Well, I'm off to play more...

... and what have YOU been working on?!!

***ETA... I just noticed that it looks as if Bowtie is sportin' a 70's fro'!!!

Simply Betty

How much fun is this image?!  LOVE IT.  This is the first Simply Betty Stamps I've inked up... and I can't wait for more :)

I probably shouldn't have made her a redhead... she kinda blends a bit with her outfit.  See the fantabulous red velvet paper?  Vintage flocked wallpaper gifted to me from Creepy Glowbugg... LOVE IT!  It is the entire reason why I gave Betty a red outfit :)  Thanks, man!

The sentiment is great, no?  It is continued on the inside:  "around someone's throat."  LOL!  Thank you, Stamp It Crazy!  I know the feeling quite well ;)  You can't tell, but I spritzed the black base with a bit o' Copper Glimmer Mist... wonderfully shimmery.

Stamps:  Betty (SBS), sentiment (SIC)

Paper:  black (TAC), Bazzill & vintage wallpaper

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo, Mango Versamagic

Other:  Copper Glimmer Mist, border punches (MS & EK Success), misc. ribbon & jewel

Copics:  0, E000, E00, E11, G12, G14, G28, YR02, YR04, YR07, YR18, V99, R29, R35, R37

I totally screwed up coloring her eyes... I reversed the pupils and the reflections... whoops.  Those are some BIG shiny reflections in her eyes!  Oh well... eff it... I'll know next time :)

Gruesome Twosomes and other various creepy people...

For this week's challenge, please scroll down, or click HERE!

HDH041 - Vile Vintage Gruesome Twosome:  Nadine for her vintage murderess & WTF hair embellie, and to Shelley for her beautifully colored & hand drawn image.  Great job, ladies!!!  Grab your GT badge from the sidebar and linky back here!

HDH041 prize winner, randomly drawn, whom will receive a little goodie package from me is:  Shelley!  Please email me your mailing address so I can get your Happy Mail sent out!!


HDH042 - Sinister Shadows Gruesome Twosome:  Kelli for her fabulous shadows-beyond-the-window card, and Susan for her subtle yet creepy moonlit trees.  Fabulous work, girls!  Grab the Gruesome Twosome badge from my sidebar and link back here, please!!!

HDH042 prize winner, whom will receive the awesome Stamp It Crazy Spooky Silhouette image I used for my challenge card is:  Kelli!  Please email me your mailing address so that I can forward that on to Barb at Stamp It Crazy... thanks so much for offering up the prize, Barb!

And let us not forget one of our GT Mistresses, Lynx... fabulous Sweeney Todd creation!! 


I hope to get more participation this week... I know I slacked off myself for the past two challenges!  Can't wait to see what y'all create :)

HDH043 - Truebie or Not Truebie

HDH Macabre Monday Rules:
1. Create a dark and macabre SOMETHING (card, scrap page, altered item, whatever) that follows the specific Macabre Monday challenge given. Cutesy is fine, but creepy is better :)
2. You have until the following Sunday night @ 5pm central time to post your creation and please leave a direct-link back here.
3. If you upload to any online galleries (TACPCC, S&S, PCP, SCS, etc.), please tag the title using HDH043.
4. Weekly giveaways!  Some weeks will be loaded with loot, others not-so-much... but the thrill is in the win, right?!  Some prizes shall be by random drawing, others hand picked... and I'm not telling you ahead of time :)
5. I'll be selecting a weekly Gruesome Twosome (my top two favorite creations) from all the players. At the end of every month these will be compiled and a Master of Macabre will be selected. He/she will be asked to be a guest blogger for the following month, if they so wish, and receive a little giftie from me... this could be stamp sets, handmade items, papers, halloweenie embellishments... you just never know.

Ok, my little pretties... your challenge this week:

Truebie or Not Truebie

 THAT is the question.  You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween page, project or card using inspiration from the HBO series True Blood.   Don't watch the show?  Then simply watch a few of the series trailers & episodes HERE!  What will it be... the Eric/ Sookie/ Bill dynamic?  Or maybe the southern setting of Bons Temps, Louisiana inspires you.  Then again, there is the old standby:  vampires.

Here's my take on the challenge!  I know... A:  it's actually done & B:  it's done on time :)
Though I made the image into a vampire with khaki hair, it reminded me a bit of Sookie.  Wistful and dreamy... who exactly is she thinking of?  Bill or Eric?

Like the flower?  Yeah, another tissue paper one... kinda looks like a mum, doesn't it?  I inked it with violet & black Glimmer Mists.  It's wonderfully sparkly in person... subtle.

Stamps:  Dreaming Gothic Lady (Stamp It Crazy), Label Lingo (TAC hostess set)
Paper:  white ultrasmooth, black (TAC) & Bazzil cardstocks
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo, Glimmer Mist
Other:  Amelia ribbon (TAC), Scor-Bug, tissue paper, red Stardust gel pen
Copics:  0, BV0000, BV20, YG03, YG91, V95, G24, YR23

Your turn for a little True Blood!  I know there must be a couple of Truebies that follow this blog... if not, maybe we'll create some ;)

Down to the wire...

Un-freakin'-believable.  I'm not EVEN gonna get into it... let's just say I completed my own challenge ;)  Not thrilled with it, but it's done!  Super simple, but it uses one of my favorite silhouette images from Stamp It Crazy.

AND I got rid of a few more scraps that were cluttering my desk... bonus!

Stamps:  Spooky Silhouette (Stamp It Crazy)

Paper:  Bazzil, white ultrasmooth & black (TAC) cardstocks

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo

Other:  Prismacolor pencils, mineral oil, EK Success edger punch, Mini-attacher & edge die (TH), uber-cool & creepy trim (gifted from Creepy Glowbugg)

To get into the spirit of HBO's True Blood (tonight at 8pm central!!!), tune in for tomorrow's challenge!

A mere 46 hours left...

... until True Blood season 3!!!

Bite me, Eric... 

... no, really, bite me.

:)

Happy Mail!

I just received my package from Barb over at Stamp It Crazy for donating to the Oz drive (see THIS post)!

***O...M...G... Becky... look at this pile of stamps...  

... it is so big:

And these photos really do not show it well enough.  I don't know that I'll ever be able to use them all, but I'm gonna try :)  That priority mail envie was stuffed!  AND it had a wonderful little note attached telling me to SNAP OUT OF IT AND GET TO CREATING!  :)  I love my support people!

You, too, can get a whopper of a stamp package... be sure to check it out at the link above!  Thanks Barb at Stamp It Crazy... you are freakin' awesome!!

***I just totally dated myself with this play on lyrics... can YOU name that song?!  :)

HDH042 - Sinister Shadows

HDH Macabre Monday Rules:
1. Create a dark and macabre SOMETHING (card, scrap page, altered item, whatever) that follows the specific Macabre Monday challenge given. Cutesy is fine, but creepy is better :)
2. You have until the following Sunday night @ 5pm central time to post your creation and please leave a direct-link back here.
3. If you upload to any online galleries (TACPCC, S&S, PCP, SCS, etc.), please tag the title using HDH042.
4. Weekly giveaways!  Some weeks will be loaded with loot, others not-so-much... but the thrill is in the win, right?!  Some prizes shall be by random drawing, others hand picked... and I'm not telling you ahead of time :)
5. I'll be selecting a weekly Gruesome Twosome (my top two favorite creations) from all the players. At the end of every month these will be compiled and a Master of Macabre will be selected. He/she will be asked to be a guest blogger for the following month, if they so wish, and receive a little giftie from me... this could be stamp sets, handmade items, papers, halloweenie embellishments... you just never know.

Ok, my little pretties... your challenge this week:

Sinister Shadows

 You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween page, project or card using images of shadows or silhouettes.   Is that the shadow of a tree or something else?  What's lurking beyond the window?

Have fun with this one!  I wanna see some spine-tingling, hair-raising entries this week!

Stamp It Crazy Donation Drive for Oz

I'm sure by now many of you have heard about our good friend and Gruesome Twosome Mistress, Oz.  She has been struck with ovarian cancer, and my heart goes out to you, Oz, and to your family... I am sending good vibes your way!  

 

Barb over at Stamp It Crazy has started a donation drive to benefit our awesome Oz... THANK YOU, BARB!  She is matching rubber stamps for your donations... please see all the details here:  StampItCrazy.  What a wonderfully generous thing, Barb :)

If you can spare a bit to help our Oz improve her health, it would be much appreciated.  We miss her creativity and want her up and healthy to start wow'ing us once again with her beautiful artistic works :) 
Thanks!

Deal with it...

My mojo is missing... still... WTF?!!  I am hoping to "stamp out of it" this weekend, but I just don't know.  

Soooooooo, the only thing I have for your viewing pleasure is this super CAS card.  The attitude in the sentiment is a PERFECT affirmation for me to get creative... no?

Stamps:  BeBoop Gothing Wings (Stamp It Crazy), Sassy Girls (Missy B's)

Paper:  Bazzill, white ultrasmooth & black cardstocks (TAC)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo

Other:  MS border punch, Tim Holtz edge die, circle punches

Copics:  0, RV10, RV13, RV14, G12, G24, G85, YR20, YR23, YR24, V99

And this card isn't even vintage for my OWN freakin' HDH challenge?!!  Hmmmmm...

...well, at least I can enter this over at BBCS for their "Anything Goes" challenge :)

Master of the Macabre for May 2010

It's that time again... 

The Gruesome Twosome list from which I will draw a name for Master of the Macabre for May 2010 (from HDH037-HDH040 challenges): 

1.  Creepy Glowbugg

2.  Sarah E.

3.  Donna

4.  Oz

5.  Paula

6.  Sarah E.

7.  Alex

8.  Teri

9.  Kristen

{drum roll}

The May 2010 Master of Macabre  is:   

Alex!!!

Grab your Master of the Macabre badge from the sidebar, and please email me with your mailing address so I can send out your winnings :)

Thanks so much for everyone's participation... because we all really need a little bit of dark to balance out the cute & cuddly in our lives :)  Keep the Eerie Inspiration comin', guys!!