Haunted Design House

It's the Masterful Mistress of the Macabre here, late as usual with my Macabre Monday challenge goodness (bad bad Mistress) I may have to switch places with the Minions for my actions...  well...  maybe ;) We are having our  LAST  challenge of the year, which expires this Sunday at 5pm CST.  The Minions are in need of a little yard time from the dungeon, but will pop in now and again to keep everyone on their toes. So, what is the challenge? Macabre Monday  challenge, " Sam hain   Sun set ." You are to  create a   dark,  Gothic, or  Hallowe'en based art piece that represents a  Samhain  Sunset . We're looking for the colors of a beautiful fall sunset. Think  purples ,  reds ,  oranges , and  yellows . Use them as you wish, just keep it within our guidelines. We are sponsored by the incredibly talented Mitzi Sato-Wiuff, of  Aurora Wings . She has offered up a ver...

... here is a bit of shocking news: The Masterful Mistress actually made a card. Yeah. I know. WTF! AND  it was for a challenge here at Haunted Design House... Woo Hoo! Hellllooooooo, Minions... didya' miss me?  ;) I've missed  you ! HDH #176:  Who Are You Supposed to Be? Please see all details & link up your own creation HERE .  This challenge is being sponsored by: The Minions and I were given the new  Rick St. Dennis images  to work with, and they are delightful! Without further ado... The Masterful Mistress of the Macabre Barb Be sure to pop by my blog, as well as ALL of the Minions' blogs ( see links at right ) for more details & photos.  And don't forget to get your creep on with us... you've still got until Sunday at 5pm (CST) to join in on the fun and possibly win some digi goodness!

Do not adjust your monitors.  It is not a glitch.  And no... you are not hallucinating (or maybe you are).  It is I... The Masterful Mistress of the Macabre! Oh how I have missed this.  It has been so sad that I haven't been able to get my creep on this year and participate at HDH.  Life sometimes is a drag, and the mundane things like work,bills & drama unfortunately take the front seat. So, on to the good stuff for today!  This week we are sponsored by Rick St. Dennis .  I chose to work with his " Salome the Vampyr " and " Hexology " images... and they are fabulous: I apologize for the horrible photos... I just don't know how to adjust my camera when it comes to reds... they always end up REALLY bright.  Anyway, I know the color combo on this card is a bit different.  Red, purple, black & gold?  Yeah.  I had already colored her gown purple & hair black, so the robe needed contrast... it DOES pick up ...

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 ...

As Summer is basically here, it makes me long for the cool, crisp evening air of Autumn and all that is dark and lovely.  However, HBO's True Blood is back in June with Season 5, so that is one of the FEW saving graces of Summer :)  And  since I'm already counting down to June 10th, I thought I'd go all vampish on a cute Saturated Canary digi:  Suzie Stockings   Me thinks I Goth'd her up just a bit.  I used Copic Toner Grays for the black, my favorite "dead" skin combo (BV23, BV20, C00), and for the red:  R39, R56, R37, R35.  The two papers are from Karen Foster, the glittery die-cut is from a LSS, May Arts bat trim, & who knows where the black heart brad came from :)  Did you notice I added a little rhinestone on her garter, too?  Love it. Her dress was really fun to color... all of those folds! The red is waaaay off in this photo.  Damn glitter & shimmery cardstock threw off the lighting. Krista wit...

After seeing what Creepy Glowbugg did with all of those Delicious Doodles images, I didn't even want to post this.  Wasn't that step card amazing?!!!  Me.  So.  Jealous. So, here is my no-frills card for you: That Zombie Pirate image by Teri is awesome, isn't it?  So to make it center-stage, I just used some Karen Foster "Dragon's Gate" paper scraps & popped up the matted image. You still have a few days to play along for the chance at some Delicious Doodles digis!  Check out THIS post for details :)

Two weeks in a row?!  I can't believe it either.  I'm sure I just jinxed myself :)  But, yes, I was able to play along with Macabre Monday ! I've been a fan of Octopode Factory's images since they first came on to the scene.  I love the bold lines and the creepy quirky style.  This week, we've been lucky enough to be sponsored by OF... and here is my offering: I used the head of  Frankenstein's Bride , the body of Morticia , and also the severed head of the Headless Spectre .  KaiserCraft patterned paper, Martha Stewart edge punches (x3), May Arts black web trim, & a sentiment stamp from River City Rubberworks round out this card. I added Glossy Accents to the eyes and the blood... looks great IRL.  I just love how this image looks... and it's from three different digis!   You've still got a couple of days to play along for a chance at some Octopode Factory goodness!  Are you up for the challenge?...

That's right everyone... I'm baaaaaack :)  The "real" jobs have been keeping me hoppin' for so long, that I almost forgot how to find this damn blog!  I'm working this weekend, too, so if I was gonna play, it had to be today.  So, without further ado: HDH126 - Grimm's Grimmest Ike's images that I used for this challenge are f'ing awesome.  "Red" is looking a bit... ummm... yeah, YOU know what I'm sayin'.  >`:)  Let's just say the hubby is diggin' this card. I'm not happy with how the wolf turned out.  When I was almost done with it, my damn marker dumped a HUGE drop right in the middle of it.  Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!  So I kept going over it to try and blend it out, so it looks all blah now.  Dammit.  Good thing "Red" is the focus I guess. I also used an old Rusty Pickle patterned paper that I've been hoarding (LOVE it).  The sentiment stamp is from StampInsanity. You've...

First up... for those that have won prizes and have NOT received them, please email the Mistress:  barbi007@kc.rr.com ... she is obviously slipping :) Next... Mutinous Monday!  I totally forgot about posting this way back when SBS released the Halloween Steampunks...dammit!  Better late than never, I guess: Meet Draco .  LOVE him!  I can't find him in the SBS store, but the link takes you to the section in which he should be found.  The others in that line are pretty awesome, too!  The sentiment here is from Pink By Design's A Haunting We Will Go .  Martha's Scarey Fence & Grass edge punches and a little Echo Park Apothescarey paper line finishes this off. I'll have more Mutinous Mondays for you, however I am up to my pumpkins with classes & holiday activities for the remainder of the year!  I seriously don't remember life being this busy a few years ago... it sucks to be a grown-up sometimes ;)

I started out all dark, but it just kept turning cuter and cuter :)  But I'm so glad I was able to play along this week with Dilly Beans and our "I was Framed" challenge !  I still might work up another one... without pink... but we'll see how time permits ;)   See... told ya'!  Ca-yoot.  I used Dilly Beans' "Framed Zombie Girl 2" image (scroll down a bit)  along with some paper from a Basic Grey 6x6 pad.  And look at the flower... THAT would be one of Creepy Glowbugg's Bwainz ... LOVE it as a flower center!!!   So enjoy your dose of creepy cuteness for the evening.  I'll try to go all darkside next time... I don't want anyone to think I've lost my evil edge ;)   And you still have a few days to play along with this week's challenge!!  Who wouldn't want to win some of those creepy-cute images from Dilly Beans?!!!

It's here... yep, more of that Halloweenie cuteness!  Today I'm sharing two cards made with the final three Simply Betty Stamps Teen Scene Halloween line.  I am pretty excited about today's images because they are modeled after The Addams Family! First up, Lola Addams : Miss 'Tude herself... along with her dolly.  Unfortunately, she has not taken this one's head off yet... hmmm... maybe I'll be doing a little sumpin' sumpin' to remedy that later :) I created the window & wallpaper from last year's Martha Stewart paper pad & a little Bazzill cardstock.  The floor is from Little Yellow Bicycle.  And the sentiments for the cards from yesterday & today is a new set:  "A Haunting We Will Go" from Pink by Design.  MS's Drippy Goo punch adds a final touch. And now, Betty & Christian Addams as... The Spooky Couple : LOVE LOVE LOVE these two!  And look... Thing is in there, too!  I also LOVE that rose trim that I pic...

I hope you enjoyed yesterday's bit of fun from SBS... and today is Release Day , so be sure to pop by the SBS blog for details on how to purchase these Sweet Gothic Kids Halloween stamps and digis at a discount!  There are a total of six images, and you'll only see three on this blog, so hop over to SBS & see what the DT has cooked up for you. Now, today I've got two more images to show you... first up,  Witchy Wednesday :  What's a witch without an attitude, right?  Although her pet kitteh is sportin' a little 'tude of his own ;)   The sentiment stamp is from Pickled Pear Designs, Basic Grey Eerie paper, May Arts burlap ribbon, TH tattered flower die, and of course Copic Markers. Next up, Vampiress Tilly : A cheeky little vamp all in red... blood red, that is.  And check out the awesome little gravestone button!  Creepy Glowbugg sent me a few of these glittery little gems awhile back and I HAD to use one.  I added a little Ma...

Yep... I'm behind a day already.  I've been out of town since Wednesday, but it was for a couple of awesome events.  The first was for the Intermediate Copic Certification class in Wichita, Kansas and the second was the annual seminar for The Angel Company, for which I am an instructor & demonstrator.  Needless to say I'm a wee bit fried.  BUT it was a fabulous time! So now, to catch up with the Simply Betty Stamps Jude & the Rockers release previews!  Monday was supposed to be Ariel : Sassy, huh?  Don't you love the glasses & the eyebrow piercing?!  Adorable me thinks. And Tuesday's preview:  Brittany !  She just so happens to be my absolute favorite of the entire line... which was hard to choose, since they are all freakin' adorable. That hair... ACK!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her.  And she's not the least bit creepy (dammit!)... am I losing my mind?! Coloring this little cutie was a blast... so much so, that I am tea...

This new Jude & the Rockers line from Simply Betty Stamps will be available only in Clear Stamp form. Their official release is Friday, July 1st along with a re-launch of SBS's weekly challenges over at Simply Betty Challenges ! One week will be dedicated to card makers and the other week to scrapbookers, altered art lovers, and everything else! I do hope you will join us for the fun! So, on to today's preview... Jude ! How kickin' is he?! So cute... and I just love that hair :) I used a little May Arts webbie trim and the clip is from We R. The paper is from the Old School line of paper from a company that I can't remember :) It's one of the big ones, though. Anyway, this little guy was a blast to color with his slouchy pants and that spiked 'do... he DOES rock :) Be sure to pop over to the Simply Betty Stamps main blog to see what the rest of the DT did with this cutie... and then tune in every day this week for a new image preview!

I got to play!!!!  I am totally psyched... I just LOVE getting crafty, and these Kenny K images definitely add the fun ;) I was lucky enough to work with Miss Fortune... a sexy little bi-atch, no? And check this awesome clearance aisle find... its a faceted glass gem that has been wrapped in mesh and set into a metal housing.  L.O.V.E. it.  Thank you, JoAnn's, for the frugal find :)  I've got these in this pink/purple, light green, light grey & black (with silver mesh)... jealous?  ;) I'm not overly thrilled with her hair, but the rest of her turned out great, me thinks.  I've got her sitting atop some self-adhesive velvet skully trim from We R.  I cut the little bat out and stuck it on the inside.   The paper is from my stash, and it has been crumpled, sanded & torn... pretty much mangled :)  I also distressed the edges of all of the cardstocks & crumpled up the flower.  I used a Tim Holtz edge die & popped o...

It's finally here!  The Release Day  for the new line of Simply Betty Stamps images... The Burton 'Weenies.  You'll have a chance to win these great images as clear stamps... just hop over to The Burtonesque Dolls blog for all of the details! My absolute FAVORITE of this line is... Pipper : Those ringlets, that facial expression... and of course... PINK !  Love love LOVE her!   The sentiment is a perfect pairing... from a TAC set called Great Greetings .  And yet another 6x6 paper pad from Echo Park... Be Mine .  And look... the ever-present Barbi-dots (that's for you, Patti J!). This whole line of images this week was so fun to color, and fit right in with the ever-so-awesome HDH stalkers, me thinks!  You can get this new line today... and even maybe win one... just pop by TBD blog for all of the details, and to see the DT's fab work! What do you think?  Too pink for HDH?