Monday 1 October 2012

October calendar page

Ok last month I decided I would try and get my calendar page done early - so I got it started in good time only to find half way through it really wasn't what I wanted to do for October, so it got abandoned to be returned to for a different project.  So time went by and I was back to my default mode, last day of the month and thinking I really want to get my calendar page done on time!!

   
 Oh well never mind, I'll many be manage it another time. LOL  But I did manage to get the background started and I was really happy how it was looking.  So I thought I would take a few pictures so you could see the process.     
      
   
I did the background as always with Dylusion ink sprays but I added in a little Perfect pearls mist - heirloom gold, when I was spraying to add a little sparkle.  As I wanted the edges quite dark I had to spray them several times, which meant there was a lot of ink lying around.  As always I'm not a one to waste ink so I used sheets of paper to blot off with!! And look how great they turned out in there own right - and these are mop up sheets!!!! I love it!



So next I decided to add a few appropriately spooky elements.  Tim Holts skull stamp was an obvious one.  I stamped it using perfect medium and brushed on a couple of colours of perfect pearls.  Then using a stencil I used a black soot distress ink pad to blend through the stencil to create the lightning (or dead tree branches - depending on how you look at it).  I also stamped in some cobwebs using a orange/red stamp pad.



I also bleached out the moon and a faint fence line along the bottom.

Next I decided to used grave stones for the days - it took me a while to decide between them and pumpkins   and even nearly changed my mind half way through, but fortunately went ahead with the stones. 


These are stamps (I think are made by inkadinkadoo!?!  They come with sayings in each one) which I altered on the computer to the size and details I wanted and printed them out.

Next I randomly stamped them with a cobweb stamp, then coloured them with 3 different shades of Distress ink pads.  I did it while still on the sheet so that I was less likely to damage them.  These were then cut out and the edges inked to darken them a bit. 


So finally using letters from Tim Holtz Halloween paper stack, I cut out and stuck on 'October' along with the tomb stones.  The final touches were to add a bit of red detail and to stamp and perfect pearl more cobwebs over the top.

Well I hope you like it and if you are following Kate Cranes calendar page challenge - which is what is keeping me doing this each month - I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am.
Have a great month!!!
xxxxx




15 comments:

  1. Okay....WOW!!!! My fave calendar so far and thank you for showing us your steps. The grave stones are genious. And what colors!! Very Halloween and Spooky!!!

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  2. I love your pages. How clever with the stones. They are so cute and decorated beautifully.

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  3. OMG Donna this is sheer genius!!!! I absolutely LOVE it!!!! I think this is one of the best ever pages I have seen of your work seriously. The grave stones are fab - are they are a rubber or digital stamp? I can't wait to see you again and get a closer look at this page MWAH!!!!!!!!

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    1. Thanks Tracy - the grave stones are a set of stamps from inkadinkado 'Ephitaphs' - the originals have sayings on each 1 & additional items like a bird on one and shovel on another etc. I didnt want all the bits and wanted them a different size so put them on the computer and changed them. They worked out well. xxx

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  4. Just a really amazing page. Adore the whole concept from start to finish.

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  5. Ooooooh! Spookily fantastic! I love everything about your pages!

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  6. ooooh-how deliciously spooky-love this!!!

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  7. brilliant! so atmospheric, i can almost feel the spooks arising from the graves.

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  8. This is the most beautiful page I have seen for while: fabulous!

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  9. I agree with all the others a stunning page, love the tombstones, brilliant touch

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  10. What fun you look as if you've had :) Love the headstones - very clever.

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  11. Wow! I love everything about your page -- the tombstones go perfectly with the background. Thanks for sharing your process, too.

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  12. Very cool art journal pages. Love the eerie background and the tombstones. What a cool way to do a calendar page! <3 Candy

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  13. Awesome!!! Too cool for words!!!

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