Given that it's October, I decided to create a Halloween themed layout using my costume from last year.  I usually spend weeks planning, but last year I waited until the last minute.  (And I did that again this year!)  After watching some youtube makeup tutorials for zipper faces, I made this, and was surprised that it turned out better than I expected.  My mother-in-law says she can't even look at this photo, because it's too gruesome. 

For this month's Scrap Our Stash challenge, you're given this sketch for inspiration and instructed to dig into you stash and incorporate a metal component, I used red safety pins attached via brads to create a banner.  You can't tell, but I appreciate that they actually move and sway when you move the layout.  Happy Halloween and happy crafting!

Detail shots!  For the background, I dyed modeling past in red and added it with a stencil, along with some red ink drips.  I also used the red ink to dye white thicker alphas.  You can also tell I'm really into messy pen outlines lately.  

In the spirit of Halloween, I scrapped another photo of last year's jelly fish costume.  This time it's with my friend Ben who was dressed up as a sailor. Ben plots and plans costumes with me every year.  We send each other youtube videos and pinterest inspiration for weeks leading up to the annual party we attend.  This costume is still my favorite one to date.  I kept it intact, even though it takes up a bunch of space in our small storage area and knowing that it's unlikely that I'll repeat the costume.  I just couldn't part with it quite yet.  

I used several challenges for inspiration.  First, I used GrandDiva's October sketch.  I followed it pretty closely, shortening and adding more paper pieces behind the photo.  I also machine stitched the circle and added lots of other machine stitches through out.  

For the next challenge, I used Rochelle Spears' October Tic Tac Toe.  I used the row: 4+ patterned papers, orange, and die cut.  

Next I used Creating with Paper and More's October word challenge.  This was the overall theme of my layout, using three of the words: Halloween, costume, and friends.  

Lastly, I'm joining The Paper Girls anything goes challenge and Paper Issues link party.  I started this page with gesso to tone down the bold black and white pattern and added light watercolor in the background.  I added a lot of Heidi Swapp embellishments, including color magic banners and stars galore.  

I'm back with another layout for Creative Scappers!  With Halloween coming up, I decided to scrap last year's costume.  My friend throws a Halloween party every year with a changing theme that helps inspire my costume choice.  Last year was a nautical/sunken ship theme and I started prepping my jelly fish costumes over a month ahead of time.  I made Jayden one along with mine and these photos are the two of us all dressed up.  We were lit up, being goofy and dancing around in the dark.  I bought battery operated lights, built our headpiece out of foam and stuffing, and added iridescent ribbon, tulle, and plastic.  It was easily my favorite costume to date and I ended up winning a costume contest.  In contrast, this year I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing and the party is this Friday.  Ack.  

Here's Sketch 280, which inspired my design.  Play along with us by linking up your sketch on the Creative Scrapper's blog by October 31st.  You'll have the chance to win a great prize from Pretty Little Studio.    

For the background I added a bit of gesso, modeling paste with an arrow stencil, and Heidi Swapp color shine.  I used stamps, washi tape strips, and strips of paper.  Most of the paper is from Amy Tangerine's Plus One collection with added acrylic paint that I applied messily around the edged. Then, I added my favorite embellishments, which as of late has included lots of hearts and arrows.  I wanted to scrap the holiday, but my style doesn't lean towards traditional Halloween embellishments and colors.