I have decided to combine my post here for Smudgy Antics June Anything Goes challenge and the Skull-a-Day blog hop sponsored by Smeared and Smudged. Both projects are skulls but both have there own unique twists. The skull for the Smudgy Antics challenge has, of course Smeared Ink stamps used on it. To be precise, stamps from the Quoth the Raven rubber stamp set.
The images were all stamped onto orange tissue paper and heat embossed with black with added touches of copper and purple. Both the copper and the purple seemed to overcome the black but it did darken. There's the ravens on the teeth and the forehead from the holy city range as well. All coated with matt mod podge to seal.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQK0UfcQw2RnWMGkZDZ8zLUjk7m0z8WnPFKgFlK43YeKVCE1j0TE2wbbdCoBxYXwojJqp8xgePPxlszZySUHSNkYQTXjpkHTiQl33okyIa2drEugB_ffs7b9tMiDdAHo1mzKNgCX8iwWw/s320/WMfront.jpg)
A hole cut in the top to take a candle. I used an old pie dish, that was sprinkled with black alcohol ink to take that silver glare down and camouflage, to both protect the inside and hole area from any over heated wax.
My second skull
Both these skulls have had the same basic paint treatment. First painted with black acrylic paint after sealing with watered down pva glue. When thoroughly dry they were dry brushed with burnt umber then some bits were highlighted with burnt sienna acrylic paints. This gives them that old leathered look I was after.
This one is my steam punk one. The stamps used are by Andy Skinner at Personal Impressions and the die cuts are TH gadget gears. Some old real watch parts used as well. All the bits apart from the tissue paper stuck on before painting.
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Some texturizing medium used on the teeth and bits of the cogs to give the rusty look. the little "rivets" are just blobs of glossy accents and the cog centres are brads with the feet removed.
the blog list is a long one. So many people joining in this year which is wonderful news. There are lots of spot-prizes along the way from our fabulous sponsors as well
for more information on Skull Appreciation Day, please visit here
for a list of the sponsors please pop over to Tori's blog
It has been decided that for the main prizes - the hop has to be completed, leaving comments on each blog, by midnight PST Wednesday 6/6/12
and the list should you get lost -
Tori
Black Dragon
Monique
Helen
Lady Brayton
Fiona
Christine
Jane
Judy
Alison
Susan
Andrea
Smudger Challenge
Laura
Lisa
Kristy
Steph
Glittery Katie
Lisa
Kapree
Ms. Ruin
Kathi
Bombshell Stamps Blog
Dianne
Donna
Nydia
Lady Coral
Suzi
Julia
Patti
Miko
Renee
Wendy
Christina
Hazel
Skye
Wenchkin
Betsy
Scrapbook Stamp Society
eww wow that is awesome. My fav is the steampunk one but they both are gorgeous. Looks like you put some hard work in on these. I love the leather look. All the stamped images and all the extra elements put on are perfect. these are awesome love them thanks for sharing your awesome work again
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT trying to think of skull puns an just comming up with rude puns to do with bones...EE
ReplyDeleteVERY cool skulls Helen!!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness woman you have outdone yourself those skulls are SUPERB x
ReplyDeleteawesome skulls, love them both but I love the steampunk one the most (did you do the Andy Skinner Time worn workshop?)
ReplyDeleteHelen these are totally cool! I LOVE,Love,love the Steam punk Skull! So very cool, lots of great textures! WOWZA, I am so glad I came here...you gave me some ideas for halloween crafting! :)
ReplyDeletehugs,
Susan
Two FAB Skulls Helen...... Love the cogs on the second one......Very effective. x
ReplyDeletePretty amazing creation!
ReplyDeleteYour skull creations are fantastic!!! It must have taken hours to create just one. They are masterpieces!!!
ReplyDeleteOh WOW! Loving your skulls! They're both so fab, I can't pick a fave. xxD
ReplyDeleteThese skulls are so cool! I love all the textures you've added.
ReplyDeletewow the work and time you have spent on ur skull is unreal ... brilliant work xxx
ReplyDeleteThese skulls are fabulous. You did a fantastic job.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these are just stunning - love the candle but the Steampunk look is so cool. AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteAwesome skulls! I especially love the steampunk one.:)
ReplyDeleteWOW, just Love all the texture.. can't imagine how much time you put into both of these great projects! Wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Great skulls. I really like the Steampunk treatment on the second one.
ReplyDeleteGreat skulls!!LOVE the steampunk one!!
ReplyDeletewonderful labor of art Helen..awesome! love the steampunk skully..love them all.
ReplyDeletehugs,
susan s.
Both your skulls are awesome love them both xxxx
ReplyDeleteYour time and effort are obvious on both skulls. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFabulous skulls! I really like both of them, but I think the bottom one is my favorite. Love all of those gears. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThose are both very cool, but I must play favorites! The steampunk one totally delights me!
ReplyDeletegreat work, helen! xxlisa
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Of course, everything you create is always wonderful, so I expected it, lol. You always manage to delight!
ReplyDeleteHelen,
ReplyDeleteJust fabulous girl! Both of your skulls are out of this world! Love the idea with the candle on top! You have done a great job on both!
Peace,
Kristy
Could I encourage you to make a tutorial video on youtube? Cause these creations are simple magnificent! Incredible job
ReplyDeleteUhhhhhhh...WOW! That is one flippin' awesome project!!! I love it. Fabulous x10!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! :)
ReplyDeleteLauren
landerson dot 1018 at gmail dot com
laurenslittlecraftyplace.blogspot.com
Very nice! <3 the Steam Punk them of the second skull! :)
ReplyDeleteThey are both cool but I love the cog on the second one!
ReplyDeleteThose Skulls are devine, I'd love to see the candle lit in the right one to see the glow it gives the skull. Love all the texture and the rusty feel of the Steampunk Skull.
ReplyDeleteTwo really awesome creations
hugs
Suzi
xxx
Love both of your skulls, Helen! I must say that I'm partial to the steampunk one, love the gears, the watch bits & bobs - Excellent! Awesome work!
ReplyDeleteWow! So cool and spooky
ReplyDeleteHugs Nataliya
This is a very interesting piece. The textured parts remind me of stempunk items. Totally Outragous.
ReplyDeleteHugz,
Christine Garner aka Wicked Lady
Wow - that steampunk skull is soooo cool! Very creative and totally fun! Awesome.
ReplyDeleteDang, girl! I know why you started early on your projects. There is so much work involved with these skulls! I keep seeing more and more detail each time I look at them! Very cool colors and textures. I am totally drooling over the steampunk skull and may borrow some of your ideas down the line...especially the glossy accent blobs for rivets. Brilliant! You rock!
ReplyDeleteI adore these, what a fun project
ReplyDeleteAMAZING! I love all the gears! Great piece!
ReplyDeleteBetty
These are skulltastic! Love them...so grungy ad wicked! Fab work...
ReplyDeleteI love how metallic the finishes look, especially on the second skull. What are the base skulls made of? I like the metal looking strips (I believe you said they're just die cut paper, covered in all sorts of stuff) on the top right, bottom left of the second skull. Neat effect.
ReplyDeletethe base skulls are paper mache
Deletelove the detail, especially the steam punk one. awesome!
ReplyDeleteLovely, great creation!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Julia
love them both! the stempunk one is awesome but I love quoth the raven!!! great projects
ReplyDeleteSuperb work especially on the details :)
ReplyDeletenursing courses
Helen....what can i say.... TOTALLY BRILLIANT.....love both but of cause POE wins for me!
ReplyDeletemuch love my friend....xxx BDx
Thanks for entering the smudger challenge with your amazing creation xx
ReplyDelete