Unseen Magic

Hello!! I'm back with one more Halloween project. I am itching to jump into Christmas creating but wanted to sneak in one more spooky project. I've had a paper mache witch's hat sitting on my table waiting for inspiration to strike. When I found some witch boots that I had cut from Tim Holtz's Ice Skate die and knew just where this hat was going to go. 

I began by painting the paper mache hat with black acrylic paint and let dry. I wanted a worn and vintage look so started playing with different inks and mediums until I achieved the look I wanted. I randomly sprayed Black Soot Distress Oxide Spray around the hat and lightly spritzed with water. Once dry I blended in Walnut Stain Distress Crayon and smudged with a damp finger. With a soft brush, I blended in umber artisan powder. 

Around the bottom of the hat, I added a band of 3D Mini Scallop Impresslits cut from aluminum tape and painted black. 

I then painted and distressed one of the larger bases from the Vignette Finial Set the same as the hat. I had previously planned to use this base in another project and had glued a wooden piece to it. I used Distress Collage Medium and let me tell you that stuff sticks!! There was no getting the two pieces apart once dry!! 

Here is the finished base with the Quote Token attached using distressed Craft Thread. 

I then altered one of the larger sized Corked Vials. I began by pouncing on Mushroom and Smolder Alcohol Inks. Once those were dry I used my finger to randomly apply Distress Collage Medium and blended in some artisan powder to give it a dusty look. 

I finished it off with a bit of the leftover Craft Thread and added a poison label from the Halloween Ephemera set. 

I then altered a couple of Mini Pumpkins with Mushroom and Smolder Alcohol Inks. 

The witch of the hour is from last year's Framed Portraits Halloween. I took her out of the black frame and layered her under one of this year's Baseboards and Layers frames and topped it off with a Baroque frame. 

Now for my favorite part!! 

To make your boot begin by cutting out one or more of the Ice Skates. 

Cut along the white lines, adding a notch in the heel for extra detail. 

Cover boots with a layer of Distress Crazing Medium and allow to air dry. Once dry distress boots using Walnut Stain Distress Crayon and umber artisan powder. 

Cut a length of Craft Thread and distress using the Walnut Stain Distress Crayon. 

To thread the boots I like to start at the back pull needle thru until even lengths are on front and back. Then thread thru every other hole and leave the remaining tail at the top of the boot. Move the needle to the other end of the thread and thread the remaining holes. Tie a bow in the remaining tails at the top of the boot. 

I also added a bit of brown lace to the top of this boot. 

To help the text pop on the Quote Tokens add some Picket Fence Distress Crayon to the debossed areas, wipe away the excess crayon using a paper towel. 

the handle of the Broomstick has a length of distressed Craft Thread wrapped around it. 

To finish off your witch's hat adhere all pieces to the brim. I added a bit of dried moss to mine as filler. Or who knows maybe it's a secret witchy ingredient? Oh and I topped the hat off with a Bitty Bat. 

I had a lot of fun making this witchy headwear.

I am linking up to Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. 

What Halloween and Fall projects are you working on? Or have you jumped headfirst into Christmas?

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee