Altered Halloween Advent Calendar

WOW, I think this is my biggest Halloween project yet.  It took me 5 days to complete and I could have kept adding!!!  As you know I adore Halloween and yes I have begun bringing out my Halloween goodies.  Lots of photos in this post and there is so much to see.  So lets get into the project and get you inspired for Halloween!

  I was asked by Scrapbooker's Paradise (where I teach) to make one of these Kaiser Craft Shadow Boxes...with a Halloween Theme!!!  Arm twisted and mission accepted.  I am going all Tim on this one! I started by spraying all the pieces with a Hammered Finish in a gun metal grey.     The set even comes with numbers;)     I used My Minds Eye Happy Haunting paper to create each box with a great pattern paper background.  Then using all my Tim Holtz goodies and $1 Store finds I went to town decorating.  I used various numbers from the rub ons, metal numbers, wooden and those that came with the Shadow Box.       Be sure to dry fit before gluing!  It took me 4 hours to die cut and ink all the elements I wanted to use for my Spooky Scene!  
Using the Masquerade Brads from Teresa Collins collection was a great way to add colour and a spot to add numbers from TH Rub Ons.  I also hot glued little black ants and skulls picked up from the $1 Store.  OMG LOVE THE TH SKULL N CROSS BONES!     Each box was a blast to create.  The Enamel Tags are coloured with alcohol ink then I used the Number Rub Ons.      I just picked up the Crescent Moon and Stars die.  Bet you were thinking "baby"...pfft  HALLOWEEN for this girl. The moon is inked with snow cap, walnut stain on the edges and some Rock Candy Stickles for some subtle shine.  I inked a piece of grunge paper with Picket Fence Distress Stain then I stamped my SU skeleton.   I cut his legs and arms and reattaching with brads to move his boney limbs where I wanted them.  Sitting on the moon over the graveyard is EPIC!     I picked up the tree last Christmas at Walmart knowing this wire birch tree would be a Halloween tree.  I sprayed the tree in the same Hammered Finish then attached my $1 Store skulls with hot glue.  The skulls have holes through them so a little glue and they fit perfect.  Check out the lantern hanging in the tree!     Another $1 Store find and Skeleton parts galore.  Just cut them up and glue where needed.  In this case the hands are crawling to get out of the graveyard!  CREEPY...     Probably my favourite part!  I made this little sign using the new Ribbon Flag strip die!  FANTASTIC DIE!!!!  WHOA...there are WHITE Rub Ons with the new Apothecary set.  SHUT THE FRONT DOOR.  This sign attached to the house has matching skulls for both sides.  The little holder is from the pumpkins I picked up. I simply trimmed the end bit and attached with hot glue.  Thus creating a sign for the house.     Ohhhh here's my wee graveyard using the border die and grungepaper. I wove it around the tree adhering with hot glue.  Adding Spanish Moss is a spooky element.  It's a great way to have creepy things coming up out of the ground. Then in the back I layered the Twigs border die.  More skulls, body parts and pumpkins.  Add a little Walnut Stain Distress ink to the glitter pumpkins grunges them up.      I picked up this fun Witches Hat at Pier One.  It's a heavy piece at the top that is full of colour!     Another favourite element is the "All Hallows Eve" banner again using the Ribbon Flag die and My Minds Eye paper to match those Advent Boxes.  The letters are the "WANTED" strip die and topped with Glossy Accents make them shine!  Seriously...coolest die!     The Gothic Boo is a great center piece for the top of my Advent Calendar Shadow Box.  I cut out with grunge board and inked with pewter distress paint. Attaching with the Tiny Attacher to the Iron Gate in grungeboard spanning the whole box.     Last year on a couple of my Tim Holtz Tag wins I was able to order the Rickety House and Branch Tree dies.  Not bragging (;p) hehe but look what I made with them!  Using those white rubs is perfect for the darker elements.      The little skulls come as a necklace set and the hands are the bottom from the $1 STORE.  I think they work great holding the box.  Check out the Hitch Fasteners!  The make a perfect pull for the drawers.     The glass corked jars are another $1 Store find.  I filled it with mini googly eyes and "eye of newt" rub on.  Then with hot glue tucked it in the fence of the haunted rickety house.     More goodies on top of the calendar.  I added a bunch of pumpkins, skulls and jars.  The Oddities jar I crammed some skulls in!      In behind the Rickety House hides my gear.  I wrapped the lantern with some spooky washi tape and tucked a battery tea light for the house. These you barely see but the effect they have is Spooktacular!   In the dark the lantern luminates the graveyard and the tea light flickers through the window of the house!
Check out my quick video showing the lights in action!  I didn't want you to miss it!

I hope this inspires your Halloween juices.  And if you are looking for more Halloween inspiration check out one of my more popular posts right now, Halloween Décor- Pennies a Project!

I'd love to hear what inspires you about Halloween.  And what gets you motivated.  Thank you in advanced for taking the time to come look and if you leave a comment...I love you!