Many of you know that I hate spiders. You could say that I do actually have arachnophobia. Yeah, yeah…they’re great for the environment and all that…but so are BATS! I would SO much rather have bats about than spiders! Blech! But. When I saw this month’s Oh! The Horror Challenge on Smeared & Smudged, I was instantly inspired. Take a peek-see… 
Check out that stunning sky! Those pretty trees! That single spider dropping from it’s elegant web. How could you not be inspired by this? Originally, I was just gonna use the sky as inspiration…but then I remembered this way cool tree that I have…and then oh! That nasty (but totally perfect!) spider stamp that I have (hey, it came in a set!). I went very literal with my card…and I think it’s rad. 
The color is much richer in person. It really follows the colors of the poster. I stamped my tree (Stampers Anonymous) first, then I stamped my spiders (Inkadinkado). I embossed the images in black. Then I started to play with my beloved chalk. Really folks, if you don’t have any chalk…you should really invest in some! I started with the pink and worked my way up the card. I used 4 colors and blended them really well. But the chalk leaves the embossed image…well…chalky. I tried using my eraser (very gingerly) but that was a pain in the ass, so I decided to re heat it just a tiny bit. It re glossed the powder and looks fab again. You just need to remember that if you try this, to not heat it too much. Otherwise, the powder will melt into the paper and might ruin the look of your piece. 
Here you can see the sheen of the embossing powder. I hafta say, I really do like this spider image. The way they swirl around, is actually pretty cool. This card is only one layer! I haven’t made a single layer card in ages! And it only took my about 10 minutes! I am really pleased with it. I hope you check out this and some of the other challenges at Smeared & Smudged. Each month we have several amazing challenges you can play along with. And of course, there are always prizes to be won! So come and visit the S&S Forum! And be sure to visit the rest of the Wicked Bloggers, posted on my sidebar. Have an inspiring day!
that is way kool Alison love the stamp and the background rocks girl,i love it…hugz Anita
This is really stunning. Your work is always so beautiful, even if there is a spider in it!
very gorgous!!! the stamp is awesome and the chalking is perfection!
that is really gorgeous. the images are beautiful together.
Saw this on the forum and WOW! It's truly beautiful! Thought you used a brayer. Chalk, eh? VERY cool! xxD
Love it when you get to creating and one thing leads to another. The chalk work is awesome, I've never tried it. I may have to get brave. LOL
Spooktacular! Love how you created the background, I have chalks but never accomplished something like this. That spder stamp is fab, great job!
Love this! Awesome colors! The background sets the perfect stage for that cool image!
So elegant, love the background and I have really got to get that spider stamp
This is so beautiful. I love the way you have created that sky. The embossing is fab. For someone that don't like spiders – you did an amazing job
Helen xx
Wow fantastic I love that tree
Luv Jane xxx
AMAZING! My chalks are buried someplace….. You are making me think I need to find that someplace 🙂
I hope I never see that tree in real life! Love it! really really pretty!
the background is so cool! I love all the colors! and the image is wicked awesome!