The Greetery {Spooky Entomology Halloween Inspiration}

 Hello friends! I'm happy to be here today sharing some Halloween inspiration using some unexpected supplies to bring this “spooky entomology” to life (not literally)! When the Jumbo Curiosity products came out a few years ago, I REALLY wanted to create something like I’ve done today. I pushed the itch away, but with the recently released Hint of Autumn Collection, the time felt right! I love all of the layers, texture, and foiled pieces I was able to bring into this project!

This project consists of a coordinating box and card just in time for the Halloween season! I’ve made boxes like this in the past and they are so fast and easy! The box base measures 4 inches by 5 ½ inches with 1 1/2-inch sides. The top of the box has ¾ inch sides and I added an 1/8 of an inch to the other measurements so it can slide on and off easily. Now, if you’re not inclined to make 3-D projects, this top of this box would also make a fabulous A2 card design as well.

Once the box base was made, it was time to have fun and start decorating! To begin, I used the Jumbo Curiosity: Moth and Jumbo Curiosity: Butterfly Die + Stenciland cut 3 of each variety from white cardstock. As you can see, I only ended up using 2 of each insect, so that would be all you need to cut if you’re recreating this project. I used the coordinating stencils to color the pieces using hickory smoke, black soot, and bundled sage distress oxide inks. I assembled the pieces using liquid glue and set them aside to dry.

I used the Deco Notecard Die to cut the 4 corner details from Antique Gold cardstock (Cardstock Warehouse) and glued them to the 4 corners of the box with liquid glue. Next, I used the Capsule Basics Die to cut a black oval and then used the Capsule Basics Embossing Folder to add the embossed detail. The next layer is one of the panels included in the Deco Notecard Die  and I cut it from Simply Chartreuse cardstock.

I rummaged through my Halloween pattern paper stash and found a script-type piece and added some foiling with Titanium foil using the Capsule Borders 1 Hot Foil and then cut it out using the Capsule Basics Die. For the next layer, I used the Oblong Octagon Labels Die and Oblong Octagon Labels Hot Foil, but in the end, it mostly got covered up. Ha ha! I cut ferns and baby’s breath using the Large Leaves: Fern Die and the Big Branches: Baby's Breath Die. I colored them with distress oxide inks and finger daubers and then glued the ferns together with liquid glue. These were tucked here and there with liquid glue until I was satisfied with the arrangement.

I layered everything using foam squares, which gives it quite a bit of dimension, but since it’s not a card, the more dimension the better, right? The sentiment is from the Tear Strips Tags: Halloween Stamp Set and I strategically stamped just this particular sentiment so I could cut it with the new Shortbread Shapes: Rectangle Labels Die. I gave it all a light spritz of shimmer spray for a touch of sparkle!

For the card, I used the Capsule Borders I Hot Foil on black cardstock and then cut it with the Capsule Basics Die. I was so thrilled to get the new Capsule Basics Embossing Folder so I used that as well to give the card extra dimension.

I used the same foliage for this card but just placed the entire fern underneath the sentiment. I tucked some Baby’s Breath in as well and then arranged the moth and butterfly.

To create the shaped card base, simply create a regular card base and then line the largest oval die (without the scallops) overlapping the spine and run it through your die cut machine. It’s slightly smaller than the scalloped card front, but it works out well to just glue the card front on top! I’m excited for these Halloween projects because I haven’t done too many this year and these will be fun to give! Thanks for fluttering by!