Happy Halloween {Retro Trick-or-Treat}

Happy Halloween, friends! I'm popping in to share one last Halloween project using a fun mix of products! I bought these cute Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlets Retro Halloween dies a few years ago with great intentions and then they just sat. I remedied that this year and now they have graduated from the "new and unused" basket to their proper home with the rest of the Halloween collection! It does make me sad saying goodbye to all of the Halloween goodies until next year.

I created a set of three identical tags and a coordinating card . To begin creating the cats, I die cut all of the base layers from cream cardstock and the detail portion from black. I also cut the eyes and the mouths again from Summer Sunrise cardstock. I wanted the mouth to be more orange so I added some Canyon Clay ink over the top.  I glued the outline to the cream base and added the black mouth back on. I then layered the Summer Sunrise mouth over the top of the black inlaid mouth. I did the double thick mouth so I could add Ranger Glossy Accents. I didn't do this on the first attempt and I wasn't very steady with the gloss, so it got a little messy. The two layers helped remedy that problem so I did it on the other two tags as well as the card.

The cats were inspired by a vintage cat illustration and the cat had an orange polka-dot bow. Some of you may remember having decorations like that when you were a child; I sure loved all of our Halloween cut-outs my mom would hang around the house! The bow was cut from Orange Zest Bitty Big paper using the Wrap-it Ribbons Die and then assembled using liquid glue and foam squares. I did add some Canyon Clay ink around some of the edges, especially around the center, for depth, interest, and dimension.

I was thrilled to find that the Hocus Pocus Patten Paper gave the perfect retro vibe to accent these cute cats! I love this paper, but find it doesn't lend itself to every style of Halloween products, so I'm so happy it works so well with these dies. Each tag has a sentiment from Spooky Sweets II that has been retired for quite awhile, but I just love it so it seems to make an appearance every Halloween. I gave everything a spritz of Sparkle Shimmer Spray for some shine. I punched a hole at the top of each tag and added some True Black Baker's Twine. 

As I mentioned earlier, I made three tags in total, all identical (with the exception of the messy-mouth cat! haha!) . I used the Love to Layer: Elegant Points Die as the base for my tag. I oftentimes struggle with finding a suitable tag die and I had a lightbulb moment (or maybe a "duh!" moment) and realized I have been neglecting my biggest resource for unique shaped tags: Love to Layer dies AND Reflections dies! These are all the perfect solution for all different shapes and sizes of tags and will come in SO handy this holiday season!

As you can see, I used the largest die included with the Elegant Points for one of the layers on the card. I used the smaller print of that same paper from Hocus Pocus to keep everything cohesive, but not identical. For the card, I also used the wonderful new Circle It: Pierced Die cut from Ocean Tides cardstock with some Stormy Sea ink around the edges . I also added some black ink splatter for additional interest.

I cut a black card base and added the star paper that is included in another older pad of pattern paper from PTI. I think it's called Halloween Prints and is most likely discontinued. I layered everything up using foam squares. It seems I can find a use for the Into the Blooms: Anemones Die no matter the occasion or season! ha ha! I cut two of the leaf designs, the berries, and berry sprigs from white and cream cardstock (just what I had on my desk; no particular reason for both colors) and then colored them with black ink and Stormy Sea ink. I added some black ink splatter and fossilized amber distress spray and then tucked them around the cat.

I did add some glossy accents to the berries and just realized I forgot to add some white gel pen "shine" details so I will need to go back and do that before it gets sent to the recipient. I die cut the BOO word twice, once from Summer Sunrise and once from True Black using the To Die For Sentiments: Halloween Die and glued them together slightly off-set. I tucked the "open if you dare" sentiment in the opening of the O and secured it with a foam square. I had so much fun creating the  card and set of tags! Have a happy and safe day and thanks for fluttering by!

 

Frightfully Sweet Halloween

Halloween is frightfully close and I snuck some time to create a few cards and tags to finish up the season! This particular stamp set is one of my favorites and I seem to pull it out every year, but it looks like it has been discontinued. It is called Frightfully Sweet from MFT and is such a fun one to color. 

Both cards are almost identical and to begin, I used a Cloud Stencil on an A2 panel of white cardstock with milled lavender and wilted violet distress oxide inks. I also added some wilted violet ink splatter over the top. I trimmed the panels down to measure 4 by 5 1/4 inches and set them aside.

The scene was created by using the Bring Home the Holidays Die Collection. I have been using this particular die set a TON lately and for all types of cards, so it definitely transcends beyond Christmas and winter. I die cut the hills from Weathervane and Soft Stone cardstock and the trees from black. I glued them all on the stenciled panels using foam squares and liquid glue.

Please note, I DID stamp the sentiment on the grey hill before I added it to the background. I die cut all of the cute critters and candy pieces and then stamped them with black ink. I colored them with alcohol markers and added some glossy accents to the candy pieces and the treat buckets. Once they were dry, I added some white gel pen accents. 

I also created some quick and easy tags using the same spooky critters. I didn't use a tag die but rather just cut black cardstock and then used a paper punch on the corners to give it the tag shape.

I used a sheet of really old SU!  Halloween pattern paper that I've had in my stash for the cute pattern and color.

The sentiments are heat embossed in silver and then added to the tags with foam squares.

I thought the sky on both cards was looking a bit stark, so I added some moon stickers from a sticker pad my sister gave me a few years ago. I had fun creating this set of cards and tags and I'm sad Halloween is almost here because I just love October! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

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!

Papertrey Ink August Release Countdown Day 3

As promised, I'm back with more Halloween inspiration! This card features the new Spooky Delights Stamp/Die Set to create this fun Halloween scene! There are tons of different images to create all kinds of different arrangements, depending on what you're going for!

You can use two doors to create a double-door barn door look if you want, and there are some handles for the doors as well. I can't wait to use these at Christmastime with wreaths and Christmas greenery on them!

This card also features the new Fa-b00-lous Sentiments with the coordinating die.

I love how the Cascading Stars Hot Foil Plate looks with champagne foil on the Weathervane cardstock.

I also incorporated the pumpkins included in the Into the Blooms: Fall Boot. I'm only slightly obsessed!

I love the cobwebs in the corners as well....so many fun details!

This is such a fun, clever die set called Crystal Clear and comes with an assortment of Halloween shapes: cauldron, crystal ball, ghost, etc. The cauldron is cut twice; once from white with a sentiment stamped, and then again from scratch-off paper so you reveal a sentiment underneath from the new magic set.

The recipient will be able to scratch the cauldron to reveal a fitting sentiment for this bubbling brew!

I had fun with glitter and Ranger Glossy Accents to enhance the bubbles!

Join me tomorrow for the 4th and final day of the countdown with more autumn inspiration and the latest in the Reflections series! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Papertrey Ink August Release Countdown Day 2

Thanks for joining me for day 2 of the Papertrey Ink August release countdown! We are continuing with all of the autumn goodness with the CUTEST new Into the Blooms: Fall Boot Die. You will notice the geraniums and leaves; those are what I used on both projects yesterday and I'm already smitten! I can't wait to use them tucked inside Perfectly Potted that was featured yesterday! Speaking of Perfectly Potted....I am getting REALLY excited to use this with all kinds of flowers from the Into the Blooms series!

I absolutely adore the boot, of course, but I'm equally smitten with the beautiful fillers included: geraniums, sunflowers, leaves, pumpkins, etc. I wanted to tuck one of everything inside the boot or around it to show it off! I die cut all of the pieces from white and then I cut a second boot from Spring Moss and added Simply Chartreuse ink around the edges and some SU! Garden Green ink splatter. The sole is separate so I added that using liquid glue.

I had fun shading all of the pieces in autumnal hues and filling up the boot. I layered everything on the largest die cut made from the new Love to Layer: Elegant Points. I can tell I am going to be reaching for this particular die often.

I used the Rustic Woodgrain Hot Foil Plate with champagne foil on a panel of Honey Nut cardstock. I added the focal panel over the top using foam squares.

The sentiment, which is included in the This is Big Sentiments: Fall Harvest Stamp Set is heat embossed on a strip of Autumn Rose cardstock. I wrapped it around the background and then glued it to the boot. I gave the other end a notched swallow tail treatment for interest. I added some glitter to the leaves, flowers, and pumpkins for sparkle and shine!

I couldn't stop with just one card made using the Fall Boot die, but as you can see, this one doesn't use the boot! I love the fillers so I had fun creating an arrangement using some of my favorites (minus the geranium, which is my ultimate favorite).

For the background, I used the Simple Stitch Crochet: Small Stencil Collection with Canyon Clay ink on a panel of Honey Nut cardstock. Once that was done, I used the Fall Harvest Hot Foil Plate over the top with champagne foil. I trimmed it down to measure 4 by 5 1/4 inches and then rounded the corner with a punch.

I used the middle size of the Love to Layer: Elegant Points Die to add the flowers, foliage, and pumpkins using both liquid glue and foam squares.

I added a band of plaid paper behind it for added charm and detail. I'm actually hoarding this particular print because it's one of my favorites.

The sentiment is heat embossed in gold on Autumn Rose cardstock and then trimmed and added using foam squares.

I'm taking full advantage of the bow-era (although I'm always a sucker for a bow) and I added one that was cut using the Wrap-it Ribbons Die.

I added some shimmer spray and then added the background to a top-folding Vintage Cream card base using foam squares.

My final card for today introduces the darling new Cookie Swap Halloween Die; this works perfectly with the accessories included in the previously released Cookie Swap Die that came out for Christmas last year. I used the plate, cookie sheet, and spatula from that set to help bring this card to life!

This card also features the new Mat Stack Happy Halloween Die/Stencil. I only ended up using one of the stencils and the sentiment die, but there are some really great matting dies that are included.

To begin, I die cut all of the cookie pieces twice from white cardstock and then colored them with distress oxide inks and finger sponge daubers. I assembled them using liquid glue. While they were drying, I got to work on the background.

If you can't tell, I'm obsessed with using the stencils included in the Elegant Notes Stationery Kit. I chose purple hues and then used one of the stencils included in the Mat Stack Halloween suite to add the larger dots along with some black ink splatter. Here's a close-up of the sugary sweet cookies, too!

I die cut the cookie sheet from silver cardstock as well as the spatula. The word sentiment is cut three times from white cardstock and glued together for a more sturdy piece. From there, I added the purple ink to create an ombre look.

I arranged the cookies on the plate and cookie sheet and then a few here and there for added detail and charm.

I layered the entire panel onto an A2 piece of Winter Wisteria cardstock using foam squares and then glued it to a top-folding A2 card base. This is my first Halloween card of the year, and there will be even more tomorrow, so stay tuned! Thanks for fluttering by!