LET’S TALK COLOR COMBOS FOR HALLOWEEN CARDS - OR ANY CARDS!

Hi Stampers!

Today we’re talking color! Specifically colors for Halloween cards, but the conversation goes beyond Halloween. Years ago Halloween meant orange and black; Thanksgiving colors were browns, golds, and oranges; for Christmas we pulled out the reds and greens with gold and silver and just maybe blue and a bit of white for a snowman theme - right? Those are considered classics and traditional, but when I look back through colors and trends over the decades I find it was common to use any number of color schemes for all holidays. Granted there are practical, traditional, and cultural reasons certain colors have become synonymous with individual holidays, but there is no rule demanding we use those colors. So today I am sharing cards with some traditional Halloween colors with a few not so traditional hues.  Let’s take a look at the cards:

VIDEO

CARD LAYOUT # 2635

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - A-2 size. The front of the card measures 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”

* Mat - patterned paper, cardstock, etc cut at 5 1/4” x 4”9

* Panel Mat - cardstock cut at 4 1/2” x 2 1/4”

* Panel - patterned paper cut at 4 1/4” x 2”

* Cardstock for greeting, mat, die cut images

* Inside Panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Stamps, dies, inks, coloring tools, adhesives, embellishments, etc

WHAT TO DO

* Choose your color scheme and prepare your card base.

* Stamp a greeting, prepare images, stamp a sentiment on the inside panel if desired.

*Adhere inside panel in place.

*Adhere mat to front of card base.

*Adhere panel to panel mat

*Adhere this piece to the left side of the card with an equal borders on the side, top, and bottom.

*Adhere greeting, images, etc.

*Add embellishments.

CLASSIC COLORS WITH A SPRINKLE OF OTHERS

I used embossed orange cardstock as a mat for this card. The other cards in this post are matted with patterned paper.  I just really like this embossing folder! (Swirls of Magic - Stampin’ Up!)

COLORS - ORANGE, BLACK, WHITE

 LAVENDER BOOS

My new favorite ghost die! (Catherine Pooler)

COLORS: VANILLA, LAVENDER, BLACK

BATS AND TATTERSALL

What in the world is tattersall? It’s what the design is called on the paper used for the mat. Why do I know that? No idea - I just do.

COLORS - BLACK, GOLD, PURPLE

SPOOKY PINK

Do you have alphabet dies? Do you forget to use them? I have several sets, and I am trying to remember to use them more often.  Halloween cards give me a good opportunity to use the dies, because words like Boo, Eek, Scary, Spooky, and Beware make fun one word sentiments for card fronts!

COLORS - PINK, BLACK, VANILLA

HAPPY AND BRIGHT HALLOWEEN

COLORS - ORANGE, MAGENTA, LIME

SOFTENED TRADITION

I really like these papers. The card is classic Halloween colors, but muted a bit. I love those pops of black used for the birds and bats. These papers are part of a paper pack. Paper packs are a great source for color themes and matching papers. *Disclaimer - not all paper packs contain coordinating patterns, but the vast majority of them do - at least the ones I have. (Yes, I have a lot of them.)

COLORS - PEACH, BLACK, RUST

VIDEO CARD

Bright colors are perfect Halloween, especially neon colors! These colors go well with black and are lots of fun - just like Halloween!

COLORS - MAGENTA, LIME, BLACK

BLACK CARDSTOCK

LEMON LIME CARDSTOCK

HEY PUMPKIN PAPER

OH MY FRIGHT STAMP SET

EMBELLISHMENTS

TODAY’S CARDS

I used these color combinations for cards, but they would be great for treat boxes / bags as well. Remove the ghosts, bats, cats, jack-o-lanterns, and treats, and the layout and colors can be used on cards for other occasions! As you begin creating your cards for the upcoming holiday, remember use colors you like. If they are traditional - great!  If you select less or non-traditional colors, that is great too!! Remember - there are no color police! 

That’s all for today. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

SOME DAYS ARE GREAT, OTHERS - NOT SO MUCH. THAT IS WHY I STAMP!

Hi Stampers!

Today’s post is a bit different. My original plan for this week will keep for another time. Today’s post is not so much about the finished cards or how to create them, but about the process. It is mostly about stamping and why I do it. When I first started stamping, my fellow stampers and I joked about stamping being our therapy, and how it was so much cheaper than a therapist. Not so sure I could say that now, about it being less expensive. 😊 But, stamping and card making are definitely what I do to relieve stress, relax, and process difficult situations. This week was a very difficult week. Some drama came along that isn’t worth going into detail about. Then my brother was hospitalized and diagnosed with a heart issue. Finally a dear friend passed away unexpectedly.   I did what I needed to do, and finally I had the opportunity to stamp. I just took cardstock, ink and stamps with no real plan, and just stamped images. I basically created my own patterned paper for a background panel. When I was stamping it was just about the stamping. What colors would be best, what stamps do I want to use. Before I knew it I had created 

4-5 card panels, and my mind was clear. I felt more myself and ready to deal with life again. Today I am sharing the cards o made using the panels I stamped. Let’s take a look at the cards:

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TODAY’S CARDS

I really do not have a layout for today. I used one or two layers adhered to an A-2 card base. This is a great opportunity to use the Layers Measurements Tool to determine the measurements for your choice of layer /layers. Don’t have a tool? To learn more click HERE

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - A-2 size

* Inside Panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4.

* Cardstock - for focal panel, for mat (optional)

* Stamps, inks, adhesive, dies, embellishments, and other items needed to complete your cards

WHAT TO DO

* Stamp images multiple times on cardstock (focal panel)

* Trim panel to size if need be.

* Adhere panel to mat and / or card base. 

* Add greeting.

* Add embellishments

* Prepare inside panel and adhere.

AUTUMN LEAVES

(Greeting - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

PUMPKIN PATCH

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

SUNFLOWER HELLO

(Greeting - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stamping Up!)

FLORAL HELLO

(Greeting - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!

VIDEO CARD

SUPPLY LINKS

BASIC BLACK CARDSTOCK

BASIC WHITE CARDSTOCK

SMOKY SLATE CARDSTOCK

OH MY FRIGHT STAMP SET

EMBELLISHMENTS

NESTED WAVY DIES

IN MEMORY OF DONNA

Donna, my friend who passed away, liked the color purple. Her birthday would have been later this month. I made this card in memory of her. 

(Greeting - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

Is stamping and card making therapy for you? If so, when you need to destress, do you stick to basics, or create more complicated projects? I know today’s subject is a bit different. Thank you for understanding and bearing with me. Until next time …

Stamp Happy!

Kim

Today’s post is dedicated to the memory of my friend, Donna T. 1959-2026.

MAKING MULTIPLES OF CARDS - MY APPROACH

Hi Stampers!

You might have heard - I do not like making multiples.  It is something I try to avoid like the plague! When I first started card making a way back when, making multiples of cards was defined as making numerous cards that looked exactly the same. I knew card makers who every year would put together  50-60 identical Christmas cards! I tried doing the multiples thing one year for my Christmas cards. I made about 8, and that was it. Multiples just aren’t my thing, but sometimes they are necessary and I admit there are some positives when it comes to multiples. So, today I am going to share my version of multiples. Let’s take a peek at the sample cards:

VIDEO

PROS OF MAKING MULTIPLES

The cards take less time to make because:

* one layout is being used

* they measurements for mats and panels are the same for each card you get into a rhythm while cutting them an that speeds things up. 

* it is easy to use the assembly line method for assembling the cards

Sometimes they are practical

* party invites, wedding invites, etc

* when you need cards for card ministries, craft fairs, etc. 

CONS OF MAKING MULTIPLES

My biggest complaint is boredom!

* using the assembling line process for cutting card pieces and assembling them begins to feel robotic

* the cards are each a clone of the others, there is no real personality

* for me it is difficult to complete my cards

Whether you follow strict rules for making multiples or mix things up a bit, it is always good to start with a great layout. Here is the one I used for today’s cards.

CARD LAYOUT # 2634

HOW I CHANGE UP THE MULTIPLE PROCESS 

TO KEEP ME GOING

* I select a layout that can be used in portrait or landscape orientation without no change to the cutting measurements

* I use different patterned papers for each card or small groups of cards

* I use different colors of card bases

* I used different greetings

These changes add no significant time to creating the cards. The assembly line process can still be used. These changes keep the biggest advantage of creating multiples, but gets rid of the boredom and hohum!

WHAT YOU NEED

For each card you will need the following

* Card Base - 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Inside Panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4” (optional for white or light colored cardstock bases)

* Patterned Paper - Two designs - cut one each from each design - 2”x2” square and a 1’ x 2” rectangle

(you will have 2 squares and 2 rectangles).

* Cardstock for mats - Two colors of cardstock. Cut one at 4 1/2” x 3 1/2” and one at 4 1/4” x 3 1/4”

* Greeting, embellishments, adhesives, stamps, inks, dies, etc and other items needed to finish card

WHAT TO DO

* If you are using an inside panel, stamp a sentiment on it and the like, then adhere to the inside of the card. 

* Adhere the patterned paper pieces to the 3 1/4” x 4 1/4” mat -  the two 2” squares go on the left side. The two 1” x 2” pieces go on the right side. See the card layout above for placement.

* Adhere the 3 1/4” x 4 1/4” mat to the 3 1/2” x 4 1/2” mat.  This is the focal panel/

* Adhere the focal panel to the card base, centered left to right and top to bottom.

* Adhere greeting of choice.

* Add embellishments to complete the card.

CHRISTMAS VERSION

The first time I heard about multiples was in the context of Christmas cards. It seemed to me that all card makers selected a layout , color scheme, images, and greeting for a card, then created multiple copies of the card. I remember discussions about ordering 2 -3 packs of a specific patterned paper to have enough of a couple of patterns to complete the number of cards needed. As I mentioned, I tried this approach, and failed. I found I am okay with using the same layout, but I change up the patterned papers, the color scheme, and the greeting! That helps me keep going. The cards will have the same layout and will look similar, but will not be exactly alike.

(Greeting - Waffle Flower; Embellishments - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

LANDSCAPE VERSIONS

Another way I take the boredom out  of making multiples is choosing a layout that can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation without changing any measurements. 

(Greeting top card - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

USE DIFFERENT GREETINGS

(Top left card patterned paper and greeting -Scrapbook.com; Die cut greetings - Scrapbook.com; Greeting bottom left - Waffle Flower; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

(Top cards butterfly paper and bottom card patterned papers - Scrapbook.com; Other papers and cardstocks - Stampin’ Up!; Embellishments - Simple Stories; Greetings - top left Stampin’ Up!;top right - Scrapbook.com; bottom - Waffle Flower)

USE DIFFERENT COLORED CARD BASES

I am learning to use white card bases, but they are not my favorite. I prefer colorful card bases. When making multiples using different colors of card bases and different patterned papers ads variety without infringing on the positive aspects of creating multiples!

(Die cut greetings - Scrapbook.com; Stamped greeting - Waffle Flower; Embellishments top left card patterned paper- Stampin’ Up!; All other embellishments - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

VIDEO CARD

HELLO BLOOM

WHITE CARDSTOCK 80LB

WHITE CARDSTOCK 120 LB

PRETTY PEACOCK CARDSTOCK

CALYPSO CORAL CARDSTOCK

* The patterned paper was scraps. It is no longer available. The embellishments are also retired.

TODAY’S CARDS

If you enjoy making multiples that are identical, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Card making should be enjoyable. My twist on multiples is just that - my twist, and it makes me happy. Do you have card making processes you tweak a bit to make the experience more enjoyable for you? 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim