CREATE A SPOOKY HALLOWEEN BACKGROUND IN NO TIME WITH INKS AND BLENDING BRUSHES!

 Hi, Stampers!

Today I have another Halloween themed card to share with you. The card features a spooky nighttime background created with inks and blending brushes. Let’s take a look:

The cards are the same except for the moons. The full moon was created by masking the cardstock before applying ink. I removed the mask and applied just a dab of ink to “the moon.” The crescent moon was stamped on a scrap of Basic White cardstock with an image from the TO THE MOON stamp set. I fussy cut the image, and adhered it to the card with dimensionals.

I used images from four stamp sets to create these cards; BANNER YEAR, CLEVER CATS, SEASCAPE, and TO THE MOON. Page down for a video tutorial that includes a look at the stamp sets. If you do not have these stamp sets, use what you have. This background would be great for most any Halloween scene!

SUPPLIES FOR THE CARDS

Each card takes

* Blackberry Bliss card base 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Pumpkin Pie cardstock cut at 5 1/2” x 4” to mat focal panel.

* Basic White cardstock cut at 5” x 3 3/4” for focal panel.

* Basic White cardstock to stamp bat images and to stamp greeting.

* Inks - Daffodil Delight, Smoky Slate, Blackberry Bliss, Basic Gray, Memento Tuxedo Black; Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blend (dark), and Black erythema Bliss Stampin’ Write Marker.

* Blending brushes (You can also use sponge dauber or sponges - tap on scrap paper to take off a bit of the ink, and use a light touch as you apply the ink to the cardstock.)

* Dimensionals - I used the mini black dimensionals.

* Tasteful Labels Dies - double flagged banner.

This is the card I used the crescent moon image from the TO THE MOON stamp set. The crescent moon is adhered to the card with dimensionals.

To make the moon for this card I used a mask made by die cutting a circle from piece of copy paper. The circle mask is about 1 1/4” in diameter. (If you do not have circle dies, you can use a circle punch, or trace around a small circular object and fussy cut the mask.) I placed the mask on the Basic White focal panel, and left it on until the background was finished. Then I inked up my blending brush with Daffodil Delight, tapped off some of the ink on scrap paper, a very lightly added a little color to the full moon.

For more tips on creating these cards view the video below.

I hope you try this background technique. You can switch out the colors for different looks. You can use darker yellows or even Pumpkin Pie for the moon, and try Night of Navy or Misty Moonlight instead of the Blackberry Bliss. Experiment a little to find color combinations you like best.

That is all for today. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2021 Stampin’ Up!®️

A MONOCHROMATIC HALLOWEEN - IT’S ALL IN BLACK & WHITE AND SHADES OF GRAY

 Hi, Stampers!

Can you believe it is October? Autumn is here, the days are growing shorter, the air is just a bit cooler, and I am craving candy corn! Instead of pigging out on candy corn, I decided to create some Halloween cards. Once again I decided to use up some DSP scraps, and the herringbone background technique is a great way to use scraps! I have demonstrated this technique a couple of times before, and I will add a previously posted video tutorial toward the bottom of this post in case you missed it or need a refresher on the technique. I used embossing folders to add texture to the herringbone panels.

I used scraps from the Cute Halloween DSP. I used the designs that featured black and white and gray images and patterns to create monochromatic cards. Let’s take a look at the cards:

The stamped images on the cards are from the CLEVER CATS stamp set.

CLEVER CATS

IT’S ALL IN BLACK & WHITE CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Basic Black card base 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4” plus a piece that is 3” square to die cut focal image mat.

* Basic White cardstock - 5” x 3 3/4” for inside panel, a piece that is 3” square to die cut for focal panel, and scrap for stamping hat and broom images. You will also need a 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” piece the DSP strips will be adhered to.

* Scraps of Cute Halloween DSP - black and white designs - cut in 1/4” strips - 20 - 25 pieces.

* Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

* Bark embossing folder.

* Layering Circles Dies - 2 3/8” diameter for focal panel, and 2 3/4” diameter for focal panel mat.

* Adhesive of choice, dimensionals, and adhesive sheets.

ASSEMBLY

* Complete the background by placing the adhesive sheet over the 5 1/2” x 4”  piece of Basic White cardstock, and add the DSP strips. Cut down this panel to T 1/5” x 4”. Emboss the panel with the Bark Embossing Folder. Adhere the panel to the Basic Black card base.

* Stamp the witch hat and broom images with Tuxedo Black ink on the scrap of Basic White. Fussy cut each images. 

* Die cut the 3” square of Basic White cardstock with the smallest of the two dies, and use the larger die to cut a circle from the 3” piece of Basic Black cardstock. Adhere the two circles together.

* Place the witch hat and broom on the focal panel to get an idea of where to stamp. Stamp the greeting and the bats with Tuxedo Black ink. Adhere the hat an broom images to the panel. Check the card sample for placement. Place dimensionals on the back of the focal panel including the end of the broom and the back of the witch hat. Place this panel centered from left to right and slightly more toward the top of the card.

* Stamp the sentiment and hat image on the inside panel of the card.

Note: the greeting is from the CUTEST HALLOWEEN stamp set.

SHADES OF GRAY CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Smokey Slate card base cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4” and a piece that is 3 1/4” square to mate focal panel.

* Basic White cardstock cut at 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” for herringbone background piece, a piece at 5” x 3 3/4” for inside panel, and 3” piece for focal panel.

* Cute Halloween DSP -  1/4” strips in patterns and solids that are Basic Gray and Smoky Slate 20-25 strips.

* Inks - Basic Gray and Smokey Slate.

* Tasteful Texture Embossing Folder.

* Adhesive of choice, adhesive sheets, and dimensionals.

ASSEMBLY

* Put adhesive sheet on 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” and add the DSP strips in herringbone pattern. Trim this panel to 5 1/4” x 4”, and emboss this panel with the Tasteful Texture embossing folder. Adhere this panel to the card base.

* Stamp the images and greeting on the 3” square piece of Basic White cardstock. I used Basic Gray for everything except the fill in image on the box; I used Smoky Slate for this. Adhere this piece to the Smokey Slate mat. Attach dimensionals to the back, and adhere to card front.

* Stamp the sentiment and cat eyes image on the Basic White inside panel, and adhere to the inside of the card.

HERRINGBONE TECHNIQUE VIDEO TUTORIAL

*This tutorial is from a previous post.

Although I love creating colorful cards, I really enjoyed making these monochromatic cards in black and white and shades of gray! I hope you give a monochromatic card a try!

That is all for today! Thank you for stopping by. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2021 Stampin’ Up!®️

USING SCRAPS FOR CARDS - THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT!

 Hi, Stampers!

I am enjoying creating cards with items from the CUTE HALLOWEEN SUITE featured in the STAMPIN’ UP! JULY-DECEMBER 2021 MINI CATALOG. I have collected quite the stack of scraps from the CUTE HALLOWEEN 6”x6” DSP. I decided it was time to put those scraps to work by making them the stars of a batch of Halloween cards.

Here is a look at the cards:

As you can see, I used one of my go to card layouts! I call this layout the Three Scrap Strips Card, because that is exactly what I used to make each card - 3 strips of DSP. All of the cardstock pieces, except for the card bases were also pulled from my scrap bin. The skulls, ghosts and jack-o-lanterns were punched or fussy cut from scraps of DSP!

Before we talk more about the cards let’s take a look at the stamp sets I used:

CUTEST HALLOWEEN BUNDLE

CLEVER CATS

Now, let’s talk about the card layouts. As you can see, the background for each card is made up of three strips of DSP. Each strip of DSP is matted with a strip of cardstock. The strips can be long or short and the orientation of the strips can be portrait or landscape for either length of strips.

Here are the cutting dimensions for the strips

SHORT VERSION

DSP - cut at 3 3/4” x 1 1/4”

Cardstock mat cut at 3 7/8” x 1 3/8”

LONG VERSION

DSP - 4 7/8” x 1”

Cardstock mat cut at 5” x 1 1/8”.

Here are lists of supplies for each card:

SUPPLIES

* Basic Black card base.

* Basic White - 3 pieces 5” x 1 1/8” plus piece for stamping.

* Candy DSP - three strips cut at 4 7/8” 1”.

* Stitched Rectangles Dies - 3 1/4” x 1 1/4”.

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Pumpkin Pie; Stampin’ Blends - Daffodil Delight (dark), Pumpkin Pie (dark), Highland Heather (dark), and Granny Apple Green (dark).

* Adhesive of choice and dimensionals.

Note - It took a little extra time to color the candies on the DSP, but it sure was worth it!

SUPPLIES:

* Basic Gray card base and small scrap Basic Gray to mat greeting.

* Basic White cardstock cut at 5” x 1 1/8”- 3 strips.

* Highland Heather cardstock - scrap for mat.

* Skull, Ghost, Bat, & Pumpkin DSP x three strips cut at 4 7/8” x 1”

* Skull DSP to fussy cut images for card.

* Ink - Basic Gray.

* Adhesive of choice and dimensionals.

SUPPLIES:

* Pumpkin Pie card base and a piece to mat the greeting.

* Basic Black cardstock - 3 pieces cut at 5” x 1 1/8” for mat

* Small piece of Basic White for greeting.

* Polka Dot DSP - 3 strips cut at 4 7/8” x 1”.

*  Jack-o-lantern DSP to punch out three jack-o-lanterns.

* Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon - about 14-16 inches.

* Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

* Matte Black Dots.

* Layering Circles Dies - 1 3/8” diameter and 1 1/2” diameter.

* Adhesive of choice and dimensionals.

Note - I angled each strip a bit to add a little Halloween whimsy to the card. (Truth be told - I messed up one strip, but hey, it all worked out!😁)

SUPPLIES:

* Basic Black card base and piece of Basic Black for mat.

* Pumpkin Pie cardstock for mat.

* Basic White cardstock - 3 strips cut at 3 7/8” x 1 3/8” and piece for greeting (BOO)

* Boo DSP - 3 strips cut at 3 3/4” x 1 1/4”.

* Ghost DSP to punch out three ghosts.

* Black and white gingham ribbon - about 16”.

* White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon Pumpkin Pie (dark) and Highland Heather (dark) Stampin’ Blends to die ribbon.

* Cute Stars Adhesive Backed Sequins - 3 Highland Heather.

* Layering Circles Dies - 2 1/8” and 2 3/8” diameter.

* Playful Alphabet Dies.

* Foam Adhesive Sheets, Adhesive of choice, and dimensionals.

SUPPLIES:

* Granny Apple Green card base.

* Basic White cut at 2” x 1 3/4” for greeting and piece to stamp other images to fussy cut.

* Highland Heather - 3 pieces cut at 3 7/8” x 1 3/8” for mats, and piece cut at 2 1/8” x 1 7/8”.

* Small Stripes DSP - 3 cut at 3 3/4” x 1 1/4”.

* Inks - Pumpkin Pie and Memento Tuxedo Black.

* Cute Stars Adhesive Backed Sequins - 5.

* Adhesive of chose and dimensionals.

If you have a pile of DSP, why not give these layouts a try, and before you know it you will trade that pile of scraps for a pile of great greeting cards! And… that is the long and short of it!

That is all for today. Thank you for taking a peek. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2021 Stampin’ Up!®️

CLEVER CATS AND ALL THAT GLITTERS AND SPARKLES AND SHINES

 Hi Stampers!

Today I am sharing two more Halloween cards I made using the CLEVER CATS stamp set and BLACK GLIMMER PAPER, both found in the STAMPIN’ UP!®️ JULY-DECEMBER 2021 MINI CATALOG. Here is a look at the stamp set:

CLEVER CATS

And here are the cards:

In real life these cards are glimmery and glittery with lots of shimmer and shine! Most of the glitz comes from the terrific  BLACK GLIMMER PAPER, which appeared in last year’s mini, and is making its encore appearance in the current mini! The card layouts are very basic, but you can’t beat basic black -especially when it is so shiny!

Here are the supply lists for each card:

CLEVER CAT TO THE MOON CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Stamp Sets - CLEVER CATS and TO THE MOON (Annual Catalog)

* Basic Black card base

* Black Glimmer paper cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Scraps of Basic White and Smoky Slate for stamping

* Smokey Slate and Memento Tuxedo Black inks

* 3 rhinestones

* Scissors, Layering Circle Dies (optional)

* Adhesive and dimensionals

ASSEMBLY

* Stamp the moon image (To the Moon stamp set) with Smoky Slate on the scrap of Smoky Slate cardstock. Die cut it with the circle die that best fits, or fussy cut it.

* Stamp the broom, cat, and hat images and the greeting on the Basic White cardstock with the Tuxedo Black ink.Fussy cut these images. Trim around the greeting with a paper trimmer or scissors.

* Adhere the glimmer paper to the card base

*Adhere the moon, broom, and greeting to the card with adhesive of choice

*Add the cat and hat images to the card with dimensionals

* Add the rhinestones

CLEVER CATS & BATS CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Clever Cats stamp set

* Basic Black card base cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Black Glimmer Paper cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Small scrap of Basic White and piece of Smokey Slate cardstock about 3” square and one that is 1/2” x 3” for the greeting

* Pumpkin Pie and Memento Tuxedo Black inks

* Scissors, Stitched with Whimsy Dies (optional), and Banner Pick A Punch (optional)

* Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon - about 18”

* Adhesive and dimensionals

ASSEMBLY

* Stamp the outline of the pumpkin with Pumpkin Pie ink; ink the filler” stamp with Pumpkin Pie ink, stamp off once on scrap paper, then stamp over the pumpkin image.

* Stamp the cat face image with Tuxedo Black ink along the top of the pumpkin image. Fussy cut the image and place dimensionals on the back side

* Add /die cut the stitching on the square of Smoky Slate using the Stitched With Whimsy die that measures about 2 3/4” square. Use scissors to trim around the stitching (or if not using the die - trim the square to 2 1/2” square) - adhere the pumpkin/cat image to this piece and stamp three bat images on the piece using the Tuxedo Black ink

* Use the Banner Pick A Punch to flag the ends of the Smoky Slate strip Stamp the greeting on this strip with the Tuxedo Black ink (if not using the punch - stamp the greeting and trim the ends; or stamp the greeting and hand flag the ends by cutting a small slit near the center of one end of the strip, then cut from the top corner to the slit and the bottom corner to the slit. Repeat on the other end of the banner.)

* Adhere the glimmer paper to the card base

* Attach the focal image and the greeting to the card using dimensionals

* Wrap the ribbon around the card front and tie a bow

There you have it, two glittery, glimmery, sparkly, shiny cards that will add a bit of fun and whimsy to the recipients ’ Halloween!

That’s all for today. Thanks for taking a peek. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2021 Stampin’ Up!®️

 

“FELINE” FINE WITH THE CLEVER CATS STAMP SET

 Hi Stampers,

Today’s card features a cute Halloween stamp set called CLEVER CATS. This set is offered in the STAMPIN’ UP!®️ JULY-DECEMBER 2021 MINI CATALOG.

CLEVER CATS STAMP SET

Here is the card:

The cat image fits “purr-fectly” atop images from the ALL SQUARED AWAY stamp set. The DSP is from the CUTE HALLOWEEN 6” x 6” DSP (Mini Catalog).

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Old Olive card base cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4” plus scrap to mat greeting

* Basic White cardstock - one piece cut at 5” x 3 3/4” for the inside of the card, and about 1/4 sheet (5 1/2” x 4 1/4”) for stamping.

* DSP 5 1/2” x 2 1/4”

*Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Pumpkin Pie, Highland Heather, and Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker

* Scissors

* Adhesive of choice and dimensionals 

* All Squared Away stamp set

ASSEMBLY 

* Stamp the square image with Pumpkin Pie ink. Stamp the cat image along the top edge of the square image with Tuxedo Black ink.

* Stamp the witch hat with Highland Heather ink. Color the buckle with the Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker.

* Stamp the greeting with Tuxedo Black ink.

* On the 5” x 3 3/4” piece of cardstock stamp the “Have a purr-fect Halloween!” with Tuxedo Black ink. (This is the inside panel.)

* Fussy cut the cat/square image and the witch hat.

* Trim the greeting with a paper trimmer or scissors. Cut the Old Olive mat to size.

* Adhere the DSP to the card base. 

* Adhere the cat/square image to the card.

* Attach the hat to the card with dimensionals.

* Adhere the greeting to the mat and attach to the card with dimensionals.

* Adhere the Basic White panel to the inside of the card.

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

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2021 Stampin’ Up!®️