Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Halloween Shaker Cards with Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous

Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Ranger Alcohol Ink Distress Halloween

I started these two cards years ago but never finished them. I decided to turn them into shaker cards. For the first card, I was inspired by watching one of Tim Holtz's videos about alcohol ink backgrounds with stamping on it. The background I made was an experiment so I used a piece of scrap Yupo paper. It came out so cute that I wanted to make it into a card, even though it definitely was not perfect. I had double stamped the cats to make them darker but was a little off, the alcohol was too shiny in spots, and the scrap piece I used was a bit too short for the A2 format I wanted to make. Challenge accepted! I made a card that hides most of these flaws.

There's not much to be done about the double stamping but the shiny/mat unevenness wouldn't show much under acetate so I made it into a shaker card. I hid the shortness of the piece by placing a sentiment over it.

Tim Holtz Distress Inks Oxide Halloween Ghosts Boo

The next card background I stamped while I was on the Rubbernecker Stamps design team. The company no longer makes the red rubber stamps I used (they also changed their name and now make clear stamps instead), but I put several similar haunted house stamps and spider web stamps in the supply list below (be sure to check the sizes of the stamps to get the size you want).

Note: You may adapt the sizes of the cards as desired. My cards were A2 and A7 but you could reverse them or make them the same size - just adjust your stamping, etc., accordingly. Also, you may use any nesting rectangle dies to create the frames, just be sure they will fit the card bases you choose. I have Waffle Flower versions that match A2 and A7 card formats so it is very easy to make the right size frames. These are a staple in my craft room! See the Supply List below for links.

Copyright Notice: ©Mary Dimercurio Prasad. All rights reserved. Any illegal reproduction of this content, including images, will result in immediate legal action.

Disclaimer:  Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at the bottom of this blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Halftone Halloween Alcohol Inks

Making the Happy Halloween Card

1. On a piece of Yupo paper, use various alcohol inks to create a graduated background from red to red-violet, to blue-violet, to blue, and finally to black - leave an area for a moon. Spray with isopropyl alcohol in a mister bottle to make little light speckles. On an ink blending tool, add a bit of black going from the top partway down. I just messed with this until I was happy with the look.

2. Use a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol to move alcohol away from moon area. Add some yellow in the center making a circle for the moon. Then add light blue, moving outward going in circles around the moon until it meets up with the darker area.

3. Using a stamp platform and Black Soot Archival Ink, stamp Paris skyline from Cityscapes at the bottom of the scene. I didn't want the city to be identifiable so I just used the right part of the stamp without the Eiffel Tower. I stamped a few times to get darker results (let dry in between - if you use a heat tool to speed drying, keep it moving and don't get close or it will deform the Yupo paper). From Halftone Halloween (Stampers Anonymous), stamp bats and witch on broom. For the cats, stamp once but do not remove stamp from stamp platform. Use a cotton swab to remove alcohol ink from cats' eyes and replace with yellow (may have to remove some cotton or use a precision swab). Place back into stamp platform and stamp again until you are happy with the darkness. Clean stamps with a stamp shammy.

4. Cut a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch piece from white cardstock. Fold in half to create a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base. Use Masking Magic or other masking to cover the back of the card, be sure it lines up perfectly with the fold - you will be ink blending along the front side of the fold. You may also want to cover the inside front of card, depending on how neatly you can ink blend.

5. On a non-stick craft mat, use a blending tool with domed foam and Distress inks matching alcohol ink colors to ink blend around front edges of card. This will make it look like the Yupo panel is the full size of the card front. From bottom to top, I used Lumberjack Plaid, Seedless Preserves, Villainous Potion, Prize Ribbon, Chipped Sapphire, and Black Soot. Adhere Yupo panel to card base. You may remove masks.

6. Use two nested rectangle dies from A2 Layers and Additional A2 Layers to create a frame over the edge of the Yupo panel - you want the edge of the panel between the two rectangles. You may use just one of these nested die sets but the frame may need to be thicker. Be sure that the outer rectangle is smaller than the card front and that the ink blending will fall under the frame. Place the rectangle dies cut side down on surface. Use Mint Tape or washi to tape the two dies on the back (non cutting side) - I recommend all 4 corners and middle of sides to be sure nothing moves while cutting. Cut two frames from black cardstock. Line them up and adhere them together. The double layer will give the frame some strength.

7. Cut a piece of recycled clear plastic packaging (or acetate) in a rectangle a tiny bit smaller than the outer frame die. I don't recommend using a die for this as it can be very difficult to cut through. I find that scissors or a paper trimmer works well. Hint: trace around outer frame on plastic using a Sharpie or other alcohol based marker, then cut inside the line. Check the size - trim if necessary.

8. Use 1/8" tape and/or a strong glue to adhere the plastic to back of frame. Be sure plastic is clean. Add 1/8" double sided adhesive foam strips around edges, making sure foam is completely behind frame. Optional: use a powder tool to go around the inside of frame to remove any unnecessary stick. Make sure that no extra powder is on window before moving on.

9. Add Halloween themed embellishments (sequins, beads, etc.) on top of Yupo panel, making sure they stay towards the center. Adhere frame.

10. Using stamp platform and embossing ink or VersaMark, stamp Happy Halloween from Mini Halloween 3 (Stampers Anonymous) on a strip of dark blue cardstock (hint: use a powder tool on the cardstock before stamping). Sprinkle with purple embossing powder and heat with heat tool - see embossing powder notes in Supplies, below. Trim and cut fish tails - I put a dot in the center on each end, about 1/4 inch in from the left and right sides, then cut from the corners to the dot. Adhere to card with foam tape.

Tim Holtz Distress Inks Oxide Halloween Haunted House Shaker Card

Making The Boo Crew Card

1. Cut a 7x10 inch piece from black cardstock; fold in half to create a 5x7 inch card base. Cut 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 piece from smooth watercolor paper or white Heavystock. Use stamp platform and waterproof black ink such as Distress Archival Black Soot or VersaFine Clair Nocturne to stamp haunted house near bottom (see photo). Also stamp house on a piece of Masking Magic. Note: you should heat set the ink with a heat tool, especially if you used VersaFine Clair, which takes longer to air dry. Fussy cut mask with detail scissors. Apply mask over stamped house. Optional: if your stamp does not have a moon and you want one, you may cut one from masking paper, either with a circle die or trace around something round and fussy cut. Stamp web over top in same ink. See Supplies below for stamp suggestions. Do not remove mask yet.

2. (Optional: you may draw or add to sidewalk using waterproof black pen such as a Copic Multiliner or Sakura Pigma Micron. You may also outline moon if you used a mask to create it.) Use Masking Magic or Post-it Notes to cover bottom area for grass/sidewalk.

3. On non-stick craft mat, use Tim Holtz Distress Inks in various colors and a blending tool with domed foam to create a night sky over your scene. Mine went from purple to blue to black. To create texture in the background, spray or dip fingers in water then flick over background. Let sit for a few seconds then blot with paper towel. Repeat until you get the desired effect.

4. Remove masks. Using waterbrush (or paintbrush) color moon, house, sidewalk, and grass. You may use watercolor paints or Distress Inks.

5. Using stamp platform and waterproof black ink, stamp a couple ghosts over the inked background (see photo). Use waterbrush to remove some ink from inside ghosts (be gentle, don't rub a hole in the paper); blot with paper towel. Add some Picket Fence Distress Ink with waterbrush inside the ghosts to give them more of a white glow. Adhere to card base.

6. See steps 6 to 8 in the card above to create a frame from dark blue cardstock but use A7 Layers and Additional A7 Layers instead of A2. Note: the cardstock I used was a pearlized/metallic type; it was just something I have in my stash - don't remember the manufacturer.

7. Add ghost sequins to card background, making sure they stay near center. I bought mine at a dollar store but Doodlebug Design Halloween Night Shakers contains similar ghosts. I think I added too many so adjust as you like. Adhere frame.

8. Die cut Boo word from black cardstock and Boo shadow layer from Holographic paper or cardstock (the Boo dies that I used are difficult to find so I linked to a more current version). Adhere together with strong glue. Using stamp platform and embossing ink or VersaMark, stamp "The Boo Crew" (or just the words "The" and "Crew") on black cardstock (hint: use a powder tool on the cardstock before stamping). Sprinkle with purple embossing powder and heat with heat tool - see embossing powder notes in Supplies, below.

9. Either hand cut, paper trim, or use a strip die to cut out "The" and "Crew." I couldn't find the strip dies I used but found some similar: Altenew Featured Sentiments, Gina K Designs Sentiment Strips - if they are too long or tall, just die cut one side where it should be then die cut the other, shifting the die but making sure it is lined up before cutting.

10. Adhere sentiment words to card with foam tape as shown. Adhere three ghosts where shown at top right of card.

Supplies
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Thursday, October 10, 2024

Halloween Willow Lane Character Dies by Scrapbook.com

Willow Lane Scrapbook.com dies pumpkin head witch fox ghost cat mummy bear

When I saw these adorable Willow Lane Halloween dies from Scrapbook.com, I just had to get them! They sell coordinating 40 sheet paper pads (6x8" and A2 size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" - of course I bought both) as well as coordinating rub-on transfers. One die in each set will cut out it's matching rub-on character (so I bought 3 sets of rub-on and really want to get more... don't judge me!). The characters on the left (above photo) in each row are the rub-on characters, rubbed on thick white cardstock and die cut with its matching die. The other three in each row are the ones I made with the die sets. I colored them using Copic Sketch markers but any alcohol markers should work (I prefer brush tip). I actually modified how I assembled the dies so they would more closely resemble their rub-on counterparts. Each one is a little different, as befitting hand-made cards and projects.

Copyright Notice: ©Mary Dimercurio Prasad. All rights reserved. Any illegal reproduction of this content, including images, will result in immediate legal action.

Disclaimer:  Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at the bottom of this blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Scrapbook.com Halloween Willow Lane dies witch fox ghost cat mummy bear pumpkin head Copic alcohol markers

Making the Characters

Please read through before making. There are a lot of little details and hints to make it easier. Keep a piece of scrap cardstock to test marker colors.

There will be a lot of pieces to die cut, including some very small ones. I recommend using some sort of storage tray system to keep the pieces in while working, both to keep them organized and so they won't get lost. I used Spellbinders Craft Stax storage trays, but Scrapbook.com has similar Stack-n-Sort storage trays. Since I used alcohol markers (specifically Copic Sketch Markers) to color my pieces, I used alcohol marker friendly cardstock. Except for the base, or guide (from packaging) of each character, I chose a thinner version of cardstock since they would be layered. Here are a few recommendations that I have used; all work well for coloring and blending: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Hammmermill Premium Cover, and X-Press It Blending Card. I found another by Brutus Monroe as well but I haven't tried it. You will need a Sizzix Sidekick, Big Shot, or other die cutting machine.

Optional: I bought the coordinating rub-ons and used them as a template for coloring my characters. I decided to make 3 of each of the 4 characters. I put the rub-ons on a thicker (less expensive) cardstock - nothing special, just wanted them to be sturdy. This is the same cardstock I used for the character guides. I used the guide dies to cut out the rub-on figures. You can see them all in the photo at the top of this post, the left-most figure in each row. These are perfect for making quick cards and projects! The rub-ons also have additional characters, cute pumpkin houses, ghosts, bats, candy, and other things.

A note about the Copic Sketch Markers I used: I didn't write them down but these should be most of the markers I used. Mainly I used all warm black markers except 00 and 10, many earth toned markers, one green - but only very little for the pumpkin stem (G99?), and a few yellow-red (YR24-27). For the fox, pumpkin head, and bear's toy, I used E09, E08, E19, and/or E18. For the bear, I used E23-29, and E55-59 (snout). To add some warmth to the cat's ghost costume, I used E50-51 in addition to the warm grays. I think I used E07 for the cat and fox cheeks, and E23 for the bear's cheeks.

1. Die cut guides from thicker cardstock; it doesn't have to be marker friendly, just something sturdy. Before cutting the very smallest pieces, mainly the noses, eyes, and ties (witch fox), I colored the cardstock before placing the dies for cutting. These would be challenging to color after. Do not cut hands and feet - it's simpler to color the guide base rather than deal with these as another step. Note: I wanted my characters to look more like the rub-ons so I did not use the eyes from the sets. Instead I cut more ties and used the pieces from inside the bow. These are very small - if you don't want to deal with them but still want the look of the rub-ons, you could use a fine tipped multiliner pen to draw them (more on this later). I also had to hand cut the snouts for all but the pumpkin head because I did not want to make use of the mouth on the die. For each character, I die cut one snout, drew around it, then fussy cut it before coloring. I did not use the cheek dies (you might notice one fox with die cut cheeks - it was the first one I made but I didn't like the look). Instead I colored cheeks on each character (except pumpkin head).

2. Die cut the rest of the pieces from alcohol friendly cardstock (listed in the first paragraph in Making the Characters). I put each character's pieces in a separate part of a tray, stacked by piece, i.e. the witch fox heads in one pile, the witch fox bodies in another pile, the hats in another pile, etc.


3. Use alcohol markers to color all the pieces - hints follow. Generally, you want marker to dry fully on the paper if you want to add a different color without blending (like the face on the treat bag above); you want to color wet-in-wet for blending.

3a. For the witch fox, color snout (bottom face) first, let dry, then add cheeks. Put dots where the cheeks will be, then make circles to match the ones on the rub-ons.  For stripes on costume, start with a lighter marker to draw lines first then use a darker marker once you have the placement the way you like. The lighter marker will be easier to push away with the blender if you make a mistake. These do not have to be perfect - once you add shading, it will look fine. Color the hat dark warm gray then add some texture by pushing away some areas with a lighter gray or blender. Add stripes with a white gel pen - I used a 05 Gelly Roll pen. Once pen dries, darken lines by lightly going over with a light gray marker (do not rub or overwork as this will remove the white pen). I didn't like the shoulder part of the cape in the same color as the fox's fur (too confusing) so I just used warm grays. Color the cape but do not add stars yet - it's easier to add them after assembly. (I actually forgot to add them on two of my foxes until after I photographed them.) Color hands and feet directly on the guide where you will assemble the character. See photo above "Making the Characters" for examples. Be careful not to go further up than where the hands/feet are. Color around the guide edges in a lighter matching color than what will go on top - this will hide any white from being seen from the side. For example, color dark warm gray where the hat will sit and light warm gray around where the striped costume will be.

Assemble witch fox on its guide in this order: cape, striped costume, cape shoulders, tied bow, treat bag, snout on head then add head, hat, hat band. Finally, use a pickup tool to place nose and eyes (use the inside bow loops for eyes, unless you plan to draw them or use the ones that came on the die). If your tool does not include a pointy end, use a die pick to move the pieces into place. I suggest using the die pick to also dot on the glue before placing.

Using a black multiliner pen (0.2mm or smaller), add lines for mouth. I used a 0.05mm Copic Multiliner SP, which is refillable and has replaceable nibs, but they also offer a disposable version. Add dots and white stars to cape using a white gel pen.


3b. To make pumpkin head, read the witch fox instructions for similarities, including coloring edges of the guide. Add white gel pen to the legs (which are colored directly on the guide, as are the hands) and gray, like witch hat. I used the black multiliner pen to draw on the nose during assembly (below). I used the die cut eyes for this character since they were the same as the rub-ons. After coloring the head and making sure it is fully dry, turn it over and use a brown marker to lightly trace the mouth. Also add some dark gray to the guide where the mouth will go, as shown in the photo further above.

Assemble pumpkin head on its guide in this order: shirt/dress, treat basket, collar, eyes and teeth on head (draw on nose now) then add head (lines up with collar exactly), stem.


3c. To make ghost cat, read the witch fox instructions for similarities, including coloring edges of the guide. Color the stripes light warm gray. Color cheeks, let dry then color around the cheeks in darker gray (see photo above). If any ink ventures inside, you can use the blender or the cheek color marker to push it back out. Color snout and other pieces. Color treat bag with light gray then once dry, add stripes in darker gray.

Assemble ghost cat on its guide in this order: sheet costume, treat basket, collar, snout on head then head on guide, finally nose and eyes like witch fox. Use black multiliner pen to draw on mouth and whiskers.


3d. To make mummy bear, read the witch fox instructions for similarities, including coloring edges of the guide. Color cheeks, let dry then color around the cheeks. If any ink ventures inside, you can use the blender or the cheek color marker to push it back out.

For bandages, start with a lighter marker to draw lines first then use a darker marker once you have the placement the way you like. The lighter marker will be easier to push away if you make a mistake. These do not have to be perfect - once you add shading, it will look fine. Add dark brown to guide where hair will fall (top of head) - the holes will show through to the guide base.

After coloring wand, let dry, then use white gel pen to draw diagonal lines and gray, like witch hat. Once moon is colored, add eye and mouth with black multiliner pen.

Assemble mummy bear on its guide in this order: body bandages, wand, moon on wand, bandages and snout on head, head on guide, finally eyes and nose like witch fox. Use black multiliner pen to draw on mouth.

If anything is unclear or you have any questions, please leave a comment! I can't wait to use these cuties on projects!

Supplies
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Monday, June 24, 2024

Halloween Lilly Accordion Rectangle Card

Made for the ECD Susan Tierney-Cockburn Design Team

I just love Graphic 45 papers, especially the Halloween pads! It was so much fun using the coordinating 6x6 and 8x8 Rare Oddities papers - the colors and designs, oh my! For the front of my card, I created a lily in purple and black (based on the Landini Lily images I found online) using Susan Tierney-Cockburn's beautiful Lily dies; prefect for my Halloween theme.

Copyright Notice: ©Mary Dimercurio Prasad. All rights reserved. Any illegal reproduction of this content, including images, will result in immediate legal action.

Disclaimer:  Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at the bottom of this blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Card

Note: basic color and word sheets come from 6x6 Graphic 45 - Rare Oddities pad, other decorative papers (books, butterflies, etc.) from the 8x8 pad.

1. From black cardstock, die cut three copies of the main Accordion Rectangle as the card base. Also cut green newspaper print/cream background paper using main Accordion Rectangle. Adhere it to one of the black card bases then cut the connecting tabs and flap off (see instructions in packaging); this will be the last panel of the card. For the first panel, which will be the front of the card, using the decorator die (largest rectangle die), cut the purple with cream words paper from 6x6. Adhere to center (flap to right).

2. Cut leaves and stem of Garden Notes - Lily from green page. Using applicator, shade with green Pan Pastel (I folded the leaves backwards down the middle to chalk the center line). Optional: you may use Distress Ink as shown in the video - Peeled Paint should work. Cut petals and stamen from purple page. Using blending tool to add Dusty Concord Distress Ink covering the side with words and as shading to purple side of petals and stamen. Add Black Soot Distress Ink to top and bottom of both sides of each petal as well as stamen. With a watercolor brush, brush some Black Soot in stripes down the middle of each petal (I used the originally purple side of the paper as the fronts for the stripes, which will form the inside of the petals). Shape flower and assemble as instructed in video below. Note: I used black embossing powder as pollen on the ends of the stamen.

3. Using Katie Flourish Frame Edges, cut 4 long edges and 4 short from purple paper, 2 long edges and 2 short from both orange and green. Adhere purple forming frames on both sides of first panel (step 1). Adhere orange to middle (flap right) and green to last (no flap).

4. Tie two pieces of twine together into a bow. Optional: the white was too bright against the cream in the card so I used Antique Linen Distress Stain and water to antique it. Cut cream tag using small tag on the main Tags Pivot Card; trim to a single tag (note: I used a scrap just larger than the last tag). Stamp October word background with Concord Grape Distress Ink 2nd generation stamping, i.e. stamp first on a scrap then on the tag. I used Cherish the Day CTMH stamp set, but it might be difficult to find; you may substitute it with any Halloween related word stamps. Using blending tool, add some of the same ink to edges. Sand to give it a grunge look, concentrating a bit more where the "Happy Halloween" will go. Stamp "Happy Halloween" in black near bottom of tag. Adhere flower and leaves to front panel as shown - I cut the stem and pieced it so it would go in the direction I needed to put the flower in the corner and have the stem behind the tag. Adhere tag using dimensional tape. Adhere bow as shown.


5. Cut raven, cat, tree, and bats from black cardstock. Add eyes to cat with yellow or green Milky pen (or paint with acrylic). Use cream Pan Pastels to add highlights to backs of raven and cat. Also add some to the tree. Add a dot of black Enamel Accents for raven's eye. Cut pumpkins from orange paper (I also cut stem area from green, trimmed excess, then glued on pumpkins). Use paintbrush to add lines with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink. Trace pumpkins on yellow cardstock. Cut just inside the lines; glue behind pumpkins to make eyes "glow."

6. Cut pieces of 8x8 patterned papers shown on middle card - books, butterfly strip, "Bewitched" strip, and bottle label. To make the pieces fit perfectly, use the main Accordion Rectangle die to cut them: first rough cut each piece larger than where it will be placed, then looking through die, tape with Post-It or other removable tape before cutting. Adhere where shown (I glued in this order, books, bottle label - not overlapped, butterfly strip, "Bewitched" strip. Mask butterfly strip and above then stamp spider in black where shown (I found the spider stamp in the dollar bin at my local craft store - if you can't find one on a web strand, just stamp a small spider and draw a line down using a black pen). Adhere cat and raven as shown.

7. For the last panel, temporarily place tree and trim branches as desired - if any stick off the left side, cut them off (I did this after gluing). Adhere tree but don't put glue where large pumpkin will be placed; adhere pumpkin slightly under tree. Adhere small pumpkin with dimensional tape. Adhere bats where shown. For a little dimension, I bent a couple bat wings up (you could do a double layer of bats with top set of wings bent up if desired). Adhere enamel dots where shown. Assemble card as per instructions on packaging.


Supplies

Elizabeth Craft Designs
  • 972 Accordion Rectangle (updated to Karen Burniston's new versions)
  • 995 Garden Notes - Lily
  • 989 CountryScapes - Country Critters 1 (Raven, Cat)
  • 1078 CountryScapes - Backyard 3 Apple Orchard (Tree)
  • 1080 CountryScapes - Build a Scarecrow (Pumpkins)
  • 1082 CountryScapes - Critters 4 (Bats)
  • 973 Tags Pivot Card (updated to Karen Burniston's new versions)
  • 977 Katie Flourish Frame Edges
  • 808 Susan's Garden 4pcs. All metal Tool Set in Luxury Case
  • 810 Large Molding Pad
  • Pan Pastels: Susan's Garden PanPastel Flower Coloring Kit 3 - 30117 (Green, Cream)
  • Double Sided Adhesive
Other Supplies
  • Cardstock: Black, Cream, Yellow
  • Graphic 45 Paper: Rare Oddities 6x6 and 8x8 Pads
  • Distress Inks: Dusty Concord, Black Soot, Rusty Hinge
  • Embossing Powder: black
  • Optional: Antique Linen Distress Stain
  • Twine: White/Light Purple/Dark Purple (Tricolor)
  • Happy Halloween Stamp
  • CTMH Stamps: Cherish the Day #S1111 (Stamp of the Month November 2011), Just to Say from Artfully Sent Cricut Collection #D1629
  • Milky: Yellow or Green OR Acrylic Paint
  • Enamel Accents: Black
  • Spider Stamp
  • Dimensional Tape
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Monday, October 29, 2018

Halloween Cards with Xyron and Doodlebug Design


Doodlebug Design has some of the cutest and most colorful papers on the market - definitely a favorite of mine! This year's Halloween release was Pumpkin Party. I've also collected some packs and pads from recent years (OK, I tend to hoard them). Unfortunately, many have limited print runs (adding to my distress of using them!). The one big positive is that some of the collections are available as cuttable files, through Lori Whitlock's website and through the Silhouette online store. I made two cards, using Xyron products to put them all together.


I've purchased Doodlebug Design files from both aforementioned sites. Lori Whitlock's are SVG files, which are more flexible (i.e. may be cut with most cutting machines), whereas the Silhouette versions are proprietary studio files for use with Silhouette software. I have several of the collections already and hope to get more (I joined the Lori Whitlock subscription monthly service - you get the best value when they go on sale, be sure to sign up for her blog updates - that's where many sales are announced). Note: Pumpkin Party SVG collection was not out yet when I made these cards so I chose a similar character from a previous release.

To make these files super easy to assemble after cutting, I use my Xyron products: the big things go into my 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive and the small things go into my 1.5" Sticker Maker. The Adhesive Remove cleans up any extraneous adhesive.

Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Card

0. The steps below feature the first card's main character (Frankenstein's monster) plus the chemistry set and spiders for the second card; the second card's main character (scientist) will be similar, just using a different file.

1. Die cut black cardstock with main Circle Flip-its die; fold as directed. Use the decorative side panel dies to cut 12x12 sheet with kids in costume (Costume Party) from Pumpkin Party. Also use the larger side panel die to cut a piece of white cardstock for back of card. Use the circle die to cut Pumpkin Party 6x6 sheet of haunted houses with trees, and another from candy corn sheet. Also from candy corn sheet, cut a strip 1/2 inch wide. This strip will go inside the card to cover the black strip down middle, above and below circle. Use a pencil to mark where the circle starts and ends (with appropriate gap) then use the circle die to cut the paper where marked. See photo below. In Pumpkin Party 6x6 pad, find sheet with printed strips; cut out orange Happy Halloween strip. From Pumpkin Party 12x12 pad, find sheet with square labels; cut out label with princess and Trick or Treat above her head. Set aside these papers for now.

Open Card

    Back of Card

    2. Cut one of the lighter purple cardstock sheets from Hunkydory Adorable Scorable Cardstock to 7x10 inches; fold in half to form a 5x7 inch card base. Cut a darker purple from the same pack to 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches. From Boos & Brews 12x12 pad, cut sheet with chemistry beakers 4 5/8 x 6 5/8 inches. From the Boos & Brews 6x6 pad, find sheet with square labels and strips. Cut out square label with frog, beaker, bottles and spiders with purple frame, and also strip with "Happy Halloween!" Cut tails in left side of strip. Cut craft foam to fit behind strip. Also cut an extra piece of craft foam, enough to pop up spiders. Cut square of yellow-orange cardstock 1/8 inch larger than frog/beaker label so it frames it 1/16 inch all around. Use Nested Circle Small Stitch Dies to cut larger light blue circle (3 5/8 inch) and smaller yellow-orange circle (2 1/8 inch). Set aside all pieces for now.

    See photo below. For inside of card, cut candy strip from Pumpkin Party 6x6 sheet of strips. Cut Doc Frankenstein "I'm mad about CaNDy" rectangle label from Boos & Brews 6x6 pad. Cut purple cardstock (same color used for card base) 1/4 inch bigger than Doc Frankenstein label (it will be framed 1/8 inch around). Set these aside for now as well.



    3. Load Booville - Frank, Boos & Brews - Chemistry Set 1, and Boos & Brews - Spiders into Silhouette software (I used Sure Cuts a Lot - SCAL). Ungroup each and move pieces in areas of the mat that are similar in color. See photo below. I put all the small pieces in the top left corner to be cut in white then colored with markers later. I did the same for darker versions of the same color - i.e. I used markers to darken them. Note, I forgot to cut the white layer on the spiders - they should have been in the upper left as well (I ended up cutting scraps by hand to put behind spider bodies). I also deleted any layers or cut lines that were either unnecessary or too small, like the spiders' eyes (use pen/marker to draw in later) and highlights on bubbles and beakers (use white gel pen later).


    4. Cut scraps of cardstock large enough to cover the associated areas and place on cutting mat in appropriate locations.


    5. Once cut, use markers to color any white pieces in their designated colors, as well as darken areas of same color (e.g. neck and scar on Frankenstein monster's face under-layer). See photo below. I also used the markers to darken orange inside pumpkin area (not shown). Hint: place very small pieces in a small dish so they won't get lost. I used a porcelain petal dish, usually used for watercolor.


    6. Run large pieces through 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive. Rub all over clear cellophane before peeling it away - see hint in step 7.* Note: be sure to put white cardstock panel piece for back of black Flip-it card though the Creative Station with the correct side up (it will be opposite the patterned paper since it will be on the back side of the card from it).


    7. Run small pieces through 1.5" Sticker Maker; rub all over cellophane then peel it away.* See photo below. *Hint: use die pick to rub around edges of pieces before peeling up cellophane. For very small pieces, I used liquid glue. Leave these in their dish or bowl for now.


    8. Cut around candy corn circle (leaving it on backing paper) to free it from the rest of the items on the backing paper. Adhere princess with Trick or Treat above her head to center of candy corn circle. Die cut with circle to get rid of overhanging corners (alternatively you could trim them with a pair of detail scissors). When assembling larger card elements, peel backing paper away from cardstock and patterned papers; this keeps them from warping as much. For the black Flip-it card, adhere patterned papers where shown and white piece on back. For purple base card, adhere chemistry beakers to darker purple 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inch cardstock from step 2 then adhere to card base.


    9. Assemble characters, spiders, and chemistry set. Hint: reload the cut files in software and ungroup again - pull layers apart as necessary to see how to assemble them. Use liquid glue for very small parts. Use thin black marker, such as a .03 black Copic Multiliner SP (I prefer the SP version because they are refillable - less waste and more economical in the long run), to draw eyes on spiders (you could also substitute with googly eyes). Use white gel pen to add highlights to bubbles and beakers. (Oops, I forgot to adhere the blue beaker layers before the liquids so I just left them off but it isn't as dimensional without them.)


    10. Use craft foam with adhesive behind the two spiders and black Happy Halloween flag. Adhere all pieces where shown. Adhere Doodlebug Deisgn Sequins: Lilac, Limeade, and Tangerine where shown on black Flip-it card (I used 9 total, 3 in each color).


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    Tuesday, October 23, 2018

    Xyron & Graphic 45 Midnight Masquerade Halloween Pop-up Card


    A Xyron and Graphic 45 collaboration makes this Halloween/Masquerade card super cool. Graphic 45 sent the Xyron design team a 12x12 pack of gorgeous papers plus a couple matching items. I chose Midnight Masquerade. Along with the 12x12 paper pack, I received the matching Journaling Chipboard and Tags & Pockets plus a packet of Artist Trading Tags. I absolutely love the color combination - it has a Mardi Gras feel to it. The hardest part was deciding which papers to leave out (I wanted to put them all in - both sides... one of these days I will have to make a mini-album out of the rest of these papers so I can show them all off). To make the card even more special, I added pop-up elements to it with Karen Burniston dies.

    GIVEAWAY!! Two lucky winners will receive a Graphic 45 Christmas paper pack and a Xyron Mega Runner! To enter, just post a comment on any of the Graphic 45 projects on the Xyron Facebook page during this week (October 22-26, 2018).

    Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.


    Making the Card

    0. I recommend first reading through all the steps, cutting out papers as instructed, and watching the videos before putting anything together. Then follow the steps in order. This isn't a difficult card (the hardest part is probably folding the side explosion wings) - but there are a lot of pieces, which is what I think makes it look so cool!

    1. Cut green-blue cardstock 7x10 inches; fold in half to form a 5x7 inch card base. Cut two pieces of medium purple paper 4 13/16 x  6 3/4 inches (to line the inside of the card). Set aside.


    2. From the Midnight Masquerade 12x12 paper pack, find the pages with all the panels of images (Music Makers). I recommend cutting apart each design but you will only need two copies of the top right image (the guy in the cloak bowing to the lady). Cut dark purple cardstock 1/4 inch larger than one of these images such that 1/8 inch will show as a boarder. Using detail scissors, fussy cut both flower clusters and the man's cloak from the other piece. Use an ink blending tool to apply Rusty Hinge Distress Ink to the edges of the flowers and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink to cloak edges. Cut dark blue cardstock 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Find the page with the masks (Venetian Carnival) - the back will have a diamond pattern, this is the side we will use; cut to 4 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches and ink edges with Peacock Feathers. Find the page with the stamps and mask strip at the bottom (Savor the Magic). Cut all the elements apart but leave the dancers strip with the orange/diamond/orange patterned strips attached (if you accidentally cut them off, just adhere them together on the card as shown). For the card, you will use the strip of dancers, the small dark blue and cream design near the bottom of the page (it will end up above the dancers on the card), and three of the stamps (you can choose the three you like best or use the same ones I did). Ink edges of stamps with Dusty Concord Distress Ink. Trim strip of dancers and blue/cream border to 7 inches wide. Ink edges with Peacock Feathers. Set aside.


    3. Using the Upsy Daisy Pop-up dies, die cut three dark blue scalloped squares and two dark purple arms. Watch the video below to see how to fold the arms - use liquid glue to only assemble the box areas of the arms. Don't put the rest together yet. It's best to watch the video below and the next (step 4) to see how this will all go together; the rest of the assembly will continue below - the order is important.


    4. Using the Explosion Pop-up dies, die cut two wings from medium purple paper and fold as shown in the video below but do not assemble anything else yet. Also die cut the pop-up platform from dark purple cardstock, leaving about 1/2 inch above and below; trim sides flush. Note: I made mine out of recycled plastic packaging - it turned out OK but the card is difficult to keep closed and is bulkier than if I had used cardstock. I recommend using dark purple cardstock instead and adhering the center matted stamp near the bottom of the front platform instead of higher up as shown in my photos.


    5. From Midnight Masquerade Tags & Pockets, punch out the pocket with the lady under the moon. Since we will be using the lady side, you may have to trim a little from the folding edges when assembling. Fold everything first to see how much you need to trim. Fold the back across, then fold the side flap in, gluing in place, then fold the bottom flap up, gluing in place. Using an ink blending tool, ink edges with Dusty Concord Distress Ink. Punch out the orange bordered tag with the woman's back to the viewer and "Midnight Masquerade" written above her head. Trim edges if necessary so it will slip easily in and out of pocket. Ink edges with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink. Next punch out the arrow with mask; ink each with Peacock Feathers.


    6. Run the following through the Xyron 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive: 2 pieces medium purple paper (step 1), panel image with man in cloak plus dark purple cardstock (step 2), dark blue cardstock plus diamond paper (step 2), 7 inch strips with dancers and blue/cream (step 2), three cut out stamps (step 2). Rub around all edges. You may want to trim the elements apart before removing backing papers. Note: be sure to flip papers over then peel backing away in order to keep papers from curling as much. If there is any extra adhesive around edges, use Adhesive Remover. Adhere medium purple papers inside card base, one on top and one on bottom, leaving a small gap for the fold. Adhere diamond patterned paper to dark blue paper. Adhere to center front of card base. Adhere blue/cream strip going across card, 2 inches from top. Adhere strip of dancers just below it. Adhere panel image with man in cloak to dark purple cardstock. Adhere to front of card where shown. Adhere stamps to dark blue scalloped squares. Leave off the rest of the elements for now.

    7. Adhere explosion wings to sides of inside card as shown in video, lining up with purple liner edges. Cut two pieces of purple stars (Romantic Rendezvous) paper  4 7/16 x 6 inches. Use the stars side on the bottom and the other side for the top. Open card and lay the stars piece in the card just below the fold line, centered, then mark with pencil the angles of the explosion pop-up where they overlap; cut off just a slight bit more than marked. Flip the card around and do the same for the top piece using the side shown. Run these pieces through Xyron 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive (be sure to have the correct sides facing up). Adhere in card, making sure that all folded areas are clear enough to fold unhindered.


    8. Adhere center dark purple pop-up panel (you may want to trim the top and bottom - just keep enough to glue in card). Adhere side arms as in video, making sure they clear the pop-up. Adhere the matted stamps as shown. Die cut balloons shown, using a white gel pen to draw in the balloon shine before removing from die. Note: for the medium purple paper balloons, I cut two of each and glued them together for stability. Die cut strings for each balloon from dark purple cardstock. For the balloons that would be adhered only to their strings, I doubled the string thickness. I also cut a straight string by hand for the center purple balloon behind the center stamp. Adhere each where shown. I cut off the loop on the left orange balloon that is glued behind the stamp. I also popped up the two balloons on the top left by running craft foam through the 9" Creative Station with Permanent Adhesive twice, once on each side (removing cellophane in between) to apply adhesive on both sides - this creates dimensional tape.

    9. Adhere Lilac, Swimming Pool sequins where shown. To place these I highly recommend the Crystal Tanto. While the inside elements dry, on a craft sheet, dye a length of seam binding with Dusty Concord Distress Ink (spray with water) and some twine with Peacock Feathers (I just used what was on the blending tool foam, rolling it as I went along the string).


    10. Use Mega Runner on back of pocket to adhere it to card where shown. Use a hole punch or Crop-A-Dile to punch a hole at the top of the orange tag (where the flower is, just a bit low on it). Tie ribbon and twine around hole. Put tag in pocket. Use the dimensional tape created in step 8 to adhere flower and cloak over the ones on front of card. Use dimensional tape to adhere mask arrow where shown. Add square flower from Journaling Chipboard in upper right corner (or just add another sequin). Add Lilac, Swimming Pool sequins going from bottom left to top right. Optional: Add clear Wink of Stella where desired on cover and inside (e.g. cloak, flowers, masks). See photo above (may have to click on it to see the shine). Optional: if the card feels too front heavy, cut dark blue cardstock and patterned paper (same size as those used for front of card), run through 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive, and adhere to back of card; this should help the balance.


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