Happy Halloween

 

It's been nearly 3 years since I last posted so I'll be amazed if anyone sees this or if the post even survives given that last year Blogger suddenly decided to delete about 30 of my posts for "content violations" (without actually saying what the violations were).  Posts that had been there for years.  Posts about handmade cards.  Not sure what was suddenly so offensive about them but whatever.  *insert eyeroll*

Anyway at the request of a friend I finally dug into my stash and made a few Halloween cards.  Mostly I just remade past designs but I did make one brand new one so I figured I'd share it.  This Ellen Hutson bear continues to be a favourite image and all the add-on sets that come with it make it perfect for so many occasions.

Hopefully it won't be another 3 years before I return!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (Granny Apple Green, Concord Crush, Crumb Cake, Smokey Slate, Basic Grey, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper: (Haunted Hallows 6x6) Teresa Collins

Stamps:  (Bear from All Inside, Cat, cauldron, bubbles, hat & broom from Bear Ware 2, Sentiment from The Last Bite) Ellen Hutson

Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Glitter: (Lime Green Stickles) Ranger

Christmas Kickstart Challenge

Waaaaay back in the beginning of November I was invited by Jo (AKA Dotty Jo) to be a Guest Elf at the Christmas Kickstart challenge.  I was chuffed to be invited and luckily she caught me before life took some unexpected turns and my card supplies got packed up and shoved into a corner.

The theme for this month's challenge is The Sentiment Takes Centre Stage.  This was a perfect choice for me as I'd been having so much fun with my Essentials by Ellen alphabet dies at the time.  I always thought this Katzelkraft kitty must be yowling out a celebratory tune and decided that this time the tune would be Deck the Halls.  :)

I hope you'll play along and can't wait to see your creations!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Ralfs Red, Smokey Slate) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper: (Green Swirls 12x12) Stemma

Stamps:  (Cat) Katzelkraft, (Santa hat from Holiday Cats) Skipping Stones Designs

Ink:  (Memento Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko

Die:  (Classic Block Alpha) Essentials by Ellen

Markers:  (R27) Copic

Other:  (Glossy Accents) Ranger

You Made the List

I'm playing along today with the Any Occasion challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More.  When I got this Yasss! die I knew immediately that I was going to use it with these particular Ellen Hutson stamps for a cheeky Christmas card.  They really were meant to be together!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Real Red, Crumb Cake) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper: Adornit (?)

Stamps:  (Bear from All Inside, List & sentiment from Santa's List) Ellen Hutson, (Santa hat from Beast Friends) My Favourite Things

Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko

Die:  (Yasss!) Ellen Hutson

I'd Totally Pee On You

 Today I'm playing along with Addicted to CAS where the codeword is Circle.  I'm pretty sure I bought this Essentials by Ellen stamp set purely for this sentiment.  It totally cracks me up and is actually a true promise here in Bermuda when at certain times of year the Portuguese Man 'O War jellyfish are plentiful.  The sentiment pairs perfectly with these MFT jellyfish and I thought the porthole would be the perfect way to highlight it!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Pool Party, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Grey) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Jellyfish from Ocean Fun) My Favourite Things, (Sentiment from Besties) Essentials by Ellen

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Pinkalicious, Rubellite, Razzleberry) Altenew

Die:  (Porthole) My Favourite Things

Gems:  Recollections

Rainbow Greetings

 Just popping in with a card for the CAS birthday challenge at the Paper Players.  I ended up making 6 cards to make use of all the rainbow stripes that were cut.  The sentiment dies are from Simon Says Stamp and Paper Smooches.  I used 3 layers of cardstock for them and then covered them with Glossy Accents.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White, Black) Papertrey Ink

Pattered Paper:  (Dots & Stripes Sorbet, Dots & Stripes Fresh 6x6) My Favourite Things

Dies:  (Rainbow) Essentials by Ellen, (Happy birthday, thank you) Simon Says Stamp, (Hello) Paper Smooches 

Other:  (Nuvo Rhubarb Crumble, Ripened Pumpkin, English Mustard, Bottle Green, Caribbean Ocean, Violet Galaxy Crystal Drops) Tonic

Hey Boo!

 Today's card is for the CAS on Friday Autumn or Halloween challenge.  I used these adorable Essentials By Ellen ghost stamps and some fun Halloween colours for this quick and easy card. And I'm still having lots of fun with the Classic Block Alpha dies that let you make any sentiment you want!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Granny Apple Green, Concord Crush) Stampin; Up

Stamps:  (Ghosts from Happy Hauntings) Essentials by Ellen

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Classic Block Alpha) Essentials by Ellen

Other:  (Nuvo Black Crystal Drops) Tonic

Lucky Me

 I'm playing along today with the Friendship or Encouragement challenge at Time Out.  I used a new to me sentiment die from Essentials by Ellen and some fun Crate Paper patterned paper that's been kicking around for a while.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White, Black) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper:  (Bliss Collection 12x12) Crate Paper

Stamps:  (Sentiment from Lucky) Essentials by Ellen

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Die:  (Lucky) Essentials by Ellen

Other:  (Nuvo Oyster Grey Crystal Drops) Tonic

Eeeeek!

 I've got another Halloween card today.  This one is for the Spooky challenge at The Paper Players.  I went for an almost one-layer card here which I very rarely do.  Despite loving CAS designs I always feel the need to pop up a few elements for some dimension.  Here I popped up the Happy Halloween sentiment and in person it makes the ghost peeking out from behind it look even cuter.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White, Black) Papertrey Ink

Stamps:  (Images from Happy Hauntings, Sentiment from The Last Bite) Essentials by Ellen

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Orange Twist, Tiara, Lime Rickey, Grape Crush) Catherine Pooler

Embossing Powder:  (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Other:  (Nuvo English Mustard Crystal Drops) Tonic

Batty Halloween

 I've got a card today for the Just Us Girls Halloween challenge.  I pulled out my new Essentials by Ellen Halloween stamps again and went with a repeating sentiment and one image popped up on foam tape.  A simple layout but always one of my favourites.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink

Stamps:  (Bat from Happy Haunting, Sentiment from The Last Bite) Essentials by Ellen

Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Lime Rickey, Grape Crush) Catherine Pooler

Other:  (Nuvo Ripened Pumpkin Crystal Drops) Tonic

CASology #396

 Welcome to Week 396 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:

This was the sentiment that immediately came to mind when I saw this week's cue word.  I tried a couple of different layouts but finally settled on clustering the elements in the corner.  I used yellow ink for the sentiment to mimic the setting sun.

Looking forward to seeing what direction the cue word takes you.  Check out the gorgeousness from the rest of the design team then play along!

Deidre Payne

Jacquie Southas 

Jen Wills

Joyce Mehrberg

Melissa Chipperfield

Nancy Elrick

Sandie Munroe

Sue Symens

This week's guest designer:

Asa

***You've got 4 weeks for this challenge!***

Link your creations to the CASology blog by 9am Monday, 1 November (CDT).

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Wild Wasabi, Soft Suede) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Waves from Stay Cool) Essentials by Ellen, (Sentiment from Get Outta Town) Paper Smooches

Ink:  (Tiki Torch, Something Borrowed) Catherine Pooler

Dies:  (Swaying Palm) Memory Box

Snappy Birthday

 Hello there!

I've got a card today for the Die Cuts and/or Stencils challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More.    I've been having lots of fun creating my own sentiments with these Essentials by Ellen alpha dies.  This time I paired those letters with a Simon Says "birthday" die and some alligators from My Favourite Things.  I ended up making two designs but still can't decide which is my favourite.  What do you think?

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Lucky Limeade, Mossy Meadow, Cucumber Crush, Emerald Envy, Call Me Clover, Lemon Lime Twist) Stampin' Up

Dies:  (Alligator) My Favourite Things, (Alpha letters) Essentials by Ellen, (Birthday) Simon Says Stamp

Other:  (Nuvo Ebony Black Crystal Drops) Tonic

You've Been Boo'd

I don't usually make Halloween cards but I couldn't resist these adorable stamps from Essential By Ellen.  I decided to use them for the CAS Colours and Sketches colour challenge.  They're not your typical Halloween colours but I thought that made it kind of fun.  And then of course I couldn't help making another card in more traditional colours... 

(I also used Cecile's Freshly Made Sketches sketch from a couple of weeks ago because I love it!)

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, Dapper Denim) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Ghosts from Happy Haunting, Sentiment from The Last Bite) Essentials by Ellen

Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Stitched Square) Lil' Inker Designs

Other:  (Nuvo Ripened Pumpkin & English Mustard Crystal Drops) Tonic

Autumn Leaf Flower

We're in the midst of some renovations at the moment so when I was at the paint store I may have grabbed a few more paint swatches than I needed...  I thought this one would make a nice background for some autumn leaves for the Inkspirational challenge.  I love these Altenew leaf dies and while I was playing around with them I found that they look a bit like a flower in this configuration so I went with it.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Dies:  (Leaves) Altenew, (Many thanks) Essentials by Ellen

Other:  (Nuvo Simply White Crystal Drops) Tonic, (Glossy Accents) Ranger

Yasss!

 

Today's card is for the Just Add Ink Just Add Lines challenge which came along right when I needed it.  I was SO excited to get this Essentials by Ellen Yasss die - it's totally me!  I was trying to put this card together and knew it wasn't quite right - there was something missing.  Then I happened upon the JAI challenge and the lightbulb went on - some lines across the bottom were the perfect element to balance out the design.  Thanks, JAI!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White, Black) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (Enchanting Washes 6x6) Altenew

Stamps:  (You Rock from Sparkle & Shine) Neat & Tangled, (Brush Spatter Background) My Favourite Things

Ink:  (Fresh Snow) Papertrey Ink

Dies:  (Yasss) Essentials by Ellen, (Stripes) Mama Elephant

Other:  (Nuvo Simply White Crystal Drops) Tonic

Eat All The Cake

 I've got a card today for the Addicted to Stamps and More Birthday challenge.  I've been having a lot of fun lately playing with the Classic Block Alpha dies from Essentials by Ellen.  I'm loving the look of the large, bold sentiment with just one image.  I also totally agree with this sentiment and may have resembled that cat a time or two in my life...

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Textured white) Bazzill, (Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Cat from Party Pets) Your Next Stamp

Ink:  (Memento Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Classic Block Alpha) Essentials by Ellen

Markers:  (R02, R11, Y17, E35, E37, C1, C3, C5) Copic

First I Drink the Coffee

 

Today's card is for the Inkspirational photo challenge.  This is such a cool picture and I pondered it for ages before finally coming up with my card.  I love this coffee cup and sentiment from Lil' Inker Designs (sadly, no longer with us) and thought the turquoise and yellow would pop nicely against the black and white circles. 

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White, Black) Papertrey Ink, (Daffodil Delight, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Sentiment from Coffee Talk) Lil' Inker Designs

Ink:  (Tiara) Catherine Pooler

Dies:  (Mug, sun) Lil' Inker Designs, (Circles) Essentials by Ellen

Other:  (Nuvo Ebony Black Crystal Drops) Tonic

Bright Birthday Flower

 Life has been busy and it's been over a month since I last posted so I'm glad to finally have a bit of crafty time.  Today I'm playing along with the Paper Players and Time Out.  The Paper Players gave us a Tic Tac Toe challenge and I used the first column for my card - feminine, birthday, florals.  Time Out wants us to use a coloured card base.  I've actually been trying to use more coloured card bases in a bid to tackle my cardstock stash (ha ha!) so I appreciate the encouragement here.  I haven't used these Essentials by Ellen flower dies in ages but they are perfect for some bright and cheery birthday florals.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, So Saffron, Pistachio Pudding, Wild Wasabi, Coastal Cabana) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Sentiment from Sassy Pants Birthday 3) My Favourite Things

Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Wild Garden flowers) essentials by Ellen

Other:  (Nuvo White Crystal Drops) Tonic

Lemons & Limes

I've got two cards today inspired by the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge.  I broke out a new to me Essentials by Ellen stamp set and made use of some more Hero Arts ribbon after recently having so much fun with it on this card and this card.  

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (All from Squeeze the Day) Essentials by Ellen

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko

Markers:  (Y00, Y02, Y08, Y11, YG03, YG06, YG11, YG67, E57) Copic

Ribbon:  Hero Arts

Other:  (Nuvo English Mustard and Dandelion Yellow Crystal Drops) Tonic

Flowers & Stripes

Today's card is for The Colour Throwdown and Addicted to Stamps and More challenges.  Initially I was going to keep this super simple with just the flowers and a blue flag for my sentiment but then I decided the flowers needed a backdrop.  After playing around with a few ideas I settled on these skinny stripes from Essentials by Ellen and I like how it looks like a blue sky!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Pacific Point) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Flower from Build-a-Flower Magnolia) Altenew, (Sentiment from Sentimental: Birthday) Winnie & Walter

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Citrus Burst, Maple Yellow, Honey Drizzle, Bamboo, Olive) Altenew

Dies:  (Skinny Stripes) Essentials by Ellen

Other:  (Nuvo Dandelion Yellow Crystal Drops) Tonic