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

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

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

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

CASology #219

Welcome to Week 219 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:

I don't have a whole lot of Halloween stamps but I did recently get the Stampers Anonymous Crazy Cats and the corresponding Crazy Things set which conveniently has a witch's hat in it.  I thought this kitty looked pretty spooked - spooked by something spooky!  :D  I did simple paper piecing with coloured cardstock and, although you can't really see it, I coloured the gem by the sentiment to match his hat.  I took some inspiration from the photo and colours over at Simon Say Wednesday challenge where there's a kitty with a purple hat.  I was pretty pleased with my card up until the point I had to photograph it but after several (million) attempts I finally managed to get this picture.

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

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Deidre Payne

Hannelie Bester - Taking a break

Hazel Hodgkins

Jacquie Southas

Jen Wills

Joyce Mehrberg

Judy Marino

Kymona Tracey

Melissa Chipperfield - Taking a break 

Sherrie Mannion

Tracey McNeely

This week's guest designer:

Isabelle

This week's sponsor:

Serendipity Stamps

Link your creations to the CASology blog and remember that the deadline for entries is Monday at noon (CDT).

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Daffodil Delight, Elegant Eggplant, Smokey Slate, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Cat from Crazy Cats) Stampers Anonymous, (Sentiment from Tiny Treats: Halloween) Papertrey Ink

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Markers:  (BV08, V09) Copic

Gems:  Recollections

CASology #169

Welcome to Week 169 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:

Before I start I have to share the sad news that Gillian is stepping down from the team.  Her adorable little man is keeping her very busy and although I'm sad to see her go I can totally understand why.  I'll miss you, Gillian!

Now, we've got a Halloween inspired challenge for you this week and I knew exactly what set I was going to use for it.  Unfortunately the Zombies stamp set from Sweet Stamp Shop is retired but I love it.  Funnily enough I don't think I've made a Halloween card with it before but I used it for a Valentine's card which you can see here and a Christmas card which you can see here.  As you can see from those cards the stamp set does contain actual zombie images but I wanted to simplify my card and just evoke the suggestion of zombies.  This was super quick to put together - just some stamping, fussy cutting and foam tape!  I can't wait to see your zombie cards and if you need some inspiration be sure and check out the brilliant designs from the rest of the team!

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Hannelie Bester - Taking a break

Hazel Hodgkins

Jen Wills

Joyce Mehrberg

Judy Marino

Kimberly Wiener

Kymona Tracey

Melissa Chipperfield

Tracey McNeely

And this week's guest designer:

Valerie

Link your creations to the CASology blog and remember that the deadline for entries is Monday at noon (CST).

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (Kraft, White) Papertrey Ink, (Old Olive) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (All from Zombies) Sweet Stamp Shop

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Red Royal) Hero Arts

Marker:  (R29) Copic

Happy Halloween

I don't usually make too many Halloween cards but I wanted to play along with the Halloween challenge over at The Paper Players.  I used the colours from last week's Colour Throwdown challenge as they were very Halloweeny (although obviously I'm too late to play along).  I was inspired by the Paper Players photo and went with a black cat silhouette in front of the moon.  I used a mixture of Sweet Stamp Shop and Neat and Tangled stamps and a Papertrey die.  I love it when different companies work so well together!  Time to head off to work.  Hope you have a great day!      

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Smokey Slate, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Cat from Halloween Owl-Fits, Fence from Haunted House) Sweet Stamp Shop, (Sentiment from Halloween Scene) Neat & Tangled

Ink:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Die:  (Cloud) Papertrey Ink

Punch:  (2 1/2" circle punch) Marvy Uchida

Gems:  Recollections

CASology #68

Welcome to Week 68 of CASology!  Here's the cue word for this week:

I've seen several variations of the "eyes in the dark" design and wanted to give it a try.  This week's cue word gave me the perfect opportunity.  To make the eyes I stamped different leaves from Paper Smooches Leafy Greens, cut them, attached them and then covered them with Glossy Accents.  Super easy!  The design would probably make a cute tag too huh? Okay now it's your turn.  Check out the fabulous DT designs and then play along!

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Melissa Chipperfield

Rosemary Dennis 

Tracey McNeely

Judy Marino

Maureen Merritt

Meghan McMillan

Gillian Ross

Kimberley Wiener

And this week's guest designers:

Kristie

Link your creations to the CASology blog and remember submissions are due by 4pm CST on Sunday, 3 November.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (Crushed Curry, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Leaves from Leafy Greens) Paper Smooches

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Other:  (Glossy Accents) Ranger

Nom Nom Nom!

I'm continuing along with the Halloween theme here today.  Sweet Stamp Shop has a hilarious stamp set called Zombies which I just had to get!  Between The Walking Dead, World War Z (the book was awesome - haven't seen the movie) and that Sprint commercial, zombies are everywhere!  I used Nance's sketch from The Paper Players for my layout and then had some fun colouring in my zombie dude.  Hope you all have a lovely zombie-free day!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Basic Grey) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Zombie, blood spatter & sentiment from Zombies, Distressed Chevron) Sweet Stamp Shop

Ink:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Real Red) Stampin' Up

Embossing Powder:  (Clear)

Markers:  (R46, R20, E00, G21, C-1, C-3, C-5) Copic

CAS(E) This Sketch #43

Welcome to Week 43 of CAS(E) This Sketch!  Take a look at this week's sketch by Karolyn Loncon:

It's hard to believe that Halloween is fast approaching but it will be here before we know it! And then Christmas...  but let's not go there quite yet.  I played with some Fresh Squeezed Stamps and Purple Onion Designs for this card.  Love that cute little ghost!  And I love to see how you guys are inspired by these sketches so check out the awesome creations by the rest of the design team and then get inky!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Gina K, (Crumb Cake) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Haunted Hallows) Teresa Collins

Stamps:  (Ghost) Purple Onion Designs, (Sentiment from Subway Series:  Holidays) Fresh Squeezed Stamps

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Clear) Ranger

CASology #15

Welcome to Week 15 of CASology!  Here's the cue card for this week:

This was a complete nightmare to photograph with all that black embossing!  I used my Distress Inks to create the moon and embossed the creepy tree on it and then embossed the sentiment strip.  I tried embossing the sentiment strip in white and then on a yellow strip but those things seemed to take away from the impact of the moon so I kept it simple and just embossed the sentiment in black.  Your turn now!  Check out the rest of the design team's creations and then get creating!

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Melissa Chipperfield

Rosemary Dennis

Tracey McNeely

Also this week's guest designer:

Amy

Link up your creations to the CASology blog and remember that submissions are due by Sunday, 21 October at noon CST.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Night of Navy) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  Purple Onion Designs
Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black)  Tsukineko, (Mustard Seed, Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks) Ranger

Embossing Powder:  (Clear) Ranger) 

Punch:  (@ 1/2" circle) Marvy Uchida

CASology #11

 Welcome to Week 11 of CASology!  Here's the cue card for this week:

I think this has been the hardest CASology challenge for me so far.  Of course the first thing that came to mind was snow but I try to avoid making snowy cards as there's no snow here.  After I passed on the snow idea I wrote down everything else that came to mind when I thought of the word white.  I had quite a decent sized list in the end and I tried a couple of ideas but the cards just got too busy.  Finally I went super CAS with a one layer card.  Whenever I hear someone call their significant other their "boo" in a song it makes me giggle and think of a ghost.  This is my literal interpretation of my silly mind!  :)

Where does the word white take you?  While you're pondering the cue word check out the fabulous cards from the rest of the design team:

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Melissa Chipperfield

Rosemary Dennis

Tracey McNeely

Also this week's guest designer:

Bev

Link up your creations to the CASology blog and remember that submissions are due by Sunday, 23 September at noon CST.

Boo!

***This is my 2nd post of the day.  Please scroll down for my Use It Tuesday post or click here!***

I love the funky colours at The Play Date Cafe challenge this week as well as the fun names they gave them - Slime Green, Frightful Fuscia, Putrid Purple and Black As Night.  They definitely put me in the Halloween mood so I pulled out this Purple Onion ghost stamp and got to work punching and layering circles and ghosts.  If you have a ghost you must have some "Boo" so I took some black letter stickers and sparkled them up a bit with some Gunmetal Stickles (which is also on the ghosts' eyes).  Wee Memories and Create are both having challenges for Halloween cards this week so I'm going to enter this card with them as well.  

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Black, Purple) Bazzill Basics, (Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade) Stampin' Up
Stamp:  (Ghost from Halloween set) Purple Onion Designs
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Impression Plate:  (Linen) PTI

Punches:  (1" & 1 1/2" circle punches) EK Success
Stickers:  Scenic Route
Glitter:  (Stickles Gunmetal)  Ranger

Print Candee

Hello and Happy Monday!  I am so excited because today I am sharing some projects with you that I created for my first ever guest designer gig!  The fun and fabulous Jocelyn Olsen, Creative Team Co-ordinator for Print Candee, invited me to be the Guest Designer for October.  Now I must confess that while tickled to be asked I was also terrified.  Print Candee is a digital craft company.  I had never used digital goodies before mostly because I am not so hot in the computer skills department.  Things like Photoshop confound me and even trying to add a picture to Word has been a struggle.  (Not to mention the fact that the Craft Cave and computer are at opposite ends of the house from each other so there is a lot of running back and forth).  However, I decided it was time to face my demons and figure this stuff out and I'm so glad I did!  Print Candee has so much cool stuff from clip art to paper packs to templates and even Photoshop tools!  They currently have over 20 different designers so there really is something for everyone's taste and style.    

I used a mixture of Print Candee products and traditional stamping products for my projects.  I started with Digital Potpourri's Halloween Horrors 12x12 paper and the coordinating clipart set.  I stamped this card with the Hero Arts envelope pattern background stamp and a sentiment from Elzybells.  I printed a sheet of the spiderweb paper for the bottom portion of the card and then 3 of the clipart images which I cut and embossed with my Nesties.   

Once I started to get the hang of the whole digital thing I couldn't stop at one card so I made another card and a little treat bag!  The card uses the spiders and the stripy paper from Halloween Horrors, sentiment stamps from Purple Onion Designs and some Gunmetal Stickles on the spiders bodies.  And how cute is that Ribbon Treat Bag huh?  I used more stripy Halloween Horrors paper, one of the two pumpkin images and also a label from Assorted Labels.  The sentiment and little spider are from Elzybells and I got the idea of making the ribbon into a googley eyed bat from Kirsty!    

The crafty possibilities really are endless and now that I'm feeling more confident using the computer I'm looking forward to trying out some more digi projects.  To celebrate my conquering of my digital fear I get to give away a gift to one of my fabulous commenters! Have you dipped your toes into the digital pool yet?  Leave me a comment about your experiences and on Friday I'll draw a random winner to receive a $5 Print Candee gift certificate.  In the meantime check out the Print Candee blog and store to see all the fabulous supplies and projects they have on offer!