A Tricky Treat

Cast a spell on Halloween "tricksters" with a hidden treat.

A bewitching assortment of Penny Black stamps

brewed into a small box.

To take a peek inside (if you dare), click "here".

Have a spook-tacular day,

Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Halloween Critters 30-185, It's Halloween 40-245, Spooky 30-041, Halloween Treats 30-078, Crystal Pattern 40-162, Warm Wishes 40-074,
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fuchsia Fantasies 13-003
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Grape Jelly Memento, Tangelo Memento,
PanPastels (Turquoise & Diarylide Yellow for highlighted background)
Other: Box Pattern (sample design created by Elizabeth Allan)

A Ghostly Wish

BOO!

This little ghost of a wish was created by combining Penny Black's "Haunted Halloween" transparent stamp set with their "Dots" Creative Die.



Not much coloring needed.  Just a splash of shading on the ghost and sentiment.

Have a spook-tacular day!
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps:  Haunted Halloween 30-184
Penny Black Creative Dies: Dots 51-009
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fern Green 05-001, Fuchsia Fantasies 13-002
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Clear Embossing Powder

Nevermore

While working on this card featuring Penny Black's Halloween Visit, "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe came to mind.

To set the mood, here is a short excerpt from the poem for you to enjoy...

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -

Only this, and nothing more.'

The entire poem (first published in 1845) is available to read "here".

Tip/Hint:  For alternative design ideas, use die cuts in different orientations.  In this sample, an inverted flower pot was used for the card base.

Thank you for visiting, 
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black:  Halloween Visit 40-243
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Pretty Petunia VersaMagic, Jumbo Sponge Dauber, Clear Embossing Powder
Spellbinders: Flower Pots (Used upside down)

A Disguise

Sneaking by today in disguise.

That little nose on the elastic string makes me laugh.  It reminds me of a Halloween long ago when I dressed up as a witch and my father insisted that my outfit wouldn't be complete until he glued a peanut shell to my nose!

This card pairs Penny Black's Witch Masquerade with their transparent set Haunted House.

If you are interested in additional details for this or any previously posted design, please feel free to contact me at my e-mail listed on the side bar or by using the mail feature (small envelope) located at the bottom of every post.

Witching you a boo-tiful day,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black: Witch Masquerade 40-244, Haunted House 30-184, Warm Wishes 40-074
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001, Summer Sun 17-003
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Morocco Memento Ink, Onyx Black VersaFine, Clear Embossing Powder
Offray Ribbon

The Colors of Fall

Welcoming the arrival of fall with autumnal colors.

From masculine to autumnal to Halloween, there are endless card designs that you can create with this fabulously mysterious image. 

The glowing backdrop was created by masking off the edges of a rectangular piece of white cardstock and applying various Memento inks with sponge daubers.  Tip/Hint: Stamping the image after the removal of the masks allows the image to extend beyond the color block and adds visual interest.

Some simple matting and an antique button finish the design. 

Happy Fall,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black:  It's Halloween 40-245
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Memento Inks, Onyx Black VersaFine, Sponge Daubers
Other: Antique Button

So Fun....

It's so much fun using themed stamps for everyday designs.

These new Halloween Critters from Penny Black are a "hoot" for creating friendship cards.

I love this sentiment too as it works great with a "thank you" tucked inside.  

The background was designed with Thatched Straw and Tea Leaves VersaMagic inks with branches stamped from "It's Halloween".

Whooo couldn't resist using these cuties all during the year?!

Smiles,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black:  Halloween Critters 30-185, It's Halloween 40-245, Friendship 30-160
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Thatched Straw VersaMagic, Tea Leaves VersaMagic, Clear Embossing Powder
Other: Twine

Halloween Treats (Part 2 of 2)

The second installment of "Halloween Treats" is a candy matchbook. 

This was designed to hold a thick, yummy piece of chocolate!

You can view and/or print the Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko INKd project sheet “here” which in addition to step-by-step instructions lists all the frightful cute Penny Black stamps used.

There is also a printable INKd project sheet "here" for the Halloween Treat Bag featured in Monday’s post “here” which included a bonus how-to for the metal tag. 

Spooky wishes,

Elizabeth

Halloween Treats (Part 1 of 2)

This week I have two “Artist in Residence” (Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko) projects that are all about creating ghoulish wrappings for those yummy Halloween treats.

Today’s technique magically transforms tracing paper into a glassine-like bag!

Candy corn is secretly tucked into this festive 2 ¼ x 5-inch pouch decorated with the branches from Penny Black’s Hoot of a Time.

Project Tutorial

 Fold a 2 ¼ x 10-inch piece of tracing paper in half and glue the sides to form a 2 ¼ x 5-inch pouch. 
Using InkBlushers, randomly pounce Brilliance Pearlescent Orange and
Brilliance Pearlescent Lime inks on the front and back of the pouch.

Spray the piece with Pewter Psst Sheer Shimmer Spritz.

A heat tool can be used to speed the drying time.

Stamp the branches from “Hoot of a Time” in Brilliance Starlite Black ink.

Fill the pouch with goodies and secure the top with decorative ribbons.

Optional Embellishment Accent

Trace the outline of a metal dog tag on a Photo Element and trim.

Apply GooseBumps Clear Texture Spray to a metal dog tag with an InkBlusher

 and affix the trimmed Photo Element.

Remove the protective backing on the reverse side

and stamp a sentiment in Ivory Black Opaque StazOn.

Stayed tuned for Part 2 of Halloween Treats….especially if you like chocolate!

Have a boo-tiful day,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Hoot of a Time 40-152

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:  Brilliance Pearlescent Orange (BR-031), Brilliance Pearlescent Lime (BR-042), Brilliance Starlite Black (BR-082), Ivory Black Opaque StazOn (SZ-000-182), Pewter Psst Sheer Spritz (IA-SWL-006), GooseBumps Clear Texture Spray (TS-000-001), InkBlushers (IB-PKG-001),

Sheet Metal Dog Tags (MP-600-005), Photo Elements Halloween Dog Tag 

Other:  Tracing Paper, Glue Pen, Decorative Ribbons

 

Trick or Treat?

No tricks today….just treats from Penny Black's Count Hedgula!

A dimensional frame was constructed from a Reverse Wonky Rectangle die cut from white cardstock and then sponged with Memento inks.  Randomly stamping the frame with spider webs added a subtle pattern.  A second Reverse Wonky Rectangle was used for the base.

Softly colored portions of Haunted House (illustrated by Mo Manning) were used to create the neighborhood behind Count Hedgula.  Tip/Hint: This is a great way to alter a large focal point stamp as seen in this sample “here” for a background.   By varying the thicknesses of dimensional foam under the elements, Count Hedgula appears to be across the street from the spooky houses.  

To balance the design, a friendly bat with a Halloween banner was added to the top right corner.

Have a happy day,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Count Hedgula 4286K, Haunted House 40-146, Critter Fright 30-142, Best Witches 30-131

Copic Markers

Dimensional Foam

Spellbinders: Reverse Wonky Rectangles (S4-114)

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Dandelion Memento, Cantaloupe Memento, Tangelo Memento, Pear Tart Memento, Pistachio Memento, Grape Jelly Memento, Lilac Posies Memento, Teal Zeal Memento, London Fog Memento, Tuxedo Black Memento, Sponge Daubers, Clear Embossing Powder

Spooky Wishes

A quick post to share some spooky wishes from my house to yours….

Believe it or not, this Haunted House by Penny Black (illustrated by Mo Manning) is paired with two of their Christmas designs.  Their stamp versatility is spook-tacular!

 

The first Christmas design is the dotty background called Crystal Pattern and the second is Warm Wishes which is the cross-hatch pattern.  For easy reference, all the inks and papers for this card have been listed below.

Coming soon, I’ll show how I used this house for a background design element.

Have a great day,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Haunted House 40-146, Crystal Pattern 40-162, Warm Wishes 40-074, Cat Spell 30-132

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-003, Fern Green 05-001, Periwinkle 11-001, Summer Sun 17-003

Copic Markers

Dimensional Foam

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Dandelion Memento, Cantaloupe Memento, Tangelo Memento, Grape Jelly Memento, Lady Bug Memento, Bamboo Memento, Clear Embossing Powder, Jumbo Sponge Daubers

Spellbinders: Labels Eight (S5-019)

Shadow Monster

Happy October!

Even shadows join in the festive Halloween fun!

Featuring Penny Black's Shadow Monster

Today’s card incorporates features from two designing principles: one layer and line of movement.

The line of movement can be seen occurring from the top left down to the bottom right.  While the girl and shadow are one image, additions of the button, sentiment and the overhanging pumpkin pail strengthen the visual line.  Also, a two-tone card base with mitered corners in the upper right and lower left further enhance the line of sight.

To give the upper left corner a little more weight and create a starting point for the eye, paper piercing was included as well as a heavier button and bow.

Although this card has several layers with the main artwork being matted and then attached to a card base with dimensional foam, it does use one-layer designing principles as outlined in the design variation.

One-Layer DesignVariation:  This card can easily be altered into one layer without changing the amount of fun spookiness contained in the design.

• Start with a white card base and stamp the Shadow Monster in Onyx Black VersaFine and heat emboss with clear powder.  Tip/Hint: Heat embossing is helpful in eliminating the need for a mask for the shadow monster since inks being added in the background can be easily wiped from the embossed surface.
• Mask off all four sides of the card.  Create a partial mask to protect the portion of the girl’s head and arm that are exposed inside the masked frame.
• With a sponge dauber, add Dandelion and Cantaloupe Memento inks.  Gently wipe any ink from the embossed area with a soft towel or tissue.
• Remove the masks, color the girl and stamp the sentiment.  Accent shadow with glitter.
• Optional:  To mimic the effect of the button, use a reverse circle mask and ink the exposed area with purple ink.
• Optional:  Ink the edges with Gray Flannel Memento ink.

As Halloween approaches, make sure to keep an eye on your shadow!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Shadow Monster 40-151, Best Witches 30-131  

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fern Green 05-001, Forest Glen 07-003, Summer Sun 17-002

Copic Markers

Dimensional Foam

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Dandelion Memento, Cantaloupe Memento, Tangelo Memento, Gray Flannel Memento, Clear Embossing Powder, Jumbo Sponge Daubers

Other: Glitter

Pirate Kai

As Halloween draws closer, little ones will be dreaming of their costumes and what to wear.

This trick-or-treater called Pirate Kai is one of Penny Black’s newest Halloween stamps illustrated by Mo Manning and is so much fun to color.

For added dimension, extra layers were added to the parrot, bones and pumpkin pail.  The sky and ground elements were created with Memento inks. 

Tip/Hint:  Add diversity to large stamp images by using them for small accents.  A large leaf from Foliage Fancy was fabulous for applying textural enhancements to the grass in this design.    

Have a wonderful weekend,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Pirate Kai 40-150, Foliage Fancy 30-138, Mimi Halloween 30-077

Copic Markers

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Dandelion Memento, Tangelo Memento, Nautical Blue Memento, Grape Jelly Memento, Pistachio Memento, Olive Grove Memento, Northern Pine Memento, Sponge Daubers, Clear Embossing Powder

Sakura: Black Glaze Pen (for "faux" brad), Black Micron Pen (for "faux" stitching)

Spellbinders: Standard Circles Large (S4-114)

Other: Paper Piercing Tool, Dimensional Foam

Best "Witches"

Flying by to share some Halloween fun….

These are the cardstock, ink and stamp combinations for the dimensional layers:

Frame:  Scalloped Circle die cut from white cardstock inked with Crimson Red VersaFine and stamped with spider webs (Best Witches) in Elderberry Memento ink.

Background: Circle die cut from white cardstock inked in Cantaloupe, Dandelion and Tangelo Memento inks.  Circle Pattern stamped in Tangelo Memento.

Grass:  Spring Meadow cardstock stamped with the background from Warm Wishes in Pistachio Memento ink.

Witch:  Stamp witch in Onyx Black VersaFine and heat emboss with clear powder.  Color with Copics and fussy cut.

Sentiment:  Oval die cut from white cardstock and edged with Elderberry Memento ink.  Sentiment stamped in Onyx Black VersaFine.

Assemble layers with dimensional foam.

Wishing you a day filled with happy magic,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Best Witches 30-131, Warm Wishes 40-074, Circle Pattern 40-105

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001, Spring Meadow 06-001

Copic Markers

Dimensional Foam

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Crimson Red VersaFine, Dandelion Memento, Cantaloupe Memento, Tangelo Memento, Pistachio Memento, Elderberry Memento, Jumbo Sponge Daubers, Clear Embossing Powder

Spellbinders: Standard Circles Small (S4-116), Classic Scallop Circles Large (S4-124), Classic Ovals Large (S4-110)

A Tiny Trio of Halloween Cards

Over the next two weeks, Penny Black will be spotlighting their designers and contributors.  There will also be some fun Q & A’s which you can read about “here”.

For my designer spotlight project, I created this tiny trio of Halloween cards.

  

Create three cards in three steps....

1. A “les petites” card was cut into three sections and color blocks were added with Memento inks and sponge daubers. 
2. Elements from “Cat Spell” were stamped on a separate piece of white cardstock with Onyx Black VersaFine and heat embossed with clear powder. 
3. After coloring and trimming, they were added to the prepared cards with dimensional foam.

Enjoy….

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black “Les Petites”

Penny Black Stamps: Cat Spell 30-132, Best Witches 30-131 (trick or treat sentiment)

3M Scotch: Dimensional Foam Tape

Copic Markers

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Pear Tart Memento, Tangelo Memento, Sweet Plum Memento, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers

A Frightful Halloween

Having a frightfully fun time stamping….

White cardstock die cuts of Spellbinders Label Three create the base of the card as well as the elevated frame.

The frame was completed by die-cutting a square from the center and stamping Crystal Pattern in Teal Zeal Memento ink. 

Tip/Hint:  For a two-tone effect, the dots on the top and bottom of the frame were colored with a black Glaze pen.

After the Moonlight Owls were stamped on white cardstock with Onyx Black VersaFine and heat embossed with clear powder they were colored with Copics and then fussy cut.  The left side of the branch was glued to the back of the frame.

For the background, a circular mask was used to protect the area that would become the moon while the sky was distressed with Memento inks.  The branches from Hoot of A Time were stamped over the inks in London Fog Memento. 

TIP/HINT:  A reverse or negative mask is helpful to protect the background while the exposed area is being inked.   For this sample, a circle was punched from a large square of Judi Kins Eclipse Tape which provided both the positive and negative portions.    

To finish the design, the sentiment and bat from Hoot of A Time were used to accent the moon.

FUN NEWS * FUN NEWS * FUN NEWS

This weekend Moxie Fab World is having a giveaway featuring Penny Black stamps!!  Click "here" to read more and to enter the drawing!

Thank you for visiting,

Elizabeth 

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Moonlight Owls 4287H, Hoot of a Time 40-152, Crystal Pattern 40-162

Copic Markers

Dimensional Foam

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Dandelion Memento, Cantaloupe Memento, Tangelo Memento, Pear Tart Memento, Pistachio Memento, Grape Jelly Memento, Lilac Posies Memento, Teal Zeal Memento, London Fog Memento, Tuxedo Black Memento, Sponge Daubers, Clear Embossing Powder

Judi Kins: Eclipse Tape

Sakura: White Gel Pen, Black Glaze Pen

Spellbinders: Labels Three (S4-189), Classic Squares Sm (S4-128), Standard Circles Lg (S4-114)

Hocus Pocus

No tricks with Penny Black’s new Halloween collection – just all treats!! 

This fabulous witch called “Hocus Pocus” was colored with Copics and then trimmed.  She was then set aside while the other three embellishment accents (cat, bat and banner/Cat Spell, sentiment/Best Witches) were stamped, colored and trimmed.

Stamping Note:  All elements were stamped in Onyx Black VersaFine and heat embossed with clear powder. 

The background layers are portions of Spellbinders Label Twenty-Two die cuts. 

The top layer was created from white cardstock and then distressed with sponge daubers and Dandelion, Morocco, Tangelo and Grape Jelly Memento inks.  To add to the appearance that the spooky branches are in the far distance, they were stamped in London Fog Memento.

The branches “Winter Ledge” used in this design is a new Christmas stamp and is so versatile for creating all kinds of scenes and patterns. 

The distressed and stamped background was matted with black cardstock and attached with dimensional foam to a white card base that was inked with Teal Zeal Memento and Sea Breeze VersaMagic.

The design was finished by attaching all the Halloween elements with dimensional foam.

Hocus, Pocus….you're done!!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Hocus Pocus 40-147, Best Witches 30-131, Cat Spell 30-132, Winter Ledge 4271L

Copic Markers

Dimensional Foam

Spellbinders: Labels Twenty-Two (S4-346)

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Dandelion Memento, Morocco Memento, Tangelo Memento, Grape Jelly, Teal Zeal Memento, London Fog Memento, Sea Breeze VersaMagic, Sponge Daubers, Clear Embossing Powder

The Bare Bones

This 2-inch square miniature was a personal challenge.  I couldn’t resist the temptation of “fussy” cutting the skeleton inside the small window. 

I love the contrast of white and black and used them for my artwork and mat layers.  I threw in a little gray for shading and a pop of color with the candy corn.

All these fun, spooky images are part Penny Black’s “Halloween Treats”.  

The sentiment included in the set is curved, but I straightened it into a horizontal phrase to fit the card design.  To make the alteration, I applied temporary adhesive to my acrylic block.  When I applied the sentiment over the adhesive I twisted it slightly so it would be positioned linear.

A miniature “bare bones” card!

For more Halloween delight, have fun checking out CardMaker's special holiday post "here" (beginning at 8 am EST).

Happy Halloween,

Eliza-boo!

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Halloween Treats 30-078

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-003

Copic Markers

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Clear Embossing Powder

3M Scotch: Dimensional Foam Tape 

Halloween Monster Magnet

Today’s post is dedicated to my younger sister who loves the scary and edgier side of Halloween.  

I made this magnet for her so she could add some spookiness to her refrigerator as she decorates for the holiday.

I knew I had to come up with something uniquely strange to surprise her, so I used Tim Burton’s quirky characters from Nightmare Before Christmas as inspiration.

You may have noticed that Miles from Mimi’s Halloween has had a spell cast on him with the pumpkin and cupcake wrapper from Halloween Treats.

Thanks for joining me for a bit of silliness,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Mimi Halloween 30-077, Halloween Treats 30-078

Copic Markers

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Clear Embossing Powder

3M Scotch: Dimensional Foam Tape

Magnet

Candy Corn Goodies

In a way I think candy corn gets a bad rap.  It is bright and pretty, but most people don’t tend to choose it as their first pick when indulging in a Halloween treat.

I think I have something that might turn those tables.

I was chuckling as I made these treat bags with the little chicken “witching” a Happy Halloween and sharing some “corn”.

If you like Pay Day candy bars you’ll love this two-ingredient recipe:

Candy Corn + Dry Roasted Peanuts.  Trust me, after one bite you’ll be addicted!

To top the treat bags, a black tent card was folded over the top and two holes were punched through all the layers.  Decorative ribbon was threaded through and knotted on the back with two spider rings.  Everyone needs some spider bling right?

The bags were then turned over and the elevated artwork was positioned on the front.  This allows the recipient to reseal the package and save the topper after the treat is gobbled up.

Enjoy,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Scary Halloween 30-076, Spooky 30-041

Copic Markers

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Clear Embossing Powder

3M Scotch: Dimensional Foam

Offray: Ribbon