Halloween Week Day 5

For today's Halloween post, I CASE'd this beautiful card by Holly Krautkremer/catrules on Stampin' Addicts. I think the brocade background image is so similar to the spooky one in From the Crypt that it just lends itself to tweaking :). I used the spider as the "stamped off"/more subdued image in the background where Holly had used the Brocade background. Stamping off is nice because it achieves a lighter saturation when using Versamark. You can of course use it with colors as well such as in generational or shadow stamping.

A few words about CASEing..... (copy and steal everything) If you're stuck for an idea, using something about another's card can be a great Mojo magnifier. :) Sometimes the color or layout can be just the thing to get your mind going in a totally different direction. This card is SO close to the original that it is almost an exact CASE, though an exact CASE would just be a copy. A CASE like this one shows that often just changing the stamp set on a card you have in your possession will make it easy for you to create a fun card quickly. When uploading your CASE'd card online, a shout out to the creator and a link to the creator's blog or online gallery is polite and recommended.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow at noon to travel the Stampin' Addicts Holiday Mini blog hop!

Halloween Week Day 4

The new Sweet Centers Set fits nicely on the front of the Fancy Favor container with a window sheet peek-a-boo. Any number of fall candies would look sweet in the Medium Cello Baggie including candy corn, M&Ms or fall colored Hershey Kisses.. I embossed with Black Craft Ink and clear embossing powder then just added a little color with markers. The 1-3/4 inch circle punches only reaches to this point on the Fancy Favor box, so I just added a little Happy Halloween sentiment at the bottom of the box...easy peasy!

Halloween Week Day 3

Not exactly Stampin' Up! only--but just because we don't sell webs! :)

My friend DeNette came over to stamp today and allowed me to use her new From the Crypt set for Halloween week. I'm a lucky girl!

Of course, I started with the Cast-A-Spell designer series paper and used Perfect Plum Craft ink to stamp the skull. Iridescent Ice embossing powder gave it a spooky shimmer, and rhinestone small circle brads in Orange, Purple and Green contribute to the effect. I used glassy glaze enamel on the bat after I cut it out, and then added Halloween spider webbing from the party store for an unkempt appeal. (I bet they'd look even better on black cardstock.)

Another spooky cobwebby angle:

Halloween Week Day 2

I designed this Pumpkin Waterfall Card using typical Waterfall construction (SCS resources). I used the new Pumpkin Patch set from the Holiday Mini catalog as well as the Web wheel. I used the Big Shot to add swirly texture to the Perfect Plum layer too.

Each successive pull allows another Jack O'Lantern to smile at you....

Jack O'Lantern #3......

And Spooky the Spider from the Eat, Drink & Be Scary set helps wish you a Happy Fright Night!

Halloween Week Day 1

Welcome to Halloween Week on my blog, so stop by Tuesday through Friday for Halloween fun!

Saturday-Monday will be our Stampin' Addicts Holiday Mini Blog Hop, and I'll be using the Holy Family Nativity Set, so check back once next weekend as well!

For Monday, I'm sharing this fun Potion Holder (pre-filled for you with Tang and Grape Kool-Aid). (Creator: Lisa Somerville) in advance. I'm usually not a fan of skulls, but I think it is adorable on the test tube as if it is poison. And punched out with a flower with a pumpkin one to match? Too much!

I used the Cast-A-Spell Designer Series Paper, but I admit I printed the Potion Method on the computer. We'll make projects perfect for your favorite little Trick or Treater at my upcoming class, so if you're in Edmond and interested, email me to attend! (Click the picture to see a larger pop up and read the "potion" :) )

Pumpkins in a Patch

The AUG09VSNF challenge was to use a scrapbook layout from the SCS scrap layout forum. I chose sketch #9 to turn into a card, and I'm pleased with the look.

I used a rather calm Perfect Plum print from the Cast-A-Spell DSP and the witch's hat from the Eat, Drink & Be Scary set with the Pumpkin Patch set. I think it is just silly enough for my daughter! :)

Glitter Window Penguin

I decided to use the MOJO Monday sketch today. It is MOJO99, and I love the layout! I was thrilled to use my Cold & Cuddly stamp set for the first time. I had to buy it because my oldest daughter LOVES penguins, but it is a such a cute little set too. You can't see the block of ice under the penguin's feet, but I'll have a similar card for you to see tomorrow. :) I added a Bashful Blue Merry Details Big Shot Die Cut snowflake under the white one as well, but this picture was better of the penguin, so I stuck with it. This card also has the glitter window technique which is perfect for winter cards for the technique challenge on Stampin' Addicts here: http://www.stampinaddicts.com/forums/tuesday-technique-challenges/2215-technique-challenge-21-8-11-09-glitter-window.html

1. Punch or Die Cut a hole in your TOP LAYER that is large enough to allow you to see through to your main image. (It should have a diameter that is less than your clear packing tape. My packing tape is 2 inches wide, and my circle punch was 1-3/4" wide.) Be sure to have enough room on the edges to adhere your main image underneath.

2. Make sure your main image is small enough to fit under your TOP LAYER.

3. Cover your TOP LAYER with clear packing tape on the back-tape side up.

4. Sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds glitter over the packing tape and shake off excess.

5. For maximum sparkle (though it is messy), the glitter side should be "up" and the shiny tape side should be underneath as you adhere your main image under your TOP LAYER.

I used dimensionals to attach the layers together.

More from Friday

I also swapped this 3D matchbox emergency sewing kit on Friday:

This is a shaker card with the Shellebrate stamp set. It has sand and green and blue SU! microbeads inside.

This Fancy Favor Bag was what I brought for a doorprize. It uses the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and had a box of the new buttons inside decorated with a Very Vanilla dyed Pretties flower.

Witches' Cauldron

Today, I thought I'd show off a Halloween display I did in July for a Decor Elements photo swap.....I think it makes a creepy vignette :)

A closer view...I think I heard a witch cackle....

My secret....white pillow cases, a string of Halloween lights and a light up Jack O'Lantern. At Halloween, I'll spring for some dry ice for a better look :).

Friday's Stampin Addicts Meet & Greet

Tonight is the big Stampin' Addicts Swap Party....I'm swapping these creations:

First is an Emboss Resist Gatefold Card on which I used the Dasher Stamp with glossy cardstock and then the snowflakes from Christmas Punch on regular Card Stock. I sponged the main image with 3 pastel shades and sponged the background for the snowflakes to look like clouds.

Next is this Christmas Card using the Good Cheer set and the Scalloped Square Big Shot die. I love this new die!

I pushed the side of the card over so that just three sides of the card are scalloped for a different shape.

More from Friday's party will be posted on Sunday so check back!

Thursday's swaps

First up are these Halloween Hershey bar sliders....A treat for your favorite little goblin! I also created a few Christmas and everyday themed sliders.

Lip balm holders were my mini gifts to some great friends of mine!

I also swapped these large medallion background tea bag holders that use the emboss resist and a new In Color.

General Swaps for Wednesday

Today's Bright swap adventures call for Kaleidoscope designer series paper. I used it to make an old-fashioned candy slider which I filled with skittles and also to create the Pony Party cards below....The ponies manes are glittery and girly! Perfect for a little girl's birthday!

What I'm swapping today....

Today, I am in organized swaps at convention and will be swapping with these items. First is a rectangular coaster album using the new Real Red ribbon, Merry Moments Designer Series Paper, and Christmas Punch set....I plan to show the inside pages after Convention.

Next, is this explosion card. They are so fun to make! I used the scalloped square die to create the triangle on the front bib and the mat layer inside the card. I just cut a row of scallops off each side of my original square using the Big Shot to create a smaller square....:) I also used the Greenhouse Garden Hibiscus and the On Your Birthday stamp set as well as the lattice-like perfect details Big Shot texturz plates and Big Shot Little Leaves die.

I'm so sorry the front of this card was being a poo! Here it is sideways....This is my favorite card I made this year, so I had to include the picture anyway to show the edges of the hibiscus are edged with contrasting colors of markers and to allow you to see the lovely texturz die. I am such a stamping nerd that I have a matching hibiscus shirt to wear when I swap this card! I know....what a geek!

Mojo Monday.....Stampin' Up! Convention time again!!

For the MOJO Monday challenge #98 I had a few of these Dasher emboss resist images leftover from swaps, so I decided to use it for the challenge. Sorry the picture is blurry...I leave pretty early in the morning tomorrow :)

I will be posting "What I'm swapping today" each day during convention so be sure to check back Tuesday-Saturday!