Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Spooky and/or add some purple

I don't have much of a collection of "spooky" Halloween themed items--so when I saw the "and/or add some purple," I jumped at the chance! I confess to being #teampurple (much preferable to orange, unless we're talking about a maple tree) and I have lots of fun purple in my stash!

Recently, YouTube suggested a video from Patti Dolan to me, where she created a fun split front card design. (Here's the video YouTube suggested.) I decided to try a split front technique with some of the fun patterned papers in my stash, plus some gloriously shiny holographic paper.

I used Craft Consortium's Ink Drops Vivid paper pad for the top layers, and embossed the holographic paper (which I had in my stash and have no idea where it came from) with Simon Says Stamp's Rhythmic embossing folder (now discontinued). I added the patterned paper cuts on top of the embossed panel then added the whole panel to a black panel to help it stand out against the purple card base (made from Concord and 9th's Grape Soda cardstock). I cut some very thin strips of black cardstock and added those on the interior edges of the patterned paper to set it off from the holographic paper.

I used an older Simon Says Stamp die set called You Shine to create my sentiment--the base is cut from plain white cardstock, then I cut the "you" from the holographic paper and cut the "shine" letters in the base from it as well. I think that simple white cardstock really makes the You Shine stand out against all that purple and shimmer! To make it even more sparkly, I added three groups of Gina K Disco Ball sequins which really vanish in the photos. 

I know exactly who I'm sending this card to--and I hope she loves it! Thanks so much for visiting! Have a fantastic day.

Simon Wednesday Challenge: Halloween/Spooky, Part 2

I came up with two different styles of cards for this week's challenge. The first was a little spooky cat and spiders--lots of black! This one is much more cheerful and not a bit spooky--but still uses the same "Haunts and Harvest" stamp set from Gina K Designs.

Goodness, just look at those pumpkins! They're so pretty! These were stamped and heat embossed with Brutus Monroe Gilded powder which handles the little details so beautifully. I filled in with various colors of COPIC markers and then colored over the larger openings with an orange Gelly Roll pen.

I used Gina K's Master Layouts 2 die set to cut a panel of pumpkin patterned paper from my stash and add a black mat layer. I then popped up the pumpkins on an orange panel, matted with black, where I'd stamped the "Hey Pumpkin!" sentiment. I layered these together on a white, top-folding A2 card base.

Super simple, but so cute and orange! Thanks again for stopping by, see you soon!

Simon Wednesday Challenge: Halloween/Spooky

 I've tried a number of Halloween challenges this year, leading to the discovery of the lack of Halloween or spooky themed sets in my collection! I no longer have young children, and have never been big into decorating for Halloween anyway. But I'm discovering that there are some really cute and fun sets out there, so I may need to change my ways in the future!

I picked out an older stamp set from Gina K Designs, "Haunts and Harvest." I had a couple of ideas with this one, but let's first look at the "spooky" card I made!

My son has a black cat, one of two out of a litter of five we fostered, and I couldn't help but think of his cat when I created this card. This is a good representation of his cat--big eyes, friendly face, but ready to be spooky! I built the fence out of strips of black cardstock and drew lines with a white gel pen, then popped it up with thin foam strips. I nestled the cat (let's call him Jiji) onto the fence, along with the spiders, giving you a spooky hello!

The moon came from an older Hero Arts My Monthly Hero kit that isn't available now. I stamped it in Rocky Slope from Pinkfresh Studio, then covered it with Nuvo Aqua Shimmer. I have a lot more on there than intended after my Aqua Shimmer pen burst and--well, let's just say I had a silver puddle on my work surface. 

The night sky is a fun patterned paper from my stash and I had to try adding the little bats directly to the paper. I was so pleased they do show up; it's somewhat like trying to catch a glimpse of a bat in the evening.

I hope you enjoyed this card! My next card with this stamp set is coming in my next post.

Simon Monday Challenge: Fall Mood Board

 Earlier this week I completed this card for the Monday Challenge for Simon Says Stamp on October 14. The theme is "Fall Mood Board" with a collection of fall images. I went with a cozy, thankful vibe for this project, using coppery metallic cardstock from Tim Holtz , the Terrace Floral embossing folder from Simon Says Stamp, and the Thankful 2 word die from Simon and CZ Design.

I used a paper sander to remove some of the foil from the top of the embossed petals, then added touches of glitter with an orange Sakura Gelly Roll pen. I also brought in a green COPIC marker to highlight the leaves, which provided an unusual distressing effect as well. This embossing folder comes with a die to cut out the center floral shape, so I used some vellum to cut and emboss the flower and add it behind the thankful word die, adding some fluff and connection to the embossed metallic cardstock. 

Happy Fall, Y'all! I'm thankful you stopped by to check out my card.