GIVE ME ALL THE STARS!

I adore stars—this basic shape is truly suitable for so many different occasions and applications! I think the largest sizes of the star shapes would make great banners for the holidays or birthdaysuy

For the creations below, I did full panel watercolor washes onto quarter sheets of my favorite watercolor paper using my Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors and a wide flat brush—one of the best investments I’ve ever made to my crafting tools.

Once they were dry, I flattened them under some heavy books overnight and then they were ready to go for whatever I wanted to do with them, which was the following (so far, heh, heh, heh!) . . .

Using the negative from my die cutting session made the perfect backdrop for my li’l Boo, here! I laid down a variety of sizes onto the panel and ran it through in one fell swoop! I’m telling you, it does not get any easier than this!

I had used the Piercing Plate 2 on white card stock for a textural effect on white card stock which I trimmed 1/4” smaller than the base card (standard A-2). Then I mounted the starry watercolor panel onto that and trimmed the edges of that to be flush; mounted that to the base card. I love that some of the stars “bleed off” the edge.

For just a tad more interest, I made a messy nest of black thread from my emergency sewing kit (I don’t really sew, but a girl’s gotta’ do what a girl’s gotta do when the button of her pants pops off, am I right?!)

On this one, I took all the solid cut outs and layered them around my moon, which was first cut using the Alpine Snowfall die, which. isa knock out die, and then cut out using the Essentials Circles. I didn’t bother poking out all the chads in the “moon”, because I liked how it looked when some fell out and others still clung—it’s more moon-like, IMHO. Gotta’ love those multi-functional dies, LOL!

Hope your weekend is stellar! (chortle)

Stay healthy and safe out there!

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SUPPLIES:

• Essential Stars, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• Halloween Treat Tags by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Halloween Treat Tags by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• Tag It - Halloween, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Halloween Boo-quet by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Halloween Boo-quet by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• Alpine Snowfall by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies

• A2 Piercing Plate 2 by Ellen Hutson, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• 36 Color Set, Gansai Tambi

• 24 Color Set, Gansai Tambi

• Mottler Flat Wash 30, DaVinci Cosmotop Spin Brush (Retiring)

• VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne

• VersaMark Ink Pad

• Stampendous Embossing Powder, Detail White, 0.76 oz.

• Dual Speed Heat Tool, WOW

• Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12, Canson XL

• Solar White - 25 pk, Neenah Classic Crest Cardstock

• Ebony Black 100 lb - 25pk, Essentials By Ellen Cardstock

• Crafter's Companion Gemini Junior

• Platinum 6 Die Cutting And Embossing Machine, Spellbinders Tools

Disclosure: Yup, those are affiliate links to the products used in my projects and I make a small commission when you purchase via those links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for buying all the things!

HALLOWEEN STAMPING GOODNESS

Today I’m sharing three sweet and adorable Halloween Boo-quet projects here on the blog—also used this set on a Haunted House Treat Box Tutorial over on the Ellen Hutson YouTube Channel that turned out so STINKIN’ CUTE, it’s gonna kill me to wait until Halloween to gift them to the grand weebles! GAAAAH!!!

feat. Halloween Boo-quet Stamp Set & Dies

This was a super fast card, excellent for a last-minute Halloween greeting! So fun to string the balloon boo-quet to kitty’s tail! The matching die set has individual dies, in addition to one for the boo-quet as a whole, so you can pick and choose which of those to pop up, if you want! Options . . . always options, LOL! (wink!).

QUICK TIP: Stamp the balloon strings first, then position and stamp the ghost/bat balloons; so much easier to line them up accurately!

feat. Halloween Boo-quet Stamp Set & Dies / Tiny Stars Hot Foil Stamp / Essentials Clouds

It’s hard to tell in the photo, but our sweet little witch has a pale pink watercolor wash on her dress. I foiled a quarter sheet of black card stock with the Tiny Stars Hot Foil Stamp and then die cut the clouds from that, popping them up, but upside down. Sometimes, I just like ‘em that way. My card, my prerogative. (hair flip)

feat. Halloween Boo-quet Stamp Set & Dies / Tiny Stars Hot Foil Stamp

After die cutting the black clouds in the previous project, I had some leftover, of course . . . So, I figured why not use it to make a background for my little witch to go trick-or-treating with her buddy and broom—and at that point I decided it would be fun to die cut a circle large enough to accommodate the sentiment and turn it into a quick little shaker element!

If you haven’t been bitten yet by the hot-foil stamping bug, I must say, it’s super satisfying—I just love the look of those shiny stars, debossed into the paper. I could just putz around and hot foil stamp the day away—which is actually a smart idea because then you could have a number of pieces ready to go when you need them. Truth.

What do you do more of? Halloween greetings or treat packaging? I’m a mixed bag because both are so much fun to make.

Hope your week is going splendid!

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SUPPLIES:

• Halloween Boo-quet by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Halloween Boo-quet by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• Halloween Treat Tags by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Halloween Treat Tags by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• Essential Clouds, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• Tiny Stars Background by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Hot Foil Stamps

• Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Pale Rose, 25 pk

• Ebony Black 100 lb - 25pk, Essentials By Ellen Cardstock

• Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12, Canson XL

• VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne

• VersaMark Ink Pad

• Stampendous Embossing Powder, Detail Gold

• WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine 160ml - Clear Gloss

• WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Clear Gloss

• Dual Speed Heat Tool, WOW

• Gold Mini Star Confetti, Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

• iCraft Ultra Bond Adhesive, 1 oz.

• Set of 48, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker Set B, Set of 12

• Set of 24, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Small Fine Point (23638), Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush

• Gold, Gemini FoilPress Papercraft Foil Rolls

• FoilPress Machine, Crafter's Companion Gemini

• Crafter's Companion Gemini Junior

Disclosure: Yup, those are affiliate links to the products used in my projects and I make a small commission when you purchase via those links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for buying all the things!

HOCUS POCUS CRYSTAL BALL SHAKER

feat. HALLOWEEN MAGIC / SHAKER GLOBE DIE / TWIRLING FLURRIES DIE

OK, just one more round of Halloween inspiration and then I’ll (try to) move on. I can’t help it. I had too much fun making these not to share them!

I love black and white + orange for Halloween, but when you throw pink into this mix . . . I’m not sure if it’s my aversion to purple that makes it work for me—but I seriously, SERIOUSLY LOVE it!

I actually designed the Twirling Flurries with Christmas in mind, but then it worked so well as a magical background for Halloween projects, just had to use it this way, too!!! •fist pump•

I love the detail image on the base of the Shaker Globe—so good white embossed on black!

And, I gotta’ say, if you haven’t tried THESE FOAM SHEETS for die cutting odd shaker shapes (by that, I just mean not square, cuz those are easy, right?), I’m tellin’ ya’ right now—they are DA’ BOMB!!!

feat. HALLOWEEN MAGIC / MODERN GRAPHICS VOL. 2 PAPER PACK / CLASSIC BLOCK ALPHABET DIES / CONDUCTOR OF LIGHT (phrase “You are a”)

The owl is so sweet and I love using her here for a non-Halloween design . . .

I know, I know . . . don’t judge me—this was a prime opportunity for a pun. I saw it, and I took it. •hair flip•

Look at all that spooky goodness!!! Just makes my eyes so happy!

Thanks for stopping by, and stay safe & healthy!

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SUPPLIES:

• Halloween Magic by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps - (EH)

• Halloween Magic by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies - (EH)

• Twirling Flurries by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies - (EH)

• Shaker Globe by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies - (EH)

• Classic Block Alpha by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies - (EH)

• Conductor of Light by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps - (EH)

• Modern Graphics Vol. 2 by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Paper Pack - (EH)

• Set of 24, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker - (EH)

• Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker Set B, Set of 12 - (EH)

• Set of 48, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker - (EH)

• Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12, Canson XL - (EH)

• Solar White - 25 pk, Neenah Classic Crest Cardstock - (EH)

• Ebony Black 100 lb - 25pk, Essentials By Ellen Cardstock - (EH)

• Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Pale Rose, 25 pk - (EH)

• Crystal Clear Plastic, Medium Weight 8 1/2" x 11" (10 pk), Essentials by Ellen - (EH)

• Small Fine Point (23638), Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush - (EH)

• VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne - (EH)

• It's A Girl, Catherine Pooler Ink Pad - (EH)

• Coral Cabana, Catherine Pooler Ink Pad - (EH)

• Orange Twist, Catherine Pooler Ink Pad - (EH)

• VersaMark Ink Pad - (EH)

• Dual Speed Heat Tool, WOW - (EH)

• Stampendous Embossing Powder, Detail White, 0.76 oz. - (EH)

• Embossing Magic Bag, Inkadinkado - (EH)

• Life Changing Blender Brush - 2 Pack, Picket Fence Studios (LCB-2) - (EH)

• Life Changing Blender Brush - 4 Piece Broad, Picket Fence Studios (LCB-4) - (EH)

• Thick Foam Sheets - Double Sided Adhesive, Cheery Lynn Designs - (EH)

• Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Foam Tape, White - (EH)

• Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Strips, White - (EH)

• Ranger Stickles, Diamond - (EH)

• HAI Supply sequins in black - (HAI Supply Direct)

• Super Silver Shine Stars - (HAI Supply Direct)

• Tonic Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Pen 2 pk - (EH)

• Crafter's Companion Gemini Junior - (EH)

• Platinum 6 Die Cutting And Embossing Machine, Spellbinders Tools - (EH)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; if you see something you like, want or need, and purchase via my links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, which I use to buy coffee, which fuels my creativity and provides energy to make more card ideas. And, pay the rent.

BIRCH TREES FOR HALLOWEEN

feat. BIRCH TREES COVER DIE / TIS THE SEASON / BEAR WEAR 4 (pumpkins)

I really love Halloween—besides being the Mister’s birthday, it’s just one of the most fun holidays to celebrate! When my kids were little, carving jack o’ lanterns was something they so looked forward to, along with hay rides at the pumpkin patch, trying to find our way through the corn mazes, sipping apple cider, and ultimately putting on their costumes (I used to make them, which was fun for me, too!) and heading out to trick or treat. GOOD TIMES!!!

How ‘bout that Birch Trees Cover Die in black for Halloween??? PERFECTION!!! Stickles on pumpkins for sparkle, and a few of those HAI Supply sequins in black (love.those.things.) Oh, and that moon behind the trees? Well, when I was die cutting a bunch of Shaker Globes, these leftover circles were put to use! •BOOM• (Hey, it’s the little things, #amirite ?) BTW, the Super Silver Shine Stars I used as props for my photo are pretty doggone sparkly and I love using them for my shakers . . . just sayin’ . . .

feat. HALLOWEEN MAGIC / MODERN GRAPHICS VOL. 2 PAPER PACK / SPIDERWEB DIES

Modern Graphics Vol. 2 paper pack has been updated—you can see it peeking out on the left side of this card. I adore black and white patterned paper because it’s so versatile, but these papers come with an extra benefit—they can be foiled! •fist pump•

I wish you could see the shimmer on the owl—used that Tonic Clear Aqua Shimmer pen and IRL it is such a gorgeous effect.

Halloween will be different this year, with the Pandemic and all . . . but, we’ll be keepin’ the fun going

Stay safe out there!

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SUPPLIES:

• Birch Trees Cover Plate by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• Halloween Magic by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Halloween Magic by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• Shaker Globe by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• Tis the Season, Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps

• Spiderwebs, Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies

• Bear Ware 4 by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps

• Bear Ware 4 by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies

• Modern Graphics Vol. 2 by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Paper Pack

• VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne

• VersaMark Ink Pad

• Dual Speed Heat Tool, WOW

• Stampendous Embossing Powder, Detail White, 0.76 oz.

• Embossing Magic Bag, Inkadinkado

• Set of 24, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker Set B, Set of 12

• Set of 48, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12, Canson XL

• Solar White - 25 pk, Neenah Classic Crest Cardstock

• Ebony Black 100 lb - 25pk, Essentials By Ellen Cardstock

• Slate Gray 100 lb - 25pk, Essentials By Ellen Cardstock

• Small Fine Point (23638), Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush

• It's A Girl, Catherine Pooler Ink Pad

• Life Changing Blender Brush - 2 Pack, Picket Fence Studios (LCB-2)

• Life Changing Blender Brush - 4 Piece Broad, Picket Fence Studios (LCB-4)

• Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Foam Tape, White

• Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Strips, White

• Ranger Stickles, Diamond

• Tonic Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Pen 2 pk

• Crafter's Companion Gemini Junior

• Platinum 6 Die Cutting And Embossing Machine, Spellbinders Tools

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; if you see something you like, want or need, and purchase via my links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, which I use to buy coffee, which fuels my creativity and provides energy to make more card ideas. And, pay the rent.

ESSENTIALS BY ELLEN HOLIDAY 2020 HOP

YAY!!! the Essentials by Ellen Holiday 2020 Release is officially available! You can see all the new stamps and dies right here on the Release Page .

We have a TON of inspiration for you on this hop, so I hope you’ve settled in cozy with a nice hot cuppa; you are gonna be mighty happy with all this eye candy to feast on. Just sayin’ . . . AND, after ogling my shares, be sure to scroll down for details on the prizes to be had and how to enter into the giveaway!

I’ve had my head down the last few weeks making as many samples as I could before release, and I will be sharing them over the coming days. •grin•

SIDE NOTE: I love mixing favorite previously released with new stuff when I make my projects; all new in this release are marked with a “★”, beneath the photo.

Shall we begin?

You may have seen this lovely Autumn-themed one I sneaked over on Instagram:

Feat. BIRCH TREES COVER DIE ★ / HALLOWEEN MAGIC ★ / TIS THE SEASON (all Essentials by Ellen)

I’m SO pleased with how this cover die turned out—it’s absolutely perfect for ANY season—it’s a two piece set, with the trees and the leaves being separate. There are no outer cutlines along this die so you can use it to make a window right through the card’s front panel, or cut through a quarter sheet of card stock to create a frame effect or a shaker front.

The moth and crescent moon were borrowed from the Halloween Magic set to create my scene—I wish you could see IRL just how sparkly the moth is . . . Diamond Stickles. I wish I could get that stuff in a pint size bottle.

Feat. HALLOWEEN MAGIC ★/ SHAKER GLOBE DIE ★ / SWIRL BACKGROUND (all Essentials by Ellen);

Many of you may know that the Mister’s birthday is on Halloween; this year, I thought it would be so much fun to have a “crystal ball” type stamp set, and a die to go with . . . to make a crystal ball shaker card, of course!!! How fun is that??!!!

The “all-seeing” eye foresees magic, mischief and mayhem. Imagine me saying that last bit in a deep, booming voice that is a little scary, but not too scary . . .

feat. GINGER BOY DIE SET ★ / SKELLIE ADD-ON DIE SET ★ / BAD DAY STAMP SET ★ (all Essentials by Ellen)

You also may have seen this hysterical little guy over on the Ellen Hutson blog earlier this week (LINK), but if not, I couldn’t resist sharing him again here. Makes me laugh and he’s just so stinkin’ cute!!! Check out the how-to video on YouTube (LINK) I did to see how quick and easy he is to put together.

feat. MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS ★ / MODERN GRAPHICS VOL. 2 PAPER PACK ★ (newly updated!) (all Essentials by Ellen)

Merry Little Christmas has adorable little scenes from a cabin in the woods, to suburbia and the city during the frosty season—there’s even a snowman and a wee little car for fetching the Christmas tree! And, these were also designed to fit in the Shaker Globe Die . . . (I’m sure you’ll see a few of examples along the hop! I’ll be sharing a few, too, in the coming days)

One of my favorite things to do is create a little shaped die cut windows with an image showing through to the front, and when you open the card, there’s more to see! EEP!!!

feat. SANTA’S LIST ★ (all Essentials by Ellen)

I also shared a video sneak preview of Santa’s List on Ellen Hutson YouTube Channel (LINK). Once you start playing with this guy, good luck putting him down . . . •chuckle•

feat. SANTA’S LIST ★ / KNOCK OUT FOREST DIE ★ (all Essentials by Ellen)

And, gosh I love this Knock Out Forest Die—this is one of many ideas for its use!

WHEW!!! I have lots more ideas to share in the coming days, so y’all come back now, ya’ hear?! •wink•

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Prize Info ...
Prizes, prizes, we've got the prizes! One lucky commenter will win the whole Essentials by Ellen holiday release! And another will receive $25 to spend at ellenhutson.com! For a chance to win, all ya' gotta' do is hop along, enjoy the fabulous eye candy, and leave a little love for your fellow crafters: increase your chances by commenting on each stop on the hop! Comments left before 11:59 PDT on October 14 will be entered to win. (Winners are selected randomly.)

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HOP ROSTER:

1. Ellen Hutson Blog

2. Julie ← YOU ARE HERE

3. Adelina

4. Laurel

5. Jessica

6. Carly

7. Carolyn

8. Sarah Zayas  

9. Carissa

10. Emily Mydlowski

11. Kelly

12. Jen Wong  

13. Therese

14. Emily Midgett

15. France Wisniewski 

16. Lisa

17. Michele

18. Ardyth

19. Sandy

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The Essentials by Ellen Holiday 2020 Release is available exclusively at ellenhutson.com

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; if you see something you like, want or need, and purchase via my links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, which I use to buy coffee, which fuels my creativity and provides energy to make more card ideas. And, pay the rent.