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!

MAKE A TROPICAL CARD DESIGN USING AN AMARYLLIS IMAGE

Today’s my sweet Mama’s birthday and I wanted to share the card I made for her. As I mention in the video, she was born and raised on the island of Kauai.

IMAGE CREDIT: PINTEREST

These beautiful colors remind me so much of the gorgeous flora on Kauai, which is fondly referred to as the “Garden Island”.

Hope this inspires you to see what kind of spin you can put on images you own.

Enjoy your weekend, and stay safe!

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SUPPLIES:

• Mondo Amaryllis by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps

• Totally Random Sayings Vol. 3 by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12, Canson XL

• Solar White - 25 pk, Neenah Classic Crest Cardstock

• 043 - Olive Green, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 040 - Green, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 044 - Deep Green, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 052 - Bright Yellow, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 022 - Carmine Red, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 092 - Blue Gray, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

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

• 40 lb. Vellum - 25 pk, Essentials by Ellen

• Embossing Magic Bag, Inkadinkado

• Stampendous Embossing Powder, Detail Gold

• Fired Brick, Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad

• WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Clear Gloss

• Black MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (8-1/8 X 10-1/2), Hero Arts

• New & Improved MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (8-1/8 X 10-1/2), My Sweet Petunia

• Mini Media Mat, Waffle Flower Tools

• Dual Speed Heat Tool, WOW

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.

HUMAN RAINBOW

Making a card, or art, is an expression of so many things—in this case, I was feeling this (among many other things) and the card just kinda happened. The world is in need of a lot of love right now . . .

I’ve been asked about what kind of paper to use with the Zig Clean Color Markers. I’ve tried this and that, but I seem to get the best results when I use Canson XL 140#. I cut most of the sheets down to 4.25 x 5.5” for card making. The above panel was initially cut to 3.75 x 5”, and later 3.5 x 4.34” to achieve better visual balance.

I hope you are all staying safe and healthy.

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SUPPLIES:

• Over It by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Confetti Kisses by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies

• VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Fallen Leaves

• Delicata Small Ink Pad, Golden Glitz

• Delicata Ink Pad, Golden Glitz

• 062 - Dark Brown, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 054 - Pale Orange, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 026 - Light Pink, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 076 - Medium Beige, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 072 - Beige, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 060 - Brown, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Long Detailer, ZIG Watercolor BrusH20

• Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12, Canson XL

• Desert Storm - 25 pk, Neenah Environment Cardstock

• X-Press It Tape Runner

• Chisel Tip, ZIG 2 Way Glue

• Gold Foil, HAI Washi Tape

• Mini MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (6-1/8 X 7), My Sweet Petunia

• Tonic Comfort 8.5 Inch Guillotine Paper Trimmer by Tim Holtz

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.

RELAX & CREATE - WATERCOLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES

TRUTH: I don’t enjoy coloring in large detailed images. •gasp•

Please don’t huck tomatoes at me; I have always felt that way even since primary school. If it’s gonna take me a long time to color in, I simply won’t do it. I remember in first grade, a classmate looking down her nose at me because I colored outside the lines. My logic: We’re going to be cutting this out, what is the point of staying inside the lines??? Her coloring, on the other hand, was perfect—seriously, every stroke of the crayon was PERFECT. As the teacher came by to observe our progress, she praised my classmate for her beautiful, impeccable coloring. I got a smile and a pat on the back.

WHAT. EVER.

•hair flip•

But, I still absolutely love a large image that fills practically a whole card front and I love color!

I know that the Amaryllis is typically a holiday flower, but I like using it for non-holiday cards, too. I mean, it kinda looks like a lily, possibly a hibiscus flower (dang, that makes me wanna make a tropical floral card with this image—EEP!!!) . . .

This card actually is quite colorful, but, inspired by my friend Carly, I went rogue . . . heh, heh, heh!

Some things you may or may not have noticed in the video:

• Anti-static pouches (Embossing Magic Bag, Inkadinkado) pounced over the paper surface neutralize moisture or oil from your finger tips and calm down a lot of static electricity so embossing powder doesn’t stick in unwanted areas.

• Prior to stamping, blow off the excess powder from your paper surface. Otherwise, the pigment or embossing ink on your stamp will “pick up” quite a bit of the loose powder with every impression and transfer to your ink pad when you re-ink the image. Eventually, this can build up on your ink pad, and make it less tacky.

• This image has finer detail lines; stamping over them a second time can make them bolder. The ink is also more saturated and even; helpful when stamping onto a textured surface like watercolor paper.

• Every time I use black embossing powder, I end up with a hot mess; instead, I prefer a really good black pigment ink and clear detail embossing powder over top. Works beautifully every time.

• Notice how I laid down “strokes” of color from the markers against the outside edge of the embossed lines. These aren’t like Sharpies; you don’t want to “brutalize” (a.k.a. smash) the brush nibs against the surface. Think of them like delicate paint brushes, pre-loaded with color.

• With mid-to-dark hues, it doesn’t take a lot so be careful how much color you initially lay down; start with a few strokes and avoid trying to “fill in”. Paint by “pulling” the colors away from the embossing lines with your waterbrush. You can always add more color later.

• If you get in a hurry and slop a little watercolor where you don’t want it, lift it out by using clean water on your brush and dabbing with clean paper towel, but keep in mind that with dark/intense colors, this can be harder to accomplish.

• Note to self: I probably should have positioned my stamp in the lower right corner (with the bottom of the floral closer to the hinges) instead of the lower left. I would have had more room to let the paper hang outside the edges of the platform on that left side.

Minimalist coloring. YAASSSSSS!!! •fist pump•

And, before I bid you good weekend, I am so happy to share that the Ellen Hutson Warehouse Team is back! YAY!!! And they want to thank you for your support during the “Shelter In Place” with 15% off your orders. Use code BACK15 at check out and please check the fine print.

Stay healthy, stay crafty.

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SUPPLIES:

• Mondo Amaryllis by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps

• It's All Good by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Hex Frames by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne

• WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Clear Gloss

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

• Clear Fine, Avery Elle Embossing Powder

• Stampendous Embossing Powder, Detail White, 0.76 oz.

• 041 - Light Green, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 050 - Yellow, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 040 - Green, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 12, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 24, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 36, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 48, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 60, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Ranger Watercolor Paper, 10 pk

• Solar White - 25 pk, Neenah Classic Crest Cardstock

• Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12, Canson XL

• Embossing Magic Bag, Inkadinkado

• MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (8-1/8 X 10-1/2), My Sweet Petunia

• Mini Media Mat, Waffle Flower Tools

• Large Fine Point (23637), Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush

• Dual Speed Heat Tool, WOW

• Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Foam Tape, White

• Thermoweb Sticky Tape Mini Runner

• Scrapbook Adhesives E-Z Runner Petite Permanent Dots

• Magnetic Cutting Mat & Ruler, Heidi Swapp Tools

• Platinum 6 Die Cutting And Embossing Machine, Spellbinders Tools

Disclosure: Just so you know, 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.

RELAX & CREATE - RAINBOW DIE CUT GREETING

I collect “hellos”. Hello stamps, hello dies. I don’t think you can ever have too many because you need small ones, big ones, scripty and block styles, skinny and chunky styles, etc. I’m totally serious. “Hello” is a staple word.

Anyway, the DIY Sticky Mat shown in the video has really saved my sanity sooooo many times when working with die cuts!

I’ve been working on a magnetic cutting mat by Heidi Swapp lately. It comes with 4 little magnets and a magnetic ruler. These have come in handy for lining die cut letters, etc. or holding things down and preventing them from scooching (is that a word?) away from me as I work. I made a little custom washi tape “cross-hair” to remind me to keep my project in that spot for the camera when I’m filming, which I REALLY like because I could position that mark closer to me, rather than dead-center on the mat.

Hope you find the video below relaxing and that it inspires you in some way. ↓ There is an “enbiggan” button in the lower right corner, of the video player if you want to watch in full screen.

Thanks for stopping by!

Keep stayin’ safe, healthy and crafty! (wink)

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SUPPLIES:

• Totally Random Sayings Vol. 3 by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Big Scripty Hello by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• 022 - Carmine Red, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 070 - Orange, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 050 - Yellow, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 041 - Light Green, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 036 - Light Blue, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 36, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker (this is my primary set of these markers; other size sets listed below)

• Set of 12, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 24, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Set of 60, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Large Fine Point (23637), Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush

• Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12, Canson XL

• Ranger Watercolor Paper, 10 pk

• Solar White - 25 pk, Neenah Classic Crest Cardstock

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

• Black Jack, Catherine Pooler Ink Pad

• Mini MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (6-1/8 X 7), My Sweet Petunia

• Mini Media Mat, Waffle Flower Tools

• Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

• Jewel Picker, Marvy Uchida

• Stainless Tweezers, Elisa's Backporch Design

• Mini Glossy Accents, Ranger Accents

• Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops, Gloss White

• Enamel Accents - Black and White, Ranger Accents (these work similarly to NUVO Crystal Drops)

• Magnetic Cutting Mat & Ruler, Heidi Swapp Tools (my work surface)

• Platinum Die Cutting And Embossing Machine, Spellbinders Tools

Disclosure: Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links; if you see something you like, want or need, and purchase via my links, I receive a small commission, which I can use to buy coffee, which fuels my creativity and provides energy to make more card ideas.