For today’s card, I pulled out some stamps I’ve had for years. Many years. Even so, they still work great, and were fantastic for today’s card.
Stamping
First, using Hero Arts Tower of Pumpkins, I stamped an image at the center of my card panel (Neenah Classic Crest 80lb cardstock). Hero Arts Intense Black ink worked great here as the stamp is older and the rubber has dried out a bit. I utilized a Stamp-a-ma-jig to I could make multiple impressions until I was happy with the image.
After the image was complete, I stamped another image onto an Avery Removable label (Avery 6465). I carefully cut the image out and placed it over the stamped image on my card panel, thus creating a mask.
Using Hero Arts Forever Green, I inked and stamped Simon Says Stamp Leaves Background over the entire panel.
Coloring
Next, out came Copic Markers for some coloring. Due to the thickness of the masking paper, a white outline framed the pumpkins. I discovered G94 was a near-perfect match to Hero Arts Forever Green ink, so I was able to fill in the spots freehand.
The pumpkins were colored with YR04 (centers) and YR09, stems with E18. I filled in fluctuations in black ink with a Pigma Micron 05 archival ink pen.
Finishing Touches
To create a sentiment, I used VersaMark ink to stamp ‘May Your Halloween Be Full of Smiles’ from Stampin’Up onto a scrap of Black Onyx cardstock. I embossed using Zing! Embossing Powder in Poppy.
A quick trim (cutting a rectangle that is not quite square) and adhering the sentiment at a slant will ad a bit of whimsy to the card.
I trimmed down my panel to 4 3/4” x 3 1/2”, then cut a larger panel of Gina K Coral Reef to 5 1/8” x 3 7/8”. I layered these panels onto an A2 card cut from Gina K Black Onyx cardstock. I’ve been using a new adhesive that I’m really liking – Ultra Bond by iCraft. It’s a liquid adhesive that gives you a little time to make adjustments before the glue begins to dry. Once it sets, it has a fantastic bond that lasts.
This was a quick and easy card to complete. Utilizing only one simple mask kept this an easier project, and the coloring was simple too. Overall, a fun start to creating Halloween cards.
I live in the southern United States, and it is just barely starting to cool down here. Originating from a more northern state, I have a hard time getting into Fall and Halloween until it begins to cool down, so I’m a little behind the curve with my themed cards for the season.
Have you started Halloween and fall themed cards yet? Does it feel like fall where you reside?
