Monday, October 27, 2025

Impression Obsession Halloween Hill Mixed Media Card


Hi everyone 😊

Today I am sharing a Halloween Card:


I really enjoy making Halloween Cards because it gives me the perfect excuse to play with inky backgrounds to create atmosphere for that type of card.

This is also my card for the following Challenges:
  • Crafty Catz Challenge #703 - Anything Goes with Optional Twist of Halloween
  • C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #766 - Halloween/Anything Goes
I love to blend inks on Bristol Smooth White Cardstock because they just blend like a dream.  First up, I created a mask for the moon from Mylar Film by diecutting a circle from it.  Mylar Film is what some stencils are made from and I bought a pack of sheets on EBay.  You can buy different weights and the one I bought was 190 micron.  I attached it to my cardstock using Repositionable Adhesive.  The good thing about the Mylar Film is that you can wipe off the ink and reuse it.   

The Ranger Distress Inks that I used are:  Dried Marigold, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge, Seedless Preserves, Hickory Smoke and Black Soot - making sure that the RHS was lighter where the moon was.  I removed the mask and used a Tim Holtz Layering Moon Mask and Hickory Smoke Ink to add some detail on the moon - then inked over it very lightly with Mustard Seed Ink.  I used my Heat-Gun to dry off the panel.

The back diecut is an old die by Impression Obsession called Halloween Hill.  I have had this die for many years and it has always been a favourite of mine.  I used Anko Black Cardstock which I bought in a pad of neutral tones from KMart (Australia).  I inked up some scrap white cardstock with Mustard Seed and added that to the windows of the house - then used Wild Honey for the pumpkin face. 

The front diecut is by Memory Box - Graveyard Landscape which dates back to 2012.  I popped the diecut up on several layers of scrap black cardstock so that it gave the illusion of depth.

The white ghosts are another die by Memory Box - Ghastly Ghosts - from 2013.  It's a really fun die because it diecuts 5 different sized ghosts.

The sentiment is by Hero Arts - Happy Halloween - and is from 2012.  I stamped it using Versamark Watermark Ink and heat-set it using Stampin' Up White Embossing Powder.  I used a Powder Tool on the Black Cardstock before stamping so that I didn't get any stray dots of embossing powder.  I popped the sentiment up on Stampin' Up Black Dimensionals.  These black dimensionals are so handy for adding underneath dark cardstock.  I added a tiny self-adhesive Pale Orange Molossi Rhinestone either side of the sentiment but added a dot of Art Glitter Glue to the rhinestone because this pack is old and the glue dot isn't all that sticky.

To add more atmosphere to my card, I used some White Cobweb to the sky and gravestones adding tiny dots here and there with my Art Glitter Glue to stick it down.  This glue dries clear so is perfect for when you use it for something that would otherwise be glaringly obvious!  I bought the White Cobweb from my local supermarket.

I used a White Pastel Pencil to add some white highlights to the bottom of the moon and on the black diecuts.

As final touches, I added some sparkle to the pumpkin, house and moon using a Uniquely Creative Clear Sparkle Brush, adding several layers for extra-sparkle.

I layered the scene onto Colormates Dark Terracotta Cardstock then onto Anko Black Cardstock - then glued my card front onto a Kaisercraft White Card Base using Tombow Mono Multi Glue.

Finished size is 5-5/16" x 4-1/4" or 151mm x 108mm

Hope you like my card!  I had so much fun creating it 😀

Jocelyn


Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Hero Arts Happy Halloween CL353 (2012-retired)

Ink:  Versamark Watermark, Ranger Distress - Dried Marigold, Fossilized Amber, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Accessories:  Big Shot, Tombow Mono Multi Glue, Art Glitter Glue, Repositionable Adhesive Tape, Stampin' Up Black Dimensionals, White Cobweb (Woolworths), Uniquely Creative Clear Sparkle Brush, Mylar Film - 190 micron, Blending Tools + Foam Pads, White Pastel Pencil, Molossi Pale Orange Rhinestones, Heat-Gun, Powder Tool, Stampin' Up White Embossing Powder, Cardstock - Bristol Smooth White 250gsm/110lb + Colormates Dark Terracotta + Anko Black/White, Kaisercraft White Card Base

Stencils:  Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Layering Moon Mask THMSK01

Dies:  Impression Obsession Halloween Hill DIE029-P (retired), Memory Box Graveyard Landscape #98375 (2012-retired), Memory Box Ghastly Ghosts #98701 (2013-retired), Lifestyle Nesting Circles (retired)


Monday, October 13, 2025

Sympathy Card using Porta Craft Embossing Folder

 
Hi everyone,

My SIL's Mum passed away aged 95 so I have been working on several Sympathy Cards to pass on to family members:


It's a very simple card but it's amazing how long it can take to come up with something that is understated and unfussy!

This is also my card for the following Challenges (click on the underlined link to take you to the Challenge Blog):
  • Neglected Stuff Challenge - 10/25 - which is all about using your neglected supplies - mine is the embossing folder, stamp set and heart punch
I found a rectangular embossing folder in my stash that had a border around it so thought that I could turn it on its side so that I could have some white space on the bottom and top of my card.  I have had this Porta Craft Embossing Folder for ages and probably picked it up from a Craft Show here in Australia.

I used a Stamping Platform to stamp the sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black.  This sentiment is from an old set by Wendy Irving and is one of my first ever clear stamp sets and dates back to at least 2010.

I punched a heart using a very old Carl Heart Duo Punch.  This punch pre-dates dies!  I added some Designer Dries Clear glue to the heart and added some Opal Glitter which has a very soft and gentle sparkle to it which I thought was appropriate for a Sympathy Card.

This panel has had the RHS corners punched using a We R Memory Keepers 1/2" Corner Chomper.  I added the 3/8" wide White Organza Ribbon in two separate elements - and the bow itself was made using a Bow Easy.  I added Fray Stop to the cut ends to stop them from fraying.

I glued the panel to my card base using Tombow Mono Multi Glue that has also had the RHS corners punched with the same Corner Chomper.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Jocelyn


Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Wendy Irving Expressions Clear Set J6412.01 (ret)

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black

Designer Paper:  None

Accessories:  Big Shot, Porta Craft Embossing Folder #107638 (ret), Celebrations of Australia Crystal Opal Glitter Superfine .008, Knight Smooth White Cardstock, White Organza Ribbon 3/8" wide, Fray Stop, Bow Easy, Tombow Mono Multi Glue, Designer Dries Clear Adhesive, Stamping Platform

Punches:  Carl CP-8 Heart Duo Punch (ret), WRMK 1/2" Corner Chomper


Friday, October 10, 2025

Stampin' Up Love and Sympathy Card

 
Hi everyone,

Today I am sharing a couple of Sympathy Cards that I made:


I ink-blended the retired Stampin' Up ink colour - Soft Sky - onto Knight White Cardstock using a Blending Brush.  I wanted the ink to fade from blue at the bottom to white which is easier to achieve using a soft bristle brush.  I bought a bunch of them really cheap on Amazon and they work brilliantly.  

I punched the two bottom corners using a We R Memory Keepers 1/2" Corner Chomper.

The white rose is a two part die by Frantic Stamper called Long Stemmed Rose which I have had forever.  I just checked their website and it is still available so if you want one, you need to get in quick because Frantic Stamper are closing very soon due to Fran retiring.  I glued the top layer to the bottom layer using Designer Dries Clear Adhesive which has a very fine tip on it so it made it easier for putting tiny amounts of glue where it was needed.  Isn't this rose gorgeous?!!

The sentiment is by Stampin' Up - Love and Sympathy - which is a retired set.  I used a Powder Tool on my white cardstock then stamped it using Versamark Watermark Ink and heat-set it using Ranger Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder.  I didn't want to use gold or silver embossing powder because I wanted something more subtle and the Liquid Platinum was perfect for what I needed.

I diecut the sentiment using an Oval Die from the Nellie's Multi Frames Oval 4 set then glued it on using Tombow Mono Multi Glue.

The ribbon is from my stash and is 1/4" wide and was tied using my Bow Easy.  I glued it on using Helmar's Fabric Glue then added Fray Stop to the cut ends to stop them from fraying.  I had to add a tiny glue dot to each tail to hold them down as they wanted to stick up and look weird.

I attached the panel to my White Card Base using Tombow Mono Multi Glue then punched the two bottom corners using my Corner Chomper.

Lastly, I added 3 x Kaisercraft Pearls in the colour Bliss.

And now, here is the Pink version:


The main differences are: 

I used Ranger Distress Oxide Inks for the ink blending in the colours Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry.  The ribbon is 1/4" wide Pink Organza - and the tiny Pink Pearls are by Prima.

I had to take this picture indoors as it was too windy and my card would likely end up in the neighbour's swimming pool - so it isn't quite as bright as it should be.

So, which colour do you prefer?  I thought that I might make another one but use a really light purple.  I think it is wise to have a few Sympathy Cards on-hand because I always seem to lose my creativity spark when I need one in a hurry.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and for any comments you care to leave.

Jocelyn


Card Recipe:

Card #1 

Stamps:  Stampin' Up Love and Sympathy #122797 (retired)

Ink:  Versamark Watermark, Stampin' Up Soft Sky (retired)

Designer Paper:  None

Accessories:  Big Shot, Powder Tool, Heat-gun, Ranger Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder, Stamping Platform, Satin Ribbon 1/4" wide (stash), Bow Easy, Fray Stop, Glue Dots, Knight White Smooth Cardstock, Blending Brush (Amazon), Kaisercraft Pearls - Bliss SB718, Tombow Mono Multi Glue, Designer Dries Clear Adhesive, Helmar's Fabric Glue

Punches:  WRMK 1/2" Corner Chomper

Dies:  Frantic Stamper Long Stemmed Rose (set of 2) FRA-DIE-09113, Nellie's Multi Frames MFD047 - Oval 4

Card #2 

Stamps:  Stampin' Up Love and Sympathy #122797 (retired)

Ink:  Versamark Watermark, Ranger Distress Oxide Spun Sugar + Picked Raspberry

Designer Paper:  None

Accessories:  Big Shot, Powder Tool, Heat-gun, Ranger Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder, Stamping Platform, Pink Organza Ribbon 1/4" wide (stash), Bow Easy, Fray Stop, Knight White Smooth Cardstock, Blending Brush (Amazon), Prima Pearls, Tombow Mono Multi Glue, Designer Dries Clear Adhesive, Helmar's Fabric Glue

Punches:  WRMK 1/2" Corner Chomper

Dies:  Frantic Stamper Long Stemmed Rose (set of 2) FRA-DIE-09113, Nellie's Multi Frames MFD047 - Oval 4