The little things that make me happy here on Bliss Road~~Emily Keaton

Monday, October 17, 2011

Textured Halloween

Well, last week seemed like a long slog, but I think my mojo has found its way home again! Thanks to any and all of you who kindly pointed out the way. ;)

Today I'm sharing what is probably my last Halloween card for this year. I finally have enough to send out to everyone on my list! I never used to send out Halloween cards, but I enjoy mailing notes to my far-flung family and friends--usually every month or two--to say hi and keep everyone updated on what's up with us. I think it's fun to change things up a bit and make and send cards that match the season, so I started making Halloween cards (and Thanksgiving ones, too). Variety is the spice of life, right?

So, here we go:
Can you believe that I made this entire card {gasp!} without stamping a single thing? I know, shocking, right? Last fall I won a fabulous Halloween collection, the Esmerelda Collection by Anna Griffin, over at the Moxie Fab World. I've been having a blast pulling out various elements to use on my Halloween cards this fall. The fun spiderweb patterned paper and the layered Halloween sticker both come from this collection. The canvas scalloped border sticker is from Little Yellow Bicycle, and the black spider brad came from the Target Dollar Spot. I hand-rolled black canvas (after a liberal application of Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz) into the black roses.

I'm playing along with three challenges:
  • Textured to Perfection Challenge in the Moxie Fab World, to incorporate texture in an innovative way. I've got all kinds of layers of depth here: textured cardstock, embossed patterned paper, multi-dimensional sentiment sticker, canvas border sticker, and handmade rolled canvas flowers. How's that for a whole lot o' texture goin' on???
  • City Crafter Challenge: "A Boo-tiful Color Challenge," to PRIMARILY use the colors BLACK and CREAM on your project. I've used lots of black and cream here, with a splash of muted orange.
  • Paper Sundaes Challenge #91: Halloween or Fall
Now that I've completed my Halloween card construction, it's time to start getting them in the mail so they arrive before Halloween! That's one of my projects for this week. My other project is to get the house ready for company. My sister (sans children) is coming to visit me for several days at the end of the week! I haven't seen her since last Thanksgiving, so I'm really looking forward to this visit. She flies in Wednesday night and I'll have her to myself on Thursday and Friday while my kids are at school. This will be fun!! And the best part? We have plans to be crafty! She isn't terribly crafty herself, but asked if I could help her make some note cards to give as holiday gifts to her staff at work. She has 10 people on her list, so we have a lot to accomplish, but I really think we're going to have fun. I'm so glad she is interested in allowing me to share my paper passion with her!

That does it for now. Thanks so much for dropping by for a little slice o' bliss today!
Emily

Card Recipe:Stamps: none!
Paper: textured black CS
; Esmerelda patterned paper from Anna Griffin
Ink: Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz
Accessories: black canvas, glue dots, Halloween canvas border stickers from Little Yellow Bicycle; Halloween 3-Dimensional Sticker (Esmerelda Collection) from Anna Griffin; black spider brad from TargetTechniques: handmade flowers

31 comments:

Pam said...

Those black shimmery roses are fabulous! Wish mine looked that good! Have a wonderful time crafting this weekend! It's always fun to share, and have someone else there as you craft!
Pam

Anita said...

Beautiful Halloween card Emily and those black roses are gorgeous. It sounds like you and your sister will have a fabulous time - enjoy!

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

I made a card without stamping the other day and it felt naked.. love the elegant feel to this card.

Emily (stampingout on SCS) said...

What a great card, Em! I just love those black, canvas roses. :)

Jocelyn Olson said...

The flowers you made are gorgeous--I love that they are a spooky, glittery black. The little spider is too cute and I love that you made this card without stamping. Awesome card, Emily! Have fun with your sister!

Marisa said...

Fabulously done, Emily :) Love all the different aspect of the card. Fun twist with the rolled flowers and the little spider is perfect.

cnelson said...

So FAB! LOVE those flowers! Thank you so much for joining us at CCCB!

yyam said...

This is gorgeous!!!! Love the mix of papers and textures here! Who knew rolled flowers would go so well with a spider and web! :)

Ros said...

Oh Emily this is fabulous ... Thanks so much for playing along at CCCB

~Tammy~ said...

Oh my this is so gorgeous! You have me drooling between your beautiful papers, colors, layout and of course those fabulous flowers!

~amy~ said...

whatta perfect Halloween card!

Bonnie said...

What a great package of goodies for Halloween. I love the spider web and spider and the flowers.

Jessi Fogan said...

I love it! I made a card with your previous spider-web inspiration in mind that I'll have to blog this week sometime. Now I want to make some of these flowers....and I can't tell you how excited I am that your sister's coming to visit! Having that time just the two of you is going to be a blast :)

Unknown said...

This is such a great Halloween card. I love those flowers..

Benzi said...

Rolled black roses...how cool. Great no-stamping card, Emily. Sounds as if you and your sister will be busy, busy while having a lot of fun. Maybe she'll get the card crafting bug.

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

BOO-tiful!!! perfect for halloween, thanks for playing along with us at CCCB!

Auntie Em said...

Your card is gorgeous! I love the little spider crawling along the polka dots! Anna G's stuff is always so nice. I am really doubting your mojo was ever gone with all the pretty cards you have posted. Your work is always so nice.
Have a fun visit with your sister. It will be so much fun to just sit and visit while you craft. I usually have some of my best visits over paper and glue! :D
Thanks for sharing! :)

Colleen Dietrich said...

Hooray! You finally got to play with Esmerelda. I remember when you won that from Moxie Fab World - lucky dog!

This is cool, with those rolled black roses (so Martha, in that ghoulish black!). How wonderful that you didn't have to stamp a single thing!

Enjoy that time with your sister. :) She does have quite a number of cards to make, and I hope you both accomplish that. I hope this visit is a very special one!

Cindy Haffner said...

So FUN Emily!~

Mona Pendleton said...

What no stamps? What a fun Halloween card Emily! Love the rolled flowers and teeny spider!

Anonymous said...

Very sweet. Thanks so much for joining us at Paper Sundaes this week
Hugs Julie P

Debbie Carriere said...

Awesome card!!! Love the web. Have FUN with your sister! sounds like you will :). Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Emily, I just love this design!! So cute!!
smiles,Deena

Kim Dellow said...

Wonderful card, just love the texture. Kim

Kristy Smith said...

Emily, this is amazing!!! I love the colors and those canvas rolled flowers are darling! Great job on a no-stamp card! =D

Dawn B. said...

What a great prize package. Your card is perfect for Halloween. I like that paper. Hope your sister visit is the best. I love those special times.

lisa arana said...

wow, this is super amazing, love the little spider in the corner.

Amanda R said...

If a Halloween card can be elegant that this would be that one. Great card, love it! Thanks for joining us this week at Paper Sundaes!

Carol Hurlock said...

What a cute Halloween card Emily. I can't believe there is no stamping on that...how cool. I am sure the family member of friend that gets this will really enjoy it!

Bear Hugs,
Carol

Crafty Math Chick said...

I DO love all the texture in this! Especially those rolled roses and that shiny adorable little spider!
~Meredith

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...

Hey Emily! Thanks for linking this up to the Textured to Perfection challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I'm so glad you joined in on all the fun! :)