No Bones About It - Halloween Is Coming!

Hello!  It is hard to believe that October is here already and Halloween is just around the corner!  Today I am sharing a few Halloween themed projects I worked on this week using the Stampin' Up! Bag of Bones Bundle (item 162219) featured in the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue.  The Bundle includes the Bag of Bones photopolymer stamp set (item 162216) and the co-ordinating Bag of Bones dies (item 162218).  The stamp set and dies can of course be purchased separately but when purchased together using the Bundle item number there is the 10% Bundle Savings - always a good thing!

Bag of Bones dies - 162218

(Bundle - 162219)

I have included two photos showing additional die cuts used, and following the indicated numbers top to bottom on the photos the dies are (including a few retired dies):

1. Grove (item 157844);
2. Around The Bend (item 160649);
3. Tree Rings (item 159888);
4. Gorgeously Made (item 161202);
5. Scalloped Contours (item 155560) for the outer frame and Deckled Rectangles (item 159173) to cut the window opening;
6. Dainty Delight (item 160674);
7. Seasonal Swirls (item 156564 - retired) - pumpkin and broom;
8. Frightful Tags (item 156492 - retired) - spiderweb and witch's hat;
9. Little Treat Box (item 153571 - retired) - spider; and
10. Chic (item 158815) - skeleton oak leaf.

Not included in the photos is the stitched heart die (used on the "Bone-Jour" treat holder) included with the retired Bouquet of Love Hybrid Embossing Folder (item 157641), currently available on the Clearance Rack; the star die from the Crafting With You dies (item 161225) used to cut the sheriff's star used on the "Bone-Jour" treat holder; and circle, square, and banner dies from Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183):

Grove dies - 157844

Around The Bend dies - 160649

Tree Rings dies (also includes Hybrid Embossing Folder) - 159888

Gorgeously Made dies - 161202

Scalloped Contours dies - 155560

Deckled Rectangles dies - 159173

Dainty Delight dies - 160674

Seasonal Swirls dies - 156564

Frightful Tags dies - 156492

Little Treat Box dies - 153571

Chic dies - 158815

Crafting With You dies - 161225

Stylish Shapes dies - 159183

Just a quick note about the standard tools and supplies I used to complete this week's projects:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - to cut cardstock/paper and to score fold lines in cardstock for the treat holder projects.  The fold lines were also burnished using my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting and embossing;
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the tacky putty tip used to pick up and place small die cuts and embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

Unless otherwise indicated all die cuts were cut from watercolour paper and coloured using Classic Stampin' inks (pads) - colour applied using a combination of Blending Brushes (item 153611), Small Blending Brushes (item 160518), and paint brushes with a little water.  The little die cut pumpkins were coloured using Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086) and Pecan Pie ink (item 161665); the leafy sprigs, branches, fences, and Around The Bend leafy "hill" were coloured using Pecan Pie ink and Basic Gray ink (item 149165); and the brooms were coloured using Pecan Pie ink, Basic Gray ink, Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094), and Crumb Cake ink (item 147116). The sentiments were stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708) - on several of the projects I rubbed over the sentiment immediately after stamping to blur/soften the stamped text.  For the "Bone Jour" card I stamped and heat embossed the skeleton using VersaMark Ink (item 102283), and white embossing powder (Stampin' Emboss Powders - Basics - item 155554).  For the heat embossing I also used an Embossing Buddy (included in the Embossing Additions Tool Kit - item 159971) to rub over the cardstock before stamping/embossing, and a heat gun (Heat Tool - item 129053) to activate/melt the embossing powder. All other stamped and die cut skeletons were stamped on Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink - with additional ink (Basic Gray/Pecan Pie) sponged over the image.  I did not sponge any additional ink over the die cut skeleton used on the "Bone-Jour" treat holder.

On with the projects!

To frame this small decor project I used a black frame from Dollarama - outside dimensions 7 3/4" x 5 3/4" x 1" deep, with a 6 1/2" x 4 1/2" inside opening.  For the mat I used a 5" x 7" piece of watercolour paper from which I cut a window opening using the largest square die from the Stylish Shapes dies.  I inked the panel with Pecan Pie and Basic Gray inks, then scored the panel vertically every 1/8" inch, and then dragged my Memento Tuxedo Black Ink pad several times down the length of the panel - I was trying to create a look that was a cross between fine wale corduroy and corrugated cardboard without the bulk.  I sponged additional Pecan Pie and Basic Gray inks over the scored panel.  Using the Grove dies I cut the forest frame from watercolour paper and coloured it using Basic Gray ink, applied with one of the Blending Brushes.  The background scene panel was also cut from watercolour paper - from a square of all-over sticky note paper I cut a circle using a 1" circle punch - I stuck the sticky note paper with the punched out circle over the panel and using one of the Small Blending Brushes added Basic Gray ink to colour the moon.  I removed the sticky note paper stencil and placed the sticky note paper punched circle over the moon, and using Blending Brushes inked the panel with Starry Sky ink (item 159212) and Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118).  After removing the circle mask I blended a little more Misty Moonlight ink over the moon.  

I glued the forest frame die cut to the back of the mat panel and then using Foam Adhesive Strips (item 141825) applied to the back of the forest frame die cut attached the background scene panel, tucking the fence and double leaf die cuts in between the two layers.

Additional supplies used to complete the project:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the witch's hat, solid skeleton, bats, and sentiment matting panel (edges scraped with the blade of my craft knife);
• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 101650) for the sentiment panel - edges of the trimmed panel scraped with the blade of my craft knife;
• Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to add splatters to sentiment panel by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid;
• Craft Stampin' White Ink (item 147277), applied with one of the Sponge Daubers (item 133773) to the edges of witch's hat; and
• Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) to add a little sparkle to the buckle on the witch's hat.

For the next two projects I used two of the 1/2" thick MDF pumpkins I picked up at Dollarama - I painted the sides (and back of the second pumpkin) with black gesso:

I covered each pumpkin with Designer Series Paper:  for the body of the first pumpkin I used a Pumpkin Pie striped patterned paper from last year's retired 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortments-Regals (item 159256) - this paper pack was one of the products made available on the Clearance Rack last month (but very quickly sold out!) - for the body of the second pumpkin map patterned paper from the Let's Go Fishing 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161534) - edges sponged with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665).  To cover the stems of both pumpkins I used a woodgrain patterned paper from the Joy of Christmas 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161958).  Using one of the Blending Brushes and the small check mask from Artistic Mix Decorative Masks (item 159178) I applied Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086) over the DSP on the body of the first pumpkin, sponging additional Pumpkin Pie ink around the edges.

small check mask from Artistic Mix Decorative Masks 

To each pumpkin I added splatters using my Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481).

For the base of the first pumpkin project I used a 7 3/4" square x 1" deep wood panel from Dollarama - I painted all sides (and a bit of a border on the front side) with black gesso and then sanded the edges with a fine grit sandpaper.  I used a strong white glue to attach the pumpkin to the base panel.

Additional supplies used to complete the project:

• 7 1/2" square piece of Pecan Pie/Very Vanilla patterned paper from Let's Go Fishing 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper - before gluing it to the front of the wood panel I distressed the edges and then sponged Pecan Pie ink around the edges;
• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 101650) for the sentiment circle (circle cut using the Stylish Shapes dies, and edges sponged with Pecan Pie ink);
• Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202) for the small die cut daisy (cut using the Dainty Delight dies, and sponged with Pecan Pie ink);
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) for the wood planks - cut using the Gorgeously Made dies.  Before die cutting the cardstock was embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406) - before embossing I dragged my Basic Gray ink pad (item 149165) across the inside of one side of the embossing folder;
• Pecan Pie and Basic Gray inks to colour the crypt die cut; Basic Gray ink to colour the die cut tombstone; and Pecan Pie ink to colour the solid skeleton;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach the tombstone to the crypt - the solid skeleton tucked between the two layers;
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach the stamped/die cut skeleton; and
• Rustic Metallic Adhesive-Backed Dots (item 159082) - two small dots added to the end of each plank, and one large dot added to the center of the daisy.

Additional supplies used to complete the shelf-sitter pumpkin project:

• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 101650) for the sentiment circle - cut using the Stylish Shapes dies, edges sponged with Pecan Pie ink, and splatters added using my Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker;
• Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983) for witch's hat - edges sponged with Basic Gray ink (item 149165);
• Basic Gray ink to colour the spiderweb;
• Basic Gray and Pecan Pie inks to colour spider; and
• Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) to add a little sparkle to the spider.

For the box and handle bases for these two treat holders I used Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) - each treat holder is 3" wide x 1" deep - the first treat holder is 4" tall (excluding handles) and the second is 3 1/4" tall (again excluding handles).  For the box of the first treat holder I scored an 8 1/2" x 5" piece of Basic Black cardstock on the 8 1/2" side at 1", 4", 5", and 8" (1/2" tab is the glue tab), and on the 5" side at 1" (bottom flaps).  For the box of the second treat holder I scored an 8 1/2" x 4 1/4" piece of Basic Black cardstock on the 8 1/2" side at 1", 4", 5", and 8" (1/2" tab is the glue tab), and on the 4 1/4" side at 1" (bottom flaps).

For the base of the handle on the first treat holder I used an 8 1/2" x 7/8" piece of Basic Black cardstock (with an 8 1/2" x 3/4" piece of DSP for the centered strip); for the handles for the second treat holder I cut from Basic Black cardstock four circle frames using the 3" and 2" diameter circle dies from the Stylish Shapes dies - for each handle I glued two of the frames wrong sides together.

 

Additional supplies to complete the first treat holder:

• Pretty Peacock patterned paper from Earthen Elegance 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161503) for the front, back, and sides of the box - each DSP panel cut 1/8" smaller than the corresponding cardstock panel, and edges sponged with Basic Gray ink (item 149165);
• watercolour paper for the frame - cut using the Scalloped Contours and Deckled Rectangles dies - coloured using Basic Gray ink (item 149165) - lightly spritzed with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185), and blotted dry with paper towel;

• Pool Party patterned paper from One Horse Open Sleigh 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 162118 - one of the Online Exclusives) for the frame backing panel;
• Basic White cardstock (item 159276) for the sentiment circle - cut using the Stylish Shapes dies - edges sponged with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665); and
• Pebbled Path 3/8" Textured Ribbon (item 161632) for the handle bow.

I am sure there will be a lot of Trick or Treaters channeling their Kenergy so why not have a special treat holder for them?

Additional supplies to complete the dancing Ken treat holder:

• Lemon Lime Twist patterned paper from Masterfully Made 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161192) for the front, back and sides of the box - each DSP panel cut 1/8" smaller than the corresponding cardstock panels;
• Melon Mambo cardstock (item 115320) for the cowboy hat, boots, kerchief, heart, and back panel sentiment circle (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies);
• Tahitian Tide cardstock (item 159261) for the embossed circle - before circle was cut using the Stylish Shapes dies I embossed the cardstock using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 157406);
• Basic White cardstock (item 159276) for the "Bone-Jour" sentiment banner (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies);
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the two bats;
• Distressed Gold 12" x 12" Specialty Paper (item 159237) for the die cut sheriff's star (cut using the Crafting With You dies);
• Craft Stampin' White Ink (item 147277) applied to edges of hat, kerchief, and boots using one of the Sponge Daubers (item 133773);
• Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) to add a little sparkle to the hat band, star, tooled boots, and edges of the "Bone-Jour" sentiment banner; and
• three Basic Black dots from Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) added to embossed circle.

The 5/8" black and white polka dot gross grain ribbon knotted on the handle was from my stash.

And finally . . .

Additional supplies to complete this 4" square top-fold card:

• Very Vanilla Thick cardstock (item 144237) for the card base and sentiment banner (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies);
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the stamped and embossed skeleton;
• watercolour paper for the embossed wood plank - before the plank was cut using the Gorgeously Made dies the watercolour paper was embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406).  The embossed die cut was coloured using Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) and Basic Gray ink (item 149165);
• Pecan Pie ink to add splatters to card front (added by flicking a paint brush with ink and a little water) - the splatters were added before any additional decoration was added to the front panel; and
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to secure the left end of the sentiment banner.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I always have a lot of fun working on Halloween projects!

If you are interested in purchasing any of the available Stampin' Up! products I have used in my projects, and you live in Canada and do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please do not hesitate to visit my online store found on my website https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/ at your convenience, or simply click under the "Shop With Me" tab on the right sidebar of my blog, which will take you directly to my website and online store.  I very much appreciate your business and if you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me (lmccoyarchie@gmail.com)! The digital versions of both the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue and the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue can be accessed at your convenience on my website!  When visiting my online store don't forget to check out the selection of products available as Online Exclusives as well as the great deals on the Clearance Rack!

If you are interested in joining Stampin' Up! as an Independent Demonstrator consider the great Starter Kit Promotion Stampin' Up! is offering now until October 31, 20231 The 35% Off Or 35% More Promotion celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Stampin' Up! provides two options:

1. 35% Off:  For $87.75 CDN (35% off the normal cost of the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit) you receive $165.00 CDN worth of Stampin' Up! products - of your choosing - plus free business supplies and free shipping; or
2. 35% More:  For $135.00 CDN you receive $222.75 CDN worth of Stampin' Up! products - of your choosing - plus free business supplies and free shipping.

With both Starter Kit options there is also automatic free registration (excluding gift box) to the Stampin' Up! November 11, 2023, virtual OnStage event (a $102.00 CDN value).

Whether you are an avid crafter looking for a nice discount on personal art and crafting supplies or are interested in establishing a home-based business you would be very welcome to join my team as one of "Archie's Arties"! 

Have fun creating!

Laurel

*It has come to my attention that quite often email correspondence from me is delivered to the recipient's spam or junk mail folder - if you have corresponded with me I have replied so be sure to check your spam or junk mail folder!  Thank you!! 

There is no human activity too mundane that it does not merit feline supervision!