Halloween Treats!

Hello!  With Halloween fast approaching, and the temperatures finally feeling more autumnal the last few days I decided to work on a few more Halloween treat holders.  For the projects this week I used the Stampin' Up! Online Exclusives Potions & Spells Bundle (item 164357) - which includes the Potions & Spells photopolymer stamp set (item 164355) and the co-ordinating Potions & Spells dies (item 164141), which can each be purchased separate from the Bundle of course - with a few favourite retired Stampin' Up! Halloween products.

Potions & Spells dies - 164141 (Bundle - 164357)

The retired Stampin' Up! Halloween products I used:

• Best Witches stamp set (item 159860) - featured in the July-December 2022 Mini Catalogue - I really admire the confidence of the little witch striking a pose with her broom!;

• Frightful Tags dies (item 156492) - featured in the July-December 2021 Mini Catalogue - because of course you need a few cobwebs and a witch's hat; and

Frightful Tags dies (retired) - 156492

• because what is Halloween without a skeleton or two with some requisite sartorial accessories 💀. . . the Bag Of Bones stamp set (item 162216) and co-ordinating Bag Of Bones dies (item 162218) featured in the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue as part of the Them Bones Suite Collection.

Bag Of Bones dies (retired) - 162218

I also used the following dies this week:

• Garden Meadow (item 162740) - arch die used for the front and back panels on three of the treat holders.  For each treat holder I cut four arches:  with wrong sides together I glued two die cut arches together  - one pair for each of the front and back panels - to provide a little additional stability to the project and to have two finished sides for each of the front and back panels;

Garden Meadow dies - 162740

• Greetings Of The Season (item 164112) - largest tag die used for the front and back panels of one of the treat holders; and long narrow oval die used to cut the "Happy Halloween" sentiment label on the cowboy-hat-wearing skeleton in cauldron treat holder - both ends of the sentiment label were torn.  For the treat holder I cut four large tags for the front and back panels:  with wrong sides together I glued two die cut large tags together - one pair for each of the front and back panels - again to provide a little additional stability to the project and to have two finished sides for each of the front and back panels;

Greetings Of The Season dies - 164112

• Country Birdhouse (item 163400) - two sizes of the rounded petal flowers - large flower used on its own on the witch's treat holder, and two small flowers layered together and used as the center for a larger flower on the raven with books treat holder;

Country Birdhouse dies - 163400

• Country Flowers (item 163410) - leafy clump and two-leaf sprigs;

Country Flowers dies - 163410

• Perennial Postage (item 162607) - rectangular die with scalloped ends to cut sentiment labels ("A Little Hocus Pocus" x 2);

Perennial Postage dies - 162607

• Changing Leaves (item 164138) - for the berry sprigs on the witch's treat holder, and on the cowboy-hat-wearing skeleton in the cauldron treat holder (perch for the raven); and

Changing Leaves dies (also includes Hybrid Embossing Folder) - 164138

• Simply Zinnia (item 162218) - layered petal dies used for the Pumpkin  Pie cardstock (item 105117) flower on the raven with books treat holder.

Simply Zinnia dies - 163479

Just a brief note regarding the basic tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock (can also be used for scoring fold lines);
• stylus and scoreboard (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334) - for scoring fold lines - to ensure crisp folds I also burnish all folded scored lines using my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting and embossing;
• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579) - these sharp little scissors are great for doing any necessary trimming of die cuts - i.e. dividing berry sprig into two sections for the raven's perch (these scissors are also a great help for fussy cutting too of course!);
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the paper piercer, mini spatula, and tacky putty tips are a great help for picking up and placing small die cuts and embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

I used StazOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp on watercolour paper all sentiments, and images to be coloured. To colour the images - raven, books, and witch - I used Classic Stampin' inks and Classic Stampin' Ink Refills, mixed with a little water, applied with paint brushes.    

To add shading to cardstock die cuts - including the arch and tag die cuts used for the front and back panels of the treat holders - I used Blending Brushes (item 153611) and Small Blending Brushes (item 160518) to apply Classic Stampin' inks.  To add a little visual texture to the slime and bubbles for the cauldrons I pressed a small faux sea sponge (I picked up a package of eight at Dollar Tree) into a Classic Stampin' ink pad and then dabbed the inked sponge onto the cardstock (I used the same colour of ink to shade the die cuts). I used a clean paint brush to dab on a little water here and there on the die cut slime and bubbles.  Additional visual texture (a slight mottling effect) added to some shaded cardstock and watercolour paper die cuts - i.e. foliage and skeleton - by slightly spritzing with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185). 

For embossed arch die cuts used for front and back panels I used the Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406).  I embossed the cardstock panels prior to die cutting - although die cutting will slightly flatten the embossed design I like to keep the edges of the die cuts defined, especially if the die has a design around the edges - and this I get when I emboss first and die cut second but I know this is certainly not the approach favoured by everyone😉!  Prior to embossing the out-facing front panel arch die cuts I inked the raised design on one inside panel of the Timber 3D Embossing Folder by dragging my Classic Stampin' ink pad across the panel.  When ink is applied to the raised portions of the design on the inside panel of the embossing folder the ink will be transferred to the debossed or valley portions of the design on the embossed cardstock when the cardstock, inserted  into the embossing folder, is run through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine. Whether the inking is done in order to achieve a bold or more subtle colouring it does certainly help define the embossed design on die cuts if, like me, you decide to emboss first and die cut second.  

I added an eyelet to the top of each pair of arch and tag die cuts used for the front and back panels of the treat holders to make it easier to thread ribbon through to tie the bows to hold the front and back panels together - maybe not necessary but it does help secure the treats!  I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch the 3/16" holes and to set the eyelets.  I punched the holes to accommodate the eyelets simultaneously through the front and back arch/tag die cut pairs - lining up all edges on the die cut pairs so that the holes would (hopefully) be aligned and centered as much as possible (the existing - but smaller - holes in the tag die cuts were a great help for aligning/centering the new punched holes).

On with the projects!

The "box" portion of all four treat holders - whether the arch or tag die cuts are used for the front and back panels - are all the same size - 2 5/8" tall x 3 1/4" wide x 3/4" deep, and will hold two Halloween-size chocolate treats (I placed two of the chocolate treats in a 4" x 3" flat clear lollipop bag, fastening the bag fold-over with a strip of Halloween-themed decorative tape - untying the ribbon bow, tearing off the tape, and extricating the treats from the plastic bag will work off so many calories that the treats can be enjoyed guilt-free!😉).  For the box portion I used an 8 1/2" x 3 3/8" piece of cardstock, scored on the 8 1/2" side at 3/4", 4", 4 3/4", and 8" (1/2" tab is the glue tab); and scored on the 3 3/8" side at 3/4" (bottom flaps).

Additional supplies to complete the witch's treat holder:

• Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) for the box, one die cut tag (back facing), and leafy clump and berry sprig (shaded with Early Espresso ink - item 147114);
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for die cut flower and two die cut tags,
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702) for the two die cut two-leaf sprigs - shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) and Early Espresso ink;
• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 101650) for broom's bristles - shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink.  Before gluing the bristles to the handle I wrapped a small length of Linen Thread (item 104199) around the top of the bristles;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) embossed with Timber 3D Embossing Folder inked with Early Espresso ink for the broom's handle;
• small strips of Pecan Pie cardstock for the bottle "corks" - shaded with Early Espresso ink;
• watercolour paper coloured with Garden Green ink refill (item 102059) for the die cut bottles, edges shaded with Early Espresso ink - I "painted" the shaded bottles with clear nail polish to add a little glass shine;
• Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Crumb Cake ink, and Early Espresso ink to colour the image tag;
• Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks to shade the sentiment label; 
• Early Espresso ink to add splatters to the box portion (paint brush used to mix the ink with a little water smacked against the handle of a Blending Brush to create the splatters - any readily available "handle" will work!), and shade all edges of the box portion and all edges of both die cut tag pairs;
• a large Very Vanilla dot from the retired Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) - the Classic Matte Dots were recently added to the Clearance Rack but now appear to be sold out unfortunately; and
• for the bow, retired Pebbled Path 3/8" Textured Ribbon (item 161632).

I  made all brooms used on the treat holders in exactly the same manner as I used for this treat holder.

Additional supplies to complete the cowboy-hat-wearing skeleton in the cauldron treat holder:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the box portion, all four arch die cuts, and cauldron handles - to emboss the front panel arch die cut I used the Craft Stampin' White ink pad (item 147277) to ink the Timber 3D Embossing Folder - I also sponged the edges of the cauldron handles with Craft Stampin' White ink;
• Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) for the cauldron - shaded with Early Espresso ink (item 147114), lightly spritzed with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185), and then shaded with additional Early Espresso ink;
• Pebbled Path cardstock for the berry sprigs - shaded with Early Espresso  ink;
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) for the cowboy hat - shaded with Early Espresso ink - a little Craft Stampin' White ink sponged around the top of the hat;
• Granny Apple Green cardstock (item 146990) for the slime and bubbles - shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111).  I trimmed small pieces of Very Vanilla cardstock (item 101650) to fit behind the bubble highlight sections and added a little Old Olive ink (item 147090) mixed with water to the Very Vanilla cardstock to "tone down" the starkness of the pure Very Vanilla highlights;
• watercolour paper shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink for the skeleton;
• Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks to shade the sentiment label;
• Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094), and Real Red ink (item 147084) to colour the raven - edges of die cut shaded with Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks; 
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach the cauldron and one trimmed Dimensional behind the broom bristles between the edge of the box and the torn end of the sentiment label;
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach the raven; and
• for the bow, Black & Very Vanilla 3/8" Large Check Ribbon (item 161982).

Additional supplies used to complete the "Little Hocus Pocus" treat holder:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the box portion, spider web, three die cut arches (one embossed with the Timber 3D Embossing Folder un-inked), cauldron (cardstock panel embossed using the Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder - item 154317.  I sponged Craft Stampin' White ink - item 147277 - over the embossed and die cut cauldron);
• Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder inked with Craft Stampin' White ink for the front panel arch die cut - shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165);
• Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983) for the skeletons - stamped using Craft Stampin' White ink;
• Berry Burst cardstock (item 144243) shaded with Blackberry Bliss ink (item 147092) for the slime and bubbles - I think it must be a love potion being mixed up - maybe not too successful a potion since the skeletons seem to be trying to get away from each other💕😏. . . ; and
• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114)  to shade the sentiment label.  To get the motley effect on the label I placed the label face down on my ink pad and tapped the back of the label with my fingers, pressing the label into the ink pad - my Crumb Cake ink pad is in pretty rough shape - holes in the foam etc. - which actually works great for this effect! 

For the bow I used some 3/8" black gross grain ribbon from my Dollar Tree stash.

And finally . . .

Additional supplies used to complete this raven with books treat holder:

• Copper Clay cardstock (item 161721) for the box portion, and four die cut arches - the arch for the front panel was cut from a cardstock panel embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder inked with Early Espresso ink (item 147114);
• Early Espresso ink to shade all edges of the box portion and all sides of all four die cut arches;
• Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) for the leafy clump - shaded with Early Espresso ink;
• Pebbled Path cardstock for witch's hat - shaded with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708); 
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702) for four two-leaf sprigs die cut using the Country Flowers dies - shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) and Early Espresso ink;
• Pumpkin Pie cardstock (item 105117) for the three petal layers cut using the Simply Zinnia dies - shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), spritzed with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185), and scrunched up with my fingers;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the two small flowers cut using the Country Birdhouse dies;
• Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094), and Pumpkin  Pie ink to colour the raven image - edges of die cut shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116);
• Blackberry Bliss ink (item 147092), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Crumb Cake ink, Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), Mossy Meadow ink, and Basic Gray ink to colour the books - edges of die cuts shaded with Crumb Cake and Pecan Pie inks;
• three Basic Gray dots from the retired Classic Matt Dots (item 158146) added to front panel - including one large dot for the flower center; 
• one of the Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) - trimmed - used behind the witch's hat (trimmed to fit the space between top of the bird's head and the eyelet); and
• for the bow, retired but currently available on the Clearance Rack, Copper Clay 3/8" Textured Ribbon (item 161629).

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on these Halloween treat holders - definitely one of my favourite crafting times of the year!

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! advises that the following products I used this week are not currently available, but I have included below the date that Stampin' Up! expects each of the products to again be available for ordering:

• Potions & Spells dies (item 164141) and consequently the Potions & Spells Bundle (item 164357) - although the Potions & Spells stamp set (item 164355) remains available -  week of October 14, 2024; and
• Linen Thread (item 104199) - week of October 21, 2024.

The good news is that two Stampin' Up! specials for this month of continue until October 31:

• Kits Collection Sale:  all kits in the Kits Collection are up to 30% off - these all-inclusive kits, which include a range of Christmas projects, include easy to follow step-by-step instructions and all supplies required to complete pre-designed projects.  These kits also make great gifts for fellow crafters!; and
• Starter Kit Special:  for anyone interested in joining Stampin' Up! as an Independent Demonstrator you will receive $206.00 CDN worth of your choice of Stampin' Up! products for the Starter Kit price of $135.00 CDN!  There is free shipping on all Starter Kits, and each Starter Kit also includes free business supplies.  Whether you are an avid crafter who would like to receive a nice discount on personal art and crafting supplies or someone who would like to establish a home-based business, I would be very pleased to have you join my team as one of "Archie's Arties"!

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) - I would be very pleased to be your demonstrator!  The digital version of the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue is available for you to access at your convenience on my website (https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/) - as is the digital version of the September-December 2024 Mini Catalogue, and the digital only September 2024 Scrapbooking Brochure - the companion brochure to the Mini Catalogue. When visiting my online store don't forget to check out all the products now available as Online Exclusives, and the great deals on the Clearance Rack!  More products were added to the Clearance Rack a few weeks ago - including the retired Copper Clay 3/8" Textured Ribbon - but Items on the Clearance Rack are only available while supplies last!

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!! 

Just hanging out with a special friend!