Some Halloween Spookiness!

Hello!  With Halloween quickly approaching I thought I better get back into the spirit so today I am sharing a few Halloween-themed projects I worked on this week featuring a variety of Stampin’ Up!® products - including of course the Online Exclusives Spooky Halloween photopolymer stamp set (item 166192) and co-ordinating Spooky Halloween dies (item 166198); and Fright Night cling stamp set (item 166103) and co-ordinating Fright Night dies (item 166106).  The Spooky Halloween stamp set and co-ordinating dies are also available together in the Spooky Halloween Bundle (item 166199); and the Fright Night stamp set and co-ordinating dies are also available together in the Fright Night Bundle (item 166107).  These two Bundles were part of the July 2025 release of Online Exclusives products.

I used the following additional Stampin’ Up!® dies and Designer Series Papers to complete my projects this week - of course I had to resurrect a few of my favourite retired Halloween dies - a Halloween project can't be complete without a skeleton or two . . . :💀

• retired Bag Of Bones dies (item 162218 - featured in the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue) - skeletons.  I used the full skeleton outline die to cut skeletons from watercolour paper, shading them with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Basic Gray ink (item 149165);

• retired Frightful Tags dies (item 156492 - featured in the July-December 2021 Mini Catalogue) - the witch's hat is the perfect fit for the Bag Of Bones skeleton!  I cut the hats from Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202), shading with Basic Gray ink;

• retired Seasonal Swirls dies (item 156564 - featured in the July-December 2021 Mini Catalogue) - little pumpkins (die cut from Pumpkin Pie cardstock - item 105117, and Cajun Craze cardstock - item 119684, shaded with Pecan Pie ink - item 161665, with Early Espresso ink - item 147114 - for the stems); broomstick - another perfect fit for the Bag Of Bones skeleton - die cut from Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) and shaded with Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks; and small bats - die cut from Basic Black cardstock (item 121045);

• retired Snowy Wonder dies (item 164124 - featured in the September-December 2024 Mini Catalogue) - circular globe die used to cut the background for the haunted house on one of the decor projects.  For the base of the "globe" I used trimmed fence section die cuts that were cut using the Notes & Totes dies (item 165240) - I also used trimmed fence section die cuts on other projects;

• Autumn Trees dies (item 165899) - small tree die - perfectly sized as a companion to the Spooky Halloween haunted house die;

• Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212) - foliage die cuts;

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Impressions Abloom dies (item 165610) - large leafy stem and flower die cuts;

• Creative Haven dies (item 167208) - I used two of the tag dies from this set of dies that will be part of the November 2025 release of new Online Exclusives products for my "vintagey" tags;

• two patterned papers from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Botanical Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165545) - one to cover a witch hat wood shape, and one used as a background panel;

• a Pumpkin Pie patterned paper from the retired Stargazing 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161175 - featured in the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue) to cover the base of the MDF pumpkin in the "Happy Halloween" wood panel decor project;
• one of the wood grain patterned papers from the Country Woods 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163393) to cover the front and sides of the wood panel used for the base of the MDF pumpkin "Happy Halloween" decor project; 

• from the Online Exclusives Woven Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165560) I used a Pecan Pie/Early Espresso woven texture patterned paper as the background panel in the framed "Trick Or Treat" project; and

• a Smoky Slate patterned paper from the Online Exclusives Spooky Sweet 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 166191) - used on one of the tags.

The Spooky Halloween haunted houses and fences, and the Fright Night spider webs and spiders were all die cut from Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202) - the houses and fences shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), and Early Espresso ink (item 147114); and the spider webs and spiders shaded with Basic Gray ink.

The Spooky Halloween bats were all die cut from Basic Black cardstock (item 121045).  On a few of the bats I used Craft Stampin' White Ink (item 147277), sparingly applied with one of the finger Sponge Daubers (item 133773 - package of five), to highlight the tips of the wings.

The Notes & Totes fence piece die cuts were cut from Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), and shaded with Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, and Early Espresso inks.

The Gallery Blooms foliage die cuts and the two Impressions Abloom large leafy stem die cuts were all cut from Crumb Cake cardstock, and shaded with Early Espresso ink.

I used Blending Brushes (item 153611 - package of three) and Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to shade/colour cardstock and watercolour paper die cuts.  For additional visual texture (a slightly mottled effect) I sometimes lightly misted the shaded die cuts with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), either blotting dry with paper towel or allowing to air dry, often adding additional ink after the cardstock/watercolour paper die cut was fully dry. 

I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp images for colouring and all sentiments on watercolour paper.  For colouring the images I used Classic Stampin' inks and Classic Stampin' ink refills, mixed with water and applied with small paint brushes.  I stamped the sentiments before die cutting the sentiment banners using the Fright Night dies.

Just a brief summary of the additional basic tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock, watercolour paper, and DSP, and for scoring card fold lines.  To ensure sharp folds I also burnish the folded scored lines with my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting;
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the spatula and tacky putty tips are definitely a great help for manipulating and placing small die cuts and embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  For several projects I had to glue DSP to a base - either an MDF pumpkin, a wood panel, or a cardboard panel trimmed to fit the inside dimensions of a frame.  After applying the glue to the base surface, and spreading it over the base surface with an old paint brush, I placed the DSP (cut slightly  larger than the base) over the base surface, and used a brayer (Stampin' Brayer - item 162936) to roll over the DSP to ensure even coverage of the liquid glue and good even adhesion of the DSP to the base surface.  After the glue was thoroughly dry I used my craft knife to carefully trim away the excess DSP from around the edges of the base surface.

On with the projects!

In addition to the MDF pumpkin shape from Dollarama, the witch hat wood shape from Dollar Tree, and the 7 7/8" square x 1 1/2" deep thrift store wood panel I used the following additional supplies to complete this project:

• Early Espresso ink (item 147114) to sponge around all edges of the DSP panels after they were applied to the wood panel base (front and sides);
• scrap of silver cardstock from my stash for the die cut "Boo!" - I used a fine grit sandpaper to lightly scruff up the surface of the die cut before applying a coat of black acrylic paint, which I rubbed into and off the die cut using my finger;
• Cajun Craze cardstock (item 119684) for the Impressions Abloom flowers - shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665);
• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink to shade the die cut sentiment banner;
• recently retired Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to apply splatters over the pumpkin scene by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) - trimmed as necessary - to attach and slightly pop up the skeleton.

In addition  to the black wood frame from Dollarama with inside back dimensions of 7" square, glass removed, I used the following additional supplies to complete this project:

• Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202), shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165) for the "globe" - I used Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708) to stamp the splatter images from the Fright Night stamp set around the edges of the "globe";
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114) for the small Autumn Trees tree die cut;
• crumpled unbleached parchment baking paper, trimmed to size, glued behind the house die cut;
• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink to shade the die cut sentiment banner;
• 4" square of medium-weight cardboard, covered with painted book paper that was shaded with Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks, for the base panel for the "globe";
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the "globe" with attached sentiment banner to the book paper covered panel;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 4 1/4" square and 5" square matting panels;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 4 3/8" square matting panel; and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets to attach the fully matted scene panel to the DSP covered background panel.

In addition to the thrift store black wood frame with inside back dimensions of 6" x 4", glass removed, I used the following additional supplies to complete this project:

• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114)  to shade the stamped and die cut Fright Night collage image; and
• after gluing the skeleton, foliage die cuts, and spider web to the die cut stamped image I used strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the die cut stamped image to the DSP covered background panel (which I had secured in the frame).

Additional supplies used to complete this 4" x 3 1/2" top-fold card:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• recently retired Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to apply splatters over the front of the card base by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid;
• Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Highland Heather ink refill (item 147167), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Granny Apple Green ink (item 147095), and Timid Tiger ink refill (item 165283) to colour the intrepid canine trick-or-treater and his jack-o-lantern treat holder; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach and slightly pop up the trick-or-treater.

For each of these two tags I used Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029) to colour the trick-or-treaters - using Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) for additional shading, and used watercolour paper shaded with Crumb Cake ink and Early Espresso ink (item 147114) for the base tags - I also cut a backing tag out of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045). Before I glued the feline witch watercolour paper tag to the cardstock backing tag I crumpled up the image tag (after colouring the image and doing quite a bit of ink shading of the tag) and then used a fine grit sandpaper to rub over the creases - I wanted a very distressed look!  After sanding I added a little more Early Espresso ink shading.  I also used Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks to shade the the canine trick-or-treater watercolour paper tag - the "October 31" was trimmed from a larger watercolour paper panel that was stamped with the Fright Night collage stamp.  To the canine tag I added a 2 5/16" x 1 3/4" piece of the Spooky Sweet Specialty DSP, edges sponged with Early Espresso ink.  For both tags, after gluing the watercolour paper tag to the cardstock backing tag (wrong sides together), I used my Crop-A-Dile to enlarge the hole to accommodate an eyelet and to then set the eyelet (eyelets purchased at my local scrapbooking shop).  To complete the canine tag I added a strip of torn lace from my stash, and the Spooky Halloween spider web.  I used some off-white twine from my stash for the tag hangers.

And finally . . . 

For my "Archie" project this week, included at the bottom of this blog post, I made a 5" square shaker card - using Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) for the card base and the inside panel's 4 1/4" square matting panel; Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the front panel's 4 3/8" square and 4 3/4" matting panels, and the inside panel's 4 3/4" square matting panel; and Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the front panel's 4 1/4" square framing window mat (window opening cut using the circular globe die from the retired Snowy Wonder dies), the 4 5/8" square matting panel, and the 4" square inside panel.  Behind the window opening I glued a trimmed piece of transparency film, and used Foam Adhesive Strips (item 141825) to attach the completed framing window mat over the image panel (over the top of which I had added probably too many silver sequins - they did go everywhere!).  I stamped the image from the retired Best Day stamp set (item 160798 - featured in the January-April 2023 Mini Catalogue) on watercolour paper using StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406), and coloured the image using Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Basic Gray ink (item 149165).  Before I glued the framed image panel over the first Basic Black cardstock matting panel I tied a bow around the image panel using 3/8" black gross grain ribbon from my dollar store stash - and used silver cord from the retired Simply Elegant Trim (item 155766 - featured in the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue) to tie a smaller bow through the center of the ribbon bow - you can't have too many bows on a celebratory card!😺

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on a few more Halloween projects!

If you think you might be interested in joining Stampin' Up! as an Independent Demonstrator there is still time to take advantage of the Starter Kit Special!  Until  October 31, 2025, Stampin' Up! is offering two great options in the Starter Kit Special:

Option 1:  For $48.00 CDN recieve $165.00 CDN worth of Stampin’ Up!® products of your choice; or

Option 2:  For $135.00 CDN recieve $252.00 CDN worth of Stampin’ Up!® products of your choice.

Regardless of which of the two options is selected there is free shipping on the Starter Kit, and each Starter Kit also includes business supplies (including copies of the most recent catalogues), and a free Paper Pumpkin Kit!  Whether you are an avid crafter who would like to receive a nice discount on your own crafting supplies - and early access to new products, or you are interested in establishing a home-based business, and you live in Canada, you would be most welcome to join my team as one of "Archie's Arties"!  If you would like more information about joining my Stampin' Up! team please do not hesitate to contact me!

Today - Friday October 24 - is the last day to take advantage of the three days of FREE SHIPPING offered by Stampin' Up!  FREE SHIPPING applies to all orders of $100.00 CDN or more (before applicable taxes) of Stampin’ Up!® products - definitely a great opportunity to stock up on your favourite art and crafting supplies, and maybe do a little gift shopping too!

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 would be very pleased to be your demonstrator! If you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me (lmccoyarchie@gmail.com), and I will try my best to help!  In addition to the digital version of the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue, the digital version of the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue is also available for you to access at your convenience on my website.   If visiting the online store don't forget to check out all the Online Exclusives as well as the Last Chance Products!  Just a reminder that all Last Chance Products remain available only 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!! 

"The only thing better than a cat is a cat celebrating its birthday!"

- Unknown -