Halloween Mojo Inspired by Queen Kat Designs

My Halloween mojo is really cranking out some projects!  Today I’m making Halloween candles for party decorations using images from Queen Kat Design's Witch Sisters stamp set by Marlon T...

Which reminds me of the time when Kitty and Batty were just learning their spells and almost set the whole town on fire.  Kitty and Batty (my names for them) are stamps from the Queen Kat Designs October release stamp set called Witch Sisters by Marlon T. 
Well, Kitty was reading spells out of the big book left to them by their great, great grandmother.  Batty was only half listening, as she had her eye on the last chocolate chip cookie on the plate.  Did I mention Batty loved chocolate chip cookies?
Suddenly, Kitty snapped the book with a bang and jumped from her perch on the arm of the couch.  “Let’s try it!” she exclaimed.  Batty didn’t want to appear inattentive (again) so she jumped up with her sister and agreed, to what she had no idea!
Kitty set about gathering up leaves and cinnamon and ashes from the fireplace while Batty pulled out the battered cauldron from under the stairs and took it outside.  Kitty filled it with the materials she had gathered, held Batty’s hands in hers and whispered to her that it was time to close their eyes and recite the words to the spell.
Since Batty had been accused many times of not paying attention, she just closed her eyes and whispered words that she thought sounded “magical” and that rhymed rather nicely.
When a wave of heat blasted her in the face, she opened her eyes to see a jet of fire pouring out of the cauldron!
Kitty was running around the fire, exclaiming that this was NOT supposed to be so large and waving her arms about in a helpless fashion.  So Batty did the only thing she could think of to help---she kicked the cauldron over and…
It started to roll down the front yard and into the street and straight down toward town (cauldrons are a bit rounded on their bottoms, you know).
Well, that shook Kitty right out of her useless circling.  She hopped onto her broom and flew straight up to the sky.  Meanwhile, poor Batty had gone running after the cauldron in hopes of catching it.  Just before it bounced into the vicar’s fence, the cauldron caught a draft (steered along by Kitty and a helpful cloud) and veered right into the town well, where the fire was drowned in a hiss of steam and slightly orange smoke.
No one but the vicar saw the cauldron nearly miss his fence and steam up at the well, and he never alluded to it (and who would believe him?), but from that day forward he always kept an eye out for the two Witch Sisters.

Oops, I got sidetracked there, back to my Halloween candles.  I stamped and colored my images onto mulberry paper (tissue paper works just as well, just has less dimension).  I used both witch sisters and three different sentiments, and each candle will be either green, orange or purple.  I tore my mulberry paper to fit the pillar candles I bought and then cut a piece of wax paper the size of the candle.  I placed first my paper on the candle, then the wax paper over it.  Holding it tightly to the candle, I used my heat gun to heat up  the wax and seal the paper onto the candle.  I don’t know if you can tell from the photo, but when finished, the candle looks like the paper and image are beneath the wax.  To finish off the candle, I added adhesive-backed beads to the bottom.  I’m making about a dozen of these to help set a festive table come the Halloween party.

The Witch Sisters stamp set by Marlon T comes with a variety various bewitching sentiments like the ones I used on today’s project.  They are a great addition to all crafters who like to stamp some fun this Halloween, and can be found HERE.

Don't forget the 5th birthday celebration over at QKD on Facebook.  Lots of surprises and fun for all!  Click HERE to RSVP.

As Crisp October Gives Way to Bone-chilling November



October Rose

 We need to always keep a tiny piece of summer in our hearts.  That's why I made another Addicted to Stamps card featuring October Rose by Mitzi Sato Wiuff. 
I love to color this image over and over!  I keep trying to darken the colors, but I still get the feeling of lightness and airiness, no matter how I color it!
Today I used some yellow rose patterned paper with bits of lace and a butterfly.  I cut the image out as an oval for a more formal framed look.  I used Copics: E00,04.11,71; Y00G00,02; YG67 & RV34 (her lips).  And I just couldn't resist using some black Stickles around the rim of the frame, as well as distressing the edges with black ink.
I am going to keep deepening the colors until I can see a darker October Rose.  I'll let you know when I succeed!  Until then, keep crafting!

Two Cards, Two Challenges



October Rose

 I recently acquired a new image from Addicted to Stamps.  It's called "October Rose" by Mitzi Sato-Wiuff and I absolutely adore it!  In fact, I just printed four images and made a card with my first finished image.  It's a birthday card for Susanna Boyd of Paper Craft Planet, and an entry into the Super Nova's Birthday Party Challenge that runs from October 22 through October 30 on PCP.
I colored my image with Copics, putting a tiny bit of shine with Stickles on each rose and her lips.  The card was pieced together with leftover cardstock and patterned papers.  I added some coordinating roses from Michael's and a couple leaves, one gold-embossed, and finished with some ribbon and a feather.

Next up is a card I made for Joan's Garden challenge.  They ask that you use a DIE, a CHRISTMAS SENTIMENT, some kind of LIGHT, and the colors RED and WHITE.  I found a Whiff of Joy image called "Willow with Lantern" with which to play, and believe it or not, I made MY FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD this year!!
I colored with Copics: R05,29; YG03,05 and E08,15.  I added some shine with Stickles.  I framed her in a diecut frame of deep red with a white background, added a cardstock sticker sentiment, and added to the whole shimmery effect with pearlized snowflakes.
I think with this card I have shaken the dust off my craft table and any remnants of Halloween cardmaking.  I need to send those spooky creations to my friends before the holiday passes!  I still want to make a few Thanksgiving cards, but Christmas has definitely stirred my muse.
Whatever holiday you're crafting for, have fun and don't forget to check out Joan's Garden for this week's challenge!  

Gratitude is the Best Attitude

Badonkadonk digi image

I got the coolest image from Squigglefly and couldn't wait to share my card with you!  It's called Badonkadonk digi image and I created a thank you card to go along with this week's Squigglefly Challenge, which is to show your gratitude by making a thank you note or something that expresses your thanks.

I paper pieced this sexy mama's dress from patterned paper and colored the rest of the image with Copics.  I found the sentiment on TheQuoteGarden.com.

If you have a Squigglefly image, you can play along with the challenge for prizes.  If not, grab a FREEBIE and play for your chance.

Happy Crafting!

Make Halloween as Hare-raising Holiday...

...with Hambo Stamps ZombieBunny digi image and a little imagination!  That's what the challenge is at the Hambo Hoedown this week, so hop, stomp, or drag yourself over to the Challenge Blog and come play with your Hambo images for a chance to win!

I used my image with this week's required sketch (see below) to make one of my last Halloween cards of the season.  As you can see, not only is my Hare caught up in the spirit of the holiday, but he has friends!  This is the reason why I love digi images---you can print them any size, any color, and as many times as you like!
The digi comes with not one, but THREE ghoulish sentiments.  Mine is on the inside of the card and reads "Hope your Holiday is Hare-raising".

If you like what you see, then you should check out the Hambo Store NOW.  They're celebrating Hogtoberfest, and there is a fantastic sale going on and it won't last forever. 

Enjoy your week ahead, and keep on crafting!

Hopping With Scrapbook Place

Hello, crafters!  I hope you're up to some fun, because this is just one stop on the Hop, the Scrapbook Place October Blog Hop, that is!  If you came here from Anna's blog, you're on the right track.  If not, better start over at Your Scrapping Place blog.  You wouldn't want to miss all the fun, inspiration and crafting!

For my part, I have gathered together some of the projects I have made for Halloween.  My newest creation is an altered soup can (photo above).  It will be filled with treats for a special neighbor child when she comes trick-or-treating this year.  I used my pampered chef can opener so that the pop-top lid is still closed and ready to pop.  After I finish filling it with candy, I'll use my CTMH Liquid Glass to reseal the top lid and won't she be surprised when she opens the can!!

 I also made a few cards, some of which are pictured.  One of them uses a Hambo Stamp digi image against a sheet of patterned paper from DCWV's Once Upon a Time Paper pad.

For decorating (and munching), I made some spider candies,  which are just those little round mint patties, papercrafted to look like spiders.  My granddaughter got a kick out of these!  I also made a couple of candles with QKD stamps and mulberry paper.

I made a few special treat holders for neighbor kids.  The one in the middle is a pull-treat card.  Place a full-sized candy bar into the card from the top, and when the child wants her candy, she just pulls up on the ribbon at the top and the candy bar comes up with the ribbon.  Squigglefly's Nerdy Girl Devil dig-image is on the front.

Another treat bag uses Hambo's Wee Henrietta Witch, and I can fill that one up with Goldfish, as it's for a much younger neighbor child.

I made a large Treat bag (photo right) with which my granddaughter can go trick-or-treating, but her Daddy bought her a plastic Dora Halloween Bag for candy collecting, so I guess my Bag will have to hold the candy we give out at the door this year!

If I have time, I'll add the Fall-themed projects I've made this month as well.  For now, I hope you've seen something that will inspire you to create.  Now hop on over to Annette's blog for more crafting fun and inspiration.  If you get lost, come back here and check out the full blog order below:

Linda - http://scrappingheaven.blogspot.com/

Shannon - http://shannonleffew.blogspot.com/

Anna - http://scrappenings.blogspot.com/

Pat - http://patacakespages.blogspot.com/

Annette - http://annettesfunstuff.blogspot.com/

Donna - http://nana2cede.blogspot.com/

Teresa - http://www.teresasscrappinspot.blogspot.com/

Diane - http://www.scrappindianeh.blogspot.com/

Melissa - http://www.melissa-thoughtsonpaper.blogspot.com/

ScrapbookPlace blog - http://yourscrapbookplace.blogspot.com/

Here's my favorite quote of the season:

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, "October's Party"

Party on, crafters!!

I decided to enter my pop top "unopened" treat can in the Just Us Girls Challlenge.  This week thay ask for a template or 3D project with a Halloween theme!

Forest Night in October

Isn't the month of October great?  Cool days, falling leaves, crisp air, crockpot dinners.  And Fridays in October are best, because I get to show off another great Queen Kat Designs card!!  So Happy Friday, all!

Z-card featuring Forest Night by Terra Bidlespacher

I just can’t stop coloring this great Queen Kat Designs stamped image, called Forest Night, by Terra Bidlespacher.  Today I made a Z card and decided that this fairy needed to have a mossy tinge to her skin what with living in the forest all the time.

I threw this card together using leftover bits and pieces of patterned paper and my last roses from the closing of my local Michael’s store (rest in peace, you will be missed).

If you like Forest Night as much as I do, you can get it HERE.   In fact, you can find so much more than fairies and fantasy images at the STORE.  My shopping list at QKD is a mile long! 

Enjoy this bewitching month of crisp autumn air, falling leaves and the smell of mulled apple cider!

And in November, don't forget the 19 day celebration of QKD's 5th birthday!  Click HERE to RSVP that you're attending.