Making a Halloween Card

Happy Monday Everyone! 

So I just wanted to take a moment and share a "making a card" type post. Let me just say that there are tons of different ways to approach making a card. Almost every crafter will have their own style, tips, techniques, etc.. that work best for them. Even my approach can vary depending on the theme or challenge I am participating in. This is simply how I created this card. :)

I Started by choosing an image. I already knew it would be a Halloween card as that was the theme I had been working with. So I chose my image first. In July I was the Guest Designer of the Month at MelJen's so I picked her Cat O Lantern Image and I had so much fun with it!

I printed my image on 89# Cryogen White Paper, colored it with my Copics, cut it out using my cuttlebug and inked up the edges in Memento Ink. Before I started coloring I had looked through my Halloween themed paper and pulled out a few pages. Once my image was colored I paired it with the paper until I found the one I wanted to use. I knew I'd want to keep it simple so the image would be the star of the show, so this kept me from using multiple patterned paper.

So because I wasn't going to use multiple patterned paper, I picked out black as my accent paper and chose a sentiment that I knew would really tie in nicely with the image. "too cute to spook" says that for me! I used a punch I had handy to "cut" out the sentiment and inked the edges of it too so it would match the main image. I also used Marvy markers to color the stamp so that it came out with purple and orange as well (instead of using one ink pad/color). At this point I had played around with the layout a little and I knew my image would be along the top, while the accent paper and sentiment would be along the bottom.

I decided that my card needed more. So I picked through my ribbon and also pulled out my Stampin' Up bat punch. I had my Halloween embellishments, such as brads and whatnot, 

but the bats were better (I thought!). 

I added some stickles to it and taped it all down using my ATG Gun. For the bats I used Tombo Multi glue and the image was adhered with 3D pop ups. I must say, one thing I really love about Card Making is that while this card came out like this, my next one can use the same image and yet, I can make it completely different. Whether I change the paper, the color themes, the layout.... your combinations are almost endless.

This card was super fun and easy to make. The creating came easy and Halloween cards are so much fun to make! Get Crafty... the Holidays are just around the corner! ((YIKES!!))

Stay up to date with me on facebook at AllieCat's Creations & Fitness!

Thanks for visiting! :)

MelJen's Guest Designer Week 2

More from Gina, July's Guest Designer

Happy Saturday!

Let's start the weekend with more inspiration from our July Guest Designer, Gina!

Tom Cat Goes Fishing
I love this image! When I was a kid we had a cat that would hide under the bed and the only way to get him out would be to dangle something for him to chase. One day I said to my mom, "Hey mom! You're cat fishing!" We laughed so hard! For some reason this image reminds me of that day. I got a kick out of this project.. the sentiment cracks me up, considering there's only one "fish" and the "sea" is more like a puddle! LOL!! I colored this with my Copics and used stickles on the water. 

Birthday Cake Oopsy Bear
My daughter picked this image for me to use. She said it was so sad it was going to make her cry and so she wanted me to fix it up and make it a happy card. I am always behind on birthdays! Even when I've marked the calendar, put it in my phone, made a card, had it addressed and stamped!! I am ALWAYS late!! That's what this image and card say to me. "Sorry. I dropped the ball again." But, it is true; it's the thought that counts! :)

I love your cards, Gina!  These are so fun and happy!

See you all next week!

Hugs,

Dee

 

I am so absolutely thrilled to have been asked to be a guest designer over at MelJen's! Go by MelJen's Blog and get in on all the fun!! Including this week's challenge "Happy Birthday"!

MelJen's Guest Designer Week 1

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Our JULY Guest Designer!

Good Morning!

I hope that you are all having a wonderful start to the weekend!

 I am excited to introduce you to our July Guest Designer, GINA!

I am a 28 year old stay at home wife and mommy of 3. My kids are 9, 6 and 3. My middle child was born deaf, so much of my time is spent working with her in language development. Interestingly enough when I was in Jr High I took American Sign Language as an elective. My two years of ASL "training" has helped me with my daughter immensely. I've never been a "crafty" person.. I colored in coloring books a kid, but had much more fun playing "school" or "office" over pulling out stuff to create something. When my husband was deployed to Iraq I went and spent a few nights at a friend's house and she showed my daughter how to make a bracelet. I was intrigued and a few days later I went out and bought tons of jewelry making supplies. I really loved making jewelry until......I found card making. What is very interesting to me personally is I remember going with my mom to Stampin' Up parties, but the children were always tucked away in a room to watch a movie, or sent outside to play, not allowed to touch the products. I remember watching my mom at home play with her stamping stuff and one day she just gave it all to me. Being the non-crafter I was, it just sat in my closet. I still have the box and have passed down some of those stamps to my oldest daughter who loves card making as well. I've kept most of the stamps and even some of the dried up ink pads for sentimental reasons. So I had been making jewelry for about 3 years when I came across some very beautiful cards. I thought "Wow! How beautiful!" I was pregnant with my 3rd and decided I was ready to venture off into card making. BOY!!! Did I have a lot to learn! I thought it was as simple as stamping the image, coloring and you're done. I let it go for a while, but a little over a year ago I got really serious about it. Now, 110 Copics, 72 prismacolor pencils, 3,000 sheets of paper and at least 150 rubber stamps later....I have a CRAFT ROOM!! I laugh at this. Me, the non-crafter, has a craft room. In addition to my crafting I've also become a BeachBody Coach. I am about 93 lbs overweight (I've lost 7lbs so far) and have been very unhappy with myself. I am on a journey to change my lifestyle and help others change theirs too. I decided that I am no longer "working out" .. I am "training". Training to be in the best shape of my life!! As long as I can "push play" everyday and create afterwards, I am one happy mama! :)

Here are 2 wonderful cards that Gina has created to share with you this week!

I used Bulldog's Bear. I love this image because it reminds me of my boy. A rough little bulldog, but he has a soft spot if you can get close enough for him to love you, otherwise, it's slobber and mudddd! "Boy" themed cards are still a challenge for me. I struggle to not add glitter and flowers. lol!! This card was fun though. It allowed me to be colorful, but not girly. At least I hope not girly! :)

I used Fisher Moose for this card. MelJen's moose images are my absolute favorite! Living in North Dakota, we occassionally have a moose or two travel through town, in fact, I'll share a story. I was born and raised in Southern California. Los Angeles to be exact. When my husband got out of the Navy we lived in Texas for a while (where he is from) then made the move north for the better economy. About 3 months into living here I looked out my window to see a moose chomping on a tree in my yard! I must've jumped 10 feet in the air and screamed "MONSTER!!!!!" Now, don't get me wrong. I knew it wasn't an actual monster, but to someone who has never had that kind of nature in their backyard, well, it was a little unnerving! I crept outside and got a couple pictures from a very safe distance. Since then I have loved moose images. Go figure. So when I saw this image from MelJen's it sparked a little love in my heart. As a kid my dad would take me fishing a lot. Every summer and any chance in between we'd be at a lake nearby or gone up to Mammoth or June Lake in the Sierra Mountains for a family trip. Some of my best memories are with my parents and sister in a woodsy area fishin'.... living so far from family I only see my family once every 3 -4 years... this card was made for my dad for father's day.

Here is the inspiration for my Moose card!

Thanks for such fun cards this week, Gina!

We are looking forward to seeing more fun creations from you throughout the month!

 

Swing by MelJen's Blog and check it out!!

Guest Designer for July.. and a challenge!

I am so thrilled! I was asked to be a Guest Designer for MelJen's for the month of July! 

Today starts their new challenge for this week.. Red or Blue.. see the challenge info here and my card is included with the Design team! 

 Make sure you get in on the fun this week!!

Filling your day with happiness.

My last post for today. Promise.

Another lovely Saturated Canary image. I'm not sure if this one is retired, but I couldn't find her in the shop. Her name is Ava. She is lovely! I colored her using my Copics. The sentiment is another Amy R from All That Scraps.

This card will be entered in the following challenges: 

CMC - Pink and Green

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - photo inspiration

RCC - Birthday

Thanks for visiting!! :)

Lovely Day

Wishing You a Lovely Day....

I love, love, love Saturated Canary images and this one is gorgeous! 

I colored her using my Copics and added some stickles to her top to really make it pop!

My sentiment is by Amy R at All That Scraps.

I will be entering this card into the following challenges:

CMC - Pink and Green

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - photo inspiration

Card Crafter's Circle - Stars and Stripes

 

Thanks for visiting! :)

Hello Gorgeous!

Hello Gorgeous! You look Fabulous! .... Now say it back to me!

I absolutely LOVE Saturated Canary images! They are so beautiful! when I saw Multitasking Mama I couldn't resist. This has been me for the last (almost) 10 years! When I made this card I was thinking of my good friend Angela. She has a 6 year old (the big helper) and two little ones that are only 18 months apart. Usually she has one in each arm and both are crying... :( I always feel so bad for her. lol!! She looks just like this mama here, except throw another crying baby in there and exchange the pan for a cookie sheet and oven mit! :) I love my friend. She is gorgeous, always looks like this fabulous mama, covered in spit up, food and baby tears, working hard, running on a couple hours of sleep and more patient than any mom should be.

I will be entering this mama into the following challenges:

CMC - Pink and Green

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - photo inspiration

Card Crafter's Circle - Stars and Stripes

Thanks for visiting! :)