My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Some Fun Halloweenie Cheer

Is the title of my blog post an oxymoron? 

Inspired by Benzi Stampz, Barb Harmon, Terry Weigand, and Scrapy Land this year I made some Halloween cards to send to friends. It's the first time I've done this, and it sure was fun! The cards are all single-postage-stamp mailable (I did it! I did it!).


Above are 5" x 7" cards with Impression Obsession's image and Taylored Expressions Mini Leaves.  I used a Spellbinders oval to cut the orange layer, and cut it unevenly (and vertically) to create a layered pumpkin look behind the Spellbinders scallop oval.

Prima Flowers in Olive complement the green in the stamped image.


 (I love these 2 challenge blogs!)
We are encouraged to use black and orange and to use some sort of stashed away Halloween stuff!

So....
  • I finally used my Martha Stewart Jack O Lantern border punch after purchasing it 2 years ago at a Michael's clearance. 
  • The Stampa Rosa (now Stampington) spider web stamp was purchased at a used stamp sale over 6 years ago for 75 cents! It has never been used and was feeling neglected. 



Do you have old stuff that has still not been used?


A Martha Stewart spider web punch has only been used once before (also purchased at a clearance years ago).


The Papertrey Ink "Superstition Stamp Set" (cute sentiments, hat and black cat) are courtesy of friend Terry Weigand.




The insides are just as fun and colorful!




Products used:

Scrapy Land Spellbinders Decagons
Scrapy Land Taylored Expressions Mini Leaves

Scrapy Land Dee's Distinctively IME-117 Flourish Set 4
Spellbinders Grand Labels
Spellbinders Grand Scalloped Ovals
Martha Stewart Jack O Lantern border
Martha Stewart Spider Web PAP
Impression Obsession Stamp
Papertrey Ink "Superstition Stamp Set"
Computer Generated Sentiments
Stampa Rosa (now Stampington) spider web stamp

Challenges submitted to:

  1. A Gem of a Challenge - #131 Trick or Treat (Halloween) 11/6
  2. Artistic Inspirations Challenge - #114 Halloween 11/7
  3. Crafts 4 Eternity - #199 Halloween 10/30
  4. Creative Corner Challenges - (Oct 24) Halloween 10/31
  5. Creative Moments - #54 Anything Goes/Halloween 11/3
  6. Dream Valley - #93 Halloween 11/2
  7. Clear it Out Challenge - (Oct 21) Halloween 10/27 (please see blurb highlighted in blog post)
  8. Fantasy Stampers Challenge Blog - #22 Something Spooky 11/7
  9. Shopping our Stash Challenges - #174 Halloween 10/27  (please see blurb highlighted in blog post)
  10. Jo's Scrap Shack - FFC #63 Haunted Wishes - 10/31


Thanks for visiting today!
hugs,





46 comments:

Sharon said...

They are fabulous Donna. Love the first card with its fabulous image, pumpkin and design but the second card has a fabulous sentiment. I have a black cat and he is adorable. A gorgeous cat image.
enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Hugs Sharon. x

Verna Angerhofer said...

Yippeee! You certainly did do it. Those are wonderful Halloween cards.

Benzi said...

You certainly did do it!!!! I'm happy to be one of the people that inspired you. I love your pretty Fall leaves and the wonderful images, punches, and die cuts you used. I'm afraid I do have so many things that I haven't used...maybe I'll get around to them someday.

You did a fabulous job and everything is "no extra postage". That is very good, indeed. I'll probably upload a Halloween card Monday. I really need to make 2-3 more.

I love your new header...awesome!

Have a great Saturday Hugs~~~~

jimlynn said...

Donna, ALL of these are over the top wonderful!!! Love the wonderful colors of Halloween and fall. Gotta love those easy mailers too!! Fantastic cards.
Lynn

Lori Kobular said...

Love all your Halloween cards! They are gorgeous!!

KT Fit Kitty said...

Beautiful cards, Donna! I love all your die cuts - gorgeous! Your friends will be tickled pink to receive these! I hope you are having some good days, my friend!

Hugs,
Kitty

Sue said...

These are wonderful Donna. I love the layered pumpkin design on your first set of cards and black cats are always a winner with me!
hugs Sue xx

Stampsnob. said...

And I thought you were just a pretty face . These are very impressive .............Lis

NanaConnie said...

Oh, I do love these, Donna! I thought I was burned out on Halloween cards until I popped by for a visit with you and saw that adorable black cat and the sentiment. Love the witch's hat. Incredible image background on the first card -- terrific inking on the die cut. Wonderful little leaves, too.

Donna Maligno said...

What fun Halloween cards! I especially LOVE the cat one! Very creative.

Shona Erlenborn said...

So much Halloween fun! Gorgeous colors and although they are mailable flat - they appear to have so much dimension! You must be feeling better, to have accomplished all these Donna. That's awesome!

Janis said...

Best black cat sentiment for Halloween card ever!!!! LOVE it!!!

We love cats in our family and have quite a collection of black ones since my son esp loves those. His best pal is a humongous black male named Othello. I showed him your cards with the "steal hearts" sentiments and he loved it!!!

What a fun collection of cards!!!
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

Jean Bullock said...

Way cool, Donna. I especially like the spiderwebby cards. Well done... as usual.

brenda said...

Well I think it could be a clever oxymoron Donna, but it's a very big word for 6am here in the UK, can only assume the ancient Greeks were early risers !!

A wonderful selection of Autumnal (or should that be Fall) cards the Kitty ones and so cute but having a thing for trees and leaves it's those at the top that have to be my favs today.

Take care and see you again soon.

B x

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous halloween cards love all the die-cuts you used -love the ones with the cats and great sentiment i have a beautiful black cat
Carol x

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Donna, your blog header is beautiful. A nd wow you sure have been busy, your Halloween designs are so beautiful! They maybe flat for mailing but you still have lots of details and layers, in your amazing 'Donna style' :) Hugs, Shirleyx

Lynn's Place said...

Thanks for joining us @ CIO challenge blog...great take on our challenge...hope you stop by and play again <((><

KarinsArtScrap said...

you have made some great and beautiful halloween cards Donna
Gr Karin

Lisa Mensing said...

Love all your cards! Spooktacular! And that jiggly candy corn on your blog is too fabulous! Thank you for joining us at Clear It Out! Hope you can join us again.

Petra Swart said...

Oh, what great, fun Halloween cards, Donna!!!! I love all the lovely leaves and the great image on the first card!! ...and so clever to do the pumpkin like that!!! Love the little bat, too!!!!
Oh boy, and I LOVE your black cats!!! We are cat lovers in my house and I do love the sentiment about the black cat stealing hearts!!!! The inside is just as lovely as the outside!!!
This is a lovely selection of Halloween cards, Donna!!! Love them all!!!
Have a super week and thanx for the lovely comments on my blog!!!
Hugz

Unknown said...

wow fab and fun, thanks for sharing over on artistic inspirations

maria's knutselplezier said...

wwo your cards are gorgious Donna, great dy cuts, images and colours!!!Super Donna!!!

Greetings
Maria

cotnob said...

A fabulous collection of Halloween cards Donna, well done for managing to keep them suitable for mailing.
I love the variety of styles and designs and the insides look wonderful as well.
Pauline
x

pam said...

Donna, these are fantastic Halloween cards, brilliant designs and layouts,
Yes far to many buys not been used..
thanks for calling by and leaving me your comments..
any tips for a Pinit hoover button..dare not try, think I need to add two codes..why are things never easy..
big hugs pam x

Brenda said...

spookilicious :)

MaryH said...

Oh WoW! You were the busy one, and I'm so glad all these great crafters inspired your activities with these fabulous cards. I love 'em all, but I'm especially taken with the way you used the pumpkin circle behind your pretty image. Also enjoyed seeing the wonderful MS punched borders. You got so many done, and each is just lovely! Well done, you! Glad you are feeling perky enough to get these done, may it long continue! Big hugs. TFS

Julie B said...

For someone who doesn't usually make Halloween cards you've certainly got into the spirit! (Sorry couldn't resist that)Love the spiders web punch, can't beat a good bargain.
Thanks for sharing with us at Fantasy Stampers for our Something Spooky challenge. :)

KraftyKoolKat said...

All such gorgeous creations Donna. Thank you so much for your kind comments on my blog. You are in my thoughts sweetie.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Cely said...

love it, my new friend! especially the black kitty cats... i have one and they are so misunderstood!

Jane Savage said...

Beautiful designs, Donna! The backgrounds look amazing and I particularly love the black cat design! I lost my little black cat Jack last year so it’s nice to see him featured on a card!! And I’m glad you finally got to use your pumpkin border punch again! Looks fab! xx

Lisa said...

Wow, Donna, all of your Halloween cards are so fabulous!! I just love the designs!! And as an owner of a black cat (oh who am I kidding, she owns me ;) I adore the black cats steal hearts sentiment!! Gorgeous cards my friend!! And how amazing they are all single-postage stamp mailable!! I don't think I've ever made a card that can be mailed with one stamp ;) Have a great day :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

nwilliams6 said...

You went all out! Wonderful Halloween cards and fun ideas on the bgs. I really like the image on the first set. Well done. Hugz

Sue said...

WOW, you have been a busy girl! All of your Halloween cards are delightful. I have that pumpkin on the barrel stamp and have always loved it. Love what you did with it. The black cats are wonderful. We had one when our daughter was young, and now they have an all black cat too. Fun cards. Hope all is well with you.

Hugs
Sue

Anne Temple said...

Fan-tabulous projects! You know I love black cats and that sentiment is perfect.

Christine said...

Super cute Spooky Halloween cards looks like you had loads of fun making these, great colours & designs..

Thanks for sharing with us on our Halloween chall theme at AGOAC this wk.

smiles Christine & Claire. xx

michele said...

Gorgeous Halloween cards! Thanks for joining us at Crafts 4 Eternity this week hugs x

Carol L said...

What a super fun collection of cards!! Not only are the cards cute and spooky fun, the sentiments are incredibly unique! I love them all!

Mrs A. said...

Perfect Halloween cards. I like how you made the pumpkin shape. Hugs Mrs A.

melsanford said...

What a fab set of cards! Thank you for joining our Halloween challenge at Dream Valley :-) Love 'n' hugs, Mel xx

Leslie Miller said...

My goodness, you DID get busy with some Halloween cards! That IO stamp has to be one of the most awesome Halloween stamps ever. I love how you created the look of a pumpkin behind the image panel, clever girl! All your cards are just amazing. I had my hands full with four Halloween cards and just look at you! Great job with the challenges, too. We could all use a little nudge in the direction of our never before used stuff. Have a happy day, Donna!

Barbara Burgess said...

Hi De. I just now discovered your blog. Don't know why I have never seen it before! I am about to join your site and follow you. I love your Halloween cards. Wow, I don't think I have ever seen your work before. If I have, I surely have forgotten (lousy chemo brain)! Looking forward to going back and seeing some of your past work.
Barb B, CZT ❤️

chanya13 said...

Beautiful card, love image and all embellishments. Thanks for joining us at Clear It Out!!! I hope you get to join us again for our next challenge. Agnieszka DT

Wendy Fraser said...

Super cards, love the modern feel to them, thanks for joining us at A Gem of a Challenge xx

JayBe said...

A great collection of Halloween cards, Donna - thanx for playing along at Fantasy Stampers.
Hugz, Jan (DT)
http://jaybescraftybitz.blogspot.co.uk

aussie aNNie said...

Fabulous creations Dee, you are one amazing lady , love the colours and papers used...
aNNie xx
The Journey is the Start

Linda said...

These are really nice, Donna! Black cats have a special place in my heart, as I have had three in my lifetime and they were all very sweet. I love your creations!