Graphic 45 Halloween Card - Two Ways!

I don't make very many simple cards, as I always tell you! However, once again, Graphic 45 asked the team to make a "simple" project using the Happy Haunting Collection.

I use too many layers and embellishments to qualify as a "clean and simple" card maker. However, I do think that "simple" means different things to different people. For me, simple means "easy to reproduce." And the easiest way to create a card is to use a sketch as your "pattern." Using a sketch is an easy way to copy a card without being sidetracked by the papers and embellishments used by the original card maker.

Here is a sketch for you. It is very basic, with just a few layers. You could eliminate the layers and use embossing or just a plain background. Sketches are easy to modify!

Using products from the same collection also makes projects come together in a snap! For this simple card, I used paper from the Happy Haunting 8x8 paper pad. The small-scale prints are perfect for card making. I combined the paper with Happy Haunting chipboard and stamps to create a 10-minute card.

The sketch shows a flower embellishment, but I used one of the chipboard clocks from the collection.

I moved the sentiment to the inside of the card. When you buy the stamps to match paper collections, you have all you need to create quick projects at your fingertips!

If you have more time, and you have a lot of various Halloween stamps and embellishments in your stash, you can "step it up" and make a 45-minute card. Many of us have lots of papers and stamps. It is fun to mix and match when creating projects. I again used the Graphic 45 Happy Haunting Collection, but added items from my stash to "step it up."

Both cards have the same basic design, but I flipped the vertical panel to the right and added more embellishments.  I used the same sketch, but modified it a bit to accommodate a circle shape rather than a rectangle. I also added more embellishments.To create visual interest in the "stepped up" card, I cut a fence (Taylored Expressions Picket Fence Border die) and some tree branches (Spellbinders Cherry Blossoms die) and inked them with chalk ink before attaching them to the card.

Note: The Spellbinders Cherry Blossoms die set is a spring-themed die set. However, by cutting the branches from black cardstock and inking the with gray ink, they are now spooky and perfect for Halloween!

Instead of using pre-made chipboard for the image, I stamped and colored an image with Copic markers (Stampin' Up! Greeting Card Kids stamp set). Once the image was colored, I trimmed it into a circle shape. I used Spellbinders dies to cut a circle and then cut a decorative circle to mat my image.

Graphic 45 papers CAN be used with cute images. I am staying true to my vintage roots, but adding a cute factor with the little stamp.

I used one of the Happy Haunting chipboard clocks, and tied three strands of various colored twine to the center. I added a strip of ribbon and a die cut sentiment.

I folded the ribbon over and cut one end into a banner shape.

I used stamps to decorate the inside of the card. I dug into my stash of Halloween images to show that several different stamp lines can all go together. Sometimes we don't have the funds to buy "the latest and greatest." If all you can afford is the paper pad, you still have many options for creating something that looks fresh and new! 

It is easy to take the same basic card design and create a completely different look, just by changing your image, embellishments, and sentiment. Have fun!

Simple Card:
Graphic 45 paper: Happy Haunting 8x8 paper pad
Graphic 45 chipboard: Happy Haunting
Graphic 45 stamps: Happy Haunting
Cardstock: American Crafts Black, Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla
Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon Halloween Geometric Print on Black Grosgrain, Black Satin; May Arts 1/4" Black Silk
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Adhesive: Scotch 3M tape runner, Aileen's Tacky Glue

Advanced Card:
Graphic 45 paper: Happy Haunting 8x8 pad
Graphic 45 chipboard: Happy Haunting
Cardstock: American Crafts Black, Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Copic white
Other stamps: Stampin' Up! Greeting Card Kids; Hero Arts Happy Halloween; Hampton Art Stamps Boo
Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon Apple Shimmer Satin, Twine (orange, green apple, black licorice)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Clearsnap Colorbox Fluid Chalk Gray Whale, Copic Markers
Die cuts: Spellbinders Standard Circles Large, Classic Inverted Scallop Circles Large, Cherry Blossoms; Taylored Expressions Picket Fence Border; Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Tattered Banners
Adhesive: Scotch 3M tape runner, Ranger Glossy Accents, Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L foam squares