For my first “new” cards, I decided to do some Halloween cards based on a few Operation Write Home card sketches.  The OWH sketches include measurements, which I modified to accommodate the size of the cut-aparts in the Recollections Dead & Breakfast paper collection.  The cards are all A2 size – 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches.

For the first card I used OWH sketch #218.  I thought the haunted house cut-apart was perfect for this sketch.  It also gave me a chance to use the “Haunted House” stamp which has been in my collection for quite some time.  This is one of the numerous stamps that I had a great idea for at the store, but couldn’t quite make it work once I got home.  The key strip of paper is part of a 12×12 sheet made up of different stripes of pattern paper.  I was able to use these stripes in several cards.  To finish the card I added 3 gold brads to coordinate with the gold foil accents on the door, windows and moon on the cut-apart.

Supplies:

• Studio G “Haunted House” stamp
• gold brads

For the second card I used OWH sketch #165.  The strip of smiling pumpkins is another stripe from the 12×12 sheet.  I used a border punch to create a matted layer for the pumpkins which added some separation from the orange background paper.  I created a small tag (7/8 x 1 3/4 inches) for the sentiment and used a Crop-a-dile to set the black eyelet.  I wrapped the bakers twine around the card several times, added the tag and then tied the twine.  To ensure the sentiment is always visible, I added some tape to the back of the tag to hold it in place.

Supplies:

• Fiskars “Trick or Treat” stamp
• Recollections bakers twine
• Fiskars Border punch – Bracket
• We are Memory Keepers Crop-a-dile hole punch and eyelet setter

For the third card, I choose OWH sketch #158.  I wanted to use the “creepy” cut-apart but couldn’t find a background paper I liked.  I settled on the white and black spiderweb paper but thought it seemed too stark.  I used a sponge dauber intending to just ink up the edges of the paper, but once I started I liked the look and decided to ink the entire piece.  I think it gives the card a more “Halloween” feel.   I stamped and fussy cut a couple spiders which I popped up on the card using foam tape.  I kept the layout simple as the paper is very busy.

Supplies:

• Archiver’s Stamp Duo for larger spider stamp
• Studio G for the small spider stamp
• Scotch double sided foam tape

Tools and supplies used for all cards include:

• Recollections “Dead & Breakfast” printed paper
• Recollections black cardstock
• Recollections white cardstock
• Tsukineko VersaFine Onyx Black ink
• Scotch Advanced Tape Glider (ATG)
• Tonic Studios Tim Holtz 12.25 inch guillotine trimmer
• white 110lb paper

There is still a lot of paper left from this 12×12 paper pad, so I’ll probably make a few more cards.