Day 8 - Halloween Card File

Hello Friends,

Can you believe this is our last day? You are almost done!
I have saved the best for last! Because these cards use absolutely everything we have learned over the last week! Lets get started!

gather supplies

All of the zig zag cards build a little scene across the 4 sections of the card. You will need to think about how the 4 sections work together, how the Portrait fits into the scene, how to compensate for the width of the Portrait since it goes beyond the fold, and how you can make the the most of the space.

Card 1 supplies

I worked on panel 2, 3, and 4 first, then added the Collage Strip and Backdrop on panel 1. I did this so any stamping on panel 2 did not have to masked off, since panel 1 would be covered with paper.

I followed this order when putting the cards together:

1. Stamping (with both Hickory Smoke and Scorched Timber Oxide Ink).
2. Backdrop paper
3. Collage Paper
4. Ephemera
5. Collage Strips
6. Cello Tape

I apologize for the small photo of the entire zig zag card. The blog format does not allow for large horizontal images. To compensate for that, I have taken a photo of each section of the card to see the details.

panel 1

Backdrop + Collage Strip + mask

panel 2

stamping + ephemera strip + cheesecloth

You might notice I added some dyed cheesecloth (or Mummy Cloth) to some faux stitching. I say faux stitching, since it's only purpose is to hold the cheesecloth to the page.

Please note - the ephemera strip is one strip that has been cut so it will reach to the other side (in other words, it does not really go behind the back of the portrait - it just looks that way).

panel 3

Backdrop + Collage Paper + Ephemera + Clippings + Cello Tape

Each of the zig zag cards has a portrait inside. These are from the Layers + Paper Dolls pack. I chose the three that looked the scariest to me! You'll notice that each portrait is wider than the fold of the zigzag. That presents a problem since if the arm sticks out of the folded card, it will not fit into the Card File box. I decided to fold the shoulder around the page. Sometimes I stuck it down with Scor-tape or I stitched it down with the sewing machine and once I just left it. Do whatever works best for you.

To age the Portrait, I dipped him into the ink puddle, then dried with a heat tool. Because the Portrait is a Layer, it is made from heavy coated paper. The paper will resist the ink (as it should) but I know that if you keep dipping and drying, some of the ink will remain on the image. I only want a small portion of ink to stick to the surface, so using the puddle and the heat tool is a good solution. Once you try this technique, I know you will love it! I also colored his tie with Crushed Olive Distress Crayon before adding the ephemera and the Cello Tape.

panel 4

stamping + Ephemera + Postmarked stamp + Cello Tape

Don't you just love the stamped numbers? Gets me every time! I also like the use of the two Oxide colors. The Hickory Smoke in the background, with the Scorched Timber in the front makes for a great combination.

card 2 supplies

The 2nd zig zag card is held together with a ribbon. I will show how the ribbon is stitched on later in the photos, but for now you can see all the wonderful colors of Distress Ink!

Panel 1

Backdrop + Collage Strip

stamping + ephemera + sticker book + stitching + cello tape

I used thin foam squares behind the head of the Portrait. Just enough to give him some dimension but not too thick that I can't close the folder. The bird also has a thin foam square.

Note that stamping is always done first, then the Collage Paper is laid over the top creating a haze of layered lines and numbers.

The stitching of the ribbon was done last.

card 3 supplies

Again I used ribbon to close the zigzag, but this time the ribbon runs horizontal around the folder.

I used a stamp from the Ephemera pack to hold the ribbon in place (no sewing needed).

After I did all my stamping and added the Backdrop paper to the bottom of the card, I just started stitching the labels in a stack. If you are not sewing, just use glue and Cello Tape.

I used a Villainous Potion Distress Crayon to color her dress. I continued the stitching all along the bottom edge to hold her in place. Everything is so random!

On the last panel I just added more Backdrop paper and a piece of ephemera, nothing more.

Don't they look awesome together?

Now there is nothing left to do, except fill your Card File with all your handmade cards and enjoy what you have made!

This is has been such a fun tutorial series. It's one of the reasons I love the Card File so much...you can do just a little bit of work each day and end up with a fabulous end result. Definitely the sum of its parts! Thank you so much for joining in on the journey!

Now carry on,

paula

Day 7 - Halloween Card File

Hello friends,

Back here today with Day 7 of the Halloween Card file. 

Today our pockets and tags feature images from the Collage Strips. You might go through the strips to pick the images you like before starting. It's good to have the images in hand so you can test the spacing for the transparencies. Lets get started!

gather supplies

Let's start with the pockets. 

Each pocket is done similarly, but pocket 3 has the transparency on the inside of the pocket, instead of the outside.  

Pocket 1 Supplies

Pocket 1

1. Adhere Collage Paper to the pocket. Use ink puddle to color the Collage Paper.
2. Once dry, rip paper away from the center hole (this does not have to be perfect).
3. Use Scorched Timber to stamp directly on pocket.
4. Cut a piece of the spiderweb transparency. Do not cover too much of the hole with the web pattern so the image can show through (see main photo for reference).
5. Adhere spiderweb transparency with Scor-tape and Cello Tape Stickers. Note: I only used the Scor-tape on the right edge of the transparency. The rest of the web is held on with the pieces of Cello Tape.

Pocket 2 Supplies

Same as Pocket 1, except I used the Scor-tape on the left side of the transparency.

Pocket 3 Supplies

This time I taped the cracked window transparency to the inside of the pocket (it's very fiddly). I made sure to put the opening where the face on the card would show through the hole. You can see I also left the Collage Paper very long. I loved the way the paper tore when I was removing it from the hole so I decided to leave it. Once Collage Paper has Collage Medium over it (even if it is not adhered to anything) the College Paper becomes thicker and sturdier than before.  Yes, it will still rip but not as easily.

I added the Cello Tape so the transparency would be connected to the center hole...the added tape also makes it similar to the other 2 pockets. Repetition is good in a Card File.

Now lets work on the cards to put in the three pockets.

Card 1 Supplies

1. Adhere the Collage Strip down the center of the card, making sure that the image is in the right place to see through the hole in the pocket.
2. Add stitching. I wanted lots of rows of stitching with long tails of string. But you do you.
3. Add a stamp from Postmarked, Cello Tape and Clippings stickers (if you want a sentiment).  
4. Add some kind of 'pull' at the top (all from the ephemera pack).  

Card 2 Supplies

Card 2

Card 3 Supplies

Card 3

I love how the people are peering out from inside each card. The transparencies have been perfectly placed for each one to take the stage.

So, there you go...Day 7 is done and we are ready to move on to Day 8 - The last day of our Card File series! 

Now to gather supplies for Day 8 - We are going out will a bang with the zigzag cards! 

They are the biggest and most fun to make! Can't wait to share!

Day 8 supplies -

Halloween Collage Paper

Halloween Backdrops

Halloween ephemera

Halloween Layers + Paper Dolls

Cello Tape

Postmarked

Deconstructed stamp set

Tidbits stamp set

1/4" ribbon

thin foam squares

Bouquet flower (optional)

Tiny Clip

Mummy Cloth or cheesecloth 

Hickory Smoke Oxide Ink

Now carry on,
paula

Day 6 - Halloween Card File

Day 6 - Envelopes

When I created this Halloween Card File originally, this is where I started.  I loved the size of the envelope that comes with Card Set 2, because if you leave the envelope open, they become taller than all the other cards. So you get a better visual of bugs, butterflies and bones Collage Paper that was added. Which in my mind is perfect for a Halloween make. You may have other ideas or just want the envelopes closed. I say, to each his own!

Gather supplies!

I've added Curator ephemera to the mix. Super handy ephemera that I use over and over. Recently, Tim produced a stamp set (called Curator too!) that could be used in a pinch (I've added it to the supply list at the bottom) but I still love to be able to just open up the box I keep them in and dig around to find the exact one I need for the project at hand.

First up, lets talk envelopes. All three envelopes are done the same way, using the Collage Paper/ink puddle technique that we learned on Day 4. 

Any ephemera that was added to each envelope was 'painted' (I'll use that term loosely since I just used my fingertip) with Collage Medium, then dunked into the ink puddle and dried with a heat tool. You might ask why add the Collage Medium and not just dip it in the ink? Ephemera is uncoated so the puddle of ink would soak in quickly and just make the ephemera a brown blob. The wet Collage Medium protects the paper while the wet ink stays on the surface and in most cases can't get to the paper.

The Collage Medium not only helps with the ink technique, but it also makes the ephemera stronger to you can crumple, rip, bend the edges without it disintegrating (like paper does when exposed to water/wet mediums).

I think the ephemera is most noticeable on the skeleton envelope. Look at the color change from how it came out of the package! Thank you Distress Ink!

And seriously, Cello Tape stickers makes everything look better.

Rounded Cards

This next set of cards were really fun to make since they are a combination of stamping, paper, and sewing. That is my favorite combination.

I think the stitching really makes the cards interesting, so if at all possible, get out your sewing machine and add the stitching!

Card 1 supplies

Each card uses the same formula:

1. Stamp the top half of the card with Scorched Timber Oxide Ink. Spritz with water to make the ink wick. Dry with a heat tool.
2. Use Collage Medium to add Backdrop paper to the bottom half of the tag.
3. Add strip from ephemera pack.
4. Add stitching (is possible) of any kind. Does not matter if it's straight stitching, zigzag or otherwise. Leave strings long.
5. Punch a hole at the top to add an eyelet. TIP: if you are having a hard finding eyelets, try the craft store sewing department next to the grommets (which are much bigger). I use 3/16" eyelets or sometimes they sell them as 4mm. This size works for the majority of things I make.
6. Use phrases from your Sticker Book to create simple sentiments. 
7. Add Cello Tape stickers. I cut these very small so they would not overpower the words.
8. Tie heavy string into the eyelet at the top.
9. Add Curator labels back to back (so the string is between the two labels).

Just wanted to mention something about Clipping stickers. 

When combining phrases or even words, make them look like they are friends and want to be together! For instance I wanted this to be read with a pause in the middle. So I gave it a space between the two phrases, but making sure the keep the words of each phrase close to each other. When you read this in your head, you can hear exactly where the pause should be.

Card 2 supplies

I love all that stamping at the top!

I used one larger Curator label and just wrapped it around the heavy string, instead of placing two smaller ones back to back.

Card 3 supplies

Again, the break between the phrases for a slight pause in reading...

Insert a card into each envelope so the tails hang on the outside. And no, it does not mater what card goes in what pocket.

Seriously, my favorite!

Okay, now only 2 more days to go! 

Gather your supplies and I'll meet you back here tomorrow!

Day 7 Supplies

 Halloween Collage Strips

 Halloween Collage Paper

Halloween Ephemera Pack

Halloween Transparencies

Cello Tape Stickers

Postmarked Sticker Book

Deconstructed Stamp set

Tidbits Stamp set

Sewing machine - orange thread (optional)

Now carry on,
paula