Witches flying through the sky.....

This is a song that my Mother-in-Law sings with our kids once it starts to get close to halloween.  Now it pops into our heads when the leaves start changing and the weather gets crisp.  Strangely enough though, there isn't a witch to be seen in this post.  However before you cry "false advertising!" There are some very cute fall and halloween cards to inspire you to dig into your paper and break out your creativity or as we say on this blog your kee~rativity. loll                   

  BTW doesn't this pretty pic of one of the trees in my backyard make you want to jump in some leaves?  I LOVE fall!  It is my favorite season!  It is gorgeous, just cool enough to wear long sleeves and cuddle up in a blanket to read.  No dripping heat or nasty windy freezing days, just fall sweet fall.  Enjoy.

This cute little fellow was made with the old velvet paper backed floral ribbon that used to be used on wreaths and flower arrangements. I started with your standard sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of cardstock.  Cut this in half so it measures 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 and fold to get your card.  I inked and tore it up to lay in strips across the card and added eyes made from circle punches.  Don't forget the hint of white pen on the black part of the eyes, it really makes them stand out.  I added a little "headband" of torn Halloween paper and some leftover sticker letters to spell  EEK down the side.  This is a great way to get rid of your random leftovers. 

This fall card is very simple and fast ~ but looks like it took a long time.  Again start with your standard sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of cardstock.  I chose a nice rusty fall colour.  Cut this in half so it measures 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 and fold to get your card. The leaves and pumpkins are stamped on watercolour paper with a permanent ink (very important).  Then I took watercolour crayons (you could use crayons, pencils or your kid's paintboxes) and very quickly and lightly coloured the images before I wet the paper.  Run a wet brush over the images to blend and then while the paper is still wet add your deeper colours to your images to create depth.  Mount it on chocolate paper and finish off with a grosgrain ribbon.  The longest part of this card is cutting out the leaves.  If you don't want to cut them out, use a punch or tear them in a strip.

Once again start with your standard sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of cardstock.  Cut this in half so it measures 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 and fold to get your card. The base of this card is gray.  Same floral ribbon as before, but this time I left it uninked and alternated it with strips of halloween paper.  I cut a simple rectangle and free handed a "doodle" edge and Boo in white ink.  A simple orange flower sequin and a black glitter brad give it the right finishing touch. 

This card looks more complicated, but really goes together quickly.  If you notice all of the cuts are straight which speeds things up.  The base card is orange.  Using the same cutting directions, I started with your standard sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of cardstock.  Cut this in half so it measures 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 and fold to get your card. I built from the bottom up.  Start with a black rectangle the width of your card and use a scallop punch along the bottom.  I used a Stampin' Up one, but if you don't have that punch, use a different one, pinking shears or simply tear.  After that is adhered down, move up to your next layer.  Starting with a smaller rectangle of halloween paper, I added torn velvet floral ribbon to the bottom.  I simple wrapped some fuzzy multi coloured yarn along the top and adhered all of it down.  Along the top of this rectangle is a grosgrain olive green ribbon running across the card and finished with a little bit of halloween bling on the side.  Another smaller rectangle of black with purple sequin flowers.  The entire card was made in minutes with scraps from the bin.  Love recycling!

Another fall card with the watercolour technique from above  this time I started with a base card of chocolate, cut from an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper to measure 4 1/4 by 11.  Sometimes it's nice to change up the way things fold.  A rusty orange was adhered over this. Next I built the card in layers.  Another chocolate rectangle.  I tied a ribbon around it before I attached it to the card.  Along the top are four simple epoxy bubble stickers.  They photographed strangely, but on the card are they give a simple bit of shine.  Next layer is a rusty red rectangle, scalloped along the bottom and layered off center on the card.  Next is yet more chocolate ( a girl can never have enough chocolate!) topped with a yummy little watercoloured pumpkin.  Stamp a sentiment on the bottom and you are good to go. 

A little fall fun to get you started.  Now I am off to curl up with a good book and watch the leaves fall....