Bats in the Belfry: Haunted Mansion from Art Impressions

 Hello Ai fans!

Today I'm sharing a spooky little haunted house that I created for the

Bats in the Belfry

challenge.

I adapted the 6114 – Box Village Template Dies by taking the little roof line piece

and moving it up further on the box. This created a taller house. I then used one of

the shingle pieces to create an awning. The front door is from Halloween FB Fence Set
and I used a piece of screen to create a screen door that you can see through to the 

designer paper.

The stamps and dies used to embellish the box all around are from several different sets.

All sets are linked below. I think my favorite is the little skull tucked into the window box.

Boo Bottle for Halloween!

Hello Ai fans!

Have you checked out the new Keep it Contained challenge?

There are so many fun choices. You can make a gift card holder, a treat box or gift or goodie bag. Use a stamp or a die that's a container, like a barrel, crate, pot, vase or basket. One of our DT members used a watering can and a wheelbarrow. (super cute!) Or, you can repurpose something like I've done. I spray painted a seltzer water bottle that I liked, and decorated it to put on my mantel.

I like that it's a little bit spooky, a little bit cutesy.

I used the new 6111 – Spooktacular Set.

6111 – Spooktacular Set

The web is from 5462 – Web Dies Set.
The bats are also from the Spooktacular set. I used the die and didn't

stamp them because I just wanted the "idea" of the bats in the background.

They aren't meant to stand out on my project. I bent their wings up to give

the illusion that they are flying.

The ghost has pre-scored lines on him when you die cut him.
This allows him to be popped up on a page or
used as a pop-up feature on the inside of a card.

I used a tag from 5132 – Tag Stitched Dies.

 

 

I have a small bottle collection. I just can't recycle something that I find interesting

and think I may be able to repurpose in the future. I hope I've inspired you to give

something like this a try. It's much cheaper than HomeGoods...lol!

 

   

Halloween is HERE! from Art Impressions

Hello Ai fans!

I was so inspired by Watercolor Design Team member Karen Day's 

non-traditional Halloween card last week that I had to try 

those colors myself. My card is very different than hers but was definitely 

inspired by her. You can see her card HERE

or HERE or on her blog HERE. 

After all, Halloween is HERE! It's all over the web!

When I ordered my spiderweb dies I chose to leave them attached. 

This way I can use them to create an easy background. If I only want 

a specific web, I just cut a piece of paper big enough to cover 

that section and cut just that one web.

I think this little strand of spiders are some of the cutest spiders

Bonnie has done!

Give Us a Fright Challenge from Art Impressions

 Hello Ai fans!

The new challenge at Art Impressions is

Give Us a Fright!

Halloween is creeping up quickly and will be here "Boo-Fore" you know it.

I created a card and three lanterns for you today.  All are "see through" and have a battery operated candle to illuminate them.  We'll start with the card.  I kept thinking "Turn out the light, and give us a fright."  That's what inspired these projects.  There will be links to everything at the bottom of my post.

The idea for this card began last year when I received the Web Dies set.  I was so anxious to use them that I didn't even cut them apart. I just die cut the entire thing as is. I really kind of liked the look of the negative space and decided to hold onto it.

I always save good packaging from things I buy because they come in handy for clear cards.  This one is from an embossing folder I think.  I trimmed it down and glued the black piece to it.

 
I then used my5063 – Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies to cut out a frame so that light would show through.  I glued the black cut out piece to the card base and then I just added back in all the little webs and spiders and jack-o-lanterns.

I used the new Frog FB image since he does show through a little bit on the inside of the card.  Isn't he cute?!

I can just picture this on my mantle or coffee table when the lights are all out and we're watching scary movies.  So much fun!  

Next up I have three very similar lanterns,  yet each one is unique.

This one was done with all dark papers for my son.

   

This was such an easy process.  I have a few quick instructions and photos to help you out.  The cool thing about these is they fold flat if you want to store it for next year.  You can mail it flat too but you'd need a box if you wanted to include the light with it.

Here are the beginning steps.  I felt the rest were pretty self explanatory so I didn't take photos.

1. Cut a base cardstock to measure 4"x12" I used one that was black on one side & green on the inside.

2. Draw a line with your ruler about 1 5/8" from what you plan to be the bottom of the lantern.  This will keep all of your windows lined up and level.

3. Score your paper at 2 3/4", 5 1/2", 8 1/4" and 11"  (You'll then trim off about a 1/4" of what's left after the 11" score mark so it doesn't show through the window when you glue it shut.  You just need enough left to hold your tape or glue.

4.Glue on your patterned paper panels which should measure 2 3/4" x 4"

5. Use the window opening die from 5408 – ShadowBox Window Die to cut the 4 windows.

6. Cut the windows with the panes in them and glue them on.

Here's what I don't have photos for...

7. Glue vellum pieces to the inside of the lantern to help filter the light and give you something to glue all the little die cuts to.

8. Glue on all of your decorative pieces.

                 

They look so adorable all lit up with the little critters and creatures peeking out and lurking about.

Then I created two more for my daughter and for Art Impressions. I used orange and white paper for Art Impressions and the lighter flip side of the paper that I used on my son's to make my daughter's.

All of the patterned papers are from Art Impressions new 5849 – Halloween S2 Paper Pack except for the black paper with silver stars.

Now...let's light them up.  I just LOVE these so much!

I may need to make another one for myself.

Inside is a little battery operated tea light that can be switched off when you're not using it.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles challenge at Art Impressions!

Hello Ai fans!

Have you seen the new Ai Rides??

These are just the cutest!

There are 3 new sets and I've used the 5456 – Spooky Wagon Set

My card goes along with the new challenge on the blog.

I also used the new 5462 – Web Dies Set.  These spider webs are SO much fun!
Green is my favorite color so that's how I chose to color the truck.  Have you ever seen Last Man Standing with Tim Allen?  He has a vintage green truck that was my inspiration.  I would love to own a truck like that someday.

Halloween is a big deal in our house so I was in love with this set and all of the other new Halloween 2021 sets!  Check them out here...  There's a new slimline set,  the web dies, a Matchbook and a new Window!  Something for everyone!

Boo! Do spiders scare you? by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

Today I'm sharing a card made with the new 5462 – Web Dies Set.

I HATE spiders SO MUCH!!
However,  I desperately love them and spider webs on my Halloween cards!

I used several other sets on my card as well.

5408 – ShadowBox Window Die

and
5072 – Block Letters Die Set.

I also used 
5328 – Halloween Mini Dies

and
5333 – Cats Mini Dies

I'm not sure my card will be everyone's cup of tea. 
I'm partial to holiday cards in non-traditional colors.
I'll be honest,  I've never made a pastel pink Halloween
card but I'm very happy with this one!

I cut the letters twice so that I could create a shadow behind the main letters.
Halloween is so much fun, especially with my job in an elementary school. 

I always need lots of fun cards!