For this Halloween Ghost Wreath Card, I chose a stamp set you might already own that you can use for Halloween. It’s the Cottage Wreaths Stamp Set that can be used for many occasions. Along with the greetings in the stamp set and the extra stamps, you can use this stamp set for Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas. Or make the wreaths generic and use them for any occasion year-round.
I used a Pumpkin Pie cardstock card base for this card to go with the plaid pattern in the Them Bones Designer Series Paper. Sometimes we overlook the generic patterns in a themed designer paper package that can be used in many other ways.
For the wreath, I colored on the entire wreath stamp using Stampin’ Write Markers (not Blends) to get the multicolored look. I used a couple of different greens, a yellow, and an orange. Start with the lightest color because the markers will overlap; that way, you won’t get other colors on your markers. If you do, just scribble on scrap paper to get back to the original color. This stamp set is one of the “Distinktive” stamp sets that Stampin’ Up! developed to add a special texture to the stamped image. That’s why it doesn’t look totally flat and solid as we are used to, it looks more shaded just by stamping, not just by coloring. I used one of the Country Wreath Dies to cut out the wreath and the stamped bow.
For a little background to help the wreath stand out, I cut out a scalloped rectangle of Basic Black using the Scalloped Contours Dies. This is glued down flat on the card and the wreath is popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals. The greeting is in the same stamp set and is stamped on Pumpkin Pie, then die cut with a banner in the Stylish Shapes Dies. I originally planned to place it across the middle of the wreath but changed my mind.
To make the wreath perfect for Halloween on this card, I folded a small piece of Basic White cardstock in half and cut out half a heart shape like you did when you were a kid! You could use a small heart punch or die as well. Cutting it myself was quicker! Then I cut the heart shape in half and put eyes on the ghost. I placed the ghost inside the wreath, just peeking out a bit!
Sometimes you make a card and you’re especially happy with it even if you didn’t have a great plan starting out! This card is one of those! I really like the colors of the paper and how the wreath turned out, and of course, especially the peeking ghost!
There are less than two weeks to make and send or give Halloween cards and treats so we have to get busy! Hope this idea helps!