"BOO!" to you and you!

I saw this super cute Halloween card on Dawn Olchefske's blog, and immediately thought of using my brand new, completely adorable, Owl Occasions stamp set.  I am generally not a "cutesy" stamp image type person, but for some reason, this little owl just speaks to me.  I can see using it for tons of different things -- from Halloween to Christmas cards to birthday invites for my little Sabina... So, I added this card as a bonus project at my last techniques club.  It's a simple masking technique using a sticky note, white glossy paper, and sponges.

Start with a glossy white card stock panel -- 4 x 5 1/4".  Take a strip of Basic Gray card stock, about 2" wide, and score on your simply scoring board at every 1/2" (or simply use your rossettes die if you have it).  Then lightly fold the fence on each score line and sponge the fold area with black ink.  Accordian fold your fence into a stack, and snip the end into a point to make the top of the fence -- you will have to do just a few layers at a time.  Unfold, and there is your fence.  Lay your fence on your white glossy panel to give you a guide where to stamp your branch and owl.  Stamp your branch in black stayzon ink, so the tip of the branch is right by where the top of the fence will be.  Next, stamp the owl.  Let dry a little, then punch out a sticky note with the 2 1/2" circle punch, getting as much of the sticky part of the note as possible.  Stick your circle over your owl where you want your "moon" to be.  Use Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Cajun Crazy inks to sponge around the circle creating the night sky look.  Start with Sponging the Daffodil Delight -- working from the sticky note circle out.  Next add pumpkin pie ink -- working from the outside in to keep from getting stark color lines.  Last, add Cajun Craze ink around the outside edges, moving your sponge in a circular motion to give you a smooth result.  The reason you use glossy paper for this technique, is because it absorbs the ink differently than plain Whisper White.  Now, remove your sticky note and you have a perfect moon.  Attach your fence, tie a length of the polka dotted black scalloped ribbon around the bottom, add the little "Boo!" tag -- made with the Tiny Tags set and the jewelry tag punch and some linen thread, and you have a darling Halloween card! 

Oh my!  I almost forgot!  The little googly eyes are a new product from the Holiday catalog -- get 50 adhesive backed googly eyes for $2.50.  Just peel and stick.  They just make the little owl SO much cuter.  AND they will be perfect for YOUR Halloween treats this year.