Happy Thursday, my friends! It’s time for another sketch challenge from The Pals Paper Arts team. Margaret Moody created quite a fun sketch this week – a square card with three horizontal stripes and a circle.  Here’s my fun Halloween card that was inspired by her design:  
And here’s Margaret’s sketch:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Unexpected Color. I used [the very predictable] Basic Black, Basic Gray and Very Vanilla for my Halloween card. I added some [muted] color by punching the moon in So Saffron. To pull that color to the outside of the card, I created the card base in So Saffron, too. Not only is this an unexpected color for a Halloween card, but it goes against my #1 rule of card bases – the darkest colors should be used for the base of a card – but that’s OK. Rules were meant to be ignored – or something like that, right?
- Layering. The front panel on this card starts with Witches’ Brew Designer Series Paper. I stamped the tree/owl image on the DSP. I then stamped it on the Very Vanilla strip of card stock and again on the So Saffron circle. I used my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig to make sure my images were right where I wanted them to be. Yoo hoo! I wiped my brow when it all lined up like I wanted.
- Add a sentiment.  I’m just gonna’ say it – I really like a sentiment on the front of a card. If you search through my cards, you’ll find some that have no words on the front (it’s true), but I’ve always had an uneasy feeling about those cards. When I planned out the layers of this card, I thought I’d just stamp the sentiment on the panel below the strips and circle. One problem – somewhere along the way, my base changed to this very word-filled DSP from Witches’ Brew. With Teeny Tiny Wishes, though, I was able to stamp a sentiment in Basic Gray (and not overpowering) Happy Halloween along the base strip. It wasn’t planned that way, but phew!  Crisis averted.
Stamp sets: Best of Halloween, Teeny Tiny Wishes Papers: So Saffron, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Very Vanilla Inks: Jet Black StazOn, Basic Gray Accessories: 1-3/4″ Circle punch     
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
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Have you ever signed up to do something that scares you to pieces? I seem to do that a lot – I just put myself out there. Years ago, out of nowhere, I signed up to compete in a standup comedy competition. It scared my socks off – but what a thrill! I’ve signed up for something tomorrow that’s even scarier – a big personal challenge. You’re going to want to check back in this weekend because I’m going to share it with you – if I live through it.
AAHH, I like it, Brian! Love everything about the card! Good job!!!!
Thank you for showing us the steps on the seamless layering. I was thinking through the how to when I saw the first photo, and then bingo you gave us fully illustrated instructions. A much easier time on my brain at 5:00 in the morning! Have fun today. It is a blast!
I love this stamp !! I like how you used it plus the picture of the owl and moon placement . This is a neat card and I think the So Saffron works as a base . Now, you have my curiosity bubbling !
You are The Funniest Accountant In Georgia ….or South East . So that can`t be what you are going for again …is it ? OOoooooo I love a mystery ???????
Good luck in your new adventure. Love the card by the way.
Hi Brian, Love the card, especially the stamping technique. Like your choice of DSB and colors. Great Halloween card. Thanks a bunch. 🙂
Super-spooky card Brian & great execution!! Pulling in So Saffron was a brilliant move!! 🙂 Teeny Tiny Wishes is one of my favorite stamp sets & this owl in the tree is one of my new favs from the Best Of sets!!
Great card and good luck this weekend.
Oh my goodness Brian, you have a unique way to spark our curiosity!! What new project you have signed up for?? Well, what ever it is, good luck with it, I’m sure will be tons of fun. Thank you for the very detailed instructions for a seamless layering, this card is really fabulous and the DSP you used for the background fits just right.
Your seemingly unending talent never fails to amaze me! Love this card!! Can’t wait to hear about what you’re doing this weekend.
I so love how you did the DSP!
The fact that the words aren’t flowing on the same line give this such a cool look
TFS 🙂
Very Cool Card! I struggle, too, when I make a card with no sentiment on the front. Whatever you’ve signed up for, you will be great! Have fun!
Rules schmules! I think you were thinking outside the box and it turned out awesome! TFS!
How can something spooky be so beautiful!
Good luck with your new endeavor, whatever that may be! : )
Love the layered stamping. Love my stamp-a-ma-jig. Love Brian’s blog!
LOVE this card Brian!!! Good Luck with your new challenge. You better live through it. I don’t know what I would do without you! 🙂
Brian, what a great Halloween card … on the opposite end of the spectrum from most Halloween cards. Thank you so much for the detailed explanation of the card’s construction. I love the subtle color pallet. And there is yet another handmade envelope … perfect. I need to try that … I love lining envelopes (especially with the new SU! framelits), but the hand done envelope kicks it up another notch!
Oh my, whatever are you up to this weekend? I, too, will be in suspense until you share your newest adventure with us. 🙂
This design was VERY unexpected, colors, layers ( I still can’t quite wrap my brain around how you lined up those separate layers for the spooky tree. I get that you did it separately with the stampa ma jig, but that was very tricky). Anyway, loved the way it turned out. Simple, yet complex. Sounds like a good wine. Thanks for the design.
This card is awesome! Love it!
Absolutely awesome! I wish I could master the Stamp-a-ma-Jig….. mine seems to have a mind of its own (of course we both know it’s not the tool but the operator!). Love your card. And whatever you are up to this weekend, definitely hope you survive it! we need your inspiration around here. Have fun. Enjoy
Love this card, Brian! I always learn something new from you- thanks so much for sharing new techniques!!! Good luck with whatever it is……..
Fantastic use of the sketch this week! I love that spotlighting you did, it’s perfect! Have fun on your adventure and thanks for joining DT 1 this week!
I was wondering and pondering …I do that really well ! I thiught Justin was coming this weekend …so maybe it has something to do with his visit ?????? Oh, I know you are going to get a Stampin` Up tatoo !!!!!
Great card, Brian! Good luck with whatever you’re doing this weekend, but, please remember you have a group of PALS coming to Atlanta soon! Don’t over do!
Awesome card, B! You have us all atwitter with speculation on your upcoming event!
Can’t wait to hear about it!
Brian are you jumping off a building or bungee jumping a bridge with JK??? I know… your teaching a kindergarten class to make cards…even scarier! lol. Love your card and the instructions on stamping in layers, thanks for starting my days off with a smile 😉
Love it! You are definitely on very good terms with your stampamajig! Have fun this weekend! Three words for you……nine one one…..
Where have you been all my life? (Well, not all of my life, you weren’t born yet for most of it!)
I just found you today and love your unique card! Could you come over and fix my stamp-a-ma-jig? It has never, ever worked right!
So glad we found each other! Give me directions to your place, and I’ll drive over tomorrow. You can borrow my stamp-a-am-jig while yours is in the shop.
Love that stamp and I’m a sucker for when stamps are used in layers like that. I think they look so cool. Best of luck in your adventure tomorrow!
Lynn
That card is seriously fantastic – and this coming from someone who doesn’t “do” Halloween. Good luck with your challenge, I know you’ll meet and exceed it!
Once again….a “King of a card” I absolutely love the so saffron – it gives such a great feel to the whole card and I rarely use the print paper and after I see this I say “WHY NOT” …..hugs and stampin’
This is such a fabulous card, Brian! I love the way you stamped the tree on the different layers and lined it up so perfectly. Thanks for sharing with us at Pals Paper Arts this week!
Great card Brian! Think I feel a CASE coming on!