Hello, crafty friends! I’m beyond excited to share my project for The Rabbit Hole Designs September 2024 New Release Hop. This month’s release is particularly special because we’re featuring just one fabulous stamp set—the Jack of All Faces. Sometimes, it’s those single releases that really allow a product to shine, and I think you’ll see just how versatile and fun this one can be!
A Focus on the Jack of All Faces Stamp Set:
When I first saw the Jack of All Faces Stamp Set, I knew right away that it was going to be a staple in my fall crafting. The adorable pumpkins, with their expressive faces, immediately caught my eye. They have this perfect blend of whimsy and charm that makes them ideal for both Halloween and general autumn-themed projects.
For this card, I wanted to create a scene that would highlight these little characters in a fun, yet slightly eerie way. It’s one of those cards where I let my imagination take the lead, and I think it turned out even better than I had envisioned.
Bringing the Pumpkins to Life with Ohuhu Oahu Markers
One of the joys of card making for me is the coloring process. There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching an image come to life with each stroke of the marker. For these pumpkins, I reached for my Ohuhu Oahu Markers. If you haven’t tried these yet, I highly recommend giving them a go. They’re budget-friendly, but still offer vibrant colors and blend beautifully.
I started by stamping the two pumpkins onto Neenah Solar White 80 lbs Cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. This is my go-to combination for alcohol marker coloring because it ensures crisp lines that won’t smudge or bleed. I played around with different shades of orange and green, aiming to give the pumpkins a bit of dimension and personality. I always say, don’t be afraid to layer your colors—it’s the layering that really makes an image pop.
Creating the Perfect Setting with Distress Oxide Inks
Once the pumpkins were colored, I started thinking about the setting. I imagined them sitting on a worn, wooden porch, maybe with the sun just starting to set behind them. That’s where my Distress Oxide Inks came in.
To create the porch, I masked off the top portion of the card with 1" Mint Tape, leaving the area below the pumpkins exposed. I blended Scorched Timber and Frayed Burlap Distress Oxide Inks to mimic the look of aged wood. A little flick of water on the ink added just the right amount of texture—like the rough grain of an old plank.
Pro Tip: When ink blending, don’t forget to take advantage of masking! It’s such a simple technique, but it can completely transform your background by adding depth and realism.
Adding Depth with Stencils and Spotlighting
Next, I wanted to create a bit of contrast behind the pumpkins, so I decided to use a stencil and some more ink blending. I masked off the pumpkins and porch, then laid down the Back Alley 6 x 6 Stencil over the card panel. Using Fired Brick Distress Oxide Ink, I blended the background to create the look of a brick wall. To give it more depth, I added a touch of Scorched Timber around the edges.
Here’s where the spotlight effect came into play—literally. After removing the stencil, I masked the area around the pumpkins and blended Mustard Seed Distress Oxide Ink in a circular motion to create the illusion of a warm spotlight shining down. This little touch not only draws your eye directly to the focal point, but it also adds a bit of drama to the scene.
Finishing Touches: Sentiment, Matting, and Sparkle
With the scene complete, it was time to add the sentiment. I chose the phrase “Boo Crew,” which fits perfectly in the spotlight area. Using Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink, I stamped it boldly in the open space, letting it stand out against the warm glow behind it.
I trimmed the panel slightly and added a dark brown mat to frame it. I love how a simple mat can elevate the entire look of a card by creating a finished, polished feel. Finally, I adhered the panel to a Kraft Cardstock A2 card base.
For the final touches, I added a few white gel pen highlights to the pumpkins and scattered some Clear Sparkle Enamel Dots from The Rabbit Hole Designs around the scene. A little sparkle goes a long way in adding that extra bit of magic to a card.
Reflecting on the Process
As I was working on this card, I couldn’t help but think about how much I enjoy creating these little scenes. It’s almost like telling a story through paper and ink. Each layer of ink, each flick of a marker, helps build a narrative that is uniquely yours.
If you’re like me and love getting lost in the creative process, I encourage you to try out some of these techniques. Whether it’s experimenting with masking, layering inks, or spotlighting your focal point, there’s so much you can do to bring your images to life.
And remember, the Jack of All Faces Stamp Set is a fantastic starting point for all kinds of autumnal and Halloween-themed projects. It’s one of those sets that you’ll reach for again and again, especially as the leaves start to turn and the air gets that familiar crispness.
I hope this post has sparked some inspiration for your next project. I’d love to hear what you think—feel free to leave a comment below and share your thoughts, or any similar techniques you’ve tried. And don’t forget to check out the rest of the hop for more creative ideas!
Hop Line Up:
Jessica - IG Only
Irene - IG Only
Deana - IG Only
Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.
Happy Crafting!
Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'
Rick Adkins
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The comment written by tinagilmore86 is Bo Gilmore's comment.
Hi Rick. The dimension you created with your markers and Oxides is amazing. It’s so cool how you masked the image and made the light glow below and between the pumpkins. I will have to try masking like that.