Halloween Greetings

Boy, this was a challenge!  I decided to try my hand at the latest Mojo Monday sketch.  I always look at the sketches every week, but don't often participate because all the layering is a little intimidating.  (at least for me)  This post, however, is something special and I wanted to stretch myself a bit.

Drum roll please....

Today marks the 100th post on this blog.  To quote one of my all-time favorite movies, "Inconceivable!"  :)  It may seem like a small thing, but it's a big accomplishment to me.  It is the result of pushing past fears, feelings of inadequacy, and perfectionism.  The result of allowing myself to play and make mistakes.  To let it all go and just create.  It's wonderful to have a place to share the process.

I'm pretty proud of this card.  It was not an easy sketch and I considered quitting several times.  To push past all that and end up with this fabulous card (if I do say so myself) is something definitely worthy of a one hundredth post!  :)

This card actually pairs really well with the small gift bag I posted last month.  You can see it here.  It's one of those happy coincidences since I didn't plan it at all.  In fact, I started with completely different papers and stamps.  When I couldn't get it to work, I turned to the Basic Grey Eerie pad I happened to have out on my desk and everything evolved from there.

I used three different patterns and layered everything with black for contrast.  The only exception is the Kraft inverted scalloped circle, since my patterned paper was already black and it needed to pop against the web-textured black layer.  Speaking of, I rubbed my VersaMark Dazzle Frost inkpad over the raised web lines to add some subtle sparkle and definition.

I colored the pumpkins with Copics and used them in place of the flowers on the sketch.  I added some grey shading to the ghosts as well.  The leaves were hand cut using a scrap of Ripe Avocado cardstock.  Everything was mounted on an Orange Zest card base to add a great big splash of Halloween color.

Once I figured out what I was doing with all the patterns and layers, this card was quite fun to make.  I may add a little something to the inside, maybe a couple strips of the Eerie papers, but I am very satisfied with the finished card.

So happy I persevered!  I'm giving myself that proverbial pat on the back.  Both for the card and making it to 100 posts!   :)

Stamps:  Boo to You (Verve)
Paper:  Orange Zest, Black, Kraft, White, Ripe Avocado (Papertrey Ink); Eerie 6x6 pad (Basic Grey)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); VersaMark Dazzle Frost
Copic:  0, T1, T4, YR12, YR15, YR18, E57, E59
Misc:  Spiderweb embossing folder (Cuttlebug); Standard Circles, Lg Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles (Spellbinders); Double-Ended Banners die (Papertrey Ink); Scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up); 7/8" square punch (EK Success); pop-dots