Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts

Sometimes Paper Is Enough | Seth Apter & The Ashgrave Archive

Sometimes using a die cut as a die cut is all you need, plus layers and layers of paper. Patterned paper, die cut paper, paper ephemera... each one adds another layer and creates texture and interest. You don't always have to pull out all the things. Sometimes just some paper is enough!

External Use Only Halloween Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Seth Apter Sizzix dies and Juliana Michaels The Ashgrave Archive collection

And that's exactly what I did for this card featuring some of the new Seth Apter dies from Sizzix. Even though they aren't Halloween themed (or any theme, really), I thought they were the perfect companion to my newest printable collection The Ashgrave Archive.

I die cut the paper, fussy cut the ephemera, trimmed the layers, inked the edges, and adhered everything together with a bit of adhesive, and it was complete. While I was creating, I also gave myself the challenge of not centering the focal point on the card. Centering is always my go-to, but I have to say I really love how this offset design turned out, and I'm going to have to remind myself to do it again the next time my "everything symmetrical" brain tries to take over!

The Seth Apter Dies I Used

The dies I used on this project are Seth Apter's Recount and Sockets 1. I die cut the numbers frame from Recount out of two different colors of patterned paper, offset them, and then adhered them together. I die cut one of the sockets from silver metallic cardstock and used it as a border across the bottom of the cluster.

If you haven't checked out Seth Apter's latest Sizzix release, I invite you to do so. His designs are what I like to call evergreen. They can be used for all the things at any time of the year, mixed in with whatever theme you have in mind, and they're perfect for adding the layer of texture and interest that takes a card or project to the next level.

The Ashgrave Archive Printable Paper Collection

And yes, Halloween is upon us, but if you're someone who loves it all year round, you might enjoy checking out my latest printable paper collection—The Ashgrave Archive. It leans Halloween, but it works for anyone who loves a vintage or gothic style. So if you haven't already, be sure to check it out!

I hope this inspires you to grab some paper, let your die cuts do the heavy lifting, and maybe even try an offset design of your own. If you give it a try, I'd love to see what you create! Feel free to share it with me on Instagram or in the comments.

Happy crafting!
~ Juliana

Supplies

Below you will find links to the supplies I used to create these cards. When you shop through these links—whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely—you're supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue providing you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

How to Emboss with Dies (Not Cut!) + Metallic Oxide Technique

Seth Apter is back with another Sizzix release, and this time he has 5 new die sets (one also includes a set of sentiment stamps) that are just perfect for mixed media style cards. I always enjoy working with his designs because they can be used for so many themes and are perfect for adding texture and interest to your cards and other crafting projects. For this card I used three of the new sets: one for the background and two to embellish the card. You can find all the details and supply list below. And if you would rather watch the process, there is a link to the video tutorial as well.

Wicked Halloween Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Seth Apter Sizzix Dies Stacked and Free Bird. A Metallic Oxide technique is used along with dry embossing with a metal cutting die.

Creating the Background

To create the background I started with a panel of Distress Watercolor Cardstock and spritzed it with Scorched Distress Spray. I did not add any extra water during this step. I only sprayed the paper with the ink. I then dried it using a heat tool. I recommend that you make sure the ink and paper are completely dry before moving on to the second step.

Next, I used a dry paint brush to apply Distress Foundry Wax in Sterling here and there across the panel. You are not going for solid coverage. I then spritzed it with water, let it dry, and used a heat embossing tool to heat set the Foundry Wax. The Foundry Wax must be heat set to make it permanent. If you skip that step, it will continue to rub off. So if you wipe over it with your fingers and you are still getting it on them, you need to heat it more. The Foundry Wax should become shiny as it dries and becomes permanent.

Once that was done, I applied Old Paper and Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide directly to the paper. Don't be shy here. Apply a generous amount of the ink. I then gave this layer a spritz of water and dried it with my heat tool. I repeated the process to add a little more Old Paper Distress Oxide, so feel free to do the same if you think it needs more ink.

I call this the Metallic Oxide Technique. It was inspired by a technique Vicki Evans shared called Mixed Metals and Mini Oxides. I put my own twist on it by using Distress Foundry Wax in place of Alcohol Ink Alloys.

The next step is to add the embossing using a metal die normally used for die cutting. I used the new Seth Apter Sizzix Stackers die set. Place the die on top of the background paper and run the panel through a die cutting machine to emboss it. I prefer to spritz the backside of the background with water to help soften the paper and lessen the chances of the paper cracking. You do not want to spray the front side where we just did all of the inking. When it comes to embossing with a metal die, please refer to your particular die cutting machine for the proper sandwich. The key for this technique is to use a silicone pad to prevent the die from cutting through the paper. This allows it to emboss the design into the paper instead of cutting it.

With the embossing completed, I then added some stamping using a script stamp from the Tim Holtz Gothic Tapestry stamp set. I used Black Soot Archival Ink, which is a permanent ink. I recommend using some sort of permanent ink for this step since you are stamping on top of Distress Oxide Ink. To finish it off, I inked the edges with Ground Espresso Distress Ink, spritzed it with water and dried it with a heat tool. The background is now completed and ready for you to embellish.

Embellishing the Card

To embellish the card, I pulled from my Ashgrave Archive collection. I used one of the papers as a base layer behind the background panel. I also die cut the moon and the word "wicked" from Ashgrave Archive papers. The moon is from the Tim Holtz Vault Moonlight Scare die set, and "wicked" is from the Tim Holtz Vault Gothic Portraits die set. I inked the edges with Ground Espresso Distress Ink. I also added a few of the ephemera pieces from the collection to finish off the layers.

The 31 and the tree are both from Seth Apter's new release. The 31 is from the Recount die set, and the tree is from the Free Bird die set. I cut both from Tim Holtz Distress Black Woodgrain paper. That paper is retired, but you can get a similar look by using plain black cardstock and embossing it with a wood grain embossing folder.

Watch the Video Tutorial

Want to see the Metallic Oxide Technique and embossing with dies in action? I walk you through every step in the video tutorial, so you can see exactly how the layers build up and how the die embosses the background without cutting through the paper. You can watch it below or over on my YouTube channel.

I love how Seth's new dies and my Ashgrave Archive papers came together on this one. I hope it inspires you to grab one of your dies and try embossing with it instead of cutting!

Until next time, stay crafty my friend!

Supplies

Below you will find links to the supplies I used to create these cards. When you shop through these links—whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely—you're supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue providing you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Cardmaking Tricks and Treats | Tim Holtz Sizzix Halloween 2026

I'm back with the second Halloween card I created for the Tim Holtz Sizzix Halloween YouTube Live. If you missed the live and are looking for more inspiration, make sure you head to Tim's YouTube channel to check it out. And if you missed my first card, you can find it here. For now, join me as I walk you through each step of creating this card using some of the dies and embossing folders from the latest release. I'm also sharing the older die sets some of you may already have in your stash that you could use to make this card. Now let's get into the making!

Eek Beware Halloween Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Tim Holtz Sizzix Halloween 2026 Vault Frights Bones, Vault Cobwebs, and Handwritten Halloween

The Cobweb Background

To create the background, I embossed a piece of silver metallic cardstock using the Vault Cobweb embossing folder. Next, I painted over the surface with Black Soot Distress Paint, but any black acrylic paint will work. Once the paint was completely dry, I took a Ranger Sanding Disc (a piece of fine grit sandpaper works too) and lightly sanded over the paper to reveal the embossed design.

The Skeleton and Spider

Next up, I created the skeleton using the Vault Frights Bones die set. If you have the original Mr. Bones die set, you could use it. The only difference is that the skeleton in the Vault set is slightly smaller. I cut all of the pieces from Distress Watercolor Cardstock, then ink smooshed the base layer with Pumice Stone Distress Ink and the second layer with Lost Shadow Distress Ink, and left the top layers white. I assembled all of the layers and inked the edges with Pumice Stone Distress Ink.

The spider is from the Vault Laboratory die set and is cut from a piece of Distress Watercolor Cardstock that I sprayed with Black Soot Distress Spray Stain.

The Sentiment

Next up, I die cut the sentiment pieces. Eek is from the Vault Frights Bones set, but you could also use the larger one from the Bold Frights die set or a different sentiment entirely. I die cut both layers from Distress Watercolor Cardstock, then spritzed the top layer with Wilted Violet Distress Spray Stain and ink smooshed the bottom layer with Lost Shadow Distress Ink. Once I assembled the layers, I inked the edges with Pumice Stone Distress Ink.

The final bit of die cutting is the word beware from the Vault Classic Halloween Handwriting set, which I cut from a piece of silver metallic cardstock. If you're lucky enough to have the original Halloween Handwriting, this new set is exactly the same size. This is definitely one of those sets I'm so happy was re-released because I can now have it in my collection!

Why Mr. Bones Needed Something Behind Him

Last but not least, I created the piece behind the skeleton. You may wonder why I did that. Well, if you're following along and have the background completed and all of the other pieces die cut and assembled, lay the pieces on the background and ask yourself a couple of questions. How well can you see them? Does Mr. Bones look like he's floating in the air?

I personally couldn't see my die cuts very well. They got lost in that cool textured background, and yes, he was definitely floating in the air! The trick was to create something to go behind it all, an area that was less detailed and textured where everything could be grounded.

I began by stamping an image from the Tim Holtz Mini Halloween 05 stamp set onto a piece of Distress Watercolor Cardstock using Black Soot Archival Ink. I placed it behind my images and realized it was still too busy. The solution? A piece of vellum! I tore the left-hand side of the stamped piece to give it a little distressed effect and inked the edges with Pumice Stone Distress Ink. I then cut a piece of vellum slightly larger than the stamped piece, tore the same edge, and inked the edges and lightly over the surface. Once I laid the vellum on top, the stamped image was less noticeable but still added a little interest to the design. And now Mr. Bones is back as the focal point he should be, and he's no longer floating away!

Side note: If you're using the larger, original Mr. Bones die set, you might want to create a slightly larger stamped piece to go behind him. Feel free to use any Halloween themed stamp you have, but something with a smaller design won't compete with the size of the die cuts.

Thanks for stopping by to learn how this Halloween Eek Card came together. I hope you enjoyed the process and maybe learned a couple of new tricks and treats along the way! If you make your own version, I'd love to see it. Share it with me on Instagram or tell me about it in the comments.

Supplies

Below you will find links to the supplies I used to create these cards. When you shop through these links—whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely—you're supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue providing you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Double Open Fun Fold Card — It's Easier Than It Looks!

Hello there! Today I'm sharing something a little different for me — a fun fold card. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I made anything other than a regular card, but after trying this out, I can easily say I'm team fun fold now. It's such a fun way to showcase multiple patterned papers on a single card and use up some of that patterned paper we all love! And the best part? You really don't need much to make it happen: just some paper, a paper trimmer, and a scoreboard.

Field Specimen Double Open Fun Fold Halloween Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Juliana MIchaels The Ashgrave Archive

About the Fold

I came across the Double Open Fun Fold while researching new techniques to try, and I loved that it wasn't something I'd made before. It opens in two directions, giving you several panels to layer patterned paper across — which made it the perfect excuse to dig into my Ashgrave Archive collection and really let those patterns shine.

Field Specimen Double Open Fun Fold Halloween Card by Juliana Michaels featuring The Ashgrave Archive

Field Specimen Double Open Fun Fold Halloween Card by Juliana Michaels featuring The Ashgrave Archive

Watch the Full Video

I made a full video walking through how to score and assemble this fold from start to finish, how I layered patterned paper across each panel, and how I finished it off with some simple embellishing. I'd love for you to watch it!

 WATCH THE VIDEO 

Get the Measurements

If you'd like to make one yourself, I've put together a free printable PDF with all the measurements you'll need.

 GET THE FREE MEASUREMENTS PDF 

Join Me at the Stress Free Cardmaking Summit!

I also wanted to share a fun free event I'm teaching at this year — the Stress Free Cardmaking Summit, happening October 2nd through 4th. It's completely free to attend, and 14 of us are each showing you how to make a beautiful card using just 5 supplies or less. I'll be teaching on Techniques day with an embossing surprise you won't want to miss!

 GRAB YOUR FREE SUMMIT TICKET 

I hope this card inspires you to try a fun fold of your own, even if — like me — it's been a while since you've stepped outside your usual card style. Sometimes the techniques that feel a little intimidating turn out to be the most fun once you actually give them a try.

Supplies

Below you will find links to the supplies I used to create this card. When you shop through these links—whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely—you're supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue providing you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

The Card Layering Secret Nobody Talks About — A Mixed Media Halloween Card

If you caught my reveal video for The Ashgrave Archive, you already know what's inside this collection. Today, I'm sharing my very first project made with it — a mixed media Halloween card featuring that gorgeous Death's Head Hawk moth, layered over a heavily textured background.

But this post isn't just about the card. I also want to share something I use in almost every layered project I make, and honestly don't think I've ever talked about it in detail before: a simple trick for alternating dark and light as you build up your papers and pieces.

The Card Layering Secret Nobody Talks About — A Mixed Media Halloween Card using The Ashgrave Archive Printable Collection by Juliana Michaels

The Best Kept Card Layering Secret

When you're working with a collection this rich in imagery and pattern, it can be tempting to just start layering pieces down as you fall in love with them. But one thing that's helped me the most over the years is paying attention to value — alternating dark and light as I stack my layers, rather than letting several dark (or several light) pieces sit right next to each other. It's simple, but it's what creates the contrast that makes a layered project pop. 

The Card Layering Secret Nobody Talks About — A Mixed Media Halloween Card using The Ashgrave Archive Printable Collection by Juliana Michaels


The Rest of the Details

Now that you know the secret to layering, let's get into the details of creating this card. And remember to keep alternating light and dark in mind as you add each layer.

For the background, I cut a piece of cream patterned paper from The Ashgrave Archive collection to 4.25" x 5.5" and inked the edges with Pumice Stone Distress Ink.

Next, I cut a piece of green polka dot paper from The Ashgrave Archive collection to 4" x 5.25" and embossed it using the Tim Holtz Vault Cobweb embossing folder. I then used my finger to apply Sizzix Luster Wax in Charcoal to the raised areas of the embossed design.

I added Distress Grit Paste here and there and let that dry. Once the paste was dry, I added some Black Soot Distress Crayon here and there to add to the aged, spooky look, then inked the edges of the paper with Pumice Stone Distress Ink using a blending tool.

For the next step, I selected various pieces of ephemera from The Ashgrave Archive collection — a book page, a tag, a ticket, a blank label, a word strip, a stamp, a poison label, and a moth. I distressed the pieces by gently wrinkling and bending some of them, then lightly sanded them with fine grit sandpaper. I inked the edges and sanded areas with Pumice Stone Distress Ink to add to that aged, vintage effect.

Before adhering the small top layers, I also added a die cut wreath. I used the Tim Holtz Vault Fall Foliage die set to cut a piece of black kraftstock, then lightly sanded it to reveal some of the kraft core and add to the distressed effect.

Once all of the pieces were ready, I adhered them to the card, keeping that alternating light and dark in mind. I finished it off with a few black splatters.

And there you have it — a mixed media Halloween card created using my latest printable collection, The Ashgrave Archive.

Watch the Full Video

I made a full video walking through how I selected the papers and ephemera I used from The Ashgrave Archive, the mixed media techniques behind that textured background, and this layering secret in action. I'd love for you to watch it! 

 WATCH THE VIDEO 

Behind the Background

The background on this card started with an embossing folder and Sizzix Charcoal Luster Wax, then I built up texture with Distress Grit Paste, Distress Crayons, and Distress Ink, finishing it off with a few black splatters for good measure. That layered, weathered texture is such a great match for the Ashgrave Archive's moody palette and gothic specimen aesthetic.

The Collection

If you haven't picked up The Ashgrave Archive yet, you can find it here:

 FULL COLLECTION BUNDLE — $26 (SAVE $6!) 

 PRINTABLE PAPERS — $12 

 PRINTABLE EPHEMERA — $20 

Supplies

Below you will find links to the supplies I used to create this card. When you shop through these links—whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely—you're supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue providing you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

A Spooky Twist on Embossing Folder Backgrounds | Tim Holtz Sizzix Halloween Card Tutorial

I have a confession to maker. The background on this card came from using the "wrong" side of my embossing folder — and I did it on purpose!

Wicked Halloween Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Tim Holtz Sizzix Halloween 2026

The Wrong Side Turned Out to Be the Best Side

Like most people I tend to grab my embossing folder, place the paper inside and emboss it without thinking about it too much. This time however I accidentally flipped the paper over after embossing it with the Vault Batground embossing folder and found that I really liked the reverse side better than the front side. I knew then and there that I had to use that side for my card. It's proof that sometimes the tools we already own have more to offer than we realize — you just have to flip your perspective (literally, in this case).

This wickedly fun Halloween card features some of the brand new dies and embossing folders from the Tim Holtz Sizzix Halloween 2026 release including the Vault Batground Embossing Folder, Vault Moonlight Scare Die Set, Vault Foliage Wreath Die Set, Handwritten Halloween Die Set and the Sidekick Laboratory Die and Embossing Folder Set.

The background has this moody, textured purple and black look that sets the perfect stage for a spooky little scene — think a bat-filled sky, a mysterious skull, bubbling potion bottles, and a "wicked" sentiment tucked into a wreath of foliage. It's got just the right mix of eerie and elegant.

Watch the Full Tutorial

Ready to see exactly how flipping the embossing folder created this background, plus which dies and Distress Ink colors I used to color each piece? You can watch the complete tutorial in the video below, or head over to my YouTube channel to check it out.

Have you ever tried using the backside of an embossing folder before? I'd love to hear about it in the comments, or if you give this technique a try yourself, be sure to share your version with me — I always love seeing what you create!

This card was such a fun reminder that a little experimentation can lead to my favorite projects — I hope it inspires you to flip a folder or two of your own this Halloween season!

Supplies

Below you will find links to the supplies I used to create these cards. When you shop through these links—whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely—you're supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue providing you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support

 

Tim Holtz Sizzix Colorize + Accessories | Vintage Halloween Tag

If you love Halloween as much as I do, this one is for you! I am so excited to share this mixed media Halloween tag I created using the brand new Sizzix Colorize + Accessories collection from Tim Holtz — and this project was actually featured in Tim's live release party on YouTube!

Hocus Pocus Winifred The Zebra Halloween Tag by Juliana Michaels featuring Tim Holtz Sizzix Winifred Colorize

If you missed the live, you can head over to his channel and watch the replay — the inspiration was absolutely incredible and so worth your time. This release brought back the beloved Colorize animal characters in their original size AND in a smaller Mini size, perfect for tags, cards, and smaller projects, plus two new Accessories die sets in both large and small sizes. The accessories are a total game changer — hats, scarves, masks, party hats, witch hats, and so much more — giving you endless ways to customize these characters for any season or occasion. Halloween? Christmas? Birthdays? You can dress them for anything!

For my project I chose the Mini Winifred the zebra, and of course she had to be dressed for Halloween. I used the Winifred Mini Colorize die along with the Accessories dies to give her a witch hat, a mask, and a trick-or-treat bucket. She is absolutely perfect for the season!

The background was created using the Tim Holtz Moon Mask with Distress Oxide inks — I love how the moody nighttime sky came together with that gorgeous full moon. For coloring the die cut pieces, I reached for my Distress Paints instead of my usual Distress Inks. I am so glad I did! The paint is much more durable during assembly — no worrying about wet fingers, inky hands, or liquid adhesive messing up your beautifully colored pieces while you're layering everything together. It's a trick I'll be using from now on when I want to custom color my die cuts!

I finished the tag off with Tim Holtz ephemera, some stitching, trim along the bottom, the "Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus" sentiment, and the clip at the top. This is made on a Tim Holtz Etc Tag which is a sturdy board material, so this piece works beautifully as a home decor item — perfect for displaying all through the Halloween season!

I'd love to know — did you watch Tim's live release? Which character are you most excited to create with? Let me know in the comments!

Supplies

Below you will find links to the supplies I used to create this project. When you shop through these links—whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely—you're supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue providing you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here: https://www.17turtles.com/p/affiliate-and-product-disclosure.html. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Let's Go Ghouls! Creating a Whimsical Halloween Card

I love mixed media, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't intense sometimes. The layers, the drying time, the beautiful mess of it all. So when I went to work on some projects for Scrapbook.com using their Exclusive Products, I decided to give myself permission to play a little differently. Just papers, die cuts, and the freedom to explore without overthinking it.

Halloween greeting card with whimsical witch illustration wearing coral dress and black hat, surrounded by yellow paper flowers, vintage tickets and stamps, with 'Let's Go Ghouls' sentiment on chevron patterned background

This Halloween card surprised me with how much I enjoyed the process. I'm not typically drawn to cutesy designs, but whimsical? That's different. This witch has character—and working with her as my focal point let me build something playful while keeping my aesthetic: vintage ephemera, intentional layering, and a color palette that feels sophisticated even in a fun theme.

These are unusual Halloween colors (peach, coral, sage) instead of traditional orange and black, but the color palette was made super easy using the Scrapbook.com Oak Lane Patterned Paper Pad.

Why This Card Works

Before I dive into the how, let me share what makes this design successful:

  • The illustrated witch is the star — everything else supports her rather than competing for attention
  • Unexpected color palette — peach, coral, and sage instead of traditional Halloween orange and black (thank you, Oak Lane Paper Pad!)
  • Busy vs. calm balance — the patterned background plays against that solid arched frame
  • Vintage ephemera grounds the whimsy — keeps it from tipping into overly cute territory

The "Character & Whimsy" Principle

Here's what I learned: when working with illustrated die cuts or character stamps, your job is to build a stage, not compete for attention. This means:

  • Choosing backgrounds that enhance without overwhelming
  • Creating frames or spaces that spotlight your character
  • Using repetition (notice those yellow flowers?) to tie elements together
  • Keeping sentiments simple and supportive

With that framework in mind, here's how I built this card:

Building the Card

Step 1: Build Your Star

The witch is the star of this show, so I began by die cutting her various pieces. Feel free to cut pieces from multiple patterns and colors and play around with combinations—I loved mixing patterns for her dress and hat. When it came time to adhere her, I used double-sided foam adhesive to add dimension.

Step 2: Choose Your Sentiment

Early on I came across "Let's Go Ghouls" from the Scrapbook.com Boo Time Stamp set, and it felt perfect—playful enough to support the witch without stealing her thunder.

Step 3: Create The Stage

Once I was happy with how she looked, I began laying out solid colors to go behind her. The Nested Notched Arches became my grounding layer—I knew patterned paper would compete too much here. Then I layered the striped paper behind the solid to create visual movement. Your eye travels up and down those stripes, which works perfectly with the vertical witch figure.

Step 4: Create The Background

At this point I began playing around with the background. I knew I wanted to use the diamond pattern as it had a vintage Halloween feel to the design, and it also wasn't overly busy so as to detract from the focal point. The spider web layer was created using the Scrapbook.com Spiderwebs A2 die. I trimmed off the border to give it a little more texture and openness to the design.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Next I began adding the florals, again using papers from the Oak Lane Paper Pad and die cutting the various pieces from multiple colors until I was pleased with their arrangement. I used double-sided foam adhesive to give them a little bit of dimension. I then finished it off by tucking in some vintage-style ephemera in the way of some Tim Holtz Tickets and Stamps.

Design Techniques Worth Noting

Creating Depth Without Mixed Media

One of my biggest takeaways from this project? You can create serious dimension with just paper:

  • Layer various colors and patterns to build interest
  • Use foam adhesive strategically—not everywhere, just on key elements that should pop
  • Overlap elements intentionally to create shadows and depth

The Rule of Odd Numbers

Notice those three main yellow flowers? That's not an accident. Three creates visual interest, while odd-numbered groupings feel more organic than even ones. It's a design trick that works every time.

A Different Kind of Creative Energy

Normally, I would have built my own background using stamping, texture paste, stencils, and layers of ink. And honestly? I missed having my stamps and inks in hand—that's my comfort zone.

But this process taught me to trust good patterned paper and thoughtful layering. The Oak Lane Paper Pad did the heavy lifting on color and pattern coordination, which freed me up to focus purely on composition and storytelling. Different energy, but equally satisfying.

Coming Up in This Series

This is the first of four cards I'm sharing using Scrapbook.com Exclusives—each exploring paper-only cardmaking from a different angle:

  • Next: Christmas card — Foundation & Focal Points
  • Then: Love card — Dimension & Movement
  • Finally: Thinking of You — Vintage Vibes

Each card taught me something different about design principles that work across any style, mixed media or not.

Let's Connect!

Ready to create your own? Grab these Scrapbook.com exclusives using the supply list below.

I'd love to hear from you: Do you prefer traditional Halloween colors (orange and black) or something unexpected like these peachy corals? Drop a comment!

If you make this card, please tag me—I absolutely love seeing your versions!

Don't miss the rest of this series! Subscribe to my email newsletter so you never miss a new project, post, or video.

Halloween greeting card with whimsical witch illustration wearing coral dress and black hat, surrounded by yellow paper flowers, vintage tickets and stamps, with 'Let's Go Ghouls' sentiment on chevron patterned background

Supply List

Below you can find the supplies I used to create this card. When you shop through those links—whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely—you're supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue to provide you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Caught in a Spider's Web | Mixed Media Halloween Card with Seth Apter Dies and Distress Oxides

Hello there and welcome! Today I'm sharing my second make as part of the Seth Apter Creative Collective, which I am so excited to be part of. This is a group of six creatives hand-picked by Seth to help showcase his latest release of dies and embossing folders from Sizzix.

 

I absolutely love his style, and while it's quite different from mine, the core elements he uses are SO GOOD for layering and adding texture—two things I love to do!

Using some of the new goodies from his release, I created another Halloween-themed card because, well... Halloween! I just can't get enough of it!

Now let's get into the details!

CREATING THE BACKGROUND


I began with a piece of watercolor cardstock and embossed it using the Grid Graph embossing folder. Next, I applied Distress Oxide Sprays in Wilted Violet, Twisted Citron, Fossilized Amber, and Lucky Clover, then dried it with my heat tool. I rubbed an Archival Ink Pad in Black Soot over the embossed areas, then gave the entire panel a light misting of Distress Spritz in Hickory Smoke for a touch of shimmer and shine.

 

BUILDING THE LAYERS

For the back layer, I die-cut the Diamond District die from white cardstock, applied embossing ink, and heat embossed it using Seth Apter's Wow Embossing Powder in Amethyst Ice.

Next, I used the Stretchers die set to cut three shapes from white cardstock. I applied Distress Oxide Ink using a brayer in Wilted Violet, Twisted Citron, and Carved Pumpkin.


THE FOCAL POINT


For the main focal point, I used the Tim Holtz Witchcraft die set. I die-cut the witch from black cardstock and heat embossed it using Seth Apter's Wow Embossing Powder in Asphalt. The cat was inked with Distress Oxide Ink in Wilted Violet.

 

FINISHING TOUCHES


The final touch was the sentiment, stamped using black ink on white cardstock with the Tim Holtz Tiny Text Halloween Stamp Set. I trimmed it into small strips and inked the edges with Distress Ink in Black Soot.

I then adhered all the layers to the card base, and it was complete!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed this bit of Halloween inspiration featuring the latest Seth Apter Sizzix release. The new release is now available from your favorite retailer or Seth Apter's online store HERE.

A Wicked Thing Halloween Card | Seth Apter Sizzix

Seth Apter’s second release with Sizzix is now available, and I’m beyond thrilled to share that I’m part of his Creative Collective Team for this launch! I’ll be sharing two projects using his new collection—starting with today’s card and another coming very soon.

I’ve always loved Seth’s artistic style. His dies feel so organic, with shapes that flow and move in a way that makes them incredibly versatile. They’re perfect for adding texture, dimension, and interest to your projects—and that’s exactly my jam.

Handmade grungy Halloween card featuring a large layered butterfly with purple and glittered wings, a small skull centerpiece, and the sentiment “A Wicked Thing.” The textured background is bright green with embossed, distressed details, and metallic die cut accents.

The new release is now available from your favorite retailer or Seth Apter's online store HERE.


BUILDING THE BACKGROUND

For this first card, I started by embossing white cardstock with the Seth Apter Grid Graph Embossing Folder. To bring the design to life, I rubbed an embossing ink pad over the raised surface, sprinkled on Tim Holtz Twisted Citron Embossing Glaze, and heat set it. Once cool, I brushed black acrylic paint over the embossed piece, let it set for a few seconds, and then wiped away the excess with a damp towel. After it dried, I highlighted the raised areas with a touch of Sizzix Gold Luster Wax for that gorgeous grungy shine.
 

LAYERING WITH DIES

Next came the die cutting. I used the Seth Apter Stretchers dies to cut both purple kraftstock and white cardstock. I lightly sanded the kraftstock to distress it, cut it in half, and adhered it to the background. For the white piece, I heat embossed it in black for bold contrast.

I also cut the circular shape from the Seth Apter Twister die set using rose gold metallic cardstock, then sanded it lightly for texture. These elements formed the layered base for my focal point.
 

CREATING THE FOCAL POINT

The centerpiece of this card is a layered butterfly. I started with the Tim Holtz Tattered Butterfly die (a retired favorite) cut from white cardstock. To add more detail, I ran it through again with one of the speckled designs from Seth’s Paper Cutz 1 die set—this created grungy cut-outs for extra texture.

For the larger butterfly layer, I heat embossed it with Tim Holtz Seedless Preserves Embossing Glaze. For the smaller top layer, I used Seth Apter WOW Amethyst Ice Embossing Powder for a sparkly pop of purple.

The finishing touches included a small skull die cut from the Tim Holtz Vault Coffin Box set (embossed with clear powder for shine) and a stamped sentiment from the Tim Holtz Tiny Text Halloween set, heat embossed in white on black cardstock.


THE FINISHED CARD

And there you have it—layers upon layers of grungy, textured Halloween goodness! Between Seth’s organic die designs and a mix of embossing techniques, this project came together with just the right balance of spooky and stylish.


I can’t wait to share my second project with this release soon—so stay tuned for even more Seth Apter inspiration! In the meantime, I hope this card encourages you to mix, layer, and play with your favorite dies and embossing powders to create something wonderfully grungy of your own.

The new release is now available from your favorite retailer or Seth Apter's online store HERE.

Tim Holtz A5 Embossing Folders | Bigger Size, More Creative Possibilites!

Tim Holtz has just released three new A5 embossing folders—classic designs you may already know and love, now available in a larger A5 size. This new format opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities. You can use them for larger projects like journal covers or home décor, while still enjoying how beautifully they work for handmade cards.

Handmade Halloween card with a grungy embossed background in purple and brown using the Tim Holtz Numbered A5 embossing folder. The card is decorated with a die cut wreath of candy, leaves, and flowers, finished with a bold orange “Trick or Treat” sentiment and white paint splatters. 

For today’s project, I used the Numbered A5 Embossing Folder to create a grungy, colorful background for a Halloween card. Don’t worry if you only have the original size—the techniques I’m sharing work with any embossing folder.

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

In my tutorial, I’ll walk you through:
  • Adding layered color to embossed paper using Distress Paints
  • Collage stamping to build extra depth and interest
  • Creating a Halloween wreath focal point with layered die cuts
  • Turning die cut candy pieces into sparkly, glossy embellishments using Glossy Accents + Rock Candy Glitter

WATCH THE VIDEO

You can either watch the video below or head over to my YouTube Channel HERE to check it out.


Please feel free to use products from your stash to recreate something similar. However, if you are interested in any of the products I’m using, you can find the supply list with links down below. Using these links does not cost you anything extra and it helps support my business. It also allows me to continue offering free content and keep my class costs low. I appreciate your support!


YEAR ROUND VERSATILITY

While I created a Halloween-themed card, this technique isn’t limited to spooky season. By simply changing your color palette and focal point, you can apply this embossed background technique to projects for any season, holiday, or occasion. Think bright florals for spring, rustic tones for fall, or festive colors for Christmas—the possibilities are endless!


Whether you’re new to embossing folders or just looking for fresh inspiration, I hope this project encourages you to explore the new Tim Holtz A5 embossing folders and discover how versatile they can be in your creative process.

Until next time, stay crafty my friend!

SUPPLIES

Below you can find the supplies I used to create this card. When you shop through those links and whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely, you’re supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue to provide you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Subscribe