Fall Fun Blog Hop - a spooky, sophisticated Halloween

Hello and welcome to the Fall Fun Blog Hop! A group of online buddies decided the holiday weekend in the US would be a GREAT time to get inky together, and so we've put together a fall themed blog hop to inspire you as the autumn approaches. As you meet our stampy bloggers today, you may discover that some have goodies for you, so be sure and visit everyone on the list. We have hoppers from all over the globe today, and they are amazing artists.

Thanks for visiting us - grab yourself a nice fall beverage and enjoy!

Here is the full list of our blog hoppers today:

Lydia Fiedler


Libby Hickson


Kim Williams


Michelle Single


Lee Murphy


Sara Henton


Yapha Mason


Lisa Adametz


Jimmi Mayo


Jeanne Streiff


Bev Gerard  


Shannon Oellrich


Dana Keith


Joan Ervin


Maren Benedict


Teresa Kline


Hannah Clark


Dina Kowal


Wanda Cullen


Korin Sutherland


Taylor Usry


Monika Davis


Harriet Skelly


Kim Schofield


Cathy McCauley


Mary Marsh


Julia Aston


Bridget Finlay


Alison Habetler


Leslie Hanna


Sue Farrant


Michelle Hanway


Misti Oblander


Judy Rozema


Jenna Barber


Tammy Hershberger


Eva Dobilas


Kerri Michaud


Cheryl Navarrete <---------you are here!


Neva McMullen


Marianne Baugher


Samantha


Cindy Wallach

Now for my contribution to this hop!

When I saw Stampin' Up!s Specialty Designer Series Paper "Mocha Morning" and its felted goodness, I knew I had to use it on a creepy but elegant Halloween scrapbook layout. This is part of a two page spread that we will make at my September Stamp Class.

The little flourishes are felted, which means that they feel fuzzy to the touch. The torn black card stock layered over the felted paper looks as if some spooky antique wallpaper has been covered over and is now trying to make its way out to tell secret tales of Halloweens past.

Doesn't that branch send shivers down your spine? I printed the branch out using the My Digital Studio "Nature" download onto gray card stock, then highlighted the branch with my white Signo gel pen. Some vellum paper layered on top adds to the mystery and allowed me to stamp my sentiment from the "Daring Adventure" stamp set on top.

Ghostly footsteps lead to a faceless mirror. The shadowy footsteps from the "Daring Adventure" set were stamped in white Stazon ink and the mirror was created with the Lots of Tags sizzlet, some black embossing powder, and some aluminum foil.

Shimmery silver card stock adds the right amount of other-wordly sparkle and is balanced nicely by some Dazzling Details on the edges of the torn gray card stock. Is that glitter, spider webbing, or something left by an unknown creature?

The texturing on the black card stock is terrifically spooky. Start by breaking down the fibers in your card stock by running it through the paper crimper, over the square edge of a counter, or aggressively dragging your bone folder over the surface of the card stock. Once you beat the card stock up enough, it will start to separate into layers. Slowly and carefully pull the layers apart and you are left with the rough, uneven texture just prickly enough for a Halloween layout.

Heat embossing with metallic powder on the rough surface of the distressed card stock produces the most dramatic effect. Part shiny and dazzling, part withered and worn - this flourish from "Best Friends Forever" has never looked so creepy!

Dying to see the other half of the spread? Check back at the end of September or join us in creating this spooky spread on September 16th or 17th at my September Stamp Class.

Now how about some blog candy?!? Leave me a comment and you'll be entered for a chance to win this gorgeous Hostess Set called "Love and Care" from the recently retired Summer Mini Catalog along with a full pack of blingy Basic Pearls. The winner will be posted on Wednesday, September 7th and must email me no later than Wednesday, September 14th to receive her prize.

Your next stop on the hop is Neva McMullen .

Stampin' Supplies

Stamp Sets
Daring Adventure (C 122602,W 122600), Best Friends Forever (C 122807,W 122805)

My Digital Studio Downloads
Nature (123603)

Ink
White Stazon (106960), Black Stazon (101406), White Signo Gel Pen (105021), VersaMark (102283)

Paper
Mocha Morning Specialty Paper (122366), Basic Gray Card Stock (121044), Basic Black Card Stock (124267), Vellum Paper (101839), Brushed Silver Card Stock (100712)

Big Shot Dies
Lots of Tags Sizzlet (114508)

Accessories
Silver Embossing Powder (109131), Black Sating Ribbon (117285), Antique Brads (117273), Dazzling Details (124117), Black Embossing Powder (109133)