Halloween is one of my favorite times of year to create cards. There's something about the mix of spooky and cute that brings a lot of fun to the process, especially when working with playful stamps and dies. Today, I want to share a card I recently made that perfectly captures that balance: my Trick or Treat Haunted House Card. This project combines some of my go-to tools—stamps, dies, and patterned paper—to create a vibrant and fun Halloween card that's easy to recreate with materials you likely already have in your stash.
Easy Trick or Treat Haunted House Card:
Crafting with Spooky Stamps, Dies, and Pattern Paper
As a card maker, I’m always on the lookout for products that make a big impact with minimal effort. This card is a great example of how a few well-coordinated supplies can come together to create something special without overcomplicating the design. For this project, I used the Spooky Stamps & Dies, Spooky A2 Pattern Paper Pad, and Nested Circles Dies from Scrapbook.com. I love how versatile these products are—each one brought something unique to the card.
When it comes to Halloween-themed stamps, the Spooky Stamp Set is packed with fun imagery that’s perfect for both cute and eerie designs. I chose the haunted house, ghost, witch’s hat, and bow to build my scene. The mix of spooky and playful details kept the overall design lighthearted, which was exactly what I was aiming for.
Coloring for Character and Dimension
Now, let’s talk about coloring. I used my TriBlend Brush Markers for this card because of their versatility in blending shades. When I’m working with Halloween themes, I try to choose colors that give a bit of an eerie vibe without being too dark. Here’s how I approached it:
The haunted house was colored with the Ice Grey TriBlend Marker, which is perfect for creating that haunted, slightly worn-out look. I love how the grey gives the house a weathered feel without being too harsh.
The roof and bow got a splash of Pale Pink, which added a touch of sweetness and contrast to the otherwise spooky scene. I think adding unexpected colors, like pink for Halloween, keeps things fun and fresh.
For the ghost, I went with the lightest shade of Ice Grey to give it some subtle shading, but kept it mostly white for that classic ghostly look. To add a little personality, I couldn’t resist giving it rosy cheeks with the Pale Pink marker.
The witch’s hat was colored with Purple TriBlend, which really made it stand out and tie together the whole palette.
Pro Tip: When coloring small images like these, try to keep a light hand with your markers, especially around the edges. Too much ink can cause your colors to bleed into the stamped lines. I like to work slowly in sections, which helps keep everything crisp and clean.
Layering with Patterned Papers
One of the easiest ways to add texture and interest to a card design is through patterned papers. I picked three patterns from the Spooky A2 Pattern Paper Pad for my background, layering them in strips to create a playful but balanced layout. The black paper with eerie eyes made a perfect backdrop, while the pink pumpkins and multicolored "spooky" text strips added a fun, quirky contrast.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns, even if they’re bold! The key is to keep the sizes in check. For instance, I cut my patterned strips down to 3/4" x 5", which helped them stand out without overwhelming the design.
This kind of layering is great for using up scraps of patterned paper, too. Whenever I have leftover pieces from other projects, I tuck them away because you never know when they’ll come in handy for adding those final touches to a card like this.
Creating the Moonlit Scene
For the focal point of my card, I die cut a circle using the Nested Circles Dies and Shimmery White Cardstock, then blended Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink over it to create a glowing moon. I love the subtle shimmer from the cardstock because it adds a hint of magic to the scene.
Once my moon was ready, I built the rest of the card around it. I popped the moon up with 1mm foam tape and added the haunted house on top, using 2mm foam tape for even more dimension. The layers of foam tape give the scene depth, which really makes the haunted house feel like the centerpiece of the card.
Pro Tip: If you're layering elements with foam tape, mix up the thickness to create more dimension. This small detail helps your elements pop and adds a professional-looking finish to the card.
Adding the Final Details
One of my favorite parts of card making is adding the final details—the little touches that make the card truly shine. For this card, I wanted the ghost to look like it was emerging from the haunted house, so I tucked it slightly behind the house and adhered it with a mix of foam tape and liquid glue. The Trick or Treat sentiment fit perfectly across the bottom of the card, and I love how it ties everything together.
To finish off the card, I added Lump of Coal Rhinestones around the moon for a bit of sparkle, and of course, I had to use Stardust Stickles on the windows, doors, and the bow on the witch’s hat. A few highlights with my Uni-ball Signo White Gel Pen were the last touch, giving the card a polished look.
Pro Tip: When adding rhinestones or gems, try to place them in clusters of odd numbers (like three or five) for a more balanced look. It’s a small detail, but it really makes a difference in the overall design.
Why This Card Works
What I love about this card is how it combines all the elements—color, dimension, texture, and shimmer—without feeling too busy. The playful haunted house paired with the sweet little ghost creates a fun Halloween vibe, while the layering of patterned papers adds just the right amount of interest. And because the stamps and dies are so versatile, you can easily adapt this design to fit other holidays or themes.
This card is a great example of how you can take simple techniques and elevate them with the right tools and materials. Whether you’re making a card for a Halloween party, a friend, or just for fun, this project is sure to bring a smile to anyone who receives it.
I hope this project inspires you to get creative with your Halloween card making! Happy crafting, and as always, I’d love to see what you create!
Spectrum Noir TriBlend Brush Markers Color Combinations:
Haunted House - IG1, IG7
Haunted House Roof & Door - PP1, PP4, PP6
Haunted House Windows - GY1, GY3
Haunted House Steps - IG1, IG7, IG10
Witches Hat - PL1, PL3, PL5
Bow - PP1, PP4, PP6
Ghosts - COLORLESS BLENDER, PL1, PL3 (body); PP1 (cheeks)
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.
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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