Hello, crafty friends! Today, I’m excited to share a Halloween card that’s perfect for anyone who loves a good, spooky ink-blended background. I used Tim Holtz’s The Scarecrow Stamp Set and two of his stencils—the Gingham and Stitches Stencils—to create a layered and textured design that’s both eerie and fun. If you're looking for a way to stretch your creativity this Halloween season, you’ll love how this card comes together with some simple ink blending and a few stamping tricks.
Halloween Ink Blended Spooky Background:
Crafting a Spooky Scene with a Bat Wreath
I knew I wanted the card to have a strong focal point, and what's better than a wreath of bats? I used my trusty Rotating Stamp Platform to help me line up the bats perfectly—no guesswork required. If you’ve never used a rotating platform before, it’s such a game-changer for creating symmetrical designs. This tool takes all the stress out of placement, and the results always look super polished.
Pro Tip: When stamping a wreath, make sure your first stamp is positioned exactly where you want it because the rest of the design will follow. It’s a great way to create focal points for cards, especially when you're layering images like I did with the bats.
Layering Ink for a Dimensional Background
One of my favorite techniques in this card was building up the ink-blended background. I started with Seedless Preserves Distress Oxide Ink around the moon, which gave the whole design an eerie glow. Then, I blended outwards using Blueprint Sketch and finished with Black Soot to give that deep, dark Halloween night sky.
Whenever I’m blending inks, I like to take my time. I’ve learned from experience that rushing through blending can create harsh lines that are hard to fix. For this card, I wanted a smooth gradient that pulled the whole design together, from the glowing moon to the shadowy edges of the card.
Pro Tip: When blending multiple colors, start with lighter shades first and gradually blend into the darker tones. This keeps the colors from becoming muddy and allows you to build up that lovely gradient effect.
Adding Texture with Stencils and Distress Techniques
Stencils are an easy way to add texture and interest without overwhelming the main design. After finishing the background blending, I decided to lay the Gingham Stencil over the top and blend some Seedless Preserves Ink through it in a few key areas. This gave the background a subtle pattern, like a fabric effect, which was perfect for the scarecrow theme.
Next, I layered the Stitches Stencil over that, lightly inking some of the stitch patterns with Black Soot. To really bring out the texture, I spritzed a little water over both stencils. The water reacts with the Distress Oxide Inks, leaving behind these great, distressed marks—just the kind of texture I wanted for this spooky Halloween card.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to play with water on Distress Oxides. A little spritz can create that perfect "weathered" look, adding interest and depth to any background.
Bringing the Scarecrow to Life
For the focal point, I had stamped the scarecrow image right in the center of the card front. I love how this character anchors the design, making it feel like a scene from a creepy Halloween night. I used Ohuhu Oahu markers to color the scarecrow—check the bottom of this post for all my color combos! This scarecrow is the kind of image that begs for some fun coloring, and I really enjoyed giving him a pop of color against the dark background.
When coloring large images like this, I always start by laying down the darkest color first and work out to the lightest color. That gives me room to build up shading and dimension. If I’m not happy with an area, I’ll go back in and blend it out with a lighter marker.
Story Time: I remember one of my first Halloween cards. I spent so long on the background that I rushed through the coloring, and it never quite looked right. Now, I make sure to give each part of the card—whether it's the background or the main image—equal attention. Trust me, it’s worth it to take your time and enjoy the process!
Finishing Touches with Die Cuts and Rhinestones
Once the background and focal image were set, I needed a sentiment that would fit the overall vibe of the card. I created a custom cardstock by swiping Antique Linen Distress Oxide Ink over a scrap piece of cardstock. This is one of my favorite tricks for making matching cardstock on the fly! After flicking some water over it for texture, I used the Celebration Words Script Thinlits Dies to cut out the “Thinking of You” sentiment.
Finally, what’s a Halloween card without a little sparkle? I added a few Magic Rock Rhinestones from Trinity Stamps, arranging them diagonally across the card. It’s a small touch, but it draws the eye and gives the card that polished, finished look.
Wrapping Up
I hope you enjoyed learning about how this Halloween card came together! The ink-blended background, the texture from stencils, and the colorful scarecrow all work together to create a fun and unique Halloween card that’s sure to stand out.
If you're interested in watching how it all came together, be sure to check out the video tutorial linked below. I’d love to see what spooky backgrounds you create with your favorite Tim Holtz supplies!
Video Tutorial:
If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!
(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!
Color Combinations:
Scarecrow's Hat - WG180, WG190, WG200
Scarecrow's Coat - E440, E356, YR696, YR792, YR892
Scarecrow's Face - Y569, Y583, Y585, Y488
Scarecrow's Shirt - G448, G458, G370
Scarecrow's Pants - V449, V460, V463
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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