Boo-tiful Chaos: A Spooky Mixed Media Card Adventure

 Hi Everyone, Dalis here.

Halloween is my magical time of year—the season when I can make the weirdest cards imaginable, and no one says a thing about it! I love everything about creating during this time. Creepy cards? Yes, please. Funny cards? Absolutely. But my favorite of all are the Mixed Media FUN cards that let me throw everything onto the table (sometimes literally) and just play.

For this project, I used three fabulous Crackerbox Stamps: Ghost Sketched, Spider Spooky, and Wicked Fun. The ghost helped me complete the cutest little “BOO” sentiment, and honestly, he might be one of my favorites to work with. He’s so easy to color—and even easier to spookify!

To give him a little ghostly glam, I added two-way glue to his eyes and mouth and then pressed on some toner foil. Voila! The coolest foiled-eyed ghost you’ve ever seen was born. The spiders didn’t escape my creative mischief either—they each got a pair of 3mm micro googly eyes, and they couldn’t be more perfectly sized.

As for the background, I went full mixed media mode. I distressed edges, stitched on paper, blended colors, added paste and embossing powder, and, of course, brought in more foil. This card truly has a little bit of everything—and I couldn’t be happier with the spooky, shiny mess that came out of it.

That’s the best part of Halloween crafting—there are no rules. Just weird, wonderful, wicked fun.

What would you have done differently?

Supply List:

Wicked Fun

Spider Spooky 

Ghost Sketched 

Additional Supplies: Memento Tuxedo Black, Alcohol Markers, white gel pen, pattern paper, wall repair tape, stickers and ephemera, foil, googley eyes, silver thread, and black bling.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Brain in a Jar: A Curious Experiment in Creativity

 Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

There’s something strangely comforting about visiting your special creepy place — that quiet corner of creativity where things get just a little weird. Sometimes, you even light up the room… or at least, the brain in the jar!

This project started with the wonderfully odd Brain in the Jar stamp from Crackerbox Stamps — one of those designs that makes you grin the moment you see it. It’s creepy, it’s quirky, and somehow it just begged to be brought to life.

I began by coloring the brain with alcohol markers, layering soft watercolor pencil shadows to give it that eerie depth, then finished with colored pencils and gel pen highlights to make it pop. Everything was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, crisp and clean against the chaos.

The card itself took on a vintage laboratory feel — like something discovered in an old scientist’s notebook. There’s plenty of texture here: neon pastes, wall tape, and a mix of rough and smooth surfaces that catch the light in unexpected ways. My favorite part? The brain is on tiny hinges and actually opens up to reveal a wicked little message inside.

It’s the kind of project that feels like a mad experiment gone right — part art, part science, and all fun.
So, what do you think? Are we ready to join the crew at the crazy lab?

Supply List:

Wicked Fun

Brain in A Jar 

Additional Supplies: Memento Tuxedo Black, Alcohol Markers, white gel pen, pattern paper, wall repair tape, foam stickers and Halloween ephemera, and black bling.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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A Dash of Magic and a Pinch of Healing

      Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

You know what they say—when you’re feeling under the weather, a little magic can go a long way. And really, who better to brew up a “get well soon” potion than a witch and her loyal black cat?

This card definitely took the scenic route to completion. I started with one idea in mind, then took a turn, then another—and maybe three more after that! But honestly, that’s part of the fun. Sometimes the best cards are the ones that evolve on their own, with a sprinkle of surprise and a dash of whimsy along the way.

In the end, I landed on a Get Well card that carries a delightful Halloween vibe—because why shouldn’t a little witchy magic be part of the healing process? It’s perfect for those friends who appreciate a good spell, a black cat companion, and a touch of spooky charm, even when they’re not feeling their best.

For this card, I decided to have a little fun with the sentiment. I split the Chicken Soup sentiment between the outside and inside of the card—because sometimes a good phrase deserves a little stage time! On the front, it gives a hint of what’s coming, and inside, it ties the whole witchy get-well theme together perfectly.

To make the scene feel more grounded, I extended the floor from the Witch with Crockpot image so the Cat and Broom didn’t look like they were floating midair (as magical as that might be!). It’s a small detail, but it really helps everything come together, making the little potion-brewing scene feel cohesive and cozy.

Supply List:

Witch with Crockpot

Cat and Broom 

Chicken Soup

Additional Supplies: Memento Tuxedo Black, Alcohol Markers, white gel pen, speech bubbles dies, mouse border punch, pattern paper, and black bling.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Sassy Cows and Snarky Laughs

      Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

I’m joining the Just for Giggles hop on Instagram again, and ever since discovering Crackerbox Stamps, it feels like that’s all I ever reach for during this hop—and honestly, can you blame me? Their stamps have the perfect mix of funny and snarky that makes me laugh every single time.

This round, I’m featuring one of my all-time favorite cows, Miss Daisy. 🐮 I tried to branch out and use one of the other hilarious sentiments from the set, but somehow I always end up circling back to my trusty “KISS MY DAIRY-ERRE”—because really, it just says it all! 😄

I started with a cream-colored tag, stamping Miss Daisy front and center. To give her a little scene to stand on, I used a bit of washi tape to mask a line—it’s one of those simple tricks that always makes a big difference. Then I went to town with my mini blending brushes, blending Bahama Blue, Rose Bud, and Dandelion inks from Memento. The mix of those colors gave the background such a cheerful, lighthearted feel—perfect for Miss Daisy’s personality!

Once the ink was dry, I added a few doodles to ground the tag and started pulling together some pattern papers and older backgrounds from my stash. It’s always fun to give those leftover bits new life, especially when they tie everything together so perfectly.

Supply List:

Miss Daisy

Memento Rose Bud 

Memento Bahama Blue
Memento Tuxedo Black

Memento Dandelion

Additional Supplies: Alcohol Markers, white gel pen, pattern paper, and black bling.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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When the Pumpkin Pirate Learned to Dance

Hi everyone, Dalis here!

    I’ve had two crafty dreams on my list for a while: making a dancing card and finally inking up my Pumpkin Pirate from Crackerbox Stamps. Well, the stars (or maybe the cobwebs?) finally aligned! The only hitch? My pumpkin needed a body. Enter Kid Witchy, swooping in like a true hero. Now, don’t get me wrong—I am head-over-heels, can’t-stop-swooning in LOVE with her fabulous retro makeup. But this time, I borrowed her body so my pumpkin could bust a move.

    To set the stage, I stamped the Web Corners (set of 2) in white pigment ink, then gave them a little heat embossing magic with white powder. Perfect spooky sparkle! The sentiment, Wicked Fun, was basically made for this project, and I couldn’t resist finishing things off with some Fall Essentials Die set goodies from my stash.

    And there you have it—a Pumpkin Pirate ready to dance the night away. 

Supply List:

Pumpkin Pirate

Kid Witchy 

Wicked Fun

Web Corner Set of 2

Memento Luxe Wedding Dress Pigment Ink

Additional Supplies: Memento Tuxedo Black, Alcohol Markers, white gel pen, Fall Stitched Dies, white embossing powder, white 

Here is the video!

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When Bugs Go BOO: A Playful Halloween Card

   Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

The days are starting to cool off, which means pumpkin spice everything is about to take over. I’ll be honest—I’m not a fan of the flavor, but I can definitely get behind all the Halloween cards, posts, and decorations that come with the season.

For this card, I reached for the Bug Scary stamp from Crackerbox Stamps and started stamping them in a rainbow pattern. My original idea was to go through the entire rainbow in order, but partway through I thought—how fun would it be if they were holding a BOO sign instead? That idea completely changed the direction of the card.

I played around with different layouts, trying to figure out the best way to work the letters in, until I landed on a version that made me smile. It has just the right touch of funny and spooky mixed together. What do you think—would you have kept the full rainbow, or gone with the BOO like I did?

Supply List:

Bug Set of 3 Large

Bug Scary 

Versafine Clair Acorn

Additional Supplies: Watercolor pencils, white gel pen, embossing folder, and cutting machine for BOO sign.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Egg-citing Twist on a Classic

   Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

I love messing with my stamps and making them do things they were never meant to do. This time? That EGG SOLID stamp got flipped upside down and turned into a balloon—because why not? I kept the colors translucent so they actually look like real balloons (you’re welcome). Pro tip: draw your string all the way to the knot as a straight line before letting it do its wild stringy thing. Just a black gel pen, nothing fancy. The Happy Birthday sentiment tied it all together, but honestly? Think of the possibilities! One egg, one sentiment—this could be a graduation card, a congratulations card, basically an anything card. And yes, now I want to make a whole sky full of them.

Supply List:

Birthday 1 Sentiment

Egg Solid or the Egg Solid & Outline

Hay Stack

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Go Bold—Then Go Bolder!

   Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

I have a new bestie and her name is Prissy! She’s sassy, colorful, and SO much fun! I went all out with this one—mixed media messy in the best way. I stamped, stenciled, added paste, stapled, and even used things that were definitely not meant for cards. And yes… I finished her off with real feathers! Are you ready for Prissy? Because SHE is 100% ready for you! 💃🎨🔥 #MixedMediaMayhem #SassyAndCrafty #PrissyIsHere

Supply List:

Prissy Stamp Only

Egg Solid & Outline

Prissy Stamp and Coordinating Die Combo

Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black Ink

Versamark Embossing Ink 

Raise your hand (or wing!) if you don’t know when to stop on a project 🙋‍♀️ Yeah… same here. Prissy was already fabulous, but I had to add a sentiment. Sure, I could’ve stamped it inside—but I really wanted it to be part of the fun, front and center. What do you think? My in-house approval team (aka hubby and daughter) gave it a thumbs up! 😄

What I’m trying to say is: go as far as you want with your cards. Play. Explore. Layer it all on. You won’t know where “too far” is until you go there—and sometimes, that’s where the magic lives. 💥🎨 #CraftWithoutLimits #MixedMediaPlay #GoBoldOrGoHome

I recorded the whole process, mess and all, so if you're ready to see how Prissy came to life, check out the video below. It was one of those magical days where creativity took the lead, and I just followed.

Ready to get a little wild with your cardmaking? Hit play and join the fun!

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Need a Quick Card? Make one "like no UDDER"!

  Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

Bridgette is the perfect stamp for a quick card! She can be black and white or brown and white—and the only thing you really need to color is her little bell. I decided to go the extra mile (which for a quick card isn’t that far!) and added some stenciled clouds. The patterned paper and the texture of the corrugated piece really help Bridgette take center stage—just like she’s used to! 🐄💛

Did you notice the envelope detail? It took almost no time at all, but it’s such a sweet little touch that gives the recipient a sneak peek of what’s inside. Just a small effort for a big smile!

Supply List:

Like No Udder

Cow Bridgette

Hay Stack

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Not Your Average Get Well Card

 Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

At my age, having a stash of Get Well Soon cards is less of a choice and more of a necessity. But let’s be honest—just because it’s a get-well card doesn’t mean it has to be boring!

I had so much fun creating this one with the adorable egg stamps from Crackerbox Stamps—seriously, they stamp like a dream! Ironically, I was aiming for a slightly imperfect, offset look… and of course, they all came out perfectly aligned (isn’t that always the way?).

The chicken? Absolutely essential. As soon as I read the sentiment, I instantly thought of good ol’ chicken soup for the soul. Instead of my usual go-to patterned paper, I challenged myself with a new color palette and created my own background using the eggs. No patterned paper in sight—and I loved every second of it!

Supply List:

Chicken Standing

Egg Solid and Outline
Chicken Soup

Additional Supplies:

Paint brush (for splattering), inks, alcohol markers, white gel pen, paintbrush, and watercolor pencils

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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The Cows Are at It Again!

 Hi y'all, Dalis here! 

Bernice is back—and she’s just as sassy as ever. With her bold attitude and snarky comebacks, she’s the perfect bovine to help you grab the day by the horns. This card is all about embracing that cheeky humor that makes life a little more fun.

I’ll be honest—I’m a snarky-at-heart kind of person. If someone handed me a card like this, I’d be rolling with laughter… probably down a grassy hill—or more realistically, down the stairs! Bernice knows how to make an entrance, and this card is no exception.

Supply List:
Cow 2 Bernice
Amazing Things
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Other Supplies:
Doilies, stickers, ephemera, diecuts and pattern paper

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Sassy Miss Daisy has done it again!

    Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

Miss Daisy’s Got Attitude — and a Whole Lot of Cheese!

Miss Daisy has done it again! She just can’t help herself — that sass is part of her charm. This cheeky card was created as part of a dairy-themed Instagram Hop I’m participating in, and I couldn’t resist leaning into the theme with a little extra snark.

The sentiment called for something bold and dairy-inspired, and what better way to play it up than with a cheesy background? Literally. The cheese motif adds just the right dose of humor while tying everything together in the most delightfully absurd way.

It’s a little funny, a little snarky, and totally Miss Daisy. Be sure to follow the hop for more dairy-inspired laughs and creativity!

Supply List:
Miss Daisy
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Other Products:
Alcohol Markers
White Gel Pen

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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A Farm-Themed Card for a Big Weekend

   Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

It’s very possible that our upcoming trip to Iowa State University is behind my sudden streak of farm-themed cards! We’re heading into a new chapter with our daughter, and I created this special card just for her as we kick off orientation weekend.

“Geezer,” our wild cowboy stamp, takes center stage on this one—he’s just the right kind of character to make it clear that this weekend is all about her. I did a bit of masking magic to customize the sentiment, stamping “It’s Your Day” on the front and saving the punchline—“Milk it for all it’s worth!”—for the inside, alongside Bridgette the Cow, of course.

The background paper has this perfect worn-denim texture that instantly reminded me of a good ol’ pair of cowboy jeans. All the cowboy details and the barn were colored using alcohol markers for a rich, vibrant finish.

It’s a playful, heartfelt card for a moment full of excitement, nerves, and so much pride. Off to new adventures we go!

Supply List:
Your Day
Cow Bridgette
Geezer
Barn Variations
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Other Products:
Alcohol Markers
Pattern Paper (Project Life 4x6 card)
White Gel Pen
Bling

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Henrietta Is Back—and Louder Than Ever!

  Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

Henrietta on Her Nest is making a bold return, and this time she's bringing all the sass—and all the 90s vibes! Inspired by the bright, clashing colors of the '90s (think The Colors of Benetton meets farm chic), Henrietta is strutting her stuff as queen of the coop. With her vibrant feathers and feisty personality, she's ready to steal the show.

To build the scene, I brought back the ever-handy Haystacks stamp to ground the layout and added a large cut-out heart for a little extra love (or a cheeky “HAY!” for someone special). I had a blast coloring Henrietta—she's dressed in the loudest hues I could come up with, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

For added texture, I sprayed the haystacks with three different shades of dye spray ink, giving them a grungy, mixed-media flair. And of course, no card of mine is truly finished without a few touches of white gel pen highlights to bring everything to life.

Henrietta is all attitude and color—just how we like her.

Supply List:
Chicken on Nest Henrietta
Hay Stack
Hay! Sentiment
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Other Products:
Alcohol Markers
Pattern Paper (Project Life 4x6 card)
Die-cut Shape
White Gel Pen
Bling

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Hey! HAY!

 Hi Everyone, Dalis here!

For this card, using Henrietta on her Nest was a no-brainer—honestly, is there a cuter (or sassier) chicken out there? Whether she’s still searching for love or has already found it, one thing is certain: she’s stealing the spotlight in this fun, farm-inspired scene.

I created a simple sky backdrop and added a few haystacks (including masking some to create depth) to set the scene, giving Henrietta a cozy and lively setting. To add some balance, I combined two different sentiments and included a few extra elements to ground the entire composition. As a final touch, I carried the theme onto the envelope by stamping and masking the haystacks right on the front—because who doesn’t love a little sneak peek before opening the card?

Supply List:
Chicken on Nest Henrietta
Hay Stack
Hay! Sentiment
Hey Sentiment
Dot Splatter
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Other Products:
Alcohol Markers
Paper Flowers
Die-cut Shape

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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