Hi friends, and welcome to the 49 and Market blog!
It’s Rebecca here with you today, and I’m so excited to be sharing my very first layout using the Halloween Assortment from the new Curiosities in Willow Grove collection.
I was absolutely thrilled when I saw that Vicki had designed a Halloween line—it’s one of my favourite times of year! I always go big for Halloween, which means I end up with plenty of spooky photos that are just begging to be scrapped.
I began by selecting a patterned paper for my background. I wanted something light with subtle details so I could build up some darker elements for contrast. I loved how the tones in the paper echoed the background of my photo—it was a perfect match!
To start adding texture, I cut strips from a couple of patterned papers, choosing black and orange to pick up on the colours in my son’s shirt. I distressed the edges using a distressing tool and layered the strips on the page.
Next, I chose a frame from the Frame Necessities pack, added some foam behind it for dimension, and positioned my photo to the left of the layout, leaving space on the right for embellishments.
I pulled out several elements from the collection, including Laser Cuts and Die Cuts, and began layering them across the page. I especially love how the spooky tree pops against the lighter background. To create an eerie night time scene, I nestled a moon laser cut among the branches.
Spider webs are one of my favourite elements to use on Halloween layouts, and I was so excited to find a large one in the Laser Cuts! Since it was off-white, I felt it needed more contrast to stand out—so I coloured it black using the ‘Off the rails’ 49 and Market/Ranger Ink Pad.
While applying the ink with a blending brush over some scrap paper, I noticed the gorgeous masking effect it created. I loved it so much that I used the laser cut as a stencil in two corners of the layout, blending black ink over it to leave behind white cobwebs. Once that was done, I placed the original spider web piece behind my photo to balance the design.
The layout was coming together beautifully, but I felt the background needed just a bit more depth. I went back in with the ‘Off the rails’ ink pad and the 49 and Market/Sizzix stamp set ‘Artsy Regal Frame’, blending colour around the edges of the main design. I finished with some faux ink splatters using one of the stamps from the ‘Happy You Sentiments’ stamp set —such a fun and easy way to add texture without the mess! I also used a few of the new Irresistible Focus Rub-on Transfers. These are so much fun to create with! Just apply to your project as normal and then add some ink or paint over the top and watch the resist happen!
To complete the layout, I added a few smaller pieces from the Halloween Add-On pack—some mini laser cuts and star stickers that echo the dark patterned paper I used earlier. These little details really helped to tie everything together.
49 and Market products:
- Curiosities in Willow Grove Halloween Assortment – 49 and Market
- Curiosities in Willow Grove Laser Cut Elements – 49 and Market
- Irresistible Focus Rub-on Transfers by Vicki Boutin – 49 and Market
- Frame Necessities 2 by Vicki Boutin – 49 and Market
- 49 and Market Dye Ink Pad, Off the Rails
- Sizzix Clear Stamps Set 13PK Hello You Sentiments by 49 and Market
- Sizzix Layered Clear Stamps Set 3PK – Artsy Regal Frame by 49 and Market
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I hope you enjoyed seeing how this layout came together and that it gives you a little Halloween inspiration for your own projects.
Take care,
Rebecca xx
