Too Cute to Spook Birthday Card

I'd like to thank everyone who participated in our first Blog Hop, and thank you very much Amy Peacock for planning it all.  
I have added 3 different project to for you to view, and would love if you would carry on and join the others that created some very inspiring Halloween projects for your viewing pleasure.  
At the end of the third post I will leave a link on where to head next.  

I recently created a card for a special lady that is celebrating her birthday this month.  I love the card and wanted to share it.

   

I used papers from the Halloween Magic Collection by Bella Blvd. and a stamp set called Too Cute to Spook from Tiddly Inks.  I plan to carry these stamps in the very near future cause I think they're super cute!  

I started by cutting a piece of patterned paper (Goblin Treats) to fit the pre-cut card base that I was using. I then used my scissors (with the blades open) to distress the edges of the cardstock by running the open blade over it.  I then distressed the edges further with Black Soot Distress Ink.  

   

I then used two separate stamps to create a personal sentiment that would fit the theme of the card: AmyR's Spooked Out Stamp set and AmyR's Scripted Sentiments stamp set.  I masked the "halloween" part of the sentiment so that it wouldn't be inked, and then used a stamp positioner to place the birthday greeting underneath.  

I then drew a check box with a black pen and used a purple marker to make the check mark.

I then cut the sentiment to the size I wanted and added it some various cardstock embellishments I had in my stash.  I also inked the edges of these to add a distressed look.  

Then using my Copic and Spectrum Noir markers, I colored in the image I had chosen for the card.  

I used a stencil template that I've had for quite some time to make the archway shape cutout.  I adhered the image to some patterned paper (Boo Buddies), and cut around the arch shape to make a mat. I then used my foam applicator (same one I used to distress the edges of the paper), without re-inking, to add a bit of color to the white cardstock, so it didn't stand out so much.

To assemble the card I place the original cardstock piece I mentioned above onto the card base, and then added a bit of color by layering a few strips of the patterned papers (Boo Buddies and  Pumpkin Parade) to the base.  I then layered the cardstock embellishments I mentioned above to cover the original image (the crow), so just the "Halloween Checklist" message was visible.  I tied a bow around the black "frame" and then adhered the stamped image beside it to finish off the card.  

Hope you enjoy the card!  

Happy Crafting!!!