Fall Halloween Layout with Graphic 45 Hallo'ween in Wonderland

Halloween anyone?

My favorite crafting adventures center around Halloween.  I'm really not sure why as I don't decorate for Halloween,  My poodles don't appreciate the holiday, I don't have kids and I haven't seen a trick or treater in years so I don't bother.  But I do love the colors and the whimsy that comes with the holiday.

Therefore,I'm ecstatic that Graphic 45's Hallowe'en in Wonderland Deluxe Collector's Edition is going to be available again this fall, word is late September!  Can you say YIPPEE!!!!  Knowing that I could get MORE Hallowe'en in Wonderland, I dug out my stash and created this layout of my super cute little great niece dressed as Pocahontas.

I haven't done many layouts this year and I'm sort of retreating to the old and familiar, those clean and simple layouts.  Really, that style is ageless and, more importantly, they tell the story and focus on the photo.  Oh I love all the "artsy" layouts with all the gorgeous mixed media layers but  really, the photos often get lost on those layouts.  AND anyway, Graphic 45 paper is much too pretty for me to cover up with paste and paint!  Me, mixed media and Graphic 45 do not play well together!  Generally all that is achieved is a big mess!

I just put together several layers of paper to give this layout some interest but still keeping it simple.  Notice how each layer contrasts with the layer beneath and above it.  That's one of the keys for me in creating a dynamic layout.  I cut the Happy Halloween sentiment with a Cheery Lynn Designs die and I actually cut two, one is the layer you see of design paper and the other is black cardstock.  The black cardstock layer serves to make the title standout by placing a black border around the letters.s 

The Embellishments

I anchored the left bottom corner with a fun pumpkin vine from Creative Embellishments.   This is such a great piece!  I heat embossed the pumpkins with Stampendous Spice Aged Embossing Enamel and stained the vines with Lindy's Green with Envy Green Starburst Mist.

I love this spooky fun black cat that I die cut from Cheery Lynn Designs.  I thought it was the perfect touch for my layout I think!

I guess it was a day for digging in my stash as I came up with these old Petaloo Textured Elements flowers.  They are a favorite flower and I'm sad to say that my stash of them is about gone.  But, Little Birdie has some gorgeous flowers out these days so I know I'll survive!!

A wee Mad Hatter fussy cut is peaking out of the blooms.

Just a parting finishing touch, a couple of buttons along the seam where two papers meet.

Supplies:
Graphic 45 Hallowe'en in Wonderland DCE 
Creative Embellishments Pumpkin Corners
Stampendous Aged Spice Embossing Powder
Lindy's Green With Envy Green
Cheery Lynn Designs Halloween Dies and Flourish
Petaloo Textured Elements Black
Black cardstock