Whimsy Stamps ~ Cat-O-Lantern Mini Pocket Book Halloween Treat

Hey friends, I've so many fun creations to share with you before October finishes, I really need to get my skates on and post a few closer together. So here is one I shared on my IG account, but as yet, have not shared here. This little mini pocket book was so fun to create and it's great for flatter candy treats like sherbet shots or these sour chews. Alternatively, you could use these for little stickers or photos for younger Halloweeners who you don't want to ply with too much candy! 

This creation is so hard to capture in a still that shows the whole design, so if you're able, do pop over and check out the reel with the opening of this design, it's fun to see it unfold. You can see that here. The actual mini pocket book design I had in my stash from a magazine template. But I'm sure it would be easy enough to google a template. 

I pulled out one of my favourite Halloween Paper Packs - Vintage Halloween, to create the paper accents for this Mini Pocket Book. Then I cut all the little layers, edged them with Black Soot to distress the edges and adhered them to the base of the Mini Pocket Book design. I cut the base from a heavy weight white cardstock. I chose a narrow black chiffon ribbon to be the tie for the book. Some sort of closure is necessary, especially if you're filling it with candy. I considered using a magnet, but felt this wouldn't be as secure as a tied ribbon and would likely just pop open. If you want to include chunkier candy, you'll need to make it a little wider at those tiny white gaps you see below. This determines how much depth the finished design has and how chunky the candy can be you fit into it. You'd also need to add a gusset to the internal pockets, all doable and not too tricky, you just need to do the math and allow a little more in those areas. Mine as you can see is quite narrow, so best for flat candy options or as I mentioned earlier, non-candy options like stickers and photos.

I rounded the front flap closure with a corner rounding tool, both the base and patterned paper layers, for a little additional interest and nicer finish. Any fancy corner tool could be used here, let your creativity flow. The inside of the Mini Pocket Book, has the front flap which opens to a cute 'BOO!', which I think the little one who will get this will really enjoy. It then has three flaps that open to reveal little pockets where the candy or other treats can be tucked. The BOO! sentiment is from the Trick or Treat Kids Clear Stamp Set, which I heat embossed in white.

The paper has some gorgeous designs and details, so I didn't want to add lots of extra details to the actual flaps, I did however, decorate the front and back of the central flap. I added some bats cut from glitter cardstock which worked with the fun bat paper on the other two flaps. I opted for a plainer striped paper for that background, which is from the Mix n Match Neutrals Paper Pack. Once the flaps are open the theme is spiders, so of course it was fun to add one of the creepy spiders from Whimsy's Spiders and Webs Die Set and I opted for a small polka dot paper pattern from the Mix n Match Neutrals Paper Pack to complement the other papers I'd chosen from the Vintage Halloween Paper Pack. I did use a little notch punch from my stash to create the notches in the pockets, but a little circle punch would work well too, if that's what you have to hand.

The star of the show is of course this adorable Cat-O-Lantern Stamp Set by Crissy Armstrong for Whimsy Stamps. I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and coloured this cutie with Copic Markers and used it as the anchor for my ribbon. I added the ribbon tie adhering it onto the base. I laid a web shaped diecut over this and then the adorable Cat-O-Lantern image popped up on foam, over-top. So adorable I think. This stamp set has three super cute little kitty in a pumpkin images and then one fabulous bigger image with several cats piled up over a stack of pumpkins. I've coloured the first three and look forward to doing the stack of pumpkins and kittens once I've got my hands on the NoFuss Mask that goes with these. Such an amazing innovation by Whimsy. I'm not a keen fussy cutter at all, so they are a bit of crafty nirvana for me! I think folks who have some hand issues will really appreciate these. I know I can't fussy cut for long before my knuckles start to ache! I think they will be a crafty game changer for many!

Thanks so much for stopping in to visit today. I'll endeavour to get another post ready to share tomorrow. It's been a wildly busy few months for me, so I'm struggling to keep up with the posting. But I'm excited to share the rest of the fun creations I've been making for the remainder of our Halloween Season here at Whimsy. It's been such a treat to be a part of this amazing Halloweeners Team (I've seriously got Imposter Syndrome around them, I'm in awe of their talent!) and if you've not yet had the pleasure of seeing their creations, do pop over to our latest Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Blog post, which shares the teams September creations all together. We are also having a fun quiz, which ends in a few hours, so if you're quick, you'll be able to join in with that. Hugs and happy crafting, Wends xoxo

(I use affiliate links where possible, which helps the companies I design for to improve their marketing practice. I receive a small commission, which costs you no extra whatsoever, but helps these companies see where their marketing efforts are most effective and is a way they can say 'thank you' to and support their hard working affiliates and design team members. I only design for companies whose products I absolutely love and buy for myself. My opinions are always my own. If you're new to Whimsy please feel free to use the Whimsy Stamps discount code in my sidebar if you're doing some shopping and remember to check out their retiring section, the deals are phenomenal!)

Challenge Entries:

Crafty Catz: #654 ~ Anything Goes

Crafty Gals Corner: #248 ~ Halloween Colours

Unicorn Challenge: #92 ~ Autumn and/or Halloween

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge: #580 ~ Halloween Fun*

Shopping Our Stash: #507 ~ Franken Card/Anything Halloween

Creative Inspirations Challenge: October ~ Autumn or Halloween

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