erin terrell clarkson [etc]

Halloween Masks

Because Halloween will be here before you know it, I thought I'd share a few masks I created for the October 2010 issue of Scrapbooks etc. 

This one was pretty easy. I just traced a mask shape onto the back of Halloween-themed paper, then trimmed it. I added rhinestones to jazz it up a little bit:

This one was even easier. I cut out a mask using spiderweb themed paper, punched a hole in one corner, then slipped a little plastic spider ring through the hole. 

Finally, my favorite - a kitty cat mask. The template is posted on Scrapbooks etc website. HERE is the link:

Link me up if you create your own mask - I'd love to see it! 

Here are some fun Halloween themed scrapbook papers and embellishments that are out right now...

Doodlebug Design Boutique Brads (link HERE):

Jenni Bowlin Studio Vintage Halloween Chipboard (link HERE):

 
Pink Paislee Hocus Pocus Collection (link HERE):

Deja Views LYB Booville Collection (link HERE):

SBE Page Share: Oct. 2010 Issue (Doodlebug Haunted House)

This little haunted house was featured in the October 2010 issue of Scrapbooks etc. You may have seen these chipboard houses before, because there are many versions of them posted online. You simply purchase a blank chipboard house (made by Doodlebug), then decorate it any way you'd like.

This isn't a 5 minute project, but the cute results are well worth the time spent creating it. Follow the assembly instructions exactly as they are written on the insert in the package, and you'll be just fine! 

My favorite part of the project was adding all of the fun little details. The bats are velvety - I'm not sure if that shows up on my photo (below). I love the decorative brad with the witch on it, used as a doorknob (below). The Bazzill "Just the Edge" strips were a perfect finishing touch for the roofline. 

As seen in Scrapbooks etc. October 2010 issue (pg. 57). SOURCES  Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Just The Edge, Ruche Textured Paper (yellow, gray). Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee Twilight Collection (Dusk, Eclipse), Making Memories (Halloween Haunted Stripe).  Chipboard Accents: Doodlebug Haunted House. Punches: Circle Punch. Stickers: Making Memories Velvet Stickers. Ink: Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink (black, brown). Other: Hot Glue Gun

I used a patterned paper from Pink Paislee on the roof, instead of solid black paper, because I liked the distressed appearance of the paper and particularly liked that "31" in the circle. I had a purple roof on there at first, but I swapped it out and I'm glad I did.

To finish it off, I added a velvety witch on the chimney and - of course - a full moon. I used textured papers for the moon and clouds, then inked the edges for a little extra dimension.

It's a fun little project and I love the way it turned out. It will look cute near the front door when I greet all of the little trick-or-treaters who come to my neighborhood. 

HERE is a link to the new Pink Paislee Halloween line, which is just as cute as the one I used here!

Have a SWEET Halloween.

Photography: Trick-Or-Treating Photo Tips

I’m a realist when it comes to Halloween photos. I don’t expect perfect trick-or-treating shots, nor do I even attempt to take them. Halloween is a busy, busy night. If you’re too worried about getting great photos – you’re going to miss out on all the candy to be had!!

I certainly don’t want that to happen to anyone. ;o) Dentists throughout the U.S. are counting on making their mortgage payments with all of the cavities they’re going to fill in the upcoming month…

With that in mind, here are a few quick and easy photography tips to capture your little ghosts and goblins:

• Be prepared (even if you aren’t dressing up as a little Boy Scout). Make sure your batteries are charged and set your ISO to 400 or more. If you’re using film, same rules apply.

• Focus on capturing the main photos that tell the story of the evening. This might include a costume shot for each child, a group costume shot, a “ringing the doorbell” shot, a candy grabbing shot, and a photo at the end of the evening of your child surrounded by sugar.

• Look for the house with the spookiest front porch or the most decorated door. Take your trick-or-treating photos there so the shot will scream "Halloween".

• If you aren’t standing anywhere near someone’s front door, you will need to use a flash. Remember, most flashes don’t reach very far, so at least walk up on the sidewalk or within a few feet of the front porch.

• Look for porches with good lighting and try getting a shot without a flash. If you wait until the front door opens, the light from inside the house should also help illuminate your little one’s faces. Always make sure the light falls on the person you are highlighting. You can have your children turn slightly sideways at the door so you can see their faces.

• Hold your camera still. Try steadying yourself against a tree or mailbox for extra support if needed.

That's pretty much all you need to know to get the important shots and still have fun and enjoy your evening. Watch out for little ones roaming around and be safe out there.

*edited to add a photo. I can't seem to post without a photo. These are about to go in my belly. (Well, not all of them...YUCK!)

Halloween Page Share: MM Celebrations Book

As Halloween nears, I wanted to share a fun layout idea. This is a page I created for Making Memories "Celebrations" book, so it's a few years old:

 

As seen in Making Memories Celebrations book (pg. 102). SOURCES: Brads, Cardstock, Embellishments, Paint, Rub-ons, Stickers, Halloween Patterned Paper: all Making Memories. Envelopes: Bazzill Basics.. Ribbon: Michaels

I printed a collage displaying a few favorite Halloween photos I've taken over the years. I added simple strips of patterned paper, a wide ribbon, and small embellishments to decorate the layout. Then I added envelopes to the page so I could insert journaling about my memories for each particular year. I placed a painted chipboard title on top of the envelopes. At the time all I had was lowercase letters, but I almost want to go back now and change them to uppercase...and cover then in black & white polka-dot paper!

Here is a detail shot:

The theme of this layout could easily be swapped out for Valentines Day or any other topic! You can have your children write notes to slip in the envelopes, too. I'd love to see your favorite Halloween pages if you want to link them.

Photography: Halloween Outtakes

We purchased a Halloween costume this past weekend...always a big deal around here. We don't have all of the finishing touches yet, so I will take pictures later next week. However, I do want to post a photography tip while I'm thinking about it. This one is for those of you with digital cameras who plan on taking Halloween photos: don't be too hasty with the delete button! I was looking through my photos from last Halloween, and I realized the shots I almost deleted are some of my favorites now.

For example, here is one where I was trying to make Daisy laugh and she cracked up:

When I see it now, I get a huge grin on my face.  I like it so much better than some of the posed  "here's my Halloween costume" shots.

Here is another, where she was busy arranging her dress so it would look nice for the photo:

 

When I look back, I remember the exact moment I took this picture and her saying "I wasn't ready yet!". The photo captures a bit of her personality and how she wanted to look just right...

The next one definitely cracks me up. I took a photo of her with Chris and he said something not-so-nice just before the photo. I've seen her make this face at him more than once in the past few years:

So, my tip is to think twice before you hit "delete". If a photo tells a bit about someone's personality or has a good memory behind it...keep it! It will probably make a great scrapbook page.