Boo - Try Stampin on Tuesdy #478

 I hope everyone had as wonderful a Thanksgiving.  It certainly was different than usual because of the pandemic. Despite there being only my son and myself, we still had all the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.   

Looking forward to better times for Christmas.

In the meantime we have Halloween to look forward to although I doubt if children will to trick or treating this year. Hand made cards from Grandma will have to suffice.

I made this 'spooky' card for the sketch challenge at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #478.  I used mainly retired SU DSP complementing that with Black Glimmer paper.

I include a history lesson about the role of black cats in Halloween.

The Basic Black card stock base is layered with retired SU DSP that has black cats in various poses in a Pumpkin Pie background.

Here's a little history lesson about black cats and Halloween.

Black cats are a classic Halloween symbol.  They have long served as objects of superstition and associated with witch craft. In Medieval France and Spain, black cats were considered bringers of bad luck and any human that came near them were cursed especially if the black cat crossed their path.

However, in some cultures e.g. the British Isles, black cats were considered a symbol of good fortune, bringing good fortune and affluence to places they resided.  In Egypt they were worshiped as sacred.

So how did black cats get to represent bad luck and spookiness in the United States?  It all started with the Pilgrims in the Plymouth colony.  They distrusted anything associated with witches and sorcery, including black cats.  The belief was that black cats could be disguised as witches. They actively persecuted black cats and it became a practice to burn black cats on Shrove Tuesday to protect the home from fire.

Since then black cats have been cemented in popular legend along with witches on Halloween, and are prominent in decorations especially on front porches. There, their sparkly green eyes add a frightful, unnerving ambience.

Myths surrounded black cats survive into modern times.  We all have heard the following:  It is bad luck if a cat crosses your path; Never turn your back on a black cat or you will be cursed; A black cat on the bed of a sick person will bring about death as well as others.

Black cats are not easily adoptable and there are rumours of their torture around Halloween.

However, black cats make great pets.  I have one.  He's called Inky and he's the most adorable and affectionate pet I've ever had

So much for the history lesson. Back to the card.........

 Three horizontal Black Glitter strips are added to the top over the DSP.  A black banner notched at the bottom end has "BOO" white embossed on it in various directions.

The focal image is a haunted house punched with a 2" circle punch from another retired DSP.  To make the house look spookier, the edges of the circle were sponged with Night of Navy ink and the haunted house painted with Crystal Effects.

It is added to the card front across the banner and over the glimmer strips.

Supplies Used:

Stamp:  Make a Hoot

Inks:  Versa Mark, Night of Navy

Papers;  Basic Black, retired SU Halloween DSPs, Black Glimmer

Accessories:  White embossing powder, 2" circle punch, Crystal Effects