If you know me, you know I LOVE using Ranger Distress inks. As in, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. I like the regular Distress inks, the Oxide Distress inks . . . I do not discriminate.
Here are two Halloween cards I created using Distress inks that I'd like to share with you:

The slimline card style has been very popular lately so I decided to create these cards in that style. Basically, slimline cards are long and fit into a standard #10 envelope, often called a business envelope.
The dimensions for the card base and black mat are:
- White Linen Card Base: 8¾”x8” folded to 8¾”x4”
- Black Cardstock: 8¾”x3¾”
The striped piece on the left card and the white piece on the right card can be cut using PinkFresh Studio's dies: Slim Fancy Diagonal Stripes & Slim Stitched Scallop Circles Panel.
The black diecut shapes were cut using the following Sizzix/Tim Holtz die sets: Ghost Town and Frightful Things.
Now, for the instructions:
LEFT CARD (Diagonal Stripes)
- Place diagonal background die-cut on a non-stick craft sheet. Blend ink as desired over die-cut using Ink Applicator, Foam, and Distress Ink pads.
Ink pads used in sample: Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint & Seedless Preserves
- Place a haunted house die-cut onto white smooth cardstock. Use a pencil to trace around the house. Cut slightly INSIDE the lines with scissors. Repeat with each haunted house. Blend ink onto white cut pieces desired colors to show through as windows using Ink Applicator, Foam, and Distress Ink pads.
Ink pads used in sample: Mustard Seed & Spiced Marmalade
- Place cat die-cut onto white smooth cardstock. Use a pencil to trace around the cat’s head. Cut slightly INSIDE the lines with scissors. Blend ink onto white pieces desired color to show through as eyes using Ink Applicator, Foam, and Distress Ink pads.
Ink pads used in sample: Crushed Olive
- Stamp desired sentiment onto white smooth cardstock using Black Archival ink pad, cut to the desired size, ink edges with any Distress ink color, and mat with black cardstock.
- Assemble card as shown or as desired. It’s your card; you can design the elements however you’d like!
RIGHT CARD (Scallop Circles)
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Place three white round punched shapes on a non-stick craft sheet. Blend ink as desired over die-cut using Ink Applicator, Foam, and Distress Ink pads. These will be placed behind scalloped circles so you may want them to look like the ink is flowing from one to another as in the sample above.
Ink pads used in sample: Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint & Seedless Preserves
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Place cat die-cut onto white smooth cardstock. Use a pencil to trace around the cat’s head. Cut slightly INSIDE the lines with scissors. Blend ink onto white pieces desired color to show through as eyes using Ink Applicator, Foam, and Distress Ink pads.
Ink pads used in sample: Crushed Olive
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Place ghost die-cut onto white smooth cardstock. Use a pencil to trace around the ghost’s head. Cut slightly INSIDE the lines with scissors. Blend ink onto white pieces desired color to show through as eyes and mouth using Ink Applicator, Foam, and Distress Ink pads.
Ink pads used in sample: Squeezed Lemonade
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Stamp desired sentiment onto white smooth cardstock using Black Archival ink pad, cut to the desired size, and ink edges with any Distress ink color.
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Assemble card as shown or as desired. Remember, it’s your card; you can design the elements however you’d like!
I hope this post provides a little creative inspiration for you.
Happy cardmaking!
-Sondra