When I saw these adorable Willow Lane Halloween dies from Scrapbook.com, I just had to get them! They sell coordinating 40 sheet paper pads (6x8" and A2 size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" - of course I bought both) as well as coordinating rub-on transfers. One die in each set will cut out it's matching rub-on character (so I bought 3 sets of rub-on and really want to get more... don't judge me!). The characters on the left (above photo) in each row are the rub-on characters, rubbed on thick white cardstock and die cut with its matching die. The other three in each row are the ones I made with the die sets. I colored them using Copic Sketch markers but any alcohol markers should work (I prefer brush tip). I actually modified how I assembled the dies so they would more closely resemble their rub-on counterparts. Each one is a little different, as befitting hand-made cards and projects.
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Making the Characters
Please read through before making. There are a lot of little details and hints to make it easier. Keep a piece of scrap cardstock to test marker colors.
There will be a lot of pieces to die cut, including some very small ones. I recommend using some sort of storage tray system to keep the pieces in while working, both to keep them organized and so they won't get lost. I used Spellbinders Craft Stax storage trays, but Scrapbook.com has similar Stack-n-Sort storage trays. Since I used alcohol markers (specifically Copic Sketch Markers) to color my pieces, I used alcohol marker friendly cardstock. Except for the base, or guide (from packaging) of each character, I chose a thinner version of cardstock since they would be layered. Here are a few recommendations that I have used; all work well for coloring and blending: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Hammmermill Premium Cover, and X-Press It Blending Card. I found another by Brutus Monroe as well but I haven't tried it. You will need a Sizzix Sidekick, Big Shot, or other die cutting machine.
Optional: I bought the coordinating rub-ons and used them as a template for coloring my characters. I decided to make 3 of each of the 4 characters. I put the rub-ons on a thicker (less expensive) cardstock - nothing special, just wanted them to be sturdy. This is the same cardstock I used for the character guides. I used the guide dies to cut out the rub-on figures. You can see them all in the photo at the top of this post, the left-most figure in each row. These are perfect for making quick cards and projects! The rub-ons also have additional characters, cute pumpkin houses, ghosts, bats, candy, and other things.
A note about the Copic Sketch Markers I used: I didn't write them down but these should be most of the markers I used. Mainly I used all warm black markers except 00 and 10, many earth toned markers, one green - but only very little for the pumpkin stem (G99?), and a few yellow-red (YR24-27). For the fox, pumpkin head, and bear's toy, I used E09, E08, E19, and/or E18. For the bear, I used E23-29, and E55-59 (snout). To add some warmth to the cat's ghost costume, I used E50-51 in addition to the warm grays. I think I used E07 for the cat and fox cheeks, and E23 for the bear's cheeks.
1. Die cut guides from thicker cardstock; it doesn't have to be marker friendly, just something sturdy. Before cutting the very smallest pieces, mainly the noses, eyes, and ties (witch fox), I colored the cardstock before placing the dies for cutting. These would be challenging to color after. Do not cut hands and feet - it's simpler to color the guide base rather than deal with these as another step. Note: I wanted my characters to look more like the rub-ons so I did not use the eyes from the sets. Instead I cut more ties and used the pieces from inside the bow. These are very small - if you don't want to deal with them but still want the look of the rub-ons, you could use a fine tipped multiliner pen to draw them (more on this later). I also had to hand cut the snouts for all but the pumpkin head because I did not want to make use of the mouth on the die. For each character, I die cut one snout, drew around it, then fussy cut it before coloring. I did not use the cheek dies (you might notice one fox with die cut cheeks - it was the first one I made but I didn't like the look). Instead I colored cheeks on each character (except pumpkin head).
2. Die cut the rest of the pieces from alcohol friendly cardstock (listed in the first paragraph in Making the Characters). I put each character's pieces in a separate part of a tray, stacked by piece, i.e. the witch fox heads in one pile, the witch fox bodies in another pile, the hats in another pile, etc.
3. Use alcohol markers to color all the pieces - hints follow. Generally, you want marker to dry fully on the paper if you want to add a different color without blending (like the face on the treat bag above); you want to color wet-in-wet for blending.
3a. For the witch fox, color snout (bottom face) first, let dry, then add cheeks. Put dots where the cheeks will be, then make circles to match the ones on the rub-ons. For stripes on costume, start with a lighter marker to draw lines first then use a darker marker once you have the placement the way you like. The lighter marker will be easier to push away with the blender if you make a mistake. These do not have to be perfect - once you add shading, it will look fine. Color the hat dark warm gray then add some texture by pushing away some areas with a lighter gray or blender. Add stripes with a white gel pen - I used a 05 Gelly Roll pen. Once pen dries, darken lines by lightly going over with a light gray marker (do not rub or overwork as this will remove the white pen). I didn't like the shoulder part of the cape in the same color as the fox's fur (too confusing) so I just used warm grays. Color the cape but do not add stars yet - it's easier to add them after assembly. (I actually forgot to add them on two of my foxes until after I photographed them.) Color hands and feet directly on the guide where you will assemble the character. See photo above "Making the Characters" for examples. Be careful not to go further up than where the hands/feet are. Color around the guide edges in a lighter matching color than what will go on top - this will hide any white from being seen from the side. For example, color dark warm gray where the hat will sit and light warm gray around where the striped costume will be.
Assemble witch fox on its guide in this order: cape, striped costume, cape shoulders, tied bow, treat bag, snout on head then add head, hat, hat band. Finally, use a pickup tool to place nose and eyes (use the inside bow loops for eyes, unless you plan to draw them or use the ones that came on the die). If your tool does not include a pointy end, use a die pick to move the pieces into place. I suggest using the die pick to also dot on the glue before placing.
Using a black multiliner pen (0.2mm or smaller), add lines for mouth. I used a 0.05mm Copic Multiliner SP, which is refillable and has replaceable nibs, but they also offer a disposable version. Add dots and white stars to cape using a white gel pen.
3b. To make pumpkin head, read the witch fox instructions for similarities, including coloring edges of the guide. Add white gel pen to the legs (which are colored directly on the guide, as are the hands) and gray, like witch hat. I used the black multiliner pen to draw on the nose during assembly (below). I used the die cut eyes for this character since they were the same as the rub-ons. After coloring the head and making sure it is fully dry, turn it over and use a brown marker to lightly trace the mouth. Also add some dark gray to the guide where the mouth will go, as shown in the photo further above.
Assemble pumpkin head on its guide in this order: shirt/dress, treat basket, collar, eyes and teeth on head (draw on nose now) then add head (lines up with collar exactly), stem.
3c. To make ghost cat, read the witch fox instructions for similarities, including coloring edges of the guide. Color the stripes light warm gray. Color cheeks, let dry then color around the cheeks in darker gray (see photo above). If any ink ventures inside, you can use the blender or the cheek color marker to push it back out. Color snout and other pieces. Color treat bag with light gray then once dry, add stripes in darker gray.
Assemble ghost cat on its guide in this order: sheet costume, treat basket, collar, snout on head then head on guide, finally nose and eyes like witch fox. Use black multiliner pen to draw on mouth and whiskers.
3d. To make mummy bear, read the witch fox instructions for similarities, including coloring edges of the guide. Color cheeks, let dry then color around the cheeks. If any ink ventures inside, you can use the blender or the cheek color marker to push it back out.
For bandages, start with a lighter marker to draw lines first then use a darker marker once you have the placement the way you like. The lighter marker will be easier to push away if you make a mistake. These do not have to be perfect - once you add shading, it will look fine. Add dark brown to guide where hair will fall (top of head) - the holes will show through to the guide base.
After coloring wand, let dry, then use white gel pen to draw diagonal lines and gray, like witch hat. Once moon is colored, add eye and mouth with black multiliner pen.
Assemble mummy bear on its guide in this order: body bandages, wand, moon on wand, bandages and snout on head, head on guide, finally eyes and nose like witch fox. Use black multiliner pen to draw on mouth.
If anything is unclear or you have any questions, please leave a comment! I can't wait to use these cuties on projects!
Supplies
- Scrapbook.com Willow Lane Character Dies: witch fox, pumpkin head, ghost cat, mummy bear
- Willow Lane Halloween Paper Pads: 6x8", A2 size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"
- Willow Lane Halloween Rub-on Transfers
- Spellbinders Craft Stax Storage Trays or Scrapbook.com Stack-n-Sort Storage Trays
- Alcohol Marker Friendly Paper (about 80lb/216gsm): Hammermill, X-Press It, Neenah Classic Crest, Brutus Monroe
- Sizzix Sidekick, Big Shot, or other die cutting machine
- Copic Sketch Markers or Other Alcohol Markers
- Black Multiliner Pen (look for 0.2mm or smaller)
- White Gel Pen: Gelly Roll 05
- Pickup Tool and Die Pick
