Since the first Printers Tray class at Your Maine Stamper, these have become all the rage! We can't keep them in stock! I usually use the 7 Gypsies Printers Tray with the twelve ATC-sized spaces, but for this project I went outside my comfort zone and worked with the tray that has twenty spaces in a bunch of different sizes. The crunch was on to get this done ASAP because it is my Halloween card/home decor item for my son in California, so it has to get in the mail today!!!
I measured, cut, and taped in place all twenty of the background papers using bits and pieces from the Blackbird 6X6 and 12X12 papers left from other Halloween projects. Then the fun began!
Top Row:
In the first box I added a Halloween-themed bottle cap and some black puffy dot stickers.
The second box has three black buttons attached with glue dots.
For the larger third box, I cut another piece of blackbird paper to match what was already in the tray, covered it with VersaMark and clear embossed the paper, matching up the images and adding a piece of black and white dotted ribbon to the left edge of the embossed piece.
For the fourth box I stamped SHADY WINDOW D1274 on a scrap piece in Jet Black Archival Ink, clear embossed it and cut it out, then stamped it again on a piece of striped paper cutting out just the window shade which I added to the embossed image. The final touch was some Glossy Accents on the pumpkin.
Middle Row:
In the small first square, I used a black foam shaker frame filled with black glass beads and fall leaf confetti. Under that is the TENDRIL COLLAGE D1269 which I stamped in Jet Black Archival Ink and clear embossed before mounting it to the background paper.
The next panel features CHAIR C1137, stamped in Jet Black again and clear embossed, with a chair seat from the same striped paper I used for the window shade, mounted on black cardstock. The sentiment YOU'RE MY CUP OF TEA is an older Memory Box stamp.
The larger central panel features BIRD IN FLIGHT D1393, stamped, clear embossed, and sprayed with a shimmer mist, mounted on black cardstock.
For the next panel I stamped and embossed four smaller CROW B1389 images, popping up one of the crows mounted on a scrap of black cardstock over the center one underneath.
In the next rectangular space, I stamped HAPPY HALLOWEEN B1391 directly on the background paper as well as ORB SPIDER B1131, colored the body in with a black pen and added some Glossy Accents.
I stamped and clear embossed CHANDELIER (spiders mounted on the side) D1135 to look as if it were hanging in a tree.
For the final box in that row I had this great moon charm that I mounted with an extra large pop dot.
Bottom Row:
For the first rectangular space I inked up just the word "spooky" from SPOOKY COLLAGE G1387, embossed it, and edged the paper with more black ink before placing it on the background paper.
Under that I used the VINTAGE SCROLL E1388, stamped in Jet Black and clear embossed, with a tiny button accent.
Another bottle cap and a bow made with white dotted black ribbon finish the two smaller boxes.
The central image in the next box is STAIRCASE D1136, stamped, embossed, cut out and mounted on black cardstock with Glossy Accents on the pumpkin.
Three orange buttons in one and another bottle cap and some orange puffy dot stickers accent the next two rectangles.
The final box features two of the SKETCH PUMPKIN B945 images stamped and embossed on scrap paper and edged with black ink.
It's not too late to make your Halloween cards or home decor items using Memory Box stamps and Blackbird papers. Time to get inky!!!
Happy stamping!
I love your terrific printer's tray, Anne - I love the shimmer and shine, all the spooky images and yummy paper! Fun halloween project!
Posted by: Sharon D. from Canada | 10/25/2010 at 08:50 AM
Anne, your son will treasure this beautiful piece you made for him. So many great MB stamps to create this marvelous decor item, and many other projects as well.
Posted by: Linda B. | 10/25/2010 at 09:27 AM
Love this tray Anne, A is going to love it! I think I must go out today and see if I can find one you've inspired me!
Posted by: Robyn, So CA, USA | 10/25/2010 at 11:12 AM
I wish there were craft stores ANYWHERE in my entire state! The closest store to purchase Memory Box items is three hours away! WHERE can I purchase these beautiful supplies online that have most of the items in one pace?
Posted by: Michele Henderson | 10/25/2010 at 01:01 PM
This is a treasure! And to think I discarded three antique printer's trays a few years ago for lack of storage space. :( Thank you for sharing your creativity. :D
Posted by: -mary | 10/25/2010 at 04:11 PM
MICHELE: EllenHutson dot com stocks many of the Memory Box items. She has the 7 Gypsies printer's trays in black and brown. Hope this helps!
Posted by: -mary | 10/25/2010 at 04:16 PM
Your tray is awesome. After seeing Dave's tray, it inspired me to give it a try and I was happpy with the result. The Memory Box paper is the best!
Posted by: Nancy B | 10/25/2010 at 07:28 PM
Really wonderful project for the season! Love it!
Posted by: Julie Ranae | 10/25/2010 at 10:25 PM
Anne - Love your Printers Tray. They are so much fun to do. Have done one with family pet pictures for my sister's birthday. Know she will love it. Connie
Posted by: connie locashio | 10/26/2010 at 03:58 AM
Love your printer tray. I live in Houston and I just did one at Archivers this past weekend. I had lots of fun.
Posted by: Lisa | 10/26/2010 at 09:53 AM
Hi Anne
Your Printer tray is beautiful. Where can i get the printer tray as yours. I would like to make one for my friend as a gift.
Posted by: Wayne Vo | 06/18/2011 at 01:41 PM