Posted by Oles B
on September 05, 2026
Hello there! It’s Lisa Arana from Dahlhouse Designs here with you today to share a colorful Halloween card featuring the Scalloped Frames from the Simply Halloween Collection and Drac from the Simon Hurley Halloween Hugs Collection.
The layered frames instantly inspired me to create a spooky cute gallery wall, and they made the perfect background for our Dracula friend. In today’s step-by-step photo tutorial, I’ll show you how to die-cut and emboss the frames, build the background, assemble Drac, and put everything together for a fangtastic card.
Create the Embossed Scalloped Frames
- Die cut three scalloped rectangle frames from Raven Cardstock. Die cut the coordinating center pieces from Blue Spruce, Peridot, and Saffron Cardstock.
- Place one frame inside the embossing folder with the back of the die-cut resting against the bottom section of the folder.
- Turn the embossing folder over and adjust the frame until it is centered over the coordinating rectangular design.
- Run the folder through the die-cutting machine using the recommended embossing-folder sandwich. Remove the embossed frame and repeat with the remaining two frames.
TIP: Lightly mist the cardstock with water before placing it in the embossing folder. This helps the paper fibers relax and gives the embossed details a cleaner finish. Let the cardstock dry completely before continuing.
- Adhere the Blue Spruce, Peridot, and Saffron centerpieces inside the three embossed frames.
Build the Frame Background
- Arrange and adhere the three frames to a 4.25" x 5.5" panel of Violet Cardstock, allowing portions of the frames to extend beyond the edges. Rotate the frames in different directions to create a playful gallery-wall pattern.
TIP: Arrange all three frames on the panel before adding adhesive. Letting some of the frames extend beyond the edges helps the background feel more continuous and makes it easier to decide where the trimmed pieces should go.
- Trim away the frame pieces extending beyond the edges of the Violet panel.
- Adhere two of the trimmed frame pieces to the open areas of the panel to continue the colorful pattern. Keep the pieces extending beyond the panel edges, then trim away any additional overhang.
Assemble Drac’s Head
- Die-cut the pieces for Drac’s head from Alabaster, Raven, Pomegranate, and Classic White Cardstock.
- Adhere the hair and eyes to the face.
- Adhere the remaining facial details to the back of the face, positioning the tongue and teeth behind the coordinating openings. Check the placement from the front and adjust as needed before the adhesive dries.
- Adhere the mouthpiece last, making sure the teeth and tongue remain visible through the opening.
- Turn the piece over to reveal the completed head.
Assemble Drac’s Body
- Die cut the pieces for Drac’s body from Mulberry, Raven, Alabaster, Pomegranate, and Classic White Cardstock.
- Assemble the jacket, shirt, and button pieces.
- Adhere each hand to the coordinating sleeve piece.
- Layer the glove cuff over each hand, allowing the bottom of the glove to extend slightly over the sleeve.
- Adhere the arms behind the body. Angle them upward so Drac’s hands remain visible after the head is added.
- Adhere Drac’s head and bow tie to the body.
- Adhere the cape behind Drac to complete the figure.
Die-cut the Sentiment and Bats
- Adhere the sentiment layer to the shadow piece, making sure the Peridot lettering is centered within the Raven border.
Finish the Card
- Add foam adhesive to the back of Drac and adhere him to the center of the card front. Place the foam behind the larger sections of the figure so it remains supported over the embossed background.
- Adhere the sentiment across the lower portion of the card front, slightly overlapping Drac and the surrounding frames.
- Gently bend the bat wings upward to add a little dimension.
- Adhere the bats around Drac to finish the card. Add liquid glue only the center of each bat so the shaped wings remain raised from the background.
Frame dies can do a lot more than frame a sentiment or a single element. Repeating, rotating, trimming, and reusing the Scalloped Frames turned them into a colorful background all on their own. Thanks for joining me today! You can find more of my cardmaking projects and tutorials at Dahlhouse Designs and follow along with me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies
Die-cutting machine, embossing folder, liquid adhesive, and foam adhesive.
