Halloween Test Tube Treat Card

We've all seen tubes being used in recent years to package all kinds of treats and candy, usually in specialty food and gift stores.  Like you, I see them and I think it's a fun idea and I should incorporate the idea into one of my paper craft projects.  I've been dying to make something, anything with a test tube since last Halloween, but didn't have any test tubes and I didn't want to ask one of my two sons, who are both chemists, to bring me home a few because...well...who knows what they've been cooking up in them!  I would prefer mine clean and of food grade quality.  And plastic.  Then after seeing the Halloween projects from the Stampin' Up! Convention, well, I was not going to let another year go by without realizing a test tube project!   I searched the internet for food grade, plastic test tubes and came up with several sources.  (Honestly, how did we ever live before the internet??)  It was just a matter of comparing prices and finding out who would let me buy just a few because, although tempting and sometimes I think  hmm...maybe I could use..., I really don't need a thousand!! Anyway, I found this place where I could buy only one if I wanted.  I bought two dozen.  (A reasonable amount.  I am proud of the restraint I have sometimes. )  They offer cork stoppers and colored plastic, like the orange topper on my sample.  Since my plan was to use them for Halloween, I got 12 orange and 12 violet stoppers.  The plastic stoppers are a little less expensive than the cork.

This card is my first rendition of something with a test tube.  Personally, I think it's stinkin' cute!  Agree?  :)

If you're wondering what is inside my test tube, they are chocolate/candy coated sunflower seeds.  I bought these at the Cal Poly Pomona Farm Store, but I have also bought some in another fall color mix (orange, yellow, green and brown) at Trader Joe's.

Here are the things you need to make this card:
8-1/2 x 5-1/2 Pumpkin Pie card stock, scored at 3-1/4, 4-1/4, and 5-1/4 along the 8-1/2 side
5 x 2-3/4 Crushed Curry card stock, embossed with Spider Web Embossing Folder*
3 x 3 Tangerine Tango card stock, embossed with Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
2  1 x 8 pieces of Gold Waffle Paper
1 piece Watercolor Paper
Scrap of Basic Black card stock
4" length of 1-1/4" Basic Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Linen Thread
Stamp n' Write Markers - Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Dusty Durango, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight,                                      Concord Crush, Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette
Jet Black Stazon Ink
Tangerine Tango Classic Ink
Daffodil Delight Classic Ink
Snail Adhesive
Dimensionals

Tools:
Paper Trimmer w/scoring blade
Scissors
Big Shot
Spider Web embossing folder (*I don't yet have the new SU! one, so I used one I had.)
Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder
2-1/2" Circle Punch
Word Window Punch
Bitty Bat Punch
Blender Pen
Sponge Dabbers

Instructions:

Fold the 8-1/2 x 5-1/2 Pumpkin Pie card stock on the 4-1/4 score.

To make the loops that hold the test tube, at about 3/4" from one end, cut from the folded side of the card to the next score line (this will be to the 3-1/4 score line on the bottom of the card and the 5-1/4 score line on the top of the card).  Then make another cut about 3/4" from the first cut in the same way.  This is one loop.  Now, repeat the cuts at the other end to make another loop.

Fold the card on the 3-1/4 and 5-1/4 score lines and inverting the 4-1/4 score line fold so it goes to the inside of the card, but leaving the loops to the outside of the card.  Does that make sense?

Now, put Snail on the inside of the folded area and adhere the two sides of the folded area together, but leaving the loops sticking out.  This creates a flap on the inside of the card.  I adhered my flap to the inside front of the card, just to get it out of the way.

Stamp the Little Witch in Jet Black Stazon on the Watercolor Paper, leaving enough room around the image to punch it out with the 2-1/2" Circle Punch.  Punch it out and watercolor the image using the blender pen and Stamp 'n Write Markers.  Use a Sponge Dauber to sponge the edges with Tangerine Tango Classic Ink.

Stamp "Happy Halloween" in Jet Black Stazon on a scrap of the Watercolor Paper.  Punch it out with the Word Window Punch.  Use a Sponge Dauber to sponge the edges with Tangerine Tango Classic Ink.

To make the ruffle around the image element, place Snail adhesive around the circle edges on the back side.  Using the strips of Waffle Paper, gather and stick the paper around the circumference of the circle allowing the ruffle edge to extend only about 3/8" from the edge of the circle.  You can trim any uneven spots once you have the entire ruffle attached.

Run a length of Snail to the back side of one edge of the embossed Tangerine Tango layer and attach the "Happy Halloween" element to it.  See photo for placement.

Next, using Snail, adhere the Crushed Curry layer and the Tangerine Tango layer to the card base.  See photo for placement.

Attach the image element to the center of the Tangerine Tango Layer with Dimensionals.  See photo.

Attach the Bitty Bat to the upper right of the image element with a Dimensional.  See photo.

Wrap the ribbon length around the test tube and tie with a piece of Linen Thread.

Insert the filled test tube into the loops, being careful not to tear them.  Done!

You can find all of the supplies you need, except test tubes, to make this card in my online Stampin' Up! store.  Let me know if you need help finding anything or if you have any questions.

I used the 16.5 x 150mm Polystyrene Plastic Tubes and the 16mm Hollow Bottom Caps, as they suggested for that size tube.  If I order them again, I might try a couple of the 17mm caps because the 16mm, although work, aren't really that tight of a fit.

I LOVE and APPRECIATE your comments!  Let me know if you like these kinds of posts.

As always, thanks for stopping by and have a great day!