a final Inspiration Team project for Crafter's Companion USA

well it has been a FUN year with Crafter's Companion USA!  i tinkered with my very first Spectrum Noir markers and became an Accredited Colorist (woot!), made some awesome new friends and learned some fun new techniques, was introduced to the Ultimate Tool (which has become a HUGE source of inspiration, especially recently!), and was among the first to play with the fab new Spectrum Noir blendable colored pencils.

there is a LOT going on in my life, and it's definitely a time of huge changes, stressful transition, and, currently, a whole bunch of questions as i wait to see what my career will hold.  my bank is closing, and my job (and 58 others' jobs) will cease to exist, and the direction in which i'm heading is totally uncertain.  we have a waiting period, but in a few weeks, i should have some idea of what's ahead.  WHATEVER is ahead, it's going to be a huge change, and could involve looking for a new job, or beginning a career in insurance.  career moves at 40?  why the heck not, right?

regardless, i'm keeping an open mind and i'm certain that things are going to be okay.  the company for whom i work has been amazing so far, and the future is bright!

so with that, folks, i bring you my final Crafter's Companion USA project...

and here's my supply list:

Art-Kure Britain in Bloom EZmount stamp set - "English Rose", stamped on frosted vellum with StazOn Jet Black ink
embossed on Luxury Centura Pearl cardstock using Die'sire 6x6 Embossalicious embossing folder - "Decorative Heart"
on the same panel, i stamped the birthday sentiment from the Sentimentals EZmount stamp set - "Imagine", using my StazOn
i misted on the embossed panel using Memento Fireworks Spray - Angel Pink, then splattered a few random speckles of Spectrum Noir re-inker BP3
colored up some white Thickers using Spectrum Noir markers - PP1, BP2, True Black

i wish i could capture the shimmer, but it was hard enough to photograph with my glitchy camera!  if everything with the job gets sorted soon and i know i'll be employed in a few months, i will be getting a new camera...  in the meantime, i'm being extra frugal.  

so there you have it.  i will be hanging out with my Crafter's Companion products a whole lot, and i can't wait to see what the amazing Inspiration and Education teams create in the next term!  drop by the Crafter's Companion USA blog to see the first introductions for the new term!  thanks to the whole CC crew for everything - it's been a great run!  xo

Paper Issues is getting their NAVY on!

new issue, chickens!  Paper Issues has a brand new link party and you're invited!  this one's sponsored by the super fantabulous Echo Park Paper and they are offering up TWO collection packs to one lucky winner!

i created a card for a friend who just had a baby boy, and i was SO excited that the theme of the baby's room is all nautical cuteness.  here's my card:

i threw down some paper from Bella Blvd, added in some alphas from Doodlebug (and the tiny ones from my stash), and wood and cork bits from Studio Calico, then some burlap trim from Maya Road and twine from The Twinery. 

you wanna play along?  link up your projects that follow the theme (they can be NEW or OLD, as long as you link back to the Paper Issues blog!)...  go for some blues in your project, an aquatic or nautical theme (sea creatures, boats, beaches, marinas, the beach, cruises, water, etc.), military subjects, bath time or showers, use water on your project (i.e. WATERCOLORING!), something 4th of July related or anything using Echo Park products!  seriously, we don't mind how loosely related it is, we just want you to share!  CLICK HERE to see what the Creative Team did for this issue, and have FUN!

oh, and if you haven't already grabbed it, the July Swag Bag is available HERE.  AND a bazillion awesome new products (some are even nautical-themed!) like these:

and my code, as always, will save you some big bucks (that can be spent on more crafties!):

linked up for the May 11th issue, too!  because STARS and what better way to get one's party started than with a brand new baby boy?  :)

a happy little box of HOME with Crafter's Companion

holy wow, chickens.  LOTS going on in my personal life right now, and i've got some HUGE hurdles to clear, but i'm confident it's all going to work out as it should and i'll be okay.  yesterday i received some big (and bad) news, but i also celebrated 10 years since the day my husband and i met.  we're off to NYC in a couple of hours and i'm SO excited, but it's bittersweet coupled with the other stuff.  still, i'm determined to enjoy myself, and his company, and it's going to be a nice little escape.  :)

today, i've got a post that was shared on the Crafter's Companion USA Facebook page yesterday - yet ANOTHER little box created with my Ultimate Tool (and i just got another of the embossing boards, so there will be many more forthcoming!):

this one's a simple box, the perfect size for some little trinkety goodness.  the nice thing about the box feature is that as long as the papers are the exact same size, you don't have to worry about the actual measurements.  just score, snip and stick. 

the floral stamp is from Sheena Douglass - "Lily of the Valley", stamped on Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  i colored this and select areas on my sentiment cut with my Spectrum Noir markers:

leaves - LG2, LG3, JG1
flower petals - TN1, GB2, LY3
flower centers - TN1, TN3, TN5
other (on sentiment panel) - GB2, CR7

some bits and bobs to fill the white space, everything coming from the Paper Issues Swag Bags, and voila!  a cute way to give someone a gift welcoming them into their new home!  or returning from a trip.  or just finding a way to relax and enjoy some down time with loved ones. 

have you signed up for the Crafter's Companion newsletter?  there's always something good coming to your inbox, and there are some awesome new stamps available from Sheena Douglass and Scruffy Little Cat!  ANNNNND, there's a whole new line of Die'sire DIES available, too!  sign up now and get all the latest news and deals hot off the press!

another Sheena card - LOVE the Henna stamps from Crafter's Companion!

hi again, chickens!

back with another Sheena Douglass card - the Taste of India stamps from her A Little Bit Sketchy line are gorgeous, and i can totally see myself making my own patterned paper and doing some embossing and MAYBE even some watercoloring, but LOOK!  are they not stunning?

i stamped on Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and colored with my Spectrum Noir markers:

GB3, OR2, OR3, BP2, PL3, PL5, TN3, TN4, CT1, CT2, CG3, CG1, BT2, BT4

the sentiment is a Cosmo Cricket hybrid of two separate stickers, and the bling is super fun and very purple, but it didn't photograph well (sorry about that - still working on sorting out my camera issues!).

whatcha think?  check out the Crafter's Companion USA Facebook page for loads of inspiration from the Education and Inspiration teams, and don't forget to play along with the monthly challenge - this month's theme is Tags, Boxes or Bags and as long as you incorporate a Crafter's Companion exclusive product (the rules can be found with the challenge HERE) - besides just Spectrum Noir markers or blendable colored pencils, you could win £30 or $30 to spend at the Crafter's Companion USA or UK store!  

brand new Scruffy Little Cat stamps coming THURSDAY to Crafter's Companion!

heya gang!  quickie post to give you a little sneak peek of what's coming to the Crafter's Companion store this THURSDAY!  there's a new(ish) line called Scruffy Little Cat and we've got NEW stamps coming out on Thursday...  they're too stinkin' cute! 

i've stamped my image on Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then colored up miss Hayley using my Spectrum Noir markers... here's my color list:

skin - FS4, TN2
cheeks - PP1, PP2
lips - CR6, DR3
eyes - CG2, DG2, GB10
shirt - FS6, FS8
skirt - CG2, DG2, GB9, GB10, BG7
purse/shoes - IG1, IG2, IG3
jewels/box - FS1, FS3, IG1, GB3, GB1, TN3, TN5, BG3, BG7, FS8, DR3, PP2
hair - BG1, BG4, BG6

check out the full range of Scruffy Little Cat goodies, including EZMount stamps, clear stamps, paper pads, embossing folders and a CD-Rom! 

peek around the Crafter's Companion Facebook page over the next few days to see more from this new release!

another Crafter's Companion BOX, using the Ultimate Tool!

i know i've mentioned i'm loving my Ultimate Tool from Crafter's Companion USA, and the many embossing boards that come with it, or are available separately, but OH MY GOOMIE, this one could be my fave!  (until my next order comes, that is!)

this project, up on the Crafter's Companion USA Facebook page today, uses the Ultimate Tool with the Ulti-bags embossing folder for a totally cute and functional PURSE!  everything just fits together so well, and i added a handle and decorated to make it super girlie.  behold!

i coloured up the flowers and leaf from Sheena's A Little Bit Sketchy - "A New Leaf" EZMount stamp set with the following Spectrum Noir markers:

flowers - BT1, BT2, EB1, OR1, BG3
leaf - GB3, TN3, BG2

this ALSO happens to fit our current Tags, Bags and Boxes challenge!  CLICK HERE to play along, and use any of your Crafter's Companion USA or Crafter's Companion UK stamps, or our other exclusive products (the full rules list is posted - read carefully!).  projects MUST incorporate more than just Spectrum Noir markers or blendable colored pencils to qualify.  good luck!

New at Paper Issues - Food For Thought! Sponsored by Some Odd Girl

it's a new issue at Paper Issues, and this one's rather near and dear to me!

we're sponsored by Some Odd Girl, and, well, it's kinda perfect, dontcha think?  :D

well we're inviting you to link up, and our theme for this go-round is "Food For Thought"...  share your projects (new or old, just be sure to link back to us!) related to food, ponderings/musings, recipes, restaurants, fave dishes, stresses and worries, dreams and things you think about, puzzles (they make you think!), cooking, dieting, etc...  OR anything you've made using Some Odd Girl stamps!  (easy peasy!)

we happen to have a brand new Some Odd Girl stamp release (which you may have seen if you follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our newsletter), but if not, well you're STILL in for a treat!  the prize for this issue?  two AWESOME sets of clear stamps!  i used the Fruit Salad set for my cards for the issue...

EEEEP!  love these little guys!  (there's a nanner in the set, too)  coloured them up with my Spectrum Noir markers, the main panels are from Polka Dot Party from Dear Lizzy, and everything else (EVERYTHING!) is from the May and June Swag Bags! 

so you wanna play along?  join the link party by CLICKING HERE, and see what the rest of the Paper Issues Creative Team did with these awesome stamps...  might give you some ideas how to incorporate the theme into your projects!  ANNNNND you could win these!

join us.  you know you wanna.  how cute would these stamps be for your kids' lunchbags?  or thank you gifts for teachers?  come onnnnnn, play along!  :)  and if you feel up to it, check out the Paper Issues Instagram feed - there's a contest and all you have to do is share photos of your crafty space and use the hashtag #icrafthere and you could win MORE fabulous stuff from Paper Issues! 

Guest designing at the SRM Stickers Challenge!

hey there chickens!  

i'm totally excited to be joining the team as a guest designer for the SRM Challenge!  thanks for having me, SRM!  :)

the theme....   SUMMER!  yep, an easy one!  create a summery project and be sure to follow a few simple rules:   
1 - use ONLY SRM Stickers and Products (they can also be used in combination with your own stamps, papers, die cuts, etc.) 
2 - comment on the links before and after you when you submit your project!
3 - participating in other challenges is absolutely acceptable!
4 - be appropriate and respectful with commenting, and even with your project.
5 - annnnd, that thing we should ALL do ('cuz hey, it's FRIDAY, so why wouldn't we?!) - HAVE FUN!

SO!  it's no secret that SRM makes AWESOME stickers, and one of my faves is this Happy Birthday sentiment sheet...  SO many fun combinations, and the sentiment on my card is a hybrid of chopped up words from different complete sentiments on the sheet.  it was FUN!  and just because i used birthday stickers didn't mean i am limited to making only birthday cards with them!  behold:

the Beach Mae clear stamp set from Some Odd Girl was perfect for the summer challenge, and you really can't go wrong with a seagull/albatross wearing shades.  add in some crepe paper borders (Little Yellow Bicycle), some patterned papers from Amy Tangerine, Pink Paislee and LYB doctored up with colored pencils, a wood veneer from Chic Tags (backed with papers), a white gel pen, a couple of pop dots and sequins, and voila! 

zoom!

And that's gonna do it!  There's a fab SRM prize pack up for grabs, and you'll be in awesome company.  ;)  CLICK HERE to see what the brilliant and talented designers have done, and be sure to show them some love!

you have until Wednesday, July 2nd to play along, so let's get rollin' for an awesome theme!  how do YOU think of summer?  barbecues?  picnics?  swimming? graduation?  weddings?  the beach?  fruit?  whatever the case may be, have a great weekend, and good luck!

blending my Spectrum Noir colored pencils!

good morning, lovely chickens!  

time for another Crafter's Companion Facebook page project!  

i thought i'd play with my Spectrum Noir blendable colored pencils, and actually BLEND THEM!  using my paper stumps with the blending solution, the colors just seem to melt into each other, and i absolutely LOVE the effect!  check it out:

i used "The Butterfly Effect" from Sheena's A Little Bit Sketchy EZMount stamps, and the following Spectrum Noir pencils:

 4, 15, 20, 89, 91, 95, 117, 119, 120

blended them up and added some flicking in for a bit of texture, and this is what i was able to achieve:

whatcha think?  :)  i love the butterflies in this line to begin with, but now i just love coloring them more.  CLICK HERE to see what's new and exciting at Crafter's Companion, and if you don't already subscribe to the newsletter, you're missing out!  you get the first news on sales and sneaks!  here's how you sign up at the main Crafter's Companion page (in the left sidebar):