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!

the Crafter's Companion Inspiration Magazine is HERE!

i'm up today on the Crafter's Companion Facebook page, and i had LOADS of fun trying something a little different than my usual...

i LOVE LOVE LOVE the newest issue of Crafter's Inspiration - it is FULL of fabulosity on the DVD and in the magazine, and the freebies are AWESOME.  i have never tried the decoupage/layering technique with an image except for some minor paper piecing, so i decided to give this little Angelica cutie some love...

i cannot take credit for coloring her up, but there is a lot of dimension and all i did was stick the layers down...  i didn't use foam dots for this one, but i may try it next time for some of the layers, just to see the difference...  the image, floral paper, blue flowers and birthday sentiment are all from the sampler pack, and the box?

ah, yes!  the box! WOOT!  :)  box made with my awesome Ultimate Tool, and the simple box-making board that comes with it.  it's SO. STINKING. EASY.  and it's a perfect fit every time!  check out one of the super simple tutorials HERE...  (i made some boxes using the Ulti-bags and Ulti-boxes embossing boards earlier this week - click HERE to check them out!)
yep.  FUN.  and different.  and sometimes i just need to step outside of my comfort zone and do something besides cards to keep it fresh and funky!  whatcha think?  :)

Sassy and Scruffy - new from Crafter's Companion!

last week i shared a card using one of the new Scruffy Little Cat stamps from Crafter's Companion...  they are SPUNKY little ladies, and today's stamp is no exception!  i imagine all of them with a confident and feisty attitude that says "don't mess with me".

this one is called "Louise" and i thought she'd look rather pretty in pink...

 i gotta say, i'm totally digging the giant lipstick and powder puff.

Louise is all done up with Spectrum Noir markers:

FS1, FS4, FS6, FS7, FS8, IG1, IG3, PP2, PP3, PP5, HB2, LV2

and with my Spectrum Noir blendable colored pencils for a bit of shading;

35, 116

here's the rest of my supply list...

Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock
Radiant Neon Inks - Electric Pink, Electric Coral

see the full Scruffy Little Cat release HERE, and be sure to check them out on Facebook - there's a whole Scruffy Little WORLD that includes so much more than just stamps!  i'll be back on Monday with some pretties using my Ultimate Tool!

Spectrum Noir blendable colored pencils have COME TO TOWN!

hey there, chickens!  did you happen to catch the headline?  it's TIME!  this is my second card for the Spectrum Noir PENCIL launch, and i am very pleased to share it for our huge worldwide release!

the Crafter's Companion USA Inspiration and Education teams have been enjoying this new media and rockin' out the projects to really showcase what they can do!  most of you know that i'm a pencil girl at heart, although i have been loving my Spectrum Noir markers lately, too!  they say you never forget your first love, right?  ;)

well here's evidence that i still love my pencils - here's card #2 using the Spectrum Noir blendable colored pencils:

very pastelly and much different than my usual bright and bold palette, but i loved trying this style out, too!  here's my supply list:

Angelica & Adam acrylic stamp set (female) - Playtime
Bebunni Love EZmount stamp set - Hearts (sentiment)
Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Radiant Neons Electric Pink ink
Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils:
4, 9, 17, 34, 35, 43, 56, 58, 74, 84, 85, 88, 91, 103, 110, 112, 114, 115, 117, 118, 120
(with UmWowStudio Circle Confetti Mask)

linked up at Paper Issues for the May 26-June 8 issue - The World is a Circle
i used a ton of circular elements on here!

announcing Spectrum Noir BLENDABLE COLORED PENCILS - they're HERE!

well folks, we've been talking about 'em.  and talking.  and talking.  and now they're HERE! 
announcing the Spectrum Noir blendable colored pencils from Crafter's Companion!  WOO HOO!

i have been busy getting acquainted with my new pencils, and i'd like to share my first release card with you today...  CHECK ME OUT!

here's what i used: 

Sheena Douglass A Little Bit Sketchy EZmount stamp set - True Colors
Everyday Sentimentals EZmount stamp set - Imagine
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Radiant Neons Electric Orange ink
Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock
Spectrum Noir markers and blendable colored pencils:
markers (base layer) - LY1, OR1
pencils (on top of the the markers) - 015, 020, 022, 024, 027, 109, 113, 115

that's really all there is to it.  i went VERY lightly with the pencils but it helped that i had put down a base layer to make the colors bolder - i am getting used to them and the pigments are LOVELY with lots of different intensities!  you're gonna love 'em.  CLICK HERE to check 'em out and be sure to visit the Crafter's Companion blogs *USA and UK* and the Spectrum Noir blog to see all the GORGEOUS creations using these lovelies from the design teams!

Bebunni baby love at Crafter's Companion!

he's adorable, right?  i am a huge Bebunni fan, and when i was asked to make a card for a baby shower for one of my co-workers, i knew EXACTLY what had to be done!  Bebunni to the rescue!  i've got a Crafter's Companion inspiration project on the Facebook page today, and i hope this IS inspirational!  :) 

this one uses the ridiculously adorable Bebunni "Built With Love" stamp set from the Baby collection.  this little cutie is SO much fun to color, and i love that the blocks can be colored to go with ANYTHING - any color scheme, any theme, any patterns, etc.  FUN!

here's a zoom!

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

Bunny - BG1, BG3, BG5
Ears/cheeks/tummy/paws - PP1, PP2
Blocks - DG1, LY1 and CG1, CG2

zoom again!

(how much fun are the cloud distressed wood veneers?)

and that's how a baby (card) is born at 1:30 a.m. when you're on a strict deadline!  love him?  CLICK HERE to check out the full Bebunni range,

playing with Spectrum Noir re-inkers!

hey there, chickens!

i've got a card up on the Crafter's Companion USA Facebook page today, and it's super bright and super pink!

i'm not a huge mixed media person, but i have developed a little penchant for alcohol inks via my lovely Spectrum Noir markers...  i may never actually NEED to use the re-inkers to re-ink my markers, but i sure am loving them on their own! 

here's the card i made using one of the gorgeous Britain in Bloom stamps from Art-Kure by Mike Goss - this one's English Rose:

the sentiment is from the Sentimentals set, "Friends and Family" - both are inked with StazOn Jet Black and i sponged around the edges of the main panel with Jet black as well.  i used my Spectrum Noir re-inkers PP4 and BP3 with some of the blending solution to create my very pink background...  zoom for a look:

and an embossed chipboard piece (black, bright and pale
pink embossing powders) with a resin flower to accent:

so.  first of several Mothers' Day cards i need to make for people at work - i'm going to be busy this weekend!  CLICK HERE to visit the Crafter's Companion Facebook page - there's some BIG stuff going on right now and you're not going to want to miss it!  *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*  HAPPY FRIDAY and i hope you have a fantastic weekend!

more of Sheena's lovely butterflies at Crafter's Companion!

hellooooooo chickens!  i'm headed for Washington, DC this morning and will be chaperoning a bunch of high school students for their chorus competition - wish me luck!  ;)  last year was Seattle (the OTHER Washington), and it was my first time going, both to Seattle and on the chorus trip.  it was AMAZING and there were so many fun things crammed into our stay!  while DC is much closer, i don't imagine i will have less fun!

today, i'm up on the Crafter's Companion USA Facebook page with a brand new card using the gorgeous Sheena Douglass sets - this one's from her A Little Bit Sketchy line and the set is called True Colors...

isn't the butterfly stunning?!  i colored it up using the following:

Spectrum Noir markers - CT1, PP1, PP2 in order to establish a base
Spectrum Noir blendable colored pencils - 005, 009, 024, 027, 028, 029, 031, 033, 071, 073, 093, 094, 111 and 116.

the butterfly and sentiment are both stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock.  i also used the Petite Floral embossing folder (also by Sheena!) and inked it with Electric Yellow and Electric Coral Radiant Inks.  splattered with some Memento Fireworks spray in Bahama Blue, because it looks fab with the blue in the wings!

a few minimal embellies, and voila! 

i love the sentiment and think it's an awesome little message to someone in need of some encouragement - maybe someone going off to school, starting a new business endeavour, or taking a big leap to try something new.  regardless, LOVE IT.  and have i mentioned how much i am loving these Sheena butterflies?  :)

dreaming of DAFFODILS at Crafter's Companion

morning, chickens!  i've got a Crafter's Companion card to share with you today that is up on the Facebook page (have you "liked" it yet?  there are ALWAYS lots of gorgeous inspiration pieces, fun questions, great ideas, and lots of giveaways!)...

this one features the beautiful Daffodils set from Art-Kure by Mike Goss, along with a sentiment from Mulberry Wood "Love You" set:

i stamped the Daffodils on Luxury Centura Pearl cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and used my trusty Spectrum Noir markers to color them up... 

Flowers - CT1, CT2, CT4, LG2, LG3
Flower centers - CT4, GB3, GB7
Shading - BG5
Stems - CG3, CG4
Background - GT1

matted the image on a piece of copper foil cardstock, added my sentiment, some fabric and paper tapes, plus a chipboard flourish and wood veneer heart, then a handful of sequins to finish it off. 

here's a close-up in an effort to show some of the shimmer:

whatcha think? 

you're my FAVE - Crafter's Companion DT creation

helllooooooo chickens! 

the middle of the week, and while things are hectic as i prepare myself (mentally and physically) for a temporary assignment, i am happy i didn't have to drive up to our main branch today, as originally planned.  so here's to late crafty nights and not having to get up extra early!

i have a super cute Mulberry Wood card for you today that's up at the Crafter's Companion USA Facebook page...  strangely, i seem to be all about CRITTERS lately, and these two are just so stinkin' irresistible, i couldn't wait to colour 'em up!  check it out!

aren't they CUTE?!  they're from the "Love You" set from the Mulberry Wood series, which is full of quirky little critters!  i stamped them with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock and coloured them up with the following Spectrum Noir markers:

Kitties:  fur - GG1, GG2, GG3; ears/cheeks - PP1, PP2
Flowers: EB1, EB2, OR1
Leaves/grass: LY1, LY3, DB2, DG3
Background/border: HB1, HB2

just look at them!  KITTIES!  what's not to love?!

the border around the edge of the main panel is made with the little accent stamp from the set - i thought it would give it a cute effect without being too busy.  and now i'm not sure i want to give this card to anybody, because i rather like it, with my loopy bow (a first for me!).


SO.  in Leah news...  beginning Monday, i'll be commuting to the main branch to help another department that's very short-staffed.  i'm comfortable with the actual job i'll be doing, but i'm not terribly familiar with the people with whom i'll be working, and the commute (!!!) is over an hour each way, whereas i'm used to driving 5 miles to get to my branch.  gonna take some adjusting, and i don't know how long it will last, but i was told at least 2-3 months.  EEP!

so here's to finishing out a great week at HOME, enjoying our awesome staff and the quick jaunt, and to the END of sleeping in.  i'll have to leave by 6:30 to get there by 8 am and i am NOT an early morning girl.  wish me luck!

Crafter's Companion has a HUMPHREY and now I do, too!

morning, chickens!  and happy HUMP DAY to you all!  hope the week's been treating you well so far - i have a LOT going on and have to share my computer with the hubbin as he's taking graduate courses, so i don't have an issue chillin' in my craft room instead to while away the hours.  ;)

i'm up on the Crafter's Companion Facebook page today (where you'll happen to find some awesome deals, HUGE giveaways, and loads of inspiration from my talented teammates!), and i have a sweet little critter to share.  since people everywhere seem to be having BABIES, i figured i ought to build up my stash because these cards will go quick! 

this one features the sweet little Humphrey, from Crafter's Companion.  i used the Welcome Little One stamps from the "A Year With Humphrey" line, and i love the versatility of this set!  good for a boy or girl, new baby, baby's 1st birthday, or, heck, just use the flowers for a cute little thinking of you card...  loads of options!  heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Humphrey!

the sentiment and flower are from the same set - cute, right?  and that fab embossed background?  that's one of the new Sheena Douglass embossing folders - "Petite Floral" - and i love how it goes so well with the flower stamps!

i stamped Humphrey using Memento London Fog ink, then coloured her (!) up with my pencils on plain ol' business card stock (i liked the added bit of texture i got from it):

stamped the sentiment with StazOn Jet Black ink, punched it out, added some little scraps behind the sentiment, tied my ribbon and added just a HINT of yellow Wink of Stella to the flower centers (though it's not visible from the pics)...

 

my little heffalump and the sentiment are popped up and i am LOVING all the fun textures going on here!

drop by the Crafter's Companion Facebook page and see what else is going on!

inspired by DELICATA at Crafter's Companion!

morning, chickens!  a little bit of inspiration for ya (hopefully), because i am absolutely LOVING the Delicata Golden Glitz ink, and i have used it on a TON of projects already.  it's juicy, it gives great coverage, and the shimmer is unbeatable!

so yep.  i'm up on the Crafter's Companion Facebook page today with this project... 

 

i inked the debossed area of the Die'sire 8x8 Embossalicious "Regency Swirls" folder with my Delicata Golden Glitz inkpad and put my cardstock in it to "stamp" my main panel...  see, i love the pattern, but i can't emboss this size with my Cuttlebug.  i still managed to find a way to enjoy the gorgeous pattern!  :)  i just pop the panel in, put a piece of rubber on top, close the folder and press down with my hands to get a nice impression.  voila!

used a sponge to dab around the edges with gold, then stamped my sentiment from the Sentimentals "Imagine" set using StazOn in Teal Blue (i love how the gold peeks through the negative space in the stamp!). 

and that flower?  added some of the same gold ink to the edges before spraying the heck out of it with Memento Fireworks in "Summer Sky".  absolutely LOVE the result! blinged and added my ribbon, and i'm quite pleased! 

go on over and visit the Crafter's Companion store, and be sure to check out the left sidebar for Special Offers, and to sign up for our Newsletter!  (there might just be some awesome promo codes coming your way!)

in celebration of FRIENDS!

i'm up today on the Crafter's Companion Facebook page, and yesterday was a co-worker's birthday, so natch i whipped something up for the occasion!  see, since i started giving handmade cards to people at work, a store bought card simply WILL NOT DO.  ever.  even if i have no time whatsoever, they refuse to settle.

SO!  Liz turned a darling 24.  SERIOUSLY.  she could nearly be my daughter (i said NEARLY!).  and i grabbed my Mulberry Wood "Friend" set from Crafter's Companion, stamped the little fuzzpaw with Jet Black StazOn, coloured him up with my pencils, and added the sentiment from Sheena's A Little Bit Sketchy "Only Words - Through the Rain".  Liz has a bit of a thing for blue, so i added a few embellies in blue, blinged it up, and VOILA!  this little card was born:

the clouds?  i love this part!  i grabbed a sheet of pale blue vellum and punched them out...  this is a one-layer card (not my forte', but every once in a while i surprise myself!), so i just laid them on top of the image, traced the edges of the image on the vellum and trimmed the clouds down to fit around the pooch.  i'm also slightly obsessed with these shaped cards and i've been making loads of SQUARE cards lately.  watch for them!  :)

here's a close-up of the critter:

fur still isn't one of my strengths, and i wanted to go subtle with an emphasis on that blue flower, so pale worked better for me in this case anyway. 

and that is that!  CLICK HERE to check out the rest of the Mulberry Wood stamp sets (oh my goomie, so cute!), and CLICK HERE for all the gorgeousness from Sheena Douglass.  i should mention that there's also a brand new line of Sheena embossing folders and they're absolutely GORGEOUS.  you'll want to check them out by CLICKING HERE!  :)

hope the day's fab, folks.  i'm crazy swamped with work lately, and putting the pedal to the metal at the gym, so let's hope that 2014 is all it SHOULD be!  see you tomorrow!

LOVE Bamboo from Crafter's Companion!

how CUTE is this little fuzzpaw?  seriously!

he's a furry little dude from Crafter's Companion called Hugs from Bamboo from the Party Paws series, and he's perfect for ANY occasion...  i did some Christmas cards using him with different wrapping combinations (one was paper pieced - it was a breeze!), and i was having so much fun coloring him that i decided to keep the fun going with some birthday lurve.  :)

the sentiment is from the Imagine set in the Everyday Sentimentals series (there are SO many awesome sentiments in the Sentimentals line - whenever a new one comes out, it goes right into my shopping cart!), and i think the font is just super fun.  whatcha think? 

Hugs from Bamboo and my sentiment are stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and i colored my image up with my pencils...  some spunky new papers and a few brads and enamel dots and i was content! 

i love this little dude.  i really do!  squeeeeeeezable!

CLICK HERE to check out all the awesome stuff at Crafter's Companion, including the YUMMY new line of Memento Luxe inks (they are WONDERFULLY juicy and i can't stop using them - they're especially awesome with all of the Sheena Douglass silhouette stamps!)

are you making any new year's resolutions?  mine is to look for more opportunities to color, because it's absolutely therapeutic for me, and i could use a little more therapy (tee hee) - at least to come down from some of the craziness that sometimes pops up.  in the meantime, i'm counting down the days until 2014 and i know it's going to be an EXCITING year!