Happy Haunting

Hello friends,

I've got a really REALLY COOL way to make a window card. It's super easy AND gives you more ways to use those Create-A-Card Bases Dies and Edge'ables Dies from Crafter's Companion. The complete tutorial is over on the Crafter's Companion website.

This card turned out even better than I had imagined.  I love when that happens :) Can you believe this was all done using only white cardstock?! YEP! Distress ink blending, along with coloring the images with Spectrum Noir Colourblend Pencils is all that was done. Pencil colors used: Pewter, Black, Taupe, Sage, Avocado, Pear Green, Jade, Peach, Cream, Saddle Brown, Pumpkin, Nectarine, Velvet, Blackberry.

I also want to point out how you can use non-holiday dies on a holiday themed project to get even more use out of them. The Edge'ables - Classic Chandelier die set works perfectly for this Halloween theme. Or how about using the Classic Wedding Bells Edge'ables die set for a fantastic Christmas theme.

To make the bats, I stamped the bat that is on top of the spooky martini stamp.  Then I colored and fussy cut them out. I also added a touch of micro-fine black glitter on the bats & sentiment letters.

Check out my tutorial over on the Crafter's Companion USA Blog HERE.

Don't forget to check us out on Facebook to keep up with all the latest and greatest news.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies
Crafter's Companion Edge'ables Everyday - Classic Chandelier
Crafter's Companion Create-A-Card Bases - Rosie
Crafter's Companion Essentials - Circles
Crafter's Companion Halloween Happy Haunting Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Halloween Trick or Treating Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Free Spooky Mansion Digi Stamp
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth White Cardstock
Gemini Die-Cutting/Embossing Machine
Spectrum Noir Blending Solution & Paper Stumps
Spectrum Noir ColourBlend Pencils
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Glue Pen
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Distress Inks - Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Black Soot
Ink Blending Tools
Black & Yellow Glitter
Black Pearl

Little Ray of Sunshine

Have you seen the new Verity Rose Collection? It's available NOW over at Crafter's Companion USA? YES!!! I'm in LOVE with these new products! Each character has a unique style and personality that takes you back to the 1920's - but with an added modern twist. I've used the "Sunbeam" character on my card. Sunbeam is cheerful, jolly, bright and breezy. To describe her in one word....Carefree. She likes sunshine, beach huts, deckchairs, fairgrounds and eating strawberry ice cream.

For even more fun, each character has a special animal friend and favorite flower. Sunbeam's animal friend is a flamingo and her favorite flower is a sunflower. All the accessory products are fabulous! They match perfectly with the characters, but you can use any of the products for crafting projects of any kind.

I colored the "Sunbeam" image, from the Verity Rose Coloring Pad, with Spectrum Noir Markers and Blendable Colored Pencils.

• Face: FS6, CR3, 009
• Eyes: GB8, TN7, EB6, IB2, Blender
• Hair: TN1, GB2, GB8, EB2, 015
• Reds: CR1, CR10, DR4, 095
• Pinks: CR5, PP2
• Flower: GB3, OR1, 015, 020, 022
• Cones: GB2, EB2, GB8
• Blues: IB1, IB2, IB3, TB1, TB2, TB8, TB9, 071

I also used my Black Spectrum Noir Marker to airbrush the black specks on ground and on the sentiment oval. To take it all up a level, I colored a few areas with Spectrum Noir Clear Overlay Sparkle Pen for some STUNNING shimmer! Yeah..I know...drool! LOL!

The fun just keeps on going with the stamps and matching dies!!! YES! The smaller sea shells and flamingo are die-cut, stamped and colored. I used the Sunbeam Accessories Stamps and Die set. No need to fussy cut those skinny bird legs! ha! I also diecut the Verity Rose Official Frame for the sentiment and tucked a bit of the Doily diecut behind the image panel. All these goodies are mounted to a card that is straight out of the Verity Rose Card Blanks Pad. And check this out...these cards are double-sided! Beautiful inside and out...even the backs are printed!

I mean...come ON! It doesn't get any better that this...right? Well...YES IT DOES! Matching Verity Rose Envelopes, Charms, Ribbon, Metal Dies, Paper Pads and Acrylic Stamp Sets! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! 


If you would like to get your hands on the Verity Rose Collection, this weekend is a great time to go shopping!. Crafter's Companion USA has $10 off when you spend $40 or more on the webstore. Just use the code 10JULY4 This code is good for all products on the website, not just the Verity Rose collection.

Happy crafting,

Supplies:
Crafter's Companion Verity Rose Sunbeam Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Verity Rose Sunbeam Accessories Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Verity Rose Sunbeam Accessories Die Set
Crafter's Companion Verity Rose Doily Die
Crafter's Companion Verity Rose Official Frame Die
Crafter's Companion Verity Rose Coloring Pad
Crafter's Companion Verity Rose Card Blanks Pad
Crafter's Companion Verity Rose 6"x6" Luxury Paper Pad
Crafter's Companion Verity Rose 6"x6" Envelope Pack 
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils
Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen - Clear Overlay
Black Ink
Distress Ink Scattered Straw
Clear Stamping Block
Ink Blending Tool
Die-cut Machine
Dimensional Foam Adhesive

House-Mouse Blog Hop Challenge Mid-Way

Hey House-Mouse fans. I'm back again for the 2nd week of the fantastic Mouse-Mouse & Friends Blog Hop Challenge with Stampendous and the wonderful Stampendous Design Team  -- plus the Woodware Craft Collection Design Team (distributors of Stampendous and Dreamweaver Stencils in the UK) and The Stencil Specialists (distributors of Stampendous and Dreamweaver Stencils in Australia) . Get all the deets on the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog.

Once again I used my new Peacock Background Deamweaver Stencil from Stampendous. I thought it matched perfectly with the flower stalks on the House-Mouse Lavender Dreams stamp.

Last week I used ink sprays with this same stencil (see here). This time I used Dreamweaver Translucent Stencil Embossing Paste with Desert Grass Embossing Powder from Stamp A Mania on top. I love using these embossing powders with the paste. The colors are intense and the powder also has ultra fine glitter mixed in. It's super duper sparkly.

I colored with House-Mouse image using Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencil with Blending Solution and Paper Stumps.

• Mouse Skin 005, 008, 009
• Mouse Fur on Left 087, 103
• Mouse Fur on Right 112, 117
• Flowers 038, 079, 082 
• Stems 058, 060, 117
• Yellow Shading 011

To see how I color the mice - check out my tutorial on the Spectrum Noir Blog.

On top of the flowers, and on areas of the stencil background, I added a custom blend mixture of Flower Soft - Lavender, Meadow, Ultrafine White, Ultra Fine Pine and Diamond Range Amethyst. I also dusted a bit of glitter on top while the glue was still wet.

See more great samples our design team came up for our mid-week post HERE.
Visit the challenge post to get all blog hop details HERE.




Happy Crafting!

NEW Spectrum Noir Watercolor Pencils

Bonjour my crafty friends. I have EXCITING NEWS! Spectrum Noir is coming out with some brand new Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor Pencils! Sara Davies, the founder Crafter's Companion will debut them March 16th on HSN - Home Shopping Network.

LUCKY ME :) I'm on the design team...so I already got these babies in my hands. Let me tell ya...they are fab! Check out how rich and vibrant the colors are...

Are ya droolin'....like me?!!! Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor Pencils are loaded with high-quality artist’s grade pigment, which gives a smooth laydown of color. And because they are water soluble, you can create brilliant watercolor effects using a brush and water. Seriously...these pencils are amazing!

The stamp set I used is Sheena A Little Bit Scenic French 50's Cafe. It's a GREAT set! So many fun images that can be used to make a little scene...or use them individually for more of a clean and simple design. I LOVE sets that are so versatile like that.

I stamped the building on Spectrum Noir Watercolor Cardstock. It's a nice bright white paper. You need it too ;) After I colored the building, I stamped and colored the woman walking the dog. The tree and flowers were stamped on scrap pieces of watercolor cardstock - colored & fussy cut.

TIP: To give the building the appearance of being further back in the background, I stamped with a lighter ink color. 

Make sure to mark your calendar for the HSN Show on March 16th. It will be a fun day of crafting, inspiration and shopping!

 

Supplies
Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor Pencils

• Naturals (Oregano, Kiwi, Pesto Green, Cypress)
• Essentials (Dove Grey, Ebony, Anthracite, Iron Grey, Charcoal Brown, Ginger, Nutmeg, Pearl White, Cantaloupe)
• Florals (Strawberry, Cherry, Carrot, Persimmon, Hyacinth)
•  Primaries (Chrome Orange, Mango, Aegean Blue)

Crafter's Companion Sheena's A Little Bit Scenic - French 50's Cafe Stamp Set
Spectrum Noir Watercolor Cardstock 
Black Cardstock
Blue Cardstock
Black Ink
Grey Ink
VersaMark Ink
White Embossing Powder
Heat Embossing Gun
Watercolor Paint Brush
Dimensional Foam Adhesive

Oh So Girly

YES!!! NEW Digi Images and a NEW Challenge over at Fresh Brewed Designs. WOOT WOOT!

The Challenge Theme: Oh So Girly
Get all the challenge and prize details over on the FBD Challenge Blog.

The new digi I used is called Caffeinated Escape. She was super fun to color. I also used the Coffee House Menu digi image and To Have and To Hold digi sentiment. BTW - if you want to purchase a digi from the Fresh Brewed Designs webstore...but you can't find it...just shoot them a quick email and let them know what images you are looking for.

I colored using Spectrum Noir Markers along with Spectrum Noir Colored Pencils. The pencils colored on top of the markers  REALLY add the extra depth and shading! If you've never tried that...I highly suggest. I have a tutorial over on the Spectrum Noir Blog about coloring pencils over markers. That will help you get started with this technique. Check it out HERE.

Here's all the colors I used:

• Markers - FS2, FS3, FS6, CR2, PP1, PP4, PP5, HB1, TN3, EB1, EB3, EB5, GB8, CG2, DG2, BG2, BG4, BG6, BG8
• Pencils - 001, 031, 033, 111, 115

The sentiment I picked to go along with my card design is really intended for a wedding card. I thought it worked perfectly for this project- giving it just a touch of humor...in an "Oh So Girly" way.


Thanks for stopping by today. I can't wait to see what "girly" stuff you make!

Supplies:
Fresh Brewed Designs Digi Images
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Colored Pencils
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Crafter's Companion Shimmering Cardstock
Crafter's Companion Flowers and Leaves Dies (coming soon)
A Muse Studio green cardstock
Pebbles Inc designer cardstock - Ever After - Blushing Princess
Crystal Rhinestone Stickers
My Favorite Things Pierced Rectangle Stax Die Set
Computer and Printer
Die-cutting/Embossing Machine

Rain or Shine

Good morning friends! Today starts a new challenge over at House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog...and I'm the hostess.

House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #213 - Rain or Shine
I can't wait to see what YOU come up with for my theme. Get creative as you want with your House-Mouse & Friends images. Click HERE for challenge details, rules and prize info.

I had the perfect stamp for this challenge theme.

This stamp pretty much takes up the entire front of an A2 card. To get it layered, I did trim it down just a tad. You all know how much I love glitter and bling, so I added glossy accents to the raindrops and sprinkled crystal glitter on top. It's soooo sparkly!

The sentiment is from Great Impressions. It worked out perfectly with this stamp for the challenge. I colored everything (even the little wooden hearts) with my Spectrum Noir Blendable Pencils.

Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils:

• Flowers, Leaves, Stems - 014, 056, 058, 023, 026, 118
• Mailbox Wood Post - 094, 108
• Mailbox - 112, 114, 118, 120
• Skin - 005, 009, 008
• Fur - 087, 088, 094, 103, 108, 110
• Sky - 074
• Wood Hearts - 023, 026

Hop on over the the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog to see all the other design team projects. They are amazing...and I'm sure you will be inspired!

Our generous sponsor for this challenge is STAMPENDOUS!

Winner will receive a Fabulous $20 Value Reward Card

Need help coloring the House-Mouse mice? Check out the tutorial I did a while back over on the Spectrum Noir Blog.

I can't wait to see what YOU come up with for my challenge theme!

Supplies:
House-Mouse Designs - Special Delivery Stamp
Stickable Stamps by Great Impressions - #D504S Sentiment Stamp
Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils
Spectrum Noir Blending Solution
Spectrum Noir Blending Stumps
Spectrum Noir Paper Stumps File
Spectrum Noir Pencil Sharpener
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Stitched Die
Freckled Fawn Wood Embellishments
Ranger Multi-Matte Medium
A Muse Studio Grass Cardstock
Bazzill Grey Cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Glossy Accents
Crystal Glitter
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Die-cutting/Embossing Machine

Happy Happy Milton

Here's a birthday card that will make you smile...

Isn't that stamp as cute as they come?! It's called Milton and is Stamping Bella I could hardly wait to color it. Coloring the jeans was super duper easy...thanks to a tutorial that was shared over on the Spectrum Noir Blog - Coloring Denim.

After following the tutorial to color the jeans, I colored  over the lightest areas with the white (001) Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencil to give his tummy a little extra "pooch" LOL

Spectrum Noir Markers used to color:

• Denim TB3, TB4, TB5 (plus pencil # 001)
• Shirt GB7, GB6, GB1, BG3
• Buttons OR2, OR1
• Skin FS3, FS2, BG3, BG1
• Fur BG5, BG3, BG1
• Balloon DR6, DR3, DR1, CR5
• Background BT1, BG1, Blender
• Ground BG5, BG3, BG1, Blender

I'm running low on birthday cards...so I'll be working on building up a stash. Heck, this one was so fun, I think I'll make a few more in different color schemes :)


Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Blendable Pencils
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Misc Colored Cardstocks
Pretty Pink Posh Sequins
Dimensional Foam Adhesive Tape
Multi Matte Medium

Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens!

I am absolutely IN LOVE with the NEW Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens! These "must have" babies are available from Crafter's Companion USA.

As with all things sparkly...it's somewhat a challenge to take a pics that really show the "WOW" factor. Soooo....here's a couple more that hopefully give you an idea of the great sparkle these pens have.

Ah-mazing...right?!!!

The stamps are from Crafter's Companion Forest Friends Stamp Set. That cute fox just warms my heart! First, I stamped and colored with Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils on a cream cardstock. Then, I colored over top with Pink Champagne and Clear Sparkle Pens. WOW! LOVE!

Check out all the colors available in each Sparkle Pen Set HERE.
More sample projects with the Sparkle Pens can be found on the Spectrum Noir Blog and the Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen Pinterest Album.

Have a great day!




Supplies
Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens: Pink Champagne, Sparkle Clear
Spectrum Noir Colored Pencils: 094, 084, 086, 003, 112, 001, 103, 059, 058, 044 (Primaries, Nature & Essentials sets)
Crafter's Companion Forest Friends Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Scalloped Tags Die Set
Crafter's Companion Circles Die Set
Crafter's Companion Woodgrain Embossing Folder (included with Inspiration Magazine)
Crafter's Companion Spring Morning 6" x 6" Embossalicious Embossing Folder
Misc Ink Pads
Cream Cardstock
Misc Colored Cardstocks
Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh
Twine
Diecutting/Embossing Machine
Liquid Adhesive
Dimensional Foam Adhesive

Merry Christmas Mouse

Hello all! How about a little House-Mouse fun? A new challenge is up over at House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog.

The Challenge is: Anything Christmas BUT NO RED or Green. Get all the challenge and prize details on the blog HERE.

I colored this adorable House-Mouse image with Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils:

• Skin 005, 009, 008
• Fur 108, 110
• Blanket & Stars 063, 118
• Gift Box 014, 018
• Hat & Shoes 085, 088
• Ground & Shadows 062, 114

I also added some shimmer to the gift box and bow with a Crystal Clear Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen. I also added Moonstone Sparkle Pen over the dark areas on the blanket, but the angle I took this picture, you can't really see the shimmer. But trust me...it's there!

I just LOVE all the shimmer and bling bling from the glitter and sparkle pens. The Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens are BRAND NEW and available NOW at Crafter's Companion USA! I absolutely LOVE all the colors of these new sparkle pens. I'll be sharing a bunch more projects using my new "toys" -- so stay tuned! Check out the Spectrum Noir Blog HERE for more details about the Sparkle Pens.

I hope you have time to join in on the House-Mouse Challenge. We love seeing your mousey creations. Have a wonderfully creative day!
 

 

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils
Spectrum Noir Blending Solution
Spectrum Noir Paper Blending Stumps
Spectrum Noir Paper Stump Sander
Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens
House-Mouse Christmas Stamp
Crafter's Companion Makey Bakey Christmas Seasons Stamp Set (Sentiment)
A2 Notecard
My Favorite Things 6x6 Paper Pack
A Muse Studio Buttercup Cardstock
Ranger Archival Ink - Saffron
Memento Black Ink
Circle and Scallop Circle Punches
Twine
Glue Pen
Foam Adhesive

Wishing You A Merry Christmas by Sheena Douglass

Hi friends. Here's another card using the NEW Wishing You A Merry Christmas stamp by Sheena Douglass from Crafter's Companion USA.

This is a single stamp with all the goodies on it. I stamped a portion of it on my card front. That shows how versatile it is. I stamped it again, on another piece of white cardstock, colored with Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils and trimmed.

Spectrum Noir Blendale Colored Pencils:  058 060, 026, 027, 120
 
The backing is a piece of black vellum, stamped with a couple of the snowflakes using VersaMark ink, then heat embossed with Snowflake Tinsel Embossing Powder from Ranger. I made the cardbase using the New Forest Green Shimmering Cardstock.

What a fun stamp! All the new Sheena Christmas goodies are fantastic. Hurry and get in on the Stamp Set Bundle Sale HERE and the Embossing Folder Bundle Sale HERE - or get all 6 new stamp sets and all 8 new embossing folders in a Sale Bundle HERE.

I hope you have a great day full of crafting.

Supplies:
Crafter's Companion Sheena's A Little Bit Festive - Wishing You A Merry Christmas Stamp
Crafter's Companion Shimmering Cardstock - Forest Green
Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils
Black Ink
Versammark Ink
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Black Vellum
Clear Rhinestones
Corner Rounder
Ribbon
Ranger Snowflake Tinsel Embossing Powder
Heat Embossing Gun
Dimensional Foam Adhesive

Shades of Gray on Mt. Rushmore

Over on the Spectrum Noir Blog I have a tutorial on coloring with gray Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils. Check it out HERE.

I made 2 samples of the same card. Can you tell what the difference is?

 

Get all the details on the Spectrum Noir Blog,

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium White Cardstock
Art-Kure US Landmark Collection – Mt. Rushmore Rubber Stamp
Paper Smooches Slang Gang Stamp Set
Word Bubble Dies from Paper Smooches
Black Ink
Embossing Ink
White Embossing Powder
Misc Cardstocks
Foam Adhesive
Heat Embossing Gun
Diecut Machine