Crafter's Companion is coming to HSN May 9th!

I'm super excited for this next HSN Crafting Event on Tuesday, May 9th!!! Why?

Well...HELLO...Sara Davies and Jennifer Tryon from Crafter's Companion will be there! As if that's not exciting enough...Crafter's Companion has amazing NEW products that will be launched! And....(drum roll)....they are gonna be the "Today's Special" on the show! YAY!!!!!!!!!

Here's a project I made using the Create-A-Card Circle Centre Dies that are part of the bundle for the May 9th HSN Today's Special bundle:

The NEW Die'sire Create-A-Card dies are so much FUN! Wait till you see the show and all the great samples. Sara will demo how they work, so you won't wanna miss the show.

The pic below is more what it looks like all folded up. When the card is folded shut, it measures 5 1/2" square.  I diecut the base of the card using Crafter's Companion Pearl White Shimmering C ardstock. The butterflies are from another die set (which I believe will be on the HSN show as well) are diecut from Black Pearl Shimmering Cardstock, then rubbed with a bit of Silver Gilding Wax. Wait till you see THAT stuff! A must have in your craft stash!

The Circle Centre Die Set comes with a sentiment die that cuts in the center circle, but I cut it apart and just used the "thank you" of it and glued down on the card base. The flower panels are also part of the set, and I cut die-cut them green glitter cardstock. This Luxury Cardstock is also from Crafter's Companion and comes in a variety pack of different finishes in the same color family.

The silver mirror cardstock for the circle frame is also from a pack of Luxury Cardstock. I die-cut 2, adhering 1 on each side to sandwich the string that I put in the middle. That way it not only hides the string ends, but gives a professional finish to both sides. I love how when you open the card, the center circle flips open.

Here's a quick video showing the card in action.

The butterflies on the card base are popped up on dimensional foam adhesive. The butterflies on the string are sandwiched with a dimensional foam adhesive.  I added some matching rhinestones to the center of each butterfly.

Make sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 9th!

Watch the HSN show on your TV or on-line. The 24-hour event will be full of crafting inspiration, ideas, and demonstrations

Until then...

• Hang out with us over at the Facebook Watch Party for tons of sneak peeks and prizes.
• Stay up with the latest on the HSN Countdown Page.

Have a beautiful day!

Supplies:
Crafter's Companion Die'sire Create-A-Card Circle Centre Dies
Crafter's Companion Die'sire Essentials Nature DiesCrafter's Companion Luxury Cardstock - Silver MirrorCrafter's Companion Luxury Cardstock - Green GlitterCrafter's Companion Shimmering Cardstock - White and Black Pearl
Gemini Machine
Gilding Wax - Silver
Rhinestones
Yellow Cardstock
Clear string
Dimensional Foam Adhesive

Week of Giving Thanks

Hello friends. I'm sure many of you are busy preparing for Thanksgiving festivities. I've got a ton of things to get done in the kitchen. So I'll keep this post short.

Here's a card I made uing a beautiful stamp set from Crafter's Companion USA called Giving Thanks. As part of our "Giving Thanks Week" celebration, you can get his set is FREE with any order that is place this week (Nov 21 - 28) on the Crafter's Companion USA website.
 

I love how my card turned out! I colored with Spectrum Noir Markers:

Flowers - BT1, BT5, BT7
Leaves - CG1, CG2, DG4
Flower Centers & Sentiment - GB4, GB6, GB7, GB9

Then I colored over with Spectrum Sparkle Pens: Clear, Moonlight, Sea Breeze and Soft Jade.
 

Simple hand trimming around the image panel, popped up on note card with dimensional foam adhesive, and finished off with a few rhinestones.

Pop on over to check out our Week of Giving Thanks for more details on how to get this stamp set for free, along with other freebies.

 Hope you have a week full of blessings and love,
 

Supplies:
Giving Thanks Stamp Set
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White CS
Spectrum Noir Markers
Sparkle Pens
Teal Blue Card Base
Rhinestones
Dimensional Foam Adhhesive.

Gift Card Holder Tutorial

Hey hey my crafty friends! I've got a fun and EASY tutorial for this cool gift card holder over on the Crafter's Companion USA Blog.

Sometimes we struggle with making cards for the dudes, so I designed this project to work for them too!

BONUS IDEA!
Slip some cash or kids pictures in the pocket, instead of a gift card.


I love that "coffee cup stain" image! Head on over to the Crafter's Companion Blog to see the tutorial and give it a go!

NEW Spectrum Noir Vintage Sparkle Pens

I'm IN LOVE with the BRAND NEW Spectrum Noir Vintage Colors Sparkle Pens. 12 beautiful new colors in 4 new sets. You can see them and shop on the Crafter's Companion website.

I watercolored this project using the new Sparkle Pens.

AMAZING...RIGHT?! I used Sea Breeze, Teacup, Biscuit, Sage, and Macaroon from the Vintage Tea, Vintage Bloom, and Vintage Beach sets.

The stamps are from the Crafter's Companion Floral Delight set. I stamped the flower and leaves with very light colors of Distress Inks on Spectrum Aqua Watercolour Cardstock. The reason I stamped with light distress ink is because I didn't want the stamp lines to show. Distress inks also blend with water, so they faded out even more when I painted over with the Sparkle Pens.

Check out the sparkle!!! WOW! Seriously...I could watercolor with Sparkle Pens all day long!

Watercoloring Tip
To keep each individual section of the image from blending into the next, watercolor sections that do not touch each other. Wait for it to dry before painting areas next to it.  For instance, watercolor both leaves, but not the stem. Wait for the leaves to dry (or speed dry with a heat gun). After they are dry, you can paint the stem. When I did this panel, I watercolored the entire background first. After it was dry, I moved on to the flower.

For more ideas, inspiration, tutorials, and latest news, follow and visit at these places:

Crafter's Companion USA on Facebook
Crafter's Companion USA on Pinterest
Crafter's Companion USA Blog
Crafter's Companion USA on Instagram
Crafter's Companion USA on Twitter
Crafter's Companion on YouTube


Thanks for stopping!

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens
Crafter's Companion Floral Delight EZ Mount Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Stamp-It Australia Overlapped Text Stamp
Crafter's Companion Spectrum Aqua Watercolour Cardstock
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Distress Inks
Black Ink
Washi Tape
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Watercolor Brush
Heat Gun

Rainbows and Daisies

Hello friends! Here's a fun and cheerful card that is sure brighten someones day.

I diecut and embossed the Thank You So Much Edge'ables Only Words die on a white cardstock panel. Then I stamped the daisies from Sheena A Little Bit Sketchy Poppies and Daisies set. I used Versafine Onyx Black ink. I love how that ink catches all the fine little details of stamp images so perfectly.

To create the bright rainbow of colors, I sponged a white card base with distress inks. The white die-cut Edge'ables panel really pops with the brightly colored background! A few shiny colored sequins is all that was needed to give that extra little bit of interest.

Need more inspiration using the Die'sire Edge'ables Dies and other Crafter's Companion USA products? Check out our Pinterest Board.

Many blessings to you all!

Supplies:
Crafter's Companion Sheena's A Little Bit Sketchy - Poppies and Daisies Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Die'sire Edge'ables Only Words Die - Thank You So Much
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock - Scored for A2 Notecards
Ranger Distress Inks
Ink Blending Tools
Pretty Pink Posh Sequins
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Liquid Adhesive
Die-cutting/Embossing Machine

Sparkle Pen Stamping and Watercoloring

Hey there! I wanted to share another great way to use those fabulous Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens. Check this out...
 

I painted the pens directly onto the Crafter's Companion Floral Delight stamp...then "huffed" on to re-moisten the ink...then stamped on Spectrum Aqua Extra White Watercolor Cardstock. On the flower I used Red Berry. For the stem and center for the flower I used Olive Jade. After stamping, I used a watercolor brush to "pull" color from the stamped image to watercolor it.

Tip: If you are coloring the stamped image, and you don't seem to have enough color, just scribble the Sparkle Pen on a craft mat or acrylic block. Then pick up more color from the that to add to your stamped image. Easy peasy!

See the beautiful sparkle! LOVE! I really love this card design. The big bold flower and bold sentiment take center stage. Pure CAS baby!

Check out all the other great projects and tutorials over on the Spectrum Noir Blog. Loads of inspiration, instructions, videos and more!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a simply beautiful day!

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens
Crafter's Companion Floral Delight Stamp Set
Spectrum Aqua Extra White Watercolor Cardstock
Black Ink
Black Enamel Dots
White Notecard
Black & White Striped Designer Paper
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Watercolor Brush

Faux Marble

Since Father's Day is coming soon, I was thinking about guy cards. Which got me thinking about techniques. Which got me thinking about Faux Marble. Which got me fired up to play with my Spectrum Noir Ink Refill Re-Inkers. And then...BAM!

 OH YEAH BABY! This turned out sooo cool! I think I'll do it again, but next time take step-by-step pics for a tutorial. Whatcha think?

The Spectrum Noir Refill Colors I used are: DR2, CT4, GB3, JG3, BT5 and Blender

The stamp set I used is from Simon Says Stamps - Hand Lettered Winter Wishes. I heat emboss the sentiment with Metallic Gold Embossing Powder. Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh...because I KNOW the guys looove sequins...right?



Don't forget to visit us over on the Spectrum Noir Blog, our Facebook Page and Pinterest! We have loads of great projects from all the talented design team members.

Take care,

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Re-Inkers DR2, CT4, GB3, JG3, BT5 and Blender
Ranger Gold Mixative
Glossy Cardstock
Ink Blending Tool
Simon Says Stamps Hand Lettered Winter Wishes
VersaMark Ink Pad
Black Ink Pad
JudiKins Metallic Gold Embossing Powder
Pretty Pink Posh Sequins
Neenah White Cardstock
Heat Embossing Gun
Dimensional Foam Adhesive

April Spectrum Noir Challenge

Hi everyone! It's that time again, friends. Spectrum Noir Challenge Time!

Our challenge for April is: Use a die-cut

You can interpret this challenge any way you like. There is no right or wrong, and you may use any images, themes, or Spectrum Noir products you choose! Get all the details and enter your project to the challenge gallery HERE. Not on Facebook? Enter here.

I used a really cool die from Crafter's Companion Die'sire Classiques Spring/Summer Collection called Floral Flourish along with some Spectrum Noir Markers and Spectrum Aqua Watercolor Markers.

I was able to create the look of many dimensions on this design without all the layers. SUPER fun and easy techniques...all done with white cardstock.
 
Yep...Neenah 110lb cardstock! I die-cut the Floral Flourish and colored with Spectrum Noir Markers. You can't go wrong doing this. Just have fun coloring! Here's the colors I used:

• Greens CG1, CG2, DG3
• Reds CR5, CR8, TN7, Blender
• Yellows CT4, GB5

TIP: If you look closely at the red flowers, you can see a bit of yellow. To get that look, after I colored the red, I colored a bit of CT4 over top. I love how Spectrum Noir Markers blend together like that!

To make the background, I scribbled Gold Spectrum Aqua Watercolor Marker onto an acrylic block. Then I picked up the color with a large wet watercolor brush. By using a bigger brush, I could cover more area faster. This is important since I wasn't using watercolor paper. Basically I just slopped the color around the panel - leaving the center white. Next I dried the panel with my heat tool. To add the splatters, I picked up more gold marker ink on the paintbrush and flicked it all over. I did the same thing using the Chestnut Aqua Marker. Easy stuff I tell ya!

The die-cut is adhered flat. I added little black rhinestones in the center of each flower, stamped a sentiment in black, and finished off with a bit of ribbon tied in a knot and adhered with foam adhesive. The entire panel is mounted on a red notecard with foam adhesive.

I hope I've inspired you to get out some of your die-cuts and Spectrum Noir coloring tools and have some fun. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Supplies
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Aqua Watercolor Markers
Crafter's Companion Die'sire Classiques Spring/Summer Floral Flourish Die
Stampendous Happy Messages Stamp Set
Black Ink Pad
Neenah 110lb Cardstock
A Muse Studio Colored Cardstock
A Muse Studio Onyx Twinkle Stickers
Ranger Artist Brushes
Acrylic Block
Foam Adhesive Tape
Heat Tool
May Arts Ribbons
Liquid adhesive

Crafter's Companion December Challenge

Everyone needs a few Thank You cards on hand. This month our challenge over at Crafter's Companion USA is to make a Thank You Card or Project. Get all the details about the challenge on the Facebook page HERE.

Here's a clean and simple thank you card I whipped up...

One of my favorite "go to" note card base sizes is 4bar. Not to big...not to small...just right :)

For my card I stamped and white embossed the sentiment from Crafter's Companion Sentimentals Friends and Family stamp set. The blue and yellow Shimmering cardstocks are new colors - Coastal Pearl and Yellow Pearl.

I used 2 dies from Crafter's Companion: Lace Bloom Flower and Nouveau Frame. The white card base is embossed with the 6" x 6" Embossilicious Petite Dot Embossing Folder. The 2 corners are rounded with a punch. A little bakers twine and some white pear stickers gave a nice finishing touch.  You can see in the closeup how beautiful the shimmering cardstock is.

I hope you play along with us for the challenge. Get all the info HERE.  I can't wait to see all the wonderful creations! Remember...you can't WIN if you don't play. Just sayin'


Till next time...

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine Special Thanks! Blog Hop

Today we are having a special Blog Hop in honor of the folks at Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine. The world got news a few weeks ago that PC&S was no longer going to bless us with all the great crafty goodness that they've been providing for so many years. It was very sad news indeed.

Thank you for being my source of inspiration and trends. Thank you for publishing some of my designs. Thank you for the contests and prizes, Thank you for the challenges. Thank you for always answering our questions. Thank you for the laughs. Thank you for being dedicated and providing outstanding information. Thank you helping us get organized. Thank you for helping us push beyond our crafty comfort zones. Thank you for giving it your all!

Thanks Card Supplies:

• Crafter’s Companion Bold Daisy Embossing Folder
• A Muse Studio Big Words Stamp Set
• A Muse Studio Grass Cardstock
• Canson 120lb Rough Surface Heavyweight Watercolor Paper
• IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko Memento Luxe Ink Dandelion, Morocco and Pear Tart
• IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko VersaMark Watermark Ink
• IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko Pssst ! Sheer Shimmer Spritz Sparkle
• IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko Ink Blushers
• White Embossing Powder
• Hero Arts Citron Gemstones
• Brayer
• Heat Embossing Tool
• White Top Fold A2 size Card Base

1. Apply Dandelion ink to embossing folder using a brayer. Make sure to apply the ink on the side of the folder that the flowers are “raised” - not indented.

 
2. Using Ink Blushers, sponge Pear Tart ink to center of flowers. Sponge Morocco ink around the flowers.

3. Spritz folder with Sparkle Shimmer Spritz.

4. Carefully place a piece of watercolor paper inside folder and emboss by running through die cutting machine.

5. Trim embossed panel to 5” x 3 ¾”
 
6. Adhere strip of Grass cardstock to left edge of embossed panel.

7. Stamp sentiment with VersaMark ink on Grass cardstock strip. Emboss in white. Adhere to embossed panel.

8. Embellish center of flowers with gems.
 
9. Adhere panel to white note card with foam tape.

 *********************************************************************

 
You should have arrived at my blog by way of the fabulous Laura Bassen

Your NEXT stop in the Blog Hop is the amazing Deepti Malik

Thanks for joining us for this amazing THANK YOU celebration. Enjoy the ride!

Mahalo

Aloha friends! In case you might have missed it...here's a card I designed that was featured over at Spectrum Noir...

The hibiscus stamp is from Penny Black. I colored with Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils. I LOVE my pencils!

The sentiment is die-cut from Crafter's Companion Die'sire Decorative Dies - Alphabet Lowercase set. "Mahalo" is a Hawaiian word meaning thanks, gratitude, admiration, praise, esteem, regards, or respects.

 

I've done a step-by-step tutorial on how to color these images -- plus a BONUS TIP! Click HERE to visit the Spectrum Noir Blog page to check it out. 

Have a creative weekend!