Let's PARTY!

HELLO!!! I'm back :)  I couldn't resist sharing another NEW Die from Crafter's Companion USA! Since they're having a HUGE Black Friday Sale, I thought it would be great to show you more sample ideas with more new products.

Check out the NEW Die'sire Create-A-Card Party Invitation Die. This is a standard A2 Card Size!!!! YAY!!!

 

I diecut and trimmed my piece -- them adhered flat down on a white A2 notecard. I used the NEW Coastal Pearl Shimmering Cardstock along with Candy Red Shimmering Cardstock for the Lace Bloom 3D Diecut Flowers

These dies are actually designed so they don't cut around the outside edge...which means you can line them up with your folded card blanks to cut beautifully designed cards in a snap! Run it through your diecutting machine once to cut out the design....run it through again using the embossing mat to add the embossed details. OH MY WORD...are they ever AMAZING! If I would have had a package of the NEW Shimmering Coastal Blue A2 Prescored Cards, I would totally have done it with those!
 

I added some sparkle to the raised embossed areas with a glue pen and crystal glitter. Shimmer and sparkle makes me happy :)

Helpful Hints and Design Ideas:

After I ran my piece through to emboss...I noticed a few areas that weren't "embossed" enough to my liking.

All I did was flip over the die on a foam mat and fixed the areas by hand embossing with a stylus.

  Quick and easy!
 
To add a black glossy embossed shine to words "Party Invitation" - I placed the die back over the piece. (Tip: First treat your cardstock piece with anti-static powder to help stray bits of embossing powder from sticking where you don't want it.)

 
Using a Versamark Marker, I colored inside the letters. Next, removed the die, sprinkle on the embossing powder and heat emboss. I did 1 word at a time. I also did this same techinque to the centers of the flower centers. If you don't have a Versamark Marker, you could use a dauber with your Versamark Ink pad.

That's it for today...I think ;)


Happy Shopping!

Haunted Neon Invitation

Hello friends! Have you seen all the WICKED COOL Halloween Stamps from Crafter's Companion? They are AWESOME! Go check 'em all out HERE. On my card today, I've used the NEW Happy Haunting Set. It's full of great images and a spooky sentiment that's perfect for party invitations.

I've used a few fun techniques on my card design that I'll be sharing with you. All the supplies are listed at the bottom of my post.

First, we are going to create a BIG moon as a background on a white cardstock panel.

Die-cut or punch a circle to use as a mask. I used Eclipse Tape, but you can create a mask with any scrap paper by adding temporary or re-positional adhesive on the back. You just need the mask to stay in place, with all the edges securely tacked down, while you're sponging the ink.



Tap a Sponge Dauber on the Radiant Neon Electric Orange Ink Pad. Begin sponging the ink in a circular motion -- starting on the mask -- then moving outward onto the cardstock panel. Doing it this way will give you a smoother blended look.

Remove the mask and you have the PERFECT background for our stamped images! This really creates fantastic depth.

Stamp the spider and sentiment as shown in picture. Then stamp an extra spider and the skull on scraps.

Color the spider body with Spectrum Noir Marker CG3. Shade the skeleton head with IG2.  Use a fine tip marker to extend the spiders silk thread to the top of the panel.

 
This next technique is a great way to stretch your ink pads. We're going to color all the eyes with the Neon Yellow Ink.

Simply pick up ink by tapping a sponge coloring tool -- such as the Fantastix from Tsukineko -- directly on the ink pad and then color the image.

I love making DIY cardstock to perfectly match my projects. If you have white cardstock and ink, you are set!

This panel will go under the main image panel - so we only need to sponge ink on the outer edges.

The last technique is paper piecing. See how the spider on the far left is stamped on the orange pigment ink? If we color it with our Spectrum Noir Markers, it could damage the nibs. It would also be very difficult to match the color of the spiders. The solution --- paper piecing.

Trim out the body of the extra spider. Run a black marker around the cut edges. This is so the white cardstock doesn't show on the sides. Adhere flat as shown in picture. 

Here's how to finish up the card:

• Using 6" x 6" Chevrons Embossalicious Embossing Folder, emboss front of a lime green card base.
• Punch the bottom edge of Black Pearl Shimmering Cardstock panel with border punch.
• Assemble all the layers flat onto front of card.
• Add green glitter to spider bodies - including the spider on the skeleton head.
• Fussy cut skeleton head and adhere with 3D Foam Adhesive.
• Wrap bakers twine around the card and tie.

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

Supplies
Crafter's Companion EZ Mount Stamp Set - Happy Haunting
Crafter's Companion Shimmering Cardstock - 6" x 6" Black Pearl
Crafter's Companion 6" x 6" Embossalicious Embossing Folder - Chevrons
Radiant Neon Ink Pad - Electric Orange
Radiant Neon Ink Pad - Electric Yellow
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad
Spectrum Noir Markers - IG2, CG3
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Sponge Daubers
Double Sided Adhesive Foam
Fantastix Coloring Tool
Eclipse Tape
Green Glitter
Border Punch
Circle Die or Punch
Bakers Twine
Fine Tip Black Marker
Black Marker

Happy Haunting

WOO HOO!!! IT'S RELEASE DAY!  4 NEW Crafter's Companion Halloween Stamp sets are NOW AVAILABLE!

I'm lovin' all the NEW Halloween goodies from Crafter's Companion! EEEEK!!! So much fun to color and create with. I've got sooooo many ideas! Now I just need more hours in the day to play with 'em.
I made fun party invitations that are full of bright colors using images from the NEW Happy Haunting set. This set is AWESOME! I colored with Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils. Easy coloring and the perfect purples to match the Radiant Neon Eletric Purple Ink I used to create the neon border! These neon inks are to die for! And speaking of "to die for" - the Shimmering Black Pearl Cardstock is just that! I really need to buy a truckload of this stuff! It shimmers like no other! And, as you can see... I punched the spider web borders beautifully with it!



Here's what you need to create the Neon Border:

• Paper or cardstock
• Removable adhesive
• Radiant Neon Ink Pad - Electric Purple
• Sponge Dauber

Instructions for A2 size cards (4 1/4" x 5 1/2"):
NOTE: You can do this before or after you stamp and color your images.

Create a mask that is 3 3/4" x 5". Add temporary adhesive around edges. This size will give you a 1/4" border all the way around the card front.


Place mask on card front.


Sponge on ink.


Carefully remove mask.
NOTE: Radiant Neon Inks are pigment inks --- so they take a little longer to dry. Be careful when removing the mask not to smear and smudge the ink. And be careful not to pull the mask off too quickly -- you don't want your cardstock to tear. Let the ink completely dry before finishing the card.

TIP: You can pre-print the inside of your invitations. Just type up the party information, using whatever program you have on your computer, and print on your cardstock. Remember -- 1 sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock makes 2 standard A2 size cards.

Here's a couple different versions. Hey...who says all the invitations have to be the same...right? ;)



This one I stamped the images lower -- making the spiderweb border only on top and a solid border strip on the bottom.


Colored with Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils 112, 117, 120, 044, 045, 049, 078, 080, 024, 027, 001, 005, 009, 020, 021; Blending Solution and Paper Stumps.

It's so hard to get a picture of the true real life shimmer of the Black Pearl Shimmering Cardstock ...but here's a closeup

Stay tuned for more fun projects using the New Crafter's Companion Halloween goodies.