Embossalicious Release

Can Crafter's Companion get any more fabulous? The answer is YES! They just did: a new line of Embossalicious 6X6 folders was released and is available in store now! Here's a quick project I made using the Cherrylicious folder, a birthday card for my oldest daughter (I'm ahead of the game: all November birthday cards are made!):

This was super easy: I ran a piece of black cardstock through my embossing machine using the folder. It wasn't Core'dinations, so I couldn't pull my usual "sand it-ink it" technique. That just makes the colors pop better when you rub the ink on. Instead, I pulled out my Memento Brilliance white ink pad and put a base layer on the raised, embossed cherries. I then added color to the cherries with some Memento Dew Drops, both Ladybug and Cottage Ivy. Their tiny size makes them perfect to get the parts of the cherry colored perfectly!

The sentiment is from the Bebunni - Hip Hip Hooray EZ Mount Stamp Set which I mounted with adhesive foam squares for added dimension, and simple penstitching adds the perfect finishing touch.

Head to the Crafter's Companion store to get your hands on these must-have embossing folders! Don't forget to follow our blog, Facebook page, and Twitter feed to see the fun stuff the design team is making, and hear about our deals FIRST!

xoxo
Khristen

Introducing Bebunni!

Good morning!

Crafter's Companion is always releasing new, adorable stamps. This new range, Bebunni, is probably one of my favorites of the year! (Well, at least when it comes to cutesy stuff!) I used the Hip Hip Hooray EZ Mount Stamp Set for this card, which I intend to give to my son for his upcoming birthday. Isn't it cute?

I colored him with my Spectrum Noir pens (TB3, IB1, LY1, LY3, OR1, OR3) on Ultra Smooth Premium White Carstock and used Collal Tacky Glue to affix blue glass beads to the "Birthday" letters. After choosing fun background papers and double-matting a sentiment, I had a great birthday card for a great boy :)

Have you been to check out the Birthday Week deals going on at Crafter's Companion? You don't want to miss out!

Watch my blog for another tutorial, and a beautiful gift box made with a beautiful new release!

xoxo

Khristen

CD Envelope Tutorial Using Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool

Good morning! Yesterday was my wedding anniversary (8 glorious years with the best man in the entire world!), and I always make something for him every year, even before we were married (in fact, today we celebrate the anniversary of the first day we met, 10 years together to the day!) So that's a 10 year tradition I just can't break :)

He was desperate for a new CD for his truck, so I took the liberty of burning him one along with some bonus tracks I thought he'd like. Of course, I was out of jewel cases. What's a girl to do? Why, pull out the Ultimate Tool and Boxer Board and make a custom envelope, of course! Want to make one of your own? Follow along with me and I'll give you the simple instructions. You'll need the following:

• The Ultimate Tool
• Boxer Board
• 12X12 sheet of paper
• Paper trimmer
• Tape Runner or liquid adhesive
• Craft knife
• Scissors
• Stamps and embellishments of your choice

Alright, here we go:

1. Cut your 12X12 paper down to 6X11.

2. Pull out the Ultimate Tool and put the Boxer Board in place. Butt the long side of the paper against the side with the handle and score on the 1/2" mark. Turn the paper and score the other long side, also at the 1/2" mark.

3. Butt the short side of the paper to the side and score at the 5" mark.

4. Turn and score the other short side at 1".

5. Now get out those scissors, and after folding along all scored lines, cut away the long pieces along the bottom and the two small rectangles out of the flaps. Make it look like the image below :)

6. Using your tape runner, get adhesive on the side flaps. When you're done, fold up the bottom piece and adhere the flaps to it...

...like this.

7. PANIC MOMENT. I realized I hadn't yet planned out how I was going to close it. So...I grabbed a pen and marked a half oval that I then cut out with my craft knife. Problem solved!

I used the edge of my craft mat (because I had already adhered the sides!) to cut the half-oval slit. Mistakes can always be worked around!!

 There, now it closes!

8. Choose a stamp and add to the front. I chose the Stamp It Australia EZ Mount Stamp Set 67 - Birds & Butterflies which I stamped with Memento Paris Dusk ink and Rock-A-Blocks. I decided it needed a bit of trim, and loved the vintage-y feel to the paper and stamp....so I chose this roughed-up ruffle in a nice cream color. I used my Collal Tacky Glue to keep it all in place.

The finished product!

9. Add embellishments as you wish. I added a sentiment from the Crafter's Inspiration magazine, not currently available in the store, but watch for it! So many great freebies, like this sentiment. AC Alpha stickers to match the Memento Tangleo ink, and this baby's done!

It's easy to make an envelope for every occasion with the Boxer Board and Ultimate Tool!

xoxo

Khristen

More Stamp It Twinkle Sneak Peek Goodness!

Before I get too far into my post, I want to wish my wonderful, supportive, hard-working husband a very happy anniversary. I don't know where I'd be, or what my life would be like, without you! I love you, can't believe it's been 8 years since we decided to take the plunge. Best 8 years of my life!

I thought that since tomorrow is the scheduled release day for the new Stamp It Australia Twinkle stamp range, I should tease you with another great set. This is the Falling Snowflake set, and I made two cards with it. The first: simple. The stamps, on vellum, with patterned paper and a red cardstock backer.

 I curled up the points of the star after adhering the entire piece to the card with adhesive squares.

The second card features images stamped on vellum, and after adhering them with Stick & Spray Permanent adhesive spray, I added stitching above the sentiment. The red cardstock was embossed prior to adhering it to the card with the 6X6 Embossalicious Christmas Patchwork embossing folder, which was cut to fit the size card I wanted to make.

This is my #2 favorite stamp set from this range...but like I said, I want them ALL! Check out the amazing work from our other designers on our blog and Facebook page, who have been sharing awesome sneak-peekiness all weekend! And head to the Crafter's Companion store tomorrow to buy yourself these stamps!

xoxo
Khristen

Stamp It Australia Twinkle Sneak Peek!

Oh I just love new releases...especially Christmas-y ones! Crafter's Companion is due to release this gorgeous new line of stamps on October 17th (yes, that's THURSDAY!), the Stamp It Australia Twinkle range. I am absolutely in love with them! These are great for people who aren't into cutesy cuddly animal stamps. It's a great mix of designs, from vintage to modern, snowflakes to Christmas. I know you'll find at least one set you have to have (but I have to have them ALL!)

Here's a sneak peek using the Christmas Happiness stamp set. I chose to stamp the image onto vellum (which means I had to be good and patient, giving it adequate time to dry.) The image is one of my favorites out of all of the stamp sets, and the Christmas papers layered on red cardstock showcase it nicely. I adhered the vellum using Stick & Spray Permanent Adhesive spray. The green ribbon was a last minute addition that I am glad I added before adhering to red sheet music paper!

Don't you just love this image? I know you'll love them all! Don't forget to follow our Facebook page and blog to see the gorgeous sneak peeks from other designers. I will be posting another couple of cards on my blog the day prior to the release, and head to the Crafter's Companion store on Thursday to order yourself these fab Christmas stamps!

PS: the tutorial I promised last week is coming! It's quite photo-heavy, so it's going to take some time to get it posted :)

xoxo
Khristen

Playing With Falling Feathers

I hope everyone is having a fantastic week! I snuck in some playtime, and decided to pull out my Sheena's A Little Bit Sketchy - Falling Feathers EZ-mount stamp set. It is one of my favorites! I started with a piece of grey cardstock and misted it lightly with a bit of blue Glimmer Mist. After stamping the sentiment (part of the Stamp It Australia - Set 60 - Friendship Sentiments EZ Mount stamp set) onto the banner-shaped cardstock, I misted it as well. The feather was colored with Spectrum Noir pens (HB3, HB1, and the blender pen), then coated with Crystal Stickles. Stickles were also added around the banner piece, and after a piece of ribbon was added along the bottom, I adhered the feather (after fussy cutting, of course) with foam squares. Little yellow adhesive pearls add a nice finishing touch!

If you don't have this stamp set, you need to hurry to the Crafter's Companion store! It's a must-have! Watch for that tutorial I promised early next week :)

xoxo

Khristen

Happy World Cardmaking Day!

I hope everyone is having a great World Cardmaking Day! I actually got to sit down and make something, which is pretty awesome. Crafting time has been few and far between, mainly due to the fact my 13-year-old daughter (who, I might add, is highly inactive) dislocated her kneecap doing....get this....cartwheels in the front yard.

She has a follow-up appointment tomorrow after the MRI she had last Thursday, so we'll know if there is damage beyond the dislocation (fingers crossed no surgery is required!)

To celebrate WCMD, I wanted to post this gorgeous card I made using the new Sheena's A Little Bit Oriental - Sakura EZ Mount Stamp Set. I combined it with a lovely woodgrain Darice embossing folder and my Spectrum Noir markers:

 Isn't it pretty? I inked the edges with Memento Tuxedo Black, and added fun lace trim and bling.

Today I am also taking the day to make other pretty things, and my second project today is my October challenge card for Crafter's Companion. The theme is baby, and one of my favorite stamps to turn to for any baby card: Humphrey. Any of them, really. Humphrey is just adorable! This stamp set, Humphrey Xmas EZ Mount Stamp Set - First Christmas, is a favorite for baby themed Christmas cards and gifts:

 With Lillybee Christmas paper and my Spectrum Noir pens, this little cutie is ready for the holiday gift-giving season! I added some Frosted Lace Stickles to his hat for a little sparkle (but here's a tip: wait until your marker dries completely before you add the Stickles! I did not, and you can see it bled red into the wet glue! Ooops!) Black Diamond Stickles add a nice touch to each of the paper pieces.

Don't forget to play along with our challenge this month for your chance to win a gift code to the Crafter's Companion store worth $30! Don't forget to follow the rules completely, as your card will be disqualified otherwise!

Stay tuned, I will be posting a fun tutorial early next week involving the Ultimate Tool, you won't want to miss it!

I hope you're enjoying World Cardmaking Day!

xoxo

Khristen