Happy New Year!

I would like to wish a happy New Year to everyone! This is my very last Crafter's Companion post. The new design team was announced -- did you see it? Lots of talent there! I have loved designing for the company, but it was time to move on, focusing on work and my Etsy shop which was neglected a bit too much for my liking in 2013.

I made this card to ring in the new year, featuring the Humphrey Xmas EZ Mount Stamp Set - Auld Lang Syne, a New Year's favorite of mine.

I started by stamping the image onto Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I colored it up with my Spectrum Noir pens (CR3, CR6, PP1, PP3, PP4, CT1, CT2, CT4, LY1, LY2, LY3, IG1, IG3, IG4, TB4, TB5, TB6, TB7, IB1, IB2, IB3, BG2, BG3, BG5, BP3, TN6). The confetti and other accents are Silver Liquid Pearls. I stuck it all down with Collal Tacky Glue, matting it and backing it with a doily that just barely peeks out :) After stamping the sentiment, I stuck some blue pearls next to it and added some pen stitching. Voila, done!

I am not one to make New Year's resolutions, but I did make myself a bit of one anyway, relating to Khristen's Craft Room. I intend to make something each day for the shop now that I have a little more time in my schedule, filling it up with crafty goodness!

Did you make any crafty resolutions? I'd love to hear about them!

I hope you all have a fabulous 2014!

xoxo
Khristen

Crafter's Companion December Challenge: Ribbon/Twine

Good morning! It's December, and that means more than the holidays: it's time for another Crafter's Companion challenge! This month, we want to see you use ribbon or twine (or both, like I did) on your project.

Making your own Christmas cards can be a daunting task, unless you keep it simple. The Crafter's Inspiration magazine helps you accomplish this while still looking like your best work ever with all of its freebie papers and stamps!

I used the magazine to make this card, which took me all of a few minutes. Perfect when you have a long list of Christmas card recipients!

All I needed was my Collal Tacky Glue, which I love because it ensures the paper elements are perfectly in place. The papers are all freebies included in the magazine, including the stamp and image. The sentiment was stamped onto Luxury Centura Pearl cardstock with Memento Paris Dusk ink. Blue and white twine was added around the top of the sentiment. I cut out the image and adhered it with adhesive squares over a piece of white ribbon. That's it! the perfect card for anyone on my list, and it was soooooo easy!

Head over to the Crafter's Companion Challenge blog to see what the other designers have come up with, and don't forget to enter your own creation for a chance to win a gift certificate to the Crafter's Companion store!

xoxo
Khristen

Everyday Sentimentals for Christmas!

**IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE CRAFTER'S COMPANION/CARDMAKER BLOG HOP, CLICK HERE**

Christmas card making is in full swing, and I couldn't be happier. I love this time of year, and sending out handmade cards when I have the chance. The past few years have been ultra busy with all of the kids' various activities around the holidays, but I've actually had some time to get cards made! We'll see if I can make all that I need (I have a rather big list!), but for now, I'm about halfway through. Impressive, I know! ;)

I decided to use this stamp from the Everyday Sentimentals - Love Is All You Need EZ Mount stamp set on one of my cards. Why not? It is quite versatile, and works perfectly for the holidays!

The key to making your own holiday cards is simplicity. You need to let go of those voices in your head that say this has to be the fanciest card you've ever made. Simple can be stunning, too! So I used scraps in my Christmas paper collection, which I save just for cards, to make it easy. A few sheets of perfectly placed paper adhered with Collal Tacky Glue (wet glue helps you ensure perfect paper placement!), the sentiment adhered with foam circles, and black bling makes a nice, simple card that will be perfect for anyone on my card list!

Head to the Crafter's Companion store and grab some Sentimentals stamp sets. They're perfect for any occasion!

xoxo
Khristen

More CC Sentimentals Fun

Good morning! I made this card a week or so ago, but with the Thanksgiving holiday and 2 birthdays (happy birthday to my oldest daughter who turned 14 on the 26th and my son who turned 6 on the 30th!), I kind of forgot! Better late than never, right? I just couldn't stop using the new Crafter's Companion Sentimentals collection!! I had just received the best package of goodies in the mail, and couldn't wait to use them. This card came together quickly and easily -- I love when that happens!

This card uses the Everyday Sentimentals - Memories Are Made EZ Mount Stamp Set, inked around the edges with Memento Espresso Truffle ink. After adhering the two coordinating patterned papers and sentiment with my Extra Strong Permanent adhesive tape runner, I added the fun wood veneer arrows, rubbing the Espresso Truffle ink over them. When they were adhered to the card with my Collal Tacky Glue, I inked around the entire edge of the card. Done! How easy was that? And it's still such a pretty card. :)

There you have it! There will be another post later, I have some catching up to do! I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday, and I hope Christmas isn't sneaking up on you (like it is me!!)

xoxo
Khristen

Sentimentals Release!

Who doesn't love a good sentiment? While I love receiving scores of images ready to ink, stamp, and color in my Crafter's Companion order each month, even more do I love a good, versatile sentiment. Whether stamped alone, with an image, or even inside the cards you give your loved ones, sentiment sets are essential for the cardmaker.

Crafter's Companion released new Sentimentals EZ Mount stamp sets today, and I know you have to have them (ok, well, at least I have to have them, all of them!) Here's a fun little card I designed, inspired by the sentiment stamped on the front:

The sentiment comes from the Memories Are Made EZ Mount Stamp Set. I started tearing through my patterned paper, selecting the majority of the designs from the Basic Grey PB&J line. The orange with red polka dot piece is from the MME Lime Twist collection. I free-drew each part of the rainbow on the pieces of cardstock, cut them out haphazardly, and glued them down to the Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock card base with Collal Tacky Glue. I love the primitive look to the rainbow, and decided Black Diamond Stickles would be the perfect finishing touch. I matted the sentiment, added a bow, and gave it the Stickles treatment as well.

There you have it, a quick and easy card that includes a wonderful sentiment, sure to bring a smile to anyone's face :)

Check out the fabulous sentiments available in this new Sentimentals release at the Crafter's Companion store today! Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or our blog to see doses of inspiration all day, every day from our talented team of designers.

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

Sheena's A Little Bit Magical Release!

Want another peek at the newly released Sheena's A Little Bit Magical EZ Mount Stamp Sets?  I'm happy to show off this beauty, part of the Knowledge stamp set.

 I turned to my Lily Bee Designs - Memorandum 6X6 pad and went to work layering papers over black cardstock. The chalice and sentiment were printed on Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Unscored 8.5X11 cardstock and colored with my Spectrum Noir pens (IG1, Blender, BT2, BT3, BT4, LG1, LG2, LG3, LY1, LY2, LY3). After fussy cutting and adhering it with my Collal Tacky Glue, I cut out the sentiment and inked it up with Memento Dew Drops in Summer Sky and Cantaloupe. After adhering two pieces of coordinating twine with my Collal Tack Glue, I affixed the sentiment with adhesive foam squares.

Isn't it pretty? I love this magical Sheena release! Check out the multi-buy offer in the Crafter's Companion store -- two stamp sets from this range for $25.50! As always, don't forget to like our Facebook page for sneak peeks of new releases and loads of inspiration and giveaways!

Watch for another post before the end of the week...I'm dying to share a tutorial with you!

xoxo
Khristen