Paper Crafting Challenge #9: One Embellishment

Good morning! I am a bit late with this, but with the chaos of spring sports season (baseball, softball, and lacrosse)/end of school, it's easy to see how that can happen! I am hoping to schedule the next few weeks' worth of blog posts so as to avoid this in the future.

Today, I am excited to share the latest Paper Crafting Challenges challenge, sponsored by the wonderful Studio Calico. They have offered up a great prize for the winner, and have even given our blog followers a special promo code! If you've ever wanted to subscribe, now is the chance! Head over to our blog post to check it out.

We want to see your creations using just ONE EMBELLISHMENT this time around, and here's what I whipped up:

 I love the look of an inked up embossed background, so I ran the cardstock through my Big Shot with my Cuttlebug Honeycomb embossing folder and rubbed Rose Bud Memento Dew Drop ink all over. The edges are inked in Espresso Truffle Memento ink. The Bo Bunny stamp (adorable, right?!) was colored in with my Spectrum Noir pens (EB3, TN2, PP6, PP5, PP4) and mounted with foam squares, and a Crafter's Companion sentiment from their Sentimentals EZ Mount Stamp Set collection was the perfect finishing touch. My one embellishment: this gorgeous Maya Road rosette ribbon!

Head on over and show us your project using just one embellishment. There are only two days left...which means I need to head over and schedule the post for my next project ;) Can't wait until this chaotic month is over and life can carry on as usual!

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

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

Crafter's Companion/Xyron Blog Hop!

Exciting stuff today: the team at Crafter's Companion is teaming up with Xyron to bring you some fabulous holiday creations! You *need* to head over and take a peek at our blog, and visit all the blogs you can. Lots of giveaways and goodies when all is said and done, so hit up some blogs and leave some love in the form of comments for your chance at a sweet CC/Xyron prize package!

All of us CC designers received some awesome Xyron goodness to make our projects, and if you've used Xyron, you know that is something to be excited about! Here's what I came up with: a holiday box created with my Ultimate Tool, made possible by the fabulous Xyron Mega Runner and High Tack Adhesive Dots.

 After following the instructions for this neat box on the Advanced Construction Techniques DVD held in place with the Mega Runner, I adhered the ribbon handles with the High Tack Adhesive Dots. I added the image, part of the Dee Gruenig - Ahh Christmas stamp set. Memento Dew Drops made it easy to color different parts of the image -- rich cocoa for the sentiment, ladybug for the red, and bamboo leaves for the green. After matting it, the Mega Runner assures it stays put on the top of the box!

There's no question: Xyron makes excellent adhesive! Head over to the Crafter's Companion blog to see the gorgeousness the rest of the team made, and don't forget to leave some bloggy love for your chance at a great prize package!

Happy hopping!

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

New Crafter's Companion Release Sneak Peek!

Good morning! Do you know what today is? We're showcasing the newest stamps, scheduled to hit the Crafter's Companion store on 9/19, the Makey Bakey Mice! These are adorable, and two ranges are offered: Everyday and Christmas.

I chose to use the Festive Fun & Frolics stamp set as figure skating holds a special place in my heart. I miss my younger years, when Saturdays were spent at the skating rink getting ready for that one show per year!

Here's my card:

 Isn't it sooooo cute? I used Lily Bee Designs Christmas Cheer - North Pole and Studio Calico Wonderland - Tree Farm (woodgrain paper), which I used my distressing tool on to rough up the edges. A bling flourish, May Arts ribbon flower, Littly Yellow Bicycle stick pins, and some Frosted Lace Stickles showcase this skating cutie, colored with my Spectrum Noir pens (CR7, CR10, CR11, GB2, GB4, GB5, TN3, TN5, TN7, IG2, IG7, IG9). Both the mouse and the sentiment were adhered with foam squares.

I can't wait for the release of this range! Be sure to head to the Crafter's Companion shop to on 9/19 to pick up a set (or 6!) for yourself, and if you don't follow our Facebook or Twitter pages, you should do so to keep up with all of the new releases. Our designers are releasing lots of sneak peeks you won't want to miss!

xoxo
Khristen