'Tis the Season...Card Season, That Is.

Yes, Christmas card season is in full swing. I have about half of my cards out, the other half to go out by Christmas Eve (yes, you might get them late, but at least you'll get them!), and am happy to report that each and every card is handmade this year! You might remember last year half were handmade, while I resorted to store bought after realizing I just didn't have the time to make the rest. Well, this year I have devised an easier way, one that allows me to be more productive, in terms of my "assembly line" method.

Last year, I started each card from scratch. That included the image that I stamped and colored, all the way to the final embellishment. That can actually be a hindrance in getting your cards out. Think about it: you get into the card zone after completing a card, having a great idea for the next one. The only problem is that you need to stop in between cards to stamp and color the image in. This can disrupt the crafty groove more than you think!

I just took a sheet of Ultra-Smooth Premium White Cardstock (8.5x11) and filled it with stamps that I wanted to include on this year's holiday cards. I don't do them all the same. Rather, each one is unique. They might have the same stamp here or there, but they're colored and designed completely different from one another. So I set out with a collection of holiday stamps from Crafter's Companion. Pictured here are the S.W.A.L.K. Winter EZ Mount Stamp Set - Warm Heart, Paintbox Poppets EZ Mount Stamp Set - Sleigh Ride, and Popcorn the Bear EZ Mount Stamp Set - Just For You all on the same page.

 I got the S.W.A.L.K. images colored in first, each one different than the other. Both girls feature FS3, FS4, and FS5 for their skin and True Black, OR1 and OR3 for the penguins. The girl on the left has TN5, TN6, GB6 (hair) and PP3, PP4, and PP5 for the bows/clothing. The girl on the right has TN2, TN3, TN4 hair, PL1, PL2 bows, and HB1, HB2, and HB3 clothing. They both have Frosted Lace Stickles on the fur accents of their clothing.

And here's the card I put the pink-suited cutie on. I stamped the sentiment directly onto the patterned paper with rich, deep Memento Luxe Natuical Blue ink. I just love that stuff!

 

 

 Today, I hope to complete my cardmaking for the holiday season. They will all be sent in the mail on the 24th, and I can start to enjoy the holiday with my own family more peacefully, knowing I got it all done!! It feels good to say that -- ever since Patryk was born, it felt like I just couldn't get all of the usual holiday tasks completed. I'm happy to say that after 6 years, even after picking up more work and having less available time to get things done, I have gotten back into the swing of the holiday routine. I love Christmas! I'm hoping to get one more post in before Christmas, but in case I don't, I hope everyone has a peaceful, relaxing holiday with the ones they love. May 2014 bring you abundant blessings and happiness (and craftiness!)

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

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

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

Crafter's Companion September Challenge: Embossing

Good evening! It has been a crazy weekend around here, and I've finally carved out some time to write this post. I love how easy this month's challenge is at the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog! All we want to see is some embossing on your card. I decided to use both my Ultimate Tool and an Embossalicious Embossing folder to create this quick and easy beauty.

 I used my 6x6 Petite Dot Embossalicious embossing folder for the teal cardstock, adding a strip of vellum that I emossed using a design on the inside of The Ultimate Tool. I find vellum super fun to work with on The Ultimate Tool, it makes it easy to see the outline you are to emboss underneath the paper!

 Yellow brads to adhere the strip to the card base, and Black Diamond Stickles accent the top and bottom.

I stamped another piece of vellum with this fun sentiment from the Stamp-It Australia Unmounted Stamp Set 60- Friendship Sentiments, spraying the back with Stick & Stay adhesive and outlining it with the Stickles as well.

Quick and easy, and quite pretty! I love the combo of teal, black, and yellow!

So head over to the blog and enter your own creation in for the chance to win a gift certificate to the store, and there's a bonus prize this month: the chance to be a guest designer! Woo hoo! So what are you waiting for?! Check out the blog for details :)

xoxo
Khristen

Crafter's Companion August Challenge: Animals Are Everywhere

Good afternoon! I have so very many projects to show you, but you'll just have to be patient :) Let's start with the August challenge over at the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog. This month, we want to see animals on your project. Head on over to review the rules and play along with us! Here's what I came up with:

 I love this fun tag, which I will use on an upcoming layout. Tags are so versatile, and for that, I love them :) I started by misting the tag with a homemade mist (2 parts water, one part Mod Podge, one scoop Pearl Ex - Flamingo Pink in a Mini Mister, shake well and spray away!) When it was dry, I stamped this adorable duck, part of the Popcorn the Bear - Party Time EZ Mount Stamp Set. I colored him with my Spectrum Noir pens (Duck: CT1, CT3, CT4, OR2, OR3; Cupcake wrapper: BP2, BP6; Cupcake: LY1; Frosting: BT3; Candy pieces: TB7) and added some fun washi tape and Distress Stickles in Mustard Seed.  Multiple strands of twine matching colors in my project complete the tag!

Don't forget to play along with the challenge, I can't wait to see what you create!

Also, don't miss Crafter's Companion's big birthday sale this week. They're celebrating 6 years, and offering some great deals and freebies! Check them out, and watch for a project tomorrow morning  here on my blog featuring these freebie stamps!

xoxo
Khristen