Crafters Companion Blog Challenge - June

Hi Everyone

Its time to share another monthly Crafters Companion Challenge card with you.  The theme this month is time to embellish.  I have chosen to make quite a simple card as my first thought was to go mad and over the top with embellishments but i just couldn't do it.  Although i do think i have left this one quite plain but i really love it.

I've used SWALK  decoupage and one of the Daisy meadow luxury Hunky dory card blanks. I love these swalk decoupage kits they are really easy to pop out and put togther and look really effective.   I have then matted her onto a doily that i distressed with spun sugar distress ink.  Then finished off with a little butterfly embellishment and a sentiment that matches perfectly.

I love these shaped cards, there are lots of patterns and colours to choose from in the pack.  I was demoing them on Saturday and its just so quick and easy to make a really great card so quickly.  The butterfly's are fab too.  A very quick and easy embellishment to add to a card.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Glitter Geeks Blog Challenge - Super Heroes

Hi everyone

Today is the last Glitter Geeks  Blog Challenege i am so sad................  But wait...................  no we are not stopping all togther we are just changing names and a brand shiney new blog called Craft Punked.

So the last challenge theme is Superheroes and i have looked and looked for images i could use, but i really got stuck.  And i am on a crafty diet until tomorrow, my birthday' so i could not buy any new digis or anything.  So luckily i stumbled across a fab blog called the lady wolf where i found these fab FREE SVG files to use on my e-craft.  

So i have used coredinations  to cut little Super Mario out and then cut the number and letters on my e-craft too.  I've also kept with the red white and blue colours to celebrate the jubilee as I'm really loving seeing these colours together, which is unusual for me as i like pastels.  I just love this card  and what's more i love Super Mario too, and can't wait to show Gracie as she is nintendo obsessed as well, .  We had one of the first Nintendo's when it came out and bought everyone that came out afterwards.  All of us have spent hours and hours trying to rescue the princess from Bowser and get to the end of the game first.  Ah happy memories............  and all the fighting and tears and shouting that went with it, ha ha ha.

Hope You like it.

And tomorrows post will be the new Crafters Companion Blog Challenge.

Louise xx

Humphrey Cards & an Announcement

Hi Everyone

Well i have finally got a little time to let you know on a really big deal for me that i haven't been able to share.  Although i could've from last friday i think, but the time has just flown and i really must do it now.  As i was deoming speccies at Dainty Supplies yesterday i thought i would share some of the cards i made and the news i had at the same time.

I have been asked to be a member of Spectrum Noir Design team blog which is part of the Spectrum Noir Website and I have been an accredited colourinst for a while.  I have a little blinkie on top right of my blog which has been there for a few months now.  Information will be shared soon as to how you can become one too, its sooooo exciting. The blog is a fabulous resource for anyone who has speccies to enable them to find inspiration, tips and techniques with lots of tutorials from all 14 DT members.  There are 7 from the UK and 7 from the Rest of the World (ROW).  I shall add a list all of their blogs below, they are such a talented bunch of ladies and I feel that some of  their coloruing is way beyond what i can produce.  Also if you have just ordered the Meadow Cottage Bears Pick of the Week Jacqui has just added the tutorial for colouring onto Kraft card that Sara talked about on the shows by Liz Murphy.

Pop over and take a look as it already has lots of great tutorials loaded up and then all 14 of us have our own day to post a regular blog on our specified day, every 2 weeks.  Mine is a Tuesday so my first scheduled post will be on the 5th June, the Queens Diamond Jubilee and my 30th Wedding Anniversary.


All of the papers i have used below are from the Humphrey's Corner CD, occasions and allsorts.  The stamps are all from the newest collection from the Humphrey range, A year with Humphrey.  Matted onto coredinations and of course coloured with spectrum noirs.  I've coloured the white pearls with speccies too. The middle card has a section of core embossed with one of sheenas new embossing folders and they are fab. I love this one and a lot of the lovely crafters bought all 6 yesterday.  I will have some more cards using those to share with you soon.

UK Team

Jacqui Dennis -- http://jacqui47.blogspot.com/

Linda Hill -- http://lindasrainbowcraftingcabin.blogspot.co.uk/

Lis Murphy -- http://mycraftblogumentary.blogspot.co.uk/

Marcea Watkins -- http://marceascraftingcorner.blogspot.com/

Wendy Foster -- http://secretcrafter.blogspot.co.uk/

Lisa Baker -- http://crafty-moments.blogspot.co.uk/

US/ROW Team

Angelique Nederpel -- http://scrapping-angel.blogspot.com/

Cyndi Bundy -- http://scrappychickcyndi.blogspot.com/

Danielle Johnson -- http://fundamentalchange.blogspot.com/

Jennie Lin Black -- http://jenniebstampin.blogspot.com/

Kristine Reynolds -- http://stampingandscrapingincalifornia.blogspot.com/

Taylor Usry -- http://taylorusry.blogspot.com

Room for 1 more..............

Hope you like my cards.

Louise xx

Glitter Geeks - Queens Jubilee

Hi Everyone

Time for a Glitter Geeks Blog Challenge and this week the theme is the Queens Diamond Jubilee.  I have thought and thought about this one and really struggled and i have ran out of time so i had to make a really quick card.  So i have chosen one of the new Hunky dory Meadow cottage bear kits that Sara launches later on today on create and craft at 12pm.  All i did was matt with core-dnations and gold mirri as there is already gold on the toppers.  I used a border behind the main picture from the kit as well as the little tea cup.  What could be more British than a nice cup of rosy lea.  Then i have searched the internet for some little flags to make a banner .  To finish i have just printed a sentiment in word and voila.  A quick and simple card that i really do like.

Sorry about the picture quality i think my camera lens is steamed up with the heat., and no time to take another photo.  I noticed this with my last card but i just thought it was my eyes but obviously it isn't.

And here is an interesting fact for you, or maybe not so interesting.  it is my 30th wedding anniversary on the 5th June which is the Queens Diamond Jubilee, so i get a day off.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Sneak Peek 2 Meadow Cottage Bears

Hi Everyone

A late post for me today as i wasn't early enough before i left for work this morning.  I have sooo much to do that i really must be very quick tonight.

This card is using one of the two new stamps that will be launched on Friday on Create and craft and these 2 stamps will be exclusive to create and craft viewers.  The 2 stamps are gorgeous and i have used distress inks on this one, vintage photo, dusky concord, spun sugar and peeled paint.  Its the first time i have used distress inks to paint with so i am quite proud of this finished topper.  I've matted into coredinations and backing papers from the new Meadow Cottage bears CD and used the sentiment from the image stamp.  The backing paper has been distress too with vintage photo. I've used my scalloped circles die and a spellbinder edgibility.

Don't forget to can take part in the fab blog hop/scavenger hunt so check out my post from yesterday.  The prize is worth over £58 and it looks like a lot of crafters companion fans have had fun taking part as I've been reading their comments.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Meadow Cottage Bears Blog Hop

Hi Everyone

Welcome to the Crafter's Companion Blog Hop Scavenger Hunt to celebrate the release of Meadow Cottage Bears, designed by Blackburn-born illustrator and figurative artist Christine Haworth! 

Today is the day the DT are sharing sneak peeks of Crafters Companion  new launch Meadow Cottage Bears..........  It is launching on Friday on Create and Craft as a Pick of the Week and remember what happened last time with a Crafters Companion/Christine Haworth collaboration.  It was paintbox popets and it sold out within 24 hours!!!!!!!!

Its a blog hop with a bit of a difference today and there is such a fab prize to be had by one lucky person.  Check out the information below the photograph of my sneak peak.

I've used the CD rom to make my first card in peach and green to match the Bear image.  I've printed the image onto watercolour card and the effect is really really soft and lovely.  The backing papers are from the new CD rom as too is the lovely little sentiment.  I've matted using coredinations and add 3 little pearls and some peach seam binding.  The pearls where plain white and i have added colour with my spectrum noir pens to match them perfectly with the colour of the card.  No fancy die cuts today all i have done is use the wave cut on my clever cut 5 in 1 trimmer.  Isn't the image stunning, these bears are so cute and Christine's artwork is amazing.

If you have landed here from Gemma's blog then you are hopping in the right direction. If not then you need to pop over the Crafters Companion News blog to begin.

By taking part the amazing prize you have the chance of winning is:

the Meadow Cottage Bears CD, Reddy die-cut decoupage kit and two Hunkydory papercrafting collections!

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning this great prize is visit each blog in turn and then head to the competitions page on the Crafter's Companion web site (you must be logged in to view this page). Each blog along the way will give you a clue, which will direct you to a product on the Crafter's Companion web site. Within this product you will find an image of a member of the Crafter's Companion Team, with a letter. Make a note of the letter and then head back to the blog to follow the hop to the next blog. Enter the phrase the letters make into the Competition page before 9am on Friday 25th May.

The winner will be drawn after 10am on Friday 25th May, and will be notified by email.

Your clue is: Spend a year with Humphrey with this card inserts kit from Hunkydory

When you've found your letter, hop on to Ali's blog.

Good luck!

hope you like my card and all of the amazing DT sneak peeks.

Louise xx

No 1 Son

Morning Everyone

I had such a fab last night, at the Nutcracker, and a gorgeous meal at Marco polos in Newcastle.  Great company with Anna and Claire, great food and a great show,  ooooo and two glasses or Kir Royal and 1/2 a glass of limoncello.

Tomorrow I will be able to share some new items from a brand new launch from crafters companion but up until then i have been looking for cards i have not shared with you yet and heres a lovely little image from the latest swalk range.  This stamp is called 'No 1 son' I love this card and i always call my son mark No 1 child and this would fit perfect for his birthday, i only have one son so it wouldn't upset anyone else.

Ive coloured with spectrum noir pens and used backing paper from the SWALK CD ROM 2.  The sentiment is from the image as too is the little rosette.  I'm not sure what the shape of this card is called  but they are very easy to make using my ulitmate pro and boxer. Ive matted with coredinations and also cut a star garland out of it too.  I've had this one for a while and not used it yet so i was pleased to get the chance.

Ok off to some more new exciting crafting.  I love spending Saturdays and Sundays crafting.....

Hope you like it.

Louise  xx

Lovely Lilac

Morning Everyone

House work is done and 2 loads of washing finished and dried and i think i am going to have a bagel with cream cheese and a cup of tea after posting this card.  its only taken me 10 mins to put this card together as i painted the lilac at Graces craft shop last Saturday and have wanted to make it into a card ever since.  However i really wanted a few nights of chilling out so i have resisted any crafty urges every night last week and just come home, made the tea and then chilled before going to bed.  So i am raring to go for two full crafting days as i have lots to catch up on.  There is an exciting new launch coming up on the 25th may with Sara and i will start showing sneak peeks from Monday with a fab blog hop to take part in so look out for details.

ok so to my card, i love lilac and we used to have a lilac bush in our garden when i was little and i loved it.  We often had spray cut off and put in vases in the living room.  I have used the Lilac Paint Fusion stamp and paints white, dark blue, parma, green gold, brown  and antique white.  These are from sets 1, 3, Foliage and Neutrals.  Although i do think i will be trying some new colours to get different results.

I have painted onto one of Sheenas rectangle mount boards and used some cream and blue matt emulsion that was in the garage.  After painting i have edged the mount board in silver embossing powder and then used mirri card and white linen card.  I'm not a big fan of mirri card but on occasion it comes out to just edge some mattting and i think it matches perfectly.  I've then finished with a thinking of you sentiment, embossed in silver again and some lilac ribbon.  The colour is a perfect match to the paint but i am wishing i had left it off now for a really simple look.

Ok, off for my cup of tea and a bagel and then down to some serious crafting.  oooo and i am off to the ballet tonight at Newcastle.  I have never been before so i'm giving it a go as Claire Hamer had a spare ticket going.  So its off to Newcastle for tea and the ballet......  and probably a few glasses of wine.  What a fab day i have planned.  And its peaceful and quiet here is both Kevin and Mark are at work which is why i have got so much done so early.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Glitter Geeks Blog Challenge - Polka Dots

Hi Everyone

This weeks on Glitter Geeks blog challenge the theme is polka dots.  This one was easy as i use backing papers all the time with polka dots as i love them.  The image is 'Freindship' from the new SWALK Sweetest Stuff range and i have used backing papers from the SWALK CD ROM 2.  I have matched the polka dot with some cherry blossom backing paper from the same CD and i only found this paper about a month ago as i really must have missed it.  I think every time i put a Crafters Companion CD into my pc i find something i have missed before.  There are just so many nice papers and items to choose from.

Coloured with my spectrum noirs  as normal and i have matted with core'dinations card and then sewn around the outside of each matt.  The flower is from my stash that i bought from the nec years ago and the little pink centre is a sparklet from C&C but i'm not sure if they are still available.  They are gorgeous and just one on this card.

Hope you like it and don't forget closing is next Thursday at 6pm so get your entry in.

Louise xx

Party Girl

Hi Everyone

Today i have a Strawberry Kisses card to share with you from Papercraft essentials issue 80 last month.  I have used Party Girl for htis one and the SK CD ROM.  I love polka dots and will have another card to share with you tomorrow using a similar backing paper.  I just think it goes with most things.  I've coloured the image with Spectrum Noir Pens and also the little cherry embellishment that is a separate stamp included with the main image.  I have also used spray and sparkle iridescent to make the glass look like it is sparkly by using masking tape.  The senitment is also from the stamp set, the border is using a spellbinder die and the ribbon was free from a magazine that i have been hoarding in my cupboard.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx