Crafters Companion Blog Challenge December - Thankyou

Hi Everyone

Here's a little Scruffy Little Cat Card i made for the Crafters Companion Blog Challenge in December, the theme is thank you.

Sooooooo  while i have been demoing at craft shows i have found myself eyeing up material on the stands next to us and bought some small pieces to see if i could incorporate them into my cards.

For the card i have used Kraft card as the base and matted with some purple Coredinations embossed and sanded back using the vitnage floral Hessian folder.  The image is Ashleigh from the SLC range and coloured with Spectrum Noir Markers.  Ive also used the Circle Doily die and then just added a few buttons and a metal butterfly.

Colours used areTN1, TN2, TN3, TN6, CR3,  EB1, EB2, EB3, EB5, EB8, IG1, IG2, IG6, PL1, PL3, PL5.

Hope you like it and dont forget to pop over and take part.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Blog Challenge November - Christmas

Hi Everyone

Its just a little short of 4 months since i last posted and i just cant believe how long it is!!! Oh my word............ but i have been so busy with work and other stuff, NEC, Slovenia, trips to London........  (although i do think i should've had time to post at least a few times in those 4 months)  I've also had Labrynthitis??? I'm hoping its just about gone now and i have to say it is the most weird thing ever, vertigo is one of the symptoms and it knocks you for six every time it happens..........

So its nearly Christmas and I've not even bough one prezzie either.  But here is my card for the November challenge.

I've used Spectrum Noir Aquatints for the firs time, (i really don't like messy crafting), although i love the finished effect.  The colours ive used are 05, 08 and 25.  I htink 05 and 25 are from the pretty pastels and 08 is from the landscape set but i have mixed all my colours up so i'm unsure.  I've stamped with versamark onto Sheena's stamping card, using Sheena's snowflake stamps and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Then I've masked off the top and bottom section of the card with stencil tape.  then to achieve the effect i have made my own blotting pad with aqua tints and kitchen towel and stamped the pattern with scrunched up cling film.  you can find a clip of how to do this on you tube and its soooo easy. However mine is not as good as the orginal one in the video. Then to finish I've stamped a few snowflakes in the darkest aquatint colour.  The sentiment is from the seasons greetings set of  stamps and the card base is centura pearl hint of silver matted with some black card.

Only 8 days left to join in and win a fab prize.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion June Challenge - Tags

Hi Everyone

I coloured the lovely Ashleigh while demoing at the Bolton show a few weeks ago and have just made it into a card.  As I've added my favourite tags i was hoping it may give you inspiration so you can enter this months challenge while there is still time.

For the card base I've used Kraft card and matted onto watercolour card, the patterned paper is from a nitwit paper pad called country lady and I've distressed the edges.  The two tags are made using scalloped tag dies and then I've added some Hessian tape a few pearls and a beautiful embellishment i also bought at the Bolton show from Chloes stand, called daisy pearl.  the distress ink colour used is gathered twigs.

Spectrum noir makers used
FS1, FS3, FS4, TN2, TN3, TN4, EB1 EB2,EB3, EB5, IG2, IG4, IG6, IG8, DG2 and DG4, LY2

To enter the challenge follow this link

Hope you like it.

Louise

Crafters Companion April Challenge - Floral

Hi Everyone

This months Crafters Companion Challenge blog has changed and its all run via facebook, click here for information on how to enter.

So I really had to make a card using the fab new Create a card Dies, they are coming back soon  I promise and I've used our fab quilling dies. I just love these too.  I've used Kraft card as the base and then matted with Neenah card underneath the patterned paper from my stash and used the Enchanted create a card die.  I've stamped using a sentimental Memories are made  stamp set in pumice stone distress ink.  The flowers are made using the Dahlia quilling die and then I've cut leaves in Kraft card to match using Leaf 1 and then scored veins using the Springtime treat board.  Then to finish I edged with the pumice stone distress ink around the patterned card and also the petal tips, then finished with pearls in different sizes.

Oh and are you loving the new Crafters inspiration magazine.  I was away on my hols when it was released and had a really busy first week back at work so I've just browsed through it this morning.  I have to say Louisa has done a fab job it contains lots of stunning cards and projects by a lot of the team at CC and DT members.  Amazing well done everyone!!!



Dont forget to pop along to the challenge and take part.

Hope you like my card.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Blog Challenge - Monotone

Hi Everyone

I cannot believe the last time i posted was 1st February, that must be the longest time ever for me............  I know i know its the old reason I've been so so so busy.  But i am still making cards and this one is for the crafters Companion blog challenge for March, Monotone.

So..........  i couldn't resist a new Rachelle Anne Miller stamp brand new this month from Crafters companion this one is called Squeeze.  I've chosen very pale mauve colours for the main card and matched this colour scheme into the lovely image too, with my spectrum noir pens.  I've used watercolour card for the base and last weekend i helped out in retail packing in the cc warehouse, which might've been a good idea before i started looking on the shelves to see what i fancied.  so i ended up buying lost more stash and the paper on the card below is from a six by six paper pad by Wild Rose Studios, called Antique Library.  I've matted with Kraft Card card and then added a couple of paper roses to match and then sewn it all together.

Colours used,

TN7, TN4, TN3, TN2, TN1, EB3, FS4, CR3, EB1, EB2, BG1, BG2, HB1, HB2.

I've just got back from a demonstrator training event which has run over the last 3 days that Leann and I delivered and its been absolutely brilliant (yep that's my opinion) i've met lots of lovely crafters who are all willing to become our demonstrators and both Leann and i will be getting back to them soon with details.

The back to work tomorrow but on weds night I'll be off to the Hobbycraft show at the NEC Birmingham for 4 days.  I'm looking forward to seeing what new stuff there is, although i don't need one single thing, but i cant resist a little look just in case.  Dawns coming with me too so i should have some photos to share.

Hope you like it and pop over to take part as you may just win a prize.

Louise xx

February Challenge - CAS Card

Hi Everyone

This months Crafters Companion Blog challenge is a CAS card, clean and simple.  I just love making these types of cards as they are really quick and easy.

I've used my Florabunda 6x6 embossing folder with some black crafters companion  card matted onto Kraft card.  (my two favourite cards types of the minute).  Don't hang around as the Kraft card is going to sell out soon and wont be back in until late February...........

Then all i have done is added some cotton ribbon and a paper flower made with blissful flower die.  This is from some text paper i had in my stash but i think it would be just as good with newspaper and distress ink. The centre is just a cut of strip of the black card.  Then a couple of die cut leaves to match

You have a whole month to take part so pop over and give it a go.........  you just might be lucky.

Hope you like it

Louise xx

Hearts, Hearts and more Hearts

Hi Everyone

Today i am sharing you the card i made for the Crafters Companion Challenge Blog and Januaries theme is hearts.

I've used the fab new Bebunni stamp range, this one is aptly named Hearts and coloured with Spectrum Noir Pens, I've used IG1, IG2, IG5, IG7, PP1, PP3, PP5, EB1.  The die cut heart is from the Heart Doily Die set on coordination's card and the backing paper is from a nitwit collection, embossed with the A4 Patchwork Quilt folder.  The sentiment stamp is from the same stamp set and i have finished off with some white lace from my stash and a xcut paper punch.

The challenge does not finish until the end of January so pop over and take part to win a fab prize.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Blog Challenge - Ribbon/Twine

Hi Everyone

How amazing are those sweet treat boards...........  i just love them.  I've only demoed with them once but watched Claire too at Colemans a couple of weeks ago and some of the things you can make for gifts is fab.

So with another Crafters Companion challenge coming up for December i though it would be perfect to add some ribbon both faux card and real ribbon to my gable box.

So I've used the Sweet Things board for this box and followed Sara's you tube clip to follow so i got it right.  The card i have used is black crafters card adn then some patterned card from my stash.  Its from a 12 x 12 " pad from First edition Noir et Chic, i love it and it only comes out for special occasions.  I think i am going to make some hand made chocolates to add to this one.  The card bow is made using a template from the Sweet Treat CD and is so easy to make and lots of different sizes.  I've then stamped a Just for you sentiment from the Love is all you need sentimental stamp set and then matted onto a die cut using the Chantilly Frame die set.  The to complete I've added some black organza ribbon.

There's still time to take part so pop over and enter............  what have you got to lose.

And now to some pics from mine and Leanns London trip.  We had such a fab time but unfortunately she needed to jump of the train at Peterborough instead of coming all the way home with me as she has shows on create and craft.

Lots of drink, food and shopping with a fab show thrown in too, Jersey Boys.










And then a piccie with Jake Wood from Eastenders aka Max Branning.  He was sitting next to me in the theatre.

Hope you like it.


Louise

Little Ivy

Hi Everyone

I've been so busy that's its been a whole month since I've posted and i even missed the post of my next crafty make on the spectrum noir blog.  It went up on the 16th November i think.  But, its been a busy month what with the NEC, then a demo at Graces Middlesbrough and then this weekend gone at Colemans in Rushden.  I'm not complaining, i wouldn't have it any other way...............  although i need a weekend off soon.

Sooooooooo, tomorrow Leann and i are off to the big smoke.  We've been talking about this for a while and finally have been able to fit it in.   We leave tomorrow, hopefully if the trains are running......  what a weekend to pick........  although there is always plan B if there are no trains, drive to Peterborough and drop Leanns TV samples off ready for next week and then a quick train journey into Kings cross.  i think its only about 45 mins - an hour.  So either way we will get there and I'm sure i will have some photos to share with you.

Anyway, here's my card for the Spectrum noir Christmas blog challenge November, sorry you cant enter now as its finished.  Although there is another one already up for December so i will have to be quick and share that one.

I've used a Lily of the valley image, Little Ivy, coloured with my fabby brand new Spectrum Noir Pens, colours are on the Spectrum blog.  The base is our fab new Crafters Companion Kraft Card, with red coredinations embossed using a holly embossing folder.  Hope you have one as they are all sold out although a mistletoe 6x6 is still available and would be just as good.  The patterned paper is from my stash as is the ribbon.  I've also die cut a bow using the same embossed coredinations and a stamp from the Mistletoe kisses sentimental stamp set using fired brick distress ink.

Hope you like it.

Louise

Crafters Comapnion Challenge Blog - Winter/Christmas

Hi Everyone

There have been a few gremlins in the works on the Crafters Companion Challenge blog and last months posts or entries etc disappeared.  I believe that most issues have been ironed out for this months post but you may need to add links to the comments section rather than linking it as normal.  I'm sure it will be back to normal soon.  Also Octobers will be posted again next week.

So, how can it be nearly Christmas again?

This time i have made a fold back card using a Mulberry wood image.  The base is made from Kraft card and matted with plain white neenah.  Then using a brand new Diesire Elegance die i have cut two out in red coredinations.  I've mounted the Mulberry wood image sent with love that I've coloured with Spectrum Noir pens , using the square die that comes in the same back and distressed the edges with fired brick distress ink.  (I coloured this image quite a while ago and didn't keep a note of the colours sorry)  The sentiment is using the Jingle Bells sentimental stamp set and then I've found some red matching paper in my stash.  Then I've just added to sprigs if ivy using the smaller of the two ivy dies and finished with a small red ribbon bow.

Hope you like it and please pop over to the blog and take part to win a fabby prize.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Challenge Blog - Baby

Hi Everyone

This months challenge on the Crafters Companion Blog Challenge  is 'Baby'.  Crafters companion have just brought out their Makey Bakey Mice range and i knew i would find a perfect image for this them on the Everyday CD.  Soooooo  a really simple (but effective card)....  i've printed of a page of toppers, matted it onto some matching Co-ordinations card.  The base is Watercolour Card and then just added a sentiment with a couple of matching brads, and i bit of glitter on the edge of the image and poppy..

Why not have a go yourself.............

Hope you like it.

 Louise  xx

Crafters Companion Challenge Blog

Hi Everyone

Septembers Crafters Companion Challenge Blog is embossing folders so i have shared a card that i normally make at my demos.  I must give credit to Lynne Kontou, who is one of the talented DT members on the Diesire DT as i took inspiration from one of her cards.  She has made some fab cards recently and i just love her style.  I have added my own touches though.

I've used the 8x8 Music Embossalicious folder and sanded back some coordination's car.  The patterned paper i found in my stash but i do know its Pion designs.  Then i have used Kraft card for the base which is 7x7" and matted the two card types onto this joining with some beautiful lace.  I've used glitter card to cut two Snowflakes out of and added these with a couple of pearls in the centre.  The the message is from Sentimental stamp set Mistletoe kisses and the Tags 1 die.  Then to finish off i have added a couple of spruce trees and a few gems.

Hope you like it

Louis exx

Crafters Companion Challenge Blog - Animals

Hi Everyone

Its animals as the them for this months Crafters Companion Challenge Blog and I've chosen this fab little stamp, Bambooks Favourites, coloured with Spectrum Noir Pens.  I made this card while at the glitter pot on my demo day out of bits and pieces i had been demoing with so it was a bit impromptu and not at all planned but i love it.

Ive sanded the red Coredinations after embossing with the rose garden folder and then for the centre piece i have used aged mahogany and brayered the folder before embossing some white centura pearl card,. For the card base and also for matting i have used black centura pearl card.  The flower is made using the small sunflower diesire quilling die using white neenah card.

Dont forget to pop over and take part and also take alook at the other DT members inspairation.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Challenge Blog - Dies

Hi Everyone

My card for the Crafters Companion July Challenge - Dies, is using the beautiful Eleanor stamp from the Angelica range.  I've coloured with Spectrum Noirs and i used this image for everyone to colour at the last colouring day at Frankies.  I believe everyone was pleased with their results.

The die for the main image is the Diesire Classical Frame and then I've used a couple of Marianne hearts to decorate.

If you would like to have a go at recreating the image the colours i have used are

Skin FS2, FS4, FS9, TN2,  Cheeks CR3
Hair EB1, TN2, TN3, EB8, EB5
Tutu and shoes, PP5, PP3, PP1

Why don't you pop along and take part to win a fab prize.

Hope you like it

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Challenge Blog - Summertime

Hi Everyone

June is the month for a fab challenge at the Crafters Companion Challenge Blog and its summertime......  we have had a few days lately that have been very warm but we need more.........

I've used a favourite Humphrey image, Swinging By, coloured with Spectrum Noir pens as this reminds me of the summer when i was little.  I always loved going to the park and being on the swings.  I loved them so much i talked my Mam into letting me and my younger sister have a quick visit to the park one Saturday tea time just before we were due to go to the Isle of Wight for a holiday the next day to visit my uncle and guess what.  I fell of and broke my arm in three places and we all missed the holiday and i spent a full week in hospital (my birthday too which is the first of June)........  Never mind it was a long time ago but i still have a funny shaped arm to show for it but this image always brings good memories too when my dad used to push me on the swings.

 I've used a free backing paper from a magazine i had along with a Marianne Circle die, LR0112  for placing the image onto.  Coloured with spec and the colours used are IG7, IG3, IG1, PP5, DG4, DG2, DG1, EB1, TN2, EB3 and EB2.  Then just a few flowers and a triple bow tied on my ultimate pro to finish.

Pop over and take part and you never know you may win.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Blog Challenge May

hi Everyone

Get your thinking caps on for a masculine card on this months crafters companion blog challenege and get yourself entered as you may win, you never know.  My card this month is using a stamp from the Stamp it Australia Stamps which will be launched soon by Crafters Companion.  Even though they are not available on the CC website in the UK they have been available for our trade shops to buy so you will find them out there locally to you.  However they will be coming soon so watch this space.

I've used some backing papers a 6x6 My Minds eye that i purchased cheaply from craft Superstore as they were on sale.  Its called Lost & Found two, Sunshine but i think it must be being sold as special offers on a lot of websites as i cannot find it apart from the link shown.  I've used 4 different papers from the pad and embossed the stamp Key sentiments and embossed using copper powder.  The dark brown paper has also been embossed with the Arygle A4 Folder for added texture and I've added 4 eyelets in copper to match.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Challenge Blog - Flowers

Hi Everyone

Well its Easter Sunday and my plan was to make cards and use papers from my Crafters Companion CD, however my printer is playing up its putting lines across all printed items and I've cleaned the printer heads, run test pages and recalibrated it and its still not working................ I've just replaced the black ink so i'll try a colour one and see if this helps, if not it looks like i need a new printer..........  I'm so sad as i love this one.

This card is for the Crafters Companion  challenge blog and the theme is flowers, there are lots and lots of crafters companion products that have flowers on so get hunting. And I must thank Tracey Watkiss for the inspiration in making ths as she made one like ths with a party paws image ad I just loved it!!!!!! You can see Traceys card here.

So as i had no printer to use i searched through my stash and i wanted something bright red to go with the flowers i had coloured on the mulberry wood image, Friend.  So once again i found this in my free stash from a card making mag, boy its coming in handy just recently.

I've used my Spectrum Noir Pens and only a few colours on this one, i love this little cutie in grey tones.  I've used the Waltz frame to mat the image onto after cutting him out using a circle die and then layering with a black circle.  The flower is using a Blissful diesire die and then a Marianne Leaf die.  There is a sentiment stamped in side the card, 'A Birthday Flower just for you' and this is from one of the Party Paws stamps.

Don't forget to pop over to the blog and take part, I'm sure you have a Crafters companion card with a flower on that you could enter......

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Challenge Blog January - Anything but a card

Hi Everyone

And hello 2013, my first post of the year.........  Its time for the Crafters companion Monthly Challenge blog and this months theme is anything but a card.  So get your thinking caps on and get crafty with all of your CC goodies.

I've decided I've had enough of Christmas today and thought i would go for something really fresh and spring like so yellow and purple it is for Mothers Day.  This gorgeous Morehead Stamp is coloured with my Spectrum Noirs and i have made a trinket/gift box that i found while mooching on blogs.  so here is the link for the tutorial.  It was so easy to make with my Ultimate pro and boxer board.  I've coloured with spectrum noirs and then used papers from the Morehead CD printed onto white centura pearl card to construct the box as its a really good weight.  The inside box is only printed on the matt side of the centura pearl and the inside is left white.  The cover of the box is printed on both sides and i have placed the pearlescent side to the inside for the cover. I've added gingham ribbon and two flowers made from quilling dies, small sunflower and small camelia and then added brads to the centre of each.  The sentiment inside is just typed on my pc and then cut using one of the diesire tags.

I've added some roses from my Christmas choccie stash but you could add anything you like  jewellery  candles, a scarf  the list is endless.  What I really wanted to make was a baby version with rolled up little socks and vests etc but i didn't have any of these ling around.  Wouldn't this be fab for a new baby gift?  and don't forget it will be very easy to change the size to accommodate whatever you are giving as a prezzie.

Quite plain and simple but very effective i think.

Hope you like it and don't forget to take part to win a fabby prize.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Monthly Blog Challenge - December

Hi Everyone

Decembers Crafters companion Monthly blog challenge is Winter Friends so i have posted a card that Gracie and I made a couple of weeks ago when she felt in the mood to craft, which she hasn't done for ages.

So she chose a Christmas in Mulberry wood Stamp and wanted to colour in greys with my Spectrum Noir pens  as i have done in the past.  She has coloured all of the owls, tree etc and i finished the blue background off, i think she had had enough by then.  She then chose papers to match from the Mulberry Wood CD and embossed some coredinations with a snowman snowflake embossing folder   Auntie Margaret had given her some Christmas embellishments when we were at her house and she wanted to add the snowman so she placed it herself and added a snowflake.

She was very pleased with this and i think she said she wants to give it to her Mam, so we will add a special sentiment when she is here at the weekend.

Hope you like it

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Challenge Blog

Hi Everyone

This months Crafters Companion Monthly Blog Challenge  favourite colour combo.  Well, i have just so many i found it really hard to choose. However when it comes to colouring with my Spectrum Noirs i love a pink and grey colour combo so i have chosen this gorgeous Daydream Believer  image i coloured a little while ago but had just never gotten round to making a card.  The backing paper is from the Toreads cd  (i just love this paper) and i have used one of my new diesire dies that are only available to Crafters Companion Members currently but i think they will be on general release in the new year.

Don't forget to pop over to the blog and take part.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx