It's launch day!

Good morning. Hope you are ready for Nigel's launch today. I have a fairly full post today so I hope you don't mind me bombarding you with some of the really quick and easy cards I made from the CD. They are ideal images for that quick card that we all need to make from time to time, but especially at Christmas.

I'll not bore you with loads of detail so let's get started!

Image from one of the sheets on the CD. Glossy embellishments cut from one of the embellishment sheets and some glossy accents added. Lots of glitter too!

One of the shaped cards from the CD with matching shaped topper. These sets have all  you need to make a complete card. I've added some toning satin ribbon and glossy accents to the buttons and the little embellishment

I cut this card shape with my Sizzix Pro and added this jolly topper, some mirri card, ribbon and an ironworks motif from Spellbinder

One of the bright and cheerful decoupage options on the CD. I've used Crafter's Companion decoupage paper to print the image onto and it's so clear and bright! I've added some ribbon and a punched snowflake edge (EK Success punch)

This is one of the shaped toppers on the CD. I cut the card from Centura Pearl after printing the pattern onto it from CD 1 and then cut the corners with an inverted corner punch. I love the way the greeting is already there - saves so much time!

A wee card companion image with one layer of decoupage. The paper is from CD 1. I've just added some glitter and a punched snowflake and gems.

Another card companion. The backing paper is from CD 1 and I've added heart embellishments cut from one of the sheets on the CD and that all important glitter.

Phew! thank you for getting this far. I hope you have enjoyed these wee peeks. Don't forget to watch the show tonight at 9.00pm on Ideal World and get yours!

Sneak peeks of 'Craft into Christmas'

Hi and welcome to a new week on the blog. It's been a busy old time and no mistake but not long to wait now for the release of Nigel's 'Craft into Christmas' CDs and stamps!

I've two more samples for you today from the CD. They are both pyrimage type cards and there is a good variety of images with all sorts of twists and twirls. We've already seen the offset Santa a couple of days ago now we have another jolly Santa in a more usual pyrimage square and then adorable penguins in yet another square formation. 

I've used backing paper and this fab image from CD 1 

I have used gold mirri card for the scallop mat behind the image but edged the main decorative paper with a gold metallic Promarker. I think it's really effective and a lot more affordable than the gold leafing pens that I, personally, could never get to work properly. 

A wee side view to show the depth of the layering

This has got to be one of my favourite images from the CD. Again the image and the backing papers are from CD 1. Just in case you think I didn't like CD2, I was asked to make samples from CD 1 only, but there are lots of wonderful samples from the second CD from the other ladies on the team. :)

A view to show the layering on this card. The paper beads are part of the embellishment section on the CD and I've added a few jade coloured beads from my stash. The sentiment has been punched out of the patterned paper and matted onto silver mirri card. I've used the mirri card again as a matt for the image but a silver metallic Promarker for the edge of the backing paper. 

I hope you will join me tomorrow for the very last of my sneak peeks as it's the big day of the launch.

Happy crafting!

You've seen the stamps now for the CD!

Hi and good morning. I've some more samples from the 'Craft into Christmas' double CD from Nigel May available through Crafter's Companion and due to be launched on 19th June on Ideal World.

These CDs are choc-a-bloc with smashing Christmas images that you can use as toppers on your card and we know just how handy it is to have them 'on tap' when we have so many to make. All these samples have added glitter but I don't think it shows up all that well in the pics. Just take it as read, you can't have a better excuse to use glitter can you?!! 

I've cut the card base from Centura Pearl card stock with Go Kreate XXL Square Frames Frilly #7 dies

The backing paper is from CD 1 as is the topper

The beads which are a feature of Nigel's CDs are simple to make and add that extra little touch to the card

The ribbon is from my stash

This second card also uses a card topper only this time I've made a DL card. I haven't made one for ages and it was lovely to used this format for a change. The backing paper is from CD 1. I've scored a few lines down the side of the card for added interest

The snowflake is die cut with Spellbinders Create a flake dies from gold mirri card

This card, also cut from Centura Pearl card stock, was cut using Spellbinders Grand scallop circle nestabilities. Again the backing paper is from CD 1.

The topper is also from CD 1 and I took the pic at an angle to show the unusual pyrimage effect.

The frill round the image is made by pleating the edges of three doilies and adhering them to the bottom of the main image. The three embellishments are from the CD, I just cut them out and added some glossy accents and a wee touch of glitter.

Despite sitting in the middle of a heat wave whilst making the cards, I still found them a lot of fun to put together.

Thank you so much for joining me today. We'll be taking a short break from Christmas for a day or two but I have made so many samples that I think I might share a few more before the launch on Tuesday! :)

Take care and have a good day. 

After a couple of funny comments I think I'd better explain that these cards are made well in advance and we were all experiencing sweltering temperatures and wonderful sunshine at the time - though as it was a while ago, it makes it hard to remember! :)

Craft into Christmas

I have another two cards to show you today from the new launch coming soon at Crafter's Companion featuring Nigel May's 'Craft into Christmas' double CD and co-ordinating stamps

My first card today is a joy fold one with the fab reindeer stamp and papers from CD 1. 

The reindeer has been coloured with Spectrum Noir pens 

Body - GB 8. 10  EB 1

Reds - DR 1, 3, 5, 7

Blues - BT 2, 4, 5, 9

Blender pen

A wee view to show the card open and some of the embellishments from the CD on the side flap

The card closes with a magnetic snap

This is my second card using the fabulous boot stamp in reds this time with papers from CD 1

I've kept it very simple to focus on the main image and added some ruby card candy as an embellishment. Naturally there's some gold glitter in there for the obligatory bling!! :) It was also a great excuse to get the mirri card out. I haven't used it for ages and I'd forgotten how wonderfully Christmassy it looks. 

The image has been coloured with Spectrum Noir pens (I'm sorry I've misplaced my note where I listed the colours but I'm nearly sure they are the same as the reds in the reindeer.) 

Don't forget there is a competition running to win the whole kit and kaboodle so nip over to Crafter's Companion news blog and take part!

You'll need to pop this badge onto your sidebar to start. All the best!

Crafter's Companion new launch soon!!

We have another fab launch coming very soon to Crafter's Companion and it's all to do with that crafty chappie Nigel May. This time we're looking forward to the festive season and we have a double CD called 'Craft into Christmas' accompanied by really gorgeous stamps.
I was very fortunate to get two beautiful images to play with and I'm showing you a couple of projects made with them today.
Now to say it was a labour of love is not to understate things. I was sitting with my fan blowing at top speed, melting into a puddle during the recent heat wave as I made these cards. It's quite difficult to work up the Christmas spirit in the bright sunshine but the team have made some fabulous cards for you to enjoy in the run up to the release. Check out the news blog to see some sneak peeks in the days ahead.
There's also a competition running hand in hand with the launch so without further ado here are the details with a blog badge for you to add to your blog.

To enter the competition please enter the badge to your sidebar on your blog.

 Then you will need to visit the CC News blog to leave a link on Mr Linky back to your blog, and one winner will be chosen at random on the morning of the launch to win the full range. You can upload to your Facebook accounts too and link to them on Mr Linky if you don’t have a blog.

I hope that's clear - the rules will be repeated on the news blog so don't panic!

Now onto the projects I have today

This is a little gift carrier box made with a Sizzix XL extended die 'Bag, caddy'

I've used paper from CD 1 and the boot, sentiment and label images from the stamp set

I've used Spectrum Noir pens in TB1, 2 and 3 to colour the image and label and of course some crystal glitter to add that wee bit of bling. 

This card uses the fab reindeer stamp and papers from CD1

The little embellishment on the corner is included on the CD and I've added some glossy accents for a 3D effect. You will also get the little stocking and presents stamps on the stamp set.

I've used a matching insert from the CD to finish the inside of the card

The reindeer is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Body - GB 8, 10  EB 1

Reds - DR 1, 3, 5, 7

Greens - DG 2, 4

Blender pen

Thank you for hanging on in there, it was a long post! I'll have more from the 'Craft into Christmas' launch throughout the week. See you soon!

PS scroll down for another post today. It's the Ooh La La Challenge guest spot card. How's that for a title!

The challenge this fortnight is 'Baby, baby' - please join in and have some fun!

More from the A-May-Zing CD

Can you credit that another week is nearly over? I am baffled by how quickly time flies. 

Onto today's cards. I've been playing with the Nigel May 'A-May-Zing' CD in readiness for it's big debut on 19th April on Create & Craft. I know I said a bit about it on Wednesday but just in case you didn't see it, it's all about a new range created by Nigel and he is uber excited about it. If you pop over to his blog you can catch up with the man himself as he explains his new venture. 

It is aimed at beginners but there is a lot in it that can be taken to a more experienced crafty level as well. I've made a couple today that have a little bit of both. One very simple card and one with a bit more added. Neither are difficult to make and I just loved the colour combos that are available in the twelve design sets. 

This card comes from the 3D topper section of the CD. I love the gentle aqua colours in this one and the soft pinks and yellows that bring it to life. The background papers are from the CD and complement one another beautifully.

This view gives an idea of the dimension of the card. I've matted the topper onto a 5x5" doily to add a little softness and feminine appeal. The aqua ribbon is from my stash as are the pearls top and bottom of the card. 

A sideways view. It's a lovely generic image that would be suitable for so many occasions.

My second card is the most simple one but I think it still has a lovely appeal.

This is from the shaped card section and the design is printed onto 300gsm white card A4 size, cut out, scored and folded. The topper is from the shaped topper section printed onto light printable card (Crafter's Companion) and is matted and 3D'd onto the base card. I've only added some white organza ribbon and some pink and clear gems (Beatrix Potter embellishment kit, also Crafter's Companion)

I printed the topper at mid-size which gave me a dainty label that I cut out and attached under the ribbon bow. Again this is a lovely generic design suitable for all those occasions that we need quick cards for. 

There's not too long to wait now for the launch on the 19th and the girls have been really busy producing beautiful samples for the show. They are showcasing the cards as they go along so have a wee look on their blogs. (Crafter's Companion design team - on the sidebar).

Fun Prize!

Would you like to win a photo of Nigel signed by the man himself? .... yes .... well all you need to do is leave a comment on ALL of my A-May-Zing creations.

A winner will be drawn from all the comments so take as many chances as you can to win.

Money can't buy this fun prize.

Commenting closes on 18th April at 9.00pm

FUN CANDY NOW CLOSED

Thank you for joining me today. Have a super day!

Well it's A-May-Zing!!

What is? It's the new CD by our very own Nigel May of Create & Craft fame no less. He has created a range of crafty goodies and I've been fortunate enough to be able to share in the preparation for the launch of his first CD. It's launching on Create & Craft on the 19th April at 9.00pm, so not long to go.

I'll let Nigel tell you all about it HERE - just scroll down to A-May-Zing and get the jen from the man himself.

This card is made from the decoupage section of the CD. Just look at the gorgeous backing paper. The CD is crammed full of delicious papers. It's aimed at beginners but can be taken to many other levels as it suits the crafter. All I've added is some ribbon, an Epiphany button, pearls and glitter.

There's a lovely depth to the decoupage and it's so simple that even a beginner would feel totally confident about trying it. I matted the decoupage onto a Go Kreate #2 XXL Frilly frame die cut.

A sideways view to show the depth of the decoupage. There are also extra butterflies on the sheet and I've 3D'd them onto the image and used an extra one to fly off the page! :)

It's a really all round CD with something for every occasion. The colours are beautiful and there's a lot of fun to be had in creating with it.

Thank you for calling in today. I'll catch you tomorrow with a new Colour Create challenge. 

Have a great day!

Fun Prize!

Would you like to win a photo of Nigel signed by the man himself? .... yes .... well all you need to do is leave a comment on ALL of my A-May-Zing creations.

A winner will be drawn from all the comments so take as many chances as you can to win.

Money can't buy this fun prize.

Commenting closes on 18th April at 9.00pm


FUN PRIZE CANDY NOW CLOSED