Special, special - read all about it!!

Crafter's Companion's new release SWALK Pawfect Pals included nine stamps in three sets but they have reserved three sets especially for CC members. To become a member just register with CC - it's free and quick and simple to do. Just follow the link. :)

  

I was fortunate enough to get to play with 'Prince Charming' and I just love the accompanying sentiment. :)

I've used a Martha Steward PATP set for the front of the card, matted onto a scored and folded one as the base.

The embossing folder is Regal Damask from the Embossalicious range 

Papers are from the accompanying CD

Centura Pearl card stock 

I've used Spectrum Noirs to colour the image

Skin - TN 1,2, - FS 1 - PP 3

Frog - DG 1, 2, 4

Crowns - GB 3, 4, 5

Dress/shoes - CR 5, 6, 7, 9, 11

Hair - TN 2, 3, 5 - FS 4

I'm sure you will agree she is fab! Check out the Crafter's Companion site and have a look at the latest SWALK gallery for lots more ideas. 

It's release day for Paw-fect Pals!

Good morning. I've a few more samples from the new SWALK release that is here today.

It's a pic n' mix of images from the new CDs and stamps and my first is from the digi stamp CD 'Belle of the Ball'

The images come in two sizes but as they are also available in jpeg format you can resize them to any size you need for your project. I'm not too hot at all that manipulating so I chose the smaller of the images provided for my 6 x 6" card. I printed onto Neenah Crest card stock which I think is the perfect card for alcohol ink colouring. 

I cut the card base and then cut two Die'Sire lace borders 3 for the frill at the bottom of the card. I embossed the lattice pattern (Beatrix Potter folder) and laid it over the top edge of the frill to form the front of the card. I tied knots along the length of the ribbon and adhered that to the join where the frills and embossing met.

The image is matted onto paper from the accompanying SWALK Pawfect Pals CD and I've glittered the tiara and the dots with Diamond dust for bling and texture.

The sentiment part of the image was cut with a Spellbinder's banner die and I then added organza ribbon, gems and bow to complete the card.

A sideways view to show the gleam of the Centura Pearl cardstock.

The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Skin - FS 4. 5. 9 - CR 4

Hair - TN 2, 3, 6

Greens - LG 1, 2, 4 - CG 4

Yellows - CT 1, 2, 4

 My second card today uses one of the stamps featuring our 'so in love' little couple.

We've seen this couple earlier in the blog in a different colourway but it's lovely how a change of colour can completely change the mood.

I cut a piece of Core'dinations Wisteria cardstock to 6.75in square and punched round it with a Martha Stewart PATP punch set. I then cut the card base to fit.

Papers are from the accompanying CD

Ribbon is from my stash

I used the PATP set to punch the corners and the border and added gems for a wee bit of bling.

The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Skin - FS 4, 5, 9 - CR 4

Boat - LV 1, 2, 3 - BG 1

GIRL - Dress - CG 1, 2, - DG 2

Bow - CG 1, 2 - DG 2, 4

Hair - GB 2, 3, 7

BOY - Clothes - CG 3 - TB 3, 4

Hair - BG 5, 7, 10

Water -  1G1

Ducks - TN 2, 7 - FB 4 - LY 1 

Ducklings - LY 1 - OR 1 - TN 7 - EB 4 

My last card today is from the Card Companions section of the CD and it is so, so simple to put together. I printed onto watercolour card both for the base of the card and the elements.

I think the added texture looks great with these images. 

A sideways view to show the layers. BTW I added pearls to the flower centres before I sent the card away. Sometimes the pics have to be taken so fast that after I've added some last minute details they have to be winging their way to CC toute suite and I haven't time to take another pic! :)

Have fun with the launch today!

This has been a  l- o- n- g  post so you'll be glad to hear it's my only one today. :)

Have a good one!

You are one in a million!

Another early start today. I've another of the delightful SWALK images to show you today.

This time I've two versions of the one image just for a bit of fun.

I've made a twisted easel card for my first sample

The image comes complete with the sentiment

Papers are from the accompanying CD

Marianne design Chinese rose die

Spotty ribbon from my stash

Tim Holtz edger die - 'Brackets'

The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Skin - FS 4, 5, 9 - CR 4

Hair - PP 1, 3, 4

Dress - TB 3, 4, 5

Dogs - 1G 1 - PP 1, 3

Eyes - TB 1

Bow - PP 1, 3, 4

 My second version uses the spotty and striped papers from the CD that I've desaturated using the Colouriser feature on the CD. 

I found the organza ribbon in my stash and that just about dictated how I put this card together.

The sentiment that comes with the stamp is die cut with Die-Namics fish tail dies and I've added the wee pup from the main stamp for a bit of interest. Just in case you are new to stamping, the image was masked off with tape except for the pup. The image was inked as normal, tape removed and then the inked part was stamped onto the card beside the sentiment.

I've coloured this one with Spectrum Noirs 

Skin - FS 4, 5, 9 - CR 4

Dress/ Hair - HB 1, 2, 3

Dogs - Black, 1G 1 - PP 3

Ribbon and bow - CT 1, 2, 4

I hope you enjoy the samples as we approach the release day on Friday. 

Join me later for my Stamp Basket GDT card. :) 

Just a quick PS. To coincide with the new release Crafter's Companion have a brilliant give away on their Facebook page. Here's the gen!

We're releasing twelve new S.W.A.L.K. stamp sets plus three CD-ROMS this week, and we're celebrating!

Click LIKE if you want to win all three CD-ROMS launching this Friday! 

With the launch of this amazing new collection, we'd love to find out which S.W.A.L.K. stamp set (including the ones we're previewing this week) is your all time favourite! 

Have a wee look HERE to see the rest of the range and good luck with the competition. :) 

New SWALK release

Good morning. I'm bright and early with a post to show you one of the images coming soon from Crafter's Companion and the new SWALK release 'Paw-fect Pals'.

As always these delightful images are cute and versatile. 

Today's card features our wee romantic couple 'Quackers about you'. :)

Papers are from the accompanying CD

Die cut border is Die'Sire Lace border 1

Card base and layers cut with Go Kreate XXL Frames Frilly #2 dies

The image is matted onto a scallop square nestie

Sentiment - from stamp sheet

The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Skin - FS 4,5,9 - CR 4

Boat - DG 1,2,4

Oars - TN 3,7, 8

Water - TB 2

Boy - clothes - BG 3, 5

hair - GB 8, 10 - EB 5

Girl - clothes - CR 3, 4, 7

hair - EB 1, 2 - GB 8, 11

Birds - TN 2, 7 - EB 4 - LY 1 

Chicks - OR 1 - TN 3, 6 - LY 1

A sideways view to show the layers

As I said cute and versatile. There are lots of new projects on the DT blogs (see sidebar) and I'm sure you will find loads of inspiration when you visit them. 

Have a lovely day!

Back later with my Passion for Promarkers challenge card. :)

Embossing just got better!

New to the craft scene are Crafter's Companion 'Embossalicious' folders. What's so different about them? They are BIG enough to cover the front of a 6" or 8" square card that's what. At long last, no more phaffing around to get an embossed piece big enough - it can all be done in one smooth operation.

I used the Grande Dot 8" folder for my samples on my Sizzix Pro machine. 

It's so easy to use and the results are a good deep emboss with great definition. I can't wait to add to my collection. 

If you don't have one of the bigger machines you can opt for the 6" folder selection.

Check HERE for the full details. You will love them. :)

I've used Core'dinations Gemstone and Centura Pearl cardstock for my card. It's an 8 x 8" card base and adding a full size embossed background was so easy to do.

The stamp is 'Time Out' from the SWALK range at Crafter's Companion

The frilly edge border die is also from Crafter's Companion Die'sire range

 The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Bath, bubbles and eyes - BT2

Skin - FS1 TN 1, 2 - PP 3

Hair - EB1, 2, TN 1

I've raised each layer onto 3D foam pads for added interest.

Join me tomorrow for another example of this fab folder in a completely different 'mood'.

Thank you for calling in today. Have a lovely day whatever your plans.

Strawberry Kisses

Hi and welcome to the blog this morning. There's a new launch coming on Friday from Crafter's Companion involving the very cute characters from Strawberry Kisses in their Christmas guise. There are twelve new stamps being released and this wee pup poised on a cracker is one of them. Leann is demo-ing the stamps on the shows and has a lovely candy prize on offer on her blog HERE.

The shows are on Friday 7th September on Create and Craft Sky 671 at 9am, 2pm and 6pm. 

It's Team A's turn to wow you with their fabby samples but Team B have been allowed to play a little too.

I've teamed the image up with papers from the SWALK 'Winter Cheer' CD and used my Die'Sire

'Enchanted Spring' die set for the image mat and frame.

I've sprayed the frame with Multicolour Spray and Sparkle which is fab but isn't picked up too well by the camera. The centre panel is raised onto 3D foam and edged with a T4 Spectrum Noir blue pen and inked with chipped sapphire distress ink.

I've coloured the image with Spectrum Noir pens

Pup - 1G1, 2 - GB 7, 8, 9

Hat, collar, cracker, sentiment - TB 5, 6, 9

Holly - JG2 - CG3

Cracker - DR 3, 7 - TB 1

A sideways view to show the layering. 

I've coloured some eggshell seam binding with a TB 5 SN pen and deliberately kept it splotchy to get a tie-dyed look. The edges of the blue mats and the image have been inked with chipped sapphire distress ink.

The mirror snowflakes are by Papermania.

These wee characters are so cute. Don't forget to check out the DT's blogs and have a look at the Crafter's Companion blog too for lots of inspiration. 

See you soon!

Christmas cutie!

It's always a pleasure to welcome you to the blog and now that I'm beginning to feel a bit more human, I can start to post again more regularly. Thank you for sticking with me.

I've a super Strawberry Kisses sneak peek for you today. That's right - these adorable images are soon to be released - twelve of them -with a Christmas theme from Crafter's Companion. It's really Team A's turn to shine but Team B were also allowed to have a play. :)

Strawberry Kisses - Happy Christmas kitten

Papers - SWALK 'Winter Cheer' CD

Poinsettias and branch - Marianne design

Aged maghogany distress ink

Merlot seam binding

Card base cut with grand circle Spellbinder dies

I've coloured the image with Spectrum Noir pens

Kitten - 1G1, 2 - PP 1, 3

Leaves - DG3 - CG 2 - JG 6

Poinsettia - DR 3, 7 - CR 11 - GB 4

Pot - TN 7 - GB 8, 9, 10 - EB 6

A sideways view to show the layers

I've graduated the colour on the sentiment and left a little white to give the impression of some snow on top. 

The banners have been cut with Die-Namics fish tail dies.

The plainer backing paper has been inked with aged mahogany distress ink as have the die cut flowers and edges of the mats. The flower centres are card candy from Craftwork cards.

I've another wee sneak peek tomorrow but don't forget to visit the Crafter's Companion blog for lots more inspiration. 

Birthday Girl

Hi and welcome to the blog today. I've a wee birthday card for you today made using one of my older SWALK stamps from the 'Old Friend' set. They've been lying largely neglected in my box for ages so I thought I would have a wee colouring session and start using some of them again. 

Excuse the weird lighting and blue background - the sun was coming in at an odd angle and I couldn't get a good shot! :)

SWALK 'Old Friend' stamp

K & Co. 'Watercolour Bouquet' paper collection

Marianne design dies - tree, bird and birdhouse

Craftwork Cards sentiment

Gems from the Hobby House

Lace from my stash

Distress inks - bundled sage, brushed corduroy

The image is coloured with Promarkers and Prisma pencils

The inside of the card has been decorated to complement the front

A sideways view to show the layers

I have been finding that I've been making cards with less bulky layers lately and going back to a simpler style. I'll never be a 'less is more' crafter though I love looking at the experts' samples. Just take a look on the Less is More blog and find out how simply gorgeous those cards are -  wow!

I'm getting quite concerned about the costs of postage etc and I wonder how long it will be before the highly decorated, bulky 3D card will be able to withstand the ever tightening financial constraints that a lot of people are struggling with nowadays. I suspect that sending cards that cost a lot to post will not be high on their agendas. Just a thought - would love to hear your take on it!

I hope you are having a fabulously summery week end. Enjoy!!

Well done and a little book card

Hi and welcome to the blog today, thank you for joining me for another two of the SWALK samples I had the pleasure to work with. The first one is a little stamp from one of the older collections called 'Well done' and features this very cute wee couple. 

The new release is due out TODAY - don't forget to watch Ideal World for the launch show this evening at 9.00pm. 

I've kept this one very simple - I think the image says it all 

Plain cs is Core'dinations

Backing paper from SWALK CD 2

The image has been coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Skin - FS 2, 3; TN2; PP3

Eyes - TN 7; TB3

Cup - GB 5

Boy's hair - TN2; GB 8, 10 light and dark Umber Prisma pencil

Girl's hair - CR 1, 2, 3

Rosette DR 1, 5. 7

Boy's clothes - TB 1, 5, 6

Girl's clothes - CG1, 2; DG 2

I've decorated the inside of the card to complement the front.

The sentiment is from the CD

Fishtail dies (cut from Core'dinations Gemstone cs) Die-Namics dies

My second project today is a wee book card made with a SWALK image 'Thinking of You'

I think she is such a cute little image and would work for so many occasions as well. 

Papers are from SWALK CD 2

The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Skin - FS2, 3, PP3

Eyes - TB1,

Dress, bows - PL 1, 2, blender pen

Hair - CT 2, 3, 4 and goldenrod Prisma pencil

The sentiment is from the same stamp sheet

Book edges are inked with brushed corduroy distress ink

Butterflies are X Cut punches

Ribbon from stash

Backing card is Core'dinations

I've added two brads to the spine of the book for a wee bit of detail.

The swirl is a Marianne design die

Mats are oval nesties

The tutorial for the book card can be found HERE. Enjoy!

I hope you have enjoyed these very endearing little images as much as I have putting the cards together. 

Thank you once again for joining me today. Have a great day whatever your plans!

With Sympathy card

Good morning and welcome to the blog today. Here's another of the delightful SWALK images that I had the privilege to work with recently. This little lady is entitled 'With sympathy' but could be used for so many other occasions as well.

I have used this gorgeous backing paper from the SWALK CD 2. I think it's my absolute favourite design on the CD.The sentiment comes from the sentiment section on the CD and tones in perfectly with the pink and yellow combo. I seem to have been on a mission with these two colours lately. 

Marianne design doily dies and rolled roses

X-Cut birch leaf punch

Spellbinder oval nesties

Flat lace from my stash

The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Skin - FS2, 3; TN2; PP3

Bow, dress, flower - PL1, 2; 1G1

Leaf, stem - CG1, 2; CT3

Hair - CT 1, 2, 3

I've used a matching insert from the CD 

I've used Centura Pearl card stock for the base card and Core'dinations for the matting

I know I keep reminding you but just incase you haven't been on the blog before I'll mention it again. There's a smashing competition over on the Crafter's Companion news blog where you can win all twelve of the new  SWALK releases and a fab resources CD as well. Nip over, log in and give it a go!

Thank you for joining me today. Have a good one!