Crafter's Companion Official Blog Page

Anthony & Burt Get Well Card

2012-02-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun get well card to have on hand.

I used Crafter's Companion Anthony & Burt stamps for this week's card. I ran a sheet of card stock through the printer and printed "Heard you were in bed with a bug ...". This was done in a 1/2" x 2" area. The printing was centered and about 3/4" from the bottom of the paper. I cut the paper down to a 4 7/8" square. This part is not necessary. You could easily put any text stamp in this space, or even leave out the text on the front of the card.

On the square, I placed the main image close to the top of the text block. Afterward, I placed the bandage images around the edges of the square for a border. Also, a bandage on each side of the text block.

I also placed the main image on a scrap of card stock so I could cut out Anthony (the fly) to pop him off the card.

I colored my images with alcohol markers. I tried to make Burt (the frog) a sickly shade of green. Crafter's Compainion is an excellent source for inexpensive alcohol markers. They're called Spectrum Noir. If you're new to alcohol markers, you should give these a try. Another thing I've found very helpful is the Spectrum Noir Instructional DVD. I learned things from the DVD that I'd never thought of before! Before I forget ... I colored Anthony with glitter pens on the main image and the extra one to pop up.

The card was made from a piece of 5 1/2" x 11" dark blue card stock. It was folded in half with the fold at the top. On top of the card, I adhered a piece of 5 1/8" square medium blue card stock using the Crafter's Companion Extra Strong Permanent Tape. The colored image was centered on and attached to the medium blue card stock. Again, using the Permanent Tape.

The last two "extra touches" I put on this card were using the double-sided adhesive foam to pop up the extra Anthony I'd cut out. Last, I applied 3D Crystal Lacquer on Burt's eyes for a little dimension.

I only used the blue card stock because I thought a blue and white quilt on the bed would look nice. Use any color you want on the quilt and coordinate the background colors to complement.

On the inside of the card, I used the stamp that comes with the set ... "Hope you feel better soon!".

Until next time, I am ever searching for inspiration.

Lisa

Rainy Day Friends

2012-02-22T00:00:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone! Dawn L here and today I have another sneak peek from Anthony and Burt-I created a wiper card today.

I knew I had to get out my Ultimate Crafter's tool to score and trim this design.
Let me share a few steps with you.

I started by cutting a 12 x 12 piece of paper in half ,each piece was scored at 2 1/4 ' and 4 1/4'. I chose to mat with designer paper,I cut two pieces at 2' and one piece at 7'

The wiper is cut at 2 x 4 and scored at the 2' mark at the top corner was folded down at a diagonal.Wanted to share that I placed a strong adhesive on the back just on the top half to attach to the card base

I chose to stamp my images and color with my spectrum noir markers.Each of the sentiments in the set were stamped and matted. I used a few shapes to mat my image and sentiment with and a little ribbon.The second side of the original paper was matted on the back to give stability and to hide the wiper attachment.

I chose to enlarge the fuzzy guy with the umbrella and attach him on the wiper.

Wanted to share a close up of my cutie in all his green glory!-Can you see I added 3D Crystal Lacquer.

One last picture with the wiper folded down and ready to put in an envelope.

My Heart Belongs To You

2012-02-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone, Kathy here, on this lovely Wednesday.

Last week you had a sneak peak at the wonderful stamps, Anthony and Burt. This is the release week. Hop over and take a look.

For my card today, I stamped my image out on cryogen card stock, with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink. Then colored in with Spectrum-Noir Markers.

These stamps are so cute. This cute little fly (Anthony) has a big ole' crush on his friend Burt. I added some tiny little hearts around Anthony. (The hearts are fingernail decorations) I put some Stickles Glitter around the heart and added a bow. For the sentiment, I layered the two hearts together and added a rose.

I hope you enjoyed the card today.

Thank you for stopping by.

And have a scrappy day.

Hope you Feel Better and Better!

2012-02-21T00:00:00.001-08:00

It's Tuesday, so that means that I(Trena) get to share something I made this week! One of my favorite ways to be creative is to design scenes for greeting cards. Anthony & Burt images are perfect for that!! In this little get well scene, I placed them in Burt's bedroom. I used design paper for the walls - to look like wall paper. I hand drew the base board, outlet and light switch. I then added color with Spectrum Noir markers - right on the design paper. I hand drew the painting over his bed onto white card stock with a multiliner that works with alcohol ink markers and then colored it in with Spectrum Noir markers. I had so much fun - it's almost like decorating a room...almost. :o). The completed card is 5.25" square.

Here's what I did to make this little scene:

Stamped the Anthony and Burt image onto white card stock. I recommend Memento ink with alcohol based markers.
I stamped the image again onto design paper and cut out the bedspread and pillow.
I colored the Anthony and Burt image, except for the bedspread and pillow, on the white card stock using Spectrum Noir markers. I used two or three markers in an area to color and blend. For tips on using Spectrum Noir markers, you can visit Youtube, or get Leann's DVD. Leann gives great demonstrations and tips on using the markers to blend and get lovely results. I've been watching her this past week!
I cut out the layers to size. The pink layer is from the Pearescent Brights pack and has a nice sheen. On the wall paper layer I stamped the sentiment.
Adhered the layers, and all the pieces to the little scene and added some Stickles star dust glitter glue to Anthony's wings.
I carried the theme forward on the inside of the card with a small piece of design paper.

Here are the markers I used:

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Announcing last weeks Giveaway winner!! Congratulations, Amy E!

Amy Esaid...: Wow...absolutely gorgeous! And thanks for the chance at the cute stamp too!; February 17, 2012 11:46 PM

Amy, please email your snail mail address to: bindy@crafterscompanion.com.

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Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

You Can Never Have TOO Much Chocolate!

2012-02-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!!! It's Stacy here today with another sneak peak at our newest Anthony and Burt stamp sets. When I first saw these stamps I knew I wanted to work with the stamp that has Burt eating a ton of chocolate because really who doesn't love chocolate?!?! LOL

I decided that I needed to make an Easel card. I love to make Easel cards. They just seem to take the card to the next level and are really easy to make. And just in case you don't already know how to do it I am going to tell you how to make one here today.

1. Start with a 12x12 piece of card stock (or pattern paper).

2. Next cut it in half. This will give you two pieces of paper 6"x12".

3. Cut one of the 6"x12" pieces of paper in half. This will give you two pieces of paper 6"x6".

4. Next you take your 6"x12" piece of paper and fold it in half. I smoothed the fold with my bone folder. This usually gives you a more professional fold.

5. Open the card and fold inward from the top to the middle. Go over the fold with your bone folder.

6. Put adhesive on bottom part of this newly folded part of the paper. Take one of your 6"x6" pieces of paper and adhere the bottom of it to the adhesive.

There you go. Easy enough right?! It is always good to be able to add a fancy fold card to your repertoire.

For my easel card I started by making the base card just like I showed you. I stamped out the image and colored them with my alcohol ink markers. I added some Stickles for sparkle and dimension.

I pulled out my new Sew Ribbon -Scallop and punched in the slots for the ribbon and then threaded the ribbon through. I LOVE IT!! It is super easy and looks so cool. After getting the ribbon threaded on my paper I wanted to layer several pieces of pattern paper. I only bought myself a 6"x 6" paper pad in this gorgeous paper and was trying to be frugal with the paper. So I cut out the insides of the squares I was layering so that I was using only the bit that was showing and a little bit under. Like this: (I used the top one)

This is a great way to get the most mileage out of your paper. And it is really easy to do. My trimmer has measurements along the top and side. I just decided how much of the middle I wanted to take out and then lined up the paper at that cutting measurement along the top and started cutting at that the same measurement on the side. And did this all the way around the square. It doesn't have to be perfect because the cut bit will be under another piece of paper.

After layering all my paper I added some pearls that I colored with my alcohol ink markers to customize the color. And then I used some dimensional foam to raise the sentiment up off the paper. And there you go, it's all done.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit here today and we hope to see your projects soon over on our sister blog, Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog. This month our challenge is to make a project with a Crafter's Companion stamp and the theme "something sweet". There is a great prize being given away this month so go get busy scrapping!! ha Until next time....happy scrapping.

Spectrum Noir Journal

2012-02-20T00:01:00.025-08:00

Hi all! Jen (JLJ Designs) here. I've been playing with the new Anthony and Burt images and my Spectrum Noir markers. I'm going to start today with my card and then back-up to the new Spectrum Noir journal that I've created.

I love this stamp and the sentiment is so sweet. I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers. The card is 4 1/4" wide x 5 1/2" tall. I trimmed all the corners of my paper to give a softer look. I added glitter all around the image and sentiment to make it stand out.

I've been playing with the Spectrum Noir markers. I wanted to practice coloring and also have some place to keep all the color families that came with the markers. I started with a store-bought journal that's 5" by 5 1/2" images - perfect for most Crafter's Companion stamps. I cut out the Spectrum Noir logo from the packaging and added it to the front.

I cut out each of the color families that comes on the marker packaging and glued them inside the front and back covers. I had a few extra and had to use the last page as well. This way I have them when I want to color.

I colored the image on my card twice. The first image was for practice and I taped it into my new journal. I added the colors that I used along the sides so I can refer back to them later.

I couldn't resist so I added my favorite Strawberry Kisses stamp - Together. I love yellow and turquoise together. I used this yellow set in both of my images because I love the color and it's really easy to blend.

Happy Crafting!

Jen

Sparkly Heart Card

2012-02-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Samantha here with a quick card for you today. My card features another wonderful Anthony and Burt stamp set. I used this lovey dovey set for a project last week, but I loved it so much, I wanted to use it again!

I used a die to cute out this decorative marquee shape and then stamped my image in the center of it. I colored the Anthony and Burt image in with alcohol markers, and then sprayed the entire piece with sparkly glitter spray, you can see some of the sparkles in the photo, but up close, the glitter is soooo pretty! I also sprayed the sentiment with the same glitter spray. I popped the sentiment and the marque shape on pop dots so that they really stood off the page. To embellish the card, I added some matching striped paper and pink ribbon.

That's all for today. The rest of the week, the team is going to share even more Anthony and Burt goodness with you. I hope you enjoy it!

Lilac Fairy Card and Envelope

2012-02-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hope you are all having a good Sunday! Today I have a card and coordinating envelope for you, using new stamps from the Paint Fusion line by Sheena Douglass, and accented with a pretty fairy from the Fairyopolis die-cut decoupage sheets.

My first step was to stamp the lilac and leaves in black, and then color them with the Spectrum Noir alcohol ink markers. I used DG2 and DG4 for the leaves, and PL1, PL2, PL4 for the lilacs. These markers blend beautifully, and won't break the bank.

I also stamped the greeting in black. It is from the Flower Fairies Friends Heliotrope set. I hand cut the greeting in a banner shape and notched the ends.
Next I cut the lilac and leaves out. I put a crisp white layer (with opposite corners rounded) behind the main image, dry embossed with a floral design to carry the theme.

I then 'auditioned' the leaves, lilac, and fairy till I was happy with the placement, and then I glued them down onto the white. I added some extra dimension to the fairy with pop dots and layers on the wing, dress, and face from the die-cut sheets.

I made a card base of mauve, and then a layer of mossy green. I added a brad to the greeting and made a little wave and mounted it on the mossy green layer. The brad is partly functional to keep the left side of the waved greeting sturdily in place. This was then adhered to the mauve base and the card was done!

Next, I made a coordinating envelope with beautiful green paper from the Fairyopolis 12x12 Paper Pad. See the subtle butterfly design? It is so easy to make envelopes with the Envelobox Creator. I started with a 7 3/4 square piece of the paper, and scored it on opposite sides at markings E and H on the Envelobox scoring tool. So easy and fast! Watch the 40 second video at the above link. My envelope is a flat, standard A2 size, but the tool makes it so easy to make envelopes with depth for thicker projects.

See you here next week, and please visit the Crafter's Companion site to see more of the wonderful Sheena Douglass designs.

Marge Dady

Rainy Day Anthony & Burt

2012-02-19T00:00:00.003-08:00

Good Day crafters! Today I am showing you my card featuring one of the adorable Anthony & Burt stamps that will be available at Crafter's Companion.

If you love frogs, you will LOVE these stamps.

I colored my cute little frog using the Spectrum Noir pens. If you haven't tried these pens I highly recommend that you do. They come in great colors and are very easily blended. Another reason to love these pens is that they are SO affordable. For my card, I kept it simple but distressed the edges and I made my frog 3D. creating something 3D is a great way to add

dimension to any project. I colored up 4 images. Keep one full image for the base and cut out the different parts. You can layer part upon part until you get the desired dimension you want. You need to secure those cuttings with a great adhesive that is permanent.

Thanks for stopping by to see my project. Remember to stop back every day for new inspiration from the other talented design team members.

Hoppy Birthday!!!

2012-02-18T00:10:00.000-08:00

Hello Crafter's! Tracy here today to give you a little peek of the new line that Crafter's Companion will be carrying, Anthony and Burt!! They are fun and quirky.

I colored my image up with some alcohol markers. I love these bright colors that I used but I didn't have any pearls or embellishments that would match so I took some white pearls and used my alcohol markers to color them up to match my image and papers! Super easy technique but it definitely makes purchasing pearls so much easier. I now only buy white and always color them so I get a perfect match!!

The Anthony and Burt images should be in the Crafter's Companion store in the next couple of days so keep an eye out for them!! The rest of the DT have been showcasing them this week so if you take a look at the earlier post you will see a couple of the other images that will soon be available.

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend,

Tracy Valure

Fuscias For You

2012-02-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

Paula here with another card from Paint Fusion by Sheena Douglas. Last week I used the Distress ink pads direct to paper to color my card. This week I used the Distress inks again and a blender pen to color the flowers and leaves.

   To make this card:
1. Stamp all images onto white card stock using India Black ink.
2. Color the petals using Spun Sugar and Dusty Concord with a Blender pen.  Color the leaves using Peeled Paint and also using the blender pen. Cut out all.
3. Prepare a 5 1/2 by 5 1/2 White folded card. Punch opposite corners of a 5 by 5 Pink card using a decorative corner punch. Put a 5 1/4 by 5 1/4 purple card through an embossing folder. Also put a strip and two punched out circles through the folder.
4. Layer Pink card stock to the purple card stock, and mount both to the folded white "base" card. Layer purple strips across the center of card along with a smaller white strip. Punch holes in circles for pink brads and insert. Use small pieces of mounting tape to adhere circles at opposite corners of the card.
5. Mount beaded circle to the center of card. Mount flowers and leaves to the beaded circle.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the other designer cards.

Paula Huiras

Get Well Soon Anthony and Burt & Giveaway Friday

2012-02-17T00:00:00.002-08:00

Hi Everyone!! Dawn B here on this Friday with another sneak peek of the Anthony and Burt stamp sets. I am really loving this new stamp collection.

My project today used the Get Well Soon Anthony and Burt stamp set. My card is based on when you are sick and feeling blue.

I used blue as my card base and added some very soft yellow. Anthony and Burt are stamped onto cryogen card stock and colored with alcohol markers.
Closer look at my colored image:

I took and stamped the sentiment onto a strip of card stock and then decided I wanted it to look like a banner, so I cut out a notch on each end. I took and added some pop dots to each end of the banner and also in the middle so when I put the banner onto my card it is only attached at the ends and in the middle, so it is wavy.
Closer look at my banner:

I used a border punch for my bottom borders and the corner punch that matches for my top corners. I added some white pearls, I also wanted a few of the pearls to be blue, so I colored the white pearls with my alcohol ink markers.

After I created my card, my mind went back to when I was watching the Ultimate Advanced Techniques DVD. I really wanted to try to make a hinged box that Sara shows on the DVD. The directions are on the DVD. It uses the Boxer that attaches to the Ultimate Crafter's Companion tool. So I gave it a shot. It is not perfect, but for my very first box I think it turned out really good.

And one more picture of both, my card and my hinged box together:

Such an awesome creation to give to someone who is sick and needs a pick me up. You can add something special inside the box for that someone.

Keep checking Crafter's Companion for the new release. See you all next Friday with another sneak peek of another new release......

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It's time for Giveaway Friday! This weekend, we're giving away a new Anthony & Burt stamp. The adorable image that Samantha made this cute card with earlier this week!

Just leave a comment on today's post by Sunday night and you could win the stamp! We will post the winner on Tuesday's blog post. (Must be a U.S. resident to win.)

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Dawn B

My Lilac Heart

2012-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello peeps,

Happy Friday and it's Friday with Steph again. This week I am posting about Sheena Douglas's gorgeous Paint Fusion flower s again. Nope - I haven't mastered painting yet but I decided to do some "creative maneuvering" with my image and created a heart from her flower stamps instead. For me, that's the fun part in card making - you don't have to create a flower just because it's a flower stamp.

Here it is:

These were her small lilac stamps which I stamped and digitally flipped 1 over to create 2 lilac bushes facing each other like a heart (with rubber stamps, you could stamp, scan and flip digitally). I "tied" the 2 hearts together with a little ribbon from my stash - the sentiments that came to mind for me as I was "tying" the hearts together was "you and me", "2 hearts as one"; "we're joined together" - you get the point but I had none of those sentiment stamps. So I just wrote my sentiment out and added an Authentique Paper "&" sticker to create a contrast.

My image was colored with Spectrum Noir marker this time (DR1, DR3, DG3, DG4). I also added some Flower Soft to the image to add some texture and dimension. Patterned papers are from Crate Paper and wooden frame is from Kaiser Craft.

Here's hoping for a fun and creative day for you!

Steph

Paint Fusion Lilac Card

2012-02-16T00:00:00.001-08:00

I've made another general purpose card this week. I used the Crafter's Companion Paint Fusion Lilac images. They helped me make a happy card. A card that makes me ready for spring to be here right now.

The base of the card is a 5 1/2" square of black card stock with the fold at the top. I ran a piece of 5 1/2" square lilac card stock through an embosser for some texture on the card. I punched the corners to let the black of the card show through.

While at the machine, I also used a die to cut the fancy circle. I attached the lilac card stock to the front of the card with Crafter's Companion Extra Strong Permanent Tape. I then attached the die cut circle with the same tape.

I used the small lilac stamp twice. I stamped one lilac image in the foreground. Using a simple masking technique, I stamped another lilac to look like it was behind the first one. ( If you search "rubber stamp masking tutorial", you will find several sites that offer help on the subject.) I then stamped the image of the leaf to the left of the first lilac. I wanted it to look like it was peeking from behind the flowers also.

I colored the image with Spectrum Noir pens. I sort of followed the way Sheena Douglass colors her images with paint. First, I put dots of TB5 in the shadow spaces of the lilacs. Then I added dots of TB9 on top of the TB5 dots. I ended up putting in some dots of IG4 with the other dots. I left the tops of the flowers a little lighter than the bottom of the flower images. I ended up putting in just a few dots of TB5 in toward the bottom of the flower images.

For the blooms, I used LV1 first. Then I added the PL1. Next on the blooms, I put PL2. And last, I went back with the LV1 to cover up any white spots I'd left. You can see the progression in the photos below.

For the leaves, I used the CG1 along the veins of the leaf. Then I added the DG2. On top of those colors, I put the DG3 color. I've shown snippets of the leaf coloring below.

After I got the image colored, I cut it out closely to the edge - leaving a little white showing. I attached it to the die cut circle with double-sided adhesive foam.

The finishing touch was the bow. The bow was made with the Ultimate Crafter's Companion Tool. This tool really does so much. You really need to check it out. I LOVE it!!

Until next time, I am ever searching for inspiration.

Lisa

Lovey Dovey Anthony & Burt Card

2012-02-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Samantha here again, and I have another Anthony & Burt project to share with you!! I am hoping that you are loving the new Anthony & Burt stamp collection as much as I do.

My project today is a sneaky peek of another stamp set from the Anthony & Burt collection.

The sentiment and the lined image are two separate stamps, but I decided to combine them. The heart is just the perfect size to add a sentiment inside of it. You could really change it up by adding any sentiment you would like to the inside of the heart.

I also stamped a little heart border, which is another stamp in this stamp set I am showcasing. I really love when stamp sets come with a bunch of coordinating pieces so you really have a bunch to work with.

This card just came together so quickly because the stamp set is just so easy to use. I just colored all the lined images with alcohol markers & did a little embellishing. To the heart, I added some white dots with a white gel pen, and a glitter strip using glitter glue. To the little bugs wings, I added some purple glitter tinsel.

Then I just added a pink cardstock mat around my image and some teal patterned paper and a teal card base and I was finished.

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