The Ultimate Crafter's Companion - Part 2

So, I had a blast creating a few projects with my new toy, the Ultimate Crafter's Companion.  I think what I really like about the tool is how many things you can do with it.  I don't think I've tapped into half of the benefits yet... but, that's why I purchased it.  The "have-to-have" features will be used all the time and the extras will be all for fun!  And that's why I had to share.

I borrowed this image from the Ultimate Crafter's Companion website, in case you were wondering what it looks like:

Vintage GM Gift Box:

This next project was a quick gift box, created for my Grandpa's birthday.  I always like to get him gift cards and a little something to open.  And knowing how much he loves things that are made for him, I know this will be something he'll save.

I stamped the Vintage City Scrapblock on Natural White cardstock with Vintage Photo Distress ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I used Old Paper Distress ink and a bit of Vintage Photo ink to give the map an aged feel.  I like embossing the image first to ensure I don't lose the detail of the design.  The 1938 Suburban was also embossed and aged.  This is such a perfect look for the image, as the shine of the embossing powder really looks like the shiny finish of the car.  You have to love that!

And the box... well, I love that the box itself took less than 10 minutes to create.  The scoring template in the Ultimate Crafter's Companion made it so fast and easy!

Thanks for stopping by,
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Vintage City Scrapblock, 1938 Suburban (from the GM Collection) and You're a Classic (for the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Mona Lisa Moments Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Vintage Photo, Black Ink and Old Paper Distress inks by Ranger

Paper:
-Black Prismatic by Prism Papers
-Natural White cardstock by Neenah

Other:
-The Ultimate Crafter's Companion
-Clear Embossing powder by Ranger
-Distressing tool by Tonic
-Game spinner, brad and sprocket by Tim Holtz Ideology

CHF and Card Positioning Systems

I know... I should be flogged.  It's been too long since I last posted.  Believe it or not, I've been doing stamp related things.  More to come, trust me.

Today's post is in celebration of the 2 year anniversary and 100th sketch at Card Positioning Systems (CPS)... and Cornish Heritage Farms is sponsoring!

I've created a couple of cards using the amazing sketch by Tami (you can see it HERE... I'd rather direct you to the source, than snag the picture).

Bold Blooms:

I think this card will actually require you to dim your computer screens.  It is BRIGHT!  If this doesn't get you happy and on the right path, I'm not sure what it would take!  LOL!  The card is a 5" square design, following the sketch layout, with the exception that the three panel elements are round.  The colors were chosen because I honestly just wanted to use one of the new (to me) Chloe's Closet epoxy clips that are so bright and fun... and hard to resist.

Sweet Girl:

This next card has a tidge of creative license on the sketch, but still maintains the three center elements and diagonal (with scoring and stitching).  My quick tip for this design was to score double lines and use one of them as the stitch guide.  It guarantees the stitched lines to be parallel.  And isn't this little girl darling???  I love her simple joy at contemplating the beauty of the tulips.  She's colored with Copic markers and has more depth in real life.  I suppose you'll have to trust me on that one.  :-)

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll give this week's sketch a try (and every week, for that matter) at CPS.  It's the perfect place to get a jump start for your creativity and the designs posted there are by the industry's leading designers.  Stunning designs!

Thanks!
lise
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Bold Blooms Supplies:
Stamps:
-Artsy Blooms (Shady Tree Studios) by Cornish Heritage Farms
-Pin Dot Scrapblock(TM) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger
-Spiced Marmalade Distress ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Nautical Blue Med, Intense Orange, and Intense Yellow by Prism Papers
-Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah

Other;
-Chloe's Closet Epoxy Clips by Making Memories
-Jumbo Button by Paper Studios
-White floss by Karen Foster Designs
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder
-Corner Rounder by EK Success
-Prismacolor Pencils, OMS and Stumps
-White Eyelet lace by Wright's

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Sweet Girl Supplies:
Stamps:
-Tulip Girl (Saturday Evening Post) by Cornish Heritage Farms
-French Script Backgrounder by Cornish Heritage Farm

Ink:
-London Fog Memento Ink by Tsukineko

Paper:
-Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah
-Cranberry Med. and Gray Prismatic

Patterned Paper:
-Sabrina Spiral Journaling Book by Making Memories

Other:
-Copic Markers and Copic Opaque White (with fine tip brush for application to tulips for highlights)
-Lace by Prima Marketing
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder
-Corner Rounder by EK Success
-Old decorative tack (unknown source)

Bringing in the New Year - In Style!

It has been ages since I had time to create with all the holiday and family events we had over the last 4-5 weeks.  So, on New Year's Day, I decided to chain myself to my stamping desk and bar the door.

One of my first creations was a desk set for my kitchen.  It's a feeble attempt to be organized.  But I HAVE to try, right?

Granola Desk Set

The first portion of this set is a framed message board.

I stamped the Vintage Ledger Scrapblock™ on Simply Smooth White cardstock.  Next, I added "NOTES" to the top with the Playful Alphabet from the Kim Hughes Collection at CHF.  Finally, I stamped a couple of swirls from the Beautiful set from the Rummage Bin to complete the stamping.

It's all framed with Basic Grey Granola patterned paper - yummy!  And... I added a dry erase marker with a bit of magnet to the back of the frame so I could really leave notes for my family.  Very cool stuff!
The second portion of the set is a Jumbo Clip and a perpetual calendar - both to match.  Neither have any stamping on them, but I love the look of the dark browns and blues together.  Just what my kitchen needed!

Thanks for stopping by!
lise
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Supplies:
Notes Message Board:
Stamps:
-Playful Alphabet stamp set (the Kim Hughes Collection) by CHF
-swirl from the Beautiful stamp set (The Rummage Bin) by CHF
-Vintage Ledger Scrapblock by CHF


Ink:
-Pitch Black Adirondack ink by Ranger
-Weathered Wood Distress ink by Ranger


Paper:
-Simply Smooth White by Prism Papers


Patterned Paper:
-Granola by Basic Grey


Other:
-8"x10" frame in black (Target)
-dry erase markers


Jumbo Clip:
Patterned Paper:
-Granola by Basic Grey


Other:
-Mod Podge Adhesive
-Jumbo Photo Clip in Walnut from Kohl's


Perpetual Calendar:
Ink:
-Vintage Photo Distress ink by Ranger - to ink blocks (staining them)


Patterned Paper:
-Granola by Basic Grey


Other:
-Mod Podge Adhesive
-Butter cream acrylic paint from Michael's Crafts
-perpetual wooden calendar from Walnut Hollow

Wedding Centers Release

I love the elegance of this new release for the Mona Lisa Moments line at Cornish Heritage Farms.  The sentiments of this set can be used for the most tender of love notes to celebrate a sweet couple, don't you think?

Wedding Centers:

Bride and Groom:

I stamped the Fiery Florals Scrapblock™ on vellum cardstock with White Moonbeam Brilliance ink.  It's stitched on the Desert Coral Light cardstock.  A few mini glue dots in strategic places keep it from moving around while sewing the layers.  I also used a small glue dot to hold my beads in place, so you can see the "something blue" in the design...

The vellum layer reminds me of the lace of a wedding dress.  I love this look... I'm sure I'll be repeating this style again!

Thanks for stopping by!
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Fiery Florals Scrapblock by CHF
-Wedding Centers (Mona Lisa Moments) by CHF


Ink:
-Moonlight White Brilliance ink pad by Tsukineko
-Espresso Adirondack ink by Ranger


Paper:
-Desert Coral Light, Vellum and Simply Smooth White cardstocks by Prism Papers


Other:
-Lace from Hobby Lobby
-White satin ribbon by May Arts
-paper flowers by Prima Marketing
-Pearl brads by Spare Parts - The Paper Studio
-Pin and beads from Craft store
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder
-sewing machine and thread

Finished Project Size: 5" square card

Holiday Organization

I can't claim to be a perfectly organized person.  I go into every new endeavor with the intention of being organized.  A new school year starts and I purchase extra school supplies, only to forget where I tucked them.  Or keeping track of the family's appointments and schedules, only to forget to fill in the blanks... you know the drill.

Winter Vintage Christmas Journal

I found this notebook at Target and only covered the front.  I sewed the plaid layer and the white lace to the main panel.  I kept the embellishments on this fairly simple since I'll be using this and taking it with me... I didn't want anything that would rip off or damage the cover.

I intend to keep notes on everything this holiday.  Things I'll be noting:

• Shopping lists (colors, types, part numbers and sizes)
• Menus
• Holiday baking (cookies, cakes and candies - what we loved and worked well, so we can repeat)
• Grocery lists
• Schedules and Events
• Card-making (dates to work, supply lists / shopping lists, design ideas)
• Card list (mailing list, new addresses to note)
• General checklists - I'm addicted to checklists... make the list and complete tasks!  Nothing better than a completed task. 

How do you keep organized for the holidays?  I'd love to hear.

Thanks for stopping by!
lise

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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Winter Vintage Signage (The Rummage Bin) by CHF
-Perfect Plaid and Aged Music Scrapblock (TM) by CHF


Ink:
-Fired Brick Distress ink by Ranger
-Pitch Black and Slate Adirondack dye inks by Ranger


Paper:
-White Prismatic, Simply Smooth White, Blush Red Dark and Cryogen White by Prism


Other:
-snowflake die and embossing folder by Provo Craft
-Copic markers
-White lace by Wrights
-red twine by Martha Stewart
-Vintage Brass hardware by We R Memory Keepers
-sewing machine and thread


Designer Note:
-Thread the red twine through the white lace for contrast.

CHF Challenge #17 - All that Glitters

Yeah... I love glitter.  Did you know that Cornish Heritage Farm carries 305 different colors / varieties?  No?  Well, neither did I!  Julia Stainton wrote a wonderful review on Barbara Trombley's Art Institute Glitters in the CHF Forums --> HERE.



And it's Monday again!  The girls at CHF are doing a glitterfied challenge.  With most of us just getting home from CHA, we couldn't all get this completed.  So, the challenge for you is to get glittering and let us know when you've created a project.  Here's the thread for our weekly challenges... RIGHT HERE.



So, here's my project this week...



Warm Heart:

I stamped my snowman on my cardstock and added a snowy hill with my Copic BS pigment pen.  After I colored the snowman, I stamped the snowman again and cut out the body, taping it lightly in place over the first image.  I used the Copic airbrush system to add the sky.



Other fun details:

* I stamped the Perfect Plaid Scrapblocks™ on the cardfront.

* The grunge board chipboard was inked with Worn Lipstick Distress ink and then covered with Cosmos glitter mixed with clear embossing powder.  While the ink was wet, I embossed.

* I used an Essential Glue Pad to stamp snowflakes over the snowman and sentiment and added the crystal glitter.

* I used a Sakura Quickie glue pen to add glitter to the snowman's heart and the outline of the hill to give that added glimmer.



Thanks for stopping by!

lise

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Supplies:

Stamps:

-Heart Warmers (The Kim Hughes Collection) by CHF

-Perfect Plaid Scrapblock™ by CHF



Ink:

-Worn Lipstick Distress ink by Ranger

-Pitch Black and Shell Pink Adirondack dye ink by Ranger



Paper:

-Cryogen White, Perfect Baby Pink and Perfect Baby Blue Light by Prism



Other:

-Clear embossing powder

-Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter in Cosmos and Crystal

-Quickie Glue pen by Sakura

-Essential Glue Pad by Tsukineko

-trims by Making Memories

-Nestabilities dies by Spellbinder

-Copic markers, airbrush system, BS Black pen,

-Swirled Grungeboard heart

Scrapblocks™ Paper Packs at Cornish Heritage Farms!

Cardmakers and scrapbooking enthusiasts alike will love this addition to the CHF offer!  Papers with subtle texture and design for the perfect background are the heart and soul of this collection.



Here's one of the pages for your viewing pleasure!



Lil Sailor:

To get a view of the entire paper pack, stop by Becky Olsen's blog - Life as a Three Legged Dog.



We have one more sneak peek to share tomorrow and then I'm off to Chicago for CHA!  I'm so excited to be going this year.  I've never attended.  If you'll be at the show, please stop by the Cornish Heritage Farm's booth and introduce yourself.  I'll be demoing a couple of times on Friday and Saturday.  I promise to post pictures and some reviews once I'm home.



Thanks and see you soon!!!

lise

Questions on Scrapblocks™

A quick update on Scrapblocks™ as I'd had a couple of questions about them...

1. Scrapblocks™ can be purchased only from Cornish Heritage Farms.  There were five designs in the original release and planned releases of 2 more each month.  The next release is just around the corner!  The name link above is active to the Scrapblocks™ page in the store.

2. The price points for each unmounted Scrapblock™ is $14.99 USD.

3. They are unmounted, deeply etched red rubber with cling mount backing.

4. The images are 6" square, making them the largest backgrounders available on the market.  Think of the versatility... especially when you consider cardmarker's addiction to 6x6 paper packs.

5. CHF also created a unique clear Acrylic block for use Scrapblocks™.  There wasn't an acrylic block available on the market for images of this size.  The unique feature of the block are the pinch point corners, since most of us do not have hand-spans that can hold a 6.25" block.  Scrapblocks™ can be used with the acrylic block or on their own.

6. The acrylic blocks are wonderful and versatile (perfect for your other backgrounders too) and at a price point of $19.99 USD.

Thanks for the questions and I hope this helped!  Most of all, I appreciate you stopping by!
Lise

Scrapblocks™ have ARRIVED!!!

Did you see them all at the CHF Store? I just love these BIG rubber stamps.

Vintage Ledger

Writing PaperFine HoundstoothPin DotPerfect PlaidYou can earn DOUBLE CHF Club points on Scrapblocks™ today only. Read more about this rewards program here.


Smile
I truly can't help but smile at this new product line. The list of ways to use the 6x6 Scrapblocks™ is amazing. Scrapbooking, large and square cards, altered items, mini albums, and custom embellishments are just a few of those things. The list goes on and on.

I love making off-sized cards... not always the standard A2 and this is a perfect example. I created the card base from Iced Teal Prism cardstock and my Megabilities Long Scallop rectangles. I folded the cardstock and aligned the top of the die with my fold, since I only wanted the sides to have scallops.

The length of this card is 6 inches. Rather than trying to piece the background, I used the Fine Houndstooth Scrapblocks™ Rubber stamp and my Pool Adirondack dye ink to give the whole card the textile texture. I LOVE being able to do that! My sentiment is framed from the brackets from the Photo Op stamp set. I added a quick bright flower and a bit of ribbon to complete the card.

Thanks for stopping by,

lise
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Supplies:
-Fine Houndstooth Scrapblocks™ Rubber Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms
-{}Brackets from the Photo Op stamp set (The Rummage Bin) by Cornish Heritage Farms
-"Smile" from Scripty Words (the Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Pool, Cranberry and Pitch Black Adirondack dye inks by Ranger

Paper:
-Iced Teal and White Prismatic by Prism

Other:
-flower by Prima Marketing
-button by the Paper Salon
-staples / stapler
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder
-black floss by DMC
-striped pink ribbon by May Arts
-Zip Dry Adhesive by Beacon

More Scrapblocks™

I have been so excited about this project!!!! I created it quickly in less than one evening and can't wait to add all the details, promising it to be a keepsake for years.

Remember the School Year:


I fell instantly in love with the blank books of black chipboard (This is called Abby's Blackboard Album) by Cosmo Cricket. My first thought when I saw it was that it reminded me of a chalkboard! The idea stuck in my head... so I created this remembrance of the school year for my kids. I plan to add their photos, pictures of the awards assemblies, spelling bee and family fun day. It will be a fantastic treasure!

I also used the Writing Paper Scrapblocks™ to carry the theme. Each page was stamped with Cotton White Stazon ink and the Writing Paper lines so I can journal and add my own details about the photos and mementos. Absolutely perfect!

I hope you've had a great weekend!
Hugs,
Lisa
_____________________________________________
Supplies:
Stamps:
-Writing Paper Scrapblocks™ by Cornish Heritage Farms
-Making the Grade (The Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Pitchblack Adirondack dye ink by Ranger
-Stazon Cotton White

Paper:
-Super Smooth White and Sage Light by Prism

Designer Paper:
-Cogsmo by Cosmo Cricket

Other:
-Abby's Blackboard Album by Cosmo Cricket
-grosgrain ribbons by May Arts
-1/4" and 1/2" circle punches by EK Success
-sewing machine and thread
-Copic markers
-Zig painty pen - Silver side
-White gel pen by Ranger

Scrapblocks™ Debut Video

I am SO excited to share this video clip with you. Lisa Strahl has created a wonderful demonstration of the Scrapblocks™ product!



Thanks for stopping by,
Lisa

I bet you think I got lost!

Sorry I've been a bad blogger... for a short work week, it was incredibly hectic! I'm SO glad it's Friday.

I wanted to share a project I created with the new Scrapblocks™ by Cornish Heritage Farms. They will release next week.

Clearly Just Because:


I created this project with a few things in mind:

1. I found this pack of embellishments at Michael's Craft Store by S.E.I. (acrylic frames pictured above with my card). I bought them to illustrate that you can easily make your own (in any size) using Scrapblocks™ and the Clear Card Sheets available at Cornish Heritage Farms. I really love the look of these clear embellishments. Just think... next time you are scrapbooking, you can make a clear frame large enough to surround your 3 x 5 picture!

2. I created a card using only one pattern. The Fine Houndstooth is a pretty pattern, not much else is needed.

3. I was able to make a square card larger than the standard background stamp allows. My finished card size is 5.5" square.

4. Scrapblocks™ provide me the same (if not more) versatility in design as 6x6 designer paper packs. I often reach for patterned design as my starting point. Scrapblocks™ will allow me to make a card in ANY color I want - and not just what the pack of paper offers. I won't run out of my favorite design in the series and need to buy another package of papers again!

Thanks for stopping by... I'll have another sneak peek for a new line of images coming to Cornish Heritage Farms. It's amazing too!

See you later,
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Houndstooth Scrapblock by CHF
-Nature's Silhouettes (The Kim Hughes Collection) by CHF

Ink:
-Jet Black and Cotton White Stazon
-Lettuce Adirondack dye ink by Ranger
-Peeled Paint Distress ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Kiwi Medium and Black Prismatic
-Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah
-Clear Card Sheets by CHF

Other:
-Velvet ribbon by May Arts
-black brads by Making Memories
-Nestabilities (to make the frame)

5.5" square card