The Ultimate Crafter's Companion - Part 1

I admit it... I'm a gadget junkie.  I see a gadget, I need it.  And be honest, what stamper out there isn't like me?  But, I'd like to think I only get the tools I HAVE to have.

And my post tonight is all about the Ultimate Crafter's Companion.  I received this gem and was blown away!  The vast number of things you can create with just one tool is amazing!

Hello Honey Gift Set:

I started by creating an accordian fold card first and used my all-time favorite patterned paper, Urban Prairie.  It's just so perfect with the Kim Hughes / CHF stamp set The Birds and the Bees stamp set, isn't it?  The card also has the large scallop edge to it, making it a concertina.  The best part of this is the directions for creating this are included with the Ultimage Crafter's Companion.  And depending on how you learn, you can either follow the steps outlined in the pamphlet or the DVD that's included.  I was inspired to create an entire gift set.

And as long as we have confessions going (the first one that I'm a tool junkie), I am completely inept at making envelopes.  I have a minor in math and yet the entire envelope concept eludes me.  The Enveloper template is on the outside of the case, so I used a bit of patterned paper to make a matching slimline envelope... or rather an envelobox, as it's dimensional to hold  larger card.  Guess what??  It works perfectly!  No more brain cramps trying to figure out the necessary dimensions.  I will never struggle with envelope making EVER again.

Because I was on a roll, I flipped through the instruction pamphlet and found the details on making wedge boxes.  SO simple and perfect to personalize a gift.

I have another Ultimate Crafter's Companion post for later this week... I just couldn't stop once the ball started rolling!

Thanks for stopping by,
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-The Birds and the Bees (Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Pitch Black, Aqua and Watermelon Adirondack inks by Ranger

Paper:
-Natural white cardstock by Neenah

Patterned Paper:
-Urban Prairie by Basic Grey

Other:
-The Ultimate Crafter's Companion
-dimensional tape
-Fabric-Tac adhesive by Beacon
-Stapler
-Velvet ribbons, grograin ribbon and cord by May Arts
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder
-Copic Markers

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

CHF Challenge - Shaped Cards

It's Monday again and the challenge is on!  This week it's all about shaped cards.  Talk about a hard challenge for me.  I was convinced my head doesn't think this way... so this was a GREAT challenge.  Get me thinking outside the A2 card box, so to speak.

Apple Appreciation

This card went together quickly.  I sketched the shape of the apple on my folded patterned paper and hand cut.  The center sentiment is popped up and is single layered, but has a finished edge from the Silver Leafing pen by Krylon.  It's such a neat finishing touch!  Super simple, actually!  I surprised myself.

Check out the other CHF girls for their shaped cards...

- Julia Stainton
- Kristine Reynolds
- Alli Miles
- Carole Burrage
- Joanne Allison
- Val Stangle
- Dawn Lusk
- Michele Boyer
- Lesley Langdon
- Kim Hughes
- Julie Campbell

Their links are posted on my sidebar for fast hopping!

Thanks and I hope you'll take up the challenge with us this week.  Let us know if you do!
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Making the Grade (Kim Hughes Collection) by CHF


Ink:
-Pitch Black and Lettuce Adirondack dye inks by Ranger


Paper:
-Natural White by Neenah


Patterned Paper:
-Picnic Basket by October Afternoon


Other:
-Copic Markers
-Silver leafing pen by Krylon
-wide grosgrain by May Arts
-staples and stapler
-precision scissors
-Nestabilites by Spellbinder

Two Crafts Collide

I spent a hectic week getting my daughter ready for camp.  Her grade school does an outdoor curriculum program for science.  They head to Cuivre River State park for a week of camping, hiking and nature studies.  I'm so excited for her... I had a similar opportunity as a 6th grader at Our Lady of Loretto school at Camp 40 Legends.  It really takes me back!  I still remember everything we did at camp.  It holds a special place in my heart and I'm really excited she has the chance to go too.

So, to prep her, one of the items I tried to find was a shower caddy, where it would hold all her supplies.  She will have timed showers (ROTFLMAO)!  I can just imagine kids lined up for showers and having only 3 minutes... juggling all their things.  And as I shopped, I couldn't find what I had in mind, so I decided to make it myself.

That's where the two crafts collide... stamping and sewing.  I'm not a strong sewer.  I can handle the basics and have always made my own curtains and things.  This was actually a fast and easy project and one I'm sure Rachel will use again in the future.

Shower Bag:

I bought clear plastic sheeting at the fabric store (on the large 54" bolts with the other plastic table-cloth-like materials). I stamped a length of clear sheeting with Cotton White Stazon and the Pin Dot Scrapblock. This was SO easy to cover, since the Scrapblock is 6"!!! Love this

I also stamped on a smaller length - Rachel's name from the Quirky Alphabet and some fun details with Jet Black Stazon.  I colored the images with my Copic Markers from the opposite side.  Copics are perfect for this as they are not water soluble.

After I finished stamping everything, I started sewing.  It's really basic, but will be perfect.
The small section is the pocket in front, perfect for her toothbrush and toothpaste.

The bag is designed to hang in the shower with her and has drain holes in the bottom, which I made with the Crop-o-dile.  And... there will be no mistaking her supplies from her friends.  Perfection.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'll have another little project for camp to share tomorrow... fast and simple.
Lisa
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Pin Dot Scrapblock (TM) by CHF
-Quirky Alphabet and MochaChica stamp sets (The Kim Hughes Collection) by CHF


Ink:
-Cotton White and Jet Black Stazon by Tsukineko


Othr:
-Copic markers (used to color the images on the reverse side)
-Bias Tape by Wright's
-Sewing machine and Thread
-Clear plastic sheeting (Joanne's)
-Crop-o-dile by We R Memory Keepers

CHF Challenge - Sketch Fun

Happy Labor Day everyone!  I hope you are enjoying your Monday!

This week's challenge is a sketch created by Lisa Strahl, Art Director for Cornish Heritage Farms... oh and it's a great one!!!  I love a good sketch.  It's the perfect jump start to your creation and open for interpretation.

Sept 1st Sketch:

So, this is my creation...

Love Ya:

I used varying shapes in place of the circles down the side, framed the card base with random stitching and added a bit of lace and ribbon to tie it all together.  I really love how this completed...  Such a great sketch!

I hope you'll join us this week in our challenge.  For more information on the the weekly challenges, you can find the details here:

CHF Weekly Challenge Forum

A few of the girls are participating this week.  Check out their intrepretation of the design...

- Dawn
- Jen
- Julie
- Lori
- Kim
- Sherrie
- Michele

Thanks!
Lisa
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Pretty Birds, MochaChica, and Scripty Words (the Kim Hughes Collection) by CHF

Ink:
-Pitch Black Adirondack dye ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Baby Pink Light, Kiwi Light and Dark, Frosted Teal and Intense Teal by Prism Papers

Patterned Paper:
-Mintberry Crush (MochaChica Paper packs) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Other:
-empty copper tag ring by Making Memories
-sewing machine and thread
-Copic Marker
-Staples
-Ribbon by Offray
-Lace by Wrights
-1-1/4" circle punch by EK Success

Dual Color Embossing Technique

It seems like ages since I've last posted.  And where has the summer gone?  The kids are going back to school next week!  Crazy!

I wanted to share another technique with you.  I'd written this for the Cornish Heritage Farms Technique Talk forum. 

Dual Color Embossing:

I just love how you can pinch more than one color of embossing powder and still translate this to great detail!  The link for the technique name will take you to the original article.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping by!
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Hugs and Kisses (the Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms
-Perfect Plaid Scrapblocks™ by Cornish Heritage Farms


Ink:
-Red Pepper and Espresso Adirondack dye inks by Ranger
-VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad by Tsukineko


Paper:
-Super Smooth White, White Prismatic and Classic Red cardstocks by Prism


Accessories and Tools:
-Chocolate Brownie and Chirpy Cherry Embossing Powders by Cornish Heritage Farms
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder from www.ellenhutson.com
-Heat gun
-Prismacolor pencils
-Coffee filter or powder tray
-Dimensional tape
-Brush (optional)

CHF Challenge #19 - Technique Inspiration

Oh Monday... can't trust that day...



It's been a wild weekend.  I did manage to create for this challenge and I'm so glad I did.  Cornish Heritage Farms has a wonderful resource available... a weekly technique article.  The challenge of this week was to peruse the posts in Technique Talk and use one for our card.



My card used the Paper Piecing technique that Keri Sereika posted.



Hello:

This was a super fun card to create.  I created a card base and stamped all my images on pieces of Sultry patterned paper, trimming.  Super fast!  It's a perfect alternative technique for line art, which abounds in the Cornish Heritage Farm images!



Thanks for stopping by,

Lise

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Supplies:

Stamps:

-Bloomin' Beautiful (The Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms

-Vases stamp set (The Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms

-"hello" from the Tag!  You're It! stamp set (The Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms



Ink:

-Pitch Black Adirondack ink by Ranger

-Vintage Photo Distress ink by Ranger



Paper:

-White Prismatic and Crabapple Light cardstock by Prism



Patterned Paper:

-Sultry by Basic Grey



Other:

-Dew Drops by The Robin's Nest

-Zip Dry Beacon adhesive

-Copic markers

-Precision scissors

More Previews!!!!

Oh my word!!!  It's too much, I tell ya!  A girl could burst from all this excitement!



Kim Hughes has a major cool announcement today!  She has her own paper!!!!



Here's a peak... Iced Cappy:

Stop by Kim's blog (Paper Hugs) for the full monte!  I know you'll be excited to see all the yummy flavors!  And the other Designers have little tastes available too.

Now, I'm craving Starbucks?  Anyone else?

Thanks for stopping by,

lise