Crafters Companion - I Love This Tool!

For the last month, whenever I had a moment, I sat down to watch the DVD that came with my Crafters Companion Ultimate. The DVD is jam-packed with both instructions for using the boards and twelve additional demonstrations to make these fantastic cards, books and boxes. I was mesmerized by how much content was provided on the DVD. Each of these additional videos is a class unto itself.

So I worked my way through each mini workshop.
These are the "stand up card with hidden message" and "double pop up card."

This is how they look opened!

These are the "hidden panel card," "dangling heart aperture card" and the classic "pop out" cards.

These little boxes look cute as is.

The first is hiding the "fold out greeting card" box and the second is an extra thick 3d card with a matching sized box sample.

These are the "concertinas memories card" and the "fold out greeting card and matching box."

I loved making this odd shaped box!

These boxes are my second favorite group of samples.

They hide the samples for the "exploding card."

I wanted to make both of these samples. The first features the envelo-box (thicker for 3d cards) and the "handbag card."

There is always a secret addition inside!

Another pop out card and a special "K card."

This is my favorite! Small and so deceiving.

The "squash book card!"

Finally a few final "gate fold" cards and a "star book" card.

Now. You show me a tool that comes with a DVD to make all these samples!
The Ultimate has catapulted me into making thicker more dimensional cards.
Today (September 30th) is the last day you can buy the Crafter's Companion Ultimate at the special pricing.
My next project is to work through the Christmas DVD that came with the package...2 1/2 more hours of instruction!

Some Days You Have To Believe in Faith

Two powerful words.
I think of both all the time.

This necklace started with a complex beaded embroidery. I wanted to see if I could pour resin into it if I taped up the back. Sometime, resin just gets sucked up by fibers creating a stained awful mess.
Perhaps because I believed that this experiment would work, that it really did. I added the word and resin and once it was dry I lined the back with felt.

After attaching the dangle and a few other strands I completed my new meaningful piece.

Christmas Colours

There are days when my colour combinations are completely accidental. This grouping is a perfect example.

I cut up these three fabrics for backgrounds and noticed I had just finished correcting in Photoshop these three vintage postcards. Clearly, I am drawn to the same colours over and over.

I love these beautiful Christmas ladies.

Other cards are getting finished this week. So much of what I cut this summer now seems to be finally finding a home on a card body.

My Frida Book Bags

Since I am in an unusual craft show next month I have had a wonderful time giving in to my love of all things Frida Kahlo.

The cotton bags have an image I printed and sewed to the bag and then it is surrounded by a whole group of embroideries.

Each bag is different and I don't know how to price them.

Would you participate in the survey I put at the top of my blog today?
Update! Thanks to everyone who participated in my survey!!

Odd Pictures From Paris

While reviewing a set of photos from Paris I noticed that there was street in the 6th District that I walked along while taking photos. I know it was the 6th because some of the store fronts I easily recognize. But this photo appeared in the grouping and I can't recall taking it.
Clearly the title caught my eye: Exercice du silence.
Or maybe I liked the tin duck?

Two photos later I took this picture of how people park in Paris.
Hmmmmm. "Exercice du patience" I think.

Crafty Gathering Gift

Yesterday I visited friends who had gathered to learn some new jewelery techniques.
I thought I would bring them each a magnet.

Happy Sunday Friends!
I hope you enjoy my Bead Blogger Links!

A Bead A Day
What does your Monday jewelry look like? Do you find you grab more sparkle for an added boost?

About.com Jewelry Making
Are you trying to pinch those pennies when it comes to making jewelry? Here are some ideas to help you out.

Art Bead Scene
This week we have a Monthly Challenge treasury to share and inspire you.

Barbe Saint John
Bead Chic by Margot Potter Book Review and Giveaway

Beading Arts
Have you seen what you can do with macrame? Don't think hemp, think colorful and modern!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Another felted and beaded pendant is turned into a necklace by Carmi.

Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva
This week's Wednesday Wire is all about the rings.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie faces her fears of home improvement by relating it to her beloved jewelry crafts.

Katie's Beading Blog
Katie's dreaming up jewelry projects inspired by the season. Leave a comment for a chance to win a Beads, Baubles & Jewels DVD!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei and Nancy Schindler paired up for a beading challenge, check out the results here!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews the amazing tutorial, Color Drenched Metal, by Shannon LeVart, which is available at Shannon's Etsy Shop: missficklemedia. This is a FANTASTIC opportunity for eager designers to learn how to patinate a variety of metals in gorgeous, vivid colors!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
To celebrate his birthday, Andrew hosts a week of giveaways! Five days! Five giveaways!

Small Crazy Quilt

This image on chipboard might have been the inspiration for my collection of fabrics for a small crazy quilt.

Well, not a quilt. A panel that could be part of a quilt but in my world is for something else.

I used most of the quilted fabric for these card backgrounds. You just want to reach out and touch these cards.

Then I had just enough of the panel left to make these three new cube beads!
So, one fabric panel equals cards for work and beads for me!

Here are my Saturday crafty links!

About Family Crafts
Enjoy some family time together and make some apple crafts. A perfect Autumn activity!

Aileen's Musings
Don't be afraid to live out loud is Aileen's motto! She demonstrates this with her front door redesign, stop by and see her boldly painted front door!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a charming pattern for knitting a shrug, a tutorial on how to make a felted covered bangle, an inside peek (or peck) of some wonderful bird art from the book 1,000 Artisan Textiles and a chance to win a poster by Masha D'yans and a copy of 1,000 Ideas for Decorating Cupcakes, Cookies and Cakes.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Don't let the rotten egg smell or safety concerns keep you from discovering the wonderful burnished effects you can create on thin metal sheet with liver of sulfur.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge has a big new full time job! Read all about it!

Mixed Media Artist
To add a bit more interest to your collage or altered book page, try slicing up an image!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how I am spinning..uh crocheting a spider web skirt inspired by The Crochet Dude's new book- Crochet It. Love It. Wear It! and read a fun interview with master of the hook himself Drew Emborsky!

The Small Details Are What I Love

I am just packing up these cards this morning.

I made embellishments on chipboard this summer which I am using now.

This button is covered in fabric and has the charm dangle I added. I think it would be a cute birthday card.

I am using these Tinsel Trading medallions finally. No use keeping them in a drawer. The goth woman is a one inch button I permanently attached.

This has it all. The gold lace is really vintage. The addition of the flower and charm make this a time consuming card to make. Happy I made them though!

Can't Stop Working With Beads and Felt!

Another necklace.
I need an event to wear this one to.

Last night I finally decided on what beads I would use to compliment the main pendant so that I could wear it as a necklace.

This project started with the first bead that I created a few weeks ago.
The little square pendant was also on the back burner.

Then I sewed up a large felt tube. Beads were everywhere. I added more beads and felt to the square pendant.

I had such a great time! These hand sewn bead projects are relaxing and at the same time very satisfying.

Welcome Autumn!

I love Autumn! My absolute favorite season.
Earlier today this leaf landed on the potted plants I am still watering.
Good bye hottest summer on record.

3D Card Embellishments

This may be the cutest blog entry I have ever written!

I have been watching a lot of British crafting programs and I am very intrigued by what they call decoupage and what we know as paper tole. Paper tole is one of the few paper crafts I haven't tried. My friend Audrey gave me this cute sheet of paper bears and truth be told, it sat in my sample drawer.

Looking for a break from my current projects I thought I might just assemble one little bear. After all, how long could it possibly take?

Several hours later I had these three new cards. I LOVE THEM!! I don't think I will ever use them. These will go into my collection.

Since I was making these great bears I needed fabulous background papers. Out came my new 3 Birds paper stacks!

The glitter paper is brand new. I am not sure when I will be launching them on The Shopping Channel but you won't believe how spectacular this card stock is.

With the 3d bears was inspired to make 3d background labels too! My Cricut cut these shapes so quickly! These cards are at least 1/2 inch thick!

Hold on to your hats friends.
I am going down the 3d road for sure.......