Happy HSN Craft Day!!!

Woo hoo!!!  It is time to celebrate new products by Crafter's Companion during the 24hour craft even on HSN!!!  Every time Crafter's Companion sends me their newest products to work with I just keep thinking this is the best thing ever!  And seriously every month it is!!!  Take a peek at a few projects I've created for today's event...

Both of these sets of projects were created using the newest Crafters Companion Box Kit.  This month the box featured Sparkle Pens, and it was so fun to explore this particular product.  I focused on blending with the colors in the kit and used a mix of emboss resist techniques, watercoloring with the pens and stamping my own images to color with the stamp set that comes in the kit.  If you are looking to explore various products by Crafters Companion the Box Kits are the way to go.

These two cards feature new Create-a-card Base Dies.  I love how these particular dies make shaped cards so so easy to create.  I also love that you can create matching frame within that shape.

This final project features the new accordion dies, which are a new to me product.  I love the fun and whimsical flare these dies can add to any project.  And wait until you see all of the creative ways various team members have used them too!

While, those are all of the photos from me you HAVE to get over to HSN and check out all of the other new goodies being released.  Did I mention inkpads, fairies, and more?!  You can also join the Facebook fan group for more inside looks at new products as well as to join in their giveaways by clicking here.

Happy Crafting/Shopping!!!

Lisa

Crafters Companion's New Subscription Box!!!

Hello beautiful crafty friends!  I'm so happy that the sun is shinning and we have warmer weather again here in Ohio.  I am also so happy to share the exciting news that Crafters Companion has a new subscription box out, and it will be available May 2nd on HSN!!!! eeeekkk!!!!

These boxes are going to be amazing, and they are filled to the brim!  How do I know?  Because I was lucky enough to get to play with one before they are released!  It's just one of the bazillion perks of working on their Design Team ( I just LOVE CC ).  This box is loaded, it has paper (plain and printed), pre-scored card blanks and envelopes in lots of sizes and styles, three different sized ribbons, pearls, sentiments, rub ons, bundles of flowers in three different colors, and 2 dies!!!  How crazy is that, but wait there's more.... it is only $24.99!!!  Shut the front door folks!  I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried!  You will find more photos and details by clicking here.

Here is just one of the cards I've created so far with this box...

Ta-da!!!  The pre-scored cards are a real time saver, and the fact that everything is already matching well it just doesn't get any easier than that.

Make sure you head to the Crafter's Companion Site for more information about all of the goodies coming to HSN on May 2nd, and please join our awesome FB group where there are daily prizes leading up to the big day!

Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Welcoming Spring with Crafters Companion

Hello!  I hope you had a nice weekend!  Today I'm popping in with a Spring card (even though we are still shivering in Ohio, it is technically Spring lol) that I've created using the newest Sheena Douglas' Lucious Lily Dies and Stamp set...

I used my Spectrum Noir Colorblend Pencils in Essentials to color the images in.  I love how the matching die cuts all of the small intricate parts out for you as well as gives the flowers more dimension by embossing into them, as you can see in the next photo...

I also added some beautiful sparkle with a clear Sparkle Pen :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope Spring finds you soon wherever you are!
Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Winnie & Walter Spotlight #2

Hello!  I am so happy to be back with all of you again!  If you were able to catch my first Winnie & Walter Leading Lady post here, then you might remember that I am planning on having a theme for each of my posts through the month of March.  Today's post I am titling "Off the Page",  and I am going to focus on various mediums you can stamp on besides paper.  Don't get me wrong I love paper, and my collection can totally attest to that (as can my husband! lol), but there are lots of mediums out there that give beautiful and unique results that you may not have considered using.

For my first off the page project I'm going to share stamping on cork.  This tends to be a more common medium when stamping, and with good reason as it is easy to come by, gives great results, and adds fun texture...

 For this card I stamped this coffee cup and steam from the Warm Wishes to You Stamp Set right onto a piece of adhesive backed cork.  I then die cut both with the coordinating Cutaways.  I then added this onto a few sheets of patterned paper.  As a final touch I added glossy accents to represent the liquid in the cup, and I love the touch of shine too!

For the next medium I chose to work with adhesive Wood Veneer.  I love the look of wood and woodgrains on projects, and so I decided to see what else this medium had to offer in two very unique ways.  First, I wanted to stamp so sweet little critters and color them in. Here is what I came up with...

Isn't she too much fun?!  This image comes from the Purrfect with Evelin T Designs, and I've used the matching Cutaways too.  My cat is always trying to fit in the smallest boxes, or game boxes when we have them out, it's just too funny!  Now I knew I wanted to color my images in, but I also knew that wood soaks and spreads with the touch of inks so markers were out.  The same went for watercolors, obviously they would spread as well and I wanted a nice clean image.  That's when I looked over and saw my Spectrum Noir Blendable Pencils, and I have to say I'm hooked!  I was surprised at how easy it was to blend my colors as well.  After creating this card I already have all kinds of plans on coloring in some of those larger floral images onto this Wood Veneer, doesn't that just sound lovely?

As I stated before I knew that inks would spread easily on the Wood Veneer so I wanted to give it a little test.  Alcohol inks are all the rage right now, so I thought why not start there?  And friends I LOVE it!  They blend and spread like butter...

 For this card I started by blending purple and pink alcohol ink colors over an entire piece of Wood Veneer.  Since the ink dries quickly I was able to die cut my hearts from the True Dotty Heart Cutaways right away.  And of course I had to fill all of those little dots with a fun mix of flat back gems.  While these were drying, I created my background panel by stamping various sentiments from the Sentimental Love Stamp Set.  And viola!

I have one final card for today that mixes the Wood Veneer with a new medium: Craft Metal.  I have used Craft Metal before to emboss and die cut with, but I had never tried stamping on it so I gave it a go... and it worked!

I wanted to color my stamped flowers in with Alcohol Markers so I used a Alcohol friendly ink and set it to dry for a bit before working with it.  If I were to stamp onto this Craft Metal and try to color on it right away it would do nothing but smear the images.  I also heat set the images just to make sure they were fully dry (make sure you use tweezers or something besides your hand to hold it when you are heating it up, or the metal may burn your hands).    While you may not be able to layer your coloring on Craft Metal or blend colors, it will give you a watercolor look as the coloring dried, and I love it!  For this card I used the In Bloom: Ashlee's Rosie Posies with Lydia Evans, and it's coordinating cutaways, as well as left over Wood Veneer heart from the True Dotty Heart Cutaways.  I then finished it off with the Hugs and Kisses Cutaway layered in black and silver.

Whew!  And there you have it!  Lots of ways for you to go off the page with your crafting.  Do you have a favorite medium other than paper to work with?  Thanks so much for stopping by today, the amazingly sweet Shay is letting me do a $30 giveaway to one of my readers! Yay!!!  So leave a comment below telling me something you enjoy stamping on besides paper and you'll be entered to win.  Also, if you would like to follow me on my Instagram page, or if you already do leave me a little love to the corresponding Instagram picture and I'll give you an extra entry! :)

Happy Crafting!

Lisa

Dimensional Butterfly Card with Crafters Companion

Hi!  Today I'm popping in to share a card I've created for Crafters Companion's Booth at Creativation, woot woot!  I love making dimensional cards, even though I rarely think to do so.  Somehow it just tends to pop in my head when I'm playing with my Crafters Companion goodies...

CC Luxury Cardstock: Navy Blue and Pale Dogwood
CC Construction Cardstock
CC Luxury Foiled Card Pad – Flutterby Collection
CC Flutterby Collection Die Sets – Arrangement of Butterflies, Trio of Wings, Simplistic Sentiments
Signature Collection: Floral Fantasy Everday Sentiments Dies

Other:
Liquid Glue

You can grab some of these products right now on HSN.

Happy Crafting!

Lisa

Giving Thanks Winner!!!

Hello!  I'm back with my Giving Thanks Winner... and I want to thank everyone who took the time to enter...

And the winner is....  Lucky #2 ( I used Random.org to help choose my winner for all fairness :) )

 Amy McCue said...

I just got the Gemini and I love it!

Congratulations Amy!!!  Please contact prizes@crafterscompanion.com to claim your prize, just let them know you were a winner from Lisa Lahiff's Blog.  Enjoy!
Thanks so much for everyone who took the time to leave a comment!  I also want to let you know that I have 2 current Giveaways on my Instagram page, so I hope you can stop by and check that out as well!

Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Giving Thanks Crafters Companion Giveaway!!! * UPDATED

Hello wonderful crafting friends!  Who's ready for some Turkey?!  Me!!!!  Actually, I'm more of a fan of all of the side dishes, but I get a couple of Turkey slices too hehehe!

Today I'm popping in to share how thankful I am for all of the wonderful crafting opportunities I've had this past year, and how blessed I feel to be able to share my creations with all of you.  One of the newer companies I've had the amazing opportunity to work with this year is Crafters Companion.  When I was chosen for their design team earlier this year I was so excited, and six months later I'm still so excited everytime I get to work with some of their products.  The whole team has a real heart of gold, and Sara Davies is incredible (both as a person and as a crafter!).

This week Crafters Companion is having a whole lot of fun with a Week of Giving Thanks to all of you and it includes a whole lot of gift certificates to be given away! Woo hoo!  Make sure you check their Facebook page as well as the other designers pages for more chances to win.  I myself have one to give away here!  All I need you to do is tell me in the comments below a favorite Crafters Companion Product by clicking here on their site!  Easy peasy!  You have until the end of the day EST on November 26th to leave your comment.

*Edited for update on other chances to win more gc!  Also there is a freebie from Crafters Companion just for you by clicking here!

And some other blogs to enter for a chance to win a gc!
Jessica's Blog
Annie's Blog



Best of luck and Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Happy HSN Day!!!!

Woo hoo!!!  It's time to party on HSN with Crafter's Companion!!!!!  And it's a day full of awesomeness as Sara is celebrating her 10 year anniversary!!!!  Plus, did you hear about the reveal of the new Gemini Jr.?!  Ah-mazing!!!!

Here are some peeks at projects I've created with the goodies available today...

This beautiful card was created with the new Flutterby Create a Card Die set, Flutterby Paper Pad, and Luxury Cardstock.  These cards are always so pretty and delicate looking thanks to the intricacy in the die set itself.

My next project features a new Foiling Birthday Kit!  The Crafters Companion Foiling Kits are awesome and better yet they need no heat or other machines!  Take a peek at this sweet tag I was able to create...

And that wooden background?  Super cool as it is adhesive sheets of wood!  Genius I tell ya!  To add color I just went over the background with three different colors of Spectrum Noir Markers.  And here is an added tip for working with the foils.  If you own a Gemini (the mac daddy of cutting machines!) then you can lay your pattern onto your paper, run it through the machine for a flat and even application, and then rub the foil over top.  You can even put the foil on top and run it through the machine again if you'd like and that works just as well!

Hope you will join in the fun, inspiration, and giveaways going on in the FB group!

Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Sneaks of New Crafters Companion Goodies!!!! HSN Nov.6th

Woot woot! It is time to share some new goodies coming to HSN on November 6th by Crafters Companion!!!! Did you see the release of the new Gemini Jr.?!  EEEKKK!!!  All that power, but smaller and more affordable!

Today I'm popping in with a card using the Flutterby Collection, in particular the stamp and die set as well as their new Spectrum Noir ColourTint Pencils...

 I love the magnitude of this Butterfly image!  I also love the way the dies cut just the sides of the butterfly out to allow for beautiful and unique edges.  I stamped the image twice so that I could layer them up for dimension.  I then colored both images with the ColourTint Pencils.  These pencils are beautiful and blend so nicely together.  Plus they are activated with water, and that is when the color really packs a punch.  On this particular card I did not add the water as I really liked the way the color was going down on here.  I then cut the first image out completely and die cut just the one edge of the other.

I layered the two butterflies up and added some foam in-between the wings for extra support.  I layered them both onto the gold cardstock.  The Hello die also comes from the Flutterby Collection and was cut from the Luxury Cardstock in Gold.  The background to the butterfly felt a little plain so I added some gold splashes to finish it off.

I hope you'll join us in the FB party group for more inspiration and lots of giveaways. (Including the Gemini Jr.!)  And join us for a day full of fun on HSN November 6th!

Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Watercoloring With Sparkle Pens

Hello!  It's Lisa from Lisa's Creative Niche and I am so happy to be back as a Guest Designer today, and I am so thankful to Tanya and Brooke for having me!  Today I wanted to share a few tips as well as a card using Sparkle Pens for watercoloring.

Sparkle Pens are perfect for watercoloring because you are able to squeeze some of the color onto a mat and use a paintbrush and water to pick it up.  Plus as an added bonus everything sparkles!

For this card I started by heat embossing the  Crafter's Companion Colorista Aqua Stamp Set: Love with White Embossing Powder onto Watercolor Cardstock.

I then added colors from the Spectrum Noir Summer Time Sparkle Pen Set onto my Kraft Mat.  When added color to embossed images I like to lay down plain water with my brush first and then go in with a touch of color.  This can create natural shading as the water dries.  I did this for the entire image.  I finished the card by adding a few splashes of blue, before adding the vellum sentiment from the Spectrum Noir Colorista Aqua Toppers and Vellum Set.

I chose not to add any other embellishments as I feel the sparkle from the pens was enough on it's own.  A few tips I learned along the way.... A little color from these pens goes a long way.  I put more color on my kraft mat than was needed, so I suggest using a little and added as you go.  Second, you can choose to move the colors around with a clear Sparkle Pen after it has dried.  This will give you extra shine, but remember to wipe off the brush before changing colors as it will pick up each color.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope I've inspired you to use those sparkle pens as a focal point and not just as an additive.
Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Cardstock, Spectrum Noir Aqua Watercolor Cardstock, Crafters Companion White Embossing Powder, Versamark Ink Pad by Tsukineko, Crafter's Companion Colorista Aqua Stamp Set: Love , Spectrum Noir Summer Time Sparkle Pen Set, Spectrum Noir Colorista Aqua Toppers and Vellum Set, Paintbrush, water.

CC Today on HSN!!!

Crafters Companion is up on HSN all day!!!  Woo hoo!!!  If you are looking for what goodies are airing when click here, and make sure you join our Facebook Group for fun, inspiration, and giveaways all day long!!!

So much you need!

Happy Shopping/Crafting!
Lisa

Crafters Companion on HSN Oct.3!!!

Woo hoo!!!  We are getting close again to a new day full of HSN fun with Crafters Companion!!!  Mark your calendars for October 3rd and snuggle down to be inspired, have fun and pick up a few crafty goodies!  You can also join in the Facebook fun by joining our group here and enter for some giveaways too!

For today I'm here to share one of the projects I've created with the new products...

This innovative die cutting is all thanks to the Die'sire Edge'ables by Crafters Companion.  They are very unique in that part of the die cuts out and part of it cuts into your project.  This allows you to add pop up sentiments along folds, as I've done with the top fold on the card up above.  Another way you can use these dies is by cutting along the side of your paper, as seen below.

The details in these cuts are amazing, and just think of how quick a handful of these cards would be to whip up during the Holidays!  (Don't forget to grab some of their Luxury Cardstock too!  I'm obsessed with it!)

Thanks so much for joining me today and taking a peek at the goodies to come!
Happy Shopping/Crafting!
Lisa

Crafters Companion HSN Oct. 3rd!!!

Hello!  I have some exciting news to share!!!  If you haven't heard already Crafters Companion will be back on HSN on October 3rd!!! YAY!!!!  And there are loads of fabulous new goodies that you will finally be able to get your hands on!  Today I'm popping in to share a really unique concept for card making called Collage-A-Card.  I am specifically sharing a project from the For Her set today.  When I first saw the kit, I wasn't exactly sure what to make of it, but the minute I started working on this beauty I was hooked!

These cards come together really quickly and you can dress them up, mix and match, really just do whatever you want to make them unique and personalized!  So many times cards get set off to the side or laid down somewhere, but not anymore!  These cards are meant to be on display and are sure to make a statement when given.

You will find more inspiration, fun and giveaways by joining our Facebook group.  You will also find updates on the Crafters Companion website.  Keep your eyes peeled for more peeks to come!
Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Trick or Treating with Crafters Companion

Hiya!  Does time seem to be flying for you this year too?  I feel like I just can't keep up!  I can't believe that now we are into September and Halloween is just around the corner.  Speaking of Halloween... (See what I did there? hehehe!) I have a super cute Halloween card that I've created with the Crafters Companion Trick or Treating Stamp Set.  These little kiddos are too cute!

To color them and my night sky in I used a handful of Spectrum Noir Markers. (FS2, FS3, FS4, FS5, CR2, CT1, CT2, CT4, LG1, LG2, LG1, LG2, LG3, LV2, LV3, BP1, BP2, HB2, BG3, BG5, IG6, IG8, IG10, Tn5, TN7, TB4, TB5, TB6).  For my background I used a mix of Cardstocks: Shimmering Black Pearl, Ultra Smooth White, Luxury Cardstock in Silver.  Finally I added some sequin stars to the sky for a little more interest, and some shine, to my night scene.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I am linking this baby up to the 30 Day Coloring Challenge.
Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Guest Designer for CardMaker Magazine

Ahhh!!!  I'm so excited, because today I am a Guest Designer on the CardMaker Magazine Blog! Woot Woot!  I LOVE their magazine and have been a subscriber for years.  I've also had the humbling pleasure to be published several times in various issues of their Magazine.  If you are a card maker I highly recommend subscribing to their publication as there are always so many tips, techniques, and inspiring projects for you to check out quarterly.  Here is a peek at what I'm sharing today on the blog, and it's all about thinking outside of your craft room...

Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Cherry Green Now Available at CC

Hello!  Crafters Companion has launched a new stamp line and it is now available called Cherry Green!  I've created a clean and simple card with one of the new stamp sets to share with you for today...

For this card I used the peacock feathers from the Fancy Feathers set.  I love the whispy look of the feathers in this set, and they are quick to color in with Spectrum Noir Markers: BT4, BT5, BT9.  My background was created with a mix of Aqua Markers in Slate, Sepia, and Charcoal.  For a touch of shine I used my Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen in Blue Topaz.  I also added a strip of Luxury Gold Cardstock down one side.  I hope you'll get a chance to check them all out on the Crafter's Companion Website!

Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Hello Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers

Hi!  It's Monday, and so far it's been a rather productive day for me, so yay!  I hope your week is starting off well too!  Right now I'm popping in to share a quick and easy card that I've created with Spectrum Noir's Aqua Markers and Crafters Companion's Colorista Aqua Stamp Set: Best Wishes.

To create this card I started by stamping my images with Versafine Ink.  Next, I scribbled on a craft mat with my Aqua Marker in Prussian Blue.  To pick up the color I used my Crafters Companion Waterbrush Pens.  For the butterfly I used the fine nib side of my Aqua Markers and colored the wings in (Begonia, Rose Red, Red Violet, Navy, Teal, Jasmine, Sunflower, and Bud Green).  I used my Waterbrush Pens again to pull the colors out.  Finally, I layered my stamped and colored panel onto Crafters Companion Luxury Cardstock in Navy and Pale Dogwood. (Their luxury cardstock is seriously some of my favorite cardstock to work with!)

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you have an amazing rest of the day!
Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Crafters Companion on HSN Aug.16th!

Hello!!!  I hope you are having a nice weekend so far!  Did you know on Wednesday August 16th it's going to be another crafting party with Crafters Companion on HSN?! YAY!!!  And this time it is all about Christmas and Watercoloring... literally two of my most favorite things!  I thought I would pop in and share one of my projects using some of the new Christmas Create A Card Dies...  These things are genius!  You receive such a beautiful result by simply diecutting the front of your cards.  Check it out...

I just couldn't resist making a trio of cards with this Christmas Eve Create a Card Die and a mix of Crafters Companion Luxury Cardstocks.  For the edges I've used a Gold Gilding Wax, which will also be available on HSN!  I'm obsessed with the stuff I tell ya!

And make sure you join in the fun, inspiration and giveaways by checking out our Facebook Party!

Happy Crafting!
Lisa