We have moved!

We're delighted to say that the redesign of the Crafter's Companion web site is live! As part of the redesign, we've moved the Crafter's Companion Blog - click here to visit its new home and don't forget to update your bookmarks!

While you're there, make sure to sign up for the brand new Club Inspire section of the Crafter's Companion web site, which includes free downloads, projects, galleries and much, much more! PLUS you can read Sara's all-new personal blog!

S.W.A.L.K. Image Isolation Tutorial

Since we released the S.W.A.L.K. Digital Stamp Library CD back in November, we've had a few customers contact us to ask a similar question: "I'd like to print a sheet with just the character on it - is that possible?"  Well, yes it is and you won't need a fancy graphics application like Photoshop or Serif either!

Windows includes very basic image editor which will do the job and once you've learnt how it's done, you'll have a great technique which you can apply to other images.

The image editor has changed slightly between Windows versions, so we've created two tutorials - just follow this link and click the "Download Now" button for the tutorial you need.

Happy Digicrafting!

Fantasy Fusion - the technique

Did you miss Leann's shows on Tuesday and wonder what Fantasy Fusion is all about? If so, I'm here to help!

Sheena has launched a new range of three rubber stamp sets: Circle & Oval, Hearts & Tags and Squares & Rectangles. Each has been designed to perfectly fit on the mountboard shapes launched with the rest of the Paint Fusion range last year.

This launch has also been teamed with the launch of some new specialist paints from Pebeo, which create gorgeous effects on all manner of surfaces including metal, porcelain terracotta, ceramic, canvas, glass and wood. There are three paint sets to choose from (warms, cools and neutrals) and each includes seven pots of paint, cerne relief and pipettes - all the tools you'll need to create gorgeous home decor and gift ideas!

So, how do you make the gorgeous samples you've been seeing over the last few days? Well, if you've got the stamps too, you can simply stamp out the image you want to use, which is then used as an outline for the Fantasy Fusion image. Trace around the ink with the cerne relief, and wait for this to dry. Then, simply fill in the sections with your chosen paint colour, using the end of a paintbrush (or your pipettes for a controlled decorative effect) to drop the colour in the right place. As the paint dries, the colours will merge and create a glorious enamel effect. Simple!

So what are you waiting for? Start your Fantasy Fusion-ing today! Don't forget to send us pictures of your creations - we'd love to see how you've been using your paints!

Sheena's Fantasy Fusion Range

Have you seen the new Pebeo paints and Fantasy stamps from Sheena Douglass?

Of course, the designs don't have to be used solely in their shapes... for example, this fabulous photo frame by Linda Hill uses designs from the Circles and Ovals stamp set, and the Hearts and Tags stamp set on the corners:

Individual elements of the stamps can be pulled out as well - you don't have to use the full stamp in your image, as shown with this frame made using the Square and Rectangle stamp set:

There are some more gorgeous samples from Sheena and her Design Team on Sheena's blog (click here) too - don't miss them!

New Fantasy Fusion Range

Take your Paint Fusion-ing to the next level with the brand new range of Fantasy paints and stamps.  The paints have been manufactured by Pebeo, and allow you to paint on a wide variety of surfaces including metal, porcelain, terracotta, canvas, glass, and wood to create magical effects on your crafting projects.

Whether you're a beginner or a more advanced crafter, the paints - used in conjunction with the brand new shape stamps from Sheena - will produce the most beautiful fantastical effects. 

There are three paint sets to choose from: Neutrals, Cool, and Warm.  Each set contains seven paints, two cerne reliefs, and a pack of pipettes.  Within the sets there are two different types of paints - Fantasy Prisme and Fantasy Moon.  Fantasy Prisme are honeycomb-effect paints and Fantasy Moon are textured, pearlescent, and opalescent paints.  

You can use them in conjunction with or without the cerne relief to create different effects.  These beautiful paints are great for everyone, no matter their crafting ability, and can be applied using a dropper, a brush, or by pouring directly on to a project.  You can even mix the colours together to create unique colour combinations!

Don't miss Leann demonstrating the new paints and stamps on Create & Craft today at 10 AM and 6 PM!

Sweet Love

Here's a lovely card from Donna!  She colored this adorable Sweet Love stamp from the Birthday Week celebrations with her Spectrum Noir pens:

TN6, TN3, TN2, TN1

BT4, BT2, BT1 

PL5, LV2, LV1 

GB8, EB2, EB1 

Blender

She added lovely flowers and ribbon to finish it off!

You can't purchase this stamp, but be sure to take a peek at the other ones available in the Mulberry Wood Everyday range!

A new member of staff

I just wanted to invite you to join us in welcoming a new member to our team!

Our new-recruit starts at 9am this morning, and it's none other than Simon's Mum! She's joining our Customer Services team working alongside Michelle, so you'll no doubt have the opportunity to speak with her on the phone at some point, or perhaps she'll be answering your emails.

She was out with us all on Thursday evening celebrating our Birthday, but also it doubled up as Leanne Kearton's Leaving Doo. Leanne finishes this Friday, and we're all devastated to see her go, but wish her well in her new career.

She joined us 3 years ago as an apprentice, and she's worked her way up to become an incredibly well respected and very highly thought of member of our customer services team, and she's now moving on to work for Durham College within their Apprenticeship team, working to place more young people into apprenticeship programs just like the one she undertook with us.

I hope you can all join us in wishing Leanne well in her career, and welcoming Val to our team!

Sara xx

Pick of the Week

Today at 12:00 PM Louisa has got an exciting launch to share on Create & Craft!  She's bringing you nine new Pawfect Pals S.W.A.L.K rubber stamps and three CD-ROMs.

Keep checking our Facebook page to see samples from our Design Team, and peeks at the new range of stamps and paper crafting pretties!  

The eBosser - Live on Create & Craft!

Leann will be on Create & Craft this morning at 10:00 AM, showcasing the eBosser, the brand new Flower Creation Quilling Dies and the new A4 embossing folders!

Have you already got your eBosser?  You'll want to be sure you are using the proper sandwich for your dies!  Did you know we have a chart for that?

You can download the entire Platform Combinations PDF here, in our downloads section.  It is a detailed four-page guide to using all sorts of dies and embossing folders in your machine!

The A4 embossing folders you've been waiting for are now here!  You will be able to create a complete, decorative embossed card base in just one pass through the machine!  Choose from nine gorgeous designs, with a variety of card shapes available (you can make A5, tri-fold, or gate fold).  Order yours now, as we've only got limited initial stock available!

If you like to have a spare platform for your eBosser, we have shipped in a limited stock of the A plate, so grab one while we've got them!

Did you miss our blog post yesterday, with Leann's fabulous video showing off the new Flower Creation Quilling Dies?  Be sure to have a look, and then check out the dies that are available!

Tune in to see Leann on Create & Craft at 10:00 AM this morning, and again on Ideal World at 3:00 PM!  And keep make sure you're following us on Twitter and checking our Facebook page for samples using these fun new products!

Die'sire Flower Creation Quilling Dies

Have you had a look at the newest Die'sire Flower Creation Quilling Dies?  We're really quite excited about the papercrafting possibilities with these!

Here's Leann to share a bit about the dies in action; keep reading for some samples from our team.

Ready to see these dies in action?  The team have been working hard to create some lovelies to share with you!

Cathy made this lovely box from Centura Pearl and she added the sentiment on an Enchanted Spring frame die.  She used the Rose flower dies in both large and small to create her flowers. 

Elaine made a fun project using the Camelia small and large dies.  The blue and green together is so striking!

Be sure you are checking our Facebook page for even more inspiration using these new Flower Creation Quilling Dies!  And to see the whole range, head over to the store!