Sue Lesley's Craft Room

Another Less is More

2012-01-29T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here's my second card for this week's Less is More Challenge:

I used my lace stamp from the Aspects of Design stamp set (The Stamp Man). I've had this set for years and never had much use out of it but I really love the lace design and had the idea in my head for this sketch.

The image has been embossed and then red ink sponged over it. The heart is a Nellie Snellen die. Again I embossed the lace image onto the inner heart and sponged with the same red ink.

The sentiment was done on the computer.

That's it for today I think. Sunday lunch is now calling.

Sue.x

Less is More week 52 - Sketch

2012-01-29T05:22:00.000-08:00

Here we are again, another weekend and another great challenge from Chrissie and Mandi. A really simple sketch:

I have another card or two buzzing around in my head for this one so expect more entries for this challenge.

Here's my card:

I used Versacolor inkpads to create the background of the panel and then used my new Birds of Paradise Kanban stamps.

The sentiment is a really old stamp I've got in my collection - I think it's from The Stamp Man's Aspects of Design.

Hope you like it. I'm off to get on with my next card.

Sue.x

Cut It Out

2012-01-22T05:45:00.000-08:00

I used a download from the Silhouette shop for this card and although it comes as a doily I ungrouped the shape to use it as an aperture card. I cut the scalloped edge (which was the outside edge of the doily) separately to use around the edge of the aperture.

The base card is linen cardstock, you may be able to see it clearer in this photo:

I haven't added a sentiment yet until I've decided what event to use it for. I think it might be suitable as a sympathy card so I'm going to enter it into this challenge:

http://diecutdreams.blogspot.com/2012/01/die-cut-dreams-challenge-106-sympathy.html

as well as Chrissie and Mandi's challenge for this week which is called 'Cut It Out'

http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/2012/01/week-51-theme.html

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Sue.x

Home tweet home

2012-01-21T09:48:00.000-08:00

This nice little birdhouse image and sentiment is a freebie at doodlepantry. I used my poor neglected Prisma pencils for this one (they've been brushed aside since I started using Promarkers). I'd forgotten how much I enjoy colouring with them.

Not much else to say about it really except I'm going to enter it into the charismacardz challenge this week - the theme is Clean and Simple.

Sue.x

Faux Leather Notepad Holder

2012-01-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

I saw these beautiful faux leather covers for post it notes on gayle's blogspot and really wanted to have a crack at them. I'd already seen the faux leather technique using the Cuttlebug Tiny Mosaic Texture folder and Gayle very kindly sent me the Studio cutting file so I could cut the shape out on my Cameo machine.

I used Faded Jean Distress Ink for my folder. The faux fastening is a finding I had in my stash and attached it with a glue gun.

I got the magnets from Hobbycraft but they're not that strong so I may have to invest in some of the Basic Grey ones that Gayle used on hers.

I think these would make a nice little inexpensive gift for someone to keep in their handbag or on their desk at work.

I If you fancy having a go yourself visit gayle's blog for a link to some Youtube tutorials.

Thanks for dropping by

Sue.x

Less is More Week 50 One Layer - Birds

2012-01-15T09:09:00.000-08:00

Here's my entry into this week's lessismore challenge.

Chrissie and Mandi's spec for this week is a one-layer card featuring birds.

I used a digistamp called Tweet on a Branch from Pink Cat Studio and coloured it with Promarkers. The sentiment was done on the computer using a font called Jenny Sue.

I used a selection of grey Promarkers to do the dotty technique I've become fond of around the bird. I hope it doesn't just look like a load of flies hovering about!

Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend and thanks for visiting.

Sue.x

Happy New Year

2012-01-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

I've been having a bit of a blogging break over Christmas - I was in two minds to give up and delete my blog. I'm sure you've all had times when you think 'I haven't got time for this', especially when you have other hobbies you like to spend time on. I was really questioning whether the time I usually take trying to get a decent photo of my card, uploading to blogger and then fitting in a visit to other bloggers who have been kind enough to leave a comment was really worth it. Anyway, after nearly pressing the delete button a couple of times (it's the Libran in me) I decided against it.

I really do enjoy trying to take part in various card challenges and having a lovely bunch of people dropping by regularly to leave a lovely comment so I decided I would miss it too much and here I still am.

Anyway, after all that waffle I hope you are all well and had a really smashing Christmas and you're now rearing to go with some new creations.

Talking about new - I've actually done the opposite and dug out a very old stamp for my first card for this year. The very lovely Miss Anya has been tucked away in the dark for too long so I decided to use her for my niece's birthday card.

I cased an idea of Kerry's for the background. I used a http://summertimedesigns.blogspot.com/ background paper from this free download kit and cut out the flowers and stuck them onto the base card.

Miss Anya has been coloured with Promarkers and mounted onto black card. The ribbon is from American Crafts and matches perfectly.

The sentiment is from pinkpetticoat who incidentally, have a sale on at the moment so if you've had your eye on any of Liz's products, take a trip over there to grab a bargain.

Well that's it. I hope you like my first card for 2012 and thanks for any comment you may leave - it's very much appreciated.

Sue.x

2011-12-09T08:07:00.000-08:00

A few shapes cut out with my Cameo and covered with Diamond Dust (much more sparkly IRL) to put on the tree as decorations.

I'm going to enter these into the charismacardz challenge which has a theme of NO CARDS this week.

Sue.x

Oh, how I love my Cameo

2011-12-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

You know how much I loved my Silhouette, but my new love - my incredible new Cameo is even more fabulous. And to think I was dithering about whether or not to change my Silhouette and wait until it went kaput to get the new Cameo because I didn't think it would be that much better - how wrong was I.

Here's a couple of cards I made yesterday - very CAS:

This one I used the Print and Cut feature for the sleigh so now colouring required. I just added a couple of liquid pearls for the holly berries and mounted onto linen card. The fabulous sentiment is from Pink Petticoat which was printed directly onto the card and finally a punched snowflake.

The next card is a regular cut and I used DCWV textured card to cut the bauble out and added some crystals and some Do-craft ribbon. Again, I used PP sentiment.

Sorry about the photo, it's a bit blurry - I just couldn't get a decent shot.

I'm off to play some more

Sue.x

Tis the Season

2011-12-04T06:11:00.000-08:00

Hi all. Hope you're enjoying your weekend. Can you believe it's only 3 weeks till Christmas Day? I'm still trying to plough through my cards so I'm just posting this and then I'm going to turn off the computer and get on with it.

I haven't done many cutie cards recently, but I have this lovely little digistampboutique image which I won in the Charisma Card challenge that I just had to use.

Here's the recipe:

Digistamp Boutique image

Promarkers

Stable and Star - Print and Cut image done with my Cameo

Pale blue card for the circle

Stormy Sky Distress Ink for shading

Kraft card

HOTP faux stitch stamp and sentiment

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, whatever you're doing.

Sue.x

More Tatty

2011-12-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

Another Tatty card - the images are all so cute I'm struggling to choose between them. I've got another 5 ready to be mounted onto card, so be prepared to be Tatty'ed out!

I used a Cuttlebug folder for the background and stitched around it - not very well I might add, so don't look too close.lol

I was intending to go white on white but because the image is quite pale I thought it might get a bit lost so I just added a bit of silver mirri card. I also used the dotting of Promarkers around the image which makes them stand out a bit more.

Finally, I added lots of Glamour Dust for a lovely frosty look to these lovely little characters.

Sue.x

A whole bunch of Christmas cards

2011-11-28T12:08:00.000-08:00

I managed to be quite productive for a change on Sunday - I didn't have the computer on to distract me and I managed to get half a dozen of these identical Christmas cards done for the girls in my office.

I love this Poinsettia stamp. It's one of those Medallion stamps that were all the rage quite a few years ago. I never quite managed to do the layering thing - my cutting out wasn't good enough and it just looked rubbish. So, here it is just coloured with Promarkers. Oh, and I found some lovely glittery gold embossing powder amongst my stash so they're all beautifully shiny. I tried to capture it in the next photo:

Hope you can see it!

I cut an aperture frame out using square nesties and then used some 3D foam to mount onto the card base which makes the image look like it's in a photo frame. The sentiment is from HOTP and has also been embossed with the same glittery gold powder.

Well, that's another few cards done and dusted.

Sue.x

O Christmas Tree

2011-11-26T08:41:00.000-08:00

Firstly, I'd just like to say a big hello to my new followers.

You have probably guessed how much I love my Silhouette machine by now (hint, hint, look at my sidebar), but I've only gone and sold it -
.....................................................

but look what Santa brought me instead - yay, a brand new Cameo.

Isn't it gorgeous!!! I love it. Not only does it cut much heavier card (up to 350gsm I think), it also has a 12" square cutting mat.

Here's what I've made today with one of my new downloaded shapes (all shapes on sale this weekend in the online store - just 50 cents which works out about 32p):

The outline shape of the tree is green mirri card - you may be able to see it better in this piccie:

I did some matting and layering with matching green mirri card and some white cardstock put through a Cuttlebug folder.

This is just the first card I've made with it - but I'm sure there's loads of different ways to use it - must get the Distress Inks out.

I'm going to enter this into the following challenge:

http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.com/2011/11/o-christmas-tree-challenge.html

Right, I'm off back to the Silhouette online store to stock up on more shapes.

Have a great evening.

Sue.x

A couple of Christmas cards

2011-11-19T08:50:00.000-08:00

I haven't really much been in the mood for Christmas cards, but here's a couple I've put together.

This is just such a simple one. I love this Anna Griffin stamp and when I found I had some sparkly gold glitter powder I thought this would look lovely just mounted onto some gold mirror card. Unfortunately, the sparkle doesn't show up too well on the photo.

This next one I used an image from the Tatty Teddy cd. I've glittered it up and used my Nesties to turn it into a Scalloped Easel card. The sentiment was punched with Stamping Up oval and scalloped oval punches. The stars are also from a punch and the little bow was done with my Bow Easy.

That's all from me today folks. We're out to celebrate my sister's 50th birthday this evening. We're going to an Abba tribute night at the West Midlands Golf Club (otherwise known as The Lakes at Barston), should be a good fun night.

Have a good evening, whatever you're up to.

Sue.x

Less is more week 42 - Silhouettes

2011-11-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

Well there's another week flown by - and here we are again for another lessismore challenge. This week the theme is Silhouettes.

Another great choice from Chrissie and Mandi which has given me a chance to do bit more practise with my brayer - and I do believe I'm getting the hang of it. This little piece of equipment has had me stumped for years. I could never manage a lovely background like Barbara - mine were always full of lumps, bumps and stripes - but they do say practise makes perfect. One tip I would give to any else who's not managing to master this little blighter is to place a thick layer of copy paper under your card - it seems to stop all those nasty lumps and bumps appearing.

Anyway, enough waffle, here's my card:

All the stamps are Clarity. The lovers in the boat stamp is a miniature, but all the others are full size stamps.

I used Stained Glass Adirondack inkpad for the background - you can't get these anymore, Rangers discontinued them a while ago. And I used Adirondack Pitch Black for the images.

The moon was done with a small circle punch which was used as a mask.

Well I have to say I'm quite pleased with how this turned out. Maybe my brayer may stay out of the box for a bit longer.

Sue.x

Less is more week 41 - Leaves

2011-11-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

Brilliant! Chrissie and Mandi have done it again! They've come up with a challenge this week which enables me to use another stamp (or should I say cube) which has been sadly neglected.

The challenge for this week is LEAVES and it just so happened that I had my Judikins Fall Leaves cube out on my desk which I intended to use on last week's card but didn't use in the end.

Looking at the card now, I wish I'd changed the direction of one of the centre leaves and stamped it a bit more 'off the page', but hey ho, never mind.

I coloured the leaves with Promarkers and sponged Distress Inks between masked lines. I added some embossed lines and a HOTP sentiment.

Unfortunately, the quality of the cardstock is really poor. It's from a stash of cream cards and envelopes I bought from Create and Craft a while ago for £4.95 for about 100 (I think). You get what you pay for - it'll do for layering or even maybe a distressed card. It already has the distressed look without any effort.

Sue.x

I think I'm liking this....

2011-11-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

...stenciling. I bought another template from Imagination Crafts when I went to the NEC as well as another 8 pots of stencil paint so be prepared to be well and truly sick to the back teeth of this technique.

I saw a sample that one of the ladies had done and loved it. I thought it was soooo pretty I made one similar.

I used the Leaf Swirl template and lime green stencil paint and to add the lovely sparkle I used Magiglaze (finally gotten around to using this, I bought it at the NEC in the spring, again it's from Imagination Crafts) and some extra fine glitter.

I punched the tiny flowers with my EK Success punch and added a gold crystal to the centres.

That's when it went all wrong - I tried to stamp the sentiment directly onto the card and disaster - it smudged! I was well miffed, as you can imagine so put Silhouette into action and created a mat and re-stamped the sentiment onto it and then mounted it onto foam pads. Rescued, phew!

Sorry the photo's a bit dark - very gloomy day here in Solihull today.

Sue.x

Less is more - red and orange

2011-11-06T08:53:00.000-08:00

As I'm already messy with very inky fingers from my last card I thought I'd do another card for this week's lessismore challenge.

I've used a stamp I've had in my collection for years and this is the first time I've used it - sorry don't know who makes it, no name on the wooden block, but it's perfect for the red and orange theme. I stamped it with a black Stazon inkpad onto glossy card.

I've used the photo above which shows a reflection so you can see that the card is glossy. I used Adirondack inks (Lettuce, Cranberry and Butterscotch) to colour the image and then sponge around the background. I've used black card to mat the image onto which makes it pop.

Here it is without the reflection:

Let's see what else I can ink!

Sue.x

Red and Orange

2011-11-06T06:42:00.000-08:00

Hope you've been having a great weekend. What glorious weather it's been considering the time of year. Lovely for taking a walk and seeing all the beautiful colours nature gives us in autumn - stunning.

I've used some of those stunning colours for my card today; red and orange which also work for the two challenges I'm entering it into: bonfire/firework colours.

Here's what I used:

Shaped card cut out on my Silhouette

Lavinia leaves, Fairy and Toadstool stamps

Stamping Up Pocket Silhouettes

Versafine Onyx black inkpad

Fired Brick and Wild Honey Distress Inks

Tim Holtz blender applicator and sponges

Fine glitter

Liquid pearls

This was a lovely messy one to do. Inky fingers all over the place, great fun.

Here's the challenges I'm entering:

http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-189-baby-youre-firework.html

http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/2011/11/week-40.html

That's it from me. I'm off to play with some of my NEC goodies this afternoon.

Bye for now.

Sue.x

Less is more week 39 - Stars - take two

2011-11-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

I've had a bit of time to spare this afternoon (all O/H's shirts are ironed and hanging in the wardrobe) so had time to make another quick card for lessismore's Stars challenge.

I used my Silhouette to cut out the star shape and numbers. Added some glitter here and there and matted and layered a few times.

Sue.x

Less is more week 39 - Stars

2011-10-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

Two birds with one stone - a Christmas card and a challenge card rolled into one. I desperately need to get on with some Christmas cards so used this week's lessismore challenge to get on with it.

The theme this week is 'Stars' and here's my card:

I have to thank Sarita for the idea on this one as I cased this card from her blog (I hope she doesn't mind). I too have had this Glitter Girls Star Wrapture for years tucked away in my stash and never used it. Luckily for me this fitted in with this challenge perfectly.

Because I'm rubbish at cutting out, I scanned the Wrapture into my computer and got my trusty Silhouette to cut the shape out of pale green vellum.

The holly stamp and sentiment are from HOTP and stamped with Olympia Green Versafine.

That's it from me tonight folks - have a good evening.

Sue.x

Hubble bubble toil and trouble....

2011-10-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween for those that like to take part in the fun!

I don't normally make Halloween cards, but Jodie at bugaboostamps was giving this cute little image away as a freebie so it would have been rude not to.

The spiders and spider's web are also freebies from very generous Bird of http://www.birdscards.com/ who gives away loads of fabulous cutting files and digi stamps. I used my oh so wonderful Silhouette to cut them out.

I coloured the image with Promarkers

Used a Cuttlebug folder for the background

and

Googly eyes I had in my stash

I had a few spiders left and the Trick or Treat sentiment so I put them on the inside:

I'm going to enter this into the following challenges:

http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/

http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-43-anything-goes.html

http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-158.html
http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-155-no-sentiments.html

I hope you like it. I really must get on with some Christmas cards this afternoon, I'm running way behind. It might help if I turn the computer off so I'm not tempted to spend so much time browsing around.

Have a good day and thanks for stopping by.

Sue.x

Less is more week 38 - Polka Dots

2011-10-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday, hubby's at footie, got my Less is More card done! Yeah!

And this week's challenge is:

"This week we have a really easy recipe which is simply

POLKA DOTS

As long as your design is Clean and Simple, has some white space (or its equivalent) and polka dots in evidence somewhere, it will be perfect for this challenge."

so here's my card:

Here's what I used:

Walzingmouse Gingham & Co background stamp for my Polka Dots

Anna Griffin sentiment stamp

Clarity stamps Art Deco lady

Spellbinders Nestie

Promarkers

Rose and leaves cut out on the Silhouette

Ribbon from stash

Hope you like it.

Sue.x

I'm on a roll.....

2011-10-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

Three cards in one weekend! That must be a first.

Here's another card I made using the fabby Tatty Teddy cd - Isn't he the cutest bear ever???

It's a card for my niece with the very unusual name of Teide (named after the volcano in Tenerife - don't ask! My sister is very strange). So it wouldn't be often she gets something personalised for her, I'm guessing.

I've added a bit of sparkle to the flourishes which doesn't show up too well. Oh! and the background paper is blue really - looks a bit greeny in the photo.

Well, that really is it from me for the weekend. Hubby has the week off with me this half term so maybe not too much time at my desk for the next few days. I'll have to wait until he goes to the footie on Wednesday, never mind.

Have a lovely evening.

Sue.x

Is this just a phase..........

2011-10-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

I'm really loving this vintage theme this weekend. Here's another card I've done to enter into the movingalongwiththetimes challenge for this week.

I cropped the lovely lady image from the background paper and matted and layered it as the focal point, some American seam binding which I colour tinted to match the colours in the paper, a Sizzix die for the photo corners, a Sizzix label, a paper rose and some gold twine, very simple really.

I really like how it's turned out, but that's because the design paper is so beautiful it doesn't really need much else.

Sue.x

Tatty Teddy again

2011-10-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

Ooops, forgot to post this one earlier.

Such a super fast card to do for my nephew. Typically, I was stuck for a young male card, so I opted for my Tatty Teddy cd - I just think everyone loves this bear and my nephew is a bit of a softie (don't tell him I told you, but I think he still has his Larry Lamb blanket toy from when he was a baby - he's 24)

I used the 5 inch square top fold template from the Digital Designer software and printed the character and text straight onto 300gsm white card. That's it, job done. I think it's so cute - I'm still loving this cd.

Sue.x

And now for something completely different.....

2011-10-22T03:42:00.000-07:00

.............. Vintage. This is not my usual style, as you know, CAS is my thing.

I do love the vintage/distressed/layered and design papers look, but I'm just not very good at it. I often go on a blog hop and admire the beautiful work done by loads of talented people and wish I could create something half as good. I decided to have a bit of a play yesterday as I had the whole afternoon to myself and a stack of Distress Inks that never get used. I realised another reason I stick to CAS, they're quick and easy to do while this card took me hours.

Here's it is:

I'm actually quite pleased with how it turned out. Here's what I used:

Sugar Nellie Daisy stamp

Prisma pencils

Top note shape cut out on my Silhouette

Cuttlebug embossing folder

HOTP papers

Distress ink - Tea Dye and Vintage Photo

Bakers Twine

American Seam binding coloured with Distress ink

Claire Curd sentiment

Button from stash

I've found I can enter this into loads of challenges this week:

http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-119-vintage.html

http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/10/cupcake-164-buttons-and-bows.html

http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-89-layer-upon-layer.html

http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-42-embossing.html

Have a great weekend and hopefully I'll be back soon with my usual Less is more card - I'm off now to see what this week's challenge is.

One other thing before I go - I've gained a few new followers recently, so I would just like to say welcome and thank you so much for choosing to follow me, I really appreciate it.

Sue.x

Less is more week 37 - Cocktail

2011-10-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

It's been a week since I last posted - I know I'm useless. I really don't seem to be able to get this time management thing.

I have managed to get a card done today though, thanks to the lovely Chrissie and Mandi for setting these Less is More challenges each week or I don't think I would get anything posted.

For this week's challenge, the ladies have asked for :

COCKTAIL

You may interpret this however you wish... your favourite tipple, the colours of a cocktail or a simply cocktail of colours. Let your imagination run with this one, it will be interesting to see how imaginative you can be.

If you'd like to to part, visit the blog at: http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-37.html

Here's my card

Not particularly imaginative, but I don't seem to have a lot of that either (imagination that is).

The stamps are Stampin Up - Cheers to You set.

I used my Whispers pens for a change to colour the images and some nesties for the sentiment.

Before I go I just have to show you this. My daughter e-mailed me this photo earlier (for those that don't know she's in Melbourne at the moment) - look who she bumped into today:

She was at the Westfield Store Geelong to see the Gok Wan Live show and she and her friend managed to chat to him at the end. How amazing! (If you're a Gok fan that is).

That's it from me. I'm looking forward to a few glasses of red , some choccy and Downton Abbey later on. Bye for now, I hope you have a great evening and thanks for dropping by.

Sue.x

Less is more week 36

2011-10-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

Afternoon all! Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

Still loving taking part in the lessismore challenges, you may have noticed. This week's challenge has been a great one for me again. So quick and easy. Here's what Chrissie and Mandi asked for:

The ♥ can be singular, multiple, any colour, but, MUST be a one layer card, with no additional layers stuck on, apart from the odd embellishment or ribbon!

And here's my card:

I used my Silhouette to cut out a heart shape and sponged Fired Brick and Walnut Stain Distress inks through the aperture. I then stamped the sentiment with my Whispers Word stamp using Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

Sue.x

2011-10-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

THE COLOUR OF YOUR EYES

is the theme for this week's lessismore challenge. This took a bit of thinking about cause I have green eyes and it's not a colour I use often.

Here's what I came up with:

Green definitely is not my favourite colour, but I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

Here's what I used:

Clarity large leaf swirl stamp

Hero Arts Antique Engravings butterflies

Stampin Up Scalloped punch

Stampin Up oval punch

Stampin Up sentiment stamp

Adirondack Mountain Sky inkpad

I scored a couple of lines at the top and bottom of the card and decoupaged the butterflies.

While I'm at it (I've been a very bad blogger lately), here are a few other things I've been doing this week:

I thought it was time to get cracking on some Christmas cards, I know a lot of you will have started months ago, but I always leave it to the last minute.

I've used Milly from digistampboutique and coloured her with Promarkers
Cuttlebug embossing folder
A bit of stitching
Ribbon and brad from stash

You may have read in previous posts that my daughter was off to Australia for 6 months for part of her gap year. Well she's gone. Sob, sob! She's au pairing for a family with an 8 year old girl so I made her as couple of items to give to the little girl when she arrived:

The base card was printed using my Tatty Teddy cd and then the box shape cut out on my Silhouette. The image is also from the cd. Lauren intended to fill it with sweets but had to do it when she arrived at the airport in Melbourne because of strict rules the Aussie's have about bringing foodstuff into the country.

And this little bookmark, again using my Tatty Teddy cd and a scalloped nestie.

This is the back:

and here's how it looks on the corner of a book page:

Quite fun little projects, I hope Nina liked them.

Ok, that's enough from me. Sorry about the long post, but I had a bit of catching up to do.

Sue.x

Less is more week 34 - Sketch

2011-09-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

The girls are out shopping and O/H has gone to the footie, so I'm taking advantage of some time in my craft room and I've had such a lovely afternoon. I've been stamping, messing with inks and embossing - heaven.

As usual, the lessismore challenge has encouraged me to dig into all those items of stash that get sadly neglected - that includes another one of those stamps that has never been inked. It's from the Stamp Man's Aspect of Design 01 plate and some of my Adirondack rainbow pads.

The challenge is a sketch:

and here's my card:

I had such fun playing with the inks I did two. I'm not sure which I prefer, but I think it's probably the pink and green.

Both images were embossed although you can't tell from the photo. I stamped the image onto a piece of copy paper first and cut out the frame to create a mask and used my brushes to add ink to the backgroun. The sentiment stamps are both from my Paula Pascual set. I mounted the finished pieces onto some Stamping Up card.

Sue.x

Less is more week 33 - Challenge 1000

2011-09-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

Chrissie and Mandi at lessismore challenge are hoping to achieve a goal of 1000 entries this week, so here's my card in the hope of helping them to get there.

There's not a lot of white space on my card so I hope it's ok for the CAS look, fingers crossed it counts.

I've used a cuttlebug folder for the background - I think it has the look of dinosaur skin!

Itty Bitty Bobby in dinosaur costume is from Pink Cat Studio which has been coloured with Promarkers.

The 'Raargh' has been done on the computer and I wrapped just a bit of Crafters Cord around the card (I'm waiting for my Baker's Twine to arrive).

I'm hoping to get time to do another card, but my little girl (well, big girl really - she is going into 22) is off to Australia on Tuesday for 6 months to be an Au Pair before beginning her training contract next September to become a solicitor, so we're a little pre-occupied at the moment.

Have a good evening and thanks for stopping by.

Sue.x

A bit of brayering

2011-09-19T07:30:00.000-07:00

After a weekend of Barbara Grey on C&C I got the brayering bug again (it happens every time I see Barbara at work).

I've had this stamp called Woven Silk for ages but been stuck with ideas of what to do with her. So, I had a mooch through the clarity gallery and found a card by Emma Williams I was inspired by.

Here's what I did:

I stamped the image and masked her off and then created the sky background with a cloud template I cut out with my Silhouette and sponged around it with Adirondack Winter Sky ink pad. I brayered the grass with Adirondack Lettuce and Bottle ink again using a torn piece of paper to create the hills and then stamped the Clarity grasses stamp using Bottle. I brayered the sun using a cut out circle from a piece of copy paper and Adirondack Butterscotch and Red Pepper ink.

I coloured the image with Promarkers and mounted onto black card. To finish I added some sheer ribbon.

Next time I think I will be brave enough to use my Clarity shiny card - I've been keeping safe until I feel confident enough it won't end up in the bin.

Sue.x

Charisma Cardz - Inspired by a song

2011-09-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Good evening all! Hope you're well.

Here's my first shaped card using my new Grand Calibur and Grand Scalloped Circles dies.

For my card I've used:

Largest Grand Nestie scalloped circle
Petite Scalloped Circle
Fizzy Moon Stamp
Promarkers
Marianne Creatables die
Pink Petticoat paper
Silhouette Machine - plain circles, daisy, tag, fancy border
Do-Crafts ribbon
Craftwork cards candy

I'm going to enter this into the charismacardz challenge for this week which is entitled 'Inspired by a song'. My song is 'You don't bring me flowers' by Barbara Steisand and Neil Diamond.

Thanks for dropping by.

Sue.x

2011-09-11T04:24:00.000-07:00

Morning all.

Thank you to everyone that has already commented on yesterday's post, but I was kinda rushed to finish my lessismore card by my hubby as we were going out for the evening. So, I decided to add a bit more to it this morning. Well, as you can imagine, disaster. I smudged ink all over the white area on the original card. After a bit of cursing, I decided to start again. Not too much of an effort as I did enjoy getting inky doing this card.

You may be trying to spot the difference from yesterday's card. I just added some ink around the base of the bottle and glasses to stop them looking as if they are floating in mid air, and a bit of inking around the text. That's it.

Ok, I'm off to visit some blogs now, so bye for now.

Sue.x

Less is more week 32 - Seeing double

2011-09-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

Whoa! Where did this week go? Went back to work on Monday after the 'big' holiday - not too bad. Then the week sort of just went and before I knew it, it's that time again, another lessismore challenge.

This is what Chrissie and Mandi have come up with for this week:

ONE LAYER CARD
entitled
SEEING DOUBLESo on your entry this week, we'd like to see TWO of something.

For my entry I've used stamps from a Creative Expressions set (sorry, can't remember the name). I stamped the glass twice and then the bottle. I used lots of masking to colour the image with various Distress inks.

I like this challenge, really quick and easy unlike the struggle I had last week. lol!

Right, I have to shoot, my OH is giving me earache to start getting ready to go out this evening.

Hope you're all having a great weekend, I'll be catching up with some blogging tomorrow as OH is off to the match.

Sue.x

Less is more week 31 - Metallic

2011-09-05T07:50:00.000-07:00

Hi folks, hope you've had a fab weekend - the weather's been lovely here in Solihull. We even managed to sit outside on Friday evening until 1.00am, having drinks and a lovely evening catching up with friends. A pity we couldn't have had many more of those beautiful days and evenings during the summer.

Anyway, onto this week's Lessismore challenge. Chrissie and Mandi really do know how to put the pressure on with some of their challenges and this week has been no exception for me. This is what they said:

METALLIC

We'd like to see CLEAN & SIMPLE cards with something that has a METALLIC finish to it... ink, embossing, card, charms, actual metal... come on people let's get creative!

So, that's what I tried to be, Creative. Oh boy, how I wish I hadn't. Have I struggled with this one. I'm not at all happy with it, but I spent so long on it I wasn't not going to post it.

I dug out my Dawn Bibby Papercrafting Tips and Techniques DVD with all good intentions of trying to come up with something really arty and beautiful, hah. I decided to have a go at making a triple embossed centrepiece using silver embossing powder (a bit like Chrissie's first card). I can't begin to count how many times I stamped the impression, wasn't happy with it, so reheated and stamped again - aaaaargh. It was driving me mad. Enough was enough, so in the end, I threw my heat gun out of the window (joke) and decided that this was going to be my final effort.

The stamp I used was bought in the sale at QVC ages ago which I really like but have never used (another one of those sadly neglected pieces of stash). I just added a few crystals and mounted onto some pearlescent card which I ran though my Wizard in an embossing folder (I used the negative impression which I like a lot but I discovered a bit by accident, I put the card in the embossing folder the wrong way round).

I hope I've left enough white card for Chrissie and Mandy. I had to cut the background card bigger than I would have, cuz I got a grubby finger mark on the card which I needed to cover.

All I can say is - NO MORE TRIPLE EMBOSSING FOR ME!

Bye for now and I hope you all have a good week.

Sue.x

Less is More Week 30 - Recipe

2011-09-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

I've missed loads of the Less is More challenges recently so have given myself the day off from housework and gardening to do some craft (typical that the sun has come out today - my craft room faces west and only has a small window so it's a bit gloomy until late afternoon).

The challenge for this week is a Recipe - Take 3 Challenges and this is the spec:

We want you to choose 3 from any of our previous 29 and combine them in your design.

For my card the 3 challenges I have chosen are:

Week 18 - Monochrome - Versafine Crimson Red for the image and sentiment

Week 15 - Embossing - dry embossed lines above and below the image

Week 6 - Off the edge - my rollergraph wheel stamp

I think I can also include Week 28 - Use ink as I masked off my card and inked around the image - a technique I have used before so I think I will call it a favourite technique. I've thrown this one in just in case one of my others didn't fit the bill.

Here it is from a different angle - as usual my photo is a little dark and not showing the true colour.

Oh, the only other thing I added was a few crystals.

Thanks for stopping by, please visit again.

Sue.x

More digi crafting

2011-08-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

I based this card on a similar one my daughter received for her birthday. I found some lovely free chandelier digi stamps on the internet so wanted to have a play around with Photoshop (I'm completely clueless with this program).

You may recognise the background as a Pink Petticoat paper. I positioned the chandelier stamp onto the background paper and then added some text - I think it's a bit far to the left so will move that over a bit if I use this again.

The only other thing I did was add some black crystals and some gold glitter and a ribbon.

I really enjoyed doing this even though it took a bit of messing about. I've learnt a bit more about Photoshop though, which is a bonus.

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you might leave.

Sue.x

Tealight card

2011-08-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

I came across this tutorial for a tealight card which I thought would make a great little gift as most people like scented candles.

I just used some cardstock I've had in my stash for years to practise my first one. It's not perfect so please don't look too closely, but I think I will be doing more of these.

The little tag is perfect for your sentiment

I did say I would show some piccies of my other love, my garden, so here they are:

Sue.x

Me to You Tatty Teddy

2011-08-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since my last post, I know. O/H had two weeks off which has kept me away from my crafting whilst we did some DIY jobs around the house and then spent a few days away in the New Forest, which was really lovely. He's back to work now and I've been able to steal away into my little craft room and have a play with my new Tatty Teddy cd.

I know a lot of people think that cd crafting isn't proper crafting but I have to disagree. There's lots of creating still to be done when making your little masterpiece by choosing backgrounds, adding papers, embellishments, sentiments, not to mention the lovely characters and then putting them into a pleasing composition. I'm certainly finding that there's so much to play with on this cd, the number of cards you can make with it are endless. I'm loving it.

Here are a few cards I've done so far:

This one was for my daugher. You may not be able to see in the photo, but I've added lots of glitter to the heart. It looks very pretty.

This one is my first Christmas card for the year. Although it looks like lots of matting and layering has been done, it is actually only one piece of card. I used the punch feature on the cd to make it look like layers. Again, lots of sparkle added to the tree and teddy's hat.

Finally, a quick card for my sister and brother-in-law. They celebrate their first wedding anniversary this weekend.

I'm really loving playing with this cd and know I will get plenty of use out of it. Money well spent I think.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a good week.

Sue.x

Less is More - take 2

2011-08-03T10:25:00.000-07:00

I've done a very quick 2nd card for the Less is More's feeling fruity challenge.

Here it is:

I dug out my Creative Expression grapes stamps and coloured with Prismas and drew lines around the edges for a border. So quick and easy.

Sue.x

Less is more week 26 - Lucky Dip - Feeling Fruity

2011-08-02T04:20:00.000-07:00

Morning all! Another beautiful day here in the Midlands, blue sky with a few white fluffy clouds passing over. Long may it last.

For this week's lessismore challenge, we LIMettes have to come up with a card featuring fruit. Hmmm, when I first saw this one I thought I'd have to give it a miss as I didn't have anything suitable, but when I put my mind to it I discovered I'd a few digi images containing fruit as well as a Creative Expression stamp with grapes on it.

I decided I would use this cute Precious Moments image coloured with Promarkers. And, because of the rectangle shape decided to move away from my usual square card and do a DL one instead. The seniment is from a Stamping Up set and ribbon and layering card from my stash.

Here's a closer look at her:

Hope you're all having a good week so far. Mustn't waste too much time inside on such a glorious day, so bye for now.

p.s. if you're interested in find some of the Precious Moments images, just google 'Precious Moments colouring pages' and you should be able to find them.

p.p.s Well, yet again I'm having problems leaving comments on people's blogs. Some are fine, but others I keep being sent back to my sign in page and although I'm sigining in again it won't let me save my comment (and it comes up with 'anonymous says'). Anyone else having this problem? A solution would be appreciated.

Sue.x

More Tatty Teddy

2011-07-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

I've been umming and ahhing about whether or not to buy the Docrafts Tatty Teddy cd rom recently launched on Create and Craft. I really do love this little bear, but do I want to spend that much on a cd when I have so many other things on my wish list? Tough one!

Until I make up my mind, I bought this little stamp to keep me going. I'm quite surprised at how small some of the stamps in this range are. Anyone else think this?

Anyway, he's very easy to colour. Ice Cool grey 1 and 2 Promarkers for his fur and Artic blue for his nose. The brolly was coloured with Versacolour Orchid ink pad - the same one I used to create the background.

I've also treated myself to the Waltzingmouse Gingham &Co background stamps - they're fab and I can see them being used alot.

As you probably expected, I used my super, brilliant, fabulous, I'm so in love with it, Silhouette to cut the doily and also to make a mat for the punched out word window label (Stampin Up). The scalloped edge was also done with a Stampin up punch - Scalloped edge.

Hope you like it and don't get too bored with all the Tatty Teddy cards I'm sure will be appearing very shortly. I get the feeling the cd was very popular.

Sue.x

Less is more week 25 - Recipe - Button or ribbon

2011-07-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hi all, hope you're well.

Sorry I've been MIA recently. I think it must be something to do with the summer months when my mojo goes on holiday and I lose all interest in crafting and blogging and my garden wins my attention, hands down. After a lot of grafting this weekend my garden is looking beautiful. I'll put some piccies on for you to see when I get a minute.

Anyway, I have managed a little card for the lessismore challenge this week (I've missed a few weeks recently). The theme is a recipe of button or ribbon to feature on your card.

Here's mine:

I've used my free Tatty Ted stamp from last month's Creativity magazine. Isn't he cute?

The background paper is Pink Petticoat and my buttons are a Cuttlebug embossing folder and the heart shaped button is a Sizzix Sizzlet die which I covered in Anita's 3-D gloss.

I don't usually make A6 size cards, but the reason behind it was I found an envelope inside the Creativity magazine asking for a donation of a card to the Cancer Research charity, so this is my donation. I'm a keen supporter of this charity as we lost our beloved dad to cancer 15 years ago at the age of 57.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope to be back with Mr Mojo soon. Take care and have a good week.

Sue.x

Thanks a lot

2011-07-15T04:11:00.000-07:00

I think this will be the quickest post ever! I have my dauther's Graduation ceremony today and 1 hour to get ready. I didn't want to miss the lessismore challenge for a third week, so this is my entry. The theme is a one layer card and something with legs.

I made this thank you card for a friend who is a crafter but not into stamping. She gave me loads of stamps she got free from various magazines (including the Daisy and Dandelion one I've used on my card). I coloured the image with Prismas and the sentiment stamp is from Studio G.

Right, got to go and get myself ready. Have a good weekend.

Sue.x

Here comes summer

2011-07-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

Hi folks. I expect you think I've gone nuts with the title of this post with the miserable weather we're having at the moment. I'm forever the optimist that the sun will come out to stay at some point.

I made this card to go into the secretcrafter challenge which is 'here comes summer', but I'm also going to enter it into a few more challenges who have an anything goes theme:

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/week-110-free-and-easy-july.html

http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.com/2011/06/oldie-but-goodie-22.html

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-goes.html

I created the sky background using a template cut out on my Silhouette and Adirondack Stonewashed ink.

The waves and palm tree were also cut out on my Silhouette.

The image is Surfabella from Stamping Bella and coloured with Promarkers

The coconuts are Card Candy from Craftwork Cards.

A bit of Kraft paper has been used for the sand.

Those waves look a bit terrifying to me, but I'm sure the fearless Surfafella will love them.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a great weekend.

Sue.x

Happy 71st Birthday, Mom

2011-07-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

Firstly, I'd like to say hi to my new followers and welcome to my blog. I hope you pop by often.

This is the card I made for my mom's birthday. It was very much inspired by Julie who's blog I visit often. She makes beautiful cards and I've admired her great talent for ages.

I used a Sizzix embossing folder, Nellie Snellen corner die and the flowers were cut on my Silhouette. I inked the flowers up with gold ink - unfortunately, it doesn't photograph well and looks very dark in the photo. The gold mat has a slight sparkle to it which again doesn't show up in the piccie, but it's very pretty. The sentiment was done on the computer using a mix of fonts.

Sue.x

Criss Cross Graduation card

2011-06-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

Whoo hoo! We've just found out that our youngest daughter has gained a First Class degree in Law with Business from the University of Birmingham. We are totally overwhelmed and so very proud of her. She's worked really hard for this and really does deserve it.

For her card, I decided to make my first Criss Cross card. A bit of a change from my usual 6 x 6 square.

The cute images are digis from Bugaboo. She reminds me of my little Polly (our nickname for her) when she was a little girl.

I used Promarkers to colour the image and used the computer for the sentiments.

The papers are HoTP Paper Pizazz called Mixing Baby. The colour of the collar for the Law school at Birmingham is olive green which is why I chose these colours.

I used Labels Two nesties to mat and layer and of course my usual Silhouette contribution is the lattice fence and leaves.

Swirl is a Sizzlet

Tab punch is from Stampin Up.

I'll put some piccies of her in her Mortar Board and gown after the graduation ceremony on the 15th.

I'm going to enter this into this week's

i love promarkers challenge which has a theme of 'Anything Goes'.

totally papercrafts challenge - Spots and Stripes

Treat yourself

2011-06-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

A really quick post. I'm trying to get some gardening done and I'm just dodging a really heavy shower at the moment.

I used Pink Petticoat image for this card. I thought the gingham paper looked a bit like a tablecloth (Pink Petticoat paper). The sentiment is also part of the cakestand package.

Again, I used my Silhouette to cut around the shape and coloured it in with Promarkers. I used foam squares to mount it onto the card.

I used Stamping Up punches for the sentiment and the scalloped edge.

Ok, it's stopped raining so I'm off back to the garden.

Sue.x

Less is More Week 19 - In the Frame

2011-06-12T04:26:00.000-07:00

Good morning all on this wet and miserable Sunday. At least the weather has given me the opportunity to get my card for this week's lessismore challenge done early for a change.

The theme Mandi and Chrissie have set this week is for a one layer card featuring a frame of some description.

For my card I've once again dug out one of those neglected, never been used stamps I've got lurking in my stash. This is a La Pasche foam stamp I bought from QVC yonks ago. It's simply been stamped with Memento ink and coloured with Promarkers and I just added a sentiment using a stamp from a Stamping Up set. That's it!

Right, I'm off to look at some of the other entries. Hope you have a good day.

Sue.x

Probs with blogger

2011-06-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Uh oh, seems to be a problem with blogger again. I'm unable to leave a comment when I'm visiting blogs. Sorry, will give it another try later.

Sue.x

Less is more - Week 18 - Monochrome

2011-06-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

I'm back! It's so nice to be home.

Hope you're all well and looking forward to the weekend.

Sadly, for the first time since it started, I missed the lessismore challenge last week and I nearly ran out of time for this one as I appeared to have left my mojo on holiday until today when I came up with 3 things I wanted to do.

1. Use this really old Inkadinkado stamp I dug out of my stamp drawer (another sadly neglected stamp)

2. Get a bit more practise using my Silhouette to cut around stamped images

3. Use my Distress Inks (got a whole stash of them and hardly use them)

So, this is what I did:

Scanned my image into the Silhouette software and cut the outline

Stamped the image using Walnut Stain Distress Ink positioning it carefully over the cut outline

Cut out a circle with Nesties and inked with the same Walnut Stain ink

Used the computer to generate the sentiment changing the font colour to match the Walnut Stain ink.

My Silhouette machine continues to amaze me with each new feature I discover on it. I just love it (sorry, I've probably said that once too often). I bought my machine second hand off e-bay a couple of years ago and it's been brilliant. I have the original machine and I was wondering whether to upgrade to the newer SD one (Create and Craft have quite a good deal on at the moment with flexi pays). If anyone has had the Original and changed theirs to a newer model - what do you think? Is it worth it?

Sue.x

Thank you Charisma Cardz Challenge

2011-05-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

I'd just like to say a big thank you to the Charisma gals for choosing my Penny Black Hedgie card as the winner of last week's challenge. Yeah!

I go to choose 5 digi's from Pink Cat Studio.

I'll be back after my hols with some cards made from the images.

Take two and three

2011-05-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

Boy! This week's Lessismore challenge should be 'easy peasy' to quote Chrissie and Mandi, but I've really struggled with this one.

I didn't like my first card so went back to the drawing board and came up with these two:

Sorry to bore you but this one is done my Silhouette again. I cut the butterflies out of the base card and then crimped some card to place behind. I then cut out another butterly in green and crimped that too. The sentiment is from HoTP. Finally I mounted it onto a 6 x 6 base.

This next one I'm not too keen on:

The colour has been washed out with my lack of photography skill - it really is a nice cream coloured card.

The butterflies are from the Clare Curd collection and I've decoupaged the large one and added gems to both of them and made some antennae with some wire.

I crimped some kraft card and wrapped some rafia around (a bit rustic I thought). The sentiment is HOTP and the whole lot has been mounted onto 6 x 6 card.

Ok! I think I'm gonna give up on this one now.

I'm off on my hols on Friday (volcanic ash permitting) so will unfortunately miss the LIM challenge (the first one I've missed), so have a good week everyone and see you in just over a week.

Thanks Mandi for your comment that the second butterfly wasn't needed. You were right, I think it looks much better now!

Here it is:

Sue.x

Not very CAS

2011-05-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm a bit quicker off the mark with my card for this week's Lessismore challenge, but I think I will definitely be back to the drawing board as I don't think this will qualify as a CAS card.

The lovely ladies (Chrissie and Mandi) have given us a fairly easy task this week (in comparison to some other previous challenges) and that is to create a card with butterflies.

I wanted to use the scroll frame which I cut on my Silhouette, but didn't like it on a square or rectangle card. So, my next thought was to cut out a card base, again on the Silhouette. The butterflies (a beautiful Anna Griffin stamp) have been stamped onto white card and then again onto acetate and coloured with Promarkers (on the reverse side as I also used Stazon which doesn't mix with Promarkers).

The sentiment is from a huge pile that I have in a K&Co box that I bought as a TSV from QVC yonks ago and never use.

I then thought that maybe it would look more CAS if I mounted it onto a rectangle base:

But I think I've only made it even more elaborate looking - hey ho! I will enter it anyway!

I can't say I'm overly keen on this card, so I will be back with another try.

If you've never come across this challenge, do go and take a look, it's really addictive and the LIMettes are such a lovely bunch - I've never had so many comments on my cards since joining these challenges.

Sue.x

Whoa - Two cards in a day

2011-05-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

What a shock!

And all because I'm a fair weather gardener! A bit chilly out there for me today and as O/H has gone to the footie it's given me a chance to get into my little craft room for some craft therapy.

I was running really late for the less is more challenge last week and with the probs with blogger as well I nearly missed getting my entry in. Noooooo! It would have been the first one I missed. The post I did for the WoW card disappeared and then reappeared after I'd done it again and as I didn't want to lose any of the lovely comments left I've left both on (in case you were wondering why two of the same).

For this week Chrissie and Mandi have asked for a one layer card with the addition of embossing - dry or heat. So, here's my enteries:

This one has been stamped with Versamark black ink and then heat embossed using clear gloss embossing powder - you may just be able to tell from the photo

The sentiment is from that Paula Pascual set again!

The cardstock is SU

Ribbon from Hobbycraft

And for my second card I dug out an old Hedgie stamp:

I'm also going to enter into the following challenges:

http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.com/2011/05/challenge-18.html - Say it with flowers
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/05/challenge-19-under-weather.html - Under the weather

I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder

Penny Black stamp - Buzz in the air

Prisma pencils

Clare Curd sentiment stamp

Hope you like them.

Sue.x

Less is More Challenge Week 14 - Colour challenge - White on White

2011-05-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

Well there's been a gremlin in the system then. I lost my post from yesterday because of a problem with blogger. I haven't been able to access my blog until now. Such a pain - having to do it all again. I was late enough with my lessismoore this week so glad that it all back up and running again to get my card uploaded before it's too late. The theme this week is for White on White.

This is what I used:

Silhouette 3d ruffle flower

Silhouette trellis

Sizzix die for the leaves

Paula Pascual sentiment

Pearl from stash

I had all good intentions of getting around to comment on other enteries for this week, but unfortunately couldn't because of the blogger problem. Hope to do better with tomorrow's challenge.

Sue.x

Less is More - week 14 - Colour Challenge - White on white

2011-05-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

Late again for this week's less is more challenge - I know, I know, it's becoming my theme tune.

Now, the challenge is for white on white, so believe me when I tell you that my card and everything else on the card is white, even though it has this sort of pinky shade. I think it's the light.

Here's what I used:

Silhouette cut flower called 3d ruffle flower (if anyone wants to download it from the Silhouette store)

Trellis which I designed and cut on the Silhouette

Sixxiz flowers, branches and leaves set

Paula Pascual sentiment stamps

Pearl from stash

Right, I'm off to take a look at what some of the other Limettes have been doing.

Sue.x

A spoon full of sugar Challenge 150 - White and one colour

2011-05-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Hope you're enjoying the weekend - what a shame the weather has taken a turn for the worse, although my garden is very grateful for the rain. The only other compensation is that I've spent some time making some cards instead of gardening. I usually become a very bad blogger during the summer as my other favourite pastime (gardening) takes over.

I've two cards to show you today. The first one I'm entering into the aspoonfullofsugarchallenge, the theme is white and one colour. This was such a quick card to do - I used my new rollagraph wheel and a Prisma pencil (& Sansodor to blend) to colour the blossom and then stamped a Paula Pascqual sentiment. To finish I added a couple of strips of peel offs.

The layout of my next card was inspired by this card by Kerry.

The image is a digistamp from here:
http://www.bugaboostamps.com/ - I've used Promarkers to colour
The Houndstooth stamp is from Hero Arts
The rest of the background was done on the computer using the same fonts Kerry used: Bookworm and Accord SF Heavy

Apologies if I haven't been round to visit you all recently - I will try better this week.
Bye for now

Sue.x

Thank you

2011-05-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

Hi all, hope you all had a great weekend and for those of you interested, enjoyed the wedding on Friday. I intended to watch the service, but ended up in front of the TV from 7.30am until 1.45pm. What a wonderful day it was!

Well, my lovely daughter has gone back to uni so I have taken the opportunity to sit at my craft desk and had a little play. This is the card I made.

Originally it was going to be my entry into this week's less is more challenge, but I'm not sure it really fits the CAS look (I'm going to enter it anyway - I'm sure the ladies will let me know if it's too OTT for the challenge), so I've decided to enter it into the following:

http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/2011/04/week-13-lucky-dip-thank-you-or.html

http://just-add-ink.blogspot.com/2011/04/jai-66-just-add-flower.html

http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-96-anything-goes.html

This is what I used:

Silhouette machine for the frame, leaves and flowers

K&Co background paper

Computer for the sentiment

Antique Linen Distress Ink for inking the edges of the frame and flowers/leaves

Just before I go, I would like to congratulate the very talented Kerry on becoming the guest designer at Less is More - it's very well deserved. Kerry has always been a great source of inspiration for me from the beginning of my cardmaking. Please visit her blog if you get chance, it's well worth it.

Hope you like it!

Sue.x

Week 12 - Recipe 'Off Centre'

2011-04-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

Firstly, a huge thank you to all those that commented on my LIM acetate card - a massive 56 comments - I'm overwhelmed!

Phew! By the skin of my teeth again with this week's Lessismore challenge (as you know from previous posts, daughter home from Uni hogging my desk and computer, aaaargh! - only till Sunday tho' as she's going back - hoorah for desk back but sob, miss her I will).

Right, back to the challenge. This week the newly named Mandi Diva LIM and Chrissie, Lady LIM have presented the LIMettes with a recipe which is - Off Centre.

The ladies have asked for cards with little or no symmetry but perfect balance, so this is my effort and here's what I used:

pinkpetticoat - Material girl with roses digi stamps (image and sentiment)

Just my Type - Cuttlebug embossing borders (available from cuttingedgecrafts
Promarkers - Ivory, Pastel Pink, Leaf Green, Grass and Holly
Linen effect cardstock
Button from stash

Oh, and did I mention how much I love my Silhouette (yes I think I probably did lots of times). I used the Print and Cut feature for the sewing machine adding a little border around the edge as I wanted to add a bit of dimension by mounting it onto 3D foam. It did a much better job of cutting around the shape than I would have - what an awesome machine! Sorry about the waffle - I just love this baby.

I hope to start getting round to look at all the other LIMette's entries this evening (better late than never). Have a good evening and enjoy the bank holiday tomorrow.

Sue.x

Less is more week 11 - Acetate

2011-04-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

Another fantastic challenge this week from the Less is more girls, but OMG was it hard to photograph. The theme is Acetate, which is bad enough to get a good shot of, but I also added some silver mirri card - impossible. So I've put on the best of a bad bunch of piccies.

I'm really grateful to Chrissie and Mandi for this challenge - I've had a box of 100 acetate sheets for years in my stash (I bought it from C&C when Alan and Barry were presenters - that's how long ago) and never used it for a card before. I even bought a Stazon Opaque ink pad in Cotton White with the intention of using it on the acetate - but haven't gotten around to it till today.

I'm really quite please with how it's turned out - I think it's quite a masculine card so haven't added and ribbon or other embellies.

This is my ingredient list:

Acetate sheet

Stazon Opaque ink - Cotton White

La Blanche large flourish stamp

Labels two nesties

Sentiment stamp from Impression Obsession

Swirly stamp from HOTP

Versacolor Silver inkpad

Edding silver paint marker (I drew around the small nestie for the inner frame)

Black cardstock

Silver mirri card

Hope you like it!

Sue.x

Sketch n Stash Challenge 59

2011-04-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

I've had a bit more use of the computer and desk this week than I thought I would - my baby hasn't needed the desk as much for her revising and she's quite happy sitting at the dining room table with her books spread out. Yay!

I made this card this morning to enter into:

sketchandstashchallenge

and here is the sketch:

The rules of this challenge are to use either something new or something neglected in your stash. I've used a bit of both. The frame around the image is a NEW design for my Silhouette, they had a sale on over the last few weeks and all shapes were just $75. And the neglected item is the photo corners which are a Sizzlit die that has been sitting unused in my craft drawers for ages.

The image is a free Precious Moments colouring page (no money to spend on new stamps at the mo), and I've coloured her with Promarkers. Not really happy with the colouring - more practise needed.

The background papers are from Pink Petticoat and I've used SU cardstock for matting. And finally, I used my SU Word Window punch and added a sentiment from Clare Curd's stamp set.

Oh, and while I'm here, a quick card I made last night for my other daughter who wanted an acceptance card for a wedding invite. Last minute request as usual. It's a very simple card - all I've used is a Cuttlebug heart folder, pink cardstock, pink ribbon, pink crystals and a sentiment printed from the computer onto white card.

Thanks for dropping by, especially if you've had time to leave a comment. Have a good weekend and please come back soon.

Sue.x

Back to stencil paint

2011-04-13T08:04:00.000-07:00

This takes me back - stencilling! It's been a long time since I did any of this, but I saw these templates at the NEC and bought some stencils, stencil paint and some 3D paste.

This is my first attempt, so it's not perfect, but I like the effect and will keep going to get it right. I used a digi download for the background. I think it has just the right subtle look.

Below is a close up to try and let you see the raised, textured look it has.

And for the one below, I used just black stencil paint onto gold mirror card (very difficult to photograph). Both cards were great fun to do.

I think they both look better IRL, but I thought I'd share them with you.

I'm going to enter both of these into the thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge which has a theme of 'Our feathered friends'.

Sue.x

Less is more - Week 10 - Sentiment Focus

2011-04-12T06:07:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Sorry I've not been around much since last week. I've been visiting my sister and nieces in Kent over the weekend and only got back last night. I've got a lot of catching up to do, but before that I've managed to get my card done for this week's Less is More challenge - the theme is Sentiment Focus.

This is what I used:

Clarity Stamps sentiment

My Silhouette to cut the flower and leaves

Silver finding

Nesties Labels Four

Milled Lavender Distress Ink

(sorry the photos a bit dark - couldn't get a decent one, so this one will have to do.)

I'd like to just say thank you to Chrissie and Mandi for featuring one of my cards on the Showcase - I'm dead chuffed.

That's it for now, hope to be round to visit some blogs this evening. Have a good afternoon.

Sue.x

My first LOTV

2011-04-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

The roses are really lilac and not the pinky shade they look in the photo - my camera skills not at their best yet again.

As promised, here is my first LOTV (I'm sure it won't be my last). I bought her at the NEC a couple of weeks ago. I didn't know which one to choose as there are so many gorgeous stamps, but I thought this would be a nice one for Mother's Day.

I coloured the image with Faber Castell pencils (dusted off as I haven't used them since being bitten by the Prisma and then Promarker bug). I thought this image would look nice in watercolours, but I think I will go for Promarkers next time.

The papers are Pink Petticoat, again I thought they were pretty enough for my mom.

I also used Nesties labels two, some Anita's Grosgrain ribbon and computer generated sentiment. The roses are from Hobbycraft and are a matching shade of lilac, but for some reason look pinkish in the photo. The leaves were cut out on my Silhouette.

Mom really loved her card and told me that she'd been disappointed at Christmas to receive a shop bought card (I ran out of time - shameful I know I should have done Mom's first, but I wanted to do her something special, but couldn't get the inspiration and then panicked that I wouldn't get it to her on time). It's so nice to have your cards appreciated - I have read on some forums of people receiving comments like 'don't be so tight, why don't you buy a card instead of making them'. If only they realised how much more it costs to buy all our craft stuff not to mention the time and effort we put into all our creations.

Sue.x

Less is more - A touch of red

2011-04-04T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hi folks. Here we have another challenge from the brilliant Less is more girls, Mandy and Chrissie.

This week is to make a card with a touch of red, and here's my card. The image is a Rubber Romance stamp which was stamped with a Memento inkpad and her lips coloured with a red Promarker. The sentiment is from Creative Expressions. Finally I added a feather.

I've got my mother's day card to add later if I get chance. My daughter's back from Uni for Easter and she takes over the desk, computer and my little craft area. Unfortunately, it will be a matter of jumping in when she takes a little break - aw shucks!

Sue.x

Less is more - Week 8

2011-03-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

I should really be getting on with my Mother's Day card, but I didn't want to miss the less is more challenge. This week it's a sketch:

And as it's so quick to make a card for this challenge - I managed to squeeze this one in.

I used a black piece of cardstock for the base. Added a border cut from my Silhouette and a flower which was also cut from the Silhouette and coloured with Distress inks. I added a pearl in the centre to finish. Oh - nearly forgot, the sentiment is from HoTP, stamped with Versamark ink and embossed with Detail white embossing powder.

Ok! I really must get on with Mom's card, but before I go I would just like to thank all the Less is More community and my usual lovely followers for all the comments that have been left lately. I'm really chuffed.

Sue.x

Phew, what a week....

2011-03-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

it's been. March is a really busy month for me. My husband, daughter, niece, sister, brother in law, work colleague and friend's son all have birthday's within a few days/weeks of each other, and to top it all it was my daughter's 21st last weekend so I had to get a scrapbook done as well as cards for them all.

I've been pretty busy shopping for pressies, going out with the family to celebrate my daughter and niece's joint 21st and then spending this last weekend in London, so haven't had not much time for blogging. Although I did manage to squeeze in the Hobbycraft show at the NEC last Thursday (I bought a few goodies, but would have liked to have spent a whole load more - you know how it is!). I'm hoping for a less hectic week next week.

Right, on to the card. As I didn't get chance to photograph my daughter's card before she popped off back to uni, I have my brother in law's card to show you.

It's a familiar character, I used him for a card a few posts ago, it's Alf with beer from the Digistamp Boutique, I think he's suitable for many male cards (or maybe it's just the ones I know. lol).

The papers are DCWV again. I bought a whole pile of these from QVC ages ago when it was on offer at a great price, but they've just been sitting in my stash until recently. The sentiment was done on the computer using Accord SF font (thanks to Kerry - http://aloadofoldpickle.blogspot.com/ for the link to this one) and Alf has been coloured with Promarkers.

I'm hoping to get my Mother's day card done in the next couple of days and then get round to visiting some blogs to see what everyone has been up to, until then, enjoy the rest of the week!

Sue.x

Less is more challenge - Masculine

2011-03-20T10:37:00.000-07:00

Afternoon all! Hope you're having a lovely Sunday - well rested and looking forward to a new week!

I'm quicker off the mark this week with my entry into the http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/ challenge. The theme for this week is masculine, always a bit daunting for most of us I think.

For my card I've used all Clarity stamps inked with Adirondack Pitch black and I've also used the same technique as in my last post - masking off an area and adding Vintage Photo Distress Ink. A very easy, quick card.

I'm off now to visit as many entries into the Less is More challenge as I can this afternoon, before tucking into my lamb dinner. yummy, can't wait.

Sue.x

Less is more week 6 - Off the edge

2011-03-18T02:42:00.000-07:00

Phew! Only just made this week's lessismore challenge, but the beauty of these one layer cards is that they are so quick to do.

For this card I simply masked off an area, applied Versacolor Orchid ink using a brush and stamped the butterfly (starting off the edge of course). I added a bit more of the ink on the wings of the butterflies and then stamped my sentiment. How quick is that!!!

The butterfly stamps are Hero Arts Antique Engravings and the sentiment stamp is Stampin Up!

Another great challenge from Chrissie and Mandi, I really do enjoy taking part. Can't wait to see what they come up with tomorrow.

Sue.x

Baby Boy

2011-03-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Hope you're well. We have a lovely, sunny, spring like day here in the Midlands today - at last! Not sure it's here to stay - rain forecast for tomorrow. Oh well!

For today I've another quick and simple card and here's what I used:

Eline's baby digi download from Cuddly Buddly

Prismas and Promarkers

Pink Petticoat paper

Sentiment done on the computer using Bookworm font

Papermania brads

'Cause my Promarkers seeped through to the back of the card a little bit, I've cut my card to 5 x 5 and mounted onto 6 x 6 card - problem solved.

Bye for now

Sue.x

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 155 Happy 3rd Birthday

2011-03-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hi folks! Sorry but another really quick post today. March is always a busy month for me, loads of birthdays and these last couple of weeks I seem to have been rushing from pillow to post.

Anyway, onto the card:

Another of my winning digis from the Digistampboutique - Misty

Papers are Shabby Princess

Image coloured with Promarkers

Stampin up word window punch

Bookworm font for the sentiment

Flower from stash

I'm going to enter this into cutecardthursday challenge for this week. The theme is birthday with the optional addition of it being for a three year old as it's their 3rd birthday.

Thanks for dropping by and for any comments you leave. Hope to pop round to visit you all soon.

Sue.x

Card made using my Digistamp Boutique prize

2011-03-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

Here's my first card made with one of the digistampboutique images I won from the Charisma cardz challenge.

I've used Alf with beer - he's been coloured with Promarkers.

The background paper is DCWV that I've had in my stash for yonks.

The sentiment was done on the computer (Bookworm font) and punched out with Stampin Up word window punch.

I'm going to enter this card into the following challenges:

http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-90-theme.html

http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-89-card-project-for-male.html

Sorry for the quick post - not enough hours in the day.

Sue.x

Less is more challenge and my Charisma Cardz challenge win

2011-03-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Afternoon all, hope you're well!

This is my card for this week's http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/ challenge. The theme is to use pastel.

I'm later than usual with this one and have to admit to struggling a bit with it. First I had a loss of mojo - I just couldn't think of what to do, and then when I decided, I just couldn't get the positioning of the petals right. I've chucked away 3 or 4 pieces of card. I nearly threw in the towel!

The stamp set I used is Stamping Up's Pick a Petal - stamped in Versacolour Orchid and black for the outline stamp.

The sentiment is also Stampin Up.

I used my Scor Pal to emboss the lines around the edge of the card and a saucer to create the stem of the flower.

I just have to share this with you.

I was lucky enought to win last week's charismacardz challenge for this card, and here's what a won:

Six fabulous stamps from the digistampboutique. Aren't the fab! I'm dead chuffed as I love Sally'Ann's images. Can't wait to have a play with them.

Bye for now, and thanks for stopping by.

Sue.x

Two posts in one day

2011-03-05T07:27:00.000-08:00

Two posts in one day - very unlike me, but I have managed to get another card done that I want to enter into the next few challenges:

http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-145-5th-march-2011-sponsored-by.html

http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-9-four-legged-friends.html

http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-88-anniversary-theme.html

The gorgeous image is a colouring page, sorry but I haven't a clue where from.

The papers are Pink Petticoat

I used Promarkers to colour

Quickutz Silhouette for the border

Crafts too flower punch

Little pearls from stash

Paula Pascual sentiment

Circle Nesties

Here's a close up:

Ahhh, ain't they cute!

Right, I really must crack on with making my daughter's scrapbook. She's 21 in a couple of weeks' time and I only done 2 pages so far.

Sue.x

Forever Friends Birthday

2011-03-05T04:24:00.000-08:00

Hi folks. Hope you're enjoying the weekend so far. I was hoping to get into the garden this weekend (I've got some Lupins to plant), but it's so cold I've decided to give it a miss and stay in my little craft room instead.

Here's what I've been up to so far. It's quite a simple layout again. Here's what I used:

Forever Friends stamp

Adirondack Ink: Espresso

Promarkers: Ivory, Satin, Vanilla and Oatmeal

Crafts Too embossing folder

Rectangel and circle Nesties

Paula Pascual sentiment stamp

Anita's ribbon

I stamped the image with Espresso ink and am much happier with the result. I think black is a bit harsh for some images.

Thanks for dropping by and for any comments you may leave. Bye for now.

Sue.x

21st Birthday

2011-03-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

You know one of those cards you wish you hadn't started and gone out and bought one instead, this is said card!

Because it's my niece's 21st I wanted to do her something different to my usual square cards. No problem with the constructions of the base card. The problems came with the rest of the card, I couldn't make up my mind where to position things, whether to mat the 21 onto a Nesties rectangle and then position it onto the base card or stick it directly on, etc.,etc, etc. It's been a nightmare. Anyway, hope she likes it, especially as it took soooo long to make.

I've decided to enter this into the following challenges:

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/03/anything-goes.html

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/02/allsorts-week-92-make-your-own-flowers.html
http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-89-theme.html

My optional additon of something old to my Papertake card is my Bella image - she is one of the first ones I bought some years ago.

Sue.x

Charisma Cardz Challenge - Week 8 Black, white and one other colour

2011-02-27T08:40:00.000-08:00

How gorgeous are these Hero Arts butterfly stamps? - I've had them since my birthday last October and, yet again , a set that has never been inked before today! Shameful!

I used a nestie to emboss around the Love stamp in the centre of the card and then stamped the butterflies directly onto the card and then again on another piece of card, cut them out and added some Faded Jeans Distress Ink to the wings and then decoupaged on top. I've added a few blue crystals along the body.

And that's it. Another very quick card.

I'm going to enter this into the charismacardz challgeng which is for a black, white and one other colour card.

Sue.x

Less is more challenge 4 - 3 Squares

2011-02-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

3 S Q U A R E S

This is the challenge Chrissie and Mandi at the lessismoore challenge has set for this week.

If you haven't yet visited the ladies at their challenge blog, please do, as they also have hints, tips and tutorials on a range of techniques. Worth a visit.

Well, I can't believe I've been so quick off the mark. I think this must be a record for me, getting a card in on the first day of a challenge.

For my card I've used a Nesties square and embossed it three times onto a piece of card and then stamped my images into the centre and added a bit of Distress Ink around the edges. The card has been mounted onto a piece of black card which has been punced at the bottom with the Martha Stewart Doily punch. I've added some gold ribbon from my stash and mounted the whole lot onto some nice linen effect card.

The picture is a bit dark I'm afraid. I think I've spent more time trying to get a decent picture than it did to make the card, so this will have to do.

Hubby is off to Wembley tomorrow to watch the cup final, so I have the whole day to myself - what joy! I will be in my little craft room crafting away to my heart's content.

Sue.x

Less is more - Week 3

2011-02-22T07:12:00.000-08:00

For this card I've used sketch pens in my Silhouette to sketch the tulip. I really like the sketch images you can get from the Silhouette shop, and like a digi stamp, you can decide on the size of your image. I used Promarkers to colour the tulip.

The poem has been done on the computer.

I'm going to enter this into the lessismoore challenge for this week has a theme of spring. Another great challenge from Mandi and Chrissie.

Also, the allsorts challenge entitled 'Inspired by Nature'

Less is more challenge two - OLC

2011-02-16T12:57:00.000-08:00

The lessismore second challenge is for a OLC (one layer card if you haven't come across the abbreviation before), with a theme of a flower or a tree.

Again, I've dug out a stamp that's been stashed away forever and never been used. I think it looks really striking on the white card base. I've simply stamped it with a Memento black inkpad, coloured with Promarkers and then added some embossed lines around the edge of the card and a few diagonally.

After a visit to Kerry's (A load of old pickle) blog, she's a link to another challenge which this card would fit into:
http://stampfairychallenge.blogspot.com/
The theme for this challenge is white with a touch of colour.

Sue.x

New baby

2011-02-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon all! Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Today's offering is a baby card featuring this oh so cute digi image by Eline Pellinkhoff which can be bought from here for just 99p. I've coloured the baby with Promarkers and used Prisma pencils for the basket (I didn't have the colours I wanted to use in my Promarker collection just yet).

The nappy pin is a Sizzlit from Sizzix and the background paper is just what I had in my stash. The sentiment was done on the computer.

Now just for a change (lol) I'm going to enter this card into another Clean and Simple challenge at http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by and bye for now.x

Less is more

2011-02-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

A new challenge has just started this week, called Less is more, which as you all know is my favourite kinda card. The challenge for this week is black, white and pink - a fab colour combo.

This was so quick and easy to do - I used my rollagraph wheel and Versafine Onyx black of the image at the bottom of the card; some Anna Griffin pink ribbon; a punched out butterfly and a couple of tiny pink crystals and a sentiment stamp by Stampin Up. Voila! Finished.

Photo Inspiration & Banish the Blues

2011-02-04T06:11:00.000-08:00

Hooray, it's the weekend, hope you've all had a good week!

I've made a card for the aspoonfullofsugarchallenge and cutecardthursday challenges.

A spoon full of sugar's challenge is a photo inspiration - to use red, pink and orange on your card and Cute Card Thursday is for a card to banish the blues using a funny image or sentiment.

I think this digi image from bugaboostamps fits the bill and I've used orange, pink and red papers, all from Anna Griffin.

The image has been coloured with Prisma pencils and I've added some stitching around the papers for an added effect.

I may as well just pop this card on too, while I'm at it:

I wanted to make a card using some stash that I've had for ages and not got round to using yet. The stamp is a beautiful background stamp by Anna Griffin, stamped with an Anna Griffin inkpad and then embossed. The punch I bought from the NEC in November. The sentiment I bought in the Stampin Up sale. The brad is from Papermania - again, another kit I've had stashed away for ages.

Thanks for dropping by and have a good weekend.x

Another valentine

2011-01-30T07:48:00.000-08:00

Afternoon folks, hope you're enjoying the weekend!

I've another Valentine's card to share with you - I know I said I didn't have many stamps that fit into the love theme, but I thought I this Forever Friends stamp would fit the bill.

These are the ingredients I used:

Scalloped heart and hear shape cut out on the Silhouette
Heart paper - Pink Petticoat
Cuttlebug heart embossing folder
Forever Friends stamp
Promarkers
Sizzix label
Do craft word stamp and Vintage photo distress ink
Versafine red in
Ribbon from stash

I'm going to enter this card into the aspoonfullofsugar challenge. The theme is - you guessed it - Valentine's!

I'm off now to start the dinner - yummy. Looking forward to Sunday lunch!

Bye for now and thanks for stopping by.x

Been brayering again..............

2011-01-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

...so I could enter a card into the oldiebutagoodie challenge. The theme is to make a card featuring a fairy, mermaid, dragon, or any other mythical being. You must use a stamp that you've owned for at least 6 months and you can't use a digi image to be eligible to win the prize on offer.

I only own two stamps that fall into this category and both are fairies from Lavinia stamps which cry out for a brayered background. This is what I used:

Adirondack eggplant and butterscotch ink pads
Versafine onyx black to stamp the images
Lavinia fairy and toadstool stamps
Clarity grass stamp
Habico vine and pebbles stamps
Brayer

I used a punch out circle to mask the moon and matted onto some SU purple cardstock and then onto a white A5 card blank.

This was such a fun card to make, \nd although my hands were covered in ink by the time I'd finished, I think I'll be doing more of this technique!

Hope you enjoy your weekend.Bye for now.x

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-01-22T06:57:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, hope you're enjoying the weekend so far, despite the cold, miserable weather. All the more reason to stop in and enjoy some crafting.

I made this card to enter into two challenges.

http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com/2011/01/challenge-49-kiss-keep-it-sweet-simple.html
http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/01/week-82-theme_18.html

Passion for Promarkers challenge is entitled 'All you need is love' and the I heart Promarkers is KISS - Keep it Sweet and Simple.

As you all know, CAS is my favoured style, so this was an easy one for me, but I am very lacking in any love themed stamps (hubby and I have never really been into the Valentine thing - not the greatest pair of romantics), but I have dug this digistampboutique image out that I bought last year to make a card for my daughter. He's still very cute! I used Promarkers (of course) to colour him in and decoupaged the ribbon around the heart. I used rectangle nesties to cut him out and matted onto scalloped rectangle. The background card was run through the Wizard using a Cuttlebug embossing folder. The sentiment is from Paula Pasqual which is also mounted onto a circle scalloped nestie. The ribbon is from stash.

I've got to say bye for now as I think I'm about to be dragged out for a long walk by hubby - we have to get rid of some of our Christmas excess - not really looking forward to this!

Thanks for dropping bye.x

Sketch and Stamp Challenge 53

2011-01-18T08:35:00.000-08:00

My first challenge entry for a while is this sketch on the sketchandstash challenge blog.

And this is the card I made for it:

The second part of the challenge is to use something new or neglected from your stash. I've used a new Forever Friends stamp that I bought from the Glitter Pot sale after Christmas. A bargain at £2.24.

I stamped the image and then cut out with a circle nestie and coloured with Promarkers (Vanilla, Ginger and Peach). I used scalloped nesties to mount and the background papers I've had in my stash for ages and finally a few Prima flowers with buttons from Papermania capsule collected for the centres.

Thanks for dropping by and have a good week.x

Love shoes

2011-01-15T05:04:00.000-08:00

My daughter asked for a card for her friend's 21st birthday and when I asked her what sort of card she said 'one with shoes'.

I remebered I had this gorgeous digi stamp from Just Inklined. They call it a wedding shoe, but I decided to use it as a birthday card after seeing it in similar colours on jakheath's blog.

I did the sentiment on the computer so I could personalise it with the birthday girl's name and added a few swirls around the edges a la Jak's card. I decoupaged the front of the shoe to give a bit of dimension, although you probably can't see this on the photo. The image has been coloured with Promarkers.

Hope you like it, I was quite pleased how it turned out.

I'm hoping to get some time to do some blog visits tomorrow to see if you're all back to creating after the Christmas break. Have a good day.x

My first card of 2011

2011-01-12T07:21:00.000-08:00

My first card for 2011 - a really quick and easy CAS card.

I remembered yesterday it's a colleague at work's birthday tomorrow and I needed to get a card done quick smart, and here it is.

I started with 6x6 card and used a square nestie to emboss the centre before adding the cupcake image and sentiment from the Crazy for Cupcakes set by Stampin Up. I then stamped it onto holographic silver card and cut out the case, then another one onto off white card and layered them together. I added red glaze to the sprinkles and a touch of yellow to the candle flame. To finish I added some ribbon and a bow. Easy peasy - just how I like it!

Thanks for stopping by and have a good week.x

From this.........................

2011-01-12T07:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you all, I hope you had a great Christmas, sorry it's a bit belated but I've been a bit busy with my very good intentions of being more organised in my craft space.

One job I managed to get done - and, boy, what a tideous job it's been, was to organise my ribbons. As you can see above they were in one big mess. So, I set about putting them onto some 2" wide strips of card and have gone to this:

Now I can select the ribbon I want at a glance - a job well worth doing.