Less is More Challenge - Use Designer Paper in a CAS Way

This week's theme for the lessismore challenge is to use designer paper in a CAS way.  A great challenge as always from Chrissie and Jen and it gave me the opportunity to use my new Fairy Lights papers from Pink Petticoat, which is currently on offer at half price from the boutique (a bargain as it's stuffed full of papers, christmas tree images and sentiment).  

Here's my card:

While I'm here I thought I would just add this card I made using the Sizzix Flip-It die I bought at the NEC.  It was such a bargain - £16.99 for 11 dies in the set.  I used some HOTP paper and some other dies to try a Vintage style - a look I really love but I'm not very good at.  I used several different stamps including Kaisercraft Music sheet, HOTP holly and Paula Pascual number:

I'm sure I'll get lots of use out of this set and may even invest in other shapes. I'm sure they'll be just as good with a CAS look.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Sue.x

Less is More - Thanks

I think I may be entering an arty phase, lol.  I bought myself a Gelliplate from Barbara Gray at the Hobbycraft show on Friday and I can't wait to have a go with it.  In the meantime I dug out my Adirondacks and Inkylicious brushes to have a go at this week's lessismoore challenge that should be a OLC and should also be a thank you card.

Here's mine:

I cut three squares in a piece of 5 x 7 copy paper and used it as a template to ink through with Adirondack Wild Plum and Butterscotch.

The stamp I used is from Personal Impressions - another one of those stamps I've had in my stash for years and never used.  The sentiment stamp is from Stampin Up which I do use a lot. Quite a quick and simple card to do but I did enjoy making this one.  I hope to be back soon with something I've done with the Gelliplate.  Bye for now. 

Sue.x

Less is More - String or Twine

Hope you're all well on this wet and windy day.  The weather has given me the opportunity to get a card done early for this week's lessismoore challenge.

I'm going through a bit of a Pink Petticoat phase again (I love Liz's designs and her C&S style).  I've loads of papers and images that have sadly now been retired that I really need to start using again as they're so fabulous.  I think we all get swept away with moving onto the next must have items we forget the great stuff we probably have stashed away.  

The DP on this card is from the Daisy Daisy set which was retired some time ago and the image is Lola Rose Bubbly, which is still available.  I did the sentiment on the computer and added some baker's twine and some sequins.  I used watercolour pencils to colour the image. Hope you like it:

(click on the image for a close up)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sue.x

Merry Little Christmas Tree

I've dug out a Pink Petticoat digi image for the two challenges I'd like to enter this week:

http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/week-142-theme.html

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/challenge-81-trim-tree.html

Here's my card:

Here's what I used:

Pink Petticoat digi (Pom Pom Trees)

Watercolour Pencils

Pink pearls

Glitter

Circle Nesties

Sheer ribbon

Sorry for the short and sweet post - this week has just passed me by. My OH has ruptured his Achilles tendon and is in plaster and on crutches so I'm running around like a headless answering to his beck and call (as I'm sure you can imagine).

Hope you have a good weekend.

Sue.x 

Less is More - White on White

This week's lessismore challenge is a white on white theme.  As much as I love white on white, it is a mare to photograph.  I think this is a little dark, but otherwise you wouldn't be able to see the detail in the tree.

The tree was cut from my Cameo using a download from the Silhouette store.  I covered it in Versamark ink and then added Detail Clear embossing powder to give it a little sheen and then used silicone glue to mount it onto the card giving it a bit of dimension.

The sentiment stamp is from Paula Pascual 'Large Christmas' stamp set.  It has proved my most useful Christmas stamp so far this year.

While I'm at it here's a couple more Christmas cards I've made this week:

Using IndigoBlu stamps, my Cameo to cut out the bauble aperture and Adirondack inks (and that Paula Pascual sentiment again).

Using Penny Black Leaping Deer, Hampton Arts Snowflake and my Cameo to cut out the banner (and that Paula Pascual sentiment yet again)

Have a good weekend everyone.

And finally, I resurrected a card from last year and added another banner cut on my Cameo:

Sue.x

Dig out the Paddle Punches.....

...for two challenges I'd like to take part in this week.

http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/week-138-theme.html

http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/dies-and-punches.html

I've got a big bag full of Paddle Punches which have hardly been used and sadly gathering dust in the back of a drawer and several sheets of felt stashed away, both of which are perfect for the Less is More challenge to use felt or fabric and the Oldie but a Goodie challenge to use dies or punches.

The stamps are from Paula Pascuals 'Joyful Baubles' and one of her sentiment sets, I find her stamps very useful and I do use them alot on my cards. 

I'm not sure the hammering will go down too well with the rest of the household if I start using them too often, but I think I will keep the Paddle Punches out of the drawer for a while, it's quite therapeutic really.

Thanks for dropping by.

Sue.x

Christmas with Indigoblu

I bought this fab set of IndigoBlu stamps and MDF shapes from Create and Craft who are offering a great price on it in their sale. They're my first Indigo Blu stamps and although I don't think they are as deeply etched as Clarity or Stampin Up stamps, I really like them.  I'm really looking forward to using the stamps with the MDF shapes. I've already given given the baubles a coat of Gesso ready to paint and stamp on them.

Here's a card I made following THIS tutorial from Linda Walmsley on the IndigoBlu blog:

I also used the Flitter Glue and Flakes (Brighton Pier) which were a bit messy but I love the finished result:

I dotted a piece of acetate with an Inkssentials Opaque White pen and some colour to the bird and Christmas tree with coloured pencils.

The sentiment is from HOTP 

Here's the inside of the card:

I used inkdusters for the snowdrifts and my Clarity moonshadow stamp then added a bit of Glamourdust.

Although I enjoyed making the card it was a bit time consuming so I don't think it will be my main Christmas card - only for a few special people.

Here's what was in the set (for just under £38 including postage):

I have already given the MDF shapes a coat of Gesso.

A bargain me thinks.

I'll let you see the finished baubles at a later date.

Thanks for dropping by.

Sue.x

A little bird told me........

I made a very simple card using this cute stamp from Papermania that I picked up in the sale at Melbicks today:

I started by printing my sentiment onto a piece of 5 x 5 card.

Next I made my own Washi Tape using Microporous tape and a background stamp from Waltzing Mouse and stuck it to my card.  You can find loads of Youtube clips using different methods to make your own tape (Chrissie at LIM has described how she made her own).

Here's a bit of a close up of the Washi:

I then stamped my image twice. Once onto the base card and a second time onto DP by K&Co which I cut out and stuck onto the card.  Finally, I used a 6 x 6 base card to mount my picture.

I'm going to enter this into three challenges:

http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/week-134-recipe-washi-tape.html
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/challenge-284-things-with-wings.html
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/182-you-can-stick-it.html

Thanks for visiting.

Sue.x

Four cards in a day - wow!

I've a few cards to share with you today! Each a different style.  I find that C&S is my usual favourite but now and again I do like a play.

My first card is definitely C&S and was made using some fab new stamps I bought from the Great British Craft Festival on Saturday.  You can find them here.  I haven't seen them before but loved the style straight away. I'm sure more of their stamps will find their way into my stash at some point.

For this card I used stamps from two different sets:

Ornamental Frames and Dressed to Kill.  The frames are fabulous and will have endless use I'm sure.

I just used Prismas to add a bit of colour and a ribbon and that's it for a very C&S card.

Next, also from the GBCF I saw Ali Reeve demonstrating and loved to see her cards in the flesh, so much better than on screen when I've watched her on Create and Craft.  I decided to have a go at the card sample she had on display (and on her blog). I enjoyed doing it but not sure it will be my Christmas card to family and friends this year (probably a bit to grungy for non crafters).

You can't see from the photo but the holly frame is embossed in black and gold.

Next:

I love the new Twill Stripe papers from Pink Petticoat so decided to use them for my niece's birthday card, the modern look is perfect for her.  I made a version of the card Liz made which you can see here on her blog - I always admire her style.

The doily and butterfly were cut out with my Cameo.  The sentiment ribbon is also from Pink Petticoat and the other scallops are Spellbinders Edgeabilities and Stampin Up Scallop Border punch which I punched on both sides to create my own border.

Finally, a bit of CD crafting.  A simple Forever Friends image with a sentiment done in Digital Designer, some background paper, flower embellishment and a few pearls.

  

There you go, lots of different ways of crafting - it's never dull is it! Have a great day and thanks for dropping by.

Sue.x

Less is More Challenge -Week 131

It's wet and windy here today, but no complaints from me!  I was stagnating in the heat and am much happier with a bit of coolness around me.  I've even managed to sort my card for this week's lessismore challenge.

It's a colour challenge this week and here are the colours:

And here's my card:

I've seen this layout done lots of times by other people and wanted to use one of my much neglected Cuttlebug folders (this one is Fleur De Lys) so thought this design would be perfect.

The card is mostly Stampin Up I think, but couldn't tell you the names of the colours, sorry.

The sentiment was a free download from TLC Designs and I used Spellbinders Labels Two to mat and layer and a couple of gems and ribbon from my stash to finish.

Hope you like it.

Thanks for dropping by and hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sue.x

Card-io Stamps

I've been having a play with the Card-io Stamps I bought at the Hobbycraft show way back in March.  They are such fun and really therapeutic to use.  I spent ages just dabbing away and this is the result:

I think a bit more practice is need but I'm quite happy with the way it turned out.

Sue.x

Less is more - Handmade Flowers

Phew! I shouldn't complain but I'm going to. IT'S TOO HOT FOR ME! It's putting a dent in my mojo and I'm struggling to do anything and I mean anything.  However, I was itching to join this week's lessismore challenge so I dragged myself into my hot little craft room to take part in the theme which called for Handmade Flowers, which I love, and this MFT roses die has been waiting to be used all year so I couldn't miss this opportunity.

Here's my entry:

I used:

Scribble Flower from Anita

MFT Mini Rolled Roses die

Felt for the roses

Stampin Up Scallop Punch

Sizzix Original Leaf die

Papermania Bonding Powder and Hot Foils

Sentiment from stash

It's difficult to tell from picture, but I used Papermania Hot Foils for the Scribble Flower. I'm not too impressed with it so far as I've got speckles all over the place (although I think the effect is ok with this particular stamp).  If anyone has any tips on how to use these it would be appreciated.

Here's a close up - you should be able to see the shine from the foil:

Thanks for visiting. I hope you're coping better with the heat than me.  I'm off for a very cool bath.

Sue.x

Hooray

At long last I have my desk back for good.  No more snatching a bit of time here and there to make a card. My daughter has finished her studies after a long and gruelling 10 months, so my long forgotten crafting goodies are being dusted off ready to start playing again.


Here's my card for today:

And I'm entering it into the following challenges:

http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/challenge-174-colour-combo.html
Use the colour combo pink and blue (I hope I can get away with that strip of green at the bottom).

http://abc-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/p-for-pretty-in-pink.html
Pink has to be the main focal colour

and

http://charismacardz.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/challenge-25-recipe.html

My recipe for the challenge is:

3 ribbons (from stash)
2 crystals (in the centre of the flowers - the blue flower has a black dot done with a Promarker)

1 punch (Stampin Up scalloped edge punch)

The stamp is from the Pink Petticoat Pretty Potties collection which were free in the May copy of Quick Cards Made Easy.  I coloured in with Promarkers and added a bit of glitter which you probably can't see from the picture.  The background paper is also from Pink Petticoat.

Hope you like it. I'm off to carry on playing - ohhhh where to start!

Sue.x

Less is more - Hexagons

This is my entry for this weeks challenge:

The challenge is to use hexagons on your card.  For mine I've used:

Silhouette Cameo 

Cutting file by Bird

Paper Smooches free digis

Promarkers

Ribbon and crystals from stash

Thaniks for dropping by.

Sue.x

With Sympathy

I'm always unsure whether it's appropriate to indulge my hobby to make a sympathy card or whether the right thing to do is to buy one! Have you ever questioned yourself with this one?

I decided I would make my own and have made a very clean and simple card:

I used a Cerise Promarker to do the background.

The stamp is from Inkylicious and the sentiment was done on the computer with two different fonts: Times New Roman and CAC Champagne.

I hope I don't offend the recipient with my handmade creation, although I'm sure he has other things on his mind other than my card at this sad time.

Sue.x

Less is more - OLC Film

A very quick post!  I have a new fur baby and don't want to leave him on his own for too long this evening (husband out with mates, eldest daughter in Dubai - alright for some, and youngest at theatre so just me and him tonight).

Here he is:

Isn't he just the most adorable thing you ever did see?  He's a 16 week old Lhasa Apso and he's hilarious - we're all smitten with him.

Anyway, here's my card for this week's lessismoore challenge which is a OLC with a theme of 'Film'.

Can you guess my film?

'Memoirs of a Geisha'

I cut a circle from the centre of a piece of paper and laid it over my card and then used ink dusters to create the background - a mix of Adirondack and Distress inks.  The stamps are mainly Kanban but the Geisha is a miniature Clarity Stamp. She's just the right size to go with this set of stamps.  I drew the birds using a fine tip marker.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sue.x

Nine weeks and counting.........

......till I get my craft room and computer desk back!  The LPC nearly done (for those that haven't visited before, my daughter has been doing her Law Practice Course since last September and has needed my desk to work on, hence lack of posts, cardmaking and blogging.

Here's what I've managed to do while she's been out today:

This is for my niece - she'll be fourteen next month and I thought this digi by Mo Manning would be perfect.  

The faux Kraft card started as a piece of white card and Pink Petticoat Kraft download paper - turned out pretty well, but a little too dark for me.

The DP is DCWV that's been in my stash forever.

I really like the rub-on 'Giggle' - again found at the bottom of my stash and the image coloured with Promarkers.

The sentiment stamps is from a Paula Pasqual collection and I've used Nesties and Stampin Up punches.

Finally a bit of ribbon and some Craftwork Cards Candi.

I'm going to enter this into this week's Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/toddlersteens-and-in-betweens.html

and

The ABC Challenge

http://abc-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/k-for-kraft-1st-april.html

Now on to my next card:

I used my Creative Expressions stamps for this - I really like this set.

I stamped the glass and bottle then masked off to do the orange circle behind (again this was done with a circle mask and ink dusters and Distress Inks.

The sentiment is a Clarity Stamp.

The table was done with Hero Arts Wood grain stamp and I stamped around the edges with a crackle background stamp.

Hope you like them.

Look forward to being back soon and thank you for popping by.

Sue.x

A few more embellisments........

I've added a few pearls to a card I posted a few days ago using my new gadget from the Hobbycraft show at the NEC - a Hotfix Rhinestone applicator.  Don't ya just hate fiddling with those tiny crystals/rhinestones, trying to get a blob of glue onto the back and getting it onto your card without it squishing out all over the place? I did, so that's why I decided to treat myself to this:

This is the original card:

 And this is it with the Hotfix pearls added to it:

Dead easy to do and really quick.  The rhinestones and pearls are really cheap to buy too.  My new favourite tool.

Sue.x

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!  I hope you all have a lovely holiday weekend, despite the weather!

Here's a couple of cards I've made over the last couple of days:

This one is for my BIL - the dreaded male card:

I love this clock stamp by Kaisercraft.  I stamped and embossed it with Black Soot distress ink and then used Inkylicious blending brushes to add some colour -I used Pumice Stone and Vintage Photo Distress Inks.

The 'Birthday' was cut out with my Cameo and the rest of the sentiment is from Stick n Stamp.  I had a bunch of bottle caps in my stash for ages so thought I'd add one for a bit of interest.  Here it is close up:

I punched a piece of the clock stamp and then put an epoxy sticker over the top.  I really like it.

A bit of string just finished it off.

The next one is for my little niece:

I'm still loving my Tatty Teddy cd - I don't usually do decoupage but I thought I'd give it a go for this one.

The background paper and sentiment is also from the cd.  He's just so cute!

Sue.x

Frame It

Here's my card for this week's Less Is More challenge 'Frame It'.

I used a Card-io set of stamps (the tiny stamps that are fixed onto pegs and you build up a picture with them) for my frame around the sentiment (Clarity Stamp). 

I then cut it out with a Grand Nestie circle and mounted it onto 3d foam.  The card base was embossed using a Creative Couture embossing folder (Tied Together).  I finally added a tiny purple bow.

Thanks for dropping by.

Sue.x

Something different

Sorry it's been such a long time, my daughter's still working her way through the LPC (Law Practice Course) before she can start her job as a trainee solicitor this coming September.  If you've been a regular visitor to my blog you'll know that I've had to give up my desk and crafting area for her to work on, hence the lack of posts.  Hopefully, come June when she's finished things will get back to normal and my craft room will be all mine again! 

Here are a couple of things I've managed to squeeze in when she's out and I sneak onto my desk.  

I bought a plain MDF birdhouse shape from a craft fair at the Motorcycle Museum near the NEC - it was from a company called Katz & Co Craft which I decorated with papers, flowers, Memory Box and Spellbinder dies.

And here is another card I made for my niece using Fashion Divas cd from Debbi Moore. She loved it.

I've got another card to upload a bit later - once I can get a decent photo of it, so will be back with another post. 

Thanks for dropping by.

Sue.x

My second Less is More - One Layer Card

 

 

Here's my second card for the Less is More challenge for this week - a one layer card with little or no embellishments and should feature music.

 

I've used the same Kaisercraft and Paula Pascqual stamps from my previous post and added some Tea Die and Vintage Photo ink.  The musical note was cut out with my Cameo.

 

Sue.x

 



Less is More week 106 One Layer

Hi everyone! Hope you're well!

 

Whoa! Where did those two months go?  It's been a long time since I last posted and tbh I haven't really missed it - it does makes you realise how much time is taken up by the whole blog thing and how much more time could be used doing other things. 

 

Anyways,I've gotten a new laptop and connected my little Epson printer to it so I've been able to get crafty again this weekend using the dining table in the lounge - not ideal really but better than nothing. (My daughter is still hogging my desk, computer and craft area to study - bless).

 

Here's a couple of cards I've managed to do today.

 

First my Less is More entry:

 

(I hope my flower is acceptable as a minimal embellishment.)

 

The musical script is a Kaisercraft stamp and the sentiment is from Paula Pascual.  The rose is cut from felt using a My Favourite Things die and the leaves are a Sizzix die.

 

Next:

 

I really liked the Fashion Divas cds Debbi Moore brought to Create and Craft as a Pick of the Week and actually ordered them - never bought from them before as I've seen so many bad comments about them on forums, but to give them their due - the price was good and it took just over a week to arrive so I'm very happy bunny.

 

Here's my first quick card:

 

 

  

And I made a box too:

 

 

Finally, a little card I made following a tutorial from Liz Armstrong at Pink Petticoat:

 

 

 

 

I used Pink Petticoat plain paper and cut the butterflies out on my Cameo.  I did the sentiment on the computer and my Sew Easy machine to do the stitching and added a bit of twine to finish.

 

I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed making them.  It's so nice to get creative again.

 

Have a nice weekend and I hope the snow keeps away for you.

 

Sue.x