Less is More Spiders and Insects

For a change to Christmas cards, I was glad to take part in this week's Less is More challenge which is

Spiders or Insects

Although the theme conjures up Halloween and all things spooky I decided to use my Card-io stamps which aren't at all spooky but the challenge is open to interpretation, so here's my card:

And here's it is a bit closer - you can see my little critters a bit better.

That was a fun card to do - but I suppose I'd better be getting on with my Christmas cards again.

Oh! btw the sentiment stamp is from my trusty Paula Pascual set.

Have a good Sunday and thank you for dropping by.

Sue.x

Less is More Challenge 268

WHAT'S OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW?

The challenge from the Less is More team is to create a card using your imagination or dreams of the scene outside your window.  

Here's my card:

We have a cheeky little robin who spends most of the day flitting in and out of our garden, chasing off any other little birds that dare come onto his patch.  And as spring is now officially here I thought I could get away with a bit of blossom on the branch (my Magnolia is just about to burst open - can't wait).

I used the following:
Branch die - Kimono range from Crafter's Companion
Bird - Memory Box
Nestabilities Small Labels
Stampin Up Word Window Punch
Paula Pascual sentiment stamp
Promarkers

I also used a cloud stencil cut out on my Cameo and Adirondack Winter Sky inkpad.

Thank you for dropping by.

Sue.x

Less is More - Wishing

I was so thrilled to be showcased in last week's Less is More Challenge.  Thank you ladies, it was such a lovely surprise.

Here is the spec for the challenge this week:

                                                             It's One Layer time

This title this time is 

WISHING!

You don't necessarily have to have that word on your card, but the sentiment or design should reflect the theme!

Greetings cards are all about sending good wishes to someone, so it shouldn't cause too many problems... the one layer element is another matter of course!

DO remember that white space and try not to add too many embellishments!

Here's my card:

I love Card-io stamps - I have more of them than any other stamps in my collection and I've choosen the Pretty Impatients set for this card.  I added the birds from another 

Card-io set called Feathered Friends.  The sentiment is from Paula Pascual.  All the inks are Versa Color.  

For more inspiration why not drop over to the Less is More website and check out the DT cards.

Thank you for dropping by.

Sue.x

CASology - Week 161

Anyone who has visited my blog over the years know that CAS is my favourite kind of card and I've had a little time to create something for the CASology challenge this week which calls for Plaid.  The Design Team have come up with lots of lovely inspiration if you care to pop over and take a look.

Here's my card:

The cute elephant is from the Silhouette store and I used the fill pattern function for the plaid ear which I printed twice and decoupaged for a bit of dimension.  I also added a sequin to the heart.

The sentiment is a Paula Pasqual stamp.

Thanks for dropping by.

Sue.x

Less Is More sketch - Take 2

Ooooh! I like this sketch so much I made another:

I used the Print and Cut option on my Cameo to colour the heart border.  The sentiment is from Paula Pascual and a few Hotfix crystals.  

Thanks for visiting.

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

I made a boob

with my LIM card in my last post that is!

The theme is a one layer card and I used double sided tape which may or may not be a layer!!! I really never gave it a thought and as the jury is out on it I've made another card to get me off the naughty step.LOL.

The background stripes have been stamped with a Hero Arts stamp and Spun Sugar Distress ink.  I then used a stencil template and some stencil paint for the branches.  The sentiment is from Paula Pascual.  


Sue.x

Less is more - red and orange

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

Less is more week 34 - Sketch

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 Challenge Week 14 - Colour challenge - White on White

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

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

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

Two posts in one day

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

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

Happy Valentine's Day

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

More Baubles

Two posts in one weekend! That's quite a turn up, lol.  Anyway, just thought I'd share the card I made this afternoon.  Really quick and easy.  I've used the Paula Pasqual stamps set again - it's turned into my favourite stamp set ever!  I used a Peony Versacolor stamp pad for the baubles and black Memento for the the rest.  The Merry Christmas is a HOTP stamp and for finishing touches I added some embossed lines in the corner and was lucky enough to find some satin ribbon in the perfect colour to match the baubles.  Quite a modern looking card I think.  I must go and have a lie down in a dark room now after all this exersion, lol.  Thanks for popping by. X

A few more Christmas cards finished

I've not ventured into my craft room much recently, I've been so cold that I've remained firmly huddled in front of the fire.  But, today I've been determind so wrapped a blanket around my lap and beavered away to complete a few more cards.  Here they are:

I used Paula Pasqual and HOTP snowflake stamps for the background and an old Happy Christmas stamp (not sure who makes this) for the sentiment which has been layered using a mixture of Nesties and scalloped squares cut on my Silhouette and a bit of ribbon to finish.

The next two were inspired by Sarita:

I used my Paula Pascual stamp set and stamped in black and gold for the card above and black and silver for this one:

And finally, this card is probably committing a cardinal sin for dedicated stampers, but I used a CD to print off the image.  It's from the Joanna Sheen Enchanted Christmas collection and I do love all the vintage images featured on the CD - I have this romantic vision of how wonderful to have lived back in Victorian times with horse drawn carriages, living by candlelight and no noise from aeroplanes, cars and trains (I am very noise intollerant).  A slower pace of life appeals to me, although life was probably pretty miserable and hard for most people back then, so I think I'd rather stick to the 21st century and my central heating.  Perhaps a set of ear plugs would also be useful.

I love this pyramage image, I think she's sooo beautiful.  The wording was done on the computer and I added some gold embossing along the edge and a bit of ribbon.

Have a lovely weekend everyone and I hope the snow is beginning to disappear where you are - It's becoming a bit of a drag now! X

Cut it out

Our telephone line developed a fault on Saturday evening, so we've been without the phone and internet since then - it's been awful, just like being cut off from the outside world.  A nice man from BT came and fixed it today, thank goodness.

Now we're back in the land of the living, I popped onto the papertakeweekly.blogspot and found their challenge for this week is called 'Cut it out', and to enter you simply had to use a punched shape or a die cut on your card. So, here's my entry:

It's back to my normal CAS look for this one.  I cut the snowflake out using my Silhouette machine and added Diamond dust Twinklets to it.  The Sentiment is from Paula Pascual and the ribbon from Hobbycraft.  Just so the snowflake would stand out from the white background a bit better I added a piece of silver mirri card at the back.  And that's it, a really simple card.

Happy Christmas

As usual, I'm behind with my Christmas cards and desperately need to make a batch of some fast, simple cards and I think this is going to be it!

I bought this lovely Cuttlebug holly embossing folder from the Hobbycraft show last November for just £2.50 - what a bargain. 

I didn't get around to using it last year so decided to give it an airing and use it as the basis of my card.  All I've done then is add some Art Institute fine glitter, a ribbon and stamped Happy Christmas with stamps from my Paula Pascual set.

Now I've sorted that, I'd better get on with the mass production. x

First Christmas Card

I know many of you are very organised and start your Christmas cards really early, but I am not one of those people - I'm usually finishing off the last of mine on Christmas Eve.  Not the best idea!  Well, at least I've made a start with this card today.


The stamps are another set from Paula Pascual (you may have noticed from previous posts that I've used some of her sentiment stamps quite a lot lately). I love this set - it's just stylish and gorgeous.


This was such a quick card to make  - I already had the border cut out (using my Silhouette) and the embossed lines done - so the stamping literally took minutes.  I used a Boysenberry Versacolor ink pad to stamp the images and then  a 1" circle punch to cut them out and attached with 3D foam.


It's a plain and simple card, so I'm going to enter it into the allsortschallenge for this week - the theme is 'Plain and Simple'. 

Sooooorry - even more CAS

Sorry, but I'm just rolling these CAS cards off like nobody's business - I  know I keep repeating myself, but I just love how quick it is to make a card in this style.

Having said that, this one did involve making the flower.  I  used my Silhouette and a cutting file from here and a Versacolour ink pad to colour the petals.  I dug out a big tub of pearls that I've had for years in my stash (I bought them from Ideal World when Alan & Barry were presenters - that's how long ago) which I have never quite known what to use them for until a little flash of inspiration the other day.  I used my hot glue gun to stick a pretty pink pearl in the middle of the flower and I think it just finishes it nicely. The background panel if a beautiful Cuttlebug folder matted onto some green card.  The sentiment is again from the Paula Pascual set.

Hope you like it! x