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