Less is More Week #295

Hi there

Where on earth did that week go?  September seems to just be flying by, I can't believe it's Saturday again!  Well, as it IS in fact Saturday that means it's time for a new challenge over at Less is More.  It's the turn of our Recipe challenge and this week we would like to see you using...

Thread

I've got two cards to share with you this week.  And if you stop by the challenge blog you will see some fabulous creations made by my super clever teamies, and all very different too.  So head over there if you need some inspiration.

For my first card I used this fabulous die to create part of a large balloon, I had been after this die set for ages and I'm so glad I finally got my hands on it...

I started by using a striped embossing folder on just my card front.  I cut the balloon from a scrap of cardstock and blended with two Distress Inks.  I then took some blue/white twine and tied a bow onto the balloon base, leaving one long end.  I adhered the balloon to the card base and trimmed off the edges, then created some loops in the twine which I held in place with some small dabs of Glossy Accents.  I stamped the sentiment in both black and a co-ordinating blue shade and adhered the strip to the base.  To tidy up the inside of the card I added a panel of white cardstock to the reverse of the card front so that it was completely smooth.

Materials used:

• Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug - James' Set
• Die: MFT-Dienamics - Blueprints 26
• Ink: Distress Ink - Mermaid Lagoon, Peacock Feathers; Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versa Color - Lagoon Blue
• Stamp: Paper Smooches - Birthday Sampler
• Twine: Doodlebug - Brights Collection

I used some metallic thread and sequins on my second card...

I started by die cutting a horizontal strip of cardstock on either edge with a pierced zig-zag die.  I wanted to wind thread around the panel so thought the zig-zags would be ideal to hold the thread in place.  Before adding the thread I stamped the sentiment in VersaMark and heat embossed in silver.  The thread was then adhered to the reverse and I used a needle to add sequins and beads randomly as I wound it around.  The loose end was then also adhered to the reverse.  I adhered the panel with some 3D foam strips and the card was finished.  Super simple with a little bling for interest.

Materials used:

• Die: Avery Elle - Dotted Borders Dies
• Stamp: Clearly Besotted - Sweet Sentiments Plus
• Ink: VersaMark
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Silver
• Bling: Little Things from Lucy's Cards - Kaleidoscope Shaker Selection
• Silver metallic thread from stash

Thanks so much for popping by.  Today I'm taking myself off to the Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts show in Exeter just to have a look around.....pahahahaaaaa, we all know that's a big fat lie!  We crafters can never just have a look can we?! ;)

Enjoy your Saturday :)

Less is More Week #294

Hi guys

At Less is More this week we have a new Theme challenge for you and on your creations we would like to see...

Diamonds

I will admit, I really struggled with this one as my stash wasn't very forthcoming at all!  I was going to go with some geometric stamps then I thought I was sure I had a stamp of a diamond ring somewhere.  After going through my entire stash of stamps I realised the only ring stamps I had were wedding rings so I had to improvise.

Here's my card...

On some black cardstock I stamped an outline circle image and then heat embossed with some sparkly silver embossing powder.  At the same time I created a second one with normal silver powder but I preferred the added sparkle.  I die cut this with a pierced square and then matted it onto a slightly larger pierced square cut from white cardstock.  I added a lovely sparkly clear gemstone to the ring and then adhered the stacked panel to the cardbase.  A black sentiment was then stamped underneath.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Happy Little Stampers - Mix Mash; Clearly Besotted - Mr and Mrs
• Ink: VersaMark; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Embossing Powder: Wow - Metallic Silver Sparkle
• Dies: MFT Die-namics - Pierced Square Stax
• Cardstock and gemstone from stash

Challenge entries:

CAS-ual Fridays - Challenge #156 - Dimension and Bling

STAMPlorations - September Challenge - Theme & Sketch (I've used both)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Clean and Simple

My teamies have created some great projects this week to give you some inspiration so please pop over to the challenge blog and click on the links to each of their personal blogs.

We're looking forward to seeing your creations in the gallery this week.

Altenew Mega Challenge Blog Hop - Muse Card Club

Hello again!

If you missed my earlier post, today is all about this...

Altenew is teaming up with 18 challenge blogs for a MEGA Challenge Blog Hop to celebrate our wonderful crafting and cardmaking community, ahead of World Cardmaking Day on 1 October.

I'm lucky enough to be a member of the Muse Design Team and have been creating along with my teamies to take part in this hop, alongside all these fantastic challenge blogs...

You can find the start of this Mega Hop along with all the details, including prizes to be won, here.  Links to all the wonderful challenge blogs can also be found throughout the hop.

So all you need to do is grab any of your Altenew products, start creating and link up for a chance to win.

I used two of my favourite Altenew stamp sets on this card, Hennah Elements and Label Love...

I started by stamping with black ink and embossing with clear powder, then masking each image before repeating the process.  I then used coloured pencils to colour the flowers and leaves.  The label sentiment was then stamped and that finished this one layer card.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Altenew - Hennah Elements and Label Love
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
• Coloured with Derwent Coloursoft Pencils

So, what are you waiting for?  Enjoy the hop and along the way you may discover some challenge blogs you've not visited before.

Get inspired and have fun!

Altenew Mega Challenge Blog Hop - Less is More

Hi there

There's something exciting just starting in blogland...

Altenew is teaming up with 18 challenge blogs for a MEGA Challenge Blog Hop to celebrate our wonderful crafting and cardmaking community, ahead of World Cardmaking Day on 1 October.

As part of the Less is More team I'm thrilled to be part of this fabulous hop with my fellow LIMette teamies, alongside the Design Teams of these awesome challenge blogs...

You can find the start of this Mega Hop along with all the details, including prizes to be won, here.  Links to all the wonderful challenge blogs can also be found throughout the hop.

So all you need to do is grab any of your Altenew products, start creating and link up for a chance to win.

I decided to have a play with my Painted Flowers stamp set and created this card, in true Less is More style of course...

I die cut a pierced square and stamped the flowers and leaves using lots of the individual elements in this fantastic layering set.  The sentiment was taken from another of Altenew's lovely sets, Beautiful Lady.  I also used Altenew Crisp Inks for the flowers.  A little yellow frame cut from another of the pierced squares and the card was finished.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Altenew - Painted Flowers, Beautiful Lady
• Ink: Altenew - Warm Sunshines, Mango Smoothie, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Die: MFT Die-namics - Pieced Square Stax
• Coloured Cardstock: Papermania

You may have noticed that another of the challenges taking part in the hop is Muse.  My teamies over there have also had some fun creating with Altenew, and I'll be back in just a moment with my second card.

Be right back :) 

Upcycling - Old Card Reinvented

Hi there

So, I'm back with another card made earlier today where I recycled something not purposely bought for crafting.

This time I used a card I'd received previously for my birthday.  It had a really delicate die cut image of an evening gown on the front so I knew one day I could do something with it.

Here's the card I made using it, but completely reinvented, with the detail reversed...

Here is the original card showing the beautifully intricate die cut...

I originally planned to use the die cut as a stencil and create an ombre effect with ink using ink daubers.  But some of the cut areas were tiny and the daubers just wouldn't reach through effectively so I decided to mix the inks with some pearlescent embossing paste and create an ombre effect that way instead, and the paste picked up all the detail brilliantly.  I used the paste un-inked for the hanger.  Here's a better photo of the pearlescent effect...

As the gown on the original card was quite large I needed to make this into a tall card.  I stamped the sentiment at the top.  I then matted the panel onto some teal cardstock and then adhered to the card base.

Special thanks go out to Michelle at The Card Grotto for this sentiment stamp set which was part of my fabulous prize for her 10k YouTube Subscribers Giveaway, I feel so lucky right now!  :)

Materials used:

• Embossing Paste: Dreamweaver - Pearlescent
• Ink: Distress Ink - Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Stamp: Clearly Besotted - Message Me
• Cardstock from stash

Challenge entries:

AAA Cards - Game #73 - Upcycling

Just Add Ink - Challenge #328 - Just add 'P' (Pearlescent Paste!)

I've kept hold the gown die cut just in case it can survive another pasting! lol

Thanks so much for visiting today, I appreciate each and every one of you.  Bye for now.

Upcycling - Notebook Cover to Tag

Hi guys

This morning I came across the new challenge over at AAA Cards where they want us to recycle something not bought for crafting, and use it on our creations.

Firstly I kicked myself as recently, in an effort to tidy and re-organise my craft cupboard, I disposed of a few bits and pieces I had collected over time thinking they might 'come in handy' one day!  But I still did have a couple of things I thought could work.

So, earlier today I made two cards, here is the first.

This pretty little tag started it's life as a plastic semi-transparent notebook cover...

I started by die cutting part of the cover using a stitched tag die which I ran through my Big Shot a few times.  I stamped a sentiment onto a panel of white cardstock and then embossed with a wave embossing folder.  I die cut the flower and adhered this to the tag. The tag die didn't include the hole so I used a single hand-held holepunch to make this (lots of brute force was needed to get through the plastic!), threaded through some ribbon and tied with some twine.  With the tag being plastic I wanted to make sure it would adhere firmly so I used Glossy Accents behind the flower die and ribbon so it wouldn't show through.  There's plenty of the plastic left and I still have the other cover too so I can make more with this :)

Materials used:

• Stamp: Altenew - Hennah Elements
• Ink: Altenew - Cotton Candy
• Embossing Folder: We R Memory Keepers - Next Level Wave
• Dies: MFT Die-namics - Stitched Traditional Tag Stax; Wplus9 - Flower Doodles
• Ribbon: American Crafts - Grosgrain
• Twine: Hemptique - Ruby Collection

Challenge entries:

AAA Cards - Game #73 - Upcycling

Sunday Stamps - Challenge #135 - Happy Colours

Happy Little Stampers - September Challenge - Anything Goes with Dies

Moving Along with the Times - Challenge #28 - All Kinds of Everything (Butterflies)

I'm glad I've finally got the chance to put my thinking cap on and use this.  The post about the second card I made will follow shortly.

Thanks so much for visiting today, I'd love to hear your comments.

Less is More Week #293

Hi there

This morning kicks off a brand new challenge week over at Less is More and dare I say it....it's time for the shuddersome One Layer challenge!  Whether this fills you with dread or if you can't wait to play along, we have an easy peasy theme for your OLCs this week...

Favourite Flower

I only have one card to share with you this week but I've used images of my absolute favourite flower from my favourite season, Tulips.  I just love seeing Spring flowers after the dull, grey, wet winters we have here in the UK.

I started by masking off a horizontal section of my card base with post it notes and blending green Distress Ink up from the bottom of the panel, and blending purple down from the top.  I then stamped the tulips, the flower heads being two-step stamping.  I thought this had a lovely peaceful feel so I chose a sympathy sentiment.  I wanted to add a little more interest so I used a die to create the dotted rows above and below the inked panel.  I was a little worried the card might lose some stability by die cutting the dots but as the cardstock is 300gsm it's still nice and sturdy.

Materials used:

• Ink: Distress Ink - Shabby Shutters, Dusty Concord; Altenew - Forest Glades, Lavender Fields, Deep Iris; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Stamps: Clearly Besotted - With Love (discontinued)
• Die: Paper Smooches - Dots and Dashes

Challenge entries:

Just Add Ink - Challenge #328 - Just Add 'P' - I have used purple and perforations

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - STAMPtember Stamp It - apologies but I don't yet own any SSS goodies

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - STAMPtember Stamp It - no SSS goodies but wanted to enter here too :)

My teamies have created some beautiful one layer floral cards this week so if you have the time please pop over to their blogs via the links at the challenge blog.  And I think any crafter will have floral images in their stash so why not play along?

Thanks for popping by, I hope to see you again soon.

Muse #182 - Big Birthday Balloons

Hi there

Over at Muse I'm thrilled that it's my turn once again to be your designer for this week's challenge.

This also gave me a chance to have a first play with some MFT products I bought a couple of months ago so hopefully this creation will give you some inspiration to play along.  You can take inspiration from any aspect of my card: layout, colours, theme, etc.  Just have fun, I'd love to see where this one takes you...

I started by cutting the birthday die from a strip of cardstock to place at the base of my card.  Next I blended Distress Inks through this fabulous balloon stencil directly onto the card base, so glad I bought it!  I tried to use colours so that this card would be suitable for either gender.  The 'happy' was then stamped both onto the die cut panel and the card base, the MISTI made the positioning effortless!  Once the die cut panel was adhered in place I then added a scattering of co-ordinating enamel dots from Doodlebug.

Materials used:

• Die: MFT Die-namics - Blueprints 26 (I've been trying to get my hands on this set forever!)
• Stencil: MFT - Big Balloons
• Ink: Distress Ink - Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers, Blueprint Sketch, Wilted Violet; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Stamp: Clearly Besotted - Fancy Sayings (part of 'happy birthday')
• Accents: Doodlebug Sprinkles - Lilac, Swimming Pool, Blue Jean, Limeade

Challenge entries:

The Paper Players - Challenge #311 - Circles

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #209 - CAS

Darnell's NBUS Challenge #7 - Both MFT products had their first use on this card :)

Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope I've inspired you to play along and look forward to seeing you in the gallery.

I Miss Your Smile

Hi there

I wanted to make sure I played along at Muse this week as my fabulous teamie at Less is More, Sarah, is our Guest Muse this week.

Here's my card.  I used lots of the elements of Sarah's card to create this one...the black glitter die cuts, inlaid with the yellow/blue/green background, the stripy paper and also the popped up sentiment strip...

I started by watercolouring with Distress Inks in blue and yellow which also then created the green when blended.  I cut this out with a butterfly die and also cut the same butterfly from some black glitter cardstock then inlaid the bits and bobs onto a scrap of cardstock covered in adhesive.  I then fussy cut the completed butterfly.  The 'smile' was cut from the same black glitter cardstock and adhered over some striped yellow paper onto which I stamped the first part of the sentiment.  The butterfly was then popped up on 3D foam as was the rest of the sentiment which I stamped onto a small strip of white cardstock.

Materials used:

• Dies: Memory Box - Vivienne Butterfly; Wplus9 - Flower Doodles (smile)
• Ink: Distress Ink - Squeezed Lemonade, Mermaid Lagoon; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Stamps: Wplus9 - That Is All
• Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn - Let's Polka
• Glitter Cardstock: Best Creation

Here is Sarah's fantastic card, there's still the best part of a day to enter if you want to play along at Muse...

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

Penny Black and More - September Challenge - Add a Sentiment

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #209 - CAS

And as this is the first use of my 'smile' die I'm also going to link up at Darnell's NBUS Challenge #7!

That's all from me today although I will be back tomorrow as it's my turn to be your designer over at Muse.  I hope you'll pop by again soon.

Less is More Week #292 - Peacock Feather

Hi there

Honestly, where does the time go?!  At Less is More we've whooshed around to the beginning of another month which means today marks the start of another Colour challenge.  And this week we want to see colours of...

Peacock Feathers

When I think of peacock feathers I think of greens and aquas, and also deep indigo/purple shades, as well as what seems to be a shade of gold.

I've made two cards this week, here's the first...

On a panel of white cardstock I stamped the flower and leaves image in waterproof black ink.  I then watercoloured using my Zig markers.  I used Strathmore Bristol cardstock as this works brilliantly when blending with these markers (thanks to my LIM buddy, Sarah, for the samples!) so the panel was adhered directly onto the card base.  The die cut Thanks was then adhered, this cut from some pearlescent gold cardstock.

Materials used:

• Stamp: Stampin' Up - So Very Grateful
• Ink: Archival - Jet Black
• Coloured with Zig Clean Color Real Bush Pens in Light Green, Deep Green, Blue, Turquoise Green and Violet
• Die: MFT Die-namics - Twice the Thanks
• Gold cardstock from stash

Challenge entries:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #209 - CAS

And as this thanks die is a shiny new addition to my craft stash I just have to link up at the lovely Darnell's NBUS challenge.






And for my second card I made a shaker, and decided to leave it sentiment free...

I started by die cutting the smaller stitched rectangle from some white cardstock.  I then die cut the butterfly from it and adhered some acetate to the back.  The same butterfly was cut from some pearlescent gold cardstock and inlaid into the aperture.  I then filled with sequins to create the shaker.  I was going to adhere the small rectangle to the card base but it looked a little incomplete so I inlaid it into a larger stitched rectangle and then adhered this to the card base on 3D foam.

Materials used:

• Dies: MFT Die-namics - Wonky Stitched Rectangles; Memory Box - Vivienne Butterfly
• Sequins: Little Things from Lucy's Cards - Rainforest Shaker Selection; Doodlebug - Various

Challenge entries:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - It's a Stitch Up

Moving Along with the Times - Challenge #28 - All Kinds of Everything (Butterflies)

CASology - Challenge #213 - Stitch

My Time to Craft - Challenge #328 - Something that Flies

My teamies have created a wonderful array of cards using these colours this week, if you have the time please stop by at their personal blogs for more inspiration.

I'm looking forward to the colourful gallery of entries this coming week!

Happy Little Stampers September 2016 CAS Challenge

Hi there

As it's the beginning of another month Happy Little Stampers have started their monthly flurry of new challenges and today marks the start of September's CAS Challenge.

Every month we have a new technique we would like you to use on your clean and simple creations and this month we would like to see...

There are some video tutorials over on the challenge blog to give you some inspiration.

This month's challenge is once again sponsored by Happy Little Stampers

My DT card is actually a card I made at the Happy Little Stampers Craft Retreat which took place just over a month ago (where on earth does the time go, only seems like yesterday I was getting very inky with some lovely crafty pals!)

I used Brusho colours to create this card...

On some watercolour cardstock I sprinkled some Brushos in Leaf Green and Lemon, spritzed with water and left it to dry.  I then die cut two ivy sprigs from the panel.  The butterfly was taken from another piece of cardstock created with Brushos but for that background I sprinkled the Brushos in Purple onto a craft sheet, spritzed that with water and then smooshed my cardstock into it.  I took a panel of white cardstock and created some splatters with a mix of Distress Ink and water, then adhered my die cuts.  The sentiment was heat embossed in white onto some black cardstock and adhered to the panel before the main panel was popped up on 3D foam.

Materials used:

• Ink: Brusho - Leaf Green, Lemon, Purple; Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean; VersaMark
• Dies:Britannia Dies - Small Ivy; Clearly Besotted - Butterfly Duo Die Collection
• Stamp: Happy Little Stampers - Mix Mash
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Opaque Bright White

Challenge entries:

Virginia's View - Challenge #23 - Spray, Mist and Splatter

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #209 - CAS

Moving Along with the Times - Challenge #28 - All Kinds of Everything (Butterflies)

My Time to Craft - Challenge #328 - Something that Flies

My teamies have created some lovely projects to inspire you this month which you can find over at the challenge post together with links to their personal blogs for more information.

The challenge will run until the end of the month so there's plenty of time for you to get spritzing!