Saturday 6 January 2018

Less is More #362

Hi guys, and a very Happy New Year to you!

I'm here to introduce the first challenge of 2018 over at Less is More and we're changing things up a little this year.  The challenge will be changing to 2-weekly.  For full details about the challenge please do pop over to the main challenge blog.

Ok, let's get to it, and this time it's a Colour challenge...



And to kick off our new challenges of 2018 we also have a fab new Sponsor for the month of January, Skull and Cross Buns Rubber Stamps.  I've recently joined the Design Team for Skull and Cross Buns and the lovely Emily Fox creates superb quality rubber stamps and also has some great little sets of clear photopolymer stamps too.  As well as the website, Emily also sells her stamps at Not on the High Street, and also has an Etsy store.  Emily is offering a prize to one lucky winner who participates throughout January so why not play along?



Ok, onto my cards, and as much as I love purples, it's still the colour that my camera hates for some reason, the colours always look more blue than they actually are.  For both of my cards I've used almost all stamps by our January Sponsor.

Here's the first...


I started with a gentle blend of Distress Ink through a stencil to lightly cover the centre of the card base.  I then stamped a few clusters of the leaves and hibiscus flowers directly on the card base before stamping the banner sentiment and die cutting with it's co-ordinating die.  A few clear sequins were then added to finish off the card.

Materials used:
  • Stencil: MFT - Fishnet
  • Stamps: Skull and Cross Buns - Tropical Party; Clearly Besotted - Mini Basic Banners (and co-ordinating die)
  • Ink: Distress Ink - Milled Lavender; Altenew - Morning Frost, Lavender Fields, Midnight Violet, Deep Iris, Soft Lilac
  • Accents: Little Things From Lucy's Cards - Sparkling Rainbow Sequin Mix


And for my second I used a Christmas lights stamp to create a celebration card...


On a panel of white cardstock I repeatedly stamped the string of lights in black ink and coloured with ProMarkers.  I die cut a curved edge and adhered the panel to the card base.  I coloured a strip of cardstock using one of the ProMarkers and adhered the purple trim, also cut with the same die, to the edge of the panel.  I used another of the ProMarkers to colour another scrap of cardstock and then heat embossed the sentiment in white and popped this up on 3D foam.  To finish I added some detail to each of the bulbs using a white pigment ink pen.

Materials used:
  • Stamps: Skull and Cross Buns - Christmas String of Tree Lights, Tropical (sentiments)
  • Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; VersaMark
  • Die: MFT Die-namics - Snow Drifts
  • Embossing Powder: Wow! - Opaque Bright White
  • Coloured with ProMarkers
  • Accents: Signo Uni-ball pen - white

Challenge entry:

STAMPlorations - January Challenge - Theme and Sketch - 'Stamps and Curves'




Thanks so much for dropping by.  Please do take a moment to pop on over to the main challenge blog, my teamies are sharing some wonderful creations this week.  

Apologies for the delay with my first post of the year, I've had a horrible flu bug for the last week which really took hold of me so I've been out of crafty action.  Fingers crossed I'm over the worst of it and I can now start 2018 properly!


11 comments:

  1. You're starting 2018 on a real high note with these gorgeous cards Anita! They are outstanding and considering you've been poorly for a while this just shows what a fantastic talent you have. Love the soft blending behind the vibrant colours on the first card, and your creative use of the Christmas lights on the second is superb. Gt well soon my friend xx

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  2. Beautiful! I'm in love with the soft stencil behind the first one. So gorgeous!

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  3. Where to start?? Firstly I am glad to hear that you are starting to feel better - you had such a rough time over new year and secondly congrats on joining the DT at Skull and Cross Buns (what a fab name) - I shall go and check out the range. Your cards are fabulous. I love the soft inking in the background on the first card and the party lights look so fun with the wavy lines on your second card. Have a great weekend x

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  4. Both your CAS card designs are so Clean, Crisp and Creative, Anita. TFS and using products from a new to me company, Skull and Cross Buns. Hugs...

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  5. Well despite being completely out of action with flu you've managed to produce these 2 stunning purple beauties! Equally pretty and elegant and I just love the curved purple inlaid die! Neat and crisp as ever! Get well soon sweetie and hope this week is a massive improvement on the last one. xx

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  6. Lovely CAS card! Thanks for joining us at Stamplorations Theme & Sketch this month.

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  7. Fabulous cards, Anita. Your first one is so pretty. Love the light stencilling. Your second is so de”light”ful. Love the curved design. I feel for you... I’m fighting the flu myself right now too. Get well soon. xx

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  8. Two amazingly gorgeous cards! Love them both!

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  9. Beautiful designs. Love these soft and elegant cards. Happy New Year!

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  10. Sorry for being so late in commenting, but at least I hope you feel much more better now ! But what I can notice, that is that, feeling good or not you rock the same ! Your two cards are fabulous and as always CAS but with lots of pretty details ! What's your trick to make such a beautiful soft stencilled background ? I have never succeeded without making traces or without putting too much ink. And this tropical composition is a delight in purple ! Love also your party lights and your inlaid purple curve, such a great idea ! Again thanks for the fabulous inspiration. Have a great crafty week ! Hugs xx

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  11. My camera makes purples pink! It comforts me to hear other people struggle with their photos too... For me it's hard especially now with the winter light. Two beautiful cards from you for this challenge (sorry for visiting so late by the way!!). I especially love the soft stenciled bg in your first card and the white accents in the lights in your second card -such beautiful details. I also love the layout of your second card -I've seen many people use this lately but have still forgotten to try it out myself, thanks for the reminder, I have to give this fun look a go! Have a good rest of the week! xxx

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