Saturday 14 April 2018

Less is More Challenge #369

Good morning, crafters

Back with a fresh new challenge over at Less is More and for this fortnight's challenge we have a really fun Theme for you.  Here's the cue...


...something that you've not used on your cards in ages / out of fashion or favour /
older stash items


We have two fabulous Guesties joining us this week, Cara and Sue, our previous January and February Winners.  Please do pop over to say hi and to see what they've been bringing back for this challenge.

Our sponsor for April is the wonderful Happy Little Stampers and I've been using HLS stamps on all of my cards for this challenge.  And don't forget that by playing along you also get a chance of becoming our monthly prize winner!
Picture



For my cards today I've chosen some old items from my stash which I've not used in a LONG time.

The first stash item I grabbed was my chalks, and I made two versions of the same design...


On a panel of white cardstock I stamped the dandelion image twice in VersaMark ink.  I then dabbed on some chalks using a cotton pad.  Once most of the design was covered in chalk I then blended the colour a little more to pick up the detail of the images.  As you're adding chalk to an ink that's still sticky it's best to dab first instead of swirling so as not to blur the stamped images.  I then used a co-ordinating green ink to stamp the sentiment.  The panel was then popped up on fun foam onto a pink card base.

Materials used:

  • Stamps: Happy Little Stampers - Dandelion Wishes
  • Ink: VersaMark; Versa Color - Bamboo
  • Chalks: Craf-T Products - Decorating Chalk
  • Coloured cardstock from stash

Challenge entries:

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #287 - Make Your Mark (chalks)
Moving Along with the Times - Challenge #69 - Springtime



For my second version of this design I used the chalks on black cardstock...



The process here was the same but instead of using VersaMark I used a white pigment ink to which the chalk was then added.  The sentiment and stems here are in fact green but it doesn't show up too well in the pic.  The panel was then popped up on some black fun foam onto a green card base.  You do get more of a haze around the images on the black cardstock but I think that adds a nice softness to it.

Materials used:

  • Stamps: Happy Little Stampers - Dandelion Wishes
  • Ink: Hero Arts - Unicorn
  • Chalks: Craf-T Products - Decoration Chalk
  • Coloured cardstock from stash



And for my third card, and the one I shared over at the main LIM post, I had fun once again playing with shrink plastic!


I started by stamping the butterfly onto the rough side of some shrink plastic and then coloured it in with my coloured pencils.  You don't have to be too particular with the colouring detail as it will shrink to seven times smaller than it's original size.  I die cut the butterfly with its co-ordinating die and then used my heat gun to apply the heat required to shrink it.  It will curl while shrinking but it generally returns to a flat image, although my butterfly's antennas did get a little twisted in the process but I quite like how they look!  When still warm I just placed an acrylic block over it to ensure it was completely flat.  Here's a closer look...


On my card base I stamped the 'happy' using my MISTI with four different inks to create an ombre effect, stamped the rest of the sentiment in black and then adhered the butterfly using Glossy Accents to ensure it would adhere well.

Materials used:

  • Happy Little Stampers: Butterfly Birthday (and co-ordinating die), Mix Mash, Everyday Sentiments
  • Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versa Color - Canary, Marigold, Orange, Camellia
  • Coloured with Faber Castell Polychromos
  • Shrink Plastic: Funstamps - Frosted

Challenge entries:

Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes: Vibrant Colours
STAMPlorations - April Challenge - Focus on the Sentiments
Creative with Stamps - Challenge #25 - CAS + Sentiment
Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes with HLS Stamps



I had great fun returning to these old techniques and products.  My teamies are bringing back some great products and techniques on their projects over at the main challenge blog so please do drop by and visit them if you have time.

Can't wait to see what emerges from everyone's stash for this one!

16 comments:

  1. Some wonderful inspiration from you today Anita! It's fab to see how different the chalks look on the two different colour bases and they really give such a lovely soft colour. I've never used chalks...but I want to after seeing those cards. Your shrink plastic butterfly is awesome! The vivid colours that are also reflected in the ombre sentiment are superb. really love that card. Have a fab weekend xx

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  2. Love your pretty card thanks for joining us at MAWTT, xxxxx

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  3. Wow three cards Anita and all fabulous too!love the sweet dandelions on the light and dark backgrounds, they look so different on each.Love that clever butterfly one also, shrink plastic was so much the rage wasn't it, I still have some...somewhere ;) Viv xx

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  4. This is brillant, Anita ! I just didn't know this technique with the chalks, I love the final result and even more on the black cardstock ! It gives such a soft and delicate look. And yes, of course, the shrink plastic ! Another "old" product that I had forgotten ! I used to play a lot with it but, as other products, it finally ended up in a drawer. I love the bright colours you used and perfectly coordinated with the sentiment. Wow, so many products and techniques that we left behind us ! Have a fabulous weekend. Hugs xx

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  5. Hello… Thanks for sharing your lovely project with Moving Along with the Times Challenge Blog; it fits perfectly with our ‘Springtime’ challenge theme. Hope you can join us again very soon.
    Diane Louise (DT member) xx

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  6. So pretty...isn't it fun to use old stuff that has been collecting dust :)

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  7. WoW, Anita! Love all three of your cards! Each one is CAS perfection!
    Thanks for joining us at "Creative With Stamps" this month :-)

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  8. Great work, Anita! I love your use of chalks -I used to have them but have sold them forward in a second hand group. I think I sort of never found great ways to use them. Your cards should have been around then to give me inspiration! Love the butterfly and ombre sentiment in your third card. All the white space really make these details pop. xxx

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  9. Gosh, those chalked dandelion clocks are just dreamy, Anita ... so soft and delicate on both white and black ... each different ... each equally gorgeous! How fun to play with shrink plastic ... your butterfly is beautiful ... so perfectly co-ordinated with that yummy ombré sentiment! Hugs, Anita :)

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  10. Super makes, Anita! The poppin’ chalk technique (as I knew it)... brings back memories. Your chalking is beautiful. I never tried it on dark cardstock. I also remembered making a big chalky mess... your tip would have helped. Your shrink plastic butterfly looks incredible. This one I never tried, but now I feel like should. Love the ombré sentiment too. xx

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  11. Hi Neets,

    What a lovely collection of cards! I love your use of the chalks and the shrink plastic - both of which are languishing in my stash too and you have inspired me to have a dig. I love the totally different looks you achieved on the white and then black card, and the beautifully blended 'happy' sentiment is sending me away with a smile on my face.
    Thanks for sharing with us at ATSM, and I hope you will join us again soon.
    Hugs
    Carol x

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  12. WOW! WOW! and WOW! Chalks .... hmmm now I think about it I used to use them too. Don't know where they are but you've certainly brought them back into the limelight here. Other than crafting with the kids when they were little I've never done shrink plastic but I think I need to try a little magic. That little butterfly is awesome and teamed with the bold sentiment - just spot on. Have a good week x

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  13. Love your beautiful card, in fact love all 3 cards. The shrink plastic butterfly is so pretty :)
    Thanks for joining us at MAWTT,
    Hugs Kaz xx (DT)

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  14. Shrink plastic! A lovely blast from the past. That butterfly is perfect for it. Beautifully CAS.

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  15. Super cute!!! Thank you for joining us at MAWTT, good luck!!! Amy DT

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  16. Your birthday card is gorgeous! Love the ombre effect and the CAS design. Thanks for joining us at Seize the Birthday.

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