Bright Hello

Hi guys

I'm finally back with another card, apologies for the lack of posts this last week.

Although I've had no time for crafting I've had a real boost this week from various challenge sites where I've received some shout outs.  I can't quite believe it but its really made my week!  I've updated the details here.

So, back to today and this morning I've enjoyed making this bright and cheerful card to add to my stash, and have managed to combine a few challenges too.

This little dragonfly and sentiment are from a stamp set I recently purchased from eBay.  I chose some bright patterned paper from a retired Stampin' Up set and coloured the dragonfly with co-ordinating ProMarkers.  I wanted to fussy cut the dragonfly and sit him on top of the circular die but his antennas posed a problem!  So I stamped him once and cut him out with a circular die, keeping the antenna and tail within the circle.  I then stamped him a second time, coloured him in and then fussy cut him out, cutting these parts off, before adhering the coloured image over the top, with his wings protruding off the edge :)

I added some definition to the paper by framing it with some coloured cardstock, and rounded the bottom corner of the card to echo the circular die and curved sentiment.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Stampendous - Doodle Wings
• Ink: Impress - Jet Black; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Die: Xcut - Nested Circles
• Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up - Summer Smooches
• Cardstock: Papermania Premium Textured Cardstock (colour); white cardstock from stash
• Tools: Fiskars - Corner Edgers

Challenge entries:

Addicted to CAS - Challenge #30 - New (I have used a new stamp set)

CASology - Week 79 - Contrast (I have used bright contrasting colours which also contrast with the white)

Addicted to Stamps and More - Clean and Simple

Less is More - Week 156 - Sketch

Thanks so much for visiting today and as always for your lovely comments and support.  Have a lovely Sunday whatever you're up to :)

One Layer Number

Good morning crafters

I know its unusual for me to be posting this early in the morning but I made this card last night and had to wait until this morning to photograph it, and as the recipient has a birthday tomorrow I need to get it in the mail today!  That being said, apologies for the not so great picture, my usual photography spot in the flat isn't so bright at this time of day!

I have made this card for this week's Less is More challenge...its the dreaded one layer challenge and this time Chrissie and Jen want to see numbers used on our creations.

I have very little in the way of number stamps, and absolutely nothing in my die collection so my mind went a completely blank at first.  Then I had an idea and this is what materialised...

I started by printing a large number 3 on some thin paper and then cut it out as neatly as possible so I was left with a stencil.  I wanted to use my Clearly Besotted Stamps 'Basic Stripes' set to create a kind of tartan effect.  The stamps are quite long so I gave the stencil a wide border to cover up the base card.  I've tried stamping through a stencil made of card before and it didn't work too well, so I used fairly thin paper to ensure the ink would reach the edges nicely.  I started with the medium width stripe stamp and stamped the vertical blue lines.  I then followed this with the wide stripes in orange and the thin stripes in the darker blue.  This card is for a boy which is why I chose two blue shades, I then chose to use orange for a pop of colour, this being the opposite of blue.  I then inked up the 'today' stamp in the same lighter blue shade.  To finish, I used my corner rounder scissors to echo the curviness of the number 3.  Unfortunately, by using thin paper for my stencil some of the ink blotted through onto the base card so the image isn't as clean as I had hoped but overall I'm happy with it :)

Materials used:

• Stamps: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Basic Stripes; Dovecraft - Numbers ('today')
• Ink: Versa Color - Cyan, Orange and Indigo
• Tools: Fiskars Corner Edgers - Rounder

I'm really pleased with how this turned out and there are some great entries already in the challenge gallery.  One layer cards certainly take a lot of thinking about but its amazing what can be created.

As always, thanks so much for popping by and I hope to see you again soon.

Muse Challenge #27

Hi all

I'm spending today at home doing bits and bobs so thought I'd have a quick break to make a card for this week's Muse challenge.  This week we have a gorgeous card created by Tracey McNeely to use as our inspiration.  Tracey's cards always have a very fresh and clean feel and this one is no exception (see Tracey's card further down in this post).

Here is my interpretation this week...

 

 

I mimicked the layout and colour scheme although decided to use clusters of small flowers taking the place of the large blooms.  The flowers didn't look finished without their centres so I opted to use Narcissus Versa Color ink which is a creamy yellow.  So, in place of the clear sequins used on the Muse card, I chose some creamy peach pearls to finish off.

 

Materials used:

• Stamps: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Flower Arrangement and Leafy Accents
• Dies: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Flower Arrangement
• Ink: Versa Color - Olive, Pink, Heliotrope and Narcissus; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Pearls from stash
• Tools: Fiskars Corner Edgers - Rounder

 

I like the finished result of my card but don't think its a patch on Tracey's creation, below.  She has such unmistakable great style.

 

Thanks for dropping by and I hope I manage to make your visits worthwhile.

That's all from me today, I'm off out tonight for a long-awaited carvery.  No doubt it will ruin my diet this week but I haven't had a lovely roast in a long time and its my week off so I feel I can have a treat!  I'll just go easy on the roast potatoes :)

Take care

 

Less is More Week 109 Colour Challenge

Happy Sunday from a very grey South Devon, can't wait for Spring to arrive.

Today I'm having a go at the latest Less is More challenge.  The pastel colours are so beautiful so had to give it a shot.  To be honest I really struggle with colour challenges and have only entered one other so far.  I have loads of ideas then go to my craft cupboard and find there's always something I don't have or the colours aren't right.

Anyway, here's my attempt at this one...

 

and a closer view...

 

This is the colour palette we were given from Less is More...

 

Isn't it gorgeous - as well as making me feel extremely hungry for doughnuts!

 

 

The two pieces of pink card I used are actually quite different but they look very similar in the photograph.  The punched border is a hammered baby pink whereas the card I've stamped the image into is a more dusky beige/pink but doesn't show too well in the photo.  I stamped the image with Versamark then used a pastel peach embossing powder.  The sentiment is stamped in brown ink them embossed using clear embossing powder.

 

I'm not entirely happy with this one but thought I'd have a go and enter it anyway :)

 

Materials used:

• Stamps: Kanban Crafts - Spring Meadow; Personal Impressions - Mix and Match (sentiment)
• Ink: Versamark; Versa Color - Brown
• Embossing Powder: Personal Impressions - Pastel Peach; Rubber Stampede - Clear
• Punches: EK Success - Dotted Scallop Edger Punch; Fiskars - 4 in 1 Corner Punch Embosser 'Spiral'
• Cardstock and Pearls: From stash

 

Thanks for visiting, make the most of what's left of the weekend :)

 

Neet x