Less is More Challenge #399

Good morning

It's new challenge day over at Less is More.  For the next fortnight we have a Theme challenge for you with lots of scope, here is the cue card...

As it's a new month we also have a new sponsor for you which is the awesome Skull and Cross Buns, so by playing along in our challenges will put you in the running for our monthly prize for July!

We also have a fabulous Guestie joining us this week and I'm sure you'll know her as one of our regular participants at Less is More, the super talented Viv, who was our May winner.  She has a stunning card to share for this challenge so please do pop over to her blog to take a look and say hi.

I've had this last week off work and the weather has been glorious which is pretty rare when I book a week as holiday, so I've been out and about making the most of it, so much so that I've only had chance to make one card for you this time I'm afraid.  I'm on the Design Team for Skull and Cross Buns so when a little package of new goodies arrived from the lovely Emily I wanted to use one of the new stencils on my card project.  

So here it is...

I've not seen any other animal print stencils before so just couldn't wait to have a play with this one!  I began by using the large balloon edge die to cut a corner from some kraft cardstock. I then blended some Distress Ink in from the edge to give it some depth and then blended through the stencil with black ink.  I tied some twine around the balloon and then adhered the die cut using fun foam onto the upper corner of my card base, cut from linen cardstock.  I then used three shades of pigment ink and, using my MISTI, repeatedly stamped 'celebrate' to create an ombre effect.  The remaining part of the sentiment was stamped below in black ink.

Materials used:

• Die: MFT - Blueprints 26
• Stencil: Skull and Cross Buns - Leopard Animal Print Stencil
• Cardstock: Neenah - Dessert Storm; linen cardstock from stash
• Ink: Distress Ink - Tea Dye, Black Soot; Versa Color - Sand Beige, Pinecone, Charcoal; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Stamps: Paper Smooches - Sentiment Sampler; Avery Elle - Party Animal
• Twine: Hemptique - Earthy set

Challenge entries:

STAMPlorations - Summer Theme & Sketch Challenge - Stamp and Anything Goes

STAMPlorations - Summer CAS Card Challenge - AG CAS

Thanks, as always, for stopping by.  I hope you can join in our Celebrations challenge, the linky is open until 19 July, so plenty of time for you to pop your entries into our gallery :)

Rustic Kraft and Lace Wedding Invitations

Hi there

Today I'm sharing some wedding invitations I was commissioned to make, which is why I was fairly quiet with posts throughout January as I was working on these behind the scenes.

Now, I can't take the credit for the design of these invitations as the Bride-to-be forwarded me a photo she found online of roughly what she wanted.  Unfortunately, I don't know the origin of the photo, and of course if I did I would give credit to the creator.

That being said, I did need to spend a fair amount of time working out the dimensions of the folder and the individual card inserts, and then fitting the text to fit each of the printed cards.

Here they are...

Each invitation comprised an ivory backing card, a folded kraft pocket with lace wrap, an Invitation card in ivory, an RSVP card in kraft and an 'If You Wish' card in ivory which was a poem written by the couple.  Each of the cards were slightly different depths so they didn't overlap within the folder.

I finished them off with a printed 'You Are Invited' die cut tag secured and tied with some jute twine.

There were invitations for the day and the evening, the only difference being the wording on the invitation card and the RSVP.  Other than that they were identical. (Wording obscured for confidentiality purposes)

The lace ribbon held the kraft folder closed and this in turn was adhered to the ivory backing card, so the individual card inserts fitted snugly inside.  Each invitation was supplied with an ivory envelope.

These were a bit of a challenge for me, and not what I normally make as a lot of printing was involved and no stamping.  My little inkjet printer worked just as hard as me, and I was really pleased with the finished result, and the happy couple were thrilled with them :)

Materials used:

• Cardstock and lace purchased online but unknown brand
• Jute twine from stash
• Die: Clearly Besotted - Tiny Tags Die Collection

Challenge entry:

Inkspirational - Challenge #180 - Text

Thanks so much for visiting.

Skull and Cross Buns - Emboss Resist Baubles

Hi guys

Back to share the last of my makes from yesterday's crafty afternoon using stamps by Skull and Cross Buns.

On this card I used two of the Christmas stamps - Christmas Drop Patterned Bauble and Christmas Bauble.  The Christmas Bauble design (the round one) is currently reduced as part of the Black Friday Weekend deals so please do pop over if you want a bargain.

Here's my card...

On a panel of white cardstock I stamped the two baubles in VersaMark ink and heat embossed them in white.  I then used the emboss resist technique and blended over with three shades of Distress Ink.  I cut the panel down using a stitched rectangle die and then pierced through the top of the baubles and added some twine, securing on the reverse.  I added a sentiment in black ink and adhered the panel to the card base.  I finished by adding two die cut bows from white cardstock, and added to these some clear Wink of Stella for some shimmer.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Skull and Cross Buns - Christmas Drop Patterned Bauble, Christmas Bauble; Paula Pascual - Christmas Messages
• Ink: VersaMark; Distress Ink - Cracked Pistachio, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Opaque Bright White
• Dies: MFT Die-namics - Stitched Rectangle Stax; Clearly Besotted - Ornamental Style
• Twine: Hemptique - Vintage set
• Accent: Wink of Stella - Clear

Challenge entries:

AAA Cards -CAS Game #104 - Christmas

Crimbo Crackers - Challenge #146 - Anything Goes

Uniko - Challenge #44 - Christmas

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #269 - Clean and Simple

I still have lots of cards to share that I made while I was away at the Craft Retreat and the week that followed.  I'll be gradually sharing these very soon.

Thanks again for all your visits and support, I read and appreciate every one of your comments.

I hope to see you again soon :)

Skull and Cross Buns - Hanging Stocking

Hi guys

Another card from my crafty afternoon using stamps by Skull and Cross Buns.

On this card I used the Christmas Stocking Rubber Stamp as well as the Holly and Berries set of 2 Rubber Stamps.

I started by stamping the stocking on a panel of white cardstock before cutting some notches with a single hole punch to hold some twine in place.  I then stamped and fussy cut the holly and berries.  The sentiment was heat embossed in gold before adhering the panel onto the card base over some striped patterned paper.  To finish I added some clear Wink of Stella to the stocking and berries:

Materials used:

• Stamps: Skull and Cross Buns - Christmas Stocking and Holly and Berries; Clearly Besotted - Christmas Sparkle
• Ink: Versa Color - Evergreen, Camellia; VersaMark
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Gold Rich
• Patterned Paper: Doodlebug - Santa Express
• Accents: Wink of Stella - Clear; Twine from stash

Challenge entries:

Crimbo Crackers - Challenge #146 - Anything Goes
Uniko - Challenge #44 - Christmas
Just Add Ink - Challenge #387 - Colour
Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #269 - Clean and Simple

Sorry this post was a bit later than planned, I got distracted by Strictly and X-Factor! lol

I'll be back tomorrow with the rest of my makes from this afternoon.

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 :)

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.

Vintage Rose Wedding

Hi guys

Back in November last year I shared some Save the Date cards I made for a friend's forthcoming wedding.  You can find the post here.

I've been meaning to share the invitations with you which I made a couple of months ago so here they are.  I'm a bit disappointed with the photos but these are the best results I could get before delivering them to the happy couple.

Although only 20 invitations were required, they actually took a fair amount of time to create due to the rose and leaves being three step stamping.  So each of the horizontal panels required 12 individual stamped images...the rose, and three separate leaves.

The wording was printed using the same fonts as the Save the Date cards, EcuyerDAX and Elegant Typewriter.  For the ampersand I used another font but can't recall the name.  I then continued with the tag theme and also the jute twine to echo the Save the Date cards.

The wedding is taking place over an entire weekend so inside, as well as the venue details I also included an itinerary for the day.  I also then included a menu for pre-selection and RSVP cards together with return envelopes.

Materials used:

• Cardstock: Paper Mill Direct - Smooth Ivory, Neenah - Desert Storm
• Stamps: Altenew - Vintage Roses
• Ink: Versa Color - Vanilla, Sand Beige, Umber
• Die: MFT Die-namics - Stitched Tags
• 2 ply jute twine

Challenge entries:

613 Avenue Create - Challenge #179 - Anything goes (Wedding Stationery)

Crafty Cardmakers - Challenge #165 - Monochrome

I will also be making some Order of Service stationery for the bride and groom which will be very slightly different.  I'll share these with you once created.

Thanks so much for visiting today, your visits and comments are so appreciated :)

Less is More - Two-Weeker!

Good morning crafters

There is a new challenge just starting over at Less is More.  This challenge will run for two weeks to cover the Christmas/New Year break.  We've worked our way around our usual sequence and we're back with a Theme challenge which is....

Homespun

Not an easy challenge for me but I've got two sample cards for you today showing how I interpreted the theme.  Here they are...

I stamped four different stitch designs on a white cardstock panel and topped with a faux stitched heart, stamped and die cut from some patterned paper.  I tied some twine in a bow to the back of a button, adhered this with a glue dot and stamped the sentiment to co-ordinate with the button.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Hot Off The Press - Stamped Stitches; Clearly Besotted - Love Hearts (and co-ordinating die)
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versa Color - Celadon
• Patterned paper from stash
• Accents: Twine - Hemptique - Ruby Collection; Button - Stampin' Up - Subtles

And my second card...

I embossed a white cardstock panel with a patchwork quilt design.  I then stamped the sentiment onto a strip of white cardstock and the image onto some gingham patterned paper.  I swirled some jute twine and anchored it in place when adhering the image on 3D foam.

Materials used:

• Embossing folder: DoCrafts - Boofle
• Stamps: Woodware - Home Sweet Home
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
• Patterned Paper: DoCrafts - Boofle
• Accents: Jute twine from stash

We'd love to see how you interpret this theme.  And don't forget, this challenge will run for a fortnight, with the next challenge starting on Saturday 2 January 2016.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Vintage Rose Save the Date Tags

Hi guys

I've got something a little different to share with you today.

I was recently asked by a friend to make some Save the Date cards for her wedding next year.  They had seen some online that they liked that were in the form of a luggage tag so they wanted to go with that design.  Based on the colour scheme she gave me I made some mock-ups with different fonts and images for them to choose from.

This was the final design...

I printed the wording onto some cream cardstock before die cutting with the stitched tag die.  The fonts I used were called EcuyerDAX, Elegant Typewriter and Typewriter Condensed.  I think these work really well with the rose design.  Then came the time consuming part.  When I showed them the vintage rose design I didn't imagine how much time these would take.  Of course, the roses and the leaves are separate stamps and it is also a three-step stamping set, so each tag has twelve separate stamped images on it! Unfortunately, my printer won't take very thick card so the card I used was fairly thin, so I die cut more tags and adhered them back to back (my poor Big Shot was very tired, as was my arm!).  This also covered up the rough side of the die cuts and gave a better finish.  I then punched the holes with a single hole punch and tied some jute twine to each one.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Altenew - Vintage Roses
• Ink: Versa Color - Vanilla, Sand Beige, Umber
• Die: MFT Die-namics - Stitched Tags
• 2-ply jute twine

I would like to link these up at the following challenges:

The Challenge - Challenge #48 - Weddings

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Dies and/or Punches (used both here)

The Friday Mashup - Challenge #232 - Leaves

Crafty Catz - Challenge #299 - Let's Tag It

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

I'm now putting together some ideas for the wedding invitations using the same theme and will share these at a later date.  

Thanks so much for visiting today.  Have a great day whatever you're up to.

Pearlescent and Pink

Hi guys

This card was made for a friend who wanted a card for a wedding tomorrow where she is a bridesmaid.

The bridesmaids' dresses are pale pink so I incorporated that on this card, as well as a request for the names of the bride and groom, and the date of their special day.

I recently purchased some pearlescent embossing paste and I was itching to use it so I die cut a heart from some scrap cardstock which I then used as a mask and applied the paste through a stencil.  I printed the names and date and cut this out with a tag die, together with another tag from pale pink vellum which I adhered offset behind.  I adhered the tags and then added a sequin and some twine, which I adhered with Glossy Accents to ensure they wouldn't shift.  I die cut the word love from some pale pink cardstock and adhered this across the stenciled heart, and finished off with some silver gems.

Materials used:

• Dies: Xcut - Nested Hearts; Clearly Besotted - Tag Along and Love Word Die
• Stencil: Memory Box - Scraped Paint
• Embossing Paste: Dreamweaver - Pearlescent
• Twine: Hemptique
• Sequin: Doodlebug
• Gems, vellum and cardstock from stash

Challenge entries:

Just Us Girls - Week #291 - Twine

Brown Sugar - Challenge #144 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create - Challenge #121 - Anything Goes


Thanks for popping by.  I now have a week off work so hopefully I'll find time for more crafting than I have of late.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and even better if like me you have a bank holiday on Monday :)

Less is More - Guest Designer!

Hi there

Eeeek...I'm very excited this morning as I recently received a happy email and I've been invited to be a Guest Designer at Less is More!

I absolutely love this challenge as it was one of the very first I discovered in blogland and I try to enter as often as I can so I'm absolutely honoured to be joining Chrissie, Sarah and Anne this week.

So, without further ado, this week the challenge is...

Add a Tag

Here is my card...

I stamped the flower on vellum and heat embossed in white before fussy cutting it out.  I then drew some sketchy lines on the reverse using a white Inktense pencil.  I then used the same vellum to die cut the leaves.  The tag outline and sentiment was also embossed in white on kraft cardstock and die cut with the co-ordinating tag die.  I cut a kraft panel and punched out some notches before wrapping around with some thin green twine.  Next the elements were layered up with more twine and the flower was adhered with silicone glue so the adhesive wouldn't show through.  A scattering of gems were added to finish.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Clearly Besotted - Tag Along; Uniko Studio - Beautiful Blooms II
• Dies: Clearly Besotted - Tag Along and Leafy Accents
• Ink: VersaMark
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Opaque Bright White
• Derwent Inktense Pencil - Antique White
• Cardstock: Neenah - Desert Storm
• Twine: Hemptique - Vintage
• Gems from stash

There are lots of ways to incorporate tags into your projects so we would love for you to join us and can't wait to see what you come up with.

A Thank You

Before I go I'd like to say a massive thank you to all of you that sent lovely messages about my little fur baby, Elmo.  He came home later on last Sunday and is recovering well from his surgery, it's amazing how quickly animals bounce back from medical procedures. Nothing was done during the surgery but he was given antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to calm down whatever was causing him the pain.  The vet said there's lots going on that doesn't look good so, unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done other than taking biopsies of various organs that are abnormal and giving him treatment which might not even help him, or possibly harm him elsewhere.  He also has a lymphoma and treatment for that is highly likely to be unsuccessful, not to mention extremely expensive. So, as long as he's pain free, that's my main priority right now.

He's been having lots of gentle cuddles.  I need to be careful as he has lots of stitches in his tummy which will be coming out next week.  Apart from being a bit tentative about climbing up on the bed and sofa, etc. he doesn't really seem bothered about the wound at all.  I find it amazing how resilient he is!

I'll leave you with a little pic...here he is, back in his favourite spot on my bed, such a brave boy xxx

Thank you so much for popping by today, I hope to see you again soon.