Less is More - Week 117 - Sketch

And back round to Monday we come........hope you all had a great weekend.

This week's challenge over at Less is More is a sketch challenge that has been drawn by Jen:
 

Sketch #9

This week we have a sketch for you drawn by Jen.

It's simplicity itself, so to add a little constraint, we ask that the card stays in this orientation.  Remember we still want to see plenty of white space.

 

 

Here's my take on the challenge.  I am just loving this technique, I think it looks so nice.  The stamped elements are from a Chocolate Baroque stamp set called Breath of Spring and I have used the main hydrangea flower and one of the corner stamps.  Inks used were Stampin Up Perfect Plum and Always Artichoke.  The alphabet dies are Memory Box Large Classic and the border die is Cheery Lyn Lace Light Deco Border.  I actually cut the words directly out of the stamped image and then cut two more layers out of plain card to give it dimension and then just popped the letters back in their holes......much easier than the original way of doing it!

Thanks for visiting and hope you all have a creative week.

Burning Issues............

Hi everyone - hope you're having a good weekend.  Does anyone know where the good weather that was forecast has gone????  Cold, wet, miserable - and it's the end of April!

I was asked to take my "wares" along to a sale yesterday morning so I duly paid my money for the table and turned up at around 9.30am - after setting up (which normally takes about 45 minutes or so) thought I'd have a look round at the other sellers' goodies...........to say I wasn't a happy bunny is an understatement - there were three other people selling cards and seeing as there were only about 20 tables in the hall this was absolutely ludicrous.  It's not good for the people paying to come in and it's not very good at all for us poor folk trying to sell a few things.  One lady who passed my table was heard to say "not more cards!!!" - needless to say she didn't even bother to stop to look at all the other stuff that I was selling.

Anyway I thought I'd share with you a little project I started on Thursday when Jan and I did a workshop with the fabulous Margaret Beal working with organza, felt and a soldering iron.  It wasn't finished as we only had about 50 minutes at the show - so had a play this morning and this is the finished "sampler".  Basically it is cutting (to show different colour fabrics underneath) and making marks with the soldering iron and fusing together and onto felt.  Margaret had a few metal objects that we could "draw" around to cut out the organza or just to make marks and I said to Jan we could use our metal dies........so out they came and I had fun playing with cutting out some leaves and the large flower on the top left hand side.  I thought the abstract piece (bottom right) looks a bit like a landscape.  It was great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Unfortunately I just couldn't seem to capture the vibrancy of the pieces in the photos as the organza really does sparkle and shimmer, but it gives you an idea.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Thanks for dropping by and leaving me your lovely comments.

Less is More - Week 116 - CASe It

Well, what a glorious day we've got here in Somerset - blue skies and sunshine although a chilly wind......but it lifts you up seeing the sun.

Here is my card for the latest Less is More challenge.   Here are the details:

This week we are having a challenge not previously employed at "Less is More".

We have only two sample cards this time as we would like you to choose one (or both if you feel so inclined)  and CASE IT/them.

There could be a variety of ways that this could be achieved... ie use of the colours, the layout, the subject matter, technique or the complete card. Please state the inspiration for your CASE.

I have wanted to try out this new (to me anyway) technique of stamping an image and then stamping it on letters/sentiments and placing one on top of the other.  It looks stunning but I had a bit of trouble in that the alphabet dies I have are quite small and I use them mainly for card making hence the size; but you really do need something slightly larger so it shows up. 

The first card I did went totally wrong and the letters got engulfed in the background.  So then I spent ages cutting out letters from a Die-Versions Editor in Chief alphabet.  I die cut two of each letter to make them stand out more and then stuck them together.  I chose quite an open stamp of sketchy boats/sail boards (not sure which) on the sea.  I stamped this in Memento Bahama Blue ink.  I then placed the letters for Happy Birthday on some easy lift tape so they wouldn't move and then placed this on a piece of acetate.  I lined the acetate up with the stamped image so I could decide on the placement.  I then stamped the image again over the letters and acetate - this way I could see exactly where they should go.

I have used my Big Splash border (MB) along the bottom and then mounted it onto a piece of coredinations which was embossed and sanded.  I used some white linen cardstock for my base card and embossed two lines and added a thin strip of the same coredinations.

Thanks for popping in - hope you're having this lovely weather wherever you are.

Amazing blog giveaway

Just thought I'd let you know that Caryn Davies has a new home at Glitter me Silly.  To celebrate she's posted an absolutely amazing blog giveaway:

 

Here is a list of what Caryn has included in the giveaway:

Clearly Besotted Stamps: Butterfly Wishes, Blooming Marvellous and Post It: Love (kindly donated by Steph at Clearly Besotted)

Papertrey Ink: Selection of cardstock (not all colours shown), A2 envleopes and a roll of Pure Poppy satin ribbon.

Memory Box Die: Cosmic Star Border

MFT Die-namics dies: Stocking Trio, Santa’s Sleigh, and Bon Appetit

Rangers Glossy Accents

Stix 2 High tack permanent tape roller (essential)

Memento Tuxedo Black inkpad

Cabury’s chocolate selection (is there any other kind??)

Please pop over and have a look and add your name to the list for a chance to win some gorgeous goodies.

Thanks for popping by.

Japanese Bookbinding

Hello everyone.  Just thought I'd make a quick post to show you a project I made yesterday at a Japanese Bookbinding workshop I went to.

Had a thoroughly good time and it was lovely to bring home a completed project, although, saying that, I have added to it today.  I made the basic book yesterday and then today I have added the beaded skewer, wooden heart button and copper maple leaf (which was sitting on my desk waiting to be used).  I also stamped the sentiment which comes from the Heartfelt Creations set HCPC3514 - Floral Fence - stamped in Rich Cocoa Memento ink both top left and bottom right (although it's not so clear due to the colouring of the paper on the cover).  Not sure I've chosen the right ribbon for the closure so may end up changing that.

Right, just going to catch up on some blog posts and then off to start dinner.  Hope you've all had a good weekend.

See you soon.

Addicted to CAS - Challenge #11

Happy Saturday everyone - hope you're looking forward to a relaxing weekend.  Where do the weeks go?  It's time for another challenge at Addicted to CAS and this week the theme has been chosen by the lovely Caz.  Here are the details:

Our amazing sponsor this week is Bugaboo Stamps!!!! They are generously offering you a pack of 7 digi's from their store!!!

I've made two cards, both with images from Bugaboo.  The first is using their SCENEIT Ladybugs and on the second I have used their Silhouette Hummingbird Flowers digistamp.  

 

I printed out the ladybugs digi onto printer card and coloured with Flexmarkers.  I then used a Spellbinders nestie to die cut the image in the shape of a flower and before I took it out of the die I sponged DI Dried Marigold around the edges.  I added Crystal Lacquer to the flower centres, the ladybugs, butterflies and water drops on the petals and leaves.  The sentiment is from the Stampin Up Circle of Friendship set and was die cut and sponged as above.  It looked a little stark just putting it on a plain white card blank and then I remembered I had an embossing folder that had flowers of a similar shape......so off I went and it was exactly where it was supposed to be.....hehe.  It is the Creative Expressions EF-004 Floral e/f.  I placed the card blank in it so the central panel would be embossed and then I embossed a line top and bottom of the design.  Image and sentiment were popped up on d/s foam pads.

For the second card I printed off the silhouette image on my laser printer and then foiled it with a lovely blue foil.  It was then mounted on a matching piece of mirri card which I die cut using my Spellbinders Lacey Circles.  The sentiment was computer generated and foiled.  It was then die cut and matted using my Spellbinders D-Lites Ornamental Tags 2 dies.  The embossing down each side was done using my Stampin Up Simply Scored Borders Plate.  Please pop on over to the Addicted to CAS blog and see what lovely cards the DT have come up with and we look forward to seeing all your fantastic creations and visiting your blogs.

 Have a great weekend.

 

 

Magic Card

Hello everyone.  Well although it's pretty chilly and very breezy we have, at last, got blue skies and sunshine......long may it continue.

We are still slogging on with the new bathroom and ensuite but I managed to get away for a bit of play time. 

I found a brilliant card design by the very talented Marianne Skjelstad and you can find her tutorial here. 


I really thought it was such a pretty design I couldn't wait to have a go and as it's my friend Barbara's birthday soon I made it with her in mind. 

Not sure why it's called a "magic" card but from what I understand Marianne's son was showing her some magic tricks to do with paper folding and this idea came to her.........

I'm not going to list exactly the sizes and method as you can find that in the tutorial but I have used my Martha Stewart edge punch and card/paper from my stash.  The image is a lovely digi stamp called "Noon" by Sara Burrier and has been coloured with Flexmarkers, Glamour Dust added to her wings and then fussy cut and popped up on Pinflair Glue Gel.  The sentiment on the front is from my Heartfelt Creations Heartfelt Expressions stamp set stamped in Sweet Plum Memento ink.  Inside the card the ovals and scalloped ovals have been die cut with Spellbinders Nesties.  The sentiment on the inside of the card is from Elusive Images and the actual greeting was computer generated.  Flowers, pins and pearls from stash and I've added Liquid Pearls to the centre of the flowers on the front of the card.

I was really pleased with the way this card turned out and hope Barbara will like it.

Thanks for dropping by - don't forget to come by tomorrow for our latest challenge over at Addicted to CAS.

Less is More - One Layer Week 115

Hi Folks - here I am with another entry for the Less Is More One Layer challenge with the theme of Films.

This card is really self explanatory.......... totally computer generated with an image of Marilyn Monroe and the sentiment.  I don't even have to tell you the title (hopefully!!!  lol) - it is what it says!

Thanks for your visit.

Less is More - One Layer Week 115

Hi everyone - well today hasn't given us the nice weather they forecast.......it's been raining all day!  Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Over at Less is More there's a new challenge which is:

This week we have a fun challenge for you.

It must be 

ONE LAYER

(If you're unsure of our rules for this, just look at the Glossary at the top of the blog)

The subject of your cards this time should be inspired by

A FILM

Any film will do, but preferably one that most people will have heard of.

We'd obviously like you to tell us the title of your film and not keep us guessing.

I definitely had a head-scratching moment (or couple of hours.....) as nothing immediately sprung to mind as I didn't seem to have anything that matched the films I thought of.  So decided to turn it on it's head and find a stamp and then look for the film!  Hope this isn't cheating Chrissie & Jen????

I've used Paris Postcard from Elusive Images for my card and the image was stamped with a mixture of Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant and Melon Mambo SU inks directly onto a white linen card base.  I've also used the same inks for the sentiment. 

And the film???  Well it's An American in Paris - a 1951 American musical film inspired by the 1928 orchestral composition by George Gershwin. Starring Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guétary, and Nina Foch, the film is set in Paris, and was directed by Vincente Minnelli from a script by Alan Jay Lerner. The music is by George Gershwin, with lyrics by his brother Ira, with additional music by Saul Chaplin, the music director. 

I couldn't figure out how to add a link for the American.  Note to self "must do better.......".  Will try to come up with another card later in the week but am on wallpaper stripping and tile ripping duties at the moment - so will be glad of a break.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for popping by.

Water Stamping

Happy Friday everyone.  Sorry not to have been around much this week but I was at a 3 day workshop earlier in the week and then other things have taken priority!!!  There is a great technique tutorial over at Mynette's Technique Tuesday on water stamping.  Do pop on over to have a look and see the great inspiration provided by the DT.

For my card I inked Distress Inks in Shabby Shutters, Mustard Seed and Marigold.  I then used my Leafy Accents stamps from Clearly Besotted for the water stamping.  I cut out the nicest part of the inked card and trimmed it and matted it on the base card.  I inked up the large trailing leaf stamp and then die cut it with the matching set of dies.  The banner and sentiment is also from Clearly Besotted and was die cut with the matching dies.  I then used a Stampin Up punch and used the waste inked card to punch my flowers.  Everything was then popped up on the card using Pinflair glue gel and I added some Liquid Pearls in the centre of the flowers and at the bottom of the card.

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you all have a great weekend..........fingers crossed we will be getting some good weather as predicted!

Less is More - Colour Challenge

This week's challenge over at Less is More is a colour challenge and Chrissie & Jen have chosen:

 

For this month our colour choice is 

LIME & BLACK

We are delighted to have a new sponsor, 

Stephanie 

from 

Clearly Besotted Stamps

Lime is a very vibrant colour and I must admit I had to hunt around a bit to see if I had any card in this colour but wanted to join in this challenge to be in the running for a prize from the uber talented Stephanie..........gorgeous stamps and dies.

I die cut the Memory Box Orchard Tree Frame using lime and black card.  I then folded some A4 white pearlescent card to make an A5 card blank and again die cut the frame in the front of the card.  I then took the outline of the tree from the lime die cut and placed inside the white aperture and then took all the negative shapes from the black die cut and added them to the lime tree - thus making up the whole image.  All the pieces were adhered at the back so nothing fell out and another piece of card attached so you can't see the "workings" of the card.  I die cut a Spellbinders bonsai tree out of the lime card.  The sentiment is from the Elusive Images Birthday Words set, stamped in Memento Pear Tree and die cut using Spellbinders Ornamental Tags Two.  I've added three lime pearls (although not sure the colour really shows up) and some tiny diamante gems through the tree to look like stars.

Thanks so much for popping in.  I won't be around for the next few days as I am going on a 3 day workshop tomorrow, have a Parish Council meeting tomorrow night and our monthly craft club on Wednesday night.......think I'm going to need a holiday after all that!!!  lol

Addicted to CAS - Challenge #10

Hello Everyone - hope you are all well this Saturday morning.  Yet another amazing response to our last challenge - thank you so much.  It's that time again..........a new challenge over at Addicted to CAS and the challenge host is the lovely Natasha.  She has chosen the code word:

 

This week we are sponsored by 

CHRISTINE IS OFFERING OUR WINNER 3 RUBBER STAMPS FROM THE CC DESIGNS RANGE OR 5 DIGITAL STAMPS OR YOUR CHOICE AVAILABLE AT ALL THAT SCRAPS!!!

Here is a little about the wonderful Christine -

All That Scraps has been in business since 2007 started out of our garage. Now we have our own line of rubber stamps and dies. We create cuties galore, if you like cute you will love All That Scraps.

christine@allthatscraps.com

My card is pretty straight forward.  I have used my Spellbinders Radiant Rectangles - amazingly you can create 20+ designs from the 7 dies in the set and it's so pretty.  The sentiment was computer generated in CraftArtist and was originally a Heartfelt Creations sentiment which I've typed in different fonts and resized to fit the die.  This was die cut and sponged around the edges with Antique Linen DI.  It's mounted on kraft card and then I've die cut the next size die up and again sponged ink.  This has been popped up on a cream A5 card blank which I ran through my eBosser in an Embossalicious e/f.  I've added some pearls to finish the card off.

Thanks for dropping by.  Don't forget to pop on over to Addicted to CAS to have a look at all the inspiration the DT have come up with for you.

Less is More - Lucky Dip - Scallops

Hello all - just a quick post today with my entry to the latest Less is More challenge which, this week, is:

As March is a month containing 5 Saturdays, once more we have a Guest Designer for our Lucky Dip Challenge!

We have chosen 

SCALLOPS

I think I might have got a teeny bit carried away with my card.......but I'll let you be the judge of that!

Base is an 8" square scalloped card.  The next layer has been put through my eBosser using my Darice Lace 12" e/f and embossed top and bottom edges.  The centre panel has been punched using a Martha Stewart scallop punch.  Two lines have been embossed on this piece and cream scalloped lace added.  The centre focal point is SU Apothecary Art stamps and die cut using the matching dies - mounted on kraft card.  I've added liquid pearls to the embossed edges.

Thanks for dropping by.

Easter Card

Afternoon everyone.  Hope you've all had a really  good Easter break and that the Easter Bunny was kind to you!!!  Sorry to be a bit late posting this but we were away at the weekend and today have been clearing out our main bathroom and an ensuite as they are due to be demolished tomorrow............do you realise just how much "stuff" you can fit into bathroom cupboards etc????  Still most of it is done now and we have our plumber coming in tomorrow to remove everything so we can demolish a wall to enlarge the ensuite (which is next door to the bathroom).  We are expecting lots of dust.........watch this space.

Anyway onto the card.  This was one I made for my sister and it was a bit different to normal Easter cards.  I have used the fairly new Easter egg and greeting stamp from IndigoBlu with Flitterglu and covered it with gilding flakes and die cut with a scalloped oval nestie and mounted it onto copper miri card.  I wasn't all that happy with the result so decided to make use of my Spellbinders Cross dies.  I die cut the cross out of copper sheet and then heated it with my cooks blow torch to change the colours.  I laid it down centrally on the Easter egg image but it got a bit lost with the gilding; I then decided to die cut another cross out of black cardstock but this time I didn't want to remove all the intricate pieces so put sellotape on the back to make sure they stayed in place.  I mounted the copper cross on top of the black cross which made it stand out much more.  I then heat embossed the sentiment using copper e/p. I mounted this onto a black scalloped card onto which I had laid three lines of red liner tape and added gilding flakes.  The addition of copper paper effects in each corner finished the card.

Thanks so much for dropping by.