Less is More # 497

 

Hi there!

Todays challenge at Less is More is a goody, it's also a saddy as it's our last challenge of the year.

It's alphabet fortnight and we are up to the letter D for Deck the halls.

My card is exactly what it says on the tin, a Deck the halls card,

White card from Papermill Direct

Square dies for frame from Die-namics

Holly die from Alexandra Renke

Sentiment by Sugar Pea designs

Banner die from Catherine Pooler

I also added a tiny scrap of paper that was left from a sheet printed from a CD by Artilicious designs and some tiny red gems for berries from my stash

All thats left is for me to say,

 

Merry Christmas

& A happy New Year

from us all

 

Less is More # 496

 Hi there, 

I'm here today to share my Less is More DT card for our latest challenge.

A nice easy one this fortnight, Anything Goes as long as it's CAS

As you can see I've gone with a Christmas card.

CaS Christmas cards are great for those last minute, just remembered someone cards. Even better if you find the main componant already cut out in your odds and ends box.

I made a frame for this one just to take away the blandness but still leave it CAS.

Tree Die...Simply Graphic

Star, rectangle  & banner die...Die-namics

Sentiment...Mama Elephant

Thank you for visiting my blog, please check out the LIM blog for some super inspiration

Embossed birthday card

 Hello there,

Another quick post to share the card I made for my son to give his partner. He decided to ask me right at the last minute so not a lot of time to think about making something fancy. I'm rather pleased with how this one turned out though.

 

I used my Crafters Companion box maker score board for the embossed lines.

The circle was made using circle dies from Die-namics and Spellbinders.

Flowers are from Ebay.

Leaves are by Alexandra Renke

Sentiment is PC generated.

Thanks for popping in

Less is More #448

 Hello there,

 

 

Time for a brand new challenge at Less is More and this time it's a lovely one.

It's Teamie  Elaine's birthday this month so she has chosen a gorgeous card for us to case.

You have lots of choices with this card. There's the rose's, the colour and/or the tiling. Or you can put you're own interpretation on it. We can't wait to see your creations.

I chose to use this stamp, Zinnia's from Flourishes for my CASE, mainly because of the variety of oranges and golds they come in.

I stamped the image twice and coloured each flower separately making sure I got the right colour on the right flower. Once coloured I cut the base one with a stitched square die and adhered it to my card.

I cut a rectangle from the second image and carefully placed it over the first so that all the petals met.

The sentiment is a stamp from Visible Image.

I kept it to the one 'tile' and concentrated on the colours for my card but check out the other DT on the Less is More blog for some fabulous inspiration.

Stamps...Flourishes, Visible Image

Dies...Die-namics, Spellbinders

Thank you

 Hello there,

My husband retired from his job at the end of April. He was hoping to sneak away without any fuss but the rest of the staff had other plans. They'd laid on some sandwiches and cakes and presented him with lots of gifts. They even sent me some flowers for letting him work with them for the last few years.

I think he was a bit overwhelmed and even a bit emotional although he'll never admit that.

So ofcourse I just had to make a thank you card didn't I?

I've cased this design from one I found on Pinterest but there's no makers name so I can't give credit I'm afraid.

I found some eucalyptus leaf digital images on Etsy ( Reachdreams) and used these to make my DP.

I printed off 2 copies and trimmed one down slightly so I could lay it on top of the other, making sure the images sat true.

I printed off some larger images for my letters.

Die cut a small gift tag and the white leaves.

The heart on the tag is die cut from one of the eucalyptus leaves so the colours stay true, and the same with the tiny punched butterfly

Dies- Memory Box, Die-namics, the Works

 

 Thank you for popping in ...

Less is More #441 Diamonds

 Hello there.

It's time for a new challenge at Less is More and this time it's the dreaded one layer challenge.

I've taken the promt quite literally with my card and used a diamond (gem) stencil from Funky Fossil

 

 I started by embossing a square using a die from Die-namics, on the front of my card blank.

After a bit of measuring to find the centre to plave the stencil, I quicky sponged some white pigment ink through the stencil then sprinkled some pale pink glitter over it (after removing the stencil ofcourse)

The sentiment is by Wplus9 stamped with versamark black ink

Another view to try to show the sparkle from the glitter

Don't forget to check out the inspiration from the rest of the DT and leave them some love.

Thanks for popping in

Less is More #440

 Hello there,

It's our first challenge for April and it's a colour challenge, Pink, Grey and Gold.

We can't wait to see your creations using these gorgeous colours. There is some fabulous DT inspiration on the challenge blog. Please check them out and leave them some love.

I do love a colour challenge but I have to admit, this one really was a challenge. I do think it was lack of mojo rather than the colours though. Still, that's all part of the fun and it wouldn't be a challenge if it was too easy would it?

For my first card I began by die cutting a stitched rectangle from a piece of white card.

I then die cut a square of dark grey card before embossing with an EF.

With a piece of scrap card I inked a strip at the top with  pink pigment ink, big enough to fit the flower heads only before die cutting them. I then cut just the heads from a scrap piece of gold card, using a tiny bit of double sided tape I removed one piece from each flower and replaced it with the gold.

The sentiment was stamped and embossed in gold EP before being die cut with a small stitched rectangle.

This card came about out of frustration.

Among other things I've seen a fabulous stencil which is a grid pattern made up of dots, on a site in the EU. Unfortunately, since Brexit they have stopped selling to the UK because of our taxing system. To say I'm upset is an understatement but hey ho.

So I looked through the stencils that I do have and thought I could maybe get a similar effect from this one. I'm quite pleased with it.

 

After much masking with many post it's I used a tiny bit of embossing paste and then smothered it with gold EP. Once dry I melted it with my heat gun and here it is.

I then made a multi winged butterfly using 5 layers of bright pink paper from the plain butterfly die and the top layer from the cut out butterfly. The body was cut from a small piece of gold card.

 

The sentiment is stamped and embossed in gold EP and cut with a stitched rectangle die and I've added some small gold sequins to finish.

Dies- Die-namics, Memory Box,Spellbinders

Stencil- Alexandra Renke

Embossing Folder- Cuttlebug

Sentiment stamp-Avery Elle

 

Thank you for popping in x

Less is More #439 Inking

 Hello there,

We have a fab new challenge for you at Less is More 

today,

 

(inking a masked area on your card, using inked die cuts, inking the edges of your card etc etc)

Just remember to leave it clean and simple with lots of 'white' space. 

Well that's me settled comfortably in my happy place. I love playing with inks and getting messy. Trying different techniques and experimenting. So much so that I got a teeny bit carried away. Be warned, it could be a long post.

The more cards I made, the more I realised I had an unintentioned theme going on, so I'm calling them seasons. You'll see why.

 

 Spring is finally here and the gardens are showing off with their new shoots and blooms. 

I started with a brickwork stencil from Studio 75 and used Versacolor sandbeige with a touch of Antique linen DI on the edges.

The plants are a mix of Simply Graphic and Amazon dies cut from some card that I smooshed in Twinkling H2O's in different shades of green.Luckily I'd left some white card at the top so could place the flower on the 'clean' bit. I then coloured it with a Promarker.

The sentiment is from Avery Elles simple sentiments stamped in white ink onto black card.

 

 I'm calling this one summer because I think the circles look  like bubbles and they remind me of all the summers with my three kids and later with the grandkids chasing bubbles around the garden. Such a simple way to have fun but there's nothing lovelier than hearing little ones giggling is there?

I found this technique on Pinterest Here.

I had to have a  bit of practice to get it right but it's a super effect I think.

I made a mask from a piece of scrap card, cutting two circles, one slightly smaller than the other, witth dies. Then simple sponge just along the edge with your inks.

I used Versacolor inks in Orchid, Cyan and Lime moving the mask around so the colours were at different place.

Both the sentiment stamp and word die are from Avery Elle.

 

Ofcourse after summer comes Autumn. I quite like Autumn, especially the lovely warm colours when the leave start to change and the Dahlias are in flower.This one makes me think of sunsets while the days are still quite long.

For this card I smooshed Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon and Spiced Marmalade DI. I love the way the colours settle after smooshing, giving different depths of colour around the card.

Once dry I cut the card with a stitched square die from Die-namics then stamped the branch and bird from Inkadinkado in Versamark Onyx black ink.

Sentiment again from Avery Elle

 

 And then it's Winter again. Short days, long dark nights and it's cold. But then, if we're lucky, we get snow and the world becomes a magical place.

This one began as a scrap of white card and a stencil of small circles from Alexandra Renke. I sponged some white pigment ink through the stencil and then left it a couple of hours to dry.

Once dry I sponged Broken China, Tumbled Glass and a tiny bit of wilted Violet DI over a large part of the card. The white pigment ink shows through the DI faintly and I'm hoping it looks a bit like snow.

Once done I cut out a stitched circle with a Die-namics die.

Added the branch cut from white card with a Memory Box die and the bird ( Amazon)

The sentiment is Mama Elephant, Holiday Messages.

I hope I've given you a bit of inspiration and I can't wait to see what you come up with. I might even steal some of your ideas, with permission ofcourse.

Thanks for popping in x

 

Less is More # 432

 Hello there,

It's Saturday once again and time for a new challenge at Less is More 

and this time it's a colour challenge.

 

As it's getting nearer to 'that' time of year these colours are perfect for making some last minute Chritmas cards although they're also useful for any other occasion.

I couldn't decide which of the two to choose so I did one of each,

A nice simple card to start.

I smooshed a scrap of card ( I keep all my offcuts for things like this) in Broken China and Tumbled Glass DI before cutting it out with a deckled edge rectangle die from Caroles Crafts
 I mounted the panel with foam pads and added the trees cut with a die from Amazon in silver mirri card.

The sentiment is from Mamma Elephant stamped onto a long strip of card which fits right across the card front.

For my next card I used a scrap of patterned paper in neutral colours cut with a square die (Spellbinders)

I made the frame from a piece of gold mirri card and two square dies, one slightly smaller than the other to give a thinner frame ( Die-namics & Spellbinders)

The Poinsettia die is from Amazon, cut from dark red card and finished with the stamen from a flower that had seen better days.

Sentiment stamp from Avery Elle

Please check out the DT blogs  and other entrants for some fabulous inspiration, I can't wait to see your creations.

Thanks for popping in x

Less is More #418

Hi there,

I have some very exciting news to tell you today. I'm very proud (chuffed to bits really) to let you know that I have been accepted as a new member of the design team at Less is More.
So without further ado, here are the details of this fortnights challenge

And here is my first card as DT.

One of the things about this awful virus and the effect it's having on us all with lockdowns and restrictions is that communities are coming together not only to keep themselves and their children occupied, but to look out for others who may need help. One of the things I've noticed as I go for my morning walk are the beautiful rainbow pictures the kids have done and put in their windows to say thank you to health and other key workers. They brighten my day and make me smile so with that in mind I made my card.

I used my Kaiser Craft stains stamp set with versacolor inks in rainbow colours.

The thank you is a die set from Die-Namics and I managed to find a strip of silver card with tiny holographic stars that I bought many years ago.

I'm really looking forward to seeing your creations and thank you for popping into my blog x

CAS Christmas, April 2020

Hi there

How are you all managing with the limits we're living under due to this terrible virus? For me, the worse part is not being able to cuddle my grand kids. I saw my youngest grand daughter Emilia yesterday. She's 10 months old and learning new things all the time but I could only speak to her through the car window. It was torture seeing her but not being able to touch. I'm sure you are all in the same boat one way or another and I feel for you.

Anyway, onto more pleasant things. It's time for April challenge at CAS Christmas  which is,

Here is my entry

I've gone with " Deck the Halls" and now can't stop singing fa la lala laa

I started by cutting the holly boughs( Nellie Snellen) from some card that I'd smooshed with distress inks and sprayed lightly with gold Glimmer Mist.

The berry die cut is cut from white pearlized card.

I tried lots of colours for the background panel, gray, kraft, red and white embossed but decided to go a little bit quirky and smoosh some more card with Twinkling H2O's in Pink, Grapefruit and Jasmine.

I then chose the bits with the best variation in shade and cut them with a rectangle die from Die-Namics

The sentiment (song) is by Winnie & Walter stamped in Versamark Black

I've added a few pink gems for berries.

A close up of the holly after a spray of  gold Glimmer Mist

Thanks for popping in x

Less is More 2nd entry

Hi there,
 Hoping you're all feeling well and coping with this madness we're living through at the moment. At least if we are confined to barracks we have our crafting to fall back on.

I'm popping in today with a second go at the Less is More challenge which is,

There is a DT vacancy at Less is More that, after much thought and encouragement from hubby I decided I would try for. Unfortunately, when I entered my first card I forgot to add DT after my name DOH!
So I've taken the opportunity to make another card and I'll try not to forget the important bit.

I'm also entering this card into the latest challenge at Time out who are having a birthday celebration

I started off by smooshing some card off cuts with Cosmic Shimmer paints in Ruby and Raspberry

Once dry I cut out the leaf making sure I had enough of both the main colours showing.

I then made a mask by cutting a circle from a scrap of paper and centralising it onto my card front. I then stamped a Script stamp ( Indigo Blu) in Memento London Fog.

I used 2 different dies ( Spellbinders & Die-namics) to make my frame from dark grey card.

The sentiment is by Avery Elle stamped in clear ink and embossed in white EP.

Thanks for popping in x

Affectionate or sloppy?

Hi There,

I've been toying with what else to do with my new (to me) embossing folder and had got as far as getting two shades of grey card on my desk. I was given a bolt of inspiration from two challenge blogs today so I got busy and came up with this.

I used dark grey card to make an A5 card and a snippet of pale grey, cut with a rectangle die from Die-namics and run through the EF from We are memory keepers.
I cut the heart flowers from Amazon, twice, once in white and once in red pearlized card, then chopped the hearts off and mixed them up.
The sentiment is computer generated.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges,

CTD 578

Time Out

Thanks for popping in x

A just for fun card

Hi There,

I don't often make cards just for the fun of it but I've just received an embossing folder that I've had my eye on for ages and couldn't wait to start playing with it.

The EF is by We Are Memory Keepers and I'm so in love with it. I think you're going to see quite a lot of it in the future.

Although it looks fab on it's own, I've dressed it up a bit for this one with some gems.

Dies are, frame Die- namics

Flower , Memory Box

Sentiment is Anita's craft.

Thanks for popping in x

Birthday card

Hello

I've been very busy making cards, especially Christmas one's and knitting for the grand kids but just haven't got around to blogging anything. So I've decided to leave the vacuuming for now and get on with it.

This is the card I made for my sister in law.

Nice and simple but perfect for her.

Papers by The Lovely Studio
Leaf dies from the Works
Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
Circle frame is made from dies by Die-namics
Butterflies are a punch.

I'll make an effort not to leave it so long in the future (famous last words)

Thanks for popping in x