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!

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!

One Layer Chalk and Ink

Hi guys

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, I've actually made a card and written a post!

The chaos being caused by the new kitchen in still in full swing but I managed to grab a small space amongst the clutter and dust to make a card.  I couldn't let this week pass by without entering a card over at Less is More for their 4th birthday.  Less is More was one of the very first challenges I discovered and I'm gutted I've missed so many challenges so far this year, but hopefully I can soon get back to normal and get my craft workspace back properly!

It's a colour challenge at Less is More and they want us to use Pink and Grey on our creations.  So here's what I made...

I thought I'd reach for my chalks as I hadn't used them for ages so I masked off a rectangle and blended three pink shades with cotton wool to create the background.  I then simply stamped the silhouette, butterfly and sentiment in Memento ink and that was it, done :)

Materials used:

• Chalks: Craf-T Products - Decorating Chalk
• Stamps: Inkylicious - Meadow Breeze; Wild Rose Studio - Everyday Greetings
• Ink: Memento - London Fog

I would also like to enter this card at the following challenge blogs:

One Layer Simplicity - Challenge #13 - You Blend (chalks)

CAS on Sunday - Challenge #51 - Flowers

Thanks so much for visiting today, and I hope it won't be too long before I'm back with more to share.

Fairy Silhouette

Hi there

Tonight, I'd like to share a card I've just made for the new challenge at CASology where the cue word is 'Magic'.  

I have very little in my craft stash that would fit this challenge but one stamp set came to mind so this is what I managed to create with it...

For my first attempt at this card I stamped the image last but it didn't stamp clearly enough so that card ended up in the bin and I started again.  This time I stamped the fairy image first and let this dry completely before masking off a section of the card with post-it notes.  I also die cut a post-it note using a circle die to create the moon.  I then gently built up the background with pink, purple and indigo chalks.  I then removed the circle die and gently blended over the moon with pink chalk to make it softer and used some white chalk to soften it more and create some gentle clouds.  I finished the card by adding the sentiment.  I was originally going to add a further sentiment below which said 'believe...' but the stamp was damaged so this became the finished card.  I think I would have preferred to have the sentiment stamped at the bottom but I didn't want to create the whole project again! 

Materials used:

• Stamps: Lindsay Mason Designs - Magic Happens
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
• Die: Xcut - Nested Circles
• Decorating Chalks

That's all for now folks.  Tomorrow I'll be sharing my card for the new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More so would love it if you'd pop back.

Take care

Bullrush Sunset

Hi guys

I'm back with the second card I've made for the new one layer challenge at Less is More, to 'Adapt a Fingerprint'.

I made use of my chalks on this one, something I haven't used for a long time...

I used a large post-it note to mask off one side of the card base and then used my chalks to blend a sunset background.  I then used the side of my little finger to stamp the bullrushes.  This was my second attempt at this card.  For my first attempt I got this far and then hand drew the stems but I really wasn't happy with them so I started again and raided my stamp collection.  This time, before stamping my fingerprints I stamped the stems, part of a stamp, then made the fingerprints, before hand drawing in the tips with a fine liner.  The little flying birds are also from the same set. This looks like a very peaceful scene so I decided to make this into a sympathy card, stock I have very little of as they are never easy to make at a sad time.

Materials used:

• Chalks: Craf-T Products - Decorating Chalks
• Stamps: Kanban - Spring Meadow; Clearly Besotted - Many Messages, My Fingerprint
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black

I would also like to enter this into the following challenge:

CAS on Sunday - Challenge #37 - One Layer Wonder
Addicted to CAS - Challenge #42 - Sky (thanks to Loll for reminding me!)

Using fingerprints is great fun, why not have a go if you haven't already.  It's like being back at school! :)

Bye for now

Thinking of You

Hi guys

Well, this morning we seem to have a gap in the stormy weather down here in Devon and at the moment the sun is shiny! A very welcome sight :)

Today, I've had a go at recreating a one-layer card very similar to a fab card made a while ago by Rebecca at Melly moo, you can see Rebecca's post here.  For my card I used chalks to create the shadow.  It doesn't jump off the page as well as Rebecca's card.  I really need to invest in some ink/sponging products!  That said, I do like it and I think the subtle feel is fitting for the sentiment.  See what you think...

I was lucky enough to get my order in for the Dandelion Dreams stamp set at Clearly Besotted before it sold out...and I adore it.  The note pad stamp was released a while ago but I only just purchased it with this month's order so wanted to give that a whirl too.

I started by stamping the 'decorative tape' and then masked this off before stamping the note pad.  Then, lots of post-it notes were used as masks to create an edge to the pad and a gap to chalk the shadow.  I then masked off the shadow before stamping the dandelions.

I'm fairly happy with the result but I don't think I managed to accomplish exactly what I set out to do.  Oh well, its all good practice!

Materials used:

• Stamps: Kaisercraft - Decorative Tape Pieces; Clearly Besotted Stamps -Just A Note, Dandelion Dreams, Many Messages
• Ink: Memento - London Fog; Versa Color - Seafoam and Petal Pink; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Chalk: Craf-T Products - Decorating Chalks

Challenge Entries:

Less is More - Week 158 - One Layer Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #81 - Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Sentiments

Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 222 - Sentiment as Main Focus

Dynamic Duos - #89 Subtly Yours - Light Green and Soft Pink

Apart from the sentiment set, all of these stamp sets are new to my collection and I love them.  No doubt you'll be seeing a lot more of these in the future.  

There are a few chores I need to do today but you never know, I'll more than likely get distracted and have another card to share later ;)

See you soon

Less is More Week 126

Hi there

Apologies for being a bit quiet this week, I just haven't been able to find the time to make any cards but I wanted to make at least one before the week was over so I decided to have a go at this week's challenge at Less is More before the challenge ends tomorrow.  The very talented Hannelie of Desert Diva is a Guest Designer this week, so if you're not familiar with Hannelie's fab designs go take a look here, you won't be disappointed.

The trigger word this week is SAND.  At first I drew a blank but then I remembered a stamp set I recently acquired free with Creative Stamping magazine.  The set is by Clear Impressions and features some seaside designs.

I decided to create a beach scene, why, I really don't know!  This is not in my comfort zone AT ALL!  So I found myself reaching for my chalks which have been abandoned of late and this is what emerged...

To be honest, I absolutely hated this when I first completed the chalking and stamping!  I was using a larger piece of white card to chalk the background and it looked a bit of a mess.  I then cut it down to size before deciding where to place the sentiment and by the time I matted and layered it which framed the whole picture, its now starting to grow on me a little.  I coloured the deck chair with FlexMarkers.  Initially I was just going to put it aside and not share it with you guys but then I thought 'hey, a challenge is a challenge' so here it is.

Materials used:

• Chalks: Craf-T Products - Decorating Chalks
• Stamps: Clear Impressions
• Ink: Impress: Jet Black
• Coloured with FlexMarkers
• Cardstock from stash

As always, thanks for visiting today and hopefully I will have more cards to share with you over the weekend :)

Take care

Less is More Week 106 OLC Music

Hiya

I want to start by saying a huge thank you to my first 10 followers, it means so much to me so thank you *little claps* :)

Well despite being sat in front of the laptop for what seems like two whole days on eBay I managed to find some time to enter this week's challenge at Less is More.  This challenge is to create a One Layer Card with a reference to Music.

My heart sank when I read what this new challenge was as I knew I had no stock whatsoever that referred to music...or so I thought.  I then had a brainwave and as it turns out...some peel-offs came to my rescue!  Yes, REALLY!  I raided a pack of partly-used peel-offs I'd listed on eBay yesterday, one of which had musical instruments on it.  Yay!

This is what I came up with...

 

I ripped some paper and masked off an area of the card, then stuck the musical note peel-offs in this area before carefully chalking in three colours applied with cotton wool.  I then removed the paper and carefully uplifted the peel-offs with a pokey tool.

And a closer view...

 

 

I then curved a clear sentiment stamp to match the contour of the chalked edge but to my horror I made a bit of a boob when stamping it.  Panic set it as I had no more peel-offs.  I tried to rescue my card by re-stamping to correct my mistake (why, I'll never know as this never works!) but I was delighted when this happened! 

 

 

As I hadn't lined up the image properly it created a faded shadow behind the original impression and I actually love it.   I think it makes a lovely soft effect alongside the chalk.

 

Now that I look at the completed card I think I should have made the chalked area smaller as I don't think I've left enough white space for this challenge.

 

Materials used:

• Chalks: Decorating Chalks by Craf-T Products
• Peel-offs: Musical notes - unknown brand
• Stamp: SP & Company - Just a Note stamp set
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black

 

So there you have it, learning from my mistakes all the time! :)  Thanks for visiting as always.

 

Neet x



CASology Week #27 & CAS-ual Fridays CFC86

Hi guys

Well here I am with my next attempt at blog challenges. 

I'm entering the following card into the following two challenges:

 

CASology Week #27: Blue

This challenge is to make a card using a Blue theme

 

 

CAS-ual Fridays: CFC86 Long & Short

This challenge is to make a CAS card with one long and one short side.

 

 

 

 

  

 

I've always enjoyed using tall cards but on this occasion I decided to use it with a landscape orientation rather than portrait. 

I started by ripping a plain piece of paper and laying this over the white card base.  I then used cotton wool to swirl on some chalk to create the blue background.  Next I stamped the large flower and heat embossed with clear embossing power.  I then made a mask over this image and stamped the leaves so that they appeared to be behind the flower.  This was also then heat embossed.  I then created the sentiment, butterfly and small flower in the same way.  I then finished with a few glazed gems.

I've not used this chalking technique or heat embosssing for a while so thought I'd give it another go and I'm quite happy with the finished result.  Apologies again for the dark photos, although its daylight I still needed the light on!

Materials used:

• Chalk: Decorating Chalks by Craf-T Products
• Stamps: Hero Arts - Share Laughter stamp set
• Ink: Versacolor - Sky Blue, Baby Blue, Royal Blue, Turquoise
• Embossing Powder: Rubber Stampede - Clear
• Gems: Papermania - Glazed Gems (Iridescent)

Thanks for visiting me today.


Neet x



Less is More Challenge - OLC Sport or Exercise

Hiya

So, being a complete newbie to the blogging world I've been hopping around to see what its all about and came across the Less is More Challenge Blog.  So I thought why not give it a go.  The current challenge is to create a One Layer Card using the theme Sport or Exercise.

I'm still quite limited with my stock of stamps (I always seem to get drawn to the pretty girlie ones!) but managed to find this little guy and I'm quite pleased with the result :)

 

I started by scoring some lines on the top and bottom of the card just to add a some interest.  I then stamped the image with Versafine Onyx Black.  I wanted to create some interest behind the image so I drew the lines of the goal net using a Whispers Embossers pen then gently dabbed on some grey chalk with a cotton wool pad.  I coloured the image using a waterbrush and some Marvy Le Plume and Whispers Strokes pens.  I finished by stamping the 'Man of the Match' image and adding a few gems to tie it all together.

I don't think I've ever created a one layer card so all in all I'm pretty chuffed with it.  Lets hope I've followed the brief correctly!

Materials used:

• Stamps: Footballer - unknown brand; Man of the Match - Papermania Its a Man's World, For Love of Sport
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Colouring: Marvy Le Plume II and Whispers Strokes pens - used with water brush
• Whispers Embossers pen
• Chalk: Decorating Chalks by Craf-T Products
• Gems: Papermania Mosaics - Sapphire & Topaz set

Thanks for taking the time to visit.

Neet x