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 :)

Personalised Wedding

Hi guys

A while ago I was approached by my boss as she wanted me to make a personalised card for her son's wedding...yikes, no pressure!!!

All I had were their names and the date, the rest was up to me.  So, I wanted to keep it fairly soft and neutral.  The wedding is today and I know the card has already been given so its now safe to upload!

Here's what I managed to come up with...

 

 

I added an insert and continued the theme inside...

 

 

and I also stamped a matching envelope

 

This card took me quite a while to create as I didn't have a vision when I started.  This was also an A5 card which was a bit scary in itself!  I started by cutting some pearlescent cream paper slightly larger than the white top layer and used a Stampin' Up Edgelit and matching embossing folder to create the ornate edges.  I then held the two layers together with low tack tape while I die cut the ornate square through the two layers.  I then used a matching die, slightly larger, to just cut through the white cardstock, enabling the cream edge to be seen through the aperture.  This was what took the time, working out how I wanted it to look and then lining it all up.  I then used a stripes embossing folder to emboss the top half of the white cardstock.

Next I stamped the tiny roses and leaves to add a touch of colour.  I then tied some cream grosgrain ribbon around the white cardstock before adhering this to the cream layer and then the base card.  Once the aperture was in place I stamped the main sentiment on the base card.  I decided to use Charcoal ink instead of black which gave it a softer feel.

I then printed the names and the date on some thick paper, again using dark grey instead of black.  Unfortunately, I don't have a printer that prints on card so paper had to do but I made sure I placed enough 3D foam underneath to hold it in place on the card.  I die cut these with banners and a heart and stamped the little hearts and rings and added some gems.  I finished off with a cream grosgrain bow.

I wanted to add an insert so I stamped another sentiment from the same stamp set and continued with the rose detail in the bottom corner.  I also stamped the rose on the envelope to bring it all together. 

Phew, this card took me about two hours to create, mainly because I was making it up as I went along, and also because it was A5 and had a lot more elements than I am used to including.  But I was really pleased with it and I've had a text from my boss today to say the happy couple liked it too :)

Materials used:

• Cardstock: Southfield - 300gsm Pure White Glass Smooth; pearlescent paper from stash
• Embossing Folders: ProvoCraft/Cuttlebug - Stripes; Stampin' Up - Adorning Accents
• Dies: Stampin' Up Edgelits - Adorning Accents; Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels One; Clearly Besotted Stamps - Tag Along and Love Hearts
• Stamps: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Happily Ever After and Many Thanks (small hearts)
• Ink: Versa Color - Charcoal, Bisque, Laurel Leaf and Silver
• Grosgrain ribbon from stash

Apologies, that was a very long post!  If you're still reading thanks so much for visiting, it really is appreciated and I hope to see you very soon. 

Bye for now

Uniko Studio Design Team CASE Challenge

Hi there

So sorry I've not been posting on here lately, just seem to constantly be busy and had no time for crafting but last night I MADE TIME!

I had a little hop around the Uniko Studio May Design Team Blog Hop in which a previously released stamp set, Pure Florals: Gerbera, is being showcased.  This stamp set has definitely made an appearance on my wish list after seeing the fabulous cards made by the Design Team.

I then decided to take part in their CASE challenge to CASE one of the Design Team's cards.  I chose one of Amber's lovely cards.  I wanted to use an Uniko Studio product so as I only possess two stamp sets I had to go with the Bright Butterflies stamps, and they stamp beautifully.

Here is my interpretation of Amber's card...

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko Studio - Bright Butterflies
• Ink: Versa Color - Lavender, Pink, Fresh Green; Versafine - Onyx Black
• Cardstock: Papermania Premium Textured Cardstock (pink); black and white card from stash
• Embossing Folder: Cricut Cuttlebug - James' set (1 of 4 folders)
• Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels One
• Ribbon from stash

My card isn't a patch on that created by Amber but I had fun making it.  I've not used this many layers on a card for a while so had lots of fun :)

Here are Amber's gorgeous cards...

Thanks for popping by and hopefully I'll be back with a lot more to share soon.

Take care