LESS IS MORE - FRENCH!

Hi lovely bloggers - hope you are enjoying the warm weather, wherever you are.

Just popping by with a card for this week's LIM challenge - 

it's Week #289 and the challenge is - a One Layer Card, with "Something French".

I used an old stamp set called  "French Mail", with Jet Black Archival Ink.

Distress Ink pads (Faded Jeans and Festive Berries) swished onto the corner.

Happy Crafting ~

 

DREAM IN BEAUTY!

Hi lovely friends, followers and crafters - it's been a while since I posted on my blog -  Mojo has been missing big time.   When I saw this Heartfelt Creations stamp,"Dream in Beauty" It gave me the inspiration to get my inks out again! 

I used Distress Inks for all the colouring.  For the background I swished 

ink pads with wet-wipes, then swished the inky wipes onto the card!

I stamped a second Butterfly, fussy-cut it and adhered onto the base image.

(the "believe" wording is from SU).

I would like to enter my card in the following Challenges:-

Eureka Stamps -  challenge #196 - "Things With Wings"

Addicted To Stamps and More - challenge 197 - "Make Your Mark"

Stamping Sensations - June Challenge -  "Feature a Creature"

Crafting With Dragonflies - challenge # 59 - "Dragonflies or Butterflies"

Happy Crafting, and love to all ~

Week 274 at LESS IS MORE.

Hello lovely friends, followers, crafters, and anyone else who might be popping by!
Welcome to my latest followers -   Pam of Pams Paper and Ink and Sharon (sadly, no links)
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It's Lucky Dip Week at Less Is More,

and the Challenge is to use Designer Paper in a CAS style.

All details, and the fab. DT inspiration, can be seen here

I used an old snippet of double-sided Stampin' Up DP, and
created a very simple shirt with a template I made a couple of years ago. 

Have a happy crafty week  ~

Hugs, 

NEW APPLE BLOSSOM CRAFT COLLECTION DIES

Hi lovely crafters - CRAFT STASH are launching some beautiful new
Apple Blossom Craft Collection Dies  HERE! Today (26th Feb).

I will be setting off on my jollies today, so I won't be around for a while.

Before I go, I am sharing these DT cards I made with some of the new dies -

First card, using  Ornate Corner 1

I die-cut the "Ornate Corner 1" on two opposite corners of the white card,

 and adhered the left-over cut-outs onto the other two corners.

The white card was layered onto a square of Aqua cardstock which was then layered onto the

white base card.  A small square of white card was stamped with a sentiment and placed in the centre.

 Ornate Flourish 3

I love this beauty - it is 6" long and just over 2" at the widest point .
Perfect for borders and so much more!

(Panel  coloured with distress Inks.)

Ornate Corner 5

I know Valentines Day has been and gone,
but this  corner die would be suitable for lots of occasions, any time of the year!

Hope you enjoy browsing the new Apple Blossom Die Collection -

HAPPY CRAFTING ~ SEE YOU SOON!

# 264 Challenge at LESS IS MORE -

Hi lovely friends, followers, bloggers and anyone else passing by! Hope you are well and happy.

My 'puter has been poorly on and off for several weeks - it was quite a challenge in itself to get this Post onto my blog, but I was determined to enter the LIM challenge, which this week is

ADD SOME TEXTURE.

The  image is a Papermania URBAN Art Deco stamp, inked with  Archival Jet Black.

I used white cardstock, and the SU  Woodgrain EF for the sassy lady to lean on, and  added 

some Frosted Lace Stickles to her furry clothing. (as usual, the glimmer doesn't show on the photo)!!

I added a little colouring with Copics.

Sentiment - also Stampin' Up.
I would also like to enter the "Just One Layer" challenge at
Fantasy Stampers Challenge Blog.

Wishing you all a very happy week -
HUGS,

A NEW LAUNCH AT CRAFT STASH

Hi lovely crafters -

10 beautiful new collections of stamps and dies sets have been launched today at CRAFT STASH - they can all be seen HERE. Some of the sets are also available without the dies.

These new stamps include Vintage Fashion, Birds, Gardens, Mums, Sewing, Tea Parties, Cameos and Flowers!

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I made this quick and simple card with two of the "Sew Lovely" sentiment stamps, and the tag die ~

Happy Crafting ~

ONE LAYER WEEK at LIM !

Hi lovely crafters, friends and followers - 

At Less Is More #258, it's the challenge we all love! 

Yes, it's the ONE LAYER WEEK, and the theme is ~

add a Flourish! 

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I have gone for a very CAS design, swooshing some Distress Ink on the background, with
 a fabulous flourish sentiment (Stampin' Up) stamped with Jet Black Archival.

I finished off with a tiny punched heart and dry-embossed lines on each side of the card.

Have a happy week everyone - 

Love, 

UPDATE TO GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT.

Hi lovely bloggers - if you haven't seen the recent info. regarding  the update to Google Friend Connect, you may wish to read  all the details  HERE.

Fingers crossed that our Followers don't disappear! 

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HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Wishing you a happy, healthy and peaceful 2016. 

Thanks to all my fabulous followers who have taken the time to leave comments in 2015 - 

you have kept me going through some stressful (family) times during the last year.

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So, onto the crafty bit ~
I am joining in  once again, with Debby's fun  annual  "5 Favourite Cards" and if you would like to join in too, Debby's link is HERE.

Here are my 5 Favourite Cards of 2015! ~

Life's A Beach!

Prim Poppies - Colour Week at LIM

Orange Rose

Sunset on Fire

Hepbern Dress

Sending love to all -

VICTORIAN DIES

Hi lovely friends, followers, crafters and anyone else who happens to pop by!

Sending good wishes to all of you, for a wonderful Christmas and a happy and peaceful 2016.

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For my final Post (probably!) of 2015, I am sharing a few Craft Stash DT cards, made with the new "Victorian" Apple Blossom Craft Stash dies. My favourite die set is the "Victorian Frame" - perfect to display a vintage photo, or in this case, one of my all-time fave stamps!

I used all three dies - 2 frames and a square embellishment which I die-cut, then cut in half to create
4 ornate corners. All edges coloured with Distress Inks.  

I also used the large frame for this Santa tag - coloured with Distress inks and coated with 

Glossy Accents here and there, to create a look of distressed wrought iron.

The elegant Victorian Oval die set  is perfect for any occasion. 

The large ornate die measures 5" x 3". 

For my final DT card  I used the pretty Victorian Vase die set. 

I brush-painted the four flower die-cuts with Distress Inks.

Sending Christmas hugs, and lots of love to all ~
PS: pop over to the Craft Stash site HERE - they have a fabulous
selection of crafting products and well-known brands.
There is a 20% discount on first orders - so well worth taking a peek!

SUNSET ON FIRE!

Hi Lovely crafters - hope you are all having a happy week.

Thanks for visiting - it's always good to "see" you!
A warm welcome to  my new Followers - Liz (Crafty Sunflower), and
Vicky M. (Vicky's Place).

Today I am sharing a card I made for the Less is More #249 challenge.

This week is a Colour Challenge week, and the theme is ~

"FIRE"

 Chrissie and the DT have some fabulous inspiration for us on the LIM blog, and you can also 

find the  challenge details there.  

I made a sunset with Distress Inks, using a Tim Holtz Ink Blending tool.

Colours used - Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade and Fired Brick.

The Indigo Blu "Wild Meadow" stamp was inked with Archival Jet Black.

Sentiment - SU.

Happy Crafting ~

SKETCH TIME AT LIM CHALLENGE # 247

Hi lovely  Friends and Followers - this week, the Challenge at LESS IS MORE

is a Sketch

I decided to go with a Halloween theme for my card - firstly I swiped Distress Inks with a wet-wipe,  after masking a circle for the moon.
The Woodland Branch die is from Memory Box.
I hand-drew the little Owl, cut it out with scissors and coloured with Derwent pencils.
He looks more scared than scary, but never mind!
Sentiment - Stampin' Up.

I would also like to enter these challenges:-
 "Cute Halloween" at Inkspirational Challenges
"Halloween" at AAA Cards
"Spooky" at ATCAS

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Happy Halloween,and Love to all ~

HALF-WAY REMINDER AT HLS!

Hi Peeps - Have you joined in yet, with the Happy Little Stampers Paper Piecing challenge? 

If not, there is still time, and you can find some more inspiration HERE at the Half-way Reminder!

As Guest Designer for the October HLS  challenge, I have another Paper Piecing card for you! 

This time I have used a Hampton Art stamp, "New York Diva", stamped with Archival Jet Black.

I paper pieced the 3 sections of the dress , the belt and the shoe.  Paper from Prima Sweet Fairy. 

Just a touch of Copic Aqua to add a little shade here and there on the pleats.

Light colouring with Copics on the skin. 

Sentiment - LOTV, cut with a circle punch.

Hope you will join in with the challenge - happy crafting!

Love,

SNOWFLAKE and VENICE!

Hi lovely bloggers - it's lovely to be with you again, and I hope you are all well and happy. 

 I am back from our holiday in Venice, (a treat for our 50th anniversary), so life is back to normal now! 

Today, I am sharing a card I made for Craft Stash, using 

the "Delicate Snowflake" die from their Apple Blossom collection.

You can find it here .

The snowflake is quite impressive, measuring approx. 10cm at the widest point.

I cut the snowflake twice and layered for dimension, then added lots of glitter!

The Peace On Earth sentiment die is also from Craft Stash, and there are lots more Here.

  

If you have never looked at the Craft Stash online shop, it's well worth a visit - they have special offers, and other well-known crafting brands too. 

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Just two of the many photos I took on holiday ~

The Madonna dell' Orto Church we visited, which has several
 amazing Tintoretto paintings inside and the Madonna statue.

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I will be back tomorrow!
Love  to all ~

GUEST DESIGNER at HAPPY LITTLE STAMPERS

Hi lovely bloggers - sorry for my absence - it's been a stressful few weeks recently.

One thing which cheered me up a few days ago, was a message from 

HAPPY LITTLE STAMPERS,

Earlier this year, my card was one of the Favourites in the HLS CAS challenge, so I was

asked if I would be Guest Designer for the October CAS Paper-Piecing challenge.

Here is my paper pieced card, using the  "Bella Loves Christmas" digi image
from the fabulous Mo Manning.

Dotty paper from Nitwits for the dress, edged with clear glitter.
Christmas bauble - SU silver glimmer paper, and I found the little December 25th in an old SU catalogue, and cut it out with a circle punch.
Such a shame the glitter and glimmer doesn't show up in the photo.
The holly leaves and tiny berries were paper pieced with plain cardstock.
Everything else coloured with  Copics.

It's ages since I did any paper-piecing, but it's great fun. If you would like to
join in the challenge, you can find the details HERE !



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Yesterday was our Golden Wedding Anniversary, so this evening,
Hubby and I are having a celebration party with our family.
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I will be away for a few days next week -
will let you know where I've been when I get back!!

Thanks for popping by - have fun with the Paper piecing!
Love to all -

A SHORT MESSAGE

Hello lovely friends and followers. 

This is just a short Post to apologise for my lack of commenting recently.

Crafting and blogging had to be put to one side for a while.
Sadly, my Father-in-Law passed away on 24th August.

 As some of you know, he was 104, 

and just a few weeks away from his 105th birthday, 

which is quite an achievement. 

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I've missed you all, but now that things have settled down, 

I hope to be blogging and commenting again quite soon.

Lots of love ~ 

A STAMP AND A DIE!

Hi lovely bloggers - hope you have some sunshine wherever you are. 

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A warm welcome to my new Followers - Carole and Sid !

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Today, I am sharing a White on White card - quite difficult to photograph!
Will try to get a better pic. tonight, after hubby and I have collected our Son's beautiful doggy Juno.
Son is taking his 3 children on a holiday for a few days, so we are doing the Dog-Sitting!
Update 9.30pm -  a slightly better photo!

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I would like to enter my card into the August challenge at Stamping Sensations ~
the theme is "Anything Goes, with a Stamp and a Die"

items used -

Craft Creations white linen cardstock
DIES~
 2 layers of Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Squares (small one popped up with 3-d pads).
Memory Box Corner Bow (cut into several small pieces)
Tim Holtz Tattered Florals.

STAMP ~
One of my old favourites - Anna Griffin All Night Media
"Forever and Always"
inked with SU Smoky Slate, with a top layer of Sakura Jelly Roll Clear Sparkle.

Happy Crafting ~
HUGS,

THE EYES HAVE IT !

Hi all - hope you are having a happy week.

This week at Less Is More , it's a ONE LAYER card and the theme is
"The Eyes Have it"!

I had more or less decided not to enter my card, as I was not very happy with it, but after spending most of today at the Leeds General Infirmary, some crafting seemed like a breath of fresh air tonight,
so here I am after doing a bit of tweaking (still not happy with it though)!

Some of you  know of the problems hubby and I have had for many years with my elderly FIL who is almost 105.   He is now slowly deteriorating, and had two very bad falls last night (just 2 of many, recently) - hence our dash to hospital this morning.   I must say - the LGI staff were amazing.
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So - here is my card.
The stamp is "Miss Austen" from Indigo Blu , inked with Jet Black Archival.
Eyes coloured with a mixture of Distress Marker Iced Spruce and Promarker Cool Aqua.
Quote typed and printed on my 'puter.
Apparently, it was William Shakespeare who
first used that quote, in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Is that true?!!

Happy Crafting and
thanks for popping by!

Hugs,

LIFE'S A BEACH!

Hi lovely Bloggers - thank you for popping by!

This week at Less Is More, it's Challenge #233 and the theme is
"Life's A Beach!"

The Memory Box stencil is "Texture Wave", coloured with distress inks.

I Die-cut a Nestabilities circle  and frame on the top card layer and  placed the beach scene behind.

The top layer was popped up with 3-d pads.

I made a little beach umbrella, (it looks more like a mushroom, but never mind)!! I coloured it with DI and popped it under the circle with Pinflair glue.

Sentiment from the SU Happy Day stamp set (now retired).

I would also like to link up to Thats Crafty - "Stencils and Masks"
and
Happy Little Stampers  - July Sketch Challenge

Have a happy day - HUGS,