FRESH BREWED AT FYI, AND A CRAFT STAMPER SNIPPET!

Hi there my lovely blogging friends - I hope you are all having an enjoyable week?
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It's time for another Challenge at FYI, and as always, Steph has provided us with a beautiful inspirational photo. 

This one is quite dark and brooding, with wonderful shades of green and orange, but you can interpret the picture any way you wish.

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As it's the first challenge of the month, there will be a prize for the winner of the Challenge, of three digi images from our generous sponsor - Fresh Brewed Designs. 

The DT have also been given some of their fab. images to work with.

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I have used the "Ladybug Teapot" digi, coloured with Copics, cut out and

slightly curved, then attached with silicone glue onto two oval Nestie layers. 

A sprinkling of Glamour Dust on the flowers.

The gingham is a Wendy Vecchi rubber stamp from the Nature's Art set (love this stamp).

All cardstock from Stampin' Up.

The tiny "party" stamp is from the Papermania Chatsworth set.

"You're Invited" stamp from K andCo.

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Finally, here is a little snippet from my project published in the June issue of 

~ Craft Stamper ~

sending love to all ~ 

TIME FOR SUMMER ............

Hello peeps - I'm sure you are all looking forward to some hot Summer weather - I know I am!  But in the meantime,  I am joining in the  Crafty Individuals Challenge - TIME FOR SUMMER. 

You might like to click the pic. to see the detail!
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Recipe ~

Backing paper from the Crafty Individuals "Book 7" - Shades of Summer.

Stamped images - CI -309, CI- 320, CI- 302, and CI - 234.

Distress Inks used - Weathered Wood, Antique Linen, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Brushed Corduroy.  

Victorian Velvet, Worn Lipstick and Tattered Rose for the flowers.

Other inks used - Coffee Archival and Memento London Fog.

Memory Box die - Wrought Iron Fence.

Machine stitching. 
"Summer" stamp - Layers of Color Art Stamps.

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Love to all ~

A WONDERFUL DAY AT WHITBY !

Hi lovely blogging friends - I hope you are enjoying your weekend, whatever you are doing.

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I recently had the pleasure of spending a whole day with the oh-so-talented  Jean Hardy  of Crafty Individuals fame, at her craft class which was held in a beautiful cottage in Whitby on the East Yorkshire coast. Crafting doesn't get much better than this - believe me.  

It was a wonderful day, with awesome views across Whitby bay - the sun was shining, the home-made lunch was fantastic (not to mention the wine and the never-ending supply of chocolates!). Malcolm and Kay were there too, of course, and I met some lovely crafters on the day.

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My "shabby-chic" clock project is pictured below - something quite new for me, but as my regular visitors will know - I do not have a particular "style" - I just love crafting!! 

So here it is (must admit - I didn't finish it at the class - spent too much time talking and eating!), but it is now complete, and all of the  images are Crafty Individuals - either stamps or papers - some of them decoupaged, which doesn't show up very well on the photo.  A few embellishments are from my own stash. 

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I would like to enter my project into the following challenges:

The Stamp Man - Shabby Chic.
Anything Goes - Tick Tock Goes the Clock.

Love to all ~

ANOTHER FABULOUS PICTURE AT "FOR YOUR INSPIRATION"

Hi lovely bloggers,  how about this for a WOW colour combination!!  
Here is the fabulous inspiration photo which Steph has provided for this fortnight's 
FYI challenge - so put on your sunglasses, and get out those inks and papers ! 
Don't forget - you have a fortnight to create your project, and you can interpret the picture in any way you wish.

If you pop over to FYI you will find all the challenge details, and some awesome inspiration from the talented Design Team .
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My DT offering is a clean and simple design, and here it is ~

I just LOVE  this Memory Box "Madera Corner" die - cut twice from 
SU Pumpkin Pie cardstock.
Base card - Stampin' Up (possibly Lavender Lace - had it for ages)!
The diecuts were attached behind orange satin ribbon and a top layer of purple satin ribbon.
Sentiment and oval punch from Stampin' Up.
Corner rounder - X-cut.
And that's it - short and sweet!
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Love to all ~

DOODLING AT LESS IS MORE!

Hello lovely bloggers and doodlers everywhere!  

I guess some of us love doodling and some of us don't - I'm one of those rubbish "doodlers" who doodles when I'm on the 'phone, and it can be quite therapeutic (hands up those who agree)!

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So, when I   saw what the talented Chrissie and Mandi had in store for us this week at LESS IS MORE, my right hand began twitching,  and once I picked up my pen I was like a thing possessed!

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I was going to throw this in the bin (OK - who said "you should have")? but  just for fun I decided to share it - sorry!! 

This was the one and only attempt - I had no idea what I was going to draw, but somehow ended up with 3 flowers on stems - everything hand drawn with my extra-fine

Pilot pen, finished off with a little Copic colouring.

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Whatever you do in life - enjoy it and have fun!!

Love to all ~ 

THREE GREEN SHADES AT LESS IS MORE!

Hello crafty bloggers - thank you for popping by - it's always a pleasure to "see" you!

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Have you ever had one of those light-bulb moments as you waken from your slumbers - you've suddenly thought of an idea for the LESS IS MORE CHALLENGE, and hey-presto three LAMP SHADES spring to mind!  (Or is that just me I wonder - mmm, probably....).

Anyhoo - here are those Three Green Lampshades, or was it Three Shades of Green that Mandi and Chrissie asked for??  (Of course it was).

Anyway - here are the Shades peeps ........

All three shades are Distress Inks - from the left -  Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint and Crushed Olive ,  applied with a foam applicator through an old Fiskars cutting template (one of those orange acrylic sheets which partnered the circular cutting tool - does anyone else remember those?!!

From the left, the lampshades were stamped with  - Memento London Fog, Versafine Smokey Gray, Versafine Onyx Black.  I was aiming for a "dull to bright" effect across the three panels.

Handwritten sentiment (well, you wouldn't buy a stamp like that would you)!

The beautiful lampshade stamp is  from the Papermania Chatsworth set.

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Lots of love ~

STORMY SKY AT FYI !

Good morning lovely crafters - thank you so much for popping by. 
Here's wishing you all a very Happy Easter, no matter what the weather is like!

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It's time for another challenge at FOR YOUR INSPIRATION and as this is our first
challenge of the month, there will be a prize for the winner. Our generous sponsor is Regina , the owner of The Cutting Cafe - she is offering 3 digi stamp sets of the winner's choice. 



As always, we have a picture inspiration for you to work with.

Here is this week's beautiful and atmospheric photo -  you can interpret it in any way your heart desires, so please get thinking and inking - can't wait to see what you create!

.......... and here is my interpretation .............

Recipe:-

Backing paper - SU Beau Chateau collection.

Machine stitching.

Layers - SU Night of Navy, and Not Quite Navy.

Lighthouse digi image from Sweet 'n Sassy.

Distress Inks used - Weathered Wood, Faded Jeans, Wild Honey.

Swirl - Tim Holtz Elegant Flourishes

Sentiment - The Cutting Cafe.

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I am entering my card into the following Challenges:-
Paper Pretties- Monochromatic.
Crazy4Challenges- Blue, White and one other colour.
Digi Doodles- Something New (Lighthouse image).
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Lots of love to all ~

LESS IS MORE LUCKY DIP!

Hello my lovely bloggerettes - hope everyone is happy and bathed in sunshine!

It seems like only 3 days ago that I was posting a card for the Less is More challenge - 

oh yes - it was three days ago - I was late!!

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So, onto the current week's challenge at LESS IS MORE, which is  "Lucky Dip" and Chrissie and Mandi have given us a Picture Inspiration to work with,  and here it is ~

Love these colours!

My take on the theme is a small, plain, and simple little thing, but I hope you like it!

Recipe:-

Base card - Certain Celery from SU

Pink layer - Pink Pirouette also from SU

Sentiment - Penny Black

Pearl, gingham ribbon, and gingham  paper - from my craft box.

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The Flower/Rosette is not from a die, but hand-made. 

I'm sure lots of you know how to make these, but if anyone would like the details, please e-mail me. 

Other items used - 

Corner rounder from X-Cut, SU Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

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Also entering the challenge at Whimsy Stamps

Have a very happy week ~ love to all ~

THREE CHOICES AT LESS IS MORE!

Hi peeps - I'm a bit late, but just managed to get my card finished for this week's LESS IS MORE CHALLENGE. 

The lovely Mandi and Chrissie have given us a super choice this week - to incorporate 3 previous

themes into one card.  I have chosen Week 1 - Pink, Black and White, Week 25 - Button or Ribbon, and Week 56 - Don't Scrap it.

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I hope there is enough white space to qualify - it really is a very easy and simple design

which just involved cutting 3 triangles from scrap card, and randomly stamping the La Blanche Roses

with Black Archival ink, adding a little Spun Sugar DI around triangle edges and on some of

the petals (though the colour doesn't show up very well in the pic.).

Sentiment - Layers of Color Art Stamps

Pink ribbon, and a large pink glass button, both from my craft box.

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Enjoy the sunshine ~ Love to all ~

MASKING THIS WEEK AT LESS IS MORE ..........

Hello lovely bloggers everywhere - hope your week is going well?
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Just popping by to share my make for this week's challenge at LESS IS MORE. Our lovely LIMette Leaders, Chrissie and Mandi, would like us to do some Masking, so I decided to use a technique which involves three stamps.
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 I am sure lots of you will know how to do masking with three stamps, but for those of you who would like the details, I will pop them below.
Update - March 30th - My card has been ShowCASed - whoo-hoo! 
Thank-you Chrissie and Mandi !

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 1. Stamp the Torn Aperture onto a piece of cardstock.

2.Stamp again onto a piece of paper (larger than the cardstock).

3. Cut out the aperture centre only. (mask #1).

4. Place mask over the image you stamped onto the cardstock.

5. Stamp a suitable image over the mask (I used Hero Arts Gracious Lady). 

6. Remove mask. 

7. Stamp aperture once more onto paper, then cut around the image. Do not cut out the centre.(mask #2).

8. Place  mask #2 over the entire image which you stamped onto cardstock.

9. Stamp a background image (I used Inkadinkado Lace 90355).  Remove mask. 

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I would love to know if anyone else has used this Artifacts "Torn Aperture" stamp in the past?

Here it is (looks a bit strange doesn't it)!  I bought mine several years ago, but I've checked and it is still available from The Stamp Bug online shop.

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On my card I also used Versafine ink pads -  Crimson Red and Smokey Gray.  Copics here and there to give some shading.

Red Bazzil cardstock.

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The Anna Griffin sentiment stamp was also masked - the full wording is Forever and Always, so some cellotape over the unwanted bits before inking does the trick! (Remove cellotape before stamping - but I'm sure you know that)!!!

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Apologies for the looooooong Post!
Enjoy the rest of your week ~ love to all  ~

ORIENTAL DT CARD - "FOR YOUR INSPIRATION"

Hi wonderful Bloggers - ooooh, the sun is shining here as I type this Post, and Hubby is busy at his allotment, so I'm a happy crafting bunny!
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This fortnight's beautiful photo at FOR YOUR INSPIRATION which Steph has provided for us to work with, screamed "Oriental" to me, however, it might scream something else to you!! That is the joy of working with these stunning photos - we all see something different in them.
All the details, plus some fab. work from the other Teamies, can be found by clicking the link above.
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...... the photo .....

..... and my interpretation .....

Recipe:-
Real Red card - Stampin' Up
Cherry Blossom stamp - from a very old acrylic set by Habico called "Chinese Flowers 2.
One of my all-time fave. stamps - "Cinnabar" from Stampington .
Tiny "With Love" stamp - Papermania Chatsworth set.
Martha Stewart punch - Garden Trellis.
Gold Momi Washi paper.
Jet black Archival ink.
Antique Linen Distress Ink lightly applied around main image and on the Trellis.
A litttle colour added to image with Copics (shows up better when you click to enlarge).
Image layered with black and red cardstock.
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So - what do you see in that photo?  Hope you will join in the fun ~
Love to all ~

ONE LAYER ONLY, AT LESS IS MORE ....

Hi Lovely bloggers - I hope the weekend has been a good one wherever you may be? 

Are you all joining in this week's LESS IS MORE ONE LAYER, with Script challenge?  Go on - you know you want to!

Here is my offering - I know it looks as if  I am still in last week's  LIM Neutrals mode, but it was quite unintentional, and the base card is actually the most gorgeous shade of pastel greyish green - "River Rock" from Stampin' Up. (Twas my last piece too - sob)! 

Could I get it to look green on my photo? NO!  May try again in the morning.

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UPDATE! - Took another pic. this morning with natural daylight in the room -  much better result! (Would love to learn more about photography) !!

Recipe:-

SU River Rock cardstock  

Crackle background stamp from IndigoBlu, "second-stamped" with Versafine Vintage Sepia.

Crafty Individuals script, stamped with Vintage Sepia.

Chocolate Baroque image from the Fantasy Meadow set, inked with Staz-on Timber Brown.

Sentiment from Layers of Color Art Stamps.

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Have a very happy week ~ love to all

FLOWERS AND NEUTRALS!

Hope you are all well my lovelies. I have some flowers for you today - 
some neutral, some vibrant!

Firstly the neutrals, which I have popped on my card for this week's
LESS IS MORE CHALLENGE.

 The Lovely Mandi and Chrissie have asked us to use NEUTRALS

on our projects - anything from off-white to black, and shades of beige, brown, and grey in-between.
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Recipe:-
Punched layers and base card  - SU Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso.
Paper snippets and an EK Success Flower Punch ~
 (the gingham is a Wendy Vecchi stamp inked with Staz-on Timber Brown).
Stems created with a pin-pricking tool.
Tiny bow - SU Linen thread.
Sentiment -  Penny Black.
Very old metal press-studs for flower centres.
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My card is also entered into Di's Snippets.
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OK - onto the vibrant flowers -  I wonder if anyone can tell me the name of the blossom tree in these photos I took on holiday in Tenerife? The large flowers are the most lush, vibrant orange, the petals tipped with yellowy-white, and at the side of each flower is this strange but wonderful "banana-like" growth. 
CLICK THE PICS. TO ENJOY THE COLOURS. 

Any ideas peeps??!!
Love to all ~

HAPPY TO BE BACK, AND MY FIRST DT PROJECT "FOR YOUR INSPIRATION" .....

Good morning lovely Friends and Followers!  
The holiday was super, but it's oh-so-great to get back to all the things I love, including Blogging!  Thank you for the wonderful comments you left whilst I was away - you really are the best.  I will catch up with you all, as soon as possible.

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I am so excited to share my first DT project for the FYI Challenge, and I hope you will pop over there to check out the fab. inspiration from the very talented Design Team, and details of a 15% discount at Your Next Stamp for all participants in the challenge. 
Here is this fortnight's amazing and inspirational picture which we would like you to work with, and you can interpret it in any way you wish  - how could you resist joining in the fun??!!

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Sooooo - here is my offering - hope you like it!

Recipe:-
Acrylic "Bravura" stamp bought years ago on e-bay and never used - just waiting for the right moment!
Inked with Adirondack Denim.
Mermaid and sky coloured with Copics.
Layers - leftovers of white and navy card, roughly torn.
Base card  - Bazzill - sorry don't know the name of the colour.
A sprinkling of Stampin Up Dazzling Diamonds glitter here and there.
"Bliss" sentiment also from SU.
Shell and twine from stash.
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I would like to enter the following Challenge - 
Tuesday Throwdown- Paper Tearing!
Update, March 6th - my card was chosen as a Top 3 at Tuesday Throwdown - thanks ladies!!


As promised, I will be popping back in a few days with candy for my Followers, so keep checking!


Love to all ~

Holidays, Ironing, Good News, and Candy!!!!!!

Hello, and happy Sunday lovely bloggers.  This is just a short Post to share a few snippets with you!

Snippet # 1 -  I won't be around for the next 3 weeks, as hubby and I are going on holiday - yayyy!  I will miss you all.  

As Hubby is the main Carer for his 101 year old Father, it will be a huge relief for both of us to have some stress-free time together. Of course, his Father will be well cared for in our absence.

Snippet #2 - I have spent 3 hours today ironing clothing for the hols. - do we really need 3 million T.Shirts? mmmmmmmm!

Snippet #3 - Some really Brilliant News - I have been invited to join the very talented Design Team at  FOR YOUR INSPIRATION, and my first DT post will be on March 1st.  

Do take a peek at the FYI challenge blog. - we would love you to join in the fun.

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Snippet #4 - When I return from my hols, (give me a day or 3!), I will be offering some Celebration Followers Candy, so please  pop by, the first week in March.

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My card today is just for you - my followers and visitors, to send some love, and let you know how much I appreciate your wonderful comments and friendship. You don't even have to leave a comment!

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I will pop this into Di's Snippets Challenge

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Have a great time whilst I'm away - missing you already ~

VALENTINE HEARTS, AND A SKETCH AT LESS IS MORE ......

Hi lovely bloggers, it's lovely to "see" you, and many thanks for popping by. 

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My card today is for week 52 at LESS IS MORE

where the challenge is to work with a sketch. Do pop over and visit the wonderful Mandi and Chrissie for full details, and some inspirational cards.  
Huge congratulations to Mandi and Chrissie, on the 1st Anniversary of LESS IS MORE - thank you for all the wonderful challenges you have given us.
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As it is almost Valentine's Day, I have used lots of hearts, and lots of red! Hubby and I don't send Valentine's cards any more - well after 46 years of wedded bliss, it seems kind of unnecessary!! (I would love to know what you think about that)!!!!!!!!

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Recipe:-

Cream base card.

Tiny Hearts - Woodware cartridge punch. Attached with 3-d pads.

Paper used for the hearts - SU "Love Letter" designer paper set, plus 3 hearts cut from red glitter card.

Red card layer - SU Real Red.

Sentiment - PSX (from 1999, so probably retired), inked with ColorBox Pigment Brush Pad - Scarlet, and heat embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Berry Red Aurora  EP.

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I am also entering my card into Pixie's Crafty Snippets #5 
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Have a great week - Love to all ~

FOR YOUR INSPIRATION .......

Hi lovely bloggers - hope you are all having a happy day. My fingers are inky, so I have definitely had a happy day!!

I  recently discovered a fabulous challenge blog called FYI   - FOR YOUR INSPIRATION, where the challenges are to work with photo inspiration - here is the current challenge photo:- 

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So peeps - here is my take on the above picture:-

Recipe:-

Orange card from Stampin' Up (sorry - not sure of the name of this shade).

Backing paper from a very old 6" Basic Grey pad - "Sublime"

Image from the beautiful Chocolate Baroque "Fantasy Meadow" stamp set, inked with Coffee Archival.

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Distress inks used - 

Antique Linen, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, 

Old Paper, Bundled Sage, Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint. 

The flowers were coloured with Distress Inks and Ranger Cut'n Dry pen nibs.

Sentiment from Wendy Vecchi's "Nature's Art" stamp set.

Machine stitching around edges.

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I would also like to enter my card into the following Challenges:-
Make My Monday - Flowers and Leaves (week 33).
One Stop Craft Challenge - Stitching, Faux or Real.
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Update, 31st January - Placed in the Top 3  at Make My Monday - thank you ladies!
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A warm welcome to my new Followers - Jean and Aileen.

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~ Love to all ~

BIRDS Sing Like There's Nobody Listening ..............

Hi lovely peeps - hope you are having a happy week. I am just popping by with a card for this week's challenge  at LESS IS MORE. 

The wonderful Mandi and Chrissie have set all those Limettes out there, the challenge of using a BIRD, or BIRDS on our projects. It is also ONE LAYER week - yikes!!

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Recipe:-

The wording was typed on my 'puter and printed directly onto the card.

According to my Google search, the complete quote was originally

created by Mark Twain, or maybe someone by the name of William W. Purkey.

I just used the last two lines, which I thought were quite apt for this card.

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I then inked my brayer with Kaleidacolor Desert Heat, brayering the excess ink onto spare paper before brayering the coloured panel onto my card. This gave me the soft look I was aiming for. ( If you have never used this particular ink pad, it is quite a vibrant mix of reds, pinks and oranges). 

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I used two Crafty Individuals stamps, inked with Ranger Jet Black Archival.

The birdcage was stamped first, and masked before stamping the birdsong musical score.

I added a little of the pink ink onto the Rose petals, using a Ranger Cut'nDry pen nib.

Cardstock - SU Whisper White.
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I would also like to enter my card into the following challenges:-
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Birds of a Feather.
Card and Scrap - Clean and Simple.
Bloggers Challenge at Splendiferous Creations - Wing and Things.
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A warm welcome to my new followers - Delphine, Teresa, Marie  and Terry.

Love to all ~

PREDOMINANTLY PURPLE !!

Hi lovely peeps - this is a very quick post tonight, as we are dashing out to babysit, so musn't be late!

This is a card for the PREDOMINANTLY PURPLE CHALLENGE at Less Is More.. 

I have inked one side of an acetate strip with Alcohol Inks - Wild Plum, Raisin, Denim and a touch of Stream and Butterscotch, with a sprinkling of gold leaf flakes here and there.
Acetate attached to the white card with black brads.
A black line drawn onto the card along both long edges, using a Pilot Hi-Tecpoint Extra-fine pen -  a very handy little crafting tool.  

The Chocolate Baroque stamp on the front is from the Floral Bouquet set, and inked with Black Staz-on.

Sentiment from Hero Arts (must buy some new sentiment stamps - I keep 

using the same old stash - sorry)!

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Evening indoor lighting isn't the best for photographing acetate - may try again in the morning!

Hope it doesn't look TOO bad!
Friday Update - have changed the photo - it's a bright sunny morning so managed to take a picture I'm happier with! 

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I would also like to enter the following challenges:-
CRAFT ROOM - Clean and Simple.
CRAFTY CARDMAKERS - No Floral Embellishments.
Update - Jan. 30th - my card won the Craft Room Challenge - thanks ladies!
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Bye for now - love to all ~