Less is More Week 77 - Sewing

I have to agree with Mandi at Less is More this week; "Can't sew, won't sew," that's my sentiments exactly when it comes to the dreaded needle and thread! Ever since my primary school teacher made me undo ALL the stitching on a stuffed teddy bear I was soooo proud of making, saying that the stitching was ugly and I could 'do better' :(  Funny how certain things from your childhood stay with you for 30 odd years eh?!
Having said that, suprisingly, from concept to fruition, my entry for this weeks LIM challenge took no time at all. I think this will be a good design to use when I need a 'quick card' in the near future.
Enjoy the sunshine whilst it's here!!

Paper: Wild Rose Studio "Butterfly Garden"

Die: Joy Crafts Butterfly

Ink: DI Brushed Courdroy

Stamp: Craftworkcards Sentiments



Less is More Week 76 - One Layer Challenge '3'

Another late entry from me this week for the Less is More challenge. It's been another stressful and hectic week for me with my Mom still very poorly in hospital. She has been through so much in such a short time but she is still fighting.
Took a journery over to Hobbycraft this week for the first time in ages and bought quite a few of their £1.00 stamps; this telephone being one of them. I was surprised by the quality of the stamped image considering they were only cheap. I simply stamped the image in 3 different colours; the double stamped 'hello' was a happy accident; think it makes it look quite retro; what do you think?

Stamps: Hobbycraft 'Vintage Phone', Hero Arts Sparkle Clear Designer Fruit

Inks: Versacolor cubes 'Heliotrope', 'Canary' and 'Opera Pink'

Less Is More Week 75 Colour - Gold

My first blog for over a month; and what a rollercoaster of a month it's been.
Had a fab day out at Royal Ascot for Ladies Day on 21st June with 6 of my girlfriends; mixing with the 'A' listers and quaffing champers is something I could definitely get used to lol!!! Then had a fab week's holiday in Devon (Croyde Bay), where we actually managed to get some sun and I achieved another of my 'things to do when I'm 40' and went on a horse riding trek with the girls.

Then after the highs came a massive dip; last Friday my world came crashing down when my Mom was taken to the Critical Care Unit of our local hospital following an operation to insert a rod into her broken femur (leg bone). She has had an extremely tough battle but I am glad to post, that despite numerous complications, she is slowly improving.  

Hence the reason I have missed 3 LIM weeks :( But I'm back with a late entry for this week's 'Gold' challenge.

Stamps: Flower outline magazine freebie, Personal Impressions 'Double Sayings'

Dies: Dienamics 'Fishtail flag stax', Labels 22, Stampin Up butterfly

Ink: DI 'Brushed Courdroy'

Embossing Folder: 'Jules Jewels'

Other: Gold embossng powder, pattened paper, Antique gold card

The sketch I used was based on one I had in my head for last week's 'Header' challenge but never got round to executing.

I also made this one but wasn't sure it was 'gold enough'......

Royal Ascot Party bags

Only 10 days to go until me and 6 girlfriends are off to Royal Ascot for Ladies Day - whoop, whoop!
I was the big 40 at the end of last year and decided that during my 40th year I wanted to try and fulfil some of my ambitions and dreams. My other half made one of my dreams come true by taking me to London (first class!) to see The Lion King at the Lyceum - it was absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend it!!

One of my other ambitions is to attend THE social event of the year that is Royal Ascot. I'm not really a dressy person but I remember watching Royal Ascot with my Dad (who loved horse racing) and seeing the 'posh' ladies all glammed up and dreamt that maybe one day I'd go. That dream is now a reality as at 7.15am a week Thursday our coach will pick us up, take us to a gorgeous stately home for a full English champagne breakfast, transport us to Ascot (with wine served on board) and serve us a buffet lunch (with more wine!) before we watch the Royal Procession, then enjoy a day's racing before heading back home! Can't wait!!

To say thank you to the 6 ladies who are coming with me, I decided to put together some party bags for them. The colours all match their respective outfits and say something about them lol. The contents of the bags include; their favourite tipple, a disposable wine glass, a wine glass ring, a Ferrero Rocher in a cute little favour box, a pack of paracetamol and an eye mask (for on the way home lol). I hope they like them ;)

Paper bags: Papermania

Papers: Pink Petticoat 'Perfect Papers'

Keep Calm message: Keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

Stamps: Shoes free with mag, Personal Impresiions 'Punchable tags'

Punch: EK Succeess tag, Stampin' Up Heart to Heart

Other: Wine glass rings, beads, jump rings, charms - eBay

Less is More Week 71 - One Layer 'Flourish'

I am posting my Less is More challenge entry early this week as I've got a busy week ahead - more of that later.  This week it's 'One Layer Week' and the challenge is to include a flourish on your card.
I bought a lovely set of Justrite stamps at the last Hobbycrafts show in March together with the co-ordinating Nestabilities die set but haven't used either of them yet.  I think the stamped image is quite 'flourishy' but I also embossed the bottom of my tentfold Kraft card with a' flourishy'  embossing folder as well.  I took inspiration from Mandi's aperture card but opted for neutral tones. What do you think? (I'm not convinced lol!)

  Card: Kraft cardstock

Stamps: Justrite Kindness Cling stamp set, Craftwork Cards Sentiments stamp

Dies: Spellbindes Labels 20

Embossing Folder:Tim Holtz Texture Fades 'Regal Flourishes'

Other: Ivory satin 15mm ribbon

Less is More - Week 70 Colour Challenge 'Red, White and Blue'

To celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the challenge at Less is More this week was a 'Red, White and Blue' colour challenge. We spent Saturday night at our friend's 10th Wedding Anniversary party and as they went for a red, white and blue colour scheme, I thought it would be nice to make them a thank you card in the same colours.
This is my first attempt; which is very Jubilee-ish but not strictly red, white and blue, more red, beige and blue!!

Papers: Papermania Portebello Road (free with Creativity mag)

Die: Dienamics medium scallop border

Stamp: Personal Impressions sentiment

Other: Airmail twine, adhesive pearls

So I tried again and came up with this one!! (Think I prefer the first one though lol!)

Paper: Pink Petticoat 'Hydrangea' download in navy

Punch: Martha Stewart Hydrangea

Stamp Personal Impressions sentiment

Other: Stampin' Up twine, adhesive pearls

On Monday (following a very bad hangover on Sunday lol) we had a little Jubilee gathering at home with some friends; I was sooo proud of my cake display, complete with mini Union Jacks, that I had to share this pic with you!

Less is More - Week 69 Recipe 'Not A Square'

I really enjoyed this week's challenge at Less is More which was to produce a card that is 'not a square' (or a rectangle). I played around with a few designs before settling for this little bird house cut from a 6x4 tent folded piece of Kraft cardstock. I embossed the front with a woodgrain embossing folder then die cut a circle in the front of the card, I added a little paper pieced birdie and a sentiment.

Cardbase: Kraft cardstock

Paper: Papermania 'Birdsong'

Dies: Spellbinders classic circle

Punches: Stampin' Up! Heart to Heart and Word Window

Sentiment: Computer genearated

Other: Stampin'Up twine, Crop-a-dile

It's been a busy week! The girls had a Jubilee day at school yesterday, followed by an after school disco which meant I was up and down school like a yo-yo! Being a (privilged) civil servant we get an extra bank holiday today, so yesterday to celebrate I coerced everyone at work into bringing in typically 'British food' so we could spend most of the day eating -which we did!  This morning I've put some bunting up outside the house so we're really getting in the mood for the Jubilee celebrations at No.62!
We're off to Ludlow tomorrow for the weekend for a friend's anniversary party. Then on Monday we're having a Jubilee party at home with friends.
Hope you all have a fab extra long weekend and enjoy the Jubilee celebrations!