CAS-ual Fridays - CFC 69 'Embossing'

Whilst 'playing' with my fave leaf stamps for the Less is More challenge this week, I made another leafy card using a new Darice embossing folder. This card is for a close friend who tragically lost her Mom recently. To be honest I find sympathy cards very difficult to send, (which I suppose is a little odd being a cardmaker); and 'ummed and aaahed' before making this one. A card seems such a futile gesture in such circumstances; anyway, here's the finished card which I'd like to enter in CAS-ual Friday's challenge this week which is 'embossing';

Card: Papermania Kraft card 7x5"

Embossing Folder: Darice 'Wood Grain' embossing folder

Stamps: Leaf stamp manufacturer unknown,

Craftwork Cards 'Springtime & Sentiments' 

Inks: DI 'Peeled Paint', Memento Dewdrop 'New Sprout'

  

Less is More Week 84 - One Layer 'Foilage'

It's one layer week at Less is More with the focus on 'foilage'.  I've got a thing about leaves at the moment and have bought quite a few leafy and tree dies; however one layer week means no die cuts or negatives so it had to be stamping.
My card is probably quite similar to a few of the others in the gallery this week but I've not seen the same stamp set used, (unfortunately I don't know who the manufacturer is).
I stamped a selection of the leaves randomly after masking off a strip of my base card with post-it notes, I then applied different shades of chalk in the white space in between the leaves with a cotton wool ball.

In greens;

And in autumunal colours;

Thanks for visiting!

Less is More Week 83 - Colour 'Pink & Brown'

This week has been a little crazy for one reason or another. The girls went back to school on Wednesday; Mia started Reception and Bethan has moved into Year 4. They looked so much bigger than when they broke up for the summer; where does the time go eh?!

Mia with her "butter wouldn't melt" smile!

After struggling at first for ideas, I must admit I'm quite pleased with my entry for this week's Less is More challenge which is to use the colours brown and pink.
I thought the strip of pink was a bit too CAS and tried all sorts to 'lift' it; then reached for my favouritest embossing folder ever, Swiss dots, and added a band of embossing at the bottom which I think does the trick. What do you think?

Cardstock: From local craft shop

Stamps: Penny Black T for transparent 'Wishes...'

Punch: Woodware

Ink: Memento 'Rich Cocoa' 

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots'

Less is More Week 82 - Recipe 3-2-1

Late again with this week's Less is More challenge entry Can't believe this is the last week of the school holidays and it's September tomorrow. I love my girls but I'm not ashamed to say I can't wait until they're back at school!!
The challenge this week was a recipe challenge; to incorporate 3 of something, 2 of something and 1 of something else. I'm sure the possibilities are endless but when it came down to it I found it quite tricky. Not sure if Mandi and Chrissie will let me get away with this but I like the card anyway!
I used 3 colours (or 3 butterflies), 2 banners and one die (for the cut out panel).

Dies: Memory Box Piestra die, Joy Craft butterfly dies,

Die-Namics 'Fishtail Flag Stax'

Paper: Free with mag (can't remember which one!)

Two cards tonight; the second one is a quick one I made for my cousin and his wife who had a baby boy last Saturday. Think these alphabet dies look so professional and can't wait to play with them some more. 

Die: Memory Box 'Classic Lower Alphabet'

Punch: star

Stamps: Personal Impressions 'Double Sayings'

Ink: Memento Dew Drop 'London Fog'

CASology Week #7 - 'Green'

This is my first challenge entry for the relatively new challenge blog 'CASology'. They issue a cue card every week and this week's is 'green'. I find green a very calming colour; in fact our bedroom is decorated in green to induce long, restful nights! Green is also the colour of nature and my entry is very 'au naturale' with wood grain stamping and a die cut leaf.

  

Stamps: Kaisercraft 'Wood Grain', Personal Impressions sentiment

Die: Poppysatmps 'Lorelai Leaf'

As promised my second card for today. This is more my style than my earlier card. This is inspired by a card I saw here: www.lilduckiearts.com.

This card is for my work colleague and lovely friend Alison who celebrates her birthday tomorrow; hopefully it'll be cakes all round at work tomorrow lol!

Digital Paper: 'Wild Blossoms' by Pink Petticoat

Punch; Fiskars 'Apron Lace'

Stamp: Sizzix Framelits 'Doodle Flower'

CFC 66 and Less Is More Week 81 - Theme 'Tearing'

Today I have two cards to share. The first is for two blog challenges; CAS-ual Fridays and Less is More. The challenge at CAS-ual Fridays is "to create a project featuring something you might see in or at the ocean"; et voila!

Stamps: Inkyliscious 'Essential Grasses' and 'Take Flight - Birds',

Stamps Away 'Ocean Montage', Penny Black sentiment

Inks: DI 'Antique Linen'

Other: Chalks, vellum

On Saturday I went to the first Great British Craft Festival at Donnington Park with my crafting buddy Lisa. It was a mixed bag to be honest; on the hottest day of the year there was no air conditioning in the very crowded exhibition centre, a 20 minute queue for a drink, and unserviced toilets. However, I did bag quite a few bargains and finished the day off perfectly with a pint of shandy in a nearby village pub!
The lighthouse stamp in this card was one of my purchases on the day.

I'm also entering this card in Less is More's challenge this week which is 'tearing' -something I always find difficult to do being a perfectionist. My tearing is therefore quite minimal! I stamped my sentiment using Stazon ink onto a torn strip of vellum.  I also tore some whitewash Core'dinations card to shape the rocks; (although they appear quite rounded after I sanded them).

Less is More Week 80 - One Layer 'Fur or Feathers'

It's one layer week at Less is More this week. It's right what Chrissie and Mandi say about the one layer challenges; they definitely don't scare me as much as they used to!
I opted for 'fur' and came up with this card for a baby boy.  Funny how some cards come together so quickly - this was one of them, might have to make a batch up being as it was so quick and easy.

Punched 3 stars in bottom RH corner, then stamped Tatty Teddy Gold Star image in 'London Fog' ink with sentiment beneath. Embossed 2 parallel lines so that the stars fitted beneath them. Tatty coloured with Promarkers and a little bit of glitter for his star, simples!

Stamp: Tatty Teddy 'Gold Star', Personal Impressions sentiment stamp

Ink: Memento 'London Fog' and 'Blue Danube'

Other: star punch, promarkers, Hougie board

All being well I'm off to the Great British Craft Festival this weekend at Donnington Park. I normally go to the Hobbycrafts shows twice a year at the NEC as it's so close to me, but the November show tends to be very Christmasy so I'm hoping this one will be a bit more varied!

Less is More Week 79 Colour 'Blue and Green'

"Blue and green should never be seen," or so the saying goes, but this week's challenge on Less is More is a colour challenge to use those very colours.
I started a card for last week's sketch challenge but didn't get to finish it in time, so my first card is based on that sketch but the colours are blue and green - with a little bit of pink!!

                             

Dies: Sizzix Framelits 'Doodle Flower', My Favorite Things 'Simply Scallops' Die-namics

Paper: strip cut from 12x12" unknown, DCWV cardstock

Stamp: Woodware 'Jane's Script'

Other: Button and thread from stash

Because I thought I wouldn't get away with this one as 'blue and green', I made another card using a different Sizzix Framelits set (loving these!)

Dies: Sizzix Hero Arts Stamp and Die set 'Floral', Dienamics 'Fishtail flag stax'

Spellbinders 'Labels 20'

Paper: K&Co K-Ology 'Addison' coloured with Distress Inks 'Shabby Shutters'

Inks: Memento 'Blue Danube', 'Cottage Ivy', DI 'Shabby Shutters'

Had a BBQ tonight at home and am off to watch Dirty Dancing at the Hippodrome on Saturday night so a good weekend in store!

That's all folks......

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!

Less is More - Week 68 Theme 'Baby'

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!!! I'm so honoured to have been ShowCASed by Mandi and Chrissie on Less is More this week for my One Layer Three Stamps entry!! It's lovely when your family and friends compliment your cards, but when two talented crafters choose your card out of 193 entries it's like being awarded an Oscar!! I will display my ShowCASe banner with pride on my blog.

Anyway, my entry for this week's challenge is v late.  I had another steroid injection in the sole of my foot this week so haven't been able to do much crafting. Did this card tonight in between cooking the dinner and doing the Brownies run - lol. Not my best work but it's my personal challenge to submit an entry every week!

Dies: Die-namics Simply Scallop Medium,

Spellbinders Circle, Sizziz Bigz Die Stars

Stamp: Paula Pascual 'Double Sayings'

Punch: Stampin Up! Word Window punch

Other: Ribbon. button, thread

60th Birthday Summer Bloom card

I love Papermania's 'Summer Bloom' decoupage card pack; particularly this butterfly design. I've teamed it up here with some free papers from two different card mags. The pretty punch is a Tonic Studio Geared one - 'Dotty Border' and a computer generated sentiment.

Less is More - Week 67 3 Stamps

It's one layer week at Less is More and the ladies have challenged us to use three stamps on our cards, not four, not two.... but 3!! I think I've produced one of my simplest 'clean and simple' cards yet with lots of white space to keep Chrissie and Mandi happy! I used two different stamps from the Penny Black - T for Transparent - 'Allegro' set and a Craftwork Cards sentiment stamp.

Stamps: Penny Black 'Allegro', Craftwork Cards 'Sentiments'

Ink: Memento dew drops in 'Cottage Ivy' and 'Grape Jelly'

Less is More - Week 66 Yellow No.2

Two entries from me for Less is More's challenge this week - get me!
This one is probably more in line with the CAS terms than the first. I stamped a flower stamp from the lovely Craftwork Cards set repeatedly in a line then coloured with Promarkers. I pinched one of Chrissie's techniques using an embossed line edge to mount the stamped strip onto in yellow pearl card. I didn't have any yellow ribbon so experimented colouring some ivory stain ribbon from my stash.

Cardstock: White linen, yellow pearl

Stamps: Craftwork Cards 'Graceful Grasses and Birds',

Paula Pascual by Personal Impressions sentiment

Ribbon: Ivory satin ribbon coloured with chalk

My first attempt at colouring with Promarkers worked well, but once it had dried the ribbon went as stiff as a board! My second attempt, using a dye-based ink, again worked but I couldn't get the ribbon to adhere no matter what adhesive I tried!! Third time lucky - I applied chalk with a cotton wool ball; a bit messier but achieved the required result - try, try try again and all that!!

Retrosketches #10/Less is More - Week 66 Yellow

Hi Bloggers! I came across the Retrosketches challenge blog thanks to Chrissie from Less is More.  A very late entry from me but hopefully this is the first of many more to come!
We've been invited to 4 functions between us over the Diamond Jubilee weekend (typical!), so this card is to decline one of the four kind invitations.
I'd also like to submit this for the Less is More challenge which for this week is yellow. Not a colour I'd normally use to craft with but I have managed to do 2 challenge entries for Chrissie and Mandi this week. Entry no.2 to follow!

Kraft card base,
'Buzzy Little Bees' digital image stamp and 'Honeycomb paper' downloads from Pink Petticoat,
computer generated sentiment,

Stampin' Up twine, buttons and ribbon from stash.

Less is More - Week 65 Sketch

                                 

The challenge at Less is More this week is a sketch challenge. There is a choice of two simple sketches of which I opted for the circular one above. I enjoy using sketches; I used to find them really useful when I used to scrapbook. My card uses the beautiful 'Poppy Background' stamp that I bought at a bargain price from here: http://www.misi.co.uk/ (which stands for Make it Sell it). They sell all sorts of handmade goods from food to fashion and they also sell various supplies; it's worth a look as I saved nearly £4.00 on this beautiful Hero Arts stamp.

Stamps: Hero Arts 'Poppy Background', Woodware 'Jane's Script'

Promarkers: Hot Pink

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stazon Jet Black

Other: Nestabilities Circle Large, Anita's 3D clear gloss liquid

I stamped the image in black Stazon, then again in black Memento ink. (This was so I could colour the flowers on the second image with Promarkers.) I then cut out the coloured petals, dotted some 3D clear gloss liquid in the centres and raised them onto the first image using foam squares; I think it really makes the images 'pop'. (Can see me recreating this card in different colourways.)

CAS-ual CFC50 - Flowers or Trees

I came upon the CAS-ual Friday challenge blog site via Less is More. Today's blog post is my first ever entry for this US challenge blog! This week's challenge is Flowers or Trees - soooooo many possibilities!  I ended up plumping for one of my favourite stamp sets 'Ashley's Blossoms' by My Cute Stamps.

                              

Stamps: My Cute Stamps 'Ashley's Blossoms',

Craftwork Cards 'Springtime and Sentiments

Inks: Versamark, Heat it Up Copper Embossing Powder

Embellishemnts: Adhesive stones

Less Is More - Week 64 How Charming

Very late with my Less is More entry this week; I've had a couple of commissions (pics of which will follow over the weekend hopefully) and my foot problem has reoccurred.  (I have a condition called plantar fasciitis; which causes me extreme pain in the arch of my foot and because I stand when I craft it's been really painful this week.)
Anyway back to my LIM entry. I have quite alot of charms and tend to use them on my "pretty, pretty" OTT cards; however I've not yet used them on a CAS card before.....until now.
I thought I'd make a start on some 'thank you' cards for the girl's teachers for the end of term and here's what I came up with (big thanks and credit to Steph at Stamping and Sharing for the inspiration).

Stamps: Hero Arts apple stamp

Paper: Pink Petticoat apples in crimson

Embellishements: Stampin' Up twine, apple charm

Sentiment: Pink Petticoat cut wuth SU Word Window punch

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks Barn Door and Shabby Shutters

Don't Panic Mr Mainwaring!

When I first checked Mandi and Chrissie's challenge blog on Saturday morning, I can't deny I was a little panic stricken!  The challenge this week on Less is More is Doodling.  For a perfectionist with mild OCD (lol) this was a big ask.  Added to that the fact that it's one layer week; I thought this week's challenge would beat me.  However, the idea for my card came to me on Saturday night and I made my card last night; my quickest LIM card to date!

Stamp: Papermania Honey & Hugs Sheep stamp

Ink: Black Stazon

Other: Chalks, white flock

The photo's not the greatest quality, but I was really pleased with how my 'clouds' turned out.  I made a cloud shaped mask and then chalked over the image with cotton wool balls to make the clouds; subtle but effective me thinks. I just couldn't bring myself to handwrite the sentiment so that's computer generated!  My doodles are the fence, the grass tufts and the birds in flight.  The card was for our friends to say thank you for a great day we spent on their sheep farm last week.

Less is More - Week 62 Three Shades of Green

Thanks to the typical Bank Holiday weather and me feeling unwell, the Easter weekend was a bit of a washout.  However the girls enjoyed the 'indoor' egg hunt and today, when I was supposed to be back at work, the weather changed so I booked an extra day's leave and we drove out to our friend's farm in Ludlow and had a brilliant day riding on a trailer on the back of a quad bike, feeding the baby lambs and  finished off with a lovely meal in a little country pub. The girls really enjoyed themselves and both fell asleep on the journey home.

Stamps: Leaves Set from http://www.craftfairy.co.uk/, Craftwork Cards 'Springtime and Sentiments'

Inks: Distress inks Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters

Embellishments: Kraft card, twine, button

All the green of the countryside reminded me to post my entry for this week's Less is More challenge which is Three Shades of Green. I don't know why but green always makes me want to go 'au naturale', hence the twine and kraft card.

Less is More - Week 61 Lucky Dip

I am so chuffed that I managed to submit a challenge entry over at Less is More every week throughout March. It's great seeing everyone's different interpretations on the challenges and it's really nice to receive comments from other crafters; it really makes my day when I log onto Blogger and see 'Comments to Moderate' (how sad am I?!).

These weeks's challenge is a Picture Inspiration based on this picture from Design Seeds.

Apologies for the quality of the photo, but despite the lovely spring flowers in the Picture Inspiration it actually snowed here nearly all day yesterday. Crazy weather - last week the girls had their summer dresses on, this week it's back to layers and boots!

Stamp: Hero Arts 'Large Blossom Background', Craftwork Cards 'Springtime and Sentiments'

Inks: Memento London Fog

Other: Promarkers

I was on the hunt for a poppy stamp at the Hobbycrafts show at the NEC but couldn't find one. I've since ordered the Hero Arts Poppy Background which inspired me to use the Blossom background I already have. I stamped the image in grey then coloured with promarkers and mat and layered onto white then grey cardstock. I rounded the bottom right hand corner for a bit of interest and embossed a single line below the sentiment on my Hougie board.

I'm really not sure about the finished card though; I think there's maybe something missing?

Less is More - Week 60 Recipe

As you can see from these two photos of my gorgeous 40th Birthday cake (made by my vary talented cousin at Karen's Celebration Cakes), two of my favourite things are purple and butterflies. So when I discovered that this week's Less is More challenge was a 'Recipe' challenge, I immediately knew two of the three challenges that I would be using; Week 16 Butterflies and Week 49 Predominantly Purple.

Inks: Memento Grape Jelly, Versa Color Heliotrope, Memento Tuxedo Black

Stamps: Craftwork Cards 'Springtime and Sentiments'

And this is my card. I stamped some off the butterflies 'off the edge' of the card giving me my third challenge; Week 6 Off the Edge. I needed a quick card for an elderly neighbour whose been taken into hospital so I made my second ever one layer card; I think I might be getting the hang of it!

All shopped out!

Especially for Steph at Stamping & Sharing by Stephanie, here's a pic of the goodies I bought at the Hobbycraft show at the NEC yesterday.

Doesn't look much there considering how much I spent but I did get most things off 'my list'..... and some!  I seem to have gone a bit OTT on the stamp sets but I just had to have them all! Every other store seemed to be selling Memory Box dies, obviously the 'in' thing at the moment, but as far as dies are concerned all I bought was an Xcut nesting heart die and a Spellbinders Nestabilities (Labels Twenty) to go with a gorgeous Justrite stamp set; looking forward to playing with those. There were a few things I didn't get; Inkyliscious do some lovely, excellent value for money stamp sets, but the ones I wanted all sold out on the Thursday :( Will have to wait until pay day before I think about ordering them and another Spellbinders Nestabilities die I couldn't find.

Less Is More - Week 59 Masking

This time tomorrow I will be back home stroking all the lovely crafty things I'm planning on purchasing at the Hobbycraft show at the NEC! Fortunately, living in Birminhgam, the NEC is just a short hop away on the motorway for me - less than half an hour. I've chatted to ladies at shows before who have travelled miles and spent a small fortune just to get there.  I don't think I could ever be a country bumpkin, I'd miss the convenience of surburbia far too much! Last Friday I took my 8 year old daughter to see JLS at the LG Arena, then Daddy took our 4 year old to the NIA on the Saturday to see Disney on Ice, then back to the NEC for me tomorrow for a full day of craft shopping!
Anyway, the challenge over at Less is More this week is masking. I must confess, after watching the very talented Barbara Gray making brayering look sooooo easy, I more or less demanded a brayer for Christmas from my other half! Unfortunately, I've had very little success with it and it's only been out the box twice - ooops.  So the sunset (or sunrise?!) on this card was done with distress inks and a blending tool. The masking technique I used was the old favourite "circle punched post-it note for the sun" technique. I also tore some copier paper to mask the sky whilst inking in the landscape. I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out, what do you think?

Papers: First Edition 'Desert Blooms'

Stamps: Inkyliscious 'The Coppice' and  'Take Flight - Birds'

Inks: Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick, Brushed Courdroy and Mustard Seed Distress Inks,

Memento Rich Cocoa

Sentiment: Paula Pascual Double Sayings by Personal Impressions

Stampin' Up inspired CAS card

Have had the day off work today as my 'ickle car had to have a service and MOT. As well as catching up on housework that I didn't do yesterday (tut, tut), I managed to fit in the time to make this card for a friend's birthday. The design is based on a Stampin' Up card in the current Idea Book & Catalogue.

It's quite sad how reliant we are on our cars - I was so glad to get mine back!  Had to take the girls on the bus from school to collect the car from the garage. £3 to go less than a mile - no wonder so many people drive! Thought the girls were going to freak out when about 40 noisy secondary school kids got on, but thankfully our journey passed without event.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the lovely Mums in Bloggerland.  I was a very lucky Mommy and had 2 lovely cards off the girls (Daddy chose v well this year!) and a foot spa which I will be trying out later.  Mia, (my 4 year old), decorated 2 cupcakes at nursery which she polished off herself.  Not sure whether her nursery teacher is trying to tell me something but the one cupcake was decorated with a Loveheart sweet; how cute I hear you say, but my Loveheart said "Grow Up"!  How very rude!
Lastminute.com as usual, I finished my Mother's Day cards for my Mom just before we went to visit her today! 

Papers: First Edition New Leaf

Dies: Spellbinders Oval, Xcut Tags, Joycrafts butterflies

Punch: Fiskars Apron border punch

Stamps: Magnolia Love Letter, tea cups free with mag

Sentiment: Computer generated

Inks: Antique Linen, Brushed Courdroy Distress inks, Memento Rich Cocoa

Embellishments: Seam binding, adhesive pearls 

And then this one (my favourite of the two) is from the girls to their Nanny. It's an easel card with a post-it note pad attached to the base so Mom can keep it by her telephone.

Papers: HOTP free with mag

Dies: Spellbinders Circle, Scalloped circle and Oval

Punch: Stampin' Up Heart to Heart, Martha Stewart branch

Stamps: Magnolia 'Tilda with Straw Hat'

Sentiment: Computer generated

Embellishments: Wild Orchid Crafts paper flowers, Chocolate lace, post-it note pad