Saturday 31 January 2015

Less is More #209


Happy Saturday blog friends and I'm guessing you are here
to see what's in store for you this week at 

Less is More

It's a 5-week month so we've a Lucky Dip Challenge 
Themed: Little Ones 

Not only that but as a special treat this week we have 
Tara of Craftilicious (aka: Make The Day Special)
guest designing for us so please pop across to her blog
and you might like to buy some crafty goodies too!

Here's my cards and first of all I've gone with a couple of
new 'little uns' congrat's / welcome cards 


Card Recipe:
My Favourite Things: Sun Ray stencil
Die-namics: Snow Drift & Blueprints 15
Mama Elephant: Just Hatched stamps 
Distress Inks: Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed 
& Scattered Straw
Promarkers & Wink of Stella



This one uses a newly released stamp and die set from 
Clearly Besotted: Baby Shower
Uniko Studio: Sweet Baby sentiments
Ribbon & pearls from my stash

I'm also going to head over to Simon Says Stamp
where it's an Anything Goes week 
and lucky for me they are featuring CBS products
although not a necessity for entering the challenge



Is there anyone else out there who seems to spend more time watching
other folks crafty videos rather than getting down to some proper crafting???
Or is that just me!!!

So having watched plenty of YouTube videos on blending pencils I've been playing with 
my own Derwent coloursoft ones using artist clear and odourless spirit,
 which I have to say is much easier than the blending pencils I'd already purchased.
Then seeing the videos it seems you can also use baby oil!
Hmmm! my cards would smell divine using that!
Anyway ... enough of that!

Supplies Used:
Mama Elephant: Just Hatched stamp set - coloured as above then fussy cut
WPlus9: Conversation Bubble dies with inset coloured as above
Clearly Besotted: Sentiments from Honeycomb & Geometric I
MFT Die-Namics: Fishtail Flags using Papermania textured card
To finish coordinating sprinkles from Doodlebug

I've loosely used the sketch from this week's Freshly Made Sketches
challenge so I'd like to pop my card in there too.


Ok crafters it's that time when I hand over to you talented people
So have fun, keep warm and thanks as always for stopping by.



Sarah

Thursday 29 January 2015

Late Night Skating & Carol Singing!


Hi there ... another late posting for me before I head off to bed
and two cards to share with you
First up it's for the latest Muse Challenge

So all through December I resisted buying this GORGEOUS
Mama Elephant penguin set ... why? Can't answer that!
I love it and couldn't wait to ink it up.

To be honest I only need a maximum of one Valentine card
and even then Hubby and I don't always go in for cards
... it's for the youngsters really isn't it!
So I didn't want to make a card specific to Valentine's Day
but still wanted little critters in a shape with some embossing
in line with Julie's stunning creation below:


Card Recipe:
Obviously the Mama Elephant stamp set but also 
the stitched rectangle from the Index Card dies from ME
Sheena Douglas Embossing Folder
Distress ink in Evergreen Bough
MFT Die-Namics Sentiment Strips
Clearly Besotted: Say it in Style 

I'd also like to link this up at Simon Says Stamp 
where it's 'Anything Goes' this week.


Next up another challenge combo ...


I'm trying to keep to my New Year's Resolution of joining the 
Merry Monday Challenge every week but when I saw
we had to include Carol Singers this time I cringed.

UNTIL ... sifting through some of my stash I found
a little pre-coloured art pad from Lili of the Valley
and guess what ... a perfect little image!

I've teamed it up with the sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch
using some washi tape from good old M&S!


Amazing what they sell to wrap up those Christmas goodies.
It's silver snowflakes and I was quite impressed with the look 
against the grey cardstock.
The sentiment is Uniko Studio: Simply Said Christmas
and it's glistening with Wink of Stella but perhaps not obvious in the photo.

Right that's all for now but thanks so much for stopping by 
and hope you are all keeping warm and cosy.

Sarah

Tuesday 27 January 2015

Addicted To Stamps and More Challenge #129

Hello friends 
It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More 
and this week we're looking for your super clean and simple creations ...

It's a CAS week
(Clean and Simple so lot's of 'white' space)

Here's my card using a digi-image from this week's sponsor
STAMPlorations ... prize is a $10 gift certificate




I printed the image but reduced in size from the original, 
coloured with Derwent colour soft pencils and a little highlighting with Promarkers
To add some interest I've sliced the image in three then mounted
with foam pads onto a stitched square die from MFT Die-Namics
The 'Birthday' sentiment die is from Clearly Besotted 
along with the stamped words from the 'Happy Birthday' set.



There's loads more fabulous inspiration from the multi-talented
ATSM Design Team so please pop across to check out their creations too.
 



Hope you find some time to join in and looking forward to seeing
your fabulous cards throughout the week.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy some crafty fun.

Sarah

CASology #131


Evening friends I've a little card to share with you today
for the current challenge at CASology where the theme is 'Birthday'
My confidence was boosted to the moon and back earlier when 
I noticed I'd won last week's CASology challenge! 
I think it's a first time for me so well impressed.
On the back of this oozing confidence (snigger) and a mass of inspiration
in blogland I've created this card ...


... and before I tell you what supplies I've used I need to acknowledge
my inspiration sources ... so first up I watched a fantastic video 
from the super talented Julia of Just One More Card here and I love
the layout she's used so I've 'cased' it and following my mini step into 
water-colouring here which was inspired by Kristina Werner I decided 
to give it another go to create my 'teddy' circle and I may as well 
sneak this card in as a second entry at Happy Little Stampers 
January CAS challenge - Water-colouring

   

A mini edit here thanks to Kimberley for suggesting I link up at 

Card Recipe:
Uniko Studio: Sweet Baby
Clearly Besotted: Happy Birthday sentiments
Mama Elephant: Index Card Dies
Hero Arts: white embossing powder
Distress inks: Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers, Faded Jeans
Papermania: Textured cardstock
Doodlebug: sprinkles

Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back soon with another card
Sarah

Sunday 25 January 2015

Love Birds & Watercolours


Hello All and a Happy Sunday to you.
I've a card to share which has taken me AGES!
So long in fact that this is the 3rd attempt!
I knew there was a reason I don't do shaker cards!!!
Having almost given up and thrown it in the bin with the rest 
I decided I ought to have something to show for
my toils so here it is ...

Here's the sketch I've followed from CAS(E) This Sketch


In view of all the intricate little bits I've mustered from my
snippet bins I'm going to head over to Pixies Snippets Playground too
... I'd better take a bag of sweeties though as I've been missing for a few weeks!

I'd also like to link up at Simon Says Stamp again: Have a Heart

Supplies Used:
Doodlebug: Design Papers
Clearly Besotted: Love Birds Die Collection
Clearly Besotted: Paired Up Stamps & Dies


I've another card to share which I'd almost forgotten about 
having made it last week it didn't make it to the blog!

This one is to link up at Happy Little Stampers: CAS January Challenge
I couldn't wait to join in but water-colouring isn't something I often do
so after a little pinterest and blogland surfing I came across a 
stunning card by the amazing Kristina Werner here and 
I hope she doesn't mind me 'casing' it (of sorts)!


Supplies Used:
Distress Inks: Barn Door, Picked Raspberry & Seedless Preserves
Tim Holtz: Watercolour card
Uniko Studio: All Occasion Sentiments #3;
heat-embossed with Hero Arts white embossing powder
Doodlebug: sequins

I seem to remember seeing a challenge where the requirement
is to use the sentiment as the focal point ... and was hoping to link
up there too ... but can I remember where I saw it?!?!?!?!?
So if anyone has spotted that challenge please let me know.

That's all from me for today but thanks as always for stopping by
and see you soon.

 
Sarah

Saturday 24 January 2015

Less is More #208


Morning All
Thanks for stopping by AND it's that time again ...
a new challenge announcement at

Less is More

this week we have an easy peasy sketch for you so here's my cards



            

For this one I'd like to link to several challenges because there's
so many 'Love' challenges out there right now that if I don't 
link a few I'll run out of people to send all these Valentine's cards to!
I'll be selling them on street corners I think! LOL!

You'll notice I've 'flipped' the sketch upside down which is allowed!
Firstly using Paper Smooches balloon dies I die-cut 2 heart shaped balloons
and inked them up with Distress Inks in Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry & Barn door.

The Eiffel Tower stamp is from the Je T'Aime set from Clearly Besotted
This is heat-embossed in Hero Arts white EP onto a panel of white cardstock
 which is also inked up using the same distress inks as above.
(In line with the sketch I promise I did die-cut half of the heart balloon 
from the panel at the top - before popping it up on 3d foam)
The sentiment is also Clearly Besotted: Paired Up and the balloon ties
from CBS: Build a bug set.

Challenges I'd like to link to:
Time Out Challenges: Valentines with a twist of hearts
Simon Says Stamp: Have A Heart
The Card Concept: Love (Clean & Simple card)


A quick edit here ... thanks Sandie for reminding me about 
the Inkspirational - Ombre challenge so I'm linking up there too.



Bet you do a double take on this one ... it is feeling slightly weird
making Christmas cards in January but it's me trying to be organised 
come December 2015 by joining the Merry Monday Challenge
each week (where possible) and I don't think I've missed yet!

Supplies Used:
Clearly Besotted: Naughty or Nice
Embossing Folder: Sheena Douglas 
(Thanks to Anne for using this a few weeks ago ... I simply HAD to have one!)
MFT Die-namics: Snow Drifts
To finish: glossy accents, glamour dust & gems

Challenges I'd like to enter:
Merry Monday: Houses
Addicted to Stamps & More: Holiday (Christmas)


Ok that's all from me and as usual I'm handing the 
crafty baton over to you and I'll be stopping by your
blogs this week to check out your creations.

Sarah

Friday 23 January 2015

Uniko Challenge #17 - Reminder

Hello I'm back with another card for the current challenge
at Uniko Studio and a little reminder that if you want to enter
the linky closes on Friday 30th January @ 8am GMT.

Details of how you can win some Uniko goodies are at 
the bottom of the post so read on ...

The theme is Love & Friendship and as I can't wait for some 
springtime colour in my garden I've used a selection
of bright inky florals and sentiment stamps to create a 'friend' card
suitable for birthday, note card or lots more occasions



Supplies Used:
Uniko Studio: Flower Power #5,
Background Builders: Vines
A Gift for You (sentiment)
and All Occasion Sentiments #3

Grab button for Uniko Studio Challenge

I'm sure you'd like to see some more inspiration so please check out
the cards from the super talented Design Team members plus
we have 3 Guest Designers this month too. 

Guest Designers
Lynn
Lucy
Kitty

Design Team
Amber
Beverley
Deborah
Erika
Gillian
N@ Ali
Nicki
Sandie

They'd all love a visit and some love so by entering the challenge 
here's the details you need to win ...
The DT will select a winner who will receive a £20 Gift Voucher
for Uniko Studio plus an invite to Guest Design for our next challenge.

The DT will also choose a Top 3 and each will receive a £5 Gift Voucher.

It's not essential but if you do use a Uniko Studio stamp then your card
will be entered into a randomly selected draw to win a £10 Gift Voucher.

Just before I dash off I noticed there's a 'Friend' themed
challenge over at CASology so I'm heading over there with this card

Looking forward to seeing your creations.
Happy Crafting and thanks as always for stopping by.

Sarah

Thursday 22 January 2015

Muse Card Challenge #101


Hello blog buddies I'm sneaking in before I hit the sack with a 
card to enter the latest challenge at Muse.
As soon as I saw Marion's inspiring card I couldn't wait to enter
BUT my mojo upped and left and could I think of what to use!!!

Today I stumbled on this super duper floral stamp from 
Uniko Studio - Pure Florals: Gerbera
and this is what I came up with




I love the pop of striking blue cardstock on Marion's card so that 
was my starting point followed by heat-embossing the flower head, 
leaves and sentiment in Hero Arts white embossing powder.
Having added a touch of shading to the petals and leaves using 
Derwent Coloursoft pencils I finished with some mini gems 
for that touch of sparkle.

Ok that's all for me and I'll be back tomorrow with another card
for the Uniko Studio Love & Friendship Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you'll check out my card tomorrow

Sarah

Sunday 18 January 2015

Grey Wet and Snowy Outside ...


... so what better excuse to get crafting!

Actually it didn't really go to plan as my mojo seized up!!!
I managed one card though and I'd like to enter it into a few challenges


Supplies Used:
Stencil: Memory Box
Clearly Besotted: Say it in Style Sentiment
Doodlebug: Sprinkles
Distress Inks: Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed 
& Scattered Straw

I decided to try out a new challenge for me using a sketch 
from Crazy4Challenges but I think if it's allowed they have 3 challenges
on the go so I'd like to link up to all three:

the idea of this one is to use the image as a blank canvas for a new craft room
 and in addition to stamps and paper the first things that came into my head to install 
in this gorgeous room should be used in my project ... so I'm going with inks and bling

   

Other Challenges:

CAS on Sunday: Stencil It

     

Ok that's all for me today.
Thanks for stopping by and I'll catch up with you soon.



Sarah

Saturday 17 January 2015

A TAG & A MERRY MONDAY ... ON A SATURDAY!


Hi All 
I'm back with a very quick post to show you 2 more cards.

First of all I spotted a gorgeous Tag by the lovely Heather Campbell
at The Tag You're It! Challenge and decided I had to take part.
The other reason being that in December I was so inspired by all the stunning
tags produced for Tracey McNeely's 25 Day's of Christmas Tags that I'd have
loved to take part but was busy catching up with Christmas cards!

This brings me on to my second card which is for the Merry Monday Christmas 
challenge using the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.
My thinking is that if I can create a Christmas card every week in 2015
for Merry Monday then I 'might' be able to take part  
if Tracey hosts the December Tag Challenge again.

Ok so here's my cards


I was inspired by Heather's beautiful floral arrangement and decided
to match my tag to the card I entered at The Card Concept here.

Supplies Used
Uniko Studio: Flower Power #6
Uniko Studio: Natures Treasures #1
Uniko Studio: Background Builders Vines
Clearly Besotted: Diagonal Stripes & Sweet Little Sentiments stamps
Clearly Besotted: Rounded Tag die

Here's the photo inspiration





Supplies Used:
Clearly Besotted: Rockin Robin Stamps & Dies 
(one little 'critter')
Doodlebug: Design paper
Sheena Douglas: Snow fall embossing folder
(thanks to my LIM colleague Anne for using this and tempting me)
Wink of Stella, Glossy Accents & Veneer sheets



Ok that's all for me ... I'm off to watch The Voice now.
Thanks for stopping by

Sarah

Less is More Challenge #207


Morning all and how quickly are we back around to Saturday!
So it's that time again ... a new challenge at 

Less is More

It's a theme week too - Friends - so loads of options
just remember to keep it clean and simple.

Now if you follow my blog regularly then you'll notice 
that yesterday I posted details of the latest challenge at
Uniko Studio here where the theme is very similar: Love & Friendship.
So no pressure blog buddies but I'd be more than happy to see your 
cards there too. We've some new rules this year too so you don't 
even need to use Uniko products ... so what are you waiting for.

Anyway onto my cards for Less is More and apologies for
my photos this week ... the light is pretty dismal in the UK right now
but some very late night photography produced these!


First up featuring a brand new stamp set (to me) from Uniko Studio
 it's the All Occasion Sentiments #3 
inked in gold Delicata then heat embossed with clear EP.
Other supplies:
Clearly Besotted: Diagonal stripes & Pretty Petals Plus stamps
Mama Elephant: Index card dies



This one is a little crazy but thought it would work for several occasions
so no 'real' sentiment as I'll add it inside.
Supplies Used:
The Alley Way Stamps: Face-it
Uniko Studio: All Occasion Sentiments #3
Glitter markers, Derwent coloursoft pencils and glossy accents for added interest

I'm going to link this one up at a couple of challenges too:

Simon Says Stamp: It's a Guy Thing
 (I'm sure this would be suitable for our men folk)






Supplies used here:
Clearly Besotted: Birch Trees Stamps
Paired Up stamps & dies
Scalloped Border Dies
WPlus9: Fanciful Feathers sentiment stamp
MFT Die-namics: Stitched rectangles


Once again if you follow my blog you may notice I've
had a couple of fabulous challenge wins / honours this week
and one of them was Muse Card Challenge.

I was so excited and thrilled to be voted top as I find this 
challenge in particular a REAL challenge so this card
is to enter the latest one there - not that I'm hedging my bets at all!


Supplies used:
Distress Inks: Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry & Spiced Marmalade
Sentiment: Clearly Besotted - Say it In Style
Beautiful Blooms die from Uniko Studio
Wooden patterned button from my stash

Well I hope you are still with me after this long post.
Thanks as always for stopping by and I'm handing the 
baton to you now. Can't wait to see your inspirational makes.

Have fun and see you soon.



Sarah