Saturday 17 February 2018

Less is More #365

Hi there friends, it's time to announce our second BIRTHDAY challenge over at Less is More to celebrate our 7th Birthay and we've got more delightful designs from some of our past Design Team members. 

We're also delighted to have Seven Hills Crafts kindly sponsoring the challenge and Tara (owner) is joining us as a Guest Designer too.

So let's get down to the latest Clean and Simple challenge for the next fortnight and here's the cue card
 

There's often lots of debate in Blogland around the use of dry-embossing and how it can be used as a Clean and Simple element of a card so I can't wait to see what you come up with and I've 3 ideas to share with you today.

You'll find our guidelines and requirements for this technique over on the main Less is More blog HERE along with some superb ideas and inspiration from my talented teamies.


First up I've used a faux letterpress technique, as featured in an older video by Jennifer McGuire HERE which uses a detailed Tilda Flower die from Memory Box with a little ink to the edges then run through my Big Shot to 'emboss' the image onto watercolour card. 

Other Supplies Used:
Dies: Lil'Inkers: HI word die / Stamps: Avery Elle: Sentimental / Ink: Altenew

There's 2 challenges I'd like to pop this one into ... Addicted to Stamps and More, where they are looking for Clean and Simple Cards and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, where the requirement is to add a die-cut.


This card features a very subtle linear embossing technique where regular score lines have been marked using a folding board. I started out by inking up a beautiful stencil, which I received as a gift from my buddy and ex-DT member at Less is More, Sarah G of Funky Fossil Designs. Since stepping down from our challenge blog she's certainly not been sitting around but has set to work making various stencils, laser-cut MDF shapes and home decor/gifts. The stencil here, called Beautiful Mandala is available to purchase in Sarah's Folksy store HERE and she's also kindly offered 2 stencils as a gift to one of our birthday winners at Less is More this month. Why not head over HERE and look at what else is in store!

Other Supplies Used:
Dies: The Works: Stitched Square & Waffle Flower: Sentiment Strips
Stamps: Avery Elle: Sentimental / Ink: Distress Inks in Blueprint Sketch, Peacock Feathers and Cracked Pistachio 
 

Last but not least an underwater little scene using a circular die-cut piece of brusho-coloured card, which I then ran through a 'wave-effect' embossing folder from We R Memory Keepers. I've also used my 3 circular dies to create a de-bossed element to frame my focal image.

Other Supplies Used:
Dies: The Works: Stitched Squares & Sizzix Framelit Circles
Stamps: Paper Smooches: Briny Blue plus coordinating die & Create a Smile: Underwater Love

I'd like to pop this card in at Timeout Challenges where the theme is 'Hobbies' - Fishing is a popular hobby I believe although not one of mine!!! Hope it counts - sadly it's not twisted with a one layer.

I hope you've enjoyed my inspiration for this challenge and don't forget we've extra prizes this month with it being our Birthday. Our sponsor for the challenge is Seven Hills Crafts as well as a random mystery prize and Sarah's kind stencil for this month only so do play along for a chance, and we'll announce our winners at the start of next month. 

Seven Hills Crafts Logo

I hope you'll play along in our birthday challenges this month and have some fun with us.



Thanks for calling by today!

Sarah

14 comments:

  1. I love your classy faux letterpress technique....I shall have to give this another go as I have never got great results. It is so lovely to see one of my stencils on your blog too, Sarah! You have inked it beautifully and I love the colours you have used :) Loving your sweet octopus too. Great range of ideas as always - each card is so different. Have a fab weekend x

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  2. Three awesome cards, teamie! I've been meaning to try that faux letterpress technique, it looks fabulous here, that's a perfect floral die for it! Sarah's stencil looks gorgeous in these colours and the score lines were a great idea for this week's challenge. And fancy using the wave EF for water, why didn't I think of that?! :D Cute card too. Hugs xx

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  3. Three gorgeous cards Sarah! I love the faux letterpress technique which has made such a beautifully colour coordinated card <3 The embossed lines on the second card are such a subtle yet effective background, a really lovely touch. (And what a fab stencil from Sarah G!) The sea card is totally adorable and a great use of different embossings! Thanks for the inspiration :) x

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  4. Fabulous showcase of different dry embossing techniques ! Love all of them and particularly your stunning blue Mandala ! I also love Jennifer's technique you used on your first card. It makes such a gorgeous and delicate background for your bold Hi word. I've tried this technique once but I was not very confortable with it. Have to give it another try ! Your sea scene is also adorable and very clever from you to combine two ways of dry embossing ! You rock again this week ! Have a fabulous weekend. Hugs xx

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  5. Love your design, Sarah - that big flower makes a great "frame" for your sentiment! Thanks for playing along with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

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  6. Wow..you've been busy make these beautiful card. Love them all!

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  7. All of your cards are wonderful, Sarah. The bright color on the first one shows you can use color even on CAS cards. Thanks for sharing that one with us at Addicted to Stamps and More.

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  8. Your cards are as perfect as ever Sarah, you never fail to inspire and your running of LIM is magic... I couldn't have left it in better hands!
    Thank you!
    Chrissie xx

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  9. Beautiful cards as always, Sarah. I love the eyes on that little octopus. Adorable. And I just love that Brusho background. Thanks for sharing this cutie with us at Time Out!

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  10. WOW! A trio of incredible cards showcasing wonderful dry-embossing techniques paired with *the* perfect images! Once again, your creativity bedazzles! So thrilled you shared the pretty Hi + flower in the ATSM gallery; the other two fit the bit as well (seriously, that octopus..oh my! Cuteness!).
    Hugs~c

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  11. Wow, Sarah! You’ve just schooled us in dry embossing! So many different methods featured on these 3 fabulous cards. Great execution of the faux letterpress technique. I need to give that a try. Your stenciled mandala is stunning. I should think about using my scoring board more to add subtle details. And finally your last card is adorable. Love how you incorporated dry embossing with EF and with dies. Fantastic cards nd techniques. xx

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  12. Three complete stunners from you Sarah showing just how CAS dry embossing can be! That mandala is incredible with your beautiful blending and the score lines is such a simple but effective technique. The letter press embossed card is sensational with its super crisp embossing and inking. And your brusho card is such fun. Sorry for being late over to visit - total chaos reigns here with the house prep for sell so it's been uber-busy. xx

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  13. Visiting very late this time... Sorry about that! Great work with your DT cards, Sarah! The dry embossing techniques you've used are all very creative and unique looking too -I think I've missed that Jennifer McQuire technique with using both ink and a die for dry embossing! Fab results. The third card totally makes me smile and I love all the small details in it -yet the overall look is very CAS. Have a good week!

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  14. So much gorgeous inspiration as always Sarah. Love all your cards.. Your CAS style is fabulous!

    Thank you so much for playing with us at Time Out!

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