Shake it, Less is more style

 I've been having quite a think about something for this week's less is more challenge - add texture. Initially I was thinking of an embossing folder but, inspired by Anne's use of textured twine and the Simon Says Stamp shaker challenge, I had a change of heart. Last time I attempted a shaker card it was disastrous. Sticky things went in places there shouldn't be sticky things, beads went in places there shouldn't be beads. Glitter went in all the places. Needless to say, the card did not go on the blog. May it rest in pieces.

Anyway, today was the day to right that wrong. I found this lovely textured white ribbon in my ribbon box and like Anne, started there, fixing it in place with red brads. I created the shaker panel with die cuts and a piece of printed vellum. I chose lots of different textures for the shaker and surrounding 'scatter' including foam and sequin stars, diamante's and fabric hearts, This card is for my Auntie and Uncles Ruby wedding anniversary so I finished with the big 4-0.

What came first...?

Over at Casology this week the code word is EGG. I don't have any egg stamps, but I did have this little chick so I paper pieced him and cut out egg shapes in the same paper to match. I drew on the little footprints and stamped penny black's happy easter stamp. Super simple, but a bit of fun :)

One Layer Stem

This week's Less is More challenge is one layer, including a stem, the perfect opportunity to try out some new stamps I picked up from Hobby Art.
I stamped the bird first and then masked it while inking the background with distress inks. I then added in the grasses stamp. I've coloured it with promarkers and added a little wink of stella to the leaves for a bit of added interest.
As well as entering the Less is more challenge, I'd also like to put my name forward for their DT call (exciting stuff!)
I'm also putting this card forward as a loose interpretation of Addicted to CAS's 'Bloom' challenge.

F is for...

This week the Craft barn dictionary challenge letter is F. The added twist is that there has to be a heart included somewhere on the page.

Having done a couple of fairly serious entries I wanted to have a bit of fun with this one.
I chose to make my page about FROGS!
I kept things pretty simple by using some penny black stickeroos for the images. The background is made with a combination of ink blending and stamping bubble wrap and spritz effect hobby art stamps. I stenciled on the all important hearts and added a few extra bits such as the gingham ribbon.

As well as the craft barn challenge I'd also like to enter this in to the following challenges;
Penny black Saturday - red or hearts
Craft Stamper - text me
Crafty ribbons- leap, for the leap year!

Puppy Love

Today I'm sharing a Valentine's card, a little late, but better late than never eh? It's made with two fairly old wood mounted penny black stamps; spotty, and romantic dog. I stamped them on to a range of coordinating papers and paper pieced them. I cut out a few hearts to add to the centre and added the squiggly message freehand to the bottom (Note to self; Must get more sentiment stamps!)

Fortunately I'm not too late to enter a few romantically themed challenges this week, so here they are;

Penny black Saturday - Hearts or red

Stamping Sensations - Anything goes

Little Claire's - Love and Marriage

Simon Says Stamp - One layer

All white?

First things first, happy birthday to less is more! Five years this week, wow! They have lots of prizes up for grabs but a tricky challenge to go with it, white on white.
I really struggled to do this and you'll notice that I might have snuck just a teeny but of colour in the corner (slap wrists!)

The card is made mostly with freebies from a magazine. I stamped the tea cups in châteaux grey versa ink and embellished with ribbon, plenty of frosted lace stickles and some liquid pearls.
As well as the less is more challenge I would also like to enter this in to the Allsorts clean and simple challenge.

Happy owliversary!

Hi There!
Wow, it seems like a long time since I last blogged. I got the craft table back in action today while the pup had a big sleep (he had his first jab yesterday and vet said this might be one of the benefits side effects ) Who could resist that beautiful face though eh?!

Still, on with the important matter of crafting!

This card has been made with the hobby art owls stamp set and the textures stamp set. The background has been inked with DI in ground espresso with a touch of carved pumpkin thrown in for good measure.

I die cut the scalloped circle and the bunting leaves and attached them to a piece of natural twine. The whole image is coloured with promarkers.  I doodled a border with fine liner and will add some glossy accents to the owls eyes when I find a pin to unclog the nozzle with!

I'd like to enter this card in to the following challenges;

Little Claire's - Bunting

Crafty ribbons - animals

Penny Black and more - anything with a die

Stamping sensations - anything goes