Double distress!

This is my second 'distress' entry for the Casology challenge this week!
I've made it using a mixture of distress inks and a penny black stamp silhouette on top. The edges are torn to add to the distressed look and then it is simply mounted on to white cardstock to keep it nice and cas.

Distressed!

I couldn't miss the opportunity to take part in Casology's 'distress' challenge this week with the fabulous lawn fawn as their sponsors. Here's the first card I made on the theme of distress

I started by stamping hobby art's cracked paint background in châteaux grey versa ink, then stamped crafty individuals floral postage stamp in DI using second generation stamping for a more faded look. I inked both images with different coloured distress inks and tore round the edges. They are mounted using 3d foam mount squares and the sentiment is another from crafty individuals. As well as Casology, I would like to enter this in to the craft barn's less is more challenge with flowers as there are flowers on the stamps :)

Hearts, not red

The craft barn challenge of 'hearts, not red' presented me with quite a problem this time. Apparently I'm more stereotypical than I knew! I've gone for an ultra subtle colour palette for this one made with card-io stamps and a freebie heart stamp and sentiment. I drew on the bunting ribbons and the border. I'm not sure what occasion this is for but hopefully it is quite open.

L is for...

I don't know whether anyone else has ever googled 'French lavender fields' but I did exactly that the other day and was quite blown away by the beautiful images that came up. Purple haze's beneath golden skies, often with classic French castles or stunning mountain ranges in the background. I can't say I could even come close to replicating these photos but I did select 'lavender' to be my L word in this fortnight's craft barn challenge.

For the first time since the challenge started I painted a wash over the pages before inking so that the text nestles quite quietly in the background.I stamped the mountain range from a card-io set and inked using distress and versa colour inks. The lavender stamp at the front is by Lavinia stamps. I added the text with Hero Art alphabet stamps and finished with a doodled fine liner border.
I'd like to enter this in to the craft barn dictionary challenge and craft stamper's text me challenge.

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.