Less is More Week #295

Hi there

Where on earth did that week go?  September seems to just be flying by, I can't believe it's Saturday again!  Well, as it IS in fact Saturday that means it's time for a new challenge over at Less is More.  It's the turn of our Recipe challenge and this week we would like to see you using...

Thread

I've got two cards to share with you this week.  And if you stop by the challenge blog you will see some fabulous creations made by my super clever teamies, and all very different too.  So head over there if you need some inspiration.

For my first card I used this fabulous die to create part of a large balloon, I had been after this die set for ages and I'm so glad I finally got my hands on it...

I started by using a striped embossing folder on just my card front.  I cut the balloon from a scrap of cardstock and blended with two Distress Inks.  I then took some blue/white twine and tied a bow onto the balloon base, leaving one long end.  I adhered the balloon to the card base and trimmed off the edges, then created some loops in the twine which I held in place with some small dabs of Glossy Accents.  I stamped the sentiment in both black and a co-ordinating blue shade and adhered the strip to the base.  To tidy up the inside of the card I added a panel of white cardstock to the reverse of the card front so that it was completely smooth.

Materials used:

• Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug - James' Set
• Die: MFT-Dienamics - Blueprints 26
• Ink: Distress Ink - Mermaid Lagoon, Peacock Feathers; Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versa Color - Lagoon Blue
• Stamp: Paper Smooches - Birthday Sampler
• Twine: Doodlebug - Brights Collection

I used some metallic thread and sequins on my second card...

I started by die cutting a horizontal strip of cardstock on either edge with a pierced zig-zag die.  I wanted to wind thread around the panel so thought the zig-zags would be ideal to hold the thread in place.  Before adding the thread I stamped the sentiment in VersaMark and heat embossed in silver.  The thread was then adhered to the reverse and I used a needle to add sequins and beads randomly as I wound it around.  The loose end was then also adhered to the reverse.  I adhered the panel with some 3D foam strips and the card was finished.  Super simple with a little bling for interest.

Materials used:

• Die: Avery Elle - Dotted Borders Dies
• Stamp: Clearly Besotted - Sweet Sentiments Plus
• Ink: VersaMark
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Silver
• Bling: Little Things from Lucy's Cards - Kaleidoscope Shaker Selection
• Silver metallic thread from stash

Thanks so much for popping by.  Today I'm taking myself off to the Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts show in Exeter just to have a look around.....pahahahaaaaa, we all know that's a big fat lie!  We crafters can never just have a look can we?! ;)

Enjoy your Saturday :)

Muse #134 - Pastel Bubbles

Hi guys

We've whizzed around to another Monday which means it's time for a new challenge at Muse and I'm delighted to be your muse for this week.

The idea at Muse is to use the Designer's card as the inspiration for your creation.  You can interpret it as you wish; using the colours, layout, techniques, etc.  You can find out more about the challenge guidelines here.

After Michelle's fabulous bold design last week I decided to give you a pretty pastel creation for this week's challenge.

I started by stamping the bubble background in VersaMark onto some mixed media paper and heat embossed in white.  I then squished three Distress Inks onto my craft mat and diluted with water before watercolouring them, one at time onto my paper.  When each colour was almost dry I then went back in to add more depth of colour to some of the bubbles.  I cut the panel down and mounted it onto some black cardstock before adhering flat to my card base.  I swirled some fine silver metallic thread into a messy circle and then adhered the die cut 'hello' over it to hold it in place.

Materials used:

• Stamp: Marion Emberson Designs - Bubble Background