It's a sketch week over at Less is More so I thought I'd give it a go.
Sadly, my first offering for this challenge is a sympathy card that I needed to send to my Mom's friend, who has just lost her sister.
I decided to rotate the sketch (hope this is allowed) as I wanted to 'square-up' the centre of the card.
I used a Hero Arts shadow stamp for the background and then the delightful Pocketful O' Posies (also Hero Arts) to stamp the flowers in Versamark. I added some Diamond Lace Stickles to highlight the leaves and flowers, but this doesn't really show up in the photograph. The pictures look rather pale, thankfully the card looks better in real life.
So I'm back to the craftroom now to try out my second idea for these perfect CAS sketches...
Welcome to my little corner of Blogland, where I share my love of papercrafting and life!
Monday, 30 April 2012
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Sweet Simplicity - final day.
It's a truly grotty morning. What has happened to the April showers??? It's more like the April monsoon season!
So, here are my final two CAS cards...
The first card was made using a template and Distress Ink. Then I got busy with a Hero Arts script stamp to create some depth. The sentiment is from the Papertrey Ink set that I've been using all week. I have to be honest and admit that I've lost the packaging from the dandelion stamp - but isn't it a beauty!
The second card was created using a butterfly shape from a pack of 10 plastic templates that were given away by Paper Craft Inspirations years and years ago. I found the templates in my stash and had a eureka moment. Because the templates are plastic they're perfect for using again and again, and can be rinsed under the tap afterwards. I couldn't resist adding a little bling as a finishing touch. This card was so quick and easy to make that it's real production line stuff, and could be used for multiple-makes such as wedding or party invitations.
So thanks for sharing this little CAS journey with me. Sometimes a change of creative direction can be very refreshing and satisfying - so why not give it a go? It certainly beats watching the rain!
Happy crafting everyone!
So, here are my final two CAS cards...
The first card was made using a template and Distress Ink. Then I got busy with a Hero Arts script stamp to create some depth. The sentiment is from the Papertrey Ink set that I've been using all week. I have to be honest and admit that I've lost the packaging from the dandelion stamp - but isn't it a beauty!
The second card was created using a butterfly shape from a pack of 10 plastic templates that were given away by Paper Craft Inspirations years and years ago. I found the templates in my stash and had a eureka moment. Because the templates are plastic they're perfect for using again and again, and can be rinsed under the tap afterwards. I couldn't resist adding a little bling as a finishing touch. This card was so quick and easy to make that it's real production line stuff, and could be used for multiple-makes such as wedding or party invitations.
So thanks for sharing this little CAS journey with me. Sometimes a change of creative direction can be very refreshing and satisfying - so why not give it a go? It certainly beats watching the rain!
Happy crafting everyone!
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Sweet Simplicity - day 3
Here I am again as promised with another CAS share.
Once again I used images and sentiments from the Papertrey Ink set called 'Round and round'. These really are gorgeous stamps which give such a crisp image.
See you for my final simplicity day tomorrow. Happy crafting everyone!
The dinky little shadow stamp is from Hero Arts. I nearly swapped to using chalk ink but decided that I liked the effect of the Distress inks so stuck with them. Once again I experimented with some scoring.
I made several of this very simple design and hope to sell them to raise money towards the Race for Life, which I'll be running sorry, hobbling, in May.
Finally, I'll share something cute that one of the school children said today. When asked to name three types of book that are arranged in alphabetical order he said:
"A dictionary, an encyclopedia and a brontosaurus" - how fabulous is that!
See you for my final simplicity day tomorrow. Happy crafting everyone!
Monday, 23 April 2012
Sweet Simplicity - day 2
Hi everyone, I hope that your week has got off to a good start!
Two more CAS cards with the same basic design...
I'm not sure about this first card. While I like the Distress ink colour (Scattered straw), I'm not sure if that Hero Arts cupcake is too heavy. I leveled things up with some scoring as it looked a little lopsided.
Out of the two I think I prefer the second card. I like the simplicity of that gorgeous Papertrey ink stamp (Round and round - limited edition) and the colour of the centre (Shabby Shutters).
I'll be back again tomorrow to share a few more of my experiments....
Two more CAS cards with the same basic design...
I'm not sure about this first card. While I like the Distress ink colour (Scattered straw), I'm not sure if that Hero Arts cupcake is too heavy. I leveled things up with some scoring as it looked a little lopsided.
Out of the two I think I prefer the second card. I like the simplicity of that gorgeous Papertrey ink stamp (Round and round - limited edition) and the colour of the centre (Shabby Shutters).
I'll be back again tomorrow to share a few more of my experiments....
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Sweet simplicity
As you can see I'm still keeping it clean and simple... and am surprised by how much I am loving it!
I spent a few hours last weekend stamping several variations on the same basic idea. I wanted to make some cards to sell or give as gifts. Keeping to a very basic design helped me create a large quantity of cards very quickly.
I used my Cuttlebug to make a template and then used different shades of Distress Ink for the circle effect. I used the Penny Black's 'Hello Gorgeous' and stamped the background with some of the smaller stamps from the set, while the template was still in place. Finally, I stamped the main image in Versafine, removed the template and added the sentiment. I added some scoring for balance and interest.
I'll be back throughout the week to share some of the other cards that I made in this batch. Happy crafting everyone, and I hope you all have a relaxing and fun weekend.
I used my Cuttlebug to make a template and then used different shades of Distress Ink for the circle effect. I used the Penny Black's 'Hello Gorgeous' and stamped the background with some of the smaller stamps from the set, while the template was still in place. Finally, I stamped the main image in Versafine, removed the template and added the sentiment. I added some scoring for balance and interest.
I'll be back throughout the week to share some of the other cards that I made in this batch. Happy crafting everyone, and I hope you all have a relaxing and fun weekend.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Keeping it simple.
I seem to be on a CAS kick! Perhaps that says something about where my head is right now? However, clean and simple seems to be making for some wonderfully relaxing card making and I'm having lots of fun.
I made this just before the weekend as I needed a few thank you cards. The stamps are from Stampin' Up and Hero Arts and I used Distress Inks and black Versafine. The paper has a linen texture and I quite like how it has given the stamping a slightly grainy look.
I was planning to enter the Less is More Challenge but this week the theme is 'doodling' and I just can't seem to create anything that I like! Must try harder....
Finally, thank you so much for all your kind comments and emails about the loss of my friend Shell. I really appreciate your support and friendship.
In memory of Shell: myself, my dear friend Gay, Gay's daughter, Shell's daughter and a group of Shell's friends and colleagues are going to run in the Telford Race for Life in a few weeks time. I'll share the pics after the event and give you all a good laugh at how un-athletic I am!
Happy crafting everyone!
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Just saying hello....
...to all my lovely blogging buddies!
I can't believe that it has taken so long for me to get my head into gear and start card making and blogging again. A big thank you to everyone who emailed or left a comment to check up on me - you are all so kind.
It's been a very difficult few months health wise, but with the love and support of my hubby and my wonderful parents I am beginning to make progress. It's also been a difficult time because of the loss of one of my dearest friends. My beautiful, funny and wise friend Shell lost her battle with Ovarian cancer last month. Here she is at my wedding in 2004, dressed in her customary turquoise. Shell was just 38 years old, and words cannot express how much we are all going to miss her.
I'm going to try and pick up my blogging again, but please be patient with me if my posts are a wee bit infrequent or if I don't manage to comment as often as I'd want to.
Big hugs to you all, and if you want to spend five minutes reflecting on the life of someone that you've loved but who is no longer with you then please listen to this Frank Turner song. The best tribute that we can ever pay someone is to live our lives to the full and keep them in our hearts forever.
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