Surfs up! LIM261

The theme this week at Less is more is "Down Under" I need to remake this card now that I figured out what to do.  I was running out of time so I'm posting my idea and then I'll update my post when I remake the card.  I tried the surfer in a few different colors before I chose Aqua but my wave die was a different shade.  I used a water brush and brushed ink inside the wave which will look good when I use watercolor paper.  I stamped the surf board and die cut the words "surfs up" as my sentiment.  I went to Australia in the early 90's, and I loved watching the surfer's while I sat on the beautiful beach in Sydney.  

Winter Birthday Wishes LIM#258, CAS#74

 

Another shot at CAS and can you see my indecision?
I made this card two ways, to the right first and then centered in the middle.  While I like how both of them turned out, stamping in the middle seems the safer (more balanced) less creatively risky way - Using the words safe and risky sound odd when referencing art, but those stampers with confidence issues will understand!  I added Stampin' up dazzling details to the center of the top snowflake for added sparkle without the bulk.  Four different stamps were used to create this card two different unmounted snowflakes, the flourish and a sentiment.
This card was inspired by the Less is More Challenge #258 to use a flourish & CAS on Sunday #74 Winter theme.

Batty In love, LIM # 236

This week at Simply Less is More 'The Eyes Have it!".  The challenge is to focus on eyes.  I thought of this bat stamp from paper smooches that I bought and haven't played with yet (imagine that!)  I used crystal effects to give his eye some dimension, but it doesn't show in the picture very well.  Thanks for getting me to use my stash ladies and challenging me to keep it one layer!

Hooray! Volleyball card for LIM #164

The challenge this week at Less is More is to create a card using "three" of something, and also to leave a comment on three different blogs to encourage fellow card makers.  Finding which cards to comment on was easy as they have sooo many talented stampers to choose from.  I actually made the background for the card one day while playing around with my sizzix big shot creating different taxtures.  This was made with a plastic circle that I think was intended a yarn craft of some sort.  I inked the cardstock in blue and said..cool..now what?  So I picked it up and then thought of these brads that a friend gave me from her stash, picked three and added them to the corner.  For the next inspiration I went to my sports bucket and found this great volleyball patch and said "Bingo"! I stamped a swirl to make it look like the ball was moving and added the patch with pop dots so it can be reused.  I picked the sentiment 'Hooray" so it could be given to a player or the coach. 

Life's Sweet, LIM #163 Stenciling

The challenge this week on Less is More week #163 is masking or stenciling.  I chose a fruit border stencil by Delta.  I used my ink daubers and played with four different colors to create this "Life's Sweet" cherry card.  It needed some bling, but I wanted to keep it as flat as possible so I chose sequins as my embellishment.  This will be a great all occasion card for this spring or summer.

Less is More #28 OLC use ink

Wow ~ have I missed crafting and posting on my blog! We had a terrific fun filled summer with three weeks left to go I couldn't help but sneak away to play. 

I find trying to do a one layer card (OLC) challenging with a great combination of frustration and enjoyment!  For the OLC Less is more challenge this week I chose this tulip stained glass rubber stamp to create with.  I used ink daubers and made a mask out of vellum and inked in the design with pigment ink.  I let go of the perfection factor and liked how the colors blended in outside of the lines.  I paper punched my corners and added a very thin purple ribbon for accent and to highlight the 'thinking of you" sentiment. 

Less is More #20 Monogram

This week on Less is More The challenge is to do a monogram card.  I used the letter "M" for measure and added twill with a ruler printed on it for texture.  I stamped the image with Stampin Up's Chocolate chip craft ink and embossed it in clear powder to bring out all the fine details. 

Less is More #18 Monochromatic

Today on Less is More the challenge is to create a monochromatic card.  I love the simplicity of not trying to match colors and patterns together, so this was a delightful reprieve.  I added a little bling to my button to go with the shimmer of the sheer ribbon for some extra ~ pop ~
The card and stamps are available to purchase in my Etsy shop. 

Less is More #17 pick a square

This week on Less is more the idea was to pick a portion of a square to use your image or words, and leave the rest as white space.  I really like how this sentiment has the rose image twined through it.  I embossed this stamp using versamark and cranberry powder by Stampendous.  I colored in the flower with sharpie markers and glaze gel pens.    This card and stamp are available in my Etsy Shop:

                                                                                              

Less is More #16 Butterfly & 365 Cards #84 Ruffles

On the Less is More blog the theme this week is butterflies.  I combined challenges with today's 365 cards which is to think "ruffles".  I thought this image had a vintage feel to it, so in keeping with the collage theme I added a lace ruffle to the side and a wonderful charm that reads "Love".  I used Kraft cardstock and colorbox burnt sienna chalk inkpad for color.  This stamp and card are available to purchase from my Etsy shop.  I'm also including a yard of this lace ruffle trim with purchase. 

Less is More #15 Embossing

I made this card for the Less is more challenge which was to make a one layer card using embossing powder.  I chose this vintage looking image  with the violets and the birthday greeting sentiment.  I pulled out the twinkling H20's and the Luminarte to color in the flowers with my water brush.  Everytime I play with this powder I think ""why don't I use this more often?" I love the shimmer.  I thought it needed something more across the top so I added a ribbon, but kept it flat by not tying a bow.  I think it turned out very simple and pretty.

Less is More #14 White on White

Wow! I never would have tried this, but today's Challenge on Less is More is to make a card using white on white and it worked!.  I used stampin Up's embossing folder first then added lace to the side of the card.  I started stacking flowers (punched from Marvy and Stampin Up) together then added the heart (Marvy punch) and found this wedding sentiment in my stash and called the card complete.  I love the elegant feel of an all white card.   Thanks for looking!

Less is More #13 and 365 cards #61

Today on Less is more the challenge is making a clean and simple thank you card.  On 365 cards the challenge is to use a frame somewhere on your card.  In the photos the card appears blue, but in reality it's purple.  I stamped and embossed the frame and sentiment in purple. I Then cut slits in the top and bottom of the frame and slid a wide ribbon through. I added a gem and a sheer purple ribbon to the top to create an overall elegant look. 

LIM #12 Off Centre

I'm playing catch-up ~ Can you tell I went through paper crafting withdrawl while on vacation?! Hubby is cooking Easter dinner so I get to play in my craft room.  I found this challenge on Less is more week #12 titled "Off Centre" -I had to laugh at this one since my natural tendancy is to be "a little off" ~ LOL!

LIM #10 OLC Sentiment

Thank you less is more http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/2011/04/week-10-one-layer-challenge-sentiment.html for getting me to try this technique.  I was at a rubber stamping convention when I learned about heat & stick powder and gold foil.  I purchased the necessary items to play and they have been in my drawer for about 2 years now!  I stamped the sentiment with a glue pad by Tsukineko and sprinkled on Stamp and bond embossing powder by stampendous.  I used my heat gun to melt the powder and make it sticky, then sprinkled assorted shades of gold foil over the sentiment and pounced and brushed over the image with a stencil brush to make the foil stick to the glue and taa-daa! pretty good for a first attempt.  Now maybe I'll play with it more...?