Less is More 'With Legs'

I thought I would have a go at this weeks Less is More challenge, a one layer card 'With Legs'. The moment I saw the weeks theme I thought of this stamp set, Aviary (sadly, while this is Stampin' Up! it is not currently available in our catalogue.This was a gift from an American counterpart).  I was actually thinking of the bird cage leg as opposed to the birds' (do I get extra points for having double the legs?) I have had this set in my stamp cupboard for months and never gotten around to using it. So I decided I would 1) use a brand new set and 2) try a new technique. Now heat embossing is my favourite of all crafting techniques, but until this card I had never tried masking part of the image. So I stamped my fancy yellow bird first then created a mask from a post it. I then lined up my bird cage with my Stamp-a-ma-Jig and stamped with Versamark. I then heat embossed over the bird in gold embossing powder.

OK so its quite a simple card. But I think I am getting my head around CAS slowly but surely. I couldnt resist the one little rhinestone to embellish the bird cage though. I love these challenges set by Mandi and Chrissie and I love challenging myself to go against the grain crafting wise (I still want to glitter and embellish everything).

So thats me 'LIM'd' for the week. Onwards to Saturday and a new challenge.....

Happy Crafting ;0)
-X-

Shades of Blue Mark 2

So I had another go at a Clean and Simple card last night. I used the Shades of Blue theme for this weeks Less is More challenge as my inspiration. I used three stamps from the Stampin' Up! For Everything stamp set. I stamped the outline images with Pacific Point then coloured using the fine end of my Stampin' Write markers to colour the images in (Tempting Turquoise, Bashful Blue and Baja Breeze). I finished with basic rhinestones to embellish the flowers.

You will notice however that I still have not located my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig as I couldnt quite line the bird up perfectly. I'll have another go with another colour scheme when I find my SAMJ. I'm really pleased with this card and I'm surprised by how much I enjoy just stamping without overcomplicating things.

Happy Crafting ;0)
-XXX-

Shades of Blue

Well I was browsing blogs for inspiration this afternoon when I came across the Less is More Clean and Simple challenge again. I haven't participated in any challenges for a while so I sat down and had a go. I think there are a few too many elements for this to be truly CAS. But I am getting better at learning to leave white space and simplify my designs. I also think this would have been simpler by a mile had I been able to find my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and could've lined up the little elements without having to punch them first. Oh how I love having an untidy craft room (I think I know what i'll be doing tomorrow).

I decided to have a go at using my Itty Bitty Bits stamp set and matching buttons as they've been sat in my cupboard unused for ages. I quite like the effect. And the Stampin' Up! blues are my favourites so I took this opportunity to use them all: Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Marina Mist, Baja Breeze and Bashful Blue.I embellished with Basic Rhinestones and a greeting from Curly Cute coloured with my Stampin' Writes.

I have another idea brewing. Might have a go at that tomorrow and enter again.

Happy Crafting all ;0)
-XXX-



Less is More Week 5 Challenge

Not sure I could get the photograph to do this card justice. The colours are a lot more subtle in real life but have come out darker (and not so pastel) in the photo. I've used the current Stampin' Up! In Colours for this Chinese Lantern inspired card (Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride). Not exactly pastel, but the lightest colours in my stash at the moment. I created this last night having been inspired by a fellow Stampin' Up! Demo Andy, who I met at Michelle's Craft Day on Sunday. He had made so many lovely cards with this stamp set that I decided to give it a go. I'm not sure it is clean and simple enough, but this is a learning process and its a lot more white space than I am usually used to leaving.

I've stamped the Lantern image fron the Kimono Kids stamp set several times onto different In Colour DSP designs and then cut each lantern out and raised it from the white card base with a dimensional. I've embellished with a series of small rhinestones along the lantern string to give a bit of glitz.

I've missed the past two weeks of 'Less Is More' challenges but will definitely be getting back to it now as its really making me think about new ways of presenting images and I'm learning so much from seeing all the other lovely entries.

Happy Crafting ;0)

-XX-

Less is More Week 2

This weeks Less Is More challenge was a one layer card to include a flower or a tree. This card did not turn out anything like what I had in mind when I started my design (it originally has a small square aperture for the tree image which was printed on the inside). Upon a bit of experimenting I was happy to keep the image plain and simple on the outside of the card. I love this retired Stampin' Up! set so was only too happy to bring it out of retirement for the evening.

This was stamped on a 10cm x 10cm card base of Very Vanilla. The greeting is from the free Sale-A-Bration set 'So Happy For You'. Off to write this and send it to my friend to wish her a very hopeful Spring filled good luck (hence the image of the blossom covered tree).

Happy crafting ;0)

-X-

Less Is More Black White & Pink Challenge

Not sure what happened to this photo. The card has entirely straight edges but in taking the photo it now looks all distorted. Anyhow, this is my very first clean and simple card.  And actually, despite my penchant for over embellishing, I really enjoyed making a simple design and look forward to making more cards for this challenge, hosted by Mandi and Chrissie over on Less Is More. I did allow myself one bit of bling with the centre of the flower (a Stampin' Up! basic rhinestone). My colour combo is Basic Black, Whisper White and Melon Mambo and the stamp set is Love You Much.  I'm now off to work on my photography skills....

Happy Friday & Happy Crafting ;0)

-XX-