tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78117090988643858412024-03-05T04:56:44.848+00:00A bit of this, a bit of thatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-86327678769584743192018-08-12T20:24:00.001+01:002018-09-03T22:19:49.280+01:00Silver Clay leaf1) pick a fresh leaf (2-3cm, not hairy). It's the back of the leaf that gets painted, so check that has lots of lovely veiny texture.<br />
2) Use a small (cheap) paintbrush to apply a thin layer of paste to the underside of the leaf.<br />
3) Let it dry slowly (e.g. overnight)<br />
4) Apply additional layers of paste and repeat the drying process until you have made up at least 5 layers of paste (2-3mm thick).<br />
5) Make a hanging bail by rolling and cutting out a small rectangle of PMC3. Wrap this rectangle around an oiled wooden skewer or small straw. Partially dry then remove the skewer/straw & let it finish drying. (Alternatively use a purchased fine silver "poke in" loop & attach a jump ring after)<br />
6) Attach bail to the back of the pendant, using a little more paste/slip as "glue".<br />
7) Torch or Kiln Fire the pendant (the leaf will burn away). Don't worry of there's more smoke than usual (it's the leaf burning away)<br />
8) Brush the "white" off with your steel/brass brush & rub down with fine polish padsAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-83385257096757123112017-03-11T12:04:00.001+00:002017-03-11T12:04:19.475+00:00Making embossing frames<h2>
Embossing frames</h2>
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I couldn't find quite the embossing folder I could view in my mind (frame with room for text or something in the middle, and some texture and interest around the edge). So I made one (or several, I wanted a heart, but that wasn't so successful so I settled for a circular frame and an oval frame).</div>
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I used around 6-8 layers of card, which was about the height of the one of my clear plates on my bigshot. Such that I could use my home made layer instead of the card plate. However, in some instances, this wasn't quite enough and I had to use my silicone mat as well eg for the spellbinders impressibilities. Although I cut each layer out and glued them together as a stack, it might be that using a layer or two of cereal boxes works as well depending what plates you use etc.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR8e9Z3bcd2PaG1lNM0uGf7gr46AbEy82anu7VtzSW6HilAx5njqahqEKjYhUcRmbxZAtGTxuRCoU2qDXN3Q-9WcSO1fhFX0Jks7gO97Blx9aqBH1hTVlWrVXVbSe9Xu4Q8WrPv3g0fKn/s1600/embossing+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR8e9Z3bcd2PaG1lNM0uGf7gr46AbEy82anu7VtzSW6HilAx5njqahqEKjYhUcRmbxZAtGTxuRCoU2qDXN3Q-9WcSO1fhFX0Jks7gO97Blx9aqBH1hTVlWrVXVbSe9Xu4Q8WrPv3g0fKn/s320/embossing+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Conclusions:</div>
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most effective with embossing folders with a lot of pattern and a simple shape frame. I tried a heart with a background of cogs, but had too much space inbetween cogs, you lost the heart shape! I tried using the middles to make a shape which could be embossed in the center (or else where), but that wasn't so effective (or maybe I'd not worked out how to make the best use of it). </div>
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Materials used:</div>
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Embossing folders: x-cut cable knit, Sue Wilson Daisy Burst & Spellbinders impressabilities flowers</div>
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Dies: Tattered lace delightful flowers, SU butterfly embosslits & button from My Favourite Things Button Border die</div>
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Stamp: Stylized Birthday from Stampin up</div>
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Inks: Distress inks - evergreen bough, blueprint sketch & chipped sapphire</div>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-70453875096922975922015-07-03T11:38:00.001+01:002015-07-03T11:46:54.111+01:00friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This card is made from Stampin Up friends who know (from 2014 catalogue). </div>
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.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzyRPWuARBMfHdC0TH7wxzoVS_hb3UFUcAl4fiqmm664NMLAjInG9H6TcVHtXQEcPVentyBseFBpgUsY5q4yqK_efMjJd6GLwmQkluaIY5bCLYrwUxTlisqhcQAnkIHYqWSwB1UoPNOaX/s1600/IMG_7180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzyRPWuARBMfHdC0TH7wxzoVS_hb3UFUcAl4fiqmm664NMLAjInG9H6TcVHtXQEcPVentyBseFBpgUsY5q4yqK_efMjJd6GLwmQkluaIY5bCLYrwUxTlisqhcQAnkIHYqWSwB1UoPNOaX/s320/IMG_7180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've stamped and embossed in pool party on to navy card (I like the coloured embossing - so effective especially on coloured card). As the stamp co-ordinates with labels framelets, I've used one to cut out my image, and a larger one as a mask when sponging the background. The butterfly is a memory box butterfly and is just the finishing touch.</div>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-13280500381548300512015-07-03T09:05:00.001+01:002015-07-03T11:10:25.735+01:00Hello Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Both girls have friends with babies on the way, and requested baby shower cards. Both are using memory box dies (so cute).</div>
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This one is using a background made from photo paper (nice and shiny). The baackground roughly brayered and sponged, using for inks/card pool party, calyspo coral and hello honey (not sure if a boy or girl, so played safe with yellow) and wanted to stay away from too obviously pastel baby blue and pink).</div>
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This one is so cute - love the little onsie die. This uses baya breeze ink which is sponged on to neutral seam binding ribbon and a onsie. The embossing folder is Couture creations tied together.</div>
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Congrats Rachel & Laura.</div>
<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-8846436311847173502015-03-01T12:58:00.001+00:002015-03-01T12:58:52.859+00:00Chocolate Baroque - Punky Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been playing with some new Chocolate Baroque stamps. Both cards shown here use the Punky Flowers set. But two completely different syles.</div>
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Steam Punk cogs - the spiky flowers are stamped and embossed in gold, the larger flowers were left to dry a bit, and so the embossing powder has taken less. This was to try and give an illusion of depth. The yellow is SU Hello Honey, such a lovely old gold type colour. Although the background was sponged and coloured, I gave some texture by using an embossing folder with cogs. </div>
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This card is for my niece who is studying science - Happy 21st Jen!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPdE3jB1craLh5PEc79chTVjQpyBxAKszKHapbTqXimwOdQrU5GGnkCOxd7jIfCuWjabGGbog9ii7Aym2AiciX8fWLyF2qK6pCIG-sXBLvOcVpdAU2TBb0I33lO__2_3bI8uvsB6gjcER/s1600/IMG_2191+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPdE3jB1craLh5PEc79chTVjQpyBxAKszKHapbTqXimwOdQrU5GGnkCOxd7jIfCuWjabGGbog9ii7Aym2AiciX8fWLyF2qK6pCIG-sXBLvOcVpdAU2TBb0I33lO__2_3bI8uvsB6gjcER/s1600/IMG_2191+2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the same set are some lovely art deco flowers which I embossed on to some card I had inked, and added a sentiment from the Chocolate Baroque Mackintosh sentiments. The inky background is SU Blackberry Bliss (I know its more purple really, but when watered down and smudged across the paper is this gorgeous pinky purple) and Hello Honey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLDtJ6lPV1xv4PNDE3jAs4YLw3ZknOYtC3FMfL8rr8wJh1aGqOEzGZ_Tte3ZfvxjQuu_lCR9or5TTLG_tHn3f1G1tmP32RWOtlMkPqzkoh22fMTkcOPaI-eJi6gFg-_v2SSF1xqJoB9IA/s1600/IMG_2192+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLDtJ6lPV1xv4PNDE3jAs4YLw3ZknOYtC3FMfL8rr8wJh1aGqOEzGZ_Tte3ZfvxjQuu_lCR9or5TTLG_tHn3f1G1tmP32RWOtlMkPqzkoh22fMTkcOPaI-eJi6gFg-_v2SSF1xqJoB9IA/s1600/IMG_2192+1.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-32871751949817995622014-12-17T21:59:00.000+00:002014-12-17T21:59:19.123+00:00Happy Christmas - 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Its been so long since I posted on my blog, at times I feel like I'm a hamster on a wheel, but still making cards to relax! Maybe over the Christmas break I might post a few more here.</span></div>
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This is using darkroom door stamps - Stitched Christmas and Word blocked Christmas. The Christmas tree is embossed in Stern (Tannengrun) embossing powder - such a lovely Christmas green. Being really lazy this year, I used card blanks from Craft Creation - this is using Ash which is such a lovely soft grey. I also used some dark green mulberry paper - I thought it went with the stitched effect looking a bit like torn material. </div>
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Happy Christmas</div>
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Its my last day of work tomorrow, then a weekend trip to visit my mum before returning home to prepare for christmas, with my youngest coming home from Uni on Monday. Will be nice to have the family back together.</div>
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-12561252879711895562014-02-14T17:59:00.000+00:002014-02-14T17:59:46.204+00:00Bee Happy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've been playing with some Chocolate Baroque Bees. My daughter gave me these stamps last year, but with one thing and another, I'd not started seeing how I could use them until recently. The bees on the flower, was just crying out to be used with my new circle thinlet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5WJiNisSy8ODDQbUQJ0Yax4yZV17JCuvkOBP-yZ6opMTocjR8EV6_of387jWUKO_HRiIVBAPnzdumQlqHscmEBPMHDlSNV75Y3JwRvFtgGaB7rYNZ6euT1fN5jmDOLvT5auEt-jjiVvV/s1600/bee-happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5WJiNisSy8ODDQbUQJ0Yax4yZV17JCuvkOBP-yZ6opMTocjR8EV6_of387jWUKO_HRiIVBAPnzdumQlqHscmEBPMHDlSNV75Y3JwRvFtgGaB7rYNZ6euT1fN5jmDOLvT5auEt-jjiVvV/s1600/bee-happy.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
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Because its been so gray and damp, I've not been able to take good photos, and as a result this was scanned in using my scanner.</div>
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<br />This card is made using SU circle thinlet - I've used A5 piece of card (slightly trimmed, so that my card is actually longer than the die - if the card is the same height as the die, just post it in, leaving an end over the top of the die furthest from the circle), this gives a flap to fold over and means you can write inside the card.<br />
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One side is embossed with a honeycomb embossing folder (this is one of a set of three small strips from Darice). I have used a Cheery Lynn Honeycomb frame to make a stencil which I've sponged in SU So Saffron, Peach Parfait and Crumb cake. I've stamped Happy from Chocolate Baroque Words of Wisdom and used Bees from Chocolate Baroque Honey Bees in Soft Suede (such a lovely colour). The main image is from the same set, and was coloured in using markers, and then fussy cut and stuck with a wing over hanging. The Bees wings are painted in Frost White shimmer paint - this gives a lovely translucent effect. Inside the card, there are the same bees/honeycomb, and on the back of the circle there is a Happy Bee Day stamp (from Inkadinkado, in case you are wondering - bought over t'internet from the US).</div>
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-78533624622644588052014-01-12T12:42:00.000+00:002014-01-12T15:27:57.033+00:00Less is More: Week 154 OLC HeartsIts been a long time since I've played along with the <a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/">LIM</a> challenges. But after having not made any cards for ages (apart from Christmas ones) - it was good to have a play, and I do love the one layer cards.<br />
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Today I've made two cards - both use the same sort of technique. <br />
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I used a die cut (Cheery Lynn) celtic heart as a mask, and sponged some blue ink over the top. In the first card, my card was slightly textured, and I spritzed over the top which left little dots of paler ink (especially where I'd used the darker blue ink). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDUGtEe4nGTKsGzwzGH8CBN7E2Cq-MKBgOpZFzHmaPDTTM8u5YbZ1m2Lizg6lIp7GSABZTPVcEkx6TkY5k5sPcHMLYNIud4RT8dMBprW-lBOIz96xdOrnR4ZgZuiUkG5Y1kZQbzjZfcLk/s1600/IMG_0814+-+2014-01-12+at+13-06-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDUGtEe4nGTKsGzwzGH8CBN7E2Cq-MKBgOpZFzHmaPDTTM8u5YbZ1m2Lizg6lIp7GSABZTPVcEkx6TkY5k5sPcHMLYNIud4RT8dMBprW-lBOIz96xdOrnR4ZgZuiUkG5Y1kZQbzjZfcLk/s1600/IMG_0814+-+2014-01-12+at+13-06-54.jpg" height="320" width="297" /></a></div>
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My second card, was more clean and simple (better fits the less is more brief). Although its quite hard to not add ribbons/bows - but then it would be a bit girly and not appropriate to give my other half for valentine's day!</div>
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I'm also entering this into the <a href="http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/">Simon Says Stamp: Blues challenge.</a><br />
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Thanks for looking and for any comments, Anna xAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-81074734749419442082013-10-07T08:32:00.000+01:002013-10-07T08:32:04.922+01:00World Card Making Day - 5 Oct 2013 - Happy BirthdayThe 5th October 2013 was World Card Making day, and also my eldest daughter's birthday.<br />
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This is her card:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1CWqfgf1Q5xE-kVd3VX57yI6XxwLrWy8sl6OUQQedft9Xw1jSADMd7ixPcHHTgxec1uTKm0lYAFNIho-XFjv1VWH7urxYtifcX13IypdJFPhtWtzA-5Tf-4MihwqKoMOThRZewUcDlaO/s1600/Laura-20131005-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1CWqfgf1Q5xE-kVd3VX57yI6XxwLrWy8sl6OUQQedft9Xw1jSADMd7ixPcHHTgxec1uTKm0lYAFNIho-XFjv1VWH7urxYtifcX13IypdJFPhtWtzA-5Tf-4MihwqKoMOThRZewUcDlaO/s320/Laura-20131005-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She is looking for a job - we believe she may have secured a temp office job for the next 6 months, but is continuing to apply for graduate schemes, hopefully for next Summer/Autumn. The sentiment used is optimistically appropriate - believe... you can do it.<br />
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My card is made from SU Secret Garden and Feel Goods. Both stamped in versamark and embossed in pool party on black card. The flowers look stunning in real life embossed on dark card. Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-536968155909655832013-06-29T13:09:00.000+01:002013-06-29T13:09:10.751+01:00LIM - SandToday at <a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/lucky-dip-and-guest-designer-week-126.html">LIM</a>. The challenge is sand. By coincidence I've been playing with one layer cards and sahara sand (such a lovely neutral colour), trying to replicate the effect of distressed ribbons!<br />
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I've been away for a while, been having trips between Hampshire and Scotland, whilst my father was ill. My father was a retired clergyman, but before then he was a biologist, and had an interest in natural history. My parents had 9 free range hens, plus one cockerel who was on loan (and my father was hoping to have some chicks this summer to add to the menagerie). I was lucky to be with him a lot over his last couple of weeks and with support of Marie Curie nurses and family he was able to die at home looking at over his garden (and watching his hens).<br />
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This was the Father's day card I made and took on my last trip. He was special - love you Dad xx<br />
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The lace was from chocolate baroque, the sentiment was from Stamping all day, the hen was from Craft Stamper as a free stamp and I also used the ink drops and text from SU french foilage. The lace was in sahara sand, and lightly sponged in the same colour. The ribbon effect was straw and sage distress ink which I sponged over and used my spritzer to add splashes of colour. The inks are an assortment of SU sahara sand, espresso, suede, crumb cake and coral. </div>
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Whilst I was away in Scotland, I had the use of a cottage loaned by a friend of my mum's and this is the card I made for her. This photo is not great (but I was in a rush to get it into today's post). The stamps are the Chocolate Baroque lace, Thank you from SU Curly Cute, and the dragon flies are from Papermania, and were a group, which I cut up and separated as they are more useful this way. This background was a more minimalist version of the above (I'd just sponged the inks, and spritzed with water and coral ink). I like the way misting with water, makes some of the colour pop and leaves interesting water marks on the background.<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-61049382068931597482013-02-19T17:01:00.001+00:002013-03-31T09:20:06.540+01:00Swallowtail<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/6618219/?claim=dmswx7fx2bd">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br><br>
This week <a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/week-107-up-in-air.html">LIM:107 Up in the air</a> and after a number of challenges, the effort is not to repeat yourself, and as I've made and posted on here a number of kite themed cards, I thought I should try something new.<br />
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Not the best photo, but you can see the embossed image reflecting in the light. <br />
<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-56279706440099949102013-02-10T16:08:00.001+00:002013-02-10T16:08:57.626+00:00LIM:106 - one layer music<a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/week-106-one-layer.html">LIM one layer - Music</a>, funnily enough my entry for a recent challenge fitted this brief. Which left me thinking of new ideas. I normally like one layer challenges, but today it took time to get there.<br />
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This seemed a little boring. Coffee always aids the concentration/thinking. So I did another attempt at the same sort of idea, but this time I also added more music and some linen thread and a chiffon bow. I love the way the ribbon sparkles. </div>
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Trying to give the effect of torn aged paper - by brayering in SU crumb cake, sahara sand and a touch of peach parfait, and then I sponged the edges to give more definition. The stamps used are Penny Black - music background and the sentiment is from SU Inspired by Nature. Passion can be a reference to a type of music used in Church during holy week, so the sentiment seemed apt.</div>
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Next weekend I'm off to Scotland for a few days to visit my parents - hopefully it won't snow. Its a bit of a trek - takes around 8 hours to drive - I must be mad! Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-89938416210567475632013-02-05T21:03:00.000+00:002013-02-05T21:03:22.380+00:00Happy Birthday (kraft style)Well, twice in one week... having found neutral cardstock, and needing other cards, I had a bit more of a play.<br />
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This was a quick and easy card to make.<br />
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I've used couple of die cut flowers using Memory Box Chloe die, some glitter and a neutral ribbon. The little flower next to the Birthday sentiment is masked from SU pocket silhouettes and was aiming to match the shape of the die. This card uses lots of texture - the background of the nestie is in a Japanese linen texture card - all looks so much more interesting in real life. <br />
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Entering into:<br />
<a href="http://creativemomentsbloggersnetwork.blogspot.co.uk/">Creative Moments</a> Use Neutral colours and<br />
<a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/">Less Is More </a> - Kraft and Kreme<br />
<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-80907244173960750562013-02-03T12:14:00.000+00:002013-02-03T22:49:32.401+00:00LIM- Kraft & Kreme<span style="font-size: large;">Happy 2nd Birthday, Less is More. </span><br />
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Less is more has been providing inspiration and challenges for two years. Today the challenge is
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This is the SU medallion stamped in versamark and embossed in SU white embossing powder, which on Kraft card is a lovely creamy colour. The medallion is a large stamp, so I normally use an off the page technique (especially with this size card - 5" x 5"). I've cut a corner of the medallion and mounted it on a Fleur de Lis nestie. As its only two colours, I've added some texture by running my image through an embossing folder, and adding a sheer ribbon.
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This weekend its been nice to have both daughters at home.
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-19281254918335964402013-01-27T15:00:00.000+00:002013-02-03T21:26:58.107+00:00LIM: week 104 - Sketch and cogsFor Christmas I had my craft room stocked, many thanks to my other half. Some dies and a superb large pack of Core'dinations Sugar and Spice - for those of you who've not seen this, it is card which you can sand to reveal a different colour core.<br />
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On Friday it was my nephew's birthday - Happy Birthday Wil. I have been playing with embossing on Core'dinations card, sanding it and spraying it with Radiant Shimmer (to give the slightly metallic grunge effect), in order to make a suitable card for him. This is something I made with the left overs (because offcuts of card, can never go to waste, can they?) which is made to loosely fit with the
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The cogs are the X-cut cogs, and are fun - I've cut them out in two coordinating colours and swapped the centres. I've had real trouble extracting the card from them when using card, but they work a treat with this funky foam - which I bought years ago in a multitude of different colours when I was a Brownie Guider and my daughters were small enough to enjoy cutting and sticking.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-86363963135176408612013-01-27T14:17:00.002+00:002013-02-03T21:27:29.249+00:00LIM: 104 - SketchIts been a long time since I played along with the Less is More challenges. We all had coughs and colds over the Christmas holidays, and then it was back to work with vengeance (a big project to complete and annual reviews - both of which are completed, yay). This weekend, my PC has been rebuilt as windows 8, so while it installed, I've been playing.<br />
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<a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/week-104-sketch.html">Less is More: week 104 Sketch</a> - uses a layout which is the kind of thing I like. For Christmas my other half helped stock up my craft supplies with Core D'ination card, and some dies - so I've been playing with layers, texture, cogs. So for a change I thought I'd go really simple with a one layer card.<br />
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The strip of colour is using torn paper to mask an edge, which has been sponged in Broken China DI, SU Baja breeze and pool party. The music is a Penny Black background stamp, stamped on SU Baja breeze and Island Indigo. I misted some water over the top of both the background and again once I'd stamped the music. The sentiment was from Hobby Craft in the 99p range of stamps, and is just perfect for a note card/thank you. I just love these colours!<br />
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My mum always likes my cards, especially the ones which she can use for any purpose. In feb half term, I'm off to Scotland to see my parents, so this will be one of a stack for Mum.<br />
<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-18190031325246943942012-12-24T11:35:00.000+00:002012-12-24T11:35:00.029+00:00Happy Christmas<br />
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The glitter doesn't photograph well (the reflections makes it look out of focus!). <br />
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In Case you are wondering - using Core'dinations card, some glitter card, and dies are Nesties and Cheery Lynn. I made loads of variations on this theme, but forgot to take any pictures, until there was only one left!</div>
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Happy Christmas, and best wishes for 2013 xx</div>
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-32681825712451506312012-10-20T15:53:00.001+01:002012-10-20T17:45:30.383+01:00Autumnal TreesOver at <a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/week-90-theme.html">Less is more, the theme is autumn</a>. I love the autumnal colours, and as the weather changes, my mind turns more to indoor pursuits like crafting.<br />
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I've two cards to share - both using an old SU stamp set, three trees. I bought mine on ebay from the US - I was looking for a nice stamp of tree trunks - and loved the sentiment that came with this set. Funnily enough elder daughter spent a year in New Hampshire as part of her university course, and had just returned home when I bought it from someone who was living about 10 miles away from her! <br />
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In both, I've stuck to a simple design just using the trees and the sentiment from that set. The trees are cut on a bit of the same card stuck down with a matt to match the ink - possibly the use of the ribbon makes it slightly outside the scope of less is more! But sometimes, as my youngest daughter would agree, you just need a ribbon and a bow to add that final touch!<br />
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I did the same sort of thing in green and blues (because I liked the colours and the sentiment) - one of my friends has a birthday next week, and I'm giving her a stash of cards, some of which could be used for a variety of occasions. </div>
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Photographing my cards reminded me, I've still photos from our holiday and our trip to Cornwall to take youngest daughter to Uni still on my camera - whoops, must do something with them! Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-66664401799833787902012-10-04T08:54:00.001+01:002012-10-20T17:41:03.639+01:00LIM - Week 87 - MarriageI've not made cards for ages... but wanted to make a wedding card for one of my colleagues who's getting married soon. This fitted in with the Less is More challenge <a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/wee-87-lucky-dip.html"> Marriage</a> - I'd also been impressed with Chrissie's white on white in previous challenges, so I thought I'd give it a go:<br />
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Although its white on white, the central nestie cutout is coloured slightly using my SU colour sprizter, a liberal application of misted water and some gold radiant rain, so that the white heart and tags show up better. The tags were printed on the computer (the ink is a sort of gold colour like some of the spritzed background), and are the couples name and the date.<br />
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Been a busy summer with no time for crafting - as of Sept eldest daughter gained an MA and is now working as a trainee teacher, and a daughter who is an art student (this is her first week of classes)... so its been busy.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-87643907552947655002012-06-23T12:19:00.000+01:002012-06-24T14:04:04.223+01:00LIM - Paper PiecingThis week LIM challenge is <a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/week-73-recipe.html">Paper Piecing</a>. What a great idea to use those scraps!
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This fitted in very nicely with the Sizzix kites framelet I'd just bought from ebay for under a fiver! In our house we have an assortment of kites in our loft - my daughter and husband like power kites (well until hubby broke a rib flying his kite). However, we still occasionally have a family outing with dogs to go fly a kite.<br />
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The card blank is a mottled pale blue (7cm x 21cm) - and was something I acquired from a friend of my mum's - its one of those that until now, I've not really known how to make the best of. I lightly sponged the shape of a couple of clouds, and stuck on the kite with some dimensionals. The Happy Birthday is also die cut from the same card as the kite.<br />
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My daughter (18) was rather taken with the kite, as she raids my stash of cards for her friends, I made a couple more in different colours. The one below uses an off-cut which is deep pink, the DSP part of 1 sheet of HOTP paper (just cut from different parts). I'm going to enter this in the CAS-ual Friday Pretty in <a href="http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/cfc58.html">Pretty in Pink Challenge.</a> <br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-82673316518891822982012-06-10T18:25:00.000+01:002012-06-10T18:25:16.036+01:00LIM - One Layer with a flourishOver at <a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/week-71-one-layer.html">Less is more</a> this week its a one layer card with a flourish.
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I've not got many stamps with a flourish - but do enjoy the challenge of a one layer card. This is my attempt:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwVgUP1MMmY_V2Smvbfu5hVly1pjp5XfKAkadIE6axtvhSr0CTQah6ZHGmKsTaCC1EGWjNdAhZAc2QorKPdrUG-C25JX4ineHjydDw_02-hbrLDtk8gdIsyABPUBkthvWtNeAZbRgPCoC/s1600/friendship.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwVgUP1MMmY_V2Smvbfu5hVly1pjp5XfKAkadIE6axtvhSr0CTQah6ZHGmKsTaCC1EGWjNdAhZAc2QorKPdrUG-C25JX4ineHjydDw_02-hbrLDtk8gdIsyABPUBkthvWtNeAZbRgPCoC/s320/friendship.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Recipe: Using a nestie as a mask, I've stamped and embossed a flourish from SU Precious Butterflies. I've sponged in a background in blue and yellow - and lightly misted to give the impression of a summer day. The sentiment and butterflies are also from SU Precious Butterflies.<br />
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I've just had the week off work, back to work Monday and my youngest daughter has exams - so not looking forward to the morning.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-48554992009981797432012-05-31T08:29:00.000+01:002012-05-31T19:23:04.600+01:00Less is more - not a squareThis week at less is more the challenge is <a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/week-69-recipe.html">Not a Square</a><br />
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So being IT literate, I've been trying to make templates using Corel Draw (because although I have a newer copy of photshop, I couldn't make photoshop do what I wanted with vector graphics and shapes). Anyway to cut a long story short, earlier in the week, I'd been playing with rounded squares. But what I'd really wanted to try was a star. I tried a 5 pointed star, and it didn't sit very well, so the next step was a 6 pointed star!<br />
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After a lot of scrap sheets of paper then card, and lots of cutting out...then some stamping and clear embossing followed by some sponging (2 blues and a beige), and done!<br />
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The words are inkadinkado, my daughter's head teacher uses them for motivational speaches - to encourage the kids to take opportunities and to take that leap of faith and try, and if you do, you will find that you can fly like an eagle. In today's corporate speak we are encouraged to be 'fearless'!<br />
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This picture is to demonstrate that it works as a card, but may be I should stick to the day job (or use a better camera).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl1_aW2ETMiGAkI0gF_jX_OPoj-z2Skf04iv9mPBDtME7Ci9b7QXJ7MJbPtMeyhiwTIHsbTe7D62p99DuwOnPbHaCzi3vFDSGCrpul6UUhTLZtPzq4qww3TjJBnwmnNhG2LB5Dtacjs10/s1600/star-bird-standing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl1_aW2ETMiGAkI0gF_jX_OPoj-z2Skf04iv9mPBDtME7Ci9b7QXJ7MJbPtMeyhiwTIHsbTe7D62p99DuwOnPbHaCzi3vFDSGCrpul6UUhTLZtPzq4qww3TjJBnwmnNhG2LB5Dtacjs10/s200/star-bird-standing.png" width="200" /></a></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-70084508578209065452012-05-30T08:46:00.000+01:002012-05-31T19:20:46.940+01:00One layer Fathers day cardI was trying some bew techniques, and used my computer to print out a card blank with some text, and then I decorated it, to make a Father's day card (just over a week away).<br />
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Once I had my card blank, my recipe was:<br />
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<li>using distress inks add a frame to the card in straw and sage</li>
<li>stamp a few leaves using SU French Foliage in a variety of greens</li>
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I thought I'd enter this in to <a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/week-69-recipe.html">LIM week 69 - not a square</a> - it is almost a square with the corners cut-off (hopefully enough not a square for Mandi and Chrissie).
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Now I know what I'm doing - think I'm back to the drawing board (been trying to work out making a star card) - as my daughter has just passed her driving test. Thanks for looking.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-35319690742803820732012-05-20T18:56:00.000+01:002012-05-20T18:56:03.508+01:00Punchy!This week over at
<a href="http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/cfc53.html">CAS-ual Friday </a> the challenge is <em>Punchy</em> - to use punches, dies etc
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Last week, I nipped into my local craft shop (Art of Craft in North Camp), I was looking for a specific memory box die, and they didn't quite have what I was looking for, but I managed to buy some Crafters Workshop templates instead. They were only £2, so worth experimenting with.
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I sponged the Crafters Workshop template in shades of blue to make some patterned backgrounds, which I have combined with a punch, an embosslit and a quickcutz die and these are what I came up with:
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq_vIYjM8CZtnMiBI5beE84rdkedQHyHZPQu38Bo4AqNNql3D78krwmEo0pGwRmtVzlftR7Ep9kTEguvWztzMwPkTMNlkkXM83wkQxfxqGuL6FqrA53cBqGOVQNVEI2-jglRc1n7CYI9K/s1600/punchy-birthday2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq_vIYjM8CZtnMiBI5beE84rdkedQHyHZPQu38Bo4AqNNql3D78krwmEo0pGwRmtVzlftR7Ep9kTEguvWztzMwPkTMNlkkXM83wkQxfxqGuL6FqrA53cBqGOVQNVEI2-jglRc1n7CYI9K/s320/punchy-birthday2.png" width="200" /></a>
</td><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiPJh9uFfOwX2pH5rcHzDMOyQA37puGs5XDJyWZzWaWL1GXZSm0YRRPjqbNrvEG19D1jYwBUj1tcXkzf-sX2k3nfGRB62LnC4XXTDZn3Fp7CIbUoLz0tSwJ7GiS9jcpFM7hhwTN4LgyO3/s1600/punchy-birthday.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiPJh9uFfOwX2pH5rcHzDMOyQA37puGs5XDJyWZzWaWL1GXZSm0YRRPjqbNrvEG19D1jYwBUj1tcXkzf-sX2k3nfGRB62LnC4XXTDZn3Fp7CIbUoLz0tSwJ7GiS9jcpFM7hhwTN4LgyO3/s320/punchy-birthday.png" width="200" /></a>
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As I was playing with strips of left over card, it influenced my directions. And yes, the two strips were sponged with one more pastel than the other - not my bad photography, honest. I also have a 6 x 6 sheet of numbers in sponged in yellow and sand which will turn in to a card for my nephew, so maybe I'll post that in the future. I quite like the effect, but maybe want to do something more interesting, with it. However, the weekend's come and gone and I guess that will now have to wait, as its back to work for me tomorrow :-( <br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811709098864385841.post-28057869589728771212012-05-14T21:33:00.000+01:002012-05-14T21:33:43.997+01:00CAS-ual Fridays - BirdsOver at <a href="http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/cfc52.html">CAS-ual Fridays</a> the challenge for this week is birds.
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I dusted off my bird punch, and this was my entry:<br />
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The bird is cut from DSP using the SU 2 step bird punch, and I have sponged the edges in SU Early Espresso, to add definition. The swirl is a sizzlit. The sentiment is
inkadinkado and the rectangle is Hero arts stamped in Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue. In reality the blue is a lovely sparkly blue, but the photo doesn't really show that, so you'll just have to take my word for it!<br />
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My desk is now covered with lots of cut out birds, as I was experimenting with different colours.<br />
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Just for fun, I thought I'd show you this one as well. Instead of using DSP, in this one I used some scrap card which was stamped with some text, just to add interest and texture. The sentiment is a Sizzix phrases medium die.<br />
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and finally, thanks for looking and commenting. </div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10566024283223026081noreply@blogger.com5