Less is More # 13

Good afternoon all!

I hope you`ve all recovered from the parties and bbq`s that were going on all over the country yesterday.

It`s week 13 already over on Less is More and this week it`s a Lucky Dip. With the wedding of the century yesterday we are asked to make a thank you or congratulations card. That`s it... no nasty acetate or one layers...just a cas card with a fitting sentiment. Phew!

I told you I`d treated myself to some crafting goodies last week and among them were some rolled rose dies from Marieanne design. I got both the chinese rose and the english rose dies and spent most of last night cutting and rolling in readiness for another card I had in mind.I thought I`d pinch some ready made one`s for todays card.

I`ve used a pink, a cream and a yellow rose.
The leaves are also in the die set and have been embossed.
The sentiment is by The Stampman from the Florals set.I have embossed it with Silver EP.
I have scored 2 lines on the card and added three pink flat backed pearls.
I have also added pearls to the flowers but with hindsight I don`t think I should have.


Don`t forget it`s the 1st of May tomorrow and that means a new month at the St Lukes Charity Card Challenge. Tune in tomorrow to see what the DT have cooked up for you.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

One Layer Wednesday # 51

Hello and a Happy Friday to you all!

I`m later than I intended to post this today. My boss gave me the day off today for some reason and although I am an old cynic and had every intention of not watching the gathering of the most dysfunctional family in Britain, I got sucked in and watched most of the goings on. Well I had to see what everyone was wearing didn`t I seeing as I am going to be Mother of the Groom in september and being a girl I did want to cast an eye on THE dress.
I have decided to base my outfit on the one worn very nicely by Kates Mum. Very understated but elegant in my opinion. Not sure about a hat yet as the last time I wore one I had more than a passing resemblance to Dick Emery.
Having dissed our Royals, I must admit to a soft spot for William and Harry and ofcourse Kate. They do seem more normal than some of the others and have regained the ability to show emotion to an extent. I also think that William and Kate have married for all the right reasons and I hope they have a long and happy life together.
Right now that`s out of the way I`d like to share my submission for this weeks OLW which is being hosted by Jennifer.
The title of the challenge is `Three of a Kind` and we are to make three cards using ONE image with different colours/ sentiments. Here are my cards,

I have used a stamp from the Laura Ashley Love Song Collection in Bahama Blue, Rose Bud and Heliotrope.
The sentiments are all by Flourishes.

 Here they are individually.

I was going to put ribbon along the tops once they had been posted but have changed my mind and I`m leaving them as they are.
I might even do some other colours and use them as a gift note set.

Since making these one`s I`ve had some other ideas so might be back later with another submission, time allowing.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 12 Take 2

Happy Easter Sunday Everyone!!!

I didn`t intend making another card for the Less is More challenge quite this soon but as I was up here getting inky I thought I might just have another go.
I treat myself to some crafting goodies earlier in the week so I thought I`d give some of them an airing. Most of what I`ve made I can`t show you yet but this card is made using a new stamp.

Actually it`s probably an old stamp but it is new to me.
Hero Arts Elegant Weeds stamp, stamped in Memento Bahama Blue and I`ve added some Glamour Dust to the flowers.
Sentiment is ofcourse Flourishes Taglines but I`ve cut up one of the stamps to make this sentiment, also stamped in Bahama blue.
A sheer ribbon and bow to finish off and that`s it.

It`s mine and Alans 35th wedding anniversary today so it`s nice that it falls on Easter Sunday and I`ve got the day off. Mind you after 35 years we don`t go mad, he`s downstairs watching a film while I`m in the loft crafting, Lol.
I suppose I really ought to spend some time with him hadn`t I?

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 12 Off Centre, and an award.

Hello all from a beautiful hot sunny Hull.

Why am I in the loft on a lovely day like today? Well it`s Less is More, 
day of course. This weeks challenge is to make a card with the image `Off Centre`. Shouldn`t be a problem for me as I`m slightly left of normal anyway lol. I had a mad urge to make a pretty card today. I think it`s with all the easter things in the shops and the sunshine, so this is what I`ve made.

Pretty straightforward really.
A6 top fold landscape card.
I stamped the leaves from PTI with Versacolour Fresh Green.
Then stamped the sentiment from Rubbadubbado in Forest Green.
I made the flowers with some tissue that I bought in Poundland. Brilliant value, 6 large sheets in spring colours for £1, can`t go wrong. I finished them off with some gem brads.
And that`s it, really quick and simple and so nice of Lady and Diva LIMette to give us an easy challenge this week. Watch this space...there could be more to come.

A couple of weeks ago I was given an award by the lovely Viv at Daisy Mae`s Blogspot 
Thank you so much Viv :) This is the first chance I`ve had to spend enough time on the PC to collect it, sorry.
I now have to do the following;

Step 1 - Make a post linking back to the person who gave you the award!
Step 2 - Share 7 random things about yourself..... I have done this in an earlier Award
Step 3 – Award 7 recently discovered bloggers with this award
Step 4 – Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won the award

Here are the people I think are deserving of this award and worthy of a visit from you all.

Anne...Stamps and Paper
Tara...Craftilicious
Ciara...The Ribena Room
Deborah...Debgems                           The first 4 for all the hard work they`ve put in for the St Lukes Challenge.
Sandra...Stamping for pleasure   for being so supportive.
Mandi and Chrissie   A joint award for giving us the best challenge blog in cyberland. ( I know I`m a creep)

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

OLW # 50

Hello All!

And a happy sunny wednesday to you.

Since the Less is More challenge started and I got more and more into CAS cards, I began looking for inspiration on the net and found Susan Raihala`s blog Simplicity. I have been shamelessly stalking her for weeks now. She is also the co host of  One Layer Wednesday which I have looked at and thought about and have now plucked up the courage to join in with. The challenge this week is to make a one layer card using an old stamp that hasn`t seen ink in while and make a Thank You card.

Here is my submission,

The stamp is Leaf Flourish from Hero Arts stamped in Versa colour Peony. I have had this stamp for a couple of years and I think I last used it a few months ago but never before on a cas card.
The sentiment is by Flourishes Tag Lines ( ofcourse) and I think it goes really well with the flourish stamp.I used Memento Black ink.
And that`s it, no embellishments as I don`t think it needs them.

Well I finally got my Dads carpets shampooed. It took Alan all of five minutes to sort it out and would have been even quicker if he`d realised that I had one of the pipes upside down. Doh!!! I am thick sometimes.
I wouldn`t mind but the carpets weren`t even dirty, I just decided they needed freshening up a bit. They do look better though, I just have to go back before sunday and put all of his furniture back in place. What a way to spend your day off eh?

Edit I have been asked about purchasing stamps from Flourishes and Papertrey. Unfortunately, as far as I know they can only be ordered from the states.  The stamps themselves are quite cheap in comparison but the shipping is expensive and there`s also the problem of customs too. It depends how desperate you are for their stamps really lol.



Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 11 take 3

Good afternoon all!!!

This is definitely going to be my final submission for this weeks Less is More challenge. Although I have made friends with acetate now it is a rocky sort of friendship. The sort were it wouldn`t matter if we never crossed paths again Lol.
It is, I have to admit, a bit of a poor effort. There were so many wonderful ideas in my head but without the correct inks or even the right acetate and a very strong loathing of spending a day and money shopping for some, I have taken the easy option ( again).
Here is my card,

I am pleased with the card, just not the use of acetate but ...hey ho.

White A6 top fold card.
Leaf stamp by PTI Turning a new leaf set stamped in Versacolour Fresh Green.
Sentiment by Flourishes Tag Lines, stamped in Memento Black.
A strip of pale green card.
A strip of acetate, run through the Swiss Dots folder and attatched to the green card with brads, then raised on the card using foam pads.

I had intended to make a really bright colourful card today but they say green is a calming colour and boy did I need calming today.
My Dad has gone away for the week so I said that I would shampoo his carpets while he was gone. We dropped the shampooer off on Sunday night and off I trotted this morning to do my good deed. Got it all set up and couldn`t attatch the pipes. No matter what I did I couldn`t get the trigger part to line up with the main pipe which meant that it wouldn`t spray. Arggh!!!
I remember when we first got it that I had the same trouble but Alan could it without a problem. Seeing as it`s me who uses the blooming thing, when I put it away I left the trigger and pipe still attatched. The last time I used it Alan, trying to be helpful, dismantled it and put it away. Why do men have to interfere???
After storming home in a right grump, banging a few doors and muttering expletives to myself, I came upstairs to calm myself down in the craft room. It seems to have worked for now. Alan doesn`t know it yet but he`s going have to take me back tonight and put the thing together for me. Then I`LL put it away when I`ve finished Lol.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More #11 take 2

Hello again!

After all my moaning and groaning earlier about using acetate I can`t believe that I`ve managed to come with take 2.It was after I`d had a sulk and went back to the Less is More site to post some comments that I had a eureka moment. Particularly after seeing Claire no 11 and Val no 15 submissions.
While we were shopping this morning I bought a copy of Simply Cards and Papercrafts Magazine which has some fabby freebie stamps from Pink Petticoat. With renewed mojo I set about making this card.

I stamped the image in Memento black and coloured it with Promarkers.
I made a 5x5 card base and cut a circle out with a nestie. Placed some acetate behind the aperture then placed my cut out image in the centre.
The sentiment is by Papermania Chatsworth collection.
I`m not sure if I should have decorated the card a bit more but I`m sure Mandi and Chrissie will put me right lol.

All in all I`m much more pleased with this one than my earlier one. I still dislike acetate but don`t hate it quite so much...
You never know...I might even come up with a third, stranger things have happened. lol.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 11...Acetate.

Good afternoon all!

I logged onto the computer well before 8 o`clock this morning in anticipation for this weeks challenge at Less is More only to find that it`s ...Acetate...Arrgh!!!


I have used acetate before and did have some heat resistant acetate at one time but can I find it? Can I heck.
I only have the sort of acetate that you use for glass painting and the only ink I have that stamps onto acetate is black Stazon. OK, so found a beautiful Damask stamp by Heidi Swapp, stamped onto my acetate, left it to dry and messed it up when I tried to put the card together. I finished up with holes in the image that couldn`t be hidden by gems so it went in the bin.
Next I thought of a plain card with acetate butterflies, Doh, my acetate is not heat resistant and I haven`t seen many black butterflies.

I went with this design that I`m not pleased with at all and to be honest I want to cry, lol.

Never,ever, in all the time I`ve been crafting, have I ever felt so frustrated. To top it off I cannot for the life of me, get a decent photo either.

I made an A6 top fold card.
Cut a piece of acetate to size and ran it through the Cuttlebug with Birds and Vine folder.
Then I made a border punch with a Fiskars punch and added some ribbon.
I found these little butterflies in my stash that just happen to be made from acetate and stuck them to the front of the card.

As I said I`m really disappointed with it, nearly didn`t post it and,at the moment am devoid of other ideas.
I have learned alot from this though.
A/ I need more inks
B/ I need better acetate.
C/ I hate acetate
D/ I dont think I`ll bother buying anymore `cos I don`t think I`ll use it.
Y`see it`s turned me into a bumbling wreck lol. I`m off to do my ironing...

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 10 Last minute entry.

Good Morning All!
And a happy friday to everyone.

First of all can I just say massive appologies to all those Limettes that I haven`t had the chance to comment on yet. I`m doing my best to get to you all but it`s been one of those weeks where everything you do is so time consuming. Sorry!

I wasn`t going to bother posting this one but changed my mind.
This is the card that I planned to do after my `girl` one earlier this week, before the printer went on permanent strike.
I now have a brand spanking new printer so I thought I`d do the card anyway as a practice.

Same as the girl one, all the text is done on the comp but this time the blue printed beautifully.I`ve just added some Glamour dust to main text.
Gingham ribbon along the top because I think it`s more boyish than plain ribbon and some buttons in the right bottom corner because I misjudged when centralising lol.
I think maybe the buttons are a step too far for CAS but they are on now and stuck tight.

Thank you all for the comments so far, they really mean such a lot and I really appreciate every one.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 10 2nd go & some questions answered.

Hello everyone.

I`ve made two more cards for this weeks challenge at Less is More. I`ll show the cards first because it might turn out to be a long post.

I had intended to do a boy version of my first card but it didn`t work out, more about that later.
This has to be one of the quickest cards ever. It took me longer to find the stamps than it did to actually make it.
I first stamped the bird from Inkadinkadoo in Baby Blue Versacolour. Then stamped the verse from Flourishes Gerbera Daisy set in Black Memento.
I wanted the bird very pale so it didn`t take the eye away from the sentiment. For once I`m really pleased with this one.

My second card is on similar lines to the first.
The flower stamp is by Elusive Images (now Chocolate Baroque) stamped with Versa Colour Orchid.
The sentiment is from Flourishes Sweetpea stamp set.

Another really quick and easy card.

When the Less is More challenge first started and Mandi and Chrissie said they wanted OLC I was terrified. Well maybe not quite terrified but the thought did scare me.
I have always said that my one layer clean & simple cards looked naked but now I`ve had some practise and seen some of the creations of other Limettes ( love that name,sounds like a 60`s girl band) I`m really getting into it and am doing more and more for my own enjoyment not just for the challenges. Thank you girls for giving me the confidence and inspiration.

Now, onto other things. I said yesterday that my printer was playing up. Now, I think it`s in it`s death throes.
I spent most of yesterday evening cleaning the nozzles, printing out loads of sheets to get the colour through, thought I`d got it sussed but then when I tried to print out a card with the word BOY in blue, it came out pink.
It is, in all honesty, a cheap Lexmark all in one and I have used it for a few years so I think it`s paid for itself. I could have done with it lasting just a little bit longer though. I do a little cleaning job on a wednesday morning and the money I get from that was to buy some new stamps and other crafting goodies, so I`m a bit upset at having to fork out for a new printer. Never mind, these things are sent to try us...

On to some questions that some of my lovely blogging friends have asked.

Katina wanted to know how I propped up the card when using coloured backgrounds. Well, I can tell you this is a very technical thing to do ( not )

 I just prop one piece of card against the tubs that hold my tools and scissors and the other lays flat. It was the only thing I could think of at the time and it works a treat, and costs nothing lol.

Mustavcoffee asked if I had a little Pixie to hold my cards for me.
Well, yes doesn`t everyone?
Mine is a rescue pixie. I liberated him from an old shoemaker in town where he was expected to make all the shoes for the old man to sell. Poor little mite had to work 12 hour night shifts and work by candlelight for no money. One day I went in and sneaked him into my handbag and brought him home. He now has a life of riley and readily holds my cards for me while I photograph them in return for free board and lodgings and as many cups of tea as he can manage.

 Although he does like to play with my punches, ( he thinks its great fun to jump as hard as he can a bit like a trampoline) I just put it there so you can see his tiny cup and tea pot. I do have a problem finding tiny teabags though...

So now you all know I`m just as barmy as the rest of you lol.


After a really manic weekend I will try and get around to commenting on the rest of the entries. Last time I looked there were well over 100 so it make take some time.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 10 Sentiment.

Phew, I blinked and the weekend had gone!!!!

A really quick post today. I`m sorry but hopefully I can post all the things I wanted to say tomorrow.

The challenge for this week at Less is More . is to make the sentiment the focus of the card.

HA! I don`t have many sentiments in my collection but I knew what I wanted to do. Unfortunately my printer decided to play up so the card is not as good as I`d hoped for. Again, hopefully I can come up with a better one tomorrow. In the meantime I`m posting this one before I completely run out of time and hair as I`m pulling it out at the moment Lol.

I did the whole thing on the computer but used a very pale pink for the GIRL. Stupid thing came out very very pale biege which made it almost impossible to see to to add glue to..
I added pink glitter to the glue and all in all it`s not too bad but I know it could be better. I`ve added a pink ribbon tied in a knot as I thought a bow would be too much and that`s it.
Please be critical but try not to be too unkind Lol....

Back tomorrow with a better post.
Thanks for popping in... Lynne xxx

Charlottes Birthday Card

Good Morning All!

Another bright, sunny, warm day again. I wonder how long it`ll last, it is only April afterall. Make the most of it while we can I think.

Right after all the fuss I made about my grandaughters card and what to put on it, I decided that the best policy was to throw some ideas at her and hope she would give me some clues. Actually it was more like an interogation lol.
She still has yellow as her fave colour which was great and she has no problems with hair dryers or hair in general which was even better.
I would like to thank all of you that came up with ideas and suggestions and pointed me in the direction of various digi sites ( which have all been bookmarked for future reference) and especially to SANDRA who sent me the digi by e-mail that I finally used. The only problem I have now is not knowing if this is one of Sandra`s own digi`s or, if not, who`se it is so I can`t give credit. Sorry.

Anyway, without further ado here is the card, ( you might need your sun glasses on BTW)

Now I do know the digi is called Holly and I`ve coloured her with Promarkers.
The Stripey DP and the yellow spotty DP are both from Papermania I think but I`ve had them for ages so I`m not 100%.
The orangey stripes is a scrap I had in my box from Shabby Princess.
The flowers are all from Wild Orchid Crafts and I`ve finished them off with gems from my stash.
I wasn`t going to bother with the numbers but changed my mind last minute which accounts for them being silver and not gold which would have been better. They are from Poundland.
The sentment is computer generated and cut out with a nestie labels 4 die as is the image.

That`s it from me for now.Hopefully I`ll be back tomorrow with another card for the new Less is More week.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

CR84FN #22

Hi Folks.

A quick post from me today just to show my entry for this weeks challenge at CR84FN who have given us this fabulous colour scheme to work with.

And here is my entry,

I used brown card stock for the base card.
The Damask is from Pink Petticoat matted onto some green card and cut along the bottom with a Spellbinders Scallop die.
The border is cut out with a Spellbinders Classic Lace Borderbilities die, in brown.
The flower is handmade and yes, it does look a bit like a cabbage I know.
The sentment is from Flourishes Tag Lines stamped in brown.
I`ve added two little pearls to the scallop.







Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

I just couldn`t resist...

I`m sorry but the pull was just too strong. I really think I need therapy for this addiction, my willpower alone is not good enough. I promise myself faithfully each week that I will not get carried away but here we are, only Tuesday and I am about to open up to the world.

I have failed.

What have I done, you maybe asking yourselves, that is so awful that I`ve had to confess all to cyberland.

Well, I have given in to temptation....and made another card for the Less is More Challenge. Sorry folks, I did try...

I just picked up this stamp which is another of the Fancy Flourishes from Papertrey and it cried out to be stamped in black. Once that was done I couldn`t resist the urge to add some red gems here and there. The sentiment is from Papermania Chatsworth Collection and seemed the perfect choice to go with the flourish.
Once it was finished I just thought, well this has this weeks Less is More challenge written all over it, so I gave in and posted.
Can anyone let me know when the first session of Less is More Anonymous starts please, I need to put my name down.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Lazy Daisy...

Good Morning Folks.

A really quick post this morning as I want to get some crafting in today.

Here`s another really quick and easy CAS card that I made over the weekend.
It occurred to me that not everyone likes over the top frilly cards and I have kept my CAS cards fairly masculine, so I`m trying to get a collection of  feminine CAS together. This is the second in my collection.
It`s an A6 card. I cut out some circles in bright yellow with my nestie circles die.
Punched some daisies in white paper and placed them on the circles and added a yellow flatbacked pearl in the middle of each.
The sentiment is from Flourishes Tag Lines.

And that`s it for now, hopefully I`ll be back later with a less cas card ( just for a change).

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Pink with a hint...

...of green.

This is what I`ve come with while I`ve been playing this afternoon.

I had a lovely day yesterday when all 3 of the kids came to see me, along with the 3 grandchildren. Got some great pressies although I tell them all every year not to bother ( but I`m still really pleased when they do).
This morning after going shopping we popped to see Alans Mum. When we got there all the blinds and curtains were drawn and bearing in mind how ill she`s been recently, panic set in quickly.
This was about 11 o`clock and we soon realised that one if not all of her daughters would have rang to wish her happy Mothers day and would have been there if there was no answer, so we calmed down a bit. Alan rang his younger sister the minute we got through the door and another sister had taken her out to dinner so relief all round. We`ll pop to see her later today.

Back to my card. I`m really embracing this CaS style at the moment and as my mojo seems to be in over drive ( I`m back at work tomorrow aswell, typical) I thought I`d just go with the flow.
This was a really easy card to make. I stamped a large swirl from Papertreys Fancy Flourishes set in Memento Rose Bud.
Then added the sentiment from Flourishes Tag Lines also in rose bud.
I`ve added some very pale green flat backed pearls as a contrast although they haven`t photographed very well.
This is the same card photographed from a different angle  and the green still doesn`t show very well.
I`m also still enjoying using same colour backgrounds to take the piccy`s.
I think this was a great bit of advice and I`m glad I found it.

Right I`m off now to see if the chicken is cooking and get the veggies ready.






Thanks for popping in ...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 9 A touch of red

Happy Saturday everyone.

A quick post today as I`m expecting the kids to descend on me today for Mothers Day ( yes I know it`s tomorrow but I have to visit mine and Alans Mum)

It`s a colour challenge this week at Less is More. A touch of Red.
I thought I be different this week and go for something a bit out of the ordinary.

I printed off two sheets of dots from Pink Petticoats Lola Pink and Black collection, in black and white, positive and negative.
I also had a piece of red gingham from PP in my stash.
I cut them all out with the smallest Nestie circle and arranged them on the card.
The sentment is computer generated.

I`m also entering this card in the Clean & Simple Challenge FTL134 which uses this sketch.

That`s all from me for now.
Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

It`s here...

at last. The brand new monthly charity card challenge in aid of St Lukes Hospice.

I`m sure most of you know already about this fabulous charity card challenge set up by  Craftilicious 
if not, pop over to the St Lukes .
challenge blog and read about the fantastic work that they do and how important this challenge is towards raising funds.

Our very first challenge is called " Say it with flowers" so we want you to make, enter and donate your floral fabulousness.
Here is my very first DT entry,

Strongly influenced by Silke Ledlow 
and her fabulous style in card making, I`ve kept it quite simple but not too CAS.

White card base. Panel made slightly smaller than the base, run through Cuttlebug with Swiss Dots folder, added a ribbon and raised it on foam pads.
The image is a digi by Fred She Said. 
coloured with Promarkers, cut into a rectangle and raised with foam pads. I`ve added a bow to my ribbon.
The sentiment is computer generated.

So there you have it. We can`t wait to see what treasures you come up with for our first month.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Simple Squares

Hello All. I hope your friday is going well and you are looking forward to the weekend.

I`ve been playing this afternoon. I`m getting into this CAS lark now I think. I`ve always envied other people being able to make these sort of cards when mine just look naked or unfinished. So I`ve been blog hopping and looking at other peoples styles. One particular blog I love is LateBlossom`s Simplicity 
Now that girl really can do CAS. I`ve also been reading her advice on taking photos matching the colour on the card with the background. I`ve CASED one of her cards to practice with and this is the result.

I`m fairly pleased with it although looking back at it I think I`ve used too deep foam pads.
Obviously a really simple card to make. I punched 3 squares from the Papermania  Capsule Collection Blueberry Pie. Then stamped my sentiment ,from Flourishes Tag Lines in Memento Bahama Blue.

Just a little piccy now of the monster that was waiting for me on my work desk.

Have you seen the size of that thing. It was just sitting there washing his legs cheeky monkey. Now I`m not usually prone to violence of any sort  but that punch came in very handy. LOL.




Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx