Simply Less is More # 209

Hi there,
Long post warning!!!

Well I missed the last two challenges at Simply Less is More. Although I started cards for both weeks, life just got in the way and they didn`t get posted. So I was determined to join in ths week no matter what.
As it`s a 5 saturday month we have a Lucky Dip with the title LITTLE ONES. This could mean babies, children, small animals or tiny elements on our cards.
I`ve chosen to make a baby card.

I used a Memory Box Stencil and some homemade embossing paste for the background ( I`ll give you the recipe at the end of this post)
I cut out two tags using a Die- namics die from patterned paper and white vellum and tied them with some pink twine.
The BABY die is from Die- Versions cut from pink paper. I used Chrissie`s tip of backing the paper with double sided tape before cutting, sooo much easier for sticking down.
To finish I added two tiny butterflies with teeny gems.

Well, call me cheapskate all you like but I do like a cheaper version of some things .Embossing Paste is so expensive but I love the effect and have tried in the past to make my own from an online recipe but wasn`t too impressed. The other day while browsing Pinterest I found another recipe and this one is fabulous. It uses talc so is much whiter and is so easy to make.
All you need is...
1/4 cup of talc ( I used baby talc)
1 tbsp craft glue ( cheap PVA works great)
1 tbsp white Acrylic paint
A little water
Plastic spoon or similar for stirring.

Just mix the ingrediants together then add a tiny bit of water until you get the consistancy of toothpaste.
The best thing is, it smells gorgeous even when dry.
Once I`d tried it I thought about colouring it so bought some more paint, thinking that if it didn`t work, I`d probably use the paints anyway.
I started with 3 main colours.

 
I chose these colours because from them I can mix, Green, Orange and possibly purple/ lilac and ofcourse they can all be mixed with varying amounts of white for different shades.
The baby card I made today is white with a tiny amount of Rose Madder.
Just need some more stencils now and there`ll be no stopping me.

Really quick Ruby update;
The bacterial infection has all gone now although there is still some fungal infection on Ruby`s liver and spleen but the anti fungal meds are dealing with that. She was hoping to come home on wednesday but had a sudden tiny spike in her temperature, 38.1%, and if it goes above 38% it means more bloods and cultures have to be taken. It is such a pain but then it`s not worth risking so hopefully she will be home either today or tomorrow. Then we can have Christmas Yippee!

Thanks for sticking with me, I know it was a long one today...Lynne xxx

Dads Birthday

Hi there,
I`m popping in today to share the card I made for my dads birthday which was wednesday (21st) he is also about to embark on an epic journey to Australia with my uncle, taking in Dubai, 2 Oz cruises, Singapore and Hongkong among other places. Not bad for a couple of old wrinklies, dad`s 83 and uncle is 79. I`m not in the least jealous....honest.

I wanted to make a card that would fit both a birthday and a holiday but couldn`t come up with an idea at all. So, Pinterest to the rescue and I found This card to CaSE.
I found a map on Google images to print off and a clipart plane.
The banner is from a scrap from my stash and the words are computer generated.
I added some black flat back pearls to finish.

Dad was chuffed to bits when he opened it so that made me happy.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Simply Less is More # 206

Hello There!
Woohoo it`s still saturday and I`m here with my entry for this weeks Simply Less is More challenge which is a One Layer Week with the title `New Beginnings`.
My son married his fiance Rachel in 2011 and since then they have lived with Rachels parents while they saved for a deposit on a house. Last year they decided on a plot on a new build estate and they have just moved into their brand new house. I`m so proud of them both, they`ve worked really hard and it`s paid off for them.
So, luckily I needed a New Home card and it fits perfectly for this weeks challenge.

The image is a digi from, I think, Digistamp Boutique coloured with Promarkers.
The sentiment is computer generated.

Just a quick Ruby update. According to her doctor Ruby has turned the corner and is on the way up. Her temperature is steadying, she hasn`t had oxygen for 24 hours and the rash has almost gone. She still has a long way to go but as soon as she`s strong enough she`ll go back to theatre to have her portacath put back in and then her chemo can start again.

Thank you for popping in...Lynne xxx

One of my Christmas cards 2014

Hello there,
This is one of 7 cards, all very similar but with different background papers that I made for close friends and family.

I like to make special cards for family and close friends and love the layers on these.
I used a Spellbinders Poinsettia die for the flowers and the leaves are a mixture of Joanna Sheen, Marianne design and Sizzix, The berries are from The range.
The sentiment is computer generated which makes it easier to personalise. It is then cut out with a SB Floral oval die.


Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Simply Less is More # 205

Hello there,
I`m back on my poor neglected blogwith my entry for this weeks Simply Less is More Challenge
which is a colour challenge.                BLACK, METALIC + ONE

I`ve gone for Black, gold and red,

I used a black base card and a white panel. I tried other combinations, white on white and plain black but prefer this one.
The tag is made using a Die-namics die and a Pink Petticoat Chevrons download printed onto card.
The heart is cut from red glitter card using a sizzix die and the small hearts are punched out.
The `love` die is from Memory Box cut from gold card.

Well I hope you all had a super Christmas and new year. Ours was...well... different. Ruby has been in LGI for 3 weeks now and has been extremely ill. The infection in her portacath was a lot more serious than first thought and even after an operation to remove it she didn`t improve at all. After a scan to investigate it was discovered that she had a `pocket` of infection, simiar to an abcess I think, quite deep seated in her chest. The doctor was hoping to take her to theatre to clean the infection site in the hope that the antibiotics would start to take effect but Rubys platelette count was extremely low and it was thought that she may not be strong enough to cope with another operation. Ruby had not eaten since being admitted so that was a major worry. She had a feed tube fitted to give her some nutrients with the hope of building her up enough to help the fight. She also developed a rash which was a worry, especially when they tested her for meningitis but that came back negative. The biggest concern was that the infection had spread throughout her body and that she had developed septicaemia. Ruby was seriously ill and quite unresponsive, sleeping most of the time. On sunday the decision was made to clean out the infected area. Almost as soon as she was back on the ward Ruby was showing signs of being more alert but by monday she was sleepy and a bit poorly again.
On tuesday morning she woke up wanting snuggles with her daddy and during the afternoon she was given a CT scan and the infection site was still clear. By late afternoon, a small miracle occured and Ruby ate for the first time in 17 days. You cannot imagine the relief we all felt, I can`t find the words to describe it. She sat in bed chattering away to the play worker and the nurses were queueing up outside the door to speak to her.
The rash is thought to be a reaction to the antibiotics so thats a huge relief. There is still along way to go, Ruby had some fluid around her lungs and her heart rate was quite high but she`s been back to theatre this afternoon to have her lungs flushed out and she`s breathing better already so fingers crossed. I know how worried I was but really can`t imagine what my daughter and son in law must have been going through. They have both shown such strength and they have supported each other which is  wonderful.
We can`t wait to get all the family home now so we can celebrate christmas together, a bit late but it will be special.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx