Simply Less is More # 193

Hello There !

I`d first like to say a very big thank you for all your lovely comments and the support and prayers you`ve sent for Ruby. It means such a lot to us all. More later.

This week it`s the dreaded One Layer Card at Simply Less is More and we are asked to include,
                                                        2 of Something

A pretty basic card really. I`ve used 2 leaves.
A simple panel chalked with yellow, orange and a touch of red to keep with the autumnal theme.
I stamped 2 leaves from Hero Arts, in clear ink and embossed them in detail gold EP.
The sentiment is There She Goes stamped in Black Versafine ink.

Ruby gave us quite a scare last monday when she went to theatre.The doctors were hoping to do a biopsy, a lumber puncture and fit a port in one operation but she stopped breathing under the anaesthetic. My daughter rang in a mad panic because they`d been told Ruby might have to go into intensive care. They`d managed to do the biopsy but had to bring her round quickly because the tumour was blocking her airways.After a couple of very worrying  hours Mum rang back to say that Ruby was back on the ward and chatting away after eating her way through a plate full of fish fingers and chips. Phew!
Doctors decided to give a few days rest and after scanning on friday she was taken back to theatre for the rest of her procedure. She has a T-Cell Lymphoma which I think is a form of Leukemia but we are still waiting for the results from her spinal fluid to see which type it is. Apart from that she is fine. Mum and dad are being as honest as they can with her, answering her questions and she seems to be taking it all on board for now. I think the worse thing for Ruby will be when her hair falls out again but we`ll deal with that when it happens.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Simply Less is More # 177

Hi there!
I`m popping in today to share my cards for this weeks Simply Less is More challenge which is to
                                                             USE WATERCOLOUR
I had a bit of a moment when I saw this challenge. Anyone who knows me, knows that I cannot paint to save my life. Skirtingboards, door jamb or even a door at a pinch and I`m fine but pictures...no chance. My fingers refuse to do what my brain is telling them so I just don`t do it.
However...after careful consideration, I realised that even I can do a colour wash, so that`s what I did. Not earth shattering or even remotely artistic but it kept me out of mischief for a while. Naturally once I got started I couldn`t stop at one , so I have three cards to share.

I used Luninart Shimmer paints, which leave a lovely sheen, on Papermill Linen card. Although it did curl a bit, it was quite easy to straighten afterwards.
On this one I used a blue in various strengths then picked up a tiny bit of pink here and there. Once dry I spritzed with some blue shimmer mist but it`s difficult to see on the pic.
I stamped my image ( Inkadinkado) in black Versafine and cut out the sentiment in purple card using a Die-namics die.

This one is made the same as above but using different shades and strengths of pink shimmer paints.
Once dry I stamped the text stamp ( IndigoBlu) in Memento Rose bud ink.
Once that was dry I stamed the leaf (Hero Arts) in clear ink and embossed in detail gold EP.
The sentiment is by Flourishes.

This one is done in green shimmer paint with a little yellow added in parts. Over stamped with the text stamp again in Memento Olive grove. Once dry I stamped and embossed the Leaf ( Papertrey inc) in gold EP.
The sentiment ( Penny Black) is cut out in gold card.

Since I`ve made these I thought of loads of other designs and if I get time I might indulge myself. Got quite a busy week ahead getting everything ready for our summer fayre fundraising event ( a great opportunity to get rid of some junk on the bric a brac stall)

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Simply Less is More # 123

Good Afternoon All!

Well it`s been another busy week here. I really must organise my time better than I am doing. The work, home, me time is a bit weighted towards work and home at the moment. I`ve managed to grab a few miniutes in the craft room to make this weeks Simply Less is More card. It`s one layer week this week with a theme of NEED FOR SPEED.
I needed a card for a girl at work who has just passed her driving test so this was a bit fortunate. Maybe not quite what Chrissie and Jen had in mind but I`m sure the need of the speed of a car far out weighs shanksies pony.

Really quick and simple. I embossed an oval with a nestie then stamped the car ( Hero Arts) in Memento Tuxedo Black before colouring with Spectrum Noir pens.
The sentiment is PC generated.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Simply Less is More # 119

Hello All!

I don`t think I`ve ever been this late with my Simply Less is More entry before. I have the week off work and had full intentions of spending lots of time in thecraft room but as usual it wasn`t to be. Lots to do in the garden ( in between showers) including spending all day yesterday pricking out millions of seedlings and repotting them. My poor back was killing last night.
I did however find time to make a quick card for this weeks challenge where we are asked to use COLOURED CARD BASE.

I used a Lime green card base and stamped a Hero Arts Elegant Weeds stamp in Memento Elderberry.
I added some Glamour Dust to the heads and a sentiment from Papermania ( in black).
Then I think I ruined it by adding some gems.

Really quick update, Ruby is doing fine and is now back at school full time. Her collar bone is healing nicely.

Back later with something completely different, lots of layers and texture.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 89 take 2

Hi,

I`m back with my second entry for this weeks Simply Less is More challenge with the theme of
                                                     WINGS

Once again I`ve used white linen card.
I scored a couple of lines along the bottom of the card and stamped an Owl from Inkadinkado in Versacolor
Orchid, Lime and Orange.
The sentiment is from Hero Arts.
A bit different to my last offering and loads of white space.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 84

Good afternoon all!

I hope you are all well and enjoying the late sunshine that we`re having here in the UK. For those of you further a field, I hope your weather is treating you kindly.

I`m a happy bunny today. It`s the start of a whole week off work for me and hubby :-) We`ve got nothing planned as such. We`re just going to take each day as it comes and try to get some days out into the bargain. Hopefully there`ll be plenty of crafting time too.

Anyway, onto this weeks challenge at Simply Less is More. It`s one layer week again and we are asked to focus on FOLIAGE.
I have quite a few leaf and foliage stamps but still couldn`t decide on a design. My first one was a disaster but this one I`m actually rather pleased with, ( now doesn`t that make a refreshing change) ha ha.

I`ve kept it really simple and refrained from adding anymore than the one stamp, you have no idea how hard that was lol.
I started by embossing a rectangle onto Linen card.
After masking off my rectangle I used decorative chalks  in lime green, bright yellow and orange to fill the space.
The leaf stamp is one of a set from Hero Arts called Real Leaves, stamped in clear ink and embossed in gold EP.
The sentiment is from Paptrey Inc Autumn Abundance set.
Yes, I`m chuffed with this one.

Edited to add, I`m entering this card into Susan`s One Layer Wednesday Challenge which I meant to do yesterday but forgot with all the excitment of making a card I actually like.

Ruby thoroughly enjoyed her first day at school this week and couldn`t wait to go back the next day. She loves her teacher, Mr Weed ( yeah I know I keep wanting to say...flobalob too). Apparently he`s a lovely man who gets down to the kids level and everyone loves him.
I`m hoping for pics of Ruby in her school uniform soon so as soon as I get them I`ll post them.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 83

Good Morning All.

As it`s the first week of a new month it`s a colour challenge at Simply Less is More and this week we are asked to make a card using  Pink and Brown.
I love pink and brown together in all their shades but putting them on a card proved a tad difficult. It`s not the challenge...it`s me... I`m craftily challenged at the moment I think
Lets just say that I`m not doing the happy dance about any of this collection,

 My first one was going great until I tried to be clever and make the bottom trim of the car a slightly darker shade of pink and went over the lines.As this was the last to be made I`d had enough faffing so I`m posting it anyway so you get the gist of the design.
Pink hammered base card. Milk chocolate panel embossed with swiss Dots EF.
Stamp from Hero Arts. Sentiment computer generated.

 This one I`m reasonably pleased with. DP is from Papermania. Stars are X cut nested stars.
Sentiment done on comp.

 Hot pink base card. Dark chocolate panel raised on foam pads.
Heart is Woodware punch, letters Die-namics die cuts. All cut out of hot pink glitter paper by Craftime.

And lastly, hot pink base card ( all card is Papermill) Dark chocolate panel embossed with Craft Concepts Wood Grain EF and two corners rounded.
Flwers are tissue paper cut out with nestie scalloped circles and crunched. Brads in centre are Papermania.
Sentiment stamp is Anita`s stamped in Versafine Onyx and embossed in clear EP. Inverted `v` done with corner of square nestie.

So, nothing very imaginative or ground breaking. I don`t know what`s the matter with my mojo, maybe just a bit tired. I`ve got another week at work and then I`m off for a week so hopefully I`ll be able to get my backside into gear.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 63 and Angies Close Shave

Good Eving All!
 Well Mandi and Chrissie have excelled themselves today with this weeks Less is More challenge. Not only is it a one layer card but they want us to add some DOODLING. This could be faux stitching, hand written or drawn elements on your card.
 Argghh, that`s worse than acetate.
On the odd occasion that I do doodle, mine look like scribble. I can`t draw to save my life and my handwriting is atrocious.My fingers simply won`t do what my brain tells them to. Which is why I stamp...
I finally came up with this card...a total cop out but better than nowt.

The car stamp is by Hero Arts stamped in Memento Black and coloured with Spectrum Noir pens.
The sentiment is computer generated.
My feeble attempt at a doodle is the little puff of smoke from the back of the car. Sorry.
Maybe I`ll have a brainwave and come up with something else later.

It was Angie`s day for her head shave today. We have over £100 in pledges from sponsors so I`m chuffed to bits with that. All the money raised is for The Candlelighters Trust. This charity supports children with cancer and their families living in Yorkshire.
There are quite a lot of pics so here goes,

 My Dad was doing the honours with the clippers and he really got into the spirit of things with a handmade barbers pole ( fixed at a very proper angle) and some rather large name tags.
Angie had biked the 5 miles from work so her hair wasn`t in the best of styles to start with hee hee.

Are you sure about this?

             Too late now!!!

Definitely too late now.
Angie looks like she`s impersonating a pineapple and dads really got into the swing of things

   Just a bit ( a lot) of tidying to do.

Almost done.
Did you want to keep the tufts around your ears?

            

A quick trim with the scissors by me to finish and we`re all done.
I have a sneaky suspicion that that smile is a little forced ha ha.
Never mind love, it`ll grow back in no time.
A big shout out for my dad for being such a good sport and very good with the trimmers for a first attempt :)



Ruby is home from the hospital now. She`s absolutely fine and they`re hoping to reschedule her op for next week.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More #57

Hello All!
A proper miserable and very wet March day today. Mind you after the mild winter we really do need the rain (honestly) and what better excuse for staying in and crafting.
It`s week 57 at Simply Less is More, and as it`s the first challenge of the month, it`s a colour challenge. This week we are to use, NEUTRALS.
We are in the (very slow) process of changing our home decor from totally neutral and adding a bit of colour so I`m heartily sick of beiges and browns but hey ho this is a card...it`s different.
Unfortunately I needed a sympathy card this weekend, my daughter in laws grandma died suddenly on thursday, so I`m using the challenge for a card to send to the family.
I made two, similar cards and can`t decide which one to send. I might let you make my mind up for me.

I used Pink Petticoats Harlequin in Smoke, cropped and printed directly onto the card and added a computer generated sentiment.
The stamp is hero Arts Elegant Weeds stamped inVersafine Onyx black.
The base card is slightly off white.

The second card uses the same elements but the PP Harlequin is in Mocha and the stamp is inked in Whispers Chestnut. The base card is Ivory Hammered from The Papermill.

A quick Ruby update,
Ruby had a blood transfusion last monday as she is very aneamic (probably spelt wrong) but it is nothing to worry about, and she came home on Tuesday. She`s coping brilliantly with the chemo at the moment and is back to her cheeky self and is getting spoiled rotten. Yesterday her Mum& Dad took her to the park to feed the ducks and she had a great time just being out in the fresh air.
At the moment she`s doing everything the doctors predicted but she has another dose of chemo tomorrow, this time with more drugs added and we have been warned that that`s probably when her hair is likely to start falling out. Luckily I think she`s too young to let it bother her too much.
My middle one Angie, was always the tom boy of the family and often got mistaken for a boy when she was younger, still does come to think of it sometimes lol. I used to call her my inbetweenie.
With that in mind, and because she`s not at all bothered what anyone else thinks, Angie is organising a sponsored head shave to raise funds for the Candlelighters appeal. Photographs will be posted.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More #41 Leaves.

Hello All!
First of all can make massive apologies for my lack of blogging and commenting this past week. Time has just ran away from me. I do hope none of you were holding your breath for my second LiM card either, you might be a strange purple colour by now. I did make one, just didn`t have time to photograph it in daylight,grr.
I`d also like to welcome my new followers, Hi and thank you for choosing my blog to follow.

Right, onto this weeks challenge at Less is More which is a one layer card using leaves.

 At last, a card I`m really pleased with.
I used off white card from Papermill Direct cut to 5x5. Using a rectangle nestie I`ve embossed in the centre and masked that off using post it`s.
The background colour is Versacolor Sand Beige sponged on.
The leaves are a mixture of Papertrey Inc, Hero Arts and My Minds Eye stamped in Versacolor Evergreen, Brown,Marigold, Orange and Burgundy.
The sentiment is  Flourishes Tag Lines stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.
Hopefully I`ll get to do a lot more commenting this week, there are already some fabulous entries, not least from Mandi and Chrissie with their beautiful inspiration cards.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

St Lukes Mid Month Memory Jogger

Good Morning All!
I`m back with a quick reminder that the challenge at St Lukes Charity Card Challenge is " Lets Hear It For The Boys". We want you to make masculine cards this month, any design, any occasion and for any male.

 I`ve gone with a really simple card today. The DP, I think is by Dovecraft and is perfect for this type of card as the patterns loook like cogs.
The Stamp is by Hero Arts, stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and embossed in clear EP.
No sentiment so it can be used for anyone and any occasion.
Don`t forget we have a fabulous prize to award our winner this month, and if you could spare your card or any other you may have, you can donate them to the St Lukes Charity for sale to raise much needed funds.
The address is on the sidebar on the main blog

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More meets OLW

Good afternoon all!

I hope I find you all fit, healthy and happy. I certainly am not least because this is the first day of my week off work, yippee!!!

As it`s saturday it is ofcourse Less is More day and this week is a colour challenge. We have been asked to produce a card using shades of blue.
As you might have noticed I have been in blue mode recently so I was quite chuffed. I also mentioned in my last post that my Daughter`s Mother in Law died last Sunday evening after a long battle against cancer. She was only 58 which somehow makes it even more upsetting and I know that all the family are suffering at the moment. I have been wracking my brains all week trying to come with a suitable sympathy card to send and this weeks challenge made everything fall in to place.They are never easy cards to make so I hope I`ve done this justice. Here is my card,

I have used 3 stamps.
Delicate Branches from Inkadinkado stamped in Versacolor Baby Blue. It is very faint.
Elegant weeds from Hero Arts stamped in Memento Bahama Blue.
Autumn Hedgerow from Chocolate Baroque stamped in Memento Danube Blue.
The sentiment is from Papertrey also stamped in Danube blue.

For the purpose of the challenge I have left the card plain but to give to my daughter and son in law I`ve added a ribbon.

One Layer Wednesday # 60 is asking us to make a OL card using quck layers of ink by overlapping stamped images and/or sentiment without masking.




Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Jules crafty snippets # 24

Hi Again,
Following on from the card I posted this morning I thought I`d use the snippets left over to make a card for Jules crafty snippets.
I`m not sure if anyone else saves their bits of digital papers but, sadly, I do. Maybe that`s why I have such a lot of snippets. Printer ink isn`t cheap and sometimes you just want a quick make so if the bits are big enough to use I save them. Not sure if I`m cheap or just a hoarder lol.

Anyway, I`ve used Shabby Princess digital papers Signature collection. The flowery one is left over from this mornings post and the stripey one is from my box. All matted onto bright blue card.
The image is Hero Arts Elegant Weeds stamped in Memento Bahama Blue.
The sentiment is from Flourishes Orchids Stamp set.
A piece of organza ribbon tied in knot to finish.
I`ve got an idea for another snippet make, if I get the time this week I`ll do it.
Apologies for the photo, it looks a bit wonky but I can assure you the card is straight,lol.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 17 Take 3,4 & 5

Good Morning All!

I hope you`re enjoying your Bank Holiday Monday. I`m not a happy bunny today. I woke up at 5:15 this morning dying for a wee and decided to stay up. Not a good idea. I`m now a very grunmpy bunny, can`t decide if I`m tired, menopausal or just a plain miserable old witch. It`s chucking it down with rain and looks set to stay that way til late afternoon and on top of that I have to work today Urgh.

So, now I`ve I`ve sent you all into a state of deep depression lol, I`ll show you my cards for this weeks challenge at Less is More where we are to use one of 5 squares, i.e. the 4 corners or the middle. Yesterday I used the middle and bottom right corner. Today I thought I`d post the other 3 corners all in one post. Can`t say that any of them are my best work but here goes,

This one looks brighter IRL. I stamped the image, elegant weeds from Hero arts in versacolour Marigold and added some Glamour Dust to the flower heads.
The sentiment is by Flourishes.

The chandelier stamp is Papermania Chatsworth collection, Stamped in Versafine and embossed in clear EP.
I`ve added some tiny red gems here and there to give it some bling.
The sentiment is from the same set/.

This is another stamp from the Chatsworth collection, stamped in clear ink and embossed in detail silver EP.
The sentiment is again from Flourishes.


When I first saw the challenge on saturday I thought it would be easy but to be honest I have found this one to be the most challenging so far, oh, except for acetate lol.
Maybe it`s just me...







Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Jule`s crafty snippets #19

Good Evening All!

A few weeks ago I decided that it was time to use up some of my ever increasing pile of offcuts of paper and card.
I sorted some out, matching papers to card and contrasting colours with bits of ribbon but when it came down to it I couldn`t find the inspiration to come up with something I liked. Then I found Jule`s Crafty Snippets which is posted every sunday. That was just as I was getting bogged down with wedding invitations and life in general. I found that I really didn`t have the time to join in.
Jule`s blog Always with a Heart is full of fantastic makes and the Sunday snippets is a lovely little way of showing us how to use up those pieces we save for a rainy day and never get around to using.Check her out, you won`t be disappointed.
Anyway last night I was determined no matter what that I was going to join in at last and this is what I came up with.

The photo isn`t very good, I took it this morning when it was quite sunny and the white background seems to have bleached the colour a bit.
The papers are both from the same pack that I bought years ago when I first started crafting but I can`t remember who they are from.
The image is Hero Arts Elegant Weeds stamped in versacolour Heliotrope and embossed with clear EP.
The sentiment is Flourishes Tag Lines.
Another first for me is the concertina flower.I punched one edgewith a Martha Stewart Doily Punch and added a large gem in the centre.I know it`s not perfect but for a first attempt it`s not too bad.

I know it`s only a tiny dent in the pile of bits but I thoroughly enjoyed making this card. It was nice to get back to layers and colour for a change. Don`t forget to check out Jules blog ...

Thanks for popping in ...Lynne xx

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

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

Picture Perfect Creations #51

WOW 2 posts in 1 day. Now that`s something I don`t do very often.

This is the colour swatch from PPC for this week. I`ve been mulling over what to do with these colours for days and finally had the chance to dig about amongst my stash today.

I`ve finally got my head around these colour combo`s I think. There`s always one colour that throws me so I`ve decided that, for me, it`s better to work out which is the " wrong " colour and then use it very sparingly. This week it was the blue. I tried all the different combo`s and the other 3 look so rich together, so the blue drew the short straw.

This is what I came up with,

I don`t think it`s one of my better efforts, now it`s done I think I might have been better with more layering and I might do another to see, watch this space.

I used pale blue card for my base.
The DP is  Papermania Capsule Collection Sunshine which just happened to have this red and mustard :)
I`ve layered that onto some kraft card before layering it onto the base.
The image is a Hero Arts Called Leaf Flourish Stamped in Red onto Mustard card and cut out with a nestie circle.
I cut a strip of kraft card and used a Flourishes Tag Line sentiment stamped in red.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx