JUST FUR YOU

Hello

How tiny can you go?
That's the question at the Less is More Challenge right now.

As it turns out - I can't go that tiny!

I had these little guys out on my work desk, so I decided to use them for this Valentine card.
I just popped them up on a background.

For the background I scribbled some Zig marker onto an acrylic block, added a little water and brushed it through a striped stencil. 

Have you played along?

I'm looking forward to seeing just how 'tiny' you can go.

Challenge

Less Is More

Who are also celebrating their 9th Birthday this month

supplies

mft - little buddies, four legged friends - coloured with copics

clearly besotted striped stencil

zig clean color real brush marker in cobalt

VALENTINE PUP

Hello

Its only a couple of weeks til Valentine's Day,
so when I saw the sketch over at
 CAS(E) this Sketch,
I thought hearts, not circles!

I created a panel with three shades of pink card, and then die-cut my heart into it.
This is a really cute heart die, that lends itself to being 'popped up' on foam tape, for that added dimension.

And, this will be our first Valentine with Buster the Border, so I had to add that little pup in there :-)

Challenge

CAS(E) this Sketch 

supplies

mft - little buddies and peek-a-boo heart die

copic markers

A STRIP OF GLITZ

Hello.

Did you make any crafty New Year's resolutions?
This year I want to try harder to KEEP THINGS SIMPLE
It's in the blog title!! 
You'd have thought I would have got it by now, wouldn't you?  

So, I ignored all the ideas I had about inking up strips in rainbow colours, 
or water colouring a sunset design - 
and simply cut some strips of card and glitter paper and added a basic sentiment.
Job done!

Challenges

CAS(E) this Sketch

Inkspirational

supplies

sugarpea designs - 'you' die

mama elephant birthday messages

FIESTA TIME

Hello.

It's the dreaded (for me) one layer card at the
Less Is More Challenge this fortnight.

The first attempt at this card went in the bin.
I pulled the masking tape off too quickly,
and ripped all the bottom of the card!
Argh!
I was so cross - after all that inking and colouring.
So this was my second attempt.
Can you imagine how slowly I removed that tape the second time?  lol*

hero arts - it's fiesta time, coloured with copics

lawn fawn - hillside border

distress ink - spiced marmalade

NEW YEAR - NEW HOME

Hello.

Is anyone planning on moving house this year?
It's a stressful time, isn't it?
No moving on the cards for me but, I confess -  I love all that wrapping and packing, and boxes piled everywhere :-)

Here's a new home card to add to the pile.

Today I'm playing along at the  CAS Mix Up Challenge, where the technique they're looking for is PARTIAL DIE CUTTING

My house was stamped and partially die cut, then popped up on an inked background.
The other little dies - fences, flowers and bushes - were added in afterwards, to create a bit more interest.

CAS Mix Up Challenge

Partial die cutting, stamping, ink blending, copic marker colouring

supplies

wplus9 - neighbors, coloured with copics

distress ink - stormy sky, salty ocean, tumbled glass

Foxy

Hello.
It's been a while.
I've almost forgotten how to post!

Here's my first card of the year.
(I'm hoping to grab some more time in my craft room this year, now that the puppy is a bit older!)

My daughter and son-in-law are getting regular visits from a fox at the moment.
He likes to patrol the garden and wind up their dog and cats.
So, I thought this fox, hiding in the trees, would be perfect for my sil's birthday card. 

Challenge

Inkspirational

supplies

Wplus9 - feathers and florals

Mama Elephant - 3 Amigos 

Versacolor - Cyan, Turquoise, Celadon, Lime, Green Tea

HAPPY CHRISTMOOSE

Hello

Today was the first chance I have had to craft in ages.
I know it sounds ridiculous, but I was really nervous to make a card.
It's like I'd forgotten everything.
Does anyone else feel like that, after a time away?

To help me get started, I turned to the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.

It was also my first time inking up this Christmas Moose - 

isn't he the cutest - and so easy to colour.

CAS(E) this Sketch

clearly besotted - happy christmoose, coloured with copics

mft - inside and out stitched squares

ENJOY YOUR NEW HOME

Hello.

There's no excuse not to join the Library Challenge this week.
It's a 'reader's choice', so you can choose any book you like for inspiration.

I have been trying to guess the books from the current entries, 
but have failed miserably  :-)

Can you guess my inspiration book?

It was my first time inking this stamp set up, so I stamped every image a few times, die-cut them all, and then played around with them until my country house came together.

It's a simple design, but creating 3D elements by using foam tape, gives it more interest.

Did you guess my book?
It's what I am currently reading...

Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.

The Library Challenge

Wplus9 - neighbors stamp and die set.

Copics.   MFT - rectangle die 

QUILT IT

Hello.

This week I ended up down a rabbit hole of quilt patterns.
Fascinating.
Hubby told me not to get excited - I don't have time (or money) for another hobby :-)
So, I satisfied my craving by quilting with paper.

Here's the card I made for my dd and sil's 3rd wedding anniversary.

I began by inking up a panel with a rainbow of distress inks. 
I then used a small, stitched die to cut little squares.
I love how the stitching on the die, adds to the 'quilt' look.
Then I cut the squares into triangles, and with some plain white die-cuts, made up my 'quilt' pattern.

I added the letters for Annabel and Andy, and popped the whole thing up on my card base.
Finally, for some extra interest, I stuck some plain, white, leafy dies underneath.

This was fun to make, and there are so many quilt patterns out there to guide your design.
It's definitely something I will revisit.

Challenge

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge

Anything Goes

supplies

mft stamps - in and out stitched square dies, stitched alpha

distress ink

the works - leaf die

PIGEON POST

Hello.

I actually made it into my craft room today!
I let the puppy in and tried to persuade him to sit in his bed.
No such luck. 
After 10 minutes hoovering up every scrap of paper and sequin on the floor, trying to drag things off shelves, and then weeing on the carpet (him, not me!) 
I gave up.

I managed to make this card whilst he was sleeping.

I'm playing along at The Library Challenge, 

where the inspiration is a terrific sounding kids' book..

'Don't Let the Pigeon on the Bus'

My card was quick and simple.

I die cut lots of clouds and stuck them to a card panel.

Then I added my 'pigeon', a branch for him to perch on,

and an embossed sentiment.

The Library Challenge

supplies

Wplus9 - Happy Birds, coloured with Copics

The leaves die is from a set I got at The Works

Copics.   Wow Embossing Powder

And if anyone is wondering how the puppy is getting on, here he is with his best mates.

You can follow his antics on Instagram at Buster Paton

TIGER TIGER

Hello.

I'm heading to the library again today,
with an all time classic for inspiration...
The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

As usual, I had to get creative with my supplies,
using copic markers to turn this cat image into a tiger.
I think I might have got away with it  ;o)

The Library Challenge

 

Cat/Tiger -  MamaElephant 3 Amigos, coloured with Copics

Cupcake - Lawn Fawn, Beep Boop Birthday

Hi + Sentiment - WPlus9 Friends for all Seasons

Clouds Dies - Memory Box