Less is More Challenge Week 8

This week's challenge over on Less is More is to use a DL sketch card - I thought at first - okay not too hard!  However, I was wrong because although I thought I had conquered the white space on square or A5 cards, the amount of space hanging about on this size made me quite uneasy.   Having searched about for a stamp that would be suitable and would you believe finding none that I fancied or just right, (I'm sure you will know what I mean!!!!!)  I decided to try to use a couple of old favourites in a different way along with a never used stamp and a new Nellie Snellen die. 

My collection of this and that - made this

The lace border I stamped in Black on white card and cut out - it surprised me how much like lace it looks!

 The NS Eastern die No.2 - makes a perfect mat for the

Nestie Large Classic circle No3 die

I cropped the Hampton Art stamp and coloured with Marvy Le Plume pens (also forgotten and unused for ages)

  The See D's rose I stamped onto shrink plastic (guess what? - yes, another much underused purchase)

I feel rather chuffed with my finished card ....

I love this stamp but had grown tired of using it, but by cropping the image it looked completely different and revitalized!

Another lesson learnt from the LIM challenge - there life in the old dog stamp yet -  thanks ladies you are doing a great job making me think and look in the cupboard at my forgotten stash! 

Mind you, you didn't managed to stop me buying at the NEC yesterday, but then I wasn't alone was I Chrissie!

"Less is more" Weekly Challenge Blog

It's the 2nd week of "Less is more" Weekly Challenge Blog and the theme is a challenging one layer card featuring a tree or flower!

Since stamping straight onto card is not something that I do very often, it's a nerve thing! I first stamped out the image and place a nestie circle where I wanted the background circle to be.....and cut......

and to make a mask.  This made positioning much, much easier, but still a nerve racking moment when the stamp was hoovering over the card.  But.....

got it right!  Thank goodness!!

The stamp is from Elusive Images called Tall Trees (UA5SP0252) and the sentiment is PC generated.

The background is sponged with DI's Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed and Rusty Hinge. 

Chrissie and Mandi would love to have you visit, and be even more delighted if you join their challenge!

Enjoy your day,

Followers Gallery

Friday and it's time to showcase my Followers' Gallery. The card I have selected today is by Tracy from Scrapcatssscribbles.  Dies of all shapes lend themselve to easel cards and this one is real cute using plain and scallop circles.  The image is also a cutie by Lili Of The Valley and reminds me of being a child - "he loves, he loves me not" - I'm sure many of us have played this game!  Pop over to Tracy's blog and have a look at her other work, it's always good to make new crafting friends.



Thanks Tracy for supporting the Cupboard and welcome to the FFG.  Please send your fairy over here to blow some lucky fairy dust my way!

Hi my friends, I send you all greetings and my very best wishes on this World Kindness Day!

A day to say thank you for the kindness you have shown in caring and thinking about Dave and myself over the last two months when life was painfull, and difficult.  Your kindness in sending messages from all over the world has been a great comform and very much appreciated by us both.  I hope on this day that life is well with you and yours and that kindness surrounds you.  There is a saying "little things mean a lot!" - how true we have found this to be!! 

It seems that I have not been posting a great deal of crafting or tutorials of  late.  One reason, although being on the EIDT is a fab experience and I'm enjoying the challenge, it is time consuming and because we are producing samples of new stamps I'm not able at the time to share them with you.  So, I was very excited to learn that the new Family Christmas stamps are being released soon and you will be able to visit the gallery and see what we have all been up to!?!?!?

In the meantime I thought you might like to see one of my Christmas cards made with EI stamps 

I have used 2 sizes of  mega rectangle dies - one larger stamped, coloured with distress inks and Promarkers and then triple embossed.  The smaller embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.  The circle is another Spellbinder die stamped, coloured and guess what?  Yes, triple embossed.  Although these dies may have been about for a long time, they are still useful aids to crafting, and by combining different dies you can certainly make interesting cards!  Have you looked at your old dies recently?  Have you tried combining different shapes?  Have you any interesting examples to show me?  Would love to hear from you! 

Thanks for dropping by, kind regards, 

 

Friday's Followers Gallery - 3rd Sept.

Hi, I'm late today with my FFG post and again I have to apologize to Julie, but this is what happened and if you read it in a book you would not believe it!

I returned home last night jubilant over a bowls match victory that gave us the 1st Division Ladies Championship. To unwind from the tension, I switched on the tele and started to watch a programme on not sleeping (something I'm good at) and being kept awake by snoring. It was interesting! The programme reached a point where this couple jumped into bed, the husband (being the snorer, of course) was going to try this new idea of placing a shield on the roof of his mouth, the wife leaned over, kissed him and said "goodnight" - switched off the light, the scene when black, we sat there also in darkness for a few seconds waiting for the prog to return - would the man be snoring or not!?!??!? Nothing, just as the light when out so did our power! 18 hours later, it's just come back on!

Anyway, back to Julie and her card.

This is what you call using your dies to the full!

If you pop over to Julie's blog you will find a detailed explanation of how to acheive this brill card.  Well done Jule, and thanks for sharing and allowing me put this in the Friday's Followers Gallery. 

I'm having a day out tomorrow since it's my birthday, but please feel free to have a look around the Cupboard, I'm sure you'll finding of interest in my back posts. 

Nestabilities - use the small dies

Hi, it's sunny again - perhaps summer has returned!  I have today managed to finish planting up my tubs and hangind baskets now they need a bit of warmer to bring them on, and in the meantime I'm back crafting.

I sat on the sofa last night and coloured!  I had a new stamp from Elusive Images and although Glenda had supplied a coloured image for guidance, I found it a challenge with my Promarkers.  After three attempts I was pleased with the colours and the shading of the leaves.  On I went this morning to triple embossing - but the card was too thin and the result was poor in places.  I liked the image so much that I wondered if I could salvage it in some way.  The answer was YES!

I stamped the image straight onto the front of the card and edged the centre fold with three lines.

 A few of the leaves I watercoloured....

then added my cut down embossed image and a sentiment cut

 with the smallest circle die.

So from disaster came a card that I had no idea that I was making!

Now I know why I don't like throwing things away!!

Nestabilities - Make more use of your dies

Nestabilities are so useful, but do you get as much use out of them as you could? 

Today I will show you what was in the black box (sorry it's a day late, but travelling home was delay).

This is how I made my card

using a pierceabilities die (but not embossing or piercing the pattern) I cut my base card and two layers.

from the top layer - cut out the butterfly shape to reveal the under layer, and  from heat embossing acetate cut a second shape which I stamped over and embossed in gold.

assembled with an ribbon and sentiment. 

Now for the inside of my card - which is the surprise element.....

cut 2 layers of paper

Cut 3  Nesties circle (emboss 2) and fold as shown.  You could use squares and get the same effect.

Join together

Cut a number of butterflies and fold. I used a double sided DP and heat embossing acetate.  This works really well and adds a bit of glitz! 

assembled  your card will look like this!  If you need more info on this  pop-up design check out this tutorial that I did last year.

Sometimes you forget just what dies you have, and since they are expensive why not use them more - on this card I have use three different ones to give interest and texture.  The reason I didn't show it previously was because I enter the card  in a Spellbinder GDT call, but unfortunately it was not good enough!    I think I overlooked the fact that although I designed this pop up card  last year, and despite updating the idea with the 3D butterflies, so many crafters have copied it, that it probably seem mudane and ordinary!   Still you live and learn!!  There'll be another time!!!

Cuttlebug - 2009 Top Tip No. 3 - Make a Pop-up Card with Nestabilities

I just had to add this to my Top Tips List as No.3....Hope you agree?

From my Tutorial in July 2009:

"I have been playing around with my large scalloped circles and discovered that I could make a pop-up card really easily.

This is the method I used. Cut 3 circles.

Fold as illustration - 2 one way and 1 the other and crease well.

Open out and join together so you have this shape










On the inside card crease fold - line up the centre fold of the pop-up
and tape the outer circles to the card

Hey Presto....you have made a pop-up card - I just added butterflies to complete the look.




I decorated the front with 3 butterfly dies embossed with the CB Textile and Swiss Dots folders. The cardstock was embossed with the Frills Flower Border on the front and back and the edges cut with a scalloped Pierceabilitie die."

This card not only uses Nestabilitie dies, but also Butterfly shapeabilities and a Pierceabilitie border die.  My motto is "If you have them - use them".  Are you using yours????

Back tomorrow (hopefully PC permitting - it's being very naughty at the moment) with Tip No. 2

Spellbinder and Cuttlebug Christmas Card No.26

Hi, There are only a couple of Spellbinder Nestabilities and Shapeabilities on this card, but the Bug still proved its worth having for a couple of finishing touches!

Tools and Materials for this card:
Shapeabilitie - Create a snowflake
Nestabilities - Classic and Scallop Circle
CB - Embossing folder - Swiss Dots
Paper - HOTP
Stamps - Inkadinkado Snowman/Creative Expressions sentiment
Fiskar snowflake punch

From the close-up you will see I have embossed the centre fold edge.  I actually did this after I had covered the card front.  (An afterthought!).  On the edge of the paper I used a punch - this was a bit fiddly to stick down, but looks good as a contrast.  The tag was from the same paper set, just mounted on white card, and once again that snowman stamp I love!  The snowflake on the tag is a Create a flake die.

                                     

On the inside you will see that I have used a classic and scallop circle for the sentiment and also that the embossing from the front is carried on to the back page.  I did this by placing the whole of the card inside the folder.  2 score lines finish it off nicely!

No.26 Christmas card done and dusted.  Just have to decide who will be receiving this one!

See you tomorrow.  ikki

Nestabilities and Cuttlebug Folders - Christmas No.23

Hi, this card is one which I made last year for the NS Breast Care Unit.  When I showed it a few weeks ago, it caused some confusion as to how I achieved this look.    .

So, here is how I did it.....

First off I printed the sentiment, then using the Swiss Dots folder across the card embossed and added a score line.

The 2 half circles DO NOT OPEN.  They were made by cutting the largest scalloped circle, which I embossed with the Snowflake folder and slightly inked.  Then cut in half.   By punching 2 eyelets and joining together with ribbon from the scalloped edge - you get the effect that it will open.   If you used vellum or a lightweight paper you could wrap a full circle round the card.  It's one of those things on my list to try, but has yet not done.  Perhaps tomorrow! 

Hope this clears up any confusion - it makes simple little card, but it gives a very effective look.  Let me know if you try it.....Bye for now.

Cuttlebug Cards - Christmas No.12

Hi Cuttlers, thanks for joining me today for my Cuttlebug Christmas Card No.12. I have to thank you also for the response I have had over the last few days - your comments help and encourage me to continue to strive for new ideas! Do you like this one?


To make this card I used:
Cardstock 8" x 6"
Shapeabilities - Create a flake
Borderabilities - Spades
Nestie - classic and scallop circle
papers - Basic Grey
Ribbon and various stamps to pattern a patterned paper

I started by making a fold 2" from edge. This creates a 6" x 6" card with a front flap. Next I stamped the front of the flap and the inside with various snowflake and swirls stamps in silver to show up against the turquoise card and maroon/white paper.
Decorate the flap with contrasting paper, die cut the edge of the paper for added interest. Add embellishment and ribbon (this I twisted to be a bit differnt).
On the inside of the card I used various stamps to decorate my already patterned paper. Something I'm growing more confident in doing - I may be defacing beautiful designs by BG, but I just LOVE doing it! On the inside of the flap I added Santa to complete my Season's Greetings.


To finish - a snowflake.

Well that's No.12 completed. Now for No.13 - I'm not superstitious, but I have my fingers cross that nothing goes wrong with this one! Hope you'll have time to drop by tomorrow to see how I got on......

Cuttlebug Tutorial - Christmas No. 8

Here we go with my Cuttlebug Christmas Card No. 8. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced Cuttler you can make this - it's a fun card and it's quick and easy to make!

You will need:
6" x 8" red hammer cardstock - scored to make a 6" x 4" card
Any Christmasy embossing folder - I used the snowflake
Any shape of Nestie - I used a scalloped petite circle
Pattern paper to match and extra card
an embellishment
Gems,Ribbon (or string - my is garden twine!)

To make the tag: First emboss a strip of red card, then placing it over your paper, cut your circle. My tag and eyelet are chipboard - I picked these up in a bargain box (as you do!) and then couldn't think what to do with them, so I was pleased when I found a way to use them. Add your ribbon, or string in my case because the colour matched perfectly with the paper and I had no matching ribbon anyway. Done! Ezee, pzee...what do you think?


For the base card: Emboss a 1" strip at the top and bottom of your card. Finish the pattern off with an line done on your score board (what a useful piece of equipment this is!) Add your tag.


You have finished one quick, easy, eyecatching, fun card. I like this one, hope you do too!

Off to think about No. 9....?!?!?!?? Hope you'll have time to drop by to see what I have to show you.

Cuttlebug Tutorial - Christmas No 5

• Hi Cuttlers, after my lazy day I'm back with a little, but cute Cuttlebug Christmas card - No.5 on my list.

I used:
3 sizes of scallop Nestabilities - This is the Petite die, but Classic would also be okay.
8 x 4 cardstock
Vellum - a holly printed pattern
ink, holly stamp and ribbon

If you would like to see how to make this type of card - check here - you will find a previous tutorial with examples of some great cards made by my blogger mate, Barbara.

Well that's No.5 completed....now for No.6....hope you'll join me tomorrow and please let me know if you have used any of my ideas so I can return your visit.