LIM : Feeling Fruity!

Well….Chrissie and Mandi have really challenged me this weekend on the Less is More Challenge:  Feeling Fruity….I don’t know about you guys!!

After a fruitless search of my stash though, I’ve settled on a bit of Punch Art.  I only have the Cheers to You set that Mandi has already used….I may give that a go later!

I made two cards because I couldn’t decide where to put the sentiment….

 

This was my first one.  To make the strawberry  I’ve punched a heart from Real Red card stock and stars out of Old Olive.  I’ve embossed the heart using Perfect Polka Dots and cut the stars in half to make the spiky leaves.  used Real Red for the strawberry. 

The sentiment is computer-generated on to Whisper White using the Fabulous 50 font….I can’t stop using it! It is what it says…Fabulous!

Finally, as you can see in the photo, I’ve layered the image on to Basic Black and stuck on the front of a 15cm square card blank.

On my second card I’ve made a topper using the scallop trim punch and a bit of gingham ribbon from my stash.  This time I’ve made the image central but I’ve made the strawberry in exactly the same way.

Right!  Off to meet my visiting family from Darlington.

Back tomorrow…hopefully!

BFN
Linda
x

Get Well Soon, Jen!!

You don’t know how good your mates at work are until they aren’t there, do you!  My friend, Jenny is at home waiting to hear about an operation she needs to have.  So I made her a card…..but forgot to take it when we went to see her on Monday!! *sigh*

Jen is my crafty partner and together we make and sell cards at our office.  In her (and mine) absence last week our craft-curious friend Louisa had sweetly sent a ‘get well soon card’ round the office for people to sign to send to Jen.  Of course, unbeknown to Lou the card she selected was one Jen herself had made.  So it amused Jen that we actually sent her her own ‘Get Well Soon’ card!

Anyways,  I made this card as a voucher holder.  Louisa made a collection and to stop Jen going stir crazy we sent her a voucher for some crafty stuff!

I’ve used the Hopeful Thoughts stamp set, colouring it in with my Stampin’ Write markers.  The sentiment is from the same set.  I’ve embossed Early Espresso using Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and tied ribbon down the side.  I’ve actually coloured Whisper White ribbon with my marker so it’s a perfect match for the blue.

So Jen….this is what you should have got Monday!  Hope you like it! AND GET WELL SOON!  Work is just dull without your mates around you.

I’m entering this card in the following  challenges:

Anything Goes {Flowers}

The Crafty Pad {Embossing Dry or Heat}

2 Sisters Challenge {Anything Goes}

BFN
Linda
X

DID YOU KNOW….?

….the new Stampin’ Up Catalogue and Ideas Book is on its way!!! YAY!!  New stuff!

In October, the new Stampin’ Up Catalogue will be released and to coincide with its release I’ll be starting a new Crafty Stampers Club.  To sign up please let me know before 1st September 2011 so I can get the catalogues ordered.  This club will be busy so it will be on a first come first in basis :-).

As a member of a Crafty Stamper Club you will receive a copy of the catalogue and any mini catalogue released during the length of the club.  For a £15/month commitment, the club will last for 1o months – one month of which you will receive the hostess benefits.  It’s all good stuff!! 

For more options, visit my Crafty Stampers page .
(FYI – details and  benefits might change slightly, but the minimum commitment will still be £15/month).

So don’t forget…..to sign up for the new Catalogue Crafty Stampers club, drop me an email at craftydistraction@virginmedia.com or call/text me on 07808 471 372 before the 1st September.

BFN
Linda
X

Bright and Easy

I looked at my post yesterday…it was rather blue!  So today I’m in the pink!  Could this be any brighter? :-)

I’m using the Slice of Life Stamp Set again, available as  a hostess gift when you have a workshop worth £150 or more.

I’ve used Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight…with a little Baja Breeze….for the colour combination.  I’ve stamped the cake onto whisper white and paper pieced the icing.  I’ve then 3D’d this on to circle of textured card and matted that on to Melon Mambo.   I’ve used the scallop trim punch to make the border in Melon Mambo, trimmed with Daffodil Delight spotty paper.  With a sentiment from Curly Cute…that’s card complete!

Bit brighter than yesterday, don’t you think?

I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Allsorts {Anything Goes}

Make it Monday {Linky Party}

Paper Cutz {Anything Goes}

Totally Gorjuss {Punch or Die}

Bling it On {Anything Goes}

 

BFN
Linda
X

A Slice of Life

Hmmm….right now I’m sitting here with mud up my arms and under my nails just before setting out to work because my eldest son wanted to put his new tent away to take with him to his cousins house today! *sigh*  Why do they always pick the most inopportune times to do anything!!!
Anyhow…I made a couple of cards from the Slice of Life Stamp Set last night but wanted to wait til today to photo them.  I think they’re cute…

This first one uses the flowers from the Slice of Life set and Elegant Wallpaper embossing folder.  The greeting is from the Party This Way set.  I’ve used Baja Breeze as my colour and paper pieced the vase using scraps of paper from Elegant Soiree DSP.  I’ve finished it with Whisper White ribbon tied in a knot.
This second one uses the baby grow from the Slice of Life set.  I’ve stamped it five times on to card stock and Baja  Breeze DSP papers (can you see a theme here!!).  I’ve used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder on Whisper White to create the background and  matted it on to Baja Breeze cs before sticking to the card front.  I stamped the baby grows along the front of the card, using my SAMJ for positioning and then 3D’d alternate ones.  Hmm…not the best photo, but you can get what I mean.
This set is available as a Hostess gift when you host a party to the value of £150.  If you’d like to host your own party, just drop me a line :-).
I’m entering these cards in the following challenges:
The Crafty Pad {Embossing dry or heat}
2 Sisters Challenge {Anything Goes}
Allsorts {Free and Easy July}
Crafty Us Crazy {Anything Goes}

Bargains at Ikea

Yes…I know!  You can go round Ikea and pick up lots of things at £1 or £2 get to the checkout and have spent 50 quid…..but I had to share these jars!!  At just 95p each I bought them and filled them with my ribbons!!! 

They’ll look great in my craft room.  Now all I need is a craft room .

BFN
Linda
X

LIM: Button or Ribbon

Afternoon all!  No doubt you’ve all seen the new challenge on Less is More.  This week us Limettes need to use a button or ribbon on our card so here’s my first entry this week – using ribbon!

It’s given me a chance to use the Hopeful Thoughts Stamp Set from Stampin’ Up!  I’ve stamped the tree in Early Espresso and the sentiment in Cajun Craze, matting the image on to Early Espresso (with a scalloped trim) and added a coordinating ribbon using my bow maker to tie the bow like Chrissie.  I’ve then 3D’d it on to Cajun Craze stuck the image on to the front of a 15cm square card blank.

I think it’s missing a bit of glitz…but I’m not sure where to add it!  I might bling the branches with a bit of copper stickles….what do you all think?

Thanks for looking….I’m off to check out the other entries now.

BFN
Linda
X

More than one fold

Morning all!  It’s been a while since I’ve made a morning post!  I actually made this card last night….inspired by Phill’s class….but waited for the morning to take the pics!

To make the card I’ve cut an A3 sheet of card in half lengthways.  I’ve measured along the long side and scored and folded at 14.5cm and 29cm.  I’ve then folded the front flap back on itself to create the front step part of the card.

I’ve matted Baja Breeze card with the Elegant Soiree papers from Stampin’ Up!, using two different patterns to give a contrast.  The image (one of my favourites from Lotv) is matted onto baja breeze too and then 3d’d on to the back fold of the card.  I’ve coloured Whisper White ribbon using a Stampin’ Write marker to get the exact Baja Breeze colour and tied this to the top of the back fold.

I’ve used the scallop trim punch on Baja Breeze CS and stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso.  The ‘Congratulations’ sentiment is from the Curly Cute stamp set.  This is a brilliant set because the sentiments are a good size and include ‘Thank You’, ‘Season’s Greetings’, ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘Thank You’.  Well worth its £16.95 price tag.  Finally I’ve embellished it with some cute little flowers.

So…all in all, quite a simple card to make….but it looks very elegant!

I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Anything Goes {More Than One Fold}

Papertake Weekly {Getting Cute}

Toptip Tuesday {Shaped Cards}

Make it Monday {Linky party}

Thanks for reading

BFN
Linda
X

WooHoo! Summer holidays are here!!

Well…they will be after tomorrow!  And we’re definitely ready for them!  Can’t wait!  We’ve been soooo busy, I know the kids will be glad of the break!!

Here’s the finished teachers cards and presents:

This is for my eldest boy who is off to BIG school next year! Yep, Year 7 (or 1st year seniors to most of us!).  He’s sooo looking forward to it….and I’m dreading it! *sob* My little boy is growing up!!  I think it’s Year 7 when you start becoming an embarassment to them….he assures me he will still talk to me when he sees me though .

I’ve used Wasabi Green and Early Espresso colours to make the card and added a little “Charlie” using the ‘All in the Family’ Stamp Set from Stampin’ Up!

My little middley is changing schools too!  He’s moving up to juniors and is fast becoming Mr Independent!  I asked him what he was going to write in his card.  He said “To Mrs Fish, from Max”.  He’s a boy of very little words! 

I added a acetate window to the bird house for this one, and a velcro fastener on one side of the roof.  I don’t want them to be destroyed when trying to get the chocs out afterall!!!  Again, I’ve used ‘All in the Family’ again to make a mini Max.  I’ve 3D’d his shirt and tie over the pair of trousers to make him slightly shorter than his brother above!  I’ve then 3D’d the image to the top of the card to give it dimension.

And finally my youngest and pinkest!  Annie is actually changing schools.  But Annie was Miss Independent the day she was born!  She’s going to be fine, even though she’s leaving nursery and moving to the same school as Max (‘big’ school) in September.  It makes for easier logistics but we’re going to miss the nursery!  She’s loved every minute of it there and she’s loved being in Mrs Wyatt’s class.  I do hope these make it to Mrs Wyatt though.  It’s taken me all my time to stop Annie eating them all!!  Bless!

Again, I’ve used ‘All in the Family’ but have paper pieced mini Annie a pink dress.  I’ve 3D’d the image over a strip of card and ribbon, and tied a little bow to the side.

So hope you like them!  I’m entering the cards in the following challenges:

Allsorts {Free and Easy July}

Creative Craft Challenge {3D It }

Everybody Art Challenge {Dots}

BFN
Linda
X

More Circles!

Well, as I mentioned last night, I spent the evening making this card – just one card!!! Like my card yesterday, this card also morphed several times before I was “happy” with it.  I’ll let you be the judge as to whether it works or not!

I’ve used lots of my Stampin’ Up stash to make this!  Firstly I cut a circle from Marina Mist and rolled some Funky Trees across the middle in Old Olive.  I then added some DSP stripey Old Olive paper to the bottom half of the circle and matted the whole thing on to a bigger circle embossed using Perfect Polka Dots.  On a separate piece of card I rolled some houses using the jumbo Neighborhood wheel, coloured it in and cut it out.  I then 3d’d this on to the front of the circle.  I finished it with a Cherry Cobbler scalloped trim and embellished with little flowers to follow the challenge sketch over on Mojo Monday this fortnight. 

So what took me all night?  Well, I tried masking and inking the sky….didn’t like it!  I tried paper piecing the roof of the house….it looked messy!  The rolling took a while to get right….I really need to invest in the Stampin’ Up roller guide!  And finally…I was watching the Sky Premiere ‘Devil’ while doing this!!  Had to keep stopping and rewinding it to see what I had missed!! LOL!

Got there in the end though. I’m entering this in the following challenges:

Mojo Monday Challenge {Sketch}

Less is More {Circles}

Cute Card Thursday {Going Round in Circles}

Thanks for looking

BFN
Linda
X

WooHoo!! Top 3 from Simply Stampin’

Just a quicky!  I’ve spent all night making a card but I’ll share that tomorrow!!  I’ve just settled down to do a bit of blog-hopping and…..

I MADE THE TOP 3 AT SIMPLY' STAMPIN’!!!!!  YAY!!! They liked my little birdhouses.

.

OK….time for bed!

LIM: Circles!

I can’t believe it’s taken all day to decide on my design for the Less is More challenge this week!!  And this isn’t how it started out! But I think it
works.

This actually started life as a New home card, my plan being to arrange the circles along the bottom of the card with a house image at the end.  However, the more I played with it the more it started to look like a…..caterpillar!  So it morphed and became the card above…well, after the third attempt!! Not gonna bore you with the detail (I screwed up the sentiment first time then made it upside down on the second attempt but don’t tell anyone!!!).

So, this is just a load of circles punched out of the spotty Brights DSP arranged and inked to make them stand out.  I used the facial features from the Make a Monster stamp set from Stampin’ up but had to draw the nose in feehand (apparently monsters  don’t have noses!!).  I then made a grassy fringe out of some stripey DSP paper and nestled the caterpillar into the grass.  Finally I added a sentiment – it was a toss up between “Get Well soon” or “Happy Birthday” but as my eldest pointed out….you get Caterpillar birthday cakes so why not a Caterpillar card.
Hope you like it .

I’m also entering this card in the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday {Going Round in Circles}

 

BFN
Linda
X

Have a Hoot!!

Ok…I know…just like the butterflies, I’m now obsessing with Owls!  But I just love this punch from Stampin’ Up!

 

He lends himself to sooo many occasions….and he’s sooo simple to use (as I prove here!).

Here I’ve used Early Espresso and Baha Breeze as my colours (with a little bit of Cherry Cobbler for his chest and Old Olive for the leaves).  I’ve simply softened the edges of the DSP Baha Breeze spotty paper by inking it with Early Espresso and stuck it flat onto the card.  I’ve sat Woodsy on a branch and 3d’d a computer-generated sentiment (using Fabulous 50’s font that Jenny over on Crafting in the Country has used this week) in the top corner.  I added a twist of ribbon behind the sentiment to add a bit of interest.

So a NAS card .  Hope you like it.

I’m entering this in Simon Says Challenge this week….Anything goes!!! 

BFN
Linda
X

9 Days to school holidays…woohoooo!

So I thought I’d get a jump on the ‘Farewell and Thank you’ presents for teachers.  This year, all my children are moving schools.  From juniors to comp, infants to juniors and nursery to infants! *sniff*  They grow up so fast!!

So I’ve been working on these for a  couple of days but still haven’t quite finished them but I’m sharing anyways.  I got the idea after seeing the product from Phill Martin’s mini craftathon from last month.  He made a birdhouse using a Polkadoodles template.  Perfect for holding chocolates!!  Here’s my take on it:

Cute, aren’t they!

They aren’t quite finished….still need to stick the roofs on (after the chocolates are in) and bling them a bit, but you get the idea.  I’ve made these using Early Espresso as the base and matting them with DSP in Wasabi Green, Real Red and Baja Breeze. Oh..and don’t forgetting Woodsy (as I think they call him in the States), the iconic Owl from Stampin’ Up! I love him and have such big plans with him. 

I’ll be running a class on 20th August using Woodsy as the subject.  He’s soooo versatile.  I’ll work the details out and post it on my Events Page but please let me know if you are interested (no obligation!!).  Places will be limited as the class will likely be at my house.

I’m entering these in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge {Free and Easy}

Simply Stampin’ {Anything but a Card}

Cupcake Challenge {No.9 Spots and Dots} (you get to pick one of 150 challenges on Cupcake this week!!)

Make it Monday {Linky Party}

Come back soon to check out the Teacher’s gifts

BFN
Linda
X

LIM: Some thing with Legs OLC

I love these one layer challenges!  And they really are a challenge!  It takes me ages to figure something out for them but today I settled on using Wedding Wheels stamp set from Stampin’ Up!

Here’s the process I went through and the reason I’m covered in ink!  I started using post-it notes to mask off a square….my masking didn’t work!  I’d left gaps (all be them very slight) in between the post-its so that kinda ruined the effect.
So this is my second attempt.  I made a template using my nesties.  I cut a circle from the front of a 15cm card blank.  I then sandwiched another card in that template and secured it to my desktop with post-its.  This gave me my window to work in.  After stamping the image (using my SAMJ* to position it), I inked the window using Marina Mist, Pacific Blue and Night of Navy, getting darker towards the edges.  (Here’s a quick tip: because I’ve not used Whisper White, by using my SAMJ I could get a clear image by stamping over it several times on some not so smooth card!!!)
So then I removed the template and doodled a line for the tightrope ground (but you have to admit, it does look a bit like a circus act…LOL!).  The ‘Congratulations’ is from the Wedding Sweet stamp set.
So what do you reckon?  I think I’ll try this again with a bit more ground but it definitely sticks to the Less is More look . 


And I’m not the only thing that got inky while making this card.  Annie was left to her own devices…hope it comes off before her show at the school carnival at 2pm!!


I’m also entering this in the following challenges:
Cupcake Craft Challenge { Single Layer }
Papertake Weekly {Anything Goes}
Toptip Tuesday {Wedding or Anniversary}
BFN
Linda
X
*Stamp-a-ma-jig, available from Stampin’ Up through me

Happy Anniversary

Afternoon!  It’s a bit breezy in Nottingham today!  Where’s all that sun they keep promising!  *sigh*
So today I have a BAS* card. 

I’ve made this for the Toptip Tuesday Challenge.  Leanne has a fab tutorial this week for making Exploding Boxes.  Check it out on Leanne’s blog!


I’ve made this card using the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set, Real Red card and ink and of course Whisper White for stamping on.  I don’t think an explanation is needed this time….except to say, I used my brilliant SAMJ (as I now call my my Stamp-a-ma-jig) to line the hearts up and heart nesties to create the stacked embellishment.

A really simple, but effective card I think .  As well as Toptip Tuesday I’m going to enter this in the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge {Free and Easy}
Papertake Weekly {Anything Goes}
BFN
Linda
X
p.s. BAS = Bright and Simple (trying to start a new craze..)

Back to CAS

Ok…my last couple of cards have been borderline CAS recently so I’m getting back to the Clean and Simple look today but  I’m sticking with the blue theme:

I’ve used the Level One Hostess Set from Stampin’ Up!  Silhouette Sentiments and stamped flowers in Night of Navy, Pacific Point, Marina Mist and Baha Breeze.  I’ve then inked around the stems to “ground them”.  (I’ve actually used this technique before.  You can see it here.)
I’ve matted the image on to  Marina Mist, adding a border with the Scallop trim punch, and 3d’d it to the front of a 15cm card.
BUT what to do for the sentiment?  I’ve used a dark card blank (Night of Navy) and having constructed my card before thinking about the sentiment I was a little stuck for the medium to use….
So I resorted to good old-fashioned handwriting.  Adds a personal touch too.  I’ve used the Signo uni-ball Gel Pen for this….available from Stampin’ Up! at £3.75. 
So I hope you like it.  I definitely think this technique of stamping a “wild field of flowers” is soo suitable for any occasion.  I’d love to see your versions…
I’m entering this in the following challenges:
Less is More {Shades of Blue}
Papertake Weekly {Anything Goes}
Allsorts Challenge {Free and Easy}
BFN
Linda
X

Patchwork Card

Afternoon! 

This is turning out to be a blue week in more ways than one!! Oooer...I'd better clarify that quickly!! LOL!
Well, not only have I been considering blue cards for the latest Less is More Challenge, work is also a bit blue this week as all my girl friends are ill and working at home!! *sob* .  Makes for a very dull week at work!!

Anyhow....I've had a go at a patchwork card today. 

I've used squares of DSP papers Baja Breeze, Marina Mist and Tempting Turquoise.  I've inked the edges with Night of Navy and stuck them to the front of 15cm square card.  I've added a greeting (from Stampin' Up's Party This Way) and finally embellished it with a Daisy cut using the Flowers, Daisies #2 die from Stampin' Up!  This is available in the Mini catalogue until September.

So it is very blue, and (IMHO) very simple.  I'm entering this in the following challenges:
The Paper Shelter (Anything Goes)
2 Sisters Challenge Blog (Birthdays)
Crafts & Me (Birthdays)
Less is More (Shades of Blue - although after a recent comment, I'm thinking this is probably NAS* and not CAS)

Hope to see you tomorrow!
BFN
Linda
x



*Nice and Simple

Butterflies!!!

Well, it has been a while!!  And they are my favourites!!  Beautiful Wings from Stampin’ Up:

This is one time my picture is allowed to look a bit blue….although I did have to nip put to the garden to take it this morning!

I’ve used Night of Navy, Marina Mist and Baja Breeze cardstock with DSP from the subtle colour family.  I’ve matted and layered a greeting in the centre and embellished it with one final butterfly. 

I’ve made this card for a challenge over on “Just Us Girls” and have used their sketch this week (made it in to a square card though).  But I’m also entering it in to the following challenges:

Less is More {Shades of Blue}

Flutterby Wednesdays {Open}

So a good start to the week.

BFN
Linda
X

LIM: Shades of Blue

Well, this makes a change!  Sun on a weekend…?  Doesn’t that usually happen when it’s back to work time!!

We’ve had a lovely day in the garden.  The boys have now taken themselves off to nana’s house which his given me a chance to make my card for the Less is More challenge this week.  Once again, I feel inspired so this might be one of a few .

I’ve used Marina Mist and Night of Navy blues from Stampin’ Up and the ‘Simply Said’ Stamp set.  The Happy Birthday is from ‘Party This Way’.

I started by embossing Night of Navy with Polka Dots and creating a trim with the my scallop punch.  I’ve stuck these flat on to the card front.  Then, on I’ve stamped and cut out a solid heart of Night of Navy (using whisper white card of course, it really is the best for stamping), and I’ve 3d’d this on to an outline heart.  I’ve added a stem using my sizzix embosslit and matted the image on to Marina Mist.  I’ve then 3d’d the image over to the right side of the card.  Finally, I’ve added the sentiment….simple, but then that’s the name of the game .

So…best go and retrieve the boys.  I think nana probably needs a break by now .

BFN
Linda
x

Kraft Man….with my man!

Well, I’m grabbing a five minute breather before the mayhem starts again.  I’m out on a leaving do tonight but I’ve just about had enough time to check out the Cas-ual Friday challenge (hope I get the right week this week!!).  This week they are looking for something masculine with Kraft.

I’ve been crafting and eating and chatting about the school day with the kids and the number of famous people my husband has seen today (he’s working at some luxury apartments) all at the dining table so this is essentially a family effort and here it is:

 

I’ve made this using the Party This Way stamp set from Stampin’ Up! and my colours are Old Olive, Marina Mist and Real Red.  Of course, my Kraft connection is the lovely Crumb Cake and I’ve used that as my card.

I’ve stamped the balloon and cut it out.  After I attached it to the card I’ve used Crystal Effects (£5.75) to make it shine (and look more like a balloon).  I’ve added a string to the balloon and a bow to the tag using some twine I found in my stash.

 

I asked Paul (hubby) if he thought it was manly enough.  His suggestion?  Maybe add a bit of ribbon to the tag to make it a present!  WHAT?! Ribbon?? On a man’s card!!!?  Is he mad!!!?

Hope you like it….right, I’m off out!  See you tomorrow

BFN
Linda
x