Less is More: Brown Eyes

Well I’ve spent a lovely afternoon with my nieces today.  They’ve been making cards for their mum and I’ve been making a card for this week’s Less is More challenge.  This week Chrissie and Mandi have challenged us to feature the colour of our eyes on a card.  So I’ve had to go with brown….it’s the closest thing to hazel!

 

I’ve used the Just Believe stamp set from stamping in to make this rather vintage looking card. 

I love this shape.  It makes a nice change to make a card that’s not a square.  Here’s a close up of the flowers.  I’ve added a pearl to the centre of each flower to detract from the fact that they are brown flowers….LOL!

 

 

I’ve inked the edges of the leaves to make them stand out a bit.

So I hope you like it!  

 

 

I’m also entering this in the following challenges:

Just Us Girls 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allsorts  {5 Flowers or more}

Crafting For All Seasons {Autumn Colours}

Die Cuttin Divas {Shabby Chic or Vintage}

BFN
Linda
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CAS-ual Fridays : Embossing

I don’t usually make cards this size, but inspired by Stampin’ Melissa (as seen on Ebay) I’ve created this card using the Just Believe stamp set for the challenge over on CAS-ual Fridays  : Embossing.

The image is the perfect size for an A6 card.  I’ve used Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso.  To give it a vintage look, I’ve embossed the backing using Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and inked it over.  I’d forgotten how easy this set is to use….

I wasn’t the only one making cards yesterday.  Max was very busy making cards for his dad and me too.  Very cute they are too!

BFN
Linda
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Flutterby Monochrome!

Hmmm..not had much time for craft today.  That pesky day job keeps getting in the way.  But I’ve had a flit around the challenges today and decided on a mash up….two of my favourite challenges!  Flutterby Wednesday are looking for something with Polka Dots, and of course Less is More still have their Monochrome challenge – see, I knew I couldn’t leave it alone!!


So this is the Just Believe stamp set from Stampin’ Up (….again!!  I hope you’re not getting bored with it!!) I’ve run the bottom of the card blank through my Big Shot to give it some Polka Dots and added a scalloped border in Marina Mist.  I’ve stamped the image on to Whisper White in Pacific Blue and Marina Mist, cut it out and 3d’d it to the front of a card.  I’ve then finished it off with a “Happy Birthday” sentiment and of course the obligatory butterflies in matching DSP.
So if you need anymore information about any of my  cards, please feel free to drop me a note…..or check out the beautiful products in the catalogues (check out the links n my side bar).
Thanks for looking…I hope you come back soon.
BFN
Linda
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LIM: Last Monochromatic Card….maybe :-)

Morning!  Thanks for all the comments on my monochrome cards entered on the Less is More Challenge so far this week!  I have one more today…before I try and move on (it’s just so much fun!!!).For this card I’ve reverted back to my trusty Just Believe stamp set and stamped the smaller foliage stamp in Peach Parfait, Tangerine Tango and Cajun Craze.  I’ve added a border using the scallop trim punch and a bit of ribbon from my stash.  The sentiment is from Heard from the Heart and is blinged up a bit….

It’s a nice bright colour….such a different look from the black and white card I made using the same set, don’t you think?  Just shows how versatile it can be . 
Hope you like it.  I’m off to catch up on some card hopping now.  The entries this week are fabulous…again!  Well done, LIMettes!!

BFN
Linda
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Less Is More–Monochromatic

Woohoo….it’s Saturday and Dad is home to entertain the children so although the sun is shining, I’ve found time to check out the Less is More Challenge this week (it was actually the first thing I checked this morning…but don’t want to seem too keen.  The theme is MONOCHROMATIC:

I’ve never really done much with monochrome so this is probably my first ever monochromatic card.  I doubt it shall be my last! LOL!
I’ve used the ‘Just Believe’ Stamp set in Basic Black.  The sentiment is from Silhouette Sentiments.  I stamped the image once, then aligned it with my Stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped it again without re-inking it.  I also inked the edges of the card before matting it on to Basic Black card.
I finished it off with some clear rhinestones under the sentiment and a fancy bow in black.

But it’s  not a very cheery card, is it?  So you know I’m going to have to have another go!  Chrissie and Mandi’s challenges can keep me busy all week!!
Well, off to enjoy the remainder of the sun.  I think we’re off swimming too.  Come back soon for more .
BFN
Linda
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Early post, late night!

Well, I’m off for a night out with girl friends.  Actually…it’s a night in with girlfriends to plan the hen party of the forthcoming nuptials of Kelly.  Hmmmm….gonna have to think of some “games” to play.  Now…where dod I put that net curtain!

So…I meant to share this yesterday, but totally forgot! Now I’m sorry if you seen enough of the Just Believe….but I do have a plan for them that I will hopefully share over the weekend.  So here’s my latest card…

It’s using the same colour schemes as the previous card and that might give you a clue as to what my next plan is.  This time I’ve used the lovely sentiment from the set….and some things definitely do need to be seen to be believed….like me being ready in time to get to Kelly’s!!!  So I’m off!

Thanks for reading

BFN
Linda
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P.S…Don’t forget to visit our fundraising page

Alas, no card today….

….what with my crafty class and training run tonight I haven't had the time for more craft .

Thanks to everyone who has already sponsored us but I just wanted to remind you all about our Race for Life Venture!!

Here’s a picture of us on a training run….honest!  We have another group shot on our page too!  Very flattering!

  This is a really worthy cause and one I hope you’ll help by supporting us.  We have an official photographer on the day in the form of our mate Jen so you’ll be able to see all the evidence……looking forward to that!!  

So click our photo above or just go to OUR SPONSOR PAGE and add you support. 

Please feel free to leave a comment here too!

Thanks for reading

Linda

Flutterby Wednesday–Just Believe…

So continuing the theme of “Just Believe” I’m still working on my sample set using this lovely stamp set from Stampin’ Up!  So here’s my latest creation that I’m entering in Flutterby Wednesday’s Challenge to create a CAS card….right up my street .

Alas, it is yet another gloomy photo that I will swap out in the morning.

It’s a cute twisted easel card in Concord Crush and Crumb Cake.  I’ve stamped the foliage in Old Olive and the sentiment and Boho Blossoms are in Concord Crush…one of the In Color colours.  I’ve used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder too.  Hmmm….hope it’s still CAS!

The butterflies are from Butterfly Prints stamp set….just to finish it off! 
So I hope you like it….let me know what you think .

BFN
Linda
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Just Believe….

Ok…..so I didn’t make it for a training run today!  I’ll be fine come 5th June when I do the Race For Life….it’s the taking part that counts – right? But to help me in this believe, I’m making a set of “Just Believe” cards. That’ll definitely help!! *snigger*.  Please nip over to our fundraising page if you’d like to sponsor us!!!.

So here’s the first card using Just Believe from Stampin’ Up!  I’ve made it for the Crafty Pad challenge where you have to use Lace AND Bows – not just one or the other, but both!

I do like Early Espresso and Crumb Cake together!  With this I’ve used the Scallop edge punch, which mimics the lace perfectly.  The flowers are made using the Boho Blossom punch with a pearl accent in the middle.  In hindsight I maybe should have only used 3, but not to worry….

The greeting is from the ‘Just Believe’ stamp set too.  I’ve inked the edges and backed it it on to crumb cake.  I’ve added a bow…and a bit of colour too (not too much mind)….and there we have it!  I hope you like it….and if I finish any more tonight I’ll post them too!
BFN
Linda
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Flower Challenges…

Here’s a quick lesson for you all….BACK UP YOUR DATA because retrieving files from corrupted disks takes away serious crafting time!!!!  Grrrr!!!

So…gripe over…its taken a little longer than I wanted to but I’ve made a card a flowery card especially for the challenge over on Papertake Weekly.

Papertake Weekly have a Bloom and Grow challenge and want to see something floral this week, but there are lots of flower challenges out there this week so I’ve also entered this in the following :

Cupcake Challenge – In the Garden
Crafty Creations – Something with Flowers
Delightful Challenges – Flowers
Flutterby Wednesday – Open/ Sketch

I’ve used the very flowery Springtime Vintage papers from Stampin’ Up with an image from the beautiful ‘Just Believe’ stamp set.  I’ve trimmed the card using Boho Blossoms and Beautiful Wings butterflies…just for a change .

Well…I hope you like my late card!  Off to put my gear away now….but before I do…thought I’d share the state of my creativity with WOYWW on the Stamping Ground:

I sooo need a craft room!!!

BFN
Linda
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Just CAS-ually Believe…

Morning All….oh…just missed it!!!  Well, it is another CAS-ual Sunday!  .

I was at Team Jelly training yesterday and met my lovely Team Jelly family and friends properly for the first time.  We had a good laugh and our upliner Victoria and Tracy did a great job in inspiring us…and entertaining us!  Great job, ladies!  It’s a fantastic day to be a Stampin’ Up demo!!  So…if you want any information about joining my team, check out my page above…or give me a call!

So today, I’ve made a card for three challenges. 

CAS-ual Fridays are in their second week and are looking for Buttons and Twine and Simply Stampin’ have a lovely sketch for us.  And finally, Clear it out Tuesday are looking for ribbon and trims.

 

And here it is:

I’ve used Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze and beautiful paper from Springtime Vintage designer papers. After embossing the crumb cake mat with dots, I’ve wrapped it with seam binding and added it to the card blank. 

To stamp the image (from Just Believe)….I experimented!  Firstly I stamped the image in Baja Breeze.  I then inked the stamp in crumb cake and used a cotton bud to wipe the ink off the flowers.  I then stamped the crumb cake image directly over the baja breeze image using my Stamp-a-ma-jiig to line it up perfectly.  It was easier than I thought it would be and I was very happy with the effect .

I wrapped this with linen twine and added a button from my stash.  I layered this on to the designer paper and then 3d’ed it on to the bottom left corner of the card.

These colours are just fabulous together!  Hope you like it!

Thanks for looking
BFN
Linda
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Open House Show Case…Part 2

So following on from yesterday’s show case and the lovely cards made by Louisa, today I’ve made a very quick card to show what I think is one of the little used stamps from the beautiful ‘Just Believe’ stamp set.

 

I’ve stamped the images in Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze and Soft Suede and 3d’ed them onto a Soft Suede card blank matted with dotty crumb cake.  I’ve trimmed it with a bit of Whisper White ribbon that I’ve coloured with Soft Suede. 

Quick tip: to colour your ribbon, lay the ribbon on your ink pad and use your bone folder like a pen and scribble over it until it’s completely covered.  It’s a less-messy way to do it .  Don’t forget to let it dry before you try and use it though!!!

So I hope you like my card.  I thought I’d use this stamp too because Jenny has done such a fabulous job of show casing the other stamps in the set.  And here they are:

And a couple using the Hostess level 1 set Silhouette Sentiments too:

They’re sooo priddy, Jen!

I’ll be posting new dates for my Open Houses soon….so if you live in Nottingham keep an eye on my Events Page!  And don’t forget, if you order this stamp set before 22nd May 2011, you earn yourself upto 3 chances to win the hostess gift or £15 of merchandise….

Thanks for reading,

BFN
Linda
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Just believe in Stampin’

Now I’m still quite new to Stampin’ Up products and I like to see what different effects can be achieved with them.  This card uses the Just Believe Stamp Set but instead of stampin’ on the fantastic Whisper white card for a clear flawless image, I’ve stamped it on textured vanilla card to give it a…er….textured look.

I’m loving this layered effect too….let me share with you how it came about. 

Firstly, I stamped the image (twice) in Wasabi Green onto a matching card blank….and I didn’t like it! 

I’ve recently made I thank you card which I loved, so using a similar technique, I distressed the edge of some Crumb Cake card and stamped the image again….adding a sentiment from the same stamp set and a bit of Vanilla ribbon to finish it of….and I still didn’t like it!

So finally…I stamped the image one final time in Crumb Cake on to textured vanilla card, inked the edges using the same colour and slipped it under the vanilla ribbon.  I stamped the sentiment again and finally!  A card I liked!

So this is what my Open House is all about….trial and er…trial – cos there are no errors! All right!

So if you are able to get to Hucknall, Nottingham on Saturday, 7th May 2011, feel free to join us for my Open House Event…..just drop me a line so I can cater for the right number.  Hope to see you there….

BFN
Linda
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The best thing about football!

Well…I’ve had a fantastic day today!   Forest’s bid to make the playoffs this season, took all the boys off to watch the match today….and with my youngest having a whale of a time with her grown up cousins (well, grown up to her at a big girl 10 and 12 years old)…I’ve had the whole day for crafting and chatting…yay! (what do you mean “what about the washing..?”).

It all started with a fabulous frame class with my upliner, Victoria, Linby, Shazza and Tracy.  Nice to meet you all, ladies.  So much fun!  And how impressive is Victoria’s stash!  It was like I’d died and gone to Stampin’ Up heaven.  Thanks for a fab morning, Victoria!  And I’m loving my frame…it’ll have pride of place in my soon-to-be craft room.
So straight from Victoria’s to Phill’s for a catch up…cos he’s been on
holiday….which was lovely!  Nice to have you back, Phill .

And finally, time to sit down and make a card for the ‘ Less is More’ challenge this week….it couldn’t get better!  So what better card to make then a “thank you”.  I'm entering this in the 'Just Add Ink' challenge too....this week we need to 'Just add a flower'.

I was inspired by the Stampin’  Up website for this.  It uses Cherry Cobbler as the card blank with a square of Crumb Cake (with distressed edges) as the backing to the greeting from ‘Just Believe’.  I’ve used sizzix leaves and have trimmed with gorgeous organza ribbon.

Thanks for the class, Victoria.  Thanks for the chat, Phill and thanks for the challenge, Mandi and Chrissie…..ahhhhh!  What a great start to the weekend.

BFN
Linda
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