Less is More ~ Happy Birthday Jen

Morning Folks.....3 days in a row...its kinda good to be back I have to say however not sure for how long I'm just taking things slowly at the moment as i am extremely busy still with life ;) between work, watching my adorable grandson and Drama (yip I'm into Amateur Dramatics too) Friday night was our opening night for "Calendar Girls" it went fabulously...I'm Ruth yip meet Miss November lol anyhoo todays card is for LESS IS MORE challenge which this week is celebrating Jens birthday. Happy Birthday Jen.

Cream look today with Cream Linen card

I scored lines using my Hougie board (not used this in ages :/)

Freebie papers again and Clearly Besotted Stamps Butterfly die

Whatever your plans today...enjoy!

Thanks for dropping by

Ali x

Less is More ~ Houses

 A very good morning.....I have had a fabulous week with my son and his partner however all good things must come to an end and they left homeward bound yesterday.
What do you think of my new header? *smile...my son is also a photographer and I had my first headshot photo shoot with him on Thursday...delighted to say the least with the results...thank you Scotty 
this is the first photo ever that I love wearing my glasses.

This weeks challenge over on LESS IS MORE 

is One Layer ~ Houses

Now I have taken a slight slant on the theme this week with "The House of the Lord" I love this stamp set from Stampin Up it was my first ever set and started my obsession to be honest

 I masked a circle and used a China blue promarker in my Spritzer to get this fabulous effect...and then stamped Silent Night using memento ink on top with the mask still in place.

Well thats it form me today i have lots to catch up on...an inbox full....I will get around to answering your questions you have emailed with....I have started so please bare with me I will get around to you.

Whatever your plans today....enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated! 

Ali x

Less is More

 A very good afternoon and as promised I am back with a CAS card for this weeks

 LESS IS MORE challenge. 

We have a sketch to follow this week.

 I am extremely embarrassed about the amount of stash I have...while tiding today i have found

stash that i didn't realise i had...I NEED to use it all up...I can't bare to waste things so with my up coming Craft Fayres this is the perfect opportunity to get it all used up.

These adorable images are from the Me To You Ultimate Decoupage Kit...I bought this time last year...I still have at least half of it left...oops! I cuttlebugged down the edge using Snowflakes embossing folder!

And here is the efforts of todays tiding....I really must get some nicer storage baskets....

and here is the other side... after the New Year

 I am going to invest in this system for ALL my pens..

and this is only my Spectrum Noir pens I have loads of Promarkers too

Right back to the grind stone...Happy Halloween Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated! 

Ali x

Creating with One Layer ~ An Explanation

 Morning peeps......

 Todays challenge over on LESS IS MORE  is 

One Layer  ~  Wings :O)

Well out came the Butterfly Wishes again from Clearly Besotted Stamps and I had a play

Here is what I came up with

 

I was asked how I create my one layered cards but there is no hardfast rule in crafting....i am not saying this is the right way or the wrong way...its just my way :O)
Creating with One Layer scares quiet a few people

 however do not be put off...it really is simples! 

Firstly do not be frightened.....practise, play and have fun

 at the end of the day if you don't like it start again its only card and ink after all :O)

The secret is to plan your card first before you put any ink onto the card

I started by embossing a border top and bottom...yep embossing adds interest to a flat surface

I also added a couple of scored lines top and bottom...this "frames" your center piece

I then positioned my frame with no ink clear stamps are fabulous for doing this as you can plan on top of the card and get a good idea what it will look like

so I added my stamps when i was happy I picked my colours...here is Versafine Black for frame which is by Papermania and sentiment and Rose Red for Butterfly 

Looking forward to seeing your LIM cards this week....I'll be catching up with everyone this evening

 I'm off out galivanting this afternoon

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated! 

Ali x

Butterflies Butterflies Everywhere

 I'm back with another Butterfly Wishes card... 

I just had to have another play with my fabby new Clearly Besotted Stamps 

 This weeks challenge over on Less is More is "Silver" here is what i have come up with

I stamped the small butterfly on Rich Razzleberry Stampin Up card using versamark then heat embossed using Stampin Up white embossing powder.

The silver mirricard is cut out using Spellbinders Floral Oval die this is the middle size of the set!

The larger Butterflies are stamped onto Vellum using Versamark and again heat embossed using SU white embossing powder.

 I'm also entering this into ~

Totally Gorjuss ~ Anything Goes

Well I'm off to rest the hand just  got a telling off from hubby...oops

I have the hospital on Tuesday for a check up so fingers crossed I get my cast/stooky off!

I'll be back tomorrow with another new creation for you

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated!

 Ali x

Less Is More ~ Gold

 Afternoon.....I'm not sure if i have already mentioned this...my youngest Emma has moved out... flown the nest and i now have a craftroom....squeal!!! I am still organising at the moment but I had to stop and make a card for this weeks challenge over on

LESS IS MORE

It is a colour challenge this week which is "Gold"

I've not heat embossed in ages so perfect opportunity to get the embossing powders out

I stamped Viva Decor My Paper House text stamp using Versamark and then applied Gold

embossing powder and heat set onto pearl card from The Papeterie 

I have added Martha Stewart and Cuttlebug Butterflies which are punched and cut from gold Pearl card also from The Papeterie

Right back to the organising....finding things I had forgotten that i had :O) it's like christmas....squeal!

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated! 

Ali x

Less Is More

Another post from me this morning....don't faint lol..... this weeks challenge over on 

LESS IS MORE

is One Layer ~ Use a Flourish

I have used Baroque Motif  by Stampin up and stamped using Black Versafine

the sentiment is also by Stampin up and i have score 3 lines at the bottom for effect!

 Don't forget to pop by Chrissie and Mandi and leave them some love too

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated! 

Ali x

Less is More ~ Scraps

 A very good crafternoon to one and all....Firstly a huge thank you to everyone who left me get well wishes yesterday it was very thoughtful of you. I'm happy to report i am feeling much better today and raring to go.

This weeks themes over on LESS IS MORE  is scraps well this was easy peasy lemon squeezy as i have loads of scraps kicking about lol possibly too many!

 I love this K and Co paper so decided to use that up instead of it being wasted. Very simply matted ....I embossed the card base using Stitches embossing folder and added a Cuttlebug butterfly to finish.

A very simple and quick card...hope you like! Please don't forget to drop by Chrissie and Mandi blogs and leave them some love too.

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated! 

Ali x

Less is More ~ One Layer Stripes

 LESS IS MORE this week is One Layer Week with the the theme being Stripes!

I did struggle with this one i have to admit maybe because its been a very sad weekend for all the community here on the island. A young life lost....taken too soon! I have used Waltzing Mouse stamp set called Pic Nic Patterns and inked using Lucky Limeade by Stampin Up. I then stamped a Lovely as A Tree stamp and sentiment from Hopeful Thoughts SU stamp set using chocolate chip ink also from Stampin Up. I scored lines top and bottom of the card for effect!

 I have unfortunately had this awful upset tummy bug so I'm having a jammies day....keeping warm and chilaxing!!

Please remember to leave some love for Chrissie and Mandi

Thanks for stopping by...much appreciated and don't forget to add your name to my blog candy above

Ali x

Less is More ~ Aqua Take 2

 Happy Sunday peeps....I enjoyed making yesterdays LESS IS MORE cars so much I decided to make another and join in again this week...I normally only join in once in challenges to be honest but I am really loving working with Pool Party....so here is take 2

 Again I have used vintage Vogue stamp set...think this is my favourite SU set at the moemnet anyway lol. Pool Party ink and the cuttlebug butterfly again (sorry Susan). I have used Vine and Blossom standard Stampin up wheel and again inked with Pool Party.

I added gems to the body of the butterfly love this effect. The shape was cut using a X-cut die.....love these...so there we have have it hope you like.

Thanks to everyone for leaving comments on yesterdays post......it really is much appreciated.

Whatever your plans for today....enjoy.
Happy Sunday
 Ali x

Less is More ~ Aqua

 A very good evening peeps i have been having a play today with this weeks LESS IS MORE theme which is AQUA....delish! I wanted to CASE This Card by Jennifer Rzasa for ages now since i pinned it on Pinterest and thought today was a perfect time to do it and here is what I came up with...

I have used my cuttlebug butterfly die to make the apeture and added a piece of Pool Party Stampin Up card behind the apeture which I have stamped my image from Vintage Vogue using Chocolate chip ink...fabulous combo love it........the sentiment is from Stampin Up set Hopeful Thoughts

Apologies for the poor pictures roll on the lighter nights :O) and warmer days for that matter too.

Please don't forget to drop by and leave Chrissie and Mandi some love this week.

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend

Ali x

Less is More ~ Sketch

 Happy Sunday peeps....lots  going on her just now with samples and last minute touches to the Wedding Invites the inserts :O).....however I took a break to make this week LESS IS MORE card. ITs a fabby sketch but you are not allowed to rotate it in any way.

Here is my interpretation of the sketch

 I have used a Darice embossing folder from Crafters Companion and added a wide ribbon as my band on the sketch. this is recycled ribbon from Christmas...I never throw anything away lol.
I added a few gems for the bodies of the butterflies :O) The sentiment is by Stampin Up from Vintage Labels set.

 I have to admit this really is my favourite style of cardmaking.......I'm a CAS kinda girl :O)

I am also entering this into the following challenges ~

Totally Gorjuss ~ KISS
Secret Crafter ~ Ribbons

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated!

Have a lovely evening
Ali x

Less is More ~ One Layer Birds

 Happy Sunday Peeps...well what a day..I am currently making Wedding Invitations and put the gems in a safe place..... all 1000 of them and can I find them grrrrrrrr...so I decided to have a break and make my LESS IS MORE card for this week...The theme being Birds.

Here is my interpretation......

 I inked up my stamps using Whispers pens with the pink and green and then used the huffing technique before I stamped my image. The Birdcage stamp was inked with SU marker and then I drew in the line for the rope. I added 3 embossed lines using my Ultimate Pro

Please remember to pop by and visit Chrissie and Mandy too. Looking forward to seeing your Bird creations

Off to hunt the gems *rolleyes

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated! 

Happy Stamping

Ali x

• Stamps ~ Hopeful Thoughts, Happy Moments (Retired) by Stampin Up
• Ink ~ Whispers Pens, Stampin Up Pens
• Tools ~  Ultimate Pro by Crafters Companion

Less is More

 Happy Tuesday peeps......My Mojo seems to have done a disappearing act and i really did need to get myself motivated so I decided to start with a CAS card! 

The first challenge of 2012 over on LESS IS MORE is Predominately Purple....boy are Chrissie and Mandy challenging us this week lol.

I have used my fabulous Darice embossing folder from Crafters Companion

These folder give an amazing emboss and fab value for money too in my opinion.

I have punched a white border using Fiskars border punch and embossed lines using my Ulitimate Pro

 I added pearls over the holes of the punched border for a different look....I quite like it. I am trying to use up stash.......as now I have to cut back due to storage issues until my youngest flies the nest anyway lol.

I am also entering this into Let's Craft and Create
this is my first time entering this challenge and I intend to make it a regular of mine in the future weeks ahead.
their theme this fortnight is butterflies.

I am currently making Wedding Invitations so its all go at the moment I have a production line going so no stress this time around :O)

Looking forward to catching up with your blogs later on

Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated! 

 Happy creating

Ali x

White on White

The challenge week #16  on LESS IS MORE was Butterflies well you know how much i lurvs my butterflies. I gave the cuttlebug butterfly a rest and used my Martha Stewart 3 in 1 butterfly punch instead.

 Very simple card matted the layer and then applied the butterflies and some bling to finish.....Simples!

Thanks ever so much to Chrissie and Mandi for all the wonderful challenges that they have brought to us this year! I look forward to joining in again in the New Year!

Have a fab day

 Thanks for stopping by....much appreciated! 

Ali x

Less is More #42 ~ Theme

The theme this week over on LESS IS MORE is Silhouette.

Here is my interpretation of the challenge.

I love this set from Waltzingmouse stamps. 

stamped using black Versafine.

The background on the base card is also by Waltzingmouse stamps from the Pic Nic set

I have been missing from the LIM challenges recently and I must admit I have missed taking part. Life gets in the way sometimes......... glad to be back though.

Thanks for a fabulous challenge Chrissie and Mandi and my sincere apologies for missing so many challenges

Thanks for stopping by

Ali x

Clean and Simple Kinda Gal....

 Morning peeps....I really do adore Clean and Simple.....I never seem to struggle making this kind of card.....I thought I would have a play last night with stamps that I hadn't had the chance to ink up yet. This weeks challenge over on LESS IS MORE is things that move....people   move yeah! I missed last weeks challenge unfortunately but I intend to catch up and make a card for it anyway. Apologies Chrissie and Mandi....here is my things that Move creation.

 I stamped the oval papermania frame using Pretty in Pink ink and the stamped Waltzingmouse Cameo To Go  frame in versafine and then cut it out and popped it up on foam pads and i did the same with the actual cameo. I love my cuttlebug and had to add an embossed border as i haven't used these in ages. This stunning pink striped ribbon is from SEW SWEET isn't it delish?

 

Don't forget to drop by and leave Chrissie and Mandi some love. 

2 MORE SLEEPS PEEPS

You DO NOT want to miss this release from SUGAR NELLIE

Don't forget the Sugar Nellie DT Call is still open too and you can find all the details

HERE

Thanks for stopping by

Ali x

Recipe
Stamp: Waltzingmouse Stamps Cameo To Go, Papermania Chatsworth
Ink: Versafine Black, Stampin Up Pretty in Pink
Tools: Cuttlebug Border Embossing folder
Accessories: Pink Striped Ribbon from SEW SWEET,

Less is More #27 ~ Colour challenge

 My card for you today is one of my CAS creations made for the fabulous LESS IS MORE I must thank both Chrissie and Mandi for asking me to guest last week it was an honour to be part of such a FABULOUS challenge. Thank you ladies.
This weeks challenge is a colour challenge using your National Flag well being Scottish......... Yup blue and white it had to be.

I wanted to show you that you can also use your cute purchases and utilise them. I must also explain that I have a "thing" for snowflakes they just HAVE to be nice ones. I have used a stamp from Crafter's Companion The Snowman stamp set. I adore Crafter's Companion snowflakes they put on their stamp plates. I have stamped the snowflake using Faded Jeans Distress Ink onto Centura White cardstock. Now you have to let the ink dry properly before you carry on making your card or it will smudge.

 I popped my tree up on dimensionals and added a base and finished by adding some seam binding tied into a bow. the beautiful sentiment is also from the stamp plate.


Don't forget to pop by Chrissie and Mandi's blogs and leave them some love.

Thanks for stopping by today

Ali x




~ Recipe ~
Stamp: Crafter's Companion The Snowman
Ink: Distress Ink Faded Jeans
Tools: Crafters Companion Ultimate Pro
Accessories: Seam binding from SEW SWEET

Less is More ~ Guest Designer

 A very good morning me again....I received an email form the lovely and talented Chrissie asking if I would be interested in being a guest designer spot on LESS IS MORE challenge....Well wow wow and wow I was DE.... LIGHT.... ED to say the least.....this is my favourite challenge :D CAS being my favourite genre.

So onto my FRUITY card...I lurvvs  strawberries and they are red :)

 I stamped the bottom edge of the card blank using Real Red ink from Stampin Up with a Waltzingmouse stamp from my Gingham and Co set (Lurvs this set) and then added Ric Rak I received in a RAK from the uber talented Promarker Queen DEBBI...mwah thanks sweetie. the strawberry stamp was a freebie a few years agon in Craft Stamper magazine. I coloured it using my new SPECTRUM NOIR pens and then cut it out and and popped it up on dimensionals for effect.

Thank you so much to both CHRISSIE and MANDI for asking me to Guest for them on LESS IS MORE it is such an honour as there are so many wonderfully talented LIMettes out there.......and don't forget to pop by and leave them some love :)

Thanks for stopping by today

Ali x

~ Recipe ~
Stamp: Waltzingmouse Stamps Gingham and Co, Freebie Strawberry from Craft Stamper Mag
Medium: Spectrum Noir
Ink: Stampin Up Real Red
Tools: Stampin Up Scalloped circle punch,
Accessories: Ric Rak from Debbi

Less is More #24 ~ Circles

 Another post from me this morning....when I seen this weeks LESS IS MORE challenge was circles I just had to play straight away.

 I have used BUTTONS from SEW SWEET as my circles  for this baby card. I stamped a border using Stampin Up pale plum along the bottom with my Waltzingmouse Gingham and Co background stamp

 

The sentiment was hand doodled.

LESS IS MORE has to be my all time favourite challenge outwith my DT postitions of course :)

Thank you Chrissie and Mandi for another fantastic challenge don't forget to visit them and leave them some love too.

Thanks for stopping by....catch up soon

Stampin' hugs

Ali x

~ Recipe ~

Stamps ~ Waltzingmouse Stamps Gingham and Co

Ink ~ Stampin Up Pale Plum

Cardstock ~ Stampin Up Pale Plum

Tools ~ Crafters Companion Ultimate Pro

Access ~ BUTTONS from SEW SWEET