Less is More.... take two:0)

Good morning everyone,
I was laying in bed this morning, thinking about the great sketch that constitutes the less is more challenge this week and thought I'd like to do a baby card, just for a change!



So here is submission 2

I've used the Stampin up Baby Firsts set of stamps and some nesties to cut my mat.
The mat actually doesn't look the right colour here but in real life it matches the babygro (onesie).
Sentiment printed from the computer.
Oh! dear just noticed my cutting's not particularly good , I think I might need new glasses or hands or arms but lets not get carried away here perhaps I should have taken more care, hangs her head in shame:{
I hope you like any way :0)

Have a lovely day wherever you are, TTFN :0) xxx

OLW 47 and a bLoG AwArd, Lovely:0)

Helloo,  great to 'see' you! I've been busy stamping today, for the OLW 47 challenge hosted at Jennifer Styles blog this week.
RULES FOR OWL47

 1. A one-layer card is defined as a single piece of cardstock folded in half.
2. Make a one-layer card based on the above sketch
3. Please share your creation by posting your card online and then using  Inlinkz below to link to it.
4. Please make sure you are linking directly to the relevant post – not just to your blog.
5. Most important of all…HAVE FUN!

Okay this was my first card, I masked and stamped the central image, New York Socialite by Stamps Happen (I've given the link to where I got my stamp but other sellers do have this stamp available)
background stamp by Judikins, dotted border. Sentiment by S.U sincere salutations.






Thought this was a bit busy so I stamped it again leaving it plainer and with cooler colours.

 This time I was happier with the background, stamp by Waltzingmouse, vintage labels 4 Nestie friendly
it's the tiny little dotted circle but I can see I'm going to use it a lot! ......................but I didn't like the colours so much :0)
So I've decided to go with my first attempt, I know,  it's just typical, for example when you're shopping and in the first shop you find exactly what you need but refuse to buy it because you'll probably find something so much better further down the street........and eventually go back to the shop to buy it because there is nothing like it anywhere you've been:0)

 Here is just a quick snapshot of how I masked the central image to get the frame and picture centrally on the card, post it notes, they're very helpful.
I used Distress Ink, Antique Linen to define the centre and for stamping the design around the border and Copics to colour the image.






I was so pleased to receive this award from Kay at Kay's Crafty Corner
Thank you very much Kay:0)
I have to tell you 7 things about myself and pass it on to 7 stylish bloggers.
Well here goes.............
1. I love coffee ( I know you know that but I thought I'd better be crystal clear)
2. I am a loyal friend, Oh yes!
3. I miss my parents, soo much:0)
4. I have just joined pinterest very much fun:0)
5. I'm a very lucky person, seriously! ( pinterest let me join, and Kay gave me this award told you I was lucky!)

Okay now, 7 bloggers who I think deserve this award, well you know, I've been blogging a while now and I can honestly say there are so many blogs out there that I visit with real style I find it impossible to choose just  7 and certainly 7 who like to receive awards. So please if you follow this blog and would like to grab this award I would be happy for you to have it and spread the love further.

Less is More week 8

Hello from a very tired mustavcoffee,

I'm a very happy bunny today:0) not only did I get to the NEC yesterday (that's why I'm tired, it's a long old drive from here) but I won a new watermark,  YAY I'm really lucky!



BUT first I would like to share my card for Less is more





The technique of leaving some of the image out of the oval I encountered at Mina's blog and would like to give her a shout out, she's such an inspiration, Thanks Mina :0) x












This week is a sketch and here it is! 

At the NEC yesterday I found Graphic 45 stamps (this link takes you to an American online shop, the only one I found that has them ATM ), the first time I've ever seen them anywhere and I just couldn't resist although it was the end of the day and I'd reached my spending limit (that happened quite quickly actually!) I just couldn't walk away from these little beauties:0) I wonder if you're going to love them as much as me? I need the whole 3 sets now LOL.

 Anyway on to my new watermark................ I have been following Emily's recent collaboration with Lisa highlighting Unity Stamps and I was lucky enough to win one of Lisa's clever creations and guess what? it's a coffee cup ring stain, YAY! So perfect for me!
p.s the links will take you to the websites
That's it for today, pop over if you have time to check out the Less is More Challenge it's all good fun and Chrissy, Mandi and all the lovely participants will make you very welcome. :0) xxx

OLW 46 Eggs & Glitter

Hi, hello, I'm back, ooh 2 posts in one day, sorry but when I saw this on Simplicity I just had to have a go,

Rules for OLW46

1. A one-layer card is a single piece of cardstock folded in half...no other layers.

2. Use an egg or eggs on the card. Be as creative with the theme as you wish. It's not limited to Easter cards.

3. Keep embellishments to a minimum.

4. Post your card on the Internet and link to it using the InLinkz button in the sidebar of Simplicity.

5. Most important rule of all: HAVE FUN!!!

 So I made this......and was happy........ but thought...... you know it's maybe a little too CAS?

So then I hunted for an apt sentiment and found this one from Whimsy Stamps

and turned the card on it's side. Now I think I'm happy, what do you think?
Was the first card too simple? I'd love to know your thoughts:0) xxx


Stamps from Elusive Images sadly not in production ATM.
Ink pad VersaColor , Celadon
and Versafine Archival, vintage sepia.

p.s just noticed you can't see any glitter in my pics, oh! well the light has gone for the day, it's there!

All about you!

Hi there, this is a new submission to the Less is More Challenge, just for a laugh I thought I'd get a Grumpie out for a male birthday card,
He looks like a happy little soul, just right to ask to a party!
He makes me giggle :0)

My blogging buddy in Canada Emily (who has is really talented by the way, click on her name for a visit!) didn't like his cigarette but he's not smoking so that's not a problem:0) I have to admit I thought he might have been but on closer inspection I see he has a deflated Blowout! ( poor chap no wonder he's a grumpie!)
Now I didn't know they were called that but I looked it up and there you go we never stop learning eh?

Stamp from Smeared ink at Make the Day Special
Sentiment from my head and printed off from the computer.

Have a great day everyone, I'm off to tackle the hoovering, eeuuwwwww!!

Lovely friends and parcels:0)

Look what the postie brought today, a fabby card

and in the parcel with it was some lovely candy, from my blogging buddy Angela at the Paper Cupboard I won her candy, yippee, Her blog reached the grand old age of ONE and she was celebrating,  :0)
She has a gorgeous blog with lots of inspiration she does the best scrapbooking lay outs and lovely cards, I'm sure she would love you to drop by :0)
Love this card!

Here is my candy........Crate Paper pad, Toy Box collection and  Basic Grey, life of the party, petals in paper and canvas..........I can't wait to get cracking using it all, in fact I've already used one of the papers, yummy but I can't share it ATM.
BIG Thank you to Angela :0) xxx

A masculine card, after a day of deliberating and general prevaricating!

Hello again to you, how's things? I hope all is well :0)
I've had a day of it and it's very late but I wanted to share the card that's given me so much grief, MASCULINE, again! At least I keep trying, ha ha ha!

It shouldn't be this hard :0)

This card is chocolate brown with copper mirri and kraft, recycled:0)
I've made 2 other cards today neither are masculine but both started off supposedly that way, I'll share them later :0)
I would like to enter this card in the Less is More challenge and hope that the girls will go gentle with me!










Stamps;  Sunday International, 'Art by Michelangelo'.
Darcies 'Shell we celebrate?' for the sentiment.
Have a pop over to the Less is More site there are some really wonderful cards to see and so many of them!  :0)
TTFN

Edited , my card is similar to Mandi's it has been pointed out to me, this was unintentional but her card is fabulous and I'm sure if anything influenced me it must have been her gorgeous card!

Baby boy blue, aahh!

Hello again, It's very quiet here in coffee towers mmm I wonder why? I hope things are good in your part of the world. I'm harbouring a cold, rotten little devil it is but I'm trying very hard to ignore it.
When I popped over to Mo Mannings digi shop yesterday I picked up this stamp, it's called Michael .

I first encountered it at Mina's blog, Pink Puds, WOW she has made a fantastic card with it HERE.


 I don't think I'm anywhere near to Mina's standard yet but I wanted to have a play with it. Using all blues was a real challenge, not my favourite colour unless teamed with something else, like green, oh yeah! that makes me happy but the challenge over at Copic Creations was using shades of blue! It's about time I did a few challenges, they focus the mind :0)




I've used Spellbinders for the sentiment shape with a Blonde Moments sentiment stamp and I hand cut the heart after I'd embossed it with a Tim Holtz embossing folder. Copics to colour Michael. Papers are Basic Grey Lime Ricky. Oh yes I used Distress ink, Broken china and Faded Jeans. I can't believe I haven't stamped anything other than the sentiment, that doesn't happen very often!

I would like to enter my card for ;

Mo's challenge, number #74 Let's hear it for the boys

Copic creations Challenge, Shades of Blue

Simply Create, Monochromatic

I hope you like and have a great weekend ( well it's Friday tomorrow, were nearly there) TTFN :0)

Mo's digital pic and helping Japan.

$1 Digi-stamp AND Helping Japan? I copied this from Kim's blog to help spread the word .........

Yep! Mo Manning is offering this super cute little cook for $1 on her new Mo's Digital Pencil e-shop and is giving all the proceeds from this cutie, whilst it is on sale, to help Japan. 

As of around 10pm on the 15th March Mo had already donated $200 to Global Giving - but I'm sure we can do better than that!

UPDATE, it's now $350 tonight (16th Mar)

New update, $9 short of $500, WOW,!! (17th March)

Well worth checking out!

 Kimx

Brilliant!, Thanks to Kim for posting about it and Mo Manning for being so generous :0) xxx

OWL 44 Marta Dansie as inspiration:0)

Good morning everyone, the sun's shining here today, I hope it is with you too.

Today I have taken up the challenge offered by Susan at Simplicity and Chrissy and Mandi at Less is More

The OWL 44 rules are;

1. A one-layer card is defined as a single layer of cardstock folded in half. No other layers of cardstock are allowed. Remember to keep embellishments to a minimum for a clean and simple look!

2. Find inspiration for your card on Marta's Pinterest Boards.

and my picture of inspiration on Marta's board is here

Thanks go to Susan for her continued interest in all things inspiring, love her challenges:0)

I would like to enter my card for the Less is more challenge, off the page.

My first entry on this challenge but I have been lurking for a little while, love to visit, great blog. Thank you ladies:0) xxx

Paper make up stamp Jerry  from Quixotic Paperie 

Sentiment, Printworks, caring thoughts.

Copics 

I would just like to say my thoughts and prayers are with Japan, the problems they have and are facing are just dreadful. 

Inspired by Mr TH.........................again!

A new birthday card for a very lovely, long time friend. I had to move quickly today as I wasn't getting any inspiration. So I took myself off to the Craft Barn and they had had a new delivery of Tim's papillons, new stamps, irresistible I'm afraid. So glad I went because it spurred me on and I got back in time to create, phew:0)

There's nothing like new stamps to get you going:0) 

Distress inks, Tattered Rose and Broken China.

Stamps from

Hero Arts, Dandelion and SU Sincere Salutations.

Back to my childhood:0)

Hello and a warm welcome, I had a very crafty day today and finally got around to decorating this little hinged wooden icon!

To begin, I started painting in acrylic paint and used the cracking technique, you know the one where you paint with PVA after the first coat and then paint again, over the glue and it all cracks. Pretty soon I abandoned that idea and started again, it just wasn't working the way I wanted it to. So.........fairly recently I found some beautiful fairy images. These were a freebie from Magic moonlight

They may be by Edmond Dulac but I could be wrong.   I just think they are wonderful and this afternoon I was in a little dream world, back to my childhood when I'd read fairy stories in books illustrated by him.

There is a site dedicated to some of his work Edmond Dulac If you're interested, click on his name and be whisked off to an adventure with his magical illustrations.

After all that they probably aren't by him anyway:0)

Edited to add, I've been enlightened about the origin of the fantastic Fairie pictures. They are by John Atkinson Grimshaw, Thanks to  Sylvia at POPPY'S PAPERCRAFT PATCH 

You 're a star my friend thank you so much:0) xxx 

 Well, the light's better now than last night, in fact it's a beautiful day, hope you're having the best of days :0) xxx

Weddings, can they be CAS?

Happy Saturday to you, it's a gorgeous sunny day here but so cold, my mouse hand's frozen:0) 

I've been having a play and tried to do a CAS wedding card, I think there's something missing on this card, what do you think? Does it need something else? I'd really appreciate your honest opinion :0)

I used, Marianne Multi hearts Die, Waltzing mouse sentiments,  Tim Holtz embossing folder and inks, with mica powder painted after for a little shimmer. The colour is a bit pale here IRL it's a peachy colour. I painted the bells with my copics because they are transparent it's let the metal shine through.

I'm off for a warm up........ snuggle time? or brisk walk? which would you choose?

Have a lovely weekend TTFN:0) xxx

Edited to add, Thanks so much everyone, lots of totally helpful suggestions, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment  :0) xxx

Been AWOL sorry!

Hello lovely crafty people, been off with the fairies for a bit but now I've some new cards to share. I recently shared an order from Papertrey Ink with Alex from http://eisbaerentraeume.blogspot.com/   It worked really well and our stuff has arrived, so I've been having a play..............

Then I made this for Alex, 

she was so helpful and did all the ordering, such a patient lady, pop over to her blog, lots of inspiration there.

I'm hoping to do some catching up with everyone soon, so see you soon on your lovely blogs :0) xxx

p.s I used Waltzingmouse sentiment stamps, love them, the definition is brilliant. :0)