A Lady's Perogative to be Late!

Hi All,

Yes, its a Lady's prerogative to be late and this Sketchy Lady from Clarity Stamps is no exception!(Well I have to blame someone for my constant lateness in entering LIM challenges.)
The challenge this week is 'Masking' and I have masked 'the lady' and then stamped and clear embossed the background stamp from the Tim Holtz Papillon set,  (I love this set and was lucky a few weeks ago to win over at Through the Craftroom Door and this was my pick.)  I sponged Milled Lavender DI over the background and the lady is coloured with Promarkers. 
I am also entering this card in
  Papercrafting Journey - Pastels
  Crafts & Me - Spring colours
  Little Red Waggon - CAS
  Scrapbook Sisters - Anything Goes

That's it for now, and thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Another Offering for LIM

Hi All,

When I made my card for this weeks LIM challenge, I had initially decided on this very neglected Santa Rosa Oriental Script stamp, but after stamping changed my mind - well it is a womans prerogative!
Last night I decided to colour the image and I rather like it, so have decided to enter this one as well.  I really like Oriental themed cards, its a shame they aren't so popular now.

I am also entering this in:
  Allsorts - Say It With Flowers
  Creative Belli - CAS

Thanks for looking,

Avril xx

Less Is More

Hi All, 
Where has the sunshine gone!  it has been grey and cloudy today and certainly not weather for tiding up the garden which was the plan, so ..... couldn't waste an afternoon so I have actually managed to make my LIM card this week with time to spare! 
The challenge this week is a one layer card with  'Script' and for my card I have used this lady  from Inkadinkado which was masked before stamping the post card from Crafty Individuals.(I hope there is enough script on the postcard!)  I have coloured with Promarkers and lightly distressed with Antique Linen DI.  The sentiment is Inkylicious.

I am also entering this this card :
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Thats it for now, thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Less Is More

Hello All,   I love the Christmas holidays, but it is nice to get back to 'normal' and into routine again.
Which for me means a bit more time for crafting - and I am itching to play with my new goodies, I was very lucky for Christmas and got ALL the stamps I asked for on my list!
This stamp - Two Old Ladies by River City Rubberworks, is new to me (I got it off EBay just before Christmas)  and is having its first inking.
I thought it would work for Less is More where the theme is 'One Word' but when I stamped directly onto card, it didn't look right, so then I mattted it onto black cardstock.  I ran a glue pen round the edge of the image and added some black glitter, but no matter how many times I have brushed it, and it looks OK, every photo has a black speck! Very simply coloured with Promarkers,  and , apart from a bit of 'sparkle' for the necklace, brooch and bag clasp,  that's it - for now, but I think the image will work for OTT!!

That's it for now, off to play!

Avril xx

Less Is More

I think this must be the earliest I have entered LIM
I went to a small craft fair yesterday and one stall was selling Wood Backed rubber stamps for £1.00 each, and this was one of them! Perfect for this weeks challenge which is one layer and 'hearts'.
The stamp is All Night Media and I have coloured with Promarkers and added a little Glamour Dust. I did try a bow at the top, but wasn't too sure.
The Happy Anniversary stamp is straight - I promise - must be the way the card is lying for the photo.
I didn't have any heart stamps before yesterday, and now I have 2 - bought another which you may see later.
Just a short one tonight,
Thanks for looking.

Avril xx

New Goodies - So - Less is More

I hope you all had a good weekend and these horrible winds haven't done any damage to anyone.

I  am very fortunate and have had a lovely weekend.  On Saturday I went to Harrogate Papercrafts Show with friends Diane and Michell and had a great day.  It was lovely to meet up again with Christine and Lisa and also to make some new acquaintances - Joan and Maureen.
DD came home on Saturday, just a short visit, and went back today, so although I was itching to 'play' with the new goodies, I was banned from crafting while she was here!  After she left, the first thing I did was make a card!  and decided I would be early with my Less Is More card.
The stamps and sentiment are from the same Inkylicious set and I have stamped the dandelion twice in DI Bundled Sage, I cut a nesti oval in a 6 x 6 card and used this as a mask and although the colours look completely different, the oval is sponged with the same ink!  I added a sprinkling of Glamour Dust to the floating seed heads, didn't think it needed anything else - unusual for me! - think I might be getting there Mandy & Chrissy?

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Make It Monday - Always Anything Goes
  Crafting When We Can - Anything Goes
  One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes
  Dream Valley Challenge - Photo Inspiration

I would just like to say a huge 'HELLO'  and THANK YOU to my new  and  'old'  followers and I will be round to visit you.

That's it for now, and I hope everyone stays safe in these dreadful winds tonight.

Less is More

The challenge at Less is More this week is a Recipe - a combination of any 3 previous challenges. So plenty of options as the challenge has reached week       
For my choice I have picked 3 squares - Week 4, Embossing - Week ,and a touch of Red -  Week 9.  I decided to use this Woman in the Hat, by Rubber Stampeed, she was one of the first stamps I bought and hasn't seen ink for some time!
I matted the  3 images onto red cardstock and embossed the with love in the right-hand top corner (no choice about this as the folder only works 1 way ( I have thought about cutting it open and sticking  the other end but most cards I make have the fold on the left, so it stays as it is).  Easy Peasy, card done - then I wondered about colouring her necklace red or the ribbons on the hat, but thought this might be more than 'a touch' so have left well alone. (it might get done before sending)
I see that the challenge has it the 1,000 followers - Well Done Chrissy and Mandy!  This challenge takes me out of my comfort zone, but it is addictive and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks like this.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Ooh La La - No backing paper
  Stamps R Us - Anything Goes
  Make It Monday - As Always - Anything Goes

I would like to say 'hello' to my new followers, and I'm glad to say Mr Blogger didn't keep them too long.

Just thought I mention -I didn't get made redundant last week as 'rain stopped play' again, but after my  'interfeering again' this morning, DH says I might be!   I have started calling it the 'Winter House' cause there's not much summer left, it feels  like Autum.

Thats it for now, and thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Enjoy the Ride!

Well, another week  has just whizzed by - helping DH (my new job as 'Gofer' on the Summer House - almost got the sack for interfering last week - I wish!)  - but its looking good and almost finished,   and in my spare time I've managed to do a bit of housework.! Oh and I  gave myself a day off and met up with friends for coffee- but very little crafting I'm afraid. I am hoping to be redundant this week-end and then normal service can be resumed - unlike Mr Blogger who has lost my followers again!!

I did manage to make a card last night while DH was at work, at least that's what he call the Youth Club!

Its for the Less is More challenge, which this week is 'Things that Move'.  This is the second card, not too sure if the first is LIM - will think about it.  This was one of the first stamps I  bought, (my Son still loves his mountain bike(s) yes, he has more than one and both very expensive!) and I used this stamp for the first birthday card I made him, and the last! I can't remember who made it. I have just stamped the image, matted with black and added brads, did some soft chalking and that's its, very LIM!! The sentiment was made on the computer.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Cards for Men - Anything Goes
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Thats it for tonight, thanks for looking and if you find my followers, please send them back to me

Avril xx

Less is More

The challenge at Less is More this week is to use inks - on a One Layer Card!
I have had a few ideas using one of the new stamps I bought from Crafty Individuals at the beggining of the week, but its been a busy week and haven't had a chance to do anything until now. This stamp was a 'freebie' I received in my "delivery" and I stamped it onto some scrap papers to see exactly what the image was, I am not really into birds for cards, but when I saw this image stamped, the idea for the card was there.
I have used my brayer before, but only a couple of times and then just for blue skies, and although I watch Barbara Grey on Create&Craft, I haven't really played with it!  I used Distress Inks Tattered Rose and Spiced Marmalade for the sky and Walnut stain on the hills.  Because this image was smaller than I wanted, I drew a frame with a Black Embossing Pen and then heat embossed with clear powder (I have seen Barbara G do this - so I can't take any credit for this idea).  I did the same frame around the sentiment.  This card is a 5" x 7" as I felt the image suited an oblong card and a DL was too long and thin!
This is a different type of card for me, and I really enjoyed doing it, so Thanks Chrissy & Mandy for the challenge - LIM really does take me out of my comfort zone, and I am starting to like the cards I make.  I will tell you a little secret - some of the cards have been 'altered' (or binned) after the challenges .

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes
  Try It On Tuesdays - Anything Goes
  The Stamp Man - Anything Goes with summer colours

That's it for now, thanks for looking and if you like what you see, please leave a comment and I can come and visit you.

Avril xx

What a Struggle!

I don't know why - but I always seem to struggle with blue cards!

The challenge at Less Is More this week is colour - and its ......Blue!!! and not just one shade - lots of blue shades!!!!

I have thought about it since Saturday, and guess what - nothing seemed right, but DD liked this one so here goes!  I have used the large Clarity Swirl, inked with 2 different blue  Versamark ink pads - Baby Blue and Royal Blue then heat embossed with clear embossing powder then I chalked aroung the image. I used 2 different shades of blue for the mat and the navy one again for my embossed 'faux' ribbon.  The sentiment is from Craftwork cards on a navy, again, nestie circle.  Lots of white card.  On the he first version of this, I decided to use the small swirl, inked with Royal Bule - on my white card as a background, then I realised - no white card (again)!  Quite liked this, so added ribbon, pearls and a greeting - definitely not LIM!

My original idea was to use another Clarity stamp and my Hero Arts French Writing, I printed the sentiment directly onto the card, stamped Life is a Journey stamp, (courtesy of Crafty Friend Diane) with Adirondack Denim ink, masked and then stamped the script, thought it looked too bare with just a little script peeking out, so added more, then  chalked, then I realised there was no white card left!!   Thought I would show it anyway!

Well thats it for now, need to 'relax' now!

Thanks for looking.                                                                                                                               

Avril xx                                                                                                                                                

Less Is More

I missed last weeks LIM challenge, so I was determined not to miss this weeks, which is a sketch, a little bit easier than some of the challenges!

This card has been in 'bits' since Tuesday - DH decided we should decorate the Dining Room this week - and  although I don't really do much - I am the Chief Gofer!  (so not much me time).
Today, however, is my Birthday - 21 again!!  (I've had a day off)   My son and DIL came for tea and DD is home for the summer,  so it was lovely to be all together.  DH has now gone to his special needs youth club and DD and I are going to 're-fresh' Harry Potter ready for the new film!  So like all 'good' things
the birthday is almost at an end, lots of nice cards, flowers and prezzies - and a special surprise card from my blog friend Katina, who makes some lovely cards, Thank You.

So a short post - or I'll be too late to enter the card!  I used a white linen card base - and the scallop border is a MS punch - only half of the scallop showing, nesties circles and MS butterfly punch.  The sentiment was printed onto the card base. I added some stickles to the butterflies.

I am also entering this card in Crafts & Me challenge - Birthdays
  Truly Scrumptious - Things with Wings

Thanks for looking, and if you like what you see, please pop back.

Avril xx

Another Less is More

Is Mr. Blogger being difficult this week, or is it only me he doesn't seen to like! I have only been able to leave a couple of comments this week - I am not getting my 'profile - Mrs B name' even though I keep signing in, it comes up Anonymous. I have also had Service Unavailable - Error. I know there were problems last month and we all lost comments, but is something happening again?

This is another card I made on Saturday for this weeks LIM challenge, I entered my favourite of the two, but DH said I should show this as well, so here goes - another Crafty Individuals stamp, this time coloured with chalk for the sky and Distress Inks for everything else - and the same sentiment!

I am also entering this card into Oldie But a Goodie - Where in the World (Inspired by a Country -Paris)
and Tiddly Inks challenge - One Layer card

I am off to finish my House Mouse card for the current challenge - and hopefully Mr Blogger will let me leave some comments tonight!

Thanks for looking

Avril x

Less Is More

Hello, I'm back  and couldn't wait to start crafting again, so after getting all the washing and ironing out of the way, and a lot of pruning in the 'overgrown' garden,  I have made my card for this weeks LIM Challenge.  This weeks theme is One Layer Card  'In the Frame' and I have a few 'frame' stamps (this makes a change 'cause I'm ususally thinking have I got anything suitable!). This one is a Crafty Individuals stamp -and hasn't been inked up for quite a while - Girls Night Out - stamped in black and the 'girls' lightly coloured with Promarkers, and a little glitter on the necklaces and ear rings, the sentiment is Hero Arts.

I am always amazed when I check out the blog on a Saturday and see how many entries there are on the day!  and as yesterday was such a miserable day,  too wet and cold to go out, I had a crafting day and made my card. This morning was quite sunny, but by the time I got around to taking my pics - the rain had arrived again, and the glitter necklaces and earrings aren't really showing up.

I am also entering this card in Papertake Weekly challenge - Anything Goes
Do You Stack UP - Birthdays
Pennys Paper Crafty - Best Friends

We had  a fabulous holiday in Dubai, where the weather was very hot - 40 to 43 degrees!!!  I think we were getting used to it when it was time to come home - back to a chilly North East.  I haven't been warm in a week and we have had to put the heating back on!

DD is home for the summer, she is doing her 3rd year work placement with Boots -(when we were away I took a photo of one of the Boots shops in Dubai - apart from the Arabic writing on the shop front, its the same inside with the 3 for 2 offers and all the No.7 Makeup,) told her to get her CV sent off!!



Well that's it for now, hopefully will be back with another card tomorrow and a catch up in blog land.

Thanks for looking

Avril x

Less is More

I hate packing - I find it so stressful - do I take this /have I got enough to wear?

So I had to have a little break and managed to make my card for the LIM challenge which is 'One Layer with some Embossing'  I had thought about it since Saturday, but my original idea which seemed a good one, didn't turn out that good.   So thinking caps on and came up with this. I have stamped the Hobby Art Lady of  Fashion in black and coloured her skin with Blush Promarkers. I added red glitter on her necklace and to tie in with that I stamped and heat embossed the Hero Arts sentiment in red.

Well, must get back to the packing.  I hope the weather improves here and we can all enjoy some sunshine.

I have made a post holiday resolution - Get control of my life! I feel as if I have been on a roller coaster lately
time is just flying by and I never have a minute - and I don't think I am the only one in blogland saying this!!
It will be hard - DD will be home for the summer a couple of days after we get back and her bofriend is staying for a week before going to see his family, but the resolution stands.

I would just like to say 'hello' to a couple of new followers - I am absolutely thrilled that people want to follow me!  I will pop by to say hello when I return from holiday as we are off tomorrow morning.

A couple of challenges for my card:
Crafty Cardmakers - Embossing
 Divas by Design - One for the Girls

Thanks for looking,

Avril xx

Less is More - And Not Last Minute!!

I know I haven't been a good blogger again!! but at least I have been busy (well some of the time).
I hope everyone had a good Bank Holiday - again.  I did, but didn't get to do much crafting, but I did manage to buy a couple of things on Sunday at the  '1st SincerelYours  Papercrafts show in the N.E.' held at Gateshead International Stadium which isn't too far away. I went with my friend Diane and no doubt Thursday when Diane comes over,will be a 'play with each others goodies' night . I bought a couple of new stamps, coloured embossing powders (which I couldn't get locally and NEEDED to finish off some projects) and some Nesties.
Back to normal now and after catching up with housework & washing yesterday, I have had a crafting day today.
I made my card for the Less is More challenge (I am hooked). The theme is Congratulations or Thank You.
Well!!! I did Thank You last week, so it had to be Congratulations (I took the easy option and did a remake of a card I did for my Son & DIL's Wedding Anniversary last week (theirs had 'Wedding Anniversary' and more pearls and had different coloured hearts)
I used 'Pearl' pearlised card - 'Textile CB folder - and the text computer generated - Marianne dies.

I am also entering this card in Crafty Creations - Anniversary challenge
Die Cut Dreams - Wedding

That's it for now, will be back with another show of today's play.

Avril x

Less Is More

Once again I am entering the Less is More  challenge at the last minute!  I wonder if its because I still find this 'challenging' to create a 'clean' card!

I used large and small Clarity Swirls stamped in Pearlescent Purple Brilliance Ink and heat embossed with clear powder. The sentiment was printed straight onto the card, something I am not used to doing!
It looks a little pale, I think that's because the sun is still shining - or maybe I'm still not very good at taking photographs!

I am also entering this card in:
Crafty Creations challenge - White Space

Hope everyone has a good Bank Holiday Weekend.

Avril x