Today I'm sharing a card for the current challenges over at Less Is More and Addicted to CAS:

In looking for 'dotty' stamps that would work well for a one layer card, I found this great present stamp in the Bonanza Buddies stamp set that had a 'reverse' dotty pattern and used that as the basis for my card, creating a row of dotty rainbow gifts - this was my first attempt:

I ended up making two cards though as I thought this one looked a little too 'clean and simple' without a sentiment - I went for a large one that I found in my retired box - an old Sale-A-Bration set which despite its size still gives a CAS feel to my card I think with plenty of white space:

So which one do you prefer? I'm veering toward the one with the sentiment, so that's my link up today.

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your evening and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

BONANZA BUDDIES PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (£16.00)	WHISPER WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£7.75)	POPPY PARADE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	PUMPKIN PIE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	DAFFODIL DELIGHT CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)
GRANNY APPLE GREEN CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	BALMY BLUE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	HIGHLAND HEATHER CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	FLIRTY FLAMINGO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)

Today I have a quick card for the current challenges over at Color Throwdown and CASology:

It's a Christmas card and uses a now retired stamp set, but these colours and the Color Throwdown badge inspired me to experiment with a clean and simple one layer technique that I've been wanting to try for some time - take a look:

I masked a corner frame then sponged Cherry Cobbler ink to create a graduated effect, then used the single branch from Frosted Foliage to over-stamp the edge. I stamped the branch in Early Espresso, then coloured the berries with my Cherry Cobbler Blends. I added some highlights with my chalk marker, but you can't really see these since I decided to add a liberal dose of Dazzling Diamonds to look like frost. I balanced my rectangle with my sentiment to complete my card.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

So what do you think? Does the same-colour sponging work to add interest to my one layer card? Do leave me a comment below - I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Frosted Foliage Cling Stamp Set (En) (£19.00)	Itty Bitty Christmas Cling Stamp Set (En) (£20.00)	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock (£7.75)	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)
Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (£5.50)	Fine-Tip Glue Pen (£6.50)	Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack (£8.50)

Today I'm sharing a card for the current challenge over at Fusion where both the sketch and inspiration photo got my creative juices flowing this week, so much so that I made two cards! Today I'm sharing a clean and simple one layer card inspired by the photo that is also perfect for the current challenge over at Addicted to CAS and I will be back with a stepped up card that uses the sketch too tomorrow.

My card also fits the bill over at SUO Challenges and this month's Stampin' Up! #SimpleStamping challenge since it is a simple combination of stamps, ink and paper to make a birthday card - take a look:

This card really was super simple to make: I positioned my sentiment and stamped it in Memento Black ink onto extra thick whisper white cardstock, then took one of the boughs of flowers from the 'Bloom and Grow' stamp set and stamped it both above and below if along the fold of the card, stamping off the edge to add interest. I coloured them with my Stampin' Blends and added a graduated aqua border to make the flowers stand out and mimic the colour of the inspiration photo.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Bloom & Grow Photopolymer Stamp Set (£24.00)	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad (£5.50)	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock (£7.75)	Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack (£8.50)	Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack (£8.50)	Shaded Spruce Combo Pack Stampin' Blends (£8.50)
Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack (£8.50)	Bermuda Bay Light Stampin' Blends Marker (£4.25)	Stampin' Blends Color Lifter (£4.25)

The James Juniors are back to school today following the half term break and I am here with a nice early post for you! Today I'm sharing a card that combines a few challenges: the current challenge over at Less Is More where it is one layer with the focus on sentiment and the current CASology challenge. My card also fits the photo inspiration at Fusion:

It's something of a happy accident that I am combining each of these in today's card - it just so happened that I had an idea that works for all three - and I have two cards for you! I decided to create a couple of pet sympathy cards; first up, a dog one:

I also created one for a cat lover too that is exactly the same design, just mirrored:

Here's the low-down on today's cards:

Sorry For Your Loss - I recently spotted this card on Pinterest and loved the clean lines created by the fun punch art idea and monochromatic colour scheme. It inspired me to think about using a similar idea to create a one-layer card using the same 'Sorry For Everything' stamp set - such a great set where you need a sentiment to take centre stage and useful for lots of different circumstances, including the loss of a furry friend. 

Cats And Dogs - I used a retired Sweet and Sassy Framelit heart, along with a punched cat and dog respectively, to create a mask through which I could sponge my heart. By using a different colour to the sentiment, which I stamped in black, it gives the illusion of another layer and whilst I didn't use the punches directly on my card, the silhouette created by the negative space makes my furbabies easily identifiable. 

Crossing The Rainbow Bridge - My colourful heart whilst perfect for the Fusion rainbow photo was actually inspired by a blog post a couple of week's ago by my Paper Players teamie and committed dog lover Ann Schach. As any of you who follow my blog will know, I am relatively new to the idea of pets having never had one as a child. Ann made this card for a friend of hers that was going through a tough time and she mentioned one of the things her friend was having to deal with was the loss of a pet, which she described as having 'crossed over the Rainbow Bridge'. I thought this was a lovely idea and so tried to incorporate the idea of a rainbow by sponging one into my masked heart, with a little purple heart to accent each pet. I really love the effect - what do you think? I also carried the rainbow theme onto the inside of my card with a set of rainbow footprints around my sentiment, that is courtesy of the new 'Happy Tails' stamp set:

A fitting sentiment for this kind of card I think and the rainbow colours are really uplifting. So two cards inspired by others in lots of ways, yet unique to me. Do check out the respective challenges for lots more inspiration.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Sorry For Everything Clear-Mount Stamp Set (£19.00)	Dog Builder Punch (£17.00)	Cat Punch (£17.00)	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)

Happy Monday everyone! I've had a busy start to my week with some batch cooking but also managed some much-needed time in my craft room. I managed a few productive hours so I've lots to share with you this week! Today I'm sharing a quick card that I might just manage to squeeze in for this week's challenge over at CAS Colours and Sketches: 

I've not managed to play along with these ladies for a few weeks and this sketch almost had me foxed, when I had a flash of inspiration this afternoon and came up with this fun - and quick! - one-layer card:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

A Glass of Red (or 7!) - I decided to ink up my 'Half Full' stamp set for today's card. I loved this stamp set the moment I saw it and knew I would use it not only for Christmas cards but, as a wine drinker who enjoys a glass of red now and then, on lots of other occasions too. These stamps also make for easy tags to pretty up a bottle of wine for a party hostess - but more on that another day. 

A Touch Of Shine - To add a little shine to my wine glasses, I painted them with my fine tip glue pen so that they took on the appearance of glass. It's quite difficult to see on the photograph, but adds a lot to the finish in real life.

Can You See It? - Some may say I was a little loose in my interpretation of this week's sketch, but I can assure you it's there: three elements, getting wider as they extend down the card, with images above and below the central sentiment. I did exercise a little creative licence with the positioning of the first, larger glass, however I think it works well this way. What do you think - should sketches be interpreted literally or do they allow for a modicum of creative interpretation? Do leave me a comment below - I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

That's me done for today; I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Half Full Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Blender Pens	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad	Basic Gray Archival Stampin’ Pad
Fine-Tip Glue Pen	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

 had a little crafty time today and was creating with more of my pre-order stash and decided I just about had time to squeeze in a card for the current challenge over at Less Is More (this was my starting point for today's card but I'm too late to link up unfortunately) which also fits the bill over at Stamp Ink Paper and ATCAS this week:

I went with a rather less obvious vehicle for my one layer card today - take a look:

Since the dictionary definition of 'vehicle' is 'a thing used for transporting people or goods, especially on land, such as a car, lorry, or cart' I think my donkey more than qualifies; not the most common mode of transport granted, but one that transported Mary on that momentous journey to Bethlehem so many years ago. 

I've used a combination of stamps from one of my favourite sets in the new Stampin' Up! Autumn-Winter catalogue called 'Night In Bethlehem' to create my card today. It has a set of co-ordinating framelits which I will share another day; today's card uses the stamp set alone, with some additional masking and brayering to create the illusion of depth and layers, finished with an embossed star. I also stamped the verse that comes with this set on the inside too (in my second colourway):

Little more than stamps, ink and paper today - and I love this card! In fact I liked it so much I made a second version in an alternative colour combination too:

Which one do you prefer? Leave me a comment below - I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Night In Bethlehem Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Sponge Brayers	Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad	Basic Gray Archival Stampin’ Pad	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad	Versamark Pad	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder

Today is Ben's 8th birthday and after my technique class this morning, we will be celebrating for the rest of the day. I will share Ben's birthday card with you tomorrow; I didn't have much time for crafting yesterday, but having received my seasonal pre-order goodies the urge to play with new toys was strong, so I did manage to squeeze in a quick card for this week's one layer challenge over at Less Is More where they have a fun theme of 'the eyes have it' - here's my card:

My 'white space' today is Crushed Curry yellow as I really wanted the negative space for the eyes on my 'spooky' Halloween stamp from the new 'Among The Branches' stamp set to look like something fearsome - did it work?! I stamped my image on the inside of the card in Memento Black ink, then used my circle framelits and Big Shot to cut a hole in the front of my card, which I also embossed with the new Woodland textured Impressions Embossing Folder. I just love this embossing folder - this is one of those versatile items that I'm going to get lots of use from. I resisted the urge to add some ribbon or twine - I know how those lovely LIM ladies like their space - less, is after all more!

My box of pre-order goodies is just fantastic and has so many fabulous sets, for Autumn, Halloween and Christmas - I can hardly wait to get creating so that I can share more with you! I will be packaging my catalogues to be sent out to my local and online customers before the end of the month; if you don't already have a demonstrator and would like me to send you a seasonal catalogue get in touch with your contact details and I will add you to my mailing list.

Back tomorrow with Ben's birthday card and a peek at his birthday cake; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

*Among The Branches - available September 1st

*Woodland TIEF - available September 1st

Big Shot

Circles Collection Framelits Dies

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Crushed Curry A4 Cardstock

Today I'm sharing my card for this week's challenge over at Less is More, where the focus for this week's one layer challenge is a 'starry, starry night'. I was aiming for an early LIM entry this week and this post was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but best laid plans and all that .... So two days later, here it is:

So how did I create today's card? Well, I've been wanting to create a sponged snowy scene for a while, so this card was the perfect opportunity. I masked off a horizontal panel, added a masked circle for my moon and then created a 'hill' mask to create my landscape itself. I sponged in my sky using Night of Navy ink and used the same colour to highlight the edges of the snow dunes and some subtle tree shadows (I did this bit after I stamped in the trees). Once I'd created my snowscape, I used the tip of the pine tree from the Festival of Tree stamp set to add in my trees. I stamped them in Memento Black ink, being careful to keep my mask in place each time so that the trees were behind the surface of the snow. To finish, I used some Encore silver ink to sponge in some tiny stars using a stencil I created with my Confetti Stars punch, along with a few dots added with my Silver marker. I also lightly sponged some Encore Silver onto some areas of the sky to add a subtle sheen. To finish, I stamped my sentiment from the 'Good Greetings' stamp set beneath my scene. Here's a closeup of the scene itself so that you can see it in more detail: 

For such a 'blue' card, this really is very pretty and for a one layer card has so much going on. I think I might have to make a few more like this!

Back tomorrow with another card; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Confetti Stars Punch	Festival Of Trees Photopolymer Stamp Set	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad
Silver Stampin' Dazzle Marker	Silver Metallic Encore Pad	Stamping Sponges

Another busy day today but I managed to shop, clean the house and catch up on some work, so a nicely productive one. Today's card is my entry for this week's challenge over at 'Less Is More' where the theme this week is 'Little Creatures' - I'm squeezing this one in right under the wire this evening, but as this is one of my favourite challenge blogs and I haven't done any challenges this week, it was worth the effort.

I decided to make a Christmas card, although my 'little creatures' didn't come from a festive set - take a look:

I thought the little bird in the 'Hello Love' hostess set would make a cute robin, so I decided to stamp a pair under the little sprig of mistletoe that features in the Project Life Holiday Cheer stamp set and then coloured them with my Cherry Cobbler and skin tone Blendabilities, highlighting with my Colour Lifter, and adding a little red bow to the hair of one to make her into the 'Mrs'. I stamped the mistletoe in Garden Green and wiped away the bow and re-drew it in Real Red, and added a few tiny pearls to look like the mistletoe berries. For my sentiment, I chose 'I love us' from the 'Good Greetings' hostess set; this set is still available until the end of the month if you host a party and have qualifying sales of £200 or more. This sentiment just seemed to suit my robins perfectly!

A simple one layer card (even though one layer isn't part of the challenge criteria this week!) which shows a useful way to adapt the 'Hello Love' set for a Christmas card.

Back tomorrow with another Christmas card; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Hello Love Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Alcohol Marker Color Lifter
Project Life Holiday Cheer Photopolymer Stamp Set	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Cherry Cobbler Assortment	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Skin Tone Assortment	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad
Basic Pearls Jewel Accents	Good Greetings Wood-Mount Stamp Set