ColourQ #134, JAI #115 and Less is More

My goodness these colours were a challenge to put together but a very interesting combination.  As Purely Pomegranate was still on my desk and I don't have Bravo Burgundy, it was my substitute and I think it worked well.  I stamped the JustRite border twice to get a double line at the top of the pool party panel.  

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Burgundy;  SU white, Pool Party, Calypso Coral

Stamps - TE Make it Amazing;  Just Rite Lace Borders II

Ink - SU Purely Pomegranate, Pool Party, Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie

Butterfly Punches - MS

Gems - Kaisercraft

*******

I recently received my latest Simon Says Stamp order and the stamp I have used was part of it.  As soon as I saw this stamp this was the idea I had for it (hopefully there will be others).  There are black gems on the ampersand bit it is a little difficult to see them

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

Stamps - Hero Arts Ampersand;  WMS Join Us

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black;  SU Real Red

Gems - Kaisercraft

Spring time Sundays ...

These colours are just so beautiful and restful, wish I had something in that slightly warmer grey, all I could think of was copics but I didn't really want to shade around the flowers. Thanks to the Less is More ladies for highlighting the Design Seeds blog, a definite go to when colour inspiration is low.   I hoped it would suit my first attempt at a Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge, one that I have had on my list for quite a while.  

I wasn't able to find a ribbon or embellishment that worked in the bottom left corner of the flowers so opted for gemstones, a huge departure from the norm for me HA HA!

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

Patterned paper - Kaisercraft Chanteuse

Copics

Stamps - The Cat's Meow Celebrating You

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black

Gems - MME Lush (grey)

Less is More #57 - Neutrals

Edited to Add:  I am so excited that this card was chosen to be showCASed over on the Less is More blog.  There were so many divine cards that the job of picking just a few must have been very difficult.

I think, as I get older these colours appeal so much more to me.  They can be gentle or dramatic which I love.  I thought of a thousand ways I could go with this, seems that so many challenges are making a feature of these oh so versatile colours.

Here is my take on the challenge but I really think I will be coming back to this several times in the future.

What you need
Cardstock - SU very vanilla
Stamps - PTI Dot Spot, Think Big Favourites
Ink - SU Early Espresso, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel;  Memento Desert Sand
Pearls - Pebbles, Kaisercraft

Less is More - Week 42 "Silhouettes"

This card popped into my head when out walking one morning this week,  I think because a friend became engaged recently.  And even better, it came together in 20 minutes - nothing like getting a card made when inspiration strikes.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, black

Stamps -  WMS Oval Classic Frames, Cameo Maker, Big Day Additions

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, London Fog

Afew more Christmas jobs can be ticked off.  With school finishing next Tuesday, all teacher gifts are done, will share next week.  My daughter's family birthday will be on Sunday, just a straight forward Aussie BBQ, with a special request for a chocolate mousse cake birthday cake. Love that girl's choice!

A rare September post - Less is More

So for my second September post, which had to be reasonably quick, I have chosen the Less is More challenge - a sketch

Now that my focus is for Christmas, except for my daughter's birthday, I thought a Christmas card was in order.

What you need
Cardstock - SU white;  Bazzill Basics hot pink
Stamps - SUMy Friend;  Penny Black Merry Christmas
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud
Markers - Memento Rose Bud, Angel Pink
Stickles - Diamond

 I have been glued to Jennifer McGuire's online class "Inspiration Showcase" for the past couple of weeks and found an area of my stamp/ink collection which is sadly lacking - Distress inks and stains.  I have seen some of the techniques featured but definitely not all so hope to have a play when we get home from Victoria.

This is what I have been working on .... have known for quite sometime that these birthday calendar books needed to be done but, of course, I left getting them done till the last minute.

If I can indulge my ego for a moment, this weeks Paper Crafts blog is featuring the new Christmas cards special edition. A week or so ago Courtney Smith emailed me to say that a project of mine would be featured on the blog (Tuesday US time, so Wednesday in Oz).  So take a look and let me know what you think.

Less is More #19 - One Layer Frame

I do like it when cards come together quickly.  I hadn't used Framed since Christmas so was glad to use it again.  I had difficulty with the sentiment as I wouldn't normally send a card with Dear Friend on it but it fit and I really like the font.

What you need
Cardstock - white
Stamps - PTI Framed, Delightful Dahlia
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black;  SU Real Red (and marker), Pear Pizzazz
Pearls - Kaisercraft

Less is More #18

The Brief - Monochrome

Guess who got some new stamps this week!  So I had to use them.  I have been inspired by fellow blogger Cyndie at Artful Haven, who does the most amazing art work, not just the most wonderful cards.  Anyway the first post I saw of hers used this stamp set, and knew I had to have it.

I am no quilter, so have no idea how to put the panels of colour together,  again I deferred to Cyndie's colouring scheme.  I really wanted to try shades of grey, so the Copics got a run again.  It was a lovely relaxing thing to do this afternoon as we have had quite a hectic weekend with decorating a room and doing a general clean out.  Oh and of course school projects.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI white; SU ? Going Grey
Stamps - PTI Quilter's Sampler and Additions
Copics - W1,3,5,9
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black

Less is More #17

The theme for the week - Pick a Square (from the diagram below)

So, afew thoughts came to mind, I was going to do a geometric pattern, a la PTI's Giga Guidelines but came across this set first, PTI Vintage Picnic.

And as I am trying to diligently practice my Copic skills, jumped at the chance to use one of my favourite sets.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI white
Stamp - PTI Vintage Picnic
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Copics - E33,35,37;  YG11,13,17;  R24, 29,85;  RV13,14,19

Less is More - Butterflies

Hopefully I have read the brief right this week, it was an honest mistake, I didn't see the one layer bit.  I really shouldn't post stuff late at night.

This first card was a great idea in my head but quite uninspiring once I had made it.  I wanted a gradual change in colour but don't have 3 inks that go together tonally.

This one I am happier with, lots of white space

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

Stamps - SU Great Friend

Ink - SU Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant

Gemstones - Kaisercraft

Clear Spica Pen

Less is More - Week 15

Theme  -  Embossing

I know it's nowhere near Christmas time but you can never start on the cards too early.  I bought a "mystery" box from Darkroom Door afew months back and in this amazing box (it included papers, tons of stamps amongst other things), were lots of their beautiful photo chips.  This one is from their Prague collection and just reminded me of Europe at Christmas time - nothing like here.

Very happy with the results, thought maybe not very CAS (not sure I will be able to part with it when the time comes).

What you need
Cardstock - PTI black, pure poppy, white
Stamps - PTI Fancy Flourishes;  Verve Glad Tidings (sentiment)
Ink - Versamark;  Memento Tuxedo Black
Embossing Powder - Zing! Glitter Silver
Ribbon - SU  Real Red grosgrain
Photo - Darkroom Door "Prague Collection)

Less is More - Week 11

Theme - Acetate

I had a couple of ideas for this challenge but have just run out of time, so I pulled out a card I found in last weekend's clean out that I thought would suit the purpose.  Not very CAS nor very new and unusual but it brings a smile to my face.

As the acetate was flaring abit in the late afternoon light I have photographed it flat.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI Acetate;  SU white
Patterned Paper - American Crafts Warm Wishes
Paper flowers and pearls - Kaisercraft
Buttons - PTI Sweet Blush
Ribbon - PTI Vintage Cream
Lace - ? Maya Road