It's an ill wind . . . .

Today, I was rudely awakened by the telephone ringing at 06:00 am.  Now, anyone who knows me, knows that that is the middle of my night . . . I'm a night owl, going to bed around 03:00 am and not seeing the light of day until around 11:00 am, so, I was on 'red alert', knowing that something really dreadful had happened!  I rushed to the phone, stubbing my toe in the semi light and my bleary eyes and snatched it from it's base.  I heard a weepy mother on the other end informing me that she had, "fallen out of her chair", and was, "on the floor and couldn't get up".  My Mother is a 'night owl' too (worse than me) and she was about to go to bed and apparently, she had fallen asleep in her chair and woke up thinking, 'I must go to bed', so I think she must have been a bit 'doddery' and stumbled.  My stomach lurched and I said, "don't move, I will be there in a minute".

I grabbed my car keys and hurtled out of the door and arrived in record time (eat your heart out Stirling Moss - anyone here apart from me old enough to know he was a racing driver?), I let myself in to my Mother's and after a bit of a struggle, managed to get her to her feet.  Luckily, she was more shaken than hurt - I gave her a good checking over, and there wasn't a bruise or any sign of redness, thank the Lord - so I gave her a big cuddle to calm her (and me) down, gave her two Paracetamol, got her into her night-clothes and tucked her up in her bed.   I kissed her, and arrived home, wide awake with an extra four hours tacked on to my day!  Hence a few cards for a few challenges!

The first one I made, I am entering it into the 'Flower Challenge #6' which is 'Anything Goes', as long as it contains flowers.

Here is the card for that challenge.

The second card is for a the 'Less Is More Challenge', which calls for 'Mainly Teal',

Now, this one I was a little unsure of?  I liked how it turned out, but I wasn't sure if, a) there was enough teal and b) whether there was 'too much going' on with the grey (I did hope that the grey leaves would fade more than they did (some inks do, this one didn't 😟).  This is that card.

I rang my Mother later to ask her if she was OK (my sister visits on a Saturday, so I knew Mum didn't have long to wait until she had company), and she was quite bright and breezy and said, yes, she was fine.  I asked her if she got some sleep and she replied,  "yes, I had a good 'night's' sleep"  and then asked me if I had HAH!  Never mind, she was OK, and to me that is worth the loss of a few hours of my sleep!

Well, thank you so much for your visit today and especially if you have left a comment.  You are all appreciated more than you know! If you have a question, please be sure I have a way to contact you so I can answer, as a lot of you are 'no-reply' bloggers, so I am unable to reply via e-mail.

Happy Little Stampers CAS - Stamping & UK Craft Retreat! Less Is More - Snippets

Today's card is again for the Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - Stamping  as I wanted to get a last one in before closing!

Also, if you didn't already know Kylie is organising a UK crafting retreat, if you are interested, pop on over, all the details are posted on the Happy Little Stampers blog.

Anywho, this is my card today., which was very heavily influenced by a card I saw made in a video by the uber talented  Jennifer McGuire . . . honestly, if you have never seen her work, where have you been?  Just click on her name above to be taken to her blog and give yourself a real treat!

I first spread silver embossing paste through a Tim Holtz Layering Stencil on to a corner of grey card-stock, let it dry and flush mounted it on to a card base.  Then I dry embossed a white panel with a We R Memory Keepers Embossing Folder and cut the corner off at an angle and stuck a snippet of black card-stock under the cut edge to finish it off and then mounted that on to the grey panel.

Finally, I added some flower and leaves die cuts that I have had 'knocking about' in my craft room for ages and also a thanks die cut - also cut on another occasion - all these 'snippets' are from when I purchase a new die and try it out, I usually do not have a specific project in mind for them at the time, so they go into my little box and usually sit there forever!  As it contains a lot of 'snippets' I also thought I would enter it in the Less Is More Challenge, which is for 'Snippets'  I was also going to put it into 'Pixie's Snippets Playground', but am ashamed to say, I forgot how to use that Linky Widget over there . . . I've done it before, but I can't remember how?

I finished of with some WOS, and Glossy Accents on the sentiment and WOS on the flowers.

Why not get an entry in quick at HLS, you still have one day!  As always, I appreciate your visits and comments . . . you really do make my day!  Have a lovely one!  Hazel xx

Freshly Made Sketches #183 - Take Two & Less Is More #221 - Tag

Today's card is for Freshly Made Sketches #183 and a rather neglected challenge, Less Is More #221 - Tag

This is the  sketch for the FMS challenge

The LIM challenge speaks for itself, you need to have a tag on your card.  I feel a little ashamed of myself that this challenge has been so neglected lately, because I have no excuse!

Anywho, here is my card

Supplies used:

American Crafts - Shimelle Woodgrain embossing folder

Stampin' Up - Tag

Clearly Besotted - On Your Day stamp set

Incidentals - Black cardstock, white cardstock, various coloured inks, Versafine, Black Onyx ink and black grossgrain ribbon

Thank you very much for stopping by and I appreciate all your comments.  I hope you are having a great weekend.  Hazel xx

For Chrissie & The Team Over At Less Is More

This is my final entry for the Less Is More #200 Challenge - 'Celebrate'  
This will be my third one and they must be getting sick of seeing my name by now. 

I am dedicating this card to Chrissie who started the LIM blog and keeps it running so we can all enjoy it and join in the fun!  I have always had encouraging comments from her and the DT.

This is a technique that I saw Jennifer McGuire demonstrate a while ago now and I remembered it, had the stamp set and decided to try and replicate the effect. To visit her blog click HERE

This is my card 

First, I stamped the sentiment in different colour inks and then, cut them in half.  The red one I cut a strip out of the center, then I cut four more strips of card the same width and layered them up. 

Next, I put the two halves together on to a card front and lined up the red, layered strip on top so it stood out.

Finally, I stamped the rest of the greeting underneath the main sentiment, in Versafine Black Onyx pigment ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I mounted the panel on to a card with a strip of yellow card for accent and added a few sequins as it is supposed to be a celebration!  Maybe it would look better without?  The jury is out on that one!

Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment you lovely people, it is very much appreciated!  Hazel x

Supplies used:

Stamps - My Favorite Things, 'Celebrate Big'
Ink - Colorbox, 'Paintbox Primary's'
Sequins from stash

Using Some Of My Favourite Products

Today, I decided to use some of my most favourite products, namely, my Papertrey Ink Impression Plate in Linen (very expensive to ship to the UK, but I had wanted it for ever) and my WOW embossing powder in Metallic Gold Sparkle . . . and man, does it sparkle, it is sooo pretty in real life!

Anyway, I decided to make another  card for the two challenges I made them for yesterday, the, Addicted To CAS #53 'Dots' Challenge and the Less Is More #200 'Celebrations' Challenge

The LIM challenge is their 200th - congratulations to them - and the ATCAS challenge is 'Dots' and is their 53rd challenge and a DT call.

This is the card

Detail

 Supplies used:

PTI - Impression Plate in 'Linen'
Die - Simon says Stamp, Confetti Circles (ideal for a celebration)
Stamps - Clearly Besotted, 'Mini Banner, Stamp & Die Set' and 'A Little Sentimental'
WOW - 'Metallic Gold Sparkle' embossing powder.

Thank you all for taking the time out to visit and comment (I know it's time consuming) so I appreciate you all - and, of course try to reciprocate!  Have a great weekend.  Hazel x

  

Seeing Spots Before The Eyes

Todays card was made for two challenges . . . the Addicted To CAS #53 'Dots' Challenge  It is also a design team call.  The second challenge it is for,  is the Less Is More #200 'Celebrations' Challenge 

This is the card

Detail

 

Supplies used:

Die - Simon Says Stamp, 'Luminary Circles'
Stamp -  Alte&New, 'Label Love'
Embossing Plate - Papertrey Ink, 'Linen'

Thank you to all who visited today and spent time leaving comments, you are all appreciated more than you know!  Hazel x

A Very Late Entry For The 'Less Is More #199 Challenge

Today, I am just about managing to 'scrape in under the net' for the Less Is More #199 Challenge - Jingle all the way!

This was my take

Detail

More detail

The reason it is so late is because I am rubbish at colouring and it took quite a few attempts and even then I wasn't as thrilled as I should have been when entering a challenge, but it was probably the best I was going to manage and I was pleased with the rest of the card.

Whatever, supplies I can remember I will list below, but most of it I have had a while and back in the day before I listed, filed and stored methodically.

Anyway, I've wasted enough time.  Thank you for stopping by today and taking the time to comment, you are all very much appreciated and I try to reciprocate as best I can (if I haven't done so already).  Have a lovely crafty day.  Hazel x

Supplies (as I can  remember) 

Papers - Digital, printed on my printer 
Colouring - Inktense Pencils (used dry, as that is the only way I can nearly control them!)

LIM Week 198 Theme - MORE THAN ONE TREE

This challenge, 'LIM Week 198 Theme - MORE THAN ONE TREE' enabled me to make use of an embossing folder I bought a while ago and have not had the opportunity to use yet and a rubber stamp I purchased last year (of which I only used a part of, see picture of full stamp below) - and again, hadn't used - I must try to use them as soon as I get them, otherwise they are put to one side and then . . . promptly forgotten!  The trouble is, I usually shop a very big haul, and it would usually take a week to use all the supplies, anyway, I must make an effort!

The challenge is exactly as it sounds, the design has to include 'MORE THAN ONE TREE', and this is my effort.  All supplies are listed below.

Supplies used:

Stamps - Hero Arts, 'Winter Scene' & Stampin' Up, 'Teeny Tiny Sentiments'
Embossing folder - WeR Memory Keepers
Punches - Stampin' Up, 'Word Window' and 'Modern Label'
Gold detail embossing powder

Stamp used: 

Thanks for visiting today and I appreciate all your comments!

Less Is More Challenge #197 - Stars

Well, this challenge over at my favourite challenge blog Less Is More - Challenge  #197 - Stars,  was really a challenge for me, you see, I am still waiting to get my large stars dies and I have no big stars stamps!  

I wracked my brain and came up with the idea of using a diamond shaped die to make my own stencil, which is exactly what I did - if you stay tuned, I will tell you exactly how I achieved it!

This is the card I finally came up with.

First, I embossed the front of plain card stock with an embossing folder (see below for full list of supplies used)

Next, I made my star stencil out of a diamond shaped die.  Then, I stencilled Through with a light blue ink first, then a medium blue & finally a darker blue.  After that I white embossed tiny stars through the stencil.

TIP: Don't believe them when they say that stencil glue is low tack . . . mine ripped the face off my first attempt!  Be very careful with it!

Finally, I made my own greeting up with an alphabet stamp set.

Supplies used:

Die - Clearly Besotted 'Geometric Style 1'
Stamps - Hero Arts 'Tiny Stars' & Lawn Fawn 'Violets ABC's'
Inks - Distress Inks in, 'Broken China', 'Tumbled Glass' & 'Stromy Sky' and Colorbox 'Paintbox, primary colours' (for the sentiment)
Embossing Plate - Papertrey Ink 'Linen'

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and I appreciate all your comments!  Hazel xx

My Second Attempt At The 'Less Is More - Non-Traditional Colours Challenge'

Yesterday I made a mistake, I accidentally let the 'dreaded' RED creep in to my submission for the LIM challenge, so I withdrew it and today I had another go!  

This is my Second Attempt At The 'Less Is More - Non-Traditional Colours Challenge' . . . not a drop of colour anywhere, let alone red or green (unless you class white & gold as colours).

 

I must admit to becoming slightly obsessed with shaker cards at the moment, but let me tell you, I am beginning to hate micro beads with a vengeance!  They start to jump out of the pot as soon as you open the lid and even when you try to tip them out as carefully and slowly as you possibly can, as soon as they hit a hard surface (even from a millimetre away) they bounce like hailstones on a tin roof . . . micro beads EVERYWHERE!!  I have four other pots that I haven't opened yet, and I'm afraid to!

Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate all your comments!

Supplies used:

Dies - Elizabeth Craft Designs

Embellishments - Micro beads, sequins (all from my stash)

Edit: 

I have been asked a number of times now about exactly what dies did I use and how did I make it.  The answer is not a simple one - it's simple enough to do, but a little complicated to explain in words - so the best thing I can do is to give you some links to some very good videos on how to make a shaker.

The dies used are a set purchased in 2014 and was still available Christmas 2015, however, there tons of similar dies out there by most of the die companies (including new ones from Spellbinders)
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxHTfSBdPgE
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNhCzC6dZ4M
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PQySngnwiQ

All shaker cards use basically the same techniques, so although they are not the same, all the same principals apply

I hope this helps!  Hazel xx

Two Birds With One Stone . . . Or, Two Challenges For One Card!

Yesterday, I received an order from Make The Day Special, just in time for the start of their November challenge . . . serendipitous (no, that's not the name of the challenge) the brief for their challenge was to use one of their colour schemes

I was dithering about which to choose, when I thought, why not do as many as I felt like . . . I always need more Christmas cards anyway and then I can choose which one I prefer.

First, I chose the non traditional colours - which led me on to the next challenge - which was over at one of my favourite challenge blogs, 'Less Is More' and their new challenge, which is, 'Non Traditional Christmas Colours'  Ideal for my first colour combo!  Which is this one

The second one, was the 'Traditional Colour Scheme' for the 'Make The Day Special Challenge'  and this was it

This was the two together

The supplies used are listed below - most were from Make The Day Special, as per their rules and I will link to those.

Thank you for stopping by and I appreciate all your comments!

Supplies for the 'Blue - Non Traditional Card' were

Stamps for wreath - WPlus9 'Woodland Wreaths'
Dies for wreath - WPlus9 'Woodland Wreath'
Die for sentiment - Unsure origin
Inks - Memento 'Summer Sky' & 'Bahama Blue' & Stampin' Up 'Tempting Turquoise' & 'Real Red'
Embellishments - Red satin ribbon, sequins and micro beads (from my stash)
Pattern paper - Printed on my printer

Supplies for the 'Traditional Colour Scheme' were


Stamps for wreath - WPlus9 'Woodland Wreaths'
Dies for wreath - WPlus9 'Woodland Wreath'
Border die - Pretty Pink Posh 'Stitched Borders'
Sentiment stamp - 'Penny Black'
Inks - Memento 'Bamboo Leaves' & 'Cottage Ivy' & Stampin' Up 'Certainly Celery' & 'Real Red'
Embellishments - Sequins, micro beads & ribbon - From my stash
Pattern paper - Printed on my printer

Less Is More - Newsprint

Today I decided, is the time to do my favourite challenge of all . . . the Less Is More challenge and this time the brief was, 'Newsprint'

I thought it would be an ideal time to try out some new purchases I made recently - all supplies will be listed below - I've been dying to try some of these!

First, I die cut the leaves of the tree out of the top panel, then I die cut them again out of 'newsprint' paper.  I then mounted the top panel on foam tape and then stuck all the leaves down through the holes on to the card base - in retrospect, I realised that nobody would probably notice and I could have just stuck the whole piece of 'newsprint' paper behind the leaves - but I always end up doing things the hard way!

Finally, I cut three layers of card stock for the tree trunk and stuck them one on top of the other, and stuck it down on the front of the card.  Then, I cut a banner and stamped the greeting and mounted it on the card with foam tape in the middle and glue dots on each end, to curve the banner and give it dimension.

If I did it again, I would just stick the whole piece of pattern paper behind the die cut!

Here is the finished card

Supplies used:

Dies - My Favorite Things 'Out On A Limb' & Clearly Besotted 'Basic Banners'
Stamps - Clearly Besotted 'Basic Banners'
Ink - Versafine 'Vintage Sepia'
Pattern Paper - Printed on my printer
Card Stock - Stampin' Up 'Natural'

Thanks for visiting and I appreciate all your comments!

Less Is More Challenge #194 - Little Creatures

Today I decided to narrow the challenges down to the few who have bothered to comment on the entries that I have put forward for their challenges.  Oh, I know I will be in for a lot of criticism here, people are busy etc., but if I was running a challenge I would make sure that I at least took the trouble to thank each and every entrant, (or allocate a member of the DT to comment)

As a brand new blogger I find it very disheartening when I have spent time and supplies to make something for a challenge and nobody bothers!  So, thank you one and all over at the 'Less Is More' blog for making time in your busy lives to comment on a newbies attempts.  I am very grateful to you all!

Rant over . . . sorry about that folks!

Here is my submission for the terrific, Less Is More challenge #194 - 'Little Critters'

This was also my very first shaker card!  Although LIM, say that the card should be one layer and clean and simple I was unsure whether - with it being a shaker card - this was allowable - perhaps someone from the LIM team could tell me?

 

I really enjoyed this challenge, it was fun!

Supplies:

Stamps & Dies - Simon Says Stamp 'Best Fishes' & Clearly Besotted 'Basic Banners'

Stencil - Simon Says Stamp 'Waves'

Inks - Tim Holtz Distress Inks 'Tumbled Glass' & 'Pumice Stone'

Colouring - Intense Watercolour pencils

Embellishments: Mixed sequins, acetate & gems.

Thanks for looking!