Sometimes it gets sad.

My entry for the Less is more 3 squares challenge this week, just sort of developped. I had the basic idea of where to place the squares,and I wanted some punched flowers and it just ended up as a sympathy card.

So sorry that the theme's not exactly inspiring, but sometimes I find these cards the most challenging of all because the situation they are designed for is so emotionally charged. My apologies if this lowers your mood, people but it's still about creating something which will mean something to the receipent. As I'm writing this I am beginning to feel that the impression of this post will be too gloomy.  Anyway: It's 2 small squares and a larger one, embossed with a CB folder.  The text and stamp are from American crafts and the flowers are punched and Pebeo dimensional paint added to the centres.  The squares are distressed with milled lavender ink.
On a more cheery note.  Went to the craft fair, it wasn't worth the entry fee and it appears to attract less interest every time, but like a good crafter I sniffed out a few things I really didn't need: few stamps and some nesting dies, and some die cuts in shapes I would not invest in the die for, but will have a go at the dies (eg umbrella).  The one good thing, Debbie Moore and Flower Soft were there with very professional stands.
I've got to go out tonight and really can't be bothered as it's cold and windy, but a girl's got to make the effort I suppose
Catcha later

Loves the nieces to pieces

It's 2 of my nieces birthdays in March.  Abi is 7 and Georgia is 13.  I wanted to make an alternative to a birthday card for them, so created these.  My first attempt at altering!

I found these wall hangings in Home bargains for 99p.  They are MDF with the most awful tropical pictures on them but they are nice and square so would be easy to alter/cover.  I used some plastic Hello Kitty stickers for Abi's and some ready made large embellishments for Goergia's also bought in one of the bargain stores.  I added Craftwork card and Pink Petticoat Papers, a few embellishments and their names.  I am pleased with them and they probably cost about £2.50 to make.  They look so pretty.
I've had some time to craft today, managed to make a couple of ATC's and am now covered with green alcohol ink.  I decided to have a go at vintage which isn't my style, and still isn't after todays efforts.  Still it was fun to play.  I also made a couple of post it note holders for the fair in July.  More on that another time.  Tomorrow there's a craft fair at Washington, so I'll do a bit browsing.  Debbie Moore was there last year so I am hoping she'll be demonstrating again.  Happy Saturday folks, hope you aren't on a diet and can enjoy a glass of wine and some chocolate.
Catcha later.
 

Blog award

Just a quickie.  Got 2 this week.  It'll take me a while to get round to doing the first one as there's a lot of folk to forward on to.  But my thanks to Ni, my fellow newbie to blogging.  Take a look at her cards http://nispapercraftingplace.blogspot.com/2011/02/wow-blog-awards-x-2-d.html
I do like the idea of bringing some blogs to the attention of fellow crafters, so here goes: I would like to offer the award to
Crafty Sam:  http://craftysams.blogspot.com/
Jackied : http://cardsbyjacki.blogspot.com/

My tribute to Terry's

Polka doodles chocolate challenge:

As a self confessed chocoholic, I thought I'd find this one easy, but how to pay homage to the smooth silky calorie laden stuff?  I struggled, nothing was good enough, nothing even came close.  However, it did set the mind racing and the taste buds tingling.  Memories came flooding back.  As a child, the grown ups always got the boxes of chocs, the Dairy Box, Milk Tray and Black Magic.  I always coveted the golden booty that was Terry's All Gold.  If you were lucky enough to get a choice, I would always go for the Lime flavoured one that looked as though it was in a little pouch, tied with a choccy chord.  So there it was, my decoupage, called chocolate girl was teamed with a green contrast and chocolate coloured paper and trims.  It was finished off with a huge chocolate button, which is very glossy (you can't tell from the photo. Papers are Polka doodles and Craftwork cards, don't know who the decoupage comes from, and the candy is also from Craftwork cards.  Happy chocolate dreams.
Catcha later

Less is more:Spring

Like a fool I decide to set myself a challenge within a challenge for this weeks test.  I did not want to use anything botanical to symbolise spring.  Yeah right! I got out the box of stamps, browsed through them for ages, got nicely surprised at how many I have and have not used and just was not inspired.  Feeling very frustrated I discovered some little Polka Doodles freebies on one of this weeks magazines and guess what?  I've used a TREE.  How very botanical!
I wanted something a bit cutesie though and wanted to focus on something else springlike other than the advent of spring flowers.  So this little bird is in his tree at the end of a long winter, ready to build his nest.  This is what spring signifies to me especially when the birds return to the gardens and start nesting.

I didn't want a detailed sentiment so added congratulations so the card will be suitable for some sort of good news, baby etc. It's on an embossed card from Papermania and mounted onto a nestie and glittered around the edge.
It's Saturday night, time for a nice chilled Prosecco.
Catcha later
http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/

Yeuch! Man cards

Why are they so difficult?  other than football or drinking images I really struggle with these.  However, Polka Doodles to the rescue once again.  I used my lovely Sugar Birdies CD rom for this one, for my stepson.

So the lads go out for a drink and one of them (whose birthday it might be) gets a bit wobbly whilst having a HOOT.  All Polka doodles, all lovely papers and cute owls.  Man card in a tick.
This week I bought some American Crafts sentiment stamps.  They've got lovely little flourishes and labels with them.  I also got the Martha Stewart stamp set where you just have loads of alphabets to use in circles/lines.  Can't wait to have a go with these.
Busy thinking about a card for a colleague about to become a grandma for the first time, so that's my goal this weekend.
I'm off for some tea and reading now.  Haven't bothered with a book for ages but have just finished the Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse which is so beautifully emotional, about grief and coming to terms with the past, which can so affect the present.  Am now reading The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver which is set in Mexico and is about a guy who works for Frida Kahlo and her husband.  If you don't know who Frida Kahlo is, google her and get a real look at her artwork.  She's a fascinating artist. I do have to remind myself sometimes about my love of literature and make some time for it in between making cards!
Catcha later.

Polka Doodles:

Need to upload this, as will not be around for a couple of days.  I am so tired today, just can't seem to get away from the need for some sleep,so will have to have an early night.  But firstly a welcome to my new follower and a thank you to all the lovely do crafts forum members for their comments on Samantha's goblins, both on here and in the gallery.  I am overwhelmed, honestly.

So this card is in honour of Mr Bowie's "Fashion" (I know the love link's a bit thin, but lets face it we all love and lust after clothes) and gave me an opportunity once again to use Sundae of Seasons CD, cutting out the sewing related images, decoupaging some and adding buttons,fibres and American crafts glitterations.  I also added some real pins and could've quite easily called it Needles and Pins (oh yes I saw her today, I saw her face, it was a face I loved etc), but can't remember who sang it. It's a stepper type card and I'll have to make a box for it because it's over 8 by 8.
I also received my Polka Doodles prize, which was the latest Sugar Birdies CD and have browsed it and can't wait to make use of it.
Off to have a look at some great entries and make a few comments.
Catcha later

Less is more challenge 2

I have to do some blogging now as I am working away for a couple of days next week.  No blogs, no crafting, not even any craft shops.  I've enjoyed some crafting this weekend and had a few cards to make for friends, including some "man" cards. Ugh! after all these years I still struggle to be inspired, but I will post them later.  I have had some great comments on Samantha's Goblins (thanks to all of you who took the time to comment) and welcome to my new followers; glad to meet you and I will have a look at your blogs too.
One of my shorter term objectives is to take better pics of my cards.  My sis says the photos don't do them justice and the one below is a case in point, I couldn't get is right, so I beg the use of your creative imagination.

So folks: this is a funny shape cut out so I could brayer in the background.  I used Adirondack Latte and Cappuchino for this and I wanted to see a definition of layer in the colour as we dont have it with the materials.  I stamped Spring is in the air at the bottom of th image (it's a teeny set of stamps I got for ATC's and I don't have the packaging) and I have stamped a Kars flower along the bottom.  The main image is Pansies by Art Kure.
What I love about this challenge was that it made me play with stamps and inks I hadn't even looked at in ages.  I'd had the ArtKure one for years, bought it in Hexham and had never used it.
This is for the lovely Less is more challenge
I'm off to watch Barbara Gray now, and get inspired, I know I will.
Catcha later

Samantha's Goblins

This is Samantha, my 27 year old step daughter.  As you may tell, she has Down's syndrome.  I am featuring her on my craft blog, because Samantha participates in all sorts of activities, including crafting, and i thought it might be interesting for you to know a little about her.  She has made beautiful Christmas cake, a bird house, has done gardening and of course made cards.  Whilst the cards are not spectacular, she clearly loves being creative.

Samantha loves to write and draw.  We have laughed at her drawings and the way she puts her perceptions of us onto paper because they look like goblins with hairy ears, three eyes and huge belly buttons, but over the years she has always retained this peculiar style.  So I thought I would combine her designs with my card making to produce some cards for her.  She'll enjoy seeing her pictures (which are not too scary, she wasn't drawing to request this time)and I would love to pass on your comments to her.

I'll add some of the more scary ones as they are produced, when she's in the artistic frame of mind.
Catcha later

What a challenge

I found this challenge by chance last night when browsing a few lovely inspirational blogs.  It's just new and is based around a keeping it simple approach which is the exact opposite of my pile it all on tendency.  I thought I'd give it a go, and another and another after ripping everything up.  It's sooo difficult, and I realised why.  I focused too much on what I perceived as limitations... but actually they aren't limitations, it's a much more liberating process, and this is confirmed by the amazing range of creations in the entry section.  I enjoyed being disciplined and focusing on my elements a lot more and how a card is structured.  It's a blog I'll have to follow and I know I'll find it inspirational.  I did come to it late, so next time will ensure I add some comments to my fellow crafters blogs as well as just looking.
This is just such a wonderful idea for a challenge and the comments from the founders appear to be really constructive, and that's great.

It's made using Heidi Grace flourish stamps, a Little Claire Die cut petals and centre from on old French play book (my old uni stuff comes in handy, poor old Racine!!!!) and a gem.  I added a few teeny peel offs to make it a Get well card. Easy? Not!
Catcha later

Oozing lurve

Got a day off today as the car is in for a service and MOT, bad thing is that it'll cost plenty of my pennies.  But i got up early and watched the first episode of Marchlands on ITV player.  Nice n spooky.  I've also taped that new series called Bedlam, which is also supernaturally themed.  Did a bit crafting and just generally chilled, which is nice for a change.  it also gives me some time to enter blogland and catch up on some other blogs.  Loved Kirsty Wiseman's picks of the Craft show in LA, looks like even more new stuff to tempt the poor crafter.  Apparantly cameos are "in".  May have to break out the Joanna Sheen Dancing with Shadows.
Anyway, back to business.  This is my entry for this weeks Polka Doodles challenges with a hearts theme. It's a simple one but I needed a cutting out fix!

The papers, hearts and basket are from Sundae of Seasons and Papercraft boutique.  I have glittered some and dribbled it down the card, hence the ooziness.  I've added rubbery dimensional paint to others, a button and twine and a ready designed border.  The sticker is by Sue Dreamer.  This basket full of lurve is for all those fellow crafters out there who put their time and energy into raising funds for vulnerable folks.  Crafters are ultimately kind.

The best laid plans

I was going to craft all day Saturday but it didn't go to plan.  Had a call from my sister, could my little niece please come for the afternoon.  So made butterfly cakes and cookies instead.  Today I thought I'd sneak some crafting in between preparing dinner and housework, only to find my stepdaughter at my desk, making cards.  So it's blogland for me! This is one I did have time to make on Friday evening.

It's a Crafters Companion Popcorn stamp, on nesties which are distressed with Worn Lipstick ink.  I have used Pink Petticoat lush papers and Paula Pascual stamps for the greeting.  The floral embellishment includes elements from Wild Orchid crafts and the charm is from The Works. I'll enter this one in the CC challenge for Feb.
I've  been tidying  as everything is getting so disorganised and messy.  I've done the peel offs and I bought in Home Bargains, a big glass jar and a storage box: so these have been used for buttons and pro markers respectively.  The buttons looks so pretty on display.  The next task is the drawer full of ribbons, I've opened it and then closed it again quickly, before they escape!
Catcha later

Trouble keeping up

It's not easy making the time to add posts.  It's Wednesday and once I've uploaded this I have no other cards to put on my blog.  I have ideas though and some challenges set by a friend: so I'll try and get my act together on Friday evening.
This is a card I made with my new Paula Pascual stamps.  Only £8.00 from QVC for 2 sets.  I think they'll be so useful. Stamped various sizes and combined these with my Mins Eye papers and a Martha punch.  It's contrasted with left over brown card form a roll of wrapping paper.
My friend is organising a fun day in July in aid of Macmillan and has asked if I would like a stall.  So I've said yes.  It'll be my first opportunity along with another friend to get some cards in the public domain.  I'll need to plan and not do too many cards.  All of this in aid of a good cause too.