One layer flowers

 The current challenge at Less is More is to make a one layer card on the theme of flowers. Here is the one I created using the small io Majestix stamps.

I masked off the upper section before stamping the flowers and leaves. 

Materials used:-

Stamps - io Majestix stamps 'Emily's Garden' and Uniko Stamps sentiment

Inks - Versacolour Boysenberry, Altenew Fresh Leaf and Versafine Onyx Black

Thanks for visiting my blog - now pop over to Less is More and see what the other participants created.

stencils

The current challenge on Less is More is the dreaded One Layer Card and you must use stencils.  I have lots of stencils but must admit that I don't use them often.  Here is the card I made using a stencil for the woodgrain background and another stencil for the tools.  This is a useful masculine birthday card to add to my stock.

Materials used:-
Stencils - Tim Holtz woodgrain and Creative Expression tools
Sentiment - Lili of the Valley block sentiments
Distress inks - black soot and tea dye
Versafine black onyx

Thanks for visiting my blog - now pop over to the LIM site to get lots of inspiration for using stencils.

I am also going to enter this card into the AAA card challenge which is to use to use one third of the card.

 

Peace, love and yoga

I haven't had much time for crafting recently,  but when I saw the this month's One Layer Simplicity Challenge I immediately had an idea for a card.  Yoga is one of my hobbies and so I felt the lotus flower was appropriate for this card.

Materials used:-

Mask - the Crafter's Workshop Balzer Designs
Distress ink - picked raspberry
Sentiment - Penny Black "love and yoga" set

Thanks for visiting my blog - I really appreciate your comments.  Margaret

One layer birthday card

This week's challenge on Less is More is to make a one layer masculine card.  At one time this would have filled me with dread but now I quite enjoy making one layer cards. For this one, I masked off a panel and then inked this with distress inks before over stamping the watch image.

I am also going to enter this into the Inkspirational challenge #86 which is Grunge - I used earthy colours and I think the watch stamp is grungy!

Materials used:-
Mask - Creative Expressions watch
Stamp - Paperartsy clocks 3
Sentiment - Uniko Studio extra time
Distress inks - broken China and rusty hinge

Thanks for visiting my blog - now pop over to LIM and Inspirational to see what the other participants have created. Margaret

Let it snow

We woke up to a covering of snow yesterday so the challenge on Less is More was very appropriate - Chrissie and the team want to see one layer cards on the theme of snow. Once I had masked the card, it was quite simple to make.

I'm also entering this card into the 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown where you have to pick a previous challenge. I have chosen the Christmas Landscape theme from Feb 2014.

Materials used:-

Distress inks - tumbled glass, broken china and dusty concord

Ink dusters - Inkylicious 

Branches stamp - Penny Black Etched Branches

Sentiment - Uniko Studio Stunning Snowflakes

Thanks for visiting my blog - I really appreciate your comments. Margaret 

LIM Starry, starry night

This week's challenge on Less is More is to make a one layer card with the focus being "starry, starry night". Chrissie and her team want to see some stars! This caused me some problems as I have very few star stamps. However, after many attempts, this is what I came up with.

I made my own mask from masking tissue based on a design by Stamps Away. This is the first time I have used this and I was pleased with the result. I used blending brushes to ink the background and spritzed this with perfect pearls. I then stamped the nativity scene and finally added an embossed star - one star is all that was needed!

Materials used:-
Nativity stamp - Clarity stamps; star - Crafty Individuals
Sentiment - Uniko Studio "Peace on Earth"
Distress inks - dusty concord, broken china, salty ocean
Brilliance Pearlescent Crimson ink; black archival ink
Perfect pearls
Silver embossing powder
Chocolate Baroque masking tissue

Peace on Earth

This week's challenge on Less is More is to make a one layer card with TWO items on it. I decided to use the lovely Uniko Studio "Peace on Earth" set for my card. I had difficulty deciding on my design and also whether I should colour the doves. After much deliberation, I clear embossed all the stamping and pierced around the card. I hope you like it.

Materials used:-
Uniko Studio "Peace on Earth" set
Archival ink - watering can (this is less stark than black)
Colorbox ink - mint
Stampin Up piercing kit

Thank you for visiting my blog - now pop over to LIM to see what the other participants have created. Margaret

Square Christmas Card

I'm still busy making Christmas cards and keep finding more challenge blogs to enter! For this one layer card I made a mask from copy paper which I inked through using an ink duster brush to create a subtle effect. Then I spritzed some Perfect Pearls over the square before stamping the sentiment 3 times. I deliberated about adding any gems but I felt the card needed a little bling!

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges :-
Merry Monday Christmas Challenge #124 gifts/presents
One Layer Simplicity Challenge #9 Hip to be Square

Materials used:-
Distress inks - tumbled glass and broken china
Inkylicious ink duster
Archival ink - aquamarine and cornflower blue
Stamp from Penny Black set "Giving and Receiving"

Thank you for visiting my blog - I really appreciate your comments.

Foliage One Layer Card

I am late in posting my entry to Less is More this week as I am just back from holiday. Week 184 challenge on LIM is to make a foliage one layer card. I decided to use the maple leaf stamps by Clarity stamps as I love the effect they produce. I masked off a panel and then stamped the leaves with various distress inks. Finally I scored 3 lines but these don't show up very well on my photo.

Materials used:-
Clarity stamp set - Autumn Maple Leaves
Distress inks - squeezed lemonade, worn lipstick, spiced marmalade, wild honey and dried marigold
Archival ink - coffee

Adapt a fingerprint!

Week 180 One Layer Card challenge at Less is More is entitled "adapt a fingerprint".  I found this difficult - usually I don't want any fingerprints on my cards! I decided to use a tree stamp and add fingerprint leaves using my little finger and distress inks. I clear embossed the stamping so that it didn't smudge when I added the distress ink.

Materials used:-
Tree and bird stamps - Marion Emberson Designs "build a tree" set
Sentiment - Marion Emberson Designs "birds and trees"
Distress inks - peeled paint, shabby shutters and crushed olive
Clear embossing powder

Thank you for visiting my blog and for leaving comments - I really appreciate these. Do pop over to LIM to see what fantastic cards have been created by the participants.

Off the Edge

It's one layer card week at Less is More and the theme is off the edge.  My card is a CASE of a card by Jennifer Mullens in the October 2013 issue of Craft Stamper. Jennifer had added ink splatters to her card but I decided against this as I wanted a clean look. I was pleased with the end result.

Materials used:-
Clarity Stamps "Autumn Maple Leaves" set
Distress inks - mustard seed, scattered straw, dried marigold, worn lipstick, shabby shutters and crushed olive
Sentiment - make unknown

Thank you for visiting my blog - please pop over to LIM and see how the other participants interpreted this challenge.

Watercolour thanks

This card is my "homework" for the Watercolour for Card Makers course I am currently doing.  I stamped and clear embossed the background with a "Friends" stamp and then used Pebeo watercolour paints to paint over the embossing.  Finally I ironed off the embossing to produce a smooth surface for the final stamping.  I am entering this card into the Less is More week 171 challenge which is to make a One Layer Thank You card.

Materials used:-
Pebeo watercolour paints
Stamps - Stampin Up Friends Definition and Thank You from Sassy Salutations
Watercolour card
Clear embossing powder


Thank you for visiting my blog!

Shadow Stamping

Challenge 167 on Less is More is a One Layer Card using the shadow stamping technique. There are lots of examples of this on the internet. I love the clean and simple look of OLCs but find them difficult to make. I experimented with lots of colours and layouts before getting one I was happy with.

What I did:-
I made my own mask out of copier paper and used an Inkylicious ink duster to ink the background with distress inks (scattered straw, spiced marmalade and dried marigold.)  Then I stamped the flowers with black archival ink - stamping again without reinking to create the shadow effect. The stamps I used were Sheena Douglass Silhouette Wildflowers and a Woodware sentiment stamp.

Thank you for visiting my blog - please hop over to see lots of great examples of this on LIM.