Better late than never...

This is a card a did for the new challenge blog called Less is More.  Now I really struggle with this concept so I particularly want to join in and learn from the amazing samples by the DT over there.  I've been a stalker on Chrissie's blog Simply One of a Kind for some time and have always envied her ability to wow everyone with such simple (to look at - not to do) cards.
The thing I really like about this challenge are the accompanying mini tutorials.  I just wish I had paid more attention when creating this card, because it's a steep learning curve and I think I fell off somewhere along the way.  It did start as a one layer card created using Serif Craft Artist, but ended up being chopped and messed around quite a bit.  Sigh - I will do better next time.
I'm posting the card too late for the actual challenge of black and white with a touch of pink as this was a card for a forum friend and she has only just received it.  Maybe this week I will be more organised and meet the deadline for the challenge.  I hope so as I love the new theme and ideas given on how to achieve it.
My card also fits the challenges at ...

• One Stop Craft Challenge - Love
• Totally Paper Crafts - Clean and Simple

Have a great Sunday.  I'm off to work now, but will be calling at Poundland on the way.  I need some paperclips to finish a project I've done for the House Mouse challenge and seeing as that ends tomorrow it could be another challenge I miss the deadline for.
It's this WORK thing it doesn't half mess up your crafting time.
Love and hugs.
Ann xxx

Ready for Christmas...

but totally unorganised for anything else.  Sheesh how did Valentine's Day sneak up so fast and birthdays too!!!  Yikes got loads to finish before Monday.  This is a super quick card I've done for my daughter, Shelley.  I always make a card and a little gift for each of my daughters and my mum each year.

This card was just so easy as the main part of it is made up from a sheet of gorgeous black and white patterned card by Kanban that already had the silver heart border and scalloped edge on it.  I only had to add the die cut scalloped hearts, a bit of ribbon, a few gems and a peel off sentiment.  'Simples' but effective and I must admit I like this one as much as some of the cards I have spent hours and hours on.  Just goes to show that when needs must even 'the great ditherer' can work fast!

Challenges...

• Cutie Sunday - Hearts
• A Spoonful of Sugar - Show some love.
• Papertake Weekly - Have a heart
• Rainbow Lady - It's all about love

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend.  I'm working tomorrow so I better get going on my other Valentine projects super fast.

Hugs and Smiles.

Ann xxx

Bah! Humbug! Day ... Doilies...

Hmmmmmmmmm Doilies are the theme this week at Bah! Humbug! and when a certain crafter went to the cupboard in search of traditional paper doilies she found none.  Poundland weren't their usual helpful selves either.  Not to worry after quite a bit of head scratching and a little bit of thinking outside of the box I improvised and came up with two designs which I hope fit the bill.

For my first card I used a Marianne die and nesties to create what I hoped would give a doilie look behind the mat and layered image.  

Materials used...

• LOTV angels and baby Jesus stamp coloured with Promarkers and glittered
• Nestie scalloped and plain circles (one circle cut on Cricut at 3.25 inches to get the finest of borders around the central image), Marianne scalloped circle die - oh I love these Marianne dies - just bought the rectangle one too.
• Dovecraft patterned paper 
• silver ribbon layed in stripes across patterned paper and used for bow
• tags cut using Cuttlebug tag die
• blue card and silver mirri 

Additional challenges...

• Crafty Creations - Three Little Words - mine are Love Peace and Joy on the tag.
• Kaboodles Doodles - Break out the ribbon
• Ooh La La Creations - for someone special - this is a 8.5 by 8.5 card and is intended to be for Gran to send my daughter next Christmas - oh boy am I organised or what?
• Woodware USA Challenge - Use ribbon

My second card with the main theme of Doilies was made using a real lace doilie bought as part of a very cheap set from Poundland some time ago.  I originally had the intention of using them on some vintage style birthday cards, but like so many other things just didn't get round to it.  Actually I now wish I had bought more as they are very light and work perfectly as a mat on a card.

Additional materials...

• Santa tag image and backing paper from one of vintage Christmas CDs by Joanna Sheen (not sure which one as this one was from a sheet printed out some time ago - yeah only another 6 images to use now - so pleased I no longer print the whole sheet when I want an image)
• Martha Stewart lace doilie punch
• green card and gold mirri card
• gold eyelet and cream organza ribbon
• gold corner peel offs

Challenges...

• Die Cut Dreams Christmas Club Challenge - The Gift of Love
• Charisma Cardz Challenge - mythical/fantasy - hmmmm not sure whether Santa qualifies here as my voice is one of the loudest shouting 'I believe' when 'Miracle on 34th Street' is shown each Christmas.

Have a great weekend everyone.  

Love and hugs 

Ann xxx