Oops I Did It Again

Some new goodies arrived in the mail yesterday which I had no trouble sitting down to play with almost immediately *wink*. Once I'd trialled a couple, I thought 'hey, this would look good in the corner for that one layer, off-centre challenge' ... and so here is entry #2 for the Simply Less is More challenge that I mentioned in my last post.

Materials used:

• stamps - You Matter (SSS)
• card - whisper white (SU)
• other - Altenew layering stencils dahlia, blending brushes, Stamparatus, clear embossing powder, heat tool, epoxy dots

I'm looking forward to trying these stencils out with other colours too.

Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers

Kez

When Even Therapy Doesn't Work

After about the last 50 hours with frustrations piling one on top of another, I decided I was in dire need of some DO therapy. That's distress oxides therapy, for those of you who haven't been coming here long enough to be familiar with that particular obsession. Not even able to gather enough grey matter to choose my own colour combo, I consulted my Pinterest board and found one suggested by Kristina Werner that appealed, and set to.

But even my DO's added to the s*** pile; I had to have two goes at the background because my stamping turned out a little crooked but the second one was no better - in fact it smudged a little. So you know what? I decided to go ahead and finish my card off anyway with the first, slightly crooked one, 'cause frankly, my dears, I just don't give a monkeys. You'll forgive me, right? You'll understand and sympathise with my plight and allow me this modicum of crafting leeway, just this once. Aww, ta.

So here it is, the therapy that didn't quite work. If you ignore the fact the writing's a bit skew-whiff, it ain't half bad I reckon.

Materials used:

• stamps - You Matter, You Matter Background (Simon Says Stamp)
• card - shimmer white, whisper white, pink pirouette
• distress oxide inks - spun sugar, picked raspberry, wilted violet, picket fence
• other - You Matter die (SSS), Big Shot, Stamparatus, popcorn box thinlits, mini Dimensionals, water spritzer, heat tool

Fingers crossed I get my DO mojo back soon! Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers

Kez

Much Comfier

Another distress oxide card for you today, this one much more my style of blending and therefore I'm more comfortably in my zone.

Materials used:

• stamps - You Matter (Simon Says Stamps)
• card - thick whisper white, basic black
• distress oxide inks - picked raspberry, mustard seed, abandoned coral, wilted violet, peacock feathers
• other - blending tools, water spritzer, You Matter dies (SSS), Big Shot, small butterfly punch (SU retired), clear epoxy shapes, clear Wink of Stella, white baker's twine

I'm going to need a number of 'missing you' and 'thinking of you' cards in the future as both our daughters are heading overseas for work or study, the younger one in a week and the elder next month. It's an exciting time but I will miss them terribly; thank goodness for Skype and the internet. When I was doing my big 'overseas experience' it was snail mail and reverse charge phone calls home to my parents - how times have changed!

Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers

Kez

Symbiosis

Isn't that a gorgeous word? It just rolls right off the tongue. I like to apply it in my crafting world as mixing SU product with other brands in a mutually beneficial relationship and today's first card is an example of that.

Materials used:

• stamps - Abstract Impressions, You Matter (Simon Says Stamp)
• card - whisper white, daffodil delight, basic black
• inks - daffodil delight, crushed curry, granny apple green, Tuxedo black
• other - SSS die, stitched scallop edge die (unknown origin), two-way glue pen, sponge, striped decorative mask, glitter epoxy shapes

I particularly love those roses in yellow, so cheerful. I cut two of the 'you' die and layered them for extra depth.

Here's another mutually beneficial relationship - it's My Favorite Things' mini cloud stencil paired with SU's Enjoy Life.

Materials used:

• stamps - Enjoy Life
• card - balmy blue, basic black, whisper white
• other - MFT mini cloud stencil, sponge, sponge daubers, Stamparatus, mounting tape

The next two cards are completely SU product but they are also wonderful pairings of products (in my humble opinion!).

Here's the gorgeous Serene Garden; a departure from my usual style, this set nonetheless caught my attention on my first browse through the new catalogue back in April and I finally succumbed to its allure.

Materials used:

• stamps - Serene Garden
• card - whisper white, pool party
• other - markers, Stampin' Blends, Dimensionals, mounting tape, Big Shot embossing mat, Garden Scene framelits, Big Shot

Another new item in the catalogue that caught my eye instantly is the Tufted embossing folder and I've finally managed to use it on this last card we'll be making at our next class. I absolutely love the combination of Bermuda bay and calypso coral.

This card has plenty of subtle shimmer - rather than spraying my card with water before deep embossing, I used shimmer mist instead and also added some clear Wink of Stella to the flowers. Don't recognise the lovely stitched die cut the flowers are on? It's a brand new item available to demos only this month but for everyone in August. 

Materials used:

• Itty Bitty Greetings, Love What You Do
• card - whisper white, Bermuda bay
• other - tufted embossing folder, shimmer mist, clear Wink of Stella, Big Shot, Bermuda bay and calypso coral ribbons, Stitched Seasons framelits, word window punch, Dimensionals, mounting tape, Stampin' Blends

We don't usually make four cards but we'll be missing a class in August (as I'll be away) so I thought I'd treat my ladies. They are all so supportive and enthusiastic and I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful group to craft with and for.

Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers

Kez