Less is More - Masking

Hi everyone :)

Another week gone and it's the Less is More challenge again!

This week Chrissie and Mandi are asking us to try masking.....

Oh No!

I did it last week for the script challenge and found it hard (usually the ink ends up where it shouldn't...)

But I gave it a go yesterday :)

 I stamped the sentiment first and then the butterfly. Then made a mask (with a post it note) for the tail of the 'g' and the butterfly before stamping over them both with the frame stamp.  I used SU inks and Unity stamps and used my stamp-a-majig for placement - I would be lost without this useful tool!

I matted the stamped card on melon mambo card and popped it up on thin foam pads.

The blue ribbon is May Arts and the tiny button is by Fancy pants.

I have to admit......I did enjoy making this card!

The ink actually went where it was meant to and I didn't trail my card through any ink pads :)

If you're celebrating Mother's Day today, I hope you're having a lovely day.

Three little faces appeared at my bedside this morning, holding a tray and looking a bit anxious.

I had breakfast in bed (toast & marmalade!) lovingly made and it tasted delicious :)

Best present ever!

Thanks for visiting today.

Sarah xx

P.S. I got another surprise this morning - I was chosen for the spotlight at Sweet Stampin' for my Mother's Day card for Mum - delighted :)

Simple thank you card

Good morning!

I was asked to make a couple of simple thank you cards and these were super quick to make.

 I made the card base 6x6" and cut another panel 5x5" and embossed 3 lines near the bottom of it.

I covered the lines with a yellow post it note and using a stamp-a-ma-jig for placement
I stamped a row of flowers.
The stamps are Elzybells and I coloured the flowers with Koh-i-noor pencils (without blending).

I love the simple effect of twine and I tied it twice around the card and finished with a bow.

Then layered the stamped card onto the base card with foam pads.

I changed the colour of the twine for the second card,

and I also added a little bit of glamour dust to the flower centres.

Hope you have a lovely St Patrick's weekend

and thanks for visiting today!

Sarah xx

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

ABC DT challenge - springtime

Lollipop crafts - white and splash of colour

Totally Stampalicious - flowers

Ladybug Crafts Ink - anything goes 

St Luke's challenge - spring into spring

Fabric Tote Bag (handmade)

This is the fabric tote bag I made at a class on Saturday.

Unfortunately I couldn't even begin to tell you how I made it.....I was so tired after a stressful week last week and I was a bit of a zombie that day....... :o

Apart from that, I do love the bag and because it matches the baby quilt I made here, Mum has snapped it up and it's on it's way to Australia as a changing bag for my new niece who is expected in a few weeks! (Let's hope she doesn't turn out to be a nephew!)

I do hope the class tutor sends me instructions to make another one as it's lovely and roomy and I'd love to make another just for myself.

I stuffed it with bubble wrap to help it stand up for the photo, it wouldn't behave on it's own....

Why is it that handles always seem to have a mind of their own?.....lol.

I never know what way to put them!

There are two pockets on the front and two large pockets on the back.

 Another photo of the front with the handles 'flopped to the side'....


I would love to have been brave enough to stitch it with pink or green thread but I just wasn't confident I could sew a straight line and even a little wobble would stick out like a sore thumb!

The inside of the bag is quilted while the outside is plain.

There are two contrasting pockets on the inside, one of which is stitched down the middle to make a pocket for a mobile phone.

I'm scheduling this post for this morning as Richard is away to London with work and I've packed lunches to make (I'm spoiled in that he usually does it....)

Lydia has offered to make her own.....maybe she's afraid of what I'll put in hers.....I'm definitely not the cook in our house......I can bake though......when I have to!

My confidence was rocked yesterday when Phoebe said , 'I wish you were away to London'.........

before adding.........'So I can be the mummy of the house!'

I think Caleb rubs it in just a little too much that he's the 'man of the house' when daddy is away......lol

I hope you have a lovely day

and thank you for visiting!

Sarah xx

Mother's Day

Good morning!

Hope you're all well :)

I was browsing the challenge blogs yesterday to try and get some ideas for a card for Mother's Day for my Mum.  This is way off the mark though as she doesn't like 'fussy' cards.....

but I hope she'll make an exception with this one :)

I couldn't help myself once I got started.....

The theme over at Sweet Stampin' is Layers with the option to use a sketch......which I did :)

I combined it with the challenge at Bunny Zoe's which is shabby chic/vintage. It's not my usual style so I hope it's ok!

Over at Papertake Weekly it's for girls/ or mum's.

At Creative Inspirations it's something for mum.

Celebrate the Occasion are looking for any occasion but you must use metal. I've used metal rose brads from American Crafts.

It's tic tac toe at Incy Wincy Designs,  I've used a  handmade flower, 2+ designer papers and sewing.

Make it Monday linky party have anything goes

and at Lili of the Valley it's ribbon and lace - hope I'm not too late for this one :)

The teddy bouquet image is stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and coloured with Copics.

Bear - E51, E31, E33......Flowers - R32, R85

Wrapping, ribbon & ground- YG91, YG95, BG93, BG96

The papers are SU Springtime Vintage and the layers are machine stitched with off white thread.

I made the flower by cutting a rough spiral from pink paper and rolling it, then letting it loosely unwind and adding a metal brad (American Crafts Dear Lizzy collection) to the centre.

The lace is from Creative Treasures

The butterfly is Martha Stewart and the flourishes are Marianne Creatables.

It's all layered on SU naturals cardstock cut to a 6"x6" card base.

Thank you for stopping by!

I'll be back tomorrow with....I don't know yet.....

possibly some sewing!

I made a tote bag on Saturday in the same fabric as the baby quilt.

Take care :)

Sarah xx

Edited to add:  I needn't have worried about it being too fussy! Mum loved the card :) 



Less is More - One layer 'script'

Hi everyone :)

I managed to get out to the craft room for half an hour this morning and I made this card for the Less is More 'script' challenge this week.

I did find it a challenge making this card and I'm not sure I'm happy with the end result....

but it's good to move out of my comfort zone!

 I cut out the circle card and the templates with the Silhouette Cameo.

Hopefully the photo below shows what I used to make it....

I sprayed the back of the circle butterfly template and arranged it on the base card.

Then using a Technique Tuesday script stamp I stamped over it with Color Box pigment ink.

I added the smaller die cut butterfly on top and inked around the edges with a lighter pink ink.

I removed those templates and added the butterfly body template over the top and sponged it with grey ink.

I stamped 'thank you' (Technique Tuesday stamp) in pink ink and added clear adhesive gems as a butterfly trail.

~~~~~~~

I'd like to say a special thank you to everyone who left a message on my last post - it really meant a lot to me :)

Phoebe has tonsillitis but is a bit perkier this morning!

Thank goodness for the Doctor on call and antibiotics :)

Thanks for visiting my blog today :)

Sarah xx

Quick Update

Good morning :)

I'm sorry I haven't been blogging for the past few days,

we've had a sudden family bereavement this week.

And this morning

we're heading to the 'out of hours doctor' with Phoebe.

She's been up most of the night with a throat infection and can hardly speak :(

......but I hope to be back blogging again tomorrow :)

Thanks for visiting!

See you soon.

Sarah xx