LESS IS MORE--Aqua

One-layer cards always are a challenge for me, especially when the card seems so empty when I'm done. Nevertheless, here is my entry for the latest challenge, using the color aqua.

First I sponged aqua ink around a scalloped oval mask as a background. Then I stamped the flower and the greeting over it. The floral image is from Gina K and the greeting is from StampinUp. After coloring the flower and rounding the bottom corners, the card was done...for now. I plan to step it up later, so check back for another post.

Meanwhile, the other entries can be found HERE.

LESS IS MORE--Sketch

This time the challenge was a one-layer card using the sketch shown HERE.

After masking the strip on the left side and sponging it with red ink, I spritzed it with Glimmer Mist Dazzling Diamonds. Hopefully, you can see the shiny spots in the photo.

Next, I stamped the small hearts down the strip and the line of hearts (one stamp) across. Using black ink, I overstamped "love" across the bottom. The results were very dull, and I was unhappy with the card. So I took my black marker, adding the tiny hearts and dashes by hand, and outlining the arrows and "tails." Now I'm happy with it.

Making one-layer cards truly IS a challenge!

LESS IS MORE--Leaves

Using the embossing resist technique, I thought I'd try using the colors of a Royal Satin Kaleidacolor pad just to be different. After sponging on the colors, I sprayed the card with Glimmer Mist. Though it doesn't show up in the photo, it gives the card a bit of shine. I then spattered some blue ink over the open areas.

After stamping the greeting, the card was done. I must say, though, that staying with just one layer is really the hardest part of the challenge!

For more cards submitted for this challenge, go to Less Is More HERE.

LESS IS MORE--Eye Color

This Less Is More challenge is to make a card that is your eye color, although the exact shade isn't necessary. I was going to post a photo of the card held up to my face, but my eyes are way too red with allergies. (Maybe I should have made a red card!)

First I stamped the background with Versamark using the "Filigre" stamp from Stampin'Up. Next, I stamped the Hero Arts "Large Flower" with black ink. Using a green Spica pen, I filled in the center outline. Then, using a glue pen, I added Daffodil Yellow glitter in the center (although it looks white in the photo.)

With a GellyRoll glaze pen, I filled in the double lines on each petal of the flower for a subtle effect.

Finally, I stamped the greeting on the bottom right. Done!

Less Is More/Pick A Square

The challenge at LIM for this card was to pick a square area of the card and limit the image to that spot. Check out other entries HERE.

Take a minute to scroll down for a look at my other cards!

LESS IS MORE--Embossing

Actually, less is less--timewise, that is! This card took all of seven minutes to complete.

After inking the Hero Arts wreath, first with Versamark and again with soft green ink, I stamped it on the card. Using clear embossing powder, I heated up the wreath and then added colorful flowers using three flower peg stamps. Unfortunately, (for this challenge) I had to pop up the butterfly because the ink wouldn't take over the embossing.

To finish, I rounded the corners, added the embroidery floss and stamped the greeting. This will make a nice summery birthday card!

(For more entries at Less Is More, visit HERE.)

LESS IS MORE--White on White

No matter how you do it, white on white seems to always work, making an elegant card. This was the challenge for Less Is More HERE

Starting with a basic white card, the first layer is an embossed border with wide lace wrapped around it and mounted with dimensionals. Next I embossed leaves and rounded the corners for the second layer, wrapping a narrow sheer ribbon around it with a simple knot on the right side. Over that, I embossed a leafy square, rounded the corners, added pearls and a double Hero Arts blossom and mounted it with dimensionals. For the butterfly, I glued the small one on top of the larger one and added a row of tiny pearls for the body, then glued it above the top layer with TomBow Liquid glue.

This would make a great wedding card!

LESS IS MORE--Off Center

The Less Is More challenge this time was to stamp off center. I'm not sure I'm completely satisfied with this one, but it was fun trying.

First I stamped the bird (Hero Arts), then masked it and stamped the roses over it. After coloring with markers, I added the greeting and embroidery floss.

Yes, it is finally Spring here in Northwest New Jersey, and the birds are returning. The daffodils are in full bloom and the buds are swelling on the trees. It has been an unusually long and snowy winter and cold, wet Spring so far.

LESS IS MORE--Red

The challenge on Less Is More is to use red, so the first thing I thought of (non-Christmas, that is) was poppies.

First, I embossed the scalloped circle with one of my Nestabilities dies. This was a new learning experience for me, and it took a couple of tries to finally get it right. I then cut another piece of cs with the same die to make a mask so I could sponge some light green around the edge. I also used the mask to stamp the flower, stem and leaf.

The poppy is colored with a Cherry Cobbler SU marker with a black center and some chunky gold glitter. After removing the mask, I stamped the vertical birthday greeting; but it came out crooked--and I mean really crooked! So I had to stamp it again, cut the strip, sponge the edges with green, tie some gold cord around it and mount it over the crooked greeting. Whew!

Check out the other entries for this challenge HERE.

LESS IS MORE--Sketch

I knew I'd find a use for that brown Flower Soft someday!

The sketch for this challenge can be found HERE.




NOTE: I've added a new feature to my blog so you can get email updates whenever a new post is added!

LESS IS MORE--Masculine

This card started out with the Hero Arts woodgrain background stamp over which I stamped the tool box. The tools were colored with SU markers and Spica glitter pens. The top edge of the paper was torn, a red cardstock piece was added and torn, the greeting was stamped and the brads "screwed on." *wink*

The link for this challenge is HERE.

LESS IS MORE--Off the Edge

I've been living on the edge for so long myself, I wasn't sure I could do this! *wink* (The link for Less Is More is HERE.)

The Hero Arts flower and stem were first stamped with Versamark on SU Crumb Cake cs, then colored with chalks. The greeting was stamped in black, and the card was done--soooo easy!

Here's a Photoshop tip: When I went to photograph the card, it kept flipping up the wrong way to get a clear shot. So I turned it upside down, took the photo, then flipped the image 180 degrees when I cropped it...much easier that way!

LESS IS MORE--Pastel Colors

This week's challenge was to use pastel colors, perhaps in anticipation of Spring. Since I was in the mood for doing some watercoloring, I stamped this image and gave it an April look.

The stamp is "Forest Cottage Scene" from Stampendous, and today is the first time I've inked it up since it arrived last Fall. It appealed to me because it could be used for any season of the year, but somehow I never got around to using it until now.

For this Spring look, I used yellowish greens, particularly for the emerging buds on the trees. The grass could easily become snow for a winter scene, and the leaves would look vibrant with Autumn colors.


Although I prefer the full image of the card on the right, the card on the left is more in keeping with the "Less Is More" concept of leaving lots of "white" space.
The partial image was mounted on dark brown cardstock and popped up with dimensionals. Either will probably serve as a note card.

HERE is the link for this challenge.

Less Is More Challenge--3 Squares

Flower Stamps by Inkadinkado
Flower centers are Black Diamond Stickles
Stamens are colored in with gold Spica Pen

Click HERE for link.
(Please scroll down for second post today.)