Friday 3 February 2017

Less is More - Challenge #313 - 'Balloons'

Mojo still on walkabout and as yet no inspiration even for my Snippets card make for Sunday! But, I had spotted that the current Less is More Challenge is 'Balloons', still no mojo though, sigh.

Sitting here doing some Playground commenting I happened to look up at a small set of shelves above my desk (it's really a very large spice rack with metal rods across the front to hold the spice jars in place, which works brilliantly for small crafting items). It currently houses Martha Stewart punches along the top (they're square and chunky so don't fall off or overbalance!) a lot of my SU punches, a few bottles of glue and spray and a handful of wooden stamps that I swop about as the mood takes me. This is a photo from 2011, things look very different now but it gives you an idea what I'm chuntering on about. The Martha Stewart punches are still there though :)

Anyhow, I spotted a little wooden Teddy Bear stamp I'd popped on there a while ago (possibly thinking about making 'Parsnip' monochrome cards) and low and behold, Teddy was holding a balloon! Happy dance here - and this is what I made, apologies in advance for the quality of the photo, I'm not sure we saw a break in the clouds all day when I made this:
I used:

- 4.25" x 5.5" white card blank, tent style

- a further piece of the same white card stock, onto which I stamped the Teddy, using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink

- the stamp is a wooden one (made by DoCrafts in the 'Forever Friends' series - dated 2008) so I placed/stamped it as close as possible to where I wanted it onto the piece of white card

- only then did I use a Lil- Inkers 'Stitched Rectangle' die to die cut the panel - just a little tip but it did save me getting out the Stamp-a-ma-jig :)

- then I stamped the sentiment using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink, the Misti and a sentiment from the Paper Smooches 'Sentiment Sampler' set. I deliberately chose that particular sentiment as I wanted to send a hug to someone special - plus I loved how the letter 'S' almost follows the curve of Teddy's outline. Little things please little minds as my Granny used to say!

- then I coloured Teddy and his balloon using Faber Castell Polychromos pencils and very deliberately didn't do any blending (ie. using solution) other than just with the pencils as I wanted to pencil stroke to be slightly seen)

- next cut a piece of white fun foam slightly smaller than the image panel and glued it and the panel to the card front

- final touch, three iridescent sequins - to just break up what I thought looked like too big an expanse of white!

Don't know about you, I use sequins here and there quite lot on CAS cards and will be a bit lost when that particular 'fad' moves on. Oh, it already did? Really, so soon? Just shows - tail end Charlie as usual here!

You know what, I think it really is time to make a little batch of cards in monochrome as I mentioned further up - just add some colour to the balloon only perhaps and there could be a few gift cards to enclose with Playground prizes! So that's ONE idea in the pot to cook away :)





27 comments:

  1. So adorable! I need a shelf like that too! Hugs, Robin

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  2. Great CAS card, Di, such a cute image. Clever idea for the spice rack! xx

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  3. Your teddy bear is the sweetest, Di!! xx

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  4. Your spice rack idea is inspired Di! Isn't it awful when your mojo up and deserts you, but you have still come up with a very sweet card and coloured beautifully! Have a lovely day! Hazel xx

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  5. This card is so sweet. Love you little bear and your color combination is just perfect. Thanks for sharing at Less is More!

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  6. Super cute card !! Love the lil teddy image :) adorable. How nifty is that shelf!! Thanks for sharing

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  7. Very cute card. I love it!
    Valerija xx

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  8. Awww . . . that is such a cute card Di. That sentiment is soooo perfect for the cute bear and I love the additional sequins. Will they EVER go out of fashion????

    Love the look of your spice rack . . . I got hubby to make me a LARGE version for my stamps (without the rail) . . . best way to see and therefore use wooden stamps I reckon!

    Hope Mojo comes back soon, but meantime, you've still made a lovely card. Good luck with the monochrome versions. xxx

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  9. So glad you had a little daydream moment while commenting Diane, your card is perfect, cute, CAS and wonderful ... no sign of missing mojo at all. Great to see you play along at Less is More. Sarah x

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  10. I really do need to have a sort out of my stuff. I'm sure there is a balloon in there somewhere. Love this little chap and so versatile. Could be used for almost everything. Even a Christmas card if the colours were changed and ribbon added. Hugs Mrs A.

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  11. Such a cute CAS teddy. Love him... and you!
    Hugs,
    Em xxx

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  12. Lovely CAS, the teddy bear looks so cute and the sentiment is fun, so different!

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  13. That is such a neat shelf, I will keep at eye out at tag sales or thrift shops. Your card is very sweet, especially with that soft coloring!

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  14. A lovely card and such a cute teddy.
    Kath x

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  15. Hi Di your card is gorgeous that bear is adorable. I love the shelves as well. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  16. Oh I miss Forever Friends, they used to be everywhere years ago. Such cute little teddies. Love your cutesie card and the font of the sentiment works brilliantly with the image. My mojo has been playing games lately too, little tinker!
    Thanks so much for sharing with us at Less is More, Anita x

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  17. Lovely sweet card, cute image and an oldie but goodie, just like us. Fab LIM card.

    Kath x

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  18. I adore the use you have given your ex spice rack Di and your teddy was just waiting to be used on this sweet card which is just perfect for the LIM Challenge. The pink balloon and the coordinating sequins plus the sentiment look great here. x

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  19. Ooh your card is sooooo cute! Love the bear and the 'hugs' is just lovely! I never follow trends, I use what I like so sequins can go on forevermore as far as I am concerned, I love them! I think your inspiration for crafting is definitely there if you can make gorgeous cards like this! xxx

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  20. Love your adorable bear, beautifully coloured, and that sentiment really does go well. Considering you've been mojoless you done good! Hugs back xxx

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  21. oo, super cute, great bear.
    have a great weekend.
    hugs xx

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  22. Very tidy little shelf unit and obviously an inspiration when you glance at it! Such a cute bear with the balloon - sequins just add that little something. I'm sure Mr Mojo won't stay away on holiday with this grotty weather we are having so should be back smartish hopefully.

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  23. Sweet image.... with a tiny splatter of sequins! <3

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  24. So cute... and who cares what's in or not? Love your craft storage idea, btw. X

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  25. Such a sweet stamp and card! I love your spice rack full of goodies - such a great idea!

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