Paper Hugs

Sunday here today and it's a beautiful sunny day, just at the end of winter.  And over at  Less is More Challenge #187   this 5th week of the month is a lucky dip, this time with the theme of 'I do like to be beside the seaside'.  How fun!  I have chosen a gorgeous little digi stamp which I first saw on Iwona's blog, created by her friend  Elena .  It was a freebie, but I'm not sure if it still is - but please take a look as it is just lovely!  I have probably made my card over-simple, but I focussed on the colour and that cute image for this challenge.  I intend to make another card with it, but this time for my great-niece Emma, so it will have a lot more 'bits and pieces' to it.  I may post that one later.

This week it is not your usual challenge at Less is More because it is a sketch - great for me!  I do enjoy working to a sketch though choosing the right image is still difficult.  However, I am very partial to these gorgeous beach boxes, which came in a set by Crafty Individuals, made in the UK I believe.  We have these beach boxes all along the shore of Port Phillip Bay, which is where I live, and I love them!  Some are looking a bit shabby, and our local council has decreed that when they fall into dilapidation, they can't be replaced - progress?  I don't think so, so while they still exist, let's enjoy them, I say!  We don't own one, unfortunately, but a couple of years ago, did spend a magic New Years Eve as guests of a friend of a friend, who let us shelter from the sun, and enjoy delicious BBQ food at his charming beach hut.  In the late afternoon, the temperature was over 40C, the sand was too hot to walk on, but it was stunning to...

I had a little time today to look around other blogs, and found this challenge at Addicted to CAS , where the theme word is Geometric. This is a card I made a little while ago, following a tutorial I saw on WPlus9.  It uses nail polish for the marbling effect, and is cut out using their Quilt cut die.  I immediately had to purchase that die, and love the effect, but I had not posted it till now.

Great challenge this week at Less is More - the theme is animal.  No other restrictions - it doesn't have to be a one layer either - Chrissie, you are too kind! So without further ado, here is my card: I have used a really lovely stamp by Penny Black, but one that I have only used once before.  I thought I could try watercolour again as there really isn't much to colour (phew!).  Once I had let it all dry, I decided to do a wash background.  You might not think that was a big decision on my part, but as I do have a tendency to mess things up, I often play safe and leave 'well enough alone' but this time I dived in, and like the result.  I thought the cheery sentiment from Paper Smooches was the best choice for this friendly card.

This week at Less is More   it is a One Layer Card challenge, with the theme of Foliage.  That is a lovely choice, no doubt influenced by the coming Autumn in the northern hemisphere, but a great choice for all seasons just the same.  However, my card does reflect autumn, a beautiful time of year in our neck of the woods (Victoria, Australia) with its more consistent weather, clear skies and yes, we do have autumn foliage here.  I was influenced in my choice for this card by the beautiful inspiration from the DTs, and used a homemade stencil for my leaves, stamped with Distress Ink - shabby shutters, scattered straw and spiced marmalade.  The stencil is the negative from a Memory Box die, and the sentiment is from Stampin' Up! Wetlands stamp set - an absolute favourite, though this is the first time I have used this sentiment.  Poor photography in the late afternoon has cast some shadow on my card, which looks more wobbly than it does in real life...

This is the title of my card today, for Less is More challenge #183 - it is a colour challenge, using some or most of these beautiful, summery citrus colours.  A beautiful colour palette, thanks so much Chrissie! Here is the card I decided to make, using a digital image by The Alley Way Stamps - I think it was a freebie, too, which makes it such a pleasure to use.  I first acquired it, when I needed a 'swimming' theme to make cards for my little grand-daughters, as they had achieved excellent results in their first swimming meet in Wisconsin.  Little fishies, they are, and so I wished them 'best fishes' and said their efforts were fintastic - as you do lol! But I figured this image could also convey support to someone struggling with life, when there is no other option, than to 'keep swimming', or go with the flow.  I did manage to lassoo the sentiment, which was in amongst the fish, and dropped another little fish into its place, so I hope that has...