Guest Designer Spot for Less is More ...... so excited!!!!

Happy Saturday morning folks,

I'm doing a little dance this morning as I'm so proud to say that I've been asked to do a Guest Spot on my FAVOURITE Blog Challenge ..... Less is More.

This was the first ever Blog Challenge that I entered back when I'd just started blogging, and I've been entering ever since ..... when I have the time.

A few weeks ago they put out a DT call and I put my name in the hat.  It's not surprising to say that there were quite a few names in that hat ...... it's one popular challenge!   Unfortunately I didn't make it ..... but everyone that applied has been invited to do a Guest Spot on one of the challenges, and this week it's my turn!!

It's ........ One Layer Card Week

with the theme 

'Off The Edge'

Yes, it's the dreaded OLC ..... they're not always the easiest designs to make.  No room for error, remember only one layer, so you can't cover up that ink mark with a butterfly or a flower (go on admit it, we've all done it!) And then there's the addition of the 'Off the Edge' bit ...... here's what I came up with

The beautiful large Swallowtail Butterfly from Stampin Up! stamped 'off the edge' of my card and coloured using the new Spectrum Noir Pencils

A little touch of Glossy Accents on the body, and a sentiment from the CAS-ual Fridays Stamp set  Truth Is

stamped using Tangelo Memento ink.

Next up is a really simple design using the masking technique ......

I die cut a circle from some copier paper and used the outside section as a mask to ink through.  Note that I placed the mask 'off the edge' of the card, applied Distress ink and then with the mask still in place I stamped over the top using the Script Background from IndigoBlu.

I removed the mask and then using Black Versafine ink, I stamped the bird on the branch (from the new Hero Arts set Forever) off the edge of the card.  I suppose you could say it's 'off the edge' of the circle too.

One of my favourite little sentiment stamps finishes off the front of the card, and the bird finished off the inside.

And finally, a pretty floral design ....

I've used the Wendy Vecchi Stencil  From the Garden,  from Studio 490 for the blooms and inked through using Picked Raspberry, Dried Marigold and Mustard Seed Distress inks

I added in some leaves and used the lovely CAS-ual Fridays sentiment.

The centres of the blooms have been finished off using a touch of White Enamel Accents ....

I carried on the design inside the card and added a sentiment from one of the JOFY stamp sets (JOFY14)

Thanks to Chrissie and the rest of the team for inviting me along this week, it's been a real pleasure.

Why don't you join in the fun and go 'Off the Edge' with this week's challenge over at Less is More.
Good luck everyone!

 *********

I'm also entering one of these cards into another Challenge ........ One of my lovely Blog friends, who's been with me on my crafty journey since the beginning, is hosting her own Blog Challenge,

The fabulous Darnell, from djkardkreations has reached over 500 followers on her blog and I'm not surprised.  If you're not familiar with her blog please go over and visit it's always full of great inspiration, it's a fantastic read and the lovely lady has such a sense of humour ........ every post comes with a smile!  Pop over and see what I mean, you'll be glad that you did.

Anyway .... to celebrate the landmark figure, Darnell is hosting the first ever NBUS Challenge

Darnell's challenge

What is NBUS I hear you say ....... if you're already a follower of Darnell you'll know it stands for Never Before Used Schtuff.  This was something that Darnell came up with some time ago and it's really caught on in the land of Blog.  It's all about using that stash that we buy, and just look at, or put away and forget about ..... you know the stuff I mean.

Well I've done it!!!  I've used NBUS on all of the above cards ..... stencils, stamps, pencils, even ink (no not the Distress inks .... the orange Memento.  Would you believe this little ink pad still had the seal intact - shame on me!!)

So .....  for NBUS Challenge #1

Anything Goes

(with a Friendship Theme)

This is the one I'm entering ...... the stencil, the stamp and the Enamel Accents are all new, never before used stash ..... and the card is now winging its way to a special friend for her birthday.

It may be the first time that I've used the stencil but it won't be the last ...... I love it! The flower is such a pretty design and a nice size too,  can't wait to try embossing paste through it!

Well we're here in the Cotswolds ..... we had a lovely, calm ferry crossing, hit a bit of traffic on the motorway, on the way down on Friday afternoon but nothing too bad, and the cottage is just beautiful!!  I'll take some pictures during the week.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy your weekend.   We're off to the Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival at some point so we should have a good one.

Cheerio until next time

Linda

xx