Christmas Is Coming...

Morning LIMettes... we have a bumper  week for you at Less Is More as we are fortunate to be hosting a special week as

We have a fabulous prize to give away and are being joined by members of their design team for this challenge and you will find even more inspiration at the Penny Black blog

Onto our challenge for this week... We want you to use a 

RUBBER STAMP

In addition if you could use watercolours that would be wonderful!

Just one card from me today using my favourite little penny black creatures the little hedgie.  I've stamped him onto watercolour card stock and then used my Stampin Write markers to watercolour him in.  He is simply finished with some stitching and a sentiment from LOTV.

Hope you have a great Saturday

Jen xx

A Little Birdie...

Morning... a really quick card using a fabulous little set from Stampin Up....

Simply stamped in Hero Arts Shadow Ink in Cup-O-Joe onto pool party card stock.  The sentiment is from Clearly Besotted!

Gonna have to love you and leave you til later...

Jen xx

First Day At School...

Next week is the first of the new school year and the first day at school for many 4 or 5 year olds in England. This is a sweet little card for you today made for an order for a first day at school.... I love these sweet images from LOTV.. Think I may have to ink up the matching little girl before next week...

Card Recipe:
Image: Back To School Boy LOTV
Medium: Stampin Up Write Markers
Ribbon: Stampin Up
Star Brad from making memories

That's all from me today... just flying visit I'm afraid...

So Sorry

Morning... A really quick card for you today using Lili Of The Valley as it is CAS Monday ....  This card is a quick make to post for a blogging friend who recently lost someone close..... Now this is more fresh and clean rather than CAS as I wanted to join in with Freshly Made Sketches 100th Sketch.... There are a few layers to be seen lol!!!

Inspiration:
Freshly Made Sketches: #100

Card Recipe:
Sentiment: Just To Say Statement Stamps from LOTV
DP: ADORBS by My Minds Eye
Crumb Cake & Pool party CS from Stampin Up
Pool Party Embossing Powder from Stampin Up

Think I may stick to more CAS cards for the time being.. found it strange to add this many layers to a card even though I used to make them like this!!

Have a great Bank Holiday Monday

Jen xxx

With Love... From All Of Us!

I was having a little look around the cards the fabulous DT had made over the last couple of weeks for the new LOTV release out today and I couldn't seem to find anyone using this one.. So I thought I would whip up a really quick card.... This is red squirrel with christmas tree... how cute!

Card Recipe:
Image: Red Squirrels with Christmas Tree - LOTV
Sentiment: Greetings Postmark - LOTV
Wood-grain Stamp: Stampin Up
glitter brad from stash

If you have not checked out the new stamps yet then pop on over to see them.. they are just gorgeous!!

Hope you are having a great bank holiday weekend... See you tomorrow

Jen xx

Washi To Go

Morning... I'm back from Scotland ... Just ... Loads of washing and catching up to do now but before I start all that this weeks Less Is More challenge is a recipe and we would like to use...

WASHI TAPE

You can use the shop bought type or you can make your own one way or another. We know you will be inventive if you don't have any in your stash...

For my first card I simply coloured in the fabulous image from Stampin UP and then stitched around it using the washi tape from Stampin Up to fasten the image to the back ground.  This is one of my favourite ways to use washi tape.

My second card used the washi tape as an element on the card. The hero arts stamp is stamped onto grey card stock in the same colour ink.  The washi is from MT and the sentiment from Clearly Besotted.

I've got new internal doors going in this weekend and loads of catching up to do so I better get onto it...

Jen xxx

LOTV Christmas Release Blog Hop.. Three Little Red Squirrels

Morning everyone and thanks for stopping by! Today we are holding a Lili of the Valley design team blog hop to celebrate the launch of their gorgeous new Christmas stamps

This is the second set of their 2013 Christmas collection and there are 20 stamps including some of your favourite characters and also a few more traditional designs..  James The Bear is back!!!!!  Yipeeeeeeeee

 The stamps will be available to buy on the website from midday on Sunday August 25th 

I’m sure you know what to do by now  ...just ‘hop’ from one blog to another following the links and leave a comment on each card, hopefully we can give you lots of ideas and inspiration along the way for using the new images

There is a fabulous prize up for grabs on the hop, we don’t know where it is hidden so do make sure you that you visit and comment on every blog

You have a couple of days to join in, we will let you know on Saturday evening which was the ‘lucky’ blog and a winner will be drawn at random from all the comments that were left on that blog.  The prize is a full set of the new Christmas stamps...

that’s 20 rubber stamps, one each of all the newest designs

Here's a list of all the blogs taking part, and remember that you will need to visit them all and leave a comment on each one to have the best chance of winning;

 Ideas to Inspire

Anne

Becky
Dawny

Debbie

Dena 
Elise

Fleur

Gretha

Jen

Kathy

Kim

Lou

Mary J

Moni

Here is my card using Red Squirrels in Pine Tree... So very cute don't you think...

Card Recipe:

Flexmarkers, Promarkers and Prismas.

Burlap ribbon: Stanpin Up

Button from stash

Twine: The Ribbon Girl

You should be visiting  the lovely Kathy next, and if you get lost you can always go back to the beginning and pick it up from there

Don’t forget to stop by the Ideas to Inspire blog on Saturday evening when you can find out who the lucky winner is of that great prize

 Enjoy the hop…    and good luck!

With Love ... Seize The Sketch #2

Afternoon... What  fabulous first challenge over at Seize The Sketch... There were some fabulous entries.  Onto Sketch #2 ... 

We are sponsored by the fabulous CAS-ual fridays and we each got to use one of the fabulous sets!!

CAS-ual Fridays Stamps

Here is my little card...

I'll be back tomorrow...

Jen xx

Partridge In A Pear Tree... Passion For Promarkers #212 - Favourite Colour

Morning... It's a sad day for me at Passion For Promarkers as it's my last challenge over there.  I'm going to miss everyone of those fabulous ladies.. but I'll take part every once in a while!!

On to this weeks challenge... We would like to see you use your favourite colour... I've used Lime Green... I just love it!! I also have a sneak peek from LOTV for you too!!!

Card Recipe:
Image: LOTV New release 25th August
Card & Paper: Stampin Up in Lucky Limeade
Sentiment: Penny Black on Shrinky Plastic

Right... that's all from me for now...

Jen x

Sledging Buddies

Morning... Another sneak peek for you today using another super cute Polar Bear...

This one is "Sledging Buddies.. bet you can't wait until the 25th for these to be released?

Image: Sledging Buddies
Sentiment: Handwritten Christmas Sentiments

I'm off to edinburgh zoo today... I'll hopefully get to see the Panda's if they are up for showing themselves...

See you later...

Jen xx

You Made My Day....

Morning... We are on our way to scotland in the next 30 minutes but I thought I would share a quick card with you before we head off....

Inspiration:
CASe this sketch: #41

Card Recipe:
Bermuda Bay card stock
Washi Tape
Sentiment: A dozen Thoughts
All from Stampin Up

Righto... we off on an adventure now... See you all next week (there are some posts scheduled though and I may even pop on a few photos...

Jen xx

Round And Round

Morning LIMettes... I'm really not sure where this week has disappeared too .. or this month but it's time for another challenge at Less Is More and this week it's Theme week.  The challenge is...

Round & Round

We would really like to see cards that have wheels, items that go round or even moving parts and can't wait to see what you come up with!!

My first card uses a new set from Stampin Up, Rev Up The Fun, I've used the Stampin Write markers to ink up the different colours and added a little bit of microbeads to the bike and the spray....
The Dp is also from Stampin Up!

Inspiration:
ColorQ:#202

For my second card I used one of the background stamps from LOTV and stamped it with hero arts shadow ink in cup-o-joe. The sentiment is also from LOTV and I stamped this directly onto tape from Stampin Up.  It's finished off with a button and a bit of twine...

Don't forget I have items for sale here.  I'm away this week but will get them dispatched next Saturday when I'm back. I'm off to Scotland tomorrow but hopefully I'll have wifi in the hotel...

Have a great weekend

Jen x

Wrapped In Tinsel.... Again...

Morning... Another oldie today and it's James again.. This is the one I coloured in Pro markers from last weeks colouring demo with Vicky (please go and follow Vicky... we figured out how to add the followers back on!!).

Card Recipe:
Image: James Wrapped In Tinsel - LOTV
Sentiment: Christmas Greetings - LOTV
Flexmarkers and Prismas
Flowersoft & Glitter
DP: Pink Petticoat

I've got a long day ahead as off to Scotland next week....

Have a great Friday....

Jen xx

Snow Buddies... Another LOTV Sneak Peek!!

Morning... This is a really quick and simple card for today... I'm sorry the photo isn't great but I'll take another later on.

This little cutie from the new release is.. Snow Buddies.. I really love these cute polar bears.  There are 3 designs with him on in the release and I love them all!

Card Recipe:
Image: LOTV Snow Buddies
FlexMarkers
Sentiment: LOTV
Ribbon: Stampin Up

See you later on... And don't forget to check out my for sale page here

Jen xx

For Sale Page Updated!!!

I'm back!!!  Just to let you know I've updated my for sale page... there are sets from....

• Stampin Up 
• Kraftin Kimmie 
• Memory Box dies (1 left!!)
• Penny Black
• Little Claire
• The Alley Way
• CAS-ual Fridays (SOLD)

Plus some other bits on here.  The link is below

http://thetinybluebutterfly.blogspot.co.uk/p/for-sale.html

Email me from the side bar if you are interested

Jen
xxx

With Heartfelt Sympathy

Morning.. A quick card for you today using my new hostess set from Stampin Up and some of the new in-colours...

Hope you have a great Monday... I'll be back later with an Updated for sale page so make sure you check it out!!

Jen xxx

You're In My Thoughts

Morning... A bit later than planned today but I have a little card I made on Sunday when Lizy was here.... Very muted card with my favourite butterflies...

Inspiration:
Dynamic Duos: #65

CASe this Sketch: #40

Card Recipe:
Card Stock : Stampin Up
Die: Memory Box for Simon Says Stamp
Butterflies: Stampin Up
Sentiment: A Dozen Thoughts

Have a great Tuesday...

Jen xx

James Making Snow Angels.... Lili Of The Valley Sneak Peek!!!

Morning... Today is the first of the new Christmas launch sneak peeks at Lili Of The Valley being release on 25th August.  There are 20 fabulous new stamps and James the Bear is back!!!!!

Here is my first card ...

Card Recipe:
Image: James - Snow Angel
ProMarkers & Prismas
Sentiment: LOTV
Washi Tape: Stampin Up

I've been up since 4:30 this morning doing an airpot run but hopefully I'll get to craft a bit tonight...

See you soon and don't forget to check out the rest of the LOTV design team to see what they have to show you!

Jen xx

Sending Thanks To You All

Morning... As you know Jack has been having to go to the vets the last few weeks and we went for a check up yesterday... Hes still not 100% so has to go back again in 3 weeks but we (yes we.. he helped push the pens around my craft desk) make this little thank you card for the guys at Animal Trust in Bolton. Here is Jack's portrait from my 50mm.. He's sat on my desk as normal.... you can just see the blurryness of my pen storage in the back ground.

A few of you have also mentioned the little black cat popping out on the corner of your screen ( this is Jack checking you all out!!! If you want to get your own little spy..  This is where he came from....

This is the little card we made...

Hope you have a great Sunday... Lizy is around later for some crafting and I really must start tidying up...

Jen xxx

One Layer Numbers...

Morning LIMettes.. Wow where did this week go.... Anyhow before we come on to this weeks challenge I finally picked up a 50mm lens for my camera so I was having a little play when Levi was stood looking at me.... the sun pouring on her face... this was the quick snapshot.... I have a lot to learn with this lens for taking the card pictures but I am loving the real portrait effect!....

Enough waffling and onto this weeks Less Is More challenge... This week it's every-ones favourite... One Layer and the theme is... Numbers.... Here are my cards...

My first card uses a fabulous new set from Clearly Besotted called blast off... Inspired by the 3-2-1 I thought it was perfect... I've simply stamped it in various momento inks and finished off the flame with a gold wink of stella pen....

I'm not too sure about this one... think I got just a little carried away with the enamel accents but I didn't  have the time for a re-make.  The numbers are from the sketched alpha stamps from Stampin Up and just some pure black versafine ink I have randomly stamped with exception of the 18.  The birthday is also from Clearly Besotted and I just masked off the happy to leave this.

Jacks off to the vet this morning then loads of house stuff to do this afternoon...

Have a great Saturday

Jen x

The Sky Is The Limit...

I had a great night out with a couple of my fave girl friends last night and it helped me make a few decisions that I had been pondering over and I've decided to do a little life laundry and clear out all of the bad stuff/people that make me that little bit miserable day on day....
That inspired me to use this fabulous new set from Clearly Besotted's August release.... Think this is my favourite set!

Card Recipe:
Stamps & Dies: The Sky Is the Limit - Clearly Besotted
Card stock and DP: Stampin Up
Twine: Stampin Up

Right.. that's all from me for today...

Jen xxx

James Wrapped In Tinsel

On Monday evening I showed you some coloured images here where I had been showing Vicky different colouring mediums.  Last night I made a little card using the one coloured with Distress Markers...
James wrapped with tinsel was the first ever LOTV Christmas stamp I bought a few years ago now and I'm loving getting out my "Vintage" stamps and bringing them to life again.  We always seem to concentrate on the new stash and forget about all those hidden gems... sometimes I find the amount of stamps I have a little overwhelming and don;t know what to use... Think I'll be going on full stash ban soon just so I can settle with all the goodies I have... I'm definitely doing that for card stock I have so much lol!!

Anyhow, enough waffling here is my little card (I'll probably add a sentiment at a later date) ....

Card Recipe:
Image: James Wrapped In Tinsel from LOTV
DP: My Minds Eye
Ribbon: Stampin Up
Distress Inks: Barn Door, Shabby Shutters, Brushed Corduroy (I think lol)

That's all from me for today.... See you soon

Jen xxx

Rev Up The Fun..... Seize The Sketch #1

Afternoon... See I told you I would be back today with exciting news.... It's the first challenge at Seize The Sketch!!

If you haven't seen already it's a new challenge set up by the fabulous Lesley Croghan. This little baby is the sister to the already popular Seize The Birthday. Here is the first sketch designed by the fabulous Amy.

We also have a new sponsor for this fortnight...Fresh Squeezed Stamps

Here is my creation....

Card Recipe:
Washi Tape: mt
Star Die: Die-namics
Sentiment: Stampin Up

Make sure you pop over and see the rest of the team...

Amy Tsuruta
Cathy Sante

Rose Miller
Stacey Schafer

Lesley Croghan

That's all from me for today... See you soon

Jen xxx

Christmas Pup Trio.. Passion For ProMarkers #210... Clean & Simple

Morning... So it's my turn to host the challenge at this weeks Passion For Promarkers and I'm a little sad as it's my second to last challenge as I make the difficult decision to step down from the team :-(

Bet you can't all guess what I chose for the theme this week???  You got it....

Clean & Simple

So I know it 's scary to a lot of you but give it a go.... Here are my cards... yes I got a little carried away with this super cute pup and decided to do a matching set!!

Card Recipe:
FlexMarkers
Images: Party Pup - Christmas Pressie, Cracking Christmas and Christmas Card from Lili Of The Valley
Sentiment: Handwritten Phrases Christmas - LOTV
DP: Pink Petticoat from Fairy Lights Collection
Wink Of Stella clear pen... If you don't have one of these you need one !!!

Hope you all have a fabulous day... I'll be back at 1pm for the brand new Seize The Sketch.. Make sure you pop back

Jen xxx

Something a Little Different.. UPDATED (added Flexmarker version)

Evening... So I have no card for you today but I have a little experiment I was trying yesterday when my friend Vicky from Vicky's Crafting Corner popped over to pick up some bits.  Vicky is really new to crafting (pop over and say hello) and was trying to decide which colouring medium to select...

So we were looking at the easiest and fairly cheap method for her.... firstly we looked at the Distress Markers from Tim Holtz... more pocket friendly that my huge promarker collection and fairly easy to use.  We both coloured in the same image.... the fabulous "James The Bear ...Wrapped In Tinsel" from Lili of the valley.... I love this bear!!  Here is mine.... Simply 3 distress markers....

After a little conversation re Distress markers and buying them I realised you may be able to do the same thing with Stampin Up write markers.... So tonight I coloured the same image with the markers... It was so easy I love the simple colouring... and since Vix has some of the markers already... a lot cheaper!

Here is take 2 with the markers ... Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede and Real Red...

UPDATE:
I thought I would add the one I coloured with Flexmarkers and Prismas.... This was the one I was colouring in when Vicky arrived...

Hope you join me tomorrow for a new challenge at Passion For Promarkers.... It's my turn to host this week.  It's also the first ever sketch over at Seize the Sketch!!!

I'm hopefully going to turn these two cuties into some cards now.....

Jen xxx

Design Seeds

Morning LIMettes... Where did this week go? I have a million and one things I just didn't do this week and that included some crafting but not it's Saturday and that means we have a new challenge at Less Is More.  It's the first week in the month so this week it's a new colour challenge... Here is what we want you to use as inspiration:

Here are my two cards for this week....

For my first card I use scrap of card from Stampin Up (the yellow is More Mustard) and I have simply stitched them with my little sewing machine.  The punches and sentiment are also Stampin up. It's a fairly simple design and great for using up bits of card stock.

My second card uses the same coloured card stock as the first but in very different proportions.  I have kept this card a lot light by using whisper white as the base.  The sentiment is from a retired set from sale-a-bration this year and the button from The Ribbon Girl.

More decorating for me today and then hopefully a day of crafting ahead tomorrow...

Have a great Saturday...

Jen x