LIM DT: Monogram OLC

Oh, this one is a real toughie! I don’t think it’s a secret that the design team were all scratching their heads with the latest challenge over at the clean and simple card challenge site, Less is More. We could think of several ways of making a monogram, but most weren’t only one layer. That ruled out die cuts, cutouts and all sorts of other clever stuff.

Anyhoo, I scratched my head successfully and came up with three designs. The first, the N, technically didn’t fulfil the definition of a monogram, being a single initial. Then the stencilled and embellished A didn’t fulfil the definition either and turned out not to be a favourite. Finally, the graffiti monogram meets the definition, but might not be considered a traditional monogram.

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LIM DT: Pale Blue and Yellow

Challenge time again at Less is More, the clean and simple challenge blog. This time, it’s a colour challenge: use pale blue and yellow, and black and white are allowed. It took me a little while to come up with my design – a couple of the design team had already posted their cards and I didn’t want to do the same or a similar card. Here’s my final take on the challenge:

Pale Blue and Yellow Hip Hip Hooray card

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Craft Label DT: Oh So Sweet II

I took a couple of hours over the weekend to make a series of cards using the new paper pad from First Edition, Oh So Sweet available from Craft Label. I’ve already made a scrapbook layout with a description of the pad contents here, so I won’t repeat it again. Though I love the pastel colour palette, I did find it missing some dark contrast pages and had to add distress ink to some of the edges to get that contrast where I wanted it.

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LIM DT: My Favourite Technique

One of the joys (and tribulations) of being a mixed media artist is that you have a great deal of choice when coming to the question of a favourite technique. The fact that the latest challenge at Less is More is conventionally a card craft project helpful narrows down the choice. I found it hard to pick a favourite, so here are two cards based on the effects I most like the results of.

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Craft Label DT: Bon Voyage

New in at Craft Label are the First Edition Bon Voyage paper pads. They feature two canvas designs, three spot UV designs and half the 48 sheets are double-sided. The pads are printed with soy inks and being acid and lignin-free are perfect for scrapbooking. I’ve also used the papers to make cards, five of which are featured below. I think the papers are also perfect for more masculine cards as well as travel-related projects. Here are six projects for your inspiration:

Bon Voyage 12x12" scrapbook layout

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Craft Label DT: Butterfly Kisses Cards II

The thing with a 6×6″ paper pad is that when you’re using the papers to make cards, the pad doesn’t last very long – go with the 12×12″ pad! This also gives you the opportunity to do scrapbook layouts. The paper pad, stamps and embellishments I have revisited are from Dovecraft – Butterfly Kisses – available from Craft Label. Here are the five additional card designs…

As well as the paper pad and embellishments, I used two coordinating Distress Oxide colours to stamp with: Dusty Concord and Bundled Sage. Top tip: give the clear stamps a good wash before first use to remove the manufacturing film that can cause the ink to bead up rather than lay flat.

LIM DT: Sketch 26

For the unfamiliar, a sketch challenge starts with a block drawing which you then adapt with added elements to make your card. Over at Less is More, the clean and simple card challenge blog, we have set sketch 26. Here are two cards based on the sketch.

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Craft Label DT: Finding Paradise

Craft Label have sent me a new pack of goodies. Not only are their packing boxes secure, but they’re also polka-dotted and there’s an encouragement in every one to get making. The Finding Paradise set includes paper pads in all sizes (12″, 8″ and 6″ square) along with numerous embellishment packs including coordinating washi tape, clear stamps and toppers.

Finding Paradise kit

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LIM DT: Diamonds OLC

One layer card time at Less is More with a diamonds theme. This is what it says, with no die cuts, embellishments, and all completed on the folded cardstock. It’s harder than it seems and today’s example was the third time I tried the same technique!

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