After a Christmas hiatus, Less is More is back with a new clean and simple card challenge. ‘We’re probably all sick of sweat pants and casual clothes, so let’s look forward to a time when we can all dress up again’ sets off the clothing/fashion theme. I remembered that I had done some paper piecing of dresses when I was with Craftwork Cards and managed to unearth the ‘Sophie’ stamp set from 2016 which is perfect for dress-up!
Card Craft
Arts in Worship
Bible Journaling: New Year 2021
A new year arrives and it seemed a fitting moment to do some Bible journaling. I have to admit that without a group to prepare for, my journaling has lapsed – since April! It was lovely to be designing again and I’ve been adding to my font and design collection. I’ve kept the same style to allow me to share the printable versions and as always, I think it’s the colour that makes the design pop. A printable template is available for free from my shop.
I’ve chosen verses that offer some encouragement as we start the new year. They are mainly on the theme of ‘new’ – I had to start my search somewhere. I also admit to choosing some on the basis of whether there were any competing completed Bible journaling illustrations on the same page.
3D Projects
Craft Label DT: North Star Stars
Another relatively quick project with Craft Label goodies – North Star Stars. Using the First Edition North Star 6×6″ paper pad, I have cut out six/five spikes (three per sheet) and through folding and fiddly sticking have constructed these hanging stars. I’ve used two of the pearlescent designs (hard to see the shiny finish in the pic) and then two different pages for the alternating patterned star:
Art Journal
Art Journal: Annus Covidis
Back in January I joined Mixed Up Creative Academy’s free art journal course which offered a theme and a technique video each month. I chose to work in a larger size than normal – a portrait A4 page – per month. I made my own journal from thick greyboard so that I could chuck all sorts of media at it without it buckling. Unfortunately, towards the end of the year, the course was pulled due to lack of tutors, so the last three months became my own. Over the months, I found myself moving toward Bible verses and each page became an example of how Bible journaling can move off the Bible page. I present my Annus Covidis journal:
Card Craft
Craft Label DT: North Star Christmas Cards II
Time for another look at the First Edition North Star paper pad from Craft Label. As well as the glittered design, two foil designs and two pearlescent designs, half the pad is double-sided as well. It’s a 200gsm paper, so a decent weight for card making and also making 3D projects as well. Today, I used the grey-green papers which accompany the blue-silver colour scheme in the pad.
Card Craft
Craft Label DT: Decoupage Cards II
More Craft Label goodness, hopefully for your inspiration and inspired purchases! This time I’ve used the Christmas Sentiments decoupage paper for three decoupage cards. For the square card, I decoupaged a square piece of white card first before mounting on the gold mat. For the DL card, I just stuck a piece of the decoupage paper to the mat – it’s see-through and the clear tape sticky is just visible as a dark lines (subtle but there) so I’d not do that again. Finally, I decoupaged the paper direct to the A6 card. Of course, the card buckled and it took a fair bit of work to get it flat enough again. I needed to outline the gold heat embossed sentiment with Stickles to help it stand out against the decoupage paper. This helped tie the text to the embellishment as well.
3D Projects
Craft Label DT: Christmas Decoupage
A quick and simple decoupage project, these upcycled powdered drinks containers could be used to hold candy canes, breadsticks or even Christmas potpourri. Paint over the drinks containers with black paint/gesso or be prepared to do a couple of layers of the decoupage paper to cover the text/pattern on the containers. Glue on the strips of decoupage paper with the decoupage adhesive and varnish and allow to dry.
Line the pots with paper from the North Star paper pad.
I decorated the blue with the foiled stars from the North Star paper pad in two strips edged with silver peel-off borders. Embellish with a mini gift bow and silver Merry Christmas sentiment. I’ve added a few glittered half-pearls in two sizes as a finishing touch.
I created a wreath effect on the red pot with alternating felt poinsettias and gold mini gift bows before glueing down one of the wooden Merry Christmas sentiments. Quick extra embellishments to finish: gold peel-off borders top and bottom and some gold ‘nail heads’ (sequins would also work here).
As it’s Black Friday, there’s a 3 for 2 promotion over on the Craft Label webshop, so pop over and get hold of the following to do this project!
- First Edition Christmas Deco Mache decoupage paper: Sentiments / Snowflakes
- First Edition Deco Mache decoupage glue adhesive and varnish: Matt
- First Edition Deco Mache brush set
- First Edition FSC Christmas Paper Pad: North Star 6×6″
- Simply Creative Christmas Mini Gift Bows: Gold & Silver
- Simply Creative Basics Felt Image: Poinsettias
- Simply Creative Christmas Wooden Sentiments: Merry Christmas
Card Craft
Craft Label DT: Winter Sparkle Cards
More Craft Label goodies! In my last DT post, I used the Winter Sparkle decoupage pad and paper pad to make a shadow box. This week, I’m using the same pads to make several Christmas cards for your inspiration…
Card Craft
LIM DT: Festive OLC
Another challenge is live at Less is More. This time it is a one layer card with the theme ‘festive’. As before, one layer cards mean just that: no hiding behind layered papers or mats, perfect printing first time and minimal embellishments. Even die cuts aren’t allowed as they are an added layer. I normally paper-piece the stamp I chose to use, so that was not an option in a one layer card. Instead, I went with some colouring-in:
I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black using a stamp platform, and then again with Versamark as I then decided to heat emboss the outline with clear gloss to make it stand out a little. I then coloured in with ProMarkers adding lots of layers and then highlights with a correction pen and Posca markers. Finally, I added some stickles and liquid pearls to give a little more interest to the card.
Used for this card
- Woodware clear stamp: Huge Noel [FRS219]
- Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
- VersaMark ink pad
- WOW! Embossing Powder: Clear Gloss Super Fine
- Letraset/Winsor & Newton ProMarkers: Denim Blue / China Blue / Cool Grey 3
- Ranger Stickles: Waterfall / Gunsmoke
- Ranger Liquid Pearls: Royal Blue
- Tippex Correction Pen
- Posca Pen [PC1-MR]: White
3D Projects
Craft Label DT: Winter Sparkle Shadow Box
As promised in my previous DT post, here’s a project I made using another of Craft Label’s First Edition paper pad designs, Winter Sparkle. This comes in 12×12″ and 6×6″ pads along with an 8×8″ decoupage pad. There is also a plethora of coordinating embellishments. I used both the 6×6″ pad and one of the decoupage designs to make this shadow box:




