Sunday, April 22, 2012

LIM64 - How Charming

The Less is More challenge from Chrissie and Mandi this week is to use a charm on our card.  Sounds simple...right?  Well, not so much for me.  I've rarely used a charm...on a card or on a scrapbook layout.  It's just something I've never thought I needed.  Go figure!  In fact, I don't even own a charm bracelet!  So, with these things in mind, I just had to improvise!


While digging through my stash, I came across these stamps, that I don't think I've ever inked up...so an idea was born.  Unfortunately, I don't really care for how it turned out!  My "charm" is actually a button that is playing the role of a charm!  I stamped the images on white, then stamped the middle chair again and colored it and added a bit of glitter and popped it over the stamped version.  Very plain and simple!


For my second card, I found this stamp (I believe it's PTI) and stamped it on white card stock, then decided to make it a banner, and since I don't have a banner die this shape, I just drew what I wanted and cut it out.  I colored it with Copics.  The charm on this one, is a metal embellie I found in my stash...it has a hole on the top, so maybe it is a charm!  I looped some silver cord over the banner (by cutting a slit in the curve at the top right of the pink) and slid the silver cord into the slit.  Then I knotted the cord in several places and ran the ends up through the hole in the silver "charm" and tied a bow.  I used a little pop dot to hold the charm in place.  The white background was embossed with a PTI distress embossing plate. In case you can't read it, the charm has Thank You on it.


I think the "charms" on this card are actually jewelry findings, but I'm not sure.  The butterfly is a metal embellie.  It's amazing what you can find in your stash when you're desperately looking for something!  I pulled some blue flowers from my stash, folded them and added the metal "charms" and adhered them to the card.  I added the stems with a Memento marker.  The butterfly is adhered with a pop dot.  Sentiment is  from PTI (I think).  I did this on a Kraft card base and round the bottom corners slightly.

I think this last card is my favorite...that's why I quit! LOL!  I have a granddaughter who will be 13 on Friday, so I decided to make this for her.  I used PTI number dies to cut the numbers, then drew the lines on with a black pen.  I colored the stripes with Copics, then added a layer of glossy accents, sprinkled with a little glitter. I think the "charm" on the "1" might actually be a charm! See...all that digging around and I finally found something! The numbers are also pop dotted for added dimension.   I tied the charm around the number 1 with a red ribbon.  I drew the flames for the candles, colored them with Copics, then added glossy accents with a touch of glitter sprinkled on top.  I cut very thin strips of black paper for the wicks.  I used a Sizzix embossing folder for the background, backed with a red paper. The sentiment is from PTI.  I stamped on a piece of white, then just hand cut the ends to make a banner.  Added a red layer to the sentiment, so it would pop...then pop dotted it off the embossed layer.

Got a layout finished today, too.  Thought I'd share that too.


I rarely do a two page layout, but for some reason I decided that's what I wanted to do for these photos.  The pics are five of our grandchildren on New Year's Eve 2011.  I used My Mind's Eye papers - Follow your Heart and Miss Caroline.  The "fence" was one of the papers that I just cut in half and then snipped the top edges to make it look like a fence.  The clouds were cut with a PTI cloud die, and then inked.  I also used a torn edge and inked the background "sky" with some distress ink.  The grass across the bottom was cut with a Memory Box die, inked with some distress ink and layered over the solid green (from a really old  line of paper from MME - Signature).  I cut the bicycle and kites from two different pieces of the MME paper and layered them on the layout with pop dots.  The tail of the kites was made with some DMC red floss and the bows on the kite tails were hand cut from scraps. The "bubbles" were made from a piece of iridescent vellum.  I doodled some edges and shadows on each of the bubbles.  Some of them are popped off the page with pop dots.  The title work was made by cutting 4 layers of the same image with the Cameo and layering them, using a piece cut from MME paper on the top. I added some white doodles to each letter.  I added a little poem that I found online that reads:

Bubbles floating all around, Bubbles fat and bubbles round, Bubbles on my toes and nose, Blow a bubble, up it goes. Bubbles floating all around, Bubbles falling to the ground.

Journaling is tucked behind the left photo and reads:

In an effort to find an activity to keep you all busy on New Year’s Eve 2011 while we were trying to get things ready for our get together that evening, your Grandpa pulled out our stash of bubbles. He “invented” a contest. I never figured out the rules, and you all didn’t seem bothered that the rules kept changing. (Can you believe that it’s December 31 and you all are outside barefooted, wearing shorts, and short-sleeved shirts!) Finding something that entertains everyone is sometimes difficult, but blowing bubbles kept all of you busy for …oh…at least 30 minutes! 

Bet you thought I'd never stop! Thanks so much for stopping in to visit.  I appreciate each and every one of your sweet comments!  Until next time....

Hugs!

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32 comments:

Sheila in Cyprus said...

Looks like you have been a busy bunny. These are all fab cards, I love the flower one, your use of 'charms' on this is delightful.
Love Sheila x

Chrissie said...

For someone who 'doesn't do charms' you certainly rocked this one Susan.
I think the last two cards are my favourites!
I think your granddaughter will be thrilled with hers.
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Aileen said...

Well done on all your cards. Love the charms on your flowers and the little wish charm on your number candles is perfection. I don't have any charms either so had to make one instead! x

Sandra H said...

So beautiful Susan, Every creation you share with us is stunning, and happy birthday to your grand daughter she will love this for her forthcoming birthday:)c

Fiona said...

Great improvisation Susan. I don't use charms either but I did have a couple in my stash. My favourite card is the third one, I like the way you folded the flowers over and the jewellery findings look perfect. Clever you, drawing the stem yourself.

Stamps and Paper said...

Wow Susan you certainly have been busy...so many lovely cards but I particularly love the blue flowers
I thought it was stunning

Anne

Suze Bain said...

Well for someone who doesn't use charms, you've made four beautiful cards. The flower one is my favourite, it's gorgeous. xx

Tara Cardwell said...

These are all brilliant - the way you used the charms on the flowers is a stroke of genius! I think my fave is the candle numbers though and I'm sure I have those wish charms "somewhere" in my stash too!
The double layout is fabulous - blowing bubbles is still one of my favourite things to do, even now I'm supposedly a grown up ;-)

Loli said...

Hola My supercardmaker friend:D:D:D, great job with the charming week, the 13 is FANTASTIC!!! you inpired me for make une similar for my nephew 14 oooommmmgggg:D:D:D.
My son love make bubbles too, i think is magic:D
A warm hug from Palma

cnelson said...

Fabulous cards and lo!! Love them all!

G Peplow said...

Four fabby cards and a beautiful LO well done Susan you really have been busy:0) My favourite of all is the card with the gorgeous blue flowers, my my they're zingy, have a great week, xxx

Lynne said...

They are all gorgeous Susan but my favourite has to be the flowers. Such fabulous colours.
Lynne xxx

Darnell said...

You're so funny! It's like you said "I haven't a thing to wear!" and then pulled out all these fab dresses! Your cards are all darling, as usual, but I agree the birthday 13 is the best! She's going to love it!

Bea said...

Fab cards - Love the candles and floral one .

Vicky Hayes said...

Wonderful as always Susan! I agree with you - the candles card is my favourite too and the 'wish' charm is the perfect sentiment addition. I always love your layouts too and this DPS is fantastic inspiration with the garden fence scene. Thanks for sharing.

Bonnie said...

Don't you love it when you start out feeling like you can't possibly come up with anything just right, and then the ideas start flowing? That certainly happened here. The card with the flowers really wowed me and the candles are fantastic! Your scrapbook page is so fun! You certainly captured the fun time the children (and adults) were having.

Lisa said...

Lovely cards.
But my favorit is the flowercard.

Lisa

Mandi said...

You do make me smile Susan at the extreme effort you put in
you are amazing...as are your cards
Thank you very much
mandi
"Less is More"

Pia S said...

You have made some awesome cards! I really like the one with the chairs and the one with the banner and charm, but they are just great!

Mynn xx said...

These are all absolutely amazing, but I LOVE the blue flower one!!! TOTALLY pinned to my CASE this board! :) You're fabulously talented!

Rosemary said...

i have to agree with chrissie... for someone who doesn't "do charms" you did an absolutely amazing job with every single card!! fabby layout, too!!

Carole said...

Oooh Susan, just fabulous, each and everyone. Love the chairs and the charm ... awesome!

Bobby said...

The number card is my favorite, too. They actually look like wax candles.

Anne said...

That's some fairly amazing stuff for someone who doesn't do charms lol! Like you, I prefer the last one and I love it with the charm, not despite it, just stunning.

Jenny said...

Another fabulous collection Susan...I love the candy striped numbers but the metal charms on the flowers are just brilliant...clever way to use a charm :0)
Jenny x

Judy1223 said...

Seriously, Susan, I can't even come up with ONE card this week and you have HOW MANY?! And they are ALL awesome! I especially love the "13" card with the "wish" charm...great birthday card! All winners in my book...

debby4000 said...

Amazing collections of cards, my faves have to be the flowers and the candles.
Love the super layout too.
luv
Debby

Canonbury creations said...

I'm blown away every week by the selection of cards that you produce Susan! Love the flowers with the butterfly charm and the one for your granddaughter is fab!
Val x

Diane said...

Beautiful selection of cards but I have to agree with you, the candles are my fave too....they look absolutely scummy!!!
And the double layout is perfect for the bubble theme (I'm a big kid at heart...I love blowing bubbles!!!)
Diane

kingstonmama said...

Fab set of cards! I love how you used charms on the flowers on card three. such a clever way to use them. I also really like the wish charm hanging from the 1 on the birthday card. Those birthday numbers look amazing!

Mrs.B said...

Hi Susan, you produce the most amazing cards! I LOVE the blue flower card, Stunning! and all from a lady who dosen't do charms!!
Avril xx

Julie Howard said...

Lovin' the layout! The fence is so cute... and very clever too. I actually have that same paper, and not once did I look at it and say, 'hey, this would make an awesome fence'. That's why you're the brains of our friendship. I'm the beauty. :P

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