Clean & Simple and Inkspirations Mingle

Firstly I would like to thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes after sharing about my cancer last week. I really appreciate all the encouragement and support. I have had some results from some of the tests and it looks like the cancer is isolated so it can be removed, which is good news. I am now waiting to see the specialist to find out his thoughts on it all and discuss surgery etc.

Today I have made a card for the Clean & Simple and Inkspirations challenges. It has been some time since I've entered Inkspirations so it's good to be playing along this week!

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Life Definitions, Best Yet

Ink: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Regal Rose

Card Stock: Whisper White, Regal Rose

Other: Regal Rose 1.6cm Grosgrain Ribbon

I used markers to ink up the rubber so that I could use the three different colours and achieve variation in the petals. I also added a drop of water to the tops of the flowers before stamping which dilutes the colour a little and gives it light and shade so that it looks 3-D. Here is a close-up of the flower...

And now for something a little bit cute. During the week I received this gorgeous bouquet of chocolates accompanied by Dr Ted E Bear. It was sent by my mother in-law, sister & brother in-law, to cheer me up. They live a bit too far away to just pop in and visit and wanted to send something. It was very much appreciated and I smile every time I look at the bear!! He's so adorable, I'll be taking him to hospital with me :)

One Card — 4 challenges!

Hi to all my blogging friends out there. Before I reveal today's card, I want to share some news with you. I have just been diagnosed with a less common variety of thyroid cancer. I'm now waiting on the results of some more tests I've had done, to determine whether or not it has spread anywhere else. It has been a real shock to us all, especially after my grandmother died of cancer last year. We are just taking one day at a time.

With all the news and tests etc. I haven't had a chance until today to be creative. So with limited time on my hands I thought I would use a number of challenges to make one card...

Clean & Simple Sketch 131

Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge — One Layer with Lime and Grey

Less is More — Off the Edge

Jac-inks — Masking

I am a DT member for jac-inks, but Ann let me off the hook for not being able to get something done before she put up the latest challenge — phew!! ;)

So here it is...

Stamps: Embrace Life, Solid Stripes, Just Believe

Card Stock: Whisper White

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Basic Grey, Versa Mark

I used the Solid Stripes stamp with Versa Mark to add a little more interest to the white areas. But this may mean the card is lacking the "white space" or "cleanness" required for Less is More — I think I can get away with it though. Don't you??

Speedy the Cat's Challenge — Bleaching

I have decided to play along in the Speedy the Cat's Challenge this week which is to use the bleaching technique. I love what you can do with bleaching.

Here is my creation...

Stamps: Medallion, En Français, Sincere Salutations

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Grey, Riding Hood Red,

Crumb Cake (otherwise known as Kraft)

Ink: Basic Grey

Other: Bleach, Linen Thread

I have used the bleach with the Medallion stamp on the Riding Hood Red and Basic Grey card stock, then stamped En Français in Basic Grey over the top. Also on Basic Grey I have reversed this by stamping the Medallion in ink and then bleaching with En Français. When you bleach on Basic Grey, the colour almost looks like Crumb Cake, so it works to use that colour card stock in the design as well. Once I had stamped and bleached the different pieces, I tore them and layered them together.

I am happy that the white piece of card stock with the sentiment brings back a little crispness to the otherwise textured, patterned design.

Shimmer and Squares

Tomorrow, one of my daughters turns 9. I decided to use two challenges for the inspiration for her card. OLW — Shimmer. Less is More — 3 squares. It was all a bit of an experiment and didn't end up being what I had pictured to begin with. But here it is...

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Pretty Princess (retired)

Paper: Bashful Blue

Ink: Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy

Other: Shimmer Paint

The number of squares on the card depends on how you interpret "3 squares". There could be more if including the card itself or the squares that the squares create! Whoa... that's a bit heavy for this time of night (for me that is!). I think it could have done without the square around the sentiment. Anyway, you don't know unless you try :)

The shimmer was created by spraying on some diluted shimmer paint.