Welcome to "Less is More" for the start of our new challenge.
What wonderful entries we had again last week. Even though we say it all the time, your comments blow us away and thank you so much for all the continued support.
Without you all visiting, entering and visiting each other, we wouldn't be where we are today...
proven by a few statistics!
We eagerly watch the Crafty Blogs [icon on sidebar] and we 'rose' to an amazing number 7 during the week. That is truly phenomenal!
On our very first week we had 167 entries and this has continued to grow and grow. The amount of comments you leave us is truly amazing and is what sets us apart from other challenge blogs we've come across. We also now have over 600 followers!
We both managed to still comment on all of you individually and will do as much as we can. Rest assured we will always both look at all entries even if you only get comments from one of us!
OK so onto this week,
it's SKETCH week.
What wonderful entries we had again last week. Even though we say it all the time, your comments blow us away and thank you so much for all the continued support.
Without you all visiting, entering and visiting each other, we wouldn't be where we are today...
proven by a few statistics!
We eagerly watch the Crafty Blogs [icon on sidebar] and we 'rose' to an amazing number 7 during the week. That is truly phenomenal!
On our very first week we had 167 entries and this has continued to grow and grow. The amount of comments you leave us is truly amazing and is what sets us apart from other challenge blogs we've come across. We also now have over 600 followers!
We both managed to still comment on all of you individually and will do as much as we can. Rest assured we will always both look at all entries even if you only get comments from one of us!
OK so onto this week,
it's SKETCH week.
This was intended as a DL card, but although dimensions don't have to be exact, the proportions should be similar. (A tall thin card)
We have just learned from Lynne that DL stands for Double Length, so the card should have a height that is Double the Length of the width! Thanks Lynne.
You can interpret it however you wish but we do need to recognise the sketch and most of all your design must be clean & simple and most definitely
"Less is More"
And now onto our cards
Mandi first this week
Flowers are Stampin Up set Growing Green
stamped onto Pink Petticoat papers
Orchid pink and Pistachio and Fairy Dots [blk]
[With every pattern design you get the solid colour match too]
Centre of green flower is black glittered and the
gems are just stuck on the dot flower for a bit of interest
Font is Tall Paul
My little tut for this week is about matching a computer generated font to the colour in digi papers [or any scanned image in your computer files]
All digi papers are made up of a Red, Green and Blue colour palette,
so we need to determine what combination they are made of.
I do this using Paint as it's normally built into your computer.
On the start menu type Paint in the search box and open the program.
Then go to File 'top left hand side' A box appears select Open
From here you need to tell it where your particular paper is stored. Once you locate it,
click Open and that paper will appear in the paint window
On the left hand side are 'tools' Select the little icon that looks like a pipette [3rd down on mine]
Click it onto the colour you want to match
Click Colors
Then Edit Colors [from a pop up box]
A box appears and click Define Custom Colors
There on the bottom right you will see, for instance
Red 231
Green 18
Blue 97
Make a note of these and you then change your font colour using these numbers.
Each card uses a heart from the Stampin' Up' I (Heart) Hearts' set of stamps and a background stamp also from Stampin' Up. The masculine version uses 'Friendly' and the female version 'En Francais'.
In both cases I have stamped the heart and then after cutting out, double embossed it with clear UTEE.
Each has a simple ribbon treatment.
The sentiment on the first card is from SU Vintage Vogue.
The sentiment on this card is a stamp from Penny Black.
The twiddly bit around this heart was made with a snipped up Martha Stewart border punch!
One of our community, Tara (Craftilicious) is starting a new Charity Challenge Blog with a DT selected from our number here at "Less is More"
This is what she writes...
My father passed away 3 years ago from cancer was greatly supported by our local hospice, who I have been trying to support ever since through various crafting projects. We have now started a crafting group at the hospice with the aim of coming up with craft-based projects to raise funds for them. My first project is to start a charity challenge blog. This will be a monthly competition to make a card and I am trying to encourage those who play along to post the physical card they make to the charities freepost address so we can have lots of lovely handmade cards to sell both in their shops and at crafting events we intend to put on throughout the year.
This challenge goes live on April 2nd and can be found here.
I'm sure lots of you would love to support this worthy venture!
We encountered many entries this last week, whose blogs still have Word Verification enabled. We would be really grateful if you could PLEASE TURN OFF WORD VERIFICATION , as it takes us so much longer to leave comments and we DO try our best to get round to everyone and with over 200 entries each week that's quite a lot of commenting!
We hope you enjoy the challenge this week and eagerly await your entries.
Well done Chrissie and Mandi! You obviousy knew what the crafters needed when you started this challenge blog and your constructive comments keep us motivated and we are truly inspired by all the entries.
ReplyDeleteThanks girlies, loving this sketch. x
ReplyDeleteLooking good - can't wait to get started!
ReplyDeleteKathyk
fab sketch and managed to squeeze mine in whilst getting ready for my classes today!
ReplyDeleteGreat tut about matching colours - thanks Mandi.
Love all three cards this week and Chrissie I think I prefer your male version, how odd considering how much I lurve pink?
Mandi you've inspired me to do more with the Growing Green stamp set
hugs
Victoria
x
Great sketch - am going to use it to try and make a couple of mothers day cards today.
ReplyDeleteAnother great challenge, I love your cards. thanks girls xx Jan
ReplyDeleteFab sketch girls and fabulous inspiration as always! Have a fabby Saturday
ReplyDeleteAli x
Liking the sketch so will go have a think, great inspiration girls.
ReplyDeleteJenny x
Great Sketch - Can't wait to get started :O)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sketch, it gives me new inspiration to work with less is more.
ReplyDeletehave a fine weekend
Gr. Marja
Great cards again girls,loving the pink one with the heart esp. Looking at the sketch now and trying to see if inspiration will strike , thanks again for another great challenge:O) Viv xx
ReplyDeletefab cards from you both - and another great challenge - thanks x
ReplyDeleteAnother great challenge and I have uploaded my card. Thanks............x Maureen............x
ReplyDeleteAnother great challenge girls
ReplyDeleteI'm not a sketch lover but I like this one and I'm planing to have a shot at it
Hope you both have a great weekend
Hugs Susie Sugar xx
There is another alternative to Paint, which is a more powerful application. That is My Craft Studio Professional, which allows you to match perfectly any of your text to any part you choose of your computer generated background or images. I often find the perfect match is a touch too light in tone, but I can still go into the program and manually lift the font a little and get exactly the effect I need. I have watched your site for a while now and I am very tempted to have a go. I like clean simple cards.
ReplyDeleteI agree Maggie
ReplyDeleteI just opted for Paint, as i stated in my post, as its generally built into the computer, rather than explain something that is a separate purchase and people may not have
Thanks for mentioning though
mandi
Oh Chrissie I love your his/her cards!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Mandi ... it's lovely to create the flowers on a dark cardstock ... that's it!
Thanks for great inspirations
hugs,Beate
Great sketch ladies with all three interesting cards.....thanks!
ReplyDeletegreat sketch and lovely examples! i don't often make tall cards... maybe i will have to give it a go this time!
ReplyDeleteLovely cards as usual.
ReplyDeleteAnother fun challenge ladies and super examples to get us in the mood.
ReplyDeleteanother fab challenge girls .. cant wait to make a card
ReplyDeleteLisa x
Fabulous DT cards girls, as always, and a brilliant sketch this week.
ReplyDeleteLynne xxx
Well done again, brilliant sketch, lovely challenge and your cards are a delight! Many Thanks :0) xxx
ReplyDeleteAnother great challenge ladies (I've never done a sketch before). x
ReplyDeleteGreat sketch! I don't usually make DL cards so it's good to be challenged to do one!
ReplyDeleteLove both of your cards, Chrissie and Mandi! Thanks for another great challenge.
I like this sketch - I've been out all morning - so I'll see if I can get something up later today.
ReplyDeleteThanks to both of you for coming up with such a brilliant challenge!!
I really enjoy your blog and is on the challenge for the first time!
ReplyDeleteGreat sketch girls. Must have a go. Haven't made a DL card for a long time so it would be good to do something different. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteKat xx
I just wanted to say although I cannot always join in the challenges I love seeing everyones makes and to thank you for providing great challenges. Annette x
ReplyDeleteThanks for great sketch! Love your cards!!
ReplyDeleteI´ve added mine!
Thanks so much for a great challenge. This is my first time playing along with you and I had a ball!
ReplyDeleteKaren
x
Hi ya girlies,fabulous cards as always, im still tryin for an A+! lol, sue,x
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteFab cards from Chrissie and Mandi....another good Challenge although i am still a bit nervous of it ....Lol....
Gorgeous entries...
hugs
sylvie
xx
Great sketch...so many possibilities...and I learned what a DL card is...all around fab challenge!
ReplyDeleteWonderfull cards thanks for sharing and i love the sketch Luv Sue x
ReplyDeleteGreat sketch and my first at a DL card.
ReplyDeleteSam
Great samples and great sketch, one I'll probably use again and again.
ReplyDeleteLynne x
Thanks for another fun challenge , think I will use this skecth to get some xmas cards under way sorry for using that word but have 400 to do so thought a few clean and simple ones would get the job done a bit quicker lol.
ReplyDeleteJust love this blog!!!
Nicky
A great sketch - still took me ages to decide what to use and to put it together!!
ReplyDeleteHelen x
Thanks so much for pushing me to test myself with this sketch. I like clean fresh cards, but this took a lot more thought to use the different shape and the basic sketch to create something I was happy with. It made me really go hunting and using things I have not had out for a while. There are some really beautiful cards already entered.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of challenge sites out there but none give me the pleasure that this one does! Thanks to you both.
ReplyDeleteGreat examples which have inspired me as always ...thank you .
ReplyDeleteFinally made it...wow I forgot how much fun CAS cards were to make. Thanks for reminding me..
ReplyDeleteBunches of Hugs, Marjo
Morning ladies, super cards for our inspiration and congrats on your achievements so far - great stats! ikki
ReplyDeleteThanks for another challenge and for the inspiration. Jo x
ReplyDeleteFantastic challenge blog, superb sketch and such inspiring inspiration!! And all the projects being linked in are just fantastic, well done everyone!!
ReplyDeleteA great sketch-really inspired me!
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE these challenges!
p.s. my comment moderation is now switched off-my apologies!-didn't know it was on!)
Oooooo just found this site, great cards everyone and I love clean and simple so must have a go sometime. thanks x
ReplyDeleteAnother great challenge and seemed strange to add paper this week.
ReplyDeleteKath x
Fab interpretations as always and thanks for the PAINT instructions - so helpful
ReplyDeleteI don't normally do sketches but this one I could not pass up on, here is hoping I manage to get all of April's challenges done!
ReplyDeleteThank You!
ReplyDeleteNice sketch! Hope my card is OK!
Beautiful cards and a fab sketch.
ReplyDeleteBabs x
WOW your site is amazing, I love the sketch and the DT cards and WOW to all your amazing followers and their stunning cards. Really loving this style, so glad I found you :)
ReplyDeleteAnother excellent challenge again this week Ladies . Your example cards are fab as always. Might have to be more than one go for me this week....lovin the sketch!
ReplyDeleteKerry x
Tks so much for stopping by every week to comment on our work! Really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...this is def a challenge! Long card, sketch, CAS, ....oh well! What is life without challenges! :)
fantastic challenge blog ladies..well done.. i love it..so inspiring..this is my first time in joining in..hopefully i will be able to make it most weeks..thank you :)
ReplyDeletehugs
Michelle x
Hi
ReplyDeleteAnother card for this weeks Challenge ...some gorgeous Entries ...Wow!!!!
Hugs
sylvie
xxxx
Fantastic cards just luv working with sketches and this one is brill Luv Sue x
ReplyDeleteI love sketches, this one is great. I entered my link but my thumnail isn't showing although it does link to the correct post, I tried to re do it but the link thinghy won't let me!
ReplyDeleteDonna (Toulouse31):-)
Congratulations ladies on your continued success, your challenge site has certainly become quite unique, the lovely support and friendly comments I have received is a testament
ReplyDeleteto the community you have created. I love the challenges (even one layer week and sketch week, both can give me problems) but just as much I have loved seeing what everyone creates and being apart of it....THANK YOU!
Diane x
I'm back for another go, hope I managed first time, this time. Hugs lin
ReplyDeleteSome amazing entries this week ladies. Thanks again for another 'challenge':-)
ReplyDeleteLovely sketch, just what I needed for a CAS thank you card! Great timing! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteA lovely sketch and fab inspiration from both of you, many thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Chrissie and Mandi - wow another busy week for you ladies on commenting! Love, love, love your DT cards again and so pleased for you both that this challenge is proving to be so very popular - I love joining in!
ReplyDeleteTake care
Tina
X
Great sketch, thanks! Your samples are great and again it's lovely to see such different approaches from the two of you!
ReplyDeleteFabulous sketch and stunning samples for inspiration....
ReplyDeleteJenny xx
had to miss last weeks challenge, due to work commitments, so couldnt wait to do this one! Great to see so many wonderful cards, just wish I had time to leave comments for everyone.
ReplyDeleteHi Ladies,
ReplyDeleteGreat challenge this week but have to say how shocked I was to see how many didn't know what a DL card was.
Kath x
I have been so inspired by this week's sketch, and am so happy to have managed to play along finally! I can't seem to stop making cards with this sketch - I think it will quickly become a "go to" sketch for me - so many possibilities! And thanks everyone for all your encouraging comments!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Shanna :)
So sorry about my card being on its side but cannot do anything about it. Picasa is having a hissy fit I think. Trouble is my IT expert is in London.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Margaret
another great challenge girls...skidding in by the seat of my pant this week..hugs kath xxx
ReplyDeleteHi girls....thanks for another fabby challenge,just about made it and sorry i missed last week :0(.
ReplyDeleteTake care
San x
I have been looking for a while and today with mojo gone I turned to your sketch loved the challenge and sketch just added my link... loved the cards from the DT great inspiration thanks.
ReplyDeletecan't wait for the next one :O) THANKS DT
ReplyDeleteWow! Over 250 fab entries this week! I have tried to get round them myself, and have managed to do a fair few, but I am so busy I can't possibly look at them all! I don't know how you do it Chrissie and Mandi...well done! :)
ReplyDeleteLizy x
Thanks Lizy
ReplyDeleteWon't say it;s easy, but, we both feel it;s the least we can do to visit everyone when they have taken the trouble to enter our challenge
mandi
Fab blog and I've submitted my card. Harder than you think but great fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm late as usual. Its a wonderful Sketch ladies. Thank you for hosting a challenge.
ReplyDeletewhoops, I forgot to load up my card this morning but I still wanted to share.
ReplyDeletehttp://kreativekristie.blogspot.com/2011/04/less-is-more-easter-for-papercutz-85.html
Well I missed the boat this week - not had time to craft much at all but I have been checking out the other submissions (thats probably where I'm going wrong but I love to see what other people have made and get inspiration)
ReplyDeleteThanks girls for such a brilliant challenge blog - its popularity proves how much its appreciated.