Wednesday, February 23, 2011

What's on your Workdesk and Less is More

Hello Wednesday !
Yes, the weekend had done a runner and here we are, mid week, on our way to March... the world is definitely spinning faster. Time to share some of the creative antics happening at HQ...
In reality the whole room is quite a mess but the photo makes things appear pretty orderly. Saturday I finished an intensive project and I have never been in such a chaotic state...the scraps started hitching a ride down the stairs into the kitchen...

Sunday night I fancied a dabble at something new and have always wanted to crochet mini-flowers. But I have never crocheted...So there I am at one in the morning following a You Tube tutorial. One hour, some iffy comments and 100 videos later - two little flowers. Not perfect, but I am well pleased with them and thought I could soon whip up a heart. No such luck - after several failed attempts I could only manage what looked like a pancreas. I don't think there's much call for them - not even in the realms of altered art...

Yesterday I indulged in the Less is More Challenge where the theme is spring. Once again enjoyed a different genre and method of working. It really is good for the old brain to go to the other extreme - precise, yet understated and pure.

I have made several variations using just one stamp. I enjoyed playing with the different compositions, colours and textures. I have stamped the image (Hero Arts), cut it into four pieces that are almost like mini-canvasses and then had fun.

Here we have blue on white with simple stitching, ribbon and sentiment. Played for a while before deciding to go for just three of the pieces.


So this little one was made from the orphan blue piece I had left over! Good to see that just one simple piece and some lace can be so lovely.

Number three - it is actually a lovely green but it was a bit dark ! Went for all four pieces this time which worked on this card shape.
 I stamped on white card using a random mix of red and green Distress Inks and really like the effect it gives.



And number four...
Here I stamped and embossed with clear powder and then applied several tones of Distress inks. This time I went for just two pieces and layered them up on a jute scrap and added some copper thread.


I decided to work with a range of background colours and not just white to see what happened and also to challenge myself to use a few different colours than I normally would. All in all - I think it worked out really well and it is good for me to venture into other styles. Had a great time.
So there you go...that's me all done with flowers, chat and cards for this week! Hope you enjoyed them.

Tomorrow I have a free day and I can finally do some desk-hopping again!
Thanks for all the visits, kind words, new followers and inspiration...it means a great deal. For those that wanted to know what happened to all those lovely tags last week...well, this did. Made the Top Three at Simon Says! Click here or see my previous post.

Next time I will be sharing about the four(!!!) lovely gifts I won in the One World One Heart Blog hop...amazing...! If you are going to be Holtzing it up this week - have a good bash and keep it together ladies.

See you all around out there,

Sarah.



52 comments:

HarmonySweetpea said...

Great job on the crotchet flowers. I haven't a clue how to do that and doubt my attempt would have been that successful. Loving your cards. They are all so pretty. Congrats on winning 4 prizes on the blog hop. Have a great week!

peggy aplSEEDS said...

those a pretty good crocheted flowers! and that stamp is great! so many ways you can use it. the cards are wonderful and even the one with just one piece worked so well

Chrissie said...

All those cards are fabulous Sasa, it looks as though you have had such fun... I think I'd like to have a go at something similar. You have given fabulous treatments to that stamp and the resulting card are all amazing.
Thanks so much a) for the snoop at your desk and b) for joining in our challenge.
Beautiful, beautiful cards!
See you next week!
Chrissie
"Less is More"

oneoff said...

Loving those variations on a theme with the cards; the less is more challenge is looking very interesting. Your tag piece is so intricate and delicate - congratulations!

Bernie x

jude said...

Absolutely love what youve done with your tags hunni.Absolutely stunning...pop by my blog i have some candy you may loveee so please enter for chance to win
hugs judex7

Neet said...

All those cards are fabulous - would be hard to choose a favourite. Love your flowers too - I must try to remember how to crochet one day soon. #27

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Wow just simply adore your cards so lovely and vareid well done you!! and will be surprised if you dont get some sort of accolade for it not sure what happened on that comp. as I have not tried it yet.. one day, thanks for sharing,
Shaz in Oz. x

Kaz Hall said...

I so knew your tags would be winners they are beautiful. Love your cards too,have a lovely day off too xx
kazxx

Helen said...

Your cards are fantastic - and well done on your top 3 from simon says - I scooped the random prize this week! Your tag(s) were incredible, I am not surprised you won.

Mandi said...

Hi Sarah
WOW how busy have you been! Those are a super collection of cards! I think I love the single image, specially on the tall card. I do love tall cards!
Thanks for joining us, hope to see you again
mandi
"Less is More"

donnalouiserodgers said...

Now the pancreas is a much maligned organ, so you show your body parts with pride...

I have crocheted all my life but still swear by the 'crochet bible' - I will try to find an amazon link/ISBN for you) it describes every stitch and explains increasing and deceasing as well as Tunisian crochet in very easy terms,

it also explains the difference between US and UK patterns (very important if you are following a pattern)

let me know if you can't find a heart you like - I'll do you a video if you want...

Dx

Jane said...

What a fab selection of cards I think the tall card with the single image is my favourite xx

Sue said...

Hi Sasa
lovely creative desk, gorgeous cards, very classy looking, fab mini flowers,have good day, happy WOYWW, sue,x (18)

akilli melek said...

Those cards are fab, well done on getting in the top 3. have a great wednesday

caroline #53

Julia Dunnit said...

HOw marvellous - the challenge set you on a gorgeous creative roll - am sure that Chrissie intended that sort of thing, she'll be so pleased. I understand about the days spiralling away...I'm still planning the challenge before this one for Less is More!! Can't keep up! Like the new Hero stamp on your desk edge.

Glenda said...

You did well for first attempt at crochet! Well done!

Mandy said...

beautiful creations, love the shot of your desk, looks like an amazing place to play :)

Neil said...

Reaaly love the blue and white cards. So fresh and stylish. Thanks for sharing your desk today

Annie said...

Gorgeous designs today...have to say the blue ones are my fav :-)
If you haven't been yet please pop over to our blog shop, leave us a comment and be in with the chance to win a crafter's apron.

http://sisterscraftycreations.blogspot.com/

Good luck.
A x

Aileen said...

Like your idea of cutting up the stamp into four. It works really well as a 1,3 or 4 piece. x

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Woweee, just fabulous cards, makes me want to take up stamping, but I know I couldn't do anything like this.

Suzi B said...

Wow! .. I love em all!...
I like the idea of putting the ribbon over the images and the lace and jute!
Sue x

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What beautiful cards you've made this week. Sorry this is brief, but wanted to let you know I was here.

jodpea said...

The orange one is my fave, not particularly cos its orange, I just like the overall effect. Also loving use of the 'printemps', random French words make me smile :)

Nicky said...

Love your flowers and your cards are stunning thanks for sharing ~ Nicky

karen said...

Wow! Each and every one of the cards is beautiful! You really grabbed hold of that challenge and ran with it!
And the finished project from the tags last week is soooo fabulous! Love it!
And can I ask what the wood stamp is on the right hand side of your desk with the faces? Are all the squares different faces? I like the look of it!
xoxo Karen (#44)

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Congratulations on your win, fabulous tags. Love the cards you have made too, very creative. Love your space. Tracy Evans x

Juls said...

lovely to descover your blog today!!! Loved having a nosey at your workspace and I love how you have divided all your images into little tiles!!! fabulous creations! Hugs juls

Pauline said...

Simply wonderful cards! Love how you used the little orphan piece lol, nothing is wasted!

Lululiz said...

I am sorry, but I really had to laugh when you wrote about your crocheting adventures. That bit about the pancreatic heart was just too funny.

Angie said...

Those are gorgeous cards ...definately inspires creativity. We have to blame JD for the world spinning faster and that a week is only 5 days now.

Susie Sugar said...

Wow your cards are stunning what a great style I love the idea of using the three panels it looks so classy
Hugs Susie Sugar xx

Anonymous said...

Your work is amazing. I love these cards, especially the first. I'll have to pop by that challenge one of these days (add to list). Love your tag project, too.

Seafield Jo said...

These cards are fabulous. I love the way you have used one stamp to create so many different cards, what brilliant ideas you have. Jo x

Ohhh Snap said...

Love the variations!! Enjoy your new treasures :D. TFS! #67

Susan said...

An Awesome collection of cards from just the one image...WOW! I think I probably "need" that stamp!! I love all the different colors and the different designs you used!!

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Sarah,
Wow, your work is awesome! I just came over from Lululiz and saw Liz's beautiful post of your work...I am your newest follower and so nice to meet you!!!
XO

Anonymous said...

I can't crochet to save my life! My circles turned into weird squares and my flowers into ellipses and heaven know what else! Oh go on, put the pancreas on a project!! Love all the cards you made and your tag project is stunning.

Hugs
Brenda 103

donnalouiserodgers said...

isbn = 0-7134-8884-0

posted a vid on my blog - make a crochet heart in 5 minutes

dx

lisa said...

Well done you mastering crochet, it all seems double dutch to me.
Your cards are beautiful, I love the blue ones, but then blue is one of my fav colours so I'm probably biased.
Well done on the tag win, well deserved, they were stunning .
Thanks for sharing.
hugs Lisa (124)

Serendipity Stamping said...

What a wonderful use of one or two stampings, instead of one card you can have at least 8 cards completed out of one stamping, good job.
#122

Sue from Oregon said...

Oh my gosh...so many versions of the challenge and all so lovely! I love CAS cards and yours are just lovely! Thanks for popping in to say Hello today!

okienurse said...

Beautiful cards and I love the Tim Holtz canvas. Good luck with all those flowers. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #148

Unknown said...

Hi Sarah it is me from PACS with the dangerous heat gun!! I still can't believe I carted all that stuff from greece on the metro to PACS...that is when I confirmed that i am crazy and not 100% well!!
ps your projects look lovely amazing how much one can do with just one stamp!!

sandra de said...

Such beautiful simple/elegant cards and a lovely way of showing how different they can be.

Jovita @ Inky Impressions said...

Beautiful cards, from the look of your workspace you were very creative with all types of inks. Your crochet flowers turned out beautiful... I need to learn to crochet!

Lynne said...

They are all fanstastic.
Lynne xxx

BrossArtAddiction said...

Stunning cards and your crocheted flowers turned out lovely!

Happy be-lated WOYWW and
Thanks for sharing! :D
#152

ƸӜƷ...x♥Tracey♥x...ƸӜƷ

Tertia said...

Those cards are fabulous! I want to try those flowers too, but 100 video's? No thank you.
Happy belated WOYWW.

Ciara said...

A crocheted pancreas??? nice!!

Loving your cards missus, xx

Samantha Ball - aka (Craftychick74) said...

Your cards are beautiful. TFS

Happy WOYWW
Sam # 24

www.craftychickcards.blogspot.com

Sally H said...

Wow! You have been busy, and I love them all the blue and white CAS card is just perfect. TFS