Saturday 29 November 2014

200th Challenge for "Less is More"

Today sees the start of challenge number 200 for 
Wow... has that time gone quickly!
I couldn't be more delighted that the challenge is still so popular, with submissions totalling around the 100 mark every week and contributors hailing from all parts of the globe.
A huge thank you to everyone who participates and of course to my fellow designers.
Let's hope everyone has fun with our Celebration theme this week.

This card is another masked, inked and stamped one, with a little embossing paste added for good measure.
The trees and sentiment were from a  Penny Black set, free with a magazine and the snowflakes were embossed from a Memory Box stencil.. I just used the smaller ones from it. I sprinkled some embossing powder over the paste and waited until it was dry before heat setting it.
For the sky I used a combination of Shaded Lilac, Soft Sky and Weathered Wood Distress Inks, applied with sponge daubers. The trees were stamped with Peeled Paint and Forest Moss DIs.
Here is a simple card, stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with White EP. The stamps are from Stampin' Up. The problem with light coloured embossing powder on dark cardstock is eradicating extraneous grains of powder from areas other than the images themselves. I think nothing looks worse than careless embossing. I always use an antistatic bag before stamping and spend quite some time huffing and puffing together with either a fine paintbrush or a pokey tool to make sure that all errant grains are removed. It's amazing how one speck can spoil the overall effect of embossing!
The champagne was coloured with watercolour pencils and then covered with Glossy Accents.
This has an image from Visible Image, inked with three shades of Distress ink and spritzed with water before stamping. When dry it was overstamped with tiny dots and stars from a mini Lavinia stamp and embossed in gold.
The butterfly embossing at the bottom is from a Sizzix border embossing folder and I'm sad to say that I cracked my Cuttlebug machine in the process of doing it!
Update... I called Hobbycraft (from where the Cuttlebug was purchased) and the manager put a new one on one side for me which I picked up this morning!
Wonderful!
The sentiment is from Penny Black.
Time Out Challenge - Embossing with optional twist of sparkle

I tried to do one of those reverse die-cut thingies here, but there were too man
y fiddly bits to stick back in. The card behind the Memory Box wreath is holographic silver.
The sentiment is from Penny Black
I'll try to add some more cards here... but I don't know where the time has gone to this week!

50 comments:

  1. Congratulations Chrissie for your "Less is More" 200th challenge - did you think that it would be so popular when you started? I have learnt so much through taking part and the generous comments you leave on my blog, thank you!
    Your cards this week are as stunning as always. I love them all but that butterfly is just WOW!
    Best wishes for the next 200
    Elaine

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  2. FAB-u-LOUS makes CHrissie, particularly LOVING the Visible Image make.

    You're not wrong about speed you know!! I posted my card and then checked LIM .... everyone celebrates Birthday's so taking a chance and entering it too! Thanks for your equally speedy comment!

    KAthyk

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  3. Superb post Chrissie and love all your cards. Know what you mean about embossing on black. So frustrating. Your butterfly card is super stunning with all the little stars too. Is this your new cuttlebug that's cracked? Hope not. Have a fabulous week and thanks for being an amazing!
    Super star
    Sarah xx

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  4. Congratulations on the 200th challenge and thank you for a great challenge blog.
    Absolutely love all your cards the first one really stands out, my favourite is the vibrant butterfly.
    luv
    Debby

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  5. Congratulations on reaching the 200th challenge! LIM was the first challenge I entered in the days before I had a blog. I really appreciate the comments from the design team and have learnt such a lot about CAS card making from you and the other participants.

    Love your cards! Best wishes, Margaret (Island Scraps)

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  6. Congrats on 200 challenges, Chrissie - you and the DT are such an inspiration! As others have said, this is one of the first challenges that I entered and I so appreciate the supportive comments from you and fellow LIMettes - it is a special challenge :)

    Stunning cards as always - love that butterfly and also the beautiful CAS look of the champagne glasses against the black. Love that sentiment stamp!

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  7. Congratulations! Super challenges, super DT, super comments! Am also loving the butterfly and that technique of adding embossing over the stamp is genius. Thanks for all the inspiration and lessons learnt - amazing!

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  8. Gorgeous cards, Chrissie! Big congrats on your 200th challenge. Although I don't always get to play along because of work commitments etc etc I always drop by to see what the challenge is for the week. You set the bar high from the start and I think that is one of the reasons people keep coming back for more! Jo x

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  9. Wow these are amazing cards - thanks so much for sharing them.

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  10. BRAVO for your challenge I relly love your artworks tthey are stunning and so beautiful....my favorite one is the butherfly one so Genius the effect on the wigs!!

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  11. Congratulations, Chrissie! Your cards today are exemplary of your commitment to perfection... fabulous! I'm on my way with my sled the first card is so gorgeous! *clink* goes my coffee cup to your champagne flute - mind the hour here in the US...Cheers...
    =] Michele

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  12. Stunning sets of cards Chrissie! love them all, the first one is my absolute favorite among all, and the butterfly one is spectacular.Congratulations to you for 200 challenges!

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  13. All beautiful cards, Chrissie but they're all so different I can't choose a favourite this week!

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  14. Stunning cards as always. Just wanted pop by and thank you for bringing 200fabulous challenges - here's to many, many more!
    Tara
    x

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  15. Your cards are always so inspirational and stylish Chrissie, thanks for all the inspirations and challenges over the short time I've been blogging and congratulations once again! Hazel x

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  16. Congratulations Chrissie. Yes it is a time to celebrate for you and Mandy too. And a big thank you to the ladies who stepped in to be on the Diva Team. I have enjoyed and learned so much from you ladies and the contributors as well. Many is the card I've made that owes it's beauty to inspiration at LIM.
    All of your cards are gorgeous and each is unique.
    I have company for the weekend, but there's no way I'm not going to post something asap. I wouldn't miss the 200th anniversary for anything.
    Cyber hugs and blessings are being sent your way.

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  17. I wanted to add...how I smiled and was sad at the same time, because I remember when I broke my first CB. I put a photo up on my blog with a post and then was at my big box store the next day to get me a new one. Many stamping friends have unsuccessfully tried to persuade me to buy a different brand of die cutting machine, But it's the CB for me, mostly because I'm limited by space an would so much more rather have stamps to store than machines. I hope you can replace yours quickly.

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  18. Lovely inspiration this week. I adore your snowy scene with those gorgeous trees. Congrats on a superb challenge site! Here's to the next 200! x

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  19. Just wanted to add my Congratulations to you too, Chrissie! And thank you for all your inspiration - each and every week - Wow, what a great teacher you are! Love all your cards this week, but think the butterfly image is stunning! hugs, Ann

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  20. Congratulation for the 200th challenge. I'm waiting each Saturday to see, what is the theme for next week. :-)
    Your cards for this week are amazing. The wreath on the blue cardstock is my favourite. :-)
    Sonja

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  21. Congratulations on your 00th challenge! You have four gorgeously beautiful cards here. Love that PB tree stamp, the embossing is great on the cheers. Love the splatter trailing from the butterfly and the snowflake wreath is shiny and bright.

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  22. Gorgeous creations, love them all :) thank you for sharing with ATCAS

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  23. All incredible works of art again, Chrissie! I came over because your card in the TIME OUT Challenge stands out a mile and I had to come for a closer look. I'm astounded at how gorgeous it is!! Hugs, Darnell

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  24. Fabulous collection of cards, I just adore the butterfly card, I love how you stamped random dots when dry, this card just jumped out at me in our Time Out gallery, love it and great to see you again at Time out. Just signed up to follow you as through TO I am loving the cards I see and want to see more x

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  25. Oops forgot to say thanks for joining us at ATCAS x

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  26. Congrats on reaching the 200 challenge at LIM! And a big thanks for all the inspiration and the challenges that really put my mind to work to make something else every week!
    Thanks also for taking the TIME OUT and join us with the beautiful butterfly card! Love the treecard aswell! Enjoy the weekend, inky greetings, Gerrina

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  27. Congratulations on the 200th challenge ...... it amazes me how you keep coming up with such fab themes each and every week!
    Your cards are stunning as always .... I love the Christmas trees.
    Here's to the next 200 ..... bug hugs Linda xx

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  28. WOW, WOW, WOW! That last one is partucularly stunning Chrissie, but I LOVE them all! Congratulations on the 200th challenge and thank you for the warm welcome and comments for a newbie blogger! Hazel xx

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  29. Congratulations on reaching 200 with the challenge - I can't say I've done every one but I always enjoy thinking outside the box. It's easy to throw lots of ink at a project, much harder to keep it simple. Great inspirational projects once again!!

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  30. Hi Chrissie. Congrats on the 200th challenge. So many fabulous challenges that you've organized ... so many inspiring cards you've made ... and so many wonderful entrants because of all your hard work and dedications to making LIM a very successful challenge blog! Congrats and way to go!!

    Again, a big line up of amazing designs. Each one uniquely creative and inspiring. You've outdone yourself! Loll xx

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  31. Congratulations on 200 challenges, definitely worth celebrating. Love your inspiration this week especially the VI card. Carol x

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  32. Congrats on the 200th challenge Chrissie - that is quite an accomplishment! All of your cards are gorgeous! I especially love that butterfly - wow! Thanks for submitting that to ATCAS!!

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  33. Phew, glad you won't have to be without your trusty 'Bug, even if you have lost Noel!!
    Gorgeous bunch of cards as ever, love that PB tree
    x

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  34. Congrats Chrissie. "Less is More" has always been one of my favorite challenges even though I only participated in about 3/4 of the challenges. I stumbled upon your challenge quite by accident and I'm so happy I did...Awesome cards. The butterfly one is my fav!

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  35. Beautiful work! Thank you for joining us at the Time Out Challenge.

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  36. Many many congratulations Chrissie on reaching the 200 mark! Thinking of Mandi too as she was such a big part of it all.Thank you so much for starting such a fabulous challenge and for inspiring and encouring us all every week. I have learned so much from you and everyone else.Gorgeous cards again here, hate to choose a favourite but maybe the first one with your amazing stamping style is a winner for me I think ;) hugs Viv xx

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  37. Congratulations on the 200th challenge and thank you for a great challenge blog!

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  38. Congratulations, Chrissie on the 200th challeversary at LIM ... and thanks so much for your tireless hard work, week in, week out! Such a stunning selection of cards, so beautifully composed, so impeccably executed! Delighted, as ever, that you played along with us at Time Out! Anita :)

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  39. Congratulations Chrissie! on your 200th challenge at LIM. Thank you for all of your weekly inspiration and all of the thoughtful comments you leave. Thank you especially for maintaining and continuing with your great challenge blog. Love all of your cards today. The snow scene is amazing and I do love that butterfly card.

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  40. Congrats on your 200th challenge at LIM & what a wonderful array of cards :) Thanks for taking the TIME OUT and joining in on the challenge. Hugs Bev x

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  41. Oh yes Chrissie, it is good to be back to LIM. I missed it but I had really much to do in recent months << - hubby and me, we're building a house - >> and it was very difficult to find the right conditions to do well, especially to respond to comments. That's why I decided to stop and take a break, and do only that, for what I am committed! I do not know if I'll be able to participate every week, but it's a start ...
    Chrissie, all your cards are so beautiful and so different. I love especially the first --- it's probably because we approach Christmas --- they're all great!!
    Have a great day
    Rosi x

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  42. Oh, my goodness, Chrissie, so MUCH INSPIRATION in one post! You spoil us! I don't know where to start! Your masking is sensational! And that glorious butterfly is breathtaking and being pinned! I'm sorry you broke your CB doing it, but glad it was replaced so quickly!! Hugs, Darnell

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  43. Congratulations Chrissie 200!! Great cards xx Jan

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  44. Congratulations Chrissie on a fabulous challenge blog! I have learned so much from you and the team and your patience when I've sometimes not got CAS quite right spurred me on to work at this style. I look forward to your challenges every week and your lovely cards. Thank you and here's to the next 200!

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  45. Huge congrats on number 200! Fabulous cards :)

    jo x

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  46. congrats for winning at TIME OUT-we loved this card-she our blog for details as we would love you to join us as GD x

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  47. I KNEW that TIME OUT card was going to be a WINNER!! Congratulations, Chrissie!! Hugs, Darnell

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  48. Congratulations! It's a great achievement receive award for the best! Card is beautiful, I love it.
    hugs,
    Bozena

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  49. I'm back again! This time to congratulate you on the WIN at ATCAS!! I'm telling you, Chrissie, this is THE card of 2014 in Blogland!! Hugs, Darnell

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  50. Fabulous cards - congrats on your win at ATCAS and congrats on your milestone with LIM - I wish I could play more, but weekly challenges are always a challenge for me! I agree with your embossing on dark card stock - I "cheat" going over those little bright specks with a Sharpie to make them go away....

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Thank you so much for popping by, I appreciate your comments!
Thanks,
Chrissie