Saturday 4 February 2012

LIM is 1


It seems forever ago that Mandi emailed  me to ask if I'd be willing to begin a new challenge blog with her for the kind of cards we both love... Clean and Simple! 
Having admired her work for quite some time I was eager to join in with the venture. I went to the Island to visit her and discuss how we'd go about creating our challenge and that day "Less is More" was conceived and merely weeks later it was born.
In the year which has passed since that time it has grown from strength to strength and we can only thank you all for your wonderful support and participation.
We began with a colour challenge and so here we are, a year on, with another one.

This time it's
AQUA
Here is a card using SU Simply Soft stamps, the colour stamp being positioned with my bits of lego and a sheet of acetate. (I never throw away packaging from things like dies, I chop them up into pieces suitable for using with alcohol inks, embossing folders, stamping or for making positioning sheets for my DIY stampamajig.
The border was cut with a Spellbinder Edgeability Border die... I love these dies and even though they are longer than my Cuttlebug plates I still use them in the machine, as long as the card I'm cutting is shorter than the plates.
I often add a piece of card, decorated in some way... often with dies, to attach a ribbon to. I prefer this to tying a ribbon around the whole card. This was done with my usual method of  attaching the flat piece of ribbon (at the back only) of the decorated strip and tying a short length of ribbon in a single knot onto it.
This one shows how different methods of applying the same inks can achieve different effects.  For this card I just used one ink pad. I think it was Tumbled Glass DI although it may have been Broken China... I'm not sure now... what it is to be getting old!
The background was applied with an Ink Duster brush and the images, from Personal Impressions and SU, were stamped with neat ink. I mounted the stamped panel on another piece of white card, the edges of which I embossed using a score board and an embossing stylus.
The computer generated sentiment was die cut with a Spellbinders die

Ours is such a covetous addiction!
Last week I saw a fab card from Zoe where she had used a crimper to suggest the panel in our LIM sketch... I thought it such a good idea that I had to get myself a crimper... never really seeing the need for one previously. Mine arrived yesterday; I bought it for a mere £6.99 on eBay  from a company in Bath, where everywhere else they are more than £20... I think I did well.
Here I tried to make the corrugated mount for this heart. I managed to allow enough extra card to make a square when crimped, but haven't quite got the knack of inserting a small piece of card exactly at right angles to the rollers. I can only get better. The heart die is from Marianne's.
This is for a friend who's having a difficult time at the moment.. just so that she knows that I'm thinking of her.
An Art Impressions background stamp which I just bought on sale and a Crafty Individuals floral stamp. DI inks in Tumbled Glass and Broken China with a secondary flower image stamped in Whisper White and embossed with WOW White Puff Twinkle Embossing Glitter.
The sentiment is from Hero Arts.
Having been away from home for longer than a week... looking after my grandchildren in Bath and then in Essex looking after my brother-in-law, I feel the need for a little crafting.
I'm off now to see what else I can crimp!

98 comments:

  1. What a wonderful set of cards. I really like the pretty flowers on your first card, and the lovely panel on your second - and the heart on your third! Happy Birthday to Less is More - a simply brilliant challenge!

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  2. Happy birthday my lovely friend, I simply couldn;t have a better partner!

    Gorgeous cards, love them all

    Here's to the next year! xx

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  3. Gorgeous cards. Happy 1st Birthday! Thanks for a great year xx Jan

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  4. Happy first Birthday to LIM! I love your cards Chrissie, so happy to see the theme is aqua - I love the colour! I love the pretty colours in the first and how you have made a border for the ribbon with the bracket die. The second is stunning, love your inky work and really love the added extra the crimping gives in the third. I have had a crimper for years but never use it, maybe I'll have to hunt it down now! xx

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  5. Gorgeous cards Chrissi love Aqua colour so hope to play this week, congrats on 1st Birthday at LIM.
    enjoy your crimper when I first had mine I crimped everything in site rofl....haven't used in in while may have to get it out for this challenge...!

    Maggie

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  6. Gorgeously elegant creations.
    Hugs
    Desire

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  7. So pleased that meeting between you and Mandi took place!
    Beautiful cards as always, I love the 'off edge' stamping :0)
    I too have tried a crimper and had the same problems! Gave in and bought corrugated card in the end... Lol.
    Jenny x

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  8. Happy Birthday to the best challenge blog on the block! Looking forward to another year of wonderful challenges :-)
    Your cards, as always, are stunning. The ink on same ink is really lovely- another of your techniques I must try (I cased your split card technique on my card for St Lukes this month - hope you don't mind!)
    I love aqua so feel a few cards coming on - now where did I put my crimper......
    Tara x

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  9. Congratulations on your 1st birthday. I have loved taking part in LIM challenges since the start and it has given me so much inspiration and enjoyment. Here's to many more years.

    Lovely cards Chrissie. I always love your masked and inked borders and the sunflower stamp is gorgeous. I also love the way you use the Spellbinders edgeabilities. I have sadly neglected mine - I must start using them more. Sue.x

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  10. Happy anniversary to you & Mandi. Ooo Chrissie, three beautiful designs this week & as soon as I saw the first one I loved it but then the third one came into veiw & wow, what a stunner. The heart on the crimped square is perfect!
    Sally x

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  11. what a soooo very delicate pretty cards loving aqua..wish icould do plain and simple ..hugs sassyx

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  12. Happy Birthday hun,gorgeous cards as always, luv the top one, classy cards as always, sue,xx

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  13. Hi Chrisie . . . love your aqua card examples. Thanks for all the inspiration throughout the year. That Simply Soft set is lovely isn't it?!

    Hugs, Sandra View my card HERE!

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  14. Happy anniversary to one of the best challenge blogs around! Your cards are fabulous and thanks for the inspiration. I enjoy playing when I can.....

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  15. Happy 1st Birthday, yours is the one challenge I try and do each week, no matter what else i do! keep up the good work LOVING Aqua :-)

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  16. Your cards are beautiful Chrissie.

    Thank you for your comment. Last week I missed the challenge. To much work..no time to stamp.
    Hugs
    Angelika

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  17. Lovely set of cards, the flower one is my fave out of all of them.
    Nicky

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  18. Such lovely cards. Gives me inspiration......off to see what I can create now. Thank you.

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  19. Fun reading your post...congrats on a great year together...your cards are beautiful...and looking forward to seeing your use of the crimper!!

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  20. Happy Birthday for Less is More, I love your Challenge blog, it is such an inspiration!!!
    Your cards are adorable,
    Cathi from Germany

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  21. I pulled out a crimper because of Zoe too!!!

    Love each card...such simple touches to make them specials. The simple border on the first, the crimped panel on the third, and the beautiful frame effect on the second with color and with flowers/script!

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  22. Your cards are fabulous, I love the way you put all the elements together. Had to laugh when I saw your comment about the crimper , I can never get mine to be straight. Can't join the card making until Monday at the earliest but can feel a shopping spree coming on for some new ink. Happy Anniversary to LIM.

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  23. Gorgeous cards Chrissie, simply stunning, Jo x

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  24. Happy LIM birthday! Your cards, as always, are so beautiful and inspiring!

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  25. Just to say, yet again some fantastic cards from you Chrissie. Love the crimped one too, like you I was inspired by Zoe's card, and went hunting for my crimper, but then remembered I gave it to our Grandson for his paper crafting when we moved here.. It was from 'The Works' and cheap too. Mummy is on the look out for another one, as he does'nt want to give 'his' up!
    Happy 1st Birthday too Chrissie and Mandi, where oh where has that year gone?
    Take care, and keep safe in the awful weather you are having.
    Love Sheila x

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  26. once, again, a set of beautiful cards!! happy birthday to LIM!! thanks for a year of fun!!

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  27. Loved your post Chrissie. It makes me smile to know others do the smae crafting tricks as I do (edgeabilities).

    Well first .... Congratulations on One Year!! We LIMettes have enjoyed and appreciate all the effort you and Mandi put into the blog.

    Your cards are lovely but of course the heart one is my favorite. Love the crimping set behind it. Perfect texture for it.

    Hugs to you
    Carole

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  28. Gorgeous cards Chrissie. Congrats on your One Year! And thank you for all the hard work. X

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  29. Congratulations on a very successful first year of Less is More. Each one of your aqua cards is delicate and pretty. I rarely think of reaching for aqua, thanks for the inspiration once again.

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  30. Congratulations on a your 1 YEAR! That sure went fast! It has been so fun to see your challenge take off! It has been even more fun to participate in your challenges, so THANK YOU for being terrific Hostesses!!

    ps - Love the crimped bg for your bfly!! :)

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  31. I am truly celebrating today!! I can never say thank you enough or too many times...Less is More is a treasure, as are you, Chrissie...happy 1st Birthday!! Your cards are stunning, as always! Especially love the simplicity and design of he 1st one...you have inspired me to take out that set and give it a try!! HUGS!!

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  32. All beautiful cards, Chrissie! I've had a crimper for YEARS and never use the thing...hmmmm...might just get it out and give it a try again. I never was very good with it. I think my personal fave here is the second card...very subtle and just beautiful!

    Suggestion...why don't you and Mandi use the Mr. Linky to link back to your blogs? Seems most people might be going through the links there? You all could be the first two links each week...

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  33. happy birthday to LIM. I especially love this last card-so simple but classy. I am sure your friend will love it too x

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  34. Congratulations on your first LIM anniversary! Feels like five minutes!! How big is the crimper then? My A5 one was only a fiver....I must say that 20 quid is a shocking price!!

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  35. All of your cards are beautiful but my favorite is the Happy Birthday one!

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  36. Beautiful cards Chrissie, particularly love the first two!! great colour choice, so cheery with this cold weather!! lainey x

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  37. Chrissie, as always I love your work. I don't think I will ever master "less is more" as you do, but I will keep trying with guidance from you and your website!

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  38. Happy 1st birthday....you have been busy this week :O) Fabulous creations as always

    Thanks for inspiration

    Ali x

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  39. Congratulations on your 1st year!! a great challenge blog!! with amazing inspiration
    hugs
    laney

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  40. I really like the first one and the last one. They are great. The glitter at the last one is so subtile!
    Debby

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  41. Happy Birthday. I know my cards have developed through the inspiration on this challenge.
    Just love all of these, the second one is a great layout.
    Linbyx

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  42. Happy Birthday and what a great 1st year. I love these challenges and look forward to them each week. I have tried some great new techniques thanks to your marvelous blog and look forward to trying many more.

    Your cards are just brilliant and what a fab way of attaching ribbon, will have to remember that. Looks like crimping could be on it's way back in after reading others comments about digging their's out, may just have to buy one hehe.

    Keep up the fantastic work you do with this challenge it is very special :)

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  43. absolutely beautiful Chrissie!!!
    not sure what i'd do on a Saturday morning without you...

    jen xx

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  44. I love your cards Chrissie, especially the inked one. Thank you so much for your inspiration
    Beryl x

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  45. Happy 1st Birthday!!
    ALL your cards are totally fabulous but my fave would have to be the tone on tone 'thinking of you', your friend is really going to appreciate it!

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  46. Happy Birthday and Congrats on one year of your challenge blog! Thanks for always inspiring us every week and your cards are always stunning:) Thanks also for all the lovely comments that you leave, they are always very appreciated, hugs x x

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  47. Four gorgeous cards, Chrissie! My first experience with a crimper, I crimed the wrong directon! Looks like you got the hang of it much quicker than I did.

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  48. Brilliant cards, really love the one with the paper crimper and glad that you like it too. I always ended up with the card going in at an angle at first and crimped my fingers more than once trying to straighten it out too!! Happy First Birthday too for Less Is More, here's to many more too! See you tomorrow with my Aqua card.

    Hugs
    Brenda

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  49. CONGRATULATIONS to Less Is More!
    You ladies run a fabulous challenge blog. I have learned so much from you both. I get many more compliments on my cards and I have been fortunate in that I won one of the challenges. Oh how tickled I was when that happened. May LIM and the divas continue for years to come. Hey, why not consider getting a tip jar on the LIM blog. I'd be a tipper.
    Cyber Hugs, Erica Fields

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  50. Gorgeous cards Chrissie. Congrats on the success of your first year with LIM. Thanks for all the effort you put into setting the challenges each week and for the lovely comments
    Margaret x

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  51. Beautiful cards Chrissie - love the stamping on the second one...my favourite colour too!
    Congratulations on a wonderful first year of LIM challenges!
    Helen x

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  52. All beautiful but I think the second one is absolutely divine.

    cheers,
    Malyn at ThinkInkCreative

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  53. Beautiful cards Chrissie. Thank you so much for a fabulous year and an even more fabulous challenge! xx

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  54. Chrissie these are gorgeous cards, you really are an inspiration with your cards, thank you and Mandi for getting us out of our comfort zone.

    I've had trouble commenting on your beautiful cards for some reason Blogger didn't want me too.

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  55. Love all your cards but especially like the thinking of you one.

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  56. Great cards as usual but have to say I just adore the heart one it is superb! x

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  57. Oh this is so my colour, can't wait to play, love all your cards but the first one is my favourite. Love the stamping across the bottom.
    Erika.

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  58. Happy Birthday! :ess is More is a REALLY great blog. And your cards are really great. It gives a lot of inspiration. Thank you for it!

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  59. Beautiful cards Chrissie. Love Love Love the Simply Soft card and how you attached the ribbon. Great idea. x

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  60. Wonderful collection of aqua cards. Love them all, and love my crimper too!

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  61. Hi Chrissie - Happy 1st Birthday at LIM. Your cards are stunning this week - Aqua is definitely your colour. I had a crimper too - my son found it and decided to crimp anything he could find....... it's hidden well away now! - Jacqueline xx

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  62. Oh my gosh, these are gorgeous! I'm glad I came over! Love the different techniques & designs!

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  63. I love you aqua makings - I hope I can join in with the fun! Thank you for commenting on my blog!
    Hugs,
    Cardarian

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  64. I'm so glad you and Mandi did get together Chrissie - it's hard to imagine a time when LiM wasn't the first thing to do on a Saturday morning! I love your aqua cards and lovely to see the two 'bonus' ones too! I really like your corrugated heart card - such elegant simplicity! Congratulations on your continuing weight loss success too. Vicky x

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  65. Gorgeous set of cards, very inspirational, congratulations on 1year off Less is More, thanks for all your hard work xxx

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  66. Your cards are gorgeous! I most defently have a soft spot for the first one!

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  67. Chrissie - happy first birthday to LIM x You have the most amazing blog and I have learnt so much since joining at the beginning of the year. I love this weeks challenge, they are particularly beautiful cards - my favourite was hard to pick out of your cards this week but I think the last one.

    K x

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  68. Beautiful cards - and yes love the overstamped square too !! I've followed LIM from the beginning and though I don't' always get time to enter, love the challenge...here's to many more years ! Esther xx

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  69. Hi Chrissie, Happy Birthday to LIM and thank you so much for getting together with Mandi and giving us this brilliant challenge! I have so enjoyed your challenges:0)
    No less than 4 fabulous cards this week, my favourite is the last, I just love the inky square with the beautiful flower draping itself all over LOL Gay xxx

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  70. What gorgeous cards; that little heart is adorable. Congratulations on celebrating the 1st anniversary of LIM, and thank you so much for deciding to do it. We really all appreciate your hard work and love the challenges.

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  71. Congratulations on your first anniversary, Love the challenge and your cards every week, Oh I must go look out my crimper, Dont even know where it is!!! Love Hazelxox

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  72. Hi Chrissie
    Happy birthday to the best challenge... Fabulous ... Thanks for all you inspiration over the year....
    All fabulous cards.....
    Hugs Sylvie xxx

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  73. Happy LIM Birthday! Covetous addiction is a perfect description! I can't tell you how many things I've just had to have while visiting the LIM site. lol

    Lovely, lovely cards one and all. I think the first one is my favorite. I admire a perfect looking 2 step stamp result as I can not achieve it no matter the helpful tools.

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  74. Such beautiful cards..love this challenge!

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  75. Happy BD! Love all your cards. You are such an inspiration. Your talent is only outdone by your generosity. Thanks for the support you've shown me. And I promise to do better at following directions.

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  76. Hi Chrissie. All of your aqua cards are fabulous. I especially love the one with the inked panel and the diecut tag. I also really love the little crimped square with the heart too. I love the way you use ink. I am wanting to experiment more with that, so my card today was really inspired by fabulous you. Thanks Chrissie!

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  77. I love the look of these cards. Aqua is not a colour I own or have ever thought of using but seeing these, I think I need to invest in some! Have recently joined 'Less is More' to prove to myself that you don't have to throw everything at a project - thank you for your inspiration!

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  78. Lovely cards and all so different, love your Challenges - Happy Birthday.

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  79. YAY!! congrats LIM is one! amazing challenges and wonderful community...congratulations, it's a great success, thanks to you both.
    Love this colour challenge, everyones cards look amazing and yours are as stunning as ever. Just adore the simplicity of the last one.
    Diane

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  80. YAY!! congrats LIM is one! amazing challenges and wonderful community...congratulations, it's a great success, thanks to you both.
    Love this colour challenge, everyones cards look amazing and yours are as stunning as ever. Just adore the simplicity of the last one.
    Diane

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  81. Happy 1st birthday!! I'm so glad I found you and love your challenges! Your cards are beautiful, but the simplicity of the last one is stunning. Here's to many more...

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  82. Happy Anniversary - your cards are gorgeous and very inspirational.

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  83. wonderful cards Chrissie, always inspiring and, oh look, you've made me a birthday card!!
    Many congrats on your anniversary and long may you both continue:)
    Val x

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  84. Hi Chrissie, what a fab variety, love them all! Ruby x

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  85. Beautiful cards again Chrissie, just can't choose my fav this time all as good. Happy 1st Birthday too :) Viv xx

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  86. A year came around very fast - and LIM has taken off very well - more and more joining in! I don't always take part, because sometimes I just don't know what to make and to be honest I have to hold myself back so I don't make it MORE and not LESS! Still thank you for starting it and happy nr. 1 birthday!
    Hugs,
    Cardarian

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  87. All of your cards are really lovely!

    Happy Birthday to LIM!

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  88. Four beautiful cards. I couldn't pick a favorite. :) Congratulations on the first year of a wonderful challenge blog. :) Ann

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  89. Congratulations on making it to one year. This is a fabulous challenge blog that is really making me think. I'm so glad I have discovered it. Your creations this week are very beautiful and inspirational.

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  90. All of them are really great, but I liked the first and last one most!
    Bye Cornelie

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  91. Happy 1st birthday to LIM from on holiday in New Zealand! All your cards are beautiful but I especially love the first and last. Just stunning - the colour of the ice-berg we saw today in fact. It's on my blog if you want a look, and that's the closest I will be able to get to the aqua challenge this week. LOL
    Have a great week,
    Rosey x

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  92. Gorgeous cards as usual, love them all. Happy 1st Birthday to Less is More, I really enjoy your this community
    Jose

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  93. Your cards are beautiful. I love the simplicity yet elegance of them.

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  94. Lovely cards Chrissie and thanks for the helpful hint on attaching ribbon to your card. And congratulations on your first year of LIM - long may it continue!

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  95. Better late than never, fabulous cards from you this week, well as always actually, great challenge even if it is a little bit if what actually is aqua,
    Kath x

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