Monday 31 December 2018

Goodbye 2018, Hello 2019

I can barely believe that 2019 is just one sleep away, so here I am having my traditional nostalgic stumble meander through my creations of the past 12 months and picking out my favourite projects.

Before I do, I will share the results of my 2018 Resolutions which were as follows:
1) Make a minimum of 2 Christmas cards per month, including 1 masculine, and
2) For every card using a newly purchased image, make 2 featuring an older image 

The results were a marginal improvement on the previous year:

I made 54 Christmas cards (10 more than last year) although I admit that a large proportion of these were in Nov/Dec rather than being spread out during the year!  

What might optimistically pass for masculine (despite being 'cute') was significantly higher at 72 which was probably due to unconsciously leaning away from heavily embellished to more clean and simple designs.

Ok, so the Newly purchased:Old image ratio was a fair bit worse at 53:60, so I didn't even get close to my 1:2 target.  In my defence, I think this was always going to be a lost cause and I shouldn't beat myself up about it.

I've decided to give the resolutions a rest for 2019, although I really do want to try to keep up the Christmas card crafting throughout the year because I hate reaching December before I realise that I need another 30 cards by 25th.

So, to those of you still with me, thank you for your company this past year. I have noticed a drop in the number of comments left on my blog posts and many crafters moving to Facebook and Instagram.  I'm not a huge fan of Facebook but I did take the plunge with Instagram earlier this year. I frequently receive more comments and views there, but in truth I still love writing my blog and sharing a bit more info and anecdotes that I don't have space for on an Instagram post.  I really do appreciate any comments you leave me because I know that it takes much longer to write a comment than simply click a 'like' button.

Anyhoo, as usual, you'd better brace yourself for a photo heavy finale, picking my favourite 10 makes from 2018.  I wish you all a wonderful (and creative) 2019.


Early in the year was this simple design. It may be simple, but I was pleased with the colouring.


A really fussy card, one of the few in 2019, but I love a bit of fuss for a wedding theme!



I do love shaped cards, and this babygro design was an enjoyable card to make too.



 The vikings were my attempt at softer colouring (it didn't work but I still liked this one)


I loved this adorable image and the holly tree turned out better (and easier) than I'd expected!


The Christmouse Pudding image is one of my favourites so I had to include it.


I had a play with some jewellery this year too for a change:


I seemed to have a fondness for polar bears in the latter part of this year too!


Another fussy card and one of my favourite Tildas.


I played more with inky backgrounds in recent months, with this card being my fave.


And lastly, a return to polar bears with a 'no-lines' for my final 'warm glow' of 2018


Happy crafting, and Happy New Year!
See you on the other side.
Annette
xx



Monday 24 December 2018

Christmas Cheer

For my final Christmas card of 2018, I've been playing with a Purple Onion image and some inky skies making a card for a special friend.  I'm hoping that she's opened it by now, so I'm able to share it as my 'Christmas Eve' card and use it to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.




Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
  • Sky: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood
  • Purples: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet
  • Snow: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday 23 December 2018

Tweet Friends

I'm having a mini-break from Christmas themes to share some sweet little tweeters that arrived in yesterday's post with a new scalloped die just in time for a sneaky pre-Christmas crafty session!  I love these guys so much that I've coloured them up twice in different colour themes using similar designs.




Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • PinksWorn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Aged Mahogany
  • Blues: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
  • Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
  • Flowers: Milled Lavender, Picked Raspberry
  • Crown: Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Wild Honey,

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday 20 December 2018

Charge of the Light Brigade

There's a very rare Anything Goes theme at As You Like It Challenge this week, and I've used one of my favourite Penny Black characters (the hediges) doing their annual dash to plug in the fairy lights!  I've made 2 similar cards, because I love them so much, using different colour schemes.




Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Hedgehogs: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
  • Ground: Weathered Wood
  • Cord: Silver gel pen
  • Lights: Gold gel pen, Sakura Stardust gel pens

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 19 December 2018

Warm & Fuzzy Winter Wishes

I really liked the card I made a few weeks ago using my Warm and Feathered Hugs stamps so I've made another similar one but using one of the other owls from the set.  This one looks like he's carol singing!  I think this is one of my favourites from this year and what I call a 'warm glow' card!





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
  • Hat: Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord, Scattered Straw, Rusty Hinge
  • Snow: Weathered Wood
  • Ground: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
  • Sky: Scattered Straw, Pickled Raspberry, Wilted Violet, Dusty Concord
  • White gel pen

Card Recipe:


From Dies To Die For:
I've been inspired by:
  • Simon's Monday Challenge - Stitching (using stitched dies)
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Tuesday 18 December 2018

Jingle all the Way

I've tried to create a more masculine theme for today's card. It's a simple design featuring Deer Pile from Stamping Bella.





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
  • Antlers/Feet/Nose: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
  • Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Monday 17 December 2018

Holly Jolly Critters

I've been wanting this stamp for a while and finally treated myself to it this month so I decided I should ink it up before Christmas passes this year!  Using all 4 critters only just fitted on my 6" card so I experimented by masking one off (sorry Santa-hedgie) for one of my two cards.  The sentiment comes from the same stamp.






Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
  • Paws: Tattered Rose
  • Greens: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • Ground: Weathered Wood
  • Star: Squeezed Lemonade
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday 16 December 2018

Diamond Rudolph

Whilst having a bit of a crafty clear-out, I found a half used pack of diamond fold cards that someone had given me and decided to use them for a few last minute Christmas cards. The design is very simple (mainly because hubby has just declared that he needs 18 cards for his work chums that I'd not factored into my plan) but with all the fuss of the fancy fold, I think the simple papers and image works well with the focal image.






Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
  • Antlers/feet/nose: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain.
  • Grass: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Saturday 15 December 2018

Polar Pals

Inky skies and polar pals!  I've used a spot of Scattered Straw as the first layer of sky and then some purples rather than wintry blues and I really like it for a change. I'd normally use these colours at Halloween, but I think they work well for Christmas too.





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Polar Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain 
  • Mouse: Hickory Smoke, Tattered Rose
  • Sky: Scattered Straw, Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet
  • Scarf: Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
  • Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Friday 14 December 2018

Roar!

It's another play with inky backgrounds today with this cutie from Clearly Besotted.



Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
  • Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Sky: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood
  • Moon: Antique Linen

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 12 December 2018

Sending Holiday Cheer

I've been playing with my new favourite pingu stamp set for today's card.  I've also used my pretty new MFT paper pad and just added a simple twine embellishment and a die cut border.





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Penguins: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge
  • Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Sky: Victorian Velvet, Shaded Lilac
  • Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • GroundWeathered Wood
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx


Monday 10 December 2018

Mistletoe Notebook

I made this little notebook for a special friend who likes cute furries using one of my favourite Purple Onion Design images. I've used my Zutter binder to make this little mistletoe winter bunny into a handbag sized notebook as a mini Christmas present.




Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
  • Green: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Reds: Festive Berries, Fired Brick
  • Ground: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday 9 December 2018

Owl just for you

I love these Stacy Yakula images and this one's a bit of a break from the Christmas trend with a 'just for you' theme.





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
  • Green: Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Reds: Festive Berries, Fired Brick
  • Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Friday 7 December 2018

Tilda Season's Greetings

A clean and simple Christmas creation using a Tilda image that I've not used for a while.





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
  • Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
  • Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
  • 'Whites': Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday 6 December 2018

Dear Santa .....

The new challenge at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight is to showcase your favourite Christmas animal.  I absolutely adore pingus (I definitely didn't get all soppy watching the BBC documentary a few weeks ago!!!) but I also love all things cute and furry, so I've also added a sweet reindeer too.  Both images are from our sponsor, Polkadoodles.





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Reindeer: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
  • Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Penguins: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • Snow: Weathered Wood
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 5 December 2018

Beary Good Birthday

I really love these polar bears and have bravely attempted them with some no-lines stamping.  I really struggle with this technique but was actually really pleased with how this card turned out.  I will admit that it ended up being one of those 'warm glow' cards :0)





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Snow: Weathered Wood
  • Fish: Crushed Olive, Cracked Pistachio
  • Scarf: Cracked Pistachio, Pine Needles, Bundles Sage
  • Bucket: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:


From Dies To Die For:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Tuesday 4 December 2018

Puppy o'clock

I've not made one of these clocks for a little while so thought I'd have a play with the puppies again.  I just want to scoop them up and snuggle them!




Here's a close up of the cuties!




Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
  • Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Monday 3 December 2018

Reindeer lights

It's back to Christmas today with a pingu/reindeer themed card.  Yeah, I know they're meant to be chicks, but they're in disguise!




Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday 2 December 2018

Happy Mail

I've made a little birthday tag to match a custom made envelope for a birthday card.  I can't show you the birthday card just yet, so I'm just showing you its accompaniments!

The tag is layered using papers from the same set as the envelope.  I've trimmed some white card (using the tag die diagonally) to create a bit more interest.



Here's how I used the die to trim the white card, and then also the top coloured paper for my tag.  I then stamped the Birthday sentiment several times using Tumbled Glass Distress Ink to match the colour scheme.  

(please ignore the state of my 'well used' cutting mat!)




Project Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx