Friday 31 August 2018

Merry Mousemas

It's the last day of August, so naturally I'm thinking about Christmas with another really clean and simple design featuring a cute little mouse from Lee Holland.  

Simples!





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Hat: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
  • 'Whites': Weathered Wood
  • Ground: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday 30 August 2018

For those of you watching in black and white...

We're looking for non-card projects at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight.  Although I love making non-card papercrafting projects like boxes, crackers and tags, I've been getting back into a spot of jewellery making which I tried my hand at several years ago.  

I used to mainly make earrings, but this time I've tried my hand at necklaces and double stranded bracelets (although I did make some into a full set with matching earrings too!).  

I'm showcasing a couple of my bracelets today, one in blue and a similar one in pink.  I tend not to buy the cheapest beads because I think that they look cheap and 'plastic' and I was really pleased with how these turned out.

As usual with anything sparkly and shiny, the finished items were a nightmare to photograph.  The faceted rondelle beads were opaque and a little lighter in colour than they appear here, but these pictures (especially the close-ups) were the closest I could get to representing the true colours.  

Talking of seeing the true colours, I've just smiled as I reminded myself of the old Ted Lowe snooker commentating gaffe .... "for those of you who are watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green".








Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 29 August 2018

Bunny Stuffies

I adore most of the Stamping Bella Stuffies including this pair of bunnies.  It's been a while since I inked them up so I'm rectifying that with a clean and simple design, water-coloured and mounted on a Kraft card base with no frills or fuss.




Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Brown bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
  • White bunny: Pumice Stone, Black Soot
  • Ears, nose and paws: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
  • Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Flowers: Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
Card Recipe:
From Dies To Die For:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday 26 August 2018

What muppet thought this was a good idea?

I saw this fancy sliding card on Miranda's blog and decided I'd have a go at it. I modified the fold a bit so it was only made from 2 pieces of base-card (I thought it would be less bulky).  To be fair, the fold worked out fine but it has taken me pretty much all day to (a) make and (b) photograph!

Anyway, here's the end result. I'm going to show some photographs and also try to upload a video (I've not been very successful with videos in the past so please leave a comment letting me know if it plays for you).

Here's a photo of the front of the card, with the peek-a-boo window for the sentiment. I found a sentiment with a carolling theme which I thought matched the singing critters.  The sky is inked with Distress Inks and a dauber. I also speckled some water onto it to make it look a bit more snowy.



Here's a photo of the inside ... the birdie 'flies' into view when you open the card which I hope you can see in the video afterwards.

...and here's the video (fingers crossed) ...




Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Robin/Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Candied Apple, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint.
  • Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade
  • Sky: Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky, Black Soot
  • Lamplight: Squeezed Lemonade
  • Snow: Weathered Wood
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 22 August 2018

Hip Hip Horray

Today's card is a scene made by using several stamps from the Mama Elephant Animal Parade stamp set from Dies to Die For.  I've used one of the sentiments from the set for the banner. I used some blue button twine at the top and added some small beads on the ends of the ties.





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Brown Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
  • Mouse: Hickory Smoke
  • Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Reds: Festive Berries, Fired Brick

Card Recipe:


From Dies To Die For:

Other:
  • Twine
  • Beads
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday 19 August 2018

Dragon Hugs

I fell in love with these dragons as soon as I saw them in the sneaky peeks at CC Designs and thanks to a naughty friend they suddenly arrived on my doormat. 

I've used two dragons from the set to create this pair of similar cards, both with a moon scene in a clean and simple design.  I just love this guy's cheeky grin!

I created the background by masking a circle and hill shape before sponging the sky in purples and black Distress inks.  I then used the reverse of the hill mask to sponge the grass in shades of green and finally drew in some grass and gave the moon some shadow.











Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Dragon: Milled Lavender, Seedless Preserves
  • Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Moon: Antique Linen
  • Sky: Victorian Velvet, Seedless Preserves, Wilted Violet, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Saturday 18 August 2018

Bunny on Swing

My little scene is created using this adorable bunny on a swing and a blossom branch, both from Purple Onion Designs.  The grassy hill was hand drawn and the sky sponged using Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.  I have a soft spot for bunnies, but this little fella has been sent to a special friend so I know he's found a good home.





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



Friday 17 August 2018

Heffalumps

I've been playing with these adorably cute heffalumps from Lili of the Valley and made a few in lilac with cream ears (no, the ears are not Pringles as one smart-Alec suggested!).  I added a couple of stitches around the eyes for eyelashes and a little bow for decoration.  I made three heffalumps and added some white clouds (a Memory Box die) and cream moon shapes (hand-drawn).

Here's a close up of one of the Lili of the Valley elephants ....



... and here's the finished mobile with all the trimmings:




Unfortunately I found that it was neigh on impossible to photograph because, funnily enough, they all twirled around constantly so I had to keep snapping pictures and hope that in one of the (many) photos I took, one might capture them:

  1. facing sideways that you could see their features instead of their backsides,
  2. not hiding behind a cloud, moon or another ellie and
  3. where none had decided to fly off at a funny angle due to the VERY slight breeze.
Anyhoo, here's another where I'd tried to shelter them behind a low wall.




Finally, here is the other bits on the mobile. The clouds are cut from a Memory Box die and the moon is hand drawn.





Project Recipe:



Created for:




I've been inspired by:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday 16 August 2018

Golden Wish

For someone who likes to match the colours of any embellishments (ribbons, pearls, papers, flowers etc) whenever I add them, I found this fortnight's challenge at As You Like It a little difficult.  We're looking for "black and white plus one".  Now, I'm not usually a 'yellow' person, but against the black and white I wanted my image to really stand out, so I chose a golden yellow colour to give some brightness to my project.  I've given my little girllie golden hair, used mustard yellow papers and gold and white organza ribbon for the top of the tag.






Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Scattered Straw 
  • Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
  • Ground: Hickory Smoke
Project Recipe:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 15 August 2018

Boxes galore

The teddy has full focus on this Christmas card framed by a bright plaid paper and some twine. I've added a couple of small beads to trim the twine and some stitched embossing around the image frame.




Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
  • Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • Ground: Weathered Wood
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Friday 10 August 2018

Felt Softie Keyrings

Lili of the Valley have released some adorable new felt stuffie patterns including some Christmas themed ones. I've used just the heads elements of the Polar Bear and Penguin to make some cute little key-rings. 

I reduced the pattern down so the heads were only about 4cm wide and had to miss off some parts (like their eyebrows) which ended up being to small to work with. Instead I embroidered some eyelashes onto them to 'dress' their eyes. 

I also embroidered their nose/beak because the felt refused to be cut that small without disintegrating!  However, I'm really pleased with how they turned out and I think they're really sweet.  






From Lili of the Valley
Created for:




I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 8 August 2018

Let's go fly a kite!

I've been playing with my Lee Holland images again and have this card featuring Teddy flying a Kite.  It's a clean and simple card to focus on the cute image.





Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
  • Kite: Ripe Persimmon, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Forest Moss
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:


From Dies To Die For:

I've been inspired by:


Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday 2 August 2018

Tiger

We're asking whether you prefer fur or feathers over at As You Like It Challenge today.  I'm not a huge fan of things that fly in real life (I don't like them fluttering around my face, even butterflies).  Furry things are also generally much cuter!  My favourite animal are cats, and in particular I've always had a love of tigers from a very early age. I'm not sure I'd want to pet one though!  I'll stick to the smaller, domesticated varieties for that!  A tiger is my choice for today's card, but he's a cute version, so perhaps he wouldn't mind a snuggle!





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



Wednesday 1 August 2018

Beach Babe

It's another simple card from me today featuring Twila from CC Designs. I love her expression!  I've tried to make her look at the sentiment, but not sure whether it's worked!

I can't believe it's the start of August already.  This is definitely a summery card though. Perfect for a summer birthday.





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
  • Sky/Water: Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean
  • Duck: Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
  • Sand: Tea Dye, Scattered Straw

Card Recipe:


From Dies To Die For:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx