Gingerbread Reindeer Tag

I've used one of the reindeer images from the recent new release at Lili of the Valley for this super-sized gift tag.  He's watercoloured, and framed with some pretty papers and flowers.  I've inked the die-cut sentiment so that it's two-tone and layered onto a matt before adding to the tag.

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Gingerbread man / Antlers: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Chipped Sapphire, Prize Ribbon

Card Recipe:

• Penguins & Reindeer A5 Stamp set by Lili of the Valley
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Honey Bee Christmas Die
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Tag No.12 (with stitching)

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Marine Blue Card 240gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Heffalump

It's never too early to start on your Christmas crafting!!!

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Villainous Potion
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke
• Snow: Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Elephant from Christmas Critters Bundle by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Harmony Paper Bundle by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Smooth White Card 160gsm from Papermill Direct

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Four-legged friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sunflower Placemats

I've been indulging in a spot of crocheting recently and have made these pretty placemats with matching coasters. I followed a pattern on YouTube for the coaster, and increased it to 9 rounds of brown, instead of 6, for the larger placemat, giving me 108 stitches in the final round of brown before starting the petals.  I'm really pleased with how they've turned out and I'm thinking of making some to give as gifts.

Pattern: Link to YouTube Tutorial
Yarn: Stylecraft Dark Brown and Dandelion Yellow

4mm crochet hook

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Special Anniversary

At As You Like It Challenge this week we want to know whether you prefer florals or ginghams.  For me, ginghams remind me of a school uniform, and I'm not a huge fan of checked patterns, but I do love pretty floral papers, in particular Nitwit collections who seem to be most common in my collection!  

I've made this special anniversary card and personalised it using my Silhouette.  It's a big card, 8" square, and now safely with its recipient.  I had a mini-panic because I had tracking on the postage when I sent it, and it still says its undelivered, so I was upset after all the effort of making it, but they've sent a thank-you card saying how pleased they were to receive it.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lili of the Valley

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Chipped Sapphire, Prize Ribbon
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• The Happy Couple by Lili of the Valley
• Smooth White Card 160gsm by Papermill Direct 
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Ivory organza ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Enamel Dots from Hobbycraft

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Cracker Bear

I'm trying to get ahead with my Christmas cards!  Who's with me?

Designed for:
Lee Holland

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Prize Ribbon
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Teddy with Christmas Cracker by Lee Holland
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Smooth White Card 160gsm from Papermill Direct
• Nitwit Collections - Joyful Hearts - Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - 4-legged Friends
• Country View Crafts - 4 Legged Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Bear

I've watercoloured this bear for a birthday card. He's framed with some pretty lilac floral papers and a simple typed sentiment.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Villainous Potion
• Reds: Victorian Velvet, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Bear holding Pencil by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Harmony Paper Bundle by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Typed Sentiment

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Dark Violet Plain Card 290gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - 4-legged friends
• Stamping Sensations - Summer Flowers
• Country View Challenge - 4-legged friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Crochet Baggie

Sharing a little crochet baggie. It's got a circular base, but when it hangs it's hard to show that in the photos.  I used Drops Cotton Light, which I struggled to get along with because I found that it splits which makes the stitches difficult, but I am pleased with the end result.

Pattern:

• Summer Vibes Trail Crochet Tote Bag by Nothern Lights Trail

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Mouse

I'm trying to make a dent on my Christmas cards and have used this sweet mouse on a snowy branch by Lee Holland for this very Clean and Simple layout.  The image is watercoloured and the sentiment is typed.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Mouse: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Snow: Weathered Wood, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Mouse on Fern by Lee Holland

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - 4-legged friends (my cat thinks mice are lovely friends, and often brings one home to join him for tea - a little too literally!)
• Country View Challenges - 4-legged friends
• Crafty View Challenges - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cute Sheep

I've made this little sheep for my bestie's birthday using a pattern from Soft Toy For Joy (now A Pinch Of Cotton) on Etsy. It was quite easy to follow although I got befuddled with the puffy texture stitches and ended up doing them inside out, but I still achieved some kind of bobbly effect on his body and he turned out really cute.

Link to Pattern from @aPinchOfCotton

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Squirrel Birthday

I'm sharing a little card for my bestie made using an adorable digi image from Lee Holland.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Squirrel with Sunflower by Lee Holland
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Woodstock Giallo Card 285gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL34 Double Stitched Squares
• Gummiapan Happy Birthday Die

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Four Legged Friends
• Stamping Sensations - Summer Flowers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Relax

This week at As You Like It Challenge we want to know how you prefer to spend your holibobs, whether that be sunbathing on a beach or something more adventurous like an activity holiday.  

Although I'm not much of a sunbather, I do enjoy spending my time off relaxing so I've used this adorable gnomie snoozing in his garden hammock!

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Dies to Die For

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Browns: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flowers: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Picked Raspberry, Kitsch Flamingo, Aged Mahogany
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany 
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Weathered Wood, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella The Gnome in the Hammock
• Stamping Bella Maisie and Madeline have some Tea (Sentiment only)
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Borders
• Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border Dies

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Creative Expression Sue Wilson Camellia Open & Closed petals

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Summer Flowers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Duck

I seem to be a in Christmas mood lately, but although it's only July, I don't think it's ever too early for Christmas crafting!

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Duck: Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Speckled Egg, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Duck from Amanda Jayne Designs Christmas Critters Bundle
• Glossy Accents
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Post Box Red Smooth 240gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx