Bear-ter late than never

This fortnight at As You Like It Challenge we want to know if you like adding sentiments to your cards or keeping them blank, maybe so the recipient can keep them on display longer as a piece of art.  Many of my cards don't have sentiments on them, but I do actually like making my own sentiments, usually mixing different fonts, which is what I've done for today's card which I'm a little late sharing!  However, it demonstrates 2 pretty fonts which I've overlapped slightly to make the words look like they fit together better.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet, Villainous Potion

Card Recipe:

• Rosy & Cosy by Lili of the Valley (retired image)
• Violet Plain Card 290gsm
• Typed sentiement

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Embossed Lamb

This week at As You Like It Challenge we want to see your favourite style of embossing, whether it be wet or dry, folder or stylus etc.  While I love the effect of wet embossing, I find it a bit messy to do it myself, and I love the impact of some of my lovely embossing folders. I think they give a wonderful texture to cards, and I love the intricate design of some of my favourite folders. My card today features some embossed daisies which give a 3D texture frame to my watercoloured lamb panel.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

• Lamb: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Cute Lamb by Lee Holland Digis
• Woodstock Giallo Card 285gsm
• Mocha Brown Card 240gsm
• 15mm Spotty Ribbon
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Whimsy Stamps Slimline Embossing Folder Daisies
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Kingfisher

My husband likes kingfishers, so I've watercoloured this sweet anniversary card for him using this image.

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

Card Recipe: 

• Little Kingfisher digi image by Lee Holland
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Typed Sentiment

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Spring Fox

This week at As You Like It Challenge we want to see your favourite sketch / layout. This was an easy one for me, because I revisit this particular layout very often. I like the ability to showcase 2 pretty papers (often from my favourite paper designer, Nitwit Collections) with the join covered by some pretty satin ribbon.  I frame a circular image panel with flowers and a double bow in opposite diagonals and a trio of flat backed pearls in the opposite corners. It enables me to use my favourite embellishments (flowers, ribbons and pearls) in a 3D card.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Fox image by Lee Holland Digis at Etsy
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Woodstock Giallo Card 285gsm
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Flower Bunny

Today's card is a springtime bunny, using a digi from one of my favourite artists, Lee Holland.  As usual he's watercoloured using Distress Reinkers.  I've used some pastel Springtime tones which I much prefer to bold bright colours as they feel warmer and softer. 

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Bunny With Flower image by Lee Holland
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Woodstock Giallo Card 285gsm
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Chickie

I know Easter has gone, but I forgot to post this sweet chickie Easter card so better late than never!

Card Recipe:

• Chickie by Lili of the Valley
• Typed Sentiment
• Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Egg Galore

Happy Easter Everyone

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

Card Recipe:

• Easter Cuties Easter Tree image by Lili of the Valley (retired?)
• Bubblegum Pink Card 170gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

50th Birthday Boy

This fortnight's challenge at As You Like It Challenge is to decide whether you prefer clean & simple, or fussy & fancy in your crafting.  I do tend to swap between styles, with some of my more feminine cards being festooned with flowers, ribbons, pearls etc, but I also find it satisfying when a beautifully coloured image takes the centre stage.  Today's fuss-free creation is a special birthday card for someone who's been a good friend during the past 30 years.  He's recently discovered the joys of dog-walking, albeit his sister's dog, but this image felt right when I was picking one for his card.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

• Fur/Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Fence: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire
• Wall: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• In The Country by Lili of the Valley Stamps
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Typed Sentiment

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Bunny

I'm hopping towards the long Easter Bank Holiday weekend with this little fella!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Dusty Concord
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Kitsch Flamingo

Card Recipe:

• Easter Cuties Spring Rabbit by Lili of the Valley (I think he's retired)
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Bubblegum Pink Card 170gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Egg Trees

I can't remember using this sweet Easter image before, but I decided to have a play with it and enjoyed it so much I've made a couple of clean & simple Easter cards in different colour combinations.

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose
• Chick: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed
• Pot: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Eggs: Various!

Card Recipe:

• Easter Cuties Easter Tree image by Lili of the Valley (I think it might be retired now)
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Violet Plain Card 290gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cute Squirrel

This fortnight at As You Like It Challenge we want to know if you prefer florals or cute themes.  I'm definitely a fan of the cute cards, particularly cute animals, both in my crafting and in real life.  The only florals I tend to use are on my papers and embellishments to create colour and texture.  Some of my favourite critters are the images by Lee Holland Digis, in particular his woodland creatures.  I cut the floral cardbase shape using my Silhouette.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Squeezed Lemonade

Card Recipe:

• Lee Holland Digi Squirrel 
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Violet Plain Card 290gsm
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Mouse Day

At As You Like It Challenge this week we want to see your favourite fancy folds.  I love this easel card prop because I can decorate it to co-ordinate with the card and it all still folds flat for posting, almost like a pop-up card.  This card is for a sweet crafting friend's special birthday last month, so it's safe to share! I used bright springtime colours for the happy occasion!

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

Card Recipe:

• Birthday Mouse by Rachelle Anne Miller Digi Stamps
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• CC Designs Mini Number dies
• Card Making Magic Easel Stand

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mousie Tea Time

This week at As You Like It Challenge we want to know if you prefer monochrome or colourful creations.  I do like to stick to just a couple of colours in my cards, but I can never seem to restrict myself to just one by using different shades and depth for variety.  I prefer to co-ordinate a few colours through into embellishments or, in this case, pulling a the dark purple from the image through into the cardstock matting layer.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

• Mouse: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose, Ground Espresso
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Green Cup: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purple cup: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Villainous Potion
• Orange cup: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Pipsqueak Coffee Flowers by Last Minute Manda
• Violet Plain Card 290gsm
• Typed sentiment

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Teddy with Woolly Balls

This week at As You Like It Challenge we want to know if you prefer crafting feminine or masculine themed projects. For me, I find masculine cards challenging (I like adding flowers and pretty papers too much!) so for me it's an easy choice of feminine.  I've teamed this cute watercoloured teddy bear with pretty springtime papers for a craft loving friend.  I love these papers, and I've matched the colour scheme throughout the embellishments.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lee Holland

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
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Villainous Potion
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo

Card Recipe:

• Little Teddy Holding Balls of Wool by Lee Holland Digi images
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Light the Candles

At As You Like It Challenge this week want to know if you prefer stamped or digi images.  I have far more digi images than I do rubber stamps, and I certainly appreciate the convenience of them when it comes to storage, ease of browsing my collection and instant purchasing!  But there is still something more satisfying about getting truely inky and stamping your own image.  I've had problems in the past with printer ink bleeding when I'm watercolouring digi images, and times when my printer's not been playing ball, whereas my physical ink pads seem to last forever although sometimes you don't get a full image (I have better luck if I use my stamp platform).  And finally, the brands that gave me the papercrafting bug were physical stamps (some on wooden blocks!) so it's often nice to dig out those stamps again.  Therefore, I've selected a rubber stamp from my collection for today's card.  However, I expect my laziness will kick back in and I'll revert back to digis again next week!

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

Card Recipe:

• Stamping Bella Gnome Firefighter
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• 3mm Flat backed pearls
• Typed Sentiment (Fonts: KG Beanth Your Beautiful Chunk & Outside)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bouquet Bear

This fortnight at As You Like It Challenge we want to know if you prefer pearls of gems on your projects.  I am definitely more a fan of the subtle sheen of pearls than the glimmer of gems, and I have lots of flat backed pearls in different colours.  For this project I've also added extra pearls in the form of a pin, peeking out amongst the flower embellishments.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Villainous Potion
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Rusty Hinge
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Kitsch Flamingo
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• James Bouquet digistamp by Lili of the Valley
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• 15mm Satin ribbon
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy New Year

Well it feels like the last few months have been a blur.  I'm sharing the first card that I've made since August and I am feeling a little rusty to say the least!  To get my mojo flowing I decided to use one of my favourite characters (James the bear) and some of my favourite papers from Nitwit Collections.  I've loved their papers since LOTV created some printed versions, but sadly most of my pads are used and I'm reliant on the digital versions.  Their papers are so beautiful and there are so many pretty papers (I must have hundreds of them) and they're my go-to papers when I need some creative motivation.  I've even paper-pieced the heart in James' arms to match the background.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord

Card Recipe:

• James Big Heart by LOTV
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx