Do you wanna build a Snowman?

Happy Christmas Everyone.  

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Branch: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Hickory Smoke, Speckled Egg
• Blacks: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Gifts on the Tree digi from Lili of the Valley (retired image)
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cosmos Daisy
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crystal Glamour Dust

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Carols

I'm sharing the final card that I've made for the Lili of the Valley design team.  This card was made before I stepped back from the design team but it's perfect for the Festive build up to Christmas day.

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
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Beary Merry Christmas by Lili of the Valley (retired image)
• Typed Sentiment

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cosy Penguin

Penguins are my favourite Christmas Critter!  

Card Recipe:

• Cosy Penguin by Lili of the Valley Digi Shop
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• Typed sentiment
• Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Water coloured using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Post

I'm a little late this week posting my card for As You Like It Challenge.  

This week we want to know your favourite embellishment.  I keep returning to this card layout time and time again because I love the soft ribbon tied in a double bow and pretty paper flowers framing my watercoloured image.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

Lili of the Valley

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Envelopes: Old Paper
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Lili of the Valley
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Post Box Red Smooth 240gsm
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny present

Hot on the heals of yesterday's post, this fortnight at As You Like It Challenge we want to see your favourite critters.  Bob-tailed bunnies are one of my favourite cute and fluffy critters, but I also like cuddly teddy bears, so this image which features both is perfect for this theme!

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

Papermill Direct

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

• Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Bunny: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Weathered Wood, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Image by Lili of the Valley
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Typed Sentiment and Foiling Machine with Green Foil

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Decorating the Tree

I'm late with my post but last fortnight at As You Like It Challenge we wanted to know if you prefer ribbon or twine, and this is an easy choice for me as I have a huge box of ribbon rolls, in various colours, textures and widths. My favourite is a lovely 15mm satin ribbon tied in a double bow, which beautifully frames the festive image that I've watercoloured for today's card.  I love the softness of the ribbon and the beautiful range of colours to accent my card.

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
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Browns: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Weathered Wood, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Image by Lili of the Valley
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crystal Glamour Dust

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Polar Stars

I've been a little AWOL recently as I've been crazy busy and haven't had much time for any crafting which is also making me a little stir-crazy!  Anyway, I do have a card to share with yout day because this fortnight at As You Like It Challenge we want to know if you prefer square or some other shaped cardbases.  While I love a shaped cardbase, a 6" square really is my go-to cardbase.  I find it's not too big to fill the space, and I prefer the square to a rectangle.

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, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Starry Night by Lili of the Valley
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Mini Rosebuds

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Christmas / Winter Card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Puppy Carols

Yup, I'm still in festive mode!  Well, it does feel like summer's over now!

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

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

• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Canine Choir from Lili of the Valley (retired image)
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Typed Sentiment

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny

Today I'm sharing a cute bunny card that I've watercoloured and framed in a Summery floral border.

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flowers: Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

Lili of the Valley:

• Celebrate Stamp Set by Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Woodstock Giallo Card 285gsm

Other:

• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - 4-legged friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Favourite Colour Combo

For our challenge this week at As You Like It Challenge we're asking you to share your favourite 2 colour combo creations.  I love pastels colours, and in particular pink and blue (although purple comes a very close third place!).  I love the softness of the colours and most of my favourite papers are one or either of these two colours, including the gorgeous Petal Fresh from Nitwits which I've accessorised with pink embellishments.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
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, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Pinks: Kitsch Flamingo, Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Mouse with Daisy by Lili of the Valley
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Woodstock Malva pink card
• 15mm seam binding baby pink
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Enamel dots from Hobbycraft

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Have a fin-tastic day

At As You Like It Challenge this week, we're asking if you prefer Clean & Simple or Fussy.  I personally enjoy making both styles, although I find the clean and simple theme far more challenging because mine seem to feel 'unfinished'. I've tasked myself to make a clean and simple card that I'm happy with. This one's for a dad who's keen on fishing, so the masculine theme tends to lend itself more to clean and simple.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

Lili of the Valley

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Rod: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Rusty Hinge
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• James Fishing
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Marine Blue Card 240gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Typed Sentiment (Fonts: 'KG Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk' and 'Outside')
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

James Gardening

This adorable James the Bear image is coming out at Lili of the Valley this week, and as usual I can't resist this sweet little bear.  I've watercoloured him with my Distress Inks, and added a simple typed sentiment and pretty Nitwit papers.

Designed for:

Lili of the Valley

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Spade: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• James Gardening by Lili of the Valley
  
• Marine Blue Card 240gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Typed sentiment

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Christmas

I've saved this sweet bunny card to share late in the hope that it's now been opened by its recipient.    The customised sentiment is typed in a couple of fancy fonts, and as usual, the image is watercoloured.

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct

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

Card Recipe:

• Romantic Rabbits by Lili of the Valley
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• New Lilac Plain Card 240gsm
  
• Fonts used: Outside and Cute Rita

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Pudding Bear

One more Christmas Teddy, with an enormous Christmas Pud!

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, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Pudding: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Silver gel pen

Card Recipe:

• Teddy Pudding by Lili of the Valley
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

James the Bear - Star

How about a pink Christmas card to brighten a dreary November Monday?

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, Tea Dye
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• James Little Star by Lili of the Valley
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Typed Sentiment

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Plain Red Card 290gsm

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear in the Snow

Question: What's more cute than a teddy bear?

Answer: A teddy bear wearing a bobble hat, playing in the snow!!!

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

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
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Villainous Potion
• 'Whites': Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• James in the Snow by Lili of the Valley (mirrored)
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Glamour Dust Fine Glitter
• Glossy Accents
• Typed Sentiment

Papermill Direct:

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

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snowman Countdown

This week at As You Like It Challenge we're wanting to know if you prefer Santa or Snowmen on your Christmas creations.  Although I find white challenging to colour, I much prefer the cuteness of a snowman than a jolly Father Christmas (sorry Saint Nick!), so today I'm sharing my Christmas Countdown calendar featuring one of the Advent critters from our lovely sponsors Lili of the Valley.

I used a Christmas Countdown calendar cut file but swapped out the 'head' for the Snowman using my Silhouette.

I've made a few more with different Critters:

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

Papermill Direct

Card Recipe:

• Advent Characters from Lili of the Valley
• LOTV Digi Advent Number Set
• Silhouette Cut File Advent Calendar

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Post Box Red Smooth 240gsm
• Dark Green Card 240gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Text it

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnome Christmas Snowflake & a LOTV Discount Code

Today I'm sharing a cute new gnome image from Lili of the Valley's latest Christmas release.

Plus, as an extra special bonus, between 10 and 17 October, because I'm part of the Lili of the Valley Design Team, if you use the discount code 'ANNETTECONNELLY20' at the checkout you'll get 20% off your purchase at Lili of the Valley.  Happy Shopping!

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Lamp: Squeezed Lemonade, Dried Marigold, Rusty Hinge
• Whites: Hickory Smoke, Weathered Wood, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Gnome from Lili of the Valley
• Simon Says Stamp Swirling Snowflakes
• The Paper Boutique Winter Wishes Snowflake Die

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Quartz White Pure Pearl Sparkle Card 300gsm
• Green Grass Pure Pearl 300gsm

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pink Snowman

Today's snowman image is one from the recent Christmas release at Lili of the Valley.  I've framed him on a pastel pink glittered snowflake card.

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct

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

• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Whites: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Snowman from Lili of the Valley
• Simon Says Stamp Swirling Snowflakes Embossing folder
• The Paper Boutique Winter Wishes Snowflake Die

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Iridescent White Glitter Card 220gsm
• Powder Pink Pure Pearl Card 300gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Add some texture

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnome Christmas

There's a new Christmas release at Lili of the Valley tomorrow, and I've been playing with some of the images.  I've fussy cut this gnome image and given him pride of place on this snowflake shaped cardbase.  The lovely sparkly white snowflake is layered onto pearlised silver shaped cardbase and an embossed snowflake panel for texture.

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Weathered Wood, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Gnome image from Lili of the Valley
• Simon Says Stamp Swirling Snowflakes
• The Paper Boutique Winter Wishes Snowflake Die

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Titanium Silver Pearl Card 300gsm
• Quartz White Pure Pearl Sparkle Card 300gsm

Happy crafting
Annette
xx