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

Anniversary Hearts

I made this concertina folding card for my husband on our anniversary. It was very delicate to fold all the narrow pieces, but I was pleased how it turned out.  The hearts are embossed for some additional texture, and it seems to make them less flimsy, which helps to keep the structure.

Designed for:

Papermill Direct

Card Recipe:

• Zig Zag Valentine Garden Silhouette cut file by Marji Roy

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• Apple Green Card 240gsm

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

Happy Anniversary

For Polkadoodles' Digi Choosday today I've made an Easel Anniversary card featuring Horace & Boo Friendly Cuddles and some papers from Eden Paper Heaven 1.  The sentiments are from Winnie Sunshine Delights and Winnie Celebrations 1.  The image is watercoloured using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Puppy: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Cat: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Anniversary

At the As You Like It Challenge this week we're asking you to showcase your favourite stamp brand. One of my first stamping obsessions was Lili of the Valley and they're still one of my favourites.  Never did I imagine, all those years ago, as I gazed in awe at all the fabulous LOTV design team cards that I would be on that same team myself one day!  I have a huge collection of the grey rubber stamps on my shelves, and also now a growing collection of their digi stamps.  Today's card is one I made for my husband for our anniversary. The sentiment might look a little stark, but there is a little bit missing. I added our nicknames, but I had to take the photo before adding them because I was banned from showing them in public!

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Scattered Straw 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Boy's Outfit: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Girl's Outfit:: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry
• Boy's Shoes: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Wood & Shoes: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Together Forever
• Crealies XXL Stitched rectangle die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Wedding Anniversary

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Wedding Bears

I'm popping by with a cute couple of bears from the new release at Lili of the Valley.  It's available from Wednesday 15th May in celebration of their 15th birthday.  

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Bears: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Scattered Straw
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Shaded Lilac
• Dress: Weathered Wood
• Groom's Outfit: Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Wedding Bears from Lili of the Valley
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals
• Crealies On The Edge Stitched Die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Some Birdie Loves You

HAPPY 2018!  

We are in 'celebration' mood at Squirrel's Random Challenge and I'm starting the new year off with some love in the form of an anniversary (or Valentine) card featuring some lovebirds from Clearly Besotted.  

I've used two of my favourite colours on these little tweeters and some new XXL circle dies for the scalloped circle card base.  

Happy new year to you all, and I hope you 'spread the love' and join in with us for this challenge.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Branch: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Leaf: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass (sponged)
• Purples: Wilted Violet, Dusty Concord
• Birds: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Beaks/feet: Dried Marigold, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Clearly Besotted Some Birdie Loves You
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Crealies XXL 53 Scalloped Circles
• Crealies XXL 33 Double Stitched Circles
• Ribbed ribbon scraps
• Heart button
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Something New (the stamps, the scalloped circle die)
• That's Crafty - Anything Goes
• Country View Crafts - Anything Goes using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Together Forever

I'm on a little break from the Christmas cards to share this Golden Wedding anniversary card which I made for my in-laws.  I've used an image that I don't remember using previously but it's so sweet that I couldn't resist.  I've added lots of golden coloured accents and featured my MIL's favourite turquoise.  

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Brunette: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Boy's hair: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Dress: Broken China
• Jumper: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Swing / Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Socks / Shirt: Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Together Forever from Lili of the Valley
• Crealies XXL pierced circle stack
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Carnations
• C.C. Designs Cutters Jumbo Numbers
• 15mm sheer organza gold ribbon
• 10mm Aqua satin ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Blues & Greens using DI Reinkers from CVC
• Noor! - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Valentines Day

Just popping in to wish you all a Happy Valentines Day using this sweet Lili of the Valley image. I hope you all have a lovely day. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Love Grows from Lili of the Valley (sadly now retired)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Country Lady paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Rose Charm
• Button Twine

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean - Hearts
• Inky Chicks - Hearts
• Cute Card Thursday - Sweet Valentines
• That's Crafty - First Love
• The Ribbon Girl - Card Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Kiss me quick

I'm sharing a little romance today with a sweet image from Crafter's Companion. I've added some lace to added softness and a little array of blooms.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Crafter's Companion
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Stitched oval dies
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Lace

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Shabby Chic
• Noor! Design - Shaped Cards
• The Ribbon Girl - Blue

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Anniversary

Today's card is to support the challenge at As You Like It Challenge where the theme is to celebrate your favourite period of your life.

I've interpreted the theme slightly outside the box as it is an anniversary card to celebrate 10 years with my lovely hubby.  It therefore celebrates the whole of the last decade of happy memories.

A little cheesy perhaps, but nevertheless, a celebration of my favourite decade! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Close Your Eyes from LOTV
• Lili of the Valley Shabby Shack paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Memory Box Precious Heart die
• Magnolia Heart Border die
• Embroidery yarn
• Viva pearl pen
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Sweet Stampin' - CAS
• Penny Black & More - Dies & Punches
• Simon's Monday Challenge - XYZ (X being the Roman numeral for 10, and Y for yarn)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Heffalumps

This card looked very different in my head before I started.

I'm not sure what happened.

Or perhaps what didn't happen.

But this is how it turned out.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Edwin & Hetty Set from Digi Stamp Boutique
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Maja Design papers
• Embossalicious Floral embossing folder
• Spellbinders Labels 18
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Embroidery Thread
• Viva Pearl Pen

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Texture
• Stamp & Create - All You Need Is Love
• Simon's Monday Challenge - No Rules

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Love Grows

Today I'm well and truly back in CAS mode with this sweetie.  I'm not sure if I've actually used this image before, but I really enjoyed painting it.  I used a heart border die to complement the romantic image and kept the colours simple.  It's in support of the Je t'aime challenge at Without Words Challenge and you have another fortnight to get your entries in.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Lili of the Valley Love Grows (must be discontinued as I can't find it to link up to)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Memory Box Heart Border
• Fantastic Ribbons Spotty Ribbon
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Cardmakers - Love Love Love
• Inky Chicks - From the UK with Love (us English love our gardening!)
• Stamp & Create - All you need is Love
• Sister Act - Anything Goes
• That's Crafty - Be My Valentine
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Your Paradise (definitely my garden, I love painting my images outside and in the cold weather sit in my conservatory looking out from behind the warm glass)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Under The Moonlight

It's Valentines Day, so I'm in a romantic mood with today's card.  It's an adorably cute image from LOTV, but I've steered away from the usual pinks and reds and opted for a soft purple instead.  The image has been watercolour painted in DI reinkers with some Wink of Stella added for the moonshine sparkle. The bow is made from wired ribbon and there's some velvet ribbon under the image.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Under the Moonlight by LOTV
• Colouring - Watercoloured with Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Cherry Blossom Lilac/White flower
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Cheery Lynn Designs LG Square Stitched Die
• Purple Wired Ribbon
• Memory Box Precious Hearts Die
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 16mm Lilac Velvet Ribbon
• Glossy Accents
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Cardmakers - Love Love Love
• Tilda & Friends - Valentines
• Stamp & Create - All you need is Love
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - All Creatures Great and Small
• Sister Act - Anything Goes
• That's Crafty - Be my Valentine

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Je t'aime

It's a clean and simple card to share today, which really focuses on the romantic image.  I've used this image a couple of times lately (I'll share another version later this week) and it's so sweet.

The card is supporting the new challenge at Without Words Challenge where the theme is Je t'aime. I hope you can get romantic with us this month.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Wedding Couple from LOTV
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Country Lady paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Sweet Stampin' - Love

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it baby

I decided to make a shaker card; a style that I've not made for a while, but a challenge had caught my eye and motivated me to have another try.

So after a bit of pondering, I drafted out my design, printed out some text in fancy fonts, and die cut a trio of circles using a circle nestie.

I then spent ages carefully sticking 3D foam pads around each circle to create the pocket, avoiding any gaps that the pesky beads could slip through.

When I was done sticking, I sat back from concentrating hard on the teeny foam pads, and admired the neatness and lack of gaps.

That was the point where I noticed that in my keenness to get the pads on without any spaces, I'd left the biggest 'hole' of all, because I'd forgotten to add the acetate first.

So it was back to the drawing board to start again.

Card Recipe:

• Typed Sentiment
• Cardworks Card base
• Pearls
• Circle Nesting Die
• Acetate
• Seed beads
• Twine

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - White
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Shaker Cards

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bare Feet

The theme today at Top Tip Tuesday is 'get in shape' so I've dug out my lovely new Go Kreate Frames again.  I know I've brought it out a few times in the last couple of weeks, but I really like it.

Because of the fancy shape, I've kept the design quite simple (well this is minimalistic for me!) and also taken the chance to use one of my lovely embossed Papermania papers.  This is actually one of the papers that I've used the least from the pad, but it's really pretty, and a gorgeous lilac colour.

I cut out the deep purple oval border around the image by eye because I don't have any oval dies, so don't look too closely as it's a bit uneven!

See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Image - Bugaboo Girlz Bare Feet
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Go Kreate Frilly Frames #10
• Papermania Lucy Cromwell Papers
• Spellbinders Labels 18
• Pink Satin Ribbon
• Papermania Gem Brad
• Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Saturday Sketch - Sketch
• Without Words - Anniversary (hope this is C&S enough as I resisted adding my beloved mulberry flowers and pearls in order to enter this challenge!!!)
• The Sketchy Challenges - Sketch
• Sparkles - Butterflies and/or Fairies (butterflies on DP and image)

Happy crafting.
Annette
xx

Acetate Aqua Anniversary

The theme today at Top Tip Tuesday is to make something which includes items which begin with your initials.  So my letter is "A" and at first I struggled to think of anything beginning with the letter A, but my teamies helped me out with a whole host of a's, including anniversary and acetate, so that's what I used.   I also used the colour aqua, which makes 3 a's !!

I created a step card, and folded a 'tent' of acetate over it.  (shamelessly cased from a gorgeous Christmas creation that I found on Sonia's Crafty Patch). Although you can't see it too well in the photo, the back panel of the acetate is embossed with a vine embossing folder.  I used pale aqua papers to make the background look like sky, and used some grass and tree die cuts to create an outdoors scene.

Because it is an anniversary card, I also added a couple of heart borders, one hanging down from the acetate at the top fold, and the other on one of the steps.  The image is called 'roses are red' and kind of fits in with the love theme of my anniversary card.

Hope you like it.  Acetate is so hard to photograph and not get a shine reflecting from the lamp or camera flash!  This is the best shot I managed to get of it!

See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Image - Saturated Canary Roses are Red, Violets are Blue 
• Typed Sentiment ("Heina's hurry" font)
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Dovecraft Shimmer Chalks
• Memory Box Cherish Hearts Border
• Tree Die with chalked edges
• Tonic Studio Butterfly Punch
• Acetate
• Craft Concepts Budding Vine Embossing Folder
• QuicKutz grass die cuts
• Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Joanna Sheen - Embossing (the back acetate panel is embossed with 'budding vine' folder, but the acetate does not photograph well)
• Saturated Canary - Winged Things
• Stampin' for the Weekend - Butterflies

Happy crafting.

I've Fallen Under Your Spell

The theme today at Top Tip Tuesday is numbers.

It was my wedding anniversary last week, and hubster is most insistent that when I make him a card I should not put any kind of cute bear on it whatsoever.  (he spoils all my fun!!).

So, this card has no bears.  I've also kept it C&S so it doesn't have much else on it in the way of embellies either!!

Unfortunately for me, hubby likes zombies, collecting vintage razors, and fantasy / sci-fi books.  Since I think neither zombies or shaving are very romantic for an anniversary card, my card has a fantasy / magical theme.

My typed sentiment says 'I've fallen under your spell' which was the most romantic spell-themed sentiment I could conjure up !!

'Conjure', get it !?

I'll get my coat......

Now as it happens, hubby (who can never remember my birthday but is usually very reliable at remembering when we got married) forgot it was our wedding anniversary until 10pm the night before.  By then the local petrol station / Spar shop was shut so he had to admit that he'd not got me an anniversary card to give me the next day.  He seemed more upset about it than I was, probably because I had already assumed he had forgotten because he'd not mentioned it.  Although I was secretly hoping he was going to surprise me with something nice!!!)

Anyway, he was so upset that when he got home from work the next evening (our anniversary night), he spent an hour at my craft desk using my stuff to make me a card using an image he'd found on the internet.

So when I got home from work later that evening, knowing I like pink and blue (and bears) he handed me this:

He said that colouring it took him ages, and also made his eyes "go funny", so he doesn't think he'll be doing it again.  But he was rather proud of it as a first attempt at card making, especially when I said I'd rather have him make one than buy one from the shops.  :0)




See my cards available to buy on eBay



My Card Recipe (sorry I've no idea where hubby's image comes from to give credit):

• Images - Bugaboo The Chosen One, Sidekick, The Wise One, Magical Tidbits Couldron & Bookshelf
• Typed Sentiment (Scrappy Looking font)
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Is that it?  No flowers, pearls, ribbons, die cuts, pretty glittered papers?  Where's the rest?

I've been inspired by:

• Zombies
• Vintage razors
• Magical fantasy
• Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Camera / Film related (Harry Potter)
• Cupcake Craft - Boys
• Creative Craft - For the Fellas

Happy crafting.

White Wedding

The theme today at Lili's Little Fairies is 'Top of the Pops' (song inspired).  I did actually find this one a toughie, but in the end decided on Billy Idol's "White Wedding".  However, that might show my age a bit, so perhaps I should say it's inspired by Bruno Mars' "Marry You" instead??   LOL

Either way, I made a purple card with white accents, and a wedding image.   I painted the image with my DI re-inkers and added just a few embellishments to keep the design minimalistic.

See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Image - Wedding Couple from Lili of the Valley
• Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Distress Re-inkers
• Papermania Lucy Cromwell Glittered paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Pearls
• White Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake - 1, 2, 3 (1 image, 2 papers, 3 types of embellishments; ribbon, pearls, flowers)
• Anything Goes - Double up (2 papers, 2 sets of pearls, 2 ribbons, 2 people on the image!)
• Crafty Boots - Old, New, Borrowed, Blue (wedding theme, old image, blue outline on image,)

Happy crafting.