Friday, 11 October 2013

Believe

StampFairy are sponsoring Friday Sketch Challenge this week and I'm guest designing to support their challenge.  The sketch was quite a C&S design, but although I'm on a bit of a drive to appreciate the C&S style, today was not one of my better C&S days!

Here's my card:



And here's the sketch:



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Card Recipe:
    I've been inspired by:
    Happy Crafting
    Annette
    xx

    Thursday, 10 October 2013

    Skiing

    My card for The Stamp Basket today returns to a Christmas theme, with some gorgeous new gold backing papers from Bo Bunny.  I've contrasted them with a rich forest green satin ribbon, a green button and some embroidery thread.



    See my cards available to buy on eBay

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    Card Recipe featuring items from The Stamp Basket:
    I've been inspired by:
    Happy crafting
    Annette
    xx

    Wednesday, 9 October 2013

    Happy Birthday Larissa

    I've got a just for fun card today, to celebrate the birthday of my blogpal and Stampfairy Teamie Larissa.

    I used a Tiddly Inks fairy image and added a personalised typed sentiment.

    Although I've used lots of layers, I've kept the embellies to just a few pearls, a couple of strips of spotty ribbon, and a length of lace.



    See my cards available to buy on eBay
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    Card Recipe:
    I've been inspired by:
    Happy crafting.
    Annette
    xx

    Tuesday, 8 October 2013

    Owl Wall Hanging

    I've got a bit of a fun project to share with you today.  It's actually meant for small photos, but I inserted little pre-coloured digis of these cute Christmas Owls.

    The frames are painted with Crackle paint, and then covered in glossy accents and a small sprinkling of crystal glamour dust to give them a lovely sparkle.

    I then emptied out my 'blue stuff' embellishment box, and added a few bits and bobs around each frame.






    See my cards available to buy on eBay
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    Card Recipe:
    I've been inspired by:
    Happy crafting.
    Annette
    xx

    Monday, 7 October 2013

    Retirement Card

    I've got a bit of a different card today, as it has a sentiment rather than an image as the focal point.

    When I received these gorgeous papers from The Stamp Basket I couldn't cover them up, so decided to make a C&S design which showcased the papers more than anything else.

    The card was requested by my hubby for his boss who is retiring in a few months, and the only requirement was to include some Swarovoski crystals, and preferably not a bear (hmmm, I can't think why he'd feel the need to say that)

    Anyway, here's what I came up with;  a shaped card base, with floral papers.   I cut out a central square, matted it onto contrasting paper from the same pad, and edged it with Stardust gel pen before wrapping it with strands of red twine and sticking it back down in place so that the flowers still match the base card positions.

    I then typed a sentiment in an elegant font, die cut it out and stamped flowers and leaves around the edge.  I layered that onto the same plain backing paper and used 3d foam pads to place it over the twine.  I then tied a bow in some more twine, threaded on a bead and a crystal onto each strand, and tied a knot at the end to stop them falling off.




    See my cards available to buy on eBay

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    Card Recipe featuring items from The Stamp Basket:
    Happy crafting
    Annette
    xx

    Saturday, 5 October 2013

    A huge THANK YOU, and a Blogger groan (& FIX)

    Firstly, the "THANK YOU".

    Oh My Word, the crafting community is so amazing.

    I've had a lovely birthday today, and have received some truly gorgeous creations from some of my closest crafting blogpals.

    I think (I hope) I've sent you all a personal message, but THANK YOU so much for all the amazing creations I have received today.  Your creations look stunning on your blogs, but are even more beautiful in real life.  It is humbling to receive such beautiful creations that you have spent hours creating, and I will treasure them long after my birthday has passed.

    I did take a photo of the little collection of cards I received, but then I thought that I probably shouldn't share their creations on my own blog.  Although I would have linked up their names, it's probably not right for me to display other people's creations without their consent, so I just wanted to say here that I love being part of the craft blogging community and am truly grateful for the friends I've made here over the years.

    Thank you.


    OK, secondly the grumble (but I do have a solution, finally!)....

    Has anyone else noticed that when photos are uploaded to blogger they seem to change in colour?

    I noticed it because I like to remove the backgrounds from my images so that the focus is on the creation, rather than the messy backdrop.

    Despite me spending time editing out the backgrounds of every photo to pure white (to match my blog background), for the last couple of weeks, when I uploaded the photos, the backgrounds appeared to be "50 shades of grey" (and I'm not talking about the popular 'naughty novel').

    Take a look at what I mean below ... on the left is the photo that I uploaded, and on the right is the photo that Blogger actually displayed:



    I thought I was going MAD.  It might not look too bad, but there is definitely a grey background to the second image, and the bright oranges in the image appear dull compared to the first image.

    I tried editing the photo again, uploaded it again, but still it was grey when it displayed on my blog.

    Arrgghhhh.

    I spent a week trying different functions, on two different photo editors, before having a breakthrough.
    I saved the 'grey' photo that blogger had uploaded back to my computer, and without opening it in any photo editing software I uploaded it again to blogger.  This time I noticed that the background became even darker grey.

    My conclusion was that the problem was not caused by my photo editing software.

    I Googled the problem, and found that I was not the only one having difficulties.

    Here is the link to the forum where I found the solution, (profh0011 wrote the comment which contains the answer) but effectively Google, in their delightful wisdom, apparently decided to enforce a new feature called 'auto-enhance' to all photos uploaded.

    Auto-enhance my @rse !!!  

    So, I went straight into the settings and removed the so-called auto-enhance, and hey presto, my photos are now exactly as I uploaded them.

    After logging a tactfully worded complaint to Google suggesting that they don't default their options to mess up my carefully edited photos without my approval, I reloaded all my affected photos again, complete with pure white backgrounds.

    So, if you want to ensure your photos are not similarly ruined 'enhanced' then you may wish to check you have not been given the Google treatment, and if so, consider if you want to remove the feature yourself.

    Here's a screen dump of the guilty option box that I have now unticked, but the instructions on the forum link above should also help.



    Okies, groan over, and I hope it's helped anyone who's had the same problem.

    I'm being taken off out for a slap up birthday meal tonight, so better get my skates on.

    Hugs
    Annette
    xx


    Men are most definitely from Mars

    Today's my first official challenge at A Gem of a Challenge, and the theme is :

     .....

    wait for it

    .....

    "Let's hear it for the boys".

    Oh my word.  This is a challenge indeed for me because I'm officially the world's worst at designing masculine cards of any kind.

    For male challenge themes I will often cheat and make a "baby boy" card, because I can still make it cute with flowers and ribbons (cos really it's for the mum rather than the baby, isn't it!!!).

    But this time I decided to use a proper boy image.  However, I opted for my favourite occasion (Christmas) to motivate me a little bit more!!!

    So :
    • no pretty satin ribbon, 
    • no flowers, 
    • no pink (ok, just a little hint of pink on the papers, but we'll gloss over that)
    • no bows 
    • no lace
    • nothing remotely girlie

    (Ok, I admit, the image is still cute, but hey, you'll cut me some slack, right?)

    To compensate for the lack of anything remotely feminine, I overdosed on die cuts !!!



    Anyway, I hope you like my first card for the team.

    And don't forget to pop by to see the other creations by my fab teamies and join in the challenge.


    See my cards available to buy on eBay

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    Card Recipe:
    I've been inspired by:
    Happy crafting.
    Annette
    xx

    Friday, 4 October 2013

    Take a Present

    I've used a cute Nellie Snellen image today from The Stamp Basket called Take a Present, and my new Magnolia Papers.  I really love the soft pink of the papers, and didn't want to matt them onto dark pink papers, so I matted them onto white card, and inked the edges to give them some definition.

    I cut out a square from the backing paper and re-layered it after matting it and stitching around the edge.  I also stitched around the image panel.

    The sentiment was typed and then inked over with a pink Stardust gel pen and cut out using a notables die.




    See my cards available to buy on eBay

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    Card Recipe featuring items from The Stamp Basket:
    I've been inspired by:
    • Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch (rotated)
    Happy crafting
    Annette
    xx

    Thursday, 3 October 2013

    Meecy cracker

    The theme today at As You Like It Challenge is to make your favourite project that's not a card.  I've made a few of these crackers this year and have really enjoyed them.  I made them using my own template, which you can find here.  This one features a little Penny Black mouse stamp that I've had since I first started stamping.



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    Card Recipe:
    I've been inspired by:
    • Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Not a Card
    • Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Dotty (ribbon)
    Happy crafting.
    Annette
    xx

    Wednesday, 2 October 2013

    Trick or Treat

    Stampfairy are sponsoring Fab 'n' Funky this week and the challenge is to use Ribbon.  I've made some more of my little Trick or Treat pouches, both featuring a different Stampfairy character and a pretty satin ribbon to match the colour scheme of the treat bag.




    See my cards available to buy on eBay
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    Card Recipe:
      I've been inspired by:
      Happy Crafting
      Annette
      xx

      "Clearly" a mistake to emboss acetate!

      The theme today at ABC Christmas Challenge is T for Transparent, and OMG this was a hard one to make and photograph.

      Firstly I made the mistake of embossing the front panel of acetate, which warped it a bit, so I had to try to roll it back into shape.  It worked out ok, but probably only because the acetate was quite thick to start with.

      I will also apologise for the photography as it is just so hard to show the transparency and not get too much shine reflection.

      I popped a circle of white card on a purple matt on the reverse of the image for the greeting to be written, so that it would not show through when the card was stood up.

      The back of the card is also acetate (no base card involved at all!), but I left that plain, rather than embossing it.  I then stickled around the edge of the front to define the edges a bit more.

      Overall, not too bad, but I'll think twice about embossing acetate next time.



      See my cards available to buy on eBay

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      Card Recipe:
      I've been inspired by:
      Happy crafting.
      Annette
      xx

      Tuesday, 1 October 2013

      Sending a little love your way

      Our theme today at Top Tip Tuesday is flowers, but I'm also guest designing for The ABC Challenge who's theme is 'W for Words', so I've combined the two to make this pretty card featuring Mimi Hearts from Stampfairy, who are sponsoring both challenges.

      I'd also hoped to support the 'Autumn colours' challenge that Stampfairy are sponsoring at Ready Teddy Go, but unfortunately my card is missing one key component for that challenge; a bear!  I think I was having a dunce moment when I thought I was being clever in creating something to support all three challenges.

      By the way, we're having a DT call at Top Tip Tuesday, so if you'd like to join the design team, then let us have your application by entering DT after your entry.  Hope to see you there.




      See my cards available to buy on eBay

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      Card Recipe:
      I've been inspired by:
      Happy crafting.
      Annette
      xx

      Monday, 30 September 2013

      George, George, George and George.

      Wow, I can't believe that it's October tomorrow.  The nights are getting darker earlier, and it'll soon be Christmas!!

      On the subject of Christmas, there is a new release and freebie today at StampFairy called George Stars featuring the lovely George Snowman.

      I've combined my new Starry George with a few more 'George' images, creating a little row of mischievous Georges!

      I hope you like my little snowman scene.



      See my cards available to buy on eBay
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      Card Recipe:
      Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.


      Here's a preview of the set being released today:

        I've been inspired by:
        Happy Crafting

        Annette
        xx

        Sunday, 29 September 2013

        Sleeping on the Moon

        I've got a little baby boy card to share today following a sketch I found which seemed quite suitable for a male themed cards without too many embellishments.  Despite that, I've managed to sneak in some pearls and ribbon, as well as a couple of buttons with embroidery thread bows.

        The image is a sweetie called Sleeping on the Moon and the gorgeous papers are from Graphic 45.  I stitched around both the inner panels and added some stickles to the moon, raising the image up on foam pads.




        See my cards available to buy on eBay

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        Card Recipe featuring items from The Stamp Basket:
        I've been inspired by:
        • Here come the Boys - Baby Boy
        • Totally Papercrafts - Stitching
        • Sketch 'n' Stash - Sketch (old stash : the nesties set is one of my oldest dies, and the embroidery thread has been in my drawer for a long while, new stash, almost everything else!)
        Happy crafting
        Annette
        xx

        Saturday, 28 September 2013

        Mountain Lily

        My card for The Stamp Basket today features a cute little Wee Stamps image called Mountain Lily.  I managed to mess up the main image, so I "fussy cut" her out again and layered her on top of my main image on foam pads which actually gave the card more dimension.  Considering it was a mistake, it didn't turn out too bad.




        See my cards available to buy on eBay

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        Card Recipe featuring items from The Stamp Basket:
        I've been inspired by:
        Happy crafting
        Annette
        xx

        Thursday, 26 September 2013

        "Step away from the glossy card, and no-one gets hurt ...."

        I've got a masculine card to share today.

        And in case the masculine theme wasn't enough to inhibit my mojo, I also tried out some new glossy stamping card.  OMG, it was so hard to colour.  The alcohol ink refused to blend at all, and my Stazon smudged too.  I'll definitely not be using that card again.

        To encourage my mojo to resurface, I used a sweet little Sugar Nellie image from Funky Kits called Aviator.  I couldn't resist this cute little critter when I saw him used on a card by the lovely Lisa (Wishcraft).  She coloured her version a lot better than I did, but I'm going to blame a small part of that on the glossy card.

        This card's for my FIL's birthday (which is today!) so "Many Happy Returns" to Peter.

        Unfortunately, I'm not sure he actually likes planes.

        Or hedgehogs, (according to hubby).

        But apart than that, I'm sure he'll appreciate a handmade card.  :0)

        (it's not my fault that men don't appreciate pink and girlie, because that's far more my style!!!)



        See my cards available to buy on eBay
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        Card Recipe:
        I've been inspired by:
        Happy crafting.
        Annette
        xx

        Wednesday, 25 September 2013

        Giving Away

        Today's card is a bit less colourful than Saturday's Nellie Snellen card, although I have sneaked a bit of pink into the image.  The matting and die cuts are all in silver mirror card, and I've used another of my cute little Nellie Snellen images.  This one's called Giving Away.



        See my cards available to buy on eBay

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        Card Recipe featuring items from The Stamp Basket:
        I've been inspired by:
        Happy crafting
        Annette
        xx

        Sunday, 22 September 2013

        Sugar Nellie Baggie and Stamping Linen

        It's been a while since I used my Stamping Linen, so I thought I'd dig it out again, since I love it when I use it.  Also, instead of using it on a card I used it on a fabric baggie, also decorating it with some red ribbon ('saved' from a chocolate box), some vintage style lace, some flower ribbon, and a small crocheted flower, with a button centre.

        I also stamped the baggie with my lovely Stampendous Ruffled Bloom stamp which was a gift from my lovely blogpal Samantha (thanks honey).  I stamped it in bright red ink to match the colour scheme of my image and accessories.

        I also used stardust gel pens on the pretty fairy to give her some sparkle.  The stamping linen is frayed at the edges to show that it is fabric not card.  The frayed edges also give it some interest.

        Here's a close up of the main part of the baggie:




        And here's a view of the whole baggie:



        See my cards available to buy on eBay

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        Card Recipe:
        I've been inspired by:
        Happy crafting.
        Annette
        xx

        Saturday, 21 September 2013

        Hokey Pokey

        Today's card is a Christmas themed, but not traditional Christmas colours, but I think it looks festive and magical with the little fairy image. I really love these cute Nellie Snellen images, and I've teamed my little fairy with some sparkle and a lovely ornament die from Whimsy.  I hope you like my contemporary Christmas card.



        See my cards available to buy on eBay

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        Card Recipe:
        I've been inspired by:
        Happy crafting
        Annette
        xx

        Friday, 20 September 2013

        Noteworthy

        Stampfairy are sponsoring Charsima Cardz challenges today so I've made a little project to join in as a guest with the team.  The theme is 'favourite colours' so there's no excuse not to join in.  Of course my favourite colours are baby pink and aqua blue.  Instead of a card, I've decorated a small spiral notepad.

        The notepad was pink to start with, so I just added a panel of pink patterned paper, matted onto aqua blue card to provide some interest.  I also matted the image onto aqua blue card, and added a 'Notes' sentiment which I wrote in blue Sakura stardust pen to add some sheen.



        See my cards available to buy on eBay

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        Project Recipe:
        I've been inspired by:
        Happy crafting.
        Annette
        xx