Sunday, 1 June 2014

Mission Impossible (well, it is for me)


The hubster needed a card for his brother's birthday.

The challenge, should I choose to accept it, was as follows:

  1. No bears,
  2. Definitely no cute stuff,
  3. Nothing pink,
  4. Or purple,
  5. Or lilac,
  6. Or any other colour that could be deemed pink or purple by a man,
  7. No glitter,
  8. No flowers,
  9. No satin ribbons,
  10. No pearls,
  11. No other kind of 'fluffy' embellishments, or what-nots,
  12. No pretty papers,
  13. No theme that could be considered 'feminine',
  14. Did I mention no cute bears?


So let me just check ... this one wouldn't be any good, right? ...



OK, OK, OK.

I pondered what might be left in a crafter's life once the above list had been banned?

So here goes.

A plain and simple, no frills card, as masculine as I could muster.

And not a pink bear in sight.



Card Recipe:
  • Cardworks Card base
  • Memory box Happy Birthday Die
  • XCut Star Nested dies
  • And a whole lot of physical restraint
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



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Saturday, 31 May 2014

Summertime, and the livin' is easy ....

I've been playing with my new Stacey Yacula stamps and have created a summery scene using four different stamps from the new release.

The large tree and background hillside is called 'The Perfect Spot' and is a huge stamp which filled the card base.  I then added in some scattered flowers to the side, and then fussy cut out the bear and bunny to raise them up on foam pads.

I've paper pieced the tree, and the hedges in the background, and used some chalk on the grassy areas.

All we need now is some real sunshine!



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



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Friday, 30 May 2014

Charmed to meet you

I've had a bit of a colour match frenzy today!  I made this card using a Wild Rose Studio image and the Antique Library paper pad, and then realised I didn't have a ribbon to match the papers, so I coloured some vintage style that was ivory with a pink marker to match the papers.  I've also used coffee coloured pearls, but the pearl in the brad holding on the bow was white, so I coloured that with a pale brown marker so that it matched too.



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



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Thursday, 29 May 2014

Ruffled Bloom

I'm in a bit of a purple phase at the moment, (it may be the gorgeous Promises papers that I'm getting through at a rate of knots - I'm lucky that I bought a 'spare' set in the recent sale!!).

I'm also going through an intermittent C&S phase.  That may be my pal, Squirrel's influence.  She usually is a bad influence over me, like encouraging me to buy new stash.  "It was her fault m'lord. I know I didn't actually need those new *stamps/dies/papers [*delete as appropriate], but she made me do it.  Honest."

But at other times her influence is a good thing.  Like today, as I'm rather pleased I didn't splatter it with embellishments.

The Ruffled Bloom stamp was a pressie last year from another crafting influence in my life, Samantha, and I love it.  I guess I'm not being really adventurous with it, but I actually like the simplicity of this design using the stamp used in this way.  It's stamped in coloured ink, with a couple stamped off the page (I really need to mind what's underneath it next time I stamp off the page though!).  It feels a bit 'arty'.  As does the table cloth now too!

So yes, it's fairly rare that my cards don't need a 'large letter' stamp in order to post out.

Unfortunately this card is intended for a pal where I won't need any stamp, as I'm visiting her for her birthday, and so I can hand-deliver it.

I really should plan these things out better.



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



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Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Hogs and Kisses

Today's card is to support the K for Kiss Sentiment challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge, and I must admit that I was initially a bit stumped by the theme.

I was initially going to use 'Happy Kiss-mass', but nooooo, that would've been far too obvious!  So, like a numpty, I opted for something a bit more challenging!!

I thought of 'hogs and kisses', although I quickly realised that would only really work with a piggie image.  And therein lay the next problem.  I'm not sure if pigs hibernate for the winter, or perhaps they just don't celebrate Christmas much, but there seemed to be a distinct shortage of festive themed piggy images in my stash!

Luckily I stumbled across a freebie by the talented digi artist Angelique at Sliekje Stamps.  With a birdie which could pass as a robin on the fence, and drops in the air which could be snow, it seemed to fit.  I'm not sure if the rough ground was meant to be mud, but with a sprinkling of glamour dust glitter hopefully it can pass as snow!

Linking up the materials that I've used at the bottom of this post, I've also just realised that, by sheer coincidence, not only was the image a freebie, so were the papers.  Bargain-tastic!


Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
  • Deep Ocean Challenge - Wings (he may be tiny, but there is a robin perched on the fence!)
  • Papertake - Sketch #88
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



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Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Thank you

I wanted to make a clean and simple 'thank you' card for someone who (like me) likes purple.  I decided on my layout, and needed a wide ribbon.  But the ribbon I wanted to use was so sheer that the white butterflies on it didn't show up very well.   So I cut two strips of the ribbon, layered one on top of the other, and then lined up the layers so that the butterflies were in the same place on each layer.  Then I folded both layers around the card panel, sticking them on the back with tape.  The doubled-up ribbon made the purple appear darker, and therefore the white butterflies stood out more clearly.

 I've also been trying to use my new Grungy Messages stamp set that I got from my visit to Leeds before Easter.  I've stamped a couple out, but each time I try them for size on a card, they seem too big, so I've had to leave them off.  This card has finally given me the opportunity to use one by making it centre stage.

This project is perfect to support the 'Monochrome' challenge at Top Tip Tuesday which starts today.



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



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Monday, 26 May 2014

Purple Pooch

I've not used this image for a while, but it is one I do love because I like Tilly's face peeking around the present!  It's safe to say it's well and truly purple, but I've used some white to break it up, with the die cut and lace.

The cream vintage style ribbon can be coloured with copics to make it any colour needed to match a colour scheme, and because it's a really soft fabric, it makes a lovely double bow without too much bulk.



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



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Saturday, 24 May 2014

Definitely worth the wait

Confession time....

I may possibly have placed a teeny tiny order of the new fairy collection when Lili of the Valley had their birthday promotion a couple of Saturdays ago.  

And I may have placed a teency weency order of paper pads one day later before the discounts ended on the Sunday too.

But just look at how much I saved ....  whoops, sorry, I thought you were my hubby there.

It seemed that LOTV received so many orders that weekend that it took a while to get all their birthday orders sent out.  I was starting to see lots of other people's fairy creations appear on their blogs before I'd received my goodies.  :0(

Well, they have arrived, and were definitely worth the wait.  Although the parcel was so big that it didn't fit through the letter box (that took some explaining to the hubster!)  So I had to go and collect it from the local sorting office after work the next day.  That itself isn't a problem, since the sorting office is on my walk home, but it meant another whole day of waiting!

And when it comes to fairy gorgeousness and pretty papers, I discovered that I am not very patient!

Anyway, I collected them on Wednesday night and half were inked up before the night was through!  The one I've actually used first was the one I am most confused with, as I'm not really sure what occasion it is most appropriate for?  So I chickened out and left it sans sentiment.  Any suggestions?

[update] I've just showed it to my dad and the first thing he said was 'Well, it's not an Easter card'.
Thanks dad!



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



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Friday, 23 May 2014

Prickly Gift

After some procrastination on layout, (which probably ended up with me reverting back to the first option that I tried), I was actually quite pleased with this card.  I think I'm getting into the softer, rather than bold, colours and the papers were the inspiration for the colours in the image.  I left the die cuts white to keep the embellishments pale, and added ivory pearls.  Oh, and a smidge of glossy accents.



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



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Thursday, 22 May 2014

Favourite Colours

I think it's fairly safe to say that my three favourite colours are pink, blue and purple, but as the theme today at As You Like It Challenge is to use your two favourite colours, I had to choose just two.  So I chose pink and aqua blue which I think go beautifully together.  I've also used a pretty fairy image from Sugar Nellie and some of my favourite papers.  Hope you like her.



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



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Monday, 19 May 2014

Sun Kissed

I'm in a pinky-red mode today, with an Elizabeth Bell image called Sun Kissed.  The pretty papers are from Wild Rose Studio and I've used some vintage style ribbon and rustic red twine.  The die is one of my long-time favourites from Memory Box, called Whimsical Flourish.



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



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Friday, 16 May 2014

Bella Birthday

Inspired by the softly coloured papers, I've tried a bit of a new colouring technique, where I've used a really light touch with my markers, trying to create some really soft shading.  Bella's turned out a bit more pale than I'd originally intended, but I do quite like the flowers.



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



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Wednesday, 14 May 2014

That candy cane looks like an 'elf hazard!

The theme today at ABC Christmas Challenge is J for Jolly Old Elf, so I've using an image of Tommy dressed as an elf, although I'm a bit worried about the size of that candy cane.  He's going to put his back out lifting that 'cos it's bigger than he is!  I hope he knows that you should always lift from your knees!

I spent quite a while getting the shading right on the candy cane, but then afterwards am not sure I achieved much as the the photo has lost some of the pale grey shadows that I put on the white bits.  Hmph!



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



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Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Bunny Hop

This little image seemed perfect to support the 'Here Comes Summer' challenge at Top Tip Tuesday which starts today.  It's one I've not inked up before but it was so simple to colour as I only used 3 colours!

I also managed to use a scrap of ribbon that I'd been keeping.  It wasn't quite long enough to create the long tails that I like, so I tied the bow and then wrapped the small tails around the image panel and stuck them at the back before sticking it onto my card with foam pads.



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



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Monday, 12 May 2014

Posy Trio, erm, Quartet?

I saw quite a challenging sketch on Sketch Saturday and decided to give it a try.  The only image I thought I could use though was called Posy Trio from Lili of the Valley (which I've not used for a while, and really appealed), but the sketch needed four elements.  So I cheated and stamped one of the trio of teddies twice!

I also recently bought a new 6" square embossing folder being the same size as my normal card bases.  My other embossing folders are 5"x4" so they don't cover a whole card if I want them to.  I then get in a mess trying to overlap areas and it ends up looking like a jigsaw, so I have to use ribbon to cover the joins.

Saying that, I did pop a ribbon across the width of this card cos the sketch needed something there, so I'm not really sure what I've gained.

D'oh!

Anyway, hope you like my card.



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



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Sunday, 11 May 2014

Pink Mouse on Presents

I've got another pale one to share today, using one of my current favourite images of Mouse on Presents and some lovely Magnolia papers in a soft pink.  I've added some lace and vintage ribbon, and a few pearls.  I really love the three little critters in this image, they're so cute!



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



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Saturday, 10 May 2014

Robin Birdie

I've combined one of the new Purple Onion Designs images, 'Robin', with my older 'Perch' stamp to create a little scene.  This perch image is perfect for a whole range of the bird stamps and it's great to create unique combinations each time.  I've also had a bit of a pink-fest (especially for Samantha!) using some of my favourite Lucy Cromwell papers.



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



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Friday, 9 May 2014

Sledging

It's May, so it seems the perfect time to share, erm, another Christmas card   :0)   This one's Maya with Kitty sledging, and this sure is one cute kitty!!!  I love his little face and with the antlers he's a real sweetie.  I'm not sure my Arnie would let me put antlers on his head though :0).




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



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Thursday, 8 May 2014

Lost ..... and found.

I realised that I've not been using a lot of dies lately, and decided that in addition to inking up some of my neglected images, I should be using some of my other neglected stash.

I remembered that I'd bought the lovely floral Memory Box Nottingham Border die from The Stamp Basket last summer, and decided that would be perfect for my flower themed card for the new challenge at As You Like It which starts today.

However, could I find the darned thing?

I checked all 4 of my magnetic die folders.

I am sure I did buy it.

Have I lost my mind?

Actually, scrap that question, I lost my mind years ago, with no chance of ever finding it.

I digress.

Frustration started to settle in as I checked the folders for a third time.

Woohoo, I finally found it in my Xmas folder.  Erm, Christmas?  Hmmm, I must have thought it looked like a snowflake border, so I was probably looking at it all along.

D'oh!!!

So I then had to find space for it in my 'shapes' folder (which is the one that is already bulging) so I don't lose it again.

Hmmm, I may possibly have quite a few dies!

It's a good thing that there isn't such a thing as 'too many'.  :0)

Well, back to the job in hand, which is the challenge at As You Like It.  The theme is to showcase your favourite from "fur or feathers".  For me it has to be fur.  I love most things cute and cuddly, but I am not over-keen on things that flutter, which kind of rules out the 'feathers' option.

So yup, it's fur for me, and this LOTV image fits the bill perfectly.  Hope you like it.



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



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Wednesday, 7 May 2014

Joey Raccoon with Cupcake

Today's Purple Onion Designs card is from the set that I sent off to the lovely Michele to help promote the new Stacey Yakula release (although I'll admit that a few more images from the new release have since fallen into my shopping cart and winged their way across the pond, so you'll be seeing a few more yet!)

It's a really C&S style, with just a smidgeon of twine to create some interest and texture.  The papers are from a LOTV pad that I've had for a while. I've not used it much, but the colours seemed to really work with this image.  I thought it was quite masculine ... until I noticed the cupcake and added the bow.  Ho hum!



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



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