Bath Time

Today's In The Pink theme is to create a card for a child or baby so I've used this cute image from LOTV which I've not used in a while. I've tried to be really soft on the colouring and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I hope you like it too. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Bath Time and Corner Swirl (both retired) from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• MFT Stitched Ovals
• Mulberry Flowers
• Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Paw charm

Created for:

Sponsored by:

I've been inspired by:

• Dream Valley - All Creatures Great & Small
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Metal
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• The Sketchy Challenge - Sketch
• The Ribbon Girls - Any Image
• Creatalicious - Baby

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Smile

I've used the super cute Leo the Balancing Stuffie and a Mama Elephant Creative Cuts Smile Script Die to create this uber simple card.  I was really nervous about die cutting the image after I'd spent so long painting him, so instead I stamped the image again and coloured in a small portion to ensure that I cut the die straight before adding it on top of my main image.

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Stamping Bella Leo the Balancing Stuffie
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Mama Elephant Creative Cuts Smile Script Die

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Bunny Zoe - Transport

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Life is a balance

The theme at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight is to show us your favourite animal.  I love most types of animals (except creepy crawlies) but most of all I do love kitties of all sizes and I'm slave to two rescued felines at home.

I was pleased with how this one turned out, and I could probably learn something by taking on board the sentiment myself now and then!

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Stamping Bella Stuffies Leo the Balancing Stuffie
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scallop Borders
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Whiff of Joy Banner dies
• Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Bunny Zoe - Transport
• Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Your Favourite Things (Cats, Watercolouring, stitched dies)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Cuddles

I've splashed out on a fair few Bellas lately and this is my first inking of Becky.  I've followed a sketch, but added on some embellishment in the form of flowers, ribbon and some pearls (my three favourites).  The frills on her skirt were a bit daunting, but not enough to deter me. Cute huh!

The burgundy ribbon and flowers have come out quite a bit darker on the photo than it is in real life which is a shame. :0(

Card Recipe:

• Image - Stamping Bella Tiny Townie Becky Loves Bunny Wobbles
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Spellbinders Grand Ovals

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - April Showers bring May Flowers (flowers)
• The Ribbon Girls - Card Challenge
• Saturday Sketch - Sketch!

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Jasmine Coffee

Today's clean & simple creation features Jasmine Coffee from Lili of the Valley and one of the new sentiments.  I've also managed to stumble across a small teapot charm which I've added with some twine onto a scalloped border.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Jasmine Coffee
• Sentiment - Sweet & Simple
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border die
• Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Metal Charm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Polka dots (dress) and Lawn Fawn Products
• Creative Inspirations - Your Favourite Things (Pearls, Girlie, Watercolouring, Stitched Dies)
• The Ribbon Girls - Card Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Good Luck

Today is my first post since I joined the uber talented DT at My Mum's Craft Shop and I'm a teensy bit nervous!

My début creation features Stamping Bella's Woodsies Maisy and Madeline have some tea. It's my first time stamping these little furballs too, and I must admit I think they're adorable.

I made this card as a Good Luck card, but really the image could be appropriate for almost any occasion, possibly even a 'with sympathy' which I find is a really difficult theme to get right.

I also think this image would make a great 'thinking of you' card, which are my favourites because those kind of cards just whisper in someone's ear: 'even though it's not a special occasion day, you're still in my thoughts'.

Card Recipe:

• Stamping Bella Woodsies Maisy and Madeline have some tea
• MFT Stitched Rounded Rectangles
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Whiff of Joy Bunting dies
• Star nesting dies

I've been inspired by:

• Cupcake Inspirations - Patterns
• Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Oliver Game Boy

I've got a clean and simple card to share tonight, featuring one of the new teenager Oliver stamps from Lili of the Valley.  I really struggle with masculine cards, so I hope this one fits the bill!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Oliver Game Boy
• Sentiment - Teenage Boy Sentiments
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Frantic Stamper Stitched Scene Builder Die
• Button Twine
• Metal Brad

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Happy Birthday
• The Ribbon Girls - A Card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Time for Cuddles

I'm sharing a clock today which I made using my usual clock template.  A lovely lady had ordered 2 baby cards for her newborn niece, so I made her this clock as an extra (mainly because I like making them!) and personalised it for her.

It's also perfect to support the APRIL challenge at Lili of the Valley as I've used Aqua, Pink and Ivory. Click on the image below to take you to the challenge details:


Card Recipe:

• Image - Odd Dog Little Pals
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Viva Pearl Pen
• Clock Mechanism
• Mount Board
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Something Shiny
• Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes
• Simon's Monday Challnege - Try to Resist (used a mask to create the chalked clouds)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

A Spot of Gingham

The theme at As You Like It Challenge today is to tell us what you like making other than cards, and I must admit that I have a huge weakness for boxes. Especially cute boxes.  As we're sponsored by Lawn Fawn, I've used a couple of their dies (I may have a couple of these box dies to choose from in my stash!).  I've used the milk carton and the pillow box dies to create two Spring-themed boxes featuring a Spring lamb from the Farmyard Friends set at Lili of the Valley.

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Farmyard Friends from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Graphic 45 Papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Lawn Fawn Milk Carton Die
• Lawn Fawn Pillow Box Die
• 15mm Gingham Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Spring is in the Air
• Country View Crafts - Spring

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Baby Pink Bear

There's a new challenge at Lili of the Valley where we're celebrating APRIL with the theme A.P.R.I.L. standing for Aqua, Pink, Red, Ivory and Lilac (you have to use at least 3 of the colours).

I've chosen Aqua, Pink, Red and Ivory (I couldn't quite manage to get the Lilac in for a "full house" unfortunately). This card was one of two commissioned cards I had for a new baby. I was asked to get quite a bit of wording on this particular card, so I decided to use some cloud dies to frame the blocks of text.  Lining the text up to fit inside the dies was somewhat of a challenge in itself though!

Click on the image below to take you to the challenge details.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Little Sleepy Head by Lili of the Valley (Retired)
• Typed Sentiments
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Wild Rose Studio paper pads
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Lace
• Velvet Ribbon
• My Favourite Things Stitched Circles
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Dream Valley - Girlie
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Stuffie Gang

Happy April Fools Day!!!  :0)

Today I'm sharing a Stamping Bella image which I LOVE!!!  It's Stuffy Gang and I adore Harry the bear and the cute little Owl.  Even the dinky piggie, which I'm not usually a big fan of, is a cutie. They're painted in reinkers and I was rather pleased with how it turned out.

Card Recipe:

• Image - The Stuffie Gang from Stamping Bella
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad (retired)
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• My Favourite Things Stitched Circles
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• The Sketchy Challenge - Sketch
• The Ribbon Girl - Any Image
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Blossom

I've had a few days away in Sheffield visiting the outlaws, but am back now and missing my crafting! I've dug out an image which I don't think I've used before called Golden Nector by Sugar Nellie which is perfect for the new challenge which starts today at the Sugar Bowl.

There's also a dies and/or punches challenge starting today at In The Pink so I've used a stitched circle nesting die as well as a Cottage Cutz Blossom Branch die which has only had a few outings since I had to buy it a few years ago.  I think it's perfect for the floral themed image and papers.

I've printed a curved sentiment onto vellum and tucked it behind the image panel and popped some pearl dots and white gel pen into the flower centres to give them some definition.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Golden Nector by Sugar Nellie @ Funky Kits
• Typed Sentiment (Papyrus font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Cottage Cutz Blossom Branch die
• MFT Stitched Circle Die Set
• 15mm Satin Ribbon from The Ribbon Girl
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Vellum

Created for:

Sponsored by:

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - We can see clearly (vellum)
• The Sketchy Challenge - Sketch and Things with wings/flowers
• The Ribbon Girl - Any Image
• The Cutie Pie Challenge - So Fairy Cute
• Dream Valley - Girlie
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Easter Bouquet

Happy Easter everyone.

I'm sharing the last of my Easter makes for this year today, and yup, it's another bunny from  Lili of the Valley.  This one's watercoloured though, and although I'm not a huge fan of orange, yellow or green, I wanted a Spring theme, and I am really pleased with how this one turned out.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Lili of the Valley (retired)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• MFT Stitched Circles
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• The Ribbon Girls - Any Image

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Birthday

I've made a birthday card for my dad's fiancée's 76th birthday. I'm not really sure if she likes 'cute' so I've kept it 'cute-free' which is quite rare for me.  I've gone a bit flower crazy (so I hope she likes flowers!)

Card Recipe:

• Wild Rose Studio papers
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Spellbinders Floral Ovals
• Memory Box Corner Bow die
• Doohicky Swirl die
• Simon Says Stamp Happy Birthday Die

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Calendar - Special Lady

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Wryn

Today I'm sharing my penultimate Easter card ("thank goodness", I hear you say!) but there's not a bunny in sight this time, just Wryn with a baby chick!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Wryn & Wren from Tiddly Inks
• Typed Sentiment (Harrington font)
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• MFT Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• MFT Stitched Circles
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• Memory Box Lavish Branch

I've been inspired by:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Easter Bunny & Chick Wobble

It's Thursday and I have a day off work today, so I'm hoping it stays sunny for the long bank-holiday weekend.  Today's project is to support the challenge at As You Like It Challenge where it's a Bingo theme.  I love quite a few of the lines, but my favourite embellishments are usually ribbon & pearls and I do love a spot of purple, so I've opted for the diagonal line.

Card Recipe:

• Image - The Chick & The Bunny Wobble from Stamping Bella
• Typed Sentiment (Harrington)
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Memory Box Fancy Blossoms Die
• MFT Inside Out Stitched Rounded Square Stax
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Ribbon Girls - Any Image

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Boing Boing

So, it's day 3 of my Easter bunny cards, and yup, you've guessed it, it's another Lili of the Valley image!  I told you I'd been busy with the Easter makes!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Lili of the Valley
• Typed Sentiment (Harrington font)
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• MFT Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• MFT Stitched Circles
• Memory Box Madera Corner Die
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Hobby House flowers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Food & Drink
• The ABC Challenge - Delicious

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dropping By To Say 'Happy Easter'

Another Easter card and another bunny!  I hope you're not getting bored of them!  This is another retired image from Lili of the Valley and also some of their retired papers too.  :0(

Card Recipe:

• Image - Lili of the Valley 
• Typed Sentiment (Harrington font)
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• MFT Stitched Ovals from SSS
• MFT Stitched Circles from Seven Hills Crafts
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Embroidery Thread
• White Gel Pen

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Cute & Cuddly
• Seven Hills Crafts - Sketch (stitched circles & ovals)
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Food and Drink (the Easter egg, not the bunny!!!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Basket of Chicks

Day 2 of my Easter card egg-stravaganza with a cute image from Lili of the Valley.  I've kept the layout simple by following a sketch, but I've added some flowers which were a gift from the lovely Sue (mwah!).

Card Recipe:

• Image - Lili of the Valley (retired image)
• Typed Sentiment (Harrington font)
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• MFT Stitched Circles
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Embroidery Thread
• Hobby House Flowers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Signs of Spring
• Seven Hills Craft - Sketch (used stitched circles linked above)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Tilda

I've been busy making Easter cards this weekend (yup I'm smidgeon bit late!) and this is the first one I'm sharing.  I've had Little Miss Tilda coloured for a while, but have only just now managed to give her a card to call home!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Little Miss Tilda
• Typed Sentiment (Harrington font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• MFT Inside Out Stitched Rounded Square Stax
• MFT Stitched Circles
• Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Cute & Cuddly
• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Lovely hAnglar or Magnolia - Add Some Flowers (floral backing paper)
• All About Magnolia - All About Spring
• Noor! Design - CAS

Happy crafting
Annette
xx