Advent

I have been itching to make another advent calendar since last Christmas and was really pleased with how this version turned out.  I made 24 little boxes and a gate-fold box to contain them. The outer box opens up to expose the inner boxes.  I wrapped the whole thing with pretty papers, spotty organza ribbon and added a few pearls to decorate.  

Here's the inside showing all the little boxes with their wooden numbers which I painted pink and aqua to match the papers.

This little project is a gift for a special friend.  My initial plan was to fill it with little chocies, but in between me starting the project and finishing it, my pal went on a diet and lost a whole stone in weight, so I felt really bad sending her temptation behind each daily door.  So I sourced a few things that would fit inside (I can't disclose them here because she won't have opened them yet!).  

Unfortunately some of the gifts didn't fit inside the little boxes so I had to leave notes inside each box containing instructions for opening accompanying envelopes holding the items that wouldn't fit.  

I've already shared some of those envelopes in a post I wrote showcasing some of the tags I'd made to decorate and number them, but didn't want to show you the advent box until today (1 December), for obvious reasons!

Recipe:

• Frozen Snowflakes paper pad
• Spotty Organza ribbon
• Flat backed pearls
• Mountboard
• Pearl brads
• Wooden numbers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Gift it
• Crafty Calendar - It's Christmas Time
• Nordsalten Hobbyklubb - Simply Christmas
• Country View Crafts - Christmas
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Trio of James

There's not one, not two, but three James the bear cards today.  I've also used Lili of the Valley papers and sentiments to complete the trio.  I love this cute little bear and he's lovely to get inky with.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Bears and Bunnies Rubber Stamp
• Versafine Ink Pad
• 8x8 Scandi Papers
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflakes
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Twine
• Mini bells

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Gift It using MFT Dies and Reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Desk Calendar

I had an idea for a little desk calendar and Post-It note holder. It's based on an easel fold card but made out of mountboard. I used my Zutter Bind-it-all so that the pages can flip over each month. The months each have a Purple Onion Design image on them and a little coloured die-cut frame.  Here's a close-up of January and I've put some pictures of the other months and their critters below.  I was a little restricted by the size of the frame but managed to find images that represented each month, like May flower and sparklers in November. I also chose autumnal colours for October. I hope you like my little desk calendar.

Card Recipe:

• All images from Stacy Yakula at Purple Onion Design
• Watercoloured with DI Reinkers
• MFT Square Peek-a-boo window
• Soft Cuddles Blue paper pad
• Post-It Note pad
• Zutter Bind-it-all and wires
• Calendar (typed and printed)

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Gift It 
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sweet Holiday Wishes

I fell in love with these pingu images when I saw them but it's taken me a while to ink them up after they dropped onto my doormat a few weeks ago.  I love pingus (I must've been peeling onions while I watched Sir David's Dynasties on the Emperor Penguin a fortnight ago), but even someone who's not such a pingu fan has to admit that these critters are simply adorable. I think this may be my new favourite pingu stamp set.

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

• Penguins: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Victorian Velvet
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• MFT Sweet Holiday Penguins
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Petite Plaid paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Gift It (using Penguins, Papers, Dies & DI Reinkers)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Nose to Nose

Despite being one of the first brands I ever bought, it's been a while since I've used Penny Black stamps.  I've rectified that today, but with an image from a recent release rather than one of my oldies.  As soon as I saw this cutie I fell in love with it and just 'had' to have it.  Aren't they adorable!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blue scarf: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire
• Red scarf: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Penny Black Nose to Nose
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Merry & Bright paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Baby, It's Cold Outside
• That's Crafty! - Winter Wonderland

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Best of Friends

It's been a polar bear kind of weekend for me!  This little cutie has been on my wish-list for a while and I have finally got my inky little fingers on it!  I love this bear but he's not the only character in the set so I will definitely have to get inky with it again soon!  I think he's a great image for a wintry birthday card.

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

• Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Butterfly: Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet

Card Recipe:

• W Plus 9 Happy Mail

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Baby, It's Cold Outside
• That's Crafty! - Winter Wonderland

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happiness is a warm puppy

I'm sharing a small cutie today featuring a clean and simple design using CC Designs Puppy Power.  I've inked in a background and added some grass to the little snoozing puppy.  Isn't she adorable!

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

• Puppy: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Scattered Straw, Milled Lavender

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CCD Puppy Power 
• Versafine Ink Pad

I've been inspired by:

• CC Designs - Add purple

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pink Pingu

I'm in pingu mode this week, but this time it's Lili of the Valley's Snow Cute pingu and a fussy card for a change. I love pink for Christmas cards so I've made a really pink and girlie card with my little pingu.   As You Like It Challenge are asking whether you prefer rubber or digi stamps this week, and I have to admit that as much as I can appreciate the benefits of digi stamps, I really do prefer the actual physical stamping with rubber. It feels more creative and I love flicking through my stamps to pick one.

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

• Pink: Picked Raspberry
• Sky: Milled Lavender
• Penguin and ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Antique Linen

Please note there's also only a week to go to buy the new Making Cards magazine which features some of my cards for Lili of the Valley.  Here's a sneak preview:

Card Recipe:

• Snow Cute from Lili of the Valley (rubber)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• 5mm Pink Crystals
• 15mm Pink Satin ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Let it Snow (using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Baby it's Cold Outside

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Freezin' Season

I've been playing with different colour sky combos with this little pingu and his snowy scene. I've added a little tree line from another stamp set, but this time inked the trees in brown rather than black for a softer look.

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

• Penguin: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Rusty Hinge
• Scarf: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Sky: Scattered Straw, Ripe Persimmon, Fired Brick

Card Recipe:

• MFT Sweet Holiday Penguins (pingu)
• MFT Warm & Feathered Hugs (trees & sentiment)
• Momento Rich Cocoa (trees)
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border Dies
• Double stitched rectangle dies
• White gel pen

I've been inspired by:

• MFT - Colour Challenge (Ripe Persimmon sky, green scarf, cocoa trees, natural backing paper)
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Let it Snow (using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Warm and feathered hugs

I've been playing with my new MFT Warm and Feathered Hugs set.  I've inked the sky using distress inks before adding some white gel pen snowflakes.

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

• Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo 
• Scarf: Seedless Preserve, Dusty Concord
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Sky: Scattered Straw, Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Warm and Feathered Hugs
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Tiny Tags
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Petite Plaid Papers

I've been inspired by:

• MFT - Sketch Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snowman Christmas

I'm in clean and simple mode today with this cute image from Purple Onion Designs. Since it's mid-November I think I need to get a wriggle on with my Christmas cards!

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
• Green scarf: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Snowman's arms: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Snowman: Weathered Wood
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Warmhearted Snowman and Bunny from Purple Onion Designs
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Sentiment from Clearly Besotted Little Donkey stamp set

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Ready for Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

He's behind you...

I've combined a couple of Gerda Steiner stamp sets to create a scenic safari themed card.  I'm not sure that the little park ranger knows that he has some companions although they don't look like they're about to gobble him up!

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

• Ranger's outfit: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Rhino: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Lion: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Crocodile: Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint
• Ostrich: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
• Elephant: Pumice Stone, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, 
• Sky: Tumbled Glass, Broken China

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Party Animals
• Gerda Steiner Go Wild
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black & More - Make someone smile
• Gerda Steiner - Share your Designs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Monkeying Around

I've created a background scene for these two cute little monkeys who are playing on the hill.  I masked the moon and inked the sky using a blending tool. Then I masked the sky and inked the grass, adding some tufty bits with my DI markers.  I watercoloured the moon and image and then just added a strip of matching papers with a simple die cut border.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Milled Lavender, Seedless Preserves, Wilted Violet, Black Soot
• Moon: Antique Linen

Card Recipe:

• Cheeky Monkey stamp set
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Patterns Paper Pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Backgrounds using Ranger Distress Ink pads & reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Balloons

The new challenge at As You Like It Challenge this week is monochrome or rainbow colours.  When I first started to think about the theme, I was leaning towards the monochrome. I have a tendency to  get a bit 'OCD' about matching colour themes with any embellishments, but when it came down to it, I realised that I usually opt for 2 complementary colours, like strawberries and cream or purple and green. So when I tried to stick to just a single colour, I couldn't create something I was happy with. Therefore, by the elimination of monochrome, I've ended up with a colourful creation; perhaps a little more colourful than my usual makes, but something I was certainly more comfortable with!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Green: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Purples: Seedless Preserves, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick

Card Recipe:

• Teddy Stamp from Lili of the Valley (now retired image)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Crealies On the Edge #7 die
• 15mm Satin ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Backgrounds (DI with blending tool around masked image)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tags, tags and more tags

As threatened earlier in the week, I've been making lots of Christmas tags and I have a set of 6 to share with you today. They're all made using the Crealies Tag dies, Purple Onion Design stamps and First Edition papers.  The envelopes that the tags are attached to have been made from the First Edition papers using my new flashy We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board (why didn't I get one of these babies before now!).  I've made the boxes from scratch, all bespoke to wrap a specific pressie for someone special.

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

• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grey fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Ears: Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purples: Wilted Violet
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Purple Onion Designs - Fawn (Winter Rabbit with Mistletoe)
• Purple Onion Designs - Snowy Winter Owl
• Purple Onion Designs - Icicle (Polar Bear)
• Purple Onion Designs - Frost (Penguin with Scarf)
• Purple Onion Designs - Holly (Mouse)
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Metallic ribbon
• First Edition 12" paper pad
• We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Get ready for Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dear Santa ...

So today I'm sharing the last of my set of 4 Lili of the Valley Christmas Teds cards featuring my favourite image from the set.  

I am also delighted to say that the set of four is included in the latest issue of Making Cards & Papercraft which you can pick up in stores or order online at www.makingcardsmagazine.com. It comes with a great free gift too which you can see in the image below.

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Teds rubber stamp from Lili of the Valley
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Memory Box Bursting Berry Vine Border
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Narrow satin ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Stamping Sensations - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Have a Merry Christmas

I hope you're not bored of my bears yet, because I'm back in Christmas mode with the 3rd of my 4 cards showcasing some more cute teds from Lili of the Valley. These little guys are all lined up waiting for Christmas!  I'm not sure they should be playing with that holly though; it might prickle their paws!

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Teds from Lili of the Valley
• Swirly Christmas Greetings from Lili of the Valley
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Glossy Accents
• Glamour Dust glitter
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Monster Tag

I'm having a mini break from my Christmas makes with this monster tag.  I've been making lots of tags recently so will have some more to share with you later in the week, but for now, this little guy is having his day.  Cute isn't he!

I treated myself to a couple of the Ranger Distress Oxides and have created a water speckled background using Broken China and some water sprinkled from an old toothbrush (I found it gave a really fine spray when dipped in water and 'flicked'). I masked the little guy and the ground so they didn't get hit with any water and then blotted it with a paper towel to create the textured looking background.

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

• Monster: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Wilted Violet
• Sky: Broken China (DI Oxide)
• Ground: Weathered Wood, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Monster from Create a Smile
• Cool Cuts Lovely Tags from Create a Smile
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges
• Spotty sheer ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Create a Smile - Create your own background
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx