Party Tags

I've made some more large tags using the same technique as last Wednesday's.  This time I've used some cute party critters from MFT.

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

• Fox/Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Maja Design - Coffee in the Arbour Raspberry Cupcake
• Maja Design - Coffee in the Arbour Raspberry Lemonade
• Maja Design - Coffee in the Arbour Let's Share a Cookie
• Maja Design - Coffee in the Arbour Raspberry Jam Cookies

Other:

• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• 15mm Hot Pink Satin Ribbon
• Gems
• Pink twine

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Nutcrackers

In an ideal world, I really do prefer rubber stamps to digis. For some reason using a digi does feel a bit like cheating.  There is something special about inking up a rubber stamp. However, I have been struggling to get some really crisp images with my stamping, even using a stamping platform which is a life-saver most of the time.  Even after about 6 re-inkings and re-pressing (to the point where I was pushing so hard it was about to go through the table top!) this one was still less than perfect in some areas.  However, I think it may be that my inkpad needs a bit more juice so I've bought a reinker for it.  Fingers crossed that resolves the issue for me.  This card is for the rubber v digi challenge this week at As You Like It Challenge and I have persevered with the rubber (well, clear silicone in this case) for my clean & simple Nutcracker card.

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Blacks: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Yellows: Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Festive Berries, Aged Mahogany
• Rolling pin: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 

Card Recipe:

• Whimsy The Nutcracker
• Crea-Nest-Lies XXL dies no. 24, Rectangles with backstitch line
• First Edition Merry Little Christmas paper pad

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Piggie Tags

I really like making large tags.  They are a change from making cards and are lovely to add to a gift for someone special.  I've made my own base shape from a stitched square rectangle and a stitched oval nesting die to curve the top.

To make the tag shape I popped the oval on the top of the rectangle but only placed the top plate up to the point where I want it to cut. This only allows the pressure to cut the top curve and not the bottom half.  I do the same with the patterned paper, but use a smaller oval.

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

• Piggies: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Umbrella: Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Flower: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Scattered Straw
• Clouds: Weathered Wood

Project Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Piggy Pebbles
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Maja Design - Coffee in the Arbour Raspberry Cupcake
• Maja Design - Coffee in the Arbour Raspberry Lemonade
• Maja Design - Coffee in the Arbour Flourishing Garden
• Maja Design - Coffee in the Arbour Raspberry Jam Cookies

Other:

• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• 15mm Hot Pink Satin Ribbon
• Gems
• Pink twine

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Summer Fun

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnome and the Letter

I don't usually make cards this big, but oh yeah, this one's a big 'un!  So big, in fact, that I had trouble making an envelope that would fit. 

I used The Gnome and The Letter for this 'hello' card which I've made for my DTDF card swap partner although I'm not sure if she's received it yet. 

The colours were inspired by the Lawn Fawn Spring Plaid papers which I thought were fun and jolly.

I think this is the first time that I've used this image. I admit that I struggle a bit with the beards on these gnomes, and don't think this one is particularly great, but I love the fun image. He's perfect for a 'just a note' or 'Hello' card. 

I hope you like him!

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

• Gnome: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Pumice Stone
• Outfit: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Hat: Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Pencil: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
• Paper: Old Paper, Forest Moss

Card Recipe:

• Stamping Bella The Gnome and the Letter
• Mama Elephant Hello Script Die
• Lawn Fawn Spring Plaid papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear with me

We want to know if you prefer images which create a scene or not this week at As You Like it Challenge.  I actually thought that I preferred larger, simple images rather than having to plan out a scene using multiple stamps from a set, but I've actually then added an inky background, trees and a star in the sky, so perhaps I like creating scenes after all!

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

• Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
• Mouse: Pumice Stone
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Sky: Scattered Straw, Victorian Velvet, Seedless Preserves
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Stamping Bella Polar Bear and Mouse
• MFT Warm & Feathered Hugs (trees)
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border Dies
• MFT 6x6 Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Stitched Rectangles

I've been inspired by:

• Dream Valley - Add Some Sparkle
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Make your own background
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snowy Bears

I'm on a mission to make Christmas cards throughout the year so I don't have a shortfall by the time I get to December.  This one's using a CC Designs bear that I couldn't resist. 

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Iceberg: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• White: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CC Designs Snowy Bears
• MFT Dies
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Merry & Bright Paper pad
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• CC Designs - About the Boys
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Together

So I'm still in Christmas mode this week!  I recently bought this image and thought it would be a good idea to colour these little pingu friends in pink rather than grey!

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

• Penguins: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• 'Whites': Pumice Stone, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• CC Designs Christmas Together
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• MFT Merry & Bright paper pad
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflake dies
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Heffalump

Following yesterday's deviation from my normal papercrafts, I have sneaked in another little crochet creation; this time an ickle pink heffalump made for an extra-special friend.

Materials Used:

• Amigurumi Today Elephant Crochet Pattern
• King Cole Cottonsoft Rose Pink (1x 100g ball)
• Drops Muskat Vanilla (scraps)
• 9mm safety eyes
• Black embroidery thread
• Clover Softtouch Crochet Hook 2.5mm
• Trimits Soft toy stuffing

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gerry

I've got something a little different to share today because I've been playing with wool instead of paper! 

I'd like to introduce you to Gerry. As soon as I saw his pattern on Amigurumi Today I knew I wanted to try him and then I got the perfect excuse when I got a shove in the right direction from my crochet mentor Squirrel!  

I would normally use safety eyes but as Gerry is going to a newborn I had to embroider his eyes which scared the bejeezus out of me. Half way through my embroidery attempt my hubby looked over my shoulder and remarked that Gerry had devil-eyes that would give the poor kid nightmares for life, but I added some eyelashes and some white highlights and think I managed to more or less salvage him.  I admit that the safety eyes are a much easier option!

Materials used:

• Giraffe crochet pattern from Amigurumi Today
• Drops Muskat Vanilla Yellow (2x 50g balls)
• Drops Muskat Light Brown (1x 50g ball)
• King Cole Cottonsoft White (1x 100g ball)
• Black embroidery thread
• Clover Softouch 2.5mm Crochet hook
• Trimits Soft toy stuffing

I've been inspired by:

• Fab n Funky - Not a card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mouse Pudding

We're talking embellishments at As You Like It Challenge this week, and I've added lots of my favourites, pretty ribbon, flowers and pearls.  These three are my old-faithfuls and always remain!  My favourite ribbons are beautiful 15mm satins or organzas, especially when tied in a double bow. I love the sheen and texture and I like pairing them with the flowers and pearls.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Holly: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Pudding: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Tray/Ground: Weathered Wood, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Christmouse Pudding
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Doohickey So Wrapped Merry Christmas tag die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Kitten Post

I've been using a few Lee Holland images recently and am really loving his cute critters.  This little kitty is perfect for a 'hello' card to bring a little 'happy mail' to someone special.

So, I've had a query from Tami asking about the brushes that I use for my watercolouring.  I think I'm probably a little unusual because I use pretty much one brush for everything, with only a few exceptions.  My (current) favourite is a ProArte size 0, but I do also use one of those brushes with a water reservoir (although I use it without water in it!) for blending out the grass/ground because it's a bigger area and I'm blending it out to nothing. I previously used the ProArte size 2 (have a few backups of those!). I'm sure there are better water-colourists than me who would advise other brushes, but I guess that I prefer what I'm familiar with!

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

• Kitten: Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Envelopes: Old Paper

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Stamps Kitten Post (Digi: Lee Holland Kitten Birthday Bundle)
• CC Designs Lumberjack Sentiments
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Square Stax

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's puppy time!

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what day of the week it is at the moment. I'm pretty sure that there's a possibility that it might be Wednesday, but it could be up for the vote.

Either way I have a cute puppy to share with you today. 

And if there's one thing better than a cute puppy, it's a cute puppy with balloons!

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
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Lee Holland Puppy with Balloon
• Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border Dies
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• MFT Watercolor Wash paper pad
• MFT Plaid Patterns
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls

Other:

• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - It's a Dog's Life
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Animal Fun

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Purple James

Purple is one of my favourite colours and I've teamed it with aqua from my favourite 'Snow Princess' papers to frame this little Christmas bear.  The purple backing card was a little hard to photograph because it's got a sheen which reflected in the light but it does look lovely in real life!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Ground: Weathered Wood, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Sky: Victorian Velvet

Card Recipe:

• LOTV James in the Snow
• Nitwit Collections Papers Snow Princess
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Doohickey Heart Flower Lace Border die
• Flat Backed Pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Meow to You

Yellow isn't usually one of my go-to colours but I wanted to get into the spirit of Spring sunshine with this cute kitty card.  It's also pretty appropriate because today marks a whole year since our gorgeous furbaby JB came into our lives after we had to say a tearful goodnight to Arnie. 

JB may be the naughtiest kitty that I've ever had the honour of being a slave to, but I wouldn't change him for the world.  Case in point, he celebrated his anniversary by bringing home a pigeon for us.  Goodness knows how he squeezed it through the cat-flap because they're pretty big birds.  That'll be a fragrant surprise for the bin-men next week when they lift the wheelie-bin lid!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CC Designs Meow to You
• Frantic Stamper Large Scalloped Scallop Edger
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Border Dies
• MFT Roses all over paper pad
• Flat Backed Pearls

Other:

• 15mm Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Dream Valley - Our 4-Legged Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tiny Tags

In a break from the recent masculine cards I've been making, today I've used a couple of the Tiny Christmas images and dies to create some tiny tags.  

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Scattered Straw, Hickory Smoke
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Bundled Sage
• Browns: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Festive Berries, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CC Designs Tiny Christmas Stamps
• CC Designs Tiny Christmas Dies
• MFT Plaid Patterns
• Paper Smooches Tag Die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bouncy

I've been playing with another image from the new release due out on tomorrow from Lili of the Valley. 

Today's card features Bouncy and one of the sentiments from the Male Simple Labels. 

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

• Hair/Dog/Shoes: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tea Dye
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Jeans: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Top/Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Bouncy balls: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Bouncy from LOTV
• Male Simple Labels
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Nitwits Paper Butterfly Kisses

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Best Golfer

I've been playing with another image from the new release due out on Wednesday from Lili of the Valley. 

Today's card features Best Golfer and one of the sentiments from the Male Simple Labels. 

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Cap/top: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Trousers: Bundled Sage, Forest Moss
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Golf club/ball: Old Paper, Forest Moss, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Shoes: Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Best Golfer from LOTV
• Male Simple Labels
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Nitwits Paper Butterfly Kisses

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Daddy Bear

There's a new release out at Lili of the Valley on Wednesday and I've been playing with a few of them which I'll share over the next couple of days. 

Today's card features Baseball Bears and one of the sentiments from the Male Simple Labels. 

I'm not usually comfortable with masculine cards, but throw in a bear or two and I'm much happier!

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

• Baby bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo 
• Cap: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Daddy bear: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Bat & ball: Old Paper, Forest Moss

Card Recipe:

• Baseball bears from LOTV
• Male Simple Labels
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Nitwits Paper Butterfly Kisses

Happy crafting
Annette
xx