Marching Band

There is another release of Christmas images coming soon at Lili of the Valley and all the images are available as PNG images, so you can merge them together.  I've used 3 of the Band members and a festive green and red colour combo.

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

• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Band 2, Christmas Band 3 and Christmas Band 4
• Tattered Lace Foundation Dies
• Tim Holtz Stitched Ovals
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Dream Valley - No Squares or Rectangles

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Wedding Bunnies

I recently needed a wedding card for a colleague and used some sweet Lili of the Valley bunnies.  The card is actually much larger than I'd usually make, but I wanted to add quite a lot of flowers so used an 8" scalloped square base. 

I love adding this beautiful white organza ribbon to wedding cards. Being a bit thinner than satin it ties a smaller knot despite being wider so isn't too bulky. I used my bow-maker to tie a double-bow and then attached it to the base of the image with some long tails.  

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Bunnies Sweetheart
• Frantic Stamper Stitched Scene Builder Edges
• Wide Organza Bridal Ribbon
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax (I part-cut to make a square)
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies on the Edge die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Beautiful Botanicals (image, papers & embellishments)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Tag - Hooray Kind of Day

I've created a tag from scratch using a rounded rectangle die which I've elongated and curved the top using a stitched oval die. I've decorated it with my new Party Plaid papers and Eyelet border dies. I've also created a little top tab using one of the smaller rounded rectangle dies and my favourite Whimsy Birthday Shadow die.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Hooray Kind of Day
• MFT Dienamics Inside Out Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Border Dies
• MFT Party Plaid Paper Pad
• Whimsy Stamps Birthday Word and Shadow Die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Oh So Cute using Hooray kind of Day

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

He's behind you ...

I'm in clean 'n' simple mode today with this Gerda Steiner image using my new eyelet border dies to add a bit of interest.



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

• Elephant: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Go Wild stamp set
• Sentiment from Gerda Steiner Moody Unicorn set
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Border
• MFT Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda Steiner - Share your Design

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Set of 4 James the Bear

I've got another matching set of James the Bear Christmas cards, but this time there are 4, although they're fairly similar to each other.  

I've cut a circle shaped card-base, added some scalloped matting panels for the image and popped on a die cut sentiment and poinsettia to keep the decoration fairly minimal.  

The sentiment is actually straight, but I snipped v-shaped notches into the strip that the letters are attached to so that the curve lay flat.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• James Big Star
• James Little Star
• James Balancing Act
• James Wrapped in Tinsel
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL53 Scalloped Circles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Sue Wilson Poinsettia Dies
• MFT Pop-Up Holiday Greetings die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Feel Better Soon

We want to see your Pink + 1 creations at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight, and my favourite is pink and cream (yes I know I've technically added some green, but I figured that a wee bit of grass is permitted!).  I think that the strawberry and cream colours are so pretty together.  

I've added lots of embellishments, and die-cut the edge of the card too just to give it a further bit of detail.  The papers are also some of my favourites from Maja Design in the matching colour combo.  The sentiment is typed and die cut.  It's come out a bit shiny on the photo, but that's just how the light from my lamp fell.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Pinks: Picked Raspberry, Scattered Straw

Card Recipe:

• Mouse with Daisy from LOTV
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Borders
• 15mm Spotty Satin Ribbon
• Maja Design Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Honey Bears

This is one of my favourite images from Stamping Bella, although I do have a bit of a soft spot for bears in general!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Bee Hive: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Pot: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Honeybear Stuffies
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border Dies
• MFT Blossoms paper pad

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Juggling

Today I've used Juggling, another one of the new images from Lili of the Valley.  I flipped the image so that he's facing to the right. I know bunnies are not traditionally winter animals, but I love the LOTV bunnies, so a Christmas image with them is perfect for me!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Wilted Violet
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Juggling from Lili of the Valley
• Sentiment from Lili of the Valley
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snowmen

I've made a tri-fold Snowmen card similar to the Santa card I shared yesterday, this time in purple.  

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

• Snowmen: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord

Card Recipe:

• Snowmen images from Lili of the Valley
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Border Dies
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflake Dies
• Purple Twine

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Use your Favourite Tool (definitely my Big Shot for die cutting, (I use dies on every card) and my Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers for Water-colouring)
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Leaping Santas

Lili of the Valley are releasing some new Christmas images soon, which was perfect timing because I was starting to think that I was a bit behind with my Christmas cards this year!  I've been playing with some of the images. 

Today I'm sharing a tri-fold card using some large tag dies and the Leaping Santas.  The card base is made using 3 separate large tag dies attached on the reverse to make a tri-fold gate card.

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Leaping Santas from Lili of the Valley
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Border Dies
• Sue Wilson Poinsettia Dies
• Glamour Dust glitter
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Use your Favourite Tool (definitely my Big Shot for die cutting, (I use dies on every card) and my Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers for Water-colouring)
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Kitty Cats

I'm back to birthday cards today with a cute kitty card using this Gerda Steiner Cats set.

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

• Ginger Kitty: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grey Kitty: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss

Card Recipe:

• Gerda Steiner All Cats
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Border Dies
• Lawn Fawn Plaid Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda Steiner Share Your Designs
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Happy Birthday (using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Go Wild Tags

A quickie post from me today to share a couple of supersized gift tags using some Gerda Steiner stamps. I love this giraffe's surprised expression!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 

Card Recipe:

• Gerda Steiner Go Wild
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• MFT Paper pad
• Spotty Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda Steiner's Share Your Designs
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge -Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Trio of James

I had a quick peek in the box where I keep my completed Christmas cards and thought it was looking a tad empty, so I've had a little Xmas card making session today using one of my favourite bears.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain 
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire
• Yellows: Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Weathered Wood, Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• James in the Snow from LOTV
• James Deck the Halls from LOTV
• James Present for Two from LOTV
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Maja Design papers
• Sue Wilson Festive Collection Poinsettia dies
• Merry Christmas Circle Frame
• Glossy Accents
• Glamour Dust

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Jasper

Dogs have masters, cats have slaves.

It's safe to say that I've always been a slave!  

We had a black & white kitty called Susan when I was a toddler, then jet black Button and her mini-me son Fluff when I was about 10. Tortoiseshell Toffee joined us a year or so later.  

The three of them stayed with my parents when I grew up and moved out, but my new home was soon completed by Muffin (long-haired grey tabby) and adorably cute little black-furred Lucy. Here are the two of them 'playing' together:  

I had Muffin when I met my husband about 10 years later who accepted joint slaving duties.  When we said our final good-night to him, we then adopted ginger Arnie and calico Pickle from the Blue Cross:

Arnie was a real mummy's boy and I was heartbroken when we had to say our good-byes to him last year.  Hubby took me to the RSPCA re-homing centre where we were destined to adopt handsome Jenson (JB) who has filled our home with naughtiness and snuggles again. Here's the first picture of him in his RSPCA prison when he captured my heart.  Isn't that a naughty face!  We should've guessed that he would be trouble!

A home doesn't feel complete without a furry companion.  

So, the reason I'm telling you this is because this week we're asking if you prefer Cats or Dogs at As You Like It Challenge. 

It's fairly safe to say from all the photos above that I'm a kitty person, and most definitely a slave to mine!

For my card I've used Jasper from Polkadoodles.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Purples: Wilted Violet
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Greens: Cracked Pistachio

Card Recipe:

• Polkadoodles Jasper Hot Air Balloon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Promises Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Country View Challenges - What makes you happy (kitties)!

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Owl

I know this little guy looks a tad grumpy, but there's something about his quirky expression that makes me smile!  (pretty similar to the expression I have when my husband reckons that he really has done something that I've asked!).

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

• Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Leaves: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Trunk: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Owl Rather Be With You
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• Clouds - no longer stocked, but similar here
• MFT Paper pads

Other:

• Orange Spotty Ribbon
• Gold Organza Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda Share Your Designs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Pile

Question:  What's better than a card with a cute bunny on it?

Answer:  A card with two cute bunnies on it!

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Bunny: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Daisies: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Picked Raspberry

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Bunny Pile
• MFT Plaid Paper pad
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Borders

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Knockouts - Furry Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunnies & Meecies

My project today features 3 summery images and pretty bright oranges. I love summer as a season; the warm days, lots of sunshine and all the garden (ok, weeds) in flower. I love the longer evenings before it gets dark because it really feels like I can spend some time in daylight outside of work.  I did actually make these 3 into a concertina tri-fold card.

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Tea Party Tea and Cakes
• LOTV Tea Party Mice with Tea
• LOTV Tea Party Mouse Having Tea
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Borders
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Ribbed ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Knockouts - Furry Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Baker Girl

I've not used many stencils so decided to have a play with this 'Brick by Brick' one from Taylored Expressions. I used my blending brushes and a couple of pinky ink pads to complement my pinky colour scheme. I'm also a teensy bit addicted to my new Birthday Shadow die set so I've used it again today, raising it up on foam pads to add some layering.

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

• Hair: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
• Rolling Pin: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Flower: Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Curvy Girl Baker
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Borders
• Taylored Expression Brick by Brick Stencil
• Blending Brushes
• Whimsy Birthday Word & Shadow Die
• MFT Stitched Rectangle Dies
• MFT Bundles of Blossom Paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - What makes you Happy (lots made me happy about this card; for example, trying something new (stencilling with DI Ink Pads in Victorian Velvet and Tattered Rose), water-colouring the image (using DI Reinkers - I practically needed a single-hair paintbrush for some of those teeny elements of her outfit), using my new Birthday layered die, pretty papers and soft neutral colours with an ickle pop in the accent colours)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx