My Baby Bunny

Today's card is made using 'My Baby Bunny', one of the soon-to-be-released images from Lili of the Valley. I've also used one of the papers and sentiments that will be released next week too.

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

• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Pinks: Tattered Rose, Kitsch Flamingo
• Purples: Victorian Velvet
• Yellows/Oranges: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Rusty Hinge
• Hearts: Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• My Baby Bunny from Lili of the Valley
• Purple Damask papers from Lili of the Valley
• Simply Cute Sentiments from Lili of the Valley
• 15mm Seam Binding
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL34 Stitched Squares

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bella Bear

Christmas is my favourite excuse to make a card. I love all the options for embelishments (a good excuse for some snow speckles or even a pot of glitter. I also love Christmas as a time of year, usually a proper week off work and some time to relax!  Come and join us at As You Like It Challenge to let us know your favourite reason to make a card this week.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Background: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry

Card Recipe:

• Bella Bear with Lots of Parcels from Polkadoodles
• Love & Kisses Paper Bundles from Polkadoodles
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• 15mm Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Flat backed Pearls 

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dragon Bookmarks

I've made a couple of simple bookmarks from some mountboard. I've cut it into slim rectanlges and rounded the corners, then decorated it with pretty papers and a stamped image. I've doodled stitching around the panels and added some button twine through a punched hole at the top as a kind of tassel.

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

• Dragons: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo, Worn Lipstick, Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Dusty Concord
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CC Designs Dragon Stamp set
• MFT Roses All Over Pastel Paper pad

Other

• Mountboard
• Button Twine
• Rounded corner punch

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Anything but a Card
• Creative Inspirations - Animal Antics

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hedgehog Reveal Card

For my Digi Choosday card this week I've created a fold-out envelope style card featuring Earlie Hedgehog Dandilion on the front, and Hedgehog Balloon on the inside. The front and inside is decorated with Lily Bug Love Heaven 2 Papers and a sentiment from Winnie Sugar Sprinkles Sentiment Quotes.  My images are watercoloured using DI Reinkers and I followed a tutorial to create the card base.

Here's the inside once it's opened up:

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

• Hedgehogs: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Candied Apple, Barn Door

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Favourite Technique (watercolouring, creating a fancy fold rather than a simple square/rectangle card)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Foxy Hearts

For Hubby's Valentines Day card this year I made a scalloped stepper (which was harder than I'd anticipated to get those pesky folds in the right place) and decorated it with my adorably cute CC Designs Foxes.  The heart dies are pieces from a larger die. I've doodled stitching around each of the panels for a bit of added interest as I've kept the embelishments light.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CC Designs Foxes
• Impression Obsession Heart of Hearts
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax

I've been inspired by:

• CC Designs - Love
• Creative Inspirations - Animal Antics

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tilda Daisy

As You Like It Challenge are running a poll to know what type of stamps are more popular: digi, rubber or clear.   

Some of my favourite brands are clear stamps, and there is a huge benefit when creating scenes because you can see through the clear stamp in order to line up the next character.  However, I frequently have problems with clear stamps being temperamental in stamping the whole image. For example, sometimes they stick to the card when stamping, and even though I use my Stmaping Platform, the stickiness can slightly move the card (despite it being held down by the strong magnets), which means that I can't re-ink the stamp a second time trying to fill in any missing parts of the image.

I love the convenience of digis, especially to store and catalogue them for browsing when choosing what I'm going to use.  It's also great when you need an image to be able to buy it and use it within minutes (no waiting for shipping), but I've only been able to use laser printers for digis, because the ink in inkjet printers are generally water soluble, so they don't work with watercolour, even if the image is left to set overnight or with heat.  Laser printers are more expensive to replenish, and mine is currently down to 12% ink, so I'm preparing myself for an expensive purchase of toner soon. I've been using the printer a bit for work purposes, but predominatly it's used for crafting, so the benefit of digis being cheaper than physical stamps is completely reversed if I have to spend £200 just on new toner!

So although I have quite a lot of clear and digi stamps, my favourite is rubber. Although generally they're more expensive, I personally find that they produce a more consistently crisp stamped image.  It's therefore fortunate that some of my favourite brands are manufactured in this medium, such as Magnolia Tilda and Purple Onion Designs.

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Dress: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Loves Me Not Magnolia Tilda
• 15mm Navy Organza Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Tattered Lace Foundation Doilies
• Card Making Magic Die Set Easel
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Presents

It's the third in my trio of Colorado Craft stamp cards and although it's a Christmas card, the image could possibly be suitable for a birthday card too.

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
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Christmas Presents Colorado Craft Company
• Maja Design Papers
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border Dies
• MFT Merry Christmas Frame

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Animal Antics

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mother's Day Zig-Zag Fold Card

I saw a fabulous tag-pocket card over on Marlies' blog and decided to have a go. I really love fancy-fold cardbases and also love my huge tag dies.  For my Digi Choosday card today, I folded a rectangle into 4 panels to form the cardbase, and added little pockets at the bottom of each panel to pop in a decorated tag.  I used Polkadoodles Bella Bear Gift, Bella Bear Bouquet and Bella Bear Ladybug and a Mother's Day sentiment from the Winnie Sugar Sprinkles bundle for the fourth tag.  The tags can be removed to write on the reverse, or use as bookmarks or gift tags afterwards. The papers are from Lily Bug Love Paper Heaven 3 bundle.

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
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Animal Antics

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Puppy Presents

I'm still inking up some of my Christmas stash images so have another Colorado Crafts image to share today.  

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
• Yellows: Scattered Straw
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Christmas Presents Colorado Craft Company
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• MFT Dienamics Pop Up Holiday Greetings
• MFT Party Plaid Paper Pad

I've been inspired by:

• Allsorts - Four Legged Friends
• Creative Inspirations - Animal Antics

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Besties

I love making cards for my friends, mainly because I belive that many of those who are creative themselves will appreciate how much time and love has gone into making something unique and handmade for them.  Today's card is a little 'thank you' card for my bestie, featuring two little critter friends itself.

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Puppy: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Jack Patch and Puss Big Flower from LOTV
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Stitched Rectangles
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Stitched Ovals
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Frost Loving Friends

I love the Stacey Yacula critters, especially her bunnies and pingus, so this little stamp featuring both of them is perfect for me.  I couldn't wait for next Christmas to be able to get it inky so I'm stocking up early for 2021's Christmas cards!

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Pingu: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Greens: Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Browns: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Frost Loveing Friends from MFT
• Maya Design Papers

Other:

• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• 3mm flat backed pearls
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snow Flurry

It's Digi Choosday at Polkadoodles and I've teamed this cute snowy image of Winnie Winterland Polar Friends and a spotty Eden Heaven background paper to represent snow.  

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

• Polar Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Browns: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Speckled Egg
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Presents

Christmas may be over but as Santa bought me a few Christmas image stamps it would be a shame not to get a few of them inky!  He was kind enough to send me this lovely set from Colorado Crafts, and I've inked up all 3 images from it, the first being these cute critters playing with their presents.

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

• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Colorado Craft Christmas Presents
• Maya Design Coffee in the Arbor papers
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

James is a Cracker of a Bear

I've always preferred pastels than brights, in particular pink and blue; the feminine pink offset with the baby blue.  I've used my two favourite colours for this James the Bear card.  I love how pink looks for Christmas cards.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry
• Greys: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

• James Christmas Cracker
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border Dies
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Maya Design papers
• Tonic Studios Modern Merry Christmas
• Embroidery thread
• Gems

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnome for Christmas

I've used Whimsy Stamps Gnome for Christmas on today's circle shaped card, and a little plaid paper from MFT.  I love the circle shape, but to stop it 'rocking' I've cut a sliver off the base of the back of the card to give it a bit of stability!

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Wood: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Hickory Smoke

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Santa's Boots

I'm planning ahead for next December already making a Christmas card using Holibobs Santa from Polkadoodles for today's Digi Choosday Challenge.  I've watercoloured him using DI inks and mounted the image onto red card cut into the shape of Santa's boot.  The white 'fur' is glitter card (which I find impossible to photograph), and the sole is a thin strip of black card.  I've then drawn in highlight with a white gel pen.

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Speckled Egg, Weathered Wood
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Something New (image, cardbase shape)
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Heffalump Tags

There's a new release of cute babies and critters at  Lili of the Valley today, and I've made a little trio of tags using some ellies and a fabulous new die (gorgeous Xmas pressie from a lovely friend).  

These Nitwit Collections Papers are some of my favourites with their auqa blue and lilacs, so they were the colour inspiration for my ellie tags.

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

• Ellies: Tattered Rose, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Outfits: Speckled Egg, Broken China, Peacock Feathers
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Ground: Old Paper, Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

• Lili of the Valley Elephants
• Gummiapan Large Old Tag die
• Pinkfresh Studio Classic Edgers
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Simon's Monday Challenge - New Products

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Nuts!

I've got one final page left to share with you from my planner (which turned out to be a labour of love, as the pages took a while to plan out themselves!)  This one features Bundles of Hugs from Whimsy Stamps, watercoloured as usual.  I thought he was a autumnal kind of image so he's been used to decorate September's page.

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
• Acorns: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Baby Bunny

It's a new year and there are some new baby images soon to be released at Lili of the Valley.  This one's a cute little bunny and I've made a babygro shaped cardbase for her to sit on.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany
• Whites: Weathered Wood, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Lili of the Valley Baby Animal Rabbit
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Papers butterfly Kisses
• Button Twine
  
• Cardbase is a Silhouette cutting file

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Farewell to 'the year that shall not be named'

In many ways, the less said about 2020, the better.  At the risk of wishing our lives away, it's a year many of us are glad to see the back of, and 2021 is bringing a new year with fresh hope.

Despite all the extra time spent at home, I seemed to have been less productive and more procrastinated.

As we wave goodbye to 'the year which must not be named' here I am having my usual annual stumble through the past 12 months of crafting. 

My sincere thanks to those who've crafted with me this year.  Again I've noticed falling comments, so for those of you who do leave a short note, I am always grateful and I read everyone one. 

So, brace yourself for a photo-laden farewell to 2020.  As usual, I've selected my favourite creation from each month. 

In the meantime, I wish you all a happy, healthy and creative 2021. 

January 

Despite not being a fan of yellow, this bright springtime card for my Auntie was one of my faves.

February

A simple card for my Valentine!

March

Unfortunately the intended recipient of this card had to delay her retirement plans due to the events of 2020, but hopefully will get to enjoy her well-earned retirement this year instead.

April

This is one of my favourite Lee Holland images.

May

Sticking with the giraffe theme, this cutie was one of my fave crocheted creations of the year.  I'm hoping to do a bit more crochet next year.

June

I really love making these oversized tags for special gifts.

July

I've never really used stencils much, but actually really liked how this card turned out when I dabbled with a new stencil in July.

August

My favourite bear. I loved how he turned out on this card.

September

I made a couple of journals this year for my longest standing crafting buddies. They took quite a bit of thinking and time to plan out (oh, the irony!!!) and this is the front of one of them.

October

Sometimes I am in a clean and simple mood .......

November

.... and sometimes I'm in full and fussy mode ...

December

... and sometimes I decide to just make life difficult for myself with a fancy fold too!

That's all Folks.

Happy crafting, and Happy New Year! 

Let's hope 2021 is an improvement on its predecessor.

Annette
xx