Cracker Candy

These cracker shapes are so easy to make, and perfect for some of my smaller images, like this pingu.

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

• Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Penguins Bearing Gifts
  
• MFT Merry Christmas Circle Frame
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Your Next Stamp Summer Plaid Papers
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Border
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Summertime Fun

I'm looking forward to the long sunny days of summer today with my seesaw themed rocker card for Digi Choosday using Seesaw Friends from Polkadoodles.  The papers are from the Eden Collection collection and they're watercoloured using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

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

• Puppy: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Kitten: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Seesaw: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flowers: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• MFT Dienamics Sunny Skies
• Tattered Lace Dolly Edge Essential Circles

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes/Transport

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's a Cracker

I love making shaped cards and this cracker shape is great for an easy festive card. It's just a rectangle with some snipped triangles and die cut ends.  It's great for some of my smaller images.

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

• Green: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Oranges: Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Skating Chicks
• Your Next Stamp Summer Plaid Papers
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• MFT Merry Christmas Circle Frame
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Borders
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Foxy Christmas

At As You Like It this week, the design team are sharing some of their top tips, and inviting you to do the same.  My tip is that three is a magic number when it comes to composition.  For example, I've only used patterned papers on the top third of my card, there are 3 pearls, 3 layers to my snowflake and 3 loops of button twine behind it.  For some reason (there's probably a scientific reason) things seem more asthetic in trios. For a bonus point, my second top tip is to get a head-start making your Christmas cards to avoid the rush in November!

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

• Fox: Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Tree: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Mermaid Lagoon
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Penny Black Snowfield Friends
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Petal Fresh Papers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflakes
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• Button Twine

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Foxy Gifts

I've got a couple of birthdays coming up and have bought some boozy presents that I wanted to decorate for gifting.  I've used Foxes as the image on some wine tags and wrapped the bottles with turquoise tissue paper and wired white ribbon.

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

• Fox: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Treestump: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CC Designs Foxes Stamp Set
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Whimsy Stamps Birthday Word and Shadow Die
• MFT Paper pad
• Wine Tag

Other:

• Wired Ribbon
• Tissue paper
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

I do like to be beside the seaside

I love living by the sea and try not to take it for granted.  We're close enough to be able to walk to the harbourside for a meal or indulge in a gelato ice-cream followed by a meander along the promenade overlooking the bay before walking home again.  My card for today's Polkadoodles Digi Choosday is based on this theme, featuring Bella Bear Milkshake on an ice-cream shaped cardbase using Eden Papers.  I achieved the criss-cross wafer look on the cone by using the score lines on my envelope maker and added faux doodled stitching around the papers.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Dress: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Monster Tag

I've created a tag using my rounded rectangle die and curved the top using a stitched oval die. It's decorated with Party Plaid papers, Eyelet border dies and a little top tab using one of the smaller rounded rectangle dies.

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

• Cake: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Greens: Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Coffee Monster
• MFT Dienamics Inside Out Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Border Dies
• MFT Party Plaid Paper Pad
• Whimsy Stamps Birthday Word and Shadow Die

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda Steiner Share your Designs
• Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snow Critters

Today I'm in fully frilly mode and since it's June, I thought it was about time for some Christmas creating!  Whilst I appreciate the simplicity of a CAS card, (especially when I've spent ages colouring an image and don't want it to be overwhelmed by too much faff) I also love adding all the fancy embelishments in my stash. I especially love pearls and flowers, and at the moment I seem to have a bit of a theme going on with fancy folds and pop-up card bases. This one, using a card stand, is also a favourite.

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Brown Buttons: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Stacey Yacula - Sweet Snow Friends (Snowman, Penguin & Bunny)
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Card Making Magic Die Set Easel
• Tattered Lace Foundations Doilies
• Merry Christmas Circle Frame (snipped so it can be stretched out)
• Handmade beaded pin
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Squidgy Daisy Card and Tag set

I love this little Daisy Squidgy image and I've used both the larger and smaller in the set to make this matching card and gift tag combo.

Here's a closer image of the card....

... and here's the gift tag

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Flowers: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Dress: Kitsch Flamingo

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Daisy Squidgy from Stamping Bella
• Your Next Stamp Summer Plaid papers
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Pink Fresh Studio Essentials Classic Edgers
• Whimsy Stamps Birthday Word and Shadow Die Set
• Flat Backed Pearls

Other:

• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Button Twine
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Spring

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Anniversary

For Polkadoodles' Digi Choosday today I've made an Easel Anniversary card featuring Horace & Boo Friendly Cuddles and some papers from Eden Paper Heaven 1.  The sentiments are from Winnie Sunshine Delights and Winnie Celebrations 1.  The image is watercoloured using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

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

• Puppy: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Cat: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bambi

When I look at this image it reminds me of Bambi and Thumper!  Soooo cute.

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

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

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT A Very Sweet Somebunny
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• MFT Party Plaid Paper Pad

Other:

• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gardening

I wanted to make a flowerpot shaped cardbase for this gardening image, but it turned out more challenging than I'd expected!  This is what I've come up with and I've decorated it with some die cut flowers to match the gardening theme.  It's my DT card for the As You Like It Challenge where the theme is to showcase your favourite colouring medium.  I've tried H2O's, Promarkers, Pencils, Copics, Zigs and Docraft Artiste pens in the past but always come back to watercolouring with my DI reinkers like a comfy pair of slippers!  I really should try harder with the other mediums, but I actually find the watercolouring quite therapeutic and I like the way they blend and shade.

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: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Scruff the Dog Gardening from Polkadoodles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals
• MFT Papers
• Hunkydory Moonstone Flower dies

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Four Legged Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's Always Tea Time

I love making fancy shaped cards and this teapot shape seemed the perfect match for these adorable Tea Time Fun mice from Colorado Craft.  

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Backgrouns: Antique Linen
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tea Time Fun from Colorado Craft
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Four Legged Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Father's Day Puppy

This week at Polkadoodles' Digi Choosday I've made a Father's Day card featuring Horace the puppy and some papers from Lily Bug Love Paper Heaven 3.  I've left the design fairly simple as it's a masculine theme and watercoloured it with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

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: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Four Legged Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Time!

I love this little bunny trio so they're taking the centre stage on my clean and simple card using my new Colorado Craft Happy Day stamp set.  

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
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Seedless Preserves

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Coloraado Craft - Happy Day
• Your Next Stamp Plaid Paper
• MFT Stitched Rectangles

Other:

• 6mm Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Baby Giraffe

We're asking you to share your favourite way to add ribbon to your projects this week at As You Like It Challenge, and I love to use ribbons so this is a fabulous challenge for me!  I like using 2 papers on my cards and use a strip of satin ribbon to cover the join, as well as add a double bow in the same ribbon.  The double bows are really easy to make once you get the hang of them, and I think they look really special.  

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

• Giraffe: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Present: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Toy Giraffe from Lili of the Valley
• Typed Sentiment
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Crealies Edger die

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear Hugs

I have loved this image since it was released and missed out on it originally, but it's come back into stock at Dies to Die For along with a few other golden oldies! 

I've created one of my favourite oversized gift tags for this bear in blues and purples. 

 

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Reds: CKitsch Flamingo, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Squidgy and Teddy
• YNS Plaid Papers
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Stitched Border
• Stitched Rectangle 

Other:

• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Gems

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Donkey Rides

For my Polkadoodles Digi Choosday card today I've made a card featuring an adorable image called Donkey Rides. I've inked a background with the Hevenly Cirlcles stencil, and used Lily Bug Love Heavenly 3 papers and a sentiment from Winnie Celebrations 3.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Hair: Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Background: Tumbled Glass
• Shorts: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear with me

A bit later than planned today, I'm sharing my card featuring an adorable bear. As soon as I saw this stamp set I knew I 'needed' him!  He makes me smile!

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: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Colorado Craft Company Anita Jeram Happy Day!
• Your Next Stamp Summer Plaid Papers
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax

Other:

• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Spotty Ribbon
• Gold flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Summer Bunnies

At As You Like It Challenge we're asking whether you prefer Spring or Summer - Summer is my favourite season; the long light days, the warmth of the sun and the garden looking its best (well, the best it is ever going to look!).  I've made a summery themed oversized gift tag for today's creation, featuring some cute LOTV bunnies sitting on a toadstool, and added lots of flowers, both on the papers and the embellishments.  

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
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Toadstool for Two from LOTV
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Pink seam binding

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Cheerful Colours

Happy crafting
Annette
xx