Jack O'Lantern Box

Happy Halloween folks!  I've made a few little treat pouches, including this fairly simple one using a standard gable box in some bright orange card.  I've cut out a Jack-o-Lantern face and popped some black card behind it on the inside.  It's large enough to hold a couple of fun-sized chocolate bars ready for the Trick or Treaters tonight.

Project Materials:

From Papermill Direct:

• Intensive Orange 210gsm Plain Card
• Plain Black 240gsm Card

Other:

• Gable Box Jack-o-Lantern Silhouette cut file

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Critter Gift Pouches

I've been buying my plain A4 card from Papermill Direct and I'm so excited to have been invited to join their Design Team.   Last Saturday I received a box stuffed full of every colour of A4 card you can think of and I couldn't resist having a play with some of it over the weekend.  

It's also given me a great excuse (as if I needed one!) to try to get some more use out of my Silhouette cutting machine, and as my first project I've used a Fox Box and Squirrel Box cutting design to make a couple of cute gift pouches.

Below is the view of my Fox Box from the front so you can see his cute face!

And below is a photo from the side so you can see the pouch, and his tail peeking out on the back.  The card is really thick and because there are quite a few layers on his face, it's really sturdy.

Project Materials:

From Papermill Direct:

• Intensive Orange Plain 210gsm Card
• Black Plain 240gsm Card
• Mocha Brown Plain 240gsm Card
• White Super Smooth 300gsm Card

Other:

• Fox Box Silhouette Cutting File

And next is the Squirrel Box clutching his little acorn:

Project Materials:

From Papermill Direct:

• Terra Rossa Materica 250gsm Card
• Mocha Brown Plain 240gsm Card
• Panna Nettuno Linen Effect 280gsm Card
• Black Plain 240gsm Card
• White Super Smooth 300gsm Card

Other:

• Squirrel Box Silhouette Cutting File

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pingu Gift Tag

I'm sharing another super-sized gift tag made using my lovely MFT Penguin Party from Dies to Die For.  I've layered it twice onto thick burgundy card die cut using my Crealies nesting tag set.  I love adding these to gifts, and although this little pingu would be perfect for a Birthday, I've given this one a Christmas theme by adding some snowflake ribbon.

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

• Penguin: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Penguin Party

Other:

• Organza Ribbon with Snowflakes
• Glossy Accents
• Dark Red 250gsm Card
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pingu Tag

At As You Like It Challenge this fortnight we want to know if you prefer (crafting with) critters or people (no comment on whether you prefer mixing with the real thing!).  I've opted for critters as I love using cute critters on my projects.  I prefer colouring fur than hair and the cuteness of the images.  I've used an adorable Pingu which is one of my favourite winter themed critters too.

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

• Pingu: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Satchel: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Blueprint Sketch
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Stacey Yacula Wallace Penguin Mail Carrier from Purple Onion Designs
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflake Dies
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• MFT Merry Christmas Circle Frame
• Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels & Tags no. 12
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnomes Advent Calendar Box

This is my second gate-fold chocolate advent calendar, made using mount board which I've covered with 12" papers and decorated with a matching band to keep it closed.   

I've used a Stamping Bella image and some wide satin ribbon to decorate the band, and there are some large 3D pearls to hold it in place.

Project Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella GnomeDeer
• Stitched Rectangle Dies

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Halloween Hexagon Pop Up

For my Polkadoodles Digi Choosday project today I've created a hexagon pop-up Halloween decoration using Winnie Witch and Cat and some orange papers from the Winnie Celebrations 3 paper bundle. 

As usual I've watercoloured my image using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.  

The hexagon shaped cardbase is a Silhouette design by Lori Whitlock.

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Halloween / Spooky

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Penguin Gift Tag

This adorable little pingu looks like he's playing 'Jack in the Box', popping up to say 'hi' on this Christmas gift tag.  As usual he's watercoloured with Distress Inks and topped off with a scrap of organza ribbon.

Project Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Penguin Party
• MFT Dienamics Oval Stax

Other:

• Organza ribbon
• Glossy Accents
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sunflower Blanket

Brace yourself; there's not a paintbrush in sight today because this fornight at As You Like It Challenge we want to see your favourite non-card project, and it doesn't even need to be papercrafts.  

So for my project I'm sharing a sunflower granny square blanket that I made for my Mother-in-Law's birthday which is next week.  Sunflowers are her favourite flowers and I followed a Tutorial on YouTube by Bag-o-Day.  It was an easy pattern, and after the first dozen or so squares I think I could've made them in my sleep!  

I bought a yellow fleece blanket from Wilko to line the reverse, although I did spend an afternoon weaving all the loose ends in anyway.  I made enough granny squares to cover the fleece (which was 40 as it turned out).  I then joined and bordered them before attaching the lining.   

There are a lot of photos below, but I was so pleased with how it turned out considering I've not been crocheting very long and this is the biggest project I've attempted.  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bella Advent Calendar

I've made a gate-fold chocolate advent calendar using mount board which I've covered with 12" papers and decorated with a matching band to keep it closed.   I've used a Stamping Bella image and some wide satin ribbon to decorate the band, and there are some little pearls to hold it in place.

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

• Robin: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Project Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Bundle Girl with Christmas Tree and a Birdie
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Not a Card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Haunted House

For my Polkadoodles / Digi Choosday card this week I've used Winnie Wednesday Witch & Cat to create a spooky house shaped Hallowe'en card using my Silhouette machine.  I've lined the windows with orange card.  As usual my image is water-coloured using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

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

• Hair: Twisted Citron, Peeled Paint
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Broom: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Pumpkins: Mustard Seed, Fossilised Amber, Rusty Hinge
• Cat: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snowman with a Chick (in disguise as a robin) on Top

Another shaped card from me, this time with a Snowman!  I really love these hexagons and they are surprisingly sturdy (compared to circular cards) especially with the fold on the corner instead of the top.

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

• Robin: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Oranges: Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Snowman with a Chick on Top
• Stitched Hexagon dies

Other

• Nitwit Snow Princess Papers
• Heavenly Circles Stencil
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflakes
• Gems
• Glossy Accents
• Glamour Dust

I've been inspired by:

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

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sleepy Teds

At As You Like It Challenge this fortnight we want to know if you prefer Autumn or Winter.  

Although I am not a fan of a cold winter, I do love the festive season and the fact that the warmth and colour of Spring is just around the corner.  

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Greens: Old Paper, Twisted Citron, Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Yellows: Squeezed Lemonade
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Bunny: Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Sleepy Teds from Lili of the Valley
• Nitwit Collections Heart of Christmas papers
• Tonic Studio Modern Merry Christmas die

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Santa's Train

I've watercoloured 3 different images from Whimsy's Santa's Train stamp set to create a concertina card.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Stamps Santa's Train

Other:

• Gummiapan Tag die
• Red Ribbon
• Langton Watercolour paper 
• Watercoloured using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnometastic Cupcake Birthday Surprise

My card for Polkadoodles Digi Choosday today features Gnometastic Birthday Surprise and some pretty papers from the Winnie Sugar Sprinkles Paper Heaven 2 set in orange.  I've made a cupcake shaped card using my Silhouette cutting machine and added faux stitching around the papers.  As usual, I've watercoloured my image using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Stitch it

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Inky Thanks

I've been using my Bundles of Blossoms background stamp again, but this time using blue and aqua coloured pads.  I blended some Distress Ink on white card and heat-embossed the blossom stamped image using white embossing powder.  I love this rich 'Cadbury Purple' coloured card to accent the aquas with a 'Thanks' die cut.  I rarely use sequins, but managed to convince myself to pop a couple on the corner for some sparkle.

Card Recipe:

• MFT Bundles of Blossoms Background Stamp
• White Embossing powder
• Crea-lies Stitched Rectangle die
• Simon Says Stamp Thanks Scallop Border Die
• Dark Violet Coloured Card
• Sequins
• Gems
• Ranger Distress Ink Pads

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy 40th

I was really pleased with how this card turned out for a friend's recent special birthday.  

I created the fabulous pop-up shape with my Silhouette and embellished it with a Birthday Gnome, balloons, bunting and die cut '40' numbers in contrasting colours.  I love making something a bit different for a special birthday.

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Flame: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• 'Whites': Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Gnometastic Happy Birthday from Polkadoodles
• Silhouette Hexagon Pop Up Card Base by Lori Whitlock
• Whimsy Birthday Word & Shadow Die
• Memory Box Pennant Garland Die
• CC Designs Mini Alphabet and Numbers Dies
• Marine Blue Card Papermill Direct

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Lots of Layers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Tag Mouse

I am building up a little stash of birthday gift tags and today's features a little Birthday Mouse by Rachelle Anne Miller.  I've use my favourite stencil behind the image and some MFT papers as a topper for the tag shape.

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

• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Bricks: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Rachelle Anne Miller Sweet Surprise
• Pinkfresh Studio Classic Edgers
• MFT Blossom Papers
• Taylored Expression Brick by Brick Stencil

Other:

• Seam Binding
• Gummipan Large Old Tag

I've been inspired by:

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

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dragon with Bunting

At As You Like It Challenge this week we're asking if you like squares or circles, and looking back at my recent creations they've been mainly corners rather than curves, but if I really ask myself what I prefer, it's definitely circles. I like that they're softer than the harshness of a angle and I like the handmade quality of a shaped card. This Tattered Lace doily die is one of my favourites for circular cards because of all the lacy detail around the edge.

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

• Dragon: Prize Ribbon, Chipped Sapphire, Speckled Egg, Dusty Concorde
• Ground: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Flags: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Dragon with Bunting from Lee Holland
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Tattered Lace Foundation Doily Die
• Happy Birthday Gummipan die
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes / Birthdays

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bundle Girl with Reindeer

This is the last one in my Hexagon series. I've really loved making this shape of card. It's so easy, but I think it really stands out.

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

• Reindeer: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Bricks: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• 'Whites': Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Bundle Girl with Reindeer
• Taylored Expression Brick by Brick stencil
• Stitched Hexagon dies
• Maja Design Paper pad (no longer stocked)
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflakes (no longer stocked)

Other

• Gems
• Glossy Accents
• Glamour Dust

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Jasper the Halloween Kitty

For my Polkadoodles Digi Choosday project this fortnight, I've been making some little treat baggies for the ghosts and ghouls who visit on Hallowe'en this year.  My little treat bag is decorated with a cropped Jasper Kitty, and a sentiment from the Halloween Trick or Treat bundle. As always, my image is watercoloured using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx