If it can go wrong, then it will ...

I water-coloured a few images this week and spent some time today making them up into cards.  This image is a rubber from All Dressed Up and was a Christmas pressie from my lovely blogging pal Carol.  There is actually a flower in the image, but somehow I managed to get ink from the flower all over the white space, so as the rest of the image was finished, I decided to fussy cut her out rather than have to bin her.  There was a smidgeon of orange on her dress too, but I managed to salvage that with some water.

Even the fussy cutting wasn't easy, as half way round I decided that my knife must be blunt, because it was dragging the thick watercolour paper.  So the bird nearly lost part of his beak.

Once it was cut out, my original plan for the layout went out of the window, and I probably spent as long fumbling around trying to find a new layout that I was happy with than I'd spent colouring the image in the first place (which was quite a long time!).

Anyway, after 2 different shaped cards, 3 different paper pads, and the potential for a die cut oval background for my girlie to stand on, I actually followed a sketch that I found, and this was the result:

Card Recipe:

• Image - All Dressed Up Autumn Leaves from Funky Kits
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Go Kreate Frilly Frames nested die
• Embossalicious Floral Embossing Folder
• Aqua satin ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Old (papers) & New (Stamp)
• Cute Card Thursday - What's New (Stamp)
• Winter Wonderland - Things With Wings (bird)
• Allsorts - New and Cute (new stamp)
• Sweet Stampin' - Girlie but no Pink
• Penny Black & More - Embossing Folders
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Something New (Stamp)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Never again.....

There are lots of samples of the 'no-lines technique' around blogland.  Some of the most beautiful examples of this technique that I've seen painted in DI inks are on Barbara's blog.  If you've not seen her creations then you're most certainly missing out on some amazing work.

Having really loved painting with my DI reinkers quite a bit lately, I decided I would give it a try.

So I dug out my Dove Grey ink pad, a new image and a dash of optimism for trying something different.

2 hours later I was feeling less optimistic!

The card below is the result of my efforts.

It actually turned out far better than it I thought it was going to when I was half way through, but oh boy, it literally took hours to paint it to a stage where I was happy.  I think the grey ink pad will be going back to the bottom of my ink pad pile and I'll be back on the jet black again from now onwards.

The stamp was a Xmas pressie from a very dear blogpal who's been a real rock for me this year (thank you so much sweetie), and this card has been sent as a thank you to her.  Plus I think she might just be one of a very short list who might appreciate how much effort has gone into this, otherwise very simple-looking, creation!!!

I kept the design quite simple since I know the recipient prefers that style.

Plus I was creatively exhausted from the painting!

Card Recipe:

• Image - CC Designs Tawny
• Colouring - Watercoloured in Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card Elegant Square base
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Dove Grey Stazon Ink Pad (about to be thrown out the window)
• Lacey Ovals Spellbinder Nesties
• Satin Fuchsia ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Something New - Image, Technique, Window (after I threw out the Dove Grey inkpad in frustration - see blogpost!!!)
• Crafty Calender - What's New (image, technique)
• That's Crafty - Include Blue
• Papertake Weekly - Thanks (no sentiment, but see blogpost)
• Simon's Monday Challenge - New (image/technique) & Old (papers)
• Winter Wonderland - Things with Wings

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Little Packages

I really dislike making cards for men because it means I have to deviate from my favourite pink and fussy style.

So it's a bit of a challenge to make a simple card that isn't too cute for a friend whose birthday is later this month.

Hmm, OK, so I think I may have failed in omitting something cute!

They don't come much more CAS than this card, but creating it was a bit more complicated.  I masked each element of the image to combine dinky 4 image stamps, 3 presents and the puppy.  I then added a sentiment stamp which is something I'm really bad at remembering to do.  I usually either miss off a sentiment, or only remember it when I have used up all the space with embellishments.  Well, not this time; it has pride of place!

Card Recipe:

• Images - Elm Puppy and Little Packages from Purple Onion Designs
• Homegrown Sentiments from Purple Onion Designs
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Totally Tilda and Friends - Anything Goes
• Copic Europe - It's a Man's World
• Papertake - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Spring Bling Wryn

I've had this image coloured up since before Christmas, but haven't made it into a card until now. The image is my favourite Tiddly Inks character Wryn with an image called Spring Bling.

I've kept the design layout clean and simple to make Wryn the focus of the card.  The papers are pink and green to match the image and I've popped on a couple of matching red accessories in the ribbon and pearls.

 Card Recipe:

• Image - Wryn Spring Bling from Tiddly Inks
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Lili of the Valley Always and Forever Paper pad
• Red Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Tiddly Inks

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dreaming of Spring (and a confession)

Spring may still be a little way off, but today marks the start of a new challenge at Without Words Challenge where the theme is Dreaming of Spring.

I've used my favourite Nottingham Border floral die and a pretty girlie image aptly called Blossom from LOTV, both of which are quite Spring-like.

I've water coloured the image, but this time with my Derwent Inktense pencils which give a softer effect than the DI reinkers (or at least that's how this one has turned out anyway!)

And here's a quick close up of the image.  I outlined her in blue Copic B000;

Oh, and I have a small confession; I've blown my New Year's Resolution with a little splurge at Lili of the Valley.

It was only a small moment of weakness (3 stamps are hardly worthy of corporal punishment, right?) but a weakness nevertheless.

I lasted just 3 days.  3 measly days.

Just like the exercise regime, can I start again tomorrow?


Card Recipe:

• Image - Blossom from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Derwent Inktense Pencils, Copic B000 for outline only
• Cardworks Card base
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Memory Box Nottingham Border die
• Pink button twine
• Viva Pearl Pen

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Pick a fave (Oh So Cute)
• Totally Tilda and Friends - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's a Girl

Since I am on a mission to use my existing stash, so far I'm pleased to report that I've resisted the sales, but there are a couple of stamps I have my eye on and my fingers are hovering over the 'add to cart' button.  (someone save me from myself please)

But not only that, in a moment of madness when I tidied my papers, I found some images I'd stamped about a year ago that were begging to be coloured, so I'm also on a mission to colour them to clear them out of my 'work in progress' pile.

The image I've used today had actually already been partially coloured but it was really pale and had no depth or shading on it, so I decided to go over it and give some depth to the colours.  After quite a bit of faffing it was finally at a stage where I was happy with it, and I was pleased I didn't just throw it in the bin.  The kitty was the hardest and I thought I'd messed the face up, but I added some stripes and he didn't look too bad.

I used some of my favourite papers in some pretty pinks, with pink and white embellishments to give the image a home.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Playtime Kitten from Lili of the Valley
• Sentiment - Brad
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card Shaped base
• Maja Design Papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Pink Cherry Blossom
• Pink Rosebuds and Tiny Rosebuds
• 10mm and 15mm Open Roses
• Pink velvet ribbon
• 3mm pearl string
• Pink Wired Ribbon
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Gems
• Stickles

I've been inspired by:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches - Challenge Yourself (see post)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creative Knockouts - For the Kids
• Sweet Stampin' - New (baby)
• Crafty Calender - What's New (baby)
• Creatialicious - New Beginnings

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cupcake Stars

Wryn has to be my favourite character from the Tiddly Inks cuties.  I love her hair and this sweet image sees her with a huge cupcake (yummy!).  I've kept the design of the card quite clean and simple to showcase the image, which I've coloured in Copics with a chalked cloud background. The colours of the papers are pulled into the image too, and the accessories also match.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tiddly Inks Eat More Cake
• Colouring - Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Bonnets & Bowties paper pad from Lili of the Valley
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax from Simon Says Stamp
• Star Parade Die from Simon Says Stamp
• Pink Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Tiddly Inks
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Rocking Horse

Happy New Year everybody. :0)

I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas break and New Year's Eve last night, and you're not feeling too worse for wear this morning!

Not only is today the start of a new year, it's also the start of a new challenge at As You Like It Challenge where the theme is to use your favourite shape or fold.

As you'll know if you visit me often, I love shaped cards and usually use pre cut ones, but this is one I cut myself using a Go Kreate labels die.  I really love this shape and really should use it more often.  I also love tent fold cards the best (I can't explain why, I just do, and there is no rhyme or reason for it!).

Actually, saying that I find them easier to photograph, but I'm not sure that's the real reason!

I'm also still fixated on the colour pink, my Maya Design papers, LOTV images and DI reinkers.  I really do love it when I make the effort and use the reinkers, but it does take me a lot longer to paint with the water colours than it does to use Copics.  (note to self, must try harder to make the effort!)

Anyway, I hope you like my card, and hope you join us in the new fancy shapes and folds challenge this fortnight.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Rocking Horse from LOTV
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maya Design Coffee in the Arbour Paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Go Kreate Labels nested die

... and, erm, just a few bits from The Ribbon Girl ...

• Ivory Jute Mesh Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Beaded Twirl
• Beaded berries
• Tulip Flower Baby Pink
• Tiny Rosebuds
• Rose Bud Semi Open Pink
• 10mm Open Rose Pink
• Cherry Blossom Pink
• Cherry Blossom Ivory
• 6mm Flat Backed Ivory Pearl Trim

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Pick a fave (it has to be 'ohhh so cute' for me, and there were 2 cute Papertake challenges last year, so it seems to be popular with other crafters too!)
• Totally Tilda and Friends - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - New Beginnings
• Creative Knockouts - For the Kids

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

2014 Review

Wow, 2014 is nearly over and 2015 is just hours away.

This has been a fun year creatively;  I've guest designed for three of my favourite rubber stamp companies, Lili of the Valley, Sugar Nellie and Purple Onion Designs.  

I was also recently so proud to win a runner up spot in the Cardmaker of the Year 2014 competition with CardMaking and Papercraft Magazine (see issue 138).

And as usual I've made some new, and deepened some existing, friendships with some lovely blogging buddies. I think that's what makes this such a special hobby; it converts something which can be quite a solitary pursuit into something far more social, educational and inspiring.

So being 31st December, I am doing my customary annual round up of my favourite projects from the last 12 months.

You'd better brace yourself for a photo heavy post ...

January
It's pink and girlie; just my style, and the little crystal flower was a Christmas 2013 gift from the lovely Christine.  It didn't take me long to crack open the packet and use one! The Sugar Nellie fairy glen images have remained firm favourites, so I was incredibly proud to be asked to guest design for Sugar Nellie later in they summer, as well as joining the Sugar Bowl DT in October.

February

I don't actually own that many Tilda images, so I don't use them very often, but this little girlie was one of my favourite cards. I'd coloured her with DI reinkers which was one of my 2014 New Year Resolutions, and it turned out quite well (I think!).  The papers were really pretty and I'd taken the trouble to stitch the layers too.

March

I really enjoy making these clocks, and this one featured another Fairy Glen image from Sugar Nellie. Like February's project, it's another purple project (I'm sensing a trend here!)  I must try harder to use other colours!

April

OK, so I'm off the purple, but back on the pink!   This one again is water coloured with DI reinkers and I really like the effect.  The image and gorgeous papers are both LOTV;  I probably could have chosen 12 months' worth of favourite LOTV cards to be honest!

May

Another pink LOTV card, and this time featuring a couple of their newer characters.  Patch and his bunny companion became firm favourites to colour with my DI reinkers and I may possibly have bought them in several poses!  This card also featured one of my favourite dies; the Nottingham Border from Memory Box.

June

Lee Holland digis was a new artist I came across this year, and this little giraffe really caught my eye.  More LOTV papers and some spotty ribbon, but otherwise I seem to have lost my fussy style and be on a CAS drive.  I must have been feeling unwell to leave my beloved embellishments behind.

July

This was one of my GDT cards for LOTV.  It was an image that, once I'd stamped it, I really wondered what I was going to do with it.  I coloured it up once in quite traditional colours (the watering can was green) and I really wasn't keen.  So I decided to try my favourite blue and pink combos and lo and behold, this actually turned out to be one of my favourite cards of the year.  It's funny how things can turn out unexpectedly like that.

August

I just had to include this card.  It was one which won me a runner up prize in the Cardmaker of the Year competition with Cardmaking and Papercrafts magazine.  It included lots of my favourite components; the pinky-purple colour combo, pretty papers, stitched layers, and I'd really tried hard with my shading.

September

This card features the same image as January's card, but I like it so much that it's getting a second outing this month.  These Maya Design papers have also made quite a few outings in my top picks, and I really do love them.

October

This card was made for a colleague who makes the most amazing cakes.  It was such fun to make, and really easy too. I loved how the image matched the apron / cooking theme, and the decoration (and fruity maya papers!) was really fun to create.

November

Considering I make my Christmas projects throughout the year, it's actually taken me until November to pick something festive, which I'm really surprised about!  These crackers were made from a template that I created myself and making them is really satisfying.  (I may have overfaced myself when I decided to make 17 for my work-colleagues - that's the joy of working in an open plan office!).  This one featured another Sugar Nellie fairy and some LOTV papers.

December

And finally ... I'm back on the LOTV and Maya Design paeprs, with one of my favourite Christmas cards of the year.  I love this cute penguin (I have a bit of a soft spot for penguins) and I'm back on the pinks again.  

Looking back on the year above, all I can see (except for a blip in June) is pinks and purples.  I really must try to use other colours more.  Well actually I probably do, but this just reinforces my style as cute and girlie.  I'd like to make my New Year's Resolution to improve my male card style, but it's just not 'me' and I don't think the guys treasure the time and thought that goes into these creations that the ladies seem to do.  So that's my justification for keeping it girlie.

Well that's all folks.

If you've stayed for the full post  ... I'm impressed! :0)

Thank you to all my lovely followers and everyone who has left me a comment this year.

I hope you've liked what you've seen, and hope you continue to pop back next year.

Happy new year to you all, and I hope that 2015 brings you fun times (and lots of crafting time too!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mistletoe Kisses (and Penguin Sleigh Rides)

Merry Christmas !!!!!

I expect most of you are busy today spending time with your families, so I'm just popping in to share the card I've made for my hubby ... a very clean and simple design as he's not one for all the flounce and fuss on a card  :0)  .....

....  and hubby also made me a little card too!!!    He chose and stamped his own image, used my Copics (I'm pretty sure he's lost one of my pinks so I'll be putting GPS on them next time he borrows them), and applied lots of stickles (for which there was quite a bit of swearing when he realised he should have applied that after adhering the image to the card, and not before!).  Cute huh - he knows I like penguins!   :0)

ps - he said next year he's going to be placing his order early at Moonpig!!!

And here they are both together:

That's it.  I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas day, and enjoy the time with your loved ones.



Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Eve Under the Mistletoe Uptown Girl from Stamping Bella
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Red Card
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Sewing machine

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Christmas is all around
• Stamp & Create - Christmas
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Live & Love Craft Challenge - With Love (kissing under the mistletoe, & it's for my hubby!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sugar Nellie Fairy Glen Clock

It's time (geddit!) for another clock.

Ok, I'll get my coat!

This one features a Fiary Glen image from Sugar Nellie on a brown clock base.  I've decorated the clock base with flowers, twine, a button, pearls and a tad of glitter.  The flower stamps are from Card-io.  If you want to try making one of these clocks the template is a freebie with a tutorial (click here).

There's a new challenge at The Sugar Bowl starting today (we're starting it a couple of days early as we thought you'd be a bit busy on Thursday opening all your new crafting stash!) so we hope you get some time over the next 4 weeks to join in.

Project Recipe:

• Image - Sugar Nellie Hazel and Nutty Digi Stamp
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Clock Mechanism
• Clock Template Freebie
• Card-io Majestix Emily's Garden mini stamps
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Mini spotty button
• Stickles
• Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• A Random Fan - Anything Goes
• Winter Wonderland - Fussy and Fancy
• A Little Bit Crafty - Anything Goes (not Christmas)
• Bunny Zoe - Buttons
• Copic Marker Europe - Anything Goes

Happy crafting.
Annette
xx

Tree-mendous

This was intended to be a gift bag.  Well it is still a gift bag, but I like it so much that I'm wondering if I might just keep it as a decoration and pop it under my tree!

I've not used this image before and think he's adorable. (I love James the bear!). He's water-coloured in DI reinkers and layered onto gold mirri card and a doily to make him stand out.

Here's a close up of the main bag, decorated with lots of festive whites, reds and greens.

I tied a double bow in the gorgeous red satin ribbon, added a green button with some red button twine, and also popped a paw charm underneath (hopefully you can just see it peeking out from under the bow).

And here's an even bigger close-up of handsome James the bear, and all the lovely sparkle:

Card Recipe:

• Image - James Christmas Tree
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Red Cherry Blossom
• 25mm/10mm/15mm Green open roses
• Spellbinders Labels 18 Nestabilities
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Gold Mirri Card
• Doily
• Buttons
• Paw Charm
• Pearl strings
• Wink of Stella
• Snowflake sticker
• Snowflake die cut

And from the Ribbon Girl:

• 15mm Red Berisford Satin Ribbon
• Medium Red Berries
• Tiny Red Berries
• Tiny Rosebuds
• White Cherry Blossom
• 10mm Open Red Roses
• Button Twine
• 3mm Red Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Beaded Twirl

I've been inspired by:

• Dream Valley - Christmas
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Inky Chicks - Winter Wonderland
• Creative Inspirations - Christmas
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Winter inspiration (red & white, trees, snowflakes, sparkle) 
• Winter Wonderland - Fussy & Fancy
• Bunny Zoe Challenge - Buttons

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pink Pingu

At the As You Like It Challenge we always want to focus attention on something that is our favourite, and this fortnight the theme is to showcase your favourite Christmas stamp.

I think mine has to be this little cutie from LOTV called Snow Cute.  He's so quick and easy to colour, and is just adorable.  I tried a little bit of reflection on the ice, but I now think it just looks like a smudge. :0(

I've made him the centre of attention with a clean and simple layout and some pretty pink papers. They're actually not from a festive pad, but hopefully the image makes it suitably Christmassy.  I've also popped on a snowflake charm for good measure.

I think this has turned out to be one of my favourite cards this Christmas!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Snow Cute from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Pink button twine
• Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Snowflake Charm
• Viva Pearl Pen
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Kit & Clowder - Animals
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Winter Inspiration
• Stamp & Create - Christmas
• The Ribbon Girl - Lovely Lili Challenge
• That's Crafty - Anything Goes
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Festive
• Creative Inspirations - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sugar Nellie Gold Fairy

I've recently admitted that I've bought some lovely gold themed papers (First Edition Gilded Winter). Today's card features one of the papers from the 6x6 pad (I may have bought both the 6x6 and 12x12 pads!)

I've kept the layout quite simple as the paper was one from the glittery section and I didn't want to cover it all up with embellishments.  There's also an overdose of bling too, with the glittered papers, glamour dust on my fairy's wings, and the gold mirri card.  Well, it is nearly Christmas, and if you can't use glitter at this time of year, then when can you use it! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Time Together from Funky Kits
• Colouring - Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• First Edition Gilded Winter paper pad
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Bling It On
  (glittered papers, glamour dust wings, mirri card and gold pearls)
• Winter Wonderland - Christmas Presents
• Sketch Saturday - Sketch

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Winter Birthday

I always think it's hard for people who have birthdays close to Christmas. Any festivities of family get-togethers, parties and presents dedicated solely to their birthday are overshadowed by the other 'big day' just around the corner, and restaurants are booked up with office parties.

I know a few people who have birthdays after 20 December and this card is for one of them.  It's got a wintry theme, but is actually a birthday card, so I've highlighted that with my sentiment.

I've followed a sketch by Sketch Saturday that caught my eye today.  I wanted a layout that was clean and elegant, and I quite like it so may use it again! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Skater Wryn from Tiddly Inks
• Typed Sentiment using Word Art
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• First Edition Silent Night papers
• Maja Design Vintage Summer Basics paper
• Cheery Lynn Designs LG Square Stitched Die
• Mini spotty button
• Embroidery Thread

I've been inspired by:

• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Tiddly Inks Challenge - Happy Winter Blues
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Brown and Blue
• A Little Bit Crafty - Anything but Christmas
• Bunny Zoe - Buttons
• Copic Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dashing Through the Snow...

Simple things are never simple.

This looked fine in my head, but actually took two attempts and I'm still not entirely sure it's worked as I imagined!

Anyhoo...

I tore some diagonals roughly to make snowy hills, and embossed them using a snowflake folder.

The layers of hills are raised up on foam pads to give them some further dimension and the torn edges have been given some snowy sparkle using some Wink of Stella.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Frosty Fun from LOTV
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Embossalicious Snowflakes
• Glossy Accents
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Transportation
• Inky Chicks - Winter Wonderland
• Friday Sketch Challenge - Sketch
• Totally Tilda - Snowflakes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Walter the Penguin

I wrote my Christmas cards out on Sunday for mailing out on Monday.  Unfortunately that was already too late to meet the posting deadlines for some of the overseas destinations, but I naively have my fingers crossed that they may still arrive in time!

Despite making my Christmas cards throughout the year so that there is no rush in December, inevitably most of them end up being cute and girlie, just because that's my preferred style.

Before I write out my cards, I write each recipient's name on a mini post-it note.  I then spread all my cards over the dining room table, and match recipients to the cards using the post-it stickers.

As usual, after all the appropriate matching had been done, I appeared to have a large number of post-its still in my hand; most of them bearing male names.  *sigh* !!

So, I needed some non-fussy cards for some of the guys I send cards to.  After a couple of attempts, I finally settled on a design that I liked (cased from here).

I printed the letters J and Y using a large fancy font on my computer and stamped the image between them (with a bit of trial and error!).

I used a stitched square die to give some interest around the image, and layered the panel onto matching coloured cardstock.

I hope you like my quick male(ish) makes!  Yes, I know they're still cute, but it's the best masculine style I can manage!  I made them in a few colours for variety.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Walter from Purple Onion Designs
• Typed Sentiment (Papyrus font)
• Colouring - Copics
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Cheery Lynn Designs LG Square Stitched Die
• Wink of Stella glitter pen

I've been inspired by:

• Winter Wonderland - Penguins or Polar Bears
• Allsorts - Animals
• Sweet Stampin' - Things with Wings
• Kit & Clowder - Animals
• Stamp & Create - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

If I ever have a so called "bright" idea again, please shoot me....

Back in October I bought a gorgeous Gilded Winter 12x12 paper pad from First Edition, and decided to make a few crackers using the lovely thick gold papers.

If you visit me often you'll know that I've previously made a few Christmas Crackers using my freebie cracker template.

Here's one of them, also using some gorgeous double sided wide satin ribbon.  It's gold on one side, and chocolate brown on the other. I also have it in green and red and I love it. :0)

After making about 6 crackers I was starting to wonder what I was going to do with them.

We only have a small family so I'd already overdone it for Xmas Dinner guests!

Then I had the "bright" idea of giving them to my colleagues at work.

The trouble is, I work in an open plan office with 17 people!!!

So 17 sheets of Gilded Winter later, the gift boxes were not the only thing that were crackered!

Here they all are...

Then there was the problem of what to put inside them!!!

I didn't want the usual cheap plastic moustaches or mini pack of playing cards, and decided it would be nice to put personalised items in each one.

Again my "bright" idea was misplaced because it posed two problems ...

1) thinking of different things to buy for 17 very different colleagues, and
2) needing it to be small enough to fit inside the cracker.

I was stumped after 6!

I found the girls a bit easier to buy for.  Some of the guys were really hard because I wanted the gift to be matched to the person and a few have kids so hobbies are probably a luxury!  I admit that a couple of the gifts were only 'loosely' personalised!  Eg, one guy likes going to watch the tennis at Wimbledon, so he got a tennis themed drinks coaster for his desk (it just squeezed inside the cracker if I put it in at an angle!)

Perhaps they would have preferred the plastic moustaches after all!

Recipe:

• Freebie cracker template
• First Edition Gilded Winter 12" paper pad
• Typed Names (Font = PWJoyeuxNoel)
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Fiskars Snowflake Border Punch
• Various Ribbons

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Little Angel

Considering I don't usually like green much, it seems to have made a bit of an appearance today!

The design is uber CAS, and I've made the image large to fill quite a bit of the space.  I also used one of my new digi sentiments from Digi Stamp Boutique.

Despite the green, I quite like how this one turned out.

I hope you do too.  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Little Angel from Saturated Canary
• Sentiment - Digi Stamp Boutique Christmas Greetings Set 3
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Cheery Lynn Designs LG Square Stitched Die

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Little Angel (the stamp is called this!)
• Sweet Stampin' - Things with Wings

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

New Shoes

The challenge this fortnight at As You Like It Challenge is 'your favourite song or film'.

As soon as you look at my card, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's the Cyndi Lauper song 'Girls just wanna have fun', but just to confuse you, I've opted for New Shoes by Paolo Nutini.

As well as liking the song, I also have a bit of a fondness for shoes!

Hence the shoe charm and shopping bags!

I'm imagining that those bags are full of lovely new shoes (and maybe some chocolate)!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Sushi Girls Chelsea and Lauren from Stamping Bella's Uptown Girls
• Sentiment - Victoria and Juliette's Night Out from Stamping Bella's Uptown Girls
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Blue Button Twine
• Shoe Charm
• Sewing machine

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty - Faces
• Crafting When We Can - CAS
• Copic Europe - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Presents

I'm really trying hard to focus on improving my colouring at the moment.  To help my attempts I may have possibly ordered a few more markers.

OK, OK.  Maybe more than few!

It's actually hubby's b'day today, and I've been happy to let him assume all the packages that have been arriving lately might be for him as I've squirrelled  them away to the safety of my craft desk.

Luckily I'm fairly sure he'd not be as interested in some alcohol markers and a few Sugar Nellies as I am!

Anyway, back to my card ... I'm actually quite pleased with this one.  Firstly I love the cute teddy image, but also don't think I did too bad with the colouring either.

I really love this colour scheme; aqua and purple, and think it all comes together nicely with the simple layout and huge die cut sentiment.

I made this card to support the new challenge at Without Words Challenge where the theme is Christmas Present.  It's actually implying a modern Christmas, rather than the gift variety of the word, although I have covered both!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Jenny All Shopped Out (retired) by Lili of the Valley
• Sentiment - Simon Says Stamp Merry Christmas Die
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Snow Princess paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• Kit & Clowder - Christmas
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Copic Europe - Anything Goes
• Crafting When We Can - CAS
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Holiday Cards

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tinkerbell

This card is for my neighbour, who has a fondness for fairies and the colour purple.

Since I've been using my Copics a lot lately, I decided to get out my DI reinkers and do some watercolour painting!  This card is the result.  Unfortunately I didn't quite let the base coat dry before adding the folds detail on the dress, so it looks a bit wispy, but maybe it suits the fairy image?

The papers are some of my favourites at the moment, and I've had a bit of a purple theme going on this weekend (others to share another day).  I've also popped on a personalised sentiment.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Saturated Canary Little Darlings Fairy Wishes Rubber Stamp
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Papers - Coffee in the Arbor
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Pearls
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Wink of Stella
• Sewing machine

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Sketch #96
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• That's Crafty - All About Face

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Fairy

I really love purple at Christmas, and a lot of my favourite Christmas cards this year seem to feature this colour!  So why change the habit!  Here's another Sugar Nellie fairy, the adorable 'Gift Wrapping' from the Fairy Glen range.  There's a new challenge starting today at The Sugar Bowl Challenge so I hope you will join us this month.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Gift Wrapping from Sugar Nellie
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• First Edition Gilded Winter Papers
• Go Kreate Labels die
• MFT Snowflake Die
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Satin Ribbons (6mm & 15mm)
• Pearls
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• Kit & Clowder - Christmas
• The Cutie Pie Challenge - Festive & Furry
• NordSalten HobbyClub - Mono (purple) Pop (green)
• Papertake Weekly - Product Theme - Ribbon
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Fab 'n' Funky - Anything with a die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Baby Squirrel

This card was a commission for a lovely guy who'd purchased one of my cards in the summer for his friend, who he calls Squirrel, (not to be confused with this Squirrel).  He contacted me to say that his friend is having a baby next month and he wondered if I could make a white with girly pink accessories, baby squirrel card.

Today I'm sharing the result.

The circle sentiment reads "Congratulations Squirrel, beautiful baby girl".

I hope she likes it.  :0)

Here's a close up of the squirrel to show the shimmer on the flowers.  I also popped some glossy accents on his nose, and this has unfortunately caught the light a bit too much!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Fluffy on the Lily from Wee Stamps
• One of my own custom sentiments
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Embossalicious Floral Embossing Folder
• Magnolia Swirl Die
• Organza Ribbon
• Pearls
• Velvet Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Stamp & Create - Ribbons & Bows
• Sister Act - Anything Goes
• Penny Black & More - Anything Goes
• Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Yellow Fairy

I haven't had much (any) time to do any colouring this weekend as I've been busy doing some tidying of my recently purchased stash, so I'm sharing a card made with an image I coloured a while ago.  It's a bit of a summery image which makes a change from my current festive makes.  I hope you like her.

I'm off to hide tidy away some of this week's purchases.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Flower Dance from LOTV
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Memory Box - Nottingham Border
• Ribbon
• Viva Pearl Pen

I've been inspired by:

• Cupcake Inspirations - Colours
• Sister Act - Anything Goes
• Papertake - Girlie
• Penny Black & More - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

I'm still in festive mood, with another reminder for the Snow-vember challenge which is happening over at Squirrel's blog.  It ends on 30 November, so get your (ice) skates on and get your snowmen entries in.

I've again tried a spot of grey added to the shadow areas. I don't know why, but I find white hard to 'colour'.  I do like the pink and aqua colour scheme though.  Hope you do too.

Card Recipe:

• Image - LOTV Cold Hands, Warm Heart
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley paper pad and The Snowman paper pack
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Magnolia Mistletoe Die
• MFT Snowflake Die
• Satin Ribbon
• Pearls
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• LOTV - Christmas
• Bunny Zoe - Snow
• Kit & Clowder - Christmas
• Passion for Promarkers - Entertain Us (The Snowman)
• Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx