Springtime

It's Springtime at Tiddly Inks so I've used a pretty image called Emma Celebrate Joyfully.  I've used springtime colours and kept the layout simple by following a sketch I found.

I think the green panel underneath the image isn't quite straight which is annoying me now, but I couldn't pull it off as the glue had set.  That stuff is pretty strong when I don't want it to be!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Emma Celebrate Joyfully
• Sentiment - Wild Rose Studio Everyday Sentiments
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Maja Design Papers
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Magnolia Heart Border die
• Magnolia flower die
• Pink Satin Ribbon
• Gem

I've been inspired by:

• Inky Chicks - Stitching (real or faux)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Spring Flowers
• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Copic Marker Europe Challenge - Spring

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Saucer of Milk

You may be excused for thinking that today's card might feature an odd image to use for celebrating a 'New Home', but there is a very good reason!

Rather than for a human, this card was made specifically to send to a beautiful silver grey tabby kitty who has found a lovely new home after being adopted from the Blue Cross.  The image on the front is 'Saucer of Milk' and I've coloured the little kitty in silver grey to resemble the furry recipient!

I dug out my paws border die and was inspired by a layout that I'd seen on one of the lovely Christine's cards.  I was lucky enough to meet her when I went to Harrogate at Easter, and although she has sworn me to secrecy following my privileged tour of her craft-room, I can assure you that her cards are even more gorgeous in the flesh than they are in photographs. (and I'm definitely not allowed to tell you how awesome her craft room is!)  ;0)

Anyway, here's my card...

ps Squirrel, I know I should have coloured the girlie's hair in black, but you and I both know that I can't colour black hair, so I'll be sending you some brunette hair dye in my next parcel.

Card Recipe:

• Image - A Saucer of Milk from LOTV
• Sentiment - Wild Rose Studio Everyday Sentiments
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Cottage Cutz Paw Edger die
• Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - A is for Aperture
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• In The Pink - Celebrate
• Stamping Sensations - Pretty in Pink

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Wishing you an Ice Birthday

One of my friends at work celebrates her birthday today and this is the card I've made for her.

I've used an image I've had for a while but I don't think I've inked it until now.  It's called Isabelle Loves her Ice Cream from Stamping Bella and I've watercoloured it with DI reinkers.

The image was really large so there was not much room for embellies.  I wrapped some twine around the image panel, inked around the edge, popped on a tag sentiment with a purple gem brad and that's about it!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Isabelle Loves Her Ice Cream from Stamping Bella
• Lili of the Valley Sentiment Tag
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad: Solids Promises
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Ribbon Girl Button Twine
• Papermania Gem Brad

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• The Ribbon Girl - Pastel Colours

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Friends make life sweeter

It's Fabby Friday at Tiddly Inks and I've got another little notebook to share (well, since I'd got the binding machine out, I thought I may as well make it worthwhile!).

This one is a simple layout with a die cut border at the top with a strip of twine, and a little trio of matching pearls in the bottom.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Sweet Tooth Friends Make Life Sweeter from Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Ribbon Girl Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Magnolia lace border die
• Zutter Binding machine and wires

I've been inspired by:

• Stamp & Create - Anything Goes
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Wings
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - A Trio of ... pearls
• The Ribbon Girl - Pastel Colours

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Special Delivery

Although I love my copics, especially when time is short, I find the process of watercolour painting using my DI inks very relaxing and therapeutic. The challenge at As You Like It Challenge this week is to tell us whether you prefer alcohol or DI inks, so this card is perfect to showcase my favourite!

I've kept the layout quite simple, with just a couple of coordinating papers, but I've added some flowers and a little trio of pearls.  The join of the papers is covered by some beaded velvet ribbon.

I'm not sure if you can see, but the papers are actually from Snow Princess and they do have tiny little snowflakes on them, but I didn't actually notice that until I'd made the card.  Hmmm, may have to save this card for a winter baby!  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image and Sentiment - Special Delivery from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Snow Princess paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Rose buds
• Lilac Two Tone Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Spellbinders Labels 18 Nesting die
• Purple Beaded Ribbon
• Ribbon Girl Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Ribbon Girl Beaded Twirl
• Stamens

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - A Trio of ... pearls
• The Ribbon Girl - Pastel Colours
• Stamp & Create - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

You're the Rainbow after the Storm

Welcome to April, and with it, no doubt, April Showers, which brings us onto the subject of the new challenge at Without Words Challenge this month is 'umbrellas', so fairly apt then!

I've printed my Saturated Canary image quite large (this is a 6x6 size card) and the layouts don't come more CAS than this!

I've stitched the image panel onto purple card and popped it onto a square card blank.

And that's it!

I have used a bit (ok, quite a lot) of Wink of Stella on my girlie's umbrella and the water puddle to give them a smidgen of sparkle.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Sweet Oklahoma from Saturated Canary
• The Greetings Farm Because of You sentiment stamp
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• The Copic Challenge - Spring (April Showers)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everybody.

This is a scheduled post as I am visiting the outlaws today, but my favourite bunnies are playing again in my absence, on a clean and simple card for a treasured friend.

I have kept the embellishments minimal with a sprinkling of embroidery thread and a hand painted sentiment.

Oh, I did also sneak in some pearls and a stitched border.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Spring Bunnies from WRS
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• First Edition paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Embroidery thread
• Sewing machine

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Cardmakers - Spring has Sprung
• Deep Ocean - Easter / Spring
• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Bunny Zoe - Spring Colours
• Stamp and Create - Is It Spring Yet?

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas coloured Easter Tilda

I had not used a Tilda for quite a while, but now, like buses, I have showcased two in as many weeks.

Today's girlie takes center stage on a clean and postcard style layout which I used to decorate a parcel box for a special young lady.

I watercoloured Tilda in DI reinkers but for some reason I seem to have chosen colours from the wrong season as she looks a bit Christmassy  in red and green rather than Easter, despite the bunny!

Hmmm, I am not sure you get many Easter bunnies at Christmas!

I painted the recipient's name to match the colour of her dress and stamped a postage stamp image in the corner.

I hope you like her.

Here is a little close up of the leading lady:

Card Recipe:

• Image - Magnolia Tilda with Hanging Rabbit
• Postcard stamp (I think it was from a magazine, sorry, not sure)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Ribbon scrap

I've been inspired by:

• The Ribbon Girl - Not a Square
• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Crafty Ribbon - Easter with Ribbon
• LLC - Signs of Spring (Easter bunnies)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Spot the non-deliberate mistake

This card was really outside my comfort zone.  I'm not sure why it happened, but not only did I chose a colour scheme of yellow and orange (I think I was feeling Spring in the air!) but I also opted for black hair, which I find really tough to do without creating the effect of a grey rinse!

However, despite the silver hair, I'm actually quite pleased with the end result!

I'm a little bit in love with this image; after waiting months to pluck up the courage to attempt her (I found those flowers a bit daunting for some reason), it's now the fourth time I've coloured her up. But this is the first one that's made it onto a card so far.

My girlie is watercoloured in DI reinkers and I smothered the flowers in Wink of Stella for some sparkle, with a touch of glossy accents on her lips and black glaze pen on her eyes.

I added some gold pearls, gold organza ribbon, and a little array of golden roses.  I created the personalised circle sentiment and cut it out with a stitched circle die before layering it onto orange card.  The image was layered onto the same orange card-stock which I trimmed with a knife to create a matt around my die cut image panel.  Steady hand required!

I hope you like her.  :0)

OK, if you noticed the mistake then well done.

Unfortunately I didn't realise the spelling mistake on the custom sentiment until after I'd edited the photos and drafted this post.

The amended version is below....

Card Recipe:

• Image - Stamping Bella Fiona Loves Flowers
• One of my own Sentiments
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• First Edition Animal Antics paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Go Kreate Labels nested die
• Gold Organza Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Wink of Stella glitter

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes
• Crafty Cardmakers - Spring has Sprung
• Deep Ocean Challenges - Spring
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Happy Birthday
• Bunny Zoe - Spring Colours
• Stamp & Create - Is It Spring Yet?

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Noteworthy

When I saw this image I knew that I wanted to feature her on a notepad, so I dug out my binding machine. I actually made 2 different notepads, but I'll share the other one with you next week  :0)

I decided to keep the front quite simple because fancy embellishments could get knocked off if the notebooks get a bit of wear and tear in use, so I've just added a trio of pearls and a small pearl star.

This project is to support the Anything Goes challenge which starts today at Tiddly Inks.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Inking of You by Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Maja Design Papers
• Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Pearl star
• Zutter Binding machine and metal wires
• Mountboard

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Crafty Ribbon - Anything Goes with Ribbon
• Crafty Calendar - Add some Metal

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Bunnies

These bunnies are so cute so they've come out to play again today!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Spring Bunnies from WRS
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• First Edition Animal Antics paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Vellum
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangles die
• Fantastic Ribbons
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Easter / Spring
• Bunny Zoe - Spring Colours

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Can Dragons be Cute?

Thank Crunchie it's Friday which also means it's Fab Friday at Tiddly Inks.  I've got a little trio of cute dragons to share, each on their own tag.  They're quite large so I cut the tag shapes by hand.  The edges are dimpled using a dressmaker's wheel and inked to give them some visual texture.

Tags Recipe:

• Image - Treasured Friend
• Wink of Stella glitter pen
• Ribbon scraps

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Boys
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Walkies

Today's card is the first inking of a Xmas gift from a lovely blogging pal.  I've coloured her in Copics and added some clouds with my shimmer chalks.  The papers were so pretty that I didn't want to cover them up, so the embellies are minimal.  I thought they looked a bit vintagey so I used lace instead of ribbon for a change and think it looks much softer.

This project is to support the challenge at Sugar Bowl and also there's a new challenge at As You Like It Challenge.

Card Recipe:

• Image - All Dressed Up Walkies from Funky Kits
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Maja Design Vintage Summer Basics Papers
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 8mm Pearl Brad
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Corner punch
• Lace

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Calendar - Metal (brad)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Hop

I needed to make an Easter card for my brother-in-law and this is how it turned out.

I admit that it's still cute, but it passed hubby's approval.

Although I'm sure I caught him rolling his eyes as he nodded his acceptance.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Leap Frog from LOTV (it may be retired as I can't find it now)
• Typed Sentiment on Vellum
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• First Edition Animal Antics paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangles die
• Fantastic Ribbons
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Easter Picture Inspiration
• Creative Inspirations - Sporty
• Bunny Zoe - Easter
• Stamp & Create - Is it Spring Yet?
• Stamping Sensations - One for the Guys

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Long Time No Tilda

I've not used a Magnolia Tilda image for what seems like ages, so I've ended her hibernation with today's card, which uses one of my favourite Magnolia images.

She's been water-colour painted with DI reinkers, and boy did I find that hair difficult!  I spent at least an hour just on her locks!  But by the end of it I was quite pleased with the finished result.

She's for a colleague's birthday which is in a fortnight's time.  I just hope she likes pink!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Hawaii Flower Tilda
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Vintage Summer Basics paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• 3mm Pearl String
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• 2-tone Rose Bud
• Spellbinders Labels 18
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty - Wings and Things
• Fairytale Stampers - Things with Wings
• Lovely hAnglar or Sweet Magnolia - Butterflies
• Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch (turned one quarter):

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Spring Bunnies

I'm not doing too well with the New Year's Resolution because this is one of my new stamps from WRS.

I'm trying not to neglect my older images though, and want to have a mini-mission to use some of my existing stash.

But today isn't one of those days! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Spring Bunnies from WRS
• Typed Sentiment
• Vellum
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangles die
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Picture Inspiration (Easter/bunnies)
• Papertake Weekly - Happy Anything
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Animals
• Stamp & Create - Is it Spring yet?

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Chickies Galore

As promised on Thursday I'm back with a couple more CAS Easter cards using my new stitched hillside border dies.

I've used a different image though this time for a bit of variety!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Easter Sweeties from LOTV
• Typed Sentiment (Papyrus font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• First Edition Animal Antics paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border dies
• Pearl beads
• Embroidery thread
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• White gel pen

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Animals
• Papertake Weekly - Happy Anything
• Totally Tilda & Friends - Easter
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Picture Inspiration Easter/Spring

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Bunnies Galore

I was busy over the weekend painting Easter images, and I've got a set of 2 to share today.  You may also recognise the same CAS layout that I used a couple of days ago, but I've popped on some embroidery thread and some pearl beads.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Hoppy Easter from LOTV
• Typed Sentiment (Papyrus font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• First Edition Animal Antics paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border dies
• Pearl beads
• Embroidery thread
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• White gel pen

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Animals
• Papertake Weekly - Happy Anything
• Totally Tilda & Friends - Easter
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Picture Inspriation Easter/Spring

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

All about the boys

There's a new challenge which is "all about the boys" at Tiddly Inks today, and I've made a very clean and simple card using Wizard.   I'm also getting a tiddly bit addicted to my new stitched hillside border die which I love in this layout.  (you may be seeing a bit more of it over the next couple of weeks so I apologise in advance if I bore you!).

Card Recipe:

• Image - Wizard from Tiddly Inks
• Sentiment - Stampfairy (now closed)
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside dies
• K & Company Daisy Pad papers
• Glossy Accents
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Inky Chick - Movie Star (Harry Potter)
• Papertake Weekly - Happy Anything
• Passion for Promarkers - Checks
• Stamping Sensations - Boys

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Egg Chicks

I'm sharing a cute little Easter card today, coloured with my Derwent Inktense pencils, but it's an uber clean and simple layout with just a spot of velvet ribbon and a little die cut tag.  Don't forget there are a couple more weeks for you to enter the Easter or Bunnies challenge at Without Words, so hop (see what I did there!) on over there and get your entries in.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Easter Sweeties
• Maja Design papers
• Colouring - Derwent Inktense Pencils
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Velvet pink ribbon
• Whiff of Joy Banner die
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Things that Fly
• Bunny Zoe - Spring Colours
• Stamp & Create - Is it Spring yet?
• Cute Card Thursday - Celebration
• Totally Tilda & Friends - Easter

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Mother's Day

I've made a gift for my MIL for Mother's Day using the image I'm showcasing today, and I wanted to make a card to match.  She's called PomPom (the image, not my MIL!), but I think she must be retired now as I can't find her in the store.  She was one of my earliest Lilis and she's been one of my favourites, but I've been busy with new images lately and haven't used her in a while.  So today I'm rectifying that. :0)

The sentiment was printed on vellum using Word (I created an arc in WordArt to match the curvature of the image panel).  I stamped and painted the image in DI reinkers, and used some of my favourite Maja Design papers (I may be a teensy bit addicted to these).  The ribbon actually matches the image more than it appears in the photo, and I added a die cut butterfly (another neglected item in my stash).

I hope it motivates you to dig out your old favourites for some reminiscing!

Card Recipe:

• Image - PomPom by Lili of the Valley (retired)
• Typed Sentiment (Papyrus font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maya Design Vintage Summer Basics Paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Memory Box Vivienne & Isabella Butterfly Dies
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Gingham Ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Vellum
• Papermania Gem Brad
• Viva Pearl Pen

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - B (Bow, Butterfly, Blooms)
• Crafty Calendar - Metal (brad)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Things that Fly

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Somebunny Loves You

It's FRIDAAAAAAAY (actually Friday 13th, but we won't dwell on that)

So, it's time for another Fabby Friday at Tiddly Inks.  I've chosen to use Wryn (again!) with some Spring bunnies.  I've kept the layout fairly simple and just added some flowers and a few (ok, quite a few) pearls.  The image has been painted with DI reinkers, but I've used some basic white craft card rather than watercolour card. It's harder to blend the colours (although that probably worked better for Wryn's hair) and it doesn't give such a soft effect.  However, it does mean that I can watercolour digis if I want to.  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Somebunny Loves You
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts
• Stitched Circle
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Make the Day Special - Colour inspiration (third set blues/browns/creams)  MTDS sell the stitched circle dies
• Simon's Monday Challenge - B (bunny, blooms, brown, blue)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Baby Blue Rocking Horse

I am taking a break from the Happy Bears and have made a Baby Boy card.  This project is to support the challenge at As You Like It Challenge where we'd love to know if you prefer Digi or Rubber.

Although I do love my digis, (great for storage and sizing / flipping directions etc), I am really getting back into the proper inky stamping which is where I started out.  I love using my DI reinkers too, which I prefer painting on thicker card which won't go through my printer.  I also have a small addiction to some of the rubber designs, including Lili of the Valley which is featured on today's card.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Rocking Horse by Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card Elegant Square cardbase
• Maja Design paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• The Ribbon Girl Chrysanth White Kort & Godt flower
• Stitched Circle die
• Ivory Jute Mesh
• Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Aqua ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Make the Day Special - Colour inspiration (third set blues/browns/apricot) MTDS sell stitched circle die
• Nordsalten Hobbyklubb - Blue & Brown
• Stamping Sensations - Boys
• Creatalicious - Not a Square
• Simon's Monday Challenge - B (Baby Boy, Blue & Brown, bow & blooms)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Bears

This is my third Happy Bears image in as many posts!

But they're so adorable, how can I resist?

Especially when I'm using my favourite colours, pink and blue. :0)

I hope you like it.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Happy Bears from LOTV
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Papermania Lucy Cromwell Papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• La La Land Heart Banner Die
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Square Stitched Die
• Fantastic Ribbons
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Wink of Stella glitter pen

I've been inspired by:

• Make the Day Special - Colour inspiration (first set pinks/blues)  MTDS sell the stitched square dies
• Cute Card Thursday - Die Cuts & Punches
• Simon's Monday Challenge - B (bears, blue, banners, blooms)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Masterpiece in Progress

As threatened on Friday, there's no card from me today, but instead something a little different.

I bought this little wooden hanger a while ago and wanted to make a decorated sign with it.  I have coloured on wood with Copics before and found it quite hard, so this time I tried painting it with DI reinkers. I admit the ink on the bear did run a little and it was hard to blend, but I managed to keep it mainly inside the lines, and I love the way that the natural wood grain still shows through.

The little bear image was the perfect size for the hanger and I inked the sentiment in stardust gel pen.

The finished hanger has been sent to a treasured blogpal who creates the most beautifully painted masterpieces.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Happy Bears from LOTV
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Sakura Stardust Gel Pens

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Hint of Clover (green)
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Special Lady (this hanger has been sent to a treasured blogpal who creates the most beautifully painted masterpieces)
• That's Crafty - Doodles (hand written sentiment)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy 50th Birthday

Today's card is for a lovely lady who is one of the few fellow crafters who've I've actually met a couple of times, albeit briefly.  She has a special birthday today (49 + 1) and I've made this creation using one of my new Happy Bear images, painted in DI reinkers.  The balloon was covered in Wink of Stella for some sparkle, and the panels are all stitched.

The little banner was created with some tag dies, strung together with some natural twine, and I typed both sentiments.

I've used a hint of green on the accents, and although it's not my favourite colour, I think it goes well with the apricot orange, and brings out the colours in the image.

And that's about it for today.  I'll be back on Sunday with another Happy Bear, and all I'll say is that he's not on card!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Happy Bears from LOTV
• Typed Sentiments
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Papers and Graphic 45 Papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Whiff of Joy banner dies
• Natural Twine
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Special Lady
• Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Hint of Clover
• Creatalicious Challenge - No Square or Rectangle cards
• Cute Card Thursday - Die Cuts/Punches

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Plums

I've got another fruity bunny image today, featuring Plums from Scrapberrys. These bunnies are so adorable and I don't know which is my favourite.  This one's been coloured in purples, and teamed with purple accessories, including a gorgeous purple velvet ribbon.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Plums from Scrapberrys at Funky Kits
• Sentiment - Lili of the Valley sentiment tags
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Velvet Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Flat Backed Pearl

I've been inspired by:

• Live & Love Crafts - Photo Inspiration
• The ABC Challenge - E = Exceptionally Cute
• Creatalicious - Not a Square
• The Ribbon Girl Challenge - Add Flowers
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Girlie

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Friendship

There's a 'charming' challenge starting today over at Tiddly Inks so I've made this little sweetie.

I've created a simple layout using my new stitched hillside border dies, a spot of twine and a little rose charm that matches the rose in the image.

The fairy's wings are smothered in Wink of Stella sparkle.

And that's about it.

Simples!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Fairy Fae from Tiddly Inks
• Sentiment - There's Magic in the Air
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Maja Design paper
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside dies
• Button Twine
• Rose Charm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Bunny Zoe - For the Girls
• Copic Marker - Wings
• NordSalten Hobby Club - Blue and Brown
• Make the Day Special - Colour inspiration (third set blues/browns/tans) MTDS sell the Lawn Fawn dies

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

The Bunny is Coming

A new challenge starts today at Without Words Challenge where the theme is Easter and/or Bunnies, so I've used both!  I've also dusted off my beloved Nottingham border die which I think is perfectly Spring/Summery to match the theme and still keeps the layout clean and simple.

I'm afraid I can't remember where the papers are from, they were sat in my stash for a while.  I'm not usually a fan of yellow, but again, I thought that they matched the seasonal theme, so on they went.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Hoppy Easter from LOTV
• Colouring - Watercoloured with Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Ribbon scrap
• Memory Box Nottingham Border die
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Our Furry Friends
• Stamp & Create - Is it Spring Yet?

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bubbles

Today's card is a fairly quick one.  Well, it was quick to put together, but painting the image usually takes at least an hour, much longer than using my Copics, but I love the relaxation 'therapy' of the water-colouring.

I've created a shaped case card using a large Go Kreate die, embossed the backing paper and inked around the edges for some definition.

Although it's quite a simple card, I added some bright red embellishments against the white background, and sneaked in a couple of blue accents to bring out the bubbles which I highlighted in glossy accents for some bubble-shine!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Purple Onion Designs Jackson & Bubbles
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Go Kreate Frilly Frames nested die (card base shape)
• Embossalicious Floral Embossing Folder
• 15mm Red Organza Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - No Rules
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Furry Friends
• Magnolicalicious - Bingo (Red, Flowers, Ribbon)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - No square cards

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Get your skates on

It's another Fabby Friday at Tiddly Inks and I've got another Wryn to share.  This one is back in my comfort zone as she's pretty in pink and I've splattergunned some flowers around the image panel.

The papers are Winter Wonderland from Me To You and I've used some pink ribbon with 'Wonderland' embroidered on it.  It was actually recycled from a box of chocolates I received at Christmas, and the full text said 'cocoa wonderland' but I trimmed off the 'cocoa' part!

Obviously I also had to safely 'dispose' of the chocolates.  What hardships I suffer for my craft!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Skater Wryn from Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Me To You Winter Wonderland Papers
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax die
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Medium Red Berries
• Bead String
• Hip Rose Buds
• Tulip Flowers
• Lily Flowers
• Tiny Berries
• Pink Beaded Berries
• Beaded twirl

I've been inspired by:

• Bunny Zoe - For the Girls
• ABC Christmas - Die Cuts
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - No Squares
• Simon's Monday Challenge - No Rules

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Bag

I love little gift bags and boxes, and I've made this roll-bag from ShapeEZ a few times now. It's really easy to make and stick together.

This gift baggie was made to support the Sugar Bowl Anything Goes Challenge and also the As You Like It Challenge where we're making anything but a card.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Bunny with Gift from Funky Kits
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Shape EZ Roll Bag template
• Papermania Lucy Cromwell papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Spellbinders Labels 18
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Embroidery thread in 3 colours plaited together

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Totally Tilda Challenge - Brights or Pastels
• Simon's Monday Challenge - No Rules

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Strawberry Bunny

I've been painting again and this little cutie is one of the new images from Scrapberrys which I got from Funky Kits.  It's not quite CAS, but not quite fussy either, so I'm not really sure which camp this one falls into, but I enjoyed painting her nonetheless.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Strawberry from Scrapberrys
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Pink Velvet Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Bunny Zoe - For the Girls
• Creatalicious - Not a Square
• Simon's Monday Challenge - No Rules
• Deep Ocean - Our Furry Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Heffalumps

This card looked very different in my head before I started.

I'm not sure what happened.

Or perhaps what didn't happen.

But this is how it turned out.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Edwin & Hetty Set from Digi Stamp Boutique
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Maja Design papers
• Embossalicious Floral embossing folder
• Spellbinders Labels 18
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Embroidery Thread
• Viva Pearl Pen

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Texture
• Stamp & Create - All You Need Is Love
• Simon's Monday Challenge - No Rules

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pixie Dust Cloud

Today's card is a lesson in reminding me to choose my papers before I start colouring my image. Instead I sailed straight into the colouring and only when I'd finished did I wonder what papers I might be able to use!

After going through all my paper pads, I eventually settled on one which seemed to match the colours and, although it is quite a 'busy' paper, it didn't seem to be too attention grabbing which might detract from the image.

The fairy dust clouds are actually much more glittery than they look in the photo as I smothered them in Wink of Stella and they really do sparkle.

I trimmed the base of the rather large image panel with my new stitched hillside border die and added two shades of sheer organza ribbon, tied in a bow and topped off with a small button, and a trio of pearls.

I hope you like it:

Card Recipe:

• Image - Pixie Dust from Saturated Canary
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Papers
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border die (stitched curve on image base)
• Fantastic Ribbons
• Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Button
• Wink of Stella glitter pen

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Bingo (Ribbon, Die, Button / Die, Free, Glitter)
• Copic Europe - Wings
• Simon's Monday Challenge - No Rules

Happy crafting
Annette
xx