Just swinging by to wish you Happy Birthday

I'm showcasing another of the new Tiddly Ink releases again today, this one's another fun image of Wryn on her tyre swing.  I had a bit of a job with her hair as I foolishly coloured it the same colour as the background tree. She might have to pop to the hairdressers and have it dyed blond before playing near trees again.  I added some chalked clouds to finish off the scene. Hope you liker her.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tiddly Inks
• Typed Sentiment
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Shabby Shack and Petal Fresh paper pads
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Shaped Card
• That's Crafty - Keep it Simple

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cherry

I love these cute bunnies from Scrapberries.  I've got a few of the girlie ones after receiving a couple from a lovely blogging friend for Christmas and becoming hooked!  This one's a real sweetie with her bowl of cherries.  It looks like she's dropped one though!  She supports the new challenge at Sugar Bowl Challenge which opens today.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Scrapberry Cherry from Funky Kits
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• 16mm Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Shaped Card
• Totally Tilda & Friends - Fruit or Chocolate (the bunny can keep the fruit, I'll take the chocolate!)
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Cute Critters

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Seaweed

There are some new releases at Tiddly Inks this week, including this little sweetie.  I used a die which I thought looked a bit like seaweed, but I think that was a fail as I realised that the other die it came with as a set was more seaweed-like.  D'oh.  Yes, I am a numpty!

The backing papers were also meant to match, with the lower half being more seaweed and the top half being bubbles.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tiddly Inks
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Go Kreate Labels nested die
• Magnolia Doohickey Leaf & Swirl (the swirl when I should have used the leaf)
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• 8mm Pearl Brad
• Viva Pearl Pen
• White gel pen

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Shaped Card
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

What's Cookin'?

I made this apron card for a member of our company's HR team.  I'm pretty sure she likes to cook (but I might be embarrassingly wrong on that assumption).  I'm kinda hoping that she'll appreciate the card even if she doesn't like baking!

The little tag which peeks out from the stitched pocket can be pulled out to show a sentiment stamped on it.  The card fits the new challenge at Tiddly Inks where the theme is Sweet Treats. There are even little cupcakes on the backing paper.  :0)

Suddenly I'm craving a triple chocolate cookie (or four) for some reason.....

Card Recipe:

• Image - Bake me some Love from Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Alcohol markers
• Papers - Papermania Lucy Cromwell
• Magnolia tag die
• Rolled Lace Rose Ribbon
• Fantastic Ribbons
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Stickles

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Shaped Card
• Stamp & Create - Anything Goes
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

We're the perfect fit

It's Friday, which means it's Tiddly Inks' Fabby Friday, and I've got another little notepad to share with you, this time using one of the new images at Tiddly Inks.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Awareness from Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel Pen, Black Glaze pen
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Zutter binding machine and wires
• Mountboard
• Magnolia Doohickey Lace Border die

I've been inspired by:

• Sweet Stampin' - Not a card
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Clean & Simple
• That's Crafty - Keep it Simple

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tea Break

Ooooh look at me with the masculine themed cards lately!

Unfortunately, according to the hubster, they're still cute, so they don't qualify as masculine.  But this is about as masculine as I get, so I'm sticking to it.

This project is to support the embossing challenge at As You Like It Challenge.  I admit that I have done wet embossing, and actually really like the effect, but it's just so messy and extremely prone to fluffing it up with straying embossing powder.  Plus I love the appearance of the dry embossing, so that's what I've chosen.

However, you can't see much of the embossing because it's tucked under the image and sentiment!  I did ink up the raised parts with blue ink to make them stand out more, but when they're covered up with another panel, no amount of inking will make them show up!

The image has been painted with DI reinkers, and I was really pleased with the finished result.

For a guy's card, I love it!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Mr Fixit from Lili of the Valley (retired)
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Shabby Shack paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Stitched Square Die
• Embossing folder border
• Simon Says Stamp Star Parade Die

I've been inspired by:

• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Totally Tilda & Friends - Tea/Coffee
• Creatalicious - Embossing
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - CAS

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Times to Treasure

I was planning to use this project as one of my LOTV samples, but it wasn't until after I'd finished it that I realised that the image had been discontinued.

It's a shame too, especially as I am not sure I've used it much to date.  It seemed perfect for this project, and I was even pleased with the matching sentiment!

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Times to Treasure from LOTV (retired)
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Flower stamps - Cardio mini stamps
• Clock Mechanism
• Mountboard
• Freebie Clock Template
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• The Ribbon Girl Chrysanth flowers
• Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Gems

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Make your own background
• Sweet Stampin' - Not a Card
• The Ribbon Girl - A Colour from your National Flag (Union Jack - I used 2 of the 3 colours)
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Due (clocks ensure you're on time - or know when you're late!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Polar Express

Have you seen there are some lovely new images out at Tiddly Inks.  They include the one I've used today which is called Rocky.

Although I was a bit daunted how to attempt the large area of the polar bear, it was actually really easy to colour.

Well, when I say colour, obviously I left most of him white, but I was still quite pleased with the result!

My image was quite large, so I kept the layout really simple.

A bit like me!  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Rocky Winter Light Wishes
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Copics (E51 and E000 for the polar bear)
• Button Twine

I've been inspired by:

• Copic Europe - Feathers or Fur  (I tried not to blend the strokes on the fur too much, to try to resemble texture on his coat)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hoops

I've made something a bit different for me today; I've decorated two little embroidery hoops.  They can be hung up via some matching ribbon loped through the tightening screw at the top.

I've used a linen fabric in the hoop, and stitched my image paper to it.

The images are water-coloured in DI reinkers.

Although I didn't really want to part with them once I'd made them, I actually made them for my MIL (she loves turquoise), so I have reluctantly given them to her.  :0(

Card Recipe:

• Image - PomPom and Daisy Chain from Lili of the Valley (retired)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Ribbon
• Embroidery hoops

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - In the Middle
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Things with Wings
• Inky Chicks - Stitching
• The Ribbon Girl - Ribbon or Lace

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

A Lick of Paint

I made a card like this last summer for a male colleague and really liked the layout for this image.  It's also great for a masculine card (which I readily admit I am hopeless at).

While today's card is not personalised, I've used the same dripping style text, which I painted using the same DI ink colour (Fired Brick) that I'd used for the paint on the image.

It sounds odd to say that I needed a very steady hand to paint the dribbles!

I hope you like it.  :0)

While I'm here, have you seen that there is a special offer at LOTV at the moment.  If you spend over £25 on products (excl postage) between 15th and 19th April you can get a free paper pad! Hop over to the shop to find out more and get your papers before the deal ends on Sunday.

Card Recipe:

• Image - A Lick of Paint from Lili of the Valley
• Typed Sentiment traced then painted with DI ink (font = Take Warning)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Wink of Stella

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

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