Monday, 16 May 2016

Wild Thing

Wooohooooo.  It's time for another SRC (Squirrel's Random Challenge).  That's right, a totally random challenge over on Squirrel's blog with a bundles of prizes to be won.

The theme this time is Wild Thing, and oddly the three of us who've made samples for the challenge have all used giraffes!  How weird is that!

We can't wait to see what you create. You have 5 weeks to join in as it doesn't close until Friday 17 June, so come on, take a walk on the wild side!




Click on the link below to go straight to the challenge entry page:



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:

  • Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Blossoms

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Saturday, 14 May 2016

Computer Fun

There's only a few more days to enter the sketch challenge at Lili of the Valley and I've got a bit of last minute inspiration for you using one of the re-released boy images. This one's called 'Computer Fun' (something the man in my life doesn't seem to have grown out of!).



Card Recipe:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Honeybears

Woohoooo, it's Wednesday which means it's midway through the week (and I'm already ready for the weekend!)  Today I'm sharing my Favourite Stamping Bella images, Honeybear Stuffies, available from My Mum's Craft Shop. I've kept the layout simple with a Scalloped Border and added a cute little bee button that I found in my stash.  I love these bears! :0)



Card Recipe:

Created for:





I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Saturday, 7 May 2016

Riding my Bike

There's a sketch challenge going on at Lili of the Valley and you've still got time to enter, so I've made this card using one of the re-released boy images.  This little laddie riding his bike was retired a while ago but is coming back *yay*.  I hope you like my CAS card using the sketch, and pop along to join in the fun on the Facebook page.



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday, 5 May 2016

Patterns

Today's challenge at As You Like It Challenge asks whether you prefer patterned or embossed papers and for me it's pretty designer papers every time.  I do love the look and texture of dry embossing, but I can't deny my love of pretty papers.  My card today only has a slither of papers, but I rarely have any project without patterned papers of some sort.



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday, 4 May 2016

In the Shed

I'm sharing another one of the new masculine releases from Lili of the Valley although I'm not sure whether the red/pink shed makes it a 'she-shed' instead!  Either way, I'd be happy with this shed in my garden. :0)


Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Tuesday, 3 May 2016

Off in the Caravan

There's a new release of masculine stamps at Lili of the Valley out now and this is my first using one of the scenic images called Off in the Caravan.  It makes me wish I was on holiday!



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday, 28 April 2016

Bath Time

Today's In The Pink theme is to create a card for a child or baby so I've used this cute image from LOTV which I've not used in a while. I've tried to be really soft on the colouring and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I hope you like it too. :0)



Card Recipe:
Created for:



Sponsored by:




I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday, 27 April 2016

Smile

I've used the super cute Leo the Balancing Stuffie and a Mama Elephant Creative Cuts Smile Script Die to create this uber simple card.  I was really nervous about die cutting the image after I'd spent so long painting him, so instead I stamped the image again and coloured in a small portion to ensure that I cut the die straight before adding it on top of my main image.



Card Recipe:

Created for:



I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday, 21 April 2016

Life is a balance

The theme at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight is to show us your favourite animal.  I love most types of animals (except creepy crawlies) but most of all I do love kitties of all sizes and I'm slave to two rescued felines at home.

I was pleased with how this one turned out, and I could probably learn something by taking on board the sentiment myself now and then!



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Friday, 15 April 2016

Bunny Cuddles

I've splashed out on a fair few Bellas lately and this is my first inking of Becky.  I've followed a sketch, but added on some embellishment in the form of flowers, ribbon and some pearls (my three favourites).  The frills on her skirt were a bit daunting, but not enough to deter me. Cute huh!

The burgundy ribbon and flowers have come out quite a bit darker on the photo than it is in real life which is a shame. :0(



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday, 14 April 2016

Jasmine Coffee

Today's clean & simple creation features Jasmine Coffee from Lili of the Valley and one of the new sentiments.  I've also managed to stumble across a small teapot charm which I've added with some twine onto a scalloped border.



Card Recipe:
  • Image - Jasmine Coffee
  • Sentiment - Sweet & Simple
  • Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
  • LOTV paper pad (retired)
  • Stazon Ink Pad
  • The Langton Watercolour paper
  • Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border die
  • Button Twine
  • Flat Backed Pearls
  • Metal Charm
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday, 13 April 2016

Good Luck

Today is my first post since I joined the uber talented DT at My Mum's Craft Shop and I'm a teensy bit nervous!

My début creation features Stamping Bella's Woodsies Maisy and Madeline have some tea. It's my first time stamping these little furballs too, and I must admit I think they're adorable.

I made this card as a Good Luck card, but really the image could be appropriate for almost any occasion, possibly even a 'with sympathy' which I find is a really difficult theme to get right.

I also think this image would make a great 'thinking of you' card, which are my favourites because those kind of cards just whisper in someone's ear: 'even though it's not a special occasion day, you're still in my thoughts'.



Card Recipe:



I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Monday, 11 April 2016

Oliver Game Boy

I've got a clean and simple card to share tonight, featuring one of the new teenager Oliver stamps from Lili of the Valley.  I really struggle with masculine cards, so I hope this one fits the bill!



Card Recipe:
Created for:


I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday, 10 April 2016

Time for Cuddles

I'm sharing a clock today which I made using my usual clock template.  A lovely lady had ordered 2 baby cards for her newborn niece, so I made her this clock as an extra (mainly because I like making them!) and personalised it for her.



It's also perfect to support the APRIL challenge at Lili of the Valley as I've used Aqua, Pink and Ivory. Click on the image below to take you to the challenge details:


Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday, 7 April 2016

A Spot of Gingham

The theme at As You Like It Challenge today is to tell us what you like making other than cards, and I must admit that I have a huge weakness for boxes. Especially cute boxes.  As we're sponsored by Lawn Fawn, I've used a couple of their dies (I may have a couple of these box dies to choose from in my stash!).  I've used the milk carton and the pillow box dies to create two Spring-themed boxes featuring a Spring lamb from the Farmyard Friends set at Lili of the Valley.





Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday, 3 April 2016

Baby Pink Bear

There's a new challenge at Lili of the Valley where we're celebrating APRIL with the theme A.P.R.I.L. standing for Aqua, Pink, Red, Ivory and Lilac (you have to use at least 3 of the colours).

I've chosen Aqua, Pink, Red and Ivory (I couldn't quite manage to get the Lilac in for a "full house" unfortunately). This card was one of two commissioned cards I had for a new baby. I was asked to get quite a bit of wording on this particular card, so I decided to use some cloud dies to frame the blocks of text.  Lining the text up to fit inside the dies was somewhat of a challenge in itself though!



Click on the image below to take you to the challenge details.

Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Friday, 1 April 2016

Stuffie Gang

Happy April Fools Day!!!  :0)

Today I'm sharing a Stamping Bella image which I LOVE!!!  It's Stuffy Gang and I adore Harry the bear and the cute little Owl.  Even the dinky piggie, which I'm not usually a big fan of, is a cutie. They're painted in reinkers and I was rather pleased with how it turned out.



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday, 31 March 2016

Blossom

I've had a few days away in Sheffield visiting the outlaws, but am back now and missing my crafting! I've dug out an image which I don't think I've used before called Golden Nector by Sugar Nellie which is perfect for the new challenge which starts today at the Sugar Bowl.

There's also a dies and/or punches challenge starting today at In The Pink so I've used a stitched circle nesting die as well as a Cottage Cutz Blossom Branch die which has only had a few outings since I had to buy it a few years ago.  I think it's perfect for the floral themed image and papers.

I've printed a curved sentiment onto vellum and tucked it behind the image panel and popped some pearl dots and white gel pen into the flower centres to give them some definition.



Card Recipe:
Created for:


Sponsored by:
*****


I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday, 27 March 2016

Bunny Easter Bouquet

Happy Easter everyone.

I'm sharing the last of my Easter makes for this year today, and yup, it's another bunny from  Lili of the Valley.  This one's watercoloured though, and although I'm not a huge fan of orange, yellow or green, I wanted a Spring theme, and I am really pleased with how this one turned out.



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Saturday, 26 March 2016

Happy Birthday

I've made a birthday card for my dad's fiancée's 76th birthday. I'm not really sure if she likes 'cute' so I've kept it 'cute-free' which is quite rare for me.  I've gone a bit flower crazy (so I hope she likes flowers!)




Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Friday, 25 March 2016

Easter Wryn

Today I'm sharing my penultimate Easter card ("thank goodness", I hear you say!) but there's not a bunny in sight this time, just Wryn with a baby chick!



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday, 24 March 2016

Happy Easter Bunny & Chick Wobble

It's Thursday and I have a day off work today, so I'm hoping it stays sunny for the long bank-holiday weekend.  Today's project is to support the challenge at As You Like It Challenge where it's a Bingo theme.  I love quite a few of the lines, but my favourite embellishments are usually ribbon & pearls and I do love a spot of purple, so I've opted for the diagonal line.



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday, 23 March 2016

Boing Boing

So, it's day 3 of my Easter bunny cards, and yup, you've guessed it, it's another Lili of the Valley image!  I told you I'd been busy with the Easter makes!



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Dropping By To Say 'Happy Easter'

Another Easter card and another bunny!  I hope you're not getting bored of them!  This is another retired image from Lili of the Valley and also some of their retired papers too.  :0(



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
  • Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Cute & Cuddly
  • Seven Hills Crafts - Sketch (stitched circles & ovals)
  • Simon's Monday Challenge - Food and Drink (the Easter egg, not the bunny!!!)
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Monday, 21 March 2016

Easter Basket of Chicks

Day 2 of my Easter card egg-stravaganza with a cute image from Lili of the Valley.  I've kept the layout simple by following a sketch, but I've added some flowers which were a gift from the lovely Sue (mwah!).



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
  • Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Signs of Spring
  • Seven Hills Craft - Sketch (used stitched circles linked above)
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday, 20 March 2016

Easter Tilda

I've been busy making Easter cards this weekend (yup I'm smidgeon bit late!) and this is the first one I'm sharing.  I've had Little Miss Tilda coloured for a while, but have only just now managed to give her a card to call home!



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Saturday, 19 March 2016

Baby Bunny

I'm not a great fan of green, but I do happen to like this combo of dusky green and cream.  I'm not sure why I opted for non-traditional baby colours on this card, but I think it's sweet and still fairly boyish.  The image and papers are both from Lili of the Valley, but sadly both are now retired.



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Note to self: Relax

Lili of the Valley have some new stamps out on 31 March and I'm sharing a sneak peek of one of them, called Jasmine Coffee.  I thought she was so lovely that I've made her the focus without any fuss around her on a very CAS design.  The sentiment seemed apt for her too, and it's part of a sentiment set that's due to be released at the same time.  They're all available to pre-order at LOTV.



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Monday, 14 March 2016

My First Christmas Card of the Year!

It's coming up for the middle of March, so I thought I'd make a start on my Christmas cards (as you do!) This one uses one of my new 'cut it out' dies and a Tiny Townie.  I paper pieced the presents, but shaded them to give them some depth.



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Friday, 11 March 2016

Flower Baggie

I've made this oversized tag to attach to a baggie that I've made to gift wrap a plant.  The image is one of the newbies from Stamping Bella and it's very Spring-like.  I love the huge flower and squished bunny!




Here's the baggie, which I made from a 12x12 double sided paper with an 8x8 paper base.  I've punched the strip at the bottom but you probably can't see that unless you zoom in.  The plant is quite tall so I made the ribbon handles really long, but they're tucked inside the baggie in this pic.



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday, 10 March 2016

Easter Bunny

There's a new challenge starting today at As You Like It Challenge where the theme is Embossing. I really love the effect of dry embossing, and here I've used a really simple Swiss Dots embossing folder to create a panel across the top of my card.  I've also used a flower die that I've embossed and inked to give it some definition.



Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
  • The ABC Challenge - Cute
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Saturday, 5 March 2016

Spring Bunny

You may have seen that there is a Spring themed challenge on the LOTV Facebook page this week, so I've made a little Easter card using one of the newly restocked Lili of the Valley images, Spring Bunny with Daffs.  The challenge ends on 13th so hop on over to join in.









Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Friday, 4 March 2016

Birthday Brittany

It'a a CAS design from me today and I've used a colour combo that I wouldn't normally opt for. Although I love purple, I'm not a huge fan of green (and by that I mean 'not at all') but I quite like the finished combo here.  This is one of my favourite Uptown Girl images.  I just wish I had that cake in my hands.




Card Recipe:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday, 3 March 2016

Mother's Day Bunny

Well March is here so we're meant to be moving into Spring (although I think someone forgot to order it because it's still cold and wet) but with Spring in mind, I have a cute little bunny with some spring flowers to share today.  It's for my MIL's Mother's Day card so I hope she likes it. I've water coloured the image and added a custom sentiment.  The ribbon is a lovely sparkly deep pink, and it's wired so it holds the bow beautifully. I've had to wrap it well for posting to stop it getting squished and battered by the time it gets 'oop North' to her.  This project also supports the challenge at In The Pink where the theme is for a special lady.





Sponsored by:

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Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx