You're the Best

Well Christmas Day is over and I've managed to resist the temptation to start my 2018 Christmas cards (so far). Instead I've made a rather Spring-time looking card featuring a Gerda Steiner image and sentiment.  The image is a digi but the sentiment is a clear stamp from the Happy Hoppy set. 

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Shabby Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn, Forest Moss
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Broken China

Card Recipe:

• Gerda Steiner Love you sew much bunny
• Gerda Steiner Happy Hoppy (for the sentiment)
• Large Stitched Square Nesting Die
• Graphic 45 Gingham Paper

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda's Monthly Challenge
• That's Crafty - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snow Fight

It's my mid-week post and this week I'm in full winter mode with a cute image called Snow Fight.  These 'littles' from Stamping Bella are really adorable and quite easy to colour. 

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
• Blues: Blueprint Sketch
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Snow: Weathered Wood, Pumice Stone
• Raccoon: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Littles Winter Collection - Snow Fight
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Flat backed pearls
• First Edition Silent Night papers
• Clearly Besotted Little Donkey (Sentiment)

I've been inspired by:

• Bellarific Friday - White Winter theme

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Advent Boxes

I have a bit of an obsession with boxes. If hubby buys a pair of shoes, I'm sure that I get just as excited about the box as he does about its contents!  I've made an advent calendar with boxes instead of just 'doors' and I think I may have over-faced myself with this project.  I created it from scratch, firstly by cutting and assembling the 24 boxes and then making the folder to hold them.  I then decorated the outside and the fronts of the boxes with a number and a snowflake, Poinsettia or gems.  I think I'll be sticking to cards for a little while to recuperate from this project!  However, I loved making it and it fulfilled my obsession with boxes for a little while! :0)

We're wanting to know whether you prefer boxes or bags at As You Like It Challenge, so I hope my project inspires you to participate in our last challenge before Xmas. 

Project Recipe:

• Maja Design 12x12 papers
• Mountboard
• Flat backed pearls and gems
• 15mm Brown Satin Ribbon
• Memory Box Precious Stars
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Striped brads
• Tonic Studio Modern Merry Christmas
• Image: Purple Onion Designs Fawn
• Memory Box Precious Stars
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflakes
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Banner Numbers
• Sue Wilson Poinsettia Additions

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Christmas
• Country Craft Challenge - Christmas using DI Reinkers
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Stitch It (the number banner dies are faux stitched)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tag a Penguin

It's my mid-week post for Dies to Die For and I'm in festive mode with this trio of Pingu Toasty Greetings gift tags.

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

• Feathers: Tattered Rose, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Peacock Feathers
• Purples: Wilted Violet
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry
• Rocks: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Toasty Greeting Stamp Set
• Paper Smooches Stitched Gift Tag
• Versafine Ink Pad

Other

• Satin ribbon
• First Edition Gilded Winter Paper Pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Stitch It

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Have a Pink Christmas

It's with a sad heart that today is the last challenge at In The Pink Challenge as Christine has decided to close the Pink Palace. I've been on the team for just over 2 years and have loved using one of my favourite colours every challenge, so I'll definitely continue. Christine has managed the challenge for over 5 years which is a fantastic achievement, so well done Christine. Mwah!  We hope we will gets lots of you join us for our final challenge, which is a super easy 'Pink Christmas' theme.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Scarf: Picked Raspberry
• Greens: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Robin: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Festive Berries

Card Recipe:

• Penny Black Jolly Friends Stamp Set
• Sentiment from Clearly Besotted Little Donkey
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Button Twine
• Crealies On the Edge die

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Challenge - Xmas using DI Reinkers
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Polar Pals

Well, it's my midweek post for Dies to Die For and today I'm sharing a CAS creation featuring Polar Pals from MFT.  It's actually a birthday set, so I've combined with a sentiment from MFT's Jingle All The Way stamp set to transform it into a more Christmassy card instead.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy 
• Red scarf: Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Black Soot
• Blue scarf: Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky, Black Soot
• Ground: Weathered Wood
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Polar Pals
• MFT Jingle All The Way
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Glossy Accents

Other:

• 5mm Aqua Crystals
• Crystal Glamour Dust

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Icy Inspiration
• Sparkles - White Christmas
• Country View - Christmas using DI Reinkers for watercolouring

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Little Donkey

I've always loved donkeys. I was a huge fan of Winnie the Pooh as a youngster and Eeyore was my favourite. We also live fairly close a lovely donkey sanctuary and I love going there. They're such lovely animals, and despite many being treated fairly poorly they still love human contact and come running over to see you if you go to visit them.  I'd love to have enough land to re-home a couple of donks!  Maybe one day (and a lottery win!).  Join us at the As You Like It Challenge and share your favourite animals.

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

• Fur: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Fence: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Straw: Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy

Card Recipe:

• Clearly Besotted Little Donkey
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• 15mm Brown Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Ribbon Girls - Any Image
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

May all your dreams come true

It's my mid-week post and I'm using Teddy Birthday Presents from Whimsy Stamps combined with a sentiment from Stamping Bella's Dorothy the Dreamer. Although my teddy bear is cute, I'm hoping this might be sufficiently masculine for hubby's birthday card. 

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Greens: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Oranges: Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Broken Hinge

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Lee Holland Teddy Birthday Presents
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Sentiment from Tiny Townie Dorothy the Dreamer
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Flat Backed Pearls
• Raspberry Road papers

I've been inspired by:

• Whimsy Inspires - Anything Goes
• That's Crafty! - Green with Envy

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Merry Christ-mouse

It's a super simple Christmas card from me today since it turned out that the image filled the card base by itself.  I hope you like it.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Tree: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Ground: Old Paper, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Purples: Wilted Violet
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick
• Baubles: Victorian Velvet, Aged Mahogany, Blueprint Sketch, Cracked Pistachio
• Pink ribbon/bauble: Picked Raspberry
• Mouse: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Tree from Gerda Steiner
• Balancing Holiday Mouse from Gerda Steiner
• Winter Wonderland Paper Pack

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda's Monthly Challenge - Balancing Holiday Mouse

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Polar and Mousie

I really love these stuffies from Stamping Bella, and today I've used one called Polar Bear and Mousie.  I've kept the design nice and simple so it focuses on the image which I've watercoloured as usual. The sentiment comes with the stamp.

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

• Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, 
• Mouse: Pumice Stone, Tattered Rose
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood, Black Soot
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella's The Polar Bear and Mousie
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Border Dies

Other:

• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Noor! - Winter

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Winter Wonderland

It's all about your favourite festive colour combo this week at As You Like It Challenge.  I love pink at any occasion, but I think it's especially lovely at Christmas and so I have lots of pink decorations on my Christmas tree!  I've made a pink & white themed girlie Christmas card using Snowman Friends from Polkadoodles.

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

• Hair/Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Aged Mahogany
• Snow/Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Holly/Tights: Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Snowman Friends from Polkadoodles
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Go Kreate Labels nested die
• Tonic Studio Modern Merry Christmas die
• Gingham Ribbon
• Maya Design papers

I've been inspired by:

• The Ribbon Girls - Any Card
• Noor! - Winter
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Furry Friends using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

The Walrus, the Polar Bear and the Pingu

It's 'Hump Day' so I'm here with my mid-weekly dose of cuteness using this adorable image from Stamping Bella called The Walrus, the Polar Bear and the Penguin.

I love these Stuffie images and wanted to keep the image as the central focal point. I've added a narrow matting layer of dusky blue and embossed a layer of white card as a background, stitching both layers.

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

• Walrus: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Polar Bear: Pumice Stone, Tattered Rose
• Penguin: Black Soot, Pumice Stone, Dried Marigold, Carved Pumpkin
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• The Walrus, the Polar Bear and the Penguin Stuffies from Stamping Bella
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Embossalicious Let It Snow Embossing Folder
• Distress Ink Reinkers
• Black Gel Pen
• White Gel Pen

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - It's a Stitch Up using Reinkers
• Bellarific Friday - Embossing
• Seven Hills - Colour Challenge #3 using Stamp & Platform

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

You're Weird and I Love It

We're looking for spots or stripes at In The Pink Challenge this month and despite not really being a fan of either I've somehow managed to use both on my card because the pretty papers have white polka dots as well as a feint stripe on them.

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

• Monster: Spun Sugar,  Worn Lipstick
• Eyes: Hickory Smoke, Antique Linen

Card Recipe:

• Monster Joe from A Day for Daisies
• Gerda Steiner Llama Tell You (sentiment)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Pink spotty/stripy paper
• Pink satin ribbon

Created for:

Sponsored by:

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Movie (Monsters, Inc)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Owliver Loves to Celebrate

Cards don't come much more simple than today's, but I'm on a mission to ensure that I have enough Christmas cards for the guys in my life!  I'm horrendously bad at making cards for the gents, but I'm hoping this one is suitably non-fussy while still being adorable (which satisfies my need for cuteness!).  The stamp is Owliver Loves to Celebrate from Stamping Bella and I've used the sentiment which comes from the same set.

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

• Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tea Dye
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Ground: Tea Dye

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Owliver Loves to Celebrate
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Kraft Cardstock

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Alpha-Bears

There's a new release due out at Lili of the Valley in about 2 weeks time, and they feature a new bear!  The Alpha-bears are a cute set of adorable bears, each carrying a letter of the alphabet and they are accompanied by some complementary words. I've used Alpha-bear 'B' and the word 'irthday' to make my Birthday bear.  The 'Happy' is made from some alphabet banners and I've used soft greys and blues for my colour palette.  Keep your eyes peeled for these bears as they're due to be released around the middle of this month.  They're gonna be available in both rubber and digi.

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

• Fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose

Card Recipe:

• Alpha-bear & 'Birthday' text from Lili of the Valley
• Crealies On the Edge die
• MFT Stitched Banner Alphabet
• Black gel pen

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

A little purrscription

I made this card for a special someone who's sadly been going through the mill lately with a very nasty and persistent bug.  She actually gave me the image for my birthday so I thought it was ideal to use for her 'get well soon' card.  I tried to colour it in similar colours to her own feline princess, but think I may have gone too grey rather than brown for my tabby.  Either way, she's taking with her a little purrscription, which is the phrase I used on the inside!

And the text inside says...

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

• Fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Ears: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Heart: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door

Card Recipe:

• Wild Rose Studio Cat with Heart
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Glossy Accents
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - All Creatures Great and Small
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Baby, It's Cold Outside

I love making Christmas cards as I love all the embellishing with glitter and snow.  I also love non-traditional Christmas colours for my festive cards, like pink and purples.  We want to know whether you prefer making Christmas or non-Xmas projects at As You Like It Challenge so it's right up my street!

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Tea Dye
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Reds: Festive Berries
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• White/Grey: Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• It's Cold Outside Tilda
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border Dies
• Glossy Accents
• 5mm Lilac Crystals
• Pearl String
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Crealies XXL #65 Double Stitched Circles

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Song "Baby, It's cold Outside!"
• Noor! - Winter

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Elf-tastic

I've been getting inky again with my ink pads and daubers to create a background for some die cut images.  I 'cased' a card from Karin using the Santa's Elves stamp set.  I liked it so much that I made 3 using different elves from the same set.

To create the circle I cut a circle from paper and then use that as a template to ink some Tumbled Glass working my way inwards from the edge getting slightly lighter towards the centre.

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

• Hair: Vintage Photo 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Tea Dye
• Greens: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage, Forest Moss
• Blues: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Grey: Weathered Wood
• Gold: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Santa's Elves
• MFT Dienamics Santa's Elves
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Electric Red Card

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Inspired by a Movie (Elf!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx