Anniversary

At the As You Like It Challenge this week we're asking you to showcase your favourite stamp brand. One of my first stamping obsessions was Lili of the Valley and they're still one of my favourites.  Never did I imagine, all those years ago, as I gazed in awe at all the fabulous LOTV design team cards that I would be on that same team myself one day!  I have a huge collection of the grey rubber stamps on my shelves, and also now a growing collection of their digi stamps.  Today's card is one I made for my husband for our anniversary. The sentiment might look a little stark, but there is a little bit missing. I added our nicknames, but I had to take the photo before adding them because I was banned from showing them in public!

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Scattered Straw 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Boy's Outfit: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Girl's Outfit:: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry
• Boy's Shoes: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Wood & Shoes: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Together Forever
• Crealies XXL Stitched rectangle die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Wedding Anniversary

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

This Little Piggy Loves You

I've been playing with my little piggy pebbles stamp set again today, using the other two stamps in this cute set. They're so sweet playing in the rain!

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

• Piggies: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Umbrella: Abandoned Coral, Mustard Seed, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean
• Water: Tumbled Glass
• Cloud: Old Paper

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Piggy Pebbles
• MFT Watercolour Wash Brights Paper Pad
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Frantic Stamper Stitched Waves

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Catz - Anything Goes with optional Summer (I opted for an 'English summer'!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Squeal!

The Stacey Yacula piggies hit my doormat a couple of weeks ago and I've been playing with them for today's squeal of a card. I've used 2 of the piggies from the set to create a scene and added a sentiment.

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

• Piggies: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Flower: Picked Raspberry, Scattered Straw
• Plant Pot: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Piggy Pebbles
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Patterns paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Fairy Card Stand

I find masculine cards a real challenge. I love cute images and usually gravitate to the girlie pastel colours, flowers, pearls, pretty papers and satin ribbons which probably doesn't help either!  Therefore I've opted for a very girlie card with lots of frilly embellishments today.  I'd love for you to pop over to the As You Like It Challenge this week to tell us whether you prefer masculine or feminine cards.

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord

Card Recipe:

• Dandelion Clock from LOTV
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Card Making Magic Die Set Easel

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Flowers &/or Showers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Selfie Smile

I really love this set of Picture Perfect stamps from MFT. The images are much larger than I expected (based on other MFT stamp sets) so they're great as a focal image.  I've used one of the sentiments from the same set on another simple layout.

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

• Dog: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain 
• Cat: Pumice Stone, Black Soot
• Ears: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Scattered Straw
• Ground: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• MFT Picture Perfect
• MFT Bundles of Blossoms Paper pad
• Stitched Square Dies
• Stitched Rectangle Dies

I've been inspired by:

• Country View - Opposites (cats and dogs - although these two do appear to be friends!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

You're Bear-y Special

I've been playing with my CC Designs Bears again today. 

This one's a really sweet bear with her flower made for an extra-special friend.



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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Scattered Straw, Vintage Photo
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Shaded Lilac
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CC Designs Bears
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Patterns Paper Pack

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - For a Special Lady

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Wedding Bears

I'm popping by with a cute couple of bears from the new release at Lili of the Valley.  It's available from Wednesday 15th May in celebration of their 15th birthday.  

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

• Bears: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Scattered Straw
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Shaded Lilac
• Dress: Weathered Wood
• Groom's Outfit: Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Wedding Bears from Lili of the Valley
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals
• Crealies On The Edge Stitched Die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Duo

I've got a pair of matching cards featuring the soon-to-be-released new cuties from Lili of the Valley.  The sentiments are from the same set which are being released on 15 May in celebration of LOTV's 15th birthday.  There will be both rubber and digi versions so put it in your diary!  There are some adorable images. I hope you like my two little bunnies. I'll sneak a peek of another image over the weekend.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Shaded Lilac
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Bunny Images and Sentiment from Lili of the Valley (15 May Release)
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Pattern Paper Pad

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

AYLI 6th Anniversary Tag & Blog Hop

When I started As You Like It Challenge I could only hope that it would be popular so I can hardly believe that today is our 6th anniversary. I've got a super team who I'm so proud of every fortnight, including several ladies who've been with me from the start!

To celebrate our anniversary we're having a little blog hop and there's an extra prize on offer in addition to our usual challenge prize.  Make sure you visit each of my teamies and leave a little love in the comments for them, then leave a comment on the main challenge blog to qualify for the blog hop.

Our challenge this week is to create something other than a card, so I've opted for a gift tag. I love wrapping presents and attaching a little homemade tag to my gift.  I also love these oversized tag dies - they're great to still include a full stamped image and some embellishments so it's a fussy and fancy creation too!

Don't forget to visit my lovely teamies, and then leave a comment on the challenge blog:

Anne

Annette  (you are here!)

Brenda

Elaine

Larissa

Lynne

Sarah

Squirrel 

Wilma

As You Like It Challenge

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Onesie: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Blanket: Worn Lipstick
• Clouds: Hickory Smoke
• Bear: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Moon: Scattered Straw, Fossilised Amber, Fusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Bunny Moon from LOTV
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• 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
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Crystal gems, flat backed pearls and pearl string

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Picture Perfect

This is one of a pair of cards I've created using some of the MFT Picture Perfect stamps. Today's is a bitter-sweet card, because when I coloured the image, I specifically chose the fur colours to represent my two furbabies, ginger tom Arnie and calico Pickle. But last week I had to say a final heartbreaking goodnight to my sweet baby Arnie.  Seeing him 'waving' on this card is a lovely way to honour him, because he was always keen on a snuggle and the sentiment is perfect!  

I may have taken the odd one or two (hundred) photos of my sweet baby boy in the past, so I do have lots of pictures of him to keep his memory alive!  Sleep tight little one. I miss you so much. 

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

• Ginger Cat: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Calico Cat: Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Ears: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Scattered Straw
• Ground: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Picture Perfect
• MFT Bundles of Blossoms Paper pad
• Stitched Square Dies
• Stitched Rectangle Dies

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Wedding Card Stand

Happy Star Wars Day!!!

I'm popping in today because we attended the wedding reception of an ex-colleague of hubby's last weekend and I had to make a hot-off-the-press card because someone forgot to tell me we we'd been invited!  (apparently he did tell me a while ago and I just forgot!).  

The image is one I'd generally use as an anniversary or Valentines card, but I thought it was sweet for a wedding card too and I added the date to a mini tag to personalise it.

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

• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Reds: Victorian Velvet, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Pumice Stone, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• The Little Things from LOTV
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• MFT Stitched Tiny tags
• Card Making Magic Die Set Easel
• Twine
• Organza Ribbon
• Pink mesh ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Tag It
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Just be-cub I love you

A really CAS card from me today featuring the 'must-have' cute bears from CC Designs.  I love this little guy's expression. I really want to scoop him up and give him a snuggle!


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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Scattered Straw, Vintage Photo
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Shaded Lilac

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CC Designs Bears
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Patterns Paper Pack

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Stand

The challenge starting today at As You Like It Challenge is a tough one for me, because we need to choose between two of my favourite embellishments; flowers and ribbon.  

Then I reminded myself of the original purpose of the As You Like It Challenge challenge; why it was set up in the first place, which was to create things that made us happy; things we'd enjoy making and be proud to share.  

So I decided I wasn't going to choose between my two favourite embellies, and instead use both!  I know it's kinda against the rules, but I decided that I wrote the rules for this challenge, so I'm going to allow myself to break them this week, because choosing one over the other simply wouldn't be right in my book!

This card was made for a friend who I used to work with a couple of years ago. We still catch up for lunch once a month.  I tried to make sure it was suitably 'Springlike' to suit the season!

I'm loving my new card stand die.  This is a picture just of the stand. It's quite ornate, but so easy to make.  I tried to link it up to the store where I bought it, but I think they've taken it off their website which is a shame.

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet

Card Recipe:

• MFT Easter Bunnies
• Versafine Ink Pad
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Cardmaking Magic Easel Card Stand

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Circles
• Penny Black and More - Spring
• Country View - Easter/Spring
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Coffee Sue

I've used Sue tapping away on her laptop to make a "new job" card for a friend.  Although I posted it a week ago today, unfortunately I'm not sure it's arrived in time for her first day; apparently her postie was rushed to A&E half way through his round (I suspect he collapsed under the weight of her recent craft orders) but hopefully it'll be with her soon.

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• CC Designs Coffee Sue
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Patterns Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Easter

I'm just popping in to wish you all a Happy Easter! 

Have a wonderful weekend and I hope the sun is shining where you are.

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Ground: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Magnolia Tilda with Little Chickens
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals
• Crealies Duo Dies Flowers 17
• Cardmaking Magic Easel Card Stand
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Spring Mood Board (chicks, blooms, lilac)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Eek! It's Your Birthday

I have had another little play with these little meecies today. Isn't this little guy cute!

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

• Mouse: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Oranges: Dried Marigold, Rusty Hinge
• Table: Weathered Wood, Black Soot
• Ground: Antique Linen

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT It's a Mice Time to Celebrate
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Patterns papers

I've been inspired by:

• MFT Colour Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Boxes

I've made some little Easter gift boxes and matching tags. They're filled with mini eggs so hopefully they'll be popular!  ;0)

Card Recipe:

• Spring Rabbit with Egg 2 from LOTV
• Two Little Bunnies from LOTV
• Little Chick from LOTV
• Lawn Fawn Scalloped Treat Box
• MFT Stitched Scallop Basic Edges
• 3mm Satin Ribbon
• Create a Smile Cool Cuts Tags XS

I've been inspired by:

• Country View - Easter/Spring (using DI reinkers)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Roar like a Tiger

My favourite animals are cats, in particular tigers. I've loved them since I was very young and recall researching them for a project at primary school.  They're so beautiful and graceful, and I love watching documentaries about them.  The Siberian tiger is my favourite but there only a few hundred left so they're very endangered.  There aren't very many tiger images available either, but this cutie from Lee Holland fits the bill perfectly.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Tiger from Lee Holland
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Party Hat

I can't remember the last time that I heat-embossed, but I like the white-on-colour embossed text and decided to give it a try on today's card.  The little meecie is from my new MFT set and I love this little guy doing his happy-dance!  I've stuck the sentiment banner with foam pads and created a little wave in it by alternating raised bits with areas stuck directly onto the card.

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

• Fur: Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• It's a Mice Time To Celebrate from MFT
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Petite Plaid papers
• Embossing ink pad
• White embossing powder

I've been inspired by:

• MFT Sketch Challenge
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

I'm grumpy without you

I love these cuties from CC Designs.  It's taken me a couple of attempts to make something that I'm happy with, but that's nothing to do with the stamps, more just me getting the right layout and colouring.  Isn't his expression just adorable.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Fur: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Shaded Lilac

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Cutie Cats from CC Designs
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Roses all Over MFT papers
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx