Snowy Robins

Here's the last card in my trio for the new release at Lili of the Valley.  It's a lovely clean and simple card which would be great for some quick makes.

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

• Tree: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire, Black Soot
• Robins: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Worn Lipstick
• Moon: Scattered Straw
• Ground: Weathered Wood, Scattered Straw

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Snowy Robins
• Nitwit Collections Papers (Winter Wishes)
• White Gel pen
• Black pen (doodled stitching)

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (using DI Inks)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Cuddle

Here's the second in my set of cards for the new release at Lili of the Valley. Release day is 10 September so there's not long to wait for these cuties.

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

• Elephant: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Trees: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire, Black Soot
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Moon: Scattered Straw
• Ground: Weathered Wood, Scattered Straw

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Christmas Cuddle
• Nitwit Collections Papers (Winter Wishes)
• White Gel pen
• Black pen (doodled stitching)

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (using DI Inks)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Moonlit Snowy Chums

I have two weaknesses when it comes to Christmas images: cute and pingus!  Brace yourselves for some new images due to be released on 10 September from Lili of the Valley.  I've got 3 in a matching set to share, the first of which is an adorable seal and pingu snuggling in the moonlight.  I hope you like it, because I have a couple more to share over the coming days!  The moon landscape was surprisingly easy to create using a circle of post-it paper mask and some blending of Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire and a little Black Soot in the corners. The moon itself was coloured with some Scattered Straw and then finally the critters coloured as normal.

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

• Seal: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
• Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Mistletoe: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire, Black Soot
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Moon: Scattered Straw
• Ground: Weathered Wood, Scattered Straw

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Snowy Chums
• Nitwit Collections Papers (Petal Fresh)
• White Gel pen
• Black pen (doodled stitching)

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (using DI Inks)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Jasper Kitty

At the As You Like It Challenge challenge this week we want to see how you prefer to add text to your cards.  I'm not usually very good at adding sentiments, either stamped or die cut, but I guess my most common way is to use a typed sentiment which I can write myself.  I have quite a collection of different fonts but I really like this one which is called "KG Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk".  

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Presents: Wilted Violet, Milled Lavender, Wild Honey, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
• Sky: Shaded Lilac
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Jasper Kitty from Polkadoodles
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Stitched Squares
• Purple gems

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creative Knockouts - Something to Say

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sweet Wishes, Sweet Friend

Bunnies are some of my favourite critters but I've not used this cute stamp set for a while.  I thought they deserved an outing so have made a little card for a sweet friend. The design is clean and simple to focus on the fur-balls.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Snuggle Bunnies
• MFT Sending Sweet Celebrations Wishes (Sentiment)
• MFT Plaid Patterns Papers
• MFT Watercolor Wash Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - S is for Snuggle bunnies, Sweet Wishes, Sweet Friend, Stripes
• Allsorts - Feminine
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Celebrating your special day

I've been playing with my new Sweet Celebration Wishes stamps from MFT this week. I've used the 'pale-lines' technique and used a sentiment from the same set.

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

• Fox: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
• Tortoise: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Grass/Fox's Hat: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Cupcake: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Spun Sugar
• Bow/Bunny's Hat: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes
• Ink On 3 Fadeout Stamp Pad
• MFT Plaid Patterns Paper
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
• Penny Black at Alsorts - Boys/Men

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Special Friend

The new challenge at As You Like It Challenge is to decide whether you prefer the colour combination of pink and green or blue and orange.  Ideally I'd prefer pink and blue because I'm not a huge fan of orange, but neither do I like a lot of green.  I think my fondness for pink outweighs my dislike of green so I've opted for that combo (with a touch of blue).  The image and sentiment are from our sponsor this week, Lili of the Valley

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
• Envelope: Old Paper

Card Recipe:

• Spring Rabbit Mail from Lili of the Valley
• Everyday Greetings Sentiment from Lili of the Valley
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Nottingham Border Die (the flower is the 'negative' cut from the die)

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Midsummer Blues
• Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Eeyore

I was in love with these donkeys when I saw the new release at Stamping Bella.  I've always been fond of Donkeys since a child, having one as a soft toy as a baby.  I also love Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh so this set was a must-have as far as I'm concerned!

The sentiment is from another Stamping Bella set, and it seemed perfect for this little fella.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Stamping Bella Donkey Trio Stuffies
• Stamping Bella Bunny Pile Stuffies (Sentiment)
• Ink On 3 Fadeout Stamp Pad
• Memory Box Notingham Border
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Paper Pad
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 6mm Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Midsummer Blues

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnomie Merry Christmas

I hope you're not bored of these already because I've got another sneak peek of the gnomes from Lili of the Valley.  This one's in less traditional purples, but it's a colour I love at Christmas (or any other time of the year!)

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Beard: Pumice Stone
• Boxes: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Greens: Old Paper, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Boots: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Gnome
• LOTV Handdrawn Sentiment set
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Stitched Rectangles
• Purple gems

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnomie Seasons Greetings

This is my second sneak peek using the new gnome release at Lili of the Valley.  I've used one of the tag sentiments as a signpost by adding a wooden post again. I'm usually really forgetful at adding sentiments so this is a nice way to incorporate it into the image.

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Beard: Pumice Stone
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Gnome
• LOTV Tags Sentiment set
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Merry & Bright Paper pad

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnomie Christmas Wishes

Lili of the Valley have a new release due out later this month featuring gnomes and snowmen and I've got some sneak peeks of the new images over the next few days.  There are some sentiments and I've used one of them as a signpost by adding a wooden post and some snow at its base.

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

• Bears: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Beard: Pumice Stone
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Gnome
• LOTV Handdrawn Sentiment set
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Merry & Bright Paper pad

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Curvy Baker

I haven't made an apron shaped card for a while and decided the Curvy Girl Baker image was just the ticket to try it again. The shape is actually just a rectangle with the armholes cut out using an oval die.  I attached the ribbon 'ties' before adding the patterned paper and popped my image on the front. She's a 'big girl' so it's quite a big card because I decided against cropping her (I'd already coloured her and couldn't face chopping her legs off to make her fit a smaller card base!).

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
• Green: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Outfit: Shaded Lilac, Hickory Smoke, Candied Apple, Barn Door
• Poppy: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Cake: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Spun Sugar, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Curvy Girl Baker
• Ink On 3 Fadeout No Line Stamp Pad
• Stitched Rectangle Die
• Oval nesting Die
• MFT Block Happy Birthday
• Organza Ribbon, Flower Ribbon, Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Happy Birthday
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Add a Die Cut using MFT Birthday

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Piggies

We want to see your favourite flowers at As You Like It Challenge this week.  I have lots of favourite flowers, but I really love roses and lilies. I've used both on my card today as well as some cherry blossom and floral papers too!

The sentiment is a circular die that I've snipped so that I can stretch it out to fit the larger circle I'd used to frame my piggies. It's worked really well so I might do it again.

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

• Piggies: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Pot: Ripe Persimmon, Tea Dye
• Flower: Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• MFT Piggy Pebbles
• MFT Happy Birthday Circle
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Orchid Satin Ribbon
• 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 XXL65 Double Stitched Circles

I've been inspired by:

• MFT Birthday Challenge - Flowers
• MFT Colour Challenge - Lilac, Coral (piggies/papers), Persimmon (pot/flowers), Grey (pearls)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Selfies

I admit that I don't personally partake in the current trend for selfies, but these little guys from Dies to Die For are too cute not to indulge in a little Polaroid fun!  

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

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

Card Recipe:

• MFT Picture Perfect Stamp Set
• Polaroid Dies
• MFT Paper Pad
• Versafine Ink Pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Bright & Cheerful

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hanging Stockings

I'm still in Christmas mode with these little sweeties from the new release at Lili of the Valley.



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

• Fur: Pumice Stone, Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Weathered Wood, Black Soot
• Bacground: Antique Linen

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Hanging Stockings with Dad
• MFT Plaid Patterns

I've been inspired by:

• Dream Valley - Christmas in July

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gingerbread Christmouse

Lili of the Valley have some cute new Christmas Critters and I've used these adorable gingerbread meecies for my card.

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

• Fur: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Weathered Wood, Tattered Rose
• Gingerbread: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Sweets: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Wilted Violet, Candied Apple, Mermaid Lagoon, Squeezed Lemonade

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Gingerbread Mice
• MTF Petite Plaid Papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Fly With Me

I made some little tags for a couple of gifts I sent recently using some adorable little heffalumps from Mama Elephant.

Card Recipe:

• Mama Elephant Fly With Me
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals
• Lawn Fawn Puffy Clouds
• Nitwit Collections Promises Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Not a Card using ME Fly with Me Stamps

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Blanche

Today's card is a simple birthday card featuring Blanche the Butterfly Fairy from Stamping Bella and a Birthday die.

Blanche's wings are smothered in Pixie Dust and they shimmer when the light's on them.

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

• Hair: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Skin: 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
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Blanche the Butterfly
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Watercolor Papers
• MFT Birthday Text Dies
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Liquid Pixie Dust

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mistletoe Mice

I've been playing with another one of the soon-to-be released images from Lili of the Valley. This one's called Mistletoe Mice and they're adorable.  I've added some glamour dust as snow and a simple sentiment.
Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
• Mistletoe: SBundled Sage, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Mistletoe Mice
• MFT Merry & Bright Plaid Papers
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Glossy Accents
• Glamour Dust glitter
• Purple Onion Design Handwritten Holiday Sentiments

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Animal Magic using Ranger Reinkers & MTF Edgers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Sled

We want to know whether you prefer birds or beasts today at As You Like It Challenge and for me it's definitely the cute and furries, in particular bunnies!  So I've been playing with one of the soon-to-be-released bunny images from LOTV with this clean and simple watercoloured card.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Sled: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Christmas Sled
• MFT Plaid Patterns Papers
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Glossy Accents
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Vivo Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Animal Magic

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Beary Good Birthday

My favourite Stamping Bella bear, Harry, has come out to play today, sending some special birthday wishes to a special friend.  I managed to somehow get some liquid pixie dust in the bottle that I wash my brushes in, so if you wonder why he's got glitter in his fur, that'll be why!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Envelope: Old Paper

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Harry the Stuffie had Happy Mail
• MFT Polar Pals (sentiment)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Animal Magic

Happy crafting
Annette
xx