Ugly Jumper

We're asking whether you prefer CAS (Clean & Simple) or FAF (fussy and fancy) at As You Like It today. I used to be a full on FAF crafter, but I am definitely a CAS convert!  After I've spent ages colouring an image I don't want to overload it with embellies.  Plus it's easier to mail!  :0)

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Jumper: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Hat: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany, Pumice Stone
• Ground: Frayed Burlap

Card Recipe:

• Teddy in Christmas Jumper from Lee Holland
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Sentiment font: Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Foxy Birthday

I've created a little scene using 3 stamp sets and some masking for my Father-in-Law's birthday.  He has done quite a lot of travelling in the past, so I designed the card to resemble a postcard by adding a few drawn lines and an intentionally wonky doodled postage stamp! (I'm usually soooo obsessive about lining things up straight, so I was actually quite proud that I wasn't twitching to straighten it!).  The 'price' and sentiment were typed (font: "Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk").  I realised afterwards that I should have used his age as the postage price, but I'd finished it by the time that light bulb switched on in my brain!  I'll remember that for next time (when I might just have to straighten up that postage stamp!!)

The card incorporates two stamp sets (fox and scenery) on the main image and a smaller fox from yet another set for the postage stamp.  I masked around the outside postage stamp square using post-it notes so that the fox only appears inside it. 

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

• Foxes: Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Present: Stormy Sky, Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Friendly Foxes
• MFT Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes
• MFT Scene Builder
• (postage stamp outline was doodled)

I've been inspired by:

• MFT Clean and Simple

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Squirrel!

I'm in love with these little furballs so I've kept them the focus of my card. The sunrays in the sky are created using a stencil which I've had for a while but this is its first outing (and I kinda like it).

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

• Squirrels: Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Pumice Stone
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Toadstools: Barn Door, Aged Mahogany, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Tree stump: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Acorns: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Squirrel !
• MFT Bundles of Blossoms Papers
• MFT Ray of Light Stencil
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax

I've been inspired by:

• MFT Coloring Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Tree Friends

The current cold snap has prompted us to think about Christmas at As You Like It Challenge and we're asking if you prefer your festive cards to feature Santa or non-Santa themes. It's fairly safe to say that my preference is for cute furries so I've used this collection of critters from LOTV, because just one cute furry critter isn't enough at Christmas!

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

• Owl/Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo 
• Fox: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Reindeer:  Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain
• Robin: Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain, Worn Lipstick
• Mouse: Pumice Stone
• Tree: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Baubles: Mermaid Lagoon, Wilted Violet, Candied Apple, Wild Honey
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Decorating the Christmas Tree from LOTV
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Merry & Bright Paper pad
• Sentiment Font: Beneath your beautiful

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sweater Weather Crew

It's gone a bit chilly the past few days so these guys in their woollies seems appropriate. I couldn't choose between the safari and wood set, so I've used both to create a whole crew of cuties gathered together for a coffee.

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

• Moose: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Tattered Rose
• Fox/Giraffe/Tiger: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Polar Bear: Pumice Stone, Antique Linen
• Tiger's Sweater: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Red Sweaters: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Green Sweaters: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire, Black Soot
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Sweater Weather on Safari
• MFT Sweater Weather in the Woods
• MFT Bundles of Blossoms Papers
• MFT Watercolour Wash Papers
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Stamp It
• Penny Black & More - Animals

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mouse Pouch

I've made a 7" x 7" bound wallet which contains a handmade pouch perfect to house some 6" x 6" papers. I've made it as a gift, and once the papers are used, it could be used to store some 6" x 6" cards.  The mouse on the front has a magnet on the back so it wraps around the book.

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

• Mouse: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Outfit: Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Icecream: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick

Card Recipe:

• Shelly Mouse from Purple Onion Designs
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Raspberry Road Designs Timeless Victorian papers
• Zutter binding machine and wires

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Stamp It
• Penny Black & More - Animals

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Nutty Together

I've got a nutty card which was made for a nutty friend! These cute little squirrels scurried into my basket faster than they could bury their acorns!  I'm really liking this shape of cardbase too at the moment; it's so easy to make from an A4 sheet of card but can still be clean and simple despite its size.   

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

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

Card Recipe:

• Squirrel! from MFT
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Bundles of Blossoms and Watercolour paper pads
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Blue gems

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Stamp It
• Penny Black & More - Animals

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

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