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

A Halloween Hello

I 'cased' a card by Tara following her fabulously easy tutorial for a night sky background using my DI pads and a dauber.  I did get quite inky fingers though, and only the finger with the dauber seemed to escape!  

I stamped the bat and then masked it.  The moon was a simple circle which further masked the card. I then used my dauber to ink from the edges inwards getting lighter as I moved inwards.  When the masks are removed the moon looks like it really 'glows'. I added a bit of shading to the moon itself, coloured the bat and stamped a sentiment.

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

• Moon: Antique Linen, Pumice Stone
• Bat: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Victorian Velvet, Bundled Sage
• Night Sky: Victorian Velvet, Wilted Violet, Seedless Preserves, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Bats
• MFT Witch Way is the Candy (new release set has same sentiment but in different font)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Border Dies

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda Steiner - Share Your Designs
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• That's Crafty - Get your Spook on
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Monochrome

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

I Raccoon I Wood be Lost Without You (and a FREEBIE!!!)

It's a JFF card from me today using an adorable little raccoon image from Gerda Steiner.

I couldn't decide whether or not to stamp a sentiment on the little plank of wood, but decided that it would be better placed in the white space on the left.  After some deliberation I printed 'I WOOD be lost without you', as a pun on the wooden plank, but afterwards I realised I should have put 'I raccoon I wood be lost without you' which would've combined the wood and raccoon puns, but overall I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  

I used the no-lines technique and gave my little critter some long eyelashes to appear more feminine!  I then masked her and used my new dauber and ink pad to create the sky around her.  I find this a much safer technique than trying to watercolour the sky because I used to get the colours of the image bleeding into my sky, especially in the tight angles (such as the small space between her cheeks and the wooden plank). The mask protects the image and using the dauber means the ink is not as wet as it needs to be on the paintbrush.

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

• Fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot 
• Wood: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, , Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

And if you're still with me after all that, I have a little freebie to share today. It's been a while since I made any new circle sentiments, mainly because I've not been using them much myself, but I had a request for a 'just a note' sentiment from Rowlands Crafts, and as I always say, if you don't ask, you don't get!  

You're free to download any of my freebie images, but please respect my conditions listed below.

• Please do not share my digis directly with others, (for the avoidance of doubt, this prohibits uploading them onto Pinterest), and

• When you use any of my images I'd be delighted if you include a linky directing people back here so they can collect any that take their fancy themselves.

I'd also love for you to send me any links to cards you've made using my digis, as I love seeing how other people use them and the wonderful creations they make using my digis.  

Finally, feel free to recolour and resize them to suit your project.  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Raccoon Digital Stamp from Gerda Steiner
• Kraft card

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda Steiner Monthly Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Little Miss ...

The 12 new 'Thoroughly Modern Misses' images from Lili of the Valley are due to be released tomorrow and I've been playing with some of them as well as the corresponding calendar months for 2018.  

I've bound them together using my Zutter and some white binding wires with some mount-board covers covered with some pretty pastel pink paper.

I coloured these ladies with Copics for a change but I admit that I struggled as fair bit because I've not used my markers for months, maybe even over a year and have clearly got out of practice.  Hopefully Faye isn't looking!

Project Recipe:

• Thoroughly Modern Misses  - March
• Thoroughly Modern Misses  - October
• Thoroughly Modern Misses Calendar
• Coloured with Copic Markers
• Mountboard
• Zutter binding machine and white wires

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Winter Bunnies

We're asking whether you prefer crafting with People or Animals this fortnight at As You Like It Challenge.  I seem to veer towards critters in most of my cards and I'm a huge fan of anything cute and furry both in crafting and life in general!  I especially love kitties who are usually quite cuddly (there's nothing better than a lap full of purring kitty), but it's the bunnies at LOTV who are some of my favourite crafting critters.  I think this image featuring them sitting on their wintry log is adorable.

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

• Fur/Feathers: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Cheeks/Ears/Robin Breast: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Reds: Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Log: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Card Recipe:

• Winter Bunnies (retired) from Lili of the Valley
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Tonic Studio Modern Merry Christmas
• 6mm Satin Aqua Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• The Ribbon Girl - Any Image

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Witch way is the Candy?

Halloween is creeping up on us and I've created a little topical card for Dies to Die For using and MFT set called Witch Way is the Candy.   I stamped and masked a circle and my characters before inking the whole cardbase with DI using some daubers and then watercoloured my image, adding some creamy yellow and a spot of pale grey to the moon for texture.  I sprinkled some water over the background to resemble a starry galaxy sky and matted the whole panel on black card. 

I was really pleased with how it turned out.  Even though I don't really 'celebrate' Halloween, I still really enjoy making cards and themed decorations for it.

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

• Moon: Antique Linen, Pumice Stone 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Tea Dye
• Greens: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Bat: Victorian Velvet, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Hat:  Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Scattered Straw
• Broom: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Background: Victorian Velvet, WIlted Violet, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Witch Way is the Candy from MFT
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Black Card

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Halloween inspiration

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Batty

I usually make some little treat pouches for the ghosts and ghouls who visit us on Halloween. Living near a couple of schools we tend to get a fair amount of the little beasts treasures at our door.  This year I've made some very simple pillow boxes with bat wings and spooky cute faces. 

They're quite large so should be adequate for a couple of snack sizes chocolate bars.  I thought they would be quite quick to make, but after taking about 3 hours to make 20 I withhold my opinion on that! 

After the 20 pouches are handed out on the night, we'll be closing the curtains and turning off the lights!

Project Recipe:

• Silhouette Bat Pillow Box
• Black card
• White card
• Kraft card
• Patience!

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Not a card
• Inky Chicks - Not Square
• Creatalicious - Halloween

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Skating Along

One of the very first Lili of the Valley images that I bought was this one called Skating Along.  She's now available as a digi as well as rubber, and I've used the digi version which I've flipped to face to the right.  It's perfect for the new challenge at In The Pink Challenge which is ribbons and bows.

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

• Dog: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Tea Dye
• Greens: Bundled Sage
• Outfit/Leash: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Hat/coat fur: Spun Sugar, Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Skating Along from Lili of the Valley
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• 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
• Tonic Modern Merry Christmas
• Pink Satin 15mm Ribbon

Here's one of the first cards I made using this image in October 2010!  Eeeek!

Created for:

and

Sponsored by:

I've been inspired by:

• The Ribbon Girl - October Card Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bah Humbug!

As soon as I saw this guy in a recent release from Whimsy stamps I knew I wanted needed him. I've used the sentiment that comes with him and shaded it in an ombre style. 

I showed the finished card to my hubby who said 'Who are you gonna give that to? They might take offence at the sentiment".  

I told him I was planning on giving it to him.  ;0)

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Nose/Antlers: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Holly: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Bells: Fossilised Amber
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Reindeer Kitty from Whimsy Stamps
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Maja Design papers

I've been inspired by:

• Whimsy Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pom Pom

I've used one of my oldest Lili of the Valley images for today's As You Like It Challenge where our theme is to show us whether you prefer ribbons or flowers.  I admit that I love flowers as embellishments, but I'm not great at colouring them and I love adding ribbon to my cards. I also love making double bows to showcase the ribbon which I've done on today's card, even though it's still fairly clean and simple. 

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
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Dress: Tumbled Glass, Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Pom Pom from Lili of the Valley
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Border Dies
• Purple Onion Design Homegrown Sentiments
• Glossy Accents
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Blue White Spot Organza ribbon

If you're interested in a comparison, I first used this girlie in January 2011 when I produced the card below. I'd like to think that I've improved a little since then! :0)

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes
• The Ribbon Girl - Card Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Girl Time

I wanted to give a gift voucher for a massage to a young lady who works at a cafe that hubby and I visit when we venture into town so I've made a quick card so I could pop her voucher inside.  This is what I came up with using 'Girl Time' from Stamping Bella ...  

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Tea Dye
• Cucumber: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Towels: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Table: Hickory Smoke
• Background: Old Paper

Card Recipe:

• Stamping Bella's Girl Time
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Nitwit Collections Promises Solids Papers
• Ribbed aqua ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Bellarific Fridays - Freeform
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Reindeer Games

I've had this stamp set for a while but this is its first inking. There are three reindeer in the set, and this one has such an adorable grin that I had to choose him first.  

I've teamed him with a 'let is snow' die and some snowflakes in the form of pearl dots falling around him.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Antlers: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Holly: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CCS Reindeer Games 
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Let It Snow Border Die
• Stitched Rectangle Die
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• Nordsalten Hobbyklubb - CAS

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Vintage Romance

At As You Like It this week we want to know what your favourite papers are.  I have fallen in love with Maja Design papers and this one from the Vintage Romance stack is one of my (current) favourites because of the pretty florals and pastel colours.  I love both sides of it, and hate to see papers stuck down on a card when the reverse is wasted, so I've made a little gift box which shows both sides (you can see the reverse on the inside of the side panel but also I've used some scraps to make two dinky little tags which I've stuck together at an angle and fixed on with a foam pad. 

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

• Fur: Pumice Stone, Black Soot 
• Ears: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Grass/Leaves: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Project Recipe:

• Elliot Mouse with Leaf
• Maja Design Vintage Romance Papers
• Lawn Fawn Scalloped Treat Box Die
• MFT Stitched Tiny Tags
• Shimmery Blue Organza Ribbon
• Crealies XXL 41 Pierced Circles

I've been inspired by:

• SSS Monday Challenge - Shimmer and Shine (the shimmery organza ribbon)
• Inky Chicks - Favourite Colours (the pastel blue on this paper and ribbon)
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes with Leaves
• The Ribbon Girl - Any Image

Happy crafting
Annette
xx