Footie

I'm back to C&S mode, but today it's almost out of necessity because I've made a (kind of) masculine card featuring Stampavie's Sporty image of a cute footie bear.  It's also nice and flat for posting!  Although it's a sporty theme, I think the papers are still really pretty, even though I've steered clear of florals! :0)

Card Recipe, featuring items from The Stamp Basket:

• Image - Stampavie Sporty
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• My Mind's Eye Dolled Up Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Memory Box Whimsical Flourish
• Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• My Mum's Craft Challenge - Spots and Stripes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Vogue

It's nearly the end of another week *yay* which means we've a new challenge over at As You Like It and Crafty Little Fairies.

The theme at Crafty Little Fairies is shopping (I like to think that it's shoe or crafty stash shopping, as either will do me!) and the theme at As You Like It Challenge is to showcase your favourite 3D texture items.

I couldn't decide which of flowers, ribbons or pearls were my favourite items to add 3D texture, so I flipped a coin.  And then added all three!  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - LOTV Born to Shop
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• Always and Forever Lili of the Valley Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Lacey Circle Spellbinder Nesties
• Ribbon - Fantastic Ribbons
• Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Hobby House 8mm Pearl Brad
• Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• LOTV Monthly Challenge - Name that Tune (Madonna's "Vogue" to go with the shopping theme)
• WOC Challenge - It's a Stitch Up

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Lighting Up

I've made another 'tag' style card as I am really liking the C&S style at the moment.  This one's a Christmas card, featuring Bildmalarna Mimosa Lighting Up.  I've popped a variety of die cut snowflakes behind the tag, and some little rhinestones in the corner.  This one's been kept fairly flat, so it shouldn't cost a fortune to mail.

Card Recipe, featuring items from The Stamp Basket:

• Image - Bildmalarna Mimosa Lighting Up
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Cardworks Card base
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Baby Blue Bazzil Cardstock
• Vintage Style Ribbon Limoges
• Rhinestones
• Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black - Make it Sparkle (rhinestones)
• Winter Wonderland - The most wonderful time of the year (Christmas)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bumble Bee, eating Humble Pie

After making my Birthday Planner (click here for link to the post) last month, to ensure that I wouldn't miss any birthdays, guess what happened!

D'oh.

It was my lovely teamie Sarah's birthday earlier this week, and I even remembered the date a couple of weeks ago, but at that time I thought it was too early to send a card.  And then I promptly forgot again.

Double d'oh!

Anyway, better late than never.  So, I made a new card, with a belated birthday wish sentiment as an apology!  I kept the card kind of simple, as I think she prefers them this way, but I couldn't resist adding some pearls and glitter.  I also used a cute Barry bear image, as I know she likes him too.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Barry Bee from Stampfairy 
• One of my own Freebie Sentiments
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Cardworks Card base
• Graphic 45 Secret Garden Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Lacey Circle Spellbinder Nesties
• Ribbon - Fantastic Ribbons
• Pearls
• Memory Box Simple Banner Die
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Sketch N Stash - Sketch (old stash = daisy ribbon I've had for years, and totally neglected)
• Stamping Sensations - Wings, Fantasy and Fiction (wings, plus you don't get much more fictional than a teddy bear in a bumble bee costume!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Alex in the Snow with Puppies

I'm still on a mission to make my Christmas cards throughout the year, so I've got another one to share today.  This one is a cute Stampavie image of a little boy and puppies.  I've teamed it with some of my favourite Silent Night papers, and some die cuts.  The die cuts were originally cut in white, but I've coloured the lamp in brown copic, and then popped some orange card behind the cut outs, and given the orange some sparkle with some shimmer gel pens.

Card Recipe, featuring items from The Stamp Basket:

• Image - Stampavie Alex in the Snow with Puppies
• Colouring - Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• First Edition Silent Night Papers
• Bazzill Baby Blue
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Joy! Craft Winter Wishes Ice Crystals Dies
• Vintage Style Ribbon Limoges
• Memory Box Vintage Lamp
• Pearls
• Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black & More - Make it Sparkle (the glittery lamp light)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Anyone for Cricket?

Today's card is for a colleague who likes cricket, and was appropriately made to cover my DT sample for Crafty Little Fairies, where the theme this week is For the Boys.

Well, anyone who reads my post often, will already know that there are 3 crafting themes that I find especially difficult ...

     1)  Masculine cards
     2)  "Colouring" white (usually reserved for snowman)
     3)  Clean and Simple Style

I'll say no more.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Cricket
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Ribbon (was white, but I swiped it across a pale green copic)

I've been inspired by:

• LOTV Challenge - Name That Tune (Can I get away with "Hit me with your (rhythm) stick" by Ian Dury & the Blockheads!)  :0)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dashing Though the Snow

I'm such a sucker for these cute little James bears, and this is one of my newbies, inked up for the first time. I've kept the layout of the card quite simple, and used some gorgeous coffee coloured satin ribbon.  The pearls are also coffee coloured, but the pearl brad holding on the ribbon was originally a white pearl, so I coloured it with a E33 copic to match it to the other pearls.  The papers that I used are from my trust Silent Night pad, layered onto coffee coloured shimmer paper.

All that talk of coffee has got my taste buds going, so I'm off to make myself a frothy latte!  :0)

I might have to have a chocolate chip cookie to dunk in it too.  Well, it would be crime not to, right?

This project is to support the 'D for Dies' challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge which starts today.  I used a circle nestie die to cut the circular image panel and the trees were cut using Dohickey Slender Fir die.

Card Recipe, featuring items from The Stamp Basket:

• Image - James Sledging Along from LOTV
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• First Edition Silent Night Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Papermania Bowmaker
• Dohickey Slender Firs Die
• Circle Die (for image panel)
• Pearls
• Hobby House 8mm Pearl Brad
• Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• LOTV Challenge - Name That Tune (Dashing through the Snow / Jingle Bells)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pink Fairy

It's a stitching theme at Top Tip Tuesday, which is right up my street!  I've actually done two types of stitching, because I've machine stitched around the banner panel, but I've also manually stitched on the button to the panel using the old fashioned needle and thread!

There is also a smidgeon of lace under the twine/button combo, but it's a little hard to see in the piccy.

I seem to be in a really C&S mode at the moment.  I'm sure that I'll be back in embellishment overload mode again soon, but while it lasts, I'll make the most of it. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Little Bit of Gossip Sugar Nellie
• Colouring - Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• Lili of the Valley Always and Forever Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Glass Pearls
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Lace
• Pink Twine
• Papermania Mini Spotty button

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Wings, Fantasy, Fiction
• Sugar Bowl - Colours (didn't use the grey, but managed the pink, cream and fuchsia)
• My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge - Spots (on the button) and Stripes (paper)
• The ABC Challenge - Flowers
• Stampin' for the Weekend - Flower Power

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Maya and Mascara

I hope you all had a good weekend.  I had quite a busy one, and for once it didn't involve any crafting.  Actually none at all, to the point where I started twitching with withdrawal symptoms!  :0)

Anyway, I know it's only mid February but I'm continuing my mission to get my Christmas cards made throughout the year.  So I've got another one to share today.

This one features one of my favourite Whiff of Joy images of Maya and Kitty sledging.  I've used mainly browns (to match the papers and embellishments) but added a sprinkling of pink to give it a bit of a pop.

The Village Lamp is a lovely die that I've used for the first time today, and I've coloured it in gold, but perhaps not using something that you might expect!  That's where the make-up hint lies in the title of this post.

The gold is actually an eye-liner that I bought in a Body Shop sale a looooong time ago, and found in an old make-up bag completely unused a couple of years ago.  At that time, I decided that I had no idea what on earth I was thinking when I bought it, but I certainly don't think I would ever wear gold make-up.  So it became a crafting item instead (which might have been the original intention anyway!).  And it's laid unused until today!  To be honest I thought it would have dried up by now.  But nope!!  Still good, and the little brush applicator was perfect to paint the die cut.

I'll admit that on the make-up front, I'm a simple mascara kind of girl.  I wouldn't want to be seen dead without that.  And I do also wear a spot of eye-shadow in the week for work.  But that's it.  The whole foundation-concealer-lipstick-blusher-bronzer stuff escapes me.  I'd rather have an extra 10 minutes in bed than be under the false impression that anything I do with various pots, sticks, brushes and lotions can make much improvement!!  Plus any lippy seems to have blotted off within an hour if I do wear it for a special occasion / wedding etc.

Lip-balms on the other hand, well ... I have dozens of those little suckers!!   And I think that lip-balm is much more suited for little Maya as she goes sledging with her kitty on a cold winter's day!  :0)

And don't forget it's the final few days of The Stamp Basket sale, so pop over to grab your bargains before it ends.

Card Recipe, featuring items from The Stamp Basket:

• Image - Whiff of Joy - Maya and Kitty Sledging
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Cardworks Card base
• First Edition Silent Night Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Pearls
• Memory Box Village Lamp
• Joy! Crafts Winter Wishes Ice Crystals 2
• La La Land Heart Fence
• Vintage ribbon walnut
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Clever Cutting (mascara painted die cut!)
• Penny Black and More - Make it Sparkle

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Thank You Owl

Today's card is a sweet little thank you card made with a cute little owl.    I actually copied a layout that I'd used quite recently, here, but this time used a tag die rather than a freehand tag.

This project is to support the spots and stripes challenge at A Gem of a Challenge.  There are spots and stripes on the little peekaboo banner under the owl, and more spots are on the green backing paper.

Card Recipe, featuring items from The Stamp Basket:

• Image - Owl In Hat by Pink Gem Designs
• Typed Sentiment
• Cardworks Card base
• Vintage Rose Wild Rose Studio Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Pearls
• Dohickey Magnolia Tag
• Embroidery Thread

I've been inspired by:

• MMCS - Spots and Stripes
• Stamping Sensations - Wings, Fantasy, Fiction (wings)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

LovelyPop Tilda

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Although today's card is a birthday card, in order to celebrate Valentines day, I've sneaked some pink and a little heart into my project today.  I let the pretty pink and aqua papers dictate this card and followed the colour theme into the image, ribbon and flower embellishments.  I think these papers are some of my all time favourites.

This little Tilda is from the 'Sweet Crazy Love' collection and I don't think I've used her before today.  I inked all around the pretty papers with bright pink ink and layered all the panels onto kraft colour card.

Card Recipe, featuring items from The Stamp Basket:

• Image - Sweet Crazy Love - LovelyPop Tilda
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Magnolia Papers
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Spellbinders Labels 18
• Vintage Style Ribbon Pink
• Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• The Sketchy Challenge
• Wild Orchid Challenge (love hearts on papers and image)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Inspiration from a box ... or maybe it was the chocolates?

I received a lovely box of chocs for Christmas, and decided that the gorgeous circular box was just too lovely to throw away and I kept it to decorate.  Unfortunately, of course, before I could decorate it, I would firstly have to empty it.

Well, that was a really difficult task, but I battled on, and managed to succeed in emptying it fairly quickly.  ;0)

After bravely emptying the box, I painted it using some leftover cream paint (I had to give it several coats to hide the dark bits), and after much frustration trying to get rid of brush marks, I used a small paint roller to roll out the brush marks, which gave it a lovely mottled effect.  

Once the paint had dried, I decorated it with lots of layers of cream and gold card, a gorgeous teddy bear image (teddies are something else I love as well as chocolates boxes).  

I added some gorgeous gold organza ribbon, and some golden die cut hearts.  

Finally I stamped teeny flowers and leaves around the largest circle layer, and also all around the sides of the box, and wrapped more of the organza ribbon around the edge and tied a small knot to hold it in place.

This project is to support the inspirational object challenge at As You Like It Challenge and also the Teddies challenge at Crafty Little Fairies.

Here's the original box (no drooling now girls!)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Barry Spring from Stampfairy
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Gold Organza Ribbon
• Gold Mirri card
• Corrugated Gold Card
• Memory Box Precious Hearts Die
• Whiff of Joy Heart Banner Die
• Go Kreate Frilly Frame 10 Nestie

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Clever Cutting (die cuts)
• Bunny Zoe - Hearts / Love

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's no(el) good ... back to the drawing board

Round 1 ...

I bought a new bauble die with an idea in my head that I would use the bauble as a letter 'O' in the word Noel or Snow.

I made the card exactly as it was in my head, but then wasn't pleased with the end result.  :0(

I typed the other three letters in a fancy font (Heina's hurry in size 112), and randomly placed them around the area leaving enough space for the bauble.

The text was printed in dark green and the bauble was die cut in a similar coloured green card, attaching some embroidery thread to the back of the bauble, and sticking it into place using foam pads.
I pulled the thread up to the top of the card, and taped it down behind the panel, before layering the panel onto more dark green card, glittering the letters and bauble, and then sticking it to the base card using more foam pads.

It still seemed to me missing 'something', but I was not sure what. So I added a trio of pearls in the top corner and inked around the edge of the card.  I'm still not sure it's 'complete' but I'm not sure how else I expected it to turn out.

I was thinking these would be ideal cards to make for the guys on my Xmas card list, but I'm just not happy with it, but can't put my finger on why.  :0(

Ding, ding.  Round 2...

After going back to the drawing board, rearranging the letters into a row instead of random placement, and die cutting a frosty border, I came up with a version that I'm much happier with ...

Card Recipe:

• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• Own Sentiment in font called Heina's hurry
• Memory Box Snowflake Ornament Die
• Memory Box Frostyville Border die
• Twine
• Embroidery Thread
• Liquid pearls
• Pearls
• Stickles

I've been inspired by:

• Winter Wonderland

Happy crafting.
Annette
xx

Pink, with a splash of Pink

I've got a bit of a love theme happening today, with sweet Tilly the puppy from Wild Rose Studio. The whole card was inspired by the papers and I tried to match the colours used on my image to the papers.  I've got 2 new colours R81 and R85 and those have made their début today on the present!  I think they match the papers really well and are a gorgeous dusky pink.

I'm also really liking the double bow effect at the moment, and seem to do it on every bow now!  I got myself a little bow maker about a month ago, and love that I can now do double bows with it.  It works really well with this vintage style ribbon as the knot isn't too thick.  On the thicker satin ribbons I usually use a pearl brad to hold the bow onto the card, but it's not needed here.

Card Recipe, featuring items from The Stamp Basket:

• Image - WRS Tilly with Gift
• Sentiment LOTV
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, White Gel Pen
• Cardworks Card base
• Dovecraft Back To Basics II Pink
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Vintage Style Ribbon Pink
• Corner Die
• Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• The Sketchy Challenge
• Papertake Weekly
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge
• Cute Card Thursday
• Simon's Monday Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Always. All Ways.

It's a quick one today, casing a beautifully simple card I saw on Jen's blog a while ago.  It was a costly spot as I had to buy the die, and am not sure how many times I can use it without hubby recognising that I've used it again!  Anyway, this is its first outing, and I'm loving the simplicity of it with the glossy red card underneath.

It's also not cute, so hubby can't complain when I give it to him for Valentines Day on Friday.  Although I'm posting it a few days early, there's not much chance of him spotting it before the day.  He doesn't notice the cards I show him in person, let alone going hunting on my blog for it.

Card Recipe

• Typed Sentiment
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Impression Obsession Heart Die
• Red Glossy Card
• Sewing Machine

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Love Notes
• Cute Card Thursday - Lots of Love
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Have a heart
• Winter Wonderland (off peak doesn't have to be xmas) - No Stamping

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

The definition of retirement

It's happening a bit more often than I'd like lately, but whenever I have a particularly crappy week at work, I console myself by remembering that it's one less week until retirement!

There's nothing like wishing your life away, huh!

Anyway, for one of my colleagues, that time has come (lucky lady).  She's taking early retiring, but however jealous I might be, I think it's fair to say that she's earned it.

I wanted to make her a 'Happy Retirement' card, but had two problems to overcome;  Not only do I find this theme quite a tough one, but also she's not really into my fussy style cards.  So I did some thinking, and eventually came up with a design which I hope she might like.

For such a simple card, you would not believe how much time it took to plan!  I even procrastinated for a while about adding a trio of pearls in one or other corner, but in the end decided it didn't need anything else. So I stopped.

Talk about 'Simples!'  :0)

Card Recipe, featuring items from The Stamp Basket:

• Typed Sentiment (Font = Arabic Typesetting)
• Cardworks Card base
• Papers - Crafty Impressions Lace Butterflies
• Berisfords Aqua Satin Ribbon
• Pearl ribbon buckle

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

James, With Love

I've been playing with James the bear again, and have just realised that I used exactly the same image a week ago today!  I did actually buy a few in the set, but seem to have inked up the same one twice so far.  I really must get the others out soon!

Anyway this card is to support the 'Love' challenge at Crafty Little Fairies and is also a bit of a LOTV-fest.  As well as the LOTV image, I've also used gorgeous LOTV papers and a sentiment from their Grunge set.

To meet the love theme, I have used a heart border punch, lovely red colour scheme, love sentiment and also a little red heart button tied up with the red twine.

James is painted in DI reinkers with a chalked cloud background.  I usually use Vintage Photo for painting bears, but today I tried a new DI colour combo out (expertly recommended by the talented Squirrel) which is Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap.  I do like it, but the Frayed Burlap seemed to go a bit pink at the top of his head (or perhaps my water pot had a bit of pink in it and was tainting the brush!), but otherwise, the shading wasn't too bad, although I think the flowers look a bit flat.  One day I might master this colouring technique!

Card Recipe:

• Image - James Daisy from LOTV
• Pretty Grunge Good Times sentiment from LOTV
• Colouring - Distress Inks
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Always and Forever papers from LOTV
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Go Kreate Frilly Frame 10
• Circle nestie (for circle sentiment)
• Heart border punch
• Heart button
• Red Burlap Twine
• Berisfords Satin Ribbon 15mm Red
• Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Lili of the Valley - Name That Tune (I Will Always Love You)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Chocolate and Cream

Today's project is to support the C for Chocolate and Cream challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge.  The chocolate part is the drinking chocolate that Henry the mouse is warming his paws on, and the creams are the papers (yup, I've got my Silent Night pad out again - sorry!)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Whiff of Joy Henry
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• First Edition Silent Night Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Lilac seam binding
• Memory Box Night Sky border die
• Pearls
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Graph'it Challenge
• Papertake Weekly

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Girlie

I don't have many Tildas, but I realised that I've not used one for a while, so I thought I'd give one an inking.  I think this one's called 'Sweet Tilda', and I decided to opt for a fairly monochrome purple colour scheme.  The papers are a gorgeous shade from the Graphic 45 Secret Garden set, and they laid down the foundation for the rest of the card.  As there was a spot of green in the image, I added some pale green pearl accents and a little foliage behind my die cut flower.

I painted the image using DI reinkers but added some sparkly accent using a purple stardust gel pen.  I then outlined Tilda with a W1 Copic to lift her off the page a bit. (I tried to do it with my Pumice Stone DI, but it went a bit pinky when I tried to blend it, so I coloured over the top with the Copic instead).

The layers are all stitched onto purple bazzil card, and I used a little zigzag on one side to create a bit more interest.  This is something I've seen time and time again by the lovely Deanne, (here's my FAVOURITE card of hers which showcases the technique perfectly with the contrasting stitching).

This project is to support the Girlie challenge at Top Tip Tuesday which starts today.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Sweet Tilda
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium)
• Colouring - Sakura Stardust Gel pens, Distress Inks
• Cardworks Card base
• Graphic 45 Secret Garden
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Memory Box Lavish Branch
• Memory Box Fancy Blossoms
• Hobby House Pearls
• Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Stamping
• Bunny Zoe - Stitching
• The Hobby House Challenge - Anything Goes (Self Adhesive White Pearls)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Heart to Heart

Today's project turned out to be a mini collection of heart shaped notelets.  I wanted to create some little notecards that could secretly slip into a lunch bag or coat pocket of someone special, so that it might be found later as a little surprise on a long day!  :0)

I love the shape of this heart, it's a lovely chubby heart, and creates quite a bit of space inside, perhaps enough for a mini poem!  I cut one heart "on the fold" so that it was a tent-fold heart card, and then folded the top in half again to create an easel.  I then cut another single heart in the same pink card and stuck it to the top to finish the easel shape.

I made a couple and decorated each one differently for a little variety.  A few of you will remember that I recently purchased the Nottingham Border die, and have been overusing loving it.  Well, the flowers on the first notelet are actually the bits that it cuts out (I didn't discard them) and so I'm getting even more value for money out of the die as it doubles up as a gorgeous flower die too, which I've layered up with a pearl in the middle.  :0)

They were so quick to make, and can then be stood up on the recipient's desk as a little reminder of your note!

Next, I used another heart, again cut on the fold at the top, and created a little tag that could be tied on a little valentines gift.  The image was actually part of a much larger image, but I cut off the big heart that the bear was carrying, and replaced it with a smaller die-cut heart instead.  I punched a hole in the corner, and threaded some pretty vintage pink ribbon to create the tag tie.

I've inked around all of my hearts, on all the projects with darker pink ink pad to define the edge.

Card Recipe, featuring items from The Stamp Basket:

• Image - Stampavie Little Love Bear
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Memory Box - Cupid Heart
• Memory Box - Nottingham Border (the flowers are the bits it cuts out!)
• Memory Box - A Little Thanks
• The Hobby House Pearls
• La La Land Heart Border
• Pink Bazzil Card
• Vintage Style Ribbon Pink

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Love Notes
• Ribbon Girl - Hearts
• Creative Inspirations - Stamping
• Sweet Stampin' - Love / Valentines
• The Hobby House Challenge - Anything Goes (3mm Self Adhesive Pearls)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx