Xmas Kiss

As it is rather cold outside, it seems appropriate that today's card is a Xmas themed hedgey from Penny Black.

It's a card that I made a while ago but haven't blogged it yet.  I hope you like him.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Penny Black Xmas Kiss
• One of my own Freebie Sentiments
• Colouring - Promarkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Snow Princess paper pad
• Lacey Circle Spellbinder Nesties
• Cottage Cutz Elegant Holly Corner
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Purple Pearl Ribbon
• Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Sketch 42
• I Love Promarkers - Purples and Blues
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Purples and Blues
• That's Crafty - Animal Magic

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Yee-haw

Woohoo, it's Friday.

And not only that it's nearly the end of January, which means that lighter nights and mornings are on their way.  Roll on summer, I am longing for some warm, sunny evenings!

It's also my first Fab Friday outing as a Tiddly Inker, and I've got a cutie to share featuring my Favourite Tiddly Ink character, Wryn.  She's in Wild West mode today with her hobby horse.

Yee-haw!!!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Wryn Howdy Cowgirl by Tiddly Inks
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour papers
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• 8mm Pearl Brad

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Warm Colours
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Autumn Leaves

The new Anything Goes challenge starts at the Sugar Bowl today, and this project features not only a cute piece of rubber from Sugar Nellie, but also supports the new challenge at As You Like It Challenge where you need to say if you prefer matt or shiny.  Although O do use mirri card occasionally, as well as finding it hard to photograph I do prefer to colour coordinate my cardstock to my image (I think I've got an OCD issue!).  I also prefer pearls to rhinestones as accessories. Therefore it's definitely a matt choice for me :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - All Dressed Up Autumn Leaves from Funky Kits
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Copics
• Maja Design Vintage Summer Basics papers
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Cheery Lynn Designs LG Square Stitched Die
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Beaded Twirl

I've been inspired by:

• Winter Wonderland - Only One DP
• Copic Marker Challenge - Flowers (image, paper, embellishments)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Candy Dandy

After a couple of fussy cards, today's Tiddly Ink card is quite the opposite.  I cut the image panel using a tea plate for a cutting guide, and then layered it onto lilac paper and hand cut the border (with a very steady hand!)  I stitched the layers and popped them onto a plain square, with the only embellishments being a little trio of pearls.

I thought the candy stripes of the paper matched the candy theme of the image (well it did in my head!), and this little girlie is a real sweetie.  Literally!

I hope you agree.  Don't forget there are lots of adorable images in this new release, so pop over to the Tiddly Inks store to take a peek.

There are other Sweet Tooth images in the set, so pop over to Tiddly Inks to see the set.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Dandy as Candy from Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour papers
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wink of Stella glitter pen

I've been inspired by:

• Winter Wonderland - Only one DP

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Friends are like Chocolate Chips ...

I'm sharing another of the Tiddly Inks new releases today, and this one's making my mouth water. Mmmmm Chocolate Chip Cookies!! :0)  This is Wryn's Cookie (although I think that's large enough to share, don't you?)

She's available as both a digi and in rubber so there's no excuse to miss out on her.  I hope you like her.

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Wryn Smart Cookie from Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Spellbinders Labels 16
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Pearl String

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Get in Shape (Card base elegant edge, banner, image label shape)
• Creative Inspirations - Pretty Pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Strawberry Wryn

I'm so excited (and more than a little bit nervous) to be joining the Tiddly Inks design team (I'm sure Christy's got mixed up and invited the wrong person, but I'm keeping schtum!).  There's even more excitement because today there is a new release of some lovely girlie images, one of which I'm using today.

This is Berry Sweet Wryn and she is available in rubber as well as digi formats.  I've combined her with some berry papers from Maja Design and a simple layout using my cheat layering technique with one sheet of designer paper.  I cut out a central square shape, layered it onto brown card, and then stuck it back over the top of the aperture so that the design matches again, but there's a brown border around it.  I also stitched it before sticking it back down again.

I stitched around the image panel to match (I really must learn not to do this on circles as it's so hard!) and popped it onto the same brown card.

I'm having trouble finding some good watercolour paper that will go through my printer as my usual 300gsm thickness just won't go through.  This paper was thinner, but despite being called 'watercolour paper' it didn't seem to like water, and I got a lot of bobbling when I applied my brush.  If anyone knows of any good watercolour paper, under about 180gsm please leave me a comment. :0)

There are also some other new images, including the new Sweet Tooth girls below:

And, I get one of these too ... !!!  Yippee :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Berry Sweet Wryn
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour papers
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Get in Shape (Scalloped square, square, circle)
• Creative Inspirations - Pretty Pearls
• Winter Wonderland - Only one DP

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Beware ... Wet paint

Today's card is another one for a colleague whose birthday is in Feb (yeah, I'm working a bit ahead at the moment!).  Despite its simple appearance, it still took a couple of hours to create!

I've really been trying to concentrate on my water-colouring lately and, motivated by the second of my 3 new stamp purchases, this was another image I spent quite a long time painting!

This one's quite a large stamp and I knew the layout that I wanted to use in my head.  I printed out the text in a dripping style font in a pale colour, and then painted over it in the same Spiced Marmalade ink that I'd used for the paint in the image.

I was quite pleased with the result, but when I'd finished and showed hubby, he simply said "so does Jonny like doing DIY then?".

Card Recipe:

• Image - A Lick of Paint by LOTV
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - It's a Guy Thing
• Sweet Stampin - Masculine
• Crafty Calendar - What's New (stamp and font!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

You cannot be serious, man.....

I've been pretty good since Christmas (which makes a change for me!).  In fact after my New Year's Resolution to use my existing unused stash before buying anything new, and immediately failing after 3 days when I bought 3 Lili's, those three stamps are all I've succumbed to so far (although Squirrel is doing a fantastic job of playing temptress with some stitched dies I've now got my eye on!).

Today's card is for a colleague whose birthday is in a couple of weeks.  Although tennis is more of a summer sport, she's a huge Wimbledon fan so I bought this stamp specifically with her in mind.

I now need to find out if any more of my friends like tennis so that I can use it again! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Annabel Tennis from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Maya Design Coffee in the Arbour Paper
• Blue fibre tissue paper
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Sketch 5
• Crafty Calendar - What's new

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Make A Wish

The challenge at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight is to showcase your favourite embossing folder.

This Embossalicious floral embossing folder is definitely my favourite for a couple of reasons. Firstly the design is perfect for lots of occasions but it's also 6" square, which means it's the perfect size to cover my card blanks perfectly without the getting join marks which I get with my 5 x 7 folders.

I've also inked the raised bits using a pale blue mini ink pad to bring out the design of it and love the effect. The brad says 'make a wish' and I thought it went quite well with the cupcake theme (I just need a candle on that cupcake to blow out and make the wish!).

Card Recipe:

• Image - Joey from Purple Onion Designs
• Sentiment - Brad
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Embossalicious Floral Embossing Folder
• Spotty Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Inky Background
• That's Crafty Challenge - Blue is the Colour
• Penny Black & More - Embossing Folders

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Don't Drink and Paint

This was an image that I received for Christmas, from my lovely blogpal Larissa, and she's a real sweetie (both Larissa and the stamp!)

I've painted her with DI reinkers, but I got a bit mixed up while I was colouring though, and nearly dunked my paintbrush in my latte and picked up my water pot to drink!

Thankfully on both occasions I just managed to stop myself, but it was a close call!

I guess you don't get into that trouble with Copics!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Scrapberry Paris available from Funky Kits
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Baby Pink Cherry Blossom
• 10mm & 15mm WOC Open Roses
• 8mm Pearl Brad

I've been inspired by:

• Friday Sketch Challenge - Sketch
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Something New (Stamp)
• Cute Card Thursday - What's New (Stamp)
• Allsorts Challenge - New & Cute 
• That's Crafty - Include Blue

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cloud 9

I have several different images of Wryn from Tiddly Inks, including a couple of sets in rubber.  This one's a new image for me and I can see that it's going to be another favourite.  I also seem to be in a bit of a phase of making Wryn blond, and I rather like it!

I've used soft coloured papers to keep the focus on the image, and the only embellishments are some twine and a few (OK, more than a few) pearls.

Isn't she a sweetie!  I hope you like her. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tiddly Inks Cloud 9
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 18
• Maja Design Summer Basics
• Pink Button Twine
• Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Tiddly Inks
• ABC - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• Stamping Sensations - Dies and Punches

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

If it can go wrong, then it will ...

I water-coloured a few images this week and spent some time today making them up into cards.  This image is a rubber from All Dressed Up and was a Christmas pressie from my lovely blogging pal Carol.  There is actually a flower in the image, but somehow I managed to get ink from the flower all over the white space, so as the rest of the image was finished, I decided to fussy cut her out rather than have to bin her.  There was a smidgeon of orange on her dress too, but I managed to salvage that with some water.

Even the fussy cutting wasn't easy, as half way round I decided that my knife must be blunt, because it was dragging the thick watercolour paper.  So the bird nearly lost part of his beak.

Once it was cut out, my original plan for the layout went out of the window, and I probably spent as long fumbling around trying to find a new layout that I was happy with than I'd spent colouring the image in the first place (which was quite a long time!).

Anyway, after 2 different shaped cards, 3 different paper pads, and the potential for a die cut oval background for my girlie to stand on, I actually followed a sketch that I found, and this was the result:

Card Recipe:

• Image - All Dressed Up Autumn Leaves from Funky Kits
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Go Kreate Frilly Frames nested die
• Embossalicious Floral Embossing Folder
• Aqua satin ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Old (papers) & New (Stamp)
• Cute Card Thursday - What's New (Stamp)
• Winter Wonderland - Things With Wings (bird)
• Allsorts - New and Cute (new stamp)
• Sweet Stampin' - Girlie but no Pink
• Penny Black & More - Embossing Folders
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Something New (Stamp)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Never again.....

There are lots of samples of the 'no-lines technique' around blogland.  Some of the most beautiful examples of this technique that I've seen painted in DI inks are on Barbara's blog.  If you've not seen her creations then you're most certainly missing out on some amazing work.

Having really loved painting with my DI reinkers quite a bit lately, I decided I would give it a try.

So I dug out my Dove Grey ink pad, a new image and a dash of optimism for trying something different.

2 hours later I was feeling less optimistic!

The card below is the result of my efforts.

It actually turned out far better than it I thought it was going to when I was half way through, but oh boy, it literally took hours to paint it to a stage where I was happy.  I think the grey ink pad will be going back to the bottom of my ink pad pile and I'll be back on the jet black again from now onwards.

The stamp was a Xmas pressie from a very dear blogpal who's been a real rock for me this year (thank you so much sweetie), and this card has been sent as a thank you to her.  Plus I think she might just be one of a very short list who might appreciate how much effort has gone into this, otherwise very simple-looking, creation!!!

I kept the design quite simple since I know the recipient prefers that style.

Plus I was creatively exhausted from the painting!

Card Recipe:

• Image - CC Designs Tawny
• Colouring - Watercoloured in Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card Elegant Square base
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Dove Grey Stazon Ink Pad (about to be thrown out the window)
• Lacey Ovals Spellbinder Nesties
• Satin Fuchsia ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Something New - Image, Technique, Window (after I threw out the Dove Grey inkpad in frustration - see blogpost!!!)
• Crafty Calender - What's New (image, technique)
• That's Crafty - Include Blue
• Papertake Weekly - Thanks (no sentiment, but see blogpost)
• Simon's Monday Challenge - New (image/technique) & Old (papers)
• Winter Wonderland - Things with Wings

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Little Packages

I really dislike making cards for men because it means I have to deviate from my favourite pink and fussy style.

So it's a bit of a challenge to make a simple card that isn't too cute for a friend whose birthday is later this month.

Hmm, OK, so I think I may have failed in omitting something cute!

They don't come much more CAS than this card, but creating it was a bit more complicated.  I masked each element of the image to combine dinky 4 image stamps, 3 presents and the puppy.  I then added a sentiment stamp which is something I'm really bad at remembering to do.  I usually either miss off a sentiment, or only remember it when I have used up all the space with embellishments.  Well, not this time; it has pride of place!

Card Recipe:

• Images - Elm Puppy and Little Packages from Purple Onion Designs
• Homegrown Sentiments from Purple Onion Designs
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Totally Tilda and Friends - Anything Goes
• Copic Europe - It's a Man's World
• Papertake - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Spring Bling Wryn

I've had this image coloured up since before Christmas, but haven't made it into a card until now. The image is my favourite Tiddly Inks character Wryn with an image called Spring Bling.

I've kept the design layout clean and simple to make Wryn the focus of the card.  The papers are pink and green to match the image and I've popped on a couple of matching red accessories in the ribbon and pearls.

 Card Recipe:

• Image - Wryn Spring Bling from Tiddly Inks
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Lili of the Valley Always and Forever Paper pad
• Red Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Tiddly Inks

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dreaming of Spring (and a confession)

Spring may still be a little way off, but today marks the start of a new challenge at Without Words Challenge where the theme is Dreaming of Spring.

I've used my favourite Nottingham Border floral die and a pretty girlie image aptly called Blossom from LOTV, both of which are quite Spring-like.

I've water coloured the image, but this time with my Derwent Inktense pencils which give a softer effect than the DI reinkers (or at least that's how this one has turned out anyway!)

And here's a quick close up of the image.  I outlined her in blue Copic B000;

Oh, and I have a small confession; I've blown my New Year's Resolution with a little splurge at Lili of the Valley.

It was only a small moment of weakness (3 stamps are hardly worthy of corporal punishment, right?) but a weakness nevertheless.

I lasted just 3 days.  3 measly days.

Just like the exercise regime, can I start again tomorrow?


Card Recipe:

• Image - Blossom from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Derwent Inktense Pencils, Copic B000 for outline only
• Cardworks Card base
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Memory Box Nottingham Border die
• Pink button twine
• Viva Pearl Pen

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Pick a fave (Oh So Cute)
• Totally Tilda and Friends - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's a Girl

Since I am on a mission to use my existing stash, so far I'm pleased to report that I've resisted the sales, but there are a couple of stamps I have my eye on and my fingers are hovering over the 'add to cart' button.  (someone save me from myself please)

But not only that, in a moment of madness when I tidied my papers, I found some images I'd stamped about a year ago that were begging to be coloured, so I'm also on a mission to colour them to clear them out of my 'work in progress' pile.

The image I've used today had actually already been partially coloured but it was really pale and had no depth or shading on it, so I decided to go over it and give some depth to the colours.  After quite a bit of faffing it was finally at a stage where I was happy with it, and I was pleased I didn't just throw it in the bin.  The kitty was the hardest and I thought I'd messed the face up, but I added some stripes and he didn't look too bad.

I used some of my favourite papers in some pretty pinks, with pink and white embellishments to give the image a home.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Playtime Kitten from Lili of the Valley
• Sentiment - Brad
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card Shaped base
• Maja Design Papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Pink Cherry Blossom
• Pink Rosebuds and Tiny Rosebuds
• 10mm and 15mm Open Roses
• Pink velvet ribbon
• 3mm pearl string
• Pink Wired Ribbon
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Gems
• Stickles

I've been inspired by:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches - Challenge Yourself (see post)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creative Knockouts - For the Kids
• Sweet Stampin' - New (baby)
• Crafty Calender - What's New (baby)
• Creatialicious - New Beginnings

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cupcake Stars

Wryn has to be my favourite character from the Tiddly Inks cuties.  I love her hair and this sweet image sees her with a huge cupcake (yummy!).  I've kept the design of the card quite clean and simple to showcase the image, which I've coloured in Copics with a chalked cloud background. The colours of the papers are pulled into the image too, and the accessories also match.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tiddly Inks Eat More Cake
• Colouring - Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Bonnets & Bowties paper pad from Lili of the Valley
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax from Simon Says Stamp
• Star Parade Die from Simon Says Stamp
• Pink Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Tiddly Inks
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Rocking Horse

Happy New Year everybody. :0)

I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas break and New Year's Eve last night, and you're not feeling too worse for wear this morning!

Not only is today the start of a new year, it's also the start of a new challenge at As You Like It Challenge where the theme is to use your favourite shape or fold.

As you'll know if you visit me often, I love shaped cards and usually use pre cut ones, but this is one I cut myself using a Go Kreate labels die.  I really love this shape and really should use it more often.  I also love tent fold cards the best (I can't explain why, I just do, and there is no rhyme or reason for it!).

Actually, saying that I find them easier to photograph, but I'm not sure that's the real reason!

I'm also still fixated on the colour pink, my Maya Design papers, LOTV images and DI reinkers.  I really do love it when I make the effort and use the reinkers, but it does take me a lot longer to paint with the water colours than it does to use Copics.  (note to self, must try harder to make the effort!)

Anyway, I hope you like my card, and hope you join us in the new fancy shapes and folds challenge this fortnight.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Rocking Horse from LOTV
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maya Design Coffee in the Arbour Paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Go Kreate Labels nested die

... and, erm, just a few bits from The Ribbon Girl ...

• Ivory Jute Mesh Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Beaded Twirl
• Beaded berries
• Tulip Flower Baby Pink
• Tiny Rosebuds
• Rose Bud Semi Open Pink
• 10mm Open Rose Pink
• Cherry Blossom Pink
• Cherry Blossom Ivory
• 6mm Flat Backed Ivory Pearl Trim

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Pick a fave (it has to be 'ohhh so cute' for me, and there were 2 cute Papertake challenges last year, so it seems to be popular with other crafters too!)
• Totally Tilda and Friends - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - New Beginnings
• Creative Knockouts - For the Kids

Happy crafting
Annette
xx