Hello - Flowers for You

Another Sneaky Peek from LOTV and it's another puppy.  I am loving this new character and this one's a real cutie so I've made him the focus of attention.  Hope you like him.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Odd Dog Flowers for You
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Promises paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink / Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Mama Elephant Hello Script Die
• MFT Stitched Speech Bubble Die from SSS

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Your Favourite (Using Inks, Fave CAS layout, Fave paper pad)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

New Stuff

I've over indulged in new stash lately.  Firstly I bought this 'hello' die a few weeks ago. Then I got some papers from the new release at Lili of the Valley.  Then I ordered these stitched speech bubble dies online. And finally I have some of the soon-to-be-released Odd Dog images from Lili of the Valley.  My allocated image to showcase is this one, Mug of Tea.  And I love him.  I hope you do too.  Don't forget the release date is 4 July. Not long to go. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Odd Dog Mug of Tea from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Dress Shoppe paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• MFT Speech Bubble Dies from Sinon Says Stamp
• Mama Elephant Hello Script Die

I've been inspired by:

• Pinspirational Challenge - Pink
• Creative Inspirations - Favourites (Colour - Pink, Colouring medium - Reinkers)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Little Pals Sneaky Peek

Well Friday's not come soon enough this week. I've not been sleeping very well again so have been doing some good impersonations of a zombie by midday towards the end of the week.  I'm planning some catching up this weekend. Along with some crafting!

To celebrate it being Friday I've got another LOTV sneaky peek for you using an adorable pup called Odd Dog, this one's called Little Pals.  He'd make a great 'baby' card so I don't know why he's ended up being quite a CAS masculine style card (well masculine apart from the bow die cut!). 

There are lots of new images being released at Lili of the Valley, including this one, on 4 July, so make sure you've got it in your diaries.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Odd Dog Little Pals
• Sentiment - Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Lili of the Valley Winter Wishes paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Memory Box Corner bow die
• Paw Print Ribbon
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circles dies from SSS
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Your Favourite (technique - watercolour painting with DI reinkers)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Stars/Stripes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Xmas Fairies - Pink and Green

You may recall a few weeks ago I posted two pink and blue Christmas cards using images from Funky Kits.  Well I've got another two, this time in pink and green, and using another two images. They're supporting the new "anything goes" challenge at the Sugar Bowl Challenge which starts today.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Funky Kits
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Maja Design papers
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border die from SSS
• Embroidery thread
• Pearl beads
• Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Dream Valley - Girlie
• Pinsipirational Challenge - Pink
• Fab n Funky - Christmas
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Your Favourite (colour pink, fave CAS layout & die, Maja Design papers) - I liked the finished card so much that I made a pair!

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Panda with Flowers

I really love this image from WRS and it's the first time I've used him.  I love his sweet expression and the flower bouquet is lovely. I hope you like him too.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Panda with Flowers by Wild Rose Studio
• One of my own Freebie Sentiments
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Lili of the Valley Promises paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Spellbinders Lacey Circles
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Nordsalten HobbyKlubb - Sketch
• Bunny Zoe Challenge - Furry Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Fancy a Cuppa?

I'm sharing a sneak peak of a new set of images coming out at Lili of the Valley featuring their new Odd Dog. And he's adorable. I may possibly have ordered a few of the images, but this one today is called Mug of Tea.  I think he'd be adorable for a winter card and although I've used Winter Wishes paper pad it doesn't necessarily make it a winter card as they're so versatile.  The new images are being released on 4 July, so mark your diaries!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Odd Dog Mug Of Tea
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Winter Wishes paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Cottage Cutz Paw Edger die
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Paw print ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• NordSalten Hobby Club - Sketch
• Totally Tilda - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Congratulations

Just a quickie today with a CAS card to celebrate a colleague's recent exam success.  The image is quite appropriate as it actually resembles the intended recipient!  I hope she likes it! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Grad Girl 2012 from Saturated Canary
• Typed Sentiment (Papyrus font)
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Cheery Lynn Designs LG Square Stitched Die
• Viva Pearl Dots

I've been inspired by:

• Sentimental Sundays - Graduation / You did it
• Papertake - Pretty

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

The Smallest Things....

This fortnight's challenge at at As You Like It Challenge is to use your favourite book as inspiration. The earliest book that I fell in love with is Winnie the Pooh, by A. A. Milne.

So both my projects today are
   1) for a child,
   2) contain a quote by the Silly Old Bear himself, and
   3) feature a cute bear.

I hope you like them.  There's a baby girl card, and a baby boy wall hanger.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Sleepy Head from LOTV
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Wild Rose Studio Antique Library Paper pad (card)
• Animal Antics First Edition paper pad (hanger)
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Memory Box Night Sky die
• Vellum
• Lawn Fawn Circle Stackables from SSS
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circles dies from SSS
• Star Parade Banner from Simon Says Stamp
• Star Nesting Die
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Allsorts - Flower Power
• Cure Card Thursday - Add a quote (A.A. Milne)
• The Ribbon Girl - Masculine
• Bunny Zoe - Furry Friends
• Creative Inspirations - Male Creations (baby boy hanger)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Favourite Technique/Product (I LOVE watercolour painting with DI inks and die cuts (including this great SSS Star Parade die that I've not used much before!).  I also love making gift/wallhangers and shaped cards)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Party Time

Today's card features an image that I've only used once or maybe twice before, but there's a lot of fun going on in it.  It's great for birthdays, but could possibly be Christmas themed too in the right colours. This one's just a simple card for a friend.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Birthday Balloons from Lili of the Valley
• Britannia Dies - Sentiment Die set
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Dress Shoppe paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Star Nesting die
• Corner punch
• Britannia Dies - Sentiment Die set
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Friends
• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Cupcake Inspirations - Colour Challenge
• Totally Tilda - Gifts and Balloons
• Bunny Zoe - Furry Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

BBQ Bear

We're half way through our Summer Holiday challenge at Without Words and I've got a little mid-challenge reminder card to share using a sadly retired LOTV image. I have a bit of a history of matching winter images to summer birthdays, but this one was intended for my BIL, whose birthday is in June.

Unfortunately hubby still didn't think that it was sufficiently masculine for his brother.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Just One More from Lili of the Valley (retired)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• First Edition papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Memory Box Grand Happy Birthday Die

I've been inspired by:

• Stamp & Create - Summer Fun
• Bunny Zoe - Furry Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Cake

I've made a quick card using the new papers from LOTV. This one uses one of my favourite characters from the Lili of the Valley images, watercolour painted using DI reinkers, but unfortunately he's being discontinued.  However, that does mean that you can grab some bargains as he's on offer while stocks last.

The papers are from the new Romance & Roses pad.

I hope you like him. I think he's a real cutie!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Surprise from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Romance & Roses paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Stitched Rounded Rectangle die from Make the Day Special
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• The Ribbon Girl - Animals
• Make the Day Special - Colour Challenge (3rd set of colours- pink/yellow/blue/white/grey)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Catkins

I'm sharing one of my cards for Lili of the Valley today using one of their sweet fairies.  It was for a friend whose birthday was last week so it's safe to share now!  The papers are from my favourite 'Promises' pad and I've created a custom sentiment on vellum.  All I can say is, I hope she likes purple as I've had a bit of a purple-fest today as you can see!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Catkins from Lili of the Valley
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Promises paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Vellum
• Simon Says Stamp: Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circles dies
• My Mum's Craft Shop: Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Make the Day Special: Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circle dies
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm & 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Live & Love Crafts - In the Garden
• Simon's Monday Challenge - For the love of plants

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

James Daisy

I've had this image of James painted for a while, but he's not made it onto a card until today.  The papers are some of newly released pads from Lili of the Valley and I've tried not to cover up too much of them as they're so pretty.

The card is for a friend so I've created a personalised sentiment for her and slipped it along the side of the image panel. I've also added a little array of mulberry flowers and a trio of pink pearls.  And that's it.  Simples!

 Card Recipe:

• Image - James Daisy from Lili of the Valley
• Typed Personalised Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Lili of the Valley Romance & Roses paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Butterfly charm

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Add a Charm (butterfly)
• Stamp & Create - For a Friend
• Cute Card Thursday - Summer Colours
• Sweet Stampin' - Something Old (James the bear image), Something New (papers)
• Creatalicious - Butterflies (the charm)
• Stamp & Create - Summer Fun
• Simon's Monday Challenge - For the love of plants

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Banner

Just a quickie today to share something I made for a friend's birthday which is tomorrow.  I've been waiting to use my new stitched party banner die and when I got these fun bright papers from the new release at Lili of the Valley last week, I decided to put them both to good use and create a birthday banner.  I strung the banners together with some brightly coloured wool. Hope you like it. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Lili of the Valley Sunny Side Up paper pad
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Party Banner die
• Red wool
• Typed letters

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - For a Friend

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Daisy Diva

Today's project is to support the 'Favourite Flowers' challenge at As You Like It Challenge.  My favourites are definitely roses, but on cards, I also love this little array of Cherry Blossom mixed in with the open roses and closed rosebuds.  I use it a lot (as you may know if you visit me often!).

Not that I'm predictable, you understand!!!

I've used my newest DI reinker colour too; Twisted Citron.  Even though I'm not a fan of green, I am rather liking this shade and think it goes well with the hot pink I've matched it with today. And, unusually for me, I've added some rhinestones rather than pearls for a bit of bling. I thought my fabulous diva deserved some sparkle!

I also created a custom sentiment as it's for a friend's special birthday.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Marianne Design Daisy Diva
• Custom sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Perfect Pair paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Hot Pink Ribbon
• Rhinestone gems
• Spellbinders Lacey Circles
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Crafting When We Can - Bling it up
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - For a Friend
• Cute Card Thursday - Summer Colours

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Summertime, and the livin' is easy!

It's June, and therefore it's meant to be summer.  I just with the British weather would get on board with that concept.  My image today is a little at odds with the current climate, but I'm hoping that some positive thinking might improve the situation!

I've not inked up this image before, so it's her first outing, but I think she's a real sweetie.  I wish I was this chillaxed, although I'm not over keen on being on the water (despite living on the coast) as I get sea sick in the bath.  But other than that, I wish it was me!

On the subject of summer, there's a summer themed challenge on the Lili of the Valley Facebook page so pop over to join in the summery fun to have a chance to win some fabulous prizes.

Here's a little close up of my relaxed fairy, water-colour painted in DI reinkers:

Card Recipe:

• Image - Water Lily from LOTV
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Promises paper pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Striped button
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax from Simon Says Stamp
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Crafting When We Can - Bling it Up
• Bunny Zoe - Buttons & Bows
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Packed Light

Being the first of June, it's meant to be Summer.  And Summer means holidays!  The new challenge at Without Words is that very subject so I've made a little holiday planner using an image from Stamping Bella which seemed quite appropriate!  I hope you like her.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Stamping Bella Molly Makes a Detour
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink / Stazon Ink Pad
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Magnolia Doohickey Lacey Border die
• Zutter binding machine and wires

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Pastel Colours
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Stamp & Create - Summer Fun (holidays!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx