Tiny Dancers

There's a fun new challenge starting on Squirrel's blog today.  The theme is "purple friends" and you need to make a friendship themed creation involving a whole lot of purple.  Easy peasy!

I've got my first sample to share with you, and it's a new image for me, Tiny Dancers from Stamping Bella.  I think it's going to be another favourite because it was really fun.

So, pop over to Squirrel's blog, see the other purple delights from my super talented pals Jayne and Squirrel, and get yourself linked up with a purple friendship creation.  We look forward to seeing your creations.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tiny Dancers from Stamping Bella
• Britannia Friends sentiment die
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Lili of the Valley Promises and Promises Solids paper pads
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• La La Lands Heart Banner die
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Star nesting dies

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Purples & Lilacs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Surprise

This is a quick creation from me on this dreary rainy Sunday evening.

I've got a work conference with overnight stay on the Friday night before hubby's birthday. Although he's not attending the conference, he's driving up to join me for the evening meal and overnight stay at the hotel. It's not for 3 months, but already I know that dinner with my work colleagues and their spouses is not quite how he would ideally like to spend his birthday weekend.

So to cheer him (and me) up, I've booked us an extra night at the hotel we're staying at so that we can relax and enjoy ourselves using the facilities after the conference.  From its website, it looks quite a nice hotel with a spa so I think he'll enjoy the jacuzzi and sauna and I may try to sneak in a shoulder and neck massage while we're there.

I've made this little 'ticket' for my peace offering.  I'll slip it inside his birthday card and hopefully it'll make the weekend a bit more of a celebration.

I made my ticket from kraft card, and shaped it using a circle nestie.

Hopefully it's just the ticket!!!  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Purple Onion Designs Sign
• Typed Sentiment (Papyrus Font)
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Clouds - Pebbles chalks from Simon Says Stamp
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Lawn Fawn Circle Stackables from Simon Says Stamp

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Ticket
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Frozen?

I've not coloured this princess before and I'll admit that the skirt was a bit daunting.  I think I need to try her again, but for now she's staying put.

I love this simple layout, which uses a strip of ribbon to cover the join between two backing papers, and a bow with a pearl brad to hold it on at the side.  I also love the simple method of adding a sentiment, and the flowers and pearls.  I use this layout quite a bit in different guises.

This project is to support the favourite layout challenge at As You Like It Challenge & also the new challenge at Sugar Bowl which both start today.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Scrapberrys Little Princess
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax from Simon Says Stamp
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Colour challenge (lilac, purple and blue)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Live & Love Crafts - Blue

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sally and her Snail

I really enjoyed this image; she was fun to colour although I got a bit mixed up with my colour choices half way through.  Usually I plan out my colours before I start, but I chose as I went along this time.  I think it worked out ok.

I love the sentiment too.  It was huge so my image panel is a little more off centre than I would have liked, but it was worth making space to fit it in.

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Stamping Bella's Sally and her Snail
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Lili of the Valley Bonnets & Bowties paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Handmade Bliss - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pink Wings

I've got some exciting news today because I can tell you that I'm joining Christine's Pink Ladies over at In The Pink.  I'm only a part time member as I'm sharing the role with the super talented Squirrel, so we'll take it in turns to tease you with our creations, but as this is our first week we both have something we hope will inspire you to join in the challenge.

This fortnight, it's an easy one - Fly Away (Wings). So pick up your inks and create something which fits that theme, fairies, birds, flutterflies or even bugs if that floats your boat (I'm not so keen on the bugs in real life, but they're ok in cute form!).

I've chosen a Saturated Canary fairy for my sample card, and although there is a lot of yellow, there is definitely an overdose of the pink stuff!

AND ... I get one of these :

(thank you Christine!!!)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Fairy Dust Cloud from Saturated Canary
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font and Chiller)
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Fairy Dust Mist - Dovecraft chalks
• Magnolia Heart Papers
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Whiff of Joy Heart Banner die
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Ivory Jute Mesh
• Glitter Organza Ribbon
• White Pearl String

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Citrus (the bright zesty yellow stardust)
• Papertake Weekly - To Die For
• Stamp & Create - For the Girls
• The Ribbon Girl - Pink
• The ABC Challenge - Pretty In Pink

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

James Laptop

It is another CAS from me today, featuring James Laptop from Lili of the Valley.  I don't think I've used this image before although I've had him a while.  He's such a sweetie I wanted him to be the focus of attention so all I added was a die cut sentiment.

Card Recipe:

• Image - James Laptop
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Mama Elephant Hello Script Die
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

What's better than a penguin? .....

.... Three Penguins!!!

Yup, I'm lucky enough to be showcasing one of the forthcoming new releases from Lili of the Valley which is due at the end of August / early September.  I've used my favourite colour combo of pink and aqua blue, and featured all three of the cute pingu images which come in a set.  They can be used individually or all three fit neatly onto a basic card shape.  There are other trios being released, so keep your eyes peeled for some other cuties from my fellow teamies.  I think you're going to love these! They're really versatile.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Penguin Trio from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Lili of the Valley Pastel Dreams paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circles dies
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circle dies
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• 6mm Satin ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• ABC Christmas - Polka Dots
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Salad Dodger

I obviously fancied a bacon cheeseburger when I painted this image because I coloured the rippled bits on the burger as bacon.

When I showed the image to my non-salad-dodging pal Squirrel, she questioned whether it should have been green for lettuce.

And yes, I think she's probably right. D'oh!

But today, my lettuce is bacon.

Well, it could be, couldn't it?

Ok. I'll get my coat.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Barbeque Party Tilda
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Die-Namics Dripping Goo Die from Simon Says Stamp
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Zutter binding machine & wires
• Ribbed ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Food and/or Drink
• Allsorts - Summer
• The Ribbon Girl - Any Image
• All About Magnolia - Summer (BBQ!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Celebration Tilda

It's an easy challenge at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight, because we want you to use your two most favourite embellishments.  I think mine are pearls & flowers since they feature on most of my cards, although I also like ribbon and dies which have also sneaked into this one too.

I have flat-backed pearls in loads of colours and love colour matching them to my card.  Here I've used pale blue ones to match my girlie's dress.  Yup, she's another new Tilda called Celebration, and I've teamed her with my favourite Maja Design papers. The shape of the card has been cut using a Go Kreate nestie, which is probably my favourite card-base shape.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Celebration Tilda
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• La La Lands Heart Banner die
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circles dies from Simon Says Stamp
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Lace

I've been inspired by:

• The Ribbon Girl - Any Image
• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Stamp & Create - For the Girls
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Food or Drink

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Lemon Carrot Apron Card

I'm really excited today because I was picked as this month's guest designer at Bunny Zoe challenge. The them is shaped cards, which is right up my street.  I've made an apron shaped card to fit the food theme of my Carrot Tilda image and lemon papers!

I seem to have a little bit of an addiction to Tildas at the moment, and this one was really adorable to colour. I've even used yellow and green which are my least favourite colours, because I wanted to match the lemon papers I'd used, but I really love how she turned out.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tilda picking Carrots
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Magnolia Doohickey Tag die
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Rose Organza Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Tie it Up
• Allsorts - Summer
• The Ribbon Girl - Any Image
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Home Grown
• All About Magnolia - Summer
• Stamp & Create with Magnolia - Decorative Edge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Abigail the Artist

Today's card has been created for a lovely blogpal whose birthday is today.  She just happens to like pink (I personally think she has exceptionally good taste!).

The image is a gorgeous Uptown Girl coloured with DI Reinkers (boy those tiny details were fiddly). I found it slightly ironic struggling to paint an image of a girl painting!

Anyhoo, here she is, in all her pinky glory!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Abigail the Artist from Stamping Bella
• Sentiment - Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border die from Simon Says Stamp
• Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Tie It Up
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Peek-a-boo

I'm back in inky mode again today with a simple card featuring James from Lili of the Valley.  I've had this image a while, but this is his first outing for me.  I thought he needed to be the centre of attention, so he's not got a lot of fuss around him.

Card Recipe:

• Image - James Peeping
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Petal Fresh paper pad (argh, it's discontinued!)
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Be Your Own Hero

It's been quite a while since I used my markers because I've been having so much fun water-colouring using my reinkers, but this image was a bit daunting to approach with a paintbrush, so I reached for my Copics.

I'm not sure I got the pleats quite right, but they're a lot better than I could have achieved with the inks.

I was quite pleased with her legs!

Card Recipe:

• From Make the Day Special: Stamping Bella Tiny Townies Hayley the Superhero
• From Make the Day Special: Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border die
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Maja Design paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Spellbinders Grand Ovals Nesties
• Circle nestie
• Ribbed ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
  (I couldn't bring myself to tear the papers, so created an arc instead using a die!)
• Make the Day Special - Sketch (image and die from the store)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

The Warm and Fuzzies

Sometimes I get a bit of a warm glow when I've finished a card.  Other times I think it's better suited for the bin and I am embarrassed to share it on my blog.

Thankfully today's card is one of the warm and fuzzy varieties and I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

It probably helped that I used my favourite colour, but the image was a new one for me and it was the first time I'd coloured her so anything could have happened!  The papers are also from my gorgeous Coffee in the Arbour set and I've used a floral die to frame the card.

The bad news is that the reason for making her is that it's the final EVER challenge at Top Tip Tuesday. The TTT challenge has been running for 5 years and I joined in 2011, although for the last year I've only been helping out in the background on the DT blog rather than providing samples for the challenges each fortnight. However, as it is our last ever challenge, for sentimental reasons, I've decided to play along with the theme, which is ribbons and pearls.

It couldn't be a more perfect theme for me!!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Golden Week Tilda
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• Hip Rose Bud Two Tone
• White Lily
• Chrysanth White Flower
• Berries Tiny
• Berries Medium Red
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Wild Rose Studio Floral Corner Die
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circles dies at Simon Says Stamp
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Beaded Twirl
• Black Glaze pen
• White Gel pen

I've been inspired by:

• Bunny Zoe - Summer Breeze
• The Ribbon Girl - Add Ribbon

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Life would be boring without you

Today's project is to support the new challenge at Without Words Challenge where the theme is Harvest (fruit or veg).

I've used Cherry from Scrapberry's and also used a berry paper from my Coffee in the Arbour pad.

The sentiment was from a set by The Greetings Farm, and was bought with a special someone in mind.  This is the first time I've used it, but it's oh-so appropriate for her!  I just hope she knows it cos she regularly has me in stitches. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Cherry from Scrapberry's
• Sentiment - "Because of You" sentiment set from The Greetings Farm
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour Paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Magnolia Doohickey Lacey Border die
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Patch & Bunny

I'm sharing another card featuring the cute Patches and Bunny from Lili of the Valley. It's currently on half price offer too, so it was a bargain!   Although you can't see much of it, I've used my stitched landscape die on the backing papers, and my stitched rectangle die on the image panel.  Otherwise, it's a very simple layout, although I did sneak in my customary trio of pearls!  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Hand Picked by Lili of the Valley
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border die
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Blue and Green

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mission Impossible

I was recently set a little challenge by the lovely Sue of Tanglemouse Cards to colour this little critter.  And boy, it was a challenge!  Considering I only really needed brown, this guy took me hours to paint. I tried to define the bristles of his coat, but think he ended up looking quite fluffy rather than prickly.  He looks like he's been fluffed up with a hair-drier!

But yes, he's cute, so I love him.  Thanks for the challenge sweetie!

And because I spent so long painting him, he became the centrepiece of my card with a very CAS layout using a stitched border die and a trio of brown pearls.

That's all folks!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Aviator from Sugar Nellie
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Summer Basics paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border die from Simon Says Stamp
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx