Magical Dragon Duo

We're still looking for mythical creatures at Squirrel's Random Challenge for another month and I've opted for a dragon today, and not one, but two of the cutest dragons around.  

I watercoloured them both in pink and purple, but swapped the colours around on each one. The sentiments come from the same MFT stamp set.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Magical Dragon Stamp Set
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Maja Design Vintage Summer Basics
• Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border Dies
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper

I've been inspired by

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Penguin Duo

I'm making a start on my Xmas cards and I've got, not one, but two cards to share today featuring some cute pingus playing with a snowman in a snowglobe!  The designs are the same, but different colour combos.

On the second one I've chalked some background in to give the image some 'pop'!

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Merry Everything from Stamping Bella
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Glossy Accents

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Crystal Glamour Dust

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Feathered Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Huggy Squidgies

Today I'm sharing a card featuring a lovely image called Huggy Squidgies from Stamping Bella.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set and I've kept the design really clean and simple as I thought the girlies deserved to be the focus!

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Huggy Squidgie & Sentiment
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour Paper pad
• MFT Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Lazy Daisy

It's 'new release day' at Lili of the Valley so I've got another card to tempt you with.  This one is such an adorable image, and one I think I will be using again soon.  I hope you like it. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Lazy Daisy from Lili of the Valley 
• Sentiment from Gerda Steiner All Cats stamp set
• Maja Design Summertime Paper Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Furry Friends
• Allsorts - Happy Birthday

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

A Hand to Hold

I've been in CAS mode today with a card showcasing one of the soon-to-be-released images from Lili of the Valley.  There are several new images coming out tomorrow so I'm sharing one today and tomorrow featuring a couple of my favourites to tempt you.  

Today's image is called 'A Hand to Hold' and I think it's adorable.  I've kept the design simple to keep the focus on the image.

Card Recipe:

• A Hand to Hold from Lili of the Valley 
• Sentiment from Gerda Steiner All Cats stamp set
• Maja Design Summertime Paper Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Furry Friends

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello Kitty

We're talking skin and hair colour combos at As You Like It Challenge and we want you to share the colouring combos you use, in whatever colouring medium you prefer.  So whether you're crazy about Copics, a perfectionist with your pencils or a Wiz with your Watercolours, we want to know what your favourite combinations of skin or fur colours are.

I've opted for fur, since I prefer critters, and I've used my two 'go-to' combinations for grey and brown critters.  Using my Distress Ink reinkers to watercolour the kitties, the grey tabby is a mix of Hickory Smoke and Black Soot and the ginger tabby is a base of Antique Linen with Brushed Corduroy and Vintage Photo for the darker bits.  I also sometimes add some Gathered Twigs or Ground Espresso for extra contrast in the shadows, like under kitty's sign.

I've also 'grounded' my kitties with Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn and Forest Moss, and given them a Weathered Wood shadow around the sky area.

Voila!

This card was sent to a special little princess called Rosie for her 8th birthday, but it's safe to post now as she's safely  received it.  I wouldn't have wanted her to see it on my blog before her birthday and spoil the surprise.  ;0)

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner All Cats
• Versafine Ink Pad

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Our Furry / Feathered Friends
• Gerda Steiner - Share your design

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Have a Monster Birthday

We're a couple of weeks into the new 'fantasy' card at Squirrel's Random Challenge and it's a theme that really appeals to me so I'm back with another card for it.  I am not usually a fan of monsters, but these cuties are not too scary, even for me! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Gerda Steiner Three Monsters
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Typed Sentiment (Harrington Font)

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Anything Goes
• Gerda Steiner - Share Your Card Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Razzle Dazzle

We're looking for razzle dazzle at In The Pink Challenge today and so I've used some Stardust pens as well as some rhinestones on my card today.  

Despite the shimmer, it's still a fairly CAS layout, but of course there's lots of pink!

Here's a little close-up of the image so that you can see the sparkle that the Stardust pens create a bit better. It's really hard to photograph!  I popped some on the flowers she's holding as well as the petals of her dress.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tiny Townie Garden Girl Orchid
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• Coloured with Copic Alcohol Markers, 
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Nitwit Collections Papers

Created for:

Sponsored by:

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty - Bright
• Country View Crafts - Flower Power (using DI Reinkers from CVC)
• Deep Ocean - Anything Goes
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Going Dotty (dotty dress using Sakura Stardust pen)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hedgehog Love

I was quite pleased with the colouring of today's little critter, so I decided to give him full focus of attention with a 'Faye-inspired' doodle frame and nothing else.  

He's called Hedgehog Love from Whimsy Stamps.  I stamped him in a pale grey so that the lines didn't show when I'd coloured him.

Card Recipe:

• Whimsy Stamps Hedgehog Love
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black & More - Colour Challenge
• Simon's Monday Challenge - It's a Frame Up (using Tim Holtz Reinkers)
• Deep Ocean - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bobby Socks

Today is the second of my two girlie cards using images from a recent release from Lili of the Valley.

This one's called Bobby Socks and I've given her a really girlie layout to complement her pretty dress.

Card Recipe:

• Bobby Socks by Lili of the Valley
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Crealies XXL #41 Pierced Circles
• Maja Design Summertime Paper Pad
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Red Satin Ribbon
• 15mm Red Organza Ribbon
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Tulip Flowers

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty! - Brights
• The Ribbon Girl - Any Card
• Country View Crafts - Flower Power (watercoloured using DI Reinkers from CVC)
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes
• Penny Black & More - Colour Challenge
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Swinging Sixties

I'm in an extreme CAS mode today with a 'mail friendly' girlie card featuring one of the recently released images from Lili of the Valley called Swinging Sixties.  The layout is really simple and flat with an oversized sentiment from a set which I have had for ages, but don't think I've used it before now.

Card Recipe:

• Swinging Sixties by Lili of the Valley
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Kate Knight Paper Stack
• Sincere Sentiments by Simone Clay

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Crafting When We Can - Clean & Simple
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Floral Frenzy

I've got a 'Just For Fun' card to share today as I've been getting inky this weekend. I don't usually splatter my cards with more than just one or two key colours, but this one has got half the rainbow on it, although I have edged towards red and purple for the main accents.

Card Recipe:

• Flowers for You by Gerda Steiner
• Maja Design Summertime Paper pad
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Sizzix Stitched Ovals by Tim Holtz
• Gingham Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - The Great Outdoors
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes
• Gerda Steiner - Flowers for You

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dragon Duo

Our challenge this week at As You Like It Challenge is to show us your favourite die.  I currently have 2, so I've used them both on a couple of simple cards.  I am really loving the stitched type of dies, and have a few.  My favourite nesting type of die is my stitched circles because they're a great size and seem to fit most images.  I also like my stitched border dies, especially for CAS style card layouts because they can create simple breaks in two papers without layering.

Card Recipe:

• Stamping Bella Set of Dragons
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Embossalicious Floral Frenzy Embossing Folder
• Craft Concepts Budding Vine Embossing Folder

I've been inspired by:

• Seven Hills - Colour challenge (purple dragon card using colour set 3)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Flowers

Today's card uses a rubber stamp from Lee Holland's Whimsy collection and my Frantic Stamper stitched edger from Dies to Die For.  I've kept the design simple because the image is quite large, but I added a flower and brad for some texture and detail.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Versafine Ink Pad
• Whimsy Stamp Woodland Bunny
• Frantic Stamper Stitched Scene Builder Edges
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Border Dies

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Paper Flower
• Brad

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Challenges - Flower Power

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dorothy the Dreamer

I'm in a real Clean and Simple mood today, possibly because I've spent so long on my colouring on some of my recent images, that I've decided to make them the centrepiece of my card!  

They don't come much more CAS than today's creation, which is in support of the new 'fantasy' theme at Squirrel's (not so) Random Challenge.  

This theme is right up my street as it could include fairies, dragons and unicorns but I've opted for a monster (albeit a cute one).  

I think I may have to join in again later into the challenge with another mythical critter though, and since the challenge runs for 2 months, there's plenty of time to join in.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Dorothy the Dreamer stamp and sentiment
• Versafine Ink Pad

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - One for the Girls
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx