Bear Hugs

I can't believe it's June tomorrow!  Where is this year going?  Anyhoo, today I'm using a little stamp which was sent to me by a very lovely friend. I think she might have an inkling that I love bears!  

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• CC Designs Fluffy Bear (sadly now retired)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Patterns paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty - A stitch in time
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Have a Pawfect Birthday

I've made a kitty card similar to the puppy version I shared a fortnight ago. I love the sentiment to go with this one!  I've kept the layout very simple to focus on the image and used a soft seam binding for texture across the top. I like the soft colour and texture of the seam binding which is far less bulky than my usual satin ribbon choice.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Fur: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT New Best Friend
• MFT Dienamics New Best Friend
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Seam binding
• Twine

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Clean & Simple or Fussy & Fancy
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cute Cubs

I had a little spending spree at Clearly Besotted last week and these cute cubs were one of the things that fell into my basket.  It would be rude not to let them out to play, wouldn't it? I just want to give them a snuggle!  The one on the right looks like he's giving instructions to the others!  I used 3 cub stamps and a sentiment from the set, masking the cub on the left in order to add the middle one behind him.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Cubs: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Cute Cubs from Clearly Besotted
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Plaid Patterns paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Masculine
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Use more than one stamp

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Strike up the Band

A lovely friend heard that I was trying to get my inky little paws on the MFT 'Strike up the Band' stamp set. I think it's now retired so she really kindly re-homed her set!  I love these little guys in their red coats (I imagine them wearing little red velvet coats!) and I know I'm going to love using these. I'm so happy to play with them today and have teamed them up with an appropriate sentiment from the same set. I hoped it was a little more masculine than my usual 'cuties' and therefore increase my masculine card counter!

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany
• Tails: Hickory Smoke
• Drums/Symbols - Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Antique Linen
• Horn - Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• MFT Strike up the Band
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid patterns Merry & Bright Paper Pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Use more than 1 stamp
• That's Crafty - Stitching
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Masculine (it's for my Brother-in-law)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hoppy Birthday

We're looking at flora and fauna at As You Like It Challenge this week, and for me it's definitely got to be fauna! I love most things cute and furry so these bunnies fit the bill perfectly!  They're from Mama Elephant and there's a whole host of them in the set.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Ears: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Tail: Hickory Smoke
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Banner: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Mama Elephant Hippity Hop
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Paper Pad

Other

• Crealies flower duo die CLDD35
• Crealies flower duo die CLset35
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Large flat backed pearl

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Humorous watercoloured using DI Reinkers and Pads from CVC
• Penny Black & More - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tweetings

We're in the middle of a heatwave here in the UK so for my midweek card I've made a Christmas card!  I decided that I have been neglecting my good intention of making a few Christmas cards per month and today's card is a feeble attempt to increase the numbers (by 1) with a tweet sweet stamp set from Honey Bee called Season's Tweetings (I've used the sentiment of the same name too).

The birds are really cute and could be chicks, penguins or robins so are quite versatile.  I stamped and masked 3 of them in this mini flock and sponged ink around them in Victorian Velvet, Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky and Black Soot.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Birds: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Victorian Velvet, Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Black Soot
• Santa Hat: Festive Berries, Aged Mahogany, Iced Spruce

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Honey Bee Stamps Season's Tweetings (Image and sentiment)
• Versafine Ink Pad

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers (Promises Solids)
• Black Glaze Pen
• White Gel Pen

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Calendar - Things with Wings
• Country View Crafts - Humorous watercoloured using DI Reinkers and Pads from CVC
• Crafty Inspirations - CAS (or Fussy, but it's easy to see which I opted for!)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Use more than one stamp (using Honey Bee Stamp Set & watercoloured using DI Reinkers)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

3 Bottles

I decided to try to be organised for my holidays this year by buying some 100ml cosmetic bottles for my holibobs (Wilkos had them for 50p each or 3 for 2).  They even have detachable clips to prevent them from dispensing whilst squished in transit.  

I decided to decorate the labels with semi-related images;  I chose 

1. James with his umbrella for shower gel, 
2. Umbrella bear with a wet head for shampoo, and 
3. Dressed Up girlie bear touching her face for cleanser

Well, they kind of work!  :0)

All of the digis are from Lili of the Valley and I printed them onto normal white printer labels.  I will admit that the labels were awful to colour but the images were so small I decided it didn't really matter. My blending and shading sort of went out the window but they'll be no prizes for colouring on this project!

I covered the labels with clear tape to protect them from condensation and moisture when they're in the bathroom, but I took the photographs before I added the tape because I knew it would be difficult to photograph if they were glossy.

In case you're desperate to know, the font I used for the text is called "KG Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk".  It bothers me that I want to change the "your" in its name to "you're" because as it currently reads I am left to ponder what a 'KG' is, why one might be stored beneath a 'chunk' and what a 'chunk' actually is (beautiful or otherwise).  

Surely these are too many questions for a mere font name to generate?

I'm off to lie down in a dark room.

Recipe:

• Dressed Up from Lili of the Valley (cleanser)
• James Umbrella from Lili of the Vallley (shower gel)
• Umbrella bear from Lili of the Valley (shampoo)
• Wilko empty cosmetic dispensers
• Coloured (badly) with Copics
• White printer labels
• Font: KG Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Inspired by a Song (Summer Holiday!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

The Best Friends Have Four Legs

I treated myself to the recently released 'New Best Friend' from MFT at a Dies to Die For pop-up shop a few months ago. This is my first card using the stamps and co-ordinating dies.  The stamped sentiment is from the same set too.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Hair/Boots: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Fur: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Jumper: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT New Best Friend
• MFT Dienamics New Best Friend
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Pink pawprint ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• The Sketchy Challenge - Ribbon or Twine
• Penny Black & More - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello Duckie

My favourite colours are pink, purple and blue but choosing between them is sometimes difficult (and often depends on my mood!).  I've always loved pink though; it's so soft and feminine.  The new pink or blue challenge at As You Like It Challenge had to be pink for my choice. (just don't ask me the same question again tomorrow if you want the same answer!)

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Duck: Mustard Seed, Fossilized Amber, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge
• Present: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Spots: Broken China, Stormy Sky, Wilted Violet, Abandoned Coral

Card Recipe:

• Duck with Presents from Kinda Cute by Patricia
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL53 Scalloped Circles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• 15mm Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Fussy & Fancy
• Crafty Calendar - Things With Wings
• The Sketchy Challenge - Ribbon

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

You Make Every Day Better

I've been playing with some cute owls from Gerda Steiner today.  I masked the owls before adding the tree and used a sentiment from an MFT set.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Owls: Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Tree: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Fall In Love
• MFT Friends Furever
• MFT Bundles of Blossoms Pastels Paper Pack
• Versafine Ink Pad

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - CAS or Fussy & Fancy
• Crafty Calendar - Things with Wings
• Gerda Steiner - Share Your Designs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pop Up Critters

It's a picture heavy post today because I've made a twist and pop card with each panel featuring a different critter.  I've also tried some 'ombre' inking using distress inks and a sponge dauber to create the sky and ground.

It is my first card using this fold and it took a while to make, but I was pleased with the finished result.  

My Japanese friend often sends me pop-up or 3D cards so I specifically wanted to make one for her birthday and chose this style to try.

This is an image of the front of the card:

This is the inside once it's 'popped' open:

Next I have a few close ups of each of the 4 inside panels:

And finally how they lined up inside the card:

Card Recipe:

• Purple Onion Designs Stacy Yacula Studio Rosie
• Purple Onion Designs Stacy Yacula Studio Scattered Flowers & Hush Butterfly
• Purple Onion Designs Stacy Yacula Studio Johnny Sitting Bear
• Purple Onion Designs Stacy Yacula Studio Elliot Mouse with Leaf
• Purple Onion Designs Stacy Yacula Studio Puddles Dog
• Purple Onion Designs Stacy Yacula Studio Chloe Bunny with Flower
• Purple Onion Designs Stacy Yacula Studio Bloom No.2
• Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Ombre (using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers)
• Creative Inspirations - CAS or Fussy & Fancy
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Animal Magic
• Penny Black & More - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Have a Tail Wagging Good Time

For my mid-week card this week, I'm in puppy mode with this tail wagging cutie from MFT.  I've added a little bit of background for him in colours to match the papers, but I've kept the whole design quite plain and masculine (apart from the pearls!)

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Collar: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans

Card Recipe:

• Puppy Pals from MFT
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Patterned Plaids Merry & Bright Paper Pack
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Time Out using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Clean & Simple
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Animal Magic

Happy crafting
Annette
xx