Tuesday 31 December 2019

Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020.

I read earlier today something that shocked me when I stopped to think about it: 
1990 was 3 decades ago! 

Time seems to move so quickly and becomes so scarce. I can remember where I was in 1990 and it certainly doesn't feel like it was 3 decades ago!  

There are projects that I wanted to achieve during the past year that have fallen by the wayside, but there have also been other new ventures that I didn't have planned. 

As 2020 is only one more sleep away, here I am having my usual annual stumble through the past 12 months.  Thank you if you've stayed with me this year. I seem to be getting fewer visitors and even fewer comments on my blog, and I'm not a huge fan of Facebook, although I have tried to keep my Instagram diary mirroring my blog. 

I appreciate that it's more convenient for you to click a 'like' button than it is to type out a comment and I also acknowledge that I've been writing less myself for the same reason. If you do leave a comment, please know that I really do appreciate it because I know that it takes more of your own previous time.

Anyhoo, brace yourself for a photo-laden finale to 2019. I've selected my favourite card from each month and if you last until the end of this post then I'll share an extra little insight into my new hobby. 

In the meantime, I wish you all a happy, healthy and creative 2020. 


January 
I had 3 cards featured in Making Cards magazine this month, with a tutorial on Sunsets and Moonscapes. This was my first card and I loved the warm colours in the coldest month!

February
I was so excited to join the Design Team at Lee Holland and this was my first card. Unfortunately my excitement was short lived because the team was disbanded when Lee cut back his store's promotions.

March
I love the Stuffies from Stamping Bella and these Honeybears in particular.  I think they remind me of Winnie the Pooh, my favourite Honey Bear!

April
I spent a long time colouring this card for a friend, but the card was unfortunately lost in the post and never reached her. For this reason I'm giving it another outing here so it's not lost entirely.


May
I really loved this card-stand die, especially with this Crealies XXL stitched circle propped on it. 
June
I made this clock for a colleague who had a baby boy and it reminded me how much I like making non-card projects too. She wanted a jungle theme for her son so the Lee Holland giraffe and ellie seemed ideal.


July
Shaped cards are another thing I like to make and I'd been wanting to use this cute giraffe from LOTV for ages. It seemed the perfect opportunity to combine the two into a babygro card.


August
Bunnies are one of my favourite critters and LOTV make some of the cutest!

September
I really liked the moonlit background for these robins. 
The card was really easy to colour too so it became a favourite because I liked the effect.


October
In a break from my CAS cards, October's selection is fully loaded.
A wedding card is always a great excuse for extra embellishments!

November
While getting in full swing ready for Christmas I tried a lighter touch with my paintbrush and I liked the way she turned out.


December
Finishing off the year with one of my favourite images, another from the Stuffie clan!


So if you've stayed for the duration, I threatened you with news of a new hobby. I was coerced by my bestest pal (and partner-in-craft) to try crochet during the summer.  After starting with a scarf and some fingerless gloves I optimistically decided to dive straight into something a little more adventurous and made a mini-stocking advent calendar bunting for her.  While she might get me into a lot of crafting trouble, I do happen to think she's worth it! (Love you sweetie!)


Here's a close-up of one of the mini-stockings.
They were each filled with a Lindt chocolate ball.

That's all Folks.
Happy crafting, and Happy New Year! 
See you on the other side.
Annette
xx



Wednesday 25 December 2019

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Today I'm sharing my final Christmas card of 2019, made with love for a very special friend.  It includes lots of my favourite things; pink, cute critter, fancy fold/shape, stitched dies, ribbon, flowers, but today's not a day for spending on the computer, so I'll just wish you a Merry Christmas and I hope to see you here again very soon for more crafting and creating!

Have a great day. xx





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

  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
  • Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Tuesday 24 December 2019

Snow Bunny

1 day to go:  It's Christmas Eve so it's time to build your snowbunny ready for Christmas. 





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

  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
  • Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
  • Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
  • Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Monday 23 December 2019

Snuggle Buddies

2 days to go:  Snuggle buddies seems to be a theme on my cards lately, and it's another one today, this time a Stamping Bella image.



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

  • Walrus: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
  • Polar Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose
  • Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
  • Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:


From Dies To Die For:

Other:
  • Memory Box Twilight Snowflakes
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday 22 December 2019

Snowy Chums

3 days to go:  Today's card features a cute couple of snuggle buddies from Lili of the Valley.



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

  • Seal: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
  • Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
  • Mistletoe: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
  • Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Saturday 21 December 2019

I believe in Father Christmas

4 days to go:  I've got a couple of Saint Nicks to share with you today in the form of Stamping Bella's Santa has a Prezzie.  They're both similar layouts but use different papers.  I usually prefer the diagonal plaids, but the colours on the second one do match the image very well.



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

  • Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Green: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Belt: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
  • Presents: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Tumbled Glass, Mermaid Lagoon
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
  • Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:


From Dies To Die For:

Other:
  • Twine
  • Memory Box Twilight Snowflake Dies
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Friday 20 December 2019

The Fairy Light Express

5 days to go:  I've not used my Purple Onion Design stamps for a while so I've combined these two into a little sledging scene for a sweet but simple card.




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

  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
  • Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
  • Twigs: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
  • Light: Squeezed Lemonade
  • Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday 19 December 2019

Ramona and Pingu

6 days to go:  This week at As You Like It Challenge want to see your favourite die. Mine is currently a mix between my XXL Crealies and this lovely card stand, so I've used both because they work really well together.  I love stitched dies, and the Crealies ones in particularly because they're such a great size.  Often I find nesting dies are too small for an image, but the Crealies ones are HOOOOOGE.  The card stand has become another favourite because it creates something different to a standard fold without any manual cutting and folding.





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

  • Wood: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
  • Skin: Tattered Rose
  • Green: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
  • Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
  • Ground: Weathered Wood
  • Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 18 December 2019

Cheers

7 days to go:  My Dies to Die For card for this Wednesday is Opal the Optimist from Stamping Bella.  She's perfect for a Xmas card although she looks like she's had a glass or two too many already as the panel looks a bit wonky. Funny cos it doesn't look that squiffy in real life.



Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
  • Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
  • Dress: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany
  • Bottle: Bundled Sage, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
  • Ground: Pumice Stone, Black Soot

Card Recipe:


From Dies To Die For:

Other:
I've been inspired by
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Tuesday 17 December 2019

Reindeer Bunny

8 Days to go:  Today's cards both feature one of my favourite bunny images. I love him so much that he's got to play on two cards today!




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

  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
  • Mistletoe: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Monday 16 December 2019

Merry Everything

9 days to go:  I'm on the countdown to Christmas and have been making the final batch of cards I need for friends and family, so you should expect a flurry of posts over the next week as I catch up with them here too.  This one's a Stamping Bella image with some wintry Nitwit Papers.



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

  • Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
  • Blues: Tumbled Glass
  • 'Whites': Weathered Wood
  • Penguins: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
  • Wooden Table: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 11 December 2019

Mice in Boots

It's getting a bit chilly now we're heading into mid December, so it's time to get your fluffy boots out, just as these two meecies have decided to do!





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

  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
  • Holly: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Boots: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday 5 December 2019

Rudolph

We want you to CASE a DT member today at As You Like It Challenge and my DT card features Rudolf. I can't resist cute and furry so a little reindeer is perfect for my festive card.


Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
  • Antlers: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
  • Saddle: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
  • Simon's Monday Challenge - Sparkle
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 4 December 2019

Frosty the Snowman

It's time for another mid-week trip to Dies to Die For with a cute little Stamping Bella snowman. The snowman's meant to have a chick on his hat, but this chick is in disguise as a robin today. He thinks it's more festive and I've indulged him in this instance.




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

  • Robin: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
  • Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • 'Whites': Weathered Wood
  • Carrots: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 27 November 2019

'Tis the Season to be Jolly

I used this image for a card last week and it reminded me how much I love these stuffies. I've used them again today for a more simple card, and sneaked in a sentiment from another Stamping Bella set.



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

  • Walrus: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
  • Polar Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey
  • Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:


From Dies To Die For:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday 21 November 2019

Christmas Trio

It may be more wet than white outside at the moment, but at As You Like It Challenge this week we're asking your favourite way to add snow to your projects.  I love adding glossy accents as my 'ground' before sprinkling on some sparkly Glamour Dust. I also like to add some speckles of snowflakes fluttering around my critters using a white Vivo Pearl Pen. I like the contrast of the glitter and pearls.





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

  • Walrus: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
  • Polar Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey
  • Ground: Weathered Wood
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday 20 November 2019

Reindeer Duo

I've coloured a couple of Bella Bundle Girl with Reindeer, attempting a lighter touch and more subtle shading.  I really like the final result, but it was much harder than I thought it was going to be to be less heavy-handed with the inks!




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

  • Reindeer: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
  • Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Greens: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Blue Outfit: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
  • Purple Outfit: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
  • Snow: Weathered Wood, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx