Spring Bunny (with added bees)

The new challenge at As You Like It Challenge is layers (one or many), and I admit that I struggled with this theme a bit.  It seems that even my most clean and simple cards aren't just one layer, but nor do I layer up papers on my most embellished cards either.  

Since I decided against a single layer card, my only other option was to go for a fully loaded creation, which has plenty of layers of non-paper items in my 'go-to' layout.  

I even added an extra layer of ribbon by popping some organza underneath the satin and a double layered bow! 

I've used one of the new bunnies (released Tuesday) from Lili of the Valley.  I used the digi version and he's been printed very pale before being watercoloured with my trusty DI reinkers.  Finally I've added a couple of dinky buzzy bees from a clear stamp set, because I felt like bunny needed to be 'looking' at something.

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Hickory Smoke
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flowers: Wilted Violet, Seedless Preserves, Picked Raspberry, Wild Honey

Card Recipe:

• Lili of the Valley Spring Sweeties Spring Rabbit Posy
• WPlus9 Curious Forest Friends stamp set (bees)
• 6mm Satin Ribbon Aqua
• 15mm Organza ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers Petal Fresh
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits Stitched Oval Die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Jungle Fever

I've been drooling over these cute little stackable critters from Mama Elephant so today I've created this little scene, but instead of stacking them, they're creating a little jungle clan!

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

• Fox: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Bear: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Elephant: Pumice Stone, Black Soot
• Monkey: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Pig: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Crushed Olive

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Mama Elephant Stackable Cuties
• Mama Elephant Wild Meadow
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Tags

I might need to lie down after sharing this card because there's no colouring in sight, only a stamped sentiment and some dinky little die cut tags.  The pretty papers are from Nitwits.

Card Recipe:

• Create-a-Smile Clear Mini Birthday Stamp Set
• Create-a-Smile Cool Cuts Lovely Tags
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges
• Twine

I've been inspired by:

• Create a Smile - Sketch
• Create a Smile Facebook - Hearts

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bestest Friends

This little Lee Holland squirrel is an image that I've had for quite a while, but he's disappeared from the shop. However, I am hoping he might be making a return so I'm sharing him with you. This card was made for a special friend, but it's safe to show now.  I added some matching springtime papers and some sparkly little embellishments that I've also been saving for a special occasion!  I hope you like him.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Acorn: Tea Dye, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Squirrel from Lee Holland
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Paper pad
• Glitter dots

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Bunny with Flutterfly

I've been playing with one of the new images from Lee Holland this afternoon. He's called Easter Bunny with Butterfly and I've water-coloured him with my trusty reinkers.  

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Shaded Lilac, Dusty Concord
• Pinks: Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry

Card Recipe:

• Easter Bunny with Butterfly
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL36 Double Stitched Rectangles
• Sentiment typed KG Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk
• Purple & Kraft card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sending Hugs

I've been playing with my new Joyful Heart Bears from MFT.  There's only so many Valentines cards a gal needs so this card is a little friendship card for a special friend.  Isn't he adorable!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Joyful Heart Bears from MFT
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Double stitched dies

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Wheelie cute pair

This is the last of my run of sneak peeks for Lili of the Valley and I've loved all the images, but I may have saved my favourite image until last! This adorable little pair are called 'apple cart' from the Sunny Days stamp set.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Wheelbarrow: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Sunny Days Apple Cart from Lili of the Valley
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge using DI Inks, MFT Edger, Scalloped Edger & Lawn Fawn papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Lilac Watering Can

This is a little card I've made for a friend whose birthday was last week.  The image is one of the soon-to-be-released cuties from Lili of the Valley.

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
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Flowers: Wild Honey

Card Recipe:

• Sunny Days Watering Can from Lili of the Valley
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• 15mm Satin Ribbon

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Hoppy Easter

I've been playing with some bunnies from Lee Holland and have two cards to share using this cutie.  One of them is no-lines and following a question by Tami about whether I add the pale or dark colours first, I also have a mini picture tutorial of the first stages of my water-colouring.

Here's the first of my cards; the no-lines version:


First of all I lightly shade the whole image as the base colour (for bunny, this was Antique Linen):

Then I add the darker colour where I want the shadow and blend it in with a fine damp brush.  I add a little more ink where I want the most shade, but I find that a little goes a long way with these inks. 

The image below is where I've added Brushed Corduroy around the shaded areas, before blending them in.  I don't usually work on this many sections at one time but wanted to show you where I'd add the ink and got a bit carried away!  I snapped the photo then quickly got to work blending it out with mini circular motions using my watercolour brush.

Ausie aNNie also asked what brush I use, and I tend to use the same brush for most of my painting, which is a ProArte Spotter size 2. It's quite a small brush but it works well for me.

I forgot to take some more pics, but I added some more Brushed Corduroy and some Vintage Photo for the darkest parts.  As usual, I got a bit heavy handed with the darker colours so his face looks like he's spent a little too long on the sun lounger, but I love the golden brown of the Brushed Corduroy.

And here's my second card. It's very similar but I decided against the no-lines technique for this one.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord

Card Recipe:

• Bunny Smelling Flower from Lee Holland

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Purple Mouse

My cute little Lee Holland mouse with his woollen heart has come out to play today again, but this time he's in purple.  The shaped card base is cut with a Go Kreate die and I've gone the whole hog with the embellishments.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord

Card Recipe:

• Mouse with Heart from Lee Holland
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Go Kreate Labels nested die
• Lilac rhinestones
• Purple organza ribbon

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Carrots

I've got another sneaky peek for you today featuring 'Carrots' from Lili of the Valley

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Sack: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Carrots: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Carrots from Lili of the Valley
• Lawn Fawn plaid paper
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas at Valentines!

At As You Like It Challenge this fortnight we're asking whether you prefer birthday or Christmas crafting.  

I'd like to pretend that I'm one of those super organised people on a mission to make a few Christmas cards each month so there's no rush in December, but in reality I do simply prefer Christmas crafting.  

Christmas is often a time when crafting is not limited to just cards, but extends to handcrafted gifts like advent calendars, candles and decorations which are fun to make and swap.  

For my card today I've picked one of my favourite bears, James, from Lili of the Valley on a simple (postage friendly!) design.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Hat fur: Iced Spruce
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• James Presents for Two from Lili of the Valley 
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Merry & Bright Plaid paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black & More - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear Hugs

As soon as these little bears landed on my doormat I was itching to ink them up.  This little cutie clutching his heart-shaped cushion is the first to get his outing and I've used a sentiment from the same set.  I thought he'd look cute with a darker snout but I'm not so sure now.  I've popped a little nose on top with a black gel pen, although it barely shows up in the photo.   

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Joyful Heart Bears from MFT
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Rectangle Stax

I've been inspired by:

• Cupcake Inspirations - Be Mine

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday cuties

I'm sharing another sneaky peek from Lili of the Valley today featuring an image called 'Presents'.  I love these cute critters.

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

• Dog: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Mouse: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Presents from Lili of the Valley (both rubber & digi are available)
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Merry & Bright Paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black & More - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• MFT Card Challenge - Presents (using MFT dies and papers)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Wool you be mine?

I'm so excited to share my first official DT card for Lee Holland digi images and he's a real cutie!  This adorable little mouse is holding a woollen heart in his paws, but he has been a little absent-minded with a loose thread. I hope he doesn't trip over it!  

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Mouse with Heart from Lee Holland
• Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Spring Petite paper pack
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Typed sentiment: Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk (font)

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Cupcake Inspirations - Be Mine

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Meecie Love

There are some new images being released soon at Lili of the Valley and these little meecies were too adorable not to ink up first.  I'm going to share a few more sneaky peeks over the next few days so come back soon for more cuteness!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Love Tag from Lili of the Valley
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Merry & Bright paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Cupcake Creations - Be Mine
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

My Favourite Earthling

I've been inking again to create this little scene using Alien Invasion from Gerda Steiner which were a Christmas present from a lovely friend.  I've blended Distress Inks to create the background and added white gel pen stars.  The sentiment is from the same set.
Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Aliens: Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Black Soot
• Purples: Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Light Beam: Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilised Amber

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Alien Invasion from Gerda Steiner
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Stitched Rectangle die

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black and More - Anything Goes
• Gerda Steiner - Share Your Designs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Bear with Balloon

So I may be a little addicted to these cuties because I have another Lee Holland card today, this time Teddy with heart balloon.  Isn't he adorable!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Ground: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Teddy with heart balloon from Lee Holland
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid papers
• MFT Pop Up Birthday die

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes using Ranger DI Reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Puppy with Present

I am delighted and humbled to learn that I have been picked to join the DT at Lee Holland and I've proudly added the DT badge to my sidebar with a little warm glow!  Lee's images are so cute so I'm absolutely thrilled have been selected.

I've been celebrating by playing with this adorable little puppy who is featured on today's card.  He's been printed in pale grey and then water-coloured. I've kept the layout simple to give him the attention he deserves! 

I hope you like my little puppy enough to come back and visit me to see some more Lee Holland cuties soon.

And here's my new badge!!!  :0)  

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain 
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Weathered Wood, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Puppy with Present from Lee Holland Digis
• Lawn Fawn Petite Plaid paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx