Have a 'Mice' Retirement

The lady who was my mentor when I started my career 25 years ago was planning to to take her well-earned retirement today, but I think all this current mess has meant she's had to change her plans with just days to go.  All that hard work to get to the finishing post has been thwarted at the last minute.  It felt odd enough to think of her leaving, because she's been such a key part of the company for so long.  She's one of those people who do so much without recognition that the company's real loss cannot be anticipated, and will only be realised once she's gone. I hope she gets to enjoy her retirement really soon.

Anyhoo, I've used a sweet Lili of the Valley image on a card I made for her. I've edited the 'with love' text and covered it over with a typed 'Good Luck' sentiment instead.  I've also added 'Enjoy your retirement' in the same font.  Hopefully I'll be able to give it to her soon.

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

• Mice: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Pencil: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap
• Tag: Old Paper, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Sky: Milled Lavender

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Love Tag
• Creative Expressions Chic Floral papers
• Organza Wired Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Card Making Magic Die Set Easel
• Circle Cutter

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Spring Mood Board (purples, florals)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Rockabilly Tag

There's a new challenge at As You Like It Challenge this week and we want to know if you prefer buttons or pearls.  I'm definitely a pearls gal; I love their soft lustre and I have packs of them in every possible colour!  I've added them in little trios on my over-sized tag in a couple of different sizes.  It's very girlie with the pinks and flowers which suits the cute image.  I've even added some extra pearls on a string amongst the flowers.

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

• Hair: Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry

Card Recipe:

• Rockabilly Girls from CC Designs
• MFT Plaid Patterns
• MFT Stitched Ovals
• Satin Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - The Eyes Have It (wink wink!)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Floral Meadow

I'm not sure I've used this stamp before.  It's way outside of my 'cute critter' comfort zone but the florals are really pretty.  Both the stamp and script die are Mama Elephant but I've matched it with some MFT papers and stitched frame die.  Unfortunately the Hello die is now out of stock, but there's an MFT one which is very similar.

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

• Background: Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Crushed Olive
• Blues: Chipped Sapphire
• Purples: Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Mama Elephant Wild Meadow
• Hello Script Die (similar to the Mama Elephant I used which is now out of stock)
• Heffy Doodle Stitched Square Dies
• MFT Roses all over paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Easter to Ewe

Ewe may have already heard that there are some new Easter images being released at Lili of the Valley.  I'm sure that ewe won't be able to resist this little lamb that I've used on today's card.  So don't be sheepish, make sure you go and check out the new images tomorrow!

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

• Sheep: Antique Linen, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
• Shell: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Easter Lamb
• Creative Expression Chic Floral paper pad
• Nottingham Border Die
• Crealies Stitched Squares
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hopping with Excitement

There are some new Easter cuties due to Spring about at Lili of the Valley on Monday, and I'm hopping about with excitement because there are some new Lili bunnies!  I've been playing with one of them today making an Easter card.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flowers: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Rusty Hinge, Crushed Olive
• Pinks: Worn Lipstick, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Bunny Eggcup
• Creative Expression Chic Floral paper pad
• Nottingham Border Die
• Crealies Stitched Squares
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Barrow of Bunny

I'm on a mission to use some of my older stamps again and have used a sweet Wild Rose Studio stamp which was actually a gift from one of my fellow DTDF DT crew several years ago.  I love these cute critters!

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

• Mouse: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Bunny: Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Reds: Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany
• Barrow: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• WRS Barrow of Presents
• MFT Roses all Over Paper pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Spring Tag

We're asking whether you like Easter or Spring at As You Like It Challenge this week.  I don't tend to make many Easter cards, but I love Spring because it means that the longer days and lighter evenings are on their way.  I've used Spring colours and florals on this supersized tag featuring Winnie from Polkadoodles called Springtime Bunting.  

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
• Bunting: Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Dress: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry

Card Recipe:

• Winnie Sugar Sprinkles Springtime Bunting
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• MFT Stitched Rectangle dies
• Sue Wilson Finishing Touches Orange Blossom Dies
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello There!

I've been trying to use some stamps that I've had for a while and this cutie is such a sweet image he was begging to be inked up again.   I love how she peeks in from the corner of the card!

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

• Elephant: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Flower stem: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Flower: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Bella with Dalia
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Square Stax
• MFT Watercolor Wash Paper pad
• Sentiment from MFT Polar Pals

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Amigurumi Easter Bunny

I've been indulging in a little crochet time this weekend and what better than a couple of cute little Easter Bunnies with quirky faces and comical ears!

I hope they make you smile too.

Project Recipe

• Amigurumi Today Easter Bunny
• Marriner Double Knit Wool (green)
• Euro Yarn Babe Jazz Double Knitting 301 Sweet Tart (variegated)
• 9mm Black Safety Eyes
• Black Embroidery Thread
• Trimmits Supersoft Toy Filling

Happy crafting
Annette
xx