Dogs have masters, cats have slaves.
It's safe to say that I've always been a slave!
We had a black & white kitty called Susan when I was a toddler, then jet black Button and her mini-me son Fluff when I was about 10. Tortoiseshell Toffee joined us a year or so later.
The three of them stayed with my parents when I grew up and moved out, but my new home was soon completed by Muffin (long-haired grey tabby) and adorably cute little black-furred Lucy. Here are the two of them 'playing' together:
I had Muffin when I met my husband about 10 years later who accepted joint slaving duties. When we said our final good-night to him, we then adopted ginger Arnie and calico Pickle from the Blue Cross:
Arnie was a real mummy's boy and I was heartbroken when we had to say our good-byes to him last year. Hubby took me to the RSPCA re-homing centre where we were destined to adopt handsome Jenson (JB) who has filled our home with naughtiness and snuggles again. Here's the first picture of him in his RSPCA prison when he captured my heart. Isn't that a naughty face! We should've guessed that he would be trouble!
A home doesn't feel complete without a furry companion.
So, the reason I'm telling you this is because this week we're asking if you prefer Cats or Dogs at As You Like It Challenge.
It's fairly safe to say from all the photos above that I'm a kitty person, and most definitely a slave to mine!
For my card I've used Jasper from Polkadoodles.
Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
- Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
- Purples: Wilted Violet
- Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
- Greens: Cracked Pistachio
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
I know this little guy looks a tad grumpy, but there's something about his quirky expression that makes me smile! (pretty similar to the expression I have when my husband reckons that he really has done something that I've asked!).
Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
- Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
- Leaves: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
- Trunk: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
Card Recipe:
From Dies To Die For:
Other:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
Question: What's better than a card with a cute bunny on it?
Answer: A card with two cute bunnies on it!
Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
- Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
- Bunny: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
- Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
- Daisies: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Picked Raspberry
Card Recipe:
From Dies To Die For:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
My project today features 3 summery images and pretty bright oranges. I love summer as a season; the warm days, lots of sunshine and all the garden (ok, weeds) in flower. I love the longer evenings before it gets dark because it really feels like I can spend some time in daylight outside of work. I did actually make these 3 into a concertina tri-fold card.
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
I've not used many stencils so decided to have a play with this 'Brick by Brick' one from Taylored Expressions. I used my blending brushes and a couple of pinky ink pads to complement my pinky colour scheme. I'm also a teensy bit addicted to my new Birthday Shadow die set so I've used it again today, raising it up on foam pads to add some layering.
Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
- Hair: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
- Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
- Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
- Rolling Pin: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
- Flower: Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
- Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
- Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
- 'Whites': Hickory Smoke
Card Recipe:
From Dies To Die For:
I've been inspired by:
- Country View Crafts - What makes you Happy (lots made me happy about this card; for example, trying something new (stencilling with DI Ink Pads in Victorian Velvet and Tattered Rose), water-colouring the image (using DI Reinkers - I practically needed a single-hair paintbrush for some of those teeny elements of her outfit), using my new Birthday layered die, pretty papers and soft neutral colours with an ickle pop in the accent colours)
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
I'm sharing another tag today, albeit a bit smaller this time!
I hope you're not too bored already!
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
- Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
- 'Whites': Weathered Wood
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
I have been making a glut of these large tags recently and decided to combine 3 of them into a tri-fold card. I'm quite pleased with how this one turned out. It was for a friend and she seemed to like it when she opened it, so I think it was a winner.
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
- Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
- Yellows: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed
- Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
Card Recipe:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
I'm sharing a few more images from the recently released Tea Party set from Lili of the Valley.
Many of us during lock-down have been dual-purposing our spare bedroom as work spaces during the day and craft desks in the evenings, so I've made a little hanger to help distinguish!
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
After being a lazy blogger for a little while you're getting a glut of me this week!
Today's card features a cute little squirrel peeking down from his tree.
He's one of the extras in the recently released sets from Lili of the Valley, but I think he deserves his own card!
Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
- Squirrel: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
- Leaves: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
- Tree: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
Card Recipe:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
I'm just sharing a couple of simple toppers using the recently released images from Lili of the Valley. I've actually used the toppers on a larger project, but unfortunately I didn't take photos of that before gifting it!
Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
- Fur/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
- Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
Card Recipe:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
I usually have a bit of an aversion to getting messy with inks, but I actually enjoyed making these cards. I stamped the beautiful MFT Bundles of Blossoms and embossed it with white embossing powder before using my blending brushes and ink pads to create the backgrounds. The white embossing powder resists the ink so it make the stamp design show through.
I've also managed to use these gorgeous Whimsy Birthday Shadow dies for the focal point. I cut all 3 layers twice, once in pink and once in purple, creating 2 complete words but in alternating colours. I then matted the base twice using the same pink and purple.
Firstly the square version with pink text on purple matting:
Secondly, the rectangle version with purple text on pink matting:
Backgrounds inked using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
- Picked Raspberry,
- Worn Lipstick,
- Milled Lavender,
- Dusty Concord,
- Wilted Violet,
- Seedless Preserves
Card Recipe:
From Dies To Die For:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
At As You Like It Challenge this fortnight we're asking if you prefer farm or jungle animals. This was a tough choice for me as I've got a soft spot for lambs and horses, as well as chickens which we used to have as pets, but I have also had a life long love of the big cats, my favourite being the Tiger, so that's what I've opted for on today's card.
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
- Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
I've been playing with one of the new releases from Stamping Bella and have used this little Gnome in the Hammock for today's card.
Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
- Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
- Beard: Hickory Smoke,
- Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
- Tree Stumps: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
- Blues: Speckled Egg, Stormy Sky
- Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
- Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
Card Recipe:
From Dies To Die For:
Other:
- Hunkydory Moonstone Fabulous Flower dies
- Twine
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx
