Farewell to 'the year that shall not be named'

In many ways, the less said about 2020, the better.  At the risk of wishing our lives away, it's a year many of us are glad to see the back of, and 2021 is bringing a new year with fresh hope.

Despite all the extra time spent at home, I seemed to have been less productive and more procrastinated.

As we wave goodbye to 'the year which must not be named' here I am having my usual annual stumble through the past 12 months of crafting. 

My sincere thanks to those who've crafted with me this year.  Again I've noticed falling comments, so for those of you who do leave a short note, I am always grateful and I read everyone one. 

So, brace yourself for a photo-laden farewell to 2020.  As usual, I've selected my favourite creation from each month. 

In the meantime, I wish you all a happy, healthy and creative 2021. 

January 

Despite not being a fan of yellow, this bright springtime card for my Auntie was one of my faves.

February

A simple card for my Valentine!

March

Unfortunately the intended recipient of this card had to delay her retirement plans due to the events of 2020, but hopefully will get to enjoy her well-earned retirement this year instead.

April

This is one of my favourite Lee Holland images.

May

Sticking with the giraffe theme, this cutie was one of my fave crocheted creations of the year.  I'm hoping to do a bit more crochet next year.

June

I really love making these oversized tags for special gifts.

July

I've never really used stencils much, but actually really liked how this card turned out when I dabbled with a new stencil in July.

August

My favourite bear. I loved how he turned out on this card.

September

I made a couple of journals this year for my longest standing crafting buddies. They took quite a bit of thinking and time to plan out (oh, the irony!!!) and this is the front of one of them.

October

Sometimes I am in a clean and simple mood .......

November

.... and sometimes I'm in full and fussy mode ...

December

... and sometimes I decide to just make life difficult for myself with a fancy fold too!

That's all Folks.

Happy crafting, and Happy New Year! 

Let's hope 2021 is an improvement on its predecessor.

Annette
xx

Wishing You Christmas Cheer

This was the card I made for the recent Dies to Die For Winter/Christmas Card Swap.  I stamped a couple of the images from the MFT SY Christmas Cheer set with pale grey ink to get a no-lines image and watercoloured as usual.  These no-lines images take me two or three times as long to paint as 'normal' images but I do love the softer look for a change.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Yellows: Mustard Seed
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy (*hic*) New (*hic*) Year (*hic*)

With just a few more days before we ring in the new year, for my Digi Choosday project this week I've made a bottle tag for our New Year tipple, using Winnie Winter Celebration and a sentiment from the Winnie Celebrations 2 Sentiments kit.

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

• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Oranges: Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Snow: Weathered Wood

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Celebrate

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Fancy Friendship

I really love making special cards for people who I think will understand how much effort (for 'effort' read: 'blood, sweat and tears') have gone into making their creation.  Today's card is one of two I've made for 2 special friends.  I can only share one here for now (I'm not sure if the other recipient has opened hers yet) but this version has been sent to a friend who I met at Uni, more than 20 years ago, when she was living in the UK. She's now back in her native Tokyo, but has previously sent me very intricate traditional Japanese cards, so I like to make more of an effort with a fancy fold or shape.  I've made a twist 'n' pop card which is actually easier than it looks and I was really pleased with the outcome.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Grass: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Polar Bear Pals 
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbor Papers
• MFT Merry Christmas Circle Frame (cut in half and arched around the circle panel)
• Sentiment from MFT Holiday Penguins
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax

Other:

• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Christmas Critters
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Ice Cold

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Campfire

I've used the Happy Campers image from MFT to make this fun card.  I think the bunny is my favourite, but they all look adorable!

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo 
• Fox: Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Mouse: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Guitar: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Four Candles ....

This week I was challenged to make a card using 4 squares which I've done by making a Twist 'n' Pop card (admittedly mine turned out to be rectangles rather than squares), but it reminded me of the Two Ronnies sketch about the four candles/fork handles.  I've just watched it again and had a giggle!

For this week's Polkadoodles Digi Choosday, I've used 2 Cute Christmas Penguins (disguised as robins!) and Penguin Gifts to decoreate the insert for my Twist and Pop card. The front features Winnie Christmas Wishes Helping Hands and the papers are Lily Bug Love Heaven.  I've watercoloured my images using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

I've been inspired by:

• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Let It Snow
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Ice Cold

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snow Swissie

I'm trying to finish decorating one of my planners in time for the new year so today's image using the adorable Snow Swissie from CC Designs is featured on my January page.  I really love this image and it's the second time that I've inked her up recently.

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

• Hair/Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire
• Yellows: Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CC Designs Snow Swissie
• Stitched Square Die
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Beary Merry Christmas

At As You Like It Challenge this week we're talking Christmas films.  My all-time favourite is The Snowman; I love the story and animation, and although it may be a few years old, I still enjoy watching it.  This image reminded me of the film with the little bear building his snowman friend, with help from the cute little critters.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Oranges: Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snows: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Wrapped up Warm
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• 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
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Anything Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello Bear

Today I've been playing with this little bear!  

Of course his shirt had to be red!  ;0) 

Isn't he a cutie!

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

• Fur: Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Stamps Hello Bear
• MFT Party Plaid Paper Pad
• Whimsy Stamps Birthday Shadow Die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Fun with Dies

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cute Snow Friends

For Digi Choosday today I've used Cute Snow Friends from Polkadoodles to make a sleeve wrap for my handcrafted advent calendar.  The pink gingham papers are actually from a freebie Easter paper pack but I think gingham can be used in any season, and I do like pink at Christmas!  

Here's the sleeve on the gatefold box that I've made using quite stiff mountboard...

... and here's the inside with some of the boxes which I cut with my silhouette, all perfectly sized for a small chcolate treat!

This is the sleeve on its own.  The ribbon is a gorgeous double sided satin (the other side is chocolate brown colour) but I did end up sticking it down a bit after I took this picture, because I noticed it was a little loose.  The join is hidden underneath the image.

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

• Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Puppy: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Scarves: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Sky: Weathered Wood
• Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Country View Crafts - Anything Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx