Triple Hexagons

Here we are at Friday again, and even better, it's that start of another long weekend!  Let's hope the sunshine lasts into the Bank Holiday.  Hubby has plans to paint the outside of the house, but if that's dependant on the weather, then maybe the odd spot of rain would be ok if that means I can be excused from holding onto the ladder or weilding a paint roller, and sneak back into my craft room instead.  The one thing I always seem to get lumbered with is cleaning the brushes afterwards - that's the worst part!

So in readiness for the weekend, I'm here with some bright Springtime cards in the shape of a trio of hexagons.  They're all featuring a cute critter from Amanda Jayne Designs on Etsy, and I've used some lovely aqua blue and navy card from Papermill Direct which I've die cut and embossed for added interest.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry

Card Recipe:

Images from Amanda Jayne Designs:

• Bertie Bear with Flower
• Bella Holding Magnolia
• Bella Holding a Carrot

Card from Papermill Direct:

• Pale Turquoise Card
• Plain Navy Card

Other:

• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Creative Stitched Hexagon Nesting Dies
• Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Camellia Complete Petals
• Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Camellia Open Petals
• Do Crafts Happy Birthday Die
• White Enamel Dots
• Embossalicious Floral Frenzy Embossing Folder
• Stamperia Stencil
  
• Memory Box Flower Power Stencil
• MFT Cloud Sencil

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Raccoon

At As You Like It Challenge this fortnight we're asking what your favourite sketch is.  I flit between favouring fussy cards to clean and simple layouts, so it's difficult to narrow down a single favourite 'sketch' layout.  

Today I'm in clean and simple mood, and this layout is one of my favourites: a curving top banner of pretty papers, with a thin strip of the same papers below the image panel to balance it out.

I've dressed it up a little more than normal with a double layer of papers (just using the offcut from the first cut) and added a trio of flat backed pearls for a some texture.

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

• Raccoon: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Cute Raccoon from Lee Holland Digis
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Gummiapan Happy Birthday Die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenges - Wild & Wonderful
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Special Delivery

This image is so versatile for a birthday, or even for a 'just because' card.  I've made quite a fussy card for this one, but am also working on him again for a clean and simple layout because I liked him so much.

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

• Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Envelope: Old Paper

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Special Delivery by Stamping Bella
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax

Other:

• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Open Roses
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Tag

A little late for Easter, but you can never have too many bunnies!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet
• Ribbon: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Easter Bunny by Amanda Jayne Designs (freebie on Kit & Clowder)
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Spotty Satin Ribbon
• Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Camellia flower dies
• Gummiapan Large Old Die
• Enamel dot

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Spring is Coming

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Bunny

Today's card is a cute little bunny from Lee Holland that I've used for a birthday card for a crafting friend.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Tree: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Bunny Sitting with Butterflies from Lee Holland
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Die-Namites Butterfly Corner
• Creative Expression Orange Blossom Open and Closed Petals
• Creative Expression Camellia Open and Closed Petals
• Gummiapan Happy Birthday sentiment die

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Spring is Coming

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Spring Flowers

There's Spring in the air with this flower shaped cardbase featuring Gnome Spring Flowers and Winnie Fruit Punch Papers from Polkadoodles.  I've watercolour the image with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers and added some flower dies and a Happy Birthday sentiment die.

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Outfit: Bundled Sage, Rustic Wilderness, Forest Moss
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flowers: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Pot: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Beard: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Gnome Spring Flowers from Polkadoodles
• Winnie Fruit Punch Papers from Polkadoodles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Gummiapan Happy Birthday Die
• Enamel Dots

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Spring Flowers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Baby Sloth

I bought one of the critte bundles from Lee Holland's Etsy Store and this little Sloth with Hibiscus Flower was one of the cuties in the bundle.  As usual, I've watercoloured him, and created a simple card with some pretty pink papers to match the hibiscus flowers. The die cut sentiment is from Gummiapan and the die cut flowers are layered using the same papers as petals.

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, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Tree: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flowers: Squeezed Lemonade, Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo

Card Recipe:

• Sloth Sleeping with Hibiscus Flower from Lee Holland
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Creative Expression Orange Blossom Flower dies (open and closed petals)
• Creative Expression Camellia Flower dies (open and closed petals)
• Gummiapan Happy Birthday die
• White glittered enamel dots

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear with Flower

I've watercoloured Bertie the Bear with my Distress Inks, and layered him onto pale turquoise card whcih I've embossed with scattered dots embosing folder. 

I've layered the turquoise with white and navy card and die cut the card base using a Tattered Lace Doily Edge circle die.  The flowers are die cut, and I've stencilled some more turquoise card to give the flowers some different shades.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Dried Marigold, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Bertie Bear with Flower from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Tattered Lace Doily Edge Essential Circles
• Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Camellia Complete Petals
• Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Camellia Open Petals
• Do Crafts Happy Birthday Die
• White Enamel Dots
• Crafters Companion Scattered Dots Embossing Folder
• Stamperia Stencil

Papermill Direct:

• Pale Turquoise Card
• Plain Navy Card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear Hugs

We're looking for cute or floral this week at As You Like It Challenge, and although I love to use floral papers and embellishments, the image has to be cute! I love anything cuddly and fluffy so I've chosen this adorable teddy who's holding his paws out for a cuddle.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• James Hello from Lili of the Valley
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Maja Design Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Cosmos Daisy
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Tulip Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Things You Love (Bears, anything cute, flower embellishments, floral papers, organza ribbon, Distress inks, watercolouring ...!!!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

A Stinking Good Birthday

I've been in clean and simple mode recently, so this little fella is the centre of attention sat on his log clutching his pink flower.  I've used matching papers and my favourite Whimsy birthday shadow die to frame him.

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

• Fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Log: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Flower: Squeezed Lemonade, Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Sweet Skunks
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Whimsy Birthday Word and Shadow Die

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Spring is Coming

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cute Giraffe

This cute Giraffe from Lee Holland Digis is the focus of attention for today's card.  I've watercoloured him and then matted and stencilled a cloudy background with a blending brush, and added a stitched cloudy border and a typed sentiment.

I've been getting a little addicted to enamel dots recently, and have tried to make my own by melting some perler beads. I've used a trio from my first batch on this card. I'm hoping they'll be a little flatter to post than the flat backed pearls that I normally use.  I was hoping they'd be a bit bigger, but I didn't realise how dinky the beads were when I ordered them online!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed

Shading enhanced with Derwent Inktense Pencils

Card Recipe:

• Cute Giraffe from Lee Holland
• Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border Dies
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Happy Birthday
• Stamping Sensations - Things I Love (anything cute and furry, distress inks)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Puppy Birthday

This birthday card is for a friend who has a little doggie called Bonnie and I've coloured the fur of this cute little puppy from Lili of the Valley in Bonnie's tan shades to make it her likeness.  I've masked the image and stencilled a background.

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, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Puppy from Lili of the Valley
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Heavenly Circles Stencil
• Whimsy Birthday Word and Shadow Die
• Crealies Stitched Rectangle Die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Happy Birthday (Puppies, Distress inks, Whimsy birthday die)
• Stamping Sensations - I Love (Puppies, Distress inks, Whimsy birthday die)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's Always Tea Time

I've made another pair of cards in order to make a gift-set of 4 using my Colorado Craft Tea Time Fun stamps .  

I've stamped and watercoloured the image, and then matted it onto alternating layers of nude pink, white and fuschia pink coloured card.

The 'Friend' sentiment is die cut, but I've used my Silhouette cutting machine to create a double shadow using the same card colours around the text.

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

• Fur: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Browns: Antique Linin, Brushed Corduroy
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo
• Ground: Speckled Egg, Old Paper

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tea Time Fun by Colorado Craft
• Mama Elephant Friend Script Die
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Rectangles Stax

Papermill Direct:

• Polka Dots Card 250gsm
• White Hammered Card 255gsm
• Nude Sirio Card 290gsm
• Woodstock Malva 285gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Winnie Easter Egg

For my Polkadoodles Digi Choosday card today I've used Sunshine Delight Cutest Winnie for an Easter themed card.  I've cut the shaped cardbase from my Silhouette and decorated it with Winnie Fruit Punch Paper Bundle papers.  I've used a blending brush to ink in some background behind the image using a Heavenly Circles Stencil.  As always, my image is watercoloured using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers.

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
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Oranges: Dried Marigold, Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Sunshine Delight Cutest Winnie from Polkadoodles
• Winnie Fruit Punch Paper Bundle
• Heavenly Circles Stencil
• Pompelmo Nettuno Linen Effect Card
• "Happy" die from Gummiapan 'Happy Birthday' die
• "Easter" letters from CC Designs Mini Alphabet letter die set
• Creative Expression Sue Wilson Camellia Flowers (open and closed) Petals
• White Enamel Dots

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Easter / Spring
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Koala Bear

I've finally managed to get this little koala onto a card, but I've kept it really clean and simple to keep him the focus of attention.

I watercoloured him using Distress Inks, and stencilled a leafy background using my blending brushes.

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

• Fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Tree: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Leaves: Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Koala from Lee Holland
• Honey Bee Scattered Leaves Stencil
• Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border Dies
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny with Carrot

This little bunny is one of the new images at Amanda Jayne Designs and he's perfect for lots of occasions, like Easter or Birthdays.  Plus, there's 50% off all the images in her Etsy store at the moment.

I've watercoloured him using Distress Inks and have added a bit of sparkle with some Sakura Sparkle pens.  I've embossed a circle of aqua coloured card to frame him, and layered it onto die cut navy blue card.  

The flowers are the same aqua blue card, stenciled with Distress Inks with an enamel dot in the middle and the sentiment is a DoCrafts die which I've again layered onto navy card.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Oranges: Dried Marigold, Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Bella Holding Carrot by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Tattered Lace Doily Edge Essential Circles
• Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Camellia Complete Petals
• Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Camellia Open Petals
• Do Crafts Happy Birthday Die
• White Enamel Dots
• Crafters Companion Scattered Dots Embossing Folder
• Memory Box Modern Flower Power Stencil

Papermill Direct:

• Pale Turquoise Card
• Plain Navy Card

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

This Little Piggy

This little piggy is from the recent farm animals release at Lili of the Valley.  I've watercoloured him using Derwent Inktense pencils and used my Tonic Studio frame die to create a border in a pale green with some darker green accents.  I don't use my pencils very much but decided to have a play with them while I was away visiting my in-laws (my distress inks can get rather messy if you try to transport them!).  

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Derwent Inktense Pencils:

Card Recipe:

• Spring Farm Rabbit and Piggy
• Distress Trellis Stencil
• Whimsy Stamps Birthday and Shadow Die

Papermill Direct:

• Spring Green Plain Card
• Dark Green Plain Card

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx