Sunday, 31 December 2023

Farewell 2023 .... Hello 2024

I'm finding myself at yet another New Year's Eve and wondering where that last year has gone!

So it must be time for my traditional 31st Dec round-up, to bid farewell to the old year with some of my favourite creations from the past twelve months.

Yet again, I've continued to notice that many of my blogposts have no comments compared to the simpler click of a 'like' button on other Social Media platforms, which makes my faithful commenters here far more appreciated. I am truly grateful for anyone who takes the time to comment, however brief, and I do read every single comment. 

So, as I sign off the year with a few of my favourites, 
I wish you all a happy, healthy and creative 2024. 

1)  I often struggle with colouring both white/grey and beards, which means I usually avoid gnomes but they seem to have been everywhere this year, and I've been tempted by some of the cutest ones!  This Stamping Bella image was a particular challenge for me, because I decided to make him almost monochrome in my most dreaded colours!




2)  Another gnomie, this time from Lee Holland's digi shop in a more colourful combo. I struggled a little with the beard but enjoyed the brights of his outfit and flower.





3)  There's a theme going on here because I'm sharing yet another gnome.  This card is probably my favourite from the whole year, and I was really pleased with how he turned out. Here's a link to the original Flowery Gnome card.






4)  Moving away from gnomes for this card, I really enjoyed making this personalised card using an image from Amanda Jayne Digis and my Silhouette for cutting the name.




5)  I have also enjoyed making some other styles of projects including this Festive cup/box which I made using my Silhouette.  Assembling it was a little tricky, but I was pleased with how it turned out, and it's quite solid, so it could be used as a gift box.





6)  I have also enjoyed my crochet projects this year, which have included my first jumper, but the project I'm most pleased with is this little guy (yes another gnome!!!  I told you they were everywhere!)




7)  And finally, a list of my favourites couldn't be complete without James Bear (Lili of the Valley) framed by some of my favourite NitWit Collection papers.





Well that's all folks. 

I look forward to crafting with you next year, but for now, have a lovely New Year's Eve, and I'll see you on the other side.

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Saturday, 30 December 2023

Friday, 29 December 2023

Pooh and Piglet

These two crocheted cuties were made for my bestie as part of her Christmas pressie.







Crochet Patterns:

Yarn:
King Cole Cottonsoft


Happy crafting
Annette
xx




Thursday, 28 December 2023

Granny Bauble Cover






Crochet Pattern:

Materials:
Stylecraft DK Yarn
Polystyrene bauble

Happy crafting
Annette
xx




Wednesday, 27 December 2023

Bunny Christmas

I've saved this sweet bunny card to share late in the hope that it's now been opened by its recipient.    The customised sentiment is typed in a couple of fancy fonts, and as usual, the image is watercoloured.





Designed for:
Lili of the Valley
Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers

Card Recipe:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Tuesday, 26 December 2023

Christmas Pudding Bear

One more Christmas Teddy, with an enormous Christmas Pud!



Designed for:
Lili of the Valley
Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Pudding: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Silver gel pen
Card Recipe:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Monday, 25 December 2023

London Guardsman

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I made this little guy, intending to gift him, but I didn't want to part with him once he was finished!!!




Crochet Pattern:

Yarn:
King Cole CottonSoft

Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Sunday, 24 December 2023

Santa Face

I've gone all glittery today with this Silhouette cut file Santa face. I've adapted the file a bit, firstly to make it a card base instead of a box, and also to thin down his eyes and glasses which were originally quite thick.





Designed for:

Saturday, 23 December 2023

Santa Clause

I've mad a few of these Santa cards for Hubby's work colleagues using my Silhouette machine.  The cut file was originally a gift card holder, but I've adapted it into a cardbase.




Friday, 22 December 2023

Holly Teddy

Another watercoloured bear, this time holding his holly sprig.  I've given him some pretty Christmas floral papers and a few 3D flowers to frame him.




Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
  • Holly: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Berries: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
Card Recipe:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx




Thursday, 21 December 2023

Moonlight Bear

My recent cards have been fairly simple in layout, but this one has a little extra effort with a blended moonscape background for my watercoloured bear.





Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Scarf: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Hickory Smoke
  • Snow: Speckled Egg
  • Moon: Scattered Straw, Antique Linen
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
  • Simon's Monday Challenge - Let it Snow
  • Country View Crafts - Christmas using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers (for watercolouring the bear) & Inkpads (for blending the background)
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Wednesday, 20 December 2023

Mouse Christmas

Today's card is a simple watercoloured mouse with a patterned paper frame.  I've made this card for a meecie fan, so I'm hoping that she likes it (if it arrives)!





Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • Snow: Hickory Smoke
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx




Tuesday, 19 December 2023

Bunny Christmas

It's definitely time to get your Christmas jumpers out!




Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur/pudding: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Jumper: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx




Monday, 18 December 2023

Teddy Umbrella

I think purple Christmas cards are my favourite!!!




Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Scarf: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Umbrella: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Villainous Potion

Card Recipe:

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx




Sunday, 17 December 2023

Little Ted

Today's card is a cute watercoloured teddy bear in a simple, but bright colour combo for a fun Christmas card.




Designed for:
Lee Holland
Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • Whites: Hickory Smoke
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
  • Simon's Monday Challenge - Dies
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Saturday, 16 December 2023

Christmas Bear

I've made a Christmas card for my Mother in Law using this cute polar bear, and a spot of foiling on a typed sentiment using my Minc machine for some Christmas sheen.



Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Sea: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
  • Scarf: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Hickory Smoke
Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

Papermill Direct:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Friday, 15 December 2023

Puppy Christmas

I've made this little puppy card for a friend who has a King Charles Spaniel called Freddie. Unfortunately I forgot that he's black and tan, rather than black and white, but she seemed to like the effort nonetheless!

I've fussycut the image and added him on foam pads to this slimline card with pretty papers and a die cut snowflake border and sentiment.



Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs,Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
Card Recipe:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx



Thursday, 14 December 2023

Gnome for Christmas

It's the final challenge of the year at As You Like It Challenge so we're having a super-easy 'Anything Goes' this week, which is a handy way to catch up on some final Christmas cards.  Hubby came home with a late request for a Gonk themed Christmas card for his colleague, so I've used this cute image from Lee Holland.  As usual, the image is watercoloured, and I've added added some pretty papers with red accents throughout.




Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lee Holland

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
  • Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
  • Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
  • Sky: Tumbled Glass
  • Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
  • 'Whites': Speckled Egg, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot.
  • Black: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
Card Recipe:
Papermill Direct:
I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting
Annette
xx