You're the Salt to my Pepper

I created this shaped card using my Silhouette to house this little meecie from Lee Holland.  

The base card is made from White Hammered card which I thought looked like the texture of fabric!  

Because it's all white, I've defined the edges of the shape with some doodled stitching and layered all the pieces on 3D foam for some shadow and texture.

My little meecie is watercoloured in Distress inks, and fussy cut (OMG that tail was a challenge!)

Designed for:
Papermill Direct

Lee Holland

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

• Mouse: Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Spoon: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Hat: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Cute Digi Bundle Chef Mouse from Lee Holland
• White Hammered Card 225gsm
• Sentiment typed using Font 'New Hopes' 

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Too Cute To Spook

I've created a 'Too Cute To Spook' Hallowe'en decoration using a spooky font in my Silhouette machine in layers of Apple Green, Grey and Black card.

I've watercoloured one of the new Chloe Halloween images from Amanda Jayne Designs and merged her into my design to complete the decoration.

Designed for:

Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

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

• Chloe: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Hat: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Oranges: Carved Pumpkin, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Tea Dye

Card Recipe:

• Halloween Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Font used to create the base shape 'Kricky'

Papermill Direct:

• Apple Green 240 gsm Plain Card
• Antracite Sirio 290gsm Grey Card
• Plain Black 240 gsm Card

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Halloween / Harvest

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Chloe Bauble Tag

I've created this little gift tag using my Silhouette machine and decorated with some gorgeous Buttercream pearlescent card which I've embossed to create a bit of extra texture.  There is a layer of glittered red card to frame the central panel.

The image has been printed in grey for a no-lines effect, and I've watercoloured it, as usual, using my Distress Ink Reinkers.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

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
• Hat: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Chloe Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Whimsy Stamps Holly Slimline Embossing Folder
• 15mm Snowflake Organza Ribbon
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles

Papermill Direct:

• Buttercream Pearl Card
• Red Glitter Card
• Red Plain Card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Chloe Christmas Bundle

I've popped another of my watercoloured Christmas Chloe images onto this shaped embossed slimline panel for a simple card.  

The layers of red give it evem more interest, but I do like the simplicity and texture of this design and I've used it a couple of times because I like it so much!

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

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
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Chloe Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Honey Bee Christmas die
• Whimsy Stamps Holly Slimline Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card
• Ruby Red Plain Card

Other:

• Rectangle Scalloped by Loni Harris Silhouette Cut File

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Little Critters

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Owl Tag

I've been playing with one of the new Owl images from Amanda Jayne Designs, She's got 70% off her images at the moment so it's an ideal time to move some images from your wishlist into your cart!

I've printed this owl in pale grey for a no-lines effect and then cut her using my Crealies pierced circle die and layered her onto some pretty papers and a Crealies XXL tag.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

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

• Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Bundled Sage, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Owls from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Shamrock Green Plain Card from Papermill Direct
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Feminine

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's a Hoot

Holy Macaroni, it's September already. How did that happen?

Although, saying that, despite the sunny weather, I'm still in Festive mode with my Christmas themed crafting!  

At As You Like It Challenge this week we want to know what shape cardbase you prefer.  I have been making a few slimline cards recently but my go-to shape is always a 6" square, mainly becuase it's the shape I have used for many years and I have a huge stash of blanks!  However, for a bit of variation, I've cut my square using a fancy border die so that it has a more interesting edge to it.

Amanda Jayne Designs is our sponsor this week, and I have watercoloured my image as usual using Distress Inks.

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

• Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Background: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Owls by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Tattered Lace Ornate Square Card Shapes Die
• Magnolia DooHickey Die So Wrapped Merry Christmas
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Polkadoodles Heavenly Circles Stencil

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Chloe Pop Up Card

I made this fun Pop-Up card using Chloe and some patterned papers from Amanda Jayne Designs.  It folds flat for posting, but then pops up into a 3D square with lots of decorated flaps.  I added some die cut grass inside so that Chloe has something to sit on, and some cloud elements which I've fussy cut and popped on with 3D foam pads.   I used my Silhouette machine to fussy cut my watercoloured image, so the cutting turned out much neater than I could have done by hand.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

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

• Chloe: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Green: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
• Blue: Salvaged Patina, Uncharted Mariner
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Chloe Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs (image, papers, clouds, sentiment)
• Tattered Lace Ornate Square Card Shapes (used to die cut the sentiment frame)
• Whiff of Joy Grass die
• Creative Expression Sue Wilson Camellia Open & Closed petals
• Tuxedo Box Card cutting file by Lori Whitlock
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cheeky Monkey

I've been making quite a few tags recently to plump up my stash for gift wrapping. This one features Birthday Milo the Monkey sitting on his birthday present. I've printed the image in grey and watercoloured him before die cutting the image with a Gummiapan Large Old Tag.  

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
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Chipped Sapphire, Prize Ribbon
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed

Card Recipe:

• Birthday Milo by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Gummiapan Happy Birthday Die
• Gummiapan Large Old Tag Die
• Satin Dots Ribbon
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Koala Hugs

Yay, the weekend is finally here and I'm sharing a tag full of hugs featuring the adorable Kali Koala from Amanda Jayne Designs.

I've used my Gummiapan Large Old Tag die, and offset two layers cut from different papers from the same pad.  

The sentiment is a Simon Says Stamp die, for which I've created a outline using my Silhouette.

Here's a close up of Kali, which I've printed in pale grey ink and watercoloured.

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

• Fur: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss

Card Recipe:

• Kali in Leaves by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Gummiapan Large Old Tag
• Simon Says Stamp Big Hugs Scripty Die
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Charlie and Chloe

I watercoloured this loved up bovine pair earlier in the month and I've now popped them onto a card to share with you today.  I've printed the digi in grey so that it gives a softer image and showered them in flowers in dusky pastel shades of pink.

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

• Charlie: Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Chloe: Tattered Rose, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flowers: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Chloe and Chrarlie from Amanda Jayne Designs
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mouse Tag

I've used one of my new Sweet Dixie dies to create this cute tag featuring this sweet little mouse which I've watercoloured and mounted onto some purple card. The sentiment is die cut but I've added a shadow using my silhouette machine to ensure it shows up on the lilac card.

Designed for Amanda Jayne Designs & Papermill Direct

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

• Mouse: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet, Villainous Potion

Card Recipe:

• Mia Mouse from Amanda Jayne Designs
• 15mm Gingham Ribbon
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Sweet Dixie Decorative Tags set
• Gummiapan Happy Birthday Die

From Papermill Direct:

• Lilac Card
• Dark Violet Card

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Not a Card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Daphne the Donkey

There's a Donkey Derby on my blog this week because my favourite aminals are now making an appearance two days in a row!  Today's guest is Daphne the Donkey, one of the new images from Amanda Jayne Designs.  

I've printed her out in pale grey a "no-lines" colouring effect and watercoloured my image with Distress Ink reinkers.  I've die cut her with a stitched oval die and layered her onto purple cardstock surrounded by flowers and ribbon.  The papers are also from Amanda Jayne Designs and I've used two sheets from the Lilac and Teal collection with a strip of Cadbury Purple coloured ribbon to cover the join.

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

• Daphne the Donkey: Tattered Rose, Milled Lavender, Villainous Potion
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey

Card Recipe:

• Daphne the Donkey from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Lilac and Teal Papers from Amanda Jayne Designs
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Mini Rosebuds
• 40mm Spiders Web ribbon White
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Favourite Things

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Tag

This adorable little bunny is a new image from Amanda Jayne Designs and I've used her to make a sweet Springtime gift tag.  I've printed the image in pale grey for a no-lines effect, and watercoloured it using my DI reinkers.  

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry

Shading enhanced with Derwent Inktense Pencils

Card Recipe:

• Balle Bunny Holding Magnolia from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Sweet Dixie Decorative Tags Set
• 6mm Satin Ribbon

Papermill Direct:

• Pompelmo Nettuni Linen Effect Card
• Raspberry Pink Plain Card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Foxy Christmas

At As You Like It this week, the design team are sharing some of their top tips, and inviting you to do the same.  My tip is that three is a magic number when it comes to composition.  For example, I've only used patterned papers on the top third of my card, there are 3 pearls, 3 layers to my snowflake and 3 loops of button twine behind it.  For some reason (there's probably a scientific reason) things seem more asthetic in trios. For a bonus point, my second top tip is to get a head-start making your Christmas cards to avoid the rush in November!

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

• Fox: Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Tree: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Mermaid Lagoon
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Penny Black Snowfield Friends
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Petal Fresh Papers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflakes
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• Button Twine

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easter Bunny Trio

For today's new launch at Lili of the Valley I've made a trio of bouncing bunny Easter cards.

Each card is shaped like an Easter Egg and I've decorated them to make a set, althouh in reality they're going to be sent to different people, so no-one other than me (and you!) will know that!

I'm not sure that I can pick a favourite. I love little bunnies anyway, but these are really sweet.  I've used sentiments from the Spring Mix set and a sunshine die to finish them off.

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

• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Face/Belly: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Tail: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

• Bunny 1, 2 & 3 from Lili of the Valley
• Spring Mix Sentiments
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Pink Seam binding
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• MFT Die-namics Sunny Skies die

Happy crafting
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

Snowy Bears

I'm on a mission to make Christmas cards throughout the year so I don't have a shortfall by the time I get to December.  This one's using a CC Designs bear that I couldn't resist. 

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Iceberg: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• White: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• CC Designs Snowy Bears
• MFT Dies
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Merry & Bright Paper pad
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• CC Designs - About the Boys
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Together

So I'm still in Christmas mode this week!  I recently bought this image and thought it would be a good idea to colour these little pingu friends in pink rather than grey!

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

• Penguins: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• 'Whites': Pumice Stone, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• CC Designs Christmas Together
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• MFT Merry & Bright paper pad
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflake dies
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Wabbit

We want to know your favourite animal this week at As You Like It Challenge.  I'd say my favourite animal is actually the tiger, but when it comes to crafting I love nothing more than a cute fuzzy bunny!  I'm a sucker for anything cute, and bunnies top that pile!  I've printed in pale grey to give a 'no-lines' appearance.

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, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Wild Honey, Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Rabbit with Daisy
• 3mm Pumpkin Orange Satin Ribbon
• 22mm Yellow Satin Ribbon
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• MFT Watercolour Wash Paper Pad
• MFT Roses all Over Paper Pad
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - 2 or more patterned papers (2 different MFT paper pads)
• Penny Black & More - Animals

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Rudolph

I'm sneaking in yet another festive card into January using another image from the same stamp set as yesterday.

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

• Reindeer: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Bell: Fossilised Amber, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• CC Designs Tiny Christmas
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• MFT Merry Christmas Circle Die (snipped and straightened around edge of image)
• Burgundy Velvet Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Something New (Stamp set)
• Creative Inspirations - Something New (Stamp set) / Something Old (Dies/Papers)
• CC Designs - Plaids or Stripes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx