Winter Wishes

We all like new stash (often there's stuff we just 'have' to have), but there's also the satisfaction when we rediscover a lost gem that we have had a while and forgotten about.  I've had this bunny image and the pretty winter backing papers for years and love them both. But I've also recently discovered the Wishes text die from WPlus9 and I'm really loving it.  I love that the new die has given fresh ideas and inspiration to use my older items.  I'm therefore opting for a mix of old and new in the new As You Like It Challenge which starts today asking if you prefer using old or new stash. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Christmas Bently from DSB
• WPlus9 Happy Wishes die
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty! - Clean & Simple
• Noor! - CAS or Fully Loaded
• DSB Challenge - October

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pingu Pals

Today's the start of a new challenge at As You Like It Challenge and the theme is to show us your 'trademark style'.  I'm not really sure what mine is anymore actually.  It used to be fussy and fancy, with lots of fluff, but I'm also loving the CAS look.  I guess the things that I think I do a lot, and therefore might suggest I'd be recognised in a line up are:

• Cute critters
• Chalked sky
• My "go-to" CAS layout

I've also managed to sneak in some penguins, glitter and ribbon, as well as purple which is one of my 3 favourite colours.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Cute Penguin Set from Digi Stamp Boutique
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• LOTV paper pad (retired)
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Memory Box Frostyville Border
• 15mm Ribbon
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Flora and Fauna
• Crafty Calendar - Dies &/or Punches
• Simon's Wed Challenge - Create a Scene (I used 2 digis to create a Waddle of penguins (that's my favourite name for a group of penguins) & added a chalked cloudy sky)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cuddle Bunnies

It's been a week since my last post but today I've got a real cutie to share with you using a sweet bunny image from Digi Stamp Boutique called Bently and Bunny.  The challenge at As You Like It Challenge is to showcase your favourite colouring medium and mine is definitely my reinkers. I find them so therapeutic when I have the paintbrush in my hand blending out the ink.  The only downside is when I confuse my water bottle with my cuppa and dunk my brush in the wrong one.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Bently and Bunny from Digi Stamp Boutique
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Papers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• 15mm Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Spellbinders Grand Ovals

I've been inspired by:

• The Ribbon Girl - Any Image
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Heffalumps

This card looked very different in my head before I started.

I'm not sure what happened.

Or perhaps what didn't happen.

But this is how it turned out.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Edwin & Hetty Set from Digi Stamp Boutique
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Maja Design papers
• Embossalicious Floral embossing folder
• Spellbinders Labels 18
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Embroidery Thread
• Viva Pearl Pen

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Texture
• Stamp & Create - All You Need Is Love
• Simon's Monday Challenge - No Rules

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mail Sizer

I've been doing some recycling and made something quite useful out of an old ring binder.  I wanted to make a mail sizer to help determine when packages will be classified as large letters when I get to the post office.

Unfortunately the post office don't sell the sizers that they use.  I have seen some on eBay, but I thought I'd have a go at making one myself.  I cut one side off an old ring binder, and then cut it to a rectangle shape, but only cut through the board, being careful not to cut through to the vinyl covering, so that I could then wrap the vinyl  around the raw edge to make it neat.

I then carefully measured and cut two slots, one for standard letters, and one for large letters.  If the package passes through the slot, then I know it will be sized accordingly.  Because the card is from a ring binder, the board is really thick, and so it doesn't bend when I am holding it in one hand to push parcels through it with the other!

I've also printed out some handy information, with an area for the last posting dates before Christmas, and also the current prices for UK mail.  I'm guessing that this will need to be updated frequently though, as our prices seem to change fairly often, but I can create a new panel and either cover up the old one, or replace the whole panel and use a new image each year for variety!  Unfortunately I can't yet find the 2014 last posting dates, so I've left these blank so that I can add the dates in pencil, and then change them each year if necessary.

This project is to support the M for Mail challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge.

Here's a sneaky peek at the reverse of the board, where you can see how I wrapped the vinyl around the back to hide the cut edge.  I was going to do the same for the slots, but it turned out to be too fiddly, so I didn't bother.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Digi Stamp Boutique Bailey Reindeer Set
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Glossy Accents
• Old ring binder
• Glossy red card

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Use this more (to stop me being shocked when I get to the post office and get told that it is gonna cost as much to post my creations as it did to make them!)
• Fab 'n' Funky - Christmas, we're half way there

Happy crafting
Annette
xx