Kitty Hexagon

We're talking pets today at As You Like It Challenge, so for me that means kitties. My home isn't complete without a feline furball or two. 

Our current furbabies, Pickle and Jenson (aka JB) are both rescue kitties and have definitely got us wrapped around their tiny furry paws.

So firstly here's my card using an adorable kitty from one of my new Penny Black stamp sets...

And then some pics of ickle Pickle, our timid calico sweetheart; she is more hubby's than mine (her choice), and she tends to be more of a house cat:

and here is Jenson, giving his angelic 'please pick me, I'll be as good as gold' RSPCA mugshot which was 'purrfectly' designed to lure us in:

This was before we knew what a little monkey he was going to be, and he swiftly turned into a bread-stealing, carpet-shredding, bin-trashing, treat-begging, duvet-hogging, carb-addicted, furry house-wrecker very soon after we brought him home:

(of course, we wouldn't change a thing about him !!!)

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Ground: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Penny Black Fragrant Friends Stamp Set
• Nitwit Collections Petal Fresh Papers
• Polkadoodles Distressed Trellis Stencil

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Country View Craft - Stencils
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

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

Charge of the Light Brigade

There's a very rare Anything Goes theme at As You Like It Challenge this week, and I've used one of my favourite Penny Black characters (the hediges) doing their annual dash to plug in the fairy lights!  I've made 2 similar cards, because I love them so much, using different colour schemes.

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

• Hedgehogs: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Ground: Weathered Wood
• Cord: Silver gel pen
• Lights: Gold gel pen, Sakura Stardust gel pens

Card Recipe:

• Penny Black The Light Brigade
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Merry & Bright Plaid Papers
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Stitching (die cut stitching)
• Penny Black - Christmas
• Allsorts - Traditional Christmas colours (red & green papers, gold & silver in the fairy lights)
• Country View Crafts - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Holly Jolly Critters

I've been wanting this stamp for a while and finally treated myself to it this month so I decided I should ink it up before Christmas passes this year!  Using all 4 critters only just fitted on my 6" card so I experimented by masking one off (sorry Santa-hedgie) for one of my two cards.  The sentiment comes from the same stamp.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Paws: Tattered Rose
• Greens: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Weathered Wood
• Star: Squeezed Lemonade

Card Recipe:

• Penny Black Holly Jolly Critters
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Merry & Bright paper pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Christmas
• Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Nose to Nose

Despite being one of the first brands I ever bought, it's been a while since I've used Penny Black stamps.  I've rectified that today, but with an image from a recent release rather than one of my oldies.  As soon as I saw this cutie I fell in love with it and just 'had' to have it.  Aren't they adorable!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blue scarf: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire
• Red scarf: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Penny Black Nose to Nose
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Merry & Bright paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Baby, It's Cold Outside
• That's Crafty! - Winter Wonderland

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Have a Pink Christmas

It's with a sad heart that today is the last challenge at In The Pink Challenge as Christine has decided to close the Pink Palace. I've been on the team for just over 2 years and have loved using one of my favourite colours every challenge, so I'll definitely continue. Christine has managed the challenge for over 5 years which is a fantastic achievement, so well done Christine. Mwah!  We hope we will gets lots of you join us for our final challenge, which is a super easy 'Pink Christmas' theme.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Scarf: Picked Raspberry
• Greens: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Robin: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Festive Berries

Card Recipe:

• Penny Black Jolly Friends Stamp Set
• Sentiment from Clearly Besotted Little Donkey
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Button Twine
• Crealies On the Edge die

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Challenge - Xmas using DI Reinkers
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Light Brigade

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas day yesterday and Santa brought you lots of new crafty goodies!

I've got one more Christmas themed card to share with you because I didn't get chance to blog it before the big day, but then that's all of my festive makes for 2016 shared with you guys, until I start to make the 2017 Christmas cards!!!  And that may not be long! :0)

This card actually ended up being one of my favourites from 2016 and I hope you like it too.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Light Brigade by Penny Black
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• First Edition papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black - Winter or Christmas
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Party Time

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Charge of the Light Brigade

2 Sleeps to go...

Card Recipe:

• Image - Light Brigade by Penny Black
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Button Twine
• Glossy Accents
• Frantic Stamper Stitched Scene Builder Die
• Memory Box Stitched Snowflakes
• Red gem

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Merry Mouse-mas

It's day two of my CAS Christmas card frenzy and today's card features another Penny Black image. It's actually one of my oldest too and one for which I've had a soft spot for a while.  I really don't use it enough, so today, I'm putting that to rights!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Carolling Trio from Penny Black
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• First Edition Gilded Winter Papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Let there be Snow
• Cute Card Thursday - Sparkle
• Penny Black - Winter / Christmas
• Country View Crafts - Christmas (painted in DI reinkers from CVC)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Charge of the Light Brigade

I've had a bit of a last minute frenzied Christmas Card blitz and to try to speed things up I've kept the designs very clean and simple so prepare yourself for a flurry of CAS designs!

And they don't come much more CAS than today's card.

I've rekindled my love of this Penny Black image and have used it 2 or 3 times, so you may be bored of it over the next 2 weeks! (sorry!)

Card Recipe:

• Image - The Light Brigade from Penny Black
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Winter Wonderland - Frame It
• Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Christmas
• Sweet Stampin' - Animals
• Country View Crafts - Christmas (painted with DI reinkers from CVC)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Then and Now

I find it interesting to look back and see how my style (and hopefully skill) has changed since I started blogging my creations and so today I'm showcasing my sample for the 'Before and After' challenge which starts at Squirrel's Not So Random Challenge where we are revisiting one of our earliest images and creating something new with it for comparison.

I looked back at my earliest cards and an image from Penny Black called Snowball Fun was one of my first.  I've dusted it off for another outing for my sample and watercoloured it with reinkers.  I've kept the layout clean and simple with a typed / die cut combo sentiment and a pelmet of designer papers die cut with a stitched curve.

So here's my new version.....

.... and below, (said in a quiet voice) is its first inking, dated October 2010!  

Some things remain the same; I still like trios of pearls (although didn't add any on this card to keep it flat), I still like a splattering of glitter at Christmas, and yes, I still love purple.

But there are also some areas where I think my style has changed too, such as I don't believe I had invested in a die cutter back in 2010 so the corners were shaped with a punch.  Seeing the two cards in close proximity above also does make me believe that my colouring and shading has improved too, with more depth added to the colours.

I also think that my photography skills have improved, both in terms of lighting and staging, to showcase the projects better.

I hope you like this challenge and will join in to share your 'then and now' creations.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Snowball Fun from Penny Black
• Typed Sentiment (Kristen ITC font)
• Die cut sentiment - Winter Snow by Simon Says Stamp
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Frantic Stamper Stitched Scene Builder Die

Original card: blogged October 2010

I've been inspired by:

• Sweet Stampin' - Got the Blues
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Ballet Lessons

I'm sharing a little more purple friends inspiration in support of Squirrel's challenge, this time using a cute Penny Black trio of friends.

These three girlies look like they're having lots of fun practising their pirouettes! I'm not sure I'd be quite as dainty in ballet shoes!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Escarte, Splits, Pirouette from Penny Black
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• La La Lands Heart Banner die
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Memory Box Notingham Border die (the flower dies are the negatives from it)

I've been inspired by:

• Dragonfly Dreams - Girlie
• Penny Black Saturday Challenge - 3DP
• Stamping Sensations - Sew Special (the heart banner is "stitched")

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Antiques Roadshow - Hedgies

Do you remember the pingu and snowman challenges that Squirrel hosted just before Xmas?  Well she's rallied the troublesome trio again for a fun new challenge starting today.  This time, the theme is called "Antiques Roadshow" and you need to dig out and showcase some old and forgotten stash.  So dust off those stamps that you'd forgotten you had, and give them some inky loving!

My immediate thought when we discussed the theme was Penny Black.  These critters were the images that started my addiction to stamping; I especially adore those little hedgies and mice and quickly became addicted. Therefore my card today features one of the hedgie images.

The border die I've used is also one of my oldest, and I've even had the green pearls for about 2 years (I bought a bag of 100 so even by using them in trios, they're lasting me a little while!).  The papers are probably a bit more recent than 2 years, but still ones I've had a while.

I'll be back tomorrow with another sample, but I hope I've inspired you to pop over to Squirrel's blog to see the other samples from both Squirrel and Jayne, and to link up your 'antique' laden creations.

Click on the logo below to go straight to the challenge ...

Card Recipe:

• Image - Companion from Penny Black
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Magnolia Doohickey Lace border die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Cute Critters
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Xmas Kiss

As it is rather cold outside, it seems appropriate that today's card is a Xmas themed hedgey from Penny Black.

It's a card that I made a while ago but haven't blogged it yet.  I hope you like him.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Penny Black Xmas Kiss
• One of my own Freebie Sentiments
• Colouring - Promarkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Snow Princess paper pad
• Lacey Circle Spellbinder Nesties
• Cottage Cutz Elegant Holly Corner
• Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Purple Pearl Ribbon
• Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Sketch 42
• I Love Promarkers - Purples and Blues
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Purples and Blues
• That's Crafty - Animal Magic

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Just for You

I recently made a really cute card to congratulate a friend on her promotion, but forgot to take a proper photo of it.   However, I liked the card so much that I decided to make an identical one, with the only difference being the sentiment.  This time I opted for a simple 'Just for you' to keep its options open!

I don't usually use yellows, but I wanted a summery colour, so it kind of just happened.  I really loved the purple contrast in the butterfly and the thin satin ribbon.

I think the simple image matched the simple layout well, and I make no apologies that it's the same Nottingham border that I've used before; I'm trying to get my money's worth out of at least one item in my stash!

I hope you like it as much as I do. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Companion from Penny Black
• Typed Sentiment (Font is Kingthings Wrote)
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Graphic 45 Secret Garden Patterns & Solids papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Memory Box Nottingham Border die
• Ribbon - Fantastic Ribbons
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge - Clean & Simple
• Penny Black & More - Anything Goes
• Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Floral Fantasy (flowers in image and die cut)
• Crafty Catz - Lazy days of Summer
• That's Crafty - Stamping Ground

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tag Team

We're down on the farm this week at Crafty Little Fairies and I've made a trio of tags using Penny Black farmyard animals doing a variety of antics.

The images are actually from the 12 Days of Christmas transparent set, but as I've not included the matching sentiments (6 Geese a-Laying, 8 Maids a Milking and 11 Pipers Piping) they can pass as everyday-images.

I like the quirky image of the sheep playing the bagpipes, but that goose's expression as she's pointing at the egg made me chuckle.  It looks like she's saying 'What!  You expect me to lay one of these?!"

I do admit that it does look rather large for the poor old girl, as it's almost the same size as her head!

So, does anyone fancy an omelette!!  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Images - 12 Days of Christmas Penny Black Transparent set
• Colouring - Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Prima Almanac Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Memory Box Precious Stars die
• Magnolia DooHickey Swirl die
• Spellbinders Labels 18 Nestie die
• Circle dies
• Lace
• Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Calendar - Animal Antics
• My Mum's Craft Challenge - Easter (the goose one with the eggs)
• Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Lace & pearls
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Lace & Pearls
• Inky Chicks - Lace

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

The charge of the light brigade

Merry Christmas Everyone

Well the big day is here, and I hope that you woke up to some crafty treats in your stocking this morning.

By coincidence Christmas day is also our final challenge of 2013 at ABC Christmas Challenge, so I have another festive card for you.  Our theme this fortnight is Z for Zany, although I think my card is more 'W' for Wry smile, rather than full on zany!

Still, I'm hoping hubby will like it because it's his Christmas card this year!  He's interested in military history, so I thought he might like the theme of the card being a bit of a nod to the original 'charge of the light brigade'.  Plus, his birthday card had the same layout and he said that he really liked it, so I hope that he wasn't just being polite, because he's got a matching Christmas card now!  ;0)

Anyhoo, I won't keep you today as you should be spending time with your families, but I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who's visited my blog this year, and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Enjoy some time with your loved ones, and try not to eat too many mince pies.  Ok, just one more then!

See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Image - Penny Black The Light Brigade
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Promarkers, 
• Cardworks Card base
• Twine
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Passion for Promarkers - Mega Christmas Challenge
• Penny Black - Christmas
• Without Words - Special Christmas (this one's special 'cause it's for hubby)

Happy Christmas!!!
Annette
xx

Meecy cracker

The theme today at As You Like It Challenge is to make your favourite project that's not a card.  I've made a few of these crackers this year and have really enjoyed them.  I made them using my own template, which you can find here.  This one features a little Penny Black mouse stamp that I've had since I first started stamping.

See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Image - Penny Black
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• First Edition Silent Night Papers
• Spellbinders Labels 3
• Ribbon
• Fiskars Snowflake Border Punch
• Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Not a Card
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Dotty (ribbon)

Happy crafting.
Annette
xx

Carolling Trio

The theme today at As You Like It Challenge is your favourite sentiment, and since my favourite occasion is Christmas, it's got to be a festive sentiment for me.  My favourite sentiment would either be Merry Christmas, or Winter Wishes, but as I used Winter Wishes yesterday, I decided to opt for just a plain Merry Xmas today.  The sentiment was typed, die cut, and then written over with a stardust pen to make it shimmer.

See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Image - Carolling Trio from Penny Black
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• Gold Mirri card
• First Edition Silent Night Papers
• Memory Box Frostyville Border
• Whiff of Joy Heart Banner Die
• 10mm Lilac with White Dots Ribbon
• Pearls
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Hobby House 8mm Pearl Brad
• Liquid Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Totally Gorjuss - Stripes
• The ABC Challenge - Very Cute
• Nordsalten Hobbyklubb - Bling it on (glitter, mirri card, pearls, stardust pens)
• Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge - Something SSS sells (Frostyville Border)
• Papertake - Make it Sparkle

Happy crafting.
Annette
xx

Pencil Box

I bought a little magnetic pencil box several months ago planning to decorate it, and it's been sat beside my desk since then. So today, instead of keep moving it around so I can get to my stash, I decided to actually make it my project!  I've used some gorgeous papers that I got from a magazine (sorry I don't know what designer the papers are), and some matching vintage style ribbon.  The papers are edged in blue ink, matted onto pink paper which is edged in pink ink.

The image is from a Penny Black Transparent set called 'Hugs', and is one I've had for a while, but not used much.  I wanted a garden image to match the pretty rose papers.  The little butterflies and robin are from the same set, and I stamped them directly onto the backing papers.

See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Image - Penny Black Transaprent set called Hugs 
• Colouring - Promarkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Vintage Style Ribbon
• Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Passion for Promarkers - Blue + 1 (pink)
• Stamping Sensations - Wings and a touch of vintage (vintage style papers and ribbon)
• Penny Black & More - In the Garden
• Nordsalten Hobbyclub - Round
• Totally Gorjuss - Anything Goes with Pearls

Happy crafting.