Hello Honey Bear

I'm on a bit of a roll with my CAS masculine-ish cards with this cute honey bear from Whimsy

.

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

• Fur/Beehive: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Tree: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Hello Bear
• Memory Box Stitched Rectangle
• MFT Party Plaid Papers
• MFT Watercolor Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Country View - Complimentary Colours (Red & Green)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Nutcrackers

In an ideal world, I really do prefer rubber stamps to digis. For some reason using a digi does feel a bit like cheating.  There is something special about inking up a rubber stamp. However, I have been struggling to get some really crisp images with my stamping, even using a stamping platform which is a life-saver most of the time.  Even after about 6 re-inkings and re-pressing (to the point where I was pushing so hard it was about to go through the table top!) this one was still less than perfect in some areas.  However, I think it may be that my inkpad needs a bit more juice so I've bought a reinker for it.  Fingers crossed that resolves the issue for me.  This card is for the rubber v digi challenge this week at As You Like It Challenge and I have persevered with the rubber (well, clear silicone in this case) for my clean & simple Nutcracker card.

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Blacks: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Yellows: Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Festive Berries, Aged Mahogany
• Rolling pin: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 

Card Recipe:

• Whimsy The Nutcracker
• Crea-Nest-Lies XXL dies no. 24, Rectangles with backstitch line
• First Edition Merry Little Christmas paper pad

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Kitten Post

I've been using a few Lee Holland images recently and am really loving his cute critters.  This little kitty is perfect for a 'hello' card to bring a little 'happy mail' to someone special.

So, I've had a query from Tami asking about the brushes that I use for my watercolouring.  I think I'm probably a little unusual because I use pretty much one brush for everything, with only a few exceptions.  My (current) favourite is a ProArte size 0, but I do also use one of those brushes with a water reservoir (although I use it without water in it!) for blending out the grass/ground because it's a bigger area and I'm blending it out to nothing. I previously used the ProArte size 2 (have a few backups of those!). I'm sure there are better water-colourists than me who would advise other brushes, but I guess that I prefer what I'm familiar with!

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

• Kitten: Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Envelopes: Old Paper

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Stamps Kitten Post (Digi: Lee Holland Kitten Birthday Bundle)
• CC Designs Lumberjack Sentiments
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Square Stax

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Balloons

Well it's April Fools Day, and I'm sure we'd agree there's one thing that we all wish would turn out to be an enormous hoax. Unfortunately I fear that is unlikely so I hope that today doesn't bring too much added confusion to your lives!

In the hope of remaining as cheery as possible, I've used a Paper Smooches tag die to create a couple of Bunny Balloon tags. I've actually elongated the tag by running the die through my die cutter only halfway, then re-positioning it to extend the length of the cut (matching up the stitches) and cutting the lower half separately.  I managed to cock one up so if you look closely the stitching doesn't quite match, but I think the die moved a little when I ran it through - that'll teach me to tape it down in future and not cut corners!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Balloons: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet, Seedless Preserves, Victorian Velvet, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Bunny Balloons
• Paper Smooches Gift Tag die
• MFT paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Mood Board

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Boxes galore

The teddy has full focus on this Christmas card framed by a bright plaid paper and some twine. I've added a couple of small beads to trim the twine and some stitched embossing around the image frame.

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, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Teddy Birthday Presents
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT plaid paper pad
• Button Twine
• Beads

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Holidays
• That's Crafty! - Animal Magic
• Penny Black & More - Something beginning with B(ear)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's Your Day

I created this fun birthday card using an image by Lee Holland. I've got a few of his images recently and love his cute critters.  I hope you do too!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Grass/Balloon: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Reds: Festive Berries, Fired Brick
• Grey: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Stamps Puppy with Balloons
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Plaid Paper Pack

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Clean & Simple
• Whimsy Inspires - Anything Goes
• Country View Crafts - The Written Word (Using DI Reinkers from CVC)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

My Significant Otter

It's a free for all at As You Like It this fortnight and I've inked up this sweet otter from Whimsy Stamps.  He's quite a large image so he's been given centre stage on my card as I didn't want to crop him. I love his expression and although I admit I did struggle with the shading on his fur, I'm surprisingly pleased with how he turned out.

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

• Furr: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Blueprint Sketch
• Reds: Festive Berries, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Whimsy Stamps My Significant Otter
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Border Dies
• Cheery Lynn Designs LG Square Stitched Die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Something New (the image was a b'day pressie)
• That's Crafty! - Anything Goes
• Whimsy Stamps Challenge - Anything Goes
• Country View Crafts - Anything Goes using Blueprint Sketch
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Something New (the image)
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes with Whimsy

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

May all your dreams come true

It's my mid-week post and I'm using Teddy Birthday Presents from Whimsy Stamps combined with a sentiment from Stamping Bella's Dorothy the Dreamer. Although my teddy bear is cute, I'm hoping this might be sufficiently masculine for hubby's birthday card. 

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Greens: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Oranges: Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Broken Hinge

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Lee Holland Teddy Birthday Presents
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Sentiment from Tiny Townie Dorothy the Dreamer
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Flat Backed Pearls
• Raspberry Road papers

I've been inspired by:

• Whimsy Inspires - Anything Goes
• That's Crafty! - Green with Envy

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bah Humbug!

As soon as I saw this guy in a recent release from Whimsy stamps I knew I wanted needed him. I've used the sentiment that comes with him and shaded it in an ombre style. 

I showed the finished card to my hubby who said 'Who are you gonna give that to? They might take offence at the sentiment".  

I told him I was planning on giving it to him.  ;0)

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Nose/Antlers: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Holly: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Bells: Fossilised Amber
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Reindeer Kitty from Whimsy Stamps
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Maja Design papers

I've been inspired by:

• Whimsy Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Hat

I'm not usually one for lots of different colours on my images, preferring to stick with one or two main colours, but this cute chap asked for a rainbow hat. 

Who was I to deny him?!  :0)

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Hat: Festive Berries, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Shabby Shutters, Broken China, Dusty Concord, Seedless Preserves, Picked Raspberry.
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Whimsy Lee Holland Teddy Birthday Hat
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Border Dies
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border Dies
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Stamp It
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Stamp It

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Spring Fox (in Summer!)

It's a super simple card from me today with the full focus on this cute little fox cub from Whimsy's Lee Holland collection.  I've done a smidgen of doodling around the edge to frame him and layered the image and backing paper onto Kraft card, but otherwise, that's it.  Simples! :0)

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Ears: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Leaf & Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint

Card Recipe:

• Whimsy Stamps Lee Holland Spring Fox
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I'm joining in with the doodling challenge at Sweet Stampin'

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hedgehog Love

I was quite pleased with the colouring of today's little critter, so I decided to give him full focus of attention with a 'Faye-inspired' doodle frame and nothing else.  

He's called Hedgehog Love from Whimsy Stamps.  I stamped him in a pale grey so that the lines didn't show when I'd coloured him.

Card Recipe:

• Whimsy Stamps Hedgehog Love
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black & More - Colour Challenge
• Simon's Monday Challenge - It's a Frame Up (using Tim Holtz Reinkers)
• Deep Ocean - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Flowers

Today's card uses a rubber stamp from Lee Holland's Whimsy collection and my Frantic Stamper stitched edger from Dies to Die For.  I've kept the design simple because the image is quite large, but I added a flower and brad for some texture and detail.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Versafine Ink Pad
• Whimsy Stamp Woodland Bunny
• Frantic Stamper Stitched Scene Builder Edges
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Border Dies

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Paper Flower
• Brad

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Challenges - Flower Power

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pin the Tail

I've always loved donkeys. I'm not sure if it's my childhood (extending into adulthood) love of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, or my fondness of the actual animals (we have a Donkey sanctuary not far away), but I do love 'em.  

It's also not often I see images of donkeys, but as soon as I spotted this one, I knew that I had to ink him up.  

So here is 'Pin the Tail' from Whimsy Stamps.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Pin the Tail stamp
• MFT Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Maja Design Vintage Romance Papers
• Brown Twine

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper

I've been inspired by:

• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bonnie

I've used a sweet little image featuring a Wee Stamp bunny called Bonnie today.  She's sat in a basket wearing her floral bonnet (I love her ears poking through it!).  This is my final outing as guest designer with the The Ribbon Girl Challenge (*sniff, sob*) but I've had such fun playing along (thank you Mary).  The theme this fortnight, as usual for the mid month challenge, is to use any image, so there's no excuse not to play along. :0)

Card Recipe:

From The Ribbon Girl:

• Maja Design Spring Basics Papers
• Ivory Jute Mesh Ribbon
• Ivory White Carnation
• Lily Flowers Small Pale Pink
• Hip Rose Bud Pink Two Tone
• Beaded Twirl White
• 15mm Dusky Pink Berrisford Satin Ribbon
• 10mm Pale Pink Open Roses
• Cherry Blossom Baby Pink
• Tiny White Rosebuds
• 5mm Pink Crystals
• Glossy Accents

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Bonnie Stamp
• Versafine Ink Pad

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Viva Pearl Pen - Green
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL #41

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Hip Hop
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes with Flowers
• Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
• Penny Black & More - Spring

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Leo the Lion

I'm sharing a card made for someone whose birthday is today so it's safe to share! 

It features Lion Love from Whimsy Design stamps and I've also debuted my new MFT Stitched Tiny Tags and Mini Alpha dies to create the recipient's name.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Designs Lion Love
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Tiny Tags
• CCD Cutters Mini Alpha and Numbers
• Vintage Spring Basics Maja Design papers

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Flat backed pearls
• 15mm Lemon Satin Ribbon
• Hobby House paper flowers

I've been inspired by:

• Creatalicious - Anything Goes with Flowers
• Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Lilac Bunny

The challenge at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight is to showcase your favourite papers.  I've loved various papers in the past (Papermania's Lucy Cromwell, LOTV (no longer selling papers), Nitwit Digis, but my favourites most recently have been Maja Design; I love the soft pastel colours and pretty floral patterns.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Woodland Bunny from Whimsy Designs
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Bunny Zoe - Summer Florals
• Inky Chicks - 5 or more flowers
• The Ribbon Girl - Any Image
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx