You Are Rawsome!

I've got a monster of a card to share today, with some help from Gerda Steiner!  This little fella is keen to scare you, but I've heard he's really just a big softie!  The sentiment is from a different Gerda Steiner monster set but it seemed to suit this guy so I've paired them up.

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

• Fur: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord 
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Ground: Pumice Stone, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Coffee Monster
• Gerda Steiner Monster Fun
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• The Sketchy Challenge - Anything Goes
• Gerda Steiner - Share Your Designs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Congrats

I've been in quite a CAS mood lately, but today's card is all about the embellishments! 
We're wanting to know what your favourite embellies are at As You Like It Challenge this week, and I couldn't decide between pearls (which I add to almost everything), my beloved satin ribbons (which I have in a whole rainbow of colours) or flowers (again lots of colours and sizes).  Since I couldn't decide, I opted for all three plus a few die cuts for good measure!

I much prefer pearls to gemstone because i like the sheen rather than the bling, and they're so easy to add without overpowering an image. I also love my double bows in a satin ribbon to match the colours on my card. When it comes to the flowers, I like adding them in little rows of 3 or 5 around the outside of my image panel with the little green stem spirals from curling them around my paintbrush handle.

Card Recipe:

• Gerda Steiner Fox
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• CCD Mini Alpha & Numbers
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Satin Mauve ribbon
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Carnations

I've been inspired by:

• GS Share Your Designs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Dance

I'm doing a little Happy Dance today with this cutie from Stamping Bella.  She comes in a pack of 2 images (a large and a smaller version) and the sentiment.  I stamped the smaller image on the insert to match the outside.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Happy Dance from Stamping Bella (image and sentiment)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Maja Design Vintage Romance Paper stack

Other:

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

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

You Did It

'Congratulations' are the order of the day with my final 'new release' sample card featuring 'You Did It' from Lili of the Valley.

It's also congratulations because I've added a couple of sequins for the first time ever on one of my cards (I think)!  I've had a huge pack of them for ages.  There must a thousand of them at least in the packet.  Although I've debated several times whether to use them or not, I've always previously chickened out.

6 used, 994 left to go.   :0)

Card Recipe:

• You Did It by Lili of the Valley
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Nitwit Collections Promises Paper Set
• Sequins
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Brainy Books

I've got another of my samples from the new Lili of the Valley release.

This one is called 'Brainy Books' and I think it is quite gender neutral.

Apart from the cuteness, purple accents and little pearls.

Ok, I'm probably pushing it on the masculine front here, but at least I've kept the design quite simple!

Card Recipe:

• Brainy Books by Lili of the Valley
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Nitwit Collections Promises Paper Set
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Clever Clogs

Following on my recent 'girlie' cards, today's card features more of a masculine image called 'Clever Clogs' from Lili of the Valley

Card Recipe:

• Clever Clogs by Lili of the Valley
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Nitwit Collections Promises Paper Set
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Masculine
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Masculine

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Congratulations

Just a quickie today with a CAS card to celebrate a colleague's recent exam success.  The image is quite appropriate as it actually resembles the intended recipient!  I hope she likes it! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Grad Girl 2012 from Saturated Canary
• Typed Sentiment (Papyrus font)
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Cheery Lynn Designs LG Square Stitched Die
• Viva Pearl Dots

I've been inspired by:

• Sentimental Sundays - Graduation / You did it
• Papertake - Pretty

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Saucer of Milk

You may be excused for thinking that today's card might feature an odd image to use for celebrating a 'New Home', but there is a very good reason!

Rather than for a human, this card was made specifically to send to a beautiful silver grey tabby kitty who has found a lovely new home after being adopted from the Blue Cross.  The image on the front is 'Saucer of Milk' and I've coloured the little kitty in silver grey to resemble the furry recipient!

I dug out my paws border die and was inspired by a layout that I'd seen on one of the lovely Christine's cards.  I was lucky enough to meet her when I went to Harrogate at Easter, and although she has sworn me to secrecy following my privileged tour of her craft-room, I can assure you that her cards are even more gorgeous in the flesh than they are in photographs. (and I'm definitely not allowed to tell you how awesome her craft room is!)  ;0)

Anyway, here's my card...

ps Squirrel, I know I should have coloured the girlie's hair in black, but you and I both know that I can't colour black hair, so I'll be sending you some brunette hair dye in my next parcel.

Card Recipe:

• Image - A Saucer of Milk from LOTV
• Sentiment - Wild Rose Studio Everyday Sentiments
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Cottage Cutz Paw Edger die
• Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - A is for Aperture
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• In The Pink - Celebrate
• Stamping Sensations - Pretty in Pink

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Baby Giraffe

When I saw this cute baby giraffe image in Lee's Digi Shop I couldn't resist making a quick card.  He kind of led me towards a 'baby themed' card, but then the colours that I've used have matched the giraffe rather than suiting a baby theme in pink or blue.

D'oh!

But then I think he's going to be an image that gets used again fairly quickly as I think he's adorable, so the next time I'll stick to the plan.

Hope you like him too.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Baby Giraffe by Lee Holland Digis
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Country Lady Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Ezmbossing Folder
• Spotty Ribbon
• Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty - Texture (embossing, raised panels, ribbon, pearls)
• Sweet Stampin' - Baby
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Masculine
• Lawnscaping Challenge - Embossing (the spotty paper is embossed)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Va Va Vooooooom

I've got two cards to share today, which have been made for the same theme.

I received an email on Wednesday from a lovely lady who's previously bought a few of my cards on ebay.

Her clever daughter had just passed her driving test earlier this week and she wondered if I'd make a personalised 'congrats' card.

Well, as if I need any excuse to make a card! :0)

So of course I jumped at the chance (I especially love the personalised ones).

She specifically requested there be a yellow VW Beetle on the card, and she pointed me in the direction of an image that she'd seen at Little Claire.  I've not used any Little Claire images before, but as soon as I saw it, I loved the style, and knew I'd be happy to work with it.

And so off I went to play.

I had a little problem with the image when it arrived, but Steve at Little Claire emailed me within an hour or so, and it was all sorted without any pain what-so-ever (thanks Steve - fantastic customer service!).  As expected, the image was lovely to work with.

An hour later, I received another email from the proud mum, asking if I could also make a 'thank you' card for the driving instructor, using the same image.  I didn't need asking twice, so off I went again!!!

Here's what I made.  I hope she likes them when she gets them!!!

I tried to make the instructor's 'thank you' card a bit more masculine with a blue colour scheme and less 'fuss'.  I flipped the image around to make it look different, and missed off the flowers to make it a bit less girlie.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Little Claire Beetle Car
• Typed Sentiments
• Papers - LOTV Petal Fresh (blues) and Nitwits Just Hatched (yellows)
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Twine
• Pearls
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Spotty Button
• Sewing Machine

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Not so Mellow Yellow
• Deep Ocean - Stitching
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Delightful Challenges - Add Dimension

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Victory !!!

I'd like to thank the girls at the Incy Wincy Challenge for letting me play along with them again as a guest designer this week.   However, I've really dropped a clanger, because their theme is 'boys'.  Well, any of you who visit me regularly will know that this theme is just not in my nature. Where are the flowers, pearls, glitter or anything remotely pink?

I despair.  I feel that being bereft of all these lovely girlie things makes my card rather bland.

However, I have included some lovely satin ribbon, although no bow :0(  because this week's boys challenge is sponsored by Fantastic Ribbons (Oh I love their ribbons!!!) and also Kenny K digi downloads.

Here's my attempt.

If anyone has any tips for boys cards please leave me a comment.  Be gentle though !!!

See my cards available to buy on eBay




Card Recipe:

• Image - Victory Kid from Kenny K
• Ribbons - Fantastic Ribbons
• Sentiment - Typed
• Papers - First Edition Hideaway
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• All flowers - Sadly none  :0(
• From my stash - Liquid pearls (just a smidgeon!)

Please pop on over to the Incy Wincy Challenge blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter this week's boy themed challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:

• Fashionista - Card for a child

Happy crafting.