Hello Rainbow

In a break from tradition there's no image on my card today, but instead I've created a rainbow of coloured card radiating from a golden sun for a fun 'hello' greeting card.  I cut the rays by hand in each colour and added a die cut sentiment.  All the panels are embossed for added texture.

Designed for:
Dies to Die For

Papermill Direct

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Stamps Hello Word and Shadow Die
• Whimsy Slimline Embossing Folder - Thatched

Papermill Direct:

• Post Box Red Smooth 240gsm
• Plain Pink Card 170gsm
• Mandarin Orange Card 270gsm
• Daffodil Yellow Card 240gsm
• Apple Green Card 240gsm
• Celestial Blue Card 290gsm
• Marine Blue Card 240gsm
• New Lilac Card 240gsm
• Dark Violet Card 240gsm
• Gold Pearl Card 300gsm

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello There

There are some new images in Amanda Jayne Designs' Esty shop, including this cute Springtime bunny which makes me hope that the days are going to start getting longer now that the shortest day has passed.  I've actually used some papers from the Christmas bundle, but they seemed quite jolly colours so felt more versatile than just a winter set.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Hello There Bunny Digi by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Christmas Cracker Bundle Papers by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Mama Elephant Hello Script Die
• Crea-Nest-Lies XXL34 Squares with Double Stitchline

Papermill Direct:

• Bubblegum Pink Card 170gsm
• Smooth White Card 160gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Something New (stamp)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pandas Galore

I saw that Lee Holland had released some new Panda images and three of them fell into my basket when I went to visit them.  I've made a trio of matching notelet cards using them. I wanted to keep the design really clean, with a simple sentiment and only a stitched die for detail. They're all matted onto grey card and I made some matching pale grey envelopes to complete the set.  The sentiment is from Polkadoodles Winnie Sunshine Delights, and the Stencil is Taylored Expressions Brick by Brick.

This card features Panda with Baby Crane:

This one's Panda Sleeping:

And finally, Panda Sitting with Butterfly

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

• Pandas: Black Soot, Weathered Wood, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Bamboo: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Use a Stencil

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cuddles

Today's Polkadoodles Digi Choosday card has a gate-fold flap on the front which opens to reveal a little hidden message. The flaps can be tucked under the flower petals on the front so they remain in place until they're opened.  I've used Friendly Cuddles for my main image, papers from the Eden Paper Heaven 1 set and a sentiment from the Winnie Sunshine Delights sentiment bundle.

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

• Kitty: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Puppy: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Bench: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke

I've been inspired by:

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

You're Amazing

I'm on a mini-mission to make some 'just because' cards, not for a specific occasion, like birthday, but just to tell someone I'm thinking of them and am popping into their thoughts to say 'Hi'.  This one uses a sweet image that I've not inked up for a while, so I have watercoloured it and kept the layout simple with a stamped/die cut combo sentiment and little layering.

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

• Meecies: APumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Cup: Milled Lavender, Chipped Sapphire
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord
• Flowers: Victorian Velvet, Aged Mahogany, Fossilised Amber, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Maisy and Madeline have some tea
• MFT Blossom Papers
• Stitched Square Die
• 'You Are' sentiment stamp taken from MFT Mermazing stamp set

Other:

• Avery Elle Simply Said "Amazing" die
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello Foxy

I've been playing with my lovely foxies again today, but this time in a semi-no-lines version.

At As You Like It Challenge we're asking if you prefer to fussy cut, die cut or use a scan 'n' cut type machine to cut your images.  When I looked at my card history, I realised that I very very rarely cut out my images. I only have a few matching dies, I'm not great at fussy cutting (not helped by watercolour card being quite thick) and I've tried and failed to use the pix-scan option on my Silhouette.  However, what I do very often is to stamp my image onto a post-it note and fussy cut that to use as a mask which I then lay over the image and use blending brushes to ink a background.  Here's my image mid-way through this. I usually do this before I colour the image because I add some more tone and texture to the grass when I colour.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Log: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Butterfly: Wilted Violet, Peeled Paint

Card Recipe:

• CC Designs Foxes
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• Sentiment is from CC Designs Abominable
• MFT Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - A bit o' green

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

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

Gnome and the Letter

I don't usually make cards this big, but oh yeah, this one's a big 'un!  So big, in fact, that I had trouble making an envelope that would fit. 

I used The Gnome and The Letter for this 'hello' card which I've made for my DTDF card swap partner although I'm not sure if she's received it yet. 

The colours were inspired by the Lawn Fawn Spring Plaid papers which I thought were fun and jolly.

I think this is the first time that I've used this image. I admit that I struggle a bit with the beards on these gnomes, and don't think this one is particularly great, but I love the fun image. He's perfect for a 'just a note' or 'Hello' card. 

I hope you like him!

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

• Gnome: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Pumice Stone
• Outfit: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Hat: Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Pencil: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
• Paper: Old Paper, Forest Moss

Card Recipe:

• Stamping Bella The Gnome and the Letter
• Mama Elephant Hello Script Die
• Lawn Fawn Spring Plaid papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

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 Gift Tags

There are some new bunnies hopping around at Lili of the Valley and they are CUUUUTE!

I've used two bunnies from the Grown with Love trio and also the Spring Bloom stamp on some oversized gift tags.  I'll add some ribbon to the tags when I use them, depending on what ribbon I wrap the present with, probably either a dark purple or a white ribbon on purple tissue wrapping paper.

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
• Purples: Wilted Violet
• Oranges: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• LOTV Grown With Love
• LOTV Spring Bloom
• Mama Elephant Hello Script Die
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Creative Expression Sue Wilson Orange Blossom Complete Petal Dies

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Floral Meadow

I'm not sure I've used this stamp before.  It's way outside of my 'cute critter' comfort zone but the florals are really pretty.  Both the stamp and script die are Mama Elephant but I've matched it with some MFT papers and stitched frame die.  Unfortunately the Hello die is now out of stock, but there's an MFT one which is very similar.

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

• Background: Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Crushed Olive
• Blues: Chipped Sapphire
• Purples: Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Mama Elephant Wild Meadow
• Hello Script Die (similar to the Mama Elephant I used which is now out of stock)
• Heffy Doodle Stitched Square Dies
• MFT Roses all over paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello There!

I've been trying to use some stamps that I've had for a while and this cutie is such a sweet image he was begging to be inked up again.   I love how she peeks in from the corner of the card!

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

• Elephant: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Flower stem: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Flower: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Bella with Dalia
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Square Stax
• MFT Watercolor Wash Paper pad
• Sentiment from MFT Polar Pals

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Running Mice

I wanted to try something a little different today, and make an animated 'flip' page notebook. I used one of the mice from the MFT Harvest Mouse set and stamped him on each page of the notebook gradually moving forwards each time. I also drew in a little cherry from the basket he's carrying to try to make it look like it was falling to the ground.  I've included a video below the main photo and I hope it works to show you what I've done!

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

• Fur: Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Jumper: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Waistcoat: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Ground: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Fruit: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Barrel: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs

Card Recipe:

• MFT Harvest Mice
• MFT Polar Pals (sentiment)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Square Stax
• Zutter binding machine and wires

I've been inspired by:

• MFT Sketch Challenge
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Fall Colours

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello

I've opted for a fully loaded feminine card today in contrast to my recent flurry of CAS 'masculine' creations.  This one's been nobbled by hubby to give to his mum as a Mother's day card so I hope she likes it.  

It's also a change from my usual top (tent) fold cards because it has a decorated stand which holds the main card base.  I've also used one of my favourite Crealies double stitched circle nesting dies; they're such a fabulous size and this isn't even the biggest one in the set!

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Dress: Pumice Stone
• Flowers: Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Golden Week Tilda
• Versafine Ink Pad
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• CreateASmile Cool Cuts Hello Twice
• Card stand silhouette cut file

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Howdy From The Herd

For my mid-week post this week I'm sharing a pop up box card featuring a whole herd of cuteness from My Favorite Things.  I made this little card for a lovely blogfriend who loves animals so I thought it was perfect for her.  Unfortunately it's almost impossible to photograph because the little piggy was determined to hide behind the cow, so this was the best I could get.  There's also a tractor and cart at the back (but the piggy in the cart was also hiding from view!).  I think he's shy!

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

• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Pig: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Tractor: Abandoned Coral, Aged Mahogany
• Wood: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sheep: Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Farm Friends
• MFT Dienamics Farm Friends
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• Memory Box Wrought Iron Fence

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello Kitty

We're talking skin and hair colour combos at As You Like It Challenge and we want you to share the colouring combos you use, in whatever colouring medium you prefer.  So whether you're crazy about Copics, a perfectionist with your pencils or a Wiz with your Watercolours, we want to know what your favourite combinations of skin or fur colours are.

I've opted for fur, since I prefer critters, and I've used my two 'go-to' combinations for grey and brown critters.  Using my Distress Ink reinkers to watercolour the kitties, the grey tabby is a mix of Hickory Smoke and Black Soot and the ginger tabby is a base of Antique Linen with Brushed Corduroy and Vintage Photo for the darker bits.  I also sometimes add some Gathered Twigs or Ground Espresso for extra contrast in the shadows, like under kitty's sign.

I've also 'grounded' my kitties with Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn and Forest Moss, and given them a Weathered Wood shadow around the sky area.

Voila!

This card was sent to a special little princess called Rosie for her 8th birthday, but it's safe to post now as she's safely  received it.  I wouldn't have wanted her to see it on my blog before her birthday and spoil the surprise.  ;0)

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner All Cats
• Versafine Ink Pad

Other:

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

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Our Furry / Feathered Friends
• Gerda Steiner - Share your design

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Splashing Around

This is the same image that I used on my clock a couple of days ago, but this time she's on a CAS card.   In contrast to yesterday's CAS layout, I've used a stitched speech die and 'hello' script die for the panel at the top.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Splashing Around from Crafty Sentiment Designs
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Maja Design Paper Pad
• Mama Elephant Hello Script Die
• Stitched Speech Bubbles

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - CAS
• Copic Marker Europe - Skin

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

"Hello"

This card looked completely different in my head, and it's certainly different from my usual 'cuties'. I followed a sketch and used a script die as the focal point.  I created the circles by die cutting a circle in a post-it sticky note and using that as a mask to ink circles onto my base card.  After letting the ink dry I embossed the complete panel before adding my 'hello' die cut.

Card Recipe:

• Hello Script die
• MFT Stitched Circle Stax
• Embossalicious Floral Frenzy Embossing Folder
• Versa colour ink pads (Misty Mauve, Ash Rose & Boysenberry)

I've been inspired by:

• Seven Hills Craft - Sketch (Hello die and circle die from store)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Easel does it

Just a quickie from me tonight as I forgot to schedule this one last night!  I don't usually make easel cards but I liked this one with the raised bow panel instead of a sentiment panel for the base prop.  I die cut the 'hello' several times and layered them up for a raised effect.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Jasmine Laptop from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Nitwits Papers - Time For Tea Cottage Collection
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm satin ribbon
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border die
• Mama Elephant Hello Script Die

I've been inspired by:

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

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Beach Babe

I'm in summer mode today with a lovely image from Stamping Bella called Sandy has a Sombrero. I just wish it was me on the beach!  I've added some lace to support the Lace challenge at In The Pink too!  Gotta dash as I'm off to meet some friends today in "Tweeksbury"! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Sandy has a Sombrero
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Maja Design Papers
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink 
• MFT Stitched Scallop Edges
• Die-namics Sunny Skies
• Mama Elephant Hello Script Die
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds

Created for:

Sponsored by:

I've been inspired by:

• Bunny Zoe - Summer
• That's Crafty - In the Pink
• Stamping Bella - Sketch
• Noor Design - Summer

Happy crafting
Annette
xx