Koala Hugs

Yay, the weekend is finally here and I'm sharing a tag full of hugs featuring the adorable Kali Koala from Amanda Jayne Designs.

I've used my Gummiapan Large Old Tag die, and offset two layers cut from different papers from the same pad.  

The sentiment is a Simon Says Stamp die, for which I've created a outline using my Silhouette.

Here's a close up of Kali, which I've printed in pale grey ink and watercoloured.

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

• Fur: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss

Card Recipe:

• Kali in Leaves by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Gummiapan Large Old Tag
• Simon Says Stamp Big Hugs Scripty Die
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Woolly Hugs

I've had a lot of fun colouring this Woolly Dragon from Lee Holland.  He's right up my street as I love crocheting so it's a perfect image for someone who likes yarncraft.

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

• Dragon: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Rustic Wilderness
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Yarns:   brown: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, 
               orange: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
               purple: Milled Lavender, Villainous Potion

Card Recipe:

• Dragon Holding Wool from Lee Holland
• Polkadot Card from PaperMill Direct
• Plain Violet card
• Super Smooth White card (card base)
• Simon Says Stamp Scripty Big Hugs die
• Tattered Lace Essential Doily Squares (I used the square to create a rectangle)
• Lime green mesh webbing ribbon
• 5mm flat backed pearls
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sending Hugs

I've been playing with my new Joyful Heart Bears from MFT.  There's only so many Valentines cards a gal needs so this card is a little friendship card for a special friend.  Isn't he adorable!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Joyful Heart Bears from MFT
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Double stitched dies

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear Hugs

As soon as these little bears landed on my doormat I was itching to ink them up.  This little cutie clutching his heart-shaped cushion is the first to get his outing and I've used a sentiment from the same set.  I thought he'd look cute with a darker snout but I'm not so sure now.  I've popped a little nose on top with a black gel pen, although it barely shows up in the photo.   

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Joyful Heart Bears from MFT
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Rectangle Stax

I've been inspired by:

• Cupcake Inspirations - Be Mine

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Lily Hugs

There is an easy 'Anything Goes' at As You Like It Challenge this week to ease us gently into the new year. I've used one of the fairy images which were released this week from Lili of the Valley.

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Milled Lavender
• Dress: Shaded Lilac, Dusty Concord

Card Recipe:

• Lily Fairy from Lili of the Valley
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• 5mm Aqua Crystals
• MFT Roses All Over Pastels paper pad
• Simon Says Stamp Scripty Big Hugs die

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Something New using SSS Scripty Big Hugs die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Heffalump Hugs

Lili of the Valley are releasing some of their most popular images in rubber again next week (release date for your diary is Tuesday 30 October).

One of the images is this adorable little ellie.  He's meant to be a 'baby' themed image, but I love him for any occasion so I've added a 'big hugs' die cut sentiment instead.

I've also used some of the LOTV papers that will be released next week.

I used Distress Oxide for the sky and sprinkled some water using an old toothbrush for some speckles.

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

• Ellie:  Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Tattered Rose
• Outfit/Balloon: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Shaded Lilac
• Ground: Pumice Stone, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Scruffy Edward from 'Hello Little One' stamp set from Lili of the Valley
• Soft Cuddles (Blue) Paper pad from lili of the Valley
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sending Hedgehugs

A quick post tonight with a card I made last week and had decided I wasn't going to post it, but I came home tonight and figured I'd make a last ditch attempt for the MFT challenge. I decided I've nothing to lose (except my pride, which is long gone!). 

For someone who doesn't really like green, I seem to have used it a lot recently!

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
• Sky: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Acorn: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Log: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Happy Hedgehogs
• MFT Roses All Over Pastel Papers
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges

I've been inspired by:

• MFT Colouring

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sending Hedgehugs

This is one of my favourite MFT stamp sets and for some reason I really prefer colouring it using the no-lines stamping style.  I've inked in the sky using a stencil and the sentiment is from the same stamp set.  

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Happy Hedgehogs
• MFT Cloud Stencil
• MFT Roses All Over Pastel Papers
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dragon Hugs

I fell in love with these dragons as soon as I saw them in the sneaky peeks at CC Designs and thanks to a naughty friend they suddenly arrived on my doormat. 

I've used two dragons from the set to create this pair of similar cards, both with a moon scene in a clean and simple design.  I just love this guy's cheeky grin!

I created the background by masking a circle and hill shape before sponging the sky in purples and black Distress inks.  I then used the reverse of the hill mask to sponge the grass in shades of green and finally drew in some grass and gave the moon some shadow.

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

• Dragon: Milled Lavender, Seedless Preserves
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Moon: Antique Linen
• Sky: Victorian Velvet, Seedless Preserves, Wilted Violet, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• CC Designs Dragons
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Simon Says Stamp Big Hugs Die
• MFT Plaid Patterns papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear Hugs

I can't believe it's June tomorrow!  Where is this year going?  Anyhoo, today I'm using a little stamp which was sent to me by a very lovely friend. I think she might have an inkling that I love bears!  

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• CC Designs Fluffy Bear (sadly now retired)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Patterns paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty - A stitch in time
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hedgies

I've had another play with my favourite hedgehogs in a similar scene to my last card but far more clean & simple.  I love these little guys and they always make me smile when I colour them.  As usual I've watercoloured my image using DI reinkers and my dinkiest brush for some of those prickly details.  I've opted for 'no lines' by stamping the images in pale grey ink.  I masked each element of the scene, starting with the parts at the front (the hedgehogs) and working my way 'backwards' with the toadstool, tree stump and lastly the log.  Finally I drew some grass (with a very fine brush!) in a couple of different greens.

And here's their close up - say "cheese" guys! :0)

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

• Hedgies: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Acorn: Tea Dye, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Tree: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Barn Door, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• MFT Happy Hedgehogs
• MFT Stencil Mini Cloud

I've been inspired by:

• MFT Colouring Virtuoso
• Nordsalten Hobbyklubb - CAS

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

You're Koalafied for a Hug

I've been playing with a stamp set that I've had for a while but not used.  It's a Gerda Steiner set featuring some cute koala bears and matching sentiments.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Koalafied for a Hug
• Maja Design Summertime paper pad
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax

Other:

• Flat Backed Pearls
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Ribbed ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Touchy Feely

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Huggy Squigies

Woohoooo, I can finally post this card today, because it's included in the latest issue of Papercraft Essentials (issue 147) which was out last week.  All of the Dies to Die For team are promoting the lovely Stamping Bella images and I was really pleased to use this image called Huggy Squidgie which is really sweet and great for a 'friend' card.  I hope you like it, and if you get the mag, check out the DTDF DT cards on pages 55 to 58. :0)

I didn't have backing card in the right colour, so I used white, and edged it with the same pink ink pad that I'd used to ink the edges of the image and cardbase:  Once the image is mounted onto it, you can't see the white!

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Huggy Squidgie
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Maja Design Vintage Romance Paper pad
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• 15mm Shocking Pink Satin Ribbon
• Cosmos Daisy
• 10mm & 15mm Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Flat Backed Pearls
• VersaColor Mini Ink Pads (for edging)

I've been inspired by:

• Magnolialicious - Anything Goes
• The Ribbon Girl - Card Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Huggy Squidgies

Today I'm sharing a card featuring a lovely image called Huggy Squidgies from Stamping Bella.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set and I've kept the design really clean and simple as I thought the girlies deserved to be the focus!

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Huggy Squidgie & Sentiment
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour Paper pad
• MFT Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tiny Dancers (Twice)

Well, today is my first day designing for Dies to Die For and I've got not one, but two samples. This wasn't originally intentional, but I spent so long on the no-lines version of the Tiny Dancers image that when I'd finished it I decided to make a 'normal' lines version to compare how long it had taken.  And my empirical study concluded that it took at least 3 times longer to colour the no-lines version.  That's just to colour it, not to make up the whole card!  Hence I kept the second version CAS while there are lots of embellies on my first version!

I also 'outlined' the no-lines version with Tumbled Glass before I started to colour the main image.

And now here's the 'normal' version....

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Tiny Dancers
• Frantic Stamper Stitched Scene Builder Edges
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Square Stackables
• Oval Nesting Dies
• Magnolia DooHickey Die Leaf & Swirl
• Versafine Ink Pad

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• Typed Sentiment (hugs)
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Pion Violet Field Paper
• Small Lily
• Open Roses
• Mini Rose Buds
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Button Twine
• White Lace
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Simon Says Stamp Sending die
• Whiff of Joy Banner Die
• Gem brad

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black & More - Favourite Stamp (It grew on me so I've used it twice!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sending Hedgehugs

Hello, I'm back again with some more of those cute hedgeies!  This time they've multiplied and and there's now two of them playing on the log!  I was quite pleased with how this one turned out, and I kept the layout very CAS this time with a simple corrugated pelmet and a stamped sentiment from the stamp set.

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Happy Hedgehogs from MFT
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad in Dove Grey
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border die
• Stitched Square Dies
• Kraft card base
• Corrugated kraft card

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Something new (my new hedgies!)
• Penny Black & More - Anything Goes
• Inky Chicks - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sending Hugs

We're using Rubber Stamps at In The Pink this fortnight and I've opted for one of my favourite brands, Stamping Bella.  This is Bonnie Loves Bows and I admit the the skirt freaked me out a little, but I persevered and here she it in all her frilly glory!

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Bonny Loves Bows from Stamping Bella
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• 15mm Ribbon

Created for:

Sponsored by:

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty - Feminine
• The Ribbon Girl - Any Image
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes
• Stamping Sensations - Stamp and Ribbon

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Midsummer's Night

I've got a lovely Lili of the Valley card to share today using one of my favourite fairy images.  I have used her for a 'thinking of you' card, but she's so versatile that I've used her here on a birthday card. I've coloured her in DI reinkers, used my favourite papers and lots of glitter!  I was quite pleased with the finished result.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Midsummer's Night from LOTV
• Sentiment - Lili of the Valley Tags
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Promises paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Magnolia Doohickey Lace Border die
• Spellbinders Grand Ovals Nesting dies
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Friday Sketch - Sketch
• Dragonfly Dreams - Girlie
• Noor! Design - Shaped Cards
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Dies (I used 2 different ones)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Little Pals Sneaky Peek

Well Friday's not come soon enough this week. I've not been sleeping very well again so have been doing some good impersonations of a zombie by midday towards the end of the week.  I'm planning some catching up this weekend. Along with some crafting!

To celebrate it being Friday I've got another LOTV sneaky peek for you using an adorable pup called Odd Dog, this one's called Little Pals.  He'd make a great 'baby' card so I don't know why he's ended up being quite a CAS masculine style card (well masculine apart from the bow die cut!). 

There are lots of new images being released at Lili of the Valley, including this one, on 4 July, so make sure you've got it in your diaries.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Odd Dog Little Pals
• Sentiment - Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Lili of the Valley Winter Wishes paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Memory Box Corner bow die
• Paw Print Ribbon
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circles dies from SSS
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Your Favourite (technique - watercolour painting with DI reinkers)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Stars/Stripes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bella with Daisy

Boy oh boy, I sooooo glad it's the weekend, although I am doing a 15 mile sponsored night-walk tonight in aid of our local hospice!!   It starts at 7pm and I suspect I'll not get to bed until the early hours!!!  Zzzzzzzz   Wish me luck!!

My card for The Stamp Basket today features the cute 'heffalump', Bella with Daisy.  I've used some patriotic Wild Rose Studio Union Jack papers, and opted for a red, white and blue colour scheme.  I even coloured the shadow blue, but now I think it rather looks like Bella's stood in a puddle!

Don't forget the Stamp Basket sale is still on, so pop over to the store to stock up before the sale finishes on Monday.

See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Image - Bella with Daisy
• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• Wild Rose Studio Strawberry Picnic Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Memory Box Whimsical Flourish Die
• Berisfords Satin Ribbon
• Liquid Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Pearls (coloured with red copic)
• Hobby House 8mm Pearl Brad
• Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
• Tag sentiments from LOTV

I've been inspired by:

• Simon Says Stamp - Patriotic
• A Little Bit Crafty - Die-ing for it
• Simon Says Stamp & Show - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Anything goes with creatures
• Creative Inspirations - Red, White and Blue

Happy crafting