Owl just for you

I love these Stacy Yakula images and this one's a bit of a break from the Christmas trend with a 'just for you' theme.

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

• Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Green: Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Festive Berries, Fired Brick
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Sweetheart Owl with Heart from Purple Onion Designs
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Nitwit Collections Papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

From Meow to You

Things don't come much more CAS than today's card featuring an image from MFT's Cool Cat Stamp Set.  

Those of you who have been adopted as servants to a kitty may recognise this pose which is very well practised by my own furry feline disposal unit. 

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Cool Cat Stamp Set
• Versafine Ink Pad

I've been inspired by:

• Penny Black & More - All Creatures Great and Small

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Daffy

As soon as I saw this little lady, I loved her sassy pose. Isn't she just FABULOUS!  I imagine her saying 'taa-daa!' :0)  Even her little shoes are daffodils. I've teamed her with a sentiment from another Stamping Bella image, Brittany the Birthday Girl, both from Dies to Die For.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tiny Townie Garden Girl Daffodil
• Sentiment from Brittany the Birthday Girl
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2

Other:

• Flat Backed Pearls
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Strawberries

As it's the last day of Wimbledon I've got a strawberry themed card!  It features a little meecie from Gerda Steiner nibbling on his fruit and some strawberry papers from Maja Design. 

Card Recipe:

• Strawberry Mouse
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• MFT Stitched Tiny Tags
• Coffee in the Arbour Maja Design Paper pad
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Red Satin Ribbon
• 3mm Red Satin Ribbon
• Sentiment from Lili of the Valley clear stamp set

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Use Plaid
• The Ribbon Girl - Use any image
• Gerda's July Challenge - Strawberry Mouse

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Just For You

I've been playing again with the gorgeous Sweet Pea from Stamping Bella.  I've accented the image with pencils to give the petals some texture.  The little tag die is new too, tied on with some embroidery thread.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Sweet Pea from Stamping Bella
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Tiny Tags

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• Watercoloured with Derwent Inktense Pencils
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Embroidery thread

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty - Anything Goes
• Noor! - Die Cuts

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Critter Trio

There are some new digi & rubber stamps being released at Lili of the Valley later this week, including some sweet little boys and cute animals.  I've been lucky enough to have a play with them before the release date (and of course I started with the critters!)

So firstly we have the bunnies .....

... then the squirrels .....

... and finally the hedgies ...

.... plus, I'm still smiling because my images even made it onto the advert!!!  *yay*!

Card Recipe:

• Images - Squirrels - Thanks, Bunnies - With Love, Hedgehogs - For You
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Kraft Card

I've been inspired by:

• The Sketchy Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cherry

I love these cute bunnies from Scrapberries.  I've got a few of the girlie ones after receiving a couple from a lovely blogging friend for Christmas and becoming hooked!  This one's a real sweetie with her bowl of cherries.  It looks like she's dropped one though!  She supports the new challenge at Sugar Bowl Challenge which opens today.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Scrapberry Cherry from Funky Kits
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour papers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• 16mm Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Shaped Card
• Totally Tilda & Friends - Fruit or Chocolate (the bunny can keep the fruit, I'll take the chocolate!)
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Cute Critters

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

A Tiddly Sketch

It's sketchy time at Tiddly Inks and I've used a 'new for me' image of the gorgeous Wryn.

After all my searching for a suitable watercolour paper to use in my printer, I've actually tried my basic copic card which is not meant for watercolours, but actually hasn't turned out too bad.  The ink is ok if I blend it out fairly quickly, but sometimes it is 'sticking' a bit.  I'm still trying different options for printing digis but in the meantime here's one of my 'tests'!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Wryn Grow a Little Love by Tiddly Inks
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Wild Rose Studio paper pad
• Fantastic Ribbons Gingham ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Cardmakers - Love
• Stamp & Create - All you need is Love
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Love is all Around

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cloud 9

I have several different images of Wryn from Tiddly Inks, including a couple of sets in rubber.  This one's a new image for me and I can see that it's going to be another favourite.  I also seem to be in a bit of a phase of making Wryn blond, and I rather like it!

I've used soft coloured papers to keep the focus on the image, and the only embellishments are some twine and a few (OK, more than a few) pearls.

Isn't she a sweetie!  I hope you like her. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tiddly Inks Cloud 9
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Copics
• Cardworks Card base
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 18
• Maja Design Summer Basics
• Pink Button Twine
• Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Tiddly Inks
• ABC - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• Stamping Sensations - Dies and Punches

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Fairy Dust

I am not sure how long I've had this image coloured up, but she's been sat in my work-in-progress pile for months and I've only gotten around to making her up into a card tonight.  She's a lovely fairy image from Funky Kits and is really quite large.  This is a 6" square card, so perhaps that shows just how large she it.  I trimmed the image and rounded off two corners before matting it onto purple card.

I used a Magnolia border die to decorate the strip across the middle and some spotty ribbon purple ribbon as a trim.  The papers are also ones I've had for ages (when I found this pad I went mad and bought about 3 pads of it in 6" and 12" pads).  I love them so much that I hate to use them, but I think this little fairy deserved them!  :0)  Lastly the ribbon, wow, how long have I had this.... This card really is created from some old stash.  Hmm, that makes a change!

I usually take a couple of minutes to set up my photos so that I get the light to glisten off any glitter, but this photo was actually taken at a bit of a odd angle.  I had my kitty on my lap at the time, and any cat slave will know that you can't disturb a kitty when they're gracing you with their presence.  Despite the awkward angle my first attempt really caught the glitter on her fairy wings well, so all was well!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Dreams & Wishes from Sugar Nellie at Funky Kits (she's out of stock in the rubber at the moment but the digi is available here)
• Typed sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Dovecraft Lucy Cromwell paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Magnolia Doohickey Sweet Lovely Lace border die
• Spotty Ribbon
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Simply Create - Shop in your Craft Room
• Sister Act - Anything Goes
• Sketch Saturday - Sketch #333

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

Joey Raccoon with Cupcake

Today's Purple Onion Designs card is from the set that I sent off to the lovely Michele to help promote the new Stacey Yakula release (although I'll admit that a few more images from the new release have since fallen into my shopping cart and winged their way across the pond, so you'll be seeing a few more yet!)

It's a really C&S style, with just a smidgeon of twine to create some interest and texture.  The papers are from a LOTV pad that I've had for a while. I've not used it much, but the colours seemed to really work with this image.  I thought it was quite masculine ... until I noticed the cupcake and added the bow.  Ho hum!

Card Recipe:

•  Image - Joey Raccoon with Cupcake from Purple Onion Designs
• Background Stamp - Tree Line from Purple Onion Designs
• Purple Onion Designs A Beautiful Day Sentiment
• Colouring - Promarkers & Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Country Lady Paper Pad
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Brown Twine
• Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - 5 elements (papers, stamps, twine, pearls, copics)
• Cute Card Thursday - Summery
• Passion for Promarkers - Yummy food & drink (they don't come much yummier than cupcakes!)
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tilly with Rose

Well I think I've recovered from the 'trauma' of yesterday (refer to yesterday's post if you wonder that trauma I was suffering!).   My card for The Stamp Basket today features a cute Wild Rose Studio image of Tilly with Rose.  I've also used the gorgeous rich burgundy satin ribbon again because when I used it last week I realised how much I love it and it seems to match really well with the pretty papers.

I've used the gorgeous Pine Needles die again and of course my favourite Lavish Branch.  I think the green really compliments the rich burgundy ribbon.

Hope you like it.

See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Wild Rose Studio Tilly with Rose
• Cardworks Shaped Card base
• Country Companion Papers
• Neenah Classic Crest White Stamping Card
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Memory Box Pine Needle Border
• Memory Box Lavish Branch
• Spellbinders Labels 18
• Liquid Pearls
• 5mm, 4mm & 3mm Snow White pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Allsorts - Blossoms and Bows
• Cupcake Craft - Cute & Cuddly

Happy crafting

Just for You

I'm moving departments at work on Monday and will be working with a completely new group of people.   Friday was the last day in my old job, and there were a few people who I really wanted to thank individually for their support to me during the last 15 years that I've been at the same firm.  Even though I'm only moving offices, and not actually leaving the company, it is a big change for me, and I will miss working closely with many of the friends I have made over the years.

I made this card as a 'thank you' to my lovely secretary, Emma, who has been a fantastic support for me,  as well as being a valued friend.  I have always known that I have been spoilt having her supporting me, and I expect that I will only really understand everything she did for me now that I can no longer expect to rely on her.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Milton from Wild Rose Studio
• Papers - First Edition paper pack
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Nesties - Labels 3, Go Kreate large scalloped circles (card base)
• 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash -  Pearls, Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
• Moving along with the Times - Cute & Cuddly

Happy Crafting

Shades of Purple

Just luvin' this Tilda image and as I sold my last card with this colour combo at the weekend, I thought I'd make another on a similar theme with different paper combos.  I've used a sketch by Critter this week and give the card lots of layers by lifting up each level on sticky pads.

I've used inspiration from the following:

• Charisma - One for the girls
• Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 105 Dimensions and 107 Mono Mania (Blast from the Past)
• Craft your Passion - Monochrome
• Critter - Sketch

Happy crafting