Beary Good Birthday

I really love these polar bears and have bravely attempted them with some no-lines stamping.  I really struggle with this technique but was actually really pleased with how this card turned out.  I will admit that it ended up being one of those 'warm glow' cards :0)

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

• Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Fish: Crushed Olive, Cracked Pistachio
• Scarf: Cracked Pistachio, Pine Needles, Bundles Sage
• Bucket: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Polar Bear Pals
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Petite Plaid papers
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2

I've been inspired by:

• MFT Have a Wild Birthday
• That's Crafty! - Anything Goes
• Simon's Monday Challenge - B is for Bear, Birthday, Blue, Bow, Bucket !

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mister Penguin goes for a Ride

I've had this image coloured for a while, and since I wasn't in the right mood for holding a paintbrush I decided to give this image a home.  I touched up the shading a bit just to give some extra shadow and also coloured the sentiment a pale shade of green to match the image and papers, but otherwise I kept the layout very simple.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Mister Penguin goes for a Ride
• One of my own Freebie Sentiments
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Washi tape
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Cheery Lynn Snowflake die
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean - Die cuts
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Shine Bright Like a Diamond
• Stamping Bella - Sketch
• Cupcake Inspirations - Trees

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Winter Wishes

We all like new stash (often there's stuff we just 'have' to have), but there's also the satisfaction when we rediscover a lost gem that we have had a while and forgotten about.  I've had this bunny image and the pretty winter backing papers for years and love them both. But I've also recently discovered the Wishes text die from WPlus9 and I'm really loving it.  I love that the new die has given fresh ideas and inspiration to use my older items.  I'm therefore opting for a mix of old and new in the new As You Like It Challenge which starts today asking if you prefer using old or new stash. :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Christmas Bently from DSB
• WPlus9 Happy Wishes die
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty! - Clean & Simple
• Noor! - CAS or Fully Loaded
• DSB Challenge - October

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

All Seasons Notepad Set

I've made a little notepad set with the new Seasons Girls Stamps from Lili of the Valley.  Each image represents a different season so I've matched the image with the colours of that season. I've used my binding machine to make small notepads using mountboard wrapped with designer paper, and lined the inside of each notepad's cover with kraft paper for a neat finish.

Here's Spring:

... Summer ...

... Autumn ...

... Winter .....

... and finally, Noel.

Card Recipe:

• Image - New Seasons Girls Stamps from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Papers: Graphic 45 (Spring/Autumn), Wild Rose Studio (Summer), Magnolia (Winter), Maja Design (Noel)
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border die
• Zutter binding machine

I've been inspired by:

• Allsorts - Anything but a Card
• Winter Wonderland - Dies & Punches (scalloped border die & hole punch for binding wires)
• The Sketchy Challenge - Summertime

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mug of Tea

Today's card is one I made for a colleague at work who had a birthday recently. I used one of my favourite Odd Dog pups and tried to use the no-lines technique. Because it was for a guy, I tried to keep it masculine with the layout and colours. I also personalised the sentiment for him.

This project is to support the challenge at Without Words Challenge where the theme is Winter Birthday. I thought this Mug of Tea image would be perfect for a cold day!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Odd Dog Mug Of Tea from Lili of the Valley
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Designs Papers
• Stazon Dove Grey Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Die-Namics Stitched Speech Bubble Edges

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Dies

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Wrapped Up

It's a quickie post from me today to show you another note book, this time in a wintry theme.  I've used my new Starry Edger die again (love it!!!) and some LOTV papers.  I've also got my markers out again so they don't feel neglected!

It's quite a big notepad as the image was fairly large.  Here's a side view.  I used mountboard for the front and back covers.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Quinn and her Boots
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Lili of the Valley Country Lady paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Joanna Sheen Starry Night Edger die
• Zutter binding machine and metal binding wires
• Mountboard

I've been inspired by:

• Make the Day Special - Not a Card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Get your skates on

It's another Fabby Friday at Tiddly Inks and I've got another Wryn to share.  This one is back in my comfort zone as she's pretty in pink and I've splattergunned some flowers around the image panel.

The papers are Winter Wonderland from Me To You and I've used some pink ribbon with 'Wonderland' embroidered on it.  It was actually recycled from a box of chocolates I received at Christmas, and the full text said 'cocoa wonderland' but I trimmed off the 'cocoa' part!

Obviously I also had to safely 'dispose' of the chocolates.  What hardships I suffer for my craft!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Skater Wryn from Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Me To You Winter Wonderland Papers
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax die
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Medium Red Berries
• Bead String
• Hip Rose Buds
• Tulip Flowers
• Lily Flowers
• Tiny Berries
• Pink Beaded Berries
• Beaded twirl

I've been inspired by:

• Bunny Zoe - For the Girls
• ABC Christmas - Die Cuts
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - No Squares
• Simon's Monday Challenge - No Rules

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Winter Birthday

I always think it's hard for people who have birthdays close to Christmas. Any festivities of family get-togethers, parties and presents dedicated solely to their birthday are overshadowed by the other 'big day' just around the corner, and restaurants are booked up with office parties.

I know a few people who have birthdays after 20 December and this card is for one of them.  It's got a wintry theme, but is actually a birthday card, so I've highlighted that with my sentiment.

I've followed a sketch by Sketch Saturday that caught my eye today.  I wanted a layout that was clean and elegant, and I quite like it so may use it again! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Skater Wryn from Tiddly Inks
• Typed Sentiment using Word Art
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• First Edition Silent Night papers
• Maja Design Vintage Summer Basics paper
• Cheery Lynn Designs LG Square Stitched Die
• Mini spotty button
• Embroidery Thread

I've been inspired by:

• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Tiddly Inks Challenge - Happy Winter Blues
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Brown and Blue
• A Little Bit Crafty - Anything but Christmas
• Bunny Zoe - Buttons
• Copic Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dashing Through the Snow...

Simple things are never simple.

This looked fine in my head, but actually took two attempts and I'm still not entirely sure it's worked as I imagined!

Anyhoo...

I tore some diagonals roughly to make snowy hills, and embossed them using a snowflake folder.

The layers of hills are raised up on foam pads to give them some further dimension and the torn edges have been given some snowy sparkle using some Wink of Stella.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Frosty Fun from LOTV
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Embossalicious Snowflakes
• Glossy Accents
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Transportation
• Inky Chicks - Winter Wonderland
• Friday Sketch Challenge - Sketch
• Totally Tilda - Snowflakes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

(Red and) White Winter

The theme today at Top Tip Tuesday is Seasons, so you need to pick a season, and make something that represents that season.

I couldn't resist choosing Winter, and so I have made a winter white card.

I've printed my image on stamping linen, and coloured her in shades of red.  All of the other embellishments are white.

See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Image - Wish upon a Star by Sugar Nellie
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Cardworks Card base
• The Hobby House Snow White 5mm Pearls
• Magnolia Doohickey Slender Firs die
• Magnolia Doohickey Vintage Mistletoe die
• Cuttlebug Snowflakes Embossing Folder
• Joycraft Stamping Linen
• Liquid Pearls
• Stickles
• Embroidery Thread
• Rose Organza Pale Ivory Ribbon
• Textured Wool

I've been inspired by:

• Incy Wincy - Red and White
• The Hobby House - Roses (the rose ribbon)
• The Sugar Bowl - First Sugar Nellie Stamp (I got 4 in my first order, this was one)
• Nordsalten Hobbyklubb - 3 different ribbon types (Embroidery thread, textured wool, rose organza ribbon)
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Crafty Little Fairies - Anything Goes

Happy crafting.
Annette
xx

My Favourite Bear in Aqua

We're halfway through this fortnight's Christmas challenge at Top Tip Tuesday so I've made a little card featuring my favourite bear of the moment, Jake Wintertime.  I've used some cute aqua papers which are actually not Christmassy, but I've punched as snowflake border and with the snowy image they look suitably frosty.

The card is a J-Fold which I think is a lovely easy alternative to a traditional fold and it can be really effective.

Hope you like my card today.

See my cards available to buy on eBay



We're sponsored this week by Stampfairy and Simon Says Stamp.

Stampfairy also have a sale on this month so hop over there to grab a bargain while all images are on 50%.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Jake Wintertime 2 from Stampfairy
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Clouds - Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Papers - Papermania Lucy Cromwell
• Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
• Border Punch - Snowflakes
• Ribbons - Fantastic Ribbons
• Crystal Glamour Dust - The Stamp Basket
• From my stash -  Pearls, Glossy accents

Please pop on over to the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:

• Simon Says Stamp - Snowflakes
• CRAFT - Christmas
• Raise the Bar - Blue and White
• 2 Sisters - Snowflakes
• Totally Gorjuss - Oh no, Snow!

Happy crafting.

Jake Sledging (and Stampfairy 50% Sale)

This fortnight's challenge at Top Tip Tuesday is Christmas.  How easy is that !!  Plus we're sponsored by my favourite digi designer, Stampfairy, so I've been able to use my favourite bear, Jake, featured in the newly released Jake Wintertime collection.

See my cards available to buy on eBay


We're sponsored this week by Stampfairy and Simon Says Stamp

Stampfairy have a 50% sale on now until Christmas 

so pop over there to get all your favourite digis while they're in the sale!!!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Jake Wintertime from Stampfairy
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Papers - Papermania Lucy Cromwell
• Nesties - Fleur de Lis Squares
• Ribbons - Sew Sweet
• Pearls - The Stamp Basket
• Crystal Glamour Dust - The Stamp Basket
• From my stash -  Glossy accents

Please pop on over to the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:

• Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Snowflakes
• CMC - Non traditional Christmas colours
• The Sketchy Challenge - Sketch
• Totally Gorgeous - Glitter
• The Ribbon Girl - Christmas

Happy crafting.

Jake Winter Circle Step Cards

There is a new release and freebie today at StampFairy and my FAVOURITE bear is back!!!

Jake the bear is just so cute, I adore his innocent expression. He seems to be just begging for a cuddle.  I'm so delighted that Gerda has decided to let him out to play again this winter that I've made not just one, but two matching cards using the newly released images.

I think I'm right in saying this is my first attempt at a Circle Step card, and it did take a fair bit of practising to get the folds right with the size of circle that I used. After ruining my first try, I used that as a template for the others.  There are a couple of tutorials around, but I used the one here.

And once I'd got the card base shape fold right, they were exceptionally quick to make.

My first card is Jake carrying a large snowball.  I hope he's intending to start a snowman with that snowball rather than throw it at someone, cos that one's gonna sting ...

And my second card is Jake with his Christmas tree....

See my cards available to buy on eBay




Card Recipe:

• Image - Jake Wintertime from Stamp Fairy
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Nesties - Grand Nesties Labels 1 (card base)
• Tree dies - Magnolia and Marianne Creatables
• Embossing folder - Cuttlebug Snowflakes
• Pearls - The Stamp Basket
• Crystal Glamour Dust - The Stamp Basket
• Liquid Pearls - The Stamp Basket
• From my stash -  Stickles, Strand glitter, Glossy accents

Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.

Here's a preview of the set being released today:

I've been inspired by:

• Sparkles - Christmas is Coming
• Bunny Zoe - Winter

Happy Crafting

Clemantine Winter Snowballs

Happy Friday 13th !!!  I've scheduled this post, so I hope there are no Friday 13th Gremlins in blogland today!!

There is a new release at StampFairy today which is Clemantine Winter 2 and I've made a card using one of the digis from the newly released set.  I couldn't resist using pink for this card, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out, even if I do say so myself!  Today brings another of my New Year's Resolutions to share, which is to make some Christmas cards each month of the year, and not leave them all until December !!

Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.

Here's a preview of the full set:

Card Recipe:

• Image - Clemantine Winter 2 from StampFairy
• Sentiment - One of my own Freebies
• Papers - Summertime Designs
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens,
• Nesties - Lacey circles, Labels 3
• Snowflake Dies -Frostyville by Memory Box
• From my stash -  Pearls, Fluffy Stuff, Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Card Crew - Snow Day
• Creative Craft - New Year Resolutions
• A Gem of A Challenge - Photo Inspiration (pale pink and white)
• CES - Anything Goes
• Stampalot - Monochromatic
• Papertake - Die Cut Cute

Happy Crafting

Cosy Winter Owl

Sadly, this is my last card as a member of the Incy Wincy design team.  I've had a fabulous time since I joined in February, and made some great friends.  But life has gotten busier for me in the last couple of months, and is going to get even busier with changes in my day job (the one that gets in the way of my crafting) in the new year.  I'm struggling to find the time to be as creative as I like, and I need to ensure that I'm not taking on more than I can cope with.  Something had to 'give', and sadly I've had to cut down on my design team work.

I want to thank all my wonderful teamies, and I just know that all the new girls who are just joining the team from Jan 2012 will have a great time.  I'll still pop along to play the challenges from time to time, and the wonderful Chris has asked me to come back and guest design occasionally.  How could I say no!!!

For my last challenge the theme is Winter Wonderland.  We're sponsored by Meljens who have kindly supplied some digi images for the design team to showcase.  I've used frosty sparkle papers, and added fluffy stuff for the snow on the branch.  This was a really simple card to make, especially as I've not added too much in the way of fuss.  I love the focus to be on the shape, and so didn't want to detract from the card by adding lots of embellishments.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Cosy Winter Owl by Meljens
• Colouring mediums - Promarkers, Copics
• Nesties - Go Kreate Scallopped Circles, Labels 18
• From my stash - Stickles, Fluffy stuff, brown ink pad.

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

I've been inspired by:

• Digital Tuesday - Winter Wonderland
• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• I Love Promarkers - Anything Goes
• Paperplay - Christmas
• Bunny Zoe - Shaped Cards
• Crafty Calendar - Cold & Frosty

Happy crafting.

Trees Galore & a DT Call

There is a new challenge today at Incy Wincy, and the theme to play along with this week is Trees.  We're sponsored by Limited Runs who have kindly supplied some digi images for the design team to showcase.  I chose 'Single Pine', although I then used it 3 times (so maybe not so single any more!).  I love combining images, and not only used the tree 3 times, including flipping the image horizontally before I used it on the right hand side of the card, but I also added a Magnolia image to create more of a scene.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Single Pine from Limited Runs & Magnolia
• Papers - Heather Jolly
• Colouring mediums - Promarkers, Copics, White gel pen
• From my stash - Pearls, Stickles, Fluffy Stuff

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

Incy Wincy DT Call
There's also a DT Call at Incy Wincy, so if you're interested in applying to join the team, see the post here.

I've been inspired by:

• Pollycraft - Christmas Fun
• Magnolia-licious - Photo inspiration (tree)
• I Love Promarkers - Anything Goes
• Truly Scrumptious - Xmas with Pearls
• Delightful Challenges - Red & Green
• Totally Papercrafts - Christmas 
• Paper Sundaes - Winter Wonderland
• Stamptacular - Anything Christmas
• Bunny Zoe - Anything Christmas with pearls

Happy crafting.