Hedgehog Gift Tag

I'm still well and truly in 'gift tag' mode at the moment with this prickly little fella!

Designed for:
Dies to Die For

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Hedgehog with Sign
• Honey Bee Christmas die

Papermill Direct:

• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• Red Glitter Card 220gsm
• Apple Green Card 240gsm

Other:

• Spotty Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Tag No.12 (with stitching)
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Creative Expression Sue Wilson Poinsettia

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda Steiner Share Your Designs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Trick or Treat

I've made another Hallowe'en decoration using one of the cute Chloe images from Amanda Jayne Designs.  Similar to the last decoration, I've created the text using my Silhouette machine and a spooky font called Kricky. This time I've embossed the top layer of lettering and layered alternating orange, black and green.  

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Cow: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Hat: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Broom: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Ground Coffee

Card Recipe:

• Halloween Cutie by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Embossing folder with linen embossing effect
• Font used on cardbase 'Kricky'

Papermill Direct:

• Intensive Orange 210gsm Plain Card
• Apple Green 240gsm Plain Card
• Black 240gsm Plain Card

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Challenges - Halloween or Harvest

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Too Cute To Spook

I've created a 'Too Cute To Spook' Hallowe'en decoration using a spooky font in my Silhouette machine in layers of Apple Green, Grey and Black card.

I've watercoloured one of the new Chloe Halloween images from Amanda Jayne Designs and merged her into my design to complete the decoration.

Designed for:

Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Chloe: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Hat: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Oranges: Carved Pumpkin, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Tea Dye

Card Recipe:

• Halloween Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Font used to create the base shape 'Kricky'

Papermill Direct:

• Apple Green 240 gsm Plain Card
• Antracite Sirio 290gsm Grey Card
• Plain Black 240 gsm Card

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Halloween / Harvest

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

The Witching Hour

This Hallowe'en card is a really simple design which I've created by laying a cobweb frame over my watercoloured image. I have masked the image and created an inky background with my DI ink pads and some blending brushes.  Simples.

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Skirt: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Moon: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Hat: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Shading enhanced with Derwent Inktense Pencils

Card Recipe:

• Cute Witches from Lili of the Valley
• Web Frame Silhouette Cut File by Rivka Wilkins

Papermill Direct:

• Ardesia Materica 250gsm Card
• Nude Sirio Colour 290gsm Card
• Cream Hemp Cardbase

I've been inspired by:

• Country view Challenges - Halloween

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hello Pumpkin

I couldn't resist playing with these cute foxies again, but today I've also used a gorgeous pumpkin Silhouette cutting file that was drawn by my lovely crafting buddie Janine.  

I've cut the main cardbase in brown and added embossing to the pumpkin segments. The watercoloured fox and sentiment have both been fussy-cut with a narrow white outline border and raised on 3D foam pads.

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct

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

• Fox: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose

Card Recipe:

• Hello Pumpkin Fox and sentiments from Lili of the Valley
• Whimsy Stamps Slimline Holly Embossing Folder
  

Papermill Direct:

• Terra Rossa Materica 250gsm Card
• Mocha Brown Plain 240gsm Card
• Green Grass Pearl card

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Halloween or Harvest

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bear with me

I'm trying to build up my stash of Christmas Gift Tags and this little fella is perfect for a fun decorative tag.  I've cut the base shape out using my Silhouette and lots of scallops and then just layered on some simple circles.

Designed for:
Dies to Die For

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gerda Steiner Warm Fuzzies

Papermill Direct:

• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• Apple Green Plain Card 240gsm

Other:

• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Red Twine

I've been inspired by:

• Gerda Steiner Share Your Designs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Autumn Foxes

I had 2 foxies left over from my MIL's arched birthday card so I've used them to decorate today's Autumn themed project.

I've created some cardbases with my Silhouette and a font called 'Tasty Burger' which I've decorated with embossed pumpkin orange and mocha brown card.

I've used the brown negatives that were created from the first card to make the second card.

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct

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

• Foxes: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness

Card Recipe:

• Hello Pumpkin Polymer stamps from Lili of the Valley
• Nellie Snellen Marigolds Slimline Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Woodstock Arancio 285gsm Card
• Mocha Brown 240gsm Card
• Cream Hemp Textured 225gsm Card

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Country View Crafts - Halloween/Harvest

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Foxies

These adorable foxies are part of the soon-to-be-released polymer stamp set from Lili of the Valley, and I've been lucky enough to play with them. 

I've watercoloured 4 of them and fussy cut them out. Today's project has used 2 of them on a special birthday card for my mother-in-law and you'll see where I've used the others over the next week or so.

I've created an arched box card in bright autumnal coloured card, which I've embossed for some additional texture.

My little foxies are peeking out from the long grass and I've finished it off with some die cut flowers and a huge die cut "80" (just in case she forgets how old she is!).

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct

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

• Foxes: Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose

Card Recipe:

• Hello Pumpkin Stamp set by Lili of the Valley
• Nellie Snellen Marigolds Slimline Embossing Folder
• Creative Expression Sue Wilson Camellia Open & Closed petals
• Whiff of Joy Grass die
• CC Designs number die set
• MFT Hanging Happy Birthday die
  
  

Papermill Direct:

• Pumpkin Orange Pearlescent Card
• Terra Rossa Materica Card
• Green Grass Pearl Card

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Emboss It
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnome for Christmas

At As You Like It Challenge we want to know how you like to add snow onto a winter project.  My favourite way is to add a few thin streaks of glue along the ground of my image and then use some ultra fine Glamour Dust glitter to create some sparkly snow at his feet.  I usually use Glossy Accents, but the bottle that's done me proud for the last few years decided to clog up this week, so I've just used my fine PVA glue pen on this project instead.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lili of the Valley

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Milled Lavender
• Purples: Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• 'Whites': Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Gnomes by Lili of the Valley
• Dark Violet Plain Card 240gsm
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Tag No.12 (with stitching)
• Whimsy Stamps Elegant Snowflake Die
• Tattered Lace Filigree Lace Verona (square)

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Chloe Bauble Tag

I've created this little gift tag using my Silhouette machine and decorated with some gorgeous Buttercream pearlescent card which I've embossed to create a bit of extra texture.  There is a layer of glittered red card to frame the central panel.

The image has been printed in grey for a no-lines effect, and I've watercoloured it, as usual, using my Distress Ink Reinkers.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness
• Hat: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Chloe Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Whimsy Stamps Holly Slimline Embossing Folder
• 15mm Snowflake Organza Ribbon
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles

Papermill Direct:

• Buttercream Pearl Card
• Red Glitter Card
• Red Plain Card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Chloe Christmas Bundle

I've popped another of my watercoloured Christmas Chloe images onto this shaped embossed slimline panel for a simple card.  

The layers of red give it evem more interest, but I do like the simplicity and texture of this design and I've used it a couple of times because I like it so much!

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Chloe Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Honey Bee Christmas die
• Whimsy Stamps Holly Slimline Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card
• Ruby Red Plain Card

Other:

• Rectangle Scalloped by Loni Harris Silhouette Cut File

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Little Critters

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Silhouette Critters

This is the third of my quick and simple Christmas cards using my Julian Charlton silhouette stamps from Purple Onion Designs. 

I have stamped the characters onto kraft card and added some white 'snow'.  The sentiments are doubled layered in glitter card and matted onto the same kraft card.

Card Recipe:

From Papermill Direct

• Kraft Materica Card 250gsm
• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• Red Glitter Card 220gsm

Other

• Julian Charlton Silhouette Stamp - Bunny from Simon Says Stamp
• Honey Bee Cuts Christmas Text Die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Little Critters

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tag Team

At As You Like It Challenge this week we want to know if you prefer glitter or metallic card best and why.  I've got a lot more glitter card than mirror and love glitter (card or otherwise) for Christmas makes. I've never really liked using mirror card and find it very unforgiving in photographs, so it's an easy choice for me.

I've created a trio of gift tags using some simple circles on my Silhouette machine and layered with beautifully glittery white cardstock and some die cut snowflakes in pearlescent green. 

I've watercoloured some penguins from Stamping Bella and fussy cut them so they can be raised up on foam pads to create a 3D tag.  I've added some snowflake organza ribbon so they can be tied onto a wrapped gift.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

Dies to Die For

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Penguins: Tattered Rose, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint
• Oranges: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Penguins Bearing Gifts by Stamping Bella
• Whimsy Stamps Elegant Snowflake Die

Papermill Direct:

• White Glitter Card
• Green Pearl Card

Other:

• 15mm Snowflake Organza Ribbon
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Little Critters
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Die Cuts

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pop Up Chloe Christmas

Today's card is a pop up card that folds flat for posting.  I've added in 2 layers to showcase a couple of the Chloe Christmas images from Amanda Jayne Designs and some dies.  I 'fussy-cut' the images and created the card base using my Silhouette machine and added some grass by making random cuts to create the blades of grass.

I've actually watercoloured 4 of the Chloe images, and I'll share what I've created using the others over the next few days.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Cows: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Chloe from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Honey Bee Christmas die

Papermill Direct:

• Red Plain Card
• Green Grass Pearl Card

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Creative Expression Sue Wilson Filigree Poinsettias
• Enamel Dot from Hobbycraft

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Die Cuts

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Owl Tag

I've been playing with one of the new Owl images from Amanda Jayne Designs, She's got 70% off her images at the moment so it's an ideal time to move some images from your wishlist into your cart!

I've printed this owl in pale grey for a no-lines effect and then cut her using my Crealies pierced circle die and layered her onto some pretty papers and a Crealies XXL tag.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Bundled Sage, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Owls from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Shamrock Green Plain Card from Papermill Direct
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Feminine

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pick up a Penguin (or 4)

I've made a set of Pingu Christmas cards using a lovely grey card which I've embossed wiht my lovely Holly Embossing folder. Who says grey is dull!!!  The images are from a set by Amanda Jayne Designs which I've watercoloured and then matted the layers onto alternate dark and light greys.

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Penguins: Tattered Rose, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Dried Marigold, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint
• Ground & Sky: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Playful Penguins by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Whimsy Stamps Holly Slimline Embossing Folder
• 15mm Organza Snowflake Ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL24 Rectangles with Stichline
• Stamperia Christmas Rose Stencil

Papermill Direct (card):

• Clay Materica (pale grey)
• Antracite Sirio Card (dark grey)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cute Dog on Kennel

Today's card is a simple one, which I hope is potentially suitable as a masculine card (pretty rare for me!).  

I've used an adorable puppy from Lee Holland which I've watercoloured and layered onto grey card and a white slimline cardbase.  

The sentiment is just typed in two different fonts.

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Dog: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Kennel: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Crackling Campfire, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Cute Dog on Kennel from Lee Holland
• Slate Grey Plain Card from Papermill Direct
• Fonts: 'Calibri' for the 'Happy' and 'Welcome' for the 'Birthday'

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's Party Time!

There are some new polymer stamps coming out at Lili of the Valley soon, and I've watercoloured these cute festive critters in their snuggly scarves to decorate some typed Party Invites.  

The invites are layered on black and red card from Papermill Direct, onto which I've randomly stamped some foliage from the Christmas Wreath stamp set and then layered onto more black and cream card.

Here's a close-up of the red card where I've randomly stamped the foliage in grey ink.

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Antlers: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Whites: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Clear Polymer Stamps from Lili of the Valley
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL24 Rectangles with Stichline

Papermill Direct:

• Post Box Red Plain Card
• Black Plain Card
• Ivory Hopsack Textured Card

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Make your own Background
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's a Hoot

Holy Macaroni, it's September already. How did that happen?

Although, saying that, despite the sunny weather, I'm still in Festive mode with my Christmas themed crafting!  

At As You Like It Challenge this week we want to know what shape cardbase you prefer.  I have been making a few slimline cards recently but my go-to shape is always a 6" square, mainly becuase it's the shape I have used for many years and I have a huge stash of blanks!  However, for a bit of variation, I've cut my square using a fancy border die so that it has a more interesting edge to it.

Amanda Jayne Designs is our sponsor this week, and I have watercoloured my image as usual using Distress Inks.

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Background: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Christmas Owls by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Tattered Lace Ornate Square Card Shapes Die
• Magnolia DooHickey Die So Wrapped Merry Christmas
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Polkadoodles Heavenly Circles Stencil

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Rudolph with Baubles

I've made a simple card using the Stamping Bella Rudolph with a Present on Top and its matching die.  Rather than using patterned papers, I've embossed some smooth bright white card using my Holly Embossing Folder and added some flowers and satin ribbon for decoration.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Antlers: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Rudolph with a Present on Top Stamp
• Rudolph with a Present on Top Cutting Die
• Whimsy Stamps Slimline Holly Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card
• Red Plain Card

Other:

• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Tulip Flowers
• 5mm flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pop up a Penguin

I've made a pop up card with fold-down flaps for these three cute penguins to sit on. I've watercoloured the penguins and fussy cut them out. The mountains are cut from plain white card with little snow caps and die cut snowflakes decorating them.  I've also managed to sneak in my favourite Christmas text die, all decorated with Nitwitw papers.

Water-coloured on Ecoline Watercolour Card with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Penguins: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Salvaged Patina, Mermaid Lagoon, Prize Ribbon
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Penguins Bearing Gifts
• Honey Bee Christmas die

Papermill Direct:

• Ocean Plain Blue Card 240gms
• White Glitter Card 220gsm

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Whimsy Ornament Border die
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflakes
• Sandi Idleman Pop Up Card in a Box Silhouette cutting file

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx