Antiques Roadshow - Hedgies

Do you remember the pingu and snowman challenges that Squirrel hosted just before Xmas?  Well she's rallied the troublesome trio again for a fun new challenge starting today.  This time, the theme is called "Antiques Roadshow" and you need to dig out and showcase some old and forgotten stash.  So dust off those stamps that you'd forgotten you had, and give them some inky loving!

My immediate thought when we discussed the theme was Penny Black.  These critters were the images that started my addiction to stamping; I especially adore those little hedgies and mice and quickly became addicted. Therefore my card today features one of the hedgie images.

The border die I've used is also one of my oldest, and I've even had the green pearls for about 2 years (I bought a bag of 100 so even by using them in trios, they're lasting me a little while!).  The papers are probably a bit more recent than 2 years, but still ones I've had a while.

I'll be back tomorrow with another sample, but I hope I've inspired you to pop over to Squirrel's blog to see the other samples from both Squirrel and Jayne, and to link up your 'antique' laden creations.

Click on the logo below to go straight to the challenge ...

Card Recipe:

• Image - Companion from Penny Black
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Magnolia Doohickey Lace border die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Cute Critters
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Just swinging by to wish you Happy Birthday

I'm showcasing another of the new Tiddly Ink releases again today, this one's another fun image of Wryn on her tyre swing.  I had a bit of a job with her hair as I foolishly coloured it the same colour as the background tree. She might have to pop to the hairdressers and have it dyed blond before playing near trees again.  I added some chalked clouds to finish off the scene. Hope you liker her.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tiddly Inks
• Typed Sentiment
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Shabby Shack and Petal Fresh paper pads
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Shaped Card
• That's Crafty - Keep it Simple

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

Seaweed

There are some new releases at Tiddly Inks this week, including this little sweetie.  I used a die which I thought looked a bit like seaweed, but I think that was a fail as I realised that the other die it came with as a set was more seaweed-like.  D'oh.  Yes, I am a numpty!

The backing papers were also meant to match, with the lower half being more seaweed and the top half being bubbles.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tiddly Inks
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Go Kreate Labels nested die
• Magnolia Doohickey Leaf & Swirl (the swirl when I should have used the leaf)
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• 8mm Pearl Brad
• Viva Pearl Pen
• White gel pen

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Shaped Card
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

What's Cookin'?

I made this apron card for a member of our company's HR team.  I'm pretty sure she likes to cook (but I might be embarrassingly wrong on that assumption).  I'm kinda hoping that she'll appreciate the card even if she doesn't like baking!

The little tag which peeks out from the stitched pocket can be pulled out to show a sentiment stamped on it.  The card fits the new challenge at Tiddly Inks where the theme is Sweet Treats. There are even little cupcakes on the backing paper.  :0)

Suddenly I'm craving a triple chocolate cookie (or four) for some reason.....

Card Recipe:

• Image - Bake me some Love from Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Alcohol markers
• Papers - Papermania Lucy Cromwell
• Magnolia tag die
• Rolled Lace Rose Ribbon
• Fantastic Ribbons
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Stickles

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Shaped Card
• Stamp & Create - Anything Goes
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

We're the perfect fit

It's Friday, which means it's Tiddly Inks' Fabby Friday, and I've got another little notepad to share with you, this time using one of the new images at Tiddly Inks.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Awareness from Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel Pen, Black Glaze pen
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Zutter binding machine and wires
• Mountboard
• Magnolia Doohickey Lace Border die

I've been inspired by:

• Sweet Stampin' - Not a card
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Clean & Simple
• That's Crafty - Keep it Simple

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tea Break

Ooooh look at me with the masculine themed cards lately!

Unfortunately, according to the hubster, they're still cute, so they don't qualify as masculine.  But this is about as masculine as I get, so I'm sticking to it.

This project is to support the embossing challenge at As You Like It Challenge.  I admit that I have done wet embossing, and actually really like the effect, but it's just so messy and extremely prone to fluffing it up with straying embossing powder.  Plus I love the appearance of the dry embossing, so that's what I've chosen.

However, you can't see much of the embossing because it's tucked under the image and sentiment!  I did ink up the raised parts with blue ink to make them stand out more, but when they're covered up with another panel, no amount of inking will make them show up!

The image has been painted with DI reinkers, and I was really pleased with the finished result.

For a guy's card, I love it!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Mr Fixit from Lili of the Valley (retired)
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Shabby Shack paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Stitched Square Die
• Embossing folder border
• Simon Says Stamp Star Parade Die

I've been inspired by:

• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Totally Tilda & Friends - Tea/Coffee
• Creatalicious - Embossing
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - CAS

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Times to Treasure

I was planning to use this project as one of my LOTV samples, but it wasn't until after I'd finished it that I realised that the image had been discontinued.

It's a shame too, especially as I am not sure I've used it much to date.  It seemed perfect for this project, and I was even pleased with the matching sentiment!

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Times to Treasure from LOTV (retired)
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Flower stamps - Cardio mini stamps
• Clock Mechanism
• Mountboard
• Freebie Clock Template
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• The Ribbon Girl Chrysanth flowers
• Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Gems

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Make your own background
• Sweet Stampin' - Not a Card
• The Ribbon Girl - A Colour from your National Flag (Union Jack - I used 2 of the 3 colours)
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Due (clocks ensure you're on time - or know when you're late!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Polar Express

Have you seen there are some lovely new images out at Tiddly Inks.  They include the one I've used today which is called Rocky.

Although I was a bit daunted how to attempt the large area of the polar bear, it was actually really easy to colour.

Well, when I say colour, obviously I left most of him white, but I was still quite pleased with the result!

My image was quite large, so I kept the layout really simple.

A bit like me!  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Rocky Winter Light Wishes
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Copics (E51 and E000 for the polar bear)
• Button Twine

I've been inspired by:

• Copic Europe - Feathers or Fur  (I tried not to blend the strokes on the fur too much, to try to resemble texture on his coat)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Hoops

I've made something a bit different for me today; I've decorated two little embroidery hoops.  They can be hung up via some matching ribbon loped through the tightening screw at the top.

I've used a linen fabric in the hoop, and stitched my image paper to it.

The images are water-coloured in DI reinkers.

Although I didn't really want to part with them once I'd made them, I actually made them for my MIL (she loves turquoise), so I have reluctantly given them to her.  :0(

Card Recipe:

• Image - PomPom and Daisy Chain from Lili of the Valley (retired)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Ribbon
• Embroidery hoops

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - In the Middle
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Things with Wings
• Inky Chicks - Stitching
• The Ribbon Girl - Ribbon or Lace

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

A Lick of Paint

I made a card like this last summer for a male colleague and really liked the layout for this image.  It's also great for a masculine card (which I readily admit I am hopeless at).

While today's card is not personalised, I've used the same dripping style text, which I painted using the same DI ink colour (Fired Brick) that I'd used for the paint on the image.

It sounds odd to say that I needed a very steady hand to paint the dribbles!

I hope you like it.  :0)

While I'm here, have you seen that there is a special offer at LOTV at the moment.  If you spend over £25 on products (excl postage) between 15th and 19th April you can get a free paper pad! Hop over to the shop to find out more and get your papers before the deal ends on Sunday.

Card Recipe:

• Image - A Lick of Paint from Lili of the Valley
• Typed Sentiment traced then painted with DI ink (font = Take Warning)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Wink of Stella

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Springtime

It's Springtime at Tiddly Inks so I've used a pretty image called Emma Celebrate Joyfully.  I've used springtime colours and kept the layout simple by following a sketch I found.

I think the green panel underneath the image isn't quite straight which is annoying me now, but I couldn't pull it off as the glue had set.  That stuff is pretty strong when I don't want it to be!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Emma Celebrate Joyfully
• Sentiment - Wild Rose Studio Everyday Sentiments
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• Maja Design Papers
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Magnolia Heart Border die
• Magnolia flower die
• Pink Satin Ribbon
• Gem

I've been inspired by:

• Inky Chicks - Stitching (real or faux)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Spring Flowers
• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Copic Marker Europe Challenge - Spring

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Saucer of Milk

You may be excused for thinking that today's card might feature an odd image to use for celebrating a 'New Home', but there is a very good reason!

Rather than for a human, this card was made specifically to send to a beautiful silver grey tabby kitty who has found a lovely new home after being adopted from the Blue Cross.  The image on the front is 'Saucer of Milk' and I've coloured the little kitty in silver grey to resemble the furry recipient!

I dug out my paws border die and was inspired by a layout that I'd seen on one of the lovely Christine's cards.  I was lucky enough to meet her when I went to Harrogate at Easter, and although she has sworn me to secrecy following my privileged tour of her craft-room, I can assure you that her cards are even more gorgeous in the flesh than they are in photographs. (and I'm definitely not allowed to tell you how awesome her craft room is!)  ;0)

Anyway, here's my card...

ps Squirrel, I know I should have coloured the girlie's hair in black, but you and I both know that I can't colour black hair, so I'll be sending you some brunette hair dye in my next parcel.

Card Recipe:

• Image - A Saucer of Milk from LOTV
• Sentiment - Wild Rose Studio Everyday Sentiments
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Cottage Cutz Paw Edger die
• Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - A is for Aperture
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• In The Pink - Celebrate
• Stamping Sensations - Pretty in Pink

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Wishing you an Ice Birthday

One of my friends at work celebrates her birthday today and this is the card I've made for her.

I've used an image I've had for a while but I don't think I've inked it until now.  It's called Isabelle Loves her Ice Cream from Stamping Bella and I've watercoloured it with DI reinkers.

The image was really large so there was not much room for embellies.  I wrapped some twine around the image panel, inked around the edge, popped on a tag sentiment with a purple gem brad and that's about it!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Isabelle Loves Her Ice Cream from Stamping Bella
• Lili of the Valley Sentiment Tag
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad: Solids Promises
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Ribbon Girl Button Twine
• Papermania Gem Brad

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• The Ribbon Girl - Pastel Colours

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Friends make life sweeter

It's Fabby Friday at Tiddly Inks and I've got another little notebook to share (well, since I'd got the binding machine out, I thought I may as well make it worthwhile!).

This one is a simple layout with a die cut border at the top with a strip of twine, and a little trio of matching pearls in the bottom.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Sweet Tooth Friends Make Life Sweeter from Tiddly Inks
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Ribbon Girl Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Magnolia lace border die
• Zutter Binding machine and wires

I've been inspired by:

• Stamp & Create - Anything Goes
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Wings
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - A Trio of ... pearls
• The Ribbon Girl - Pastel Colours

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Special Delivery

Although I love my copics, especially when time is short, I find the process of watercolour painting using my DI inks very relaxing and therapeutic. The challenge at As You Like It Challenge this week is to tell us whether you prefer alcohol or DI inks, so this card is perfect to showcase my favourite!

I've kept the layout quite simple, with just a couple of coordinating papers, but I've added some flowers and a little trio of pearls.  The join of the papers is covered by some beaded velvet ribbon.

I'm not sure if you can see, but the papers are actually from Snow Princess and they do have tiny little snowflakes on them, but I didn't actually notice that until I'd made the card.  Hmmm, may have to save this card for a winter baby!  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image and Sentiment - Special Delivery from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Snow Princess paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Rose buds
• Lilac Two Tone Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Spellbinders Labels 18 Nesting die
• Purple Beaded Ribbon
• Ribbon Girl Button Twine
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Ribbon Girl Beaded Twirl
• Stamens

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - A Trio of ... pearls
• The Ribbon Girl - Pastel Colours
• Stamp & Create - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

You're the Rainbow after the Storm

Welcome to April, and with it, no doubt, April Showers, which brings us onto the subject of the new challenge at Without Words Challenge this month is 'umbrellas', so fairly apt then!

I've printed my Saturated Canary image quite large (this is a 6x6 size card) and the layouts don't come more CAS than this!

I've stitched the image panel onto purple card and popped it onto a square card blank.

And that's it!

I have used a bit (ok, quite a lot) of Wink of Stella on my girlie's umbrella and the water puddle to give them a smidgen of sparkle.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Sweet Oklahoma from Saturated Canary
• The Greetings Farm Because of You sentiment stamp
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Wink of Stella

I've been inspired by:

• The Copic Challenge - Spring (April Showers)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everybody.

This is a scheduled post as I am visiting the outlaws today, but my favourite bunnies are playing again in my absence, on a clean and simple card for a treasured friend.

I have kept the embellishments minimal with a sprinkling of embroidery thread and a hand painted sentiment.

Oh, I did also sneak in some pearls and a stitched border.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Spring Bunnies from WRS
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Clouds - Dovecraft chalks
• First Edition paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Embroidery thread
• Sewing machine

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Cardmakers - Spring has Sprung
• Deep Ocean - Easter / Spring
• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Bunny Zoe - Spring Colours
• Stamp and Create - Is It Spring Yet?

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas coloured Easter Tilda

I had not used a Tilda for quite a while, but now, like buses, I have showcased two in as many weeks.

Today's girlie takes center stage on a clean and postcard style layout which I used to decorate a parcel box for a special young lady.

I watercoloured Tilda in DI reinkers but for some reason I seem to have chosen colours from the wrong season as she looks a bit Christmassy  in red and green rather than Easter, despite the bunny!

Hmmm, I am not sure you get many Easter bunnies at Christmas!

I painted the recipient's name to match the colour of her dress and stamped a postage stamp image in the corner.

I hope you like her.

Here is a little close up of the leading lady:

Card Recipe:

• Image - Magnolia Tilda with Hanging Rabbit
• Postcard stamp (I think it was from a magazine, sorry, not sure)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Ribbon scrap

I've been inspired by:

• The Ribbon Girl - Not a Square
• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Crafty Ribbon - Easter with Ribbon
• LLC - Signs of Spring (Easter bunnies)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Spot the non-deliberate mistake

This card was really outside my comfort zone.  I'm not sure why it happened, but not only did I chose a colour scheme of yellow and orange (I think I was feeling Spring in the air!) but I also opted for black hair, which I find really tough to do without creating the effect of a grey rinse!

However, despite the silver hair, I'm actually quite pleased with the end result!

I'm a little bit in love with this image; after waiting months to pluck up the courage to attempt her (I found those flowers a bit daunting for some reason), it's now the fourth time I've coloured her up. But this is the first one that's made it onto a card so far.

My girlie is watercoloured in DI reinkers and I smothered the flowers in Wink of Stella for some sparkle, with a touch of glossy accents on her lips and black glaze pen on her eyes.

I added some gold pearls, gold organza ribbon, and a little array of golden roses.  I created the personalised circle sentiment and cut it out with a stitched circle die before layering it onto orange card.  The image was layered onto the same orange card-stock which I trimmed with a knife to create a matt around my die cut image panel.  Steady hand required!

I hope you like her.  :0)

OK, if you noticed the mistake then well done.

Unfortunately I didn't realise the spelling mistake on the custom sentiment until after I'd edited the photos and drafted this post.

The amended version is below....

Card Recipe:

• Image - Stamping Bella Fiona Loves Flowers
• One of my own Sentiments
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• First Edition Animal Antics paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Go Kreate Labels nested die
• Gold Organza Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Wink of Stella glitter

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes
• Crafty Cardmakers - Spring has Sprung
• Deep Ocean Challenges - Spring
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Happy Birthday
• Bunny Zoe - Spring Colours
• Stamp & Create - Is It Spring Yet?

Happy crafting
Annette
xx