Bunny Friends

Happy Halloween, although I'll be honest and admit that I'm not a huge fan of anything spooky! So instead of something Halloween related, I've got a sneaky peek of an image which forms part of the soon-to-be released set from Lili of the Valley.  I think they're going to be available at the NEC show next week, and on the LOTV website shortly afterwards. There are sets of little people and little critters, and I've chosen one of the critters to show you today. The sentiment comes with him, and there are two bunny images on the stamp. I'll share the other one with you next week.

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Bunny Friends from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Perfect Pair paper pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• My Favourite Things Stitched Ovals
• My Favourite Things Stitched Circles dies
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Gingham Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Throwback Animals March 2015
• Papertake - Sketch #92
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cherry

Today's the start of the new challenge at The Sugar Bowl and they're having a DT call too, so there's twice the reason to pop over.

For my DT card, I've created a fruity number using Cherry from Scrapberry.  I love these bunnies!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Scrapberry's Cherry
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Borders
• Di-Namics Stitched Ovals
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• The Cutie Pie Challenge - Pink
• Live & Love Crafts - Pink (again)
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Red & Pink (Feb 2015)
• Papertake - Sketch #54 (I love the simplicity of this one and use it a lot)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Red Devil

I'm back with my final (I think) Halloween card. This one's a sweetie from CC Designs.  I love her expression and cute little outfit.  I hope you like her too.  As you can see, I'm also a bit addicted to my new stitched cloud dies, but the grass die has also made its first outing, which is pretty poor as I've had that die for (probably) a couple of years and never used it.

Card Recipe:

• Image - CC Designs Robertos Rascals Devilish Nancy
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Magnolia Doohickey Lovely Fence Die
• Die-namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Memory Box Stitched Cloud dies
• Whiff of Joy Die-Lights Grass die (discontinued?)

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Halloween (Oct 2013)
• Deep Ocean - Halloween

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Joy

Just a quickie today as I'm off out for Sunday lunch in a mo, but I wanted to share something that I made last night.  It's exactly 2 months until Christmas today, so it it seems appropriate to be feeling a little festive!  :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Stamping Bella Tiny Townie Jenny Feels Joyful
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Lili of the Valley Country Lady paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Stamping Bella Uptown Girl Fiona Loves Flowers
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - All about the Base
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Wrap it Up (used ribbon and image with presents)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Monsters

I've made some little treat holders for Halloween and I've decorated this trio with some mini monsters!  The papers are actually a Christmas pad, but they felt appropriately spooky so I hope no-one will notice any stray snowflakes!  I've made quite a few of these boxes (gave myself a blister on my finger cutting them all out with my craft knife) so I may share some more between now and the end of the month, once I decide how to decorate them all as I didn't fancy them all the same.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Meljens
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• First Edition Gilded Winter papers
• 3mm "Chocolate Purple" Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - The Monster Mash
• Deep Ocean Challenge - Halloween
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Wrap it Up

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pink Stars

I think this is possibly one of my favourite images and she's made a few outings already in various colours. This time I've teamed Fiona with some of my favourite papers, my favourite colour (yup, pink!) and also a new die that I just had to have after seeing it on Squirrel's blog - she is such a bad influence!! (well, I'm laying the blame on her regardless!!).

Card Recipe:

• Image - Fiona Loves Flowers
• Typed Sentiment (Papyrus font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Always & Forever paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Die-Versions Star Corner Concepts die
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• The Cutie Pie Challenge - Pretty in Pink

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pink Pastel Tilda

I'm not always a huge fan of Magnolia images, but I really love some of the newest Sakura Tildas, and this cutie is one of my recent additions.  The card is to support the "pastels or brights" challenge at As You Like It Challenge.  I rarely use bright colours because I prefer softer pastels, mainly pinks, blues and purples, and this one uses some of my favourite Maja Design papers.  I've also used my new stitched ovals and stitched clouds and a beautiful dusky pink satin ribbon.  It's a bit lighter in real life but matches the papers perfectly.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Cute Sakura Tilda
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Maja Design Coffee in the Arbour Paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Memory Box Stitched Cloud dies
• Dienamics Stitched Ovals
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• The Ribbon Girl - Pastels
• The Cutie Pie Challenge - Pretty in Pink
• Papertake - All About the Base
• Live & Love Crafts - Pink
• Marvellous Magnolia - Not Fall Colours
• Simply Magnolia - Favourite colour combo (Pink & Blue)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Trick or Treat

.. and it's Halloween card number three (sorry if you're getting a bit tired of them!).

I love the rich orange on this one, and the cute little pumpkins.  I created the scene using a few images that I merged together digitally before printing it.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Mimi Pumpkins from Stampfairy (shop now closed)
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Lili of the Valley Promises Solids paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Lawn Fawn Circle Stackables
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents
• Cobweb corner die
• Cheery Lynn Spider Web Mesh Border Halloween die 

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Colour Inspiration

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Boo

Today is round two of my Halloween cards and this time it's a ghostie.  Again, he's more cute than spooky; I think the fuzzy feet and ears suggest this guy might be more cuddly than scary.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Barry Halloween from Stampfairy (shop now closed)
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Cobweb corner die
• Dienamics Stitched Ovals
• Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Colour Inspiration

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Too Cute To Spook

I'm not a huge fan of Halloween; I don't like spiders, bats, zombies, ghosts or rabid dogs (yes, we had a young witch visit us one year with her 'rabid dog').

I was a little stunned (and honoured) to be asked by someone if I would make a Halloween card or two so I created this little cutie and a couple of others which I'll share over the next few days.

They were more cute than scary, so were fun to make and seemed to be well received.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Mimi Pumpkins from Stampfairy (shop now closed)
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Graphic 45 Papers
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• Magnolia Doohickey Lovely Fence Die
• Corner cobweb die
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Colour Inspiration

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

Against my better judgement......

You know those warm glows you get when you make a card that you're REALLY proud of?

When everything goes right.

All the elements just 'gel'.

You've used colours you love.

The papers have inspired you.

You've used a trusted layout that you're comfortable with.

You sit back and look at your finished creation, smile and think to yourself 'yeah, that's a good'un'.

Well, this card is the polar opposite of all of the above!

I have no idea what went wrong, but once it started on its downward spiral, it kept going.

Perhaps even accelerated, gaining momentum as I continued downhill.

So much so that I almost didn't blog this card because I am so disappointed with it.

However, I made it specifically to enter a couple of challenges.

Not that I think I'll do any good with this one, so it's against my better judgement that I've decided to go ahead and blog it anyway.

However, to top it off we've just lost our internet connection as I started to write this post.

I suspect even the World Wide Web is trying to tell me 'it's not worth the effort hun.  Don't bother uploading it. Cut your losses and start again tomorrow.'

But what it forgot is that I'm stubborn (and have mobile tethering).

So here's my card, in all its gory glory!

Sorry everyone, avert your eyes now.




Card Recipe:

• Image - Little Miss Tilda
• Lili of the Valley Sentiment
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Graphic 45 Paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper

• From Simon Says Stamp:
• Lawn Fawn Circle Stackables
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circles dies
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Square Stackables
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border die
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds

For what it's worth, I'm entering the following challenges:

• Friday Sketch Challenge - Sketch
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Colour inspiration
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Watercolour

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Red Squirrels Christmas Tree

Don't forget that tomorrow Lili of the Valley are having a special offer on a huge list of stamps and a Facebook competition you can join in with, both starting tomorrow.

I've made another CAS card using Red Squirrels Christmas Tree and have used the same CAS design as yesterday to make a matching pair, but this card-base is slightly slimmer than yesterday's square.  I told you I was liking this starry edger die! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Red Squirrels Christmas Tree
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• My Minds Eye papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Button Twine from The Ribbon Girl
• Joanna Sheen Starry Night Edger Die
• Snowflake metal charm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - CAS Christmas
• The Ribbon Girls - Anything Goes
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Watercolour

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Red Squirrel Pine Tree

Lili of the Valley are having a special offer on a huge list of stamps which is starting Wednesday, with a Facebook competition running from then too.

I've made a card using Red Squirrels Pine Tree which is one of the special offer stamps.  It took me so long to paint that I decided to make it the central focus of my card with a CAS design.  The starry edger is becoming one of my favourites too. It seems to be appropriate for lots of themes, including Christmas.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Red Squirrels Pine Tree
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• My Minds Eye papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Button Twine from The Ribbon Girl
• Joanna Sheen Starry Night Edger Die
• Snowflake metal charm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - CAS Christmas
• The Ribbon Girls - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Bears

Today I'm sharing a card which I've made for my MIL using her favourite colour, turquoise.  It features a couple of images from the Happy Bears set from Lili of the Valley which I've painted using my reinkers. I've typed a personal sentiment and cut it out using a bunting die.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Happy Bears from Lili of the Valley
• Typed Sentiment (Wendy Medium font)
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Satin Ribbon
• Corner Punch
• Whiff of Joy Bunting die

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Squirrel Snack

I've spent a happy afternoon with my paintbrush today and this is one of the results.  The layout is very CAS to showcase the image and the stitched scalloped die was a birthday pressie from my lovely blogpal Squirrel. Thank you sweetie.  I think it will be used quite a bit!

I've added a bit of brown button twine and a trio of Swarovski crystal beads in green, brown and red to match the colours of the image.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Squirrel Snack from Lili of the Valley
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• My Minds Eye Snowed In papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border
• Button Twine
• Glossy Accents
• Swarovski crystal beads

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - CAS Christmas
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Deep in thought

Ooooooo I'm really late posting this as I thought I'd scheduled it to post this morning, but it seems I'd not!  Whoops.  Better late than never I guess!

It's a really clean and simple layout as the image is fairly big, but I've used pretty papers and coloured the image to match.  I messed up her dress a little as the colours bled, but hopefully it doesn't look too bad.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Jayden loves to Journal
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinker
• Lili of the Valley Petal Fresh paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Puddle Jumping

Today's project is to support the challenge at As You Like It Challenge where the theme is to choose either colour or monochrome and showcase your choice. I'm definitely a 'colour' fan, and even on a grey day (see what I did there!) I love to add some colour!  So my rainy day image features two of my favourite colours, aqua-blue and purple.

Card Recipe:

• Image - CC Designs Puddle Jumping Twila
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Cardworks Card base
• Lili of the Valley Snow Princess paper pad
• The Langton watercolour paper
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Stax
• Fantastic Ribbons
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Beaded Twirl
• Pearl String

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty - Girls will be Girls
• Bunny Zoe - Tweens and Teens

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

I'm Pretty Awesome!

The new challenge at Without Words Challenge this month is purple and green (but no Halloween), and although I love purple, I'm not much of a fan of green (cabbage, bugs, stinging nettles, frogs, bogies, that kind of thing).  This colour duo was therefore a bit of a challenge for me.

I've used one of my new Stamping Bella images called Amanda is Awesome, and used the sentiment that comes with her.  Apart from the skin and hair colours, I've managed to only use the required colours.

I've used my Copics which I've not used in a while, and even created a gradient frame background blending the two colours together from dark to light on plain white card before layering the image panel on top.  It didn't work out too bad!

Card Recipe:

• Image & Sentiment - Stamping Bella Tiny Townies Amanda is Awesome
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink 
• Cheery Lynn Designs LG Square Stitched Die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• That's Crafty - Girls will be Girls
• Bunny Zoe - Tweens & Teens
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Ombre

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Relax

I've got another Odd Dog from Lili of the Valley today and it's using one of my favourite dies, Nottingham Border from Memory Box.  I love the simplicity of this layout and the focus on the image.  He's been painted in DI reinkers and I've added some liquid pearls to the flowers, but otherwise, he's fuss-free!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Odd Dog Sleepy Book from LOTV
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• First Edition Gilded Winter papers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Viva Pearl Pen - Lime Green
• Memory Box Nottingham Border die
• Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Papertake Weekly - Distress Inks (painted with them)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pingu Snuggle

It's a first time outing for this image, and it was quite fiddly to colour as there are lots of little bits, like the little penguins.  I water coloured it with my reinkers and a really fine paintbrush, but I think next time I will attempt it with my Copics instead.  I paper-pieced the scarf and enhanced the folds with Copics and a white gel pen which I also used to speckle the trees.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Warm and Fuzzy Penguins from Stamping Bella
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Me to You Winter Wonderland paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Memory Box Snowflake border die
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Merry Christmas ribbon
• White gel pen
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Distress Ink (painted with them)
• Winter Wonderland - Penguins

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Double trouble

The new challenge at In The Pink is 1, 2, 3 and I decided to use some of my neglected Purple Onion stamps to create a little scene.  I used 3 stamps: Joey (Raccoon with Cupcake), Chloe (Bunny with Flower) and added a background of blooms.  I love these little critters and they're lovely to make into a scene as they're great to mix 'n' match.

My 1, 2, 3 is 1 paper/ribbon, 2 dies/flower arrays and 3 stamps/pearls.  And apart from the fur, I've also used only 3 colours; pink, green and blue.

I've also made another version in a more CAS layout, but still really cute.  Instead of the daisies, this one uses a gorgeous background of pompom blooms.  This one has a bit less pink, but could also qualify for the challenge with 1 designer paper, 2 characters or shapes (square & circle) and 3 words/pearls/stamps.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Joey Raccoon, Chloe Bunny, Blooms (daisies), Blooms (pompoms)
• Sentiment (card #2) - Britannia dies
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Lili of the Valley Perfect Pair paper pad
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Go Kreate Labels nested die
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circles dies
• Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Circle dies
• 15mm Spotty Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Glossy Accents

I've been inspired by:

• Inky Chicks - Think Pink
• Papertake Weekly - Distress Inks (I water-colour painted the images with DI Reinkers)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx