Badger Brush

This week at As You Like It Challenge we want to see your favourite die, and for me it's a simple stitched circle. I love the circle dies, and have them in vairous styles, including double stitched, pierced and deckled, but the simple stitch is my favourite. I love the subtle texture without taking the focus away from the image or embelishments.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lee Holland

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

• Fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Brush: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Hickory Smoke
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Badger digi from Lee Holland Digis
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnome Flower

This fortnight at As You Like It Challenge we want to know if you prefer flat or layered cards.  I've used my favourite layout on today's card, which is 2 different patterned papers with a ribbon covering the join, and some pretty flowers framing my watercoloured image.  It seems to be my default layout, so I'm going to opt for layered as my favourite!

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lee Holland

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Oranges: Dried Marigold, Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Gnome with Flowers by Lee Holland Digis
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Seam binding
• Enamel dots from Hobbycraft

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tree-mendous

Is anyone else thinking about Christmas!!!

Designed for:
Lee Holland

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, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Tree Trunk: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Hat: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Teddy Bear decorating a Christmas Tree
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Dark Green Plain Card 240gsm
• Typed Sentiment

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Woolly Balls

I saw Lee's digitally coloured image of this woolly ball bear recently which has inspired me to share this version which I've watercoloured with Distress Reinkers.  I've used hot foil on the sentiment to give it some shine, but have otherwise kept the card clean and simple to give the adorable bear centre stage.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Woolly balls: Too many colours to remember (sorry!)

Card Recipe:

• Little Teddy holding balls of Wool by Lee Holland Digis
• Heidi Swapp Foiling machine & blue metalic foil
• Typed Sentiment

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Panda Tumble

This fortnight at As You Like It Challenge we're asking you to showcase your favourite colouring medium. 

I love my Distress Ink Reinkers, which I decant into a palette and use as watercolours with a paintbrush.  

I've tried watercolour pencils but I keep returning to the reinkers, although they are quite messy, especially with kittens jumping on my desk!  

I have previously used Copics, but they were very expensive and once I'd dabbled with watercolouring, I was hooked!

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lee Holland

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

• Panda: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Browns: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Panda on a Branch by Lee Holland Digis
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Enamel dots from Hobbycraft

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Bear

I've watercoloured a Lee Holland image and framed him with some Summery papers.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Lee Holland Teddy sitting in Grass
• Apple Green Plain Card
• Spellbinders Serenade Sentiments
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cosmos Daisy
• Open Roses
• Enamel Dots

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Santa Paws

At the As You Like It Challenge the fortnight, we're asking whether you're a cat or dog fan. This was an easy choice for me as I've had kitties all my life and I can't imagine a home without a feline furball.  My current clan consist of 11 month old brother and sister duo, and our 18 year old super-senior.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lee Holland

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, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Pudding: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Kitten with Christmas Pudding by Lee Holland
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Squirrel Birthday

A cute watercoloured card for my bestie's birthday earlier this week.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Squirrel with Ladybird by Lee Holland
• Minc Foiling Machine
• Typed Sentiment (Fonts: KG Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk and Christmas Snowflake)

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Plain Red Card 290gsm

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Ladybird

A watercoloured summery card!

Designed for:
Lee Holland

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

• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Oranges: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Rusty Hinge
• Ladybird: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Ladybird with Butterfly by Lee Holland Digis
• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cosmos Daisy
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Enamel dots by Hobbycraft

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Hippo

A happy hippo for a sweet birthday card.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

Papermill Direct

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

• Hippo: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Sky/Water: Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Peacock Feathers
  

Card Recipe:

• Hippo with Bird by Lee Holland Digis
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Violet Plain Card 290gsm
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Open Roses
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Kitten Post

I've watercoloured this adorable kitten image by Lee Holland for a simple birthday card. The sentiment is layered several times for depth and texture, but I've used the same colour card for matting it to keep it simple.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

Papermill Direct

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

• Fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Hat: Prize Ribbon, Black Soot, Mustard Seed, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Kitten Bundle by Lee Holland
• Spellbinders Serenade Sentiments
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Marine Blue Card 240gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Teddy Handstand

We're asking what's your favourite sketch this week at As You Like It Challenge and I knew straight away what I was going to pick.  I love the pretty design of this card, with its two complementary designer papers and a strip of ribbon covering the join.  As usual it's decorated with a double bow and a cluster of papers flowers on the diagonals.  If you're a regular visitor to my blog, you will recognise it as being a layout that I return to time and time again.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lee Holland

Papermill Direct

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flowers: Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Teddy Handstand by Lee Holland
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Marine Blue Card 240gsm
• Aqua Blue 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Yellow 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Gems

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Panda

I've embossed some pearlescent silver to make this slimline card. I prefer pearl to mirror card as it's a bit more subtle, and very pretty paired with some accents of dark violet. I've framed the watercoloured panda image and the embossed silver layer with purple card, and then die cut a sentiment in alternating purple and silver.  The strip covering the join where the embossing ends is a satin ribbon in the same rich purple.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

Papermill Direct

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

• Panda: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass, Weathered Wood
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed

Card Recipe:

• Cute Teddy Bear by Lee Holland Digis
• Whimsy Stamps Birthday Word and Shadow Die
• Gummiapan Happy Birthday Die (Happy element only)
• Whimsy Slimline Embossing Folder - Daisies
• 10mm Satin Ribbon

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Violet Plain Card 290gsm
• Silver Sirio Pearl Card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Koala

I've watercoloured a cute Koala image from Lee Holland's digi shop and paired him with some Springtime papers in the hope of charming the sun to shine this weekend!

Designed for:
Lee Holland

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

• Fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Branch: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Koala on a Branch from Lee Holland Digis
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cosmos Daisy
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Toucan Tango

I've watercoloured this sweet toucan image by Lee Holland and framed him using an orange colour palette. 

Designed for:
Lee Holland

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

• Leaves: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Branch: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Toucan: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Toucan by Lee Holland
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• 15mm Golden Organza ribbon
• 6mm Satin ribbon
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

It's a Bug's Life

I'm not usually a fan of bugs, in fact I'd normally be running in the opposite direction if I saw one, but I will make an exception for this sweet little fella.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

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

Card Recipe:

• Caterpillar with Butterfly by Lee Holland Digis
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Woodstock Giallo Card 285gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• 15mm Satin ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Flower Power (using Distress Ink reinkers from CVC)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Badger

Today's question at As You Like It Challenge is whether you like prefer floral or cute themes in your projects. I'm definitely a fan of anything cute and I'm not overkeen on purely floral images (the singel flower held by my cute critter is the closest I'll get to floral images!). I do like floral papers though, but in the main my image will usually include some kind of critter!

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lee Holland

Papermill Direct

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

• Badger: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Badger holding a flower by Lee Holland
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Smooth White Card 160gsm

I've been inspired by:

• TBA

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Woodland Emma

I've been keen to use some of these adorable woodland alphabet letters by Lee Holland, and I've created this sweet personalised card for a friend using the ornate 'E' and leaf-sprouting lowercase and a couple of extra elements (the sunflower and a couple of extra leaves).  I've watercoloured the image, blending some greens and browns for the lettering and adding some yellow and orange for the flowers.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

Papermill Direct


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

• Lettering: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint
• Flowers: Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Dried Marigold, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Greys: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

Image:

• Lee Holland Woodland Alphabet with Lowercase and Elements

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Apple Green Card 240gsm

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Squirrel and leaf

I love these little woodland critters by Lee Holland so I've created a clean and simple notelet card where this adorable squrrel is the focus.

Designed for:
Lee Holland

Papermill Direct

Card Recipe:

Image:

• Squirrel with Leaf Umbrella by Lee Holland

Cardstock:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Apple Green Card 240gsm

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers

Watercolouring:

• Ecoline Watercolour Card 
• Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:
• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Leaf: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Speckled Egg
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Little Lamb

My (current) favourite fancy fold is technically a fold-flat pop-up cardbase which is really versatile in terms of how you can decorate it.  I've used a Cute Lamb image and embossed a basket of Easter eggs for a seasonal theme, with a lovely Sprintime green for the base.  It all slots together and folds flat for easy mailing.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Lee Holland

Papermill Direct

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye

Card Recipe:

• Cute Sheep by Lee Holland
• Apple Green Card 240gsm
• Rustic Fleck Kraft Card (embossed)
• Pop Up Easter Lamb Silhouette Cut File by Lori Whitlock (adapted to swap image)
• Whimsy Thatched Embossing Folder

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Spring / Easter

Happy crafting
Annette
xx