Easter Chicks

Despite the snow and ice, we're heading into Spring over at Squirrel's Random Challenge so we're looking for your take on this season's 'traditional' colours and themes in your creations. 

Instead of my usual DI reinkers I optimistically thought it would be a good idea to use my neglected Zig Brush watercolour pens which are much brighter, but I found that I didn't have the depth of colour that I wanted, so I had to 'enhance' the colours with some DoCraft Artiste Watercolour pens that I've had for years (also neglected).  They were both really easy to blend with and between the two sets I found that I had a much better variety of colours and shades.  They do look much brighter than my usual cards, but I think I probably could have achieved similar with the DIs by choosing the right colours!  The watercolour markers are definitely more mobile though, so maybe an option for holidays!

At As You Like It we're asking if you prefer layers or flat cards, and I must admit that I'm a bit of a fan of both (depending on my mood or the theme).  However, even though this was intended to be a fairly flat card, I can't resist adding layers of papers using dies and ribbons.  Even the tag that I added was raised up on foam pads, so I guess I like layers!  I do think a bit of texture makes a hand crafted card differ from something that's shop-bought.

Card Recipe:

• Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Zig Brush Markers and DoCraft Artiste Watercolour Pens
• Gardening Chicks from Stamping Bella
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border Dies
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Tiny Tags
• Narrow satin ribbon
• Sentiment printed in "KG Beneath Your Beautiful Chunk" font
• Nitwit Papers Perfect Pair

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday 'In My Garden' Challenge
• Noor! - Spring
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Some Birdie Loves You

HAPPY 2018!  

We are in 'celebration' mood at Squirrel's Random Challenge and I'm starting the new year off with some love in the form of an anniversary (or Valentine) card featuring some lovebirds from Clearly Besotted.  

I've used two of my favourite colours on these little tweeters and some new XXL circle dies for the scalloped circle card base.  

Happy new year to you all, and I hope you 'spread the love' and join in with us for this challenge.

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

• Branch: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Leaf: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass (sponged)
• Purples: Wilted Violet, Dusty Concord
• Birds: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Beaks/feet: Dried Marigold, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Clearly Besotted Some Birdie Loves You
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Crealies XXL 53 Scalloped Circles
• Crealies XXL 33 Double Stitched Circles
• Ribbed ribbon scraps
• Heart button
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

Created for:

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Something New (the stamps, the scalloped circle die)
• That's Crafty - Anything Goes
• Country View Crafts - Anything Goes using Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Summer Holidays

I used this Tilda image a fortnight ago but was so uninspired by the yellow (it's not my favourite colour by a long shot) that I really didn't like my finished project.  To rejuvenate my feelings for this image, I've had another attempt at a card using her which is more matched to my usual style.  She's in much warmer reds and her ice cream is now chocolate (mmm, my favourite!).  The papers are also some that I've been saving for a while (almost too nice to use) so I'm much happier with this version.  

She's perfect for the Summer Fun theme at Squirrel's Random Challenge which starts today so please pop over to see the samples by my fabulously talented teamies and to enter your own Summer themed creation. I look forward to seeing your projects.

Card Recipe:

• Tilda with Dripping Ice Cream
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Tim Holtz Stitched Oval nesting die
• Sue Wilson Nasturtium Die set
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• 3mm flat backed pearls
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White

I've been inspired by:

• All About Magnolia - All About Summer
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• The Sketchy Challenge - Beach
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Food &/or Drink

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Have a Monster Birthday

We're a couple of weeks into the new 'fantasy' card at Squirrel's Random Challenge and it's a theme that really appeals to me so I'm back with another card for it.  I am not usually a fan of monsters, but these cuties are not too scary, even for me! :0)

Card Recipe:

• Gerda Steiner Three Monsters
• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Typed Sentiment (Harrington Font)

I've been inspired by:

• Deep Ocean Challenge - Anything Goes
• Gerda Steiner - Share Your Card Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dorothy the Dreamer

I'm in a real Clean and Simple mood today, possibly because I've spent so long on my colouring on some of my recent images, that I've decided to make them the centrepiece of my card!  

They don't come much more CAS than today's creation, which is in support of the new 'fantasy' theme at Squirrel's (not so) Random Challenge.  

This theme is right up my street as it could include fairies, dragons and unicorns but I've opted for a monster (albeit a cute one).  

I think I may have to join in again later into the challenge with another mythical critter though, and since the challenge runs for 2 months, there's plenty of time to join in.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Dorothy the Dreamer stamp and sentiment
• Versafine Ink Pad

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - One for the Girls
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Spring into Spring

It's the first day of March and there's a Springtime theme at Squirrel's (not so) Random Challenge starting today. For my card I've used this Gardening Chicks image from Stamping Bella and some puffy cloud borders from Lawn Fawn.  The sentiment comes with the stamp and the layout is very clean and simple.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Gardening Chicks
• Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border Dies
• Versafine Ink Pad

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Nitwit Collections Papers

I've been inspired by:

• The Sketchy Challenge - Spring
• Magnolia-licious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Then and Now

I find it interesting to look back and see how my style (and hopefully skill) has changed since I started blogging my creations and so today I'm showcasing my sample for the 'Before and After' challenge which starts at Squirrel's Not So Random Challenge where we are revisiting one of our earliest images and creating something new with it for comparison.

I looked back at my earliest cards and an image from Penny Black called Snowball Fun was one of my first.  I've dusted it off for another outing for my sample and watercoloured it with reinkers.  I've kept the layout clean and simple with a typed / die cut combo sentiment and a pelmet of designer papers die cut with a stitched curve.

So here's my new version.....

.... and below, (said in a quiet voice) is its first inking, dated October 2010!  

Some things remain the same; I still like trios of pearls (although didn't add any on this card to keep it flat), I still like a splattering of glitter at Christmas, and yes, I still love purple.

But there are also some areas where I think my style has changed too, such as I don't believe I had invested in a die cutter back in 2010 so the corners were shaped with a punch.  Seeing the two cards in close proximity above also does make me believe that my colouring and shading has improved too, with more depth added to the colours.

I also think that my photography skills have improved, both in terms of lighting and staging, to showcase the projects better.

I hope you like this challenge and will join in to share your 'then and now' creations.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Snowball Fun from Penny Black
• Typed Sentiment (Kristen ITC font)
• Die cut sentiment - Winter Snow by Simon Says Stamp
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Frantic Stamper Stitched Scene Builder Die

Original card: blogged October 2010

I've been inspired by:

• Sweet Stampin' - Got the Blues
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tilda's got the Blues

I can't believe it's the first of September October already (eeeeek), but to celebrate that date, there's a new challenge at Squirrel's (not so) Random Challenge and the theme this time is one colour (plus hair / fur / skin). I've chosen blue on a Christmas card featuring Winter Tilda in a cute little hat.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Winter Tilda
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• Crafters' Companion The Snowman Papers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• WOC & Mulberry Flowers
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Memory Box Stitched Snowflakes
• Spellbinders Grand Ovals
• Blue mesh ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes with Spellbinders
• Lovely hAnglar or Sweet Magnolia - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

I'm an Acorn!

The bad news is that it's Monday again (boo) but the good news is that you may have seen that the lovely Squirrel is making her "Random Challenges" a little less random.  She's also created a group of Little Acorns to help her in the form of a design team and today is her first challenge!

It's a nice and easy Anything Goes so there's no excuse not to join in the fun over on her blog.

Since it's the first day of August, (cue blue skies, sunshine, flip flops, sandy beaches, ice-cream) I've created a snow scene bunny card to share with you!  ;0)

Please pop over to Squirrels blog to see the other creations by her talented (and slightly nutty) team of Little Acorns and, of course, join in the challenge.  It runs for 2 months so you've got plenty of time to get creative (nuttiness is a bonus, but it's not compulsory!).

Card Recipe:

• Image - Winter Bunnies from LOTV
• Colouring - Distress Ink Reinkers
• Stazon Ink Pad
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Viva Pearl Pen - Ice White
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Memory Box Bursting Berries border die
• Happy Christmas satin ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• That's Crafty! - Birds of a feather
• Noor! - Xmas in August

Happy crafting
Annette
xx