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

Mouse Birthday

My first card of 2024 is a cute birthday card that I've made for a Dutch friend.  I've been drooling over these German stamps from The Stamp Corner for months, and I finally caved in just before Christmas and ordered 4 sets. This little meecie is one of the cuties that tempted me.  I've created a personalised card using my Silhouette to make the card more special.

I've used some of my favourite brand of papers on this card.  I've loved Nitwit Collections papers for years and they're my largest collection by a long way!  I used to love the printed paper pads but now they're only available as digis.

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

• Fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Shirt: Uncharted Mariner
• Toy: Dusty Concord, Villainous Potion, Seedless Preserves, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Black Soot, Speckled Egg, Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Stamp Corner Online Luis, Mümmel & Pippa
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Violet Plain Card 290gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Cute Critters

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Christmas

I've saved this sweet bunny card to share late in the hope that it's now been opened by its recipient.    The customised sentiment is typed in a couple of fancy fonts, and as usual, the image is watercoloured.

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

Papermill Direct

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

Card Recipe:

• Romantic Rabbits by Lili of the Valley
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• New Lilac Plain Card 240gsm
  
• Fonts used: Outside and Cute Rita

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Bear

I've made a Christmas card for my Mother in Law using this cute polar bear, and a spot of foiling on a typed sentiment using my Minc machine for some Christmas sheen.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Sea: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Scarf: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• MFT Cool Day (bear)
• MFT Playful Penguins (iceburg)
• MFT Cloud Stencil

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Intensive Blue Card 160gsm

I've been inspired by:

• MFT - Ready Set Christmas Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Advent Reindeer

I've made this advent calendar from scratch using mountboard which I've covered with some thin baby pink card and decorated with some pretty digi papers. The boxes are all glued on, filled with mini chocolates and decorated with the same digi paper and embossed numbers cut in a raspberry pink card.  

I've stamped the numbers and fussy cut them using my Silhouette machine before embossing them.  The front is decoarated with a watercoloured image, paper flowers and a personalisation in the same coloured card ready for gifting before 1 December!

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Amanda Jayne Designs

Papermill Direct

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

• Reindeer: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Speckled Egg

Project Recipe:

• Amanda Jayne Designs Reindeer Digi
• Advent Numbers (LOTV) and Fussy Cut with Silhouette
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Cosmos Daisy
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Nellie Snellen Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Baby Pink Plain Card 240gsm
• Raspberry Pink Plain Card 240gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Autumn Colours

This week at As You Like It Challenge we're asking you to share your favourite harvest colours, and although orange wouldn't normally be one of my favourite colours, in autumn it's lovely to see all the leaves turning before they create their carpet. Does anyone else like kicking through the crispy leaves on the pavements?

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

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

Card Recipe:

• Raccoon from Lili of the Valley
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• MFT Dienamics Happy Birthday Circle Frame

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Intensive Orange Card 210gsm

Other:

• Organza ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Mini Rosebuds
• Silhouette cutting machine (for the 'mum' sentiment)
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Summery Elephant Birthday

Another birthday card which I've personalised with the recipient's name using my Silhouette and a lovely font called Watershed. The lettering is outlined and inked in colours to match my card. 

I love the summery feel to this card with the bright citrus colours and pretty florals. I love those few months of longer and warmer days before autumn.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

As You Like It Challenge

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

• Elephant: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concorde, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Elephant Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Tutti Fruitti Paper Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL24 Rectangles with Stitchline

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Flower Donkey

I've personalised a cute watercoloured Donkey card using my Silhouette and a lovely font called Watershed, all outlined and inked in colours to match my patterned papers.  I've matted and stencilled a background to give my little Eeyore some scenery.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

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

• Donkey: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Donkey Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Tutti Fruitti Paper Bundle from Amanda Jayne Designs
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL24 Rectangles with Stichline
• Dots Stencil

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Lilac Heffalump

This week at As You Like It Challenge we want to know if you prefer gems or pearls.  I definitely favour the subtle shimmer of pearls far more than the bling of gems.  

I've made this watercoloured birthday card for a friend using an adorable elephant with a personalised name cut with my Silhouette in a font called Watershed.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Amanda Jayne Designs

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

• Elephant: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Spring Elephants by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Spring Floral Papers by Amanda Jayne Designs
  

Other:

• Organza Wired Ribbon
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Silhouette Machine (personalised lettering in font Watershed)
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Eve's Elephant

I've made this watercoloured birthday card for a friend using an adorable elephant with a personalised name cut with my Silhouette in a font called Watershed.

Designed for:
Amanda Jayne Designs

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

• Elephant: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Chicks: Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey

Card Recipe:

• Easter Elephants by Amanda Jayne Designs
• Spring Floral Papers by Amanda Jayne Designs
  

Other:

• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Silhouette Machine
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Namecard

This is my first sneak peek of the new Alphabet Bunnies being released by Lili of the Valley on Create and Craft on Monday at 5pm.   Make sure you tune in to see the whole set. They're going to be available in clear stamps and digis.

Designed for:
Lili of the Valley

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Villainous Potion, Kitsch Flamingo

Card Recipe:

• Alphabet Bunnies by Lili of the Valley
• Heidi Swapp Hot Foiling machine with purple foil

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bunny Birthday

This week at As You Like It Challenge we want to know your favourite colour, and mine's a tough choice between purple and pink.  However, I wanted to make a card for a friend using this patterned paper because it reminds me of a fabric she has on some roller blinds in her 'she-shed' and every time I see the blinds I am certain it's the same pattern!  It's one of my oldest paper pads and has lasted more than 10 years because it's remained one of my favourites and I can't bring myself to use it very often!!!  

I'm intending to hand deliver this card, so I've thrown caution to the wind and embellished it with lots of 3D paper flowers and a wired ribbon bow.  The personalised sentiment is typed and cut with my Silhouette and I've created a matt outline in the same dark burgundy card that frames the image and patterned paper panel.  The ribbon looks like it's a different shade of purple in the photo, but I think that's my lamp reflecting on its sheen because in real life its colour is much closer to the papers.

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

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

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flower: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet, Squeezed Lemonade, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Spring Rabbit Mail from Lili of the Valley
• Papermania Patterned papers
• Wired Purple ribbon
• Various paper flowers
• Enamel dots
• Sentiment cut with Silhouette

Papermill Direct:

• Vino Sirio Card 290gsm
• Smooth White Card 160gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnometastic Birthday Balloons

I've used Gnometastic Celebration Balloons on my card for Polkadoodles Digi Choosday today in bright pinks with a personalised sentiment that I've cut in a fancy font using my Silhouette.  

The papers are Lily Bug Love Paper Heaven 3 and I've watercoloured the image using Distress Ink Reinkers.  The background has been inked using a Distressed Trellis stencil.

The card base and image panel have been die cut using my Tattered Lace Doily Edge Essential dies.

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Candied Apple
• 'Whites': Pumice Stone

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Love is in the Air
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - With Love
• Creative Inspirations - With Love

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Personalised Polar Bear Tag

At the As You Like It Challenge today we want to see how you prefer to decorate your gifts, and I'm sharing a personalised Christmas Gift Tag that I made for my crafty friend.  

I love any excuse to make one of these super-sized tags, but especially if it's personalised, so it means a little bit extra love has gone into making it.  

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• MFT Birthday Bears
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Tag No. 08 (with dots)
• Sue Wilson Poinsettia Dies
• Red Glitter Card
• Personalised Sentiment in Font 'Hello' cut using Silhouette Cutting Machine
• Flat Backed Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Challenges - Sparkle and Shine
• Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes with a Die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mamma Dragon

At As You Like It Challenge this fortnight we're asking what's your favourite Christmas embelishment.  I love any excuse to add a little sparkle to my cards so for me it's a little Glamour Dust which I sprinkle on some Glossy Accents underneath my Christmas critter.  

I've used a sweet Christmas Dragon from Lee Holland for a supersized gifttag made for my Mother-in-Law.  The sentiment is made using my Silhouette and font 'hello' which I've shadow-layered twice for a bit more pop!

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

• Dragon: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Villainous Potion
• Present: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Squeezed Lemonade, Rusty Hinge
• Snow: Weathered Wood, Speckled Egg, Black Soot

Project Recipe:

• Dragon with Christmas Present from Lee Holland
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls

Papermill Direct:

• Iridescent Light Blue Glitter Card 220gsm
• Intensive Lilac Plain Card 210gsm

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Tag No. 08 (with dots)
• Stamperia Christmas Rose Stencil
• Sue Wilson Poinsettia dies
• Sentiment cut using Silhouette with fong 'Hello' with 2 offset layers

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Sparkle Mode (glittered poinsettias and glamour dust glitter)
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Happy Holidays/Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

LOTV on The Craft Store (Hochanda)

You may have seen on Facebook that LOTV are going to be on The Craft Store on Wednesday at 9am and 1pm (although you can watch it on catch-up via their website afterwards).  I've made a few samples that you may see on the telly, including today's card featuring Lick Of Paint.  I'm really hoping I get to see it on TV!

I've kept the design very simple, and have used this layout before, including the text, which is typed and printed in very pale grey, and then I ink over it with the same colour as I've used for my image, including the little dribbles.  

The font is a freebie called 'Take Warning' but you could use any font you like and add random dribbles in the same way by flicking lines down from the lettering.  I like how the wording looks with his messy painting style (I hope he's going to clear up after himself as I'm not sure he'll get much repeat business or customer recommendations if he leaves all that paint on the floor)

Update: Here is my little laddie on the TV!!!!!

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Shirt: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Outfit: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Ladders: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain.
• Paint: Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Black Soot

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Clean & Simple

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

80th Birthday

It's my uncle's 80th birthday next week and my aunt asked me to make him a card for her to give to him.  I really struggle with masculine cards so I hope this is special enough. It's a design I've used before but I've personalised it with both his name and age to make it a little bit more special.

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Overalls: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Steps, hat, shirt: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Paint: Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground, brush: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Lili of the Valley Lick of Paint (I used rubber but now available as a digi)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Sentiment printed using Take Warning font

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Paint
• Country View - Letters and/or Numbers
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Close Your Eyes

"Close Your Eyes" is the name of the image I've used today, but if you're not a fan of fussy cards, then you may want to take the advice yourself.  I admit that when it comes to wedding cards, I do tend to veer away from the CAS look and today's wedding card is no exception; there's barely a bit of base card that you can still see!

I've watercoloured an older image from Lili of the Valley and surrounded it in a frame of lace, flowers, mesh and pearls.  I've used a very old Whiff of Joy heart banner die which I've finally managed to suss out when it comes to adding a date to it in the right place to fit inside the heart.

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

• Hair: Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blue on outfits: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Ripe Persimmon, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Girl's socks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick

Card Recipe:

• Close your Eyes from Lili of the Valley
• Glossy Accents
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Go Kreate Labels nested die
• Whiff of Joy Heart Banner
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• White Pearl String
• Ivory Jute Mesh Ribbon
• Lace

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Floral Frenzy

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Grandson Bunny

It's another personalised baby card from me today featuring an adorable bunny from Lili of the Valley.  This one's a 'grandson' theme for the same lucky laddie. It's watercoloured as usual but with the no-lines technique - I really must need my head examined when I use this technique because it's so much harder.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Ears: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Peacock Feathers
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
• Reds: Abandoned Coral
• Ground: Old Paper, Peeled Paint

Card Recipe:

• Baby Trio from Lili of the Valley
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Pierced Circles
• 15mm Cornflower Satin Ribbon
• 5mm Aqua Crystals
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Tiny Tags
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Banner Alphabet
• Pion Spring Meadow Paper

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Tag It
• Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
• That's Crafty! - Feeling Blue
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Add a Sentiment

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Leo the Lion

I'm sharing a card made for someone whose birthday is today so it's safe to share! 

It features Lion Love from Whimsy Design stamps and I've also debuted my new MFT Stitched Tiny Tags and Mini Alpha dies to create the recipient's name.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Whimsy Designs Lion Love
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Tiny Tags
• CCD Cutters Mini Alpha and Numbers
• Vintage Spring Basics Maja Design papers

Other:

• Watercoloured with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers
• The Langton Watercolour paper
• Flat backed pearls
• 15mm Lemon Satin Ribbon
• Hobby House paper flowers

I've been inspired by:

• Creatalicious - Anything Goes with Flowers
• Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx