Tiny Christmas

My current favourite embossing folder is a slimline holly folder and it's not big enough for a full 6" x 6" cardbase, so I've embossed the top two-thirds and left the bottom third for the stamped sentiment.

I've watercoloured a Santa stamp from the Tiny Christmas set and used the matching die to cut him out and raise him on foam pads to lift him above my embossed layer.  I've used some satin ribbon to cover up the edge of the embossed section.

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
• Sack: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tiny Christmas from CC Designs
• Tiny Christmas Matching dies from CC Designs
• Whimsy Stamps Slimline Holly Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White card
• Ruby Red Card

Other:

• 10mm Christmas Satin Ribbon
• Clearly Besotted Scrumptious Script Sentiment stamp set (retired)

I've been inspired by:

• CC Designs August Facebook Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sunset made Simples!

I'm really excited to have 3 cards included the January Making Cards magazine with a tutorial on sunsets and 'moonscapes'.  I'm sharing one of those cards today with a Simples theme! The sunset was simple to create with some masking, sponging and inking. I hope you like it and take a peek at the tutorial in the magazine for some inspiration.

Here's a sneaky peek of the magazine.

Card Recipe:

• Clearly Besotted Got Your Back
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid patterns papers

I've been inspired by:

• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• Country View - Landscapes using DI pads & reinkers
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Roar!

It's another play with inky backgrounds today with this cutie from Clearly Besotted.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood
• Moon: Antique Linen

Card Recipe:

• Cute Cubs from Clearly Besotted (currently on sale!)
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Patterns Paper pad

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Dear Santa .....

The new challenge at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight is to showcase your favourite Christmas animal.  I absolutely adore pingus (I definitely didn't get all soppy watching the BBC documentary a few weeks ago!!!) but I also love all things cute and furry, so I've also added a sweet reindeer too.  Both images are from our sponsor, Polkadoodles.

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

• Reindeer: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Penguins: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Rudolph
• 2 Cute Christmas Penguins
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Clearly Besotted Say It's Christmas Sentiment set

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Catz - Winter Wonderland
• Country View Challenges - Christmas using DI Reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Monkeying Around

I've created a background scene for these two cute little monkeys who are playing on the hill.  I masked the moon and inked the sky using a blending tool. Then I masked the sky and inked the grass, adding some tufty bits with my DI markers.  I watercoloured the moon and image and then just added a strip of matching papers with a simple die cut border.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Milled Lavender, Seedless Preserves, Wilted Violet, Black Soot
• Moon: Antique Linen

Card Recipe:

• Cheeky Monkey stamp set
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Plaid Patterns Paper Pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Backgrounds using Ranger Distress Ink pads & reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

... Simples!

I recently treated myself to a few (more) Clearly Besotted stamps and these meerkats happened to fall into my cart!  I think I may have got the colours wrong because according to Google (and hindsight) I think they're more grey than beige/brown but I think mine have been using 'Just for Men' hair dye to get rid of their greys!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Rock: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Got Your Back from Clearly Besotted
• Versafine Ink Pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Masculine

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Best Friends Forever

Another stamp set that fell into my cart during my spending frenzy at Clearly Besotted was this cute little 'hot stuff' set. I've used 3 of the baby dragons and one of the sentiments from the set to create today's clean and simple card.

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

• Orange Dragon:  Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Purple Dragon: Wilted Violet, Dusty Concord
• Red Dragon: Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Clearly Besotted Hot Stuff stamp set
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Merry & Bright paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• The Daily Marker Challenge (My first time joining in here!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cute Cubs

I had a little spending spree at Clearly Besotted last week and these cute cubs were one of the things that fell into my basket.  It would be rude not to let them out to play, wouldn't it? I just want to give them a snuggle!  The one on the right looks like he's giving instructions to the others!  I used 3 cub stamps and a sentiment from the set, masking the cub on the left in order to add the middle one behind him.

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

• Cubs: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Cute Cubs from Clearly Besotted
• Versafine Ink Pad
• MFT Plaid Patterns paper pad

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Masculine
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Use more than one stamp

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sabre Tooth Tigger

I'm sharing a rare 'just for fun' card using a stamp set I've recently bought from Clearly Besotted. I masked the cavemen characters together, making the little girl and boy appear to be holding hands.

I also masked all three of them in order to ink the sky using a small dauber and Tumbled Glass ink pad. The little daubers give a lovely smooth coverage and the colour gets really close to the black line of the image without bleeding into the image itself.  I find it much easier than using a paintbrush and blending it out.

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

• Tiger: Tea Dye, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Ground Espresso, Hickory Smoke
• Girl's Hair: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Boy's Hair & Club: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• Clearly Besotted You Rock Additions
• Versafine Ink Pad
• First Edition Animal Antics paper pack

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Happy Birthday
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Trio (3 characters)

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

Little Donkey

I've always loved donkeys. I was a huge fan of Winnie the Pooh as a youngster and Eeyore was my favourite. We also live fairly close a lovely donkey sanctuary and I love going there. They're such lovely animals, and despite many being treated fairly poorly they still love human contact and come running over to see you if you go to visit them.  I'd love to have enough land to re-home a couple of donks!  Maybe one day (and a lottery win!).  Join us at the As You Like It Challenge and share your favourite animals.

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

• Fur: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Grass: Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• Fence: Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Straw: Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy

Card Recipe:

• Clearly Besotted Little Donkey
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• 15mm Brown Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Ribbon Girls - Any Image
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Fluffy Flamingos

I'd been drooling over these fluffy flamingos since I saw them at Clearly Besotted but they'd been out of stock, so I was such a lucky girlie to find that a VERY special blogpal snatched them up and sent them to me when they briefly came back into stock.  (Love you hunny! xx).  I didn't waste much time in inking them up and I adore how they turned out.  I hope you like what I did with them.

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

• Flamingos: Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, 
• Oranges (plants and beaks/feet): Wild Honey, Carved Pumpkin, Rusty Hinge
• Blues: Tumbled Glass, Broken China

Card Recipe:

• Fluffy Flamingos from Clearly Besotted
• MFT Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges 2
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Flat Backed Pearls
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Sentiment from MFT Adorable Elephants set

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes using Fluffy Flamingos & Reinkers
• Simon's Monday Challenge - Stamp It using Fluffy Flamingos & Reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Super Critters

This is my very first attempt at a pop-up box card, and I'm hooked.

This one did take me an age to construct but I really loved the end result.  I used my new Clearly Besotted Caped Cuties and matching dies (a lovely surprise gift from a very dear friend) and lots of dies (grass, fence, landscape borders, stars, stitched circles etc) and created a bespoke sentiment printed onto my backing paper.

I hope you like it because I'm already thinking about my second one!

Here's a bit of a close up. The flying bunny is on a little strip of acetate.

You can tell I loved how this one turned out by the multitude of pictures ... here's one from the front:

Card Recipe:

• Image - Clearly Besotted Caped Cuties
• Clearly Besotted Caped Cuties Matching Die Set
• Typed Sentiment
• Colouring - Alcohol Markers
• Maja Design Papers
• Momento Stamp Pad Ink
• MFT Stitched Circles
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• Frantic Stamper Stitched Scene Builder Die
• Memory Box Fence Die
• Whiff of Joy Grass die
• Nesting Star dies

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Animal Magic

Happy crafting
Annette
xx