Light the Candles

At As You Like It Challenge this week want to know if you prefer stamped or digi images.  I have far more digi images than I do rubber stamps, and I certainly appreciate the convenience of them when it comes to storage, ease of browsing my collection and instant purchasing!  But there is still something more satisfying about getting truely inky and stamping your own image.  I've had problems in the past with printer ink bleeding when I'm watercolouring digi images, and times when my printer's not been playing ball, whereas my physical ink pads seem to last forever although sometimes you don't get a full image (I have better luck if I use my stamp platform).  And finally, the brands that gave me the papercrafting bug were physical stamps (some on wooden blocks!) so it's often nice to dig out those stamps again.  Therefore, I've selected a rubber stamp from my collection for today's card.  However, I expect my laziness will kick back in and I'll revert back to digis again next week!

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

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

Card Recipe:

• Stamping Bella Gnome Firefighter
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax
• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• 3mm Flat backed pearls
• Typed Sentiment (Fonts: KG Beanth Your Beautiful Chunk & Outside)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Donkey

I coloured this adorable donkey a while ago and have finally got him onto a card.

Designed for:
Dies to Die For

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

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Donkey Trio Stuffies by Stamping Bella
• Avery Elle North Pole Pals (sentiment 'Happy')
• Spellbinders Serenade Sentiment Etched Dies

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Eeyore

I've always adored donkeys and Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, so when the theme of 'favourite animal' was picked for the theme at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight, it wasn't a difficult choice for me.  I had a soft toy donkey when I was a baby and nearly 50 years later I still have him.  Thankfully I live close enough to the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary that I can visit real donkeys fairly often too. It's a great day out if you are ever passing.  Today I'll have to make do with a 2D version in the form of my donkey themed card.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Dies to Die For

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

• Donkey: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Donkey Trio Stuffies by Stamping Bella

Papermill Direct:

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

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Bright & Cheerful

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Relax

This week at As You Like It Challenge we want to know how you prefer to spend your holibobs, whether that be sunbathing on a beach or something more adventurous like an activity holiday.  

Although I'm not much of a sunbather, I do enjoy spending my time off relaxing so I've used this adorable gnomie snoozing in his garden hammock!

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Dies to Die For

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, 
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Browns: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Flowers: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Picked Raspberry, Kitsch Flamingo, Aged Mahogany
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany 
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke, Weathered Wood, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella The Gnome in the Hammock
• Stamping Bella Maisie and Madeline have some Tea (Sentiment only)
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Borders
• Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Border Dies

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Creative Expression Sue Wilson Camellia Open & Closed petals

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Summer Flowers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Happy Cake Day

Unfortunately I've been offline for a few days with tinterweb issues. It's frustrating how much we rely on our connections in these modern times. I was struggling to deal with work and in order to deal with some work stuff I ended up sat in my car in the carpark of my husband's office just so I could piggy back off their wifi connection for half an hour to upload some files I needed to send before Monday!  Anyway it's all fixed now, so normal service is resumed!

I'm catching up with a few creations and this one is the gorgeous Curvy Girl Baker by Stamping Bella.  As always, she's watercoloured with DI Reinkers and I've added a typed sentiment in some fancy fonts.

Designed for:
Dies to Die For

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

• Browns: Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Blues: Prize Ribbon
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Curvy Girl Baker by Stamping Bella

Papermill Direct:

• Intensive Blue Plain Card 210gsm

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Flowery Gnome

I've had a week away and have struggled to get back into some crafting. Thank goodness for a long bank holiday weekend to squeeze in some time for a littel watercolouring session!

This week at As You Like It Challenge we want to know if you prefer pastels or bold colours. I'm definitely more a fan of pastels although I've used some quite strong shades for today's gnome image.  I tend to shy away from bright and bold colours, and my favourite colours are soft purples, blues and pinks.  I've added in some creamy yellow flowers and green foliage, but have softened the contrasts in my image with some pretty pastel papers in lilacs and yellows to match my image.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge
Dies to Die For

Papermill Direct

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Bundled Sage, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet, Villainous Potion
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Rusty Hinge
• Reds: Candied Apple, Picked Raspberry, Aged Mahogany
• Beard: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Flowery Gnome by Stamping Bella
• Maisy and Madeline have some Tea by Stamping Bella (sentiment)

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• New Lilac Card 240gsm

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL34 Double Stitched Squares

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnome Accountant

I've embossed half of a panel of the gorgeous cream pearl card to create some texture on this cardbase. The image was watercoloured and die cut with some layers of blue card framing the neutrals to match the colours used in the image.

Designed for:
Dies to Die For

Papermill Direct

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Old Paper, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Prize Ribbon, Uncharted Mariner
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet, Villainous Potion
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gnome Accountant by Stamping Bella
• Whimsy Stamps Diagonal Dots Slimline Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Marine Blue Card 240gsm
• Glaze Gold Pure Pearl 300gsm Card

Other:

• Satin Ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Emboss it

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gnome Chef

A clean and simple card today, featuring a monochrome Gnome Chef on an embossed base.

I've used a narrow strip of satin ribbon to cover the edge where the embossing stops.

Designed for:
Dies to Die For

Papermill Direct

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greys: Hickory Smoke, Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Gnome Chef by Stamping Bella
• Whimsy Stamps Thatched Slimline Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card 160gsm
• Mercury Silver Pure Pearl Card
• Pitch Materica Card 250gsm

Other:

• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Square stitched frame

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Emboss it

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Rudolph with Baubles

I've made a simple card using the Stamping Bella Rudolph with a Present on Top and its matching die.  Rather than using patterned papers, I've embossed some smooth bright white card using my Holly Embossing Folder and added some flowers and satin ribbon for decoration.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Antlers: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Rudolph with a Present on Top Stamp
• Rudolph with a Present on Top Cutting Die
• Whimsy Stamps Slimline Holly Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card
• Red Plain Card

Other:

• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Tulip Flowers
• 5mm flat backed pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pop up a Penguin

I've made a pop up card with fold-down flaps for these three cute penguins to sit on. I've watercoloured the penguins and fussy cut them out. The mountains are cut from plain white card with little snow caps and die cut snowflakes decorating them.  I've also managed to sneak in my favourite Christmas text die, all decorated with Nitwitw papers.

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

• Penguins: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Blues: Salvaged Patina, Mermaid Lagoon, Prize Ribbon
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Penguins Bearing Gifts
• Honey Bee Christmas die

Papermill Direct:

• Ocean Plain Blue Card 240gms
• White Glitter Card 220gsm

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Whimsy Ornament Border die
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflakes
• Sandi Idleman Pop Up Card in a Box Silhouette cutting file

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Reindeer Family

I'm sharing the third of my trio of slimline reindeer cards using my new favourite Whimsy Holly embossing folder and two little watercoloured Stamping Bella reindeer.

The 3 layered cardbase has been cut using my Silhouette machine and then embossed after it was cut.  I've added a die cut sentiment in the same coloured card.

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: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Antlers/Hooves: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Reindeer Family Stamps
• Stamping Bella Reindeer Family Cut It Out Dies
• Honey Bee Cuts Christmas
• Whimsy Stamps Holly Slimline Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card
• Ruby Red Plain Card

Other:

• Rectangle Scalloped by Loni Harris Silhouette Cut File
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Peekaboo Reindeer

Another simple Christmas card featuring a Stamping Bella Reindeer and Honey Bee Cuts Christmas sentiment die.

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Peekaboo Reindeer Stuffie from Stamping Bella
• Honey Bee Christmas die
• MFT Dienamcis Stitched Rectangle Stax

Other

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Green flat backed pearls
• Distress Ink Reinkers (watercolour inks)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Reindeer Hugs

A sweet image from Stamping Bella which I've watercoloured with Ranger Distress Inks.

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

• Reindeer: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Prize Ribbon
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Black Soot, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Bundle Girl with Reindeer from Stamping Bella
• Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Borders

Papermill Direct:

• Red Glitter Card

Other:

• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Sue Wilson Filigree Poinsettia die
• Enamel dot

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Reindeer with a Present on Top

Every time I get my embossing folders out I remember how much I love the effect and decorative texture they create, and I've been playing with a new Holly design that I bought recently.  I've cut the cardbase design with my Silhouette machine and layered the smooth white embossed card onto my favourite Marine Blue card and then onto another white layer to frame the scalloped shape.

I've decorated the card with a watercoloured Reindeer which I've cut out using the matching die, and a layered sentiment. 

Although it's not a perfect match to the card, I've used my new Uncharted Mariner distress ink which is the newly released colour and I'm totally in love with it.  It's more teal than blue, just as Tim Holtz was saying on his live release video, but I think it still works with the blue card.  I think I shall be using this colour a lot!

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Antlers/Hooves: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Blues: Uncharted Mariner, Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Stamping Bella Reindeer with a Present on Top Stamp
• Stamping Bella Reindeer with a Present on Top Cut It Out Dies
• Honey Bee Cuts Christmas
• Whimsy Stamps Holly Slimline Embossing Folder

Papermill Direct:

• Smooth White Card
• Marine Blue Plain Card

Other:

• Rectangle Scalloped by Loni Harris Silhouette Cut File 

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Birthday Bee

I've created this bee themed birthday card using lots and lots of hexagons and a sprinkling of shimmer!

The sparkly gold card has a lovely shimmer and the dark brown overlaid hexagons are the perfect contrast.

I've cut the cardbase with the fold on the top left edge which I've found makes the card stand up much better than a top edge tent fold.

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

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed
• Black: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tiny Townie Busy Bee from Stamping Bella
• MFT Hanging Happy Birthday die
• Hexagon Dies
• Taylored Expressions Shimmer
• Memory Box Flower Power Stencil

Papermill Direct:

• Gold Mustard Sparkle Card
• Mocha Brown Card

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Clean and Simple

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Busy Bee

I've created a flower shaped card using my Silhouette machine and layered embossed yellow, cream and orange card for a textured effect.  I've framed the image with some flowers and a pretty organza double bow.

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

• Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Background: Tumbled Glass
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed
• Oranges: Dried Marigold, Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Blacks: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Tiny Townie Busy Bee by Stamping Bella

Papermill Direct:

• Daffodil Plain Card 290gsm
• Ivory Hammered Card 255gsm
• Mandarin Orange Plain Card 240gsm

Other:

• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Open Roses
• Mini Rosebuds
• Embossalicious Floral Frenzy Embossing Folder

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Polar on a Cupcake

My Christmas card stock is stacking up with the help of Polar on a Cupcake Stuffie which I've teamed with some hot pink glitter card for some Christmas Sparkle!!!

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

• Polar Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Villainous Potion
• Pinks: Spun Sugar, Kitsch Flamingo
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Mouse: Pumice Stone, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

From Dies To Die For:

• Polar Bear on a Cupcake Stuffie by Stamping Bella

Papermill Direct:

• Baby Pink Card 240gsm
• Neon Pink Glitter Card 220gsm

Other:

• Die'sire Snowflake die
  

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Frame It

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

The Walrus, The Polar Bear and The Penguin Stuffies

I'm on a drive to increase my Christmas cards in preparation for December. This is one of my favourite Christmas images from Stamping Bella. I've kept it simple with some pretty papers and a layered sentiment.

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

• Polar Bear: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Walrus: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Penguin: Weathered Wood, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Sky: Tumbled Glass

Card Recipe:

• The Walrus, The Polar Bear and The Penguin Stuffies from Stamping Bella
• Honey Bee Christmas Die Honey Cuts
• Glossy Accents

Other:

• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL24 Rectangles with Stichline
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Bundle Girl and the Beehive

I've made a super-sized gift tag using this sweet Stamping Bella image which I've watercoloured and matted onto purple with honey yellow accents.  

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

• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Villainous Potion
• Yellows: Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed
• Oranges: Dried Marigold, Fossilised Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge

Card Recipe:

• Bundle Girl and the Beehive by Stamping Bella
• Whimsy Stamps Birthday Word and Shadow Die
• Frantic Stamper Large Scalloped Scallop Edger

Papermill Direct:

• Violet Card 290gsm
• Woodstock Giallo Card 285gsm
• Lilac Gingham Card

Other:

• Satin Ribbon
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Tag No.12 (with stitching)
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Get Well Soon

I made this 'get well card' for a friend's mum who's just had a hip replacement. Apparently she had it with just an epidural and sedation. Lord, I'd need to be knocked out for 24 hours if they were going to take part of my hip away. I can't even imagine being semi-conscious.  Thankfully it's done now and she's on the mend.  It was lovely to see her and have a chat over a coffee and scone. 

Because this card was hand-delivered I could make it extra dimentional, so I used some of my largest flowers to decorate it.  

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

• Hair/Cuddled cat: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick
• Sitting Cat: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Dress: Prize Ribbon, Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Weathered Wood
• Bag: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Tiny Townie Nurse from Stamping Bella
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Cherry Blossom
• Open Roses
• Hip Rosebuds
• Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals
  

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Cats & Dogs

Happy crafting
Annette
xx