High Hopes + Polka Doodles

Love is in the air?  Not here it isn't at the moment.  My dearest beloved is playing on the laptop downstairs while, at the same time, running a really slow programme on this one.  Didn't bother to tell me he was doing it and then got a bit shirty when I rebooted as it wasn't responding to anything I asked it to do!  Well mate, I'm not telepathic!

Anyway, now that I have possession of it, temporarily, here is a funny little card for two challenges:

Polka Doodles Non Traditional Valentine and

High Hopes Challenge 61 Valentines

I've used Alien Intrigue from the new High Hopes range by Dustin Pike, coloured with Copics, and the matching sentiment.  Papers are plain ones from Dovecraft, the blue of which I overstamped with a Hero Arts dot heart in green Memento.  Glittery stars peel-offs for that extra alien feel are from stash.  Kept it very simple but I think it works!

My earlier post today, if you've not already seen it, is Totally Gorjuss Paper Piecing Challenge 

Right, off to make a cuppa and sort out this very demanding cat of mine.  I know what he wants, but he isn't getting it just yet!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss Paper Piecing Challenge

Over at the wonderful Totally Gorjuss Challenge this week the theme is paper piecing and although I always struggle with this I could not resist having a go.

I've used the super-cute Birthday Milly from Pink Gem Designs and papers from PaperMania.  I know one pad is Sweet Nothings but I'm not sure of the name of the pad that I took the "hundreds and thousands" papers from for the cake icing.  The rest of the image is coloured with Copics.

I really enjoyed this and am pleased with the end result.  Hope you like it too.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Penny Black + Cute Thursday + Sketch Saturday

Isn't this sunshine wonderful?  We woke up this morning to a thin covering of snow that positively sparkled in the sun.  It looked like the world had been sprinkled in glamour dust!

And so to today's card - I hope this one will fit the following three challenges:
Sketch Saturday Challenge Week 88

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Someone Special (Week 88) and

Cute Card Thursday Blooming Gorgeous (Challenge 97)

I made this with my new sister-in-law in mind, it's her first birthday as a member of the family in a few days time.

I've used Penny Black's adorable cat (I think the stamp is called You're The Best but I forgot to check) and he's coloured with Copics and ProMarkers.  Papers are from K&Co - Tim Coffey's Daffodils pad and Daisies pad.  I love these bright, zesty, springy colours.  Flowers, spacers and sparkly gems are from stash and tiny golden brads are Woodware.  Sentiment is Personal Impressions.  Flourishes done with Sizzix dies.

Thanks for popping over to see me, always fab to have friends round!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Papertake + PFP + A Spoonful of Sugar

Yes, I knooooooow I wasn't going to do any more, but I couldn't resist one last quickie .....

Would like to enter this one for three challenges -
Papertake Weekly Sketch 33
Passion For ProMarkers Pastel Green & Blossom and
A Spoonful of Sugar Challenge 88 Freestyle

Here is the sketch from Papertake

And here is my card - I've used papers from PaperMania "Sweet Nothings", the Loves Me Not Tilda, coloured of course with ProMarkers, peel-offs from stash

Ok, I really am signing off now ...... honest.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Earlier post (please do have a peek if you haven't already seen it) ABC Christmas Challenge + Simon Says

ABC Christmas Challenge + Simon Says

Wasn't sure that I'd make it back today as I'm floating on painkillers.  Apart from that, the light is so poor for taking photos so thank goodness for Photoshop's Auto Enhance!

Anyway, this week's Simon Says Challenge is New Baby and couldn't have come at a better time as my friend and work colleague, Helen, gave birth to twin boys at 2am yesterday.  Welcome to the world Joshua and Aiden!  For this one I have used a gorgeous baby boy from Pink Gem Designs and it was a joy to work with so a big thanks Janet for such a wonderful image.  I used Making Memories papers and DCWV cardstock.  Coloured with Copies and ProMarkers.

Inside I've made a sentiment on the pc that says Double the love, double the joy, double the fun, double the nappies. Hope she sees the funny side to that!
(Janet has now kindly featured this card on her blog over at Pink Gem Designs )


And over at the ABC Christmas Challenge we have C for Candy (with an extra of pink).  It is also a DT call week as three of the very talented DT have sadly chosen to step down due to personal commitments.  I'm certainly not on the same level as these guys but as Dale says, you've got to be in it to win it.

I've used Henry with Large Cookie from Whiff of Joy, mainly coloured with Copics, papers are Papermania, cardstock is DCWV, snowflake is Martha Stewart punch and gems/pearls are from stash.

Think that's me done for the day, shattered as I've been awake most of the night so going to curl up in a comfy chair with a warm cat.

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

Happy Things Award

I've been blessed to receive this cute award from two wonderful bloggers - Mandy at A Sprinkling of Glitter and Wilma at Craftygran - thanks guys for thinking of me!

Now I have to tell you 10 things that make me happy:
1.  My darlin' Mr Toad (most of the time!)
2.  The continuing good health of my slightly loony but beloved parents
3.  My little mate, Vince, including his furballs
4.  My precious friends
5.  Sunshine
6.  Birdsong
7.  Crafting of course!
8.  A good book
9.  Galaxy "Minstrels"
10. The love of our Lord Jesus

And now I have to pass this on to 10 other wonderful bloggers - this is the hard part because I have made so many wonderful friends in the last few months and there are far more than 10 to list!  So I'm cheating, if I follow your blog then this award is for you too - come and pinch it.  If I don't follow you yet, let me know and I'll sign up straight away.

Be back later with a couple of challenge cards.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

A Turquoise Day

Had a bit of a turquoise day today, and it all started with a beaver!

Yep, a beaver - my boss, and friend, Emma texted me last night to ask if I could make a card for her eldest son who is in the Beavers.  What, do I ask, do I know about 7 year old boys, let alone beaver/cub/scout stuff?!  Anyway, I had a go and ...

I used the gorgeous Lili Of The Valley stamp of the little lad on a rope swing, coloured with Copics, backing paper is PaperMania, the text I did on the pc and I found the Beaver badges on the Scout site.

Then as I had the turquiose out, and it's a dear friend's favourite colour and it's her birthday on Thursday -

This super sweet image is by Buzzcraft (thank you Zippy darlin'), coloured with Copics, papers were in a goodie bag from Marcea (mwah), card is DCWV Brights, Nestabilities labels and Sizzlets corner dies, rope border peel-off from stash, sentiment is Penny Black.

Thanks for popping in.  Am whizzing over to see mum and dad this afternoon to see if I can get a little TLC over there as I'm still post-dental-blue (and with an infection).

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sketch Saturday 87 (Lost In Translation!)

It's twice now that I've had a go at this week's fab sketch over at Sketch Saturday Challenge No 87 and twice I've gone a bit astray!

I think I may get disqualified for this but hey, I'm happy with the end result and you can still identify most of the sketch!

I started this with an image in mind for Toad's Valentine but it was bigger than I thought, and so the whole card grew, proportionally, until it's kinda taken over the world LOL!  It has ended up as an 8x8 which means I now have to try and make an envelope, bah!  I have used High Hopes "Snuggle Lions", loads of Bazzil card, some stunning gold foiled Craftwork Cards paper and some textured mirri-card from stash.  Sentiment I did on the pc.  Image is coloured with a mixture of Copics and ProMarkers.

Thanks for dropping by for a look.  Hope to see you again soon.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Difficult Card Order

Don't you find it hard to make a card for someone you have never met?  It's not like you need to know them inside-out but sometimes I find it much easier if I can picture the person.  Or is that just me?

Anyhoo, my friend Linda has just found out that she and her staff are being made redundant next week as the shop she manages is being closed.  Linda has been there over 20 years.  She asked me to make a card for each of her three girls and the only info I got was one likes shopping, one does crafting and one goes clubbing!  OMG!  Clubbing?  My memory of night clubs is dingy, loud music and sticky floors!  Have they changed any in the past 300 years? 

Have I got it about right do you think?

Off to have a try at a Valentine card now for Mr You-Know-Who!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Speedy Recovery Andrew!

Hello chaps, how are you on this Sunday afternoon?  I had intended to do some challenges today but still feeling a bit blergh.

But, while I'm sat here feeling sorry for myself, there is one incredibly brave young man out there who is definitely in need of some TLC and if you have seen Julye B's Blog you will understand why.  This one is for you Andrew and will be in the post tomorrow morning.  Hang in there mate, it can only get better!

I've used distressed papers printed from a Chris Warner CD (Crafting Classics Earth Patterns) and some bits from my stash.  Image and sentiment are both High Hopes from the new release this week by Dustin Pike.  This fella is called Troubled Travis.  I've coloured him with ProMarkers.

Hope to see you all tomorrow as I've got a couple of days off and intend to catch up on some blog-hopping and some challenges.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

I'm Back!

What a day!  So glad it's almost bedtime.  Hubby has been an absolute star today as this morning I was the nervous wreck from hell. 

When we arrived at the dentist there was a lady coming out, very groggy, with her daughter and the dentist helping her to the car.  You could see from her eyes that she had no idea where she was and she had two great lumps of cotton wool sticking out of her mouth.  I nearly passed out there and then on the driveway!

Once I got in there, after the usual struggle to get an xray plate in my mouth (I have a very restricted bite since breaking my jaw in three places in a car accident), the dentist put the tight elastic round my arm to raise a vein and then injected the sedation stuff.  I remember him saying "you'll feel light headed in a minute, just go with it" .... and that was it.  The rest of the day is total fuzz.  Toad apparently got me home about an hour later and I have done nothing but sleep!

Had a couple of sloppy Weetabix late this afternoon and just had a bowl of soup with tiny cubes of bread submerged in it.  It's like being 5 years old again.  Had to take a couple of painkillers earlier but don't feel too bad at all at the moment.

Sedation is definitely the way to go!  Thanks for all your good wishes and prayers, I am certain they helped.  Be back with you tomorrow with some cards.

Oh, meant to say, you can go off some people really quickly.  My friend Jacqui with whom I often get a lift home from work gave me a small gift wrapped package last night - it's a "Make Your Own Tooth Fairy Keepsake Box" !!!

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

Missing In Action

Hi Guys.  Had hoped to be able to squeeze in a challenge or two before the dreaded dental appointment tomorrow but they phoned me at work today to offer me an earlier appointment so that I don't have to go so long without drinking (so now it will be wake up, panic, tiny sip of water to take pills, panic shower, panic panic, dentist).

Don't think I'll be up to much after the sedation so you might see me Sunday, or more likely Monday (got Monday and Tuesday off - last year's holiday that I need to use up).

Keep your toes crossed for me for tomorrow.

Sxxx

Totally Gorjuss 13 "All In One" Challenge

Yes, it's me again!  Another card for you, last one for today I promise.  This one is for the wonderful challenge that is Totally Gorjuss and this week the challenge is "All In One" or if you want to be posh, monotone!

Yeah, a bit brown isn't she!  I got a little carried away with the vintage look I think.  Tilda with her bicycle is coloured with Copics, the background stamp is a cutie from Hero Arts - I bought it specifically to use with this Tilda - papers are Dovecraft, flowers are Woodware daisy punch.  Also used Nestabilities deckled edge rectangles.

Hope you like.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend, see you soon.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Earlier post today: Lili Of The Valley x 2

LOTV x 2

Being a naughty squirrel, I had a bit of a crafting binge in the couple of weeks after Christmas and now all my new goodies have arrived!  Thought I would have a little play with two of my Lili Of The Valley stamps this afternoon ....

The first is for a very special little lad for this birthday .. I'm always at a loss for teenage boys as their tastes change so much between 13 and 19.  They go from children to men in the blink of an eye.  This certain fella is 13.

I wanted to keep it simple as I'm pretty sure that even at 13 he ain't gonna want flowers!  Papers are a mix of K&Co and Basic Grey with DCWV cardstock.  Image is coloured with ProMarkers and sentiment is Penny Black, the silver brads are Woodware.

And I just could not resist this little ted, what a cutie.  Again coloured with ProMarkers, papers are K&Co and from my overflowing goodie bag received from the wonderful Marcea (thanks hunny, they are delish), cardstock is from stash and border punch is Martha Stewart deep trellis.  Iridescent gems are Papermania and peel-off borders from stash.

Thought I might enter this one for the new challenge blog at Just Cute Bears 

Thanks for popping by to have a peek, your comments are always much appreciated.  Off to have another little play!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Memento Ink - Can anyone help?

A non-blogging mate of mine has just said she is having problems with Memento ink "bleeding".  She is using Bristol Board and colouring with ProMarkers so I am puzzled as I've never had this happen and can't think why it is.

Any of you more experienced crafters out there got any ideas please?

Hugs
Squirrel xx

Bubble Love

Earlier post today: ABC Christmas Challenge B is for Bells

This is the last you will see of me today - going to curl up with hot-water bottle and Vince shortly, but before I do, I've made this one for four challenges
Passion For ProMarkers Cool Aqua and Cocoa
High Hopes Challenge 58 Put A Bow On It
Cupcake Craft Challenge 73 Going Girly and
Flutter By Wednesday Challenge 92

I've used High Hopes "Bubble Love" from Bunny-Zoe's Crafts (she's sooo sweet), coloured with ProMarkers, brown papers are Doodlebug, blue is DCWV, flowers are Prima, brads are Woodware, spacers from Bunny-Zoe's, sticky ribbon and bow from stash

I enjoyed this colour challenge, and will use these two together again sometime.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

B Is For Bells

Morning all.  Hope you are ok.  Woke up feeling a bit unnecessary this morning, swimmy head and nuclear tum, and after two nasty moments I thought the best place for me was in the warm so I phoned work and here I am, at home feeling blergh.

Anyway, I made a card - this one is for the new challenge blog ABC Christmas Challenge and this one is B is for Bells (sorry guys, I totally missed the A one!)

I've used a Hero Arts cling-on stamp that I bought just before Christmas but this is its first inking (oh the shame) and I've coloured with ProMarkers.  Papers are PaperMania and MME, sentiment from computer.  There was an extra of glitter but I couldn't face the mess so you've got glitter borders instead!

Hope you like it.  I'm quite pleased with the shading on the bells, especially as I can't focus very well at the moment!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

You're Glad It Hasn't WHAT?

I had my six month check-up on the ol' war wound yesterday - having trawled through the x-ray routine and sat down again in the orthopaedic clinic (I have never seen so many shapes and sizes of plaster cast in one room) I was called through to see the consultant.

"Well" she said "it's looking good, and I'm pleased to say the metal work hasn't moved"

You can probably imagine the expression on my face!

Anyhoo, she's pleased with progress and next follow up is in another six months.

Not quite so hoppy, Squirrel xx

2 cards, 4 challenges and no S word!

Hi all! Hope you are well on this Sunday afternoon.  I am not even going to mention the S word today, even though it has been S-ing on and off most of the day!

There is such a choice of sketches available on the challenges this week that I was hard pressed to decide which ones to go for but I really wanted to use this little chap in his huge warm jumper so it just had to be this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge which has two sketches on offer - I opted for the second one but they are both gorgeous ....

And I kinda knew that if I was using a PB cat stamp, I had to have paw prints in there somewhere too.

I can't remember the name of the stamp as I came upstairs without checking (d'oh), but the papers are DCWV cardstock, Making Memories and Doodlebug "Calico Prints".  The sentiment is also Penny Black.  I've coloured the image with ProMarkers.

In view of his big chunky jumper, I thought I'd also offer him up for Crafty Calendar Challenge No 4 Keeping Warm

And today's second card, for two challenges, is also a sketch, this one for Totally Gorjuss Challenge 12 and I've used the challenge theme from Simon Says Hot Chocolate 

This was a great sketch to use and the card just sort of fell into place!  I have used Pink Gem Designs Dungaree Milly (thanks Janet, she's fabulous), Dovecraft masculine papers for that lovely warm rich, hot chocolately feel, and a piece of sticky ribbon.  Milly is coloured with ProMarkers.

I'm really sorry that she's a little out of focus, by the time I'd finished I'd lost the best of the light today.

There are so many other challenges that I would like to do today but I'm not going to have the time this week.  Sniff, sob.

Thanks for finding the time to hop over and see me.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Three Challenges, One Card And More Snow

I was just in the mood for a challenge-fest today as the weather has scuppered other plans (visiting a friend for hot chocolate and a natter) so I've stayed home, had the hot chocolate and had a little play.  However, I spent so long on this one card that I'll just have to have another play tomorrow.  Shame!

I'd like to enter this one for three challenges:
Sketch Saturday No 85
ABC Challenge L is for Layering and
Cute Card Thursday All New

It's another fabulous Sketch Saturday sketch this week

and it gave me ample opportunity to use loads of layers, a la ABC, and lots of new stuff for CCT!

I've used my new Greeting Farm "Library Mouse" stamp from Bunny-Zoe's Crafts (thanks Nikki), and my new Martha Stewart lattice corner punch and new packet of pink pearls.  Papers are a mix of DCWV and Papermania.  Image coloured with Copics and ProMarkers.  Flowers punched with small and medium Woodware punches.

I know the mouse is better suited to male cards, but I think he works just as well with a pile of "chick lit" in his arms!

And finally, I leave you with an update on the snow .... it's been pretty constant since mid morning and quite heavy.  I reckon we've had at least another inch and a half just today.

Brrrrrr.  Now going to join my little furry fella (and I do mean the cat) in the armchair with a cuppa and my book for a little while before I think about dinner.

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

A Few Snow Photos

Morning All, well, I have thawed out from the epic trip home last night.  Feel a bit sore in places and my knee is nicely swollen.  I would highly recommend PriMark (other stores are available) £1 legwarmers.  I think I would be feeling far worse this morning if it hadn't been for them.  Anyway, thought I would share just a few Suffolk snow pics with you today ...

One of the main estate roads, yesterday morning about 7.30ish

Out the front of house this morning, about 11,00ish

Again, out the front

What used to be the bird bath and garden bench this morning

I think there's a garden under there somewhere

Toad has ventured out to get some cat litter this morning (essential, otherwise we'd have had a bit of a traumatised Vincent) but other than that, we ain't shifting today!  I'm now off to check out what the challenges are so back later with some card pics.

Hope you are all safe and warm, wherever you are.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Snow Grrrrrrrrrrr!

I am officially fed up with snow!

With a bit of begging and negotiating, I left work at 4.20 this afternoon and at 7.50 I walked in the front door.  Total distance - 6 miles.

Yep, 6 miles.  After an hour standing in a blizzard there was still no sign of my normal bus so when the Park & Ride for this end of town came into sight I got on that.  An hour and a bit later we were still queuing in traffic to get out of town.  On finally reaching the Park & Ride depot, I then had to trudge for a mile back to home and the snow is DEEP and I've only got little legs.  I have no idea how my knee is because I currently can't feel it but I suspect when it thaws out I may be using a few bad words.

Snowy Squirrel xxxx

Back In The Challenge Swing!

Hope you are all having a good weekend and a happy Sunday.  I've got a touch of the "back to work blues" at the moment as it will be back to the office tomorrow for a full 50 hour week.  We've had more snow overnight and another couple of heavy-ish showers of the stuff today - nothing too much to worry about though, which is good.  One bonus of going back to work is that I shall get an uninterrupted 30 mins each morning to blog hop and have a catch up!

So, thought I would have a go at just two or three challenges today and my first card to show you is for Cute Card Thursday No 93 Sketchtastic

For this card I have used some gorgeous papers that I received for Christmas from my pal Zippy (thanks babe), some DCWV card stock and the cutest, teeniest Penny Black mouse ....

My second card today is also from a sketch and is for the ever fabulous Sketch Saturday Challenge - I must again take the opportunity of thanking the Sketch Saturday gang for making me so welcome during my December GDT with them.  Simonne has produced a really elegant sketch and it was a joy to work with.

As well as entering this card for the Sketch Saturday Challenge I would also like to enter this one into this weeks Totally Gorjuss Challenge

I've used a Tilda (I think she is the New Year Tilda) and a mix of Papermania, Joanna Sheen and DCWV papers and cardstock. Flowers were a gift from the supremely talented Marcea (mwah), spacers from Bunny Zoe and brads are Woodware.

Thanks for dropping by this afternoon, lovely to see you.
Hugs, Squirrel xx