Penny Black Saturday + Cute Card Thursday

My goodness me, where has the weekend disappeared to?!  Can't believe that it is nearly Monday again already.  Still, at least it is a four day week for this coming week and next with a lovely four day Easter break in between.

Only one card for you but for two challenges
Penny Black Saturday Challenge Bees & Butterflies
Cute Card Thursday Dimension

I've used Butterfly Wishes for the main image and coloured with Copics, Butterfly Edge for the little fluttery jobs and a sentiment from the Salutations transparent set stamped in Deep Lagoon Versafine (all Penny Black stamps).  Papers are Basic Grey, Dovecraft and Bazzil card for the butterfly punched thanks to Martha Stewart and 3D'd with a double layer, silicon glue and some pearls from stash. 

Pleased to say that Vince is on the mend, much brighter than yesterday - still not 100% but definitely improving.  Fabulous, brilliant and totally amazingly perfect result from the Australian Grand Prix (daren't say any more in case I get shot!), the sun is shining, we've finally bought a satnav (after months of deliberations) and all is pretty much fine with the world!  Hope your Sunday is going as well.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Do Not Mistake Your Cat For Underwear

So pleased to be able to let you know that the Fuzzmeister is much better this morning.  He finally came out of the wardrobe last night but was incredibly subdued with no interest in anything.  He did spend part of the night on the bed snuggled up to my legs.

This morning, up and about, purring and a couple of miaows and wanting his breakfast.  Can't tell you how much of a relief that is - painful memories of Mollie's last days came flooding back.

Mind you, we have just given each other a bit of a shock when I mistook his head for my black bra.  Yes, I know! I had just come out of the bathroom, no specs on and the curtains were still pulled so the room was quite dark.  I was looking for something black, satiny and rounded and there it was.  Reached out to grab it but it was warm, furry and a tad annoyed - how was I to know he'd curled up in the bottom of the wardrobe again for a quick nap!  Not sure who was the most startled.

Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 23 - Hearts

Yep, it's the weekend again, hurrah! And the weekend means ...... Totally Gorjuss challenge time - and this week we are looking for .... well, to that in a moment, would first like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in last weeks Ribbons challenge, and there were a lot of you! Some truly stunning and inspirational work.

So to this weeks challenge which is Hearts - we'd like to see something heart shaped on your cards, so get your thinking caps on and get crafting.

Once again, the DT have come up with some amazing work so do take time to check out their creations, they do it all for you. 

And so to my DT card for this week

I have used Ladybug Tilda and she is coloured with Copics, the embossing is a Cuttlebug folder, punches are Martha Stewart for heart and border, papers are Papermania and Bazzil, sentiment from stash.  Hope you like.

Sorry to report to all Vince fans that the large furry one is a tad poorly at the moment.  When I came in from work (as I type it is still Friday night) he was nowhere to be seen (unheard of, he is normally sat beside his biscuit box, looking at his watch and tapping a paw).  I called him a couple of times and there was no answering miaow so I went looking for him.  Found him curled up in my wardrobe looking incredibly sorry for himself.  Then discovered that poor little chap had been very ill at sometime during the day, all over the duvet.  Usually after he's been sick he is bouncing around again after half an hour but this seemed very different.  He didn't want a fuss and certainly wasn't interested in me being home.  Left him there for an hour or so but on second visit he just turned his back on me.  Tried him with a smudge of his favourite malt paste on my finger and he was unable to resist that but he stayed in the wardrobe.  Haven't even been able to get the tiniest purr out of him and he is usually purring loudly at the drop of a hat.  Not seen him like this before so will be keeping a close eye on him.  If no sign of him being any brighter by tomorrow (Saturday) I think we may be visiting the vets.  Not looking forward to that trauma. 

See you all later over at Totally Gorjuss

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - G is For Glitz + Silver

Hello you crafty challengers, hope this finds you fine and dandy on the first day of the new ABC Christmas Challenge - and can you believe we are up to G already?!

So, what do the ABC girls have in store for you for this fortnight? G is for Glitz (with an extra of Silver)! How much of an excuse do you need to get the sparkle out huh?  This challenge is being sponsored by Toucan Scraps so get yourself over to ABC so see what's on offer.

Lots of Glitzy inspiration from my ultra-talented teamies so please do check out their wonderful creations.  Here is my little offering

Yes, I know the photo has a strange perspective but I was trying to catch enough light to show you all the twinkles!  This adorable little Tilda has been glittered to within a fraction - once I started I just couldn't stop. What is left of her is coloured with Copics.  Textured silver mirri-card was from Create & Craft, punched with a Martha Stewart border punch, and the purple holographic foil is from stash, as are the gems.

So, what's stopping you? Get glitzing!

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Cute Card Thursday - Happy Anniversary

Next weekend my slightly bonkers but much loved parents celebrate their 51st Wedding Anniversary. So what a perfect week for me for Cute Card Thursday to be offering this great challenge

Now they say that necessity is the mother of invention - I didn't have a piece of card long enough to make a traditional easel, so I stuck two pre-scored cards together to form a sort of tented easel - no measuring and no folding. And I'm patenting that idea!  It will be known as the Squirrel-Easy-Easel LOL!!

Lili of The Valley image, rough colouring with Copics to keep that sketchy feel, papers are PaperMania Regency Collection, deep red pearl paper for mats and hearts is from stash, Martha Stewart Heart punch, Flora Doodles flower, Pebbles Inc Candy Dots for stoppers, sentiment done on pc.

Three posts in one day, I need a lay down now - might just do that, in front of a rugby match!

Earlier posts today were:

Totally Gorjuss # 22 Ribbon and
Boing!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Boing!

Hi everyone, hope your day is going well so far.  Bit grey and mizz here but at least it's not raining - yet. Having a bit of a no-go-mojo at the moment - totally lacking energy or enthusiasm for anything and I am blaming work for that!  I'm so shattered in the evenings that I'm sleep in the chair straight after dinner but then my head is whizzing at 2.00am.  Perhaps I'm turning nocturnal.

Anyway, had a go at a few challenges for this one card and they are:
Allsorts Challenge Spring Is In The Air
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge Spring Has Sprung
Crafty Catz Spring
Creative Inspirations White Yellow and Green
Simon Says A Splash of Green, and
Sketch Saturday Challenge No 95

Lovely sketch, and I shall certainly be playing with this one again.  So here is my card -

Isn't this just one of the cutest rabbits you have ever seen?  It's one of the delectible range of stamps from Lili Of The Valley (I am so loving their designer range) and he is coloured with Copics.  Papers are a mixture of K&Co Daffodil and K&Co Daisies.  Heart border is Martha Stewart punch on a piece of green pearlescent I had in stash.  The curly-wurly spring(ish) borders and straight borders are from stash.

Now I need to dash off and make a weddding anniversary card for the Oldies - it will be their 51st next weekend!

TTFN

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 22 - Ribbon

Morning all, and welcome to another wonderful week with the luscious lassies that are Totally Gorjuss.  Thank you all so much for your fabulous entries for last week's "sweet" challenge, you really went to town on that one so I am hoping that you are all bursting full of Spring energy and ready to give this week's challenge of "Ribbons" a try!

Obviously we are not expecting your entry to be completely made of ribbons - but a nice girlie image with a ribbon featured somewhere would be excellent - looking forward to seeing what you talented lot create this time.  And of course, the Gorjussettes DT have come up with some inspiration for you so please do check out their individual cards.

Here is my GDT card for this week -

I have used the adorable Wedding Couple stamp from Lili Of The Valley, which I have coloured with Copics and ProMarkers.  I've made this for a work colleague and her colour theme is to be cerise and cream, hence the rather bold pink statement!  I wish I could remember where the spotted paper came from but the bit with the name on the back got used long ago.  Flowers are Prima Esprite, the heart ribbon brad is Papermania and the oh-so-scrummy cream satin picot edged ribbon is from Fantastic Ribbons online store.

Thanks for popping over for a look, I do so love it when friends call in.  Don't stay away so long next time! LOL!!

Catch ya's all later over at Totally Gorjuss
Hugs
Squirrel xx
PS.  And a tiny plea from the heart - please please please - if you have not turned off your Word Verification yet, do it now (you may not even be aware that it is turned on so please check your settings)!  If you want to vet your comments you can always use the Approval thingie.  Thanks ever so.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Happy Sunday all, and a happy Mother's Day to all the mum's out there.  My present from Vince this morning was a pile of coughed up duck and lamb Felix on the landing carpet.  Cheers mate.

And today the sun is shining and it feels almost Spring like so a perfect day for Penny Black Saturday Challenge Spring Colours!

I've used the super cute Spring Joy stamp, coloured with Copics and ProMarkers.  Main papers are PaperMania, Basic Grey, Bazzil and PaperCellar and the flowers are punched from some pearl pearlescent I had in the stash.  Spacer from Bunny-Zoe's Crafts, brad and candy dots from stash.

Enjoy your day - for me it's the Bahrain Grand Prix, a late lunch and evening Church.  Let's hope this sunshine and slightly increased temperature is here to stay for a while - my daffodils haven't even shown themselves this year yet!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A little award for YOU - yes, you!

During my first year of blogging I have received many kind words of support from some very talented bloggers out there - this is just my teensy way of saying thank you

I have found so much inspiration from so many of you  that I cannot

name just a few, it would be unfair as everyone has their strengths

(as a very wise friend recently reminded me)

So, with that in mind, I would be so pleased if you would accept

this award with my love and gratitude

Squirrel xx

20,000 Hits & Blogoversary Candy Warning!

Well chaps, in a week's time it will, technically, be my first blogoversary - I say technically because that is the day I first ventured towards setting this up but I didn't start blogging in anger until much later in the year.

And today, I am celebrating 20,000 hits!  Unbelievable.  So a HUGE thank you to all my wonderful blogging friends, loyal followers and occasional visitors for making this possible.

Problem.  Someone thought it might be a good idea to give up spending on craft goodies for Lent.  Which means that this someone can't provide you with a celebratory candy until after Easter now!

So, put a date in your diary - Saturday 10 April.  There will be candy.

Hugs,
Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss Challenge # 21 - Something Sweet

It's the weekend, yaaaaay! And it's also the start of the 2010 Formula 1 Season - double yaaaay!

This week, those lovely ladies that are Totally Gorjuss have a sweet little challenge for you - we'd like to see something sweet on your cards.

The DT have come up with some amazing work so please do remember to check out their individual blogs.

Here is my GDT card for this week

I adore this little Tilda with her spoon and apron - she's coloured with a mix of Copics and ProMarkers.  The cake paper is from a pad of Forever Friends paper and is almost good enough to eat!  Purple card for mats from Joanna Sheen, yellow spotty paper from stash and sentiment is Personal Impressions.

Hope you have fun playing and I'm looking forward to seeing all your delicious entries at Totally Gorjuss

Right, I'm off to watch twenty three delicious young men, and Michael Schumacher, in their very fast cars!

Catch ya's all later

Hugs

Squirrel xxx

ABC Christmas Challenge - F is for Frosty

When Lorraine chose this theme, F is for Frosty, with extra snow, over at the fabulously festive (even in March) ABC Christmas Challenge  for this fortnight's challenge I thought she had gone a bit mad (sorry Lols) but to be honest, with the cold weather we are still having I think she's got it spot on!!

But first, thanks to everyone single one of you who took part in the E for Elf challenge - it was a teensy bit of a tricky one but you all came up trumps and there were some fabulous entries.  Please do remember to pop over to the challenge to check the Top 3 and the winner.

And so, F is for Frosty, with an extra of snow - you can interpret this in so many ways, a lovely winter scene with cottages and snow dropping from the roof, a snowman (of course), perhaps Rudolph's nose shining through a snow storm, even a penguin perhaps - many, many ideas out there - no excuses this time round gang, let's be seeing loads of frost and snow!  And look who is sponsoring this challenge -

Here is my offering

I have used this cute little snowman stamp called "Funky Snowman" from Pink Gem Designs - it was the paper that took me along the purple and pink route with those adoreable snowman postage stamps.  Paper is from a PaperMania collection of a couple of years ago.  Sentiment stamp is Pink Gem also.  Snowflakes are Martha Stewart and are covered in Glamour Dust Crystal.  Snow around Funky's feet is white Fluffy Stuff.  Funky is coloured with ProMarkers.  The pink and purple glitter paper I've used for the mats is from WH Smith.

So come on gang, forget the daffodils - get thinking Frosty!  Hope to see you over at ABC Christmas Challenge - remember, you have two weeks for this and every ABC challenge - and don't forget to check out the Design Team cards, there is a stunning selection.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Ooh You Cheeky Monkey!

And a happy Monday afternoon to you guys!  Because of circumstances at work last week, there wasn't an awful lot for me to do today so on the spur of the moment I decided to take this afternoon as a half-day.  How decadent is that?!

One card today, for three challenges -
Cards For Men Paper Piecing
Die Cut Dreams No Flowers Allowed and
Double Dutch Challenge Boys Only

I've used Cherry Chip Chimp from High Hopes and coloured him with ProMarkers, octagon shapes cut with Nestabilities, and a right mix of papers - PaperMania Sweet Nothings (cake icing), Forever Friends (cake case), Joanna Sheen (tartan), Papermania (stripes), Joanna Sheen (orange and dark marble).  Sentiment is Personal Impressions. Choc chips are done with a dark brown glitter glaze and cherry is glossed.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Sketch Saturday + Penny Black

Morning all, hope you are diddling along nicely.  Still bitterly cold here but it is starting to brighten a little bit now and I can see about 2" of blue sky, hurrah!

Off to see the Oldies this afternoon (my loony parents) for a cuppa and then, HUGE treat - we're having dinner in the pub!  Don't know why we don't do this more often really, it's only a 5 minute walk door to door, the food is yummy pub-grub and it's cheap.  Funny how you get stuck into a routine and it takes dynamite to get you out of it.  Anyway, my tum is rumbling already!

And so to my challenges for this card - it's Saturday so it just has to be my favourite combination of Sketch Saturday which is a fabbie sketch from Maya, and of course, Penny Black Saturday Challenge who are looking for Easel cards this week.

And here is my interpretation of Maya's sketch, which was perfect for turning into an easel card

I have used another one of my most favourite Penny Black stamps "Duckling" and coloured him/her with ProMarkers.  I have kept the colours toned down so they didn't clash with these amazing "Wisteria" papers from Basic Grey.  As luck would have it, I had coordinating BG brads so have used three of those for the easel stoppers.  The pearls are from my stash.  This only the second easel card I've made and, if it doesn't sound too arrogant, I'm really chuffed with it.

Thanks for popping in, I love having friends round to visit.  I hope to be able to stop by and catch up with you all later on.

TTFN
Hugs
Squirrel xxx

My First Totally Gorjuss DT Card

Come on, be kind to me - it's been a horrendous week and was beginning to think I wasn't even going to get a card made, let alone posted!  Don't you just hate it when work gets in the way of life?

Anyway, those beautiful babes that are Totally Gorjuss have a sketch for you this week, and a right little cracker it is too.

No excuses for not having a go at this one - want to see lots and lots of your lovely entries this week!

Bear in mind that I was out in the conservatory, in the freezing cold, late one night this week putting this together so you will have to forgive me the straight interpretation of the sketch - at that time of night I simply didn't have the courage or the energy to freeze any longer while I fiddled around with the frilly bits.

I love this little girlie with the bird - makes me feel as if Spring is almost here.  She's coloured with a mixture of Copics (for the skin tones) and ProMarkers.  Classic circle Nestabilities for the circle (d'oh), and the papers are from an issue of Making Cards.  I'd been saving these as daisies are my number one favourite flower and I couldn't bear to cut into them but needs must!  These just feel so fresh and alive.  Pearls are from my stash.

And, if it's not being too cheeky I would like to enter this into this weeks challenges for

Passion For ProMarkers Back To Nature, and

Cute Card Thursday Lucky Green and

Crafty Catz Shades of Green and
The Pink Elephant Add Green and
Stamp Something Something Girly

Thanks for dropping by, hope your weekend is a brilliant one and, don't forget, Totally Gorjuss!

Hugs, Squirrel xx