Just Magnolia + Just Cute Bears

Afternoon all - how are we doing today?  Had my dose of excitement for the day with the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix so been calming myself down with a couple of challenge cards.

The first is for JUST MAGNOLIA Hot & Spicy challenge

My inspiration for this one came from Chef Edwin, reminds me a little bit of James Martin (phwoar)!  I paper pieced his trousers with a scrap from a Little Sizzlets pad, the main papers with the spicy colours are Basic Grey.  Background recipie is Chicken Jalfrezi!

Second card is for JUST CUTE BEARS Thank You challenge and you might need sunglasses for this one!

Who could resist this little Lili Of The Valley ted with a huge bouquet of flowers?  Sentiment is LOTV as well. Papers are all Doodlebug and matting is DCWV.

Well, that's me nicely serene and calm again, so off downstairs to get dinner sorted so I can be a couch potato in time for Terry Pratchett's "Going Postal" that's on Sky 1 tonight.  Can't wait!  Catch you all tomorrow.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Who's Been Eating My Porridge? (2 challenges)

Somewhere, back in the mists of time, my darlin' Oldies and me (their one and only) became known as Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear and Baby Bear - very silly, but it kinda stuck.  Now, without really thinking about it, I seem to have created birthday cards for the Oldie Bears!

Two challenges with these cards - the first is

CUTE CARD THURSDAY who set the challenge of no designer papers .... eek!

My dad is reknowned for hiding in his shed so this Lili Of The Valley Busy Bear fits him perfectly.  Coloured with Copics. I've used a little piece of DCWV Neutral Stack card for matting, added some tool brads to the corners.  The background I swiped the white card with a tan Memento ink and then overstamped it with a wooden plank stamp from High Hopes.  The wood birthday sentiment is also High Hopes.  Finished off with copper coloured border peel-offs.

Then I had to do one for mum as well didn't I so when I saw Bev had done a sketch for LILI OF THE VALLEY I was away

I had to cheat a bit (sorry Bev) and not use an oval as it didn't fit the image.  This adorable Lili Of The Valley stamp suits mum so well as she is the flower queen of the village.  Again, coloured with Copics.  Papers are K&Co and this was my first go with 3D flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.  I think I'm hooked now.  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Thanks so much for taking time to pop in and see me.  Just before I go, a quick update on the wrist situation (thanks so much for all the good wishes and kind words you have sent).  I got the results of some tests this week and my GP is now ruling out tendonitis (it wasn't him that gave the original diagnosis).  He is now thinking along the lines of a deep seated infection following on from a virus which has inflammed all the joints (about the only things that don't hurt at the moment are my feet).  So, he's put me on another course of hefty anti-inflammatories and I'm to go back in two weeks if I don't notice any improvement.  This could well explain why I've been feeling so totally wiped out the whole time and haven't had any energy for months.  It's a struggle getting through a week at work but I'm taking one day at a time just now.  Thanks again for all your thoughts.

Being treated to a late lunch/early tea over at the pub today and we're meeting a friend over there as she's on her own this weekend - guess the diet's out the window!!

Catch ya's later

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 32 - Wings

Yoo-hoo! Weekend + 1 - marvellous. Actually, as me and the Toad have booked a couple of long weekends in June, I won't be working a full five day week again until early July!  Yay me!

Oh do shut up Squirrel and get on with it ....... right, it's Saturday and that can only mean one thing, it's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge time!  Thanks for all your blinging entries last week, wow you guys love your sparkle, check out the blog to see who has been selected as the winner.  And this week's theme that Net has set for us is Wings - not sure if Net was dreaming of a BA flight to somewhere warmer when she chose this one!!  Here is my DT card

Papers are K&Co, the super sweet fairy is High Hopes, the sentiment LOTV, cloud shapes cut with Nestabilities, gems and sparkling borders from stash. Image coloured with Copics.

Short and sweet today, got quite a bit to get on with, including the Turkish Grand Prix, so I'll scamper off but hope to catch up with you all later at Totally Gorjuss

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

LOTV New Release Sneak Peek

Those lovely ladies that are Lili Of The Valley have something very special on offer but only for two days! It's a pre-release bonus open from now until midnight Saturday 29 May. 

The new release of 12 stamps is set free on 1 June so this is your chance to get your hands on these adorable little darlin's before the rush!

Aren't they just delicious!?

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Just Magnolia Challenge - Jane's Sketch

I was so cross with myself last week that I missed Just Magnolia's challenge One For The Girls and I was determined to squeeze in this week's.

The challenge is a sketch from Jane ....

And here is my take on it

I've used one of the older Tildas but I still think she is adorable.  I've coloured her with Copics and the papers are all MME.

Vince is stretched out on a chair in the conservatory - not in direct sunlight I hasten to add - and I didn't know a cat could get to be so long or so flat.  Have got all the windows open and a fan on and he is still like toast, and snoring his head off.  Might just join him for an hour!

Hugs. Squirrel xx

Penny Black + Sketch Saturday and a Tilda for fun

Now, before you all tell me what a wonderful warm weekend it is and how you will all be getting the BBQs out so you can enjoy the sunshine, just let me get this out of my system - b'ah, humbug! I don't like being hot and sticky and full of hayfever and I hate insects and I don't like the smell of cremated meat wafting indoors and and and ....... roll on October!!  You'd never guess I was born in the middle of July would you?!!

Anyhoo, here's a little card for you for two challenges

Penny Black Saturday Challenge # 102 Lots of Dots

and

Sketch Saturday Challenge # 104

I've rotated the sketch to fit the image I used, which is Daisy Bunnies from Penny Black, coloured with Copics and the papers are Wild Rose Studio Polka Dots and a piece from a Daisy and Dandelion pad. Sentiment is Lili Of The Valley.

Is anyone else having trouble with Blogger when trying to upload a picture? 

So that's my challenge card for today and now here is one just for the fun of it - again Wild Rose Studio papers, I think it's the Milton & Co collection, and I have used a Tilda from the new range and coloured her with Copics and ProMarkers.  Sentiment is from Pink Gem Designs.

Thanks for dropping in to see me today, hope you are having a super weekend whatever the weather!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 31 - Bling It On!

Happy weekend everyone! Hope you are all well and enjoying this brief burst of good weather.  As it is Saturday, you ought to know what that means by now ..... yes, it's another challenge from TOTALLY GORJUSS and this week we are hoping to be dazzled by your bling in our Bling It On challenge.

Don't forget to check the blog to see who won last week's Round and Round challenge!

The Design Team have come up with some stunners this week (don't they always?) so please do check out their individual creations.

Just before I show you my DT card for this week, I have a personal plea to make - if you use Word Verification as a security measure, would you please consider turning it off?  You can still have Comment Approval turned on if you need to vet your comments before publishing but Word Verification is such a pain in the bum.  Right, off the soapbox, here's my card

Now, this card looked much better in my head than it does in real life, not sure what went wrong!  I apologise for the poor quality photo, it's quite difficult to get a decent shot of all that shine.  Anyway, the black holographic glitter card was a gift, it came as a huge, rolled up, A2 sheet and once card has been rolled it sort of turns into a spring so it was a bit of a challenge in itself to get it to lay flat!  The pink glitter paper was from WHSmith and the blue holographic mirri card from Create and Craft (can you tell I raided my stash this week).  Tilda is coloured with Copics, the daisy border punch is Woodware and the gems are from stash too.  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Thanks so much for dropping by to see me.  Hope to catch up with you all over at TOTALLY GORJUSS - I'm off to have a play and see if I can actually enter some challenges myself this weekend!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge = K for Kisses + Shaped Card

Well guys, here we are again!  Time for another ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE and I'm the host this fortnight so that means no mucking about from you unruly lot LOL!!

Thanks for all your fabulous J for Jingle Bells entries - they were fabulous.  Please do check the blog to see who the lucky winners are.

And this fortnight we would like you to get kissing (mwah) with your K is for Kisses cards.  Who doesn't love a kiss at Christmas?  And the optional extra this time around is to make us a shaped card (yes, I know square is a shape, but you know what I mean).  The DT have, as always, come up with some fab inspiration for you so do check out their creations.  And our sponsor (ooh, we are SO lucky) is the wonderful Stamp and Create.

Here is my DT card

I have used the High Hopes stamp "Mooshie Steals A Kiss" which you can get from Stamp and Create, coloured with Copics and ProMarkers.  The backing papers are from an old DCWV Christmas Stack, the sentiment is Lili Of The Valley and the cute little sprig of mistletoe is Magnolia.

Hope to see you all over at the challenge that is ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge + Sketch Saturday Challenge

Now when I woke up this morning I felt quite exhilarated and excited.  "Why?" I hear you cry. Today was the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix and, as everyone knows, Monaco can throw up some unexpected results so I was really looking forward to the race.

Note the past tense - WAS looking forward to it.  After Lap 1 my interest suddenly wandered off elsewhere and I turned into a ratty old bag!

Anyway, enough of that nonsense, here is my little card for two challenges
Penny Black Saturday Challenge No 101 - Flowers, and
Sketch Saturday Challenge No 103

Now because I was in such a grump when I stomped upstairs to the PC, I forgot to check (a) the name of the stamp and (b) which pad of papers I'd used.  But I can tell you that the bear is Penny Black and the papers are Basic Grey and the fab ticket sentiment is Pink Gem Design.  Oh, yes, image coloured with Copics.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss Challenge # 30 - Round And Round

Did anyone else see that penguin waddling past?  Mr Toad said it was a magpie but I'm convinced it's been cold enough for it to have been a penguin!  Even me, part Eskimo (although my parents won't admit it) has been finding it a tad chillsome.

So, what can we do to warm up?  How about a good old fashioned crafting session with TOTALLY GORJUSS ?  That should do the trick!  Welcome to another challenge with the Gorjussettes.  Thank you so much for all your entries last week - you really rocked with the pink and green theme - don't forget to check the TG blog to find out who has been chosen as our lucky winner.

And so, this week's challenge is Round and Round - yes, we'd like to see circles on your cards.  But before I show you my card for this week - has anyone spotted something a little bit different about my blog?  Well, here's a clue - I have removed the word "guest" from my sidebar.  Still not got it?  The TG team have asked if I would like to become a permanent DT member, having now served my three month probation period and not killed anyone!  Yay me!  Anyhoo, enough of my waffle - here is my DT card for this challenge

A very simple card but LOTS of circles lol!  Papers with the circles are Making Memories, the others are from stash.  Dotty circle stamp is a Hero Arts I think and Tilda is coloured with Copics.  Sentiment is LOTV.  If you don't yet have their sentiment sheet I would highly recommend it. 

Hope to see you all over at TOTALLY GORJUSS very soon.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Editing to add better photo: Not so much "off the wall" as completely through it!

Need your thoughts chaps - a colleague is getting married next weekend and naturally I wanted to make a card for the happy couple.  Sorry about poor photo quality, took it on my phone and it's got a bit fuzzy in translation.

I started off with the traditional thoughts but as some of you will know, my brain is a bit quirky ........ have I gone too far?!

Sentiment says "Ahoy there Shipmates! Congratulations on setting sail together" in sort of pirate-ish script.

Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 29 - Pink & Green

Morning all!  And what a lovely morning it is too (if Mr Blogger is playing fair).  This post is scheduled because I'm at the salon getting my tail trimmed and retouched so I hope it works.  And when I get back? Well it's qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix, yay, the boys are back in town, well, Europe at least.  No more silly early morning races for a little while.

Anyhoo, enough of my waffle, here is what you came over for - it's the TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge!  Whoop whoop!  So many fabulous entries for last week - you had us all in stitches (oh come onnnnn, it's early) so don't forget to pop back later to check who Mr RNG selected.

This week Net has chosen one of my favourite colour themes and we are going with PINK and GREEN (now why does that make me think of Miss Piggy and Kermit?) so out with your crafting kit and get busy!

Here is my DT card for this week

Thoughtful Tilda, Copics, Nestabilities, Papermania and Making Memories papers, Martha Stewart corner punch, Lili Of The Valley sentiment, stashed pink cardstock, green Bazzil.

Oh crumbs, how could I forget, don't miss out on the chance to catch up with my Gorjussette teamies on their own blogs, they are such a talented bunch (I always was the odd one out).  Hope to see you all over at TOTALLY GORJUSS very soon!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - J is for Jingle Bells + extra of punch

Hello everyone, guess what? Yes, it's time for another challenge from ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE which this time is hosted by the wonderful Annie and we are thrilled to be sponsored by SIMON SAYS STAMP

So Annie's challenge is J for Jingle Bells with an extra of a punched something - this took some thinking about but here is my DT card

The stamp is a Magnolia snowman which I bought specifically (yes, sad I know) for this challenge but I had NOTHING else with bells on that I hadn't used for the challenge before!  Papers are from an old Christmas collection and those adorable little bells (and they are real, they do jingle) I obtained from my dream place to be trapped overnight, The Glitter Pot (except it's just a tad too close to some family members for comfort LOL - would hate to be rescued too early).  The peel-off sparkle letters are from local craft store.  The beautiful lilac and pink spotted organza ribbon came from Fantastic Ribbons (thanks Keith).  Managed to tie the bow with some help from the Bow Easy which I won in a candy from Lacey at Stamp And Create so a huge thanks for that hun!  Oh yes, the punched something is an optional extra - which I opted out of (yes, I forgot).

So come on guys, get Jingling and see you over at the challenge.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Baby Boom

Thought I ought to top up my box of cards for work and realised that I don't have any baby cards done, so with the help of these adorable little stamps from Lili Of The Valley .....

Papers for the little girl are Basic Grey from the Porcelain collection and for the baby boy are DCWV from an old Christmas collection (not very Christmassy!)  Both images coloured with Copics.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Big Hairy Boys In Aprons

The Hairy Bikers' Big Night Out - if you get a chance to catch them at a theatre near you, don't hesitate, get a ticket and go see them!

I have not laughed so hard or for so long in years, and the sight of Dave Myers in a pink and gold spandex leotard singing "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" has probably scarred me for life but it was hilarious.

Didn't get just one recipe, came home with about 15 of them, all beautifully reproduced in the Tour programme booklet.

Great night out with two big lads who really do know how to cook!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Meant to show you this.....

There are limits to "make yourself at home" .....

Little devil moved in to my comfy chair just after lunch yesterday and I had to prise him out of there in time for Over The Rainbow last night.

Maid In Britain

Did anyone else put on a performance of "Joseph" at school?  And it rained and rained and rained and rained and rained ...... great UK Bank Holiday weather we're having!  It's the annual classic car rally from Ipswich to Felixstowe today, poor devils - not going to be too warm or comfortable for them.

Anyhoo, over at High Hopes Challenge today the theme is Home Country Flag, well, at least something inspired by the colours of your home country flag.  This had me stumped for a while until, whilst ferreting about in my stamps, I found Dress-Up Danni - and this is what I did with her

Stamp is Dress-Up Danni by High Hopes, coloured with Copics and ProMarkers, gems for her necklace are from stash.  Papers are leftovers from my Little Sizzlets collection so not even sure which pad each one is from now.  Anyway, this is my red, white and blue Union Jack themed offering, she was great fun to make.

Now going to sort out dinner and then it's off to the theatre to see the Hairy Biker's Big Night Out - I might even pick up a recipe or two, who knows!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

And The Winner Is .........

Happy Sunday everyone!  Hope your weekends are going well.

Today is the day then - the announcement of my blogoversary candy winner - are you excited?

But before we get to the tedious stuff like who has won (you're not really interested in that are you?) I have to say WOW!  297 entries for the candy - that's a HUGE number!  So, a very big thank you to everyone who has taken part, bloggers and emailers alike.  I'm overwhelmed with the number of you who have also signed up to "follow" my blog.  I've received some heart-warming comments from some of those new to my blog but some wonderful messages from my loyal and longstanding followers too.  This blog would not have succeeded without your support fellas so a heart full of thanks to you for sticking with me.  My only hope is that I can create enough of interest to keep the new followers coming back and they won't disappear now the candy has ended.

Anyway, enough of my waffle.  I had a word with Vince and said how do you fancy picking the winner.  He flicked his whiskers at me and went off to find a biscuit so I had to call on Mr RNG (that always makes me think of Jack Coleman's character, HRG, in Heroes) to do his stuff.  I loaded in the numbers and here is what he came out with

There was a lot of whirring and grinding noises but Mr RNG has generated entry number 25, and that person is ......... RUFUS!  Congratulations sweetie!  Email me (you know where) your address details and I'll send Vince off to the Post Office on Tuesday.

Rufus, bless her little cotton socks, has been following me since about day one and has stuck with me through thick and thin so I am thrilled to bits that Mr RNG has recognised that.

So that's it guys, all done and dusted.  Mind you, I am thinking about a little candy to celebrate my umpteenth birthday in July so keep an eye out.

Thanks again to everyone who took part, hope to see you all soon.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Penny Black + Sketch Saturday + Allsorts

Hello All,

I had some news yesterday about a friend's job that meant I needed to make a congratulations card pretty quickly so when I saw these three challenges I was in heaven.

Allsorts - Week 50 - Animals
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Week 99 - Punch It Out and
Sketch Saturday Challenge - Week 101 - Maya's Sketch

Here is Maya's fabulous sketch

And here is my card

Image is Penny Black Bubble Joy and coloured with Copics Ciao Markers, papers are a selection of Basic Grey and punches are Garden Trellis and Monach Butterfly from Martha Stewart,  Gold foiled sentiment is Craftword Cards.  Pearls are from stash.

Thanks for dropping by,

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 28 - A Stitch In Time

Morning all, it's the weekend at last AND a Bank Holiday one too, bonus!

The TOTALLY GORJUSS girls would like to thank you for showing us your Gorjuss Girls last week, they were fabulous! And thanks again to the Gorjuss Girls designer herself, Suzanne Woolcott, for sponsporing that challenge.  Don't forget to check the TG blog to see who won.

And so to this week's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge and we would like to see some STITCHING on your cards, if you are brave it can be real stitches or, if you are like me, faux stitching.  So get the needle and thread out and off you go!

Once again the DT have come up with some stunning inspiration for you so don't forget to check out their individual blogs.  Your visits mean a lot.

Here is my card for this week:

I have used Sprinkles With Attitude from Pink Gem Designs and I have to thank Janet for creating such a little darlin'.  Papers are leftovers from stash, but I think the patterned ones are Daisy and Dandelion and the plain is Dovecraft (but don't quote me on that) and the sentiment is Craftwork Cards.   Image is coloured with ProMarkers and then I got busy with the ProMarker fine liner for all those stitches.

Thanks ever so much for calling in, lovely to see you as always.  Don't forget that the winner of my blogoversary candy will be announced tomorrow, that's if Mr RNG can cope with the number of entries!

Going to have a sociable weekend - we are off to see The Hairy Bikers Big Night Out tomorrow night and on Monday we are out for lunch with my parents - so you may not see as much of me as usual (what do you mean, "hurrah"?)

TTFN, hugs, Squirrel xx

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