Bit of A Sunday Session ....

...... I'm not really supposed to be up here, I should be down there, chained to the cooker (shsssssssh) so this'll be very quick.  Four cards, all CAS ...

Thanks for popping over for a peek - sorry there's no time to add the details just now, will try to pop back and do that later. 

Hugs All, Squirrel xx

If at first you don't succeed ........

........ just keep trying until someone takes pity on you!  Yep, it is LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge time again and it has become like a cracked tooth for me - you know it's there, you want to ignore it but try and try as you might, you just can't leave it alone!

So here I am again for another attempt.  This week the wonderful Bev has produced one of her fab sketches to play with:

Thank you Bev, I really enjoyed this one and will no doubt use it again and again.  Anyway, here is my entry:

Lili of the Valley stamp, of course, which I have coloured with the distress inks, papers are from an old Christmas stack by DCWV.  Sentiment is LOTV too.  Stars done with Nestabilities.  Rhinestone Stickles to finish with gems from stash.

Thank you for taking the time to pop over.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

40,000 Hits Candy

Morning all, as promised I'm back with a small belated candy for you:

Two Milton & Co stamps from Wild Rose Studio

   -   Milton With Flowers

   -   Millie Gardening

A selection of Joanna Sheen animal print papers (and a few surprise papers too)

If you are interested, please leave a comment and add a link to your own blog.

Candy closes at midnight on Friday 12 November.  Winner will be announced on Saturday 13 November.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 54 - Spooky (DT)

It's Saturday, it's TOTALLY GORJUSS day and I'm back!  So many thanks to Net and my fellow Gorjussettes for allowing me a little break from DTing but I'm back now and raring to go!

Now it is that time of year when the ghosts and ghouls all come out to play so we have a theme of SPOOKY for you to play with - it doesn't have to be a Halloween card, just something a bit creepy (eeeek).  And to counteract all this scariness, we have a bunch of loveliness by way of our sponsor WILD ORCHID CRAFTS.

Here is my DT card:

I've had this Tilda a while now but not really used her much.  I think she is meant to be a winter one but that hat just screamed Halloween at me!  Coloured with ProMarkers and a touch of pencil for shading.  The cobweb is a Cuttlebug embossing folder, on Coordinations cardstock and I swiped over the web with white VersaColor to lift it from the page.  Papers are a mixture of Making Memories and Little Sizzlets.  Sentiment is Paula Pascaul from Personal Impressions.

So, now I have scared you silly, I reckon you ought to be getting on with some crafting and show us all your spooky creations!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Oh My Giddy Aunt!

Oh goodness gracious me .......... I had promised a 40,000 hits candy a little while ago and I've just noticed that I'm edging to 41,000 already!

Will try and put together something for the weekend (ooh Matron!)

Hugs, Squirrel xx

My first DT for Sketch & Stash - Challenge 47

Crumbs, is it really Monday morning already?  Where has the weekend gone?  By the time you are reading this, I shall be on my way to work so I hope my scheduling plays by the rules!

Anyhoo, I am chuffed to be able to say that it is SKETCH & STASH CHALLENGE time and as the newest member of the DT (this is my debut) I am feeling a bit nervous but the team are wonderful and I've had such a great welcome.

Sue has produced an amazing sketch for you for Challenge 47 and, naturally, the team have provided some stunning inspiration for you to ooh and ahh over.  The sponsor for this challenge is POLLYCRAFT DESIGNS so if you love your digi images, this is the place to go.

Here is Sue's sketch - remember, you have two weeks to enter ..... so no excuses!

And here is my card:

So what stash did I use?  My new stash is that adorable Lili Of The Valley bunny stamp called The Night Before Christmas, this is his first inking, and I've coloured him with my Distress Inks, which I still class as new stash as I keep adding to the collection (lol), and the neglected stash are those Papermania papers, the blue is the oldest but the pink isn't too far behind.  The Martha Stewart snowflake is on it's second Christmas, as is the textured mirri card and the Sizzlets corners.

Thanks for coming over to see me, and I do hope you can take part in the challenge.

I'm also going to enter this card into the LILI OF THE VALLEY CHALLENGE who have the theme of Winter Fun this time.  I confess that this challenge has become a bit of a thorn in my side lately - I adore the LOTV stamps and have so much fun playing with them but I am still striving to reach the amazing standard that the LOTV team set.  I don't want to win the challenge (although that would be nice) but my ambition is to eventually make the Top 3!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Tutorial? Me? Not On Your Nelly!

Over the past few days I've had a couple of requests for a painting with distress inks tutorial - sorry guys, I'll leave that one to the professionals!

Here is a little LOTV image that I've been working on today; the aim was for a Vintage look.  Have I achieved it?

Another LOTV image (on a card this time) for you tomorrow .....

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Right Old Mixture ......

Hi All - hope your Saturday is going well!  I've been a lazy ol' Squirrel today really - spent a couple of hours watching the qualifying for tomorrow's F1 Korean Grand Prix (not happy with the outcome - grrrrr) and then have been playing happily. 

A little bit of a mixture for you today - let's start with James and his cracker:

My first love in rubber stamps is Penny Black but (and I feel so treasonous for saying this) Lili Of The Valley are now vying for that top spot in my affections.  I just adore the range of stamps available and there is something for every occasion.  The OCD side of my personality (come on, we all have one) is itching for a new release!  This one is James with his Christmas cracker and I've coloured him with Distress Inks (becoming a firm favourite also) and the papers are a mixture of Basic Grey and Dovecraft.

So that's Christmas, now onto a male thinking of you card:

You may remember that my fave cousin had surgery earlier this month.  That went well enough but there has been a complication since and he is meeting with his consultant again this coming week to discuss further surgery.  This High Hopes image called Hanging Around made me think of three things (1) to say hang in there (2) hanging around in hospital waiting rooms and (3) the day his brother sat on a frog.  Papers are Little Sizzlets.

And my third and final offering today (are you still awake?) is with my new Hanglar stamp that I purchased from my mate Sarah via her Ebay store -

I have just got to have more of these little loves!  Coloured with Copics this time.  Not sure about the make of papers as they came in a goody bag birthday gift from my boss.  Sentiment is Paula Pascaul/Personal Impressions.

Phew!  If you have managed to get this far then you deserve a medal, thanks for sticking with it.  I hope the rest of your evening is wonderful.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Some News!!!!

Ooooh (hopping up and down in excitement) !!

I've got some news for you ..............

That wonderful crew over at Sketch & Stash Challenge have invited me to join their Design Team - and I've said yes!  How cool is that?!  I'm ever so chuffed (not that you'd ever guess LOL) and I can't wait to make a start.

So that's three challenges now where you will find me lurking on the DT - it'd be lovely if you could join me for a play now and again.

So there is:

Sketch & Stash Challenge

Fortnightly on Mondays (use your new or neglected stash to go with each sketch)

Totally Gorjuss 

Weekly on Saturdays (a theme of delicious gorgeousness each week)

ABC Christmas Challenge 

Fortnightly on Wednesdays (a Christmas card or gift with an alphabetic twist)

Looking forward to seeing you there with all your wonderful creations.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - V

Verily, I was vexed when I saw we had reached V in the alphabet for the ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE - I'll admit it, this is a hard one!

Samantha has come up with a couple of sketches for you to choose from, you can do one, t'other, or both, depending on how adventurous you are feeling.

Both are cracking little sketches so why not be daring and try one of each?

Our sponsor for this challenge is PINK CAT STUDIO (wow) and there are 5 digi images on offer!  How super is that?!

I'm afraid I was a terrible old Squirrel for this challenge and only did the one card - my Vs are vertical and virtually impossible ......

I've used the first of Samantha's sketches, this fabulous digi image from Pink Cat Studio, and some old papers from a year or so ago, silver card candy from Craftwork Cards.

I hope you guys have more fun with V than I did, and I shall be checking on you later!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Fab Surprise and A Fat Turkey

As we have had a couple of days off work (can't believe I have to go back tomorrow - sob!) we popped into Norwich yesterday for a day browsing the shops for Christmas ideas.  Anyhoo, one of our last shops before catching the train home was Jarrolds.  I love this store, it's still a true, old fashioned department store and the staff are so wonderfully helpful and friendly.

I was on the lookout for a 2011 diary for me.  My 2010 diary is one of those fancy Moleskine jobs and I love it to pieces but I found something so much better for the new year!!!

How brilliant is that?!  Now I have absolutely no excuse for being late with my Totally Gorjuss DT cards LOL!

And here's the fat turkey - great recipe challenge over at HIGH HOPES STAMPS this week of 1 circle, 2 squares and a scalloped edge

I've used the High Hopes stamp Tom's Plea, I'm sure in the US he would be used for Thanksgiving, but it's not a UK Christmas without turkey!  Papers are Dovecraft, Martha Stewart heart border punch, peel off border from stash and colouring medium is distress inks.

And I'm also entering this into this week's DIE CUT DREAMS CHRISTMAS CLUB who are looking for Christmas Humour, although I guess the turkey's not laughing!

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugs, Squirrel xx

In The Squirrel Spotlight - Coops Cluttered Corner

Now, whether she wants to admit it or not, Nic and I go back a long way ..... way back into the dim and distant past of the DoCrafts Forum!  Crikey, that feels like a lifetime ago.

Anyway, I was always a fan of Nic then, and now she has her blog at COOPS CLUTTERED CORNER she has blossomed.  Nic has such a skill with colour that she leaves me breathless sometimes.  Such stunning work.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

It's Getting Closer .....

... Christmas that is.  Scary how quickly it is creeping up on us.  Having realised yesterday how many more cards I need to get made, here are two that I've done today.  No challenges, just for the stash.

The first card is a LOTV stamp, Woodland Christmas and the papers are from a very old DCWV Christmas Stack, except for the lime green strip of Basic Grey Jovial that was just laying on my desk from yesterday. 

The second card is High Hopes Bearly Swooshin', again very old papers, this time from a Papermania collection that I just can't seem to use up despite it coming out every year!  Both cards done with Distress Inks.

Two down, several more to go .......

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Just Magnolia Sketch Meets Totally Tilda Red & Green

Second post from me today - I'm making up for lost time LOL!!  Mr Mojo has gone a wandering but his little cousin has put in an appearance so I'm making the most of him while he visits.

I've combined two super challanges for this card - JUST MAGNOLIA features a great sketch by Dawny P (thanks Dawny, I do love your sketches hun) and TOTALLY TILDA CHALLENGE wants a traditional red and green Christmas.  So, here we go:

As you can see (!) I've used the sketch as the main panel for a simple easel card.  Tilda is one of my older ones but she is still adorable in her hat and mittens.  I've coloured her with Copics.  All the papers, with the exception of the green square behind Tilda, are Basic Grey Jovial collection.  Pearls for the easel-stopper from stash.

Here's a link to my earlier post today if you are interested.













I've worked out that I need to make at least another 30 Christmas cards for this year so best I get a wriggle on.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Time for Tea? LOTV - Bev's Sketch

Morning all.  Hope your weekend is a good one so far!  I've had a pretty mad week back at work after my holiday so it came as a really nice surprise to realise that I also have a four day weekend - wheeee!  I didn't get much crafting done last week so I intend to try and remedy that before I crawl back to the office on Wednesday.

Over on the LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge this week is a fabulous sketch by the ultra talented Bev and I could not resist having a little play.  Here is Bev's sketch:

I had intended to do a "straight" interpretation of the sketch (mainly because Mr Mojo is on a no go) but because of the image I used I ended up mirroring the design, but as Bev is so sweet I'm sure she won't mind!

I've used the Tea Party stamp from the Girlie Collection at Lili Of The Valley and coloured her with Copics (face and arms) and Distress Inks.  Classic circle Nestability, inked round with Colorbox Q chalk ink, ivory picot ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons, papers are all Dovecraft Back To Basics, sentiment is Paula Pascaul, retro flower punch by EK Success, flower centres from Craftwork Cards, peel off border from stash.

Thanks ever so much for popping over.  I know I caught up with some of you last week, but I still have a lot to visit - bear with me, I'll get there eventually!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Rabbit Dropping!

Very quick post before Casualty starts .....

Three Challenges:
Lili Of The Valley - Autumn Colours
Sketch & Stash - No 45
Oldie But A Goodie - Animal

A quick edit before bedtime:  Image is Lili Of The Valley, papers are from an old collection by Dovecraft (lost the cover sheet in the mists of time, sorry), matting card Papermania, Card Candy by Craftwork Cards, peel-offs from stash.
TTFN
Squirrel xxx

Big Cat Diary - Lots of Photos

Colchester Zoo's female Amur Leopard



Hunting for her lunch




So just where did I leave it?




It's behind you!




I know my place!




Girls on top




Igor sunbathing after lunch




Ditto Igor




And again




Now I can have a nap





Big cats have always been a favourite but I have to say that the Amur Leopards are breathtaking creatures.  We were so privileged to get a glimpse of both this little lady and her fella (in the enclosure next door but he was resting high on a podium with the sun behind him - not good for photos!).  The zoo are hoping that they will mate soon as they are both young cats and prime age for producing healthy cubs.  And boy do we need those cubs - there are only an estimated 35 of these cats left in the world, THIRTY FIVE!  I am not ashamed to say that I stood there watching her and wept.

Penny Black at Allsorts - Autumn Colours

Afternoon all - I see Blogger has been at it again, first the photo upload thingie and now the reading list has gone all weird.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!

Right, that's off my chest, now to the card for a challenge or two:

PENNY BLACK AT ALLSORTS have an Autumn Colours theme and as autumn is my favourite season I could not resist

I've used Penny Black's Message From Above, coloured with Distress Inks.  Papers are a mixture of Papermania Henbury Lane, Dovecraft Eastern Promise and My Mind's Eye (not sure which pack as I've muddled them up - oops).  Nestabilities die for the pretty matting, Personal Impressions Paula Pascal sentiment stamps, Woodware daisy punch, Pebbles Inc Candy Dots, Colorbox Qs chalk inks.

I'd also like to enter this at CHARISMA CARDS Autumn Colours and PAPER ROMANCE Halloween or Fall.

Thanks for popping over to see me, I'm now going to attempt to upload some more zoo pictures for you!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sneak Peek - A Day At The Zoo!

Colchester Zoo Pirahnas

ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Under the Tree (not a card)

Hi All - this is a scheduled post so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Mr Blogger plays nicely!  It's time for another ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE (yes, it is getting closer now) but firstly I must thank each and every one of you for your fabulous T for Tree entries, it's going to be a hard job to choose the top 3 from all those wonderful creations.  Do check back to the main blog to see who has been selected and who the overall winner is.

So, we are on to U for UNDER THE TREE and the theme for this challenge has been chosen by that crafty little crafter Helen and it is "NOT A CARD".  She's a demon that one.  So just to be clear, for this challenge we are looking for gifts or gift packaging!

Our sponsor for this challenge is the brilliant SIMON SAYS STAMP - do pop over to their store for a browse, I bet you'll find loads of things that fall into your basket!

The other thing I really must mention is that we are looking for some new DT members!  If you would be interested in joining our happy band, please check the details on the challenge blog site.

Anyway, here is my DT creation for you:

I've gone for a little bit of altered art this time around and created a photo album.  Well, I didn't actually create the album, that was done by Tesco (other supermarkets are available) for the grand sum of 74p.  It was bright pink and shiny when I got it and it was a bit icky-tacky cheap (what can you expect for that price?!) so I got busy.  The gorgeously thick and wonderful to work with green sprig paper is Making Memories, and it just had to be that Penny Black meece stamp really, it was crying out for that one to be used.  Some luscious green organza ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons double wrapped around the spine and finished with a bow, all peel-offs from stash, and hey-presto.  And how could I resist sneaking in a couple of photos of my babies for the display?! 

Get your thinking caps on and I shall look forward to seeing what ingenious "non cards" you come up with.

Hugs, Squirrel xx