Too Much Brandy In the Mince Pies?

Hello all!  At last, a day that feels like the day it should be - you know where you are with a Saturday!  Here at Squirrel Towers it has been confusion all week so it was nice this morning to get up, go for a tail trim and come back to a normal weekend day.

Now, when I'd made this card, Toad reckons I had eaten a mince pie with too much brandy in it - I kinda see what he means but what the heck, it was very tasty!

Allsorts Challenge - New Beginnings

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - New Beginnings

So here it is then, brace yourselves

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image  High Hopes First Ride

Sentiment  LOTV Grunge Postmarks

Papers  All Basic Grey - variety of pads

Medium  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Dies Memory Box Puffy Clouds and Snowflake Corner (that I turned into flowers)

Extras  A few gems and a punched flower

Not the most traditional of baby cards but, hey, it's nice to be different sometimes (my excuse and I'm sticking to it).

Now then, remember at the end of November that I was positively bursting to tell you some news?  Well, it didn't happen and I was totally flat about it.  After the email from Lord Tim saying that he liked my colouring, I had another one from him saying that he would link my blog to his during the 12 Tags Of Christmas.  I appreciate that it must be an incredibly frantic time for him to produce all that work and get it posted so I'm not going to be too hard on him, especially as he is so darned talented, but I guess that was my fall after the pride, and oh boy, was it a long fall.  Never mind, pick myself up, dust myself off, and away we go again.



Whatever you are doing tonight to see in the New Year (we'll probably be in bed by about 10.30) I hope it is a happy and safe one for you.

Hugs Sxx

Less Is More - Just One Word

I am so glad that the current LESS IS MORE challenge is running for two weeks - I've had a head full of ideas since I saw the theme of Just One Word but Christmas sort of got in the way of playing and today has been my first chance to get inky.

Me and the Toad were discussing ideas this morning (he does come up with some elaborate and impossible plans, bless) when I had an idea involving Magnolia Chess Pieces.  So off I dutifully went to hunt them down.  I did find them, but I also found a stamp that I liked better and had an instant idea for. 

I think I still had in my head Great Expectations from the telly last night, at the point when Herbert is urging Pip and Magwitch to get in the rowing boat quickly before they missed the tide and there was a fog over the river.   This was the inspiration for the clock and the colours.

Ingredients for this card:

Stamped Image:  Magnolia Clock (stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento)

Sentiment: Papermania Alphabet Letters (in London Fog Distress Inks)

Inks:  Background inking with Distress Inks - Tattered Rose, Antique Linen, Iced Spruce, Forest Moss

And that's it.  I think the mojo is fired up again now so I'm off to have a go at some DT work while the muse is upon me!

Hugs, Sxx

My first ever WOYWW

Morning all.  This is a rarity for me, being at home on a Wednesday, so it means that I can join in with my first every WOYWW with the fabulous Julia.

So, what do we have?  As you can see, my workspace is in the conservatory, just under the kitchen window (very handy for being passed cups of tea).  This is my painting, gluing and assembling space - the guillotine and embossing bench is behind me but that is piled high with stuff because of having to make room for the Christmas tree.  This is spookily tidy for me, normally you can't even see the cutting mat for mess.

Bottom left you can just see a little thank you card I made with a Hero Arts Stencil Flower stamp and on the cutting mat is a part coloured Mo Manning image which I shall finish off later.  The white oblong next to the mat is my paint box full of Distress Inks - I took the water colour paints out of their pans and plipped in a drop of ReInkers so I have the full colour range all in one palette.  And you can tell by my water jar that I really need some clean water!!

So that's it - my space, my mess.  Off to have a peek at yours now.

Hugs xxx

You're My Most Favourite ...

Afternoon all!  Hope you managed to have a Happy Christmas and that Santa brought everything you'd hoped for.  He didn't?  Was that because you were naughty?  Come on .... own up to Auntie Squirrel!

It was a very pleasant but quiet Christmas here at Squirrel Towers with just me, the Toadster and the Vincent.  But that was fine by us - morning Mass, bacon sandwich, open pressies, a bit of telly, dinner and a snooze!  Yesterday was lunch at the Oldies - must admit that we were expecting jacket potatoes and cold meats so we were a little thrown by being presented with a full roast dinner and a pudding.  Crikey, the old fur is getting a bit stretched around the belly area now.  Good job that Toad dragged me out (kicking and screaming I hasten to add) for a long walk this morning - and we have been disco dancing on the Wii this afternoon.

Anyhoo, today was my first chance to get to play for a few days so I grabbed it with both paws.  I bought a couple of Mo Manning stamps earlier in the month and had been itching to play with this little cutie.

And as I failed miserably to make enough Christmas cards this year I thought I would make a few New Year gifts.  Very simple but postable!

Yes, I know the calendar clashes horribly, but when it is open the pages are white so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb then.  That adorable sentiment came with the image.  Who could resist it!

Anyhoo, I'm off downstairs again to get some dinner sorted.  After all that exercise I'm famishing and in danger of wasting away (yeah, right, like that'll ever happen, lol).

Hugs xxx

Winter Wonderland (DT) A Thank You Recipe

Having said that in my last post before the last post was the last post before Christmas, this one really is the last post, honestly!  Welcome to this week's WINTER WONDERLAND - we are starting a short run of non-Christmas cards and what better to start you off in time for all those presents than a Thank You Recipe.  We would like to see your "thank you" cards using 3 papers, 3 flowers, 1 image, 1 ribbon and, of course, a thank you.

And this week we have a $15 gift voucher on offer from our generous sponsor SIMON SAYS STAMP!

Here is my card:

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  Whiff of Joy Henry Hugging Large Heart

Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks ReInkers

Papers:  First Edition (all three from same pad)

Sentiment:  Hero Arts x 2

Extras:  Magnolia Old Swedish Lace die cut, EK Success retro flower, Card Candi, Anita's Sticky Ribbon

We are also having a Design Team call for Winter Wonderland so if you are interested, please do hop over to the post and leave a comment with a link to your blog by 31 December.

So that's it from me - I hope you will find a little time over the Christmas holidays to join us with your Thank You card.

Hugs Sxx

Design Team Call for Winter Wonderland

Morning all.  Now here's a thing, we have two Design Team spaces waiting to be filled at Winter Wonderland.

Our precious Danielle and Suzi are leaving us (sob) and that means we have two vacancies for willing crafters.

Do you love Christmas?  Could you make a card to a theme once a fortnight? Would you have the time to comment on just 1 in every 10 entries each week?  If you have answered yes, then you could be just the person we are looking for.

If you are interested, pop over to Winter Wonderland for more details and leave a comment on the DT post with a link to your blog by 31 December.

Hugs, Sxx

Just The One Trombone In The Big Parade

Afternoon all.  Hope this finds you well.  Only one week to go to the big day and at Squirrel Towers we are still in total chaos.  This may well be my last post until after Boxing Day now as I have had to TIDY the craft space to make room for the tree.  It stands on part of my work surface to at least give it a fighting chance of surviving Vince!

This week the LESS IS MORE ladies have set a theme of music.  I knew immediately which stamp I wanted to use, simply because I came across him last weekend when rummaging for something else.  Fate perhaps.

This little chap is a Penny Black and I didn't check the name of him before I came upstairs, sorry.  Coloured in Distress Inks and layered with HOTP paper and a LOTV sentiment with a few gems to finish.  Simples.

As I have missed so many posting dates for Christmas cards, I would like to finish with a little message

To all my blogging friends, old and new, may

I wish you a joyous and love-filled

Christmas and here's to a

Happy 2012 for all of us

Hugs, Sxx

A quick one

I'm in a right tailspin now - under two weeks to go to the big day and I am sooooooo not ready for it.  I don't know what's happened to me this year, normally I am much better organised than this.  It doesn't help that the post office have made the "last posting dates" earlier than normal, which means I have already missed a lot of the overseas ones!

Thankfully I have no need to post my card to mum and dad as they are only 15 mins away!  I made this card on Sunday.  I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with it, just that I wanted it to be big.  So starting with an 8x8 card base, I sat and scratched the fur for a while and then it just sort of happened.

I've used some Lili Die-Cuts for this as is was really too dark to be painting, which could explain why some of the elements (particularly the Merry sentiment) are on the squiff.  It was really too dark to be playing!  Anyway, with some magazine freebie papers, a Penny Black stamp and Papermania's Relationships stamps this is what I came up with.  Woodware Holly brads and HunkyDory Diamond Sparkle gems were the final touches.  It's not the most sophisticated card I've ever made, and not the most elegant, but mum and dad will love it anyway.

Hugs, Sxx

Less Is More - Let It Snow

Morning all.   How are we today?  I'm feeling a bit down in the dumps as we've just had in the estimate for our kitchen and it is £3,500 over our top end budget.  Fourteen years waiting for a new kitchen and it looks like it still won't happen.  Sob!

Anyway, LESS IS MORE this week are asking us to Let It Snow with a One Layer Card.

Hugs Sxs

The Last Lili

Morning all.  Just before the chaos begins and we go out shopping (yes, I know, I need my bumps read) here is the card I have made for the last LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge as we know it.

If you are not already aware, LOTV have made the decision to concentrate on one blog to showcase their products and that will be their Ideas To Inspire blog.

So, what do us desperate Wanna-Be-Fairies do?  Well, we stick with Jacqui and Bev who are going to be starting an independent blog in January called Lilis Little Fairies Challenge!  It will still feature our fix of Lili stamps and images and is even taking over the blog address so there is no excuse for not being able to find it.

So, with a sad and happy heart (I just hate mixed emotions) here is my card for the theme of Pink, Silver and White ....

Isn't silver a little bleeper to try and photograph?!  Anyhoo, ingredients are:

Stamped Image  LOTV Summer Perfect Present

Sentiment  Taken from LOTV Summer My Best Friend

Papers  A mix from First Edition pads, and silver textured mirri card

Medium  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Extras  Martha Stewart border punch, EK Success retro flower punch, Papermania gems,

Craftwork Cards Card Candi and a Memory Box border die

Thanks for popping over.  Yet again I am way behind with my visits to you but I am trying hard.

Hugs Sxx

Trust Me, Genes Have Nothing To Do With It

My mother, God bless her, is a natural baker.  She can turn out a cake in the blink of an eye and it ALWAYS tastes good.  Even when the only thing in the fridge is a lump of hard cheese, she can magic a cake out of nowhere.

So why did I not inherit this skill?  Over the years I have come to realise that there is no such thing as a Baking Gene, and if there was, then I certainly was somewhere else when it was handed out.  Even my Yorkshires are iffy (I could keep the Olympic Ice Hockey team in pucks for a lifetime) and my cakes are, well, not very cakey.

So imagine my surprise and unbounded delight when, after a large bout of insanity struck, I managed to turn out a light fruit cake this week!

OK, it is a little scruffy round the edges but that's totally my fault for rushing the lining of the tin.  However, and this is the important bit, it is EDIBLE!  And it actually tastes pretty good and there is no need for a gallon of tea to wash it down with either, lol. 

Sure it won't ever win any beauty contests.  But I made it, and I'm proud of it.  So much so that I am taking a chunk of it to mum tomorrow for her to pass judgement on!

Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wonderland - Let It Snow (DT)

Oooh, I am in such a panic now!!  Just on two weeks to go, aaaargh!

Thanks for joining us for another WINTER WONDERLAND challenge - our theme this week is a great one but I hope it's not tempting fate to say Let It Snow!

Our sponsor this week is DELICIOUS DOODLES who are offering a prize of 3 digi images.

And here is my DT card using my most favourite ever all time snowman

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  Penny Black Snowy

Colouring Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: BoBunny Snowfall Collection

Sentiment:: LOTV Christmas Postmark

Extras: Memory Box swirl die and Martha Stewart snowflake punch

Hope to see you all at the challenge with your Let It Snow entries!

I shall also enter this little chap into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - Y for Yippee

By The Cute And Girly - Let It Snow

Creative Inspirations - Let It Snow

Hugs, Sxx

PBAMAA December Birthday

Half way through the week, and it's 18 days to Christmas.  I really need to get a wriggle on as I am no where near prepared.  And I bet there are crafters out there sitting comfy with all their cards written and presents wrapped.  As you have done yours, would you fancy giving me a hand then?

On Monday I said I would be back with a male birthday card for the December challenger over at PENNY BLANK AND MORE AT ALLSORTS and here it is:

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image  Penny Black Where's Dinner

Colouring Medium  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers  BoBunny, and PDA matting card

Extras  Nestabilities Labels die

I really ought to get my PB stamps out more than I do, I love using them and they are a joy to paint.  It was PB stamps that started the rubber addiction all those years ago.

Hugs, Sxx

Penny Black And More At Allsorts - December (Birthday)

Huge sigh of relief, even though it is Monday morning - no Christmas card for this one!  Those lovely ladies over at PENNY BLACK AND MORE AT ALLSORTS have a BIRTHDAY theme for their December challenge.

I love having a rummage through my boxes of PB stamps but it is always so hard choosing what to use as they are all so much fun.

I've gone CAS girly for this one

It was the sentiment that inspired this one - made perfect by finding that little kitty.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image and Main Sentiment  Penny Black Pink Toes and Penny Black Dance Sing Love

Colouring Medium  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Smaller Sentiment  Hero Arts

Extras  Lilac silver fleck cardstock, Martha Stewart punch, gems from stash

To balance things out I shall be back with a male birthday card ......!

Hugs, Sxx

Doubling Up - 2 Cards, 2 Challenges

Hi all.  Hope your Sunday is going well. 

Less Is More - Colour Challenge - Green
It was chickens last week and ducks/geese this week for my LESS IS MORE card.  It is a colour theme this time and that is GREEN.

Not happy with this card, but then we all have one of those now and again don't we.

Ingredients for this one are:  Stamped Image  Penny Black Noel  Medium: ProMarkers

Papers From scraps box  Extras Gems from stash

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Photo Inspiration

There is a fab photo for inspiration at this weeks SECRET CRAFTER challenge

Just look at all those gorgeous colours and delicious decorations!

Ingredients for this card are:  Stamped Image House Mouse  Medium Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers) Papers HOTP and green pearlised card  Extras  Woodware Christmas sentiment, Craftwork Cards Winter Berries Card Candi, border peeloff from stash

Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wedding

Morning all.  How are you?  Running around chasing your tails trying to sort out your Christmas?  I am terribly disorganised this year - nowhere near enough cards made, only one person has presents.....Toad has gone into town this morning for a haircut and I debated for all of two minutes whether to go with him to do some shopping.  Looks like it will be a dose of cyber shopping for me later then.

Anyhoo, my office room-mate asked me to make a wedding card this week.  It's for a lady that we both know so it was a pleasure to do but the one condition I got was don't go too girly and keep it simple.  Aargh.  As the wedding is the Friday before Christmas, I had to think hard about the colours too and decided that if she is mad enough to get married in December then I would go with wintery colours.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  Whiff Of Joy

Medium: Distress Inks

Papers: Wild Rose Studio

Sentiment: LOTV

Die: Memory Box

Extras:  Textured silver mirri card, blue matting layer, blue gems from stash

Here's a close up on the bride and wreath

Hygs, Sxx

Anything But A Christmas Card

Afternoon all, bet you didn't expect to see me today (a) because I should be at work and (b) internet issues.  And the answers to these quandries are (a) I'm at home poorly and feeling very sorry for myself and (b) a temporary resolution brought about by a swift kick up the modem - not sure how long it will last though.

In between frequent visits to the smallest room in the house (feeling a tad queasy) I've tried to take my mind off things by having a little play with this week's LILI OF THE VALLEY CHALLENGE Anything But A Christmas Card because I am still in denial and I rather liked the idea of not making something Christmassy!  Quite a few photos so please stick with it ......

I decided that the theme could be interpreted one of two ways - anything but Christmas or anything but a card, so I've combined those thoughts and made a gift bag, completely without the aid of a safely net.

Ingredients for this are:

Stamped Image:  LOTV Born To Shop

Cardstock & Paper:  Rymans Smooth Coated White Card, Basic Gray Pyrus

Colouring Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers) and paper piecing with Pyrus

Sentiment:  Hero Arts

Gems: Papermania

Punch: Martha Stewart

Now, I had never attempted anything like this before (simply don't have enough patience) and I didn't have a template either so I had a quick peek SplitCoast Stampers for a tutorial on a square notecard holder and simply adapted it.  Ok, this wasn't the easiest shape to work with but it wasn't the hardest either - at least I had simple measurements to juggle with.  I'm quite chuffed with it for a first attempt.

Hugs, Sxx

A Little Wee

Morning all.  Having terrible problems with the internet at home just now so I'm posting this from work. 

Thought I would share this cheery little fellow with you today - my mate Cathy reminded me last week that I have this stamp and I am ashamed to admit that he has been sadly neglected of late.

Ingredients for this card:

Stamped Image:  Whiff Of Joy Wee With Candy Cane

Medium  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers  Basic Grey "Jovial" and Forever Friends A Christmas Tale

Sentiment  LOTV Circular Christmas Sentiments

Extras  Anita's Glitter Borders

If you don't hear from me for a while it's because I've thrown our modem out of the window!

Hugs, Sxx

You're Putting a WHAT on Your Card?

Hello chaps, Monday evening it is.  Did you know that today was supposed to be the busiest day for cyber-shopping?  I confess I did a little of that this morning but only for part of His Nibs Christmas present.  Mind you, having just checked my bank balance (still got 9 nine days til payday) I think I might be able to squeak in a little shopping just for me too!

Now then, do your men only hear what they want to?  When I told him I had been asked to make this card his response was Why would you want a slapper on your card?  Oh good grief, no dear, that's FLAPPER with a F, not a S ......... I despair sometimes.

Our caretaker at work is a lovely little fella and he was looking through my box of cards last week to find one for his wife.  Not for any particular occasion, a just because card.  Anyway, we were chatting and he said that she likes to collect ornamental ladies in period costume.  Having established that the 20s and 30s is her favourite era I just knew that this was the right stamp.

Isn't she a doll?  He didn't want fussy thankfully as I think the CAS suits her well.

Ingredients for this little card are:

Stamped Image:  Lil Lolita - Evie 20s

Colouring Medium:  Part Distress Inks, part paper piecing

Papers:  K&Co and DCWV scraps

Sentiment:  Penny Black (from Hugs clear set I think)

Corners: Lili Of The Valley

No challenges for this one, it's simply a for-the-fun-of-it card.

Hugs, Sxx

Bling it on ......

Hello peeps, a very quick post from me today as I'm shortly sitting down to watch the Brazilian Grand Prix - the last race of the 2011 season, and I shall be cheering Jenson for a win.  With Vettel and Webber together on the front row I'm hoping they take each other out on the first corner!  (With apologies to fans of Seb and Mark of course!).

LESS IS MORE this week are looking for a little bit of bling

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  Penny Black Brightest Xmas

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Papers: Basic Grey

Extras: Gems from stash

Sentiment: Penny Black

Oooh, I have some MEGA exciting news to share with you, but I'm zip lipped for the moment.  I think I might go pop if I can't tell you soon so I'll have to find something to take my mind off it - a good race this afternoon will be a start!

Hugs, Sxx

Brrrrr - LOTV Anything Goes

Hello Peeps!  Hope you are all well, or recovering from unwell, today.  After the high of Thursday, it was down to earth with a bump yesterday.  I woke up in the early hours of Friday morning (it happens when you reach a certain age) needing the loo.  I stumbled out of bed into the bathroom and sat there thinking Thank goodness it's Saturday.  Imagine my distress when the alarm went off at 5.45 and I realised that it was only Friday and I had another day at work to get through!

But never mind, Saturday it is now!  I've been for a tail trim this morning - feeling much tidier now.  I have to confess that the fur was looking a little like tumbleweed as I'd gone longer between snips than usual and with curly fur it plays havoc in damp and windy conditions.  So, nicely preened, I came home and set to with getting a casserole in the oven for tonight's dinner.  That is bubbling away gently now (ooh the wonderful smells of chicken, shallots, mushrooms and BEER - yep, a beer based gravy for this one - you should have heard Toad howl when I nicked a bottle from his stash).

One card for you today, but I am off to the craft space to play again once this is posted:

Challenge:  Lili Of The Valley - Week 122 - Anything Goes

And the ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: My most used LOTV stamp, James The Bear In Snow

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers & Pads)

Iced Spruce, Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap and Tumbled Glass

Papers:  BoBunny Snowfall Collection (so delicious)

Sentiment:  LOTV Christmas Postmarks

Extras:  Nestabilities Grommet (where's Wallace?) Labels, gems from stash, Martha Stewart and

Hobbycraft snowflake punches

Thanks so much for popping over today, I appreciate each and every one of you so much.  Without you, this blog wouldn't happen.  And a big thank you to everyone who left such a supportive message on my mad Timmie post on Thursday - who knows, one day I might even start to believe I can do it !!

And before I go, I just want to say a big hello to two super bloggie buds, Lisa (Wishcraft) and Clare (My Purrfect World ...) - you both have a very special place in my heart.

Huge Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wonderland - Nativity (DT)

Hello again chaps, hope you are all ok.  I'm not looking at the calendar, it is getting far too close to Christmas for comfort, and I am seriously lacking in Christmas cards this year.  Guess I will have to put the tail into top gear and crack on with them!

And, as it is Friday, it is time for another WINTER WONDERLAND challenge, and our theme for this week is Nativity.  Not the easiest of themes but I am sure you will all give it a good go.

And our sponsor this time around is the fabulous SIMON SAYS STAMP who are offering a $15 gift voucher for their store.

Here is my DT card for this week:

Stamped Image: High Hopes - Precious Nativity

Medium: Distress Inks

Papers: Forever Friends - A Christmas Tale

Sentiment: Computer generated

Extra:  Anita's glitter borders

Thanks for popping over, hope to see you at the challenge.

Hugs, Sxx

On Cloud 99

Evening all, how goes it?  Things are very exciting at Squirrel Towers today, in fact, I have something to share with you that I have been sitting on since 6.30 this morning and I know pride comes before a fall but if I don't tell someone soon I shall burst so I might just as well share it with all my fabulous bloggie buddies and then you can all laugh as you watch me topple over.

And breathe.

Two weeks ago, I sent an email to Tim Holtz (that's Lord Tim, he of the Distress Inks) principally asking if there were any new ReInker colours in the pipeline but was also cheeky enough to add a link to my Distress Ink Gallery and an invitation for him to see what I'd been up to with the inks. 

Not for one moment did I expect anything other than an automated reply or from someone else at Ranger.  Imagine the increase in my heart rate this morning when I saw sitting in my InBox a response.  Want to know what it says?

And breathe again.  It says:

All I can say is wow, wow, wow!  Your coloring is amazing!  In fact, I myself would love a tutorial from you on how you do it.  If you decide to create one I would happily link your blog post on mine when you do.  Thanks for sharing your creativity....love the coloring, really, I do.

Tim

OMG OMG OMG OMG !!!!!!!!   Is that almost an equivalent to "By Royal Appointment"?  Sadly no plans at present for new ReInkers colours coming though.

It's ok, I will stop squealing soon, I promise.  Hopefully long enough to mail him back with a link to the tutorial that is already there.  And maybe this is the prompt I need to do a Part 3: Advanced !!

Hugs, a very happy Squirrel xxx

Avoidance Tactics

Evenin' all, how are we tonight?  Tis a little bit chilly around the tip of my tail and there was a definite coating of frost on the fur this morning.  Could this be the long overdue winter finally arriving?  I doubt it, it will probably be back up to 18C tomorrow!  This time last year we were up to our knees in snow.

Now, as my boss will tell you, I have a knack of finding ways to avoid horrible jobs, like filing.  And right now, Christmas is falling into that category.  So, when I found this stamp whilst having a rummage, it did not take much persuading for me to use it to make a card for my dad that is only three months before the due date!

Ingredients for this card:

Stamped Image:  High Hopes

Papers: MME Lime Twist and scrap from box

Medium: Distress Inks

Sentiment: LOTV

Now, I have a bit of a grumble.  And it all came home to roost with this particular pad of MME papers.  I love quality papers that are a decent thickness and have a good finish to them and MME papers fall nicely into that category, along with some other big names on the market, but ....... why do double sided?!  In this pad there are only two sheets of each - so you end up using two designs for one card (the reverse of this alphabet paper is the lush brown polka dot) - it makes my heart weep as it feels so wasteful.  So, here is a small suggestion, reduce the weight of the papers ever so slightly (these are more like a light cardstock anyway) and only print on one side!  Or is that just me?

Anyway, it is grocery shopping for me tonight - my life is one big, frantic, social whirl - so I'm off to try and write a list.  Be back with you on Friday with a DT card for Winter Wonderland.

Hugs Sxx

Sweet Stampin Challenge - Birthdays

How could I resist the challenge that SWEET STAMPIN' CHALLENGE are offering this week with their BIRTHDAY theme, especially as I am struggling with the Christmas card production (any excuse not to have to make another one for a few days!).

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  LOTV Summer My Best Friend

Colouring Medium: TH Distress Inks

Papers:  98% Basic Grey (old pad, cover long gone), 2% K&Co

Sentiment: LOTV Circular Sentiments

Dies: Nestabilities scalloped rectangle and Magnolia Romantic Lace and Old Swedish Lace

Hugs, Sxx

Less Is More - Silhouettes

Afternoon all.  This week over at LESS IS MORE the theme is Silhouettes.  My first response was to run screaming from the room.  In fact, I spent an awful lot of yesterday just faffing about with this theme and getting nowhere very quickly.

Anyway, while we sat over at mum and dad's drinking tea, I glanced out of their kitchen window and got the perfect inspiration

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  Penny Black Winter Sky

Background: Handpainted in Distress Inks

Matting Layers: Papermania

Hugs, Sxx

Sweet Sixteen

My best mate, Pig, asked me if I would make a special birthday card for her stepdaughters 16th birthday.  Eeeek!  No pressure.

Pig chose the image she wanted me to use, with instructions that the cat had to be black and white, like their cat, Mudge, and to use lots of pink and sparkle .......

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: LOTV Me And My Cat

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers & Cardstock:  8x8 300gsm smooth white PDA card, First Editions: Love Letters

and Sweet Owls

Sentiment:  LOTV Circular Sentiment

Extras: Martha Stewart Doily Lace border punch, gold edged holographic sparkle transparent peel-off borders, gold peel off borders, Anita's Outline Stickers for the numbers, Nestabilities dies

I've also used a sheet of the First Editions on the inside with a white central panel and a Happy 16th Birthday message.

This is the first time I've used an 8x8 card base and it felt enorrrrrrrrrrrrrmous!

Hugs, Sxx

Less Is More - One Layer Card - Leaves

For various reasons, I've just not had time to play at some of my favourite challenges lately but today, as we have church this evening, I made time to join in with this week's

LESS IS MORE - One Layer Card - Leaves

I know some people dread one layer cards, but I'm getting quite fond of them and I'm certainly not as intimidated by them as I used to be.

For this one, I cut a mask from Eclipse Masking using a long thin Nestabilities oval die.  Having positioned it on the card, I sponge inked the oval in Distress Inks using Shabby Shutters and Antique Linen.  Then I overstamped with a leaf from my Kodomo Autumn set in Memento Bamboo, Potters Clay and Rhubarb Stalk.  I then did the little leaves around the edges with a Tapestry stamp, again in Potters Clay.  Finally, I peeled off the mask and stamped the final leaf in Memento Rich Cocoa, and added the Hero Arts sentiment in Potters Clay.

Hugs, Sxx

Spots Before The Eyes

I wasn't sure if I would make it back again today, but like a bad penny, here I am!

Two challenges for this card:
Penny Black And More At Allsorts - November Challenge - All Creatures Great And Small
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Spots & Stripes

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  Penny Black - Tea Cozy

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: DCWV Spring Stack and scraps box

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Extras:  EK Success Medium Retro Flower Punch

Craftwork Cards Card Candi, hand drawn faux stitching

Thanks for popping back again.  Now I need to crack on with an order for a 16th birthday card.

For my earlier post today either scroll down or follow this Creature Comforts link

Hugs, Sxx

Creature Comforts

Morning all.  Hope you are ok.  It's been a mixed week for me, very sad to hear of the death of one of our brave blogging buddies, and a very emotional Remembrance Day yesterday.  I should be full of beans this morning, as it's the weekend, but I am feeling like a wrung out dishcloth.  Think it will be a quiet day at Squirrel Towers.

Anyhoo, here is a card that I started Thursday evening but only just finished for this week's challenge over at

Lili Of The Valley - Challenge 120 - Creature Comforts

I made this with my dad in mind - back to the old family thing of Daddy Bear and Baby Bear (ahh), and the fact that my dad NEVER sits still, even at his age!

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  Lili Of The Valley - Armchair Bear

Colouring Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers:  Basic Grey - Picadilly and MME Lime Twist - Fly A Kite

Sentiment: Lili Of The Valley - Greetings Postmarks

And what would one of my posts be without a close up on the image

Right then, I'm off downstairs to watch the qualifying for this weekend's Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix and then I suppose I'd better do some chores.  Be back with you tomorrow with another card.

Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wonderland - A Christmas Mouse (DT)

It's Friday again!  That means, not only is it nearly the weekend, but it is also Winter Wonderland day!

Thanks to everyone who joined in last week's challenge, don't forget to check back on Sunday to see who the lucky winners are.

This week we have the cutest of themes for you - A Christmas Mouse!  Surely everyone loves a mouse at Christmas?

And we have not one, but two fab sponsors for you!

Crafty Emma's Store

and

Crimson Cloud

As always, the DT have been busy creating some fab inspiration for you, and this week is no exception.  There are some very sweet meeces to see so do pop over and have a look.

Here is my DT card:

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  Whiff Of Joy - Henry Mouse Eating Large Cookie

Colouring Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers:  DCWV Christmas Stack

Sentiment:  Penny Black - Celebrate The Wonder

Extras:  Gems from stash

I do so hope you will be able to join in the fun this week - remember that it must be a Christmas card and follow our theme of A Christmas Mouse.  See you at the challenge!

Hugs, Sxx