My Favourite Five

It's not often I look back too far on what I have made but thought it was about time I joined in the fun with Debby's My Favourite Five Creations 2013

So if you are sitting comfortably, here we go:

I cannot tell you how hard this was, which is why there are 7 and not 5!

I hope you have enjoyed this brief look back over my year of colour.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Saturday? Monday? Sunday?

Who knows what day of the week it is, my furry little head is so confused.  We popped out this morning to do some errands, including a few basic groceries from the supermarket.  It was absolute bedlam!  I have never seen so many people wandering around without a clear idea of why they were there.  And so many screaming toddlers too (one of my pet hates, children who scream for no reason).  Trust me, we were glad to escape.

We have popped home to unpack the shopping and have a coffee before venturing out again.  I really need a visit to The Range to get some more Bristol Board as my supplies are dangerously low, but now I'm home and listening to the wind howling and the rain lashing against the window, I am wondering whether on-line might be the better option!

Anyhoo, I have a card for you today which I am entering into two challenges:

Stamping Sensations (December) Free And Easy

Sweet Stamping Challenge A Little Bird Told Me

This stamp was in a Christmas package from an off piste darling friend!

Bildmalarna - Mimosa Winter Birds

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Tattered Rose, Walnut Stain, Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Scattered Straw

Papers are all Nitwits/LOTV Winter Wishes

Sentiment is LOTV

Card Candy and silver borders from stash

Toad has developed the yuckiest cold ever, and this morning my glands are up.  I reckon I shall be in full snot mode just in time to go back to work.

Vince has had a very quiet Christmas, spending his time 20% eating and 80% asleep on someone's lap.  He is gradually returning to normal but we have to keep reminding ourselves that all this has been a huge shock to his system, and he is no spring kitten any more (he was 14 in September) so his recovery will take longer.  He seems to be enjoying all the attention and was somewhat put out that we had dared to leave him for a few hours this morning!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Hello Again!

Blimey, it feels like ages since I have posted anything ..... did you all have a good Christmas then?  I hope none of my UK blogging friends have been affected too badly by the horrible storms we have had over the past ten days.  We are fine here, we are high and on sandy soil so any rain simply drains away, but I know there are many who have not been so fortunate.  

We had a wonderfully relaxed Christmas Day, and a fun day with my parents on Boxing Day - mum might be in her late 70s now but she can still do a really mean roast dinner!  And I was lucky enough to receive lots of lovely crafty goodies in my stocking, including the new LOTV baby stamps (some of those to come in the not too distant future) and a Xyron Creative Station!  Thank you Mr Toad.  And thanks to some special bloggy pals who also sent crafty gifts which have been very much appreciated.

And because I must have been such a good girl in 2013 (!), I have had several thank you cards to make.  I had not been near the craft room for several days so it was bliss to get stuck in for a while this afternoon.  Here are a couple of simple cards that I made before I lost daylight.

Unlike me to do elegant!

I used a Hero Arts sentiment for the main focus on a

Nestabilities Gromit Tag.  The centre of the tag I inked with Peacock Feathers Distress Ink

Then I embossed the frame through my Grand Calibur using an ornate Nestabilities die

and finished off with three simple retro flowers with Card Candy centres

And these cheeky little chaps are Tiddly Inks birds

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I am pretty sure that the picket fence die is MFT Die-namics but I have lost the packet

Papers are Nitwits/LOTV Perfect Pair

And a Personal Impressions sentiment stamped on the squint

I'm not back to work until 2nd January so I still have three days to play, which I intend to do!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Merry Christmas Dear Friends

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas

and a Happy 2014

May the peace, joy and love of the Season fill your hearts, now, and all through the year.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Did you guess right?

Thanks everyone who took part in my silly Spot The Squirrel comp!

Despite my best endeavours to remain incognito, there were several of you who got it right, and the first one was Marianne - well done sweetie, there will be a little something in the post to you after Christmas.

Not the most flattering photo in the world but in my defence I had only just dashed back in from lunch so my glasses hadn't cleared and I was feeling a bit flushed (my coat and scarf were flung to the side of the hall)

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Who Remembers....?

Who remembers the old Spot The Ball competition in the newspaper then?  You do?  Brilliant!  Let's have a similar game called Spot The Squirrel.

We had a charity fundraiser at Gotelee Solicitors in Ipswich today where I work and it was a Christmas Jumper Day to raise funds for Suffolk Family Carers who need to find £500,000 to buy, equip and run a mobile unit so they can get to the more rural areas of the county to support family carers who can't get to them.  Through a variety of activities, we raised £260 today, with a promise of a top-up of £50 from the partners.

So here are a few of my colleagues, and me, sporting our festive knitwear

Now, let's see if you can Spot The Squirrel.

No clues, and I shall disqualify anyone who already knows me!

There will be a teensy prize for the first one to get it right (leave your comments below).

Answer will be revealed on Sunday.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Anything Goes

Morning all, and it's the Thursday before Christmas, which means it is the last

Crafty Little Fairies Challenge

for this year - and this one is running for two weeks while the Fairies have a well earned rest

Our theme for this challenge is always a favourite, yes, it's

Anything Goes

Here's my DT card

This lovely guy is a High Hopes stamp but I'm sorry he has lost his name tag

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is LOTV

Papers are from a BoBunny autumn collection

Martha Stewart border punch

Hero Arts gems from stash

And a Whimsy corner die to finish

Obviously the next week is going to be a special kind of crazy for everyone but I'm

sure you will be able to sneak in some crafting time after Christmas Day - the challenge

is open until 5.30pm (UK time) on 1 January!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Skating By

Morning all.  So sorry that I haven't been around much this week, what with looking after a poorly Vince, work and Christmas preparations, it has shot past in a blur.

Pleased to let you know that Vince is much perkier now and is more like his old self.  Last weekend his coat was dry and strawy but is now back to soft and sleek, and he is, at long last, starting to eat properly.  OK, the meals are more like snacks, but he is at least eating something.  And he is looking much happier in himself, he has got rid of the sad face and we seem to be getting the cheeky face back.  We have his checkup appointment tomorrow night so I am keeping my fingers crossed that he gets the all clear.

I didn't get to do any crafting yesterday because I was frantically writing Christmas cards to get in the post this week so today's card is one I made a little while ago.

Love these Makey Bakey Mice from Crafters Companion

This happy chap is Festive Fun & Frolics

Papers are Nitwits/LOTV

Sentiment is from the Christmas Rounds set from Pink Gem Designs

Image painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I shall be finishing off writing the cards today and then making a start on getting some gift tags made!

Nothing like leaving til nearly the last minute hey?!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Let It Snow

Morning all, if it's Thursday it must be Fairy day!  Come on over and join the fun with

Crafty Little Fairies

We're trying to help you get those last minute cards made this week with our theme of

Let It Snow!

Here is my card:

I hardly need to introduce this handsome boy!

This is LOTV James Bear: Santa Stop Here

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Nestabilities hexagon dies

Memory Box Gabriella border die

X-Cut snowflake punch

BoBunny Double Dots papers

And we have two prizes this week - one from our sponsor, THE RIBBON GIRL, for the winner

and the other is a nice treat for a randomly selected entry

So, come and join in the snowy antics with the Fairies!

And while I am here I shall enter this into
Christmas At Sweet Stamping - Let It Snow
Cute Card Thursday - Christmas Catch Up
As You Like It Challenge - Favourite Stamp
(Why: I love this little bear, and have used him many times this year, his fuzzy face and chubby tum just makes me want to pick him up and cuddle him to pieces!)

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Wee Best Friends

Hi all, sorry for not being around much since last week.  We've had a rough few days - poor little Vince has been quite poorly since his op on Friday, and we ended up with an emergency visit to the vet Sunday night.  I am hoping he is now through the worst as I've not had more than three hours sleep a night since last Thursday and I'm exhausted.

Right then, a card for you.

 

As you know, I am a sucker for Wee Stamps as Sylvia's designs are awesome, so how could I resist this sweet little twosome?!

Whimsy/Wee Stamps - Friendship Is The Greatest Gift

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all Nitwits/LOTV from the Promises pad

Three different Nestie dies, and a Woodware snowflake punch

LOTV sentiment

and a generous sprinkling of Glamour Dust

 

Hope your day is a good one.

 

Hugs, Squirrel xx

 

 

It Would Be Rudy Not To

Evening all, sorry for today's late appearance, we had a bit of a rough night with the little chap, and I was up several times, so I'm not really firing on all cylinders.  He's only just, in the last quarter of an hour, had his first meal since the painkillers wore off yesterday afternoon.

Anyhoo, I do have a card for you and it going to be entered at A Gem Of A Challenge - Anything Goes

This is a Pink Gem Design stamp - in polymer - and I think was one of the first of Janet's designs that I bought.  He is not available as a stamp any more but you can find a similar one as a digi called

Rudy Reindeer

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are DoCrafts/Papermania First Noel

Martha Stewart stars border punch

Sentiment by Wild Rose Studio

Photo corners and gold rope from stash

I do understand the reason that many companies are moving over to digi, but I do mourn the loss of  being able to choose a real stamp (although there are some that would say I have enough stamps already without needing more rubber, but that's not the point).  Not everyone has the ability to use digi stamps, and I think it is the removal of choice that bugs me most.  Sorry, mini rant there.

Right then guys, going to dash, there is a very sad little furry fella who needs some loving.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Body Double for Shrek

Morning all, how are we today?  Hope you are well.  I ought to be making a start on writing my Christmas cards but I expect I shall leave it until the very last minute.  Like every year!

When I collected Vince last night I was told to keep him warm and quiet as he would be sleepy and disorientated.  Hmmmmmm.  Disorientated, yes, maybe, he wandered about for quite a while, probably making sure that he really was at home and that I didn't have any of those nasty people in green uniforms hidden behind the curtains.  Sleepy?  Not a chance.  He was wide awake.  And hungry.  Bless him, I'm not sure that I would have tucked into my dinner four hours after having five teeth out.  He had some tea, a mid evening nibble, a late evening canape, and a pre-bed snack.  And this morning he managed to get himself upstairs to tell me that I really ought to be getting up as it was past breakfast time.  Nothing wrong with his appetite then!  Now he is crashed out on the back of the sofa looking a bit sad so I am wondering if his painkillers are wearing off.  I shall be keeping a very careful eye on him for a day or two.  We have an appointment for a check up with one of the senior vets in ten days.

Right then, as mentioned earlier, well done to Helen of Helen Quilts who won my mini-candy.  Thanks to everyone who took part.  I will probably run another one after Christmas so that will give you something to look forward to.

And yes, after all that rambling I do have a card for you today.  And if you are wondering about the post title, well I will explain

Doesn't that gingerbread man look like the double of Ginge from Shrek?  Maybe he is the stunt double, lol!

This stamp is Henry Dancing With Gingerbread Man from Whiff of Joy

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Spotty papers are from Stocking Fillers pad from First Edition

Orange matting layers are ProMarker (Burnt Orange) edged white card

Sentiment is Hero Arts

I had kept this CAS to enter into a couple of challenges, but I think it has gone beyond the point of CAS as there are so many layers.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your Saturday and your weekend.

Huggles, Squirrel (& Vince)

xxxx

Candy Winner

Morning all, I won't keep you hanging about, I have a little wounded soldier to be looking after.

The winner of my Wee Stamps "Angelica" candy is (selected by Random Number Generator)

No 23 and that's you

Helen In The UK @ Helen Quilts

Well done hunny, ping me an email and it will be in the post to you on Monday

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Anxious Parent (+ edit)

Hello everyone, hope you survived the storm and floods of yesterday.  There were over 70 flood alerts for this area but, thankfully, we are still high and dry, although I know there were many who have the awful job of clearing up the mess from the storm surge tides of last night and this morning.

I've been wearing a path in the carpet this morning as Vince is, as we speak, in theatre at the vets.  He was taken in last night so he could go on a drip to get his fluids up to protect his kidneys etc while he was under anaesthetic today.  Poor wee scrap, he was so resigned when I popped him in his carrier last night.

To try and keep myself occupied (I took the day off work so I could be up there as soon as possible) I've had a go at some crafting, but none of it has been particularly successful.  Here is a little card for two challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes + CAS

Addicted To Stamps And More - CAS

There's not an awful lot to say about this one!

Stamp is LOTV Sledging Buddies

Sentiment from Kaisercraft

Paper is Nitwits

Silver rope border and gem from stash

Oh, and a little dab of Distress Inks (ReInkers)

OK, back to pacing the floor

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Just had the call from the vet - Vince is out of theatre and all went well.  He's had the drip taken away and is now snoring while he sleeps off the anaesthetic, minus FIVE back teeth.  Poor wee lamb.  Now I just have to wait patiently for the call to collect him later.  Thanks everyone, for all your kindness throughout this stressful month.

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Candy Stripes

Hello my little darlin's, how are we all on this rather chilly December Thursday then?

Not so good?   Well let's see if we can't cheer you up a little with the new challenge at

CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES!

We have a super theme for you this week, although some of the Fairies have interpreted it differently to what was in mind when the challenge was set.  We would like to be seeing your

CANDY STRIPES

Here is my DT card

Stamped image is an enduring favourite of mine from Whiff of Joy - Uru and Candy Cane

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Main papers are Dovecraft Back To Basics Christmas

Sentiment is from the Little Claire Sentiments Christmas set

and of course the Precious Hearts die is from Memory Box

And we have one of our regular sponsors supporting us in the lovely shape of

So no excuses about rushing around sorting Christmas out, everyone needs a little crafty time!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Nearly, But Not Quite

Morning all, hope this finds you well.

I made a birthday card at the weekend that I would like to share with you today, and then I had the idea to do a matching gift bag.  Well, the idea was there, but they don't quite match, lol!

This is Posey from Whimsy/Wee Stamps

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Nestabilities dies for the fabulous shape

Die-Namics flower die

LOTV sentiment and tiny tag

And a mixture of three Nitwits/LOTV paper pads

Petal Fresh, Promises and Always & Forever

And here is the nearly but not quite matching gift bag

Mixture of papers from the same paper pads

Image is a Hobby House/Wee die cut "Florist" image

Sentiments from Hero Arts

Label die is Cuttlebug

Heart borders from stash

Have a happy Tuesday everyone!

My mini candy closes this Friday so you still have time to enter if you would like a chance to win

the Wee Stamps "Angelica"

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) December Challenge

Well lookie here, December!!  Crumbs, what the heck happened to November?

And as it is December, and the first Monday, that means it must be a new challenge from

WITHOUT WORDS

This month our theme is Nearest & Dearest

We would like you to create something for Christmas or New Year for someone special

Here is my DT card

Isn't this Fizzy Moon bear adorable?  The stamp is called Christmas Presents.

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Nitwits/LOTV Simple Joys

Sentiment was a magazine freebie

and the gold/transparent rope border that I am addicted to is from my stash

We are lucky enough to be sponsored again this month by

BUNNY ZOE'S CRAFTS

Hope to see you with all your festive makes

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Joyful

Happy Sunday everyone.  So far mine has been quite lazy.  When we got back from Church, we sat down with a bacon sandwich to watch one of the two episodes of Borgen that we recorded from last night, and then a certain black and white hairy hot water bottle climbed on my lap, and that was it, out for the count!

Anyway, here is a card for you:

Don't these House Mouse meece just look so happy?

Stamp is a Stampendous clingie one called Candy Joy

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Nitwits/LOTV Simple Joys

Circular sentiment from Pink Gem Designs

Holly Corner Die by Cheery Lynn

Hunkydory gems

Challenges

A Little Bit Crafty - Christmas Cheer

Penny Black And More (December) Traditional Christmas Colours

Winter Wonderland - A Christmas Mouse

Enjoy the rest of your day.  Tomorrow is the start of a new challenge at Without Words so don't forget to pop back and check it out.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Puppy Snowman!

Evening all, how are we?  Big, warm, furry, squirrelly hugs to everyone who needs one.

We tootled off to the vet again this morning to pick up some more of the critical care food that Vince has been on for a couple of weeks.  Toad stayed in the car while I nipped in to collect it.  There was a couple at the reception desk ahead of me and I stood behind them thinking the chap looked familiar.  They finished and turned to leave and I realise then that it was a BBC tv news journalist who covers the East Anglia area.  Ooooh I says that's Kevin off the telly (couldn't remember his surname at that second).  The receptionist looked at me blankly.  A lady behind me piped up I thought it was him!  The receptionist looked vague.  Burch!  I said Kevin Burch.  Does the news?  Another vague look from the receptionist (aged about 18), Oh, I don't watch news.

Anyhoo, here's the health update:  the test results from the wee sample that we finally managed to provide on Monday have come back as inconclusive.  Laura, the vet, said she would have been much happier with a definite result but they were neither one way nor t'other.  So, as a precaution, Vince is going to be admitted on Thursday evening so that he can be on a drip overnight before his anaesthetic.  Laura is going to try and fit it while he is on the consulting table and I am there to keep him calm (he was beautifully behaved on Monday, even if he did have his head buried in my tum).  I am absolutely dreading him going in.  It is hard for anyone who doesn't have a special pet to be able to understand, but I know there are many of you who do, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your kind words and support,

One of the nurses on duty this morning (the one who admired Vince's white moustache) came over to ask how he was and said she will be on duty when he goes in and would keep a special eye on him, bless her.  I think she might have been the one on the receiving end of the wildcat attack the other week.

After all that, yes I do have a card to share with you, and not a cat in sight.

Love these little cuties!  This stamp is Puppy Snowman from CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are from a Forever Friends pad

Sentiment is also CC Designs from the Naughty or Nice set

Snowflakes are Woodware and X-Cut punches

Sparkly gems are Papermania

Right then, I'm off to caramelise some of dad's leeks for dinner and I need to keep an eye on those!

Enjoy your evening - it's Musicals night on Strictly, lovely job.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Classic Christmas

Morning all!

Welcome to Thursday - and of course that means it is

CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES CHALLENGE

We have some super news to share with you about our NEW team-mates so do hop over to the blog to catch up on the gossip and welcome the latest batch of Fairies.

This week's theme is CLASSIC CHRISTMAS and we want to see lots of

red, green and gold.

Here is my DT card for you

This handsome chap is a Makey-Bakey Mice stamp from Crafter's Companion

Christmas Carols

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are a real mixture of BoBunny and Dovecrafts, and the gold textured mirri-card is from stash

Sentiment came with the stamp

Whimsy corner dies

Sparkling gems from Papermania

And our super sponsor this week is MY CRAFTY HEART offering a £10 voucher.

What's not to like?

Looking forward to seeing all your Christmas makes!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Little Elf Kit

Now doesn't that sound like you should be getting a little bag of pieces and incomprehensible instructions on how to build your own elf?

Actually it isn't, it's the name of this little sweetie:

This is Little Elf Kit, a Mo Manning image from Penny Black

Part painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers) with the star paper pieced

Papers are BoBunny

Festive Cheer sentiment is LOTV Christmas Handwritten Phrases

Postmark is Kaisercraft

Thought I would enter this into the

Penny Black And More Challenge - Anything Goes

I seem to be suffering from MCCA - Making Christmas Cards Addiction.  I have enough for this year, but can't seem to get out of the Christmas mode!

Hugs all

Squirrel xx

Wish Me Luck (edited with vet update)

It's early.  In fact it's too chuffing early.  It's 6.15 Monday morning as I type this.  And I have a cat who is very hungry but has been allowed no food since 7.00 last night, and he is also desperate for a wee but I emptied his litter tray in a last ditch attempt to get that elusive sample before the vet appointment this morning.

He has been in the empty tray twice, walked around in puzzlement, and hopped out again.  I have just put the faux litter in.  He is still looking puzzled.  And more than a little annoyed.  And he is now miaowing because he wants his breakfast.  But on the up side, at least if he won't perform, he will have a full bladder for when he gets to the vet's table.  Maybe she won't have to squeeze too hard.

It is going to be a long few hours to get through til his appointment time.  Come on Vince, just wee mate, it will save us both a lot of stress, especially if I don't have to try and get you in that carrier again.

Anyhoo, I thought I would share the cutest little Christmas stamp with you today.  I would say I would share the card, but there isn't much of a card to share, so let's focus on that stamp shall we?

Can I introduce you to Rodney (must be one of Santa's reserve reindeer in training) from CC Designs

I got mine from Bunny Zoe's Crafts but he has vanished from the catalogue today

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers) with a touch of white gel pen

Papers from Forever Friends leftovers

Sentiment from Personal Impressions

Heart border punch is Martha Stewart

I think I love Rodney.  He is such a cute li'l chap, only a tiny dot really.  Maybe a baby reindeer.

But despite his diminutive size, he was such fun to paint.

I think if I had got hold of him sooner, there would have been a whole clutch of Christmas cards starring him this year.

I'm rambling, I know, but I am trying to ignore the indignant glares I am getting from beside me.

I can read his mind you know.

I want the loo and my breakfast.  Now.

Have a great Monday everyone.  And wish me luck.  Please.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

And we are back from the vet.  After an undignified struggle to get into the carrier, and having to be tipped out onto the examination table, Vince buried his head in my belly and ignored what was going on behind him.  Vet confirmed he had a nice full bladder (of course he did, he'd not wee'd since yesterday), so with me holding the front end, a nurse holding the kidney dish, and the vet squeezing where no young man ever wants to be squeezed ......... he filled the dish!!

Honestly, I could have cried with relief that he did that, and he didn't need sedating (well ok, I did, but don't tell anyone else).  The nurse said she couldn't believe he was the same cat as the wild thing they had in last time.

Home now, and he has had a good scoff (wasn't allowed anything from 7.00 last night), and is now on the back of the sofa haviing a tidy up like all self-respecting cats would.

It's just a shame the sofa is in our window and Vince is sat with his back leg in the air, washing his gentleman parts, in full view of the neighbours.

Should get the test results tomorrow or Wednesday and then we can plan the next step.

Thanks everyone for your support and kind words during what has been a really traumatic few weeks.