There's A Mouse .....

Now, me and my Stamp Basket DT buddy, Annette, do not compare notes when it comes to making our cards, but if we did it might mean you wouldn't see the same image twice in three days!  But who could resist these little darlin's?

Ingredients for this card that are available from The Stamp Basket store are:

Stamp: Wild Rose Studio - Mouse on Presents

Medium: Ranger/Tim Holtz - Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Stamp Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Papers: Dovecraft Back to Basics - Lilac

Card Base: Craftwork Cards - On The Edge

and used from my stash

Office hole punch and a scrap of pink paper

LOTV sentiments

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Time for a little Lili

Morning all, just popping by with a small, simple, card that I made at the weekend as I thought it was about time I got a Lili stamp out again.  This one seemed to just lend itself to this shape and style.

This is LOTV Patchwork Bunch of Balloons

Coloured with Polychromos Pencils

The spotty background is me recycling from a Recipe Box I bought in WHS sale, it's actually one of the cards you are supposed to write your recipe on but as soon as I saw them I hoiked them out of the box for crafting.

Orange card is a piece from my scraps box

And the sentiment is Hero Arts

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Criminal Squirrel

Hello all, hope your Sunday has gone well - I'm here rather later than anticipated but better late than never, apparently.

I'm feeling much better tumwise than yesterday, thank you for all your kind wishes, but still not feeling 100% ticketyboo in the mood department.  I think what is required is a well placed leather clad phalanges velocity driven in the vague direction of gluteus maximus.  Translated as a swift kick up the bum!

I don't think I mention the shoplifting incident to you ....... well, it all started when I got home from work the other night and opened the kitchen/garage door to pop out to the fridge freezer.  I could hear running water.  On the roof.  It took a few seconds for the penny to drop and then I scampered upstairs as fast as my hairy little knees would allow.  Sweeping the detritus of deodorant, talc and moisturiser onto the floor, I hoiked the lid off the cistern to find the water level less than half an inch from the top!!  

I flushed the loo to get rid of the water, had a tinker about with the mechanics and watched the refill.  The water ran, the cistern filled, the water slowed, and slowed some more, until it was no more than a couple of drips.  I put the lid back and trotted back downstairs.

Twenty minutes later I could hear running water again.  Repeat above performance.  Twice.

As I was disappearing up the stairs for the fourth time, Toad came home.  What are you doing?  He yelled to my hot and flustered behind as I shot back into the en-suite.  I'm going to have to clean the bathroom and call a plumber I yelled back at him.  He came up to have a look.  Now Toad, bless him, is no more of a toilet expert than I am but he gamely fudged about with the fittings, and we stood and watched.  Still the drips.  Then he noticed that the bit that holds the handle to the tank was loose.  It's the gizmo that's connected to the wotsit that's connected to the hoojamaflip that's connected to the thingummie.  So he tightened it, nice and snug.  Hey presto, the water stopped.

So we went shopping.  Now, I can only put this down to my mind being filled with horrors of a flooded bathroom.  When we got back, about an hour later I rushed to the garage to hear .... silence.  So, feeling relieved that the emergency had been solved I started to unpack the shopping.  Only to discover that I had accidentally shoplifted.  OMG!!!  I can explain how it happened - I went to get one of our usual items, only for the scanner to tell me that it was on offer and to scan each item.  So I picked up a second, only to get the same message.  I scanned five times and still no offer price, just the same message.  Realising that there must be an error in the coding, I removed four of the five from the scanner.  Only to get home and discover that I had two of the five in the bags.  Ooops.  The ultimate buy-one-get-one-free - except it was an accident.  Funny thing was, we were selected for a random trolley inspection on the way out too!

Yoo-hoo!  Are you still there?  I have a card for you, honest, I do.  Here it is:

This cutie stamp is Playtime from Crafters Companion

Mixed media this time, with Polychromos Pencils and Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Grand Nestie dies

Dovecraft Back to Basics papers III and IV

Personal Impressions sentiment

Woodware retro flower punches and some gingham Card Candy

Can anyone suggest a way of getting paper out of the die without tearing the delicate loops?  It happens every time and I always end up covering the gaps with something.

And finally, if you are still awake, a Candy Reminder - one week to go before I draw the winner of the £20 Bunny Zoe's voucher so if you haven't entered yet, what's stopping you?

Hugs to all

Criminal Squirrel xx

Funny Mood

Morning all.  Welcome to a damp and dismal Saturday morning.  Where did my lovely Spring sunshine go huh?  I hope that wasn't it.

I'm in a funny ol' mood this morning.  I can't put my finger on it other than I slept in far longer than intended and I feel a bit off colour tum-wise.  I am blaming last night's fish for that.  I like fish but fish doesn't always like me so I have to be careful with what I eat, except this was something new we thought we would try, but that's sort of back-fired, although Toad seems perky enough, which rather points to it being my sensitive belly.  Mind you, if you could see the size of it you would wonder how it could ever be sensitive.  Some people have those skinny super models as their ideal shape, I'm more of a Winnie The Pooh girl.

As I once said to the doctor when he was telling me that I was getting a bit round - you can't get a thoroughbred from two carthorses.  And I wasn't being rude to my parents either, they are both good , solid, Suffolk stock!

Anyhoo, I am rambling, so here is today's card:

Stamp is Roberto's Rascals "Cupcake Nancy" from CC Designs

Colouring Medium is Polychromos Pencils

Papers are Angelica & Adam Female from Crafter's Companion

Sentiment from LOTV

Corner dies are by Whimsy

Image panel is a Spellbinders die but I forgot to note what it was

Hope your weekend is a good one

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Furry Friends

Believe it or not, it is Thursday again, and that means it is Crafty Little Fairies day.

This is the last of our weekly challenges as starting next week we will be going monthly - lots more time to enter the challenges and multiple sponsors so loads to play for.

But let us deal with this week first, our theme for you is Furry Friends.

I have used a Stamping Bella/Mo Manning stamp called Patience

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I can't even begin to recall what the papers are but if anyone recognises them I will give due credit

Pawprint stamp from Hobbycraft

Thank You sentiment by Hero Arts

Vince commissioned this card for him to send to the vet after his operation.  I'm not sure that thank you was the sentiment he wanted to put on it, especially given how grumpy he is these days!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

It's A Long Wait

Morning everyone, and welcome to Wednesday, my day to DT for The Stamp Basket blog!

This little lass is awaiting the arrival of the big jolly man in the red suit, I think someone ought to tell her that she has a few months to go yet.

Products used that you can buy at The Stamp Basket store are

Stamp: Bildmalarna - Mimosa Waiting For Santa

Stamping Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black

Papers: Wild Rose Studio - A Robin's Christmas

Dies: Spellbinders - Classic Circle (this is the link to Grand Circles)

Card Base: Craftwork Cards Straight Edge

When I made the card the Cottage Cutz Holly Corner was available too but this is no longer, sorry

And from my stash

Polychromos pencils

Paper Smooches sentiments

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Hairy Hair

Morning all, hope your Bank Holiday Monday (UK) is going to be a fun one.  The sun is shining at the moment and we are about to pop out an collect the chocolate sponge cake that my mum insisted on making us!

But before we do that, I thought I would share with you this little lady who arrived from a very dear friend as a replacement for Easter chocolate.  Rubber is always better in my book, lol.

So, she is A Random Fan stamp (Sherry T Designs) called Little Miss Sassy

She has been coloured with a mixture of Polychromos pencils and Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Crafters Companion Angelica & Adam Female

Sentiment is Personal Impressions

Flowers are an MFT Die-Namics die that I have forgotten the name of

And a little Craftwork Cards purple gingham Card Candi to finish off

This is the first time I have attempted hairy hair with pencils, and I have to say, I am quite pleased with how she turned out.  OK, she's not perfect, but for a first attempt I'm chuffed.

Hope you all have a super day

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Fur Pile

Morning all, and a very HAPPY EASTER to you!  When this posts we will be on our way to Church for Easter Mass and I am looking forward to it as after weeks of everything being shrouded in purple cloth, today the Church will be restored to all its prettiness and grandeur, and should be (Father's hayfever permitting) full of Spring flowers.

Today I have a card to share with you that I made yesterday, and it just happens to fit two of this weeks challenges:

The Male Room - Man's Best Friend

Simon Says Wednesday - Animal Antics

I have used a Whipper Snapper stamp called (be prepared to be surprised) Dog Cat & Mouse

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and fussy cut to lay over the design paper.

I stamped it on the paper as well because the whiskers and tail would have been a nightmare to cut out!

Papers are what was in my Glitter Pot parcel yesterday - they are the Angelica & Adam Male collection from Crafters Companion

Sentiment stamp is by Paper Smooches

Hope you have a fabulous Easter day!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Emily Walking

Morning all.  Happy Saturday to you!  Toad has just got back from the doctors, his shoulder was still hurting after his Superman episode a while back, but is relieved to be told it's nothing (ha!) more than a trapped nerve.  Poor little chap has been in quite a lot of pain but I think the relief of knowing will help things get better faster.  So we are a household of poorly shoulders now!  Even Vince is limping - he is getting stiff on his back end, poor old boy, so what a bunch of crocks we are.

Anyhoo, just popped by to share this card with you which I made for a work mate, her birthday was in the week so I am safe to post.

I just love this Wild Rose Studio Stamp - Emily Walking

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are a mixture of LOTV/Nitwits from various pads

Circular sentiment is Little Claire, Happy Birthday is Paper Smooches

Flowers are Die-Namics Upsy-Daisy dies

Image panel was a Spellbinders label die

I am laying in wait for the postman this morning - am expecting a bundle of goodies from the Glitter Pot and also an eBay auction win of a new Kipling handbag.  I am trying not to make it too obvious or Toad will get suspicious, lol.

We will be off to visit the Oldies with their Easter goodies later, and then back to watch the highlights for this weekend's Grand Prix, and a Chinese takeaway for dinner.  A perfect day me thinks.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Scared of my own shadow

Morning all, and a Happy Good Friday to you!  I had a nice lie-in this morning and didn't shed the dressing gown until an hour ago.  We are having a pootling about morning, and then this afternoon we will be off to Church for Good Friday Mass.  Hope that whatever you are up to it is enjoyable.

When Toad and I attended evening art classes, one thing that our tutor always said to me was not to be afraid of shadows.  But I am.  Still.  It takes a certain kind of bravery to start adding darkness.  I began playing with this image last weekend, and have been slowly working away at it.  I would do a bit, leave it for a while, come back and have another look, do a bit more, walk away, come back, add more.  Last night, I reached the point where I thought I don't know what else I can do without totally mucking up what I have done so far, so I have left it now and am calling it finished.  Although there are many artists out there who will scoff with undisguised amusement at my efforts.  I am still learning with these darned pencils, and it is a steep learning curve!

This little lady is Senio-rita Gladys The Superhero from Stamping Bella

The sentiment comes with the stamp

Coloured with Polychromos pencils

Tiny stars and matting layer are BoBunny Double Dots papers

Stars punched with an old Fiskars hand punch

Told you that I still have a lot to learn!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Up, Up, And Away

Good morning everyone, hope this finds you well.  It's the dreaded Thursday, but it is also a kind of Friday (as I certainly won't be working tomorrow, although I appreciate some of you will be) as Easter has arrived at last!  But before the Big Bunny arrives with all the chocolate, we have a new challenge at Crafty Little Fairies to deal with.

This week our theme is Up Up And Away - so that could be birds, balloons, butterflies, kites, aeroplanes.....I nearly used an astronaut stamp but changed my mind at the last minute for these little cuties -

The stamp is LOTV Birthday Balloons

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Not sure why the sentiment came out blotchy, it was a Memento inkpad, same as the mice - and it looks squint here but I'm not certain it's that obvious on the card - anyway, it's a Hero Arts one

Papers are Papermania - Spots & Stripes 

And some WH Smith black art card for matting

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Mountain Lily

Morning all.  I'm not sure what it is about this lady that makes me think of Christmas, especially as she is carrying a flower and wearing open toe sandals, but she does, and that is why she has been called into use for this card.

Things I have used that are available at The Stamp Basket store

Stamp:  Whimsy/Wee - Mountain Lily

Stamping Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black

Colouring Medium: Ranger/Tim Holtz - Distress Inks - Reinkers and Pads

Papers: Wild Rose Studio - A Robin's Christmas

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Card

and some things from my stash

White card base

Pink Gem sentiment

Hmmmmm, I enjoyed making this one, so maybe it will be the start of many for this year's festivities!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

ALBC midway reminder - Birds n Bees

It's time for a midway reminder for the challenge over at

A Little Bit Crafty

Birds n Bees

High Hopes (Dustin Pike) Sting

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Prima - Sun Kiss

First Edition, Authentique

Paper Smooches sentiment

And sneaking this little chap in at
ABC Challenge - Just As You Like

Hugs to All

Squirrel xx

Grant : The Remake

Afternoon all.  Just popping in with Version II of the card I mucked up yesterday.  This time I left out the paper piecing simply because I couldn't be a****d.

So, this is CC Designs Pollycraft Grant

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are LOTV/Nitwits Candles And Cake

Banner sentiment is by Die-Versions

Text sentiment is Hero Arts

I think I should have had a break from crafting this weekend but I needed to get some DT stuff done.  I've had rather a lot of things that have been occupying my thoughts of late.  Hopefully the Easter break will sort me out!

See you Tuesday with my ALBC midway reminder.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

BBB

Which currently stands for Blasted (or other expressive B word) Bristol Board.  Oh, and Blaaaahh!  Today's card isn't today's card.  Today's card is now languishing in the bottom of the rubbish bag.  Having spent a while faffing about with paper piecing, I went to Distress Ink the rest of the image only to discover that I had a blodgy sheet of Bristol Board.  This happens on rare occasions, it is as if the finish on the sheet of paper isn't right, and the ink soaks in like it was blotting paper.  

I sent a complaint to Winsor & Newton (the manufacturers) who sent a rather curt reply telling me to return it to the retailer.  Excuse me guys, but it isn't the retailer who makes the paper.  I was letting you know that you appear to have a glitch in your process.  Not interested?  Apparently not.  If I could find an alternative, I would be using it.

So, you aren't getting that card.  You are getting a quickie LOTV Art Pad one instead.

So, I have used a James Bear image from the Art Pad

A sheet of Bo Bunny Double Dots

And a Die-Versions border die

And that's kind of it

Keep your fingers crossed that tomorrow's session is more successful.

Hugs all

Squirrel xx

Going Dotty

Evening all.  Anyone else agree that there have been far too many days in this week?  But it's the weekend for me now, whoooo, and a four day week next week before a four day weekend, double whoooo!

Anyhoo, because of the amount of discomfort I've been in for the past few months, my crafting time has been limited, and my cards have become (even by my standards) more simplified.  It's annoying me now because my colouring is starting to suffer.

Here is another pretty basic layout but I just could not resist the chance to play with some new rubber.

This little sweetie is a new stamp from CC Designs called Pollycraft Dotty

She has been coloured up with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Distress Markers

Pretty pink floral paper was a magazine freebie

Gold borders are from stash

And that awesome sentiment stamp is from Paper Smooches

She does make me smile.  There will be more of these cuties to come soon.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Candy Reminder: £20 Bunny Zoe's voucher up for grabs - open to Followers until 3 May!

You can find the candy post here.

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Buttons

Morning all, Fairy day again!  Don't the weeks fly past?  Crumbs, before you know it we will be getting stuck into the Christmas cards, lol.  Anyhoo, let's first enjoy some Spring sunshine with Crafty Little Fairies and our theme this week is Buttons.

Here is my card:

Stamped image is LOTV Rocking Horse

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) on Bristol Board

DP is from an old pad of Little Sizzlets papers

Matting layers are Bazzill Basics cardstock

Those beautiful pastel blue buttons are by Dovecraft

Sentiment is also LOTV

And the lonely little gem is from my stash of twinkles

You can use real buttons or faux buttons on your make, just as long as you use a stamped or digi image.

I wonder how many men will be missing buttons from their shirts and jackets this week?!

Have fun

Squirrel xx

Aaaatishhoo

Anyone suffering from hayfever at the moment?  Yep, me too - dry eyes, snuffly nose and a really husky voice.  I wouldn't recommend getting too close to Bella today, as she may start you sneezing again.

Credit for the shape of this card must go to my Stamp Basket DT colleague, Debs, as I nicked the idea from a card she made a few weeks back, and I had been itching to try it with a shaped card base for myself.  Thanks Debs for the inspiration.  Here is Debs original card.

Not the easiest shape to photo, so you have got some arty shots this week!

Ingredients used that are available at The Stamp Basket store:

Stamp: Wild Rose Studio - Bella With Flowers

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Medium: Ranger/Tim Holtz - Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: Wild Rose Studio - Bluebell

Card Base: Craftwork Cards - On The Edge

Have a Happy Wednesday everyone!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Candy Reminder:  Don't forget to get your name down if you fancy the chance of winning my celebratory candy.  There is a link at the top of my sidebar - click on the kitty!

Without Words (April DT) Gentlemen Only

Morning all, it's the first Monday of April so that means a new challenge at

Without Words

And this month our theme is Gentlemen Only, which means we would like to see birthday cards for the boys please.

Wild Rose Studio stamp (now retired)

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are from Wellington Bear set

Matting layers are WH Smith black art card

Sentiment is Paper Smooches

And that's it - a Ronseal card, does what it says on the tin.

I must offer my apologies for my rather brief comments and posts lately - I am trying to restrict the amount of time I spend on the laptop because of my shoulder.  If only I could do the same with the other computer I have to use!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Oooh Cheeky!

Cheeky monkey that is.  Didn't think I would post twice today but stranger things have happened.

Two challenges for this little chap:

High Hopes Challenge - Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - All Boy

High Hopes stamp - Large Monkey Mike

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The sentiment is also High Hopes - Wooden Happy Birthday

JoyCrafts wood effect papers

and some orange First Edition for the balloon and "nails"

DieNamics balloon die

If you missed today's earlier post you can find it here with a chance of some candy

Hugs Squirrel xx

Special Delivery & 175,000

Morning all, how are we today?  When this hopefully posts I shall be on my way to Church with Toad so fingers crossed everything works.

A simple little card (what else can you expect from me) that is sort of an aperture attempt.

Stamp is Crafters Companion Strawberry Kisses - Special Delivery

Painted in a light wash of Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Aperture cut with X-Cut postage stamp die

Background paper is First Edition New Bloom

Sentiment is Hero Arts

I would like to enter this in the following challenges

Top Tip Tuesday - Cute

My Mum's Crafty Shop - Anything Goes

Simon Says Wednesday - Happy Birthday

Candy

Now then, I have totally missed my blogoversary (it was two weeks ago) and I had hoped it would coincide with 200,000 hits, but things seem to have been quiet around blogland lately (so many peeps using Facebook more these days I think) but I am determined to have a celebration so let's hear it for 175,000 hits instead (almost there).  I would also like to sign up some new Followers, so if you would like to enter the drawer for my 175,000 hits celebration candy then get you name down and be a Follower (or add your name if you are already one of my loyal crew)!!

Candy will close at 6.00pm (UK BST) on Saturday 3 May.

Respectfully, the usual rules apply - genuine visitors only please

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Old Clothes Recommended

Afternoon all.  I am such a numpty sometimes.  And today that is official.  I made a card for a friend's birthday and, having browsed the challenges I found a few that it would fit beautifully.  But then I realised, even though I have posted the card it won't have arrived yet so I can't blog it until after her birthday, and by then the challenges will all be closed.  Blah!

Anyhoo, I will share this one with you instead.  I bought a new gadget - a Distress Marker Spritzer.  I watched the YouTube clip of Timmy demonstrating and of course he made it look easy.  What he didn't tell you was that it really is best to be wearing something old and tatty, unless of course you want the DI splatter look on your best blouse.

Lili Of The Valley stamp - Annabel: Tug of War

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sky effect - Distress Ink Spritzer with DI Tumbled Glass and MLP Sky Blue

Papers are LOTV/Raspberry Road Baskets & Bunnies

Whimsy corner die

Hero Arts sentiments

I quite like the blue speckled effect on a white t-shirt.  I might go and add some other colours to it.  Just so it doesn't look accidental you understand.

Hope you are having a great weekend

Hugs

Squirrel xx