In a Hurry?

Ever had the need to make a card in a hurry but not had the time to sit and colour up a detailed image?  Wondered what papers go with what, and which embellishments to choose?  Panic no more, the answer is waiting for you at The Stamp Basket store with one of their Craft Kits!

All the ingredients for this card are from the

Rowan Fairy Kit

You get everything you need, Hobby House toppers, Wild Rose Studio Antique Library papers,

ribbons, pearls, buttons, twine, base cards and envelopes - in fact enough to make four complete cards

Just so easy and stress free.

While I'm here, I have some news for you too - brace yourselves

The new Wild Rose Studio Christmas stamps are available to pre-order now, and oh my word, they are so cute it is guaranteed that you will want them all, I know I do!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Huh?



I heard on the radio the other week that sniffing rosemary (the herb, not a person) improves the memory.  I guess that is ok, so long as you remember to do it.

 

I could do with something stronger than rosemary at the moment.  I am forgetting all sorts of things, some of them reasonably important, and the more I forget, the more stressed I get about forgetting, and the more stressed I become, the more I forget.  And so it goes.

 

One of the things that I have been forgetting a lot, despite having all the dates written down, is birthdays.  So this card will no doubt be used before too much longer.



 

 

 

This is "Huh?" from CC Designs Roberto's Amigas

Skin and hair in Polychromos pencils, the rest in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are from the new LOTV/Nitwits pad "Up And Away" except for the

pink matting layer - can't remember which pad that's from, but it is LOTV too

Sentiments are Personal Impressions and Paper Smooches

Corner dies are Cheery Lynn

 

Right then, where's the rosemary......

 

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

 





Amazing what you can find in a tree

Afternoon everyone, I hope this finds you well.  Nothing much happening in Squirrelville today, except the last day of the Tour de France when the boys ride home to Paris, and later the highlights of the Hungarian Grand Prix.  It is officially a lazy day, just watching the Tour riders will be enough exercise for me.

Toad has just brought in another couple of ripe tomatoes from the two plants we have in a wall basket at the front.  Add those to the ones we have already picked and you might just have enough to fill a teacup.  I think you could call them bite sized!

Anyhoo, I do have  card for you:

This adorable little stamp is my much neglected Little Acorn from LOTV

Not sure why a rabbit would be up an oak tree!

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all Maja Designs - Walk In The Forest collection

A Hazelnut Copic on white card for the matting layers and the Rusty Hinge DI pad for definition of other layers

Sentiment is from my favourite set of the moment from Personal Impressions

Hope your weekend is a fabulous one.

Hugs to all, Squirrel xx

Scorchio!

Oh deep, deep, joy - 29C again today.  Yeah, I know it's summertime, I am a summer baby, but that makes no difference to me, I really struggle in heat.  So imagine my delight when the radio weather lady announced happily this morning that tomorrow was going to be "a lot cooler" - top temperature 25C.  That's not a LOT cooler lady, that is only a TINY bit cooler!!  She needs to come back to me when it is nearer to 20C (preferably on the down side of it) and then we can talk.  See, told you heat makes me grumpy!

But you didn't visit to hear me whittering about the temperature so here is a card for you.

This is Suzy With Bunny from Whimsy/Wee Stamps

Entirely coloured with Polychromos pencils this time

Papers are Crafters Companion Angelica & Adam (female)

Sentiment is Personal Impressions

and the border die (which I am totally in love with) is Celtic Chain from Cheery Lynn

I've got some DT stuff I absolutely have to get done this weekend so I am not looking forward to sitting out in the conservatory.  The next time you see me I might be a soggy patch on the floor.

Enjoy your weekend, whatever you are up to

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A tiddly Tiddly

You know sometimes how a challenge just "grabs" you?  Well that is what this one did with me.  I always love the challenges from Tiddly Inks but the theme this week made me smile and I just had to have a go, and the theme is Tiny Creations or ATC, so basically something really small!

And of course I couldn't just settle for one stamp, I used four (and one of those three times!).

I've used stamps from three different clear sets, plus a Personal Impressions sentiment

Rabbit is from Some Bunny

Flowers are from Celebrate Joyfully

Cloud (x3) is from Cloud 9

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Maja Design Coffee In The Arbour

Card base is roughly 3.75 x 3.75 inches

And to prove it is a tiddly Tiddly, here it is on a piece of 6x6 card stock

Happy Friday everyone!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Bit of a theme going ......

Morning all, ok?  Super toasty again then.  Phfft, my squirrelly tail was frizzy, then it wilted, and now it's just dangling.

You might notice a wee bit of a theme going on here for a few days, as I had a run of cards to make all for the same reason.  I was spoilt terribly for my birthday last week, not just family and close friends, but some of my bestest blogging buddies too, so I have been on a "thank you" card spree.  You had the little Fairy Tea one on Tuesday, so here is the next:

So this little cutie is Birthday Princess from Sugar Nellie

Coloured with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos pencils

Blue paper is from Maja Designs - Coffee In The Arbour

Not sure about where the pink came from, it was to hand and the right colour so it got used

Sentiment is from a Penny Black clear set which I think is called Kind Words

The other day Helen asked me why I was using Polychromos a lot now.  Well, it's a long story that I won't bore you with, but I also started experimenting with them for hair colouration as I was finding it difficult to get the fine definition with the Distress Inks and a paintbrush.  I am now getting to grips with the pencils and am finding them really satisfying for the hair detail and highlights, so sorry if you think I am crossing to the dark side - I'm not, nothing will ever replace my beloved ReInkers, but, just occasionally, even they need some back up.

Hope you have a good day.  Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Christmas In July

It feels so strange posting about Christmas in July when we have been through a heatwave and summer storms, but that is what we are celebrating at The Stamp Basket at the moment ..... so here is a card to cool you down.

I'm sorry if this comes as a shock to my CAS fans, I got a little carried away, lol

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

Stamp: Wild Rose Studio - Annabelle With Sledge

Stamping Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Stamped on: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Papers: Maja Design (1) Coffee In The Arbour and (2) Walk In The Forest

Dies: (1) Memory Box Evergreen Landscape and (2) Joy Crafts Winter Wishes Ice Crystals

Other:  Distress Ink pad Brushed Corduroy

Base Card: Craftwork Cards On The Edge

And from my stash were pencils and the sentiment

Don't forget, if you want to stock up on some stash, including Christmas items, there is a Summer Sale on with some great savings available

Merry Christmas everyone!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Hmmmmm

OK, so I have written this post (in my head) two or three times, and thought better of it.  I felt that the original versions were probably too controversial and would end up with me being locked into virtual stocks and having virtual rotten fruit and veg hurled at me, so I chickened out.

School holidays have started, so begins six to eight weeks of talking to myself (possibly) but if you are one of those bloggers who no are no longer bound by the responsibilities of children in their various shapes and forms, or indeed never have been, then hellooooooooo, welcome, how are you?!

Anyhoo, I ramble.  Here's a card:

Small and sweet

LOTV Fairy Tea stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos pencils

Papers are Maja Design - Coffee In The Arbour

Sentiment and the squiggle are, I think, Penny Black

5x5 card base

A little while ago I submitted a card to a magazine - something I recklessly do once in a blue moon.

It was ignored.  Again.  I don't think I shall be feeling reckless again any time in the foreseeable future.

(originally posted on my blog on 31 May - here)

If you recognise the papers then you will know which magazine it was.  They are off my Christmas card list for this year, not that they were on last year's either.

Whatever you are up to, I hope you have a fun day

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Favourite? Maybe!

Morning all, this is a scheduled post so am keeping my fingers crossed that Mr B behaves himself today.  It's been an age since I entered a few challenges but as it was so stinky hot n humid yesterday, I sat and made a card for the fun of it, and it fits a few themes.

This is Relax from the Mulberry Wood Everyday range of stamps at Crafters Companion

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Maja - Coffee In The Arbour (absolutely delicious)

Memory Box Macarena corner die

Nestabilities Classic Circles dies

Hero Arts sentiment

and basic office hole punch for the dots

So, the challenges that I would like to enter this one in are

As You Like It - Favourite Sentiment

Love these words as they cover so many occasions - how can you go wrong with that?!

Sweet Stamping Challenge - Favourite Stamp

I've used this little bear a lot as it can be used for male or female cards with just a change of colour

Crafty Catz - Hot Summer

Pattie's Creations - Summertime Fun

4 Crafty Chicks - The Great Outdoors

Cute Card Thursday - Fun In The Sun

Crumbs, I think that must be the most I have ever entered with one card - feels a bit cheaty really!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Things are getting desperate

Morning all.  Well, I say morning but my poor, tired, body says that it ought to be bedtime.  What a storm we had at 4.00 this morning.  Temperatures yesterday clipped 32C and a storm was inevitable as it was so sticky and humid.  I woke up to the sound of rain on the conservatory roof and then the light show began.  I have never seen so much lightning in such a short time.  The thunder was pretty loud too!  I came down to check that Vince was ok, and he was, happily snoring in my armchair.  Not sure what time I crawled back into bed but sleep was elusive.  I feel like the proverbial limp lettuce today - and we are supposed to be out for a meal with friends this evening!

Surprisingly for a holiday week, I have done very little crafting so things were getting desperate for something to share with you.  I had a trawl through my folders and found this little card that I made a couple of weeks ago.

This is another of those A Random Fan stamps - it's Birthday Girl

Coloured with a mix of Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos pencils

Not sure what went wrong with her hair but I'm not overly happy with it

Papers are all LOTV/Nitwits

Sentiment is from one of my many clear sets

Gold diamond borders from stash

And that's it.  I really need to get on with something if I want to be able to share with you tomorrow.

Hope your day isn't too sticky.

Hugs Squirrel xx

Well of course it's CAS!

Morning all - two reasons for a CAS card today.  1. Addicted To Stamps & More and 2. It was far too hot and sticky in the craft room yesterday to do any more than sit and colour.

So, this fabulous stamp is Roberto's Amigas Margarita Time from CC Designs

She has been coloured with Polychromos pencils

The sentiment is from Paper Smooches

The card base was 6x6 which I cut down to 6x4 to have the fold on the left

Cheers to you

Hugs Squirrel xx

Noah's First Flight

Morning everyone, and thank you for all the birthday wishes - it would seem that, as hard as I have tried to hide it this year, I have been discovered!  Yes, this little ol' squirrel is now getting emails from Saga!!!

Anyhoo, just popped by to share another of my new stamps with you today.

This adorable little chap is Noah's First Flight from A Random Fan

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) apart from his little bit of hair which is pencil

Papers are Crafters Companion Angelia & Adam

Sentiment is Personal Impressions

Hope you have a good day, whatever you are up to

Hugs, Old Squirrel xx

Magical Midway Reminder

Yoo-hoo!  It's time for a mid month reminder for the super challenge over at A Little Bit Crafty where the theme is Magic.

I have used Abracadabra from LOTV

Coloured with Faber Castell Polychromos pencils

Papers are a mixed bag of Dovecraft, LOTV, WH Smith and Basic Grey

Stars and lettering from stash

There are some amazing prizes up for grabs so please do not miss out!

Izzy whizzy, go and get busy!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Monet The Mermaid

On Saturday morning the postman delivered a new batch of rubber that I had been getting very excited about, it was the new A Random Fan release, and I couldn't wait to start playing.  These images are cute and quirky and here is my first of the new ones:

OK, so this is A Random Fan - Monet The Mermaid

Coloured with Polychromos pencils and Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are a mixture of First Edition, Crafters Companion and some holographic card

The bubbles stamp on the orange dotty paper is from Creative Expressions

Sentiment is Hero Arts

And the bubbles cut from the holographic card is the Memory Box Large Ringlets die

which I took the craft knife to and separated into sections

It's day 1 of holiday proper and we're off into town later for Toad to get a haircut, for him to part with some cash in the jewellers to buy my birthday present, and we are off to the cinema to see

How To Train Your Dragon 2

Whatever you are up to I hope you have a good Monday

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Think Pink

Afternoon all, hope this finds you well - we've had a bit of a strange day and I'm feeling a bit out of sorts (we had some awful news earlier) but I had started this card yesterday and was determined to get it finished.  I don't know about you, but crafting is my release valve - if I feel stressed or sad or just hassled, I go off to craft and within minutes of picking up a paintbrush or pretty papers I can feel the tension start to ebb away.

Anyhoo, I made this card for the In The Pink challenge whose theme is Get Well/Thinking Of You.

The stamp is LOTV Hugs

Coloured with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos pencils

Papers are LOTV/Nitwits Always & Forever (patterns and solids)

Sentiment is Hero Arts

And those gorgeous striped candy dots are from My Mum's Craft Shop

We've had a weekend of sun, rain, thunderstorms, and this afternoon a brief monsoon - I could hardly see the shed for a while and we don't have a large garden.  I am hoping that things pick up for the coming week as I don't really fancy trailing a rain coat, wellies and an umbrella everywhere we go!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Crumbs!

Crikey chaps, I just realised that I haven't posted anything since Wednesday - it's been a busy week so the time simply slipped away from me.  

I made this birthday card for a friend whose maiden name was Peacock and she collects anything peacock related.  Her challenge was to find the peacock link in this card.

Stamp is a Lee Holland design from a Penny Black transparent set

Coloured with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos pencils

Papers are Dovecraft Back To Basics and LOTV Solids

Whimsy corner dies

Sparling gems from Crafty Devils

Sentiment is from same set as the stamp

Did you spot the link?  My friend didn't either, but it is pretty obscure.

Her dress is painted with Peacock Feathers Distress Ink!

Hope you are having a super weekend - it's nose to the DT grindstone for me this afternoon

See you soon

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Gift Bag Surprise

Morning all - welcome to Wednesday!  Only two more days at work after this one and then it is hollibob time for me!  But before I start slapping on the suncream, here is my DT card for this week for The Stamp Basket blog.

Ingredients used for this card which are available at The Stamp Basket store are

Stamp: Stampavie - A Rosie Rabbit Gift

Stamping Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black

Papers: Graphic 45 Twelve Days of Christmas

Base Card: Craftwork Cards Elegant Square

Pearl: Hobby House Ivory Silk

And from my stash I have used Polychromos pencils for the bits that aren't paper pieced

and Shapeabilities Snowflake Pendant (which was at TSB when I made the card but isn't now, sorry)

I think I would quite like to find a bunny on Christmas morning, but I think Vince might have a miaow or two to say about that!

And for all you bargain hunters, TSB Summer Sale is now on - up to 40% discount on some items so what's stopping you?

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

LMM Lydie

It's Tooooosday, and a day nearer to my hollibobs, hurrah!  5.00 Friday seems a long way off at the moment, but I am sure it will arrive on time.  

Regular readers will know that I have just taken the plunge into the world of Little Miss Muffet stamps - I only bought two in my first order, but now I have been paid I might have just ordered another one or four, lol.

I adore the Polka Dot Pals stamps, and it was so hard to choose which one to have first, but in the end I settled on Lydie, and I am so pleased, she is a cutie and a dream to colour.

I have coloured her with Polychromos pencils for her hair, the pink heart and, her polka dots and Distress Inks (ReInkers) for the rest of her

Papers are LOTV Always & Forever patterned and solids

And the dies are Memory Box Loopy Border and Small Ringlets

(thought they would make a nice change from flowers)

and the sentiment is LOTV from the Scroll Sentiments

Squirrel Tip:  A neat little trick for keeping small details whiter than white - colour them in with a pure white oil based pencil because it resists the Distress Inks and your details stay nice and clean, hence her sparkling polka dots!

Fant-tastic Tuesday - Anything Goes
 

Anyhoo, that is me done for today, hope you have a good one.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) Cute n Fluffy

Morning all, and Happy Monday to you, we are going all Cute n Fluffy for the July challenge at Without Words

Here is my DT card

I have been itching to play with this super cute little critter

Morning Glory Bunny from Whimsy Stamps

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are from an old Papermania Capsule Collection

And the sentiment stamp is from my stash of clear stamp sentiment sets

We are sponsored by Crafters Companion this month so there is a £10 voucher up for grabs

Have fun with colour!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Fancy Sunbonnet & A Cat

Happy Sunday everyone!  A scheduled post for you this morning so fingers crossed Blogger plays nice.

I placed my first order with Little Miss Muffet stamps recently and my rubber arrived very quickly so of course I had to play ...... as it was my first order I had only chosen two stamps but, believe me, I shall be back there on my next payday.  I believe I may have found another addiction, lol.

So, my first ever Little Miss Muffet card

This stamp is Fancy Sunbonnet Lucky - on the packet detail she is top to toe in green as those plants are really clover/shamrock but I wanted to team her with the pink-blue paper, so she got a makeover

Coloured with Distress Inks Markers

Dovecraft Forget Me Not paper, and homemade matting layers

Sentiment is Personal Impressions 

(it's one of those stamps where you get options for the word in the middle)

I must thank Faye for being such an encouragement and support, in fact if technology has worked you will find this card on the LMM Facebook page today too, courtesy of Faye.

And because it has been so long since I have posted one, and because he was being super cute, here is a picture of Vince relaxing on the back of the sofa last night

Half an hour before this was taken, he rolled over and slid off the back and down onto the seat.  He didn't even wake up properly when I gathered him up and replaced him!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

As You Like It

Morning all, how are we today?  The two days of summer have gone now, to be replaced by a light rain and cooler temperatures.  Our garden is so grateful for the water, especially the shredded wheat that used to be a lawn!

I am pleased to report that Toad's tomatoes and spuds are coming on a storm.  I know tomatoes are supposed to be one of those wonder foods, which is fine by me as I love a beautifully ripe garden grown tommy, but if we get as many fruit as there are flowers then the only wonder involved will be me wondering what to do with them all!  Just keep your fingers and toes crossed that the dreaded blight doesn't strike.

Have been for a tail trim and re-touch this morning, so I am feeling a little light headed, but much more comfortable.  I was starting to resemble tumbleweed.

Right then, enough waffle, time to get on with it.  As You Like It Challenge this time is Do You Prefer Images Of Animals Or People and they are asking you to say why.

It has to be animals for me.  I am a sucker for cute and furry, but I do find them more fun to paint, and more versatile for so many occasions.  You could use one carefully chosen animal all year round really.  But being an animal lover anyway, I find painting the images fills me with a similar warm and fuzzy feeling to that which I get when I have a cuddle with my boy, Vince.  I suffer from too much empathy when it comes to animals and I do tend be to anthropomorphic with them.  Take Vince for example, he's had his breakfast, an enforced cuddle, and now he is curled up in my armchair for a nap - I can imagine him thinking "oooh, that's lovely,  I am warm and comfortable, wake me in time for supper", when in fact the only thing he is probably thinking is "burp".

Here's my card:

I have used LOTV Bath Time

Watercolour Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is from Paper Smooches

And some more of those gorgeous Black Market Society "Let It Bloom" papers

And of course, it's one of my CAS layouts

And I would like to enter this at A Gem Of A Challenge - Any Animal

Lots to cram in to this weekend - British Grand Prix, Tour de France, Oldies visit,  the usual chores, and an extra-large emergency retirement card that is needed to be delivered on Monday (short notice order) so I am dashing off to be busy.  Laters!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

CLF DT - Summer Fun

By a fluke of the calendar this is my third DT day in a row, and No 4 comes on Monday!  Well, as it is Thursday it has to be a new challenge for July from CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES and as it is "summer" (really, it is) our theme is Summer Fun.

 

 

And what better thing to be doing on a summer's day than flying a kite?!

This is Pollycraft Breeze stamp and Cloudy Skies stamp

I can't even begin to tell you what the papers are as they are 3 or 4 years old and came out of my leftovers box, but I think they are all from the same pad so if someone recognises them let me know

Sentiment is Paper Smooches

Colouring medium is Faber Castel Polychromos pencils

 

Lots of fabulous sponsor prizes on offer again this month, so lots to tempt you to join in the fun.

 

Just a reminder that our rules are quite clear - you must use a stamped or digi image (not pre-coloured toppers) on your make.  Quite a few entries have had to be sidelined when it comes to choosing the winners, and that is always a sad thing to have to do.

 

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

 

Mini Moon

Hello everyone, and welcome to Wednesday, my day to DT for The Stamp Basket blog.  Today I have some small festivities for you:

A simple wee card, but the majority of the ingredients came from The Stamp Basket store

Image stamp: Fizzy Moon Mini - Messages

Stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black

Papers are First Edition: Silent Night

Dies are Shapeabilities Snowflake Pendant set and Circles

Base card is Craftwork Cards Elegant Square

and from my stash are Polychromos pencils and a LOTV sentiment

Merry Christmas!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

It's A Kind Of Magic

White Rabbits, White Rabbits, White Rabbits - happy 1 July everyone, and you are invited to join us for the new challenge at A Little Bit Crafty which this month is Magic!

Ingredients for this are:

Stamp is LOTV Midsummer's Night

Coloured with Polychromos Pencils and Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are a mixture of who-knows-what from my leftovers box

Sentiment is Paper Smooches

Glittered silver stars border from stash

And sprinkling of Glamour Dust for magical moonshine

As always, Paula has lined up an amazing group of sponsors for you so lots of prizes to be won, but you have to be in it to win it, so see you there!

Hugs to all, Squirrel xx