Last Chance to Penguin!

Morning all, happy Monday to you, and a huge warm hello to my new Followers, welcome aboard!

Tomorrow evening sees the close of The Great Penguin Challenge 2014 so this is your final reminder if you want to enter.  You have until 6.00pm UK time.

I've been on a roll with simple Christmas cards this weekend and here is one of yesterday's, complete with penguin.

LOTV stamp - Teddy With Penguin

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Wild Rose Studio die - Snowflake Corner

LOTV sentiment from Grunge Christmas Postmarks set

LOTV Frosty Christmas papers

So there you have it, sweet n simple.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Addicted to CAS

Afternoon all, hope this finds you well.  A beautiful autumn day here in Suffolk, in fact it has been a beautiful week weatherwise, perfect for getting out and about on the holibobs which is what we have been doing.  I'm not back at work until Tuesday so I am planning a craft day on Monday as I won't have Toad around itching to go out.  There are times when I wish he was more of a couch potato!

Anyhoo, I've not been around in blogland much this week - mostly due to being out in the sunshine, but partly due to being occupied with a couple of orders that took up quite a bit of my time.  I am relieved to say they are completed now and the customer has seen photos and given her approval, phew.  So as an antidote to a couple of large and detailed cards, here is one of my favourites, small and CAS!

Addicted To Stamps And More - Clean and Simple

Apart from stamping straight onto the card base, they don't get much more CAS than this.

LOTV stamp - Festive Lantern

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Hobby Arts sentiment

Red card matting layer

I am very excited that Strictly is back with us, and enjoyed last night's show a lot.  I love Claudia's new look with the toned down eye liner and her trimmed fringe, it really shows off her pretty face, and I have to say that Tess did a great job.  I am sure they both had first night nerves and will soon, like the dancers, settle in to the series.  I did see a comment on FB complaining about Tess "touching" the celebrities a lot while she was talking to them - obviously that person never noticed how much Bruce used to do that!  Looking forward to tonight's show and hoping that Greg Wallace isn't as flat footed as I suspect he might be.  Unlike previous years, I don't have a favourite right from the start but I would like to see Simon Webbe do well (didn't realise he had such a sense of humour).  Bring on the sequins!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

PS.  Thanks to everyone who asked whether Toad liked his pirate birthday card - the answer is a resounding yes!

PPS.  The Great Penguin Challenge 2014 closes at 6.00pm (UK) on Monday

When I asked you to put the decorations up........

Morning all.  I can't believe it is Thursday already - where has the week gone?  We had a home day on Monday, and yes, the boiler man did come on time.  Tuesday was Toad's birthday and it was his choice to pop down to the seaside.  Yesterday we trekked off to the zoo.  We got there earlier than we normally do (after a brown pants drive down the A12 in heavy rain) and were pleasantly surprised to find so few cars in the car park.  We ended up being there six hours and saw just about everything.  We even had a surprise treat of a walkthrough of the lemur enclosure, which was amazing to have those little creatures no more than 18" away with no barriers between them and us.  Anyone who knows Colchester Zoo will know how hilly it is so my poor little knees are a tad on the sore side today!

Anyhoo, I haven't done any crafting since Monday (twitch twitch) so this is a card I made the weekend before.

This is a Wild Rose Studio stamp called Reindeer With Baubles

Coloured with Distress Inks and Polychromos

Papers are Dovecraft Back To Basics Christmas

Sentiment is Pink Gem

And a few Card Candi to finish off

We are supposed to be heading into town today for a few errands and to visit a friend this afternoon so I really ought to be getting my tail into gear.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Bear And Back Again

Monday morning.  Normally all you would get from me at this time of day is a blerrgh but today it is just meh.  Funny that, I'm not at work but still have that Monday morning feeling.

Anyhoo, to cheer myself up, I have been playing with James again.

So this is LOTV James - Deck The Halls

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with a good dollop of Dovecraft fine glitter

Sentiment is Lindsay Mason from Personal Impressions

Papers are BoBunny Double Dots

Stitched edge die is MFT Die-Namics from the Blueprints 13 set

Border punch is Martha Stewart

That's the arty angle shot, here is the close up

I'm off for a haircut now, and the gasman cometh this afternoon to service the boiler.

Who said I don't know how to find the fun!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Ahoy and Avast!

19th September was our wedding anniversary.  It was also Talk Like A Pirate Day.  Which is mostly what Toad and I did on the few occasions I spoke to him during the day.  He loves Talk Like A Pirate Day.  In fact he sometimes does it when it's not the right day.  

Which gave me an idea for his birthday card:

I'd only half made one of these wibbly-wobbly (technical term) cards before so this was a challenge to say the least, especially as I didn't have a template!

This bit is A Random Fan - Pirate Adventure

I tried to make his hat look like distressed velvet, but it may just look splodgy

This bit is Whimsy (Crissy Armstrong) - Mr Gullible

Both images painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all Papermania - Ahoy There

Nautical dies are Die-Namics Sea Charms

Label die is X-Cut

Die cut letters are Memory Box Uppercase Typewriter

Stamped sentiment is Hero Arts

For a change, he doesn't have a clue what I have made so hopefully he will be suitably surprised (and hopefully impressed) on Tuesday morning.  I will let you know!

I would like to enter this in the challenge over at

A Random Fan - Anything Goes

Have a super Sunday everyone

Hugs

Squirrel x

Penguin or Chicken?

I've been trying to think of famous penguins.  There is Feathers McGraw (above) in his evil disguise, Chilly Willy (for those of a certain age), Pingu, Wheezy (Toy Story), Mumbles (Happy Feet) and Cody (Surf's Up) - my fellow penguinista, Annette, sent me a Wikipedia Fictional Penguins link and I was amazed at how many there are that I had never heard of.  What a sheltered life I lead!

Annette and Jayne have been posting beautiful reminder posts for The Great Penguin Challenge 2014, thank you girls!

Here is a simple one from me.

Image is a Stampavie clear stamp (I think it's a Gillian Roberts)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Lindsay Mason

Tartan backing paper is Nitwits/LOTV

Only ten days left of the challenge so if you haven't joined in yet, you had better get a wriggle on, and there is a prize for the winner.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Bear With Me

Happy Friday to one and all!  I've got the bear bug again I'm afraid, there is just something so beary about James, I can't resist his furry little face.

As if you can't work it out, this is LOTV James - Christmas Cracker

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Dovecraft Back To Basics Christmas (2014 Modern collection)

Sentiment is a magazine freebie

Star punch is an X-Cut

Today being the first day of the holibob, you would think I would be skipping around.  Well, not quite, I shall be squirrelled away in the studio shortly making Toad's birthday card and then I am off to the doc to try and persuade him that two weeks really is too long to have earache!

See you tomorrow with another TGPC reminder!

Hugs to all

Squirrel x

Beloved James

Hello chaps!  I hope this finds you fine and dandy, but sending you furry hugs if you are not up to scratch and wishing you well.

I have a spring in my step today as it is only two more days of work before the holibob and I am so looking forward to Friday.  Unfortunately for Toad, he will be working until Friday evening, but good for me because I get a whole wonderful day of uninterrupted crafting.  Just me and Vince (so I shall be called upon to top up his food bowl at regular intervals).  For a cat that is so skinny, I am not sure where he is packing the grub (and yes, we have had his thyroid levels checked) but on a good day we are waving goodbye to 3-4 pouches of Felix!

Anyhoo, I have been making a start on the C cards.  Once 1 September arrived I knew I couldn't put it off any longer.  To make the task a little easier, out came my beloved James Bear.

This is one of my very first LOTV James and it is Balancing Act

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are this year's Christmas collections (Modern and Vintage) from Dovecraft

Stitchy die is MFT Die-namics from the Blueprint 13 set

Gold edged rope border from stash

And the Ho ho ho sentiment is Cuddly Buddly

Did you notice?  Coordination!!  This time I actually sorted the papers before I started painting the image, lol.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Without Words - Midway Reminder

Monday morning again folks, don't they come round too fast?  I'm not too grumpy today as I know I only have four days (including this one) and then it is holibobs for me!

Anyhoo, I am just popping in quickly with a midway reminder for the It's A Celebration challenge at Without Words - you have until the end of the month to enter.

The layers on this give it the impression of being busier than it is, but it still works as CAS with minimal embellishments.

LOTV Starry Ted stamp, coloured with Distress Inks and Polychromos

Papers are Crafters Companion Angelica And Adam

Craftwork Cards gingham Card Candi

Personal Impressions sentiment

Do hope you will find time to come and celebrate with us!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Distraction Crafting

Evening all.  Today hasn't gone well in the way of craft - first of all I got distracted by Mr Popper's Penguins, then Vince and I had a slightly longer than 40 winks nap, then I finished a card I started yesterday, and instead of getting on with Toad's anniversary and birthday cards, I made a Christmas tag because I rediscovered the stamp when I was rummaging for something else.  Is there no hope?

LOTV stamp - Furry Festive Friends

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Die-namics Pierced Tag die and Pierced Circle die

Leftover LOTV paper scraps

Cuddly Buddly snowflakes

Personal Impressions sentiment

And look at that, I should be peeling carrots but have already been distracted by posting this!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Have YOU Penguined Yet?

Morning all, this is a scheduled post as hopefully I am enjoying a long awaited lie in!

Just popping by with a reminder about

THE GREAT PENGUIN CHALLENGE 2014

Want to enter?  There's a fun penguiny prize for the winner!

You can find the challenge here

and you have until 6.00pm (UK time) on 30 September to join in.

This little chap is an old Wild Rose Studio stamp called Pickle With Gift

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are LOTV Frosty Christmas

Sentiment is a Whimsy Letter Seal stamp

Sweet and simple

There will be another reminder before the challenge ends

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Also sneaking this little chap into

Christmas at Sweet Stamping - Christmas Critters

Sanatogen

OK, hands up, who used to be given Sanatogen Tonic Wine when they were feeling under the weather?

My mother always used to have a bottle of this stuff on stand-by, and I remember the dread of it being pulled out of the cupboard if I was off colour or particularly run down.  Thankfully, now I am a grown woman I can take the tonic of my choice for occasions like this, and one of the best tonics I have found as a pick-me-up is a good colouring session.

I was definitely in Squirrel's World for this one, for at least three hours, bliss.

The stamp is Whimsy/Wee Stamps - Oak Tree Girl

I have coloured her hair with Polychromos Pencils, ranging from Light Cadmium Yellow right through to Walnut Brown

The rest of her has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Backing papers are all from the BoBunny pad of Autumn Song

and the maple leaves were done with a Martha Stewart punch with papers from the same pad

I haven't attached a sentiment as I haven't decided what to do with her yet, but I am really tempted to buy a square frame and mount her up to keep.

One of the best compliments I have ever had came from a dear blogging friend who, when I sent her this picture, said she thought at first glance it was a professionally coloured topper.  That gave me the most wonderful warm glow for quite some time!

Sorry for the poor photo quality.  A camera with a decent macro is on my wish list.

Now just to win the lottery.

 

Penny Black And More - September: Autumn Colours

Happy autumnal hugs to you all

Squirrel xx

Pop(py) of Colour

Morning all, hope this finds you well.  For anyone looking for The Great Penguin Challenge 2014, you can find it here or there is a link at the top of my sidebar.

TIDDLY INKS CHALLENGE this time are looking for a Pop of Colour, and here is the inspiration photo.

and here is my make

I have used Purfect Birthday Wryn clear stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Coloured cardstock is Papermania

Pierced fishtail dies are MFT Die-Namics

(they are much longer than this so I had to do a bit of tweaking)

Sentiment is Hero Arts

Also entering at Treasured Times Stamps - Anything Goes

Hope your Sunday is a super one.  When I go back to work tomorrow the holiday countdown will officially begin - nine working days to go.  That will brighten up Monday!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

IT'S HERE! The Great Penguin Challenge of 2014

It has been noticed that there are rather a lot of perfectly gorgeous penguin images around at the moment (old and new) so for a bit of fun I am pleased to announce the launch of the one-off
GREAT PENGUIN CHALLENGE OF 2014

So, if you fancy some flipper related excitement, and to be in with a chance of winning a prize that is decidedly fishy, you have come to the right place.

I am delighted to be joined by my two fellow Penguin partners-in-crime who have produced some fabulous DT cards for you

Squirrel

Jayne

Annette

Squirrel

Squirrel

What do you have to do?  Make a something penguiny of course!  Enter using the InLinkz thingy before 6.00pm (UK time) on 30 September 2014

and the winner will be randomly sniffed out by Mr Vince (well, he is black and white so maybe he is part penguin)

Hope you can join us in some seasonal silliness (with a prize)

Hugs to all

Penguinos Squirrel, Annette & Jayne

xxx

An InLinkz Link-up

Only One Day Left .....

Not Long To Go .....

A Day Closer......

It's coming .....

WITHOUT WORDS (DT) September

Happy Monday, Happy 1 September, Happy Everything!

We have a new challenge at WITHOUT WORDS today and our theme is IT'S A CELEBRATION.

You can celebrate any event you want, a wedding, a birth, passing a driving test, passing exams, buying a new home, anniversary, the list is endless.  Without Words is celebrating its second anniversary and we would like you to celebrate with us.

Here is my DT card

This one was made for celebrating exam success

The images are CC Designs Roberto's Amigas - Coffee Sue

and she is sitting on La La Land Crafts Book Stack

I stamped the books on the base layer.  Sue was stamped separately, fussy cut and layered over the books.

Both are coloured with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with a touch of Polychromos pencils for her hair

Matting layer paper is First Edition Vintage Noel

Sentiments are Hero Arts

We are sponsored this month by the fabulous Zoe at Make It Crafty with a $15 voucher for her store

Time to get celebrating!  Looking forward to seeing your makes.

Hugs

Squirrel xx