Squirrel's World

Less Is More - Week 52 - A Sketch

2012-01-28T12:19:00.000Z

Back again so soon, lol! As soon as I saw this week's LESS IS MORE challenge I knew I had to play (especially having missed the last couple of weeks) - it's a sketch this time and it is deceptively tricky for such a simple layout.

I've had two go's at it and might well come back for a third later. Here are the first two anyway.

This one was very quick - a bit of Post-It Note masking, some Distress Ink sponging and simple stamping with those gorgeous Stampendous Agapanthus, finished off with a cute little Hero Arts sentiment.

Equally simple, a strip of Joanna Sheen tartan paper, punched both sides with Martha Stewart heart loop punch, a Magenta stamp lightly coloured with Distress Inks and my new favourite sentiment from Personal Impressions.

My fuzzy little brain is still full of ideas so prepare yourself for some more another time!

Hugs, Sxx

Keeping It Simple

2012-01-28T10:16:00.000Z

Morning all, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, it's a chilly one! Did you know (thanks Google) that today is the 125th anniversary of the largest snowflake? I wonder how big it was ..... and how do they know it was the biggest? Still, pleased to report that there is no danger of that being repeated today - bright, crisp day, lots of sunshine at the moment, yay!

It's that time of year again when I have a struggle - with my dear sister-in-law's birthday card. She doesn't do cute! Arrrgh, how can anyone resist cuteness? Anyway, this week's challenge at TOTALLY GORJUSS is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) and that seemed like a good idea, stop overthinking things Squirrel.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image Gorjuss Girls New Heights

Medium Come on, you should know by now

Papers A mixture of First Editions

Sentiment Lili of the Valley

Extras Martha Stewart punch and gems from stash

Now I will own up to this being the second attempt at this card. If you want the biggest belly laugh ever just keep going - on my travels around blogland I had been admiring how some very clever people have been using Prismas on Kraft and the lunatic side of my brain said "let's have a go" - yeah, well, the result below is now in the shredder!

The only part of this that was vaguely acceptable was her hair! And then the Sansador made it go all splodgy. Lesson learned - stick to what you know Squirrel. Me and my inks will not be parted - not even for a floosie pencil that briefly turned my head!

Hugs, Sxx

The Fourth Bear

2012-01-27T10:46:00.000Z

Morning all, hope this finds you well. Today's card is my entry for the ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE and it is the letter B this time. The theme is Bears with one or more of bunting, banners, brads, bling, buttons, bows and blooms!

I've gone for several bears and only two of the list, banner and buttons

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image Lili of the Valley Snow Bears

Medium Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers Magazine freebies

Sentiment Woodware Banner set

Extras Papermania buttons and Sizzix photocorners

And the reference to The Fourth Bear? It's a Jasper Fforde novel, in his Nursery Crimes series. Totally brilliant, the man is a genius with words.

Hugs, Sxx

Birthday Boy

2012-01-26T15:53:00.000Z

Oh I am so loving this - crafting in daylight without Toad watching my every move, lol!! Back with a second post for today, this one for a couple of challenges:

Cards For Men - Boys And Their Toys

Lili's Little Fairies - Oh Boy

Somewhere between card, photo and computer, some of the colours on this have got lost in translation - the green is really greener and the red doesn't really poke your eyes out!

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image Lili Of The Valley Sailing Boat

Medium Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers Basic Grey, Papermania, Little Sizzlets

Sentiment Woodware Banners

Extras Pebbles Inc Candy Dots and Martha Stewart punch

The bunting is hand cut (you can tell can't you!)

Right, I must be a good little Squirrel now and either start some DT work (which I could do tomorrow) or some clearing up in the kitchen - oh the decisions I have to make ......

And speaking of kitchens - some wonderful news - it looks like it will happen after all! Our project manager (hi Andy) is working his socks off to get me this kitchen. Who knows, I might be baking cakes in a nice, new, shiny oven before too long.

Hugs, Sxx

Back By Popular Demand

2012-01-26T14:12:00.000Z

Afternoon all! Thanks for your good wishes for the doctor visit this morning - apart from getting stuck in a traffic jam on the way there all went well. I do like our Health Care Assistant - she gets the blood first time, every time, so no poking and prodding with needles. And the doctor was lovely - she agreed that after three weeks of earache (having it, not giving it) I really needed some antibiotics to clear up the sinus infection (must be all that cat fur I keep breathing in).

Anyhoo, by popular demand - oh, ok, Vince tells me that it was only the one of you - Christy Beans - who asked for another Strawberry Kisses card. So this one is for you hunny!

Ingredients for this card

Stamped Image Crafters Companion - Strawberry Kisses: Party Animal

Medium Part Distress Ink painted, part paper pieced

Papers Joanna Sheen tartan, Making Memories (ancient)

Extras Hunkydory Diamond Sparkle gems, rainbow holographic borders

Hugs, Sxx

WOYWW with Julia

2012-01-25T17:23:00.001Z

Hi All, I didn't expect to be here tonight, especially this early, so I know it will have taken you by surprise too! Sorry about that. I had to go with my boss to see some clients this afternoon to witness some documents and as we were coming back past the house she very kindly dropped me off, rather than making me go back into town to catch the bus back out again!

Anyhoo, as I am here I thought I might share with you a little something for WOYWW this week:

Let me introduce you to Sidney, the other tuxedo cat in my life. Sidney came to me from New York, via a very sweet mate who saw him whilst on a shopping trip. He is my inspiration cat - seriously, he came with instructions promising that with him around I would never be stuck for crafting inspiration! Now, I think he is still suffering a little bit from jet-lag, three years later, as he doesn't always live up to the promise, but he does sit on the window-ledge above my desk and I do talk to him, quite a lot. Toad has often caught me have a chat with the Sidster!

While I'm here I would like to give a quick toot to my mate Lynda who has this very week taken her first steps into blogland with her site at Zippy's Zone - it would be wonderful if you could spare the time to pop over and welcome her to this mad and addictive world!

And I am now officially on my weekend, yaaay, as I am using two days of my 2011 carried over holiday. And I plan to have a crafty day tomorrow once I get back from the blood tests and the doc so I shall see you all tomorrow with a creation or two.

Hugs Sxx

You've Had The Kitty ....

2012-01-24T18:17:00.000Z

.... now here is the Puppy! Just a quickie chaps to share this little Penny Black card with you tonight, and I still have time to sneak it into the Penny Black And More January challenge that is the theme of Love and Hearts .......

Ingredients for this little chap are:

Stamped Image: Penny Black (sorry forgot to check his name before I ran upstairs)

Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: Dovercraft Sugar & Spice (goes well with puppy dog tails)

Cardstock: DCWV

And while I am here I would like to say a big warm furry welcome to all my new Followers! I hadn't noticed how that number was sneaking up until last night.

That's All Folks ....... be back on Thursday.

Hugs, Sxx

Strawberry Kisses - Little Miss

2012-01-22T16:56:00.000Z

I waited, and I waited ..... and I waited some more..... and then finally they arrived - my Strawberry Kisses stamps by Crafters Companion. And today had been my first chance to play.

Yeah, I know these were designed with minimal colouring in mind, but you know me and a paintbrush - just don't know when to stop, lol!

Ingredients for this card:

Stamped Image: Crafters Companion Strawberry Kisses - Little Miss

Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers/Cardstock: Papermania Pastels, DCWV Neutral Stack

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Extra: Martha Stewart border punch

Two other things for you to have a look at if you have missed them from earlier today

Challenge Card: Lili's Little Fairies - Lavender & Lace

New Page: Toad's Origami

Hugs, Sxx

Lavender & Lace - Lili's Little Fairies 3

2012-01-22T13:50:00.000Z

Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwn! I'll admit it, I've just had the most delicious nap in the armchair. Vince was sound asleep on my lap, Toad was quietly folding little pieces of paper, radio on in the background and it was warm and comfortable. Bliss.

Anyhoo, what I popped on for was to enter this week's LILI'S LITTLE FAIRIES CHALLENGE with their theme of Lavender and Lace.

Didn't I say yesterday that some challenges come along at just the right time? Well this is another one. One of my work mates asked me to make a card for her sister's wedding in a couple of weeks time and her colour scheme is Cadburys purple with touches of lime green and cream. Oh yes it is. I tried the purple but it was simply too strong so I went with lavender instead, I'm sure she will understand!

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Lili of the Valley - Mr & Mrs

Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers/Cardstock: 8x8 white base card, Bazzil Basics (lavender card),

Dovecraft Back To Basics (green spotty)

Sentiment: Lili of the Valley

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts

Extras: Woodware lace, gems from stash, Martha Stewart punches

Welcome (Totally Gorjuss)

2012-01-21T11:11:00.000Z

There are occasions when a challenge could not be timed better, and this morning is one of those occasions. I discovered the other night that our neighbours' baby has arrived a little earlier than expected - and the challenge over at TOTALLY GORJUSS is Welcome. Perfect!

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Lili Of The Valley - Special Delivery

Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: Papermania Pastels (very old)

Welcome Sentiment: Scrabble Letters Stamps

Extras: Gems from stash

And I have been brave this morning. I was getting so totally fed up with blog pages freezing on me so I could neither scroll up nor down, I was just getting the header. Someone kindly suggested changing from Internet Explorer to Google Chrome - which I did earlier. So far so good but it will take some getting used to!

Hugs Sxx

Winter Wonderland (DT) An Easel Card

2012-01-20T08:57:00.001Z

WINTER WONDERLAND has a new look! Check out the fabulous blog design created by the amazingly talented Angie

Doesn't this just look TOTALLY BRILLIANT?!! And while you are over there drooling over the new page, why not join us for this week's fun challenge?

This week, we would love you to create AN EASEL CARD for us. That's it. An easel card, and at the moment it doesn't even have to be Christmas (although we would love it if it was).

Our sponsor for this week is LILI OF THE VALLEY who are offering the lucky winner a £10 voucher to spend in their on-line store (you jammy things).

As always, there is some fab inspiration from the Design Team - don't forget to show them some love. Here is my card for you:

and the arty shot

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: LOTV Bunny Cupcakes

Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Papers: First Editions Up & Away

Extras: Wild Orchid Crafts flowers and leaves, and Papermania gems

So? What's keeping you? Looking forward to seeing your easel cards during the week. You have until 5.00pm next Thursday to enter.

Hugs, Sxx

It's A Nellie, Not A Lili, you Nellie

2012-01-18T08:43:00.000Z

Remember the missing stamp last week? The one I turned my craft room upside down looking for only to realise later that it wasn't what I thought it was? A few of you had asked to see the culprit so here she is!

Ingredients for this card

Stamped Image: Sugar Nellie - Peek A Boo

Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: K & Co and DCWV

Sentiment: Personal Impressions

Extras: Papermania Dew Drops

Now can you see why I was confused? Compare this little mite with LOTV's Milly Hello and you will understand my muddle!

Hugs, Sxx

I Nearly Remembered

2012-01-17T08:42:00.001Z

Morning all. How are we today? I have to say, it was actually warmer standing at the bus stop than it was sat on the bus. I didn't know it was possible to be that cold inside a vehicle.

Anyhoo, I digress, I actually popped in to show you this little belated birthday card:

Ingredients are:

Stamped Image: High Hopes

Medium: TH Distress Inks

Sentiment: Personal Impressions

Paper: Dovecraft Sugar n Spice

Challenge entered

The Squirrel And The Fox - Challenge 9 - Critters

The way my brain is working at the moment, I fear I may be making more of these this year!

Hugs, Sxx

Love and Hearts

2012-01-15T12:34:00.000Z

Morning all. Hope you are ok. I've just polished off a really yummy brunch of bacon, toast, scrambled egg and halumi cheese. Feel a bit piggy now, lol!

This months challenge from PENNY BLACK AND MORE AT ALLSORTS is Love and Hearts - a great challenge to get ahead with the ol' Valentine Cards.

Ingredients for this card

Stamped Image: Penny Black Frightful Flight (but I masked off the pumpkin balloon)

and free heart stamp with Craft Stamper magazine

Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Cardstock: DCWV

Extra: Martha Stewart Heart Loop border punch

Hugs, Sxx

Chirpy-Chirpy-Cheep-Cheep

2012-01-14T15:18:00.000Z

Now, I truthfully do not remember this pesky song when it first came out, but I have to say it really is an earworm. As soon as I chose the stamp I was using for this little card, the tune started going around in my head and now I can't shift it!

Challenges

Less Is More - Week 50 - One Layer Card - Birds

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes

Ingredients

Penny Black Spring Parade (parts of stamp)

Penny Black Bunches sentiment

Distress Inks and White Cardstock

I'll be honest, I wanted to do something "more" for the Penny Black challenge, but I am loving these one layer cards. I may have to come back tomorrow with another PB entry.

Hugs, Sxx

Lili's Little Fairies Challenge - 2 Favourite LOTV Stamp

2012-01-13T18:26:00.000Z

Evenin' all. It's the weekend at last, yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, happy dance! Well, it would be a happy dance, more of a shuffle at the moment, lol.

When I saw this week's challenge from LILI'S LITTLE FAIRIES was Your Favourite LOTV Stamp I could have cried. Don't they know that they are all my favourites?! So I cheated a bit - I just stuck my hand in the "animal" box (as they are my favourite favourites) and did a lucky dip.

Don't you just adore this little Umbrella Bunny stamp? So gorgeous, and so much fun to paint. And can be used for so many occasions. In my usual simple style, I have turned him into a simple birthday card!

Ingredients

Stamped Image Lili of the Valley Umbrella Bunny

Medium Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers Magazine freebie

Cardstock DCWV Bright Stack

Sentiment Personal Impressions

That's it, short and sweet. Be back with you tomorrow, hopefully with a Penny Black for a change.

Hugs, Sxx

How Sweet You Are

2012-01-13T06:42:00.000Z

Fanfare please! It's Friday at last which means in eleven hours it will be the start of the weekend, whooohoo! How is it possible to be this tired after only two weeks back at work? Never mind, nothing much planned for the weekend so I can go into vegetable mode.

Here is another one of my thank you cards to show you.

Ingredients for this card:

Stamped Image: Sarah Kay - How Sweet You Are

Medium - Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment - Hero Arts

Papers - Basic Grey Indie Bloom, and the cloud paper was a magazine freebie

Extras - Papermania gems, EK Success retro flower punch, Card Candi

Hugs, Sxx

Some Meeces For You

2012-01-11T18:21:00.000Z

Well, look at this, another post midweek from me! Are you all in shock? I wanted to share this card with you as I finally got to use one of my new stamps received for Christmas for this card and broke into a new pad of papers too.

The stamps had been in the house a long time before Christmas but they were taken away from me and hidden!

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image Lili of the Valley - Chocolate Factory

Medium Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers All First Editions Summer Breeze (I think)

Sentiment Personal Impressions Keep Calm set

Extras Martha Stewart border punch and gems from stash

Hugs, Sxx

How Much Does The Tooth Fairy Leave?

2012-01-10T18:07:00.000Z

Evening all! Surprised? I am, it's not often I get to blog on a Tuesday, lol. Anyhoo, my room mate at work has the most adorable five year old daughter who has just gone through the traumatic experience of losing her first tooth.

Any excuse to make a card! I knew I wanted to use this little fairy but I could not believe that amongst all my sentiment stamps I do not have one that simply says "Make A Wish" - any idea where I can get my paws on one? I had to improvise ......

It's not really squint - it's my rubbish photography!

Ingredients for this simple little card:

Stamped Image Buzzcraft Fairy Doodles

Medium Go on, guess, I dare you

Papers Dovecraft Sugar n Spice

Sentiment Personal Impressions - from the Keep Calm set

Extras Sprinkling of Glamour Dust and gems from stash

Hugs, Sxx

Gone To The Dogs

2012-01-09T08:24:00.000Z

How is it possibly Monday again? I mean, didn't we have one last week? Back to a proper routine now with a full week at work and less time to play. What a bummer!

Anyhoo, I'm still making thank you cards and here is a little one I made yesterday afternoon. I seem to be lacking lay-out mojo at the moment so I've used that simple style again.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image Suger Nellie Dougal

Medium Tim Holtz Distress Inks ReInkers

Paper Dovecraft Sugar 'n' Spice

Sentiment Hero Arts

Hugs, Sxx

Lili's Little Fairies Challenge - 1 New Beginnings

2012-01-08T11:32:00.001Z

Howdydoody peeps! Now that sounded brighter than I feel. Having spent weeks avoided colds and germs I think one might have finally caught up with me. Sniff. Keep your fingers crossed that it is only the snuffles and not the full blown lurgy.

This week sees the start of the new challenge that is LILI'S LITTLE FAIRIES and you all know how much I love my Lili stamps so I was thrilled to bits to see this challenge starting. The theme for the first challenge is New Beginnings. And with the same theme is this week's CRAFTY CATZ WEEKLY CHALLENGE

And if you think you have seen this layout before, well, yes, you have, I used it yesterday too!

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image Lili of the Valley Pirate Bear

Medium Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers My Minds Eye Fly A Kite

Sentiment Lili of the Valley

Extras Gems from stash

And how is this a new beginning I hear you ask? Well, a friend is setting off to Australia soon, initially for a year but with an eye to settling over there.

Hugs, Sxx

Saturday Challenges x 3

2012-01-07T16:33:00.000Z

I said I would be back again today, and here I am! For my earlier Dappy Squirrel post, either scroll down or follow the link.

On the subject of squirrels, what do you think of the new blog header then? I thought it was about time I went a bit more sophisticated. Lol, sophisticated? Me? Haaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahaha.

Anyhoo, three challenges to enter, and these are:

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Let Them Eat Cake

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Spots and Dots

Allsorts Challenge - Paper Piercing

So here is my card for this afternoon:

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image Lili of the Valley Cake Glorious Cake

Medium Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers) and paper piecing

Papers Dovecraft Back to Basics, Dovecraft plain colours, and pink cupcakes found in scraps box

And that is all there is to it as the sentiment comes with the stamp!

Thanks so much for popping over again, your visits truly are treasured. It won't be too much longer now til I celebrate my third blogoversary (end of March) and, with a bit of luck and a tail wind, this might coincide with reaching 100,000 hits. I am planning candy for both, but if they should happen at the same time then it will be a mega-candy. And you guys are the ones who make it happen. Thank you.

Hugs Sxx

What a dappy Squirrel I am .....

2012-01-07T12:29:00.000Z

Morning all. What's that outside? Good heavens, it's SUNSHINE! I vaguely remember that, lol! Still very breezy here but thankfully nothing like the gales we had earlier in the week. Today is the first time I've seen the garden in daylight since then and we seem to have got away with it lightly, just one broken pane of glass in the greenhouse. I hope that you are all safe and in one piece.

Now, some of you will know that it is a totally mystery how my mind works, and here is an example of how totally dappy I can be at times.

Thursday night, while Toad was on the Wii Fit, I thought I would make mum and dad's thank you card and I knew exactly which stamp I wanted to use. So, out came the LOTV boxes and I started to rummage through the "girls and boys" box. It wasn't there. Had a ferret through the "animals" box, in case I had slipped it back in the wrong one. Not there either.

Having checked the "Christmas" and "still to be EZ mounted" boxes with no success I then started to panic. I went back to the first box and emptied it right out onto my bench and went through them methodically. I did this with all four boxes. No stamp. I even checked to make sure that I didn't have two stamps in one sleeve. No stamp.

By now I am in a total fret. Could it have got caught up with some stuff I'd thrown out? Toad told me to stop muttering and use something else instead. INSTEAD?? Anyhoo, as time was getting on, I grabbed a stamp and made a card. Here it is:

By the time I had finished, Toad had gone upstairs for a bath so I made a start on getting some supper. He came down, took his tray and toddled off to munch in front of the tv. I stood in front of the microwave waiting for my bowl of soup to heat up when, suddenly, D'OH!!! No flipping wonder I couldn't find that stamp in my LOTV boxes ......

...... it's a SUGAR NELLIE!!! Oh I cannot tell you how STUPID I felt, but so RELIEVED at the same time. The thought of losing a precious piece of rubber nearly sent me into spirals of hysteria.

So, all is well. The stamp has been found, mum and dad got a thank you card that they will still love, and Toad has had it confirmed that his missus is a complete nut job.

Right then, off to have a go at some of today's challenges - will be back later. If I can find the right stamp of course!

Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wonderland (DT) Let's Go Shopping

2012-01-06T08:57:00.003Z

Happy New Year everyone and thanks for joining us at WINTER WONDERLAND for our first challenge of 2012.

The theme for this week's challenge is Let's Go Shopping.

We are having a short spell of non-Christmas cards (restarting these in February) but if you want to make one then that is fine with us!

We have a new sponsor joining us this week too and that is

Crafter's Companion will be sponsoring this year's challenges for the first challenge of each month and are offering a £10 voucher - you lucky things! Wish I could enter for it.

Anyway, here is my DT card for this week:

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image Lili of the Valley - Emma Shoes

Medium Copics

Papers DCWV

Sentiment Lili of the Valley

Extras Papermania Buttons

I'm not a great fan of shopping (unless it is craft stash of course) so I think my other favourite places to shop would be in a book shop or a handbag shop!

I hope that you will be able to join us for this week's challenge - looking forward to seeing your entries.

Hugs, Sxx

Fancy A Quick One ...... or Five?

2012-01-01T16:52:00.000Z

Afternoon all, how goes it? Feeling a little blue today. I normally do on Sunday afternoons, knowing that it is back to work tomorrow (except it isn't back to work until Tuesday but no one has told my head that), it's an odd feeling really. Anyhoo, after Church, a yummy bacon sandwich (thanks Toad) and getting dragged into watching Mousehunt, I thought I would have a bit of a play.

Wasn't really in the mood for anything too fussy or fancy and so you have a parade of quickies. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin (am I showing my age I wonder?).

High Hopes - Joustin Dragon

High Hopes - Monkey Message Banner
with Hero Arts sentiments

First Penny Black Christmas card of 2012!

Woodware - Gnomes

Mo Manning - Spit Happens (made into a coaster for my office desk)

Phew, you made it this far then?! Hope your first day of January has been a good one (and not too hung over). We were in bed by 10.45 last night and this morning Toad was complaining bitterly about the loud fireworks that went on for "hours" ...... I confess that I may have heard about five minutes worth! And Vince, bless his little furry paws, didn't even flicker - nope, he had prime warm spot on the bed (tucked in behind my knees) and he wasn't leaving that for anything!

Hugs, Sxx

Too Much Brandy In the Mince Pies?

2011-12-31T15:06:00.000Z

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

2011-12-30T14:18:00.000Z

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

2011-12-28T10:45:00.000Z

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 ...

2011-12-27T17:16:00.000Z

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

2011-12-23T08:57:00.003Z

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

2011-12-21T08:22:00.000Z

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

2011-12-18T16:59:00.000Z

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

2011-12-13T06:59:00.000Z

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

2011-12-11T10:29:00.000Z

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

2011-12-10T09:56:00.000Z

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

2011-12-09T18:39:00.000Z

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)

2011-12-09T08:55:00.000Z

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

2011-12-07T06:26:00.000Z

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)

2011-12-05T08:23:00.000Z

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

2011-12-04T15:50:00.000Z

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

2011-12-03T10:10:00.000Z

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

2011-12-01T15:47:00.000Z

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

2011-11-30T08:32:00.000Z

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?

2011-11-28T18:13:00.000Z

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 ......

2011-11-27T15:32:00.000Z

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

2011-11-26T14:06:00.001Z

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)

2011-11-25T08:57:00.000Z

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

2011-11-24T18:06:00.001Z

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

2011-11-23T18:23:00.000Z

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

2011-11-22T08:21:00.000Z

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

2011-11-20T16:15:00.000Z

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

2011-11-14T17:00:00.001Z

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

2011-11-13T11:27:00.000Z

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

2011-11-12T14:59:00.000Z

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

2011-11-12T12:24:00.000Z

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)

2011-11-11T08:55:00.000Z

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

A thing about animals .....

2011-11-07T14:50:00.000Z

When I was little, I desperately wanted to be a vet. Whether it had anything to do with James Herriott, or because I just loved animals I'm not sure. And then I found out where vets have to stick their hands, and I rapidly changed my mind.

However, it has not cured my total, complete and utter love of animals (with one or two small exceptions) so this months Penny Black And More At Allsorts Challenge is perfectly suited - All Creatures Great And Small. The challenge has now been opened up to allow entries using stamps other than Penny Black so I am taking full advantage of that with my second entry

Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image: High Hopes - Couples Cruise

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Papers: DCWV Spring Stack

Extras: Gems from stash

And here is a close up of the Ark

I'm allowed one more entry this month, so best I make it a Penny Black one! Off to find a suitable stamp.

Hugs, Sxx

Bright & Sparkly Creatures, Great And Small

2011-11-06T16:35:00.000Z

Hello everyone. Well, I survived it. It wasn't quite a disaster of Titanic proportions, but it came pretty close! Not many sales at all but at least I ended the day in profit, it was a brilliant first experience and I met some wonderful people.

From talking to other stallholders, it seems that sales were down for the entire event - too many other things going on locally apparently, as visitor numbers were much lower than they've had before. But never mind, there were a lot of people showing a real interest in my cards, even if they didn't buy any, and asked me lots of questions and were, I think, genuinely complementary. Quite a few stopped to watch me painting images too.

Would I do it again? Probably. The next one is at Easter and the organiser has already asked me if I would like to reserve a table, so obviously I wasn't completely terrible!

Anyhoo, onto a card for today. I feel pretty shattered after yesterday so this one is a bit ..... oh I don't know, a bit ..... well, you'll see what I mean. Oh, and it is straight - even if the photo does make it look squint!

Challenges for this card

Lili Of The Valley - Bright And Sparkly

Penny Black And More At Allsorts - All Creatures Great And Small

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: LOTV Little Shepherd Boy

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: Forever Friends A Christmas Tale

Sentiment: Wild Rose Studio

Extras: Hunkydory Diamond Sparkle Gems and gold border peel-offs

Here's a close up of the nativity image:

Although it was fiddly, it was such a joy to colour. I really must get the other ones out from this series too.

Hugs, Sxx

Level Three Panic Mode

2011-11-04T19:48:00.000Z

Evening all. How has your week been? Done anything exciting then?

Sorry that I've not had any cards for you since Tuesday - it's been a mad work week for me. And no card for you tonight either I'm afraid as I've gone from slight fretting to full on Level Three Panic Mode about the craft fair tomorrow.

Anyhoo, I just wanted to say thanks for the emails with your hints and tips, I really do appreciate the help. I'm about as organised now as I shall ever be and have been through my list twice to check off what I need to take in the morning.

Hopefully I shall be back with you on Sunday with a new creation.

Hugs, Sxx

Christmas Is Good For Your Elf

2011-11-01T17:00:00.001Z

Yeah, I know, so corny, but I just couldn't resist it, lol! And who could resist this little cutie? Let me introduce you to Little Elf Mim by Mo Manning for Penny Black.

She just looks to be so full of mischief!

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Penny Black Little Elf Mim

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: Free with a magazine, except for the paper pieced bauble which is Dovecrafts

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards Oh My Words Christmas

Extras: Gold border peel-offs

Challenge: By The Cute & Girly - Christmas Girls

Hugs, Sxx

Henry Candy Winner

2011-11-01T08:49:00.000Z

Morning all - how are we today? Are you ready to find out who the winner is of my WOJ Henry Candy? Not that many entries so you all stood a very good chance but the person selected by Mr Random Number Generator is ......

That's you CHRISTY BEANS (I Never Went To Kindergarten)

Could you email me your snail mail details please hun at squirrel1964@hotmail.co.uk

Thank you to everyone who took part - don't despair if you didn't win this time - there will be another little candy before Christmas.

I'll be back later with a card for you.

Hugs Sxx

Using the right sketch this time .....

2011-10-31T08:00:00.001Z

Good grief, Monday morning again. How do they come round so quickly?

After the disaster with the wrong sketch for this week's LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge, I had another go using the right one this time!

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: LOTV Balancing Act

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: Mostly freebies with magazines with a sheet of blue

Dovecraft for matting and a scrap of Forever Friends Christmas Tale

Extras: Hunkydory Diamond Sparkle Gems

Don't forget that my Henry "Love" candy closes at 9pm tonight so you still have time to squeak in an entry if you are interested. I will announce the winner in a couple of days.

Hugs, Sxx

Soaking up the sunshine

2011-10-30T16:14:00.002Z

Yeah, I know, it's not exactly the right UK weather for laying out on a deckchair and sipping cocktails, but that doesn't stop that Henry .....

I've used this adorable Whiff of Joy Henry for a retirement card for a friend who left work this week. I can just see her kicking back and relaxing like this!

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Whiff of Joy Lazy Summer Henry

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: MME Fine & Dandy - True Blue

Additional Stamps: Hero Arts Seashells and a Hero Arts sentiment

Extras: Gold border peel-offs

Makes a change from the ever increasing volume of Christmas cards! I won't be around much for the next week as it's the (turn on the scary music) Craft Fair next Saturday so I shall be sorting last minute stuff for that and will be there most of the day. I hope to still be able to find time between that, work and sleep to squeeze in a card or two and some commenting but things may be a bit quiet in Squirrel's World until the weekend after. I hope that doesn't mean you will all forget about me though......

Hugs, Sxx

Bows are the frippery of the devil!

2011-10-29T16:12:00.001+01:00

Afternoon all, how are you? It's late Saturday afternoon, there's an apple pie in the oven and we are considering battening down the hatches as it gets dusk and hanging garlic outside the front door to repel the invasion of witches, spooks, ghouls and vampires.

Now, you might say "Bah humbug" when I say I don't do Hallowe'en. But, what I mean is, I see no harm in kiddies dressing up, scaring each other, having fun and bobbing for apples - no problem with that. What I do have an issue with is this 21st century trend of turning everything into a huge marketing tool for the stores and for kids to go out to strangers houses to do what is not far short of begging and intimidation. OK, I'm off that soapbox now.

And onto my next soapbox - bows! Something strange has happened between Thursday morning and today because the sketch I printed off from the LOTV challenge isn't the one that's there now, so the card I made Thursday night I can't enter into the challenge and will have to make another one (grrrr). And it was this card that caused a great deal of annoyance and frustration.

I thought it would be lovely to have a matching Organza ribbon bow on the central ribbon band of this card. I have a bow maker and a Bow-Easy, so out they came on Thursday night and I sat and I practised. I was very patient. I tied a series of cute little bows, each one an improvement on the last, until I was happy I had the hang of it. My sixth, and last bow, was the nicest with beautifully even loops and a flat middle and neatly trimmed tails.

So why, when I attempted to glue (Pinflair Glue Gel) it to the card did it turn into a wild, savage and totally uncontrollable beast of disproportionate dimensions that not only would not stick to the darned card but managed to smear glue everywhere and certainly did not resemble the perfectly formed ribbon confection that it had once been?! In total frustration, I flung it into the bin where, once more, it looked like the bow it previously was. Aaaargh!

And as it was late, I made the hasty decision to cover up the splurge of glue with some flowers cut from the same papers (double sided) that I had used for the base layers. On reflection, it might have been better to chuck the whole lot in the bin and start again, which is what I've got to do now anyway as I used (somehow) the wrong sketch. Botheration.

Yours, in a right old humph.

Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wonderland - Clean And Simple (DT)

2011-10-28T09:00:00.003+01:00

Hi all, and welcome to another week with Winter Wonderland - if you didn't get the chance to join in last week's challenge (and why not?) this could be the one for you.

It is Team Marianne this time round and our theme for the week is CLEAN AND SIMPLE - I guess the easiest definition of CAS is minimal layers, minimal embellies and lots of white card! It's really not as scary as it sounds so why not give it a try.

We have another super sponsorship this week from SIMON SAYS STAMP

And of course, the Design Team have created some stunners to inspire you. Please do pay them a visit to their individual blogs - it means a lot to know you appreciate their efforts.

And could I please repeat the plea for you to turn off word verification? You can change your settings so that you can approve comments before they are published so you will still have control. Word verification makes commenting for the DT very difficult and time consuming and although we love visiting your blogs, it makes life for everyone much easier if it is turned off.

Here is my DT card:

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Sugar Nellie Old Saint Nick

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment: Penny Black Merry Little Christmas stamped in Memento Lady Bug ink

Other: Papermania Christmas cardstock

So, that's it, clean and simple! Now it's your turn. Looking forward to seeing you over at the challenge. Please remember to follow the theme to qualify for prizes or Top 3 and to get your entries in by 5.00pm on Thursday 3 December.

Hugs Sxx

In days of old, when knights were bold ....

2011-10-23T17:53:00.000+01:00

In days of old, when knights were bold
And toilet lights were dim
You'd hear a crash
And then a splash
Oh lord, he's fallen in

In days of old, when knights were bold
And wenches were aplenty ......

We'll stop it there shall we! This week's SIMON SAYS STAMP challenge is to be inspired by a Nursery Rhyme or Fairy Tale. I took this to the extreme with a piece of medieval poetry (circa 1375) called Sir Gawain And The Green Knight - it is an epic, romantic poem and yes, he does fight a dragon.

Ingredients For This Card:

Stamped Image: High Hopes Sir Dustin

Medium: Distress Inks

Papers: First Edition Animal Antics

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Extras: Black square gems and black border peel-offs

This truly is a Limited Edition - it took nearly an hour and a half to paint the image, so I won't be rushing to make another one anytime soon! Here is a close up of the image only

Hugs, Sxx

Less Is More # 38 = Polka Dots

2011-10-23T14:23:00.000+01:00

Afternoon all - how are we? I hope that you are all feeling fine and dandy. Although it is a little bit warmer than the end of the week, it is still, I think, a tad chillsome but at least we have some beautiful autumn sunshine. Even though it is cool, I just adore days like this with brilliant blue skies and hardly a cloud to be seen. Really lifts the spirits.

I've not entered many challenges over the past few weeks, and have missed a lot of my favourites too, but I was determined to enter this week's LESS IS MORE challenge with the theme of Polka Dots.

With some challenges, it takes me a while to think of what to do, but for some reason, with LIM the ideas come immediately. They don't always work out mind you! Anyway, here is my card:

Ingredients for this card:

Stamped Image: LOTV Maisie Two Balloons, Hero Arts Polka Dots

Medium: Memento Inks (Tuxedo Black, Bahama Blue, Rosebud, Cantalope and Rhubarb Stalk)

and Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Additional Materials used: Post It Notes for masking and Staedler FineLiner Pen

Sentiment: Hero Arts

First of all I stamped Maisie onto my base cardstock. I then stamped her again onto three separate Post It Notes. I cut her dress out of the first one, masked the main image and overstamped with the Hero Arts Polka Dots in blue. I then used the same technique again for the pink balloon and again for the yellow balloon. Then I did a pencil line about a quarter of an inch in all round the card edge and masked that narrow strip off and stamped in the Polka Dots again - this didn't work quite as well as I would have liked as it is a wood mounted stamp and I couldn't see where I was lining up. Finally, I painted in the image with Distress Inks and added the sentiment.

Hugs, Sxx

Nature Trail Ted - Penny Black @ Allsorts October challenge

2011-10-22T17:07:00.000+01:00

I need a lie down in a darkened room. Our kitchen man has been back today to measure up a bit more and to discuss plans. This afternoon we have been trailing around looking at cookers, dishwashers, floor tiles, wall tiles, accent tiles, taps ........ my poor little tail is in such a frizz now. And who knew that a cooker could cost as much as a small car?!

The only thing that we did agree on, and immediately, were the accent tiles. Of all the things to agree on, it happens to be the least important. Typical!

PENNY BLACK AND MORE AT ALLSORTS October challenge is a photo inspiration, and what a gorgeous photo it is too ....

Here is my card

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Penny Black Nature Trail Ted

Colouring Medium: TH Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: Helz Cuppleditch Neighbourwood, and white card edged with Chesnut ProMarker

So, you can see that not only have I taken the colours of the photo for inspiration, I have also gone done the open air, day in the woods feel as well.

Going to see if I can find a paracetamol now......

Hugs, Sxx

Missing the long summer days already!

2011-10-20T19:32:00.001+01:00

Yes, I know, it is only just two thirds of the way through October and, up until this week, it has been warm and wonderful. Even today has been bright and sunny, although chuffty cold, but oh my, it is getting dark so darned early now!

Thursday night is my one evening for crafting and tonight I made a cute little card for my office mate's 5 year old daughter. It is bright and cheery and very "little girl" and I want to share it with you, but because it is sooooo dark the photo is totally rubbish. Toad bought me a light tent earlier this year so I can see no other option but to get that set up and start practising with that to see if it makes a difference. Oh how I miss daylight!

Here it is anyway - will add a better picture tomorrow.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Forever Friends - Christmas Gift - Exclusive to Glitter Pot

Colouring Medium: TH Distress Inks

Papers: Helz Cuppleditch Neighbourwood and Little Sizzlets

Extras: EK Success Medium and Small Retro Flower Punches,

Card Candi, hole punch dots, transparent gold edge rope border peel-offs,

and die-cut 5 from the same Neighbourwood papers

Edited to add slightly better picture - but not much daylight yet but at least you can see the colours better!

I have been trying to catch up with my commenting this week and thought I would do it logically by working down my Blogs I Follow list - crikey, it's like doing the weekly file reviews at work - by the time I get to the end it'll be time to start again! If I haven't got to you yet, I will, I promise!

Hugs, Sxx

I'm in the mood for .....

2011-10-18T18:04:00.000+01:00

...... boys! Ooh-err missus!

This is my second entry into this week's Sweet Stampin' Challenge for the men in your life.

I wanted this little chap in his enormous comfy chair to look like he was in a gentleman's club so it took a bit of furtling around to find papers that I was happy with. Bit of a compromise but I think they work - mind you, I've never set foot in a gent's club so what would I know, lol!

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: LOTV Happy Times

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Papers: Goodness knows, they were in the left-overs box, but I suspect

K&Co for the lower and Papermania for the upper.

White cardstock coloured with Ruby ProMarker for matting and central stripe.

Extras: Gold border peel-offs

Having another funny little quirk with Blogger just now - blogs that I thought I had signed up to Follow aren't registering and aren't appearing in my Reading List. As a temporary get-round I'm adding to my Favourites but obviously this isn't ideal. Anyone else have similar problems who can offer a solution?

Hugs, Sxx

How much is that doggie .......

2011-10-16T14:24:00.000+01:00

Oh go on, admit it, you are all sat there going Woof Woof now aren't you?!

How is your Sunday then? I've just cat-napped my way through the Korean Grand Prix (no, it wasn't the most exciting race I've ever seen, lol) and Toad's outside cutting the grass while the sun shines, there is a load of washing in the machine and Vince is asleep on the back of the sofa. A typical Squirrel's World Sunday afternoon. However, I can feel the going-back-to-work blues coming on so I may go and have a little play in the craft room shortly to cheer me up.

Have you seen the Sweet Stampin' Challenge this week? The theme is masculine cards so here is my attempt:

Once I got past his patchy eye I fell in love with him - you have to stare at him right in the eyes to see his cute face, otherwise he looks a bit like Mad Eye Moody (Harry Potter) at first glance.

Ingredients for this simple card are:

Stamped Image: Helz Cuppleditch Make A Wish

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: An old Joanna Sheen marbled pad, DCWV Neutral Stack

Extra: Old fashioned single hole punch and Nestabilities Deckled Rectangles

That's it, I will have a chance to catch up on some commenting this week I hope, that is on the condition that the bus gets me to the office early enough - I do like half an hour or so with my bloggie buds and a nice coffee before I start work.

Hugs Sxx

And there was George Clooney ......

2011-10-15T17:11:00.001+01:00

..... sat in a corner drinking coffee with Brad Pitt! I mean how lucky can a girl get in one day. What? Don't poke me, I'm not dreaming, it was real I tell you, real !! Well it was real enough, until I woke up to a little wet nose pressed to my cheek asking for breakfast (and no, that wasn't George sadly).

Right, for the few loyal, regular, followers that do visit, let me get on with my cards for today:

A Gem Of A Challenge (No 32) A Sketch and

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge (No 156) White And One Other Colour (Plus Image)

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Pink Gem Designs Max And Snowman

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Backing papers: White cardstock stamped with Hero Arts Small Stitched Snowflake and

Hero Arts Cling dotty background - Bahama Blue Memento Ink

Matting Card: White cardstock edged with Sky Blue ProMarker

Extras: Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch

Less Is More (Week 37) Cocktail

Stamped Image: Inkadinkado 6710.N

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Corners: Lili of the Valley - Stamp I Corners Delicate

Can I just say that the best chicken is a roast one?

Hugs, Sxx

Going to crawl back under my rock now.

Well, why doesn't it go faster?

2011-10-14T17:32:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, at the home brew shop, Toad bought himself a bottle drainer - it looks like a glorified red plastic Christmas tree but without the twiggy bits.

Anyhoo, it came in a great big cardboard box which, naturally for my totally untidy Toad, gets left in the conservatory. Ah, but see, it has a use. Let me introduce you to Ferrari's newest team member, Vincenzo Spaghetti, racing in his elegant tuxedo colours ......

Or maybe that should be changed to Furrari!

Sorry I've no card for you this evening - I've been churning out "age" cards for the craft fair so nothing too interesting. Will try harder for tomorrow!

Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wonderland - Robin Redbreast (DT)

2011-10-14T09:00:00.004+01:00

Hello my lovelies, how are you all today? Are you ready for another WINTER WONDERLAND challenge then? Not that I want to scare you or anything like that but did you realise that it is now only 10 weeks and 2 days to Christmas?

OK, you can come out from behind the sofa now - we have the super challenge for you this time of Robin Redbreast - so, to qualify for the prize or Top 3, you will need to use a robin somewhere on your design.

And we have two sponsors for you so please say hi to

PINK GEM DESIGNS

and

SQUIGGLE STAMPS

The usual rules apply - follow the theme for the week and enter your creation before 5.00pm Thursday of next week (20 October).

And, of course the DT have provided their usual high standard of inspiration for you so please do spend a moment to visit their own blogs to share the love.

Here is my card for this challenge:

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamp Image: Fizzy Moon: Festive Fun - With Love

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Papers: HOTP and Dovecraft

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards

With all the Christmas stamps I have, I surprised myself by having to root around to find a robin - but I am sure you are all much better organised than me so shall look forward to seeing your work over at the challenge!

Hugs, Sxx

LOTV Warm And Cozy

2011-10-13T18:17:00.000+01:00

Evenin' all - hope your day has been a good one. The postie brought me an amazing little surprise this morning - I didn't know you could put animals in the post so you can image my astonishment to find a Koala Bear all the way from the other side of the world! Thank you Chrissy, you mad mad mad woman (mwah!) - we've called him Wellington (not geographically accurate but near enough, lol).

We toodled off out this morning as the Toadster wanted to go to the home brew shop to get another couple of kits for the next "chemistry" experiment. On the way back we called in at a garden centre that just happened to have a restaurant and a craft shop attached!

Anyhoo, after a smashing roast dinner - what a treat that was for midweek, and no cooking or washing up involved - we had a nosey in the craft shop. I felt really disheartened though, hardly any rubber stamps and only a few papers. Plenty of knitting wool, and a whole aisle of beading stuff but very little in the way of card making except for pre-made toppers. I did pick up a couple of First Edition pads (Animal Antics and Sweet Owls) and a pack of Bakers Twine but that is the first time I've ever struggled to spend money in there - hope it is not a sign of the times. We lost it once when Craft Central pulled out and the garden centre decided to try and run it themselves so I do like to try and support them but I suspect it will go the way of a lot of little shops these days. Ho hum.

So, that's my little groan out of the way - here is my card for this evening:

Challenge: Lili Of The Valley - Challenge 116 - Warm And Cozy

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: LOTV The Night Before Christmas

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment: LOTV Christmas Circular Sentiments

Papers: Dovecraft Back To Basics Christmas / Forever Friends Christmas

Papermania Christmas cardstock / Pearlised card from stash

Extras: Hunkydory Diamond Sparkle gems, gold border peel-offs

And a close up of the darling little bunny in his cozy jim-jams

Thanks for visiting - hope that you will pop back tomorrow!

Hugs, Sxx

Boys Will Be Boys - Tiddly Inks

2011-10-12T16:11:00.001+01:00

Back again - two posts from me in one day, you are spoiled!

Well, the builder and kitchen fitter have been with their tapes measures and blinded me with science and technical stuff. Thankfully the builder is my boss' husband so it doesn't matter if I ask stupid questions as he is used to those from me, lol! They've gone off with measurements and requirements so the next step is for plans to be drawn up ...... eeeek, why do I suddenly feel it's all out of my control?

Anyhoo, as the building game is principally a male dominated area, it brings me nicely to the TIDDLY INKS CHALLENGE of Boys Will Be Boys (oh bum, when I went to link up I realised I should have used a Tiddly Inks image - blast).

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: LOTV Ooops

Sentiment: Hero Arts (sorry, don't know which set)

Papers: MME Fine & Dandy - True Blue

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Extras: Fine line black border peel offs

And that's it - sweet and simple

Hugs, Sxx

Something A Bit Different (for me)

2011-10-12T09:35:00.000+01:00

I am not a domestic goddess, by any stretch of the imagination. Let's face it, I don't dust until things start growing in it, so when the Toad said about getting a man in this week (while we're off work) to have a look at refitting the kitchen I nearly went into meltdown. It's a bit like doing the cleaning yourself before the cleaner come in to do the cleaning - I just felt I had to clean the kitchen before it is ripped out!

We started on Monday in the garage - we have one of these really silly "tandem" double garages. It's only one garage wide but two in length. So, we had the idea of dividing it up, keeping the front as a usable garage and having the back, which is accessible from the kitchen, as a huge utility/store. But before we could even think about measuring, we had to find the floor. How is it possible for two people to accumulate so much rubbish? I reckon Toad will have at least four trips to the tip.

And as for the kitchen which we did yesterday, why would anyone collect beer bottle caps?

Anyhoo, it is now all clean and shiny and ready for the man with his tape measure at 2.00 this afternoon.

Now, I don't know who talked me into this craft fair but I am beginning to regret saying yes. I have been using every opportunity to make cards to boost the stash for sale. Here's a couple I made that are quite different from what I would normally do

I went a bit Hero Arts for these two - the flowers are from the same set, and the sentiments are from two different HA sets. Papers are from scraps box.

Then, for whatever weird reason, I had the urge to make a Treasure Box. Not done one of these for a very long time.

Now that's out of my system, I can get on with making a range of "age" cards for this blasted fair!

Hugs, Sxx

Bears

2011-10-10T09:04:00.000+01:00

A challenge that I haven't played at for a while is ALLSORTS who this week have the challenge of using a bear.

Ferreting through my bear stamps yesterday I found my Penny Black Message Bears and as I haven't used them in ages I thought they could come out to play.

Ingredients for this very simple card are:

Stamped Images Penny Black Message Bears

Sentiment Fizzy Moon Little Messages

Medium Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers DCWV Christmas Stack and HOTP

Extras X-Cut Hole Punch

Hugs, Sxx

Let It Snow - LOTV

2011-10-09T13:06:00.000+01:00

Hello peeps. Sunday hasn't started well - the flipping DVD recorder didn't record this morning's Japanese Grand Prix and it's not on BBC i-player yet so I'm not-so-patiently waiting for the re-run of the race this afternoon! Oh well, I suppose it is preparing me for next year when the BBC are only showing HALF of the races and Sky showing the other half. Phfft.

Anyhoo, I have used my time productively (?) and made a card for this week's LILI OF THE VALLEY Let It Snow Challenge:

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image & Sentiment: Lili Of The Valley Puppy Post

(bought mine when it was released on an A5 stamp sheet and sentiment came with it)

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: DCWV Christmas Stack (very old one)

Extras: Free snowflake stamps from Simply Homemade magazine and

Hobbycraft Snowflake Punch

Right, back downstairs to get on with prepping the veg for dinner in the hope that I can dish up before the race starts!

Hugs to all

Sxx

Less Is More - OLC Heart

2011-10-08T13:20:00.000+01:00

Sorry this is brief - back later to fill in the details !!

LESS IS MORE challenge - One Layer Card - Heart Theme

Hugs, Sxx

Happy Birthday Mate!

2011-10-06T08:00:00.001+01:00

I know she can't get upstairs to her pc at the moment as the poor little sausage has recently had some surgery on her foot but I would like to wish one of my oldest followers (oldest, as in been with me a long time, not as in ancient, although she is knocking on a bit now, lol) a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZIPPY!

And as she can't get upstairs for at least another week, hopefully the postman will have delivered her card (posted on 3 October - grrrrr) to her before she eventually sees this post.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: House Mouse - Cake

Paper: Basic Grey and Dovecraft

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Sentiment: House Mouse (from same set as above)

Extras: Hobbycraft Photo Corner punch

Hope you have a good day sweetheart - and go steady on those crutches trying to get to the CAKE!

Hugs, Sxx

Oh Woe Is Me ..... !

2011-10-05T12:19:00.000+01:00

Hello peeps. Actually, that should be hello peepth. Yeth, I've been to the dentitht again. Thith time it wath at the hothpital. What a horrible exthperienthe that wath.

You may remember that I broke a tooth back in March, yes, you read that right, March - seven months ago - chomping on a Galaxy Counter. You would not believe the trouble that tooth has caused - it has divided opinion between dentists as to whether it could be filled or needed to come out. In the end, the hospital cast the deciding vote and extraction was the name of the game. Now, I am a TOTAL wimp when it comes to anyone fiddling with my teeth and have even had fillings done under sedation, so there was no question this time - knock me out or leave me alone. Simple choice. I started feeling sick about it on Sunday so by the time yesterday arrived poor Toad more or less had to drag me there for the appointment.

And now I'm suffering the after effects. No driving or making important decisions or operating machinery for 24 hours after the sedation. No hot drinks or firm food either. All I've had since 7.00 Monday night is a bowl of plain boiled rice and a yogart. Not together I hasten to add. And to add insult to injury, not only have I lost one of my nut cracking teeth, where the dentist gave me two shots of local anesthetic feels like I have an acorn stuck in my cheek pouch. More hamster than squirrel today.

Anyhoo, I wasn't sure if "machinery" included a Cuttlebug so I thought I would take a cautious chance and have a little play to take my mind off starving to death.

Challenge for this card: Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle & Bling

And the ingredients are:

Images: House Mouse x 2 + House Mouse Sentiment

Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Glamour Dust

Papers: Wild Rose Studio Wintry Christmas and silver mirri card from stash

Extras: Sizzlets photo corner die and gems from stash

Sorry it is such a pants photo, cameras seem to be easily confused by sparkle and shine. Well, I have a cup of latte downstairs going cold so I can drink it and I'm about to rummage in the cupboard to find something soft to eat. Spaghetti Hoops should do the trick I think.

Hugs, Sxx

LOTV World Card Making Day

2011-10-03T08:50:00.000+01:00

Over at LOTV Ideas To Inspire, the girls are asking us to celebrate World Card Making Day (which was on 1st October) by either linking to your own favourite LOTV card made previously or to make a new one.

I've linked up a card that I made back in July - it's a very simple card, but the colourwork came out so well, and I just love it to bits. This is the link to the original post

Hugs, Sxx

Button It! LOTV

2011-10-02T16:37:00.000+01:00

Hello peeps! I suspect I may be talking to myself this afternoon as you are probably all outside enjoying this out of season sunshine. Amazing weather for October! I prefer a more traditional autumn myself and am looking forward to the slightly cooler days that are forecast for later in the week. It's all this fur you know, gets a tad warm under this lot, just at a time when I should be growing my winter coat, lol.

And speaking of winter coats .... neat transition huh .... James the Bear looks like he could do with a coat instead of just a hat and scarf ....

Challenge: Lili Of The Valley - Challenge 114 - Button It

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: LOTV - James Bear In The Snow

Papers: Dovecraft, Basic Grey, HOTP

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Reinkers)

Extras: Dovecraft buttons, Anita's Glitter Borders

Of all the LOTV Christmas stamps, old and new, this is my favourite of all time, and he is such a joy to colour - I admit I am finding this year's releases to be very detailed and fiddly but I will get there with patience! Here's a close up of just the image:

He certainly has the "aahhh" factor!

Hugs, Sxx

Cupboard Love And A Hanglar Card

2011-10-01T15:44:00.001+01:00

It just goes to show that you cannot turn your back for two seconds on a nosey cat .......

I'd been in the cupboard to get out a couple of boxes of stamps. On attempting to put one away, I encountered something warm and furry that really does not belong there! Little devil, but I had to laugh at him.

I haven't played at Just Magnolia and Hanglar & Stanglar for a while - not because I don't want to but because I simply don't have enough hours in my days right now. But, at the sacrifice of some of my more regular challenges, I could not resist having a go with Jane's brilliant sketch this week.

And here is my card - it's a fairly literal translation of the sketch

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Hanglar & Stanglar Sitting Ladybugs Girl

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: Doodlebug, Basic Grey, Wild Rose Studio

Punch: Martha Stewart butterfly

Extras: Gold border peel-offs

Thanks for coming over for a peek. And, once again, I am sorry if I haven't visited you lately. I am trying to keep up with you all but you are just too darned productive!

Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wonderland - How Charming (DT)

2011-09-30T08:51:00.000+01:00

Oh yes my lovelies, it is time for another WINTER WONDERLAND challenge! It is Team Marianne this week and guess who is hosting ...... go on...... have a guess .... yay, it's me, Squirrel!! Oh the nerves, I cannot begin to tell you, as this is my first time in charge!

We are sponsored this week by STITCHY BEAR STAMPS who are offering a $10 gift certificate for their great store

Now, as you will be able to see (unless you are cross eyed) I had a bit of bother with my card this week. All was going quite well until I added the flowers - and forgot about the wet glue, so I managed to move my image a tiny bit, only by a millimetre or so but I didn't notice until the glue was dry and now it's squint and too late to straighten it!

Oh well, can't win 'em all, but at least you get the idea! Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Lili Of The Valley Moonlight Wishes

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Papers: Dovecraft Back To Basics Christmas and gold mirri card

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts roses and rose leaves

Extras: Berries - cut down dress making pins, Madeira gold thread,

Just For You star charm (thanks Helen!) and Craftwork Cards Candi

Punch: Martha Stewart stars border

The rest of the DT have created some beauties so don't forget to visit their individual blogs to share the love.

Hope to see you over at the challenge.

Hugs Sxx

Snail Mail

2011-09-29T19:40:00.002+01:00

Evenin' peeps, how are we all tonight? I was late getting home tonight and it's chuffty dark already! Can't believe it is only a fraction over four weeks and the clocks go back ...... so, we are back in the realms of no daylight and poor photos unless we get some sunshine at weekends.

I like to have an evening of craft at least once in the week (actually, once is all I usually get) so tonight I've made this cheery little card for CUTE CARD THURSDAYS Animal Crackers challenge ....

(Edited to replace with better photo)

Ingredients for this card are

Stamped Image: Sylvia Zet for SCACD "Loli & Shellie"

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: First Edition Love Letters

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Dies: Sizzlets tag

Extras: Woodware gold heart brad

That's it, simple but quite sweet. I'm off downstairs for something to eat and an hour in front of the tv. Will try and get to bed before I fall asleep in the armchair (easier said than done these days - I only close my eyes for an ad break and magically it is suddenly an hour later!).

Oooh, just before I disappear - anyone else having trouble with commenting? A different problem to the last saga - this time I can type the comment but when I ask it to Publish Post, what I have just typed completely vanishes into thin air!

Hugs, Sxx

Oh My Grandma, What Big Slippers You've Got

2011-09-26T18:01:00.000+01:00

Oh my gosh! First day back at work ...... blerrrrrrgh! Why is it always so awful? I guess there must be some lucky people who have dream jobs that never experience the Post-Holiday-Monday-Blues and all I can say is that they don't know how lucky they are, lol!

Anyhoo, just thought I would share this simple but fun card with you tonight:

The ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Wild Rose Studio - Granny Relaxing

Text Stamp: Papermania Relations

Paper: Dovecraft Tea House

Punch: Martha Stewart

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Extras: Peel-off borders from stash

Sadly, I don't have either of my grandmas now but this is another one for the craft fair box. I love that little cat on her lap, he certainly looks like he's had the cream!

Hugs, Sxx

A Poorly Bear And Some Henry Love (Candy)

2011-09-25T16:48:00.000+01:00

Hello peeps. Are you having a good Sunday? Regular readers will know that we had problems with our internet and Toad's birthday present a couple of days ago (sorted, but not via Wi-Fi!) - well, last night the router/modem/box of tricks threw a complete episode - it had more lights flashing on it than a Christmas tree. As we had been out and it was quite late, neither of us could face trying to sort it out so we opted for the default setting of pulling the plug! This morning, after a swift kick in its mainframe it seems to be working again.

Anyhoo, that is technology hiccup No 1 over with, so here is what I was up to yesterday afternoon:

I'm trying to build up a stash of cards for this darned craft fair I said I would do - grit your teeth Squirrel, after all, it is in aid of the local children's hospice - and I realised that I have very few Get Well cards made.

I love these Basic Grey papers but wondered if they were maybe a little too dark, but hey, they are stuck down now! Image is from a set from Kanban called TLC and has been painted in ...... wait for it ..... oh, you guessed, yes, Distress Inks.

So, have also been scrabbling around with some DT work and craft fair cards and I have been a bad Squirrel and neglected all my lovelies. Which is what brings me to technology hiccup No 2!

Who's up for some love from Henry then? Show of hands please ......

Brand new, never out of the packet Whiff Of Joy stamp and sentiment

I was going to do this with Mr Linky but .... grrrrrr.... he won't let me log in, so we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way.

If you would like to be entered in the draw for this adorable Henry then please leave me a comment below.

This candy will stay open for a little while so you have a chance to spread the word and will close at 9.00pm (GMT) on Monday 31st October 2011.

No rules, but it would be nice if you would be kind enough to observe the usual courtesies.

Hugs, Sxx

Less Is More - Sketch

2011-09-24T17:29:00.000+01:00

I'm not really here ..... supposed to be getting changed ready to go to pub ......

This is my entry for this week's LESS IS MORE Sketch Challenge ....

Image is Sugar Nellie's Peek-A-Boo, Distress Ink painted, Hero Arts sentiment. That's it. I'm gone....

Hugs Sxx

Rosie Posy

2011-09-24T12:30:00.000+01:00

Morning all. Are you well? Can't believe that this weekend is the end of my holiday (sob) and I have to go back to the madness on Monday (howwwwwl). Still, only two weeks of it and then I have another week off! How's that for planning, lol!

Only trouble with having a holiday though is that Mr Mojo thinks he is entitled to have one too and I am sure that the little scamp has packed the most enormous suitcase and gone on a long haul. I have visions of him lounging on a white sandy beach somewhere, sipping cocktails under the shade of a gently swaying palm. One thing's for certain, he's not on a staycation!

Just the one card for you today but for two challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 183 - Sketch Time

Lili Of The Valley - Challenge 113 - Aqua & White + Optional Glitter

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Lili Of The Valley - Rosie Posy (my first ever LOTV stamp)

Papers: Crafts Too Flowers & Checks

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Dies: Nestabilities Picot Edge Circle, Magnolia Doohickey Old Swedish Lace

and Marianne Creatables Branch Garden

Sentiment: Lili Of The Valley - Grunge Tickets and Words For Tickets

So, that's it from me for today. I'm off downstairs to watch qualifying for tomorrow's F1 Singapore Grand Prix, and then it is pamper and posh time as we are off out tonight for Toad's birthday meal with friends. We're only over at the local pub but it promises to be a fun evening. If I'm not too hungover (some chance of that, I don't drink, lol) I'll see you tomorrow sometime.

Hugs, Sxx

Best Fishes

2011-09-23T11:34:00.000+01:00

Yoo-hoo peeps! Sorry I've not been around this week much, we've had a well deserved holiday and have been out and about a lot. In fact, I think I am more tired today than I would be at work, lol. And it is Toad's special birthday today - well, it would be special if he could get his birthday present working. I bought him a Kindle (it was that or a three section aluminium ladder) and he can't get it connected to our ***** (expletive deleted, please insert one of own choice) Orange Livebox for the Wi-Fi.

Anyhoo, I didn't come on to moan about technology, I just popped in to show you a couple of projects, one quick and one not so quick.

Here is the quick one:

Can you almost see that House Mouse dribbling in anticipation of that gooey toasted marshmallow?! I made this as a Christmas decoration rather than a card so it will simply stand on an easel on the bookcase.

And this is the not so quick one:

I made this one with a selection of 5 Hanglar stamps and an awful lot of masking! As the picture is so big I kept the card simple by using this wonderfully sea like Doodlebug paper.

That's it from me for now - I'm taking the Birthday Boy out for a cake!

Hugs, Sxx

The Best Way To Wear A Fur Coat

2011-09-20T19:06:00.000+01:00

Red Panda

Snack Time

Who's A Handsome Boy Then

Move Over Rocky!

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Three Mice and A Big Cat

2011-09-19T18:18:00.000+01:00

Hello all. Not only is it International Speak Like A Pirate Day, it is also our wedding anniversary and to celebrate we took ourselves off to one of our special places - the zoo. We had the most fabulous day, and Toad has got some amazing photos which I will upload for you later in the week.

Here is my latest House Mouse stamp called Swiss Ribbons .....

I used papers from the Basic Grey Lauderdale pad, they are quite strong I have to admit, and the Papermania purple is not that loud in real life, honest!

And before I go I would like to share a very intimate moment with you

At the end of the afternoon we went back for another look at the Red Pandas. At the bottom of the walkway to their enclosure is a window, tucked away, that no one really notices. This is the male Amur Leopard and I confess to being in love with him. He came right up to the window, sat down and just looked at me. There was no one else around so it was just me, him, and the sunshine. I will own up to be somewhat overwhelmed by his beauty and got a bit tearful. It was such a special couple of minutes.

Hugs, Sxx

Micey Nice Friends

2011-09-17T17:43:00.000+01:00

Me again. I was going to save this for tomorrow but I'm all of a dither and just had to come and have a word with you all. Three things have happened today that have set my heart racing, and not all for the right reasons!

1. We'd been out for a little while earlier and were on our way home. Coming out of a roundabout I was in the outside lane, and the daft old git in the inside lane decided that he wanted to move over - without looking. How we missed each other I have no idea (if I close my eyes I can see it all over again in slow motion) but he got a damn good blast of the horn. I was shaking head to toe I can tell you.

2. On arriving home, my parents' car is in our driveway. Thinking they would have let themselves in I went to open our door but it was still locked. Odd. Anyway, thinking that they might have gone through to sit in the conservatory and locking the door behind them I was a little puzzled to find Vince sitting in the living room. Normally if anyone visits he legs it upstairs so we knew they had not been in. No sign of them in the garden either. Odder. So I went off for a little walk looking for them. Not a sign. Came back and felt the bonnet of the car, it was warm but not hot so it had been there a while. In desperation I popped over to John and June, a lovely couple who live in the bungalow opposite. John opens the door. "John", says I, "I don't suppose you have seen a couple of daft old dears wandering around?" only to hear my father's very distinct laugh coming from their kitchen. And there they were, having a cup of tea and a natter!!! I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.

3. What have I done? I've just booked a table for my very first Craft Fair! Eeeeeeek!!! Anyone have any hints and tips please?

Gosh, all that rambling and I honestly do have a card to share - here it is

Ingredients for this card:

Stamped Images: House Mouse stamps x 2

Stencil: A metal word embellishment that came free with a mag about 4 years ago!

Medium: Distress Inks for mice and sponging for background

And the challenges:

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - One Layer Card

Less Is More - Anything CAS Goes

Hugs, Sxx

LOTV = Red, Green & White

2011-09-17T12:21:00.000+01:00

Morning bloggers, how are we all today? I'm feeling happy and sad at the same time, if that makes any sense. Happy because Ireland beat Australia in their RU World Cup game (one heck of an achievement) and sad because I notice that I have lost a follower. I know that there are sooooo many reasons for that to happen, but it still makes me feel sad that a friend has said goodbye.

Now, I hear you asking, why are you supporting Ireland and not England? Well, I do support England too, but as Toad is half Irish, and I'm about an eighth Irish, there is need for them to do well. I wish Vince would see it that way but he just runs and hides when the shouting and cheering starts. Perhaps I'll have to make him a small flag to tie to his tail.

Anyhoo, enough of this nonsense, on to my card for today. LILI OF THE VALLEY this week are challenging us to use Red, Green and White with an eye towards Christmas cards.

I started this one Thursday night. It's been through three attempts and I'm still not satisfied with it. Some cards just happen, this one didn't.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Lili Of The Valley Shine A Light

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Papers: Basic Grey Jovial

Corner Die: Marianne Creatibles

Sentiment: LOTV ticket stamp and a Staples office date stamp

Extras: Craftwork Cards Card Candi and Stampendous Snowflakes

Thanks for popping over to have a look. I'm working on something different for me (it's a bit messy and I don't do messy) so hope to have that ready for you for tomorrow.

Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wonderland - Girly Christmas (DT)

2011-09-16T08:55:00.000+01:00

Morning all! Is it snowing yet? D'ya know, I wouldn't be totally surprised if it was - we are certainly having some unseasonal weather this year. But, with snow in mind, it will soon be Christmas (oh yes it will) and I bet you are all behind with your Christmas cards ..... I certainly am, so here is your chance to take a step towards catching up - why not join us this week at the WINTER WONDERLAND challenge!

This week our theme is GIRLY CHRISTMAS so we would love to see your Christmas creations that feature a girly image.

Please please please do make sure your card qualifies for the challenge before you enter as it is heartbreaking for us to have to disqualify anyone from the winners because they haven't read the challenge properly or not followed the theme.

We have two super sponsors for this challenge

who are offering a $15 certificate for their store; and

And, as always, the DT have worked very hard to provide you with some stunning inspiration. Don't forget to pop over and show them some love. This week it is the turn of Marianne's Team and they really have pulled out the stops for you.

Here is my DT card.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Lili Of The Valley Christmas Candle

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Papers: Dovecraft Back To Basics Christmas and Wild Rose Studio Wintery Christmas

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards (sorry for poor photo - it says Christmas Wishes)

Other: Hobbycraft Snowflake Punch and Anita's Glitter Outline Stickers

Looking forward to seeing you over at the challenge with all your Girly Christmas entries!

Hugs, Sxx

Less Is More - Seeing Double

2011-09-11T17:13:00.000+01:00

Here I am with another quickie post for you. This week at LESS IS MORE it's a One Layer Card with the theme of Seeing Double .....

This one was instant - the moment I saw the challenge I just knew I wanted to use this Le Chat Noir stamp that was free with the Craft Stamper mag several months ago. First off, I stamped the background with a Hero Arts square shadow stamp in Memento Desert Sand ink. I then overstamped Le Chat Noir in Memento London Fog ink and the tiny flowers also. Then I reinked the cat in Memento Tuxedo Black and stamped off to one side, and finally added the Hero Arts sentiment.

Then I repeated the theme on the inside with another Hero Arts sentiment

I'm seeing double a bit myself now that I've taken some kick-arse painkillers - back is still really painful but I don't care, lol!

Hugs, Sxx

For today's earlier Penny Black post, please scroll down or follow this link

PBSC - Delicious!

2011-09-11T15:20:00.000+01:00

Hello peeps, hope you are all well. This week's PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE is looking for Delicious entries ...... as there seems to be an over abundance of cupcakes, I've gone for something a bit different!

Ingredients for this card are

Stamped Image: Penny Black Make Lemonade

Background stamps: Ivy leaf (free from Craft Stamper mag) and Hero Arts swirl stamp

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Border Punch: Martha Stewart doily

Gems: From stash

Papers: Dovecraft

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards

I could not find just the right backing paper so I used a plain piece of Dovecraft and overstamped it with the leaf and the sort of berry stamp in Memento inks.

Sorry for short post, back has gone again and I can't sit still for long.

Hugs Sxx