AYLI (DT) Favourite Colouring Medium

Not quite sure where the last fortnight has gone but it is time for another challenge from the AS YOU LIKE IT team and this time the theme is "Your Favouring Colouring Medium".

So, I bet you think I am going to straight in there and boldly say Distress Inks (ReInkers)!

You would be partly right, but I have been venturing deeper and deeper into the world of

mixed media, and I have to say, I am surprising myself by how much I am

loving it.

A very simple CAS card, but this shows off the colours very well.

MFT You're Super stamp set

Supergirl is painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) but

her hair is done with Polychromos Pencils

and the splatter background was done with Copics and ProMarkers with

the aid of the Tim Holtz Distress Marker Spritzer

I had so much fun splatting the background that I completely forgot I had intended to

stamp and mask the image before getting inky, so in the end I stamped and

fussy cut her.

Our sponsor for this challenge is a perennial favourite

CraftsULove

Hugs to all

Not another mermaid?!

Hello peeps, happy Tuesday.

Now, unless you have been locked in a shed for the last two weeks, you will have seen these mermaid images everywhere in Blogland and on FaceBook.  However, I am a wee bit behind as my own package of loveliness only arrived on Saturday but I simply could not wait to play so on Sunday, out came the fishiness!

MFT BB Mermazing stamp set

Die-Namics Double Stitched Circle Stax

MFT Tribal Prints 6x6 pad

MFT Wild Prints 6x6 pad

Distress Inks (ReInkers), Memento ink pads, Copics (for the splatter background)

aided by a Tim Holtz air-puffer gadget (Distress Marker Spritzer)

Do Copics wash out of clothes?  A fun method of applying colour, but not

particularly directional!

Just keep swimming

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - X is For Xmas (DT)

Morning all, hope you are well and itching to get stuck into the next ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE which this time is X for XMAS (well, what else could you have for X that that Christmas themed?!).

We had a bumper crop of entries for our Winter Wonderland challenge and the design team have had a really tough time choosing the Top 5.  Your talent never fails to amaze us!  Do check back to the main blog to see who was selected as the overall winner and who the Top 5 are.

Our X for Xmas challenge is sponsored by Wild Orchid Crafts who have offered a fabulous prize for one lucky crafter (wish I could enter!).

Here is my card:

I've used one of the new Tildas from Magnolia and she is coloured with Copics.  Papers are from an old pack of Christmas papers that have long since lost their identity.  Flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts, Martha Stewart leaf punch, and Craftwork Cards sentiment.  The swirls are Sizzix dies which I have glittered (and the cat) with Art Institute glitter.

Now I know you are now up to your elbows in making your Christmas cards, so why not enter our challenge!  Looking forward to seeing you there.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Just Magnolia Sketch Meets Totally Tilda Red & Green

Second post from me today - I'm making up for lost time LOL!!  Mr Mojo has gone a wandering but his little cousin has put in an appearance so I'm making the most of him while he visits.

I've combined two super challanges for this card - JUST MAGNOLIA features a great sketch by Dawny P (thanks Dawny, I do love your sketches hun) and TOTALLY TILDA CHALLENGE wants a traditional red and green Christmas.  So, here we go:

As you can see (!) I've used the sketch as the main panel for a simple easel card.  Tilda is one of my older ones but she is still adorable in her hat and mittens.  I've coloured her with Copics.  All the papers, with the exception of the green square behind Tilda, are Basic Grey Jovial collection.  Pearls for the easel-stopper from stash.

Here's a link to my earlier post today if you are interested.













I've worked out that I need to make at least another 30 Christmas cards for this year so best I get a wriggle on.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Time for Tea? LOTV - Bev's Sketch

Morning all.  Hope your weekend is a good one so far!  I've had a pretty mad week back at work after my holiday so it came as a really nice surprise to realise that I also have a four day weekend - wheeee!  I didn't get much crafting done last week so I intend to try and remedy that before I crawl back to the office on Wednesday.

Over on the LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge this week is a fabulous sketch by the ultra talented Bev and I could not resist having a little play.  Here is Bev's sketch:

I had intended to do a "straight" interpretation of the sketch (mainly because Mr Mojo is on a no go) but because of the image I used I ended up mirroring the design, but as Bev is so sweet I'm sure she won't mind!

I've used the Tea Party stamp from the Girlie Collection at Lili Of The Valley and coloured her with Copics (face and arms) and Distress Inks.  Classic circle Nestability, inked round with Colorbox Q chalk ink, ivory picot ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons, papers are all Dovecraft Back To Basics, sentiment is Paula Pascaul, retro flower punch by EK Success, flower centres from Craftwork Cards, peel off border from stash.

Thanks ever so much for popping over.  I know I caught up with some of you last week, but I still have a lot to visit - bear with me, I'll get there eventually!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Under the Tree (not a card)

Hi All - this is a scheduled post so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Mr Blogger plays nicely!  It's time for another ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE (yes, it is getting closer now) but firstly I must thank each and every one of you for your fabulous T for Tree entries, it's going to be a hard job to choose the top 3 from all those wonderful creations.  Do check back to the main blog to see who has been selected and who the overall winner is.

So, we are on to U for UNDER THE TREE and the theme for this challenge has been chosen by that crafty little crafter Helen and it is "NOT A CARD".  She's a demon that one.  So just to be clear, for this challenge we are looking for gifts or gift packaging!

Our sponsor for this challenge is the brilliant SIMON SAYS STAMP - do pop over to their store for a browse, I bet you'll find loads of things that fall into your basket!

The other thing I really must mention is that we are looking for some new DT members!  If you would be interested in joining our happy band, please check the details on the challenge blog site.

Anyway, here is my DT creation for you:

I've gone for a little bit of altered art this time around and created a photo album.  Well, I didn't actually create the album, that was done by Tesco (other supermarkets are available) for the grand sum of 74p.  It was bright pink and shiny when I got it and it was a bit icky-tacky cheap (what can you expect for that price?!) so I got busy.  The gorgeously thick and wonderful to work with green sprig paper is Making Memories, and it just had to be that Penny Black meece stamp really, it was crying out for that one to be used.  Some luscious green organza ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons double wrapped around the spine and finished with a bow, all peel-offs from stash, and hey-presto.  And how could I resist sneaking in a couple of photos of my babies for the display?! 

Get your thinking caps on and I shall look forward to seeing what ingenious "non cards" you come up with.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Time for Tilda?

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!  This new picture upload system that we now have is driving me nutty!  Occasionally it works, but more times that not the little dotty circle seems to whizz round and round forever and nothing else happens.  Is it just me suffering from this?  Getting a tad annoyed with it.

Anyway, I popped up here (braving the home brew fumes) to show you the card I have done today for the Special Monthly Challenge theme over at JUST MAGNOLIA is "Anything Goes"

Here's my card:

This loves-me-loves-me-not Tilda has to be the one of my reasonably sized collection that I have used the most, she is just such a little darlin'.  The papers are Basic Grey from the Porcelain collection but overstamped with two Hero Arts stamps - the small clocks are Time To Stamp and the large clock face is just called Big Clock.  Sentiment and flower centres are Craftwork Cards, Martha Stewart doily border punch, Tilda coloured with Copics, and EK Success Retro flower punch.

That's Nic for alerting me to the CUTE CARD THURSDAY challenge of Tic-Toc - shall link it up now!

After all that faffing, I've run out of time for any more blogging today so I'll say cheerio, hope you are having a good Sunday, and see you later in the week!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Allsorts Plain & Simple Challenge

There's a wonderful challenging challenge over at ALLSORTS this week with the theme of Plain & Simple.

With so many wonderful papers and embellishments out there, it is sometimes really difficult to resist the temptation and to make the effort to go back to basics.  I really enjoyed this.  Here's my entry for the challenge.

Holly wreath stamp from Stampendous, coloured with Copics, sentiment stamp from Penny Black.  It doesn't come much plainer or simpler than that!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Twinkling Tilda

Well, it's grey, it's wet, it's cold, the grand prix was not the most exciting race I've ever seen and Toad's not only doing another batch of home brew but he's managed to blow a socket in the kitchen.

So what I need in my life is definitely some Glitter & Sparkle and that arrives courtesy of this week's TOTALLY TILDA CHALLENGE!

I think is this "Circus Tilda" although why she's called that is anyone's guess but she is still a little cutie.  Coloured with Copics, Art Institute ultra fine glitter for her frock, shoes and hairband.  Background is a Hero Arts frame stamp, again coloured with Copics, border of frame and centre of large flower dripping with Rhinstone Stickles, Basic Grey dp with gems and glitter letters from stash.

I tried with and without the flash as she really is more dazzling than the photo above shows.  Here's the one taken with the flash

Lots of sparkle!

Thanks for dropping by. Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 49 - Christmas in September

Howdy y'all!  Welcome to another rootin' tootin' round 'em up roll 'em out challenge from TOTALLY GORJUSS !  Not sure why I've gone a bit cowboy there, I'll just have a quick lay down and I'm sure I'll be fine.

Thanks for all your fabulous animal entries last week, you certainly love your little critters.  All that's left is for Net to sweep up behind them and announce the winner!

This week we are looking for your CHRISTMAS cards - don't groan at me, it's getting closer and then you'll all moan that you are out of time, so now is your chance to get a head start. Another week of stunning inspiration from the DT for you to ooh and ahh over. Here's mine:

I've used Pile of Penguins from Stampavie, coloured with Copics, some silver mirri card for the matting and snowflakes, and the DPs are Dovecraft (I think), Martha Stewart snowflake punch used too.

I do hope you can join us for this challenge as the DT do love to have a nosey round your blogs!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - T is for Tree (extra of Buttons)

Hi all, and welcome to another fortnight of ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE - wow, we are at T already, doesn't seem possible but, having said that, it will be October next week!

Thanks to everyone who took part in our Santa challenge and to all of you who had a go at my optional extra of no red - we had some super entries.

So, onto this challenge which is T FOR TREE and Jayne is our host with her optional extra of BUTTONS.  Our sponsor for this time is THE CUTTING CAFE.  The DT have come up with some super inspiration for you, here is my card:

I've used a Fairy Doodles Christmas Fairy from Buzzcraft, coloured with Copics.  The DPs are Dovecraft and the red matting is Bazzill.  Sentiment is Lili Of The Valley and the buttons were done with my Martha Stewart embossing button punch.

Sketch Saturday + Penny Black

Happy Sunday everyone!  I was woken up this morning in the wee small hours by a Vincent sitting on my head.  That cat has no respect for the sleeping - if anyone has seen the Simon's Cat film called Cat Man Do, then you will know exactly what I went through, except for the baseball bat.

Anyhoo, 12 September means that it is the Italian Grand Prix from Monza and I have high hopes for Britain's chances today of a good result.  Go Jenson!

Enough rambling, onto my card - this week SKETCH SATURDAY CHALLENGE have this sketch

and I have combined it with PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE who want Men/Boy Cards.  Here is what I've done

I've used Penny Black's Hedge-Words stamp, Anita's papers, Copics, and the star Nestabilities. 

And while we are on the subject of Penny Black, it is my lovely friend Uma's 30th birthday today (have a good one hunny, once the hangover has worn off) and this is the card I made for her

Thanks for popping over, hope you have a lovely rest of the day.

Hugs
Squirrel xx

Sketch Saturday + High Hopes "It's A Girl/Boy"

Hello All, yes it is Monday, and yes, I am here!  Snuck a couple of days off work - it's been so hectic for the past six weeks, and threatening to do the same again shortly, so I thought a couple of days of "me time" were in order.

A brilliant sketch from Jeanette over at SKETCH SATURDAY CHALLENGE this week - this one's a keeper - and I've combined it with the theme from HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE of a card for a girl or boy.  As you can see, I went for boy!

Here is Jeanette's fabbie sketch

And here is my card

It's a High Hopes stamp but I've mislaid the tag so perhaps someone can let me know what it's called.  Papers are Making Memories and matting card Papermania.  Image coloured with Copics.  Border punch is Her Majesty Martha Stewart (all hail the Queen of quality punches!).

Hope you like, and thanks for dropping in to see me, even if I did take you by surprise.  And apologies for those that missed out on the cake .... the middle was a bit "damp" but the edges were yummy!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 46 - Sketch

Happy Saturday everyone!  What are you all up to this weekend then?  Got time for some crafting?  I certainly hope so, especially as it is the first Saturday of the month which means that TOTALLY GORJUSS are bringing you another fabbie sketch to play with!

Thank you everyone for your fantastic Christmas In August cards - my word you lot are getting yourselves organised early this year.  Some wonderful entries so please do check back to the TOTALLY GORJUSS blog to see who was the winner of that challenge.

Right then, on to THIS challenge - the Gorjussettes are thrilled to be sponsored by JOANNA SHEEN and we all know what Joanna stands for = fabulous crafting goodies!  Whoo-hoo!  Here is the sketch for you....

And here is my DT card

Can't believe it is only 4 September and the light for taking photos is appalling already!  Anyhoo, this is the first inking of this little love by Gillian Roberts from Stampavie, spotty background paper is, erm, err, Dovecraft I think, but the old grey cells are whithering, the text is Friends Definition stamp from Hero Arts (one of their Clings) and the splotty sploggy matting paper is what I did with ink and a sponge.  Think it came out quite well really.

Hope you do find time to create - we'd love you to come and join us - see you there!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

LOTV Challenge - Sketch

'ello me darlin's, how are we all?  It's been a mad, mental, crazy, insane week at work for me so I am so relieved it is now officially the weekend!

Fabulous sketch for the LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge this week, I just can't resist a good sketch .....

And here is my card, very simple but I ain't had that much time

Rosie Posie is still one of my favourite LOTV stamps, such a cutie - coloured with pastel Copics.  Papers are Basic Grey from the Porcelain collection.  Nestabilities circle dies, Cuttlebug flowers and label, few gems and peel off words and that's it!

Thanks for popping over to see me.  I'm hoping to have time for some baking tomorrow so next time you visit there might be cake!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sketch & Stash, and oh the shame of it

Lovely little sketch this time over on Sketch & Stash Challenge and as this is another challenge that I've not taken part in for what feels like months, I thought I'd have a go

Here is the sketch

And here is my card

From the stash, I have used this lovely litttle Sugar Nellie with her birthday cake - I really am embarrassed to think how long she has been neglected.  Coloured with Copics.  The marble background paper is also from an ancient stash, so ancient I have no idea where it came from, and the DP is from a free pack of paper that came with a magazine this summer that I've never used.  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards and Papermania shimmer dots have been languishing in the "pile" for months.

Do you know that feeling - the one you have when you just know you have forgotten something really important but you simply can't put your finger on it?  Then, suddenly, it hits you like a brick wrapped in a wet towel and your stomach drops to the floor in horror?  Yep, I have managed to forget one of my best friend's birthdays.  Nine days ago!  This is going to take some serious grovelling to get over ........ oooh dear.

Hanging my head in shame

Squirrel xxx

Penny Black - Summer Lovin'

Gosh, it feels like an eternity since I've had the chance to enter the Penny Black Saturday Challenge and I am therefore starting a campaign for a bank holiday every Monday so I get more time at weekends!

There was me saying yesterday that Sunday was supposed to be the best day weatherwise and we have had torrential rain here this afternoon.  Sun is out now so let's hope it stays for a little while.  Mind you, Toad did want rain as he sprinkled something on the lawn yesterday that needed to be watered in.  Feel free to blame him if it ruined your bbq!

Anyhoo, here is my card for the challenge of Summer Lovin'

I've interpreted the challenge as loving the Summer rather than being in love in Summertime.  I've used Penny Black Mimi "Easy Rider" stamp, coloured with Copics.  All papers and card are from the pick 'n' mix scraps box so no ID for those.  Martha Stewart grass and picket fence border punches, Woodware small daisy punch, Personal Impressions sentiment and Papermania shimmer dots.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 45 - Christmas in August

Hello everyone, and a happy Bank Holiday weekend to all our followers in the UK.  I see that, at the moment, we have typical weather for a long weekend - Sunday is supposed to be the best day so now you know you can spend all day Saturday crafting!

And as it is Saturday, that can only mean one thing - yes, it's another fabulous challenge from TOTALLY GORJUSS!  Our theme for this challenge is Christmas in August (it's not that far away now) and our sponsor is Cupid Clear Stamps.

Here is my DT card

I've used the Carol Singers stamp from Lili Of The Valley (a brand new one of which is my candy - open until 18 September if you've not entered yet) and coloured with Copics.  Papers are from Dovecraft and the fake poinsetta I made with my large and medium Woodware daisy punches.  Leaves are Martha Stewart frond punch, large brad from Papermania.

Thanks for stopping by - now off you go and get festive and I shall look forward to seeing all your entries over at the challenge.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas - R for Rudolph (extra is brads)

So here we are again for another bash at the ol' Christmas cards!  Thanks to everyone who took part in our last challenge, you were certainly loving Samantha's brilliant Quick & Easy sketch.  Don't forget to check out the ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE blog to see the Top 3 and ultimate winner.

The challenge this time is being hosted by our wonderful Cathy (so much talent in such a small package) and our theme is R for Rudolph.  Cathy has chosen the extra of brads.  As always, my Teamies have come up with some cracking inspiration for you, and if that's not enough to encourage you to join in, we are also thrilled to be sponsored by WILD ROSE STUDIO

Here is my DT card

I've used Baby's First Christmas from Lili Of The Valley and coloured him/her with Copics.  Papers are Wild Rose Studio and Papermania, star border punch from Martha Stewart, sentiment from Woodware and brads from stash.

Thanks for taking the time to drop by and I look forward to seeing all your wonderful Rudolphs over on the ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Couple For Fun

No challenge cards today as I've been busy with my DT cards and had my nose stuck in a good book at lot of the time!  Has anyone else read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo?  I loved it and have gone straight on to the second in the series, The Girl Who Played With Fire.  Can't put it down and was reading until the wee small hours this morning - no wonder I feel a bit limp today!

Anyhoo, a couple of quick but sweet birthday cards to share with you this afternoon -

I've used Willow Shopping from Whiff of Joy for this one.  I have paper pieced her shopping bags (they are just crying out for that to be done) and the rest of her is Copics.  I wish I could remember where the papers are from but they were just loose sheets in my "pile".  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

And a Lili Of The Valley Busy Bear, full of style and sophistication!  Isn't she so cute?  Again coloured with Copics.  Papers are Dovecraft and Papermania, with sentiment being Craftwork Cards

Hope you are all having great weekends, whatever you are up to.
Hugs
Squirrel xx