Celebrating Squidgy (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, just popping by with my DT for today before we get togged up and head over to the Oldies where we have a little job waiting for us of shifting half a trailer (and I mean tractor trailer) load of firewood into the shed in the dry!

Something a bit busier for you than usual today, I got a bit carried away with pretty colours.

So for this cheekycreation I have used:

Stamping Bella - Celebrating Squidgy

Stamping Bella Cut It Out die Celebrating Squidgy

Die-Versions Express Edges - Celebrate

MFT Pure Innocence - Birthday Cutie

Whimsy Shapeology - Stitched Tag Dies

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Flowers

MFT Die-Namics Stitched A2 Rectangle Stax

MFT 6x6 paper Graphic Grid Pastels

MFT 6x6 paper Itsy Bitsy Polka Dots Pastels

MFT 6x6 paper Lucky Prints

MFT 6x6 paper Dots and Stripes Sorbet

The Squidy is painted with Distress Inks ReInkers and I used some fineliner pens to add colour to the champagne bottle labels .  After she was die-cut, I popped her onto to some foam pads to lift her away from all those papers and give a tiny bit of dimension.

OK, time for me to strap my knee up and put my big girl boots on ready to go lumberjacking!

Have a super weekend everyone

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Dies To Die For (DT) CCD Nerdy

Morning all, here I am again.  Welcome to September, my favourite month of the year.

I have a confession today - I am a Stationery Addict.

(note the capital S and capital A, it is that serious)

I love pencils and pens and pretty notepapers, and I cannot walk into a stationery store and come out of it empty handed, it might only be a packet of standard envelopes or a pencil sharpener but it still makes me happy, very happy.  I may have to live for many more years than my prescribed allotment just so that I can use up some of the numerous notebooks that I just "had to have" (and if I really like a particular one, I have to get a spare as well).

I wonder if there is a therapy available for this, surely I can't be alone in my madness.

So, anyhoo, when I saw this on the CC Designs new release list, I knew it had my name written all over it, in crayon of course.

And for this colourful little number I have used:

CC Designs Nerdy Clear Stamps

Die-Versions Express Edges Just A Note

MFT 6x6 Farm Fresh Gingham

The images stamped with multiple masks and painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers).

Black card (super heavyweight) from PDA Card & Craft

A simple little card this time but with a lot of impact and a whole lot of fun

Hugs

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Viking Henry (DT) DTDF

Hello peeps, and welcome to the first Saturday of the New Year!  I'm here today with a dose of adventurous spirit for those men in your life (young or old) for my DIES TO DIE FOR

inspiration make.

and the list of wonderfulness used is

CC Designs: Viking Henry

CC Designs: Birch Trees Stencil

Memory Box: Bamboo Shoots

Memory Box: Delicate Fern

Die-Namics: Pierced Fishtail Flags Stax

The font set used is "A Hint of Lime" from Die-Versions (bought from DTDF a long time ago) but any small font would work, this one is only 1/4" (6mm) and was a challenge!

The Impression Obsession Alphabet Plain LC would make a good substitute.

Image was painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

The background green paper is from an old pad of Basic Grey and I stencilled the Birch Trees with Gathered Twigs Distress Inks

Hugs to all

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Reindeer Games (DTDF DT)

Hello peeps, happy Christmas Eve Eve, I'm here with my Dies To Die For Inspiration Blog post and if you have already been over there you will know I have a little challenge for you

Can you name me all 10 of Santa's reindeer?

On your marks, get set, go!
(and no cheating please, it's Christmas after all)

The correct answer will be at the end of this post.

Mama Elephant - Reindeer Games

Die-Namics Stitched Tag Corner Square Stax

Whimsy Shapeology Dies - Corner Die Set

I used Die-Versions A Hint of Lime for the lettering but any font of the

right size would do, or even a Merry word die like this

Lawn Fawn Scripty Merry

Everything on the image panel painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Thanks everyone for all your visits and your loving support during my first

year on the DTDF team, it means a lot.  All that remains for me to do this week is

to wish you all a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hugs, Squirrel xx

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(please note that orders placed over Christmas will not ship until 2 January)

So, the reindeer
Dasher and Dancer
Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid
Donner and Blitzen
Rudolph and Olive

What do you mean, you have never heard of Olive?

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
and if you ever saw it
you would even say it glows.
Olive the Other Reindeer used to laugh
and call him names.....

Spring Chick (DT) DTDF

Happy Saturday all!  I hope you are enjoying your Easter break (or itching for the kids to return to school, depending on how the holidays are going!).

It's my day over at the DIES TO DIE FOR blog and I have some Spring cuteness for you

The linked ingredients used are all available at the Dies To Die For online store

So  for the third in my clutch of chicken themed cards I have used

Whimsy (Krista Heij-Barber) Spring Chick

MFT Graphic Grid 6x6 papers

Die-Namics Stitched Sentiment Strips

Die-Namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax

Die-Versions font die - this one is Hint of Lime, but Hint of Mint would work equally well

and additionally, Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I love Krista's quirky designs, they always make me smile, and this little chick certainly does that, she just looks so very happy

There's a cheeky little FREE POSTAGE offer on at Dies To Die For for UK customers over the Easter Weekend so it would be rude not to at least have a look!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Beary Special at DTDF

Happy Saturday everyone!  I'm pacing the floor a bit today as tomorrow is the Sincerely Yours Papercraft Show in Thetford and if all goes well, I'm hoping to visit.  Not only will the fabulous Tracy with her Dies To Die For be there, but I am hoping to be able to meet some of my new teamies AND my BBFF (that's Best Blogging Friend Forever)!  I have butterflies!

Anyhoo, down to business, it's my day for the Dies To Die For Design Team and here is my make:

So, I have used

MFT Beary Special Birthday
Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Sentiment from the Beary set - embossed in white

Echo Park Birthday Wishes Girl

Die-Versions Express Edges
I used the Birthday word but the Celebrate one would work equally well
Custom sized card base

Right then, I'm off to run around like a headless chicken - catch up with you soon
with a post Show report!

Hugs to all
Squirrel xx

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'Elf and 'Appiness

Well, here we are, the penultimate working day for me before we break up for Christmas tomorrow.  I'm not sure what time we are finishing yet, in theory we're in for the whole day, but we are all secretly crossing our fingers that the senior partner gets fed up of the tinsel around 3.30!

I said on Monday that I had been playing with elves at the weekend and this is the second of them.  Part of my morning routine (and it's very decadent) if the bus doesn't get held up anywhere is to head for the local coffee shop for my favourite coffee and some toast for my breakfast.  I'm one of these people who can't face food immediately, so by the time I get into town I am feeling hungry.  When I called in last week, one of the barristas slipped something onto my tray - it was a Christmas card, addressed to "the lovely flat-white lady" - how sweet is that?!  So this one has been made for them, they are a great crew and always ready for a smile, as well as making great coffee and toast.

Another elf from the CC Designs Roberto's Rascals Elves set

Again painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Star corner die is MFT Die-Versions

Papers are all Dovecraft

The tag is from MFT Die-Namics Stitched Sentiment Strips

and the sentiment is Whimsy Stamps Holiday Mini Wishes

This will be my last post before Christmas, so I would just like to take the opportunity

of wishing all my faithful Followers

a very Merry Christmas and a happy and crafty New Year

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

End of May Weather

Morning all.  How are we?  We seem to be suffering from typical end of May weather.  It's a Bank Holiday in the UK, the kind of day where everyone expects to be able to get out and about with the family in the sunshine.  However, England doesn't always play by the rules.  It may be sunny for some parts, but here in the east it is cold, grey, and starting to rain.  The forecast isn't exactly encouraging either!  Toad and I are still planning a little outing, even if it is only to our favourite garden centre for a cuppa and a fresh scone!

Rosie has demanded entry into the conservatory where she normally spends the day basking.  I have to say that she looked a little puzzled this morning by the waft of cold air when I opened the door.  But she's an optimist, she has taken up position in her chair, ready and waiting.  

So, what can I bring you with a touch of sunshine about it ......  how about this?

I love this Caped Cuties stamp set from Clearly Besotted

There are dies available, but I fussy cut this little chap instead

The sunshine is the Sunny Skies die from MFT

Cloud paper is from Nitwits/LOTV (now retired)

and the lettering is Marker Micro alphabet from Die-Versions

The arched die is also MFT from one of their Stax sets

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I suppose, if we are going out, I really ought to try and make myself presentable.  I'm not sure nightie and slippers is the accepted look for garden centres.

Have a happy Monday all

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Three Little Ducks

I was going to say morning all, but see that it is now afternoon.  I obviously spent more time than I thought ranting at Royal Mail about the non-delivery of my happy mail (which I had paid a customs charge on and they'd said would be delivered yesterday).  Still no answer as to where it is, and trust me, if they have lost it I shall be more than ranting at them!!

Anyhoo, on a happier note, I have been playing with a new-to-me Gerda Steiner stamp set.

I had recently been chatting with a friend about stepper card dies and realised that I hadn't used mine lately, so out it came.

Stamp set is Lucky Duck from Gerda Steiner

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Stepper die is from CC Designs

The Hello frame die is a Die-Versions Sweet Frames

Orange card by Papermania

Spotty paper from Dovecraft Back To Basics

Fussy cutting by me

Have yourselves a quacking weekend

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Not Just For Christmas

Morning all (just), hope you are all ok.  I'm running a little late today as I have been for a tail trim and colour, and then I made the mistake of sitting down with Rosie.  It was a bit of an effort to pull myself away if I'm honest.  She makes a great chair warmer.

Back in the summer, Lili of The Valley released their Odd Dog collection.  The stamps are all super adorable and can be used for so many occasions.  I had been looking at one in particular for an idea I'd had and thought "why not".  Here he is for my first November Design Collective make.

This stamp is Odd Dog Handwritten

If he fills that book with Christmas wishes then he must have been a very good pup indeed!

Painted with Distress Inks ReInkers)

Papers are Dovecraft Back To Basics

Dies are Die-Versions Corner Concepts

Sentiment from Trimcraft

With apologies to you and to Lili for this not being a particularly imaginative or ambitious make.  Ever since early September, just before the shingles outbreak, I have felt out of sorts and run down.  I'm really lacking in energy just now.  Hopefully a break from work this week will help sort that out and I might get some of my bounce back.

Hug to all

Squirrel xx

It's been a long time coming.....

.... I've got a couple of days off this week, using up holiday before I lose it, and although the weather is rubbish it doesn't matter, Rosie and I have been busy in the craft room, her sound asleep in the chair and me painting away like a mad thing.

In between DT jobs I decided that it was finally time for me to make a start on something I have wanted to do for a long time, and that is do an Art Journal.

I'm a self-taught colourist but am so inspired by the talents of so many crafters, it wouldn't be fair to list them all here in case I accidentally missed someone off, but take it from me, there is some amazing talent out there!  I will never reach those dizzy heights but even I can see how much I have improved over the years and my style has changed too, I have become more confident with colour and shading and I am no long afraid of the dark!

Anyhoo, here is Page 1 of my first Art Journal and as it is October, what better to start with than a pumpkin.

It's my favourite girl!

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals - Pumpkin Twila

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos hair

Die-Versions Marker Micro alphabet die for her name

Papers are random Basic Grey pages and a page of black art card

MFT double stitched rectangle die

I can see this becoming addictive

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx