As You Like It Challenge (DT) Autumn or Winter

 Brace yourselves, I'm on time this week!  It's another new challenge from the

AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE team and this one is

Your Favourite - Autumn or Winter (and why)

With the exception of wasps, I love everything about autumn, the soft light, the gorgeous colours, sunny days but (in theory) cooler nights.  I don't even mind it getting darker earlier because I can be cosied up indoors!

This little foxy is from Lili Of The Valley

painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment from My Favorite Things

and a mixture of papers from MFT and Honey Bee

Our sponsor (with a gorgeous range of autumn animals to choose from)

Lee Holland

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Party On .... But Not Too Long

 Aren't we all our own worst critics?  I know I am, and am particularly hard on

myself at times.  However, now and again I make something that I am really chuffed

with, and this is one of those - it very nearly didn't get sent to the recipient (but

she's special so it did get there!)

So, I used one of the Rockabilly Gals from CC Designs

painted her with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and fussy cut

For the background, I cut a stencil using an older Spellbinders Nestabilities die

and then stencilled through that with Gina K Daisy Chain stencil with a

Distress Ink Oxide pad

Corners done with an old Woodware punch

and simply layered with some pink paper from my stash

A couple of sentiments from the MFT Sassy Pants Birthday Greetings 3 set

and that's it, it took all afternoon, but I really, really, enjoyed making it

Allsorts Challenge - Anything Goes (14th Birthday) Week 729

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Anything Goes For Christmas (DT) As You Like It Challenge

 Well, here we are then, the last challenge theme of 2022 at

As You Like It Challenge

The theme for this one is Anything Goes For Christmas

(no favourite to choose from - it's all up to you this time)

I love the leadup to Christmas in that there is always new crafty stuff just begging to be bought and who doesn't love new craft stuff?  My excuse is that I need something that the husband won't have seen

before, and I am sticking to that one!

So I have used

MFT Coolest Friends

MFT Bitty Holiday Wishes

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

LawnFawn Snowflake border die

Mixture of random snowflakes for the background

Matting card and paper from stash

The sponsor of this challenge is

Polkadoodles

This might be the last challenge of 2022, but don't forget to watch out for 2023 when we start a whole new year of challenges for you to have fun with!

It's not been the best year for me personally, so I am looking forward to January and a fresh start, hopefully I'll be blogging a bit more too.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

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Out with the Bunting

 It's Jubilee Friday, the sun is shining, there are parties everywhere .... and I'm loading the

washing machine, LOL!

As there is so much bunting around, I though I'd get out one of my older CC Designs stamps

OK, it's not red white and blue, but she is definitely party ready.

Somehow, in between making the card and blogging it, I've managed to misfile the stamp, but after a bit of Googling she is C C Designs Swiss Pixies Banner Heidi

Whimsy Stamps 6x6 Mix n Match 2 papers

MFT Die-Namics word dies

Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours

Martha Stewart corner punch

Hobbycraft tiny flower punch

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.

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As You Like It Challenge (DT) New or Recycled

 Sorry that I have been low-key for a while, I've just had so much else filling my time that my poor old blog has been sorely neglected.

Anyhoo, it's time for another new theme over at AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE and

this time it is NEW OR RECYCLED (pleeeeeeeeeeeasse tell us why)

So, I'm really keen on recycling at home - our blue bin is always packed, and if I can use something again for a new purpose then that's a win BUT for crafting, I admit it, I do love using new stuff - everything fresh and shiny new.

For this romantic wittle wabbit I have used

Whimsy Stamps Wee Bunny

A selection of my precious NitWits papers

MFT sentiments

and a stencil of roses

All inked up with Distress Inks (ReInkers and Oxides)

Our sponsor of this theme is

POLKADOODLES

I hope you can come over to the challenge and join us.

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As You Like It Challenge (DT) Circular Embellishments

 Gosh, the year is galloping away from us isn't it - another two weeks gone, so it's time for a new As You Like It Challenge

This time we're asking you to use Circular Embellishments

(pearls, gems, flowers etc)

Now, I'm not good with embellishments, they bring me out in a rash, so I took the easy way out and punched my circles (snowflakes) from the same paper that I used for the snowy ground, at least this way I know they coordinate properly!

MFT Pure Innocence Freezin's Greetings MFT-PI-327

and matching dies MFT-2120

Lawn Fawn 6x6 papers Watercolor Wishes

MFT DieNamics Stitched Snow Drifts MFT-546

MFT Bitty Holiday Wishes MFT-CS-417

The winky face on the snowman is not part of the original stamp, I added that with my set of Your Next Stamp Fun Faces

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Our lovely sponsor for this challenge is

Looking forward to seeing what you do with your circles

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Dies To Die For (DT) Bundle Girl With Winter Branch

Hello peeps, and a happy weekend to you!

Dad continues to improve, he had another hospital visit yesterday, and they are pleased with how things are looking.  He has two more visits scheduled but (keep your fingers crossed) if they go well and the wound is healing as it should, we are hoping he will be discharged into the care of the GP surgery.  That will make life soooooooooo much easier for him.

Anyhoo, I've not made many Christmas cards yet this year, normally I would have started in June, so panic mode is setting in a little bit.  There may have to be a flurry of snowflakes soon.

Lovely things used

Stamping Bella Bundle Girl With Winter Branch  sb-EB1044

MFT Christmas Greeting Background MFT-BG-149

MFT 6x6 paper Christmas Cheer MFT-EP74

Bundle Girl painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I had to get my stamping platform out for the background stamp as it is a biggie, and I cannot get an even coverage just with an acrylic block.  Himself reckons it is because I am too short to get enough pressure on it!!!

That's me done for today - I need to be doing battle with a gammon joint and a selection of winter vegetables.

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Strike Up The Band (DT) Dies To Die For

  Hello peeps, it's the weekend again, hurrah!

Before we get to today's card, thank you for all your well wishes for dad.  We went back to the hospital on Wednesday for a wound check and dressing change.  The nurse practitioner was a little concerned about some blistering of the skin that was torn in his fall, but after some thought she decided to take the steri-strips off.  Poor dad.  He has hairy arms.  They aren't quite so hairy now.  Anyhoo, long story short, the hospital are "cautiously optimistic" that healing is underway (it's going to take months) and redressed it with a lighter dressing.  He goes back again on Monday for another check.

So, to crafting.  The inspiration for today's card was actually a commission - a dear friend requested a card for her brother-in-law who is a musician.  Well, there was only one stamp set that I could possibly use for that!

I adore these bunnies, they make me happy

Ingredients

MFT Birdie Brown Strike Up The Band stamps MFT-BB-93

MFT DieNamics Strike Up The Band dies MFT-1676

MFT Bitty Birthday Wishes stamps MFT-CS-398

Sunny Studio 6x6 paper Subtle Grey Tones SSPP-118

Red card from own stash

The backing paper was just stripes, so I randomly over-stamped with the musical phrase accessory stamp from the Band set.

Bunny Band has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers).

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Polar Bear Pals (DT) Dies To Die For

  Yes, yes, I know .... but it is still Saturday!

And the ingredients used are:

MFT Birdie Brown Polar Bear Pals stamps - MFT-BB-40

MFT Clear Stamps Bitty Holiday Wishes - MFT-CS-417

MFT DieNamics Stitched Tag Corner Square Stax - MFT-1225

MFT DieNamics Sweet Snowflake dies - MFT-1852

MFT 6x6 papers Cheerful Plaid - MFT-EP-80

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Birthday Besties (DT) Dies To Die For

  Hello peeps, I'm here, but I think I should change my middle name to "sorry I'm late again" - there is just so much going on at the moment that I really don't know my knees from my elbows.

Anyhoo, I have a sweet but very simple birthday card to share with you today

I have used

MFT Pure Innocence Birthday Besties MFT-PI-301 (there are two girls in the set) 

MFT DieNamics Birthday Besties MFT-1705

MFT Itty Bitty Birthday MFT-CS-586

MFT 6x6 paper Rainbow Plaid MFT-EP-78

I have paper pieced her dress from the gorgeous plaid papers - I love this set of papers, they all coordinate colourwise so beautifully

The rest of her is Distress Ink'ed (ReInkers)

It's my mum's birthday today, so we are about to dash off to visit with her presents and a yummy cake, and a bucketful of blackberries that Toad picked for her yesterday

Hugs to all

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The Walrus, The Polar Bear, And The Penguin (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello peeps, sorry I was MIA for my DTDF post last week, I was laid low by a rather unpleasant bug, which knocked me off my feet for four days.  Still not 100% but am getting there.

Anyhoo, today's offering reminds me of a joke

A penguin walks into a pub.  He goes to the bar and says to the landlord

"Have you seen my brother?"

The landlord looks at him, scratches his head, thinks for a minute, and asks

"I'm not sure, what does he look like?"

Sooooooooo, on to today's make then

And the lovely things used are

Stamping Bella - The Walrus, The Polar Bear, And The Penguin : sb-eb602

Your Next Stamp 6x6 paper - Winter Knits - YNSPP004

MFT DieNamics - Sweet Snowflakes : MFT-1852

MFT Clear Stamps - Birdie Brown Greetings Galore : MFT-CS-335

The image is painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and fussy cut - I don't know if there even was a die  issued for this stamp but, if there was, I don't have it, so back to the trusty scissors and the craft knife for the nooks and crannies.

I was a bit frugal with the papers as there are only 2 sheets of each design in the pad, and they are all so lovely, so I was a miser and only used one - I did the technique of cutting from the centre of the sheet so I had my mini matting layer and a hollowed out bottom layer - I "patched" the hole (slight overlap) with the white card.  I'm not sure which stitched dies I used for the white, but I think it might have been my Crealies set.

Hmmmm, I've not had a Penguin in ages, but I know where there is a stash of dark mint Kit-Kat

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Mon Cheri (DT) Dies To Die For

  Ooh la la, bonjour mon petite pois!

You know you can always rely on me for a little bit of class.

Today's goodies used are:

MFT Birdie Brown - Mon Cheri stamps MFT-BB-130

MFT DieNamics - Mon Cheri dies MFT-2035

Sunny Studio 6x6 papers

MFT DieNamics Stitched Basic Edges 2 MFT-1015

MFT DieNamics A2 Circle Stax MFT-1790

MFT Sassypants Birthday Greetings 3 MFT-CS-582

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Au revoir!

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Favourite Shape (DT) As You Like It Challenge

 So, here we are at Thursday again, so that means it is a new theme from the

AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE

This time around AYLI are asking for your Favourite Shape for a card

(but NOT a square or rectangle please)

Personally, I love squares and rectangles so I had a bit of a job with this one.  I cut circles and ovals, and weird shapes, but somehow none of them floated my boat (or would stand up) so I'm afraid I ended up with a rather predictable hexagon card.  I do like a good hexagon and use the shape a lot ON cards, but haven't made many AS cards.  I quite enjoyed it!

I have used:

Rodney from CC Designs

MFT Bitty Holiday Wishes sentiment set

Lawn Fawn 6x6 papers - Snow Day

MFT DieNamics Stitched Hexagon Stax

Rodders has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and I used a tiny bit of some thick and goopy white paint that I bought for his freckles.  His nose highlight is just bare paper.

And this is the FIRST of my Christmas cards made this year!

Our sponsor for this challenge is

LILI OF THE VALLEY

Did you know that LOTV are doing stamps again?  Hurrah!  They have recently released two polymer stamp sets, one for the boys, and one with cupcakes and cute animals.  I had to have both, naturally, but hubby has bought me one of them for my birthday (grin).

Anyhoo, let's be hearing about your favourite shape for card base (that isn't a square or a rectangle)

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Sweet Birthday Wishes (DT) Dies To Die For

 Hello peeps, here I am, on this rather warm weekend.  I know it's June, and it is meant to be warm but it has gone from freezing to boiling so fast that I haven't had a chance to shed my winter coat yet.

Speaking of shedding, Rosie (my tabby cat) has a boyfriend (Meep, dark, handsome, dangerous) and it was his human's birthday this past week.

Rosie told me what to make - it had to have a Meep on it.

MFT Birdie Brown - Sweet Birthday Wishes stamps MFT-BB78

MFT DieNamics - Sweet Birthday Wishes dies MFT-1589

MFT DieNamics - Box Card Greetings MFT-1989

MFT Clear Stamps Bitty Birthday Wishes MFT-CS-398

MFT 6x6 papers

Now, the little kitty came from the BB New Best Friend set (which is no longer on the DTDF website, but does seem to still be on the MFT site) but there are loads of stamp sets with small cats that would work equally well.

Images painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers).

Have a super weekend - don't forget the Factor 50 cream if you're out in the sun (we're not used to it!)

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As You Like It Challenge (DT) CAS or FAF

When your scheduled post is actually a draft, SMH.

Hello peeps, it's time for another As You Like It challenge and this time the theme is Clean and Simple or Fussy and Fancy (CAS or FAF)

It's not hard to guess my preference from this sample.  The only thing FAF about me, is the faffing around I do when I'm making a card!

Pretty Pink Posh - Flower Bouquets stamps PPP-May21-5

and matching dies PPP-May21-6

MFT Bitty Birthday Wishes MFT-CS-398

Whimsy Stamps 6x6 Pretty Pastels

Image coloured with a mix of Zig Clean Color Brush Pens (flowers) and Distress Inks (ReInkers) leaves and flower pot

and our sponsor for this theme is

DIES TO DIE FOR

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Sitting Pretty (DT) Dies To Die For

  Hello chaps, hope you have something lovely planned for this super sunny Saturday!

Well, Spring is well and truly in the air now (you should have seen me scraping the frost off the car yesterday morning), flowers are blooming and the trees are greening

So for this floral explosion I have used

MFT Spring Wreath stamp - MFT-CS-559

MFT DieNamics Spring Wreath die - MFT-1983

MFT Birdie Brown Sitting Pretty stamps - MFT-BB-122

MFT DieNamics Sitting Pretty dies - MFT-1980

Sentiment from MFT Birdie Brown Polynesian Paradise stamps - MFT-BB-109

MFT 6x6 papers - Road Trippin' MFT-EP-71

I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens for the inking up on this one.  I'm not sure what's going on with the photo as my camera doesn't seem to like a particular shade of pink that I used for the right hand tulips and her t-shirt, IRL they are very definitely pink!

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Adorable Adventures (DT) Dies To Die For

  Assuming you're not still in a queue for Primark or Debenhams, good morning - honestly, I think the world has gone mad.  Rushing into town to buy a new pair of flip-flops has been pretty low on my agenda for this week.

Anyhoo, I am here with another Birdie Brown make.

Stuff used

MFT Birdie Brown - Adorable Adventures stamp set MFT-BB-108

MFT Dienamics Adorable Adventures die set MFT-1797

MFT Birdie Brown Greeting Galore MFT-CS-335

MFT Stencil Slimline Cloud Edges MFT-ST-149

MFT Stencil Slimline Drifts and Hills MFT-ST-150

Whole scene coloured with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Distress Ink pads.

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