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

Hugs

Pure Innocence in the Garden

 Hello folks, if there is anyone left out there that is ..... sorry that I have been missing from blogland so much, but I've been struggling with an evil episode of sciatica.  It's been four weeks now and it is thoroughly miserable!

Anyhoo, as I haven't actually done much crafting for a while, I guess you are going to have to suffer the catch up of Easter makes that I managed to do.

This one was for mum and dad - mum always has the most amazing spring flowers in the garden and this made me think of her borrowing dad's wheelbarrow (it was never where he wanted it to be when he needed it)

This is a Pure Innocence stamp from MFT, but I've had her for so long that she has vanished from the website now.  Shame really, because she is super cute.

Painted entirely with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Backing papers are a mix and match of MFT 6x6 from different pads

Matting layers were just plain white card inked up with Distress Oxide 

Border and corner from stash (so old I'm amazed they still stuck)

Sentiment by Trinity Stamps

So that's it from me for today.  I hope you are all out there having fun in the Spring sunshine.

Hugs

Woof Pack Catastrophe (DT) Dies To Die For

 Hello peeps, I hope you are all doing your best to keep safe and well in these troubling times.  For anyone who is unfortunately ill with this damnable virus, I wish you a good recovery.  For the rest of us, HANDS-FACE-SPACE, it is important, now more than ever.

Right then, on with today's make

Lots of goodies used on this one, all from DIES TO DIE FOR of course

MFT Birdie Brown - Woof Pack stamps : MFT-BB-105

MFT DieNamics - Woof Pack dies : MFT-1765

MFT Birdie Brown - Catastrophe stamps : MFT-BB-104

MFT DieNamics - Catastropher dies : MFT-1764

MFT DieNamics Stitched Rolling Cloud Edges dies : MFT-1791

MFT Clear Stamps - Loveable Leopards : MFT-CS-203

MFT 6x6 papers - Gift Wrap : MFT-EP-73

MFT DieNamics - Grass Edges

Phew, a lot of stuff for a wee card!

Images were stamped onto Langton Hot Press (Smooth) watercolour paper, painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours, and die cut.  The bird from the Leopards set was direct stamped onto the background paper (MFT Watercolor Wash - sadly no longer on website).

Right, I'm off to rescue a pork loin joint from the oven - guess what we are having for dinner tonight!

Hugs to all

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As You Like It Challenge (DT) Pink Plus One

Hello chaps, hope you are all ok this rather "warm" Thursday.  When I say warm, I do mean chuffin' hot, it's averaged 33C for the last week, and I have just about reached the end of my tether with it!

Anyhoo, you didn't come here for me to rant about a heatwave, so let me tell you about the new challenge over at AS YOU LIKE IT.

Our theme for this challenge is a colour theme - we would like to see PINK PLUS ONE (the plus one is your choice of main colour, but please explain).

I've perhaps paired my pink with a slightly unexpected colour, and have chosen brown.  The reason why is that pink and brown together remind me so much of the "mallow cones" that our local cake shop used to sell, and they were always a treat for special occasions - an ice-cream cone, filled with pink mallow, dipped in chocolate at the top, and covered with sprinkles.  A blast from the past, although if you hunt far enough, you can still find them!

I've used a real assortment of products:

MFT Stamps - Friends Furever

MFT DieNamics Hugs dies

MFT Stitched Blooms dies

Sunny Studio 6x6 papers from stash

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The sponsor for this challenge is LOTV (digi images - the new Christmas ones are released this week)

Hugs

Flower Fairies (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello everyone.  To you all, if you are well and carrying on as best you can, if you are social distancing or self isolating, stay strong, we can beat this.

I've actually been on "holiday" this past week, but will be home-working next week (IT permitting).

Not quite sure what Rosie is making of things, having us both at home all the time, but she isn't getting any extra meals or treats, which is not pleasing her!

MFT Flower Fairies - CS454

MFT Die-Namics Flower Fairies dies - MFT1685

MFT 6x6 paper Spring Whimsy - EP61

This set of little cuties are so adorable, and so perfect for many occasions, and even though they are petite, they are still a joy to colour.

I used Zig Clean Color Brush Pens for these, with added water.

Hugs

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Cute or Traditional - Favourite Christmas (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Well that fortnight went fast!  Here we are at Thursday with another new challenge from the As You Like It team.

So, for this challenge we would like you to tell us about what your favourite to make

is for Christmas - Cute or Traditional

I am a sucker for cute (not that you would everrrrrr guess), and Christmas presents so many

cute options, winter animals, penguins, Santas, snowmen, it is a cute-lover's paradise time of year.

So for this Christmas cutie I have used

MFT Stamps - Festive Friends CS-430

MFT Die-Namics Festive Friends dies MFT-1621

MFT Stitched Snow Drifts MFT-546

Papers from The Works

and a sprinkling of Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Our sponsor for this challenge is

CRAFTS U LOVE

Hugs to all

Party Like A Pirate (DT) Dies To Die For

Arrrrrrrrrh!!  Ahoy there me'arties!

There will be a party going on in the Squirrel-Oldies household this week as they

celebrate their Diamond (60 years) Wedding Anniversary but I'm not sure

that they will Party Like A Pirate

MFT BB-46 Party Like A Pirate stamp set

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Really Rainbow Scallops

MFT Mini Cloud Edges Stencil

MFT Make Waves Stencil

Image and background all done with Distress Inks (ReInkers and Pads)

That's all today folks, I have to get some rather sparkly presents wrapped!

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Super Dog (DT) Dies To Die For

Oh come on, sometimes we all need a superhero!

and for this one the ingredients used are

MFT Super Dog stamps

MFT Super Dog dies

MFT-Dienamics Our Town

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2

MFT 6x6 Dots and Stripes Sorbet

MFT 6x6 Farm Fresh Gingham

MFT 6x6 Hearts and Stripes

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Perfectly Plaid Chill

Hugs to all

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Lee Holland Mouse On Flower (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease tell me that this is actually the weekend!

I didn't receive any flowers for Valentine's this week - vegetation in this house either gets nibbled by the cat, or quickly shrivels.  I'm not good with indoor florals.  However, this little chap seems to have developed better green paws than I have!

Whimsy Stamps: Lee Holland Collection - Mouse On Flower

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Sentiment Strips

MFT Safari Friends (sentiment)

Sunny Studio 6x6 Spring Sunburst

Sunny Studio 6x6 Flirty Flowers

As usual, the image has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and I just used a simple single hole punch to add coordinating dots of colour.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Hugs

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As You Like It Challenge (DT) Shape or Fold

Hello everyone, a new Thursday, a new challenge from AS YOU LIKE IT

For this fortnight our theme is going to be

Your Favourite Shape or Fold

I've gone simple with this one, and it is a variation on the square theme

made much easier with the dies I used for the base and layers

MFT You Gnome Me

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Tag Corner Square Stax

MFT 6x6 Proper Pinstripes Pastels

MFT Mini Cloud Edges Stencil

 Entire scene painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The sponsor of this challenge is

£10 Voucher from 

Fantastic Ribbons

I do hope you will be able to join in this challenge

Hugs

Make Yourself At Home (DT) Dies To Die For

I don't know about you, but this bit between Christmas and New Year always leaves me scratching my head as to what day of the week it actually is, but the calendar says Saturday so it must be time for my DT post for Dies To Die For!

We are heading fast towards the New Year -  wow, January, won't that feel strange?

Anyhoo, after the frantic rush of Christmas makes, what comes next but thanks you's.

So, this sweet (or not so sweet as modelled on Rosie) little kitty was made with a whole lot of My Favorite Things ingredients

MFT BB-33 : Cool Cat

MFT CS-128 Grateful For You

MFT LJD-59 Make Yourself At Home (stamps)

MFT-892 Make Yourself At Home (dies)

MFT-930 Die-Namics Split Chevron Cover Up

MFT EP-7 6x6 Fresh Squeezed Chevron

I used the Split Chevron die to make a stencil - as the lines between the blocks are quite fine, I wanted to use something sturdy that would withstand me daubing about with ink, so I used one of the MFT backing sheets that comes in the packets, the one with the logo on, because it is thickish and has a nice shiny finish.  I taped it over the card and gently sponged on Antique Linen and Walnut Stain Distress Inks to give that soft but worn look.

I stamped the kitty, masked him, and over stamped the sofa, and both are watercolour painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers).  The rug was simply die-cut from patterned paper.

And that's it really, quite a simple looking card, but it did take me some time!

Whatever you are up to for your New Year celebrations, I hope you have fun

(just not too many fireworks please - Rosie is terrified)

Hugs to all

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Anything Goes (DT) As You Like It Challenge

So chaps, it is the last AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE of the year, and the theme

is going to be Anything Goes

MFT - You Have My Heart stamps

MFT Die-Namics You Have My Heart dies

MFT 6x6 Dots & Stripes Confection

MFT Sentiments - Big Birthday

Imagination Crafts Roman Clock Stencil

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and stencil sponged with

Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink

The sponsor of this challenge is

Morgan's Artworld

Hugs to all

Squirrel

Fall Friends (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, so sorry for being late - had a new oven delivered this morning, earlier than expected, and it rather caught me on the hop!  I am now planning what I can cook on the hob for dinner tonight so I don't have to use the oven.  I think my reading material for the next week will be "timer instructions", or "electronic programming" as they call it.  Eeeeek.

One of the delivery guys, having removed the old oven from its housing, asked how old it was.  On being told it was 30, he made me feel awful by saying "that's older than me".

Anyhoo, although the weather is turning colder, we are still officially in autumn so I thought I would

share these gorgeous autumn girls with you today.

So this is

MFT Stamps BB Fall Friends

MFT Sassy Pants Best Friends

MFT 6x6 Farm Fresh Gingham

Image was painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) in case you're curious.

Hugs to all

Squirrel

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Digi or Rubber (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Morning all, well would you look at that, Thursday again already!

So, over at the AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE, the new theme for the next fortnight is

Digi Or Rubber (which is your favourite, don't forget to tell us why)

I have tried digi stamps, but for me I love the physicality of rubber, the actual process of rummaging through my collection, picking and choosing, selecting one and then putting it back, and eventually with the chosen one, getting it beautifully inky and creating the impression on a pristine

piece of paper.  Digi, for me, just doesn't feel like crafting.

So, for this little chap...

My Favourite Things - BB14 I Knead You

My Favourite Things - BB33 Cool Cat

MFT 6x6 Dots and Stripes Confection

aaaaaaaaaaand I have no idea what the orange paper is

Kitty painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Anyhoo, our sponsor/prize for this challenge is a £10 voucher from

Hugs to all

Sweet Holiday Penguins (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, hope you are well.

Today I shall mostly be crawling about on the kitchen floor with a scrubbing brush (should have done it last week but was full of snoddy gerbs) as, wait for this, the new oven is due to arrive next week!

Our old oven is now celebrating it's 30th birthday and it is running out of bits to drop off or stop working so the Toad made the decision to get a new one in plenty of time for me to adjust to having a working fan again so I have stopped burning things by the time Christmas gets here!

Anyhoo, speaking of Christmas, today, I bring you something black, white, cute, and smelling of fish

These little guys have been so popular since their release!

MFT Stacey Yacula - Sweet Holiday Penguins

MFT Die-Namics Sweet Holiday Penguins

Sunny Studio Build A Tag #2

MFT 6x6 Fresh Squeezed Chevron

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Knit Picky Fall

Pingus were all painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

PS.  I fibbed about the fish

Hugs to all

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Santa & Friends (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello chaps, as you read this I shall be sneaking up on the bathroom scales, and when I have

recovered I shall be off for a tail trim and colour.

In the USA, I think they are called cubicles, a very small office space within a bigger office - here it's

called a pokey corner.  In my overcrowded pokey corner, there isn't much room for

festive decorations, so I have made this mini-banner to hang from the hook

that currently holds my calendar!

MFT Stamps : Santa & Friends CS-340

MFT Die-Namics : Santa & Friends MFT-1404

Pink & Main dies : Arch Tag Dies PNM137

MFT Die-Namics : Merry Christmas MFT-983

Lawn Fawn 6x6 : Knit Picky Fall

The images have been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and, if you squint, you might

just about make out the Glamour Dust on Santa's hat, jacket trim, and boot tops.  I know Annette will be shocked, but that is REAL ribbon through the loop at the top.

Hugs to all

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