As You Like It Challenge (DT) Modern or Traditional (Colours)

 Well looky here, first Thursday of November and the Christmas adverts

have started on the telly already!

And speaking of Christmas, the AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE

would like you to join in with the new challenge and the theme is

Modern or Traditional Colours (and why)

I tend to flip-flop between the two, one year modern, the next year traditional.  This year

traditional is back in favour, I love the richness and warmth of the reds, greens, and a sprinkle

of gold, it's just a lovely cosy feel.

You can't get much more traditional than holly for Christmas

Stamping Bella Tiny Townie Garden Girl - Holly

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours

Odds and ends of papers from my scraps box

Martha Stewart holly border punch

Crafters Companion sentiment

The winner of this challenge will receive a digi prize from:

Amanda Jayne Designs

Do come on over and join the festive fun

Hugs

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Halloween or Fairies

 WhoooooooooooooOO!  

As You Like It Challenge

has gone a bit supernatural for this theme and are asking for

Halloween or Fairies as your choice (and your reason)

We don't celebrate Halloween at home, but have friends who do so I always end up

making a card or two, especially if we haven't seen those friends for a while.  Anyhoo, I don't really

need an actual excuse to get a a gargoyle out!

Whimsy Stamps (Dustin Pike) Gargoyle And Friends

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Papers

Sunny Studio 6x6 Papers

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Alphabet

Martha Stewart Goo Border Punch

Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours

Our sponsor for this theme is

DIES TO DIE FOR

Hugs

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.

Hugs

Dracula

 So, I'm sat here swearing at the laptop (situation normal) as I'm trying to transfer a chunk of photos from my phone to the hard-drive, and I have spotted a few cards that I haven't posted yet, mainly because they were for customer orders rather than DT posts, so I thought I'd drip feed them to you.

You will notice that they will appear to be out of season!

This one was an order from a friend who wanted a card for her brother who had his birthday at Halloween, and she wanted to make something of that.

So we have a real mash-up of products used here

Dracula is from CC Designs

painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Oval dies are Crealies

Happy is half of a Impression Obsession Happy Easter die

40 is MFT Die-Namics stitched numbers

Papers are whatever was to hand in the right colours

Goo border is a Martha Stewart punch

Apparently he was thrilled with it and, rumour has it, it is still on display even now.

Hope you have a fab weekend.

Hugs

Wonder Woman?

 Hello peeps, I hope everyone is ok this morning after Storm Eunice.  I've checked on the Oldies and they are all in one piece, which is more than can be said for the felt on our shed roof, but that's such a minor issue in comparison to what many have suffered.  Did you see the photos of the O2 Arena roof?  I'm guessing that won't be a cheap fix.

So, I have said it before, the Oddball stamps from Stamping Bella are growing on me, and one or two might have snuck their way into my collection.

This one makes me laugh, particularly the sentiment, as I often find myself saying

"I wonder......."

This is Mini Oddball Superhero from Stamping Bella

and I think she is adorable, even if I do need more practice colouring her cape!

The sentiment comes with the image.

Martha Stewart stars border punch, with some of the punched out stars used for accents,

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers from my ever growing stash

And no, it's not your eyes, she does seem to be a little out of focus

Hope you have a good rest of your weekend

Hugs

As You Like It Challenge (DT) People or Critters

 I knew something was amiss with this post, but didn't realise until 10 minutes ago that I hadn't actually drafted it.  Huge apologies to Red Leader for being a nugget.

So, this AS YOU LIKE IT challenge is a choice - which is your favourite (and why)

People or Critters

Now I do like a critter on a card, they are just so darned cute, but I also love it when I can match a people image to a person, like this card for instance, it was made as a thank you card for the nurse practitioner and her colleagues at the hospital who have looked after my dad and his injury so brilliantly.  Thanks to them and their care, we are hoping that this week might be his last appointment before he is discharged into the tender mercies of my mum and her dressing skills!

I've used the MFT Birdie Brown stamp set (and matching dies)

Call The Shots MFT-BB-76 and MFT-1578

DCWV cardstock for the border punched layer, using a Martha Stewart punch

Image painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Our super sponsor this time is FANTASTIC RIBBONS

Hugs

Milton With Daisy

Yes, I know it's Monday, yes, I know I don't normally post on a Monday these days, in fact, I don't know what has come over me.  Well, actually I do.  I was checking emails this morning and I get notifications from Addicted To CAS and I spotted that their challenge theme this time is Animals.  It has been such a long time since I entered any kind of challenge, and I had intended getting inky anyway, so what the heck.........

Here is my CAS make with an Animal on it (grin).

I've used an older Wild Rose Studio stamp - Milton With Daisy

Sentiment is from Clearly Besotted Many Messages

and a tiny strip of Lawn Fawn Dandy Day paper edged with Martha Stewart grass border punch

Milton was painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and his daisy with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens

I shall enter Milton into two challenges

Addicted to Stamps And More : #384 Clean And Simple

Addicted to CAS : #183 Animal

That's all folks

Hugs

Buttons or Pearls (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Is it Thursday?  Honestly, this working from home lark has totally screwed all sense of place and time, and it's only my first week of it!

Anyhoo, after a quick consult of the calendar, I can confirm that it is indeed Thursday and that means it is AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE day, and we have a popular theme for you this time, which is Buttons Or Pearls (and please tell us why).

I do like buttons and pearls, but I tend to use buttons for boys and pearls for girls, and as I make more girls cards than boys, I guess that makes pearls my favourite!

Disclaimer:  It is a complete coincidence that Red Leader Annette and I used the same image for this challenge.

So, the ingredients for this card are:

CC Designs Rockabilly Girls stamp set (love this sassy lass)

Bit of a mixture of Sunny Studio 6x6 papers from different collections

Memory Box Nottingham border die

Martha Stewart arches border punch

Martha Stewart grass border punch

Sentiment from Clearly Besotted Laugh Out Loud Again

and a sprinkling of shimmery pearls from various sources

Little lassy has been coloured using Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens as watercolours

There is no sponsor for this challenge BUT the prize is still pretty special - the winner of this challenge gets to Guest Design with the team for April.  Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee, that is exciting!

Right then, I'm off, you need to go and get your buttons and pearls sorted.

Hugs to all

Non-Card Project (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Guess what!  It's Thursday!

Of course you know what alternate Thursdays mean, and that is a new challenge from

AS YOU LIKE IT

This time, we are pushing the boundaries and asking for a non-card project.  Have a look at the DT makes for inspiration if you are stuck.

Unfortunately the first ever granny square crochet blanket isn't finished yet (so near yet so far) so here is something else!  I love making gift wrappings, either boxes or bags, that can contain a few luxury chocs.  Here is a little bag I made.

("Uff Da" is an expression of surprise)

So, I have used

CC Designs Viking Kids clear stamp set

Fussy cut and painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Really Rainbow Scallops

Martha Stewart grass border punch

MFT Die-Namics Paper Bag Treat Box

and the chocolates are ALL mine!!

There's a wee anniversary blog hop happening so you'll need to visit each of the team, leave a comment, and then a final comment on the AYLI challenge - there's a surprise gift for the right person!

Right then, as well as the hop, the sponsor for this challenge with the prize of

an A5 stamp set is

Lili of the Valley

Hope to see you there
Hugs

Easter Funnies (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, just wanted to wish you a (slightly early) Happy Easter, and what better way to do that than with a super cheeky but very cute Easter Bunny!

And the goodies used for this one are

CC Designs: Easter Funnies clear stamp set

CC Designs: Alphabits (sorry guys, can't find the link)

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Tiny Tags

MFT 6x6: Graphic Grid

MFT 6x6: Watercolor Wash (again, no link)

I used a Martha Stewart border die for the grass.  I originally had just the one layer but it needed more depth so I punched again from a darker green and layered that behind.

And would you look at that, real string!  OK, it is baker's twine, but it is probably the nearest to ribbon I will ever get, rofl.

I was going to do masking for the additional eggs by the Bunny's feet, but in the end I just stamped and fussy cut them.  There is a mixture of Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils here.

Whatever you are up to, I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend.

Hugs to all

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

New Best Friend

Me again, just popping in with the details of my SNSRC card from the previous post.

It's been an absolute age since I have done anything other than DT work, so thought this would be a nice change to enter a card into a challenge and the sentiment of this card, along with the stamp set, fit beautifully at Sweet Stamping Challenge - Anything New

I have used my new stamp set

My Favorite Things - New Best Friend

and the corresponding die set

Die-Namics Homespun Stitch Lines

MFT 6x6 Graphic Grid Pastels

Martha Stewart grass border punch

Image has been, as always, painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

OK, that's me done for now, time to get sorted for work.

Hugs to all

AYLI (DT) Christmas or Non-Christmas

Morning all!  A new challenge starts today over on the AS YOU LIKE IT challenge blog, and our theme for this fortnight is Christmas or Non-Christmas (which do you prefer making for) - you must explain why!

I tolerate Christmas.  I have been up to my ears in Christmas cards since June with orders, and have barely made a start on my own, so right at the moment I am feeling decidedly bah-humbug.  I have to say that I enjoy making the first one or two, but after that I've had enough.  Non-Christmas cards I can happily make all year round with no problems!

Oh, look, a non-Christmas card, lol

CC Designs: Rockabilly Girls stamp set (4 images)

Whimsy Stamps sentiment

Papercraft House floral papers

Martha Stewart border punch

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The sponsor of this challenge is

Crafty Ribbons
£10 voucher

You have two weeks - Christmas or not, please do share with us.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

In The Pink (DT) Special Occasion

Morning all, it's a new challenge for the next fortnight with IN THE PINK

and the theme is

SPECIAL OCCASION
(NB: this theme is running for 4 weeks while the Pinkies have a wee summer breather)

CC Designs - Surprise

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Sentiments are both Hero Arts

Papers are magazine freebies

Martha Stewart crochet border punch

Star shaped hole punch

Sponsor for this challenge is

DigiStamp Boutique

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Fruity!

Hello peeps, it is time for a new AS YOU LIKE IT challenge and this fortnight our theme is

FAVOURITE FRUIT

Your make can either depict your favourite fruit, or be inspired by fruit colours

I'm not a fan of any one particular fruit, but I do love a nice fruit salad, especially if it is accompanied by a good old fashioned dollop of vanilla of ice-cream.  The inspiration for this card came from the backing paper, which made me think of that fruit salad.

CCD Designs - Surprise stamp set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Papers are Basic Grey (old pad, sadly cover page long lost)

Martha Stewart corner and border punch

Lili of The Valley circular sentiment

Our sponsor for this challenge is

Paper Nest Dolls

Prize is 3 images of winners choice.

The Paper Nest Dolls Blog

Come on, come on over and get fruity!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Favourite (Non Birthday) Reason

Hello again peeps, well, here we are in June and it's time to start another

AS YOU LIKE IT challenge!

For this fortnight our theme is Your Favourite Reason To Make A Card (other than birthday)

For me, I love making friendship cards - a lot of my friends don't live local to me, so this

is a wonderful way to keep in touch and say "I'm thinking of you"

So for this little cutie I have used

CC Designs - Hearts To You

MFT Dots and Stripes Confection 6x6 pad

Die-Namics Stitched Heart Stax

MFT Clear Sentiments You Make My Day

Martha Stewart Heart Doily border punch

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Polychromos Pencils

Custom size card base

and our sponsor for this challenge is

Sweet Stamp Store

$10.00

Prize - a $10.00 Gift Certificate for Sweet Stamp Store

SweetStamps.com manufactures artistic rubber stamps on cling cushion for use with acrylic blocks. We carry a variety of stamping and paper crafting goodies like our own Shades dye inks, metal embossing plates, embossing folders, cutting & embossing dies (Our very own Sweet Cuts Dies, Cheery Lynn, Marianne, Joy! and Nellie's), fine detail embossing powders, specialty cardstock and vellum along with supplies for parchment crafting. 

Hope you will have a non-birthday reason for making cards that you will share with us

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Garden gnomes ARE real!

Hello peeps, just popping by to share my make for Squirrel's Not-So-Random challenge in case you are interested in any of the details.

So, for this little chap I have used:

MFT You Gnome Me - stamp set and matching dies

Lawn Fawn - Puffy Cloud border dies

MFT Watercolor Wash 6x6 -pad

MFT County Fair Plaid 6x6 pad

Martha Stewart grass border punch
Sentiment is a magazine freebie

Images painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Hugs, Squirrel xx

In The Pink (DT) Spring Flowers

Hello chaps, it's a new challenge theme over at IN THE PINK today and this time we are looking for you to share your Spring Flowers with us!

I first saw this stamp set being showcased by the very talented Faye when we

went to the Sincerely Yours Papercraft Show in Thetford, and I knew I had to have

it as it is one I can use time and time again.

Mind you, my make isn't a patch on what Faye created!

So, this bright and happy any occasion card has been made using

Paper Smooches - Best Buds (stamps and dies)

Your Next Stamp - Hugs and Kisses 6x6 paper pad

Rymans bright pink cardstock

Lili of The Valley mini tag sentiment

Martha Stewart Flower Border Punch

Die-Namics Double Stitched Rectangle Stax

and a tiny pink dot that was waste from a die-cut as a faux brad!

Image coloured (shock! horror!) with Polychromos Pencils

and to tempt you is a £15 voucher from our sponsor

DIES TO DIE FOR

(all linked items available in store)

I do hope you can find the time to get your petals on and come over to join in the floral fun!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Ribbon or Lace

Morning everyone!  It's a new challenge from those lovely ladies over at AS YOU LIKE IT and this time your choice is RIBBON OR LACE.

Whichever is your favourite, please remember that you must tell us why, otherwise you may not be considered for the Top 3/Winner slots.

Most people know that I consider ribbon to be the frippery of the Devil, and if I am honest, lace isn't far behind - neither of them really suit my CAS style, but for this one a faux lace matting layer actually worked well enough for me to have a little smile.

This one was a card order from my mum, she wanted one for a friend of hers.  The friend, and the friend's husband, are greatly amused by me being called Squirrel, and often tell mum if they have heard me on the local BBC radio station.  So, when mum said "I want a Squirrel squirrel card" I wasn't sure what she meant - I didn't hear the capital letter, and then the penny dropped.

Lili of The Valley - Squirrel Presents Trio

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment from Clearly Besotted

Papers are all Papermania

Martha Stewart - Punch Around-The-Page - Eyelet Lace

Die-Namics stitched circle

Tonic scalloped circle

Our sponsor for this challenge is

Crafty Ribbons
£10 voucher

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Your good 'Elf.....

Saturday was full on here, I'd like to say dashing through the snow, but it was just fog, and that doesn't have quite the same ring to it.  However, it meant that the nearest I got to craft was being in the middle of a mountain of wrapping paper, ribbons, sticky tape and tags.  I was missing my paintbrush!

So, yesterday afternoon I sat myself down in between the domestic stuff (yawn) and got inky with some elves.

Here's the first one:

This happy little chap is from CC Designs - Roberto's Rascals Elves set

Love all three of the elves - they are so cheeky

Painted as usual with Distress Inks (ReInkers) used as watercolours, with some Polychromos Pencil for hair definition

Papers are an older set of Dovecraft Back to Basics - Modern Christmas

Martha Stewart border punch

Sentiment from the Whimsy Stamps Holiday Mini Sentiments

Custom sized card base

It's our office Christmas dinner today - looking forward to it, it's my first one with

this firm.  Eight months and it feels like home already.

Happy Monday to you all

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Everyone Should Have A Squirrel

Short and sweet, everyone should have a squirrel (or three), especially red ones!

I have used

CC Designs Rustic Sugar Snowman With Squirrels

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Whimsy Stamps holiday mini sentiments

Background snowflake from a Personal Impressions set

Papers are Nitwits/LOTV Frosty Christmas

Snowflake punches are Martha Stewart and X-Cut

and a single pearl from stash to finish

Hugs to all for a happy Monday

Love

Squirrel xx

Personally, I think everyone should have a Jenson Button too - F1 is going to be poorer without him

Can't wait to see what he gets up to next!