Blowing Kisses (DTDF DT)

Morning all, here I am with a card that says it all about my organisational skills!

I do like a stamp that is versatile and multi-purpose, and although I bought this one for a specific reason, it came in very handy this week for something else

How could you be cross with that little face?

MFT Pure Innocence - Blowing Kisses stamp

(you can find the matching die here)

MFT Die-Namics Rectangle Peek A Boo Window

MFT 6x6 Itsy Bitsy Polka Dots Pastels

MFT 6x6 Watercolor Wash Pastels

Paper Smooches - Apologies

As you can see, I kept with the polka dot theme and paper pieced her dress, but the leftover bits are painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I tried keeping a diary, but kept forgetting to write in it.

Sigh.

Hugs to all

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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

And more elephants

There's a bit of a joke with a certain friend over a customer who wanted an elephant card.  Said customer is, fair enough, quite particular but not very forthcoming with information, so for her daughter in law's birthday I ended up with a surplus of elephant cards.......it took a few makes for her to choose one she really liked (which was nothing like the original brief!).

So when said certain friend's husband emailed me asked me to make his anniversary card to said friend, and he mentioned the elephants, it was a challenge I could not refuse.

I used the MFT Adorable Elephants stamp set, aren't they just the cutest?

The little twiddly heart between them is in the set too

Coloured with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment from Paper Smooches

Martha Stewart border punches, top and bottom

Purple papers are Nitwits and the pink is Dovecraft I think (but might not be)

I think said friend was happy, her husband certainly was

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Favourite Animal

Morning all, time for another brilliant challenge from the AS YOU LIKE IT team, and this time the challenge is for you to use your favourite animal (and tell us why) for your make.

I found this a really difficult challenge as there are so many animals that I love to use on cards - cats, teddies, bunnies, hedgehogs, but when you have been called Squirrel for 30+ years then what else could it be?!

Loving these Nutty But Nice squirrels from Clearly Besotted

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and cut out using the companion dies

Papers are stray sheets of Basic Grey and Echo Park

and I have used my favourite MFT inside out rounded corner stitched squares

The wonderful word die is a new one, to me, from Paper Smooches

The sponsor of this challenge is

Crafty Ribbons

£10 voucher

Hugs to all, and really looking forward to seeing your critters!

Squirrel xx

Don't Worry, Bee Happy

Morning all, how are you today?  It's a bit damp over here, and chilly, and we are having to have a new exhaust fitted on the car this morning.  I hate it when the car needs something done, why can't they make the parts of something stronger?!

Anyhoo, I have a happy little card for you today:

You know by now that I am a sucker for Roberto's Rascals stamps

This little chap is Bee Henry from CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Orange paper is a scrap of Basic Grey, that I edged with a Martha Stewart border punch

Matting layer and lettering cut from a sheet of chocolate brown Bazzil Bling card

The happy die is from a Paper Smooches Christmas set

The bee was cut using Memory Box Alphabet Soup dies

Sweet and simple but I hope he makes you smile as much as he does me.

Yesterday was my last day in my job of 11 years.  Crumbs.  It still feels surreal, like it has been happening to someone else, but today I am unemployed.  Don't panic, I start my new job on the 18th, but it means I have a week of "me" time to craft and relax.  Hurrah.  My beloved boss, the lady I have worked with all those years, has also left, and we are going to be starting a whole new adventure together!

Well, that's me for today, have a happy weekend.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Can't build one from raindrops.....

It's the middle of December - where's the SNOW?  Do you want to build a snowman?  I do, but you can't build one of of raindrops, sigh.

This is the first of my December cards for the LILI OF THE VALLEY Design Collective:

Stamp is LOTV Snowman Serenade

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are LOTV/Nitwits Snow Princess (now retired, sorry)

Oval stitched die from Lawn Fawn

Snowflake punch from X-Cut

Sentiment by Paper Smooches

Tiny snowflake stamp from Woodware

Lili are now on their Christmas break so if you placed an order after 11 December, it will be dealt with when everyone returns after the festivities.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Handsome!

Morning all.  Tis warm is it not?  I think the reason for my "out-of-sorts" at the weekend is that I am coming down with something - the throat is sore, the glands are up, the snuffles are starting.  What a time of year to catch a flippin' cold!

Colds are for Christmas, and so is this handsome young man - he is my first outing in August for the Lili Of The Valley Design Collective:

Oh I do love me some James Bear!

This one is James: Christmas Tree

Painted (of course) in Distress Inks (ReInkers) with some dots of Ice White Viva Pearl Pen

Papers are all Dovecraft Krafty Christmas

Sentiment by Paper Smooches

Pearls from stash

You may have noticed that the Lili bricks-n-mortar shop is closed at the moment.  Don't panic people, this is simply down to relocation - the on-line store continues as normal supplying all those lovely goodies.  Speaking of goodies, there are more to come this month with Part II of the Christmas release - keep an eye out for the release date and the obligatory sneak peeks soon.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Midway Reminder for Without Words

It's halfway through July so the perfect time to fly-by with a midway reminder for our challenge over at WITHOUT WORDS where the theme is BLUE & BROWN.

There have been some superb entries so far, but there is always room for more!

Oh yes, it is my most favourite Christmas bear EVER, it's James Snow Angel from LOTV

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are LOTV Frosty Christmas

Papermania Kraft Card

Sentiment from Paper Smooches

Snowflake die from Noor Design

Some of you will no doubt mention the snowflakes.  Yes, they are embellishments, but minimal.

Don't forget that you have until the end of the month to enter, so even with the school holidays (bah) you should still have enough time, and there is a fabulous prize on offer from our new sponsor

CLEARLY BESOTTED

Hope to see you there

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Yay!

Morning all.  How are you?  I can't believe that it is already over halfway through my holiday week, sob.  Still, it has been a lovely and relaxing week, which is just what the doctor ordered, and I have managed to get some crafting done, not much, but some.

I could not resist this little guy from the latest Stamping Bella release

He is called "Milton"

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is from Paper Smooches and just seemed to match his expression so well

Papers are LOTV/Nitwits Butterfly Kisses

Hugs to all

Birthday Squirrel xx

Beach Baby

If I had a choice today, this is what I would like to be doing

Yes, the squinty, one-eyed, wonky photographer is back in town!

Stamp is CC Designs Roberto's Rascals - Beach Babe Twila

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Papers are a mixture of Dovecraft and First Edition

Sentiment is Paper Smooches

Doodling by Squirrel

Who knows, I might even get the chance to do this next week!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Pssssst......

Morning all.  Just popping by with a first reminder for the WITHOUT WORDS challenge - it's a colour theme that seems to be scaring you but, honestly, there is nothing to be afraid of!

Tim Holtz - Bird Crazy stamp

(yes, I finally got hold of them!)

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Paper Smooches sentiment

and following the WW theme of Pink, Blue & Yellow

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) February

Hello chaps!  What a wonderful way to start the week - a new challenge from Without Words!

As it is February, the month of lurrrve, our theme at the challenge is Je t'aime

Yes, we want you to be saying "I love you"

It doesn't have to be Valentine, it could be for a friend, a parent, a sibling, or even a pet, but we want to see you getting loved up and romantic.

Here is my DT card

So, this is one of the four Wee Playful Kittens by Sylvia Zet

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Paper Smooches

Shaped die is Spellbinders

Stitched circle die is MFT Die-Namics

and that really is it - small but perfectly formed, lol

We would love you to join in with the challenge but please do remember to check on the rules first, and step away from those pesky embellishments!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Morning Sue

This could almost be me in the mornings - except I'm not that skinny and don't do PJs because I suffer from that strange "hot legs in bed" syndrome.  I can't bear anything on my legs at night because after half an hour I am wrestling to rip them off before my knees spontaneously combust.

Anyhoo, I made this for a friend's birthday - I am sure she is more glamorous in the mornings but it just made me laugh.

This is "Morning Sue" from Roberto's Amigas at C C Designs

Coloured with Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils

Matting layer from a pad of Forever Friends papers (because the stripes matched the PJs)

Paper Smooches sentiment

Happy Friday everyone

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Hello Little Frog

I've been wanting to use this little frog since he arrived on my doormat so that I could make a card for my darlin' Toad.

Love that expression!

This is Broasca Frog from Little Miss Muffet

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are from the LOTV/Nitwits Twas The Night pad

Green pearls from Crafty Devils

Sentiment from Paper Smooches

Inside, with more Paper Smooches sentiments, it says Love & Kisses Forever

It cheered him up.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx