As You Like It (DT) Favourite Hair!!

Now then, when Auntie Annette chooses a challenge theme, she does choose some crackers, but please don't be as scared of this one as I was when I first saw it!  It's much easier than it sounds, honest.

It's AS YOU LIKE IT challenge day and our theme is FAVOURITE HAIR COMBO

(basically, your favourite way to colour hair, and the colours you use)

Here is my DT card

When I do brown hair (a favourite because it always feels so warm), I use a light wash of Frayed Burlap Distress Ink (ReInker) and then get busy with the Polychromos Pencils (Brown Ochre, Nougat, Bistre, Van-Dyke Brown, Walnut Brown)

Which means that of course I have used Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Tiddly Inks: Wryn - Smart Cookie

Raspberry Road papers Pressed In Time

MFT Die-Namics double stitched rectangle die

and of course you want to know who the sponsor is, and it's

Paper Nest Dolls

Prize is 3 images of winners choice.

The Paper Nest Dolls Blog

So, assuming you are not too freaked out, we look forward to seeing

all your hairy creations!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Need A Hug?

Well, would you look at this - two posts in a row, ha ha!  I have just successfully managed to transfer all my picture files from Toad's desktop, via a USB, to my laptop (don't worry, I didn't delete the original files) so I am all ready to blog from my craft space again!

Let's start with a card that I made for a friend who has been an absolute rock to me over the past couple of years.  I ought to say that she is a distance friend, as we haven't met yet, but she knows more about me than most of my local friends, and she still likes me, so how cool is that?!  I'm not going to name her, for fear of embarrassment, but if she is reading this she will know who she is and how much I treasure her.

So, the stamped image is Heidi Needs a Hug from Stamping Bella

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and a scribble of Polychromos for her hair

Sentiments are from My Favorite Things

The stitched cloud die is from Lil' Inkers

and the papers are from a retired LOTV/Raspberry Road pad

What shall I do with the rest of my Sunday then?  I need to finish my Father's Day card, a couple of birthday cards, cook dinner and, most importantly, park myself in front of the TV in time for the Monaco Grand Prix!

Hope you are having a wonderful day

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

(bet you have missed this little chap too)

Spring Gardening

Hello peeps.  You all know by now that I am an absolute sucker for the Twila and Nancy character stamps from Roberto's Rascals at CC Designs so when there is a new release I am there like a shot.  Unfortunately, my last few orders have all been held to ransom by the Royal Mail until a Customs fee has been paid - this is starting to make the stamps very expensive ........sigh.  Anyhoo, having paid the most recent exorbitant charge, I FINALLY got my hands on the last ones I ordered.

This is Nancy Gardens

I've painted her with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and got busy with the craft knife to fussy cut her 

The smile word die is also a recent addition, by Impression Obsessions, which I've stacked and covered in clear Wink of Stella

Papers are LOTV/Raspberry Road Baskets & Bunnies (retired)

6x4 card base

Hope you have had a lovely weekend enjoying the Spring sunshine!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

H. Bears

This is my second September Design Collective outing for Lili Of The Valley

Image from the Happy Bears Set 88

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers from LOTV/Nitwits Snow Princess and 

LOTV/Raspberry Road Shabby Shack

Matting layers are white card edged with a ProMarker

Woodware medium retro flower punch, CC Designs Leafy Branch die

Papermania white button, pearls from stash

Sentiment from MFT Birthday Bears stamp set

Hugs (from behind clingfilm)

Squirrel xx

For all of you .....

I was feeling a bit sentimental when I made this one, and it got me thinking about all my friends, at home and here in blogland, so this one is for you guys.

Stamp is LOTV Little Pals

Hugs die is from Lawn Fawn

and so is the cloud border die

Butterflies are Impression Obsession

Papers are LOTV - blue (Nitwits) Bonnets & Bowties Solids, and pinky orange (Raspberry Road) Baskets & Bunnies

Painted by my own fair hand in Distress Inks (ReInkers) on Daler Rowney Bristol Board

Pearls from stash

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Sweet Dreams

Today, after many months of deliberating, I thought I might have a rant and rave about the insidious/invidious nature of Facebook v Blogger, but you know what? I really haven't got the energy as I might well be talking to myself the way things are going these days.

Instead I bring you another Odd Dog sneak peek from Lili of The Valley - these little cuties will be available to purchase on 4 July.

This little chap is Sweet Dreams

Papers are LOTV?Raspberry Road Shabby Shack

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is an old LOTV one (retired)

Pet tag and bones are Whimsy dies Pet Accessories

Shaped die is Nestabilities

This grumpy old Squirrel will get grumpier as the week goes on, with the increasing temperatures and lack of sleep, but I will still be posting.  Visit if you dare!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Oh Baby!

Yoo-hoo!  Happy Weekend!

Just popping by with my second Design Collective card for June, and it is a cutie

I always get caught out with not having the "right" card ready so kept this one safe and neutral

Stamp:  LOTV Baby With Teddy

Medium: Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: LOTV/Nitwits - Always & Forever Solids

Petal Fresh (retired)

LOTV/Raspberry Road - Pressed In Time

Sentiment: Vintage Labels Just To Say Set 27

Dies & Punches: MFT Inside & Out Stitched Rounded Edge Stax

Martha Stewart Stars

I don't do babies, but love seeing cute baby cards!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Twist and Shout!

Happy Bank Holiday Monday to all my UK bloggie pals, and a Happy Monday to anyone overseas.  Today is forecast to be wet and windy so Toad and I are heading off to a favourite garden centre this morning where they sell homebaked cakes, bagsy a cheese and ham scone with a big mug of latte!  Then we are popping over to see the Oldies to make sure they aren't up to any mischief.

Speaking of the Oldies, it is my beloved mum's birthday in a couple of weeks and I wanted to make her something a bit different from my normal.  So, when a pal suggested I make a twisted easel card I thought she had lost her mind, I don't do complicated.  But I sat down and watched a tutorial on YouTube and wondered why I had panicked - if someone had told me before it was only one fold I would have been turning these out by the bucket load.  I made my first one on Saturday (can't show you that yet) and my second one yesterday, which will be mum's birthday card.

Really sorry about the dark/light photo - it was a bugger to get a good shot of this.

So, LOTV James With Daisy

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

LOTV/Raspberry Road papers Baskets & Bunnies

Wild Rose Studio dies - Rose Corner and Wild Rose

Sentiment stamps from Personal Impressions

Pearls from stash

I made a little triangular block for the sentiment so it was raised at an angle, but it has more angle than originally anticipated, so it will be difficult to shove into an envelope.  Next job, a shallow box!

Thanks ever so much for popping over today.  I know I am way behind (again) with visits and comments so I really appreciate you taking the time out to still come and see me; it means a lot.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx