As You Like It Challenge (DT) Pearls or Gems

 I had started this year with the plan of blogging more often, but here we are into April and I'm actually blogging less than before.  Sigh.  Must try harder.

As it is a Thursday, you just know I am here with my DT card for the new challenge over at

AS YOU LIKE IT

and the theme this time is Pearls or Gems (please explain your choice)

There's a time and a place for blingy gems, and that, for me, is Christmas for that little bit of sparkle. For the rest of the year, a more subtle effect is required, and that demands the softness of pearls.  I actually shocked myself by how many of both I have stashed away!

So for this little chap I have used

Whimsy Stamps Early Birds DP1018

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours

I've used a selection of old Nitwits paper pads (because the colours were right and they make me think of spring tulips)

Mama Elephant Mini Everyday Messages

A little snippit of Lawn Fawn 6x6 Really Rainbow

and some pink and blue pearls from my bottomless stash

Our sponsor for this theme is the lovely Tracy at

DIES TO DIE FOR

Do come over and share your fabulous makes with us

Hugs

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Easter Critters

 Well, before you  ask "what are they playing at", it's actually not that far away!

The new theme from As You Like It Challenge is

Easter Critters (tell us about your favourite)

I know it is predictable, but I do love a bunny - they are soft, they are fluffy, and

they have the cutest twitchy noses and whiskers.  I have had bunnies, my last one used to chase the neighbour's cat around the garden, and not in a friendly way either!

So I have dusted off one of my first stamps from Penny Black (Margaret Sherry Collection)

and inked him up with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The background stencil is a Gina K Mega Flowers done with DI Oxides

Backing paper is Lawn Fawn Spring Fling 6x6

MFT Sentiment 

The sponsor of this challenge is

Last Minute Manda

Go and get your critters on!

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

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Floral Or Cute

 Hello peeps, sorry that I am running so late today.  Let's crack straight on, the

new theme from AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE is Floral or Cute.

I do like colouring floral images, but tend to gravitate towards the cute 8 times out of 10.  There are just so many adorable characters out there, for every season, and I cannot resist a little critter.

I have used

Gerda Steiner Designs - Easter Bunnies

Watercolour painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with some Distress Oxide for the grass

MFT Stencil - Mini Cloud Edges

and a word die that has no packaging but might be Tonic

The sponsor for this theme is

LILI OF THE VALLEY

Hope you manage to find time to join in.

Hugs

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Non-Easter Easter Character

 So, here we are again, almost officially Spring!  And in the Spring mood, the AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE team are asking for you to share your

Favourite Non-Easter Easter Character (no chicks, no bunnies) and remember that you must tell us why you made your choice to qualify for a sponsor prize

As you are probably learning to expect from me, I have gone a bit off-piste with this but simply because I have fallen in love with these Dustin Pike gargoyles and am trying to use them for every possible occasion!

Whimsy Stamps (Dustin Pike) Gargoyle & Friends

Impression Obsession Happy Easter word die

Clearly Besotted grass border die

MFT Die-Namics Fine Finish Edge die

Mixture of MFY 6x6 papers

Gargoyle and his pals coloured up with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and our super sponsor for this theme is

DIES TO DIE FOR

Hugs

Easter Wishes (DT) Dies To Die For

 Hello peeps, so here we are today on Holy Saturday (yep, Easter Saturday is actually next weekend) - you learn something new every day!

I do make a lot of cute Easter cards, but just occasionally there is a need for something more traditional, but why not mix the traditional with a little bit of cute.

Sunny Studio Designs - Easter Wishes stamp set - SSCL-150

MFT Stencils - Mini Cloud Edges - MFT-ST-100

MFT 6x6 paper

A bit of masking, and a good slosh of Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and that really is it, simple but sweet

Whatever you are up to this weekend, take care, don't go crazy, and stay safe

Hugs

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DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

 

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Springtime Critter

 Hello, and welcome to Spring at last!

Here we are at the last Thursday in March (oh yes it is, next week is 1 April), and it's an 

AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE day.

Our theme for this time is Your Favourite Springtime Critter

(and please explain why)

Another tough choice!  I love Spring, the birds, the lambs, the chicks, the bunnies, they all make me happy, but, as we are so close to Easter, for me at this time of year it has to be chicks (although I am a little bit scared of adult chickens if I'm honest) with their significance of birth and renewal.

Looks like this little lady has a basket full of soon-to-be-chicks (hopefully not omelettes)

This is an older stamp that I've had a while waiting to be inked up

Stampavie (Penny Johnson) PEN81 Gretchen Collecting Fresh Eggs (retired)

Honey Bee Stamps - Eggcellent Sentiments HBST-166

and the matching Honey Cuts Eggcellent dies HBDS-166

MFT 6x6 papers - Perfect Pinstripes Pastel (retired)

I've used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens on this one this time, as the colours were a better match to the papers than my beloved Distress Inks

And our sponsor for this theme is

CRAFTY RIBBONS

Looking forward to seeing all your Springtime animal creations

Hugs

Floral Corners (DT) Dies To Die For

  Hello chaps, a very worried little Squirrel here today

Why am I worried?  I seem to be buying a lot of floral stamps lately, and that is sooooo unlike me!  I mean, where's the cute?

But when they are this pretty, I just can't resist them

Pretty Pink Posh - Floral Corners stamp set

Pretty Pink Posh - Floral Corners die set

Impression Obsession - Happy Easter die io-DIE1092-T

I've painted the flowers with Zig Clean Colour Real Brush pens as watercolours.  They give a brighter effect than Distress Inks, and sometimes that's just what's called for.

Background plain papers are from Trimcraft.

One made, several to go .... and not much time, best get busy.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

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As You Like It Challenge (DT) Spring Or Easter

Believe it or not from the recent weather but Spring is nearly here (officially I mean, not Met Office Spring) and with Spring comes Easter, which means a wonderful season full of joy.

The new As You Like It Challenge theme starting today is Spring or Easter (your favourite, and why)

I like Spring .... and I like Easter .... so it was a 50/50 choice for me on this one.

I chose Easter, because I am a sucker for a furry wabbit bringing me chocolate!

How cute?!!

Gerda Steiner - Peeking Easter Friends stamps

and matching dies

A leftover piece of LOTV/Raspberry Road paper plus a squeak of Lawn Fawn Dandy Day 6x6 LF2208, edged with Martha Stewart grass border punch

Bunnies and Eggs coloured with a mix of Distress Inks (ReInkers) and

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens

Our sponsor for this challenge is

LAWN FAWN

Time to brush off those newly hatched chicks and come and join us.

Hugs to all

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

Little Duck (DT) Dies To Die For

So, I am getting excited about Spring putting in an appearance, as it is my favourite season, and have been inking up Spring themed images in readiness

For this cheeky little chick I have used

Wild Rose Studio - Little Duck stamp

Die-Namics Double Stitched Circle Stax dies

this is the link to the Stitched Circle Stax

MFT 6x6 County Fair Plaid papers

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Scalloped circle die is from Tonic

Whatever you are up to this weekend, stay warm, stay safe

Dies To Die For Inspiration Blog

Dies To Die For Online Store

Favourite Easter Character (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Morning all!  Oh my goshness, can you believe we are halfway through March already?  Only a week and a bit and I shall be on my Easter holibobs, hurrah!

Righteo then, over at AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE I am in charge this week, so I shall be expecting you all to behave nicely - our theme for this fortnight is

YOUR FAVOURITE EASTER CHARACTER (and the reason why)

Well, I cannot resist a cute ickle bunny wabbit, those little twitchy noses, cute whiskers, such soft ears, and that fluffy bit behind, soooooooooo adorable!

I have finally twigged how to deal with a wonky photo - make it wonkier and no one will ever know!

So, for this I have used

Hoppy Easter from Clearly Besotted

Easter Greetings from Woodware

Papers from my scraps box

Image, after a bit of masking to add eggs, was painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

That's it, nicely clean and simple.

The sponsor of this challenge is

So, as I am sure you are all furiously making Easter cards, don't forget to come and share them with us at AYLI

Hugs to all

DTDF (DT) Chicky Girl

Well hellooo peeps!  Hope this finds you well on a sunny and springy April day.  How is it Easter next weekend already?  Been waiting since Christmas for it and then, zoom, it's here!

So, today is my day on the DIES TO DIE FOR blog and I have some Easter cuteness for you.  Are you ready for this?

These are the products that I used from the Dies To Die For store:

CC Designs - Chicky Girl stamp

Die-Namics Garden Fence die

Cheery Lynn Designs Happy Easter B529 die

Die-Namics Double Stitched Rectangle Stax

MFT Lucky Prints 6x6

MFT Graphic Grid 6x6

MFT Farm Fresh Gingham 6x6

Just look at that little chick, isn't his expression priceless?!

and the extras from my stash are

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Polychromos Pencils

and a custom sized card base

Looking forward to being able to put my paws up this weekend, if only for a little while.

Hope you all manage to find some relaxing time too.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Favourite Stamp Brand

Hello all, hope you are ok - there is a new challenge over at AS YOU LIKE IT starting today and it is (for me) a stinker!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to tell us about your FAVOURITE STAMP BRAND.

Our Team Leader might as well have said "Oh, just choose your favourite pet"!

Good grief, favourite stamp brand?  Impossible.

OK, so I did the thing of "what do I have most of?" - erm, yeah, that went well, the answer is rubber.

So, next "what have I used most in the last twelve months?" - erm, ok, getting warmer.

This could go on for some time so I am going to plump for CC Designs because I adore the Roberto's Rascals range, especially Twila, Nancy, Sue and Henry, they are cheeky, funny, and just that little bit sassy.

So, when I eventually chose a stamp it was CC Designs Roberto's Rascals Chicky Henry

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with a smidge of Polychromos

Papers are Echo Park - Sunny Days Ahead

Matting layers are just white card edged with an orange marker

Sentiment from Clearly Besotted

Our sponsor for this challenge is

Crafts U Love

£10 voucher

OK, get your thinking caps on, and let's be seeing your favourite (and the reason!)

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Belated Bunnies

I've been wondering which card to share with you today, and I realised that I've not shown you this one ... a little bit late, but better than never!

So, I made this using Gerda Steiner Happy Hoppy stamp set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Cloud stencil and DI sponging for the sky

Sentiments are both from Whimsy

Harlequin and bunny face paper from stash

Well, it's a right gloomy day here, and I think it probably is over most of the country today.  I'm taking mum to the eye clinic at the hospital this morning and as she's not too quick on her feet these days I shall be going armed with a couple of large umbrellas, especially as you can't ever seem to park anywhere near the clinic you need to be at.  Which reminds me that I need to find some money for the parking machine.  I know hospitals have to raise funds these days, but paying to park when you are having treatment seems like the ultimate insult.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Chirpy

Morning all, how are we today?  We'll be off to Mass this afternoon, with fish n chips on the way home, but at the moment Toad is playing with his new mountain range model train landscape, Rosie is sunbathing in the conservatory and I'm sat here still in my dressing gown!

Anyhoo, I thought I would share another little Easter card with you this morning.

Mr Toad bought me this Chirpy Chicks stamp set from Clearly Besotted

for Valentine's - he's finally worked out what makes this girl happy!

Sentiment is from the same set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Corner punch from Woodware

Matting card by DCWV

Simples, does what it says on the tin.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Besotted with Easter

Morning all, hope this finds you well!  I've been making a lot of Easter cards recently, in fact I think I have made enough to last about three years of Easters.  Every year I tell myself that I don't need any more images but then all these cuties get released and resistance is completely futile.  Sigh.

I am currently besotted with Clearly Besotted Easter stamps so you will be seeing a few of these in the coming days.

I adore these Best balloon designs - I already have Christmas and Birthday, so it was only right that I should complete the set with Best Easter (out of stock at the moment, due back on 22 March)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Quirky Quilts papers from Little Claire

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Look Who's Back !!

Those clever girls at LILI OF THE VALLEY know what we like - in fact they know what we like so much that they are re-releasing some of the gorgeous stamps that had previously been retired.

The first two to make a come-back are Spring Bunny with Daffs and Balloon Bunny - they are available on the website RIGHT NOW!  Limited numbers so be there or be bunnyless.  Over the next few weeks there will be more stamps making a return so keep your eyes open for them.

I think you might be able to work out which one of the two that I have used for this card for the Design Collective.

Lots of ingredients for this J fold card so here we go

Well of course it is, Spring Bunny with Daffs!

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is LOTV Scroll Sentiments

Papers are all old K&Co (the daffodil pad and the daisy pad)

Border die is Magnolia (think it might be Swedish Lace)

Corner dies are by Whimsy

Three toned green ribbon by Anita's

Resin flowers bought in Lakeland (been waiting for a chance to get them out again)

I hope you are having a Happy Friday!

Rosie sends her love ....

Hugs to all

Squirrel xxx