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

Melon Friends (DT) Dies To Die For

  Hello everyone, eventually I'm here, still yawning - I cannot even begin to tell you how long I overslept!

So, one of the things that seems to crop up (pardon the pun) every summer

is watermelons.  I'm not a huge fan of them myself, they always taste like sweet cucumber to me, but I know a lot of people find them refreshing.

Gerda Steiner Designs - Melon Friends stamps GSD748

Sunny Studio 6x6 paper - Summer Splash SSPP-114

MFT A2 Circle Stax dies - MFT-1790

As soon as I saw this little bear, I knew I had to pair him with these papers, it was just meant to be.

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Whatever you are up to, have a good weekend.

Hugs

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Cats or Dogs (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Hello peeps, I hope this Thursday finds you well and that life is being kind to you.  We all need a little kindess.

There is a new themed challenge at AS YOU LIKE IT today, and that theme is Cats or Dogs (your favourite, but please tell us why).

I've had cats in my life since I was born, literally - Sam, the farm tabby, used to sleep under my pram in the garden and wouldn't let anyone near, he was a fierce guard cat!  I can't imagine being without one now, with their cuteness (when they want), their calming purrs, their antics, scheming, mischief, all in all life would be dull without a furry feline buddy.

For this bundle of fuzz, I have used:

MFT Birdie Brown - Cat-Astrophe stamps MFT-BB-104

and the matching dies

a mixture of MFT and Honey Bee papers

a Whimsy ribbon slider die

Two sentiments - one from the cat stamp set, the other from Personal Impressions

and, shockingly, a beautiful piece of rainbow organza ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons

Kittens all coloured up using Zig Clean Colour Pens

Our sponsor for this challenge is

POLKADOODLES

Looking forward to meeting all your furry friends!

Hugs

The Gnome And The Bird (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all.  What's it like where you are?  It's a bit dingy here, I think we might be in for some much needed rain today.  I only hope it lets my towels get dry first!

There have been a lot of gnomes about on the crafting scene for a while now, and many of them are super cute.  However, when Stamping Bella released their new batch of Gnome stamps I am sure

you will have heard my squeal about 500 miles away.  The only thing about them that scares me are the beards!

Stamping Bella - The Gnome and The Bird

Memory Box - Nottingham Border die

MFT 6x6 papers - Buffalo Brights

Sentiment comes with the Gnome stamp.

Sparkly yellow dots from stash.

Image coloured with Zig Clean Colour pens and a Derwent grey ink drawing pen.

Hugs

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Thank You (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Well, here we are then, 2020!  If you are not sick of hearing it, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all.

The change of year doesn't change the alternate Thursdays so here we go with the first

challenge of 2020 for AS YOU LIKE IT

There is no choice to be made this time, we would just like to see your thank you

creations.

I was dragged up properly and taught that a thank you costs nothing, but means so much.

I am still a firm believer in that.

Should I have warned you about the colour bomb?!

Lovely things used for this are:

MFT Pure Innocence - PI290 You Color My World

and the matching die MFT-1592

Heffy Doodle stencil HFD0057 UnbeLEAFable

Sunny Studio 6x6 Jewel Tone papers

Concord and 9th - Bitty Thank You die CAN10380

Lots of Distress Inks for painting and stencilling

Our sponsor for this theme is

CRAFTY RIBBONS

I do hope that you will find time to join us in the next fortnight.  We have an exciting year of challenges ahead of us (I know, I have seen the list!)

Hugs to all

Boy Scout (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello peeps, here I am, slightly behind schedule!

When Stamping Bella released this image, I knew I just had to have it - I had no idea what I would use it for, but it just had to come home and live with me here.

A purpose arose much sooner than expected and here he is!

We have a happy/sad occasion coming up this week, when our priest finally retires at the grand age of 80.  Not only has he been in charge of our church for about 40 years, he has been so very involved with the community, and that includes being a leader for the local Sea Scout troop.  We are going to miss him so much (he married us in 1998) and this is just my tiny way of saying thank you for everything he has done over the years.  I know the uniform will have inaccuracies, but hopefully I got the colours right to change this little chap from a normal scout into a sea scout.

Stamping Bella Tiny Townie Boy Scout

SB Cut It Out Boy Scout

Mama Elephant Hilly Thanks

MFT 6x6 papers - Tiny Check

MFT 6x6 papers - Proper Pinstripes

Scout painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Echo Park Enamel Dots

Red and black card from stash

I hope you are "prepared" for a cracking weekend

Hugs

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As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Flowers

It's time for another challenge from the AS YOU LIKE IT team, and this time we would like you to share your Favourite Flowers with us (any why they are your favourite).

There are a lot of flowers on my favourites list, with daisies right up at the top, but there is a Squirrel family trait for growing dahlias, they remind me so much of home.

Clearly Besotted - Darling Dahlia

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

MFT 6x6 papers Petite Plaid

Sentiment from a Your Next Stamp floral set

and our sponsor for this challenge is

Fantastic Ribbons

Time to get your petals on!

Hugs

Picture Perfect (DT) Dies To Die For

Good morning peeps!  I'm getting this in early, before it gets too hot and I wilt under a lettuce leaf.

Have you seen the forecast?  28C for here in the east, good grief, I am so glad that the tail is being tidied up and thinned out this afternoon!

Before I met Mr Toad, I lived on my own in a little terraced house quite close to the A12 (by quite close, I mean next to it) and because of the road I was loathe to have a cat at that house, but the house needed an animal so I had hamsters.  The first one was called Windle Poons, she was golden and white, and worked out how to pop her exercise ball open by ramming it into the edge of the kitchen door, and the second one was called Abby, she was a soft grey, and she was an escape-from-a-cage artist (ask my mother about the dining room carpet).  If I had been away for a weekend, a friend or willing relative would take custody of the critter-of-the-moment, but it was so hard to find a "thank you for looking after me" card - that problem has now been solved.  All I need now is a another hamster..... although it possibly wouldn't make a great housemate for Rosie!

To make this I have used:

MFT Clear Stamps Birdie Brown - Picture Perfect BB-70

Whimsy Stamps WSD349 Thanks Word With Shadow Die Set

AlteNew Cross Stitch Canvas die

MFT Stencil Mini Staggered Dots ST-115

MFT 6x6 Watercolour Wash

Hamsters have been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers).

The base layer of rainbow striped paper I picked up really cheaply in WH Smith, it's an A4 pad too!

That's me done, I'm off to load the washing machine to make the most of this awesome drying weather!

Have a wonderful weekend

Hugs

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Violet (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning everyone, happy Saturday to you all.

In this funny ol' world that we live in, I don't think we say thank you enough, so

why not change that and say thank you to someone today.

Ingredients used

Stamping Bella - Tiny Townie Garden Girl - Violet eb668

Stamping Bella Cut It Out Die cio668DIE

MFT Stamp - All Lined Up Background BG-107

MFT Die-Namics - Stitched Fishtail Frames MFT-644

Sunny Studio 6x6 Gingham Pastels SSPP-110

MFT Stamps - Grateful For You CS-128

Versafine Toffee and Vintage Sepia for the background stamp and

Distress Inks (ReInkers) for Violet.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Hugs

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Anything Goes (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Morning peeps, Happy January to you all!

Well, it is the first AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE of the New Year and

we are starting you with an easy one with Anything Goes

I have been busily making a lot of thank you cards after Christmas and this is the

one that I am sending to my Oldies, not just for Christmas but for being such

wonderful (if worrisome) parents

So for this one I have used

Clearly Besotted Perfect Peonies stamp

with the matching die

Personal Impressions sentiment by Paula Pascaul

MFT 6x6 Proper Pinstripes Pastels

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Hexagon Stax

MFT Die-Namics Stepped Up Chevron

Image was coloured, as always, with Distress Inks (ReInkers) used as watercolours

We have a fabulous sponsor for this challenge, and one of our leader's favourite stores:

Lili of the Valley Digis

(prize is 3 digis from the Digi Shop)

 

Now all the fuss is over and the kids are back at school, you should have some time

on your hands to be able to join in - looking forward to seeing you there!

Hugs to all

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

Puff!

Showing my age here this morning (and certainly feeling it) with a trip down memory lane to Junior Choice!

One of the songs that was regularly played was Puff The Magic Dragon ....

 I have used

My Favorite Things - Magical Dragons stamp set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

"Charming" sentiment from the MFT set

"Thank You" from Clearly Besotted

Green matting layer is a scrap of Dovecraft Back To Basics paper

6x4 card base - custom cut to landscape format

Hope you have a magical Monday

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Thank You

As we have had a really quiet Christmas, and neither of us have had to go into work, I have managed quite a bit of play time since Boxing Day - which is good, in many ways, but especially as I had rather a lot of thank you cards to get made!  You may spot a theme over the next week or so, lol.

This first one is for my boss, Emma.  Regular readers will know that Emma is not only my boss, and I went with her when we changed firms in April, but she is also a good friend.  There is a story behind this card, but unfortunately it is not one I can share with you here.

I wish I could remember the name of the stamp, but I can't - 

it's from Lili of The Valley from a few years ago.

Sentiment stamp is a magazine freebie.

Snowflake is an X-Cut small palm punch

Pink card stock from Rymans

and a custom made 6x4 card base

What little colouring there is has been done with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I shall be entering this in the LOTV Facebook Challenge - Anything Goes

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Penguin in Paradise

Hello to anyone who might be out there in blogland!  It's that bit between Christmas and New Year when no one knows what day it is.  I hope you were all able to enjoy the festivities.

I have something a little warmer than Christmas for you today:

I made this for the MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge # 313

Here's the sketch

I have used

MFT Penguins In Paradise stamp set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

MFT Die-Namics pierced fishtail flags stax

MFT Die-Namics stitched rounded rectangle stax

MFT Die-Namics stitched sentiment strips

Papers are from BoBunny

Keep warm, even if you are not on a tropical beach!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

I Knead You

Now then, I needed to make a thank you card for a fellow cat fan, so out came my two MFT cat stamp sets.  Then I went to have a look at the current MFT challenges and realised that I could combine all three elements!

So for this little cutie I have used

MFT I Knead You stamp set (for the boxed kitty)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

MFT Die-Namics stitched scalloped frame die

MFT Grateful For You (word/die set)

MFT Cool Cat stamp set (pawprint)

Papers from my scraps box

and the two challenges are

MFT Card Challenge Wednesday - Sketch 308

and

MFT Colour Challenge 58

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

English Rose

I seem to have gone a bit flowery lately, not sure what's got into me but, don't worry, there will be some more cute characters here soon!

When dad retired from work he had spent over 42 years with his employer, Notcutts Garden Centres (founded in 1897 and now the UK's largest family owned garden centre business).  Dad worked out on the plant fields, driving his tractor, lifting roses, cutting hedges, all the heavy stuff.  Before that he did a spell with the landscaping team, and before that on the HGVs until migraines meant he couldn't do that any more.

The boss of the firm, Charles Notcutt, later Sir Charles Notcutt, was a fabulous man.  In the days when there was just the Woodbridge centre, and latterly when they started to expand, he knew just about everyone by name who worked for him.  He certainly knew my dad very well.  Sadly, Sir Charles died this year.

This week mum and dad were invited to a Celebrating the Life Of garden party at the home of Sir Charles and Lady Notcutt, along with several of the "old" employees who were there, back in the day. They had a lovely time, catching up with old pals, and Lady Gill had done them proud with her generous hospitality.

Anyhoo, mum asked me to make her a "nice" thank you card.  I'm not sure what other sort she thought I would make!  And this fitted really well with a rather large package of happy mail that arrived this week.

Notcutts won many gold medals at Chelsea Flower Show for their roses so ........

I've used my new English Rose stamp set from Clearly Besotted

and the matching die set

Inks for the roses are Altenew

and I used Memento inks for the leaves

Crealies stitched rectangle die for the image plate

I inked a scrap of card with the midtone rose colour and cut the MFT Thanks word die

and a piece of grass green Papermania for the matting layer

Heading off to the Oldies to deliver to mum.  Hope she likes it!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Nutty But Nice

Apparently that's what some people say about me.  A bit nutty, but quite nice really.

Just a little one to share with you today, made as a thank you card.

I've used a squirrel from the Clearly Besotted Nutty But Nice stamp set

and used the coordinating die set to cut him out

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Leafy Branch is a CC Cutters die

and the sentiment is from LOTV Quotables - Friendship - Set 62

Hugs to all

Nutty but nice, Squirrel xx