Ribbon or Flowers (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Well hello there chaps!  How are you on this fine Thursday?  You do know of course that with it being Thursday it is time for another fortnight's challenge from the AS YOU LIKE IT gang.

This time, the theme is Ribbons or Flowers (Your Favourite and Why)

I have more of an affinity with flowers than I do with ribbon, although I don't use either that much really.  However, for this challenge I was going to make an effort and out came the flowers, only to find that my silicon glue is a solid lump in a tube!  So, I had to resort to flat flowers ..... (I can hear Red Leader grumbling from here)

So this ADORABLE little chap is new and he is

Stamping Bella Flowery Gnome

I don't have the die, but there is one available, so I had to fussy cut

He is painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) used as watercolours

The leafy stem is a Tonic die and

the flowers are various sizes of Woodware punch, with Card Candy centres

(didn't have the right colour so inked up a cream one with a yellow pen)

The layered Hello die is from Create A Smile

Papers are Sunny Studio (purple) and Prima (blue)

So there you have it - except for our wonderful sponsor for this theme who is

£10 voucher from

Fantastic Ribbons

Hope you will take time in your busy schedules to come and join in the fun.

Hugs

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

Anabelle Needs Your Address

Hello chaps, a bit of a surprise for me to be here on a Sunday evening, but I made a card that I wasn't going to blog and then a bloggy friend pointed out that it would fit with a challenge and I didn't have many hours left to squeak it in, so here it is.

So this little one contains:

Stamping Bella - Anabelle Needs Your Address

Woodware Time To Go sentiment

MFT Die-Namics Blueprints 31

MFT Graphic Grid papers

Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and a teeny flower punch from Hobbycraft

and the challenge that this card coincidentally fits is

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Make A Rainbow

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Favourite Flowers

Morning all!  Hope this finds you well on this beautiful autumnal Thursday.

I'm in charge over at AS YOU LIKE IT

with our new challenge that starts today

FAVOURITE FLOWERS - bought or die cut

(and remember you must tell us why)

Here's my make

Like many crafters, I have quite a stash of bought flowers, but if I am honest I rarely use them unless they are on special cards that don't need to be posted.

However, as most of my makes DO get posted, I favour die cut or punched flowers as

they are far less likely to get damaged or scare the postman.

So, for this card I have used

Wild Rose Studio stamp - Mouse With Flower

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papermania yellow paper with the delicate flower print

Orange cardstock from stash

MFT Die-Namics stitched scalloped border die

My ultimate favourite flower punches - Woodware retro flower, medium and small

Card Candy for flower centres

Mama Elephant "love" word die

and CC Cutters Leafy Branch die

The sponsor of this challenge is

All Dressed Up.

2 digital images of winners choice

from Wendy’s Etsy shop

All Dressed Up Challenge Blog.

So, time to get floral, see you there petals!

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Oh, hello, long time no see!

So, it has been a long time, a verrrrrrrrrrrrrry long time, but I have, at last, managed to do it.  I had promised Sam (Whispers Cards) that I would, and I have.

Yay!  I started hauliing my beloved, but neglected, Penny Black stamps out again, whoop whoop!

So, in my excitement I forgot to check the name of this one but it's it just adorable?
Edited:  It's called Peek-A-Boo (thanks Sam)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is from a clear set that is unlabelled

Papers were a magazine freebie

Woodware medium retro flower punch

and pink gingham Card Candy to finish

I had forgotten how much I enjoy colouring up these fabulous images.  Rest assured, there will be more to come.

Penny Black And More - May Challenge: Anything Goes

Hope you have an awesome weekend

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Oh, you might want to pop back on Monday - there could be a Random Squirrel Challenge starting

Hello Honey

I was at a loose end yesterday and just rummaging through stamps to see what would inspire me, and I found one that started the ball rolling.  Whether it was inspired or not remains to be seen!

You can tell that the camera doesn't know how to deal with a lot of white space!

So, I started with masking off the edges of the card and then in the centre panel

I stamped with a Woodware Old Letter stamp

Then I stamped, coloured up Honey from CC Designs and fussy cut her

and finally added the Memory Box hello word die

and that's it.

Hope your day is a good one.  It is piddling down here, has been since yesterday afternoon.  Rosie has an appointment with the v.e.t for a claw clipping this morning (if I can catch her) and then it's off to the garage again as the exhaust saga continues.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

update:  claw-clip cancelled. I'm bleeding and she's scarpered in a right hissy fit. The joy of cats. Sigh!

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

In The Pink (DT) Spring Flowers

Hello Pink Fans, it's that time again - a new challenge from those lovely ladies over at

IN THE PINK

As we are almost at the Spring equinox, what better time to look forward to SPRING FLOWERS

Here's my DT card

Sorry for the squint, there's been a lot of that lately!

Image is a retired LOTV stamp

painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Tonic Square Lattice die (you'll be seeing this more often) with pink card behind

Personal Impressions sentiment

MFT stitched rounded rectangle die

Woodware small retro flower punch

Our sponsor for this challenge is the fabulous

THE RIBBON GIRL

Just remember, you need to use lots of pink and follow the theme to qualify for the sponsors prize.

Unless my appointment is cancelled again, I shall be going into hospital tomorrow morning so won't be around for a little while but I hope to catch up with your entries before the challenge ends.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

As You Like It (DT)

Morning all.  As you might have twigged from the post title, I have been invited to join the Design Team of those super talented crafters over at As You Like It Challenge!

This is my first challenge for the team and the theme for this fortnight is

Paper or Non Paper Project

(and remember to tell us why you chose what you did)

Here is my first DT project

It wasn't a difficult choice for me, having tried many crafts over the years, some more successful than others, I have always come back to papercraft.  I love that you can create something so colourful and/or dimensional from a flat piece of paper!

I decided to have a go at making a perpetual calendar, which I did completely freestyle with no template.  It took the best part of a whole day to make but I am quite chuffed with the end result.

Papers used are all from the First Edition Sweet Owl pad, with the exception of the black card

Numbers done with Memory Box dies

Days with letters from a Clearly Besotted set

Months (cut down, they were too long otherwise) from a MFT Die-Namics die set

Flowers made with Woodware punches and an office hole punch

And some lace trim from my leftovers box

This challenge is sponsored by DIGISTAMP BOUTIQUE with a £10 voucher

digistampboutique.co.uk catalog

digistampboutique blogspot

So there you have it, do come on over and join in the fun - this challenge is wide open for you to make all sorts of projects, from a simple card through to a wedding cake (if you feel that ambitious!), it's all about your style of craft.

Hugs, 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

In The Pink (DT) Magical

Well helloooooo, how the devil are you all?  Lookie here, it's a new challenge from

IN THE PINK

and with Halloween so near, we would like to see some pink magic this time please

I've used a Tiddly Inks clear stamp - Wryn as a witch is so cute!

Painted with every pink Distress Ink (ReInkers) that I own

Woodware Latin Script stamp - thought it looked like she's casting a spell

Papers are a mish-mash of Papermania and Dovecraft

Rymans 250gsm brilliant white coated card

Sparkly pink dots from stash

Fussy cutting by me

This challenge is sponsored by LIVE & LOVE CRAFTS with a £10 voucher

Don't forget, you have two weeks to enter, and your make must have more pink than any other colour!

See you there

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Totally Tilda? Hmmmmm.....

Hi all, hope this finds you feeling fine.  We are now well into the week (isn't it a relief to get Monday over - it always feels longer than any other day) so I am happy that it is now heading towards the weekend, lol.

Anyhoo, a friend tipped me the wink about the Gifts/Balloons challenge over at Totally Tilda - and I was surprised to find that I didn't have to use a Tilda stamp to enter, which is a good thing as I don't have that many of them any more.

I made this little card at the weekend without realising I could enter it, but enter it I will, as I am allowed.  So there.

So, I have used one of the LOTV Happy Bears

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and the beautifully coordinated papers (yes, I chose them first for a change) are the new LOTV/Nitwits Romance and Roses

A LOTV sentiment from the Vintage Labels Occasions set

And my trusty small Woodware flower punch with some pearl centres

Ta-dah!


And as they as furry and friendly little critters I shall also enter at Bunny Zoe's Furry Friends challenge

Thanks for taking the time to come over for a visit.  I know you don't get the instant gratification of a Facebook "Like" with Blogger so I really do appreciate the effort you make in leaving me comments.  Each and every one is read and treasured.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

A Summer Event

Yoo-Hoo!  Just popping by with a card for the Lili Of The Valley Design Collective and to tell you all about the Summer Event competition on Facebook.

First off, there is a Summer Special this coming Saturday at the shop, so for anyone within travelling distance of Leeds, this has to be a must go to event

Saturday June 6th

Join us for a Summer Special Saturday at the shop!

Come and spend some time browsing our new products and fantastic displays, as well as enjoying a cream tea and strawberries!

So why not celebrate the start of summer (nearly!) with LOTV. You never know the sun might even be shining!

Open 10am - 3pm.

Free Parking 

The next time to tell you about is the Facebook Competition - starting today and running
until Friday 5 June

Do come over and have a look, there are three voucher prizes up for grabs

The Design Collective have been busy making Summer themed inspiration pieces for you and here is mine

I loved making this one, even if it did mean getting a rash from the euonymus shrub to take the photo!

LOTV "Big Hugs" (pssst, there is a half  price sale on the Jack Patch & Puss stamps right now)

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Floral and spots papers are LOTV/Nitwits One Birdie Lane

Orange paper is Dovecraft Bright Spark

Sentiment is LOTV Vintage Labels - Just To Say set

Scroll die from Memory Box

Flutter Vine die from Memory Box

Flower punch from Woodward

Flower centre gems from stash

So, with the weather set to warm up by the end of the week, let's hope this has put you in a summery mood - do come and join us at the FB challenge, and hope you are able to visit the shop at the weekend.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Going freestyle

Morning all.  Hope this finds you well now that we are on the downward slope towards another super Bank Holiday weekend.  I may start a campaign to get one a month!

Anyhoo, I have been lucky with my entries for this challenge in the past, but am not sure that luck will hold out for this one.

IN THE PINK - Stitching - Real or Faux

I have loads of "stitched" effect dies now, so heaven knows why I decided to go freestyle

Image stamp is Sugar Nellie: Best Day Ever (minus the mouse)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment from Clearly Besotted - it's a straight line one so I did it half at a time

Papers are Dovecraft: Pretty In Pink

Tiny Woodware retro flower punch, and office hole punch

Custom sized card base

Note to self: use a ruler next time!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

It's A First!

Morning all.  Yes, I am posting live at 10.15.  No, I'm not at work this week. Yes, I am on holiday!!  Whoop whoop.  Toad is on hollibobs too for a much needed break from the hamster wheel.

I have a first for you today.  You may, or may not, have noticed the rather obvious logo at the top of my side bar.  I am now a member of the Lili of The Valley Design Collective!!  It came as a surprise to me too, having missed out on the original selection, but a vacancy came up and it was offered to me.  It would have been rude to say no wouldn't it!

Anyhoo, here is my first Design Collective outing:

So, the ingredients for this are:

Lili of The Valley stamp - The Potting Shed

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are LOTV/Nitwits - Country Lady

Sentiment from LOTV clear set - Handwritten Phrases

Flower punch is a Woodware one, with Card Candi centres

Twine from stash

Banner die from Lawn Fawn Stitched Party Banners

The weather forecast for today isn't fantastic so I might have a little crafty session this morning.  Toad wants to go to the seaside this afternoon but I had heard "gales expected on exposed coasts" so that should make for a bracing experience!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

My Favourite Colours - LOTV

Hello all, and a Happy Friday to you - and a Happy Birthday to my darlin' dad, he's 77 today and still going strong thankfully!

The theme of the challenge over at LILI OF THE VALLEY this week is My Favourite Colours.  This one took some thinking about as my favourites change all the time, depending on my mood, but my faves this week are a purple and green combination.

Sorry for the iffy picture, I made the card last night when it was too dark to photograph and only had time to take a quick pic on my phone this morning.

I've used the beautiful Rosie with her flowers from LOTV, and she is painted with distress inks.  Loving these new papers from Dovecraft Back To Basics II, the gingham is Joanna Sheen.  Flowers done with EK Success retro flower punches, Martha Stewart branch punch for the leaves, an X-Cut 6mm hole punch for the larger dots, my Japanese screw punch for the tiny dots and Card Candy for the large flower centre.  Quick Woodware peel-off greeting and all done.

Sorry that I've not been around much this week, it's been a nightmare at work and I've been too shattered in the evening to even think about blogging, but I'll catch up with you all soon.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A CAS Hedgehog

Well, I suppose he would be clean as he's sitting in a watering can!  A very CAS card from me today:

A Penny Black stamp (yes, I forgot to check the name of it, sigh), part distress ink painted, part paper-pieced.  The yellow and blue gingham papers are Papermania and the gorgeous pink spotty is Wild Rose Studio.  A quick Woodware peel-off and hey-presto, done.

Mind you, I am feeling the urge to go and stick some gems in the corners now .....

Hugs, Sxx

Penny Black at Allsorts - Autumn Colours

Afternoon all - I see Blogger has been at it again, first the photo upload thingie and now the reading list has gone all weird.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!

Right, that's off my chest, now to the card for a challenge or two:

PENNY BLACK AT ALLSORTS have an Autumn Colours theme and as autumn is my favourite season I could not resist

I've used Penny Black's Message From Above, coloured with Distress Inks.  Papers are a mixture of Papermania Henbury Lane, Dovecraft Eastern Promise and My Mind's Eye (not sure which pack as I've muddled them up - oops).  Nestabilities die for the pretty matting, Personal Impressions Paula Pascal sentiment stamps, Woodware daisy punch, Pebbles Inc Candy Dots, Colorbox Qs chalk inks.

I'd also like to enter this at CHARISMA CARDS Autumn Colours and PAPER ROMANCE Halloween or Fall.

Thanks for popping over to see me, I'm now going to attempt to upload some more zoo pictures for you!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

LOTV Christmas Trio

Oh my giddy aunt, 30 mins to upload three pictures.  Life is getting too short for this!  Three little Christmas cards for you that I've done today whilst the weather has been a bit suspect (i.e. rained, a lot).

Card 1
Stamp:  Lili Of The Valley Christmas Robins
Papers: Dovecraft Jolly Happy Christmas
Medium: Distress Inks
Other: Golden Rod Stickles and Woodware Peeloff Sentiment

Card 2
Stamp: Lili Of The Valley Mr Snowman
Papers: Dovecraft and Papercellar
Medium: Distress Inks
Other: Martha Stewart snowflake punches, hole punch (now deceased, sob) and Woodware Peeloff Sentiments

Card 3
Stamp: Lili Of The Valley Christmas Candle
Papers: Basic Grey Jovial
Medium: Distress Inks
Other: Christmas Red and Icicle Stickles

It's lovely to be able to make cards for me without any pressure, but it's even nicer not being at work this week!  Yahoo for late holidays!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Going Dotty ..... with Distress Inks

Oh gosh, I can't begin to tell you how nice it is to have the luxury of crafting on a weekday and in daylight!  Makes a change for me, all my crafting is normally crammed in at the weekend or, if an emergency, late in the evening.

Just Cute Bears Challenge this week are asking for us to go dotty!  How could I say no to a challenge like that?!

Now, I ended up with two cards for this challenge, but there is a good reason for it .... read on.  Card No 1 I did late yesterday afternoon.

I've used James from Lili Of The Valley with his box of decorations and coloured him with ProMarkers.  Papers are from a summer collection by Papermania and I used the smaller dots to paper piece the decorations box.  The star has Glossy Accents on it and the tinsel I did with a glitter glue (not appreciating how long it would take to dry!)  Sentiment is Woodware.  So far so good .....

Now, when I looked at it again this morning, the glitter glue (which had been nice and puffy last night) had dried nearly flat so that tinsel look was gone.  Then being in a bit of a picky-pants mood, I decided that the ProMarkers were too strong so I wanted something more delicate.  "I know", says I, "I'll have a go with the Distress Inks, it can't be that hard".  Oh yeah, it was!  Anyway, on my third attempt I think I achieved something acceptable ......

It's going to take me a lot of practice to get the wow factor but I can feel a new addiction coming on.  As I only have four Distress Pads, I had to cheat a bit with some Memento pads for the red, pink and darker green.

Another Lili Of The Valley stamp, papers are Wild Rose Studio Polka Dot Collection and again, the sentiment is Woodware.  This is the card I shall enter into the challenge.

Thanks for dropping by .... I'm now off to browse for some more inks (well, four pads is a bit of a limited palette, so that's my reasoning!).

Hugs, Squirrel xx