So Who's Got A Big Fat Belly Then??

Totally Gorjuss # 58 = Christmas Tree (DT)

Brrrrrrr, it is chillsome here in the east of England - the wind is coming straight across the North Sea from Scandinavia with nothing to get in its way until it reaches us.  And it is bringing snow with it!  We haven't had much more than a shower but I know some parts of the country are getting it in big, fat flakes so I hope that wherever you are, you are keeping snug and warm.

Despite the cold, it is still Saturday and Saturday means that it is TOTALLY GORJUSS day!  Thanks to everyone who took part in our non-traditional Christmas colours challenge last week.  We had some really super entries and every one was a joy to look at.  Don't forget to check the blog to see who was chosen as the lucky winner.

This week we would like to see a Christmas Tree somewhere on your card - I love Christmas Trees, they remind me so much of my childhood when we always had a real tree.  The smell of the pine was just amazing.  It also reminds me of the day my mum called up the stairs to me that the cat had just pooed under the tree (we always had ours in a bucket full of damp sand).  As it was my cat, you can guess who had to scoop the poop!

Anyway, I'm rambling so let me tell you who our lovely sponsor is and show you my DT card.  Cupid Clear Stamps have very kindly put up a prize for you, and there is the bonus Magnolia stamp to go with that.

And here is my card:

How adorable is this little Penny Black hedgie?  Coloured with ProMarkers, matting with Nestabilities dies, papers are from an old pad of Anita's Christmas papers and that yummy sentiment is from the new range by Lili of The Valley.  The gems that decorate the tree are from stash.

Thanks for popping over and wading through my whitterings, I do hope you still have the energy left to join us for the challenge!  See you there.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

LOTV 75 Bev's Sketch + CCT 140 Blast From The Past

Whooooooo, look at meeee, with the day off and the not working and the sitting here blogging!  Hope you are all having a fabbie Friday - mine started well, I got discharged by the physio after four months of treatment!  I've got to be a good Squirrel and continue with the exercises though, otherwise my neck will seize up again and I'll be back to square one with the numb fingers and weird elbows!

To celebrate, I went into town, aiming for Aldi, for a few bits and pieces.  Oh my, the traffic at 9am!  Now I understand why I go to work at 7.30.  Anyway, duly loaded down with Jelly Babies and some delicious chilled espresso lattes I got home and got stuck into two challenges.

LILI OF THE VALLEY are featuring one of the amazingly talented Bev's sketches

And CUTE CARD THURSDAY are having a Blast From The Past where you choose a previous challenge to reuse.  The only problem I had with this was choosing which one to go for as they are all such fun.

Anyway, here's my card:

For the Lili Of The Valley challenge I have used Bev's sketch (of course, d'oh) and the LOTV stamp I Baked A Cake.   For the Cute Card Thursday challenge I've opted for Challenge 55 Marshmallows & Chocolate.  All the papers I have used are from Dovecraft Piece of Cake collection and the matting layers are DCWV Neutral Stack.  Sentiment is also LOTV, from the new range of circular sentiments and I love them to pieces!  Image is painted with Distress Inks and I've finished off with a Martha Stewart border punch.

Right then, next job on the list is to go to the Post Office to collect a mysterious package.  Anyone sent me a present that won't fit through the letterbox?  Puzzled now.  Then it'll be on with some DT work and, before the Toadster gets home, some internet shopping for his Crimble present!

Thanks for popping over.  I've rambled on again haven't I ............ ?

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Bit Of A Makeover .....

D'ya know that feeling, sometimes you just need a change?

Well, I can't do anything much about me that has an instant effect so I've had a go at my blog instead!

What do you think of the new look?

Squirrel xxx

Sketch & Stash # 49 (DT)

I am sure that there are more Mondays in the year than there are any other day - they seem to come round all too often!  But, there are some Mondays that are very special and this is one of them because ..... it's SKETCH & STASH CHALLENGE day! Whooooooo!  Are you excited?  I know I am.

You were loving Challenge 48 so don't forget to check back to see who the winner is!  We had some stunning entries.

Sue has provided another of her superb sketches for you to play with and here it is:

Our sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful Whiff Of Joy - what more do you need to tempt you?!

The DT have created some brilliant inspiration for you - it never fails to amaze me how different cards using the same layout can look.  Here is my offering:

Ain't he just the cutest pup?  He's my new stash - a Lili Of The Valley stamp of course - and I've painted him with Distress Inks.  The papers are my old stash, the Plum Pudding collection.  The photo tabs were cut using a Nellie Snellen die, ooh and the gems and peel-offs are from old stash too.

Thanks for popping over for a peek, and I do hope you will find time in the next two weeks to join in the fun at the challenge.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Mixed Feelings .....

..... about this card.  It's on of those that seemed so much better when I was planning it in my head but in real life I'm quite disappointed with it.  Hey ho, never mind.

Totally Gorjuss # 57 - Non Traditional Christmas (DT)

Wow, you guys rocked it with your traditional Christmas colours for last week's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge - so many wonderful entries.  Do check the main blog to see who was selected as the lucky winner of the yummy prizes.

So, as you were all so good with the red, green and gold, this week's challenge is to think different - we'd like to see NON traditional Christmas colours this time!

We have a great sponsor on board in the shape of Crafters Companion and don't forget there is an extra surprise at the moment by way of a bonus Magnolia stamp for the selected winner.

Here is my card:

I adore this Sugar Nellie snowman and have coloured him/her with ProMarkers.  Papers are from Papermania, the sentiment is Personal Impressions by Paula Pascual and the mirror shine gems are from stash. Martha Stewart border punch to finish off.

As there is only FIVE WEEKS to Christmas (aaaaaaaaaaargh, better start some shopping soon) I know you will be busy with your cards so why not share them with us and enter the challenge.  See you there!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

One For Every Day Of The Year (CANDY)

Even'n all!  Now, I know that I said there would be some Christmas candy coming up but I've just noticed that I now have 365 Followers, so that is one of you for every day of a year - how super is that?!

So, as an early Christmas present, I shall be offering a SURPRISE CANDY - but this one is only for my lovely followers, as my way of saying THANK YOU for making this all possible.  Love each and every one of you guys!

Now I have absolutely no idea what will be in this candy so if you are up for a surprise or two, and you have already signed up as a Follower, then please leave a comment to be entered into the draw and then spread the word on your blog.

Candy will be open until midnight on Friday 10 December - if the winner is UK based that means you will hopefully receive it before Christmas but if you are Overseas it will turn into a New Year package (blame Royal Mail for such early posting dates!).

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - X is For Xmas (DT)

Morning all, hope you are well and itching to get stuck into the next ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE which this time is X for XMAS (well, what else could you have for X that that Christmas themed?!).

We had a bumper crop of entries for our Winter Wonderland challenge and the design team have had a really tough time choosing the Top 5.  Your talent never fails to amaze us!  Do check back to the main blog to see who was selected as the overall winner and who the Top 5 are.

Our X for Xmas challenge is sponsored by Wild Orchid Crafts who have offered a fabulous prize for one lucky crafter (wish I could enter!).

Here is my card:

I've used one of the new Tildas from Magnolia and she is coloured with Copics.  Papers are from an old pack of Christmas papers that have long since lost their identity.  Flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts, Martha Stewart leaf punch, and Craftwork Cards sentiment.  The swirls are Sizzix dies which I have glittered (and the cat) with Art Institute glitter.

Now I know you are now up to your elbows in making your Christmas cards, so why not enter our challenge!  Looking forward to seeing you there.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Afternoon all - hope it is warmer where you are!  There's a lazy wind that is creeping around to the north and when the north wind blows .......... it gets chuffty cold for Squirrels!

Anyhoo, been having a sneaky play with Tilda (naughty, I should have been busy DTing) and would like to enter her into a couple of challenges:

Totally Tilda Challenge - Icy Christmas (blue and silver)

My Partner In Crafting Crime - Marker Madness

Papers are a right ol' mix of Joanna Sheen gingham, Dovecraft and textured mirri card.  Tilda coloured with ProMarkers.  Martha Stewart punches for border and snowflakes, and LOTV Sentiment.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Candy Winner

Morning all - no messing about today - the winner of my Wild Rose Studio/Joanna Sheen candy is ......

No 17 - so that is Aussie Loz

Congratulations sweetie - email your details to squirrel1964@hotmail.co.uk please and I'll get your package on it's way.

Many thanks to all who took part.  Don't be disheartened - there'll be a little something extra before Christmas!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 56 - Traditional Christmas Colours (DT)

Morning all, hope your weekends have got off to a good start - well, they must have done because it is TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge day!

Thanks to everyone who took part in last week's sketch challenge - Net does create some fabulous layouts doesn't she - and do check back to the main blog to see who won!

So, onto to this week's challenge - we are feeling  bit festive already at TOTALLY GORJUSS so this week we would like to see some Traditional Christmas Colours.  If you are in any doubt, I think you will find that red, green and gold might do the trick!

Here is my DT card:

I've used my new Whiff of Joy stamp Winter Charlotte.  I bet that poor cat's toes are cold but he doesn't look too worried.  Coloured with ProMarkers and Copics.  Papers are an old collection called Plum Pudding that I am going to cry over when I reach the end as they are so beautifully coordinated and a dream to use.

Hope you can join us this week, and there is an extra surprise for the winner!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sketch & Stash Challenge # 48 (DT)

Is it really Monday morning again??  "Good grief Penfold" (as Dangermouse would say), where did the weekend go?  Anyway, no need to be blue because it is SKETCH & STASH CHALLENGE time - whoooo!

Thanks for all your super entries last week, you really rocked Sue's sketch with that one.  Don't forget to check to see who the lucky winner is.

So, the challenge - Sue has struck gold again with this brilliant design and we are thrilled to be sponsored by Simon Says Stamp (how do you get so much stuff in one craft store?).

Here is Sue's sketch:

And here is my DT card:

My new stash is that adorable Tilda in her reindeer antlers and bells, so cute, and my neglected stash is more of that Papermania Christmas paper (will I ever run out) and the silver snowflakes which I didn't even know I had!  Tilda is coloured with ProMarkers.  The sentiment is Craftwork Cards which also counts as new stash as I'd not opened the packet lol!

Thanks for popping over and I hope to see you with your challenge entries very soon!

Hugs,

Squirrel xx

LOTV One For The Girls

Wotcha chaps!  Hope you didn't have too many fireworks keeping you awake last night - it was pouring with rain here so kept the casual fireworkers indoors.  Tonight is the big one - lots of organised displays locally so it maybe a bit noisy.  I hope those of you with pets don't have too much trouble.  Pleased to say that Vince (he who runs away from the vaccum cleaner and mineral water bottles) is fairly chilled about the whole thing and has been know to sit on the windowsill and watch!

Anyhoo, I have a card for you - LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge this week is One For The Girls and as I needed to make a card for one of my bestest girlfriends what more of an excuse did I need?

I've used Glamourous Gardening from LOTV and coloured her with Distress Inks.  Papers are a mixture of Dovecraft and Forever Friends and Basic Grey and the mat cardstock is Papermania.  Sizzix Architectural Corners, EK Success retro flower punch and gems from stash.  Nestabilities of course for the mats.  Can anyone explain to me why peel-offs stick more to my fingers than they do to paper?

Thanks for popping over to have a look, I treasure each and every comment you leave me.  I will do my best to hop over and see you again very soon.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 55 A Sketch (DT)

Morning all!  And welcome to another challenge from TOTALLY GORJUSS.

As it is the first Saturday of the month it is sketch time we are being sponsored by JOANNA SHEEN.

Thanks for all your Spooky entries last week - is is safe for me to come out from behind the sofa yet?  We had some fantastically imaginative entries so please do check back to the blog to see who won the lush prize from Wild Orchid Crafts.

So here is Net's sketch for you:

And here is my DT card:

The stamp I've used is Emmilou's Cool Ride from High Hopes and the papers are from the Basic Grey Wander collection.  I thought all was lost with this card when I applied 3d glaze to the car as it flooded out of the bottle.  I was so cross I walked off and left it but when I came back later and picked it up there was an ominous cracking noise.  So by a total accident I had achieved a crackle glaze effect which I thought actually worked quite well!

Anyhoo, the design team have come up with some fab inspiration for you so do have a peek.

Looking forward to seeing your entries.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - W - Winter Wonderland (+ White) (DT)

Hello all, and welcome to another fabulous challenge with ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE!  You guys were loving Samantha's sketches for the V challenge - don't forget to check back to the blog to see who the winners are.

Now, W for Winter Wonderland sounds quite harmless doesn't it?  Yeah, and then a certain teamie throws in the optional extra of White.  Ha!  I cannot possible repeat in polite company the words I used, and I've had confessions from other teamies that I was not alone.  Having said that, the team have totally rocked this challenge - just check out those fabulous DT cards!

And I must say a big warm welcome to our three new DT members who join us for their first challenge - that's Delphine, Dorte and Carissa - and to our two guest DTs - Paula and Tanja.

We are sponsored this time by SIMON SAYS STAMP so what more encouragement do you need?  Get crafting!

I've made two cards for this one - the first with the White option and the second without:

For the first card I've relied heavily on my Cuttlebug folders and some white hammered card for embossing the dots and stripes.  The snowman is Dapper Dan from High Hopes.  Ribbon from stash, Card Candy from Craftwork Cards.  Sentiment is Personal Impressions.

The second card uses cute little Lili Of The Valley penguins and loads of Glamour Dust.  Papers are Papermania and Co'ordinations Cardstock and a peeloff from stash.  Martha Stewart snowflake punch.

Both very clean and simple.

Looking forward to seeing all your creations!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Bit of A Sunday Session ....

...... I'm not really supposed to be up here, I should be down there, chained to the cooker (shsssssssh) so this'll be very quick.  Four cards, all CAS ...

Thanks for popping over for a peek - sorry there's no time to add the details just now, will try to pop back and do that later. 

Hugs All, Squirrel xx

If at first you don't succeed ........

........ just keep trying until someone takes pity on you!  Yep, it is LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge time again and it has become like a cracked tooth for me - you know it's there, you want to ignore it but try and try as you might, you just can't leave it alone!

So here I am again for another attempt.  This week the wonderful Bev has produced one of her fab sketches to play with:

Thank you Bev, I really enjoyed this one and will no doubt use it again and again.  Anyway, here is my entry:

Lili of the Valley stamp, of course, which I have coloured with the distress inks, papers are from an old Christmas stack by DCWV.  Sentiment is LOTV too.  Stars done with Nestabilities.  Rhinestone Stickles to finish with gems from stash.

Thank you for taking the time to pop over.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

40,000 Hits Candy

Morning all, as promised I'm back with a small belated candy for you:

Two Milton & Co stamps from Wild Rose Studio

   -   Milton With Flowers

   -   Millie Gardening

A selection of Joanna Sheen animal print papers (and a few surprise papers too)

If you are interested, please leave a comment and add a link to your own blog.

Candy closes at midnight on Friday 12 November.  Winner will be announced on Saturday 13 November.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 54 - Spooky (DT)

It's Saturday, it's TOTALLY GORJUSS day and I'm back!  So many thanks to Net and my fellow Gorjussettes for allowing me a little break from DTing but I'm back now and raring to go!

Now it is that time of year when the ghosts and ghouls all come out to play so we have a theme of SPOOKY for you to play with - it doesn't have to be a Halloween card, just something a bit creepy (eeeek).  And to counteract all this scariness, we have a bunch of loveliness by way of our sponsor WILD ORCHID CRAFTS.

Here is my DT card:

I've had this Tilda a while now but not really used her much.  I think she is meant to be a winter one but that hat just screamed Halloween at me!  Coloured with ProMarkers and a touch of pencil for shading.  The cobweb is a Cuttlebug embossing folder, on Coordinations cardstock and I swiped over the web with white VersaColor to lift it from the page.  Papers are a mixture of Making Memories and Little Sizzlets.  Sentiment is Paula Pascaul from Personal Impressions.

So, now I have scared you silly, I reckon you ought to be getting on with some crafting and show us all your spooky creations!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Oh My Giddy Aunt!

Oh goodness gracious me .......... I had promised a 40,000 hits candy a little while ago and I've just noticed that I'm edging to 41,000 already!

Will try and put together something for the weekend (ooh Matron!)

Hugs, Squirrel xx

My first DT for Sketch & Stash - Challenge 47

Crumbs, is it really Monday morning already?  Where has the weekend gone?  By the time you are reading this, I shall be on my way to work so I hope my scheduling plays by the rules!

Anyhoo, I am chuffed to be able to say that it is SKETCH & STASH CHALLENGE time and as the newest member of the DT (this is my debut) I am feeling a bit nervous but the team are wonderful and I've had such a great welcome.

Sue has produced an amazing sketch for you for Challenge 47 and, naturally, the team have provided some stunning inspiration for you to ooh and ahh over.  The sponsor for this challenge is POLLYCRAFT DESIGNS so if you love your digi images, this is the place to go.

Here is Sue's sketch - remember, you have two weeks to enter ..... so no excuses!

And here is my card:

So what stash did I use?  My new stash is that adorable Lili Of The Valley bunny stamp called The Night Before Christmas, this is his first inking, and I've coloured him with my Distress Inks, which I still class as new stash as I keep adding to the collection (lol), and the neglected stash are those Papermania papers, the blue is the oldest but the pink isn't too far behind.  The Martha Stewart snowflake is on it's second Christmas, as is the textured mirri card and the Sizzlets corners.

Thanks for coming over to see me, and I do hope you can take part in the challenge.

I'm also going to enter this card into the LILI OF THE VALLEY CHALLENGE who have the theme of Winter Fun this time.  I confess that this challenge has become a bit of a thorn in my side lately - I adore the LOTV stamps and have so much fun playing with them but I am still striving to reach the amazing standard that the LOTV team set.  I don't want to win the challenge (although that would be nice) but my ambition is to eventually make the Top 3!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Tutorial? Me? Not On Your Nelly!

Over the past few days I've had a couple of requests for a painting with distress inks tutorial - sorry guys, I'll leave that one to the professionals!

Here is a little LOTV image that I've been working on today; the aim was for a Vintage look.  Have I achieved it?

Another LOTV image (on a card this time) for you tomorrow .....

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Right Old Mixture ......

Hi All - hope your Saturday is going well!  I've been a lazy ol' Squirrel today really - spent a couple of hours watching the qualifying for tomorrow's F1 Korean Grand Prix (not happy with the outcome - grrrrr) and then have been playing happily. 

A little bit of a mixture for you today - let's start with James and his cracker:

My first love in rubber stamps is Penny Black but (and I feel so treasonous for saying this) Lili Of The Valley are now vying for that top spot in my affections.  I just adore the range of stamps available and there is something for every occasion.  The OCD side of my personality (come on, we all have one) is itching for a new release!  This one is James with his Christmas cracker and I've coloured him with Distress Inks (becoming a firm favourite also) and the papers are a mixture of Basic Grey and Dovecraft.

So that's Christmas, now onto a male thinking of you card:

You may remember that my fave cousin had surgery earlier this month.  That went well enough but there has been a complication since and he is meeting with his consultant again this coming week to discuss further surgery.  This High Hopes image called Hanging Around made me think of three things (1) to say hang in there (2) hanging around in hospital waiting rooms and (3) the day his brother sat on a frog.  Papers are Little Sizzlets.

And my third and final offering today (are you still awake?) is with my new Hanglar stamp that I purchased from my mate Sarah via her Ebay store -

I have just got to have more of these little loves!  Coloured with Copics this time.  Not sure about the make of papers as they came in a goody bag birthday gift from my boss.  Sentiment is Paula Pascaul/Personal Impressions.

Phew!  If you have managed to get this far then you deserve a medal, thanks for sticking with it.  I hope the rest of your evening is wonderful.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Some News!!!!

Ooooh (hopping up and down in excitement) !!

I've got some news for you ..............

That wonderful crew over at Sketch & Stash Challenge have invited me to join their Design Team - and I've said yes!  How cool is that?!  I'm ever so chuffed (not that you'd ever guess LOL) and I can't wait to make a start.

So that's three challenges now where you will find me lurking on the DT - it'd be lovely if you could join me for a play now and again.

So there is:

Sketch & Stash Challenge

Fortnightly on Mondays (use your new or neglected stash to go with each sketch)

Totally Gorjuss 

Weekly on Saturdays (a theme of delicious gorgeousness each week)

ABC Christmas Challenge 

Fortnightly on Wednesdays (a Christmas card or gift with an alphabetic twist)

Looking forward to seeing you there with all your wonderful creations.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - V

Verily, I was vexed when I saw we had reached V in the alphabet for the ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE - I'll admit it, this is a hard one!

Samantha has come up with a couple of sketches for you to choose from, you can do one, t'other, or both, depending on how adventurous you are feeling.

Both are cracking little sketches so why not be daring and try one of each?

Our sponsor for this challenge is PINK CAT STUDIO (wow) and there are 5 digi images on offer!  How super is that?!

I'm afraid I was a terrible old Squirrel for this challenge and only did the one card - my Vs are vertical and virtually impossible ......

I've used the first of Samantha's sketches, this fabulous digi image from Pink Cat Studio, and some old papers from a year or so ago, silver card candy from Craftwork Cards.

I hope you guys have more fun with V than I did, and I shall be checking on you later!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Fab Surprise and A Fat Turkey

As we have had a couple of days off work (can't believe I have to go back tomorrow - sob!) we popped into Norwich yesterday for a day browsing the shops for Christmas ideas.  Anyhoo, one of our last shops before catching the train home was Jarrolds.  I love this store, it's still a true, old fashioned department store and the staff are so wonderfully helpful and friendly.

I was on the lookout for a 2011 diary for me.  My 2010 diary is one of those fancy Moleskine jobs and I love it to pieces but I found something so much better for the new year!!!

How brilliant is that?!  Now I have absolutely no excuse for being late with my Totally Gorjuss DT cards LOL!

And here's the fat turkey - great recipe challenge over at HIGH HOPES STAMPS this week of 1 circle, 2 squares and a scalloped edge

I've used the High Hopes stamp Tom's Plea, I'm sure in the US he would be used for Thanksgiving, but it's not a UK Christmas without turkey!  Papers are Dovecraft, Martha Stewart heart border punch, peel off border from stash and colouring medium is distress inks.

And I'm also entering this into this week's DIE CUT DREAMS CHRISTMAS CLUB who are looking for Christmas Humour, although I guess the turkey's not laughing!

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugs, Squirrel xx