Four Calling Birds

It has been so long since I last joined in with a LESS IS MORE challenge that I can't even remember when it was.

The challenge theme this week is Christmas Birds and it happened to coincide with the arrival of a new package of rubber loveliness from Bunny Zoe's, and in that package was this stamp

This is a Whimsy stamp called Four Calling Birds (by Crissy Armstrong)

How gorgeous are they with their phones and Bluetooth?!

Painted, naturally, in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Matting layer and gingham is from Forever Friends Best of British pad

Personal Impressions sentiment

Corner punch

I'm sure it won't be right for LIM (it never seems to be) but I shall enter anyway

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Give Thanks

And I do, every day, for many things.  I give thanks for my family, my Vince, my friends, for health, my job (honestly, I do), for warmth, light, food, clean water.  There is much in my life that I am so grateful for and I give thanks for it.

Today I gave special thanks for an idea ....... instead of forking out a fortune on Gourmet Gold pate for Vince, why didn't I try sticking a pouch of his normal Felix food into a blender.  All I needed was a blender.  Oh says Toad, we have one.  Do we?  Yes we do.  He wanders off to the garage and comes back with a very dusty and cobwebby Kenwood blender!  Who knew?!  So after a good wash, in went a Felix, a quick zap and hey presto, pate!  At least this way Vince is going to get a better variety of flavours other than turkey, chicken or beef.  That should help cheer him up a little bit.

And as mentioned above, I give thanks for all the special friends in my life - each and every one of you is treasured and held dear to my heart.  Awwwwh.

Anyhoo, this week's PAPERTAKE WEEKLY challenge is Giving Thanks and I would like to enter this card which I made for a very supportive mate.

This is LOTV's Getting Ready stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

to coordinate with these oh-so-pretty First Edition papers from the Spring Drop pad

Arched die and flowers are Die-Namics dies

Thanks and central border punches are Martha Stewart

Gingham flower centres are Craftwork Cards Card Candi

Unfortunately dipsy forgot to take a photo of the inside before the card was sent - I used another sheet of the First Editions as a matting layer with a white central panel and stamped one of the LOTV Quotables Friendship stamps ("Knowing you are my friend makes my days brighter, my troubles lighter and my smile bigger") and I added some more of the Die-Namics flowers.

So that's me for now.  I'm off to watch the F1 qualifying for the last race of the 2013 season.  Keeping everything crossed that Jenson can finish off the year with a better result than of late.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

I Can See Clearly Now

Hopefully you will have got over this morning's blurry sneak-peek, I really should stop playing with that fuzzy focus thing!  Anyhoo, I promised you the full card and here it is.

I have stamped with Whimsy/Wee Winter Friends

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Hobby Arts

Woodware and X-Cut punched snowflakes

Papers from Forever Friends Best of British pad

Sparkly gems from Papermania

I know that there are a lot of highly decorated Wee cards out there in blogland, but I just find that Sylvia's artwork absolutely shines with the CAS treatment

I had so much fun painting this one!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

It's All A Blur

A quick scheduled post as I am hoping to feel well enough to go back to work today.  I will post the full card tonight but just to keep you going here is a cheeky sneak-peek

Now you know how my world looks without my specs!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Lace n Pearls

It's CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES day and our theme for the new challenge is LACE N PEARLS

Image stamp is LOTV Holy Light

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Lace background stamp by Kaisercraft

Papers from an old stack of papers

Martha Stewart border punch

Hero Arts sentiment

Border and pearls from stash

We do hope you will find time to join in this fab challenge, there's a £10 store voucher up for grabs from our sponsor LIVE AND LOVE CRAFTS

and I am going to squeak this in before the deadline at

Winter Wonderland - Fairies or Angels

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Put Your Feet Up

And that is what I have done today.  Had a shaky start this morning, feeling very nauseous and couldn't stop trembling.  I think it is the cumulative effect of many stressful days.  So I have been curled up in the chair napping, and even had Vince visit my lap for a little while, which he hasn't done since last week.  I still have a cracking headache but at least I don't feel so sick now.

I made this card last weekend and forgot to post it.

This LOTV stamp is called Put Your Feet Up

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers) but in retrospect I think the chair would have been better paper pieced

Papers are from a freebie set of Forever Friends

Corners are Sissix photo corners

Sentiment is also LOTV

Thanks for popping by today, your visits mean so much.  Tomorrow is a new challenge from Crafty Little Fairies and if you come back here you will see something that you won't have seen for a very long time!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Flittering Fairies

Afternoon all.  How are you?  It's dull, grey, cold and miserable here at the moment, and I am struggling to feel really awake.  It might have something to do with having spent the night with a very demanding young man desperate for reassuring cuddles.  I think Vince may just about have forgiven me for Vetgate, but he certainly won't have forgotten just yet.  Any suggestions for getting him back into the carrier for next time would be appreciated!

I have a for the fun of it card to share with you today - I have made enough Christmas cards for this year now (I had a count up, 120) but am finding it difficult to break away from making more of them.  Yesterday I forced myself to make a birthday card instead!

I have used the Whimsy/Wee Flower Fairies designed by Sylvia Zet

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Just Wanted To Say sentiment is Hobby Arts

Happy Birthday sentiment is Hero Arts

Matting layers are from a Papermania pad

Sweet and simple

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Christmas Candle

Morning all.  Hope this finds you well and happy this Saturday morning.

As you know, Vince had a day at the hospital yesterday.  He is home now, as he still hadn't wee'd for them in 24 hours and had turned into a wild and savage beast.  Never thought I would use those words to describe my kitty, and you wouldn't believe it if you could see him now sprawled across the back of the sofa in his usual spy-on-the-neighbours position.  The little devil.  Yesterday was a complete roller-coaster of emotion so I was over the moon to get him back this morning.  BUT.  Isn't there always a but?  He has got to go back, an early morning appointment, and see how he is on the table (normally he just lies down and submits) and if he is still resistant then it will be sedation and a needle aspiration direct from the bladder.  Yeah, I know, it sounds so painful but the vet assures me that it is totally routine and perfectly fine.

Right, that's the cat saga updated so let's get on with today's card.  This had been intended for three challenges, but when I had finished I realised I had missed out the very thing that the third challenge was asking for.  Anyway, here it is.

I have used my most favourite non-James-bear LOTV Christmas stamp

This one is Christmas Candle

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I think you might guess from the dominance of pink what the third challenge would have been

Papers are Papermania

Sentiment is Hero Arts

Snowflakes are Woodware and X-Cut punches

And the two valid challenges are

Oldie But A Goodie - CAS Christmas

ABC Christmas Challenge - Winter Wishes

Right then, I am off to see if Vince would like a cuddle and then do some crafting.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Vince & The Vet

The only news is that there is no news.  He has been at the hospital since 8.00 this morning and still has not produced that wee.

And apparently he has been "quite naughty".  

The most laid back cat in the world has been aggressive and has bitten and scratched.

That is sooooo not my Vince!

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Top Of The Pops

Well here we are again for another Thursday which means ........ ta-dahh, of course it's another super challenge with CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES!

And our challenge theme for this time around is TOP OF THE POPS (be inspired by a song title) - but of course you will need to tell us what song you have chosen.

Here's my DT card:

"Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson

I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden (so have a carrot instead)

LOTV stamp is Vegetable Patch

Painted in Distress Inks ReInkers)

Papers are Basic Grey

Grass border punch by Martha Stewart

Sentiment is Hero Arts

Pearl gems from Crafty Devils

I made this for my dad as he keeps us supplied in home grown vegetables all year round, bless.

We have two sponsors this week - so there's lots to play for.

Please do make sure that you use an image on your card (either stamped or digi) to ensure that your entry qualifies for the challenge.

Looking forward to seeing what song inspires you!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Vincent Update

Hi all - hope this finds you well.  Thank you to everyone who has been making enquiries about Vince's health.

At the moment, there is no significant change as we are still seeking that elusive wee sample.

The faux litter failed miserably, so we adopted the ambush technique.  Unfortunately, Mr Crafty Pants is not as daft as he looks and started his own avoidance tactics - oh look, mummy is up to her elbows in the sink, has her hands full of something hot from the oven, is on her way upstairs - I'll sneak in for a wee now, and by crikey he is quick when he needs to be.  By the time it has been twigged that he is actually in the tray, the event is over and done with before either of us can get there.

So, I hate to admit it, but we have accepted defeat.  I spoke to one of the nurses today (we are so very lucky to have a high quality vet hospital on our doorstep) and we have arranged for him to be admitted on Friday so the vets can deal with it.  She said it was really common and they have "frequent flyers" for this procedure.  

On Friday morning I have to pack him a little suitcase of his favourite bed (4'6" pine frame with orthopaedic mattress - not sure that will fit in a kennel), something that smells of home, a couple of favourite toys and a couple of tins of food.  It is hoped he will cooperate during the day and then I can collect him when I finish work but if he doesn't then he will have to stay in overnight.

He's never been away from home before!  I'm not sure who will be more stressed, me or him.

Anyhoo, just to round off this feline update, here is a little feline card to share with you

Whimsy/Wee Stamps - one of the Playful Kittens set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

LOTV Scroll Sentiment

I think the Nesties are Labels 1

Papers from leftovers box

Hugs, Squirrel xx

So Many (Birthday) Presents (and Candy)

It's Monday, blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, and I am back to work after a week of chasing a cat that won't wee on demand!  Getting up at 6.00am is something of a shock to the system after nine days of cuddling the pillow until gone 8.00!

As a change from Christmas I have a birthday card for you today.  This was made for a dear friend of mine and I think the little lass looks like her a bit, just needs longer hair!

This is LOTV So Many Presents from the new release

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

(sugarpuffs - I have just noticed that I forgot to go back and add shading to her shoes)

Lilac matting card is Bazzil Basics

Floral paper is from an old pad of Papermania roses papers

Sentiment is Hobby Arts

Bow is a single £1 stamp I got in Hobbycraft

Gold border from stash

By the time this posts, I shall be just about to reach 160,000 hits.  It doesn't seem two minutes since I celebrated 150,000 so I would like to thank you all for your continuing visits - I do so love it when you pop over to say hello - and I did promise a mini-candy before Christmas so here it is for one of my lovely Followers.

"Angelica" from Whimsy/Wee Stamps (by Sylvia Zet)

Rubber Stamp

If you would like the chance to win this, please.....

Leave your name with the Linkie thing

Pop a note in your sidebar

Be a genuine Follower (no Candy Cruisers please)

The link will close at 5.00pm (UK time) on Friday 6 December

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Addressing Envelopes

Morning all, it is Remembrance Sunday here in the UK, a time for reflection and remembrance of all those who have died or been wounded in conflict defending our freedom.  Take a moment out of your day just to think quietly and give thanks for their bravery.

Completely changing the subject, have you ever wondered how to address an envelope correctly?  I was trying to work out the correct form of address for two unmarried sisters.  I thought I knew what it was, and then Toad planted a seed of doubt, so I had a Google and came away more confused than ever.  Plenty of information there for addressing the aristocracy, but very little for mere mortals.  Is this a sign of the times?  Do we not write letters any more, or simply not care about how they are addressed?  For work I have to get it right, and it has become a habit even with personal correspondence.  After a bit more trawling, I discovered that my first instinct was correct, so perhaps my education wasn't wasted after all!

I have another Christmas card for you today:

This is Wild Rose Studio's Bluebell Looking

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are from a Forever Friends pad

Merry Christmas die from Elizabeth Craft Designs Inc.

Bow die from Little Inkers

Pearl gem from stash

Here's the arty soft focus shot (I keep finding new bits on the photo editiing suite)

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

This or That and That Cat

Morning all.  How are we today then?  Well, we still haven't managed to get a tiddle sample from His Nibs.  Despite the plastic pebble cat litter being a good idea - in theory - I don't think anyone has ever sat down with a cat and explained that theory to them.  I tried.  He didn't listen.  So we are not really that much further forward.

However, we have had a minor breakthrough with the not eating issue.  I bought a tin of Applaws (Chicken n Cheese) from the vet just to try.  Honestly, it looked and smelled so good I was tempted to try it myself.  Anyhoo, having divided it into three small meals over the day, the whole lot got scoffed.  Since then, he has munched his way through Gormet Gold pate and Sheba terrine - but he did draw the line at Applaws Ocean Fish this morning.  Given the ingredients, I had to agree with him.  All this is very much pointing towards a problem with his teeth - which we can't get done until he has surrendered that precious specimen.  I can see me lurking by the litter tray with a tiny bowl soon ready to pounce.......

Right then, I couldn't decide whether to show you this card or that card today so I shuffled them and you are getting this one.

I could not resist this cutie from the latest Whimsy release

Turtle & Dove

There was some disagreement with Toad about when a turtle is a tortoise!

Image painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are a mixture of Kaisercraft, Nitwits and BoBunny

Gold textured mirri-card from stash

Sentiment is Hero Arts

Whimsy corner dies, Papermania glitter gems, and tiny red gems from stash

I'm chuffed with how the colouring on the dove turned out

Enough of this rambling, I've got 101 chores to get done today so I'd best get a wriggle on.

Oh crumbs, nearly forgot the challenge!!

Sweet Stamping Challenge - Christmas is Coming

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Christmas in November

It's a new challenge at CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES today and it is

CHRISTMAS IN NOVEMBER

Wild Rose Studio stamp - Christmas Wreath

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Dovecraft Back To Basics Christmas papers

Not sure what make the sentiment is but it's from a clear set

Super sponsor this week is CRAFTY RIBBONS

See you there

Squirrel xx

Distracted

Morning all - welcome to a very damp Wednesday!  We are waiting for a tree surgeon to arrive to sort out out pot plant.  Yes, I did say pot plant.  Well, that is what is started life as.  Now it's a 20 foot monster and needs some attention so Tom is coming over to reduce it in size and, hopefully, it will be good for another five or so years.  It's not going to be much fun for him out there in this cold and damp.

My mobile has rung twice this morning, and twice I have nearly jumped out of my skin.  Unfortunately neither call was from the vet so we are still waiting waiting waiting. (result are in - see below)

And I am blaming the waiting for me being distracted when I made this card.  It wasn't until I put it together that I realised I had missed something out.  Oh well.

The image is a Penny Black/Mo Manning stamp called In The Manger

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Forever Friends

Madeira corner die from Memory Box

Sentiment from Hero Arts (I think)

I had meant to put a thin gold border around the image panel but fluff-for-brains managed to miss that out entirely.

Challenges

Stamping Sensations - Christmas

Penny Black and More - Anything Goes

Hugs, Squirrel xx

12,15pm  I have just put down the phone to the vet.  It's still a bit of a puzzle as the blood tests were inconclusive, although the lab parameters for kidney function show a slight elevation in enzymes, but nothing that the vet is concerned about as the surgery parameters are wider for the same test and if they had done it he would have come back as normal.  Apparently the lab parameters are much tighter.

His thyroid function is absolutely fine so this seems to narrow things down towards his teeth, but of course they need to rule out anything else before they will think about knocking him out for a full dental.  They may well do a tummy scan while he is out cold just to be on the safe side.

He is really eating so little, it breaks my heart - this is a cat who lives for food.  And he is turning his nose up now at best quality organic free range chicken and poached cod fillets!

Next task is to collect a wee sample .... this could be entertaining.  Off to vet to collect a kit.  I'll keep you posted!

Bunny or Bear

Morning all.  How are you today?  There is a definite nip in the air!

When Crafters Companion released the BeBunni range I could not resist getting the stamps, so this is my first one of them.

I think you can tell that the artist is the same person responsible for the Forever Friends bears, this bunny looks like a bear with long ears and whiskers.

It looks squint in the photo but it isn't, honestly it isn't!

This is the bonus stamp that I received with my order

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment came with the stamp

Papers are BoBunny, all from the same autumn colours pad

Bearly Mine Challenge - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Unfortunately Vince's good meal yesterday was short lived, as he decorated the hall floor with it later.

Today he hasn't eaten more than a couple of bites.  I wish those test results would hurry up.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) Getting Ready For Christmas

Crumbs, that's another month gone by, and here we are on the first Monday of the new month, which means it is a new challenge from WITHOUT WORDS!

Our challenge this time is GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS so let's see those CAS cards getting festive.

Here is my DT card:

My stamped image is a Wooly Bear by Kanban

I bought mine from Funky Kits but he's retired from there now but you might still be able to find him online elsewhere - there are three super Santa bears in the set**

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are from the Nitwits/LOTV Simple Joys pad

Sentiment is Pink Gem Designs

** I found the Santa Bear stamp set here

And as if the challenge wasn't enough, we are sponsored this month by Bunny Zoe's Crafts

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

PS.  Edited to add that Vince has just eaten his first full meal in three weeks.  It may be a fluke, but at least he has some grub inside him for a little while!

PPS.  Edited to add that unfortunately he later decorated the hall floor with it all.

Angelica (and vet update)

Afternoon all, crumbs, hasn't it turned chilly all of a sudden?!  My paws are feeling a bit blue, must be time for the woolly socks.

Thanks everyone for your good wishes for Vince.  He got a thorough going over yesterday, and has had some bloods taken for testing.  We should get the results of those midweek.  The vet said she couldn't find anything "sinister" in his tum, which was what was freaking me out, and she was happy that his kidneys are ok.  She did a glucose test while we were there and he is not diabetic (just what do you feed a diabetic cat?) but she is concerned about his weight loss.  I know what she was thinking, having had two cats with thyroid issues, but we will just have to wait for the results of the tests. He is going to have to have a full dental treatment so if the results are clear, I will try and book him in for that asap.

In the meantime we were told to keep him on a bland, soft, diet of chicken and rice and white fish.  Chicken, no problem.  White fish, no problem.  Rice?  On your bike mate.  Little devil manage to rummage about in the bowl, eat the chicken and leave every scrap of rice.  Sigh.

Anyhoo, enough cat talk - here is a card for you:

This stamp is Angelica from Whimsy/Wee

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all Nitwits/LOTV Winter Wishes

Martha Stewart border punch

Woodware and X-Cut Snowflake punches

Dewdrop gems from Papermania and gold sparkle border from stash

Hope you are having a good afternoon, whatever you are up to

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Mmmmmmmm, cake (and the vet)

Hello everyone.  I am starting with an apology.  Sorry for not visiting much over the last couple of weeks.  With it being half term, and my boss missing from work on her holidays, it has been busy and I have been too wiped out in the evenings to blog and have been heading off to bed ridiculously early.  

And I have been rather pre-occupied with a poorly Vince.  By the time this posts (the joy of scheduling) he will be on his way to the vet for a going over and see if we can't find out what's going on with the little fella.  Normally he is such a baby, always wanting to be on your lap having cuddles, and is a very happy purry kitty, but this week I have only had one tiny purr from him and he's not interested in anything, very subdued, so I am a bit worried.

And I own up, I made this card a little while ago (something else that has suffered recently) but I had to find something to post!

This has to be one of my most used LOTV stamps

It is Rosie With Cake

Unusually for me I chose the papers first and coloured the image to match

with the Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Paper is from the Nitwits/LOTV pad Always & Forever

Sentiment is from a Hobby Arts set

Gold/clear rope effect border is from stash

Hope your weekend is a happy one.  I'll pop back later with news from the vet.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) For The One You Love

Morning all!  Now then, I know it is Halloween and all that scary stuff, but at CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES this week we've gone all romantic instead.  So this week we would like your make to be For The One You Love (birthday, Christmas, anniversary, friendship, just because).  Just remember to make sure you use a stamped or digi image.

Ooh, and please remember, we still have our DT call running until the end of this week's challenge.

Here is my DT card:

I've made this for a very special friend

Stamped image is Wild Rose Studio Emily With Ted

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is from Kaisercraft

And the papers are my absolute favourite BoBunny Double Dots

So, everyone has someone they love, and this is your chance to let them know!

Looking forward to seeing your wonderful makes.

Big hugs, Squirrel xx

In A Pear Tree

Well of course, it's a partridge!  Just a quick post to share a very simple card with you today.

 

The stamped image is (ta-dah) Partridge In A Pear Tree from LOTV

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Mattting layer is Nitwits/LOTV Simple Joys

Sentiment is Hero Arts

Gold border from stash

 

I think this is the most prepared with Christmas cards that I have ever been.  Now all I need to do is sit down and write them all!

 

Hugs Squirrel xx

Wrestling With My Conscience

Evening all.  Hope this finds you well, warm and comfortable.  Keeping you all in my thoughts for the imminent arrival of the forecasted stormy weather and pray that you get through it without too much trouble.

Now then, I have been wrestling with my conscience.  We have mice.  Again.  We think we know what is bringing the little blighters in - next-door have their guinea pig hutch very close to our garage wall, which I don't mind at all, but I think the mice are being attracted by the warmth and the leftover food, and are finding their way in from there.

It is at moments like this when it is hard to believe that I was brought up as a country girl, able to deal with all sorts of pests, rodents and vermin.  You have to when you store homegrown vegetables, otherwise the critters eat their way, and piddle on, your winter store of food.  We always had professional mouser cats (even though they weren't acquired as such) although I am still not sure whether they kept the numbers down, or just brought them indoors for entertainment.

Anyhoo, for the past two years when the meeces moved in, we have used humane traps, caught the little critters and then took them away the next morning to release them into woodland.  Which is fine, so long as you take them far enough away.  I suspect the ones I released at the bus stop simply found their way back again.  For all I know, it could have been the same one mouse over and over again.

So this year, as they have already started eating our potatoes and carrots, we have taken the hard line.  And I feel awful.  We caught the first one overnight and I got the job of emptying the trap and, forgive me for this, clearing up the mess.  I was in tears.  But what else can we do?  Vince is totally useless, he just sits in the garage and watches them (and I wouldn't want him catching them anyway - worms, fleas, tics and all that).  So we seem to be left with the evil option.  And I absolutely hate it.  I hope the God of Mice will forgive me one day.

So, now I have bared my soul and let you know what a wicked, evil woman I am, here is a card for you.  It's a classic CAS card this time.

I have used the LOTV Festive Tree stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and I tried to keep her vintage

Hobby Arts sentiment stamp

Matting layer is Dovecraft Back To Basic Christmas from last year

Hugs, Squirrel xx