#lovemyinks

Morning all.  Sorry (again) for being quite elusive lately.  Rosie has been quite a distraction this week!

Anyhoo, where do I begin with this card.  All right, the challenges first

As You Like It - Alcohol Markers or Distress Inks

Fantasy Stampers - Clean And Simple

CC Designs - CAS Sketch Challenge (FB)

Here is the original sketch from CC Designs

The ingredients for my card

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals stamp called Erica Texting

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers) with a touch of pencil for her hair

Fussy cut and matted with some MME papers (magazine freebies)

Woodware sentiment from the Friendship set

Isn't she beautiful?

Now, for AYLI, I have to tell you why I prefer Distress Inks over Alcohol Markers.  I did had a dabble with marker pens a while ago but I never really acquired the skills to use them effectively.  I had already worked with water colours so when I acquired the DI ReInkers it was almost like a duck to water.  I love the sheer anticipation of picking up a paintbrush, wondering what colours to choose as they sit before me in the palette like shimmering jewels of loveliness.  I am absorbed for hours at a time on one image, and I love how you can get so many shades and tones from one colour just by adding more or less water.  It's relaxing too and the best therapy for calming down.  Do I need to carry on?  No, maybe not.

So, that's me for today.  Now I need to go and do something domestic.  Ha!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Introducing.......

Most people had the Easter Bunny deliver them lots of chocolate goodies, but my Easter Bunny delivered something a darned sight more hairy than chocolate......

Meet Rosie.

This pretty little lady has come to us from the Blue Cross Centre.  She's had an eventful time as she had only been in the shelter for a week so she had moved from her home to the shelter and the shelter to us in the space of days.  It's no wonder the poor love is nervous and confused.

Having said that, she does have a confident streak and I think once she finds her paws we are going to have our hands full.  I am pleased to say that even though she is cautious, she is still enjoying being fussed.  On her terms, naturally.

I didn't think I was ready to re-home yet, but I have to say, I am pleased we have, and Toad is smitten with her.  I think she has become his other woman already, and it has only been two days!

Hugs to all

Squirrel (and Rosie) xx

Without Words (DT) April

You know the routine, first Monday of the month, yes, it's a new WITHOUT WORDS challenge!

This time our theme is Under My Umbrella, which seems appropriate for April.

This is my favourite bear in the world, James from Lili of The Valley

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers) and the top of his umbrella is paper pieced 

(my painting ain't that good!)

Papers are from a Forever Friends Best of British pad

and the sentiment is, I think, possibly Hero Arts

So, if we are having those April showers, why not stay indoors and get crafty!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Inkidinkirinkistinki PINK

Happy Good Friday everyone!  We are off to Church this afternoon for the Good Friday Mass so while we are pootling about with one eye on the clock, I have been having a play, just finishing off a couple of projects and then making this one.

The theme at IN THE PINK is Celebration Time.  I knew I wanted to use some new rubber that plopped through the door this week, but it wasn't quite right so this is a "cut and shut" card, rofl.  You will see what I mean in a second.

So, what we have here is

Twila With Lamby from CC Designs Roberto's Rascals (minus Lamby)

Instead of Lamby I have used the cupcake from the Lili of The Valley Little Fairies clear set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos Pencils for Twila's hair

Papers are from an assortment of pads

The Celebrate die is, erm, oh flippin' heck, I must be getting old - will edit to add detail when I have checked the manufacturer.

So, there you have it, my celebration in pink.

OK, now I am going to share a secret with you, but you must keep it to yourself, otherwise I will have to kill you.  Tomorrow morning we have an appointment with The Blue Cross Animal Rescue Centre to go and meet two young kitties ....... I won't say any more now as we still have to be approved as suitable parents, but as we have adopted from them in the past I am keeping everything crossed.  Please send your positive vibes this way!

Before I go, here is a close up of Twila, simply because she is soooooo delicious.

Have a fun day everyone.

Lots of hugs

Squirrel xx

Some Sunshine

Morning all, happy April!  After the recent stresses and strains, and also the yucky weather, of the last few days I thought it was about time I brought some sunshine to my blog.

First of all, a belated but nonetheless big welcome to my four most recent followers, lovely to see you all, and I hope to be able to keep up with you!

Right then, some sunshine for you:

So, this gorgeous little madam is a Spring Medley stamp from A Random Fan / Sherri T Designs

I have painted her in my brightest Distress Inks (ReInkers) and her hair is Polychromos Pencils

Papers are from the leftovers box but I think the stripes are Little Sizzlets (that dates them!)

Wild Rose Studio corner die

Clearly Besotted sentiment

Custom sized card base

Thanks for popping over, and I hope to see you soon.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

What's New Pussy Cat?

Afternoon all, sorry it is a late posting today!  We were late getting back from the Palm Sunday service this morning, and then settled down with a bacon butty to watch the Malaysian Grand Prix.  For a change it was a dry race, but that was because all the wind and rain was over here, what an afternoon, we've had gales, thunder, rain and hailstones.  Happy Spring!

Anyhoo, the challenge at Allsorts is Feature A Creature, and I'm not one to turn down that sort of invitation.

So it's another Clearly Besotted creation using the Wild Thing stamp set and matching die, the sentiment is included with the stamps

Paper is a scrap of Basic Grey Lime Rickey (as I thought it looked jungley)

Die-Namics Rounded Corner Stitched Rectangle die

Custom sized card base

I was "inspired" by a Henri Rousseau painting in the National Gallery called

Tiger In A Tropical Storm (or, Surprised)

Hope your weekend has been a happy one.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Spring Blossom

Morning all.  Hope you are ok.  I confess to only having just got dressed, but in my defence I was up early to watch the F1 qualifying for tomorrow's Malaysian GP.  Nothing quite like a flump about in your dressing gown on a Saturday morning.

Anyhoo, earlier in the week I posted two cards I made using the same stamp.  Different stamp this time but still two of them.

It's another CC Designs stamp and this one is Pollycraft: Blossom.

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Papers are all Nitwits

Stitched die is DieNamics Rounded Corner Rectangles set

Custom sized card base

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

You're havin' a giraffe ain't ya!

It's another of those Clearly Besotted stamps that I am currently besotted with!

This cutie is the giraffe from the Wild Thing stamp set

and the matching dies of course

Sentiment from same set

Stitched dies are from the CC Designs Make A Card #4 set

Papers are (giraffe) Helz Cuppleditch Zoo Time

and wood grain from Joy Craft

Custom sized card base

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx