Just a lick

Morning all!  Blimey, I am finding it hard to get back into a proper blogging routine, this should have been scheduled for nice and early this morning but I forgot last night and was still tucked up in my nice warm bed at posting time!  Never mind, I am here now.

This is the first of my October outings for the Lili of The Valley Design Collective and I have used one of my all time favourite male stamps.

This handsome fella is A Lick Of Paint

And I have painted him with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all Dovecraft Back To Basics True Blue

(although to be honest, the blue is more purple so I went that direction)

The Dripping Goo Edge border is MFT

The tag stamp is from a retired LOTV clear set

but the sentiment (partial) is from the Simply Sophisticated Set 26

Custom sized card base 5x6

Well, that's me for today.  I'm off for a haircut later, the builder is popping round, it's live qualifying for the Russian F1 Grand Prix, and I have a joint of pork to get roasted, as well as some DT work to get done, wish me luck!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) October

First Monday of the month, so that must mean it is time for a new challenge over at Without Words

The theme for October is

PURPLE and GREEN (but NO Halloween)

For my CAS card I have used

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals Fairy Twila

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Papers are an assortment of LOTV/Nitwits

The "hello" die and stamped sentiment are from the Hello Hero Arts set

Custom sized card base

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

WCM Day & A Winner

Yoo-hoo!  Tis me, somewhat less spotty now, and certainly able to move around more - which is a good job really as I am due back to work on Monday after three and a half weeks off.  I wish I could say I felt refreshed, but sadly not!

Anyhoo, a couple of things, firstly it is apparently World Card Making Day, so a very happy WCMD to all my crafty friends.  I could not let another day go by without a play so here it is.

This little lass is Banner Heidi from CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos Pencils for hair

Papers are all from Dovecraft, an older Back to Basics collection

Sentiment is from MFT Blue Skies set

Frame die is MFT Cover Up Companion Vertical

and the banner die is La La Land Heart Banner

I had great fun choosing which papers to insert into the frame, it was a lot of mixing and matching so that means I have leftovers for a variation on the theme!

Purple Friends Winner

And the second thing is to tell you about the WINNER of the PURPLE FRIENDS challenge that was running here on my blog during September.  Although there wasn't an overwhelming number of entries, the standard of those who did enter was amazing, and it has been a difficult job for the scamps to narrow it down to a choice of one.  

Anyway, we did, and the winner is SUE @ Tanglemouse Cards

Could you email me please Sue so we can sort your prize

So, that's it from me today.  I shall be back on Monday when we start a new challenge over at Without Words!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Pirate Twila

Nothing much to tell you today so here's a rarity, I actually felt well enough to make a card this week.

I do have a terrible soft spot for this little character

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals Pirate Twila

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) including the new Wilted Violet (yummy)

Papers are from a very old Papermania collection

MFT double stitched square die

Stars die is a Die-Versions Corner Concept

and the others done with X-Cut Palm Punch

That's all

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Santa Penguin

Hello peeps, it seems like an eternity since I was last able to sit at the computer and do a post, even though it isn't really.  

Thanks to everyone who has sent get well wishes, I have some wonderful friends out there in blogland.  I think I am finally starting to improve, the "tasered daily" feeling is now reduced to "wrapped in an electric fence" sensation and the blisters are beginning to go.

This is the first card I have made in over two weeks, and it took me ages.  I had almost forgotten how to use the inks!

I had promised that I wasn't going to indulge in any new Christmas images this year.  That lasted about three days until all the new releases started to appear, and as soon as I saw this one I could resist no longer.

This is Santa Penguin by Krista Heij Barber, one of my favourite Whimsy Stamps artists

Very simple layout with Dovecraft Glad Tidings papers

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The sentiment comes with the stamp, I didn't even separate them

Hope he makes you smile as much as he did me.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

H. Bears

This is my second September Design Collective outing for Lili Of The Valley

Image from the Happy Bears Set 88

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers from LOTV/Nitwits Snow Princess and 

LOTV/Raspberry Road Shabby Shack

Matting layers are white card edged with a ProMarker

Woodware medium retro flower punch, CC Designs Leafy Branch die

Papermania white button, pearls from stash

Sentiment from MFT Birthday Bears stamp set

Hugs (from behind clingfilm)

Squirrel xx

In The Pink

It's a new challenge over at IN THE PINK and the theme for this fortnight is 

For A Friend

Stamping Bella - Maisy & Madeleine Have Some Tea

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

MFT Die-Namics stitched dies

Dovecraft Back To Basics papers

Martha Stewart doily lace border punch

MFT sentiment

and the inside

This challenge is sponsored by HANDMADE BLISS

Hugs to all

Squirrel (in quarantine) xx

Friends

Really a fly by with a reminder for the SRC Purple Friends - the challenge is open until 30 September.

As some of you know, I have been laid low by the evil shingles virus, and I am feeling somewhat trampled, so apologies.  I am in quarantine at the moment but am keeping my fingers crossed that the anti-viral meds work their magic soon because (a) I am fed up with feeling ill and (b) the meds are awful.

Struggling to remember what I used to make this one ..... 

Stamp is Swiss Pixie Lucy with Teddy from CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos hair

Paper from LOTV/Nitwits Promises pad

MFT stitched border die

MFT sentiment from the Birthday Bears set

Pearls from stash

Hugs to all

Spotty Squirrel xx

Christmas Shopping

No, I haven't started mine yet!  I've barely made a dent on the Christmas cards, so the shopping will be it's usual last minute frantic silliness.

Christmas Shopping is the name of the stamp I've used for the first of my September Design Collective pieces for Lili Of The Valley - you didn't seriously think I was really shopping did you?!

Christmas Shopping stamp from Lili Of The Valley

Papers are Dovecraft: North Pole

Dies used are MFT double stitched square and Joanna Sheen ivy corner

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

It looks like the list should be longer but I put that down to there being a lot of layers!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) September

You know the routine, first Monday of the month means Without Words, and here we are again!

The theme this time around is FOR THE BOYS

I have used Golfing Tom from CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Dovecraft Bloom & Grow and Crafters Companion Angelica & Adam

Dies used are:  WPlus9, My Favourite Things, Memory Box

Grass border punch is Martha Stewart

The fellas like to get cards too, so please do come and join us.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

SRC Purple Friends - Reminder

Morning everyone - just popping by with a reminder of the current Squirrel's Random Challenge where the theme is 

FRIENDSHIP (please include something PURPLE)

Another CC Designs stamp - this cutie is called Rosie

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are various LOTV/Nitwits from different pads

Sentiment by My Favourite Things

The challenge runs until 9.00pm (UK) on 30 September, and you can enter up to three times.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Do you have purple friends? (SRC)

Hello everyone - happy Bank Holiday Monday (UK) to you.

It's about time we had another Squirrel Random Challenge so here it is.

I managed to recruit the naughty scamps to help me out again so here are some inspiration pieces for our theme of

FRIENDSHIP (please include something PURPLE)

Squirrel

Annette

Jayne

The challenge is open until 9.00pm September 30 and you can enter up to three times.

There will be a prize for the winner, but you need to follow the theme to qualify.

Hugs to all

Squirrel, Annette & Jayne

xxx

An InLinkz Link-up

A New Challenge

Morning folks!  There is a new SRC coming in an hour's time (Squirrel's Random Challenge) - I won't tell you any more except to show you my first make for it.

This (complete with Rosie hair in the corner) is Puddle Jumper Twila from CC Designs

She's been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos Pencils for hair

The stitched clouds border is from L'il Inkers

Purple papers from different LOTV pads

Sentiment by Hero Arts stamped in Grape Jelly Memento

My talented little helpers, Annette and Jayne, have both made some fabulous inspiration pieces for the challenge so best you come back later this morning - and of course we want you to join in the fun!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Snowy Presents

Hi all, just popping by with what looks like a Christmas quickie but actually it took an age to colour!

This is Snowy Presents from LOTV

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment also from LOTV - Set 75

Told you - simple, deceptively so.

Hugs

Squirrel xx


Addicted to Stamps And More - Clean And Simple

Take Two, well three really

Happy Monday y'all!  Oh, who am I kidding, it's Monday again, yadda yadda groan.  But enough of all that, there is Part II of the Lili Of The Valley Christmas release on the way, hurrah! 

If you have been taking notice of the Design Collective's sneak peaks you will know that the release is all about Trios.  There are six to collect:  Penguins, Snowmen, Elves, Santa, Reindeer and Robins - and I will let you into a secret too, if you collect them all, there is set of sentiments as well, bonus!

I was asked to do samples for the Reindeer Trio and this is my second outing with them.

LOTV Reindeer Trio stamps

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are LOTV Frosty Christmas

Sentiment is Set 5 Christmas Circular Sentiments

Circle dies are Tonic

Memory Box Precious Snowflake (but I used the longer bow and string from Precious Stars)

Glamour Dust

6x6 card base

Hope the rest of your week is a good one folks.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

James says Hello

Afternoon everyone.  Hope you are enjoying your weekend - it's "scorchio" here in the east, bright blue skies, sunny, and heading towards 30C.  You probably know that I am limp lettuce when it comes to hot weather, so it will come as no surprise that I have been taking refuge indoors and watching the qualifying for tomorrow's F1 Belgian Grand Prix!

The craft space is started to get back to normal after all the upheaval of the plumbing so I hope to be able to get inky again very soon, but in the meantime here is something I made a couple of weeks ago.

This is James Butterflies from LOTV

Painted, as usual, with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The Hello die is by Penny Black - I had to cut the twirly tail off the O for it to fit the card - I cut it three times to make a word stack

Design papers are First Edition: Boho Chic

We were going to go and see the Oldies this afternoon, but mum was otherwise engaged so Toad is cutting the grass and I am going to experiment with my newly delivered Ground Espresso Distress Ink.  Rosie has her nose in the biscuit dish, some things don't change.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

In The Pink (DT) Fly Away

Morning all, I hope you are all feeling in the pink today, because it's a new IN THE PINK challenge!

The post title might be a bit of a give-away but I am thrilled to tell you that I am now a Pink Lady.  I am doing a job share with my talented blog buddy Annette so you will see us in turns as the challenges go on.

So, for my first official appearance the theme is

FLY AWAY

that's things with wings please

I love these Flower Fairies from Wee Stamps - they are just adorable, and suit pink so well!

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos Pencils for her hair and flowers, and a sprinkle of Glamour Dust on her wings

Lucy Cromwell papers

Chalked clouds by me

Die-Namics double stitched circle die, Tonic scalloped circle die, Lawn Fawn Puffy Clouds border dies, Die-Namics brushstrokes word die

Of course you want to know who the sponsor is, and it's the lovely Nikki at

BUNNY ZOE'S CRAFTS with a £10 voucher

So come on, you have two weeks to get your wings on and be pink!

Hugs

Squirrel xx

The Apprentice

Morning all.  Bit late for me today, but there is a reason......the same reason that I have not been able to get near my craft space for a week, grrrrrrrr.

We have lived here 17 years.  The house was 8 years old when we moved in, so built in about 1990.  By a big name developer.  Who you would think would have higher standards.

Now, I have absolutely nothing against apprentices.  I did a type of apprenticeship myself when I left school, and it was brilliant.  However, I do have something against unsupervised apprentice plumbers!  On Friday night, we discovered the third major plumbing cock-up in this house and this one involved the kitchen sink and a LOT of water - all over the kitchen floor.  As I type, our own plumber is downstairs with his head in a smelly under-sink cupboard trying to sort out the mess.

I know the builders that work for the developers are on a tight time schedule, and an even tighter budget, but honestly, the plumbing is nothing short of shoddy!

Anyhoo, enough of me woffling on, you don't want to know that I was up to my elbows in drain rods and black slime on Saturday, so let me show you a happy card.

This is Tiny Townies Bree Loves Buttercream by Stamping Bella

She was sent to me by my darlin' bloggy friend Annette.  Annette had bought Bree for herself, stamped her twice, had a nervous breakdown over the hair and dress and promptly sent the stamp to me!

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is from MFT

Fuschia pink matting layer by DCWV

Another CAS card from me, but that's the way I roll.

I can hear a lot of muttering from downstairs so either the plumber is having problems or Rosie has her nose in the cupboard with him.  I had better go and see.

Will be back tomorrow with something exciting.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Up A Tree

Morning all.  Just popping by quickly with my second August Design Collective card for Lili Of The Valley.

This one features my cousins ......

LOTV Red Squirrels Pine Tree

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all from LOTV/Nitwits Woodland Wishes

Sentiment tag from Set 32 Christmas Sentiment Tags

The only extra is the single brown pearl from my stash

Not a single die in sight!

So that's me for today, sweet and simple.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Three Is A Magic Number

Morning everyone - it's Friday at last, whooooooo!  Mind you, I suppose I ought to save the whoooo until the END of Friday (grin).

Right then, down to business.  We all know that Christmas is unavoidable and if you make your own cards you can never start on them soon enough.  Bored with the Christmas stamps you have? Wish they were more versatile? Well, this could be your answer!  Lili of the Valley will be releasing Part II of this year's Christmas images in a couple of weeks and you will be getting something special - they are all Trio stamps, which makes them adaptable, fun, and brilliant value.

I was asked to sample the Reindeer Trio and I admit it, I was a little bit excited.

How cute are these guys huh?!

So, LOTV Christmas Trios - Reindeer

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I cut them out and matted them on circles of red card die cut with the double stitched circles from Die-Namics

The stripy paper is from Dovecraft and the packet is dated ....wait for this....2007 (eeek)

X-Cut palm punch and some DCWV yellow cardstock for the stars

Now then, I was so excited by this concept that I ordered the full set, so there will more sneaky peeks from me over the next two weeks, and also from my fellow Design Collective teamies.  Watch out for them, they are super.

Hug to all

Squirrel xx

Rudolph.....

Does anyone know why Rudolph has such a red nose?  Is it the North Pole chill, the high altitude, the fast speeds, or has he been punched by Dancer?

Whatever the reason, it sure does make him distinctive, so when I saw his hairy little face grinning at me from this adorable stamp there was no conscience wrestling argument, I just clicked Add To Basket immediately.

This is Santa and Rudolph from Wild Rose Studio

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and fussy cut

Papers are from Dovecraft

Jingle All The Way die from Penny Black

It looks like my camera might finally be on the way out, pictures are darker one end than the other, so I guess that means I need to start saving hard, which will seriously reduce the new rubber intake for a while, sob!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Handsome!

Morning all.  Tis warm is it not?  I think the reason for my "out-of-sorts" at the weekend is that I am coming down with something - the throat is sore, the glands are up, the snuffles are starting.  What a time of year to catch a flippin' cold!

Colds are for Christmas, and so is this handsome young man - he is my first outing in August for the Lili Of The Valley Design Collective:

Oh I do love me some James Bear!

This one is James: Christmas Tree

Painted (of course) in Distress Inks (ReInkers) with some dots of Ice White Viva Pearl Pen

Papers are all Dovecraft Krafty Christmas

Sentiment by Paper Smooches

Pearls from stash

You may have noticed that the Lili bricks-n-mortar shop is closed at the moment.  Don't panic people, this is simply down to relocation - the on-line store continues as normal supplying all those lovely goodies.  Speaking of goodies, there are more to come this month with Part II of the Christmas release - keep an eye out for the release date and the obligatory sneak peeks soon.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Piggin' Birthdays

Today finds me a little bit out of sorts with myself.  It's the weekend, the sun is shining, I have time to craft, so I don't understand the mood, so hopefully it will get itself shifted, and fast!

A little while ago I might have indulged a bit in some new rubber from Stamping Bella, and I have been itching to get this one inky.

This is Petunia Has A Party

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with a chalk sky

Happy Birthday die is from Impression Obsession - Bottom Edgers

Papers are from an ancient pad of Basic Grey

And that's all she wrote!

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) August: Harvest Home

Morning all, and welcome to the first Monday of August.  That means another new challenge from the Word Birds over at Without Words.

The theme for August is Harvest Home - with so much around in the way of fresh fruit and summer vegetables that is what we would like you to use, fruit and/or veg!

Here's my card:

So, the image is, well obviously, it's an apple - from the Tim Holtz Schoolhouse Blueprint set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

MFT Stitched Circle die, and Tonic Scalloped Circle and Scalloped Square dies

Papers are a mis-mash of scraps but the fruity one is from an old pad by DoCrafts

Will it keep the doctor away?

Hope to see you joining in the fruity fun over at the challenge - it's a short one this time because of holidays so the closing date is 27th August.  Back to normal for September.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Get Your Skates On

Morning all, yawwwwwwwwwwn, had a nice lay-in with Rosie curled up by my feet.  She can be so cute, and in an instant she can be the devil's own!  Just ask Toad - he has an impressive four inch claw slash across his arm.  Totally unprovoked.  She can be such an unpredictable little madam!

Anyhoo, it's the 1st of August, which means it's about time I started thinking about Christmas cards.  Yes I know!  I should have started months ago, but I was in denial that another one could be coming quite so soon.  Sigh.

So, this is Skiddy Skates - from the new release over at Lili of The Valley

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and it was an absolute joy to colour

There's a sprinkle of Glamour Dust on the ice too

Papers are all from the LOTV/Nitwits Twas The Night pad

Sentiments are For Her Sentiments Set 20 and Simply Sophisticated Set 26

Spellbinders Labels 18 die and some festive Card Candi to finish

Now, Christmas Cards are very much like popcorn.  You can resist for so long, but once you start, it's hard to leave them alone!

Have a happy Saturday everyone.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Sweet!

I am sneaking this one under the radar for the soon-to-end challenge over at House Mouse & Friends.  The theme is House Mouse and A Friend OR Anything Goes, and I have chosen the latter option.

This stamp from House Mouse is called "Carry Mints"

The sweets reminded me of those yummy fruit and yoghurt candies, hence the colours.  

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is from Personal Impressions

Coloured cardstock from Papermania

Custom sized card base


I am also going to "squeak" this in at As You Like It for their Fur or Feathers challenge.  So why do I prefer fur to feathers?  Well, I have had some strange experiences with birds - for one, I am scared of chickens.  Yes, chickens, they look at you sideways just before they attack you.  When I was little, our budgie fell off his perch halfway through The Archers, I have been sworn at by a cockatiel, and as for seagulls!!!  Anyway, I prefer the comforting softness of a warm and furry body, that I can stroke, and cuddle and sniff.  And then find the Savlon afterwards (cheers Rosie).

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

March

This is the last of my sneak peeks for the Lili of The Valley release on Saturday, and this little lady is the March Fairy.

Don't you wish Easter Eggs were really that size?!

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Striped paper from a Papermania Capsule Collection

Spellbinders loopy square die

Woodware flower punches and a smidge of Card Candi

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Simplicity

I have another couple of cards for you today that I made using the November Calendar Fairy that is being released, along with her 11 sisters, on 31 July from Lili of The Valley.

The key to these two is simplicity!

Fireworks always make me think of bright and vibrant colours!

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Glamour Dust

If you order the full set of 12 Fairies, you get the set of word stamps too as a bonus.

Again, simple little card but this time with some paper piecing of her coat to match the matting layer

Distress Inks for the rest of her with Glamour Dust wings and sparkler

Sentiment from Hero Arts

Papers by Dovecraft

Speech bubble die from Die-Namics

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

July

Yes, believe it or not, it is still July, brrrrrrrrrrrr.  Lol, you just can't win with the British weather!

Anyhoo, you might have twigged by now that at the end of this week, there is another super duper Fairy and Christmas stamps release coming from Lili of The Valley.

I am officially in love with the Calendar Fairies.  Here is a little peek of a summer one for you.

This little lady is the July Fairy

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are LOTV/Nitwits Bonnets & Bowties Solids

Thinking of You die and Butterflies dies are Impression Obsession

Border die is Joanna Sheen "Samantha" Signature die

Custom sized card base

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

September

Do you remember, dancing in September?!

I've had that tune in my head (Earth Wind and Fire) for days now, and there is a good reason why.  At the end of this month, Lili of The Valley have another release, and part of that release are the Calendar Fairies.  I have already showcased one version of my sample stamp, November, and although I resisted, I ended up with the full set of Fairies.

Oh you are going to love these little cuties!

Stamp: Fairy September from Lili of The Valley

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Leaf paper from an old DoCrafts pad

Coloured cardstock is DCWV

Stitched Leaf dies from Lawn Fawn

September die from Die-Namics Accent It Months Of The Year

Stitched circle die from MFT

Scalloped edge circle die from Tonic

There will be another couple of Fairies to come from me before the launch next weekend.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx