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

In The Squirrel Spotlight - Coops Cluttered Corner

Now, whether she wants to admit it or not, Nic and I go back a long way ..... way back into the dim and distant past of the DoCrafts Forum!  Crikey, that feels like a lifetime ago.

Anyway, I was always a fan of Nic then, and now she has her blog at COOPS CLUTTERED CORNER she has blossomed.  Nic has such a skill with colour that she leaves me breathless sometimes.  Such stunning work.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

It's Getting Closer .....

... Christmas that is.  Scary how quickly it is creeping up on us.  Having realised yesterday how many more cards I need to get made, here are two that I've done today.  No challenges, just for the stash.

The first card is a LOTV stamp, Woodland Christmas and the papers are from a very old DCWV Christmas Stack, except for the lime green strip of Basic Grey Jovial that was just laying on my desk from yesterday. 

The second card is High Hopes Bearly Swooshin', again very old papers, this time from a Papermania collection that I just can't seem to use up despite it coming out every year!  Both cards done with Distress Inks.

Two down, several more to go .......

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Just Magnolia Sketch Meets Totally Tilda Red & Green

Second post from me today - I'm making up for lost time LOL!!  Mr Mojo has gone a wandering but his little cousin has put in an appearance so I'm making the most of him while he visits.

I've combined two super challanges for this card - JUST MAGNOLIA features a great sketch by Dawny P (thanks Dawny, I do love your sketches hun) and TOTALLY TILDA CHALLENGE wants a traditional red and green Christmas.  So, here we go:

As you can see (!) I've used the sketch as the main panel for a simple easel card.  Tilda is one of my older ones but she is still adorable in her hat and mittens.  I've coloured her with Copics.  All the papers, with the exception of the green square behind Tilda, are Basic Grey Jovial collection.  Pearls for the easel-stopper from stash.

Here's a link to my earlier post today if you are interested.













I've worked out that I need to make at least another 30 Christmas cards for this year so best I get a wriggle on.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Time for Tea? LOTV - Bev's Sketch

Morning all.  Hope your weekend is a good one so far!  I've had a pretty mad week back at work after my holiday so it came as a really nice surprise to realise that I also have a four day weekend - wheeee!  I didn't get much crafting done last week so I intend to try and remedy that before I crawl back to the office on Wednesday.

Over on the LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge this week is a fabulous sketch by the ultra talented Bev and I could not resist having a little play.  Here is Bev's sketch:

I had intended to do a "straight" interpretation of the sketch (mainly because Mr Mojo is on a no go) but because of the image I used I ended up mirroring the design, but as Bev is so sweet I'm sure she won't mind!

I've used the Tea Party stamp from the Girlie Collection at Lili Of The Valley and coloured her with Copics (face and arms) and Distress Inks.  Classic circle Nestability, inked round with Colorbox Q chalk ink, ivory picot ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons, papers are all Dovecraft Back To Basics, sentiment is Paula Pascaul, retro flower punch by EK Success, flower centres from Craftwork Cards, peel off border from stash.

Thanks ever so much for popping over.  I know I caught up with some of you last week, but I still have a lot to visit - bear with me, I'll get there eventually!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Rabbit Dropping!

Very quick post before Casualty starts .....

Three Challenges:
Lili Of The Valley - Autumn Colours
Sketch & Stash - No 45
Oldie But A Goodie - Animal

A quick edit before bedtime:  Image is Lili Of The Valley, papers are from an old collection by Dovecraft (lost the cover sheet in the mists of time, sorry), matting card Papermania, Card Candy by Craftwork Cards, peel-offs from stash.
TTFN
Squirrel xxx

Big Cat Diary - Lots of Photos

Colchester Zoo's female Amur Leopard



Hunting for her lunch




So just where did I leave it?




It's behind you!




I know my place!




Girls on top




Igor sunbathing after lunch




Ditto Igor




And again




Now I can have a nap





Big cats have always been a favourite but I have to say that the Amur Leopards are breathtaking creatures.  We were so privileged to get a glimpse of both this little lady and her fella (in the enclosure next door but he was resting high on a podium with the sun behind him - not good for photos!).  The zoo are hoping that they will mate soon as they are both young cats and prime age for producing healthy cubs.  And boy do we need those cubs - there are only an estimated 35 of these cats left in the world, THIRTY FIVE!  I am not ashamed to say that I stood there watching her and wept.

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

Sneak Peek - A Day At The Zoo!

Colchester Zoo Pirahnas

ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Under the Tree (not a card)

Hi All - this is a scheduled post so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Mr Blogger plays nicely!  It's time for another ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE (yes, it is getting closer now) but firstly I must thank each and every one of you for your fabulous T for Tree entries, it's going to be a hard job to choose the top 3 from all those wonderful creations.  Do check back to the main blog to see who has been selected and who the overall winner is.

So, we are on to U for UNDER THE TREE and the theme for this challenge has been chosen by that crafty little crafter Helen and it is "NOT A CARD".  She's a demon that one.  So just to be clear, for this challenge we are looking for gifts or gift packaging!

Our sponsor for this challenge is the brilliant SIMON SAYS STAMP - do pop over to their store for a browse, I bet you'll find loads of things that fall into your basket!

The other thing I really must mention is that we are looking for some new DT members!  If you would be interested in joining our happy band, please check the details on the challenge blog site.

Anyway, here is my DT creation for you:

I've gone for a little bit of altered art this time around and created a photo album.  Well, I didn't actually create the album, that was done by Tesco (other supermarkets are available) for the grand sum of 74p.  It was bright pink and shiny when I got it and it was a bit icky-tacky cheap (what can you expect for that price?!) so I got busy.  The gorgeously thick and wonderful to work with green sprig paper is Making Memories, and it just had to be that Penny Black meece stamp really, it was crying out for that one to be used.  Some luscious green organza ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons double wrapped around the spine and finished with a bow, all peel-offs from stash, and hey-presto.  And how could I resist sneaking in a couple of photos of my babies for the display?! 

Get your thinking caps on and I shall look forward to seeing what ingenious "non cards" you come up with.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

One Of Those "Warm Glow" Moments!

Morning all, happy Tuesday! 

The gas man was booked to service the boiler this morning and .... he turned up on time!  Actually, physically, here at the time he was booked for.  After years of a certain national gas supplier and their all-singing-all-dancing-very-expensive-but-rubbish contract we sacked them last year and have gone to a little independent chap and so far he has been brilliant.  What a refreshing change!  So that was warm glow number one.

Now, how many of you have partners who "tolerate" your crafting habit?  And how many of you show your partner your creations only for them to give it a cursory half a second glance and give you a non-committal "that's nice dear" when you know darn well they've only seen a blur of colour as their eyes glaze over?  Many of you I suspect.  I have one too. 

So, this morning you probably felt the seismic shock of me hitting the conservatory floor when he said "Wow, that is beautiful - too nice to send to anyone, can we keep it?"  Sorry, who stole my husband in the night and replaced him with my dream man? LOL!

And what had caused this unprecedented reaction?  A Lili Of The Valley image, that's what.  That adorable little bear called James, playing in the snow.  Must admit, I was a bit pleased with it myself, having finally (I think) got the hang of these tricky little devils called Distress Inks.  Here he is - see what you think .....

Thanks for taking the time to indulge me.  I'm hoping this warm glow might last me all day.  Off to pick up the Oldies now as we are taking them to the seaside for lunch.  Catch ya's all later. 

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

Time for Tilda?

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!  This new picture upload system that we now have is driving me nutty!  Occasionally it works, but more times that not the little dotty circle seems to whizz round and round forever and nothing else happens.  Is it just me suffering from this?  Getting a tad annoyed with it.

Anyway, I popped up here (braving the home brew fumes) to show you the card I have done today for the Special Monthly Challenge theme over at JUST MAGNOLIA is "Anything Goes"

Here's my card:

This loves-me-loves-me-not Tilda has to be the one of my reasonably sized collection that I have used the most, she is just such a little darlin'.  The papers are Basic Grey from the Porcelain collection but overstamped with two Hero Arts stamps - the small clocks are Time To Stamp and the large clock face is just called Big Clock.  Sentiment and flower centres are Craftwork Cards, Martha Stewart doily border punch, Tilda coloured with Copics, and EK Success Retro flower punch.

That's Nic for alerting me to the CUTE CARD THURSDAY challenge of Tic-Toc - shall link it up now!

After all that faffing, I've run out of time for any more blogging today so I'll say cheerio, hope you are having a good Sunday, and see you later in the week!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss Challenge # 50 - A Sketch

Well, can you believe it, October already.  But, cheer up, as it is the first Saturday of the month we at TOTALLY GORJUSS have a fabulous sketch for you from our wonderful leader, Net.  And, as an added bonus, we are sponsored for this challenge by JOANNA SHEEN, just how good can it get?

Thanks to everyone who took part in our Christmas challenge last week, it is marvellous to see how organised you are all getting!  Don't forget to check back to the TG blog to see who has been chosen as the winner.

And so to the sketch:

Once again the Gorjussettes have pulled out all the stops for you, and we are honoured to have a very special Guest Gorjussette on board with us this week - non other than the incredibly talented BEV ROCHESTER from All The Things I Love. It is such a treat to have Bev with us for this week, and probably my one and only chance in this lifetime to claim that she and I have been on the same Design Team! Lol!

Here's my card:

I've used Tilda with Lace Flag from Magnolia, I masked her to add the Happy Birthday sentiment from Lili Of The Valley on the flag, and then coloured with Distress Inks.  The purple papers are Papermania and the pink are Dovecraft, new Nestabilities lace edged circle dies, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, finished off  with Pebbles Inc Candy dots and pearls from stash.

The Gorjussettes have very kindly agreed to me having a short break from DT'ing so I'll see you all again towards the end of the month. 

Hugs, Squirrel xx

AUTUMN MAX CANDY WINNER

Morning all, brrrrrr, it's a blustery one - 1 October and definitely feels like autumn today!  Which seems rather appropriate for me to announce the winner of my Pink Gem Designs Autumn Max Candy.

Small drum roll please ......... the winner is, randomly selected, No 2 - so that's you Debbie of Love Papercrafting! 

Congratulations hunny, email me your details and I'll get Max on his way to you with a couple of bonus surprises.

Thanks to everyone who took part, and I'm just sorry you couldn't all win.  Fret not though, I'm edging towards 40,000 hits so there will be another candy chance when the counter clicks to that magic number.

Hugs,
Squirrel xx

Poor Little LOTV Bunnybun

Next week one of my cousin's, in fact my favourite cousin, is going into hospital for some rather grim surgery and, possibly, even grimmer follow-up treatment so I wanted to make him a get well card that would make him smile.

This week's LILI OF THE VALLEY sketch by Bev has come at the perfect time so I have made full use of it tonight and made the card I needed to get done.

Here is Bev's fabbie sketch:

I've rotated the sketch by 90 degrees clockwise, and here's my card (sorry it's a tiny weeny iddy biddy bit out of focus, my camera doesn't like these dark nights)

I love this little chap, don't you just want to pick him up and give him a gentle cuddle?  LOTV bunny stamp, coloured with Distress Inks, papers are Basic Grey from the Olivia collection, the turquoise paper is Making Memories, EK Success retro flower punch, Card Candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Thanks for popping over to see me.  I know I am way behind on my visiting but hope to get some serious catching up done next week when I'm off work.

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

Allsorts Plain & Simple Challenge

There's a wonderful challenging challenge over at ALLSORTS this week with the theme of Plain & Simple.

With so many wonderful papers and embellishments out there, it is sometimes really difficult to resist the temptation and to make the effort to go back to basics.  I really enjoyed this.  Here's my entry for the challenge.

Holly wreath stamp from Stampendous, coloured with Copics, sentiment stamp from Penny Black.  It doesn't come much plainer or simpler than that!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Twinkling Tilda

Well, it's grey, it's wet, it's cold, the grand prix was not the most exciting race I've ever seen and Toad's not only doing another batch of home brew but he's managed to blow a socket in the kitchen.

So what I need in my life is definitely some Glitter & Sparkle and that arrives courtesy of this week's TOTALLY TILDA CHALLENGE!

I think is this "Circus Tilda" although why she's called that is anyone's guess but she is still a little cutie.  Coloured with Copics, Art Institute ultra fine glitter for her frock, shoes and hairband.  Background is a Hero Arts frame stamp, again coloured with Copics, border of frame and centre of large flower dripping with Rhinstone Stickles, Basic Grey dp with gems and glitter letters from stash.

I tried with and without the flash as she really is more dazzling than the photo above shows.  Here's the one taken with the flash

Lots of sparkle!

Thanks for dropping by. Hugs, Squirrel xx

Friday Sketchers meets Penny Black Saturday

Afternoon all - hope you are having great weekends so far.  Just before I settle down for the qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, I have a card to share with you.

FRIDAY SKETCHERS have a wonderful sketch created by Jeanette (one I shall definitely be using again).

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE have the theme of Indian Summer.

Now, a friend of ours is soon to set of for Nepal for three weeks trekking in the Himalayas.  We think he is insane but I've been wanted to make him a good luck card and this all sort of fell into place with the two challenges.

Here is Jeanette's sketch:

And here is my card:

I've used Penny Black's Nature Trail Ted, coloured with Distress Inks, and the papers are all from the Basic Grey Indian Summer collection with the exception of the plain terracotta which is Dovecraft.  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Here's a close up of the ted and his backpack

Thanks for dropping by, catch up with you soon.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 49 - Christmas in September

Howdy y'all!  Welcome to another rootin' tootin' round 'em up roll 'em out challenge from TOTALLY GORJUSS !  Not sure why I've gone a bit cowboy there, I'll just have a quick lay down and I'm sure I'll be fine.

Thanks for all your fabulous animal entries last week, you certainly love your little critters.  All that's left is for Net to sweep up behind them and announce the winner!

This week we are looking for your CHRISTMAS cards - don't groan at me, it's getting closer and then you'll all moan that you are out of time, so now is your chance to get a head start. Another week of stunning inspiration from the DT for you to ooh and ahh over. Here's mine:

I've used Pile of Penguins from Stampavie, coloured with Copics, some silver mirri card for the matting and snowflakes, and the DPs are Dovecraft (I think), Martha Stewart snowflake punch used too.

I do hope you can join us for this challenge as the DT do love to have a nosey round your blogs!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - T is for Tree (extra of Buttons)

Hi all, and welcome to another fortnight of ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE - wow, we are at T already, doesn't seem possible but, having said that, it will be October next week!

Thanks to everyone who took part in our Santa challenge and to all of you who had a go at my optional extra of no red - we had some super entries.

So, onto this challenge which is T FOR TREE and Jayne is our host with her optional extra of BUTTONS.  Our sponsor for this time is THE CUTTING CAFE.  The DT have come up with some super inspiration for you, here is my card:

I've used a Fairy Doodles Christmas Fairy from Buzzcraft, coloured with Copics.  The DPs are Dovecraft and the red matting is Bazzill.  Sentiment is Lili Of The Valley and the buttons were done with my Martha Stewart embossing button punch.

Creative Card Crew + Incy Wincy + Pixie Dust Challenges

Hello all, hope you are having fabbie weekends....it's our anniversary today...12 years, can you believe it, feels like the blink of an eye at times....other times, it really does feel that long LOL!  Only kidding darling husband, you know I adore you.  Off to aunt and uncle's golden wedding party this afternoon, a nice opportunity to catch up with family that I've not seen since the last big party last year for my parent's golden bash.

Anyway, enough of all this wedding talk, I've got a couple of cards for you - I've been persevering with the Distress Inks and I think I am now slowly getting to grips with them.  Still need to widen my colour range so any advice on which is preferable - pads or reinkers - would be appreciated.

First card I would like to enter into this week's Creative Card Crew and Incy Wincy Designs challenges as both are looking for autumn/fall and mushrooms always make me think of autumn. 

I'm loving these meece from Meljen Designs, they are so sweet, if only all mice were this cute (actually, they are).  Papers are Wild Rose Studio and matting card is DCWV.  The red isn't really that red in life, not sure what happen in the photo process.

And would you believe it, after hundreds of Christmas challenges around I'm struggling to find just one this week!  So, this card will be entered to Pixie Dust Studio's challenge looking for animals in their Fur Or Feathers challenge

These Lili Of The Valley James Bear Christmas stamps are to die for, just brilliant to use and colour.  Papers are a mixture of Anita's and Dovecraft and I've used my new fancy border Nestabilities die.

Thanks for popping over to see me, you make it all worth while.

Hugs,

Squirrel xx

LOTV Candy Winner

Morning all. Wow, so many Lili Of The Valley fans out there! Thank you to each and every one of you who took part in my little candy, and a big welcome to all my new followers - I hope I can keep you all entertained and wanting to come back and visit.

So without further waffling, the winner, randomly selected by my beloved hubby this morning is none other than ........

LORI of My Comfort Cottage

Congratulations hun, email me your details and I will get those little carol singers winging their way to you in the post.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 48 - Wild Thing

Yaaaay it's the weekend!!  Thought it would never get here.  As it is our wedding anniversary tomorrow we're having a bit of a lazy treat tonight and ordering in a Chinese takeaway - I'm already drooling at the thought!

Anyhoo, thank you all so much for your beautiful floral entries into last week's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge.  We were awash with petals and all were gorgeous.  Don't forget to see who the lucky devil was who won the super prize from Wild Orchid Crafts.

So, onto this week's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge.  Some of the Gorjussettes can be animals at times (LOL, only kidding guys, honest) so this challenge is WILD THING - we would like to see an animal somewhere on your creation!  Our sponsor is the wonderful CRAFTERS COMPANION. The DT have done it again and provided some fab inspiration for you.  Here is my card

Just love this Whipper Snapper monkey, I've coloured him with ProMarkers.  Nestabilities deckled rectangles for the matting around him, which I also used as a mask to sponge the edges of the white card.  Papers are all Basic Grey and the sentiment is Penny Black.

Come on, now is your chance to go wild (I'm so funny sometimes I worry myself) with your creative talents.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

In The Squirrel Spotlight - All The Things I Love

Hi all, and welcome to another in my occasional series of featuring blogs that inspire me.  This is not an easy concept as there are so many stunning blogs out there!

Today, I'd like to feature a blog that wows me every single day - ALL THE THINGS I LOVE which is run by the amazingly talented Bev.

I am sure that most of you will have come across Bev in one way or another - this lady seems to feature on an awful lot of DTs, and for a very good reason.  Her work is absolutely stunning.  If you have not found Bev before, now is your chance to discover a very rare talent.

I cannot tell you how much inspiration I get from All The Things I Love - Bev's colouring skills are out of this world and I wish I could have just a smidge of her abilities.

Apart from all that, Bev is the most generous crafter, both with her time and her candies, and her blog is a delight to visit at any time.  If you get the chance to read this hunny, I'd just like to say thanks for all you do.

Hugs, Squirrel xx