A Poorly Bear And Some Henry Love (Candy)

Hello peeps.  Are you having a good Sunday?  Regular readers will know that we had problems with our internet and Toad's birthday present a couple of days ago (sorted, but not via Wi-Fi!) - well, last night the router/modem/box of tricks threw a complete episode - it had more lights flashing on it than a Christmas tree.  As we had been out and it was quite late, neither of us could face trying to sort it out so we opted for the default setting of pulling the plug!  This morning, after a swift kick in its mainframe it seems to be working again. 

Anyhoo, that is technology hiccup No 1 over with, so here is what I was up to yesterday afternoon:

I'm trying to build up a stash of cards for this darned craft fair I said I would do - grit your teeth Squirrel, after all, it is in aid of the local children's hospice - and I realised that I have very few Get Well cards made.

I love these Basic Grey papers but wondered if they were maybe a little too dark, but hey, they are stuck down now!  Image is from a set from Kanban called TLC and has been painted in ...... wait for it ..... oh, you guessed, yes, Distress Inks.

So, have also been scrabbling around with some DT work and craft fair cards and I have been a bad Squirrel and neglected all my lovelies.  Which is what brings me to technology hiccup No 2!

Who's up for some love from Henry then?  Show of hands please ......

   

Brand new, never out of the packet Whiff Of Joy stamp and sentiment

I was going to do this with Mr Linky but .... grrrrrr.... he won't let me log in, so we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way.

If you would like to be entered in the draw for this adorable Henry then please leave me a comment below.

This candy will stay open for a little while so you have a chance to spread the word and will close at 9.00pm (GMT) on Monday 31st October 2011.

No rules, but it would be nice if you would be kind enough to observe the usual courtesies. 

Hugs, Sxx

Less Is More - Sketch

I'm not really here ..... supposed to be getting changed ready to go to pub ......

This is my entry for this week's LESS IS MORE Sketch Challenge ....

Image is Sugar Nellie's Peek-A-Boo, Distress Ink painted, Hero Arts sentiment.  That's it.  I'm gone....

Hugs Sxx

Rosie Posy

Morning all.  Are you well?  Can't believe that this weekend is the end of my holiday (sob) and I have to go back to the madness on Monday (howwwwwl).  Still, only two weeks of it and then I have another week off!  How's that for planning, lol!

Only trouble with having a holiday though is that Mr Mojo thinks he is entitled to have one too and I am sure that the little scamp has packed the most enormous suitcase and gone on a long haul.  I have visions of him lounging on a white sandy beach somewhere, sipping cocktails under the shade of a gently swaying palm.  One thing's for certain, he's not on a staycation!

Just the one card for you today but for two challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 183 - Sketch Time

Lili Of The Valley - Challenge 113 - Aqua & White + Optional Glitter

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  Lili Of The Valley - Rosie Posy (my first ever LOTV stamp)

Papers: Crafts Too Flowers & Checks

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Dies: Nestabilities Picot Edge Circle, Magnolia Doohickey Old Swedish Lace

and Marianne Creatables Branch Garden

Sentiment:  Lili Of The Valley - Grunge Tickets and Words For Tickets

So, that's it from me for today.  I'm off downstairs to watch qualifying for tomorrow's F1 Singapore Grand Prix, and then it is pamper and posh time as we are off out tonight for Toad's birthday meal with friends.  We're only over at the local pub but it promises to be a fun evening.  If I'm not too hungover (some chance of that, I don't drink, lol) I'll see you tomorrow sometime.

Hugs, Sxx

Best Fishes

Yoo-hoo peeps!  Sorry I've not been around this week much, we've had a well deserved holiday and have been out and about a lot.  In fact, I think I am more tired today than I would be at work, lol.  And it is Toad's special birthday today - well, it would be special if he could get his birthday present working.  I bought him a Kindle (it was that or a three section aluminium ladder) and he can't get it connected to our ***** (expletive deleted, please insert one of own choice) Orange Livebox for the Wi-Fi.

Anyhoo, I didn't come on to moan about technology, I just popped in to show you a couple of projects, one quick and one not so quick.

Here is the quick one:

Can you almost see that House Mouse dribbling in anticipation of that gooey toasted marshmallow?!  I made this as a Christmas decoration rather than a card so it will simply stand on an easel on the bookcase.

And this is the not so quick one:

I made this one with a selection of 5 Hanglar stamps and an awful lot of masking!  As the picture is so big I kept the card simple by using this wonderfully sea like Doodlebug paper.

That's it from me for now - I'm taking the Birthday Boy out for a cake!

Hugs, Sxx

The Best Way To Wear A Fur Coat

Red Panda

Red Panda

Snack Time



Who's A Handsome Boy Then



Move Over Rocky!

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Three Mice and A Big Cat

Hello all.  Not only is it International Speak Like A Pirate Day, it is also our wedding anniversary and to celebrate we took ourselves off to one of our special places - the zoo.  We had the most fabulous day, and Toad has got some amazing photos which I will upload for you later in the week.

Here is my latest House Mouse stamp called Swiss Ribbons .....

I used papers from the Basic Grey Lauderdale pad, they are quite strong I have to admit, and the Papermania purple is not that loud in real life, honest!

And before I go I would like to share a very intimate moment with you

At the end of the afternoon we went back for another look at the Red Pandas.  At the bottom of the walkway to their enclosure is a window, tucked away, that no one really notices.  This is the male Amur Leopard and I confess to being in love with him.  He came right up to the window, sat down and just looked at me.  There was no one else around so it was just me, him, and the sunshine.  I will own up to be somewhat overwhelmed by his beauty and got a bit tearful.  It was such a special couple of minutes.

Hugs, Sxx

Micey Nice Friends

Me again.  I was going to save this for tomorrow but I'm all of a dither and just had to come and have a word with you all.  Three things have happened today that have set my heart racing, and not all for the right reasons!

1.  We'd been out for a little while earlier and were on our way home.  Coming out of a roundabout I was in the outside lane, and the daft old git in the inside lane decided that he wanted to move over - without looking.  How we missed each other I have no idea (if I close my eyes I can see it all over again in slow motion) but he got a damn good blast of the horn.  I was shaking head to toe I can tell you. 

2.  On arriving home, my parents' car is in our driveway.  Thinking they would have let themselves in I went to open our door but it was still locked.  Odd.  Anyway, thinking that they might have gone through to sit in the conservatory and locking the door behind them I was a little puzzled to find Vince sitting in the living room.  Normally if anyone visits he legs it upstairs so we knew they had not been in.  No sign of them in the garden either.  Odder.  So I went off for a little walk looking for them.  Not a sign.  Came back and felt the bonnet of the car, it was warm but not hot so it had been there a while.  In desperation I popped over to John and June, a lovely couple who live in the bungalow opposite.  John opens the door.  "John", says I, "I don't suppose you have seen a couple of daft old dears wandering around?" only to hear my father's very distinct laugh coming from their kitchen.  And there they were, having a cup of tea and a natter!!!  I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. 

3.  What have I done?  I've just booked a table for my very first Craft Fair!  Eeeeeeek!!!  Anyone have any hints and tips please?

Gosh, all that rambling and I honestly do have a card to share - here it is

Ingredients for this card:

Stamped Images:  House Mouse stamps x 2

Stencil: A metal word embellishment that came free with a mag about 4 years ago!

Medium:  Distress Inks for mice and sponging for background

And the challenges:

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - One Layer Card

Less Is More - Anything CAS Goes

Hugs, Sxx

LOTV = Red, Green & White

Morning bloggers, how are we all today?  I'm feeling happy and sad at the same time, if that makes any sense.  Happy because Ireland beat Australia in their RU World Cup game (one heck of an achievement) and sad because I notice that I have lost a follower.  I know that there are sooooo many reasons for that to happen, but it still makes me feel sad that a friend has said goodbye.

Now, I hear you asking, why are you supporting Ireland and not England?  Well, I do support England too, but as Toad is half Irish, and I'm about an eighth Irish, there is need for them to do well.  I wish Vince would see it that way but he just runs and hides when the shouting and cheering starts.  Perhaps I'll have to make him a small flag to tie to his tail.

Anyhoo, enough of this nonsense, on to my card for today.  LILI OF THE VALLEY this week are challenging us to use Red, Green and White with an eye towards Christmas cards.

I started this one Thursday night.  It's been through three attempts and I'm still not satisfied with it.  Some cards just happen, this one didn't.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Lili Of The Valley Shine A Light

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Papers: Basic Grey Jovial

Corner Die: Marianne Creatibles

Sentiment: LOTV ticket stamp and a Staples office date stamp

Extras: Craftwork Cards Card Candi and Stampendous Snowflakes

Thanks for popping over to have a look.  I'm working on something different for me (it's a bit messy and I don't do messy) so hope to have that ready for you for tomorrow.

Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wonderland - Girly Christmas (DT)

Morning all!  Is it snowing yet?  D'ya know, I wouldn't be totally surprised if it was - we are certainly having some unseasonal weather this year.  But, with snow in mind, it will soon be Christmas (oh yes it will) and I bet you are all behind with your Christmas cards ..... I certainly am, so here is your chance to take a step towards catching up - why not join us this week at the WINTER WONDERLAND challenge!

This week our theme is GIRLY CHRISTMAS so we would love to see your Christmas creations that feature a girly image. 

Please please please do make sure your card qualifies for the challenge before you enter as it is heartbreaking for us to have to disqualify anyone from the winners because they haven't read the challenge properly or not followed the theme.

We have two super sponsors for this challenge

who are offering a $15 certificate for their store; and

And, as always, the DT have worked very hard to provide you with some stunning inspiration.  Don't forget to pop over and show them some love.  This week it is the turn of Marianne's Team and they really have pulled out the stops for you.

Here is my DT card.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: Lili Of The Valley Christmas Candle

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Papers: Dovecraft Back To Basics Christmas and Wild Rose Studio Wintery Christmas

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards (sorry for poor photo - it says Christmas Wishes)

Other: Hobbycraft Snowflake Punch and Anita's Glitter Outline Stickers

Looking forward to seeing you over at the challenge with all your Girly Christmas entries!

Hugs, Sxx

Less Is More - Seeing Double

Here I am with another quickie post for you.  This week at LESS IS MORE it's a One Layer Card with the theme of Seeing Double .....

This one was instant - the moment I saw the challenge I just knew I wanted to use this Le Chat Noir stamp that was free with the Craft Stamper mag several months ago.  First off, I stamped the background with a Hero Arts square shadow stamp in Memento Desert Sand ink.  I then overstamped Le Chat Noir in Memento London Fog ink and the tiny flowers also.  Then I reinked the cat in Memento Tuxedo Black and stamped off to one side, and finally added the Hero Arts sentiment.

Then I repeated the theme on the inside with another Hero Arts sentiment

I'm seeing double a bit myself now that I've taken some kick-arse painkillers - back is still really painful but I don't care, lol!

Hugs, Sxx

For today's earlier Penny Black post, please scroll down or follow this link

PBSC - Delicious!

Hello peeps, hope you are all well.  This week's PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE is looking for Delicious entries ...... as there seems to be an over abundance of cupcakes, I've gone for something a bit different!

Ingredients for this card are

Stamped Image:  Penny Black Make Lemonade

Background stamps:  Ivy leaf (free from Craft Stamper mag) and Hero Arts swirl stamp

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Border Punch: Martha Stewart doily

Gems: From stash

Papers: Dovecraft

Sentiment: Craftwork Cards

I could not find just the right backing paper so I used a plain piece of Dovecraft and overstamped it with the leaf and the sort of berry stamp in Memento inks.

Sorry for short post, back has gone again and I can't sit still for long.

Hugs Sxx

Missing You More Than Words Can Say

This week's challenge over at LILI OF THE VALLEY is "Missing You" - oh my gosh, that covers so many possibilties!  And I will be missing the STAMP SOMETHING challenge, it's their last one this week (sob, boo) and they are saying goodbye with an Anything Goes theme.

I made this card last night but by the time I had finished it was too dark to take a photo, and this morning wasn't much better - thank goodness it brightened up a bit by the time I got home from work.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  LOTV Teddy Flower

Papers: First Edition Hideaway

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Die: Nestabilities Rectangle Fleur de Lis

Other:  Small flower punch, pearls and gold border peel-offs

The sharp eyed LOTV fans will notice that I have masked off the butterflies from the stamp.  I just wanted Ted on his own for this one.  And oh piddle!  I've forgotten to write Missing You on his envelope (and thus the title of the post - I always do that bit after I've rambled a while).  I am a blonde underneath this dark hair you know.  Hey ho, it's been a long week. Anyhoo, here is a close up of the image

I see from the LOTV blog that they will be announcing the GDT on Monday.  From having a prowl round last week's entries I'd say my chances are slim to nil.  Oh well, there is always next time.

Thanks for popping over.
Hugs Sxx

Desert Island Books?

Now, I don't know about you, but if there were a book version of Desert Island Discs, I would be hard pressed to choose my favourite books to take with me.  Oh I have favourites, of course I do, but I am not sure that I could narrow the list down to just 8 or 10.

I love to read and I will read just about anything.  Over the years I dread to think how much I have spent in bookstores.  Toad reckons that Waterstones introduced their loyalty card because of me!  And I am one of these people that cringe when I see page corners turned over or a paperback folded in half with the front cover curled round over the back cover while someone is reading it.  I recently loaned one of the Girl Who series to my friend.  It left me looking pristine, you could hardly tell that it had been read as the spine wasn't even creased, so when it came back looking like it had been on a four month camping holiday in Outer Mongolia I nearly cried.

Sometimes I have three or four books on the go at the same time, and thus I use an awful lot of bookmarks.  The current trend for bookmarks seems to be these little magnetic jobs and I have to admit they are brilliant, if a little expensive for such a tiny thing, so I thought I'd have a go at making my own slightly larger version.

This stamp from Greeting Farm just had to be used.  Painted in Distress Inks and cut with Nesties and mounted on a piece of Dovecraft paper from stash.  I then matted that on a piece of Basic Grey from the Max & Whiskers pad.  I cut a piece of paper for the back from another pad and laid them out carefully in a laminating pouch, leaving a small gap between the two where the top would be.  Once it had been through the laminator, I trimmed it down to size and then carefully scored gently several times in that gap between the two sheets of paper to form the fold.

As the magnetic fastener, I used a pair of Basic Grey magnetic snaps that I've had kicking around for ages.  This is the inside with the snaps in place.

And just to prove it really does work ....

I've been using it all week and unlike the little ones, it's harder to lose!  Not sure how long it will last before the laminate splits but it seems fairly tough.

Hugs Sxx

Benjamin's Day

Hi all, hope you have not been blown or washed away yet.  Blimey, it's windy out there!

On Sunday, while I was out in the craft space and Toad was playing on the Wii, I heard the phone ringing.  Now, I don't know about you, but our phone always manages to go to answerphone no matter how quickly I scamper through the house - my mother thinks we vet all our calls!  Anyhoo, all I heard were the words "card - Christening - Benjamin".  Who the heck is Benjamin I thought as I made a grab for the receiver.

Turns out that it was my aforementioned darling mother calling, and Benjamin is the little lad next door to her.  And he is being Christened in a couple of weeks so she asked me to make a card for her and dad to send.  I said I would, and then I panicked.  Never made one of these before.  And it took some time before I remembered that I have this fab Lili Of The Valley stamp called Baby Christening

There was a lot of huffing and puffing over this.  I didn't want it too pastelly and pale but I did want blue.  So, a rummage through the papers later and I came up with a couple of sheets of Basic Grey, from different pads, and some Coordinations cardstock.  However, it was all a bit overwhelmed in spots so I added the lace border and the blue pearls to try and break it up a little bit.  Toad thinks it's fine and as he put it It will certainly stand out on the mantlepiece but I hope that it's not so different that my mother hates it.

Hugs, Sxx

Powder Puff

Just thought I would share this simple little card with you that I made at the weekend. 

Isn't that the most adorable House Mouse you have ever seen?  Not sure what it's called but I think of it as Powder Puff.

HM matting circle coloured with Baby Pink ProMarker, paper is Basic Grey and darker matting is First Edition Love Letters.  Image painted in Distress Inks.

Hugs Sxx

Papertake Weekly - Dawny's Sketch

It seems an absolute age since I've had a chance to take part in the PAPERTAKE WEEKLY CHALLENGE but when I saw Dawny P's brilliant sketch this week I knew I just had to make the time to have a go.

Ingredients for this card are:

Sketch: from Papertake Weekly Challenge

Stamped Image:  Humphrey's Corner (free with a magazine)

Papers: HOTP Christmas (free with a magazine)

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Sentiment: Woodware

Other: Hobbycraft Snowflake Punch, Martha Stewart border punch

I found this image a little devil to paint, probably because the red had a mind of it's own, and the image is suprisingly detailed.  Oh well, I tried.

Hugs, Sxx

Milton Does Autumn

Hello peeps, hope you are having a good Saturday.  It's very sunny and warm here today (it was 30C in the craft space this morning).  I do love September - except for the wasps!

Thank you to everyone who took the time and trouble to pop over and see my LOTV quandry yesterday and who left me such supportive comments.  It was like receiving a huge bunch of hugs.  In the end, I took the plunge and entered the challenge with those three little letters after my name.  Now I am so nervous I'm chewing my tail!

So, what do I have for you today?  Well, it's a very simply little card for these three challenges:

Totally Gorjuss - A Sketch

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - The Colours Of Autumn

Hanna And Friends - Brown And Another Colour (I went for orange)

And here is my card:

Ingredients for this are:

Stamped Image: Wild Rose Studio - Milton With Sunflower

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Papers: Dovecraft Masculine (ancient pack)

Other: Martha Stewart border punch and Sizzlets photo corners die

Sadly I still can't share with you the news from work (as they've done nothing about it yet).  Yesterday, out of a department of nine people, there was just me and our Head of Department (in practical terms, it was just me) and it was a typically fraught Friday.  And on Monday I will be Squirrel-No-Mates as it will just be me on my own.  Thankfully my boss is back on Tuesday.  I may hug her when she walks in.

So, what to do with the rest of my day - we're having a quick Squirrel Stew for dinner tonight (quick because I had a batch ready made in the freezer) so I have a bit more play time (should do this more often me thinks).  I need to finish the birthday card for my darling mum (for next Sunday) and somehow I have to create two other cards without Toad knowing I'm doing them, which will be difficult as he does take an interest in what I do.  May have to suggest he goes for a swim or something.

Oh well, best get cracking, catch you laters!

Hugs, Sxx

LOTV - Pop's Sketch

Do you ever have arguments with yourself?  Yeah, I know we all do in the little ways - shall I have chocolate, no I don't need it, yes but it's yum - but I mean long, reasoned arguments.

Ever since I saw the LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge yesterday, which this week is a sketch by the lovely and adorable Pops (Hi Sweetie), my brain has divided itself into two opposing teams and there has been a row going on between those fluffy ears for 36 hours now, and it is starting to get on my pip!

And the reason for this madness?  LOTV have not only set another brilliant challenge but they are also looking for a guest design team member for four weeks.  Wow, what an honour and a privilege that would be, to play in the big league.  But that's where the trouble started.  It's currently going something like this:

Ooh, a GDT spot, you should have a go for that.

Don't be daft

Why not?

I'm not good enough.

Now who's being daft?

My style isn't what they will be looking for

Nothing wrong with your style woman.

I don't use ProMarkers for colouring like they do

So what's wrong with being different, the results are still good

I don't use enough fluff.

A lot of people don't - there are even fluff free challenges now you know.

My cards are boring.

No they're not, that's why you have so many Followers.

Hmmmmm

Don't you hmmmmmm me missus

And so it goes on.  And on, and on and round and round.  Anyway, even at the moment of posting this, I still haven't reached a decision.  Here's my card:

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image: LOTV New Hat

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Papers:  Spotty and striped - Doodlebug, plain blue - Dovecraft, red cardstock - Bazzil

Sentiment: LOTV

Other: Flowers - EK Success retro punches, Leaves - Martha Stewart punch, Dot - hole punch

Metal Corner - Wild Orchid Crafts

So, it is now a case of do I don't I will I won't I ........ helllllllllllllllllllllllp !!

Hugs, Sxx

Winter Wonderland - For A Special Friend

Morning all, another Friday nearer to Christmas!  Crumbs, how quickly it will be upon us.  Welcome to another WINTER WONDERLAND challenge.  This week we are looking for cards for special friends so now is the time to start thinking of all those who mean a lot to you. 

Ideally, it would be nice if your card featured a sentiment that says special friend or someone special but we appreciate that not everyone will have those available.  A brief piece in your blog post about who your card is for and why they are special to you would be wonderful.

We are sponsored this week by Pollycraft Designs

who have a fantastic prize of 5 digis for the lucky winner, how great is that!

And here is my card - do pop over to visit the DT, they have made some gorgeous creations to inspire you.

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped image:  Lili Of The Valley - Jenny Bear All Shopped Out

Papers:  Wild Rose Studio - Wintery Christmas

Sentiment:  Lili Of The Valley Christmas Circular Sentiments

Colouring Medium:  Distress Inks

Other:  Hobbycraft snowflake punch with Partners "cobweb" ivory satin embossed cardstock

I've made this for my very dear and special friend Rose who lives in New York.  We've been penpals for many years now and know each other's darkest secrets, which is why I guess we will be friends to the end - she knows too much now, lol!

So, we'd love to see what you create for your special friend and look forward to seeing all your wonderful challenge entries.

Hugs, Sxx

Catch Me If You Can!

Happy Sunday everyone!  Did you see today's Belgian Grand Prix?  Wow!  What a race that was, talk about exciting! 

I'm sure I may have told you this story before but years ago I had the privilege to drive a little bit of the circuit (in a road car I hasten to add) from the start/finish straight, through the infamous Eau Rouge and up to Le Combes.  Couldn't go any further round because of deep snow though, but just to be able to say "Yeah, I've driven Eau Rouge" is a wonderful thing - and it has stopped many a male conversation dead in it's tracks, lol.

Anyway, thinking of F1 has lead me to my creation today for this week's LESS IS MORE challenge - honestly, you need to start worrying about the way my brain works sometimes ......

The challenge for this week is to combine three past challenges so I have chosen these:

• Week 6 - OLC Off The Edge (several drivers went off the edge today)
• Week 7 - Masculine (lots of very fit young drivers - woah, down girl)
• Week 9 - A Touch Of Red (what else but Ferrari)

So here is my card:

And the ingredients are:

Stamped Image:  Penny Black "Chase Me"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Sentiment: Hero Arts from Birthday Messages clear set

Stamping Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug

Thanks for popping over to see me, it is so nice to have friends round.  Hope to be able to visit you very soon.

Hugs, Sxx

To Have & To Hold

Afternoon peeps, happy Saturday to you!  Well, what a funny ol' day it's been - rain, sun, rain, heavy rain, sun, heavier rain, sun.  We've had no internet for most of the day and then just when I'd settled down to watch the qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix we had a power cut - aaaargh!  Thankfully it wasn't off for long so calm was restored.  Honestly, no F1 for a month while the teams have their summer break and the power company does that to me.  What are they trying to do to a Squirrel's nerves?!

Anyhoo, the Toad asked me to make a wedding card for one of the girl's in his office.  Now I don't know about you but I find it difficult to make a personal card for someone I've never met so I had to wing it a bit with this.  Let's face it, Toad had no idea of the wedding colour scheme, he couldn't even remember what colour Claire's hair is and he shares an office with her!

Here's what I made:

Ingredients for this card are:

Stamped Image:  Lili Of The Valley - Wedding Couple

Colouring Medium:  Distress Inks

Sentiment: Wild Rose Studio Contemporary Wedding Words

Papers: Wild Rose Studio Wedding Bells

Other:  Nesties and Anita's Silver Outline Border Peel-Offs

Cardstock:  Partners "cobweb" embossed ivory satin card

Challenge entered:  Hanna And Friends "LOTV"

And while I was playing today, I chose this image for my mum's birthday card:

Isn't she such a sweetie?  This is another Lili Of The Valley called Milly Hello and again she is painted in Distress Inks.  Now I need to work out what to do with her!

I noticed while I was painting that my brushes are wearing out - they are developing frizzy tips!  And that is not something a girl needs to be suffering from.  I guess I know what I'll be buying when payday comes round again.

Hugs Sxx

Ooh, get me, going all arty!

Pleased to report that craft space is now MUCH tidier and I managed to find some surface area too!  And one of the things about clearing up the junk is that you find lovely little treasures that you had forgotten about.

This afternoon I found half a packet of 6x4 glossy photo paper.  I also found, deeply buried, my brayer.  So with paper in one hand and brayer in the other what else could I do but have a little bit of a play.  Now, when you get to the picture you are bound to shout "Hang on a minute, that's not brayered" and you would be right.  The brayered version went straight in the bin.  I was using Distress Inks and they dried instantly so no room for mistakes with a roller!

Instead, I used Bev's cloud technique with hand-cut templates and an old sponge.  The inks I used were Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Spun Sugar, Scattered Straw and Chipped Sapphire.

And in my parcel this morning was this stamp - Penny Black Winter Sky - I fell in love the instant I saw it.  It just brings memories flooding back of childhood autumn/winters with a bright, crisp, fresh day, the bare branches and the rooks cawing away waiting for the fields to be ploughed and the rich smell of the freshly turned soil. 

Oh my gosh, came over all nostalgic then.  Anyways, much better than the sound of kids screaming and the smell of fuel fumes from cars being left running so the screen demists that we get these days.  One day we will win that jackpot and it'll be straight back to the countryside for me!

Hugs Sxx

Heaps Of Stuff And CANDY WINNER

How I wish that I was tidy
How I wish that I was neat
How I wish I was methodical

Like others down out street.

I tried to stem the rising tide

I tried to hold it back

But I have been the victim

Of a heap of stuff attack.

Yes, heaps of stuff come creeping,

They clutter up the hall.

And heaps of stuff are softly

Climbing halfway up the wall.

At each end of the staircase

Is a giant heap, a stack;

One to carry up the stairs

And one to carry back.

In a heap of stuff invasion

They settle everywhere -

They grovel on the lino

They tower on the chair.

You're searching for a jacket,

"Is it in here?" you shout,

And, opening the cupboard door,

A heap of stuff falls out.

But heaps are many-faceted

And heaps are multi-faced

And what a heap is made of

Will depend on where it's placed.

Now if it's in the passage

It is mostly boots and shoes

And if it's on the sofa

It is magazines and news.

If it's in the shed

It's broken propagating frames

And if it's in the bathroom

Well, it's best to say no names,

And if it's in the bedroom -

Your own and not the guest's -

The heap of stuff is mostly made

Of socks and shirts and vests.

For a heap is indestructible,

It's something you can't fight.

If you split it up by day

It joins back up at night.

So cunningly positioned

as from room to room you trek,

Increasing all the chances

That you trip and break your neck.

But step into my parlour

Now I've forced the door ajar;

I'll excavate an easy chair -

Just cling there where you are.

And together we'll survey it

Till our eyes they feast enough

On the tidiest home in England

Underneath the heaps of stuff.

Pam Ayres

Happy Friday everyone!  So why has the Squirrel broken into verse I hear you ask, well, on my long overdue day off, after the postie delivered my latest parcel of goodies (only a small one I hasten to add), I looked around my craft space in the conservatory and realised that I needed to have a SERIOUS tidy up.  It's like an overstuffed sofa out there, scraps of paper that I've saved to use but which are, in all probability, far too small to be of any practical purpose, those tiny little cellophane packets of gems and beads that come with a certain magazine, half used packs of envelopes, again from said magazine, tools that I have rarely, if ever, used but could not live without at the time.  And stamps.  Oh. My. Word.  I have a problematic stamp addiction indeed.  Packets of pens and pencils, watercolour pencils, watercolour paints, ProMarkers and Copics, Distress Inks (pads and ReInkers), rulers, protractors, scoring boards (why on earth do I have three different scoring boards for Heaven's sake?).  So my five minute tidy up has turned into a mammoth event, and I've had to walk away from it for ten minutes before I break down into a wimpering heap in a corner full of other stuff! 

So, my point of the verse?  It needs a section about craft stuff in there, and quickly!

OK, ramble over.  Now let's get down to business, the winner of my Sugar Nellie rubber stamp candy.  Mr RNG has been cranked up, left to whirr for a bit, and he has selected .........

Number 11 and that is you UMA (A Sense of Uma)

Well done my little chickpea - could you confirm that you are still interested in the stamp and I'll get it in the post to you pronto.

That's me done for now - back to my heaps of stuff and who knows I might get a card done later!

Hugs Sxx