Fruit flies like a banana

Afternoon all.  How are you doing today?  A much better day weatherwise - when the weatherman said yesterday would be showers between the sunshine, I didn't think he meant the sunshine on Friday and Sunday!  It was wet from start to finish - but it does mean that Toad's pet pumpkin got a good watering.  I am slightly worried, it is starting to take over the garden.  It was confined to one corner but now it has grown across the back of the raised bed, down the side, shot off towards the shed, turned the corner and is now heading towards the house.  Is there such a thing as death by pumpkin I wonder?

Thank you for all your kind words yesterday in respect of my Wee Stamps Spotlight - it is good to feel so loved.

Back down to earth today and something odd for you.  You'll see what I mean in a moment.  But first, how many TOGS are there still out there?  On the rare occasions that I used to drive to work, I always tuned in to Radio 2 to catch the Wordmeister, Sir Terry Wogan.  I used to giggle so much that it is a wonder that I didn't either wet myself or cause an accident.  One of his little quips (that I admit, took me a while to work out) was Time flies like an arrow, Fruit flies like a banana.  Now it makes me chuckle every time I think of it and I was determined to get it onto a card somehow.

And I've done it!

This is Tick Tock from the Oddly Sweet Curiosities Set 5 from Susana Loves Stamps

Painted with a very limited palette of Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Tattered Rose and Chipped Sapphire

Cloud background done with handcut stencil and an Ink Duster brush with

Tumbled Glass Distress Ink

Papers are Bo Bunny Double Dots (using a lot of these just now)

Sentiment computer generated in Harrington font

Isn't he just so much fun?  I think it is the goofy grin that does it.

I masked him to do the clouds with Eclipse Masking and I will hold my hands up to say it was a close call with his alarm bells and his tail as to whether he made it in one piece, but he did!

So that's me done for today.  I will try to squeeze in some visits between my roast dinner and bedtime as I know I am well overdue with popping round to see some of you.

Biggest of hugs

Squirrel xx

Berry Nice And Bright

Afternoon all, hope you having a super Saturday, despite the weather.  East of England is somewhat grey and damp, and very humid.  Today my hair has the tumble-dried look.

I am a slightly embarrassed Squirrel today, it's nothing I've done wrong but because I am the focus of attention.  I am usually one to hide away in a corner but I've been outed!  Sylvia Zet and Mariska have "spotlighted" my cards using Wee Stamps today, on Sylvia's blog and on the Wee Stamps Facebook page.  You can find the post here on Sylvia Zet's blog ........ Spotlight on Squirrel

Regular readers will know that I adore Sylvia's images and just love using Wee Stamps.  And I thought that as today was My Day, I would make another one to share with you.  It's a tad on the bright side so you might want to take a step back....bit further maybe..... that should do it.

I am putting it down to the bad light as to why her hair has photographed so badly, it doesn't look like that on the card I promise you.

I have used the ultra cute Berry stamp from Wee/Whimsy for this one

Painted her with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The papers are all Bo Bunny Double Dots

Martha Stewart doily lace border punch

Woodware large holly leaf punch

Red pearls for berries

Sentiment is from Little Claire's Sentiments Christmas set

I hope you like this, and thank you so much for your kind words and support.

I shall toddle off to continue my happy dance!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Oh my!

I've been put in the Spotlight!

Here, at Sylvia Zet's blog ........ Spotlight on Squirrel

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Lili's Little Fairies (DT) It's All About The Boys

Well would you look at that, it's Liliday again, whoo!  So that means another new challenge with LILI'S LITTLE FAIRIES.

The title is a dead giveaway but just in case you missed it, the theme for this week is It's All About The Boys.  LOTV have some fabulous boy/male images to choose from (stamp, Art Pad, Sketch Pad or die cut) so there are simply no acceptable excuses for you not entering!

There is a treat for you as a prize this time - a two week GDT spot with the Fairies later in September or October.

Here is my DT card:

I just love this little chap!  He is LOTV Take It Easy

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is also LOTV and is from the clear set Happy Circular Sentiments

Papers are all Bo Bunny Double Dot Very Vintage

Enjoy the challenge!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Piggin Happy Birthday

It is a very special day on my calendar - it is my BFF Julie Pig's birthday.  Happy Birthday Piglet!

Now, I dropped Pig's card round last night (and had a sweet moment with Mudge, who looks so much like a pirate these days with his one eye, he is a seriously cute and cuddly kitty) so I am safe to blog it now as she will have opened it before she set off to work this morning.

Wish my plate looked like that in the mornings!

This chubby cutester is Farmer's Breakfast from Whimsy Stamps

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Hero Arts

Image layer edged with Memento Grape Jelly for contrast

Backing paper is Nitwits/LOTV Bonnets & Bowties

Hope you all have a happy day

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Candy Time!

OK, it's a day or so later than promised but here it is, my 150,000 hits celebratory candy

The usual rules apply

Followers only please (I will be checking)

Link to your own sidebar

Add your details with the linkie thing at the end of this post

Candy will close on Saturday 28 September
The winner will be announced a couple of days after

And what is the candy?  A gift voucher for you to choose your own yummy items

So what are you waiting for?  Get entering!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Pretty Flower

Afternoon all, hope you are having a super Sunday.  I'm a bit droopy today because of a bad night's sleep - my old pal Arthur (arthritis) was playing up, you don't expect that in August really but hey ho, it happened.  Hoping to have a little snooze in a bit.

I had a play with another of Sylvia Zet's amazing stamps yesterday.  Here she is:

This is Lomasi (Pretty Flower) from Whimsy/Wee Stamps

Painted as usual with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Hero Arts

Gems are Papermania

Matting layer from the Wellington Bear papers

Hugs, Squirrel xx

In The Garden

As always these days, time is my enemy, and I am missing so many challenges that I used to take part in.  However, I have actually managed to make a card for a challenge that is still current, so here it is!

Penny Black And More - August: In The Garden

I have used one of my most precious Penny Black stamps - Sweet Talk

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Edge of image layer inked with Memento Rich Cocoa

All papers are Raspberry Road - Love Lies Here

Lili of The Valley sentiment

Mini retro flower EK Success punch and a simple hole punch

Hugs, Squirrel

On Cloud 9

No, not me, I'm a grumpy old Squirrel at the moment, but Toad's youngest niece got her A level results yesterday and she achieved what she needed to head to Brighton Uni to study teaching.  The family is very pleased and very proud of her.

I love this cute little Cloud 9 set from Tiddly Inks

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) complete with niece's red hair!

Background layer made with Memory Box mini clouds and birds dies and cutting masks from Post-It Notes and inking over with an Ink Duster Brush in Tumbled Glass Distress Ink

Image layer edged with Bahama Blue Memento Ink

Thank goodness it's the weekend!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

LLF (DT) Vintage/Shabby Chic

You know it's Thursday when it's another new challenge with LILI'S LITTLE FAIRIES.

This week our theme is VINTAGE/SHABBY CHIC.  I went more Vintage than Shabby with my make:

I have used the LOTV Hydrangeas stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) (and yes, I really did do the petals one at a time)

Papers are Nitwits/LOTV Country Lady

MFT Crochet Lace border

SCACD corner dies

LOTV sentiment from the Vintage Labels Just To Say set

Can't remember what make the shaped die is, could be Die-Namics or Nestabilties.

Thanks for popping by.

Squirrel xx

 

And although it has been a long time coming, I notice I have just reached the 150,000 hits today, so at the weekend I shall organise a thank-you candy.  Watch this space.

Be Fabulous

Happy Tuesday everyone.  I thought I would share a card I made at the weekend with you today.

This is Be Fabulous from the Barkley Collection at Crafters Companion

Part painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and part paper-pieced

Sentiment is (I think) Hero Arts

Papers are from a Forever Friends freebie magazine gift

And that's it

You would be proud of me though, I resisted the urge to indulge in the whole Barkley range and just bought two of the Everyday stamps!  I'm still in shock.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Back to ultra CAS

Having a doldrums time of card making at the moment - various reasons, none of them you will be even vaguely interested in - so have gone back to the ultra CAS style that I love so much.

I just tried to link this Tiddly Inks Flying High set up for you but its vanished!

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Both images and sentiment from the same set

Matting layer from old Papermania Blueberry Collection

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Definitely Different

Years ago at my old job, one of the girls who thought she was up-front with anything new told me that I needed to be following the trends.  My response to her was "I don't need to follow trends Rachel, I set my own".......that kinda shut her up for a while!

And I have always had my own style, in whatever I do.  And I have given up trying to hide it because it still sneaks in there.

Anyhoo, where is this leading?  Well, steampunk has been around for ages now, and if I am honest I have avoided it like the plague because it confuses me.  And then SCACD brought out a range of stamps that, thanks to Delphine and Elaine, I knew I had to have, they are just so darned quirky.  I have spent weeks just looking at them trying to pluck up the courage, until today:

This one is Special Delivery

The link will take you to the individual stamp but mine came from

the set, as did the sentiment (Mechanimals Set)

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all from the Craftsman pad by Prima

The faux brads are from stash

Now it's made, I'm not sure what to make of it, and no idea of who it will be sent to!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Gem Of A Challenge (GDT) Summer

I have no idea when this will appear on Blogger as although my Schedule says British Summer Time, Blogger seems to think I'm on Martian Time or something weird - I've had delays of up to nine hours so far - it's no wonder you think I am keeping very strange hours!

OK, today is the day that I've been keeping really really secret for aaaaaaaaages but can now share with you!  I guess the clue is in the post title but yes, I am GDT for A Gem Of A Challenge today, wheeeee.

I was so thrilled to be asked by Mandy if I would like to do this that it took me at least two seconds to send the email back, lol.

The theme for this challenge is SUMMER and here is my card:

Now, I have a quite a few PG stamps, polymer, not digi, and this one was perfect for the theme but I think I have had him so long he appears to be retired now - not sure if he is Max, Jack or Andy, but whichever, he is kinda cute!

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Echo Park: Summer Days

Sentiment is Hobby Arts

Stars punched with X-Cut Medium Palm Punch

Looking forward to seeing all your wonderful Summer themed PG makes!

My next GDT outing with the Gems is 31 August.

I would also like to enter this little chap into the challenge over at
TOTALLY GORJUSS - HOT HOT HOT

Hugs, Squirrel xx

And as Blogger seems to be eating my posts, here are links to the last couple of days
in case you thought I'd left the planet

A Tiny Bit Tiddly

LLF (DT) Christmas In August

A Tiny Bit Tiddly

Morning all.  A refreshing change for a Friday, I'm not at work!  Vince has his first vet visit for ten years this afternoon for a claw-clipping so I thought I might as well indulge myself and have a long overdue me day.

I got a tiny bit Tiddly last night.  I overindulged.  Not in alcohol - I only have to sniff the cork these days before I fall over - but at Quixotic Paperie and a delicious parcel of Tiddlyness was waiting for me when I got home.

I found it hard to choose which one to play with first so I closed my eyes and took the first one my hand found:

This one is Happy Day

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Lucy Cromwell Designstax from Papermania

Sentiment came with the stamp

Whimsy corner die, Martha Stewart border punch

Timeless Rectangle Nestabilities die

And a tiny flower gem from stash

I had all sorts of good intentions for today, like a little bit of desperately needed housework, but do you know what?  Stuff it!  I shall put some washing in and have a crafty day!

Ooh, and something exciting tomorrow (well it was for me) so do pop over and I'll share with you.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

LLF (DT) Christmas In August

Monday? Nope.  Tuesday?  Nope.  Wednesday?  Nope.  Thursday?  Nope.  Liliday?  You betcha!

Hello Lilifans, welcome to another super Liliday and a new challenge with LILI'S LITTLE FAIRIES.  This week we are asking you to get festive with CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST (great chance to use your new stamps!).

I have used the LOTV stamp Light The Way as he's one of my favourites

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Dovecrafts Christmas from last year

Sentiment is from the Christmas Handwritten Phrases set

Gold borders and corners from stash

A simple card I know, but great for those difficult boys!

Do hope you will be able to come and join us this week - we have a new sponsor too

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Wee One

My BBFF Jayne had a baby this week.  The thing about babies is that you know they will arrive eventually but there is always the element of surprise when it pops into the world when you discover if it's a boy or a girl.

I knew the roughly expected date and for once I got organised, but the age old question - do I do pink, or blue, or one of each, or go neutral.

I went for the safe option!

I think this baby stamp called Wee One from Whimsy/Wee by Sylvia Zet has to be one of the most adorable stamps EVER for a little one!  Thank you Sylvia for another brilliant creation hun,

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Teamed up with a mixture of Nitwits Papers

Whimsy and Memory Box dies

LOTV and Personal Impressions sentiments

and a whole lot of love

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Marmite Tilda

On the day that our computer went phfft I had just made a card for the In The Pink challenge and was all ready to blog it when the plaintive cry came from upstairs.  Obviously that card didn't get linked up at the time, and several weeks later I have just found it, so I thought I would share it with you this evening.

I sold a lot of my Magnolia stamps earlier this year because I found I was using them so little that I couldn't justify having so many.  I did keep a few, because Tilda is just too sweet to get rid of completely, and this is one of the few that I hung onto.

This is Tilda with Mushrooms

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers were a magazine freebie

I can't remember the make of the leafy swirl die but it is lovely

Flowers were punched with EK Success punches

Papermania sparkly gems from stash

Sentiment is from Craftwork Cards

Hope you like - she is a bit of a Marmite kid after all

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) August

Hello my lovelies!  OK, I know it's Monday morning, I know it's early (ish) but it is also a new challenge from WITHOUT WORDS so that should cheer things up!

Our theme for AUGUST is BEACH HOLIDAY / AT THE SEASIDE so lots of scope for you to have fun and be summery.

The Word Birds, my amazingly talented and loyal Design Team (I love you guys) have created some stunning inspiration cards for you again so please do take a moment or two to appreciate their hard work.

Here is my DT card:

Hopefully you know by now that Without Words is a CAS challenge with the focus on a handcoloured image

I have used a Craftwork Cards stamp - this is Warren on his holidays

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are from my leftovers box

X-Cut medium star palm punch for the starfish

LOTV sentiment in Tangelo Memento ink

Oh how I wish I was where Warren is - I'd be dipping my toes in the sea right now!

And to cheer you up even more, we have TWO prizes this month from our brilliant sponsors

$15 store voucher or credit from MAKE IT CRAFTY

and £10 store voucher from QUIXOTIC PAPERIE

Does life get any better than that?

Hope to see you at the challenge, just remember to follow our few basic rules

for your entry to qualify

Handcoloured Image

Clean And Simple Design

Minimal Embellishments (or none at all)

Follow The Theme

(and yes, you may use a sentiment)

Simples!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

And I would also like to enter Warren into the Sweet Stamping Challenge

who have a seaside theme this week and Addicted to CAS who have a summer theme

Snack Time for Squirrels

Now I love nuts.  I know a lot of people don't, or even have nasty allergies, and I do benefit because I get a lot of "oh, you like nuts, you can have these" as they hand me chocolates with hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts etc ..... it could explain my shape, a portly squirrel.

And apparently these little squirrels like nuts too

This is one of my new LOTV stamps called Squirrel Snack

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are LOTV Frosty Christmas and Krafty Christmas

Nestabilities fancy rectangle die

LOTV circular sentiment

Poinsettia flowers made with punches I had to hand

Thanks for popping by, and a BIG HELLO to my new Followers, lovely to see you.

Do drop in tomorrow morning when there is brand new challenge from

Without Words

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Know a good electrician??

Afternoon all, how are we?  I know many of you now have your hands full with the kiddies for the long summer holidays so I hope that they haven't driven you too crazy just yet.  

Well, it was a little fresher this morning and I have been for a tail trim, but I have to say, it seems almost hotter indoors than it has been, if that's possible, or maybe it's just me - need an ice-cream!

Anyhoo, I had one of my ideas this morning and it was brilliant.  Really, it was.  But I think there must be a loose wire or a blown fuse between my head and my hands because what I made was nothing like the image in my head

I wanted this to be a double-fronted card, so you lift that gold tab on the right and

Yeah, it's crap isn't it - bin fodder me thinks.

For anyone interested in the individual elements I used

LOTV stamp Festive Post

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

LOTV Classic Christmas papers

Hobbyart sentiment

Photo corners and "eyelets" from stash

Magnetic fastener is Basic Grey

Martha Stewart punch used to make tag

Thanks for popping over to see me.  I'll try and have something better to share with you tomorrow.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

At Last.....

If I were feeling romantic, the next words should be ".....my love has come along" but I'm too hot, tired and sticky for that kind of thing just now, although my love will hopefully be on the right train tonight and not late home again, poor little soul.

No, the "at last" is that my new Lili Christmas stamps have arrived!  Whoop whoop - I think the postman has been holding them hostage for a week, the naughty man.

I found it so hard to choose from the new collection, they are all adorable and have so much charm, so I took the easy option and simply didn't choose and let the overdraft take the strain (oops).

And of course I had to get stamping after that wait ...... here's the first:

This little cutie is Christmas Goodies and her basket really is overflowing with gifts

I have painted her with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Matted her with some plain pink and brown First Edition papers

Cut the snowflake border with the Memory Box "Frostyville" die

Added a few extra punched pink snowflakes

Sentiment is from Little Claire's Christmas Sentiments

And the gems are Glitter Dome Pearls - just like miniature snowballs

And I am going to enter this into the LOTV Monthly Challenge because the theme

for August is Make It Festive

Hello weekend, here I come!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Lili's Little Fairies (DT) Here Come The Girls

Ready for a hot Liliday?  It's forecast to be a scorcher again today with temps hitting 30C.  I may spend the day in the fridge.

 

So, before I climb in amongst the icecubes, I have to tell you about a new challenge over at LILI'S LITTLE FAIRIES and our theme this time is HERE COME THE GIRLS.

 

 

I have used the LOTV Born To Shop stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are DoCrafts Pastel Spots n Stripes

Tonic Medium Retro Flower Punch and gingham Card Candi

 

The Fairy DT have made some wonderful inspiration cards again this week so please do share the love with them.

 

And just before I go, please please please make sure you use a LOTV image and stick to the theme for the week - you would be amazed at how many entries we have to discount because they have seen the challenge listed somewhere but not bothered to come over and see what's needed.

 

Nagging over.  I'm off to the fridge.

 

Hugs, Squirrel xx