High Hopes Challenge 55

I am starting to hate this time of year, and I think there should be a law passed that says crafters who need to photograph their project in daylight should not have to leave the house for work before they've been able to get a decent picture!

I love this sketch from Jeanette on this weeks challenge from High Hopes and was determined to have a go

Trouble is, by the time I got home from work it was pitch dark so a decent photo was out of the question.  I just hope this one is clear enough for you to see the shading ....

I've used Swinging Shannon (ain't she such a darlin'), coloured with ProMarkers, papers are a mix of Dovecraft and 7Gypsies, sentiment is Penny Black, flowers punched with Woodware medium daisy punch and gems are Candy Dots.  I enjoyed making this, hope you like it.

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

Penny Black Sketch Challenge Plus One For Wishcraft!

And a very Happy Advent to you all, hope you are having super Sundays whatever you are up to.

I'm very behind with my challenges this week, in fact I may not get any more done but the reasons will be revealed before too much longer ..... but, I have done this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is a fab sketch by Beth

For this one I have used My Mind's Eye Papers (aren't coordinated double sided sooooo useful?), a new Penny Black stamp calleed Brimming With Love and a Personal Impressions sentiment stamp (any spelling errors are due to Vince sat right in front of the screen - he is certainly testing my touch typing skills this morning).  Image is coloured with a mixture of Copics and ProMarkers

I love that little cat, looks like he's just scoffed all the marshmallows off the mug of hot chocolate!

My dear, sweet, blogging mate Lisa Wishcraft sent me a fabulous selection of images this week - thanks babe - so this is what I did with one of them

I have no idea of who/what the image is but I really do love him!  Have used Joanna Sheen tartan papers, Little Sizzles card for matting and a Woodware peel-off greeting.  Image coloured with ProMarkers.  Really simple, straightforward card but I think it works.  Thanks Lisa, you are a star.

Oh flip, now the cat's curled up on the mousemat - do you think he's trying to attract my attention by any chance?

Hugs 'n' stuff

Squirrel xxxx

Mini Candy Advent Celebration

Yes, I know I was going to post this on Sunday but thought I would surprise you!  This is a mini candy to celebrate 10,000 hits and also tomorrow being the first Sunday of Advent (soon be Christmas now!).

So, up for grabs are two brand new, never out of the packet Tildas - I loved these two so much when I bought mine that I bought two more to share with you.  I've coloured samples as sometimes I find it hard to work out what the image is from just seeing the rubber.

This candy will run until midnight on 14 December and the winner will be announced on 16 December.

Please do join in, just add your comment below - if you don't have your own blog, don't worry, I will accept email entries (email link in my sidebar).

If you have got time, do please have a nose around my blog, it's always nice to have visitors.

Looking forward to seeing lots of lovely names!

Hugs

Squirrel xxx

PS.  I won't leave this at the top until 14 December - instead I have added a link in my Sidebar Candy Jar so you should be able to get here from there (if you see what I mean)

Sketch Saturday No 79

Hello all, and what a grey day it is too - started off beautifully sunny but is now horribly dull and miserable and ready to rain (deep sigh).  So to lift the spirits a bit I've had a go at this week's Sketch Saturday Challenge No 79

I've rotated my sketch but you can still see the original idea ....

The papers are mostly Papermania, with a sliver of Joanna Sheen tartan.  I've used the gorgeous Tilda with her spoon, coloured with ProMarkers, gems are from stash, and sentiment is handwritten. 

Hope your weekends are as fabulous as you are!

Hugs

Squirrel xx

An Award!

The delightful and mega talented Sarah at Sarah Wright Designs (also known as CraftyMum) has been kind enough to share this so sweet award with me.  A big thank you hunny!

One of the conditions of acceptance is that I have to tell you 5 things about me ......
1.   In my head I am an artist ...
2.   Despite working as a secretary/PA I am an almost qualifed lawyer
3.   I am besotted with cats (who would have guessed)
4.   I cannot sing a note in tune
5.   Following an incident at school when I was 7 I have avoided swimming pools ever since

And so to pass this fab award on.  To be honest, I have made so many great friends here who all have brilliant blogs that I am going to say, if you want it, grab it!  But just remember, we want 5 things about you!

I must apologise for my poor blogging this week.  It's been mad again at work to the point of not being able to tell difference between elbow and bottom (which is a dangerous situation LOL) and our internet has been down for the past four mornings (and that half an hour is when I whizz round to dribble over your creations) so if I have missed you this week it's because it's been beyond my control (as most things in my life are) but I will try harder next week!

See you all at the weekend
Happy hugs
Squirrel xxx

Mini Candy Celebration

Just a quickie to say that I shall be posting a mini-candy on Sunday to celebrate first day of Advent and my first 10,000 hits!  Make sure to pop back on Sunday to see what's here.

My continuing and grateful thanks to all my loyal followers and visitors for helping make this blog what it is.  Love ya! 

Hugs, Squirrel xx

High Hopes Santa Challenge

Didn't quite get done it time before I lost the light this afternoon so photos are a little "soft focus"!

How could I resist the High Hopes Santa Challenge this week .... I adore the HH santa, AND it means I've only got a couple more Christmas cards to make!

I could not decide which Santa to use ..... so you got two!  I've used Santa Portrait and Large Stackable Santa, coloured with ProMarkers, Nestabilities labels, Papermania and Joanna Sheen papers, mirri card and gems from stash.

That's me done for today, going to have a quick cuddle with a feeling-sorry-for-himself Vince, nice hot cuppa tea and I suppose I ought to be thinking about dinner.

Must say a big thank you to Terry for suggesting that I also enter this card into the challenge at Tellen's Place Embellishments so I shall add Santa to their Mr Linky now!

Thanks for popping in, great to see you as always

Hugs

Squirrel xxx

Totally Gorjuss + Just Magnolia

Morning all, having a no-go-mojo day - everything looks better in my head than it does in reality, and the cat's just thrown up everywhere!

Anyhoo, two challenges for this post and one card
Just Magnolia Masking and
Totally Gorjuss Nearly All Gorjuss

My masking needs practice so this seemed like the ideal opportunity.  It still needs practice apparently!

I've used Tilda Santa's Little Helper from Magnolia, the Noel and Holly from Magnolia, all coloured with ProMarkers.  Papers are a mix of Papermania and Joanna Sheen, border peel-offs from stash and red berry Candy Dots.

Here is a close up of Tilda complete with cat hair (he'd just leapt onto my desk) .....

It's too dark, wet and windy to feel really inspired today but I am going to have another trawl through the challenges to see what I can have a go at next.

Hope you are all keeping safe, well and warm.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Two Cards, Two Sketches & Five Challenges!

Happy Saturday all!  I've decided that I would like to be Bohemian - tall, skinny, floaty frocks in soft colours, dangling earrings, and acting all arty ..... but that's not likely to happen any time soon so guess I'll have to deal with short, chubby and jeans!

Anyhoo, onto today's crafty stuff - I was getting right into it and suddenly realised how dark it had got.  First photo is in focus because I took the picture this morning, second one isn't because I had left it too late and lost the light - so no, it's not your eyes - I'll try and replace it tomorrow but the forecast isn't good.

To start, three challenges for this card:
Penny Black Saturday Challenge Winter Wonderland
Creative Inspirations Sparkle and
Sketch Saturday Challenge No 78

Yes, I know, I used Snowy last week but he's just perfect for Winter Wonderland ...

I've used papers from Chris Warner's Crafting Classic Earth Patterns CD, Making Memories snowflake brad, Art Institute Crystal Glitter, Kodomo snowflake stamp, Penny Black Snowy stamp coloured with ProMarkers, Cuttlebug snowflake die, mirri card, gems and greeting from stash.

Card number two is for two challenges

Passion For ProMarkers Burnt Umber and Marsh Green and

Papertake Weekly Sketch 28

I've combined this with the Passion for ProMarkers colour combo of Burnt Umber and Marsh Green (had slight panic when I could only find the Burnt Sienna!)

I've used High Hopes Walkabout Wallie, who came immediately to mind when I saw the colour choice, all papers are Joanna Sheen, I've used Sissix dies for the flourishes and photo corners and an ancient unbranded border stamp.  Obviously, for this challenge, he's coloured in ProMarkers!

Thanks for dropping by, hope your weekend is a good one, hope to see you again soon.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Papercrafts By Rach Candy

The wonderful Rachel over at Papercrafts By Rach has the most yummy candy on offer - open until 10.00pm GMT on 22nd November.

If you have never visited Rach's blog before you are missing a real treat - she is one very talented lady, and also a kind and generous one with fellow crafters.  Do pop over and say hello.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

And Two More For Fun

I'm back!  I was only at the garage for all of three minutes - loose connection so no £ charge.  Phew!

If you saw my earlier post today you will see that I'm having a Tilda Revival Moment!  Could not resist another one today ....

I love this Tilda, she always make me smile.  Papers are Doodlebug and from stash.  Corners are Sizzex Architectural Accents (wish I had more of these) and the sentiment is Magnolia too.  Coloured with Copics.

Ooh, did I tell you that I am in love with another man?  Yeah, 's true - here's a picture of him .....

Aint' he just the most handsome fella?  He's Dapper Dan from High Hopes stamps, and I think he is just sooo gorgeous!  Papers are that pink Christmas stack, you know the one, and Dan is coloured with ProMarkers.

That's me about done for today - unless I get a burst of energy later - so I'm off to do something decadent, have some lunch and sit down for an hour or so with George Clooney!

Hugs

Squirrel xxx

Two Tildas - Just For Fun

Happy Monday!  Or is it?  I'm meant to be sitting in a greasy garage while a man in overalls does something expensive to the rear light of my car (which isn't working) but it's raining so hard that I've not ventured out yet!

So, to at least be busy while I wait for the clouds to part I had a rummage in my Tildas.  I think I must have a collecting addiction - either that or these little loves are breeding.  Have I really bought so many?  Anyhoo, I haven't used Tilda for a while and there are three very good reasons for that Mina , Jacqui and Rachel - if you have not seen these ladies' colouring skills have a pop over to their respective blogs, it'll blow your mind!  But in the meantime, here are the two I've done today .....

 I think I am falling in love again - it happens every time - I leave a stamp for months and when I come back to it I have to ask "why did I do that?" and then I stamp it to exhaustion LOL!

Well, I suppose I ought to be a good girl, get a waterproof on and get out there - car won't get fixed with me sitting here.  Catch you all later.
Hugs
Squirrel xxx

Two Cards, Five Challenges and Oh Sweet Lord, A Bad Hare Day!

Hello everyone! Hope you are having a fantastic Sunday - here we have sunshine at last.

First of all, my card for my favourite combination of challenges:
Sketch Saturday Challenge No 77 and
Penny Black Saturday Challenge Christmas For The Guys

For this one I used the ever popular Penny Black Snowie stamp and coloured him with a limited palette of ProMarkers. The papers for the sketch are all from Anita's Classic Christmas Blue and the sentiment is a Pink Gem Designs.


Now, bare with me on this one - if ever there was a crafting world equivalent of a bad hair day (or in this case, a bad hare day) then I think this might be it. Everything started off so well and then I had a momentary lapse of taste and decency. I blame it on the fractured skull I had in 1988.

Anyway, bravely, I am offering this for three challenges
Creative Inspirations New Or Neglected
High Hopes Challenge No 53 Recipie and
Sketch & Stash Challenge No 23

For the new and neglected I have used my new High Hopes stamp Bunny With Tulip and he's been coloured with a combination of Copics and ProMarkers, for the neglected we have some very old Joanna Sheen papers. Following High Hopes Recipie there are three flowers, two brads and one sentiment, and the sketch is as above.


Please don't be too hard on me, I am putting this down to a brain-fade after a really horrible week at work!
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Gorjuss Cute ProMarkers!

Afternoon all. Wow, what a contrast to last weekend - beautiful sunshine to hailstorms and thunder! Don't know what's up with me today, I have done everything apart from sitting down to craft - thnk it's because I'm due at the hairdresser at 3.00 and if I have an appointment I end up clock-watching and not settling to anything. Which could explain today's card ....

Would like to enter this one into three challenges for this week
Totally Gorjuss Christmas Blues
Cute Card Thursday Glitter Me Silly and
Passion For ProMarkers Week 25 Sketch


I have used Sugar Nellie Gorjuss Girl "Little Star", coloured with ProMarkers of course! I masked her and stamped over with a Magnolia Christmas sentiment stamp for her background. The papers are Dovecraft and from stash. Sentiment under the image is Elzybells. Gems, glitter and silver cord are from stash too.

As it's like the middle of the night here I had to use the camera flash so apologies for poor picture quality but I think you'll get the idea. As for Glitter Me Silly - well, there is more on me than the card, still, at least it will amuse the hairdresser. Bet she doesn't get many sparkly squirrels in the salon!

Hope your weekends are going well. After tail trimming, I shall plan my next challenges. Hope to see you again soon.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Nicely Rounded

What's nicely rounded I hear you cry? Well, my shape for a start! It's something I always tell my hubby - I am in shape, coz round is definitely a shape, so there!

Anyhoo, I was actually thinking about numbers ..... just noticed that I now have 99 fantastic, fabulous, friendly followers BUT wouldn't it be nice to have that rounded up to a nifty, neat 100?

Any volunteers to be Follower 100? You never know, as well as trailing my slightly off-the-wall antics, there might be a little surprise in it for you .... oooh!

Hugs
Squirrel xx

Simon Says High Hopes!

And it's me yet again, last one for today I promise ... if you have not already been blinded by the earlier "bling" do check it out but take your sunglasses!

This little card is for two challenges:
Simon Says Give Thanks and
High Hopes Challenge 52 Sketch by Lacey

For this one I have used a mixture of Little Sizzles and Papermania papers and cardstock, gems from stash, Prima flowers and the irresistable Ant from High Hopes stamps coloured with ProMarkers. Never seen a pink ant, but if he was bringing me a healthy pot plant then I wouldn't mind!

That's me done for today - off to do something wifey like cook lunch!
Hugs
Squirrel xx

One Word Blog Award

What a fab suprise from Mandy over at A Sprinkling of Glitter - thanks babe!

And my one word answers are:
1) Where is your cell phone? - Pocket
2) Hair? - Shameful
3) Your mother? - Garden
4) Your father? - Shed
5) Your fav food ? - Crisps
6) Your Dream last night ? - Merlin
7) Your fav drink ? - Latte
8) Your dream goal ? - Contentment
9) What room are you in ? - Study
10) Your hobby ? - Crafting
11) Your fear? - Death
12) Where do you want to be in 6 years time ? - Alive
13) Where were you last night ? - Home
14) Something that you aren't ? - Tidy
15) Muffins ? - Yum
16) Wishlist item - Storage
17) Where did you grow up ? - Suffolk
18) Last thing you did ? - Blog
19) What are you wearing ? - Jeans
20) Your T.V ? - Off
21) Your pets ? - Asleep
22) Your friends ? - Everything
23) Your life ? - Settled
24) Your mood ? - Average
25) Missing someone ? - Yes
26) Vehicle ? - Car
27) Something you're not wearing ? - Socks
28) Your fav store ? – M&S
29) Your fav colour ? - Blue
30) Last time you laughed ? - Today
31) Last time you cried ? - Friday
32) Your best friend ? - Precious
33) One place you go to over and over ? - Work
34) One person who emails regularly ? - Husband
35) Fav place to eat ? - Chinese
36) Face book ? - Badly

And so to pass on this fab award to:
Carol at Carol's Crafty Corner
Jacqui at Cats Whiskers
Cathy at Ellieskeeper's Creations
Helen at Helen's Craft Haven
Mina at Pinkpuds
Samantha at Penrith Crafts
Jo at Lost Your Mojo
Sue at My Crafty Cupboard
Pauline at Passion For Papercraft and
Marcea at Marcea's Crafting Corner
Just my tiny way of saying thank you guys for all your support and encouragement.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Bling-tastic!

Wow! Another sunny day, how gorgeous is this autumn being (forget the odd rainy day), what a great day to lift the spirits. Of course today is Remembrance Sunday so please take a moment to give a thought to all those brave and courageous lads and ladies who have given their lives in past and present conflicts around the world so that we might enjoy days like this. God bless them.

So, onto today's challenges - I've chosen two with the same theme (cheapskate that I am) and we have
Totally Gorjuss Bling Bling and
Allsorts Challenge Bring Out Your Bling

Now, I am not one for using a lot of bling, so this was a bit out of my comfort zone and I think I may have gone a bit too far with the twinkles! See what you think ...

I used the Gorjuss Girls "Bumblebee" stamp from Sugar Nellie, paper pieced her dress with Little Sizzles rainbow paper, coloured what was left with Copics and then out came the glitter. Even in the sunshine it was hard to get a photo to show off the glitter so I had to take one with a flash just to prove it was there!

I used Anita's Sticky Ribbon with silver thread running through it (delicious) and lots and lots of gems. The big gem flowers have been in my stash for ages, I think they were some of the first embellishments I ever bought, as were the beautiful padded satin hearts.

I'm off now to see if I can squeeze in another challenge before lunch - as it's second Sunday of the month it's a bit of an upside down day for us as Church is this evening with a Latin Mass so it all becomes a little chaotic (not that you'd ever notice any difference in my mad life LOL!).

Hope you are all having a fab day and thanks for popping in to see me. Please don't be shy about leaving comments, if I know you have been to visit I can then pop over and see you too.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

AND THE CANDY WINNER IS ............

Morning All,

Hope this finds you all fine and dandy. Down to business in a moment but first I would just like to take the opportunity to give enormous thanks to everyone who took part in the candy draw and to those who signed up to become followers - I hope you will continue to visit and that I can provide you with cheerful, pretty things to look at! Thank you to all of you who left such kind and encouraging comments too, I am still relatively new to blogland so it's great to get feedback - it would seem I am on the right track after all. Bless ya hearts.

So, are you all sitting patiently?


And the winner of my 5,000 Hits Candy is ......

Drawn completely at random by my somewhat bleary-eyed husband ("you want me to do what?") ......


Ooh, it's an email entry and it's .....

LIANNE (TallyTalulah)

Whoo-hoo! Congratulations hunny, email me your details and I'll get your little parcel on it's way to you.

Right then, time for essential things like coffee and breakfast - I'll see you all later on hopefully.

Hugs
Squirrel xx

Penny Black Meets Sketch Saturday

Happy Weekend everyone! Sun is shining, birds are shivering, it's a beautiful, crisp, fresh November Saturday. Hope you are having a good one.

Two of my favourite challenges join hands again today, bless 'em, and they are
Sketch Saturday Challenge No 76 which is a fab sketch from Debbie.

And the ever wonderful Penny Black Saturday Challenge which this week is Song Titles/Lyrics!

Me and Himself did a lot of thinking and humming and haaring over this one and he ruled out my idea of Bat Out Of Hell (the hedgie with the baseball bat)! Eventually, I dug out from under the Christmas stamps one of my all time favourite Penny Black stamps (Oh all right, I know They are ALL my favourites!) entitled Bunny Bath. And my song choice?

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da (wonderful feeling, wonderful day)! I can just about hear bunny whistling the tune, even though his "bluebird on my shoulder" appears to be "butterfly on my nose".

Thanks for popping over to see me, hope the rest of your day is fabulous, and don't forget that my candy winner will be announced sometime during tomorrow. Off to pub shortly for a late lunch/early dinner with friends. Yum!

Hugs all
Squirrel xx

ABC + Creative + Catz

Afternoon All!
Only one card from me today - Himself has the day off as well and wants to be "doing things". These things include taking the car to garage for service and MOT and collecting his bike from the repair shop. They just don't understand do they?

Anyway, one card, three challenges:
ABC Challenge G is for Green
Creative Card Crew Ribbons & Gems and
Crafty Catz Challenge 6 Sketch

I've used a Sugar Nellie Santa and coloured him with ProMarkers. I love Santa in his traditional green rather than the caramalised fizzy drink red, he looks so woodlandy, if that makes sense. Papers are a mixture of Joanna Sheen and Papermania. Ribbons, gems and peel-offs are from stash.

Hope the rest of your Friday is a happy one.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Sketch & Stash Challenge 22

I'm making the most of my time off and feeling better and have been on a bit of a sketch frenzy today. If you haven't already seen the ones posted earlier please do have a look

This one is for the ever fabulous Sketch & Stash Challenge No 22

I've used Papermania papers, gems and peel offs from stash but confess that the super cute Gillian Roberts stamp is relatively new - thought it was romantic enough for Mr Toad's Christmas card so now it's made it is hidden away from prying eyes!


Thanks as always for popping over to see me.
Hugs
Squirrel xx
PS. Just a reminder that my 5,000 Hits Candy offer closes at midnight tomorrow so if you haven't already signed up now is your chance ...! And I am accepting email entries too so don't worry if you are blogless.

Cute Card Thursday + Papertake + Sketch Saturday (sort of)

Hello chaps, and Happy Thursday to you all! I am finally starting to feel as if I am getting better and am therefore much perkier, especially with this gorgeous November sunshine. Also had some fab-u-lous news this morning that I am very excited about but I will have to be good and wait a while before I can share that with you.

So, onto today's challenges! My first is for this week's Sketch Saturday Challenge No 75

which I have combined with Cute Card Thursday No 75 which this week is Primary Colours. A bit of an issue here as I got a tad carried away with "adapting" the sketch and may have gone a little too far, and apart from that it should have had a Halloween theme but that's been and gone!

I used the wonderfully cute "Miss Zoe" from High Hopes stamps, Little Sizzlets Rainbow papers and some papers from stash. Miss Zoe is coloured with ProMarkers. The square sentiments are Personal Impressions.



Then I saw this super sketch from Papertake Weekly Sketch 27 and fell in love with it.


At this point I must offer my sincere and humble apologies to Janet at Pink Gem Designs for taking a liberty with Max and feminising him into a Maxine!

I used the very talented Janet's Max & Snowman stamp, coloured with ProMarkers, papers are errrrrm, the pink christmas ones ........!!

And, as always, my little furry helper has been on hand - no doubt encouraged by the lure of a warm radiator

Thanks for dropping by to see me this afternoon, it is always wonderful to have friends round!
Hugs
Squirrel xx