WELCOME!


Welcome to Squirrel's slightly nutty world of rubber stamping, papercraft, cats, Formula 1 and a variety of other off-the-wall topics. It's fabulous to see you and I hope you enjoy your time here. Please do pop back and visit me again soon!


Monday 26 April 2010

Quick Update and Continued Apologies

Hi all - so many of you have been kind enough to enquire how the wrists are coming along so, if you will forgive me, I'll cover it all here in one go rather than individual replies.

No real improvement I'm sorry to say.  I have today booked a follow up appointment with my GP but the earliest I can get to see him is next Tuesday evening.  The anti-inflammatories seem to be doing diddly-squat to help.   The only relief I am getting is from the wrist support the pharmacist suggested.

Work hasn't been overly sympathetic but they have at last offered me a consultation with the Occupational Health doctor that the firm uses.  Hopefully he will be able to come up with some recommendation other than "win the lottery and quit your job".

So, once more I apologise for the lack of visits and comments.  You have all been so wonderfully supportive in your continued visits and comments and I really do appreciate it.  Once I'm properly better you won't be able to keep me off your blogs!!

Thanks guys
Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sunday 25 April 2010

High Hopes Bookmark Challenge


This is my second post today - please scroll down or follow this link for Sketch & Stash 33 + Sketch Saturday 100

Over at the fabulous HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE they are challenging us to create a bookmark this week.  Reading is one of my biggest passions so this was bliss for me.

I have used the oh-so-cute Missy stamp, coloured with Copics and paper pieced.  Her dress papers are Forever Friends Pink Parfait and the daisy backing paper is Daisy & Dandelion.  Pale turquoise card is Bazzil.

As for the sentiment, I am not sure if this is a quote I have heard and had stashed in the cobwebby filing cabinet of my memory or if it is something I made up myself but I did it on the pc anyway!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sketch & Stash 33 + Sketch Saturday 100

Hello all, hope you are having a good weekend.  We had wall to wall sunshine yesterday and it was glorious, not too hot but beautifully bright, but today has been overcast and grey with a couple of April showers so far.

Two sketch inspired cards for you today - the first is for Sketch & Stash Challenge 33 which is a challenge I haven't done for a while because I've just not had enough time to fit it all in!
And here is my card.  Background paper is from stash and I've overstamped it with a Hero Arts cling stamp with VersaFine Deep Lagoon for all those lovely spots.  Pink/lilac checked and striped paper and turquiose card stock also from stash (feeling virtuous here) and the Whiff of Joy stamp of Willow with her mug of something yummy .... well, I've had it a while so technically that's stash too!  Woodware punches for flowers are old friends.

And then it is on to Sketch Saturday Challenge who are celebrating 100 challenges this week, that is some achievement!

It's Willow again, living it up on the dancefloor this time.  Got a bit retro with this one, has a definite late 60s/early 70s feel.  Papers a mix of Basic Grey and from stash.

Both images coloured with a mix of ProMarkers and Copics.

Thanks for dropping by me to see me this afternoon.  Don't forget, my blogoversary candy ends at midnight on 30th April so if you haven't put your name down yet, now is your chance.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Saturday 24 April 2010

Welcome Back Rach

The super-talented Rach is back in blogland after taking a well deserved break.  Welcome back hunny, I've missed you!

And to celebrate, well, what else but some amazing candy - closes on 2 May



Hugs, Squirrel xx

Aargh! Missing Challenge

Now I know I saw a challenge earlier in the week to use your "golden oldies" Sugar Nellie stamp, but do you think I can find it now?  No!  So if anyone can point me in the right direction it would be appreciated.

I have used Maggie with Flowers, my very first ever Sugar Nellie stamp, and I own up, I had forgotten how cute she is!  Backing paper is PaperMania, Martha Stewart heart border punch, Craftwork Cards sentiment.  Offset ovals cut with Nestabilities - they weren't mean to be offset, it's a "happy accident", accented with Gellyroll Stardust pens.

Thank you Lorraine, Lisa, Paula and you other kind bloggers for finding Sugar Nellie Blogspot for me!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 27 - Simply Gorjuss

It's Sat-ur-day!  Phew, thought it would never get here this week!  And that means it is time for another wonderful week with TOTALLY GORJUSS - thank you all for your charming cards last week, they were really fabulous.  You certainly know how to push RNG to the limits so don't forget to check back to see who has been selected as the winner of the charming challenge.

So to this week, which for us Gorjussettes is a very special week indeed as we have an amazing sponsor on board.  It is (drum roll please) none other than the original Gorjuss Girl herself, Suzanne Woolcott, designer of these little cuties.  So glad to have you with us Suzanne.

So the challange is - Simply Gorjuss.  If you have a Gorjuss Girls stamp we'd love you to use it to show Suzanne how fantastic her designs are.

The DT are all a bit nervous this week but have really pushed the boat out and come up with totally amazing creations, please do check out their individual blogs.  My card for this week uses two Gorjuss Girls ....

I have used the masking technique to get these two to play nicely together.  Coloured with Copics/ProMarkers.  Papers are from the Forever Friends Pink Parfait collection (thanks Zippy hun) and the pansy border punch is from Martha Stewart. Sentiment is Craftwork Cards with the peel-offs and tiny gems from my stash.

Come on girls, let's see you getting Gorjuss with us this week at TOTALLY GORJUSS

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Wednesday 21 April 2010

ABC Christmas Challenge - I is for Ice

I'll keep it brief (hurrah I hear you cry) as I'm meant to be "reducing" keyboard time (yeah, right, tell that to the office) so here we go again for another fabulous fortnight that is the ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE and this time we have a challenge hosted by the ultra-talented Jayne.  Our theme is I for Ice and Jayne has chosen the optional extra of snowflake.  How brilliant is that?

We are sponsored this time around by Stitchy Bear Stamps and the prize is your choice of three digital images from the Stitchy Bear Stamps store.  The DT have been issued with a selection of images and boy have they been busy with them - please do take time to visit their individual blogs, it means a lot to know you appreciate all their hard work.

Here is my DT card
I chose the penguin image called "Yikes", so what else could I do with him other than let him slip over in shock at the size of those snowflakes heading his way!  This was the first time I'd coloured a digi image with ProMarkers so was a bit cautious of the ink blurring but it seems to be ok.  Cuttlebug Ice Crystal snowflakes and Martha Stewart punched snowflake, all papers are from Christmases past and have lost their ID now.

So even though it is warm and sunny out, no reason not to be ice cool indoors and show us your wonderful creations at ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE - looking forward to seeing you there.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sunday 18 April 2010

High Hopes Challenge + One LOTV For Fun

As luck would have it, I stamped this image last night so as soon as I saw today's challenge from High Hopes Good Enough To Eat I thought it must be a sign!

Stamp is "Luigi" from High Hopes, coloured with Copics, DP is Basic Grey Nook & Pantry and irridescent gems from Papermania. Sentiment done on pc.

And while I was crafting I had a little play with Thomas from Lili Of The Valley

Again coloured with Copics, papers are Daisy & Dandelion, sentiment from Craftwork Cards. Corner spots punched from waste card from sentiments.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Saturday 17 April 2010

Penny Black Saturday - Monochromatic Brown

Hi all, hope you are ok today.  Still got sore wrists so only a short post .... it's Saturday (yay) so that means it is Penny Black Saturday Challenge and this week it is Monochromatic Brown.  I knew instantly which stamp I would use but the rest of it just sort of "evolved"

Penny Black "Transported" stamp, Daisy & Dandelion papers, Bazzil cardstock, dies a mix of Nestabilities and Sizzix and Woodware daisy punch.  Image coloured with Copics and border punch is Martha Stewart "Grass".

Thanks for taking time out of your day to come by and see me.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 26 - Charming!

Another weekend, another challenge!  Yes it is TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge day, wheeeeeeeeee!

Thank you all for getting so busy with the textures last week, we received a HUGE amount of entries, gosh you lot are so creative and resourceful!  Don't forget to check the TG blog to see who won last week's prize, Net will be kicking Mr RNG as we speak (he's got a lot to cope with this week).

Now you know that my fellow Gorjussettes are just full of charm at the best of times so this week we are asking you to be Charming too - (in a dirty old man voice) "Come on girlies, show us yer charms then!"  (don't mention it, I worry myself sometimes).  As always, the DT have created some stunners to inspire you so please do visit them and pay credit where credit is due, they are all hard working lasses who do it all for you.

And so to my card - I think I had a bit of a "mojo madness moment" with this one, but hey, it's bright!
Can't tell you where the paper came from, it just sort of appeared in my stash.  Butterfly Tilda is coloured with ProMarkers, the flowers are yet more from my Marcea goody bag (it's never ending), as is the adorable butterfly charm (thanks hunny, you saved my life for this challenge!).

So, come on crafters, turn on the charm and come and join the fun at TOTALLY GORJUSS this week.

And while I'm at it, with the flower and the buttons and the charm, I'd like to enter this into this week's Cute Card Thursday Touchy Feely challenge and Our Creative Corner Beautiful Butterflies.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sunday 11 April 2010

Just For The Fun Of It

Happy Sunday all!  Two cards for you, no challenges, just for the fun of it

Whiff of Joy Willow, Copics, Forever Friends and Dovecraft papers, Martha Stewart border punch, Craftwork Cards sentiment and


Honey Bee Tilda, ProMarkers, Doodlebug papers, Sizzix leaves, Woodware punch flowers, Craftwork Cards sentiment
Edited: Thanks Mina for letting me know about this week's challenge from Just Magnolia - I shall link Tilda there now.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Saturday 10 April 2010

Sketch Saturday # 98

And before you all shout at me, yes I am resting my wrists - but got bored of resting so made a little card to cheer myself up!

As it is Saturday, it could mean one of a few challenges but you know how partial I am to Sketch Saturday so couldn't resist ....
And my card is























Lili of The Valley "Thomas" stamp (thanks mum), Basic Grey Indian Summer DPs, pink pearl papers and gems from stash, sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Ok, ok, I'm now going back downstairs for the 20 minute ice-pack!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss Challenge # 25 - Texture

Happy Saturday everyone!  And Saturday means it is time for another challenge from TOTALLY GORJUSS - but first a big thanks to everyone who joined us last week, you all did an amazing job with Net's fabbie sketch.

This week's theme is TEXTURE so we'd like to see lots of touchy feely stuff please!  Once again the DT have come up with some stunning examples so please do pop over to their blogs for a peek.

Here is my offering
As you can tell, I went a bit OTT with the Cuttlebug embossing folders this week!  Image is a Gorjuss Girl from Sugar Nellie, coloured with Copics/ProMarkers and I've paper pieced her dress.  Ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons, Flower put together from my goody bag received from Marcea ages so (so much in it that I'm still discovering things!), gems and sentiment from stash.  Brad is a Basic Grey one.

So what's stopping you? Get texturing!
Hugs, Squirrel xx

Friday 9 April 2010

Cute Card Thursday - Mono-Mania

Made a little die-cut shaped card for this week's Cute Card Thursday whose theme is Mono-Mania

Sorry for pants photo, it was taken on my phone.  Stamp is Daisy from Sugar Nellie and she's coloured with Copics.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Thursday 8 April 2010

First Blogoversary Candy

THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED - WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED ON 2 MAY 2010

I'm listening to the doctor so keeping it brief .... First Blogoversary (delayed due to Lent) Candy.

Closes midnight on Friday 30th April - winner posted on Sunday 2nd May - rather than leave this post at the top, I will put on a sidebar link to it.

In the candy is:
Martha Stewart Daisy Border Punch
Basic Grey Nook & Pantry 6x6 paper pad
Magnolia "Spring Tilda" stamp
Kraftin' Kimmie "Shy Emmylou" stamp
Sugar Nellie "Martha" stamp
Bildmalarna "Little Mimosa" stamp
All items are brand new - the stamps are unmounted rubber

Please leave a comment if you are interested. 
If you don't have a blog, email is fine.
Closes midnight on 30th April 2010

It would be nice, if you are not already a follower, if you would sign up to follow but only if you think you would actually come back to see me after the candy has ended!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Wednesday 7 April 2010

In A Bit Of A Grump ......

.... I'm a grumpy ol' Squirrel today.  Hmph. (is anyone else actually old enough to remember Hector's House?)

Went to see the doc this morning because I've had wrist pain for about four weeks now and after a poke, a prod and a pull he had decreed that I have tendonitis, in both wrists.

He has prescribed strong anti-inflammatories, preventative indigestion tabs for the anti-inflammatories, ice packs and REDUCING TIME ON PC for at least a MONTH.  Aaaaaargh!

So, if I am not posting as much or visiting you as often as I ought to be, it's all down to Dr Kumar (no, not at No 42).  Send your letters of complaint to .....

Squirrel xxx

ABC Christmas Challenge - H is for Holly + Helen's Sketch

Yes, it's that time again guys, time for a new challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge- where are the weeks going I have to ask?

Thank you so much to all you wonderful crafters who took part in our G for Glitz challenge, you certainly did add some sparkle.  Don't forget to check the blog to see who made the top 3.

And so to this fortnight's challenge which is H for Holly and the optional extra this time is a fab sketch from our very own Helen
And our fabulous sponsor this time around is the brilliant

And so to my DT card for this challenge

As you can see, I got a bit carried away with the papers so I apologise if they trigger a migraine for anyone!  I bought this gorgeous little collection called Plum Pudding a few years ago now and I have no idea who the manufacturer is but they are amazing to work with, so thick they are almost like card.  The image is Penny Black from one of the transparent sets and coloured with Copics/ProMarkers.  The itty-bitty words are from Woodware and gems are from my stash.

The Design Team have once again come up with some brilliant inspiration for you so please do check them out!

Hope to see you in the next two weeks with your Holly creations at ABC Christmas Challenge

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sunday 4 April 2010

No Challenges - Just Two Tildas

Afternoon all, hope you are now relaxing after stuffing yourselves silly with chocolate - been good so far, only had three Minstrels!

Haven't been able to summon enough energy for challenges today but have managed to get my bum into gear to make two long overdue thank you cards.  Both are the same layout but very different results - see what you think


Sorry for being such a limp lettuce today.  I would have thought that after three mornings of getting some extra sleep I might feel a bit more alert but sadly I feel just as worn out as I did when I left work Thursday night!

Catch up with you all soon
Hugs, Squirrel xx

Saturday 3 April 2010

Stamp Something - Pink Somethings


Me again, third post today if you count my Totally Gorjuss DT card.  Please scroll down to see the others.

Got back from the Oldies sooner than expected this afternoon so have had time for a little play with Stamp Somethings Pink Somethings!

I adore this range of Whiff of Joy stamps featuring Charlotte - one of these days I intend to make a gift set of notelets with her - but for the meantime she is coloured using Copics, papers are Daisy & Dandelion and shapes cut with Nestabilities.

Thanks for dropping by - hope you have as much sunshine as we do (for the moment) and that your Easter weekend is a fab one.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Four Challenges and a Big Nose

Hello everyone, just a quickie from me this time - one card for four challenges
Cute Card Thursday So Egg-Citing (or an oval shape)
Penny Black Saturday Challenge Check It Out
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge How Does Your Garden Grow
Sketch Saturday Challenge Terry's Week 
And here is my card





















Penny Black stamp "Yearning", coloured with Copics, papers are 7Gypsies, Joanna Sheen and Papermania, flowers punched and pearls from stash.

And before I dash off - His Royal Highness, Prince Vincenzo Spaghetti is back to helping his mum out ......
Not his best profile but when you are royalty, who cares!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 24 - It's a Sketch

Morning my lovely crafting friends - how are we all today? All ready for Easter then?  I bet those of you who were brave enough to give up chocolate for Lent are starting to dribble a bit by now at the thought of all the goodies you will be let loose on tomorrow.  I gave up craft spending so I think our internet connection may be a bit warm by the end of the weekend LOL!

Anyhoo, it's Saturday so that means another wonderful challenge from the gang that are TOTALLY GORJUSS and, as it's the first weekend of the month, the ever delightful Net has come up with a sketch for you all to have a play with
This was so much fun to work with so thank you Net.  Here is my DT card for this week

As it is Easter weekend I could not resist the chance to use this fab image of Milly with Chickens from Pink Gem.  She is coloured with a mixture of Copics and ProMarkers.  Papers are Basic Grey and PaperCellar and a bit from stash.  Ribbon is from stash also.

Hope you have a wonderful, peaceful and joyful Easter but that you still can find the time to come and play with us this week!

A big sorry to all my wonderful blogging friends for not having been to visit you all as regularly as I should.  Not sure where my time is going these days - seem to be spending way too much of it on the hamster-wheel that is work and not getting enough playtime. 
See you all later
Hugs, Squirrel xx
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