Holiday Photos

Look, it's a miserable, wet day and you're bored already - so let me bore you a little bit more with some holiday photos from the Lake District!

Birdoswald Roman Fort

Derwent Water

Derwent Water

Hadrian's Wall

Lanercost Priory Church Door

Ruins of Lanercost Priory

Cumberland Pencil Museum and a monkey

Cumberland Pencil Museum

Penrith Castle

Samantha & Efisio signing the Register

Settle Rail Station

South Tynedale Steam Railway

All the mod cons!

Oh Baby! - Totally Gorjuss # 41

Am I here?  Am I not?  Post has been scheduled just in case so you may never know LOL!!!

Saturday!  TOTALLY GORJUSS day!  I hope that you flooded the team with your entries for last week's challenge, they need to be kept busy to keep them out of mischief. 

And so to this week's theme - Baby!  No, that's the theme,  Baby, not me calling you Baby.  I might be a child of the 60's but that's too way out there, even for me!  Oh shut up Squirrel and get on with it, here's my card -

Sweeeeeeeet little baby girl called Bubbles from Sugar Nellie and a right old mix of papers, PDA Card & Craft, Wild Rose Studio, Papermania and stash.  Teddies were in a crafting gift parcel sometime ago and this is their first outing.

Come on then, now you are all feeling broody, let's be seeing those adorable little rugrat cards!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

I'm Back!

Hi Guys, yes I have returned at last!  Samantha and Efisio's wedding was soooooo amazing and Samantha looked a million dollars.

It was so good to finally meet some of my blogging buds at long last too - Carol, Cathy, Angie, Samantha (of course), Mands, Helen, Lynn and Uma.  Thank you for making me feel so welcome.  Uma, you are as mad as I had been lead to believe girl!

A rather damp week in the Lake District - on Monday I ended up having to swap my rather squelchie and soggy (but perfect for walking in) sandals for a pair of waterproof hiking boots.  I think the sandals may have just about dried out now.  I will hopefully upload some photos over the weekend (of the holiday, not my footwear).

It was good to have a break but even better to come home - I never have been a great one for holidaying away, and I was a bit homesick and I missed my boy Vince terribly.  However, it would appear that he didn't miss us as much - his granny spoilt him rotten (he even got roast beef!!) - and his greeting yesterday evening was a little on the cool side.  He's ok now though so I think we've been forgiven.

I'll try and catch up with you all over the next few days.

Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - P is for Presents

Hi everyone, it is Cyber-Squirrel here (if the scheduling works) with the next challenge from ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE and our theme for this fortnight is P for Presents (and an optional extra of lace).  Our sponsor this time is Stitchy Bear Stamps.

Lace always says girlie to me so I've tried to be different .....

Image and sentiment are from Lili Of The Valley (I've been itching to use this stamp but not had the occasion), cardstock is DCWV and paper is Basic Grey.  Red raffia (which started off lilac as you can see in places) came in a RAK.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Samantha's Wedding Card

As many of you know, Samantha of Penrith Crafts Blog, got married yesterday to Efisio.  I was so thrilled to receive an invitation to the wedding as Samantha and I have been crafting buddies and good friends ever since we "met" way back when on the DoCrafts Forum.  I hope to have some wedding pics for you when I get back but in the meantime here is my wedding card

Front

Tilda and Edwin from the Magnolia Wedding Collection coloured with Copics and ProMarkers, papers are PaperCellar Wedding Collection, flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts and sentiment is Whiff of Joy.

Inside 1

Magnolia Rose Arch and Whiff of Joy Sentiment, again Copics and ProMarkers with Sakura glitterglaze pen.

Inside 2

And the rose arch again with the married couple.

And the whole Z shaped card

At the time of scheduling this post I have absolutely no idea what Samantha's reaction will be but I hope she likes it!

Editing to enter into this week's ABC CHALLENGE - Z for Zig-Zag Cards.

Congratulations - Totally Gorjuss # 40

Keep your fingers crossed - I've scheduled this post so ....... if you are reading it, then it worked, and I'm heading towards the Lake District for a certain lady's wedding tomorrow (Samantha of Penrith Crafts) and a few days pootling about in our glorious English countryside.  And yes, I have packed rain jacket, storm-proof umbrella and wellies as well as t-shirts, bug spray and flip-flops!  I understand now why we don't go away very often - it's just so darned stressful!  Next year it will definitely be days out from home.

Here we are, the weekend again and the weekend means TOTALLY GORJUSS - and our challenge this week is a simple one - CONGRATULATIONS.  The big question is, who are you congratulating, and what for?  Passing their driving test, new job, wedding, baby?  The choice is endless so I can't wait to see what you create.

Here is my DT for this challenge

I love this Cheerleader from Sugar Nellie - she's just that little bit sassy, and I think she'd work for a male (you know how they like long legs!) or female congrats card.  Papers are Basic Grey and stars and mats done with Nestabilities.  A little Rhinestone Stickles glitterglue around the edges of the pink stars.

I won't be available to comment on the challenge cards this week so I hope you will make sure that you keep my other teamies busy and provide them with loads of fabulous entries to look at!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Taa-raah then Flowers

Just a quickie to say cheerio for a bit - off on hols tomorrow morning (including the wonderful Samantha's wedding on Sunday!).  Have scheduled my Totally Gorjuss and ABC Christmas Challenge DT cards so hope they work but I won't have computer access for the week so won't be able to comment.  Sorry.

I shall be meeting some blogging buddies for the first time although we've "known" each other for ages via DoCrafts and Blogland so I am quite excited about that but very nervous at the same time, HUGE butterflies.

Still got a full day at work ahead of me and then got the packing to do tonight.  Now I know why we normally holiday from home!

See you all in a week.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Just for fun

Hi all, hope you are having super weekends.  The gale-force winds have finally eased off now and we have an afternoon of scorching sunshine.  I've been so busy trying to get ahead with my DT cards before I go on holiday next weekend that I've not had time for any challenges this week, but I have made one birthday card that I need to post tomorrow

I've used New Hat stamp from Lili Of The Valley - she's just so adorable, and coloured her with Copics.  Papers are (pink daisy) Daisy & Dandelion and (blue polka dot) Wild Rose Studio.  Martha Stewart border punch and I've 3D'd a couple of the daisies.  Simple but sweet I think.

Thanks for dropping by.

Squirrel xx

Tilda Candy Winners

First, I'd like to say a huge thank you for all my wonderful crafty birthday cards, gifts and for the birthday wishes messages - you really made it a special day for me.  I have made so many brilliant friends through blogging, you guys are simply the best!

Anyhoo, down to business, the winners of my Tilda wedding candy.  Loads of entries and for a while it was Option 2 in the lead but Option 1 eventually made it a close run thing.

So, all entries into Mr Random Number Generator and the winners are (drum roll please) ......

• Option 1 - Kat
• Option 2 - Hayward69

Congratulations!  Please email your details so I can post these little lovelies off to you on.

Thanks to everyone who took part.  There will be another little candy soon so keep an eye out for that.

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

Thinking of You - Totally Gorjuss Challenge 39

Ooh my word, you ladies loved the water theme!  Now I've dried out a bit I can say thank you for all your wonderful entries.  Do check the TOTALLY GORJUSS blog to see who was chosen as our winner.

The theme for this week's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge is one of my favourites, Thinking Of You.  This covers so many areas - it could be a sympathy card, an I love you card, a friendship greeting or simply I'm thinking of you.

As always, the DT are providing you with some wonderful inspiration so do check our those beauties.  Here is my little offering:

I love this little Tilda with her flower from the Wedding Collection, she's such a sweetie and a dream to colour with Copics.  DPs are all Basic Grey and matting card is DCWV Bright Stack.  I've used my new set of Nestabilities labels 10 and a couple of Martha Stewart punches with the sentiment from Lili Of The Valley.  Pearls are from stash.

Thanks so much for popping over to see me.  I was at work all day yesterday on my birthday and the Toad has abandoned me today (he's on a course - no, not golf - until late this afternoon) so after I've had my tail trimmed and re-touched, I'm having lunch with my wonderful parents and then an afternoon of creating.

Hope you all have a super weekend.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Last Chance Saloon and .......

Just a quick reminder that my Tilda wedding candy closes at 10pm (UK time) tonight so if you've not got your name down yet, this may be your last chance.

And, hip hip hurrah - call the fire brigade out - it's my birthday!  But, boo hiss, I'm at work.  And I leave the house about four hours before the postman visits so I've no idea what will be sitting waiting for me when I get home.

Anyone for cake?

Hugs, Older Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - O for Ornaments

Hi Everyone, and welcome to another fortnight's challenge with ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the Noel challenge - you came up with some stunning entries, don't forget to check back to the blog later to see the winners.

For this challenge, O is for Ornaments (or baubles) with the optional extra of gloss/shine.  The rest of the DT have come up with some fabulous inspiration for you but I confess that because of the heat and other commitments I have failed so .....

You have to be a certain age to remember this!  Hopefully normal service will be resumed for P.

Look forward to seeing all your wonderful O entries - deadline for the challenge is 27 July.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

LOTV Challenge 57

Oh my giddy aunt, it's hot hot hot!  Hope you guys are keeping cool and refreshed.  It was 35C (that's 95F in old money) in my craft room this morning so I've had to wait for the sun to go round for it to drop to an only-just-bearable 30C so's I could dash out, craft, dash in. 

Even Vince, normally a heat seeking missle, is flumped out on the floor in my bedroom.  Poor little love, he really doesn't know what to do with himself.  This year he has decided that maybe the fan in the living room isn't a big bad monster and he will share the room with it, but not too close you understand, just in case it turns nasty on him.

Anyhoo, I digress (what's new I hear you cry) - over at LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge this week is a fab Dawny P sketch  -

For my card I have used one of the recently released Busy Bears "Busy Baking" and she's coloured with Copics.  Papers are Basic Grey and DCWV Bright Stack.  Woodware daisy punches with corners and pearls from stash.  Sentiment is also LOTV.

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 38 - Splish Splash

When you are a squirrel with a thick coat of fur, summer heat is not ideal - things start to go a bit frizzy.  What you need to do is cool down with a nice shower of rain - oh if only!  Welcome to the TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge for this week and our theme is WATER.

Yes, we would like to see your water themed cards - be it puddles, rain, goldfish bowls, an ocean cruise - anything wet.

Thanks for all your fabulous entries to last week's sketch challenge - you really rocked the boat with that one! Don't forget to check the TG blog for the winner.  And while you are over there, do check out the DT cards for this week's inspiration.  We welcome on board two guest DTs, Nina and Mary J.

So here is my DT card for this challenge

I've used this gorgeous "By The River" stamp from Lili Of The Valley - don't you just want to swap places with him?  I'd have my paws in that water in a flash (probably kill all the fish though).  Papers are Making Memories and Doodlebug, sentiment is Craftwork Cards and I've gone for the "fake" button look with my Nestabilities and Japanese screw punch.  Image is coloured with Copics.

So what do you have planned for your weekend then (apart from making your TG entry)?  I have a weekend of sofa sport lined up - first two days of mountain climbing for the Tour de France and a whizz around Silverstone with the British Grand Prix.  What more could a squirrel ask for - apart from a nice, cold shandy?!

Oh and this is your last chance to enter my Tilda wedding candy - it's closing on 16 July - so get your name down if you fancy either of those cute little stamps.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Penny Black Saturday

Hi all, hope you have had super weekends - can't believe it is Sunday night already!  Aaaargh, work tomorrow!!

Anyway, over at Penny Black Saturday Challenge the theme is Red White & Blue and here is my entry

I've used Penny Black "Sweet Thing" coloured with Copics, dps are Anita's (blue) and from stash (red) and card stock is Bazzil.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Tilda No 1 and Just Magnolia No 62

I just could not resist combining these two challenges - but I did have to have a little chuckle to myself along the way.

It is JUST MAGNOLIA Special Monthly Challenge and there is a wonderful tutorial from Jeanette on how to make a Criss-Cross Pocket Card.  At first I was a bit daunted, but then seeing how clearly Jeanette explained it all, I just had to have a go.

And it is the first TOTALLY TILDA CHALLENGE with the theme of Chocolate.  Which is where I started giggling.  My craft room is in our conservatory and it is roasting hot out there - if the Chocolate got by me then it wouldn't live long out there!

Four photos, so please bear with me.  Materials are Bazzil base card, Bazzil mat (red) card, Doodlebug papers, and Rymans 200gm white coated card, Copics, Martha Stewart zig-zag border punch, Personal Impressions sentiment collection and Cuttlebug alphabet and of course two adorable Tildas.

I was really pleased with how easy the card itself was to make and will certainly be having a go at another one soon.

Thanks for popping by to have peek.  I'm now off to relax with my boys in lycra.  Phwoar.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 37 - A Sketch

What a scorcher of a week it has been!  Technically I ought to be half a stone lighter than I was last Saturday - I have perspired puddles.  I work in an old building with low ceilings and no air conditioning.  We have a bay window with 24 panes of glass - only one of which opens, an inch.  It's been like working inside a sweaty gym sock all week.  You would never believe that I was a summer baby would you?!

So, Saturday, that must mean it is time for TOTALLY GORJUSS and as it is the first week of the month, our Great Leader Net has come up with another of her brilliant to work with sketches for you.  So here it is:

Do pop over to the TG blog to check out who won last week's Gift Bag challenge - we had some absolutely super entries.

Here is my DT card for this week:

I had a request to make a retirement card so I snaffled Net's sketch as the base for it!  DPs are Basic Grey, Tilda and her clover are coloured with Copics, matting card is Bazzil Bling and has a fab sheen to it that you can't see but trust me, it's there.  The text paper is from a pad I've had since I started crafting.

As always, my fellow Gorjussettes have left me in the shade with their wonderful creations - it'd be lovely if you could spend a moment to have a look at what they have created to inspire you.

And the rest of my weekend?  I've got a three week date starting with 228 young men in Lycra shorts later on this afternoon - yes, it is the start of the Tour de France - Bring. It. On!!!

My hero, Lance Armstrong, 7 time winner of the Tour.

And not, forgetting the British - we have a very real chance of having a Brit on the Podium for the first time in 106 years. Go Bradley!

Can you tell I'm excited?

Hugs, Squirrel xx