Ready for the weekend

Morning all!  Have you heard the forecast for the weekend?  November weather at last, AND there is a chance of a flurry of the white stuff for us over here in the east ...... thermals at the ready!

I received some very welcome happy mail this week, and I could not resist getting this little fella inky immediately.

Isn't he just the most adorable?!

This is Winter Bunny from Roberto's Rascals at CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Dies are Poppystamps/Memory Box Evergreen Landscape and Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillsides

The night sky paper was a scrap that was just laying on my desk

Matting layer is Bazzil Bling Raspberry

Sentiment from Sweet Little Sentiments set by Clearly Besotted

Well, that's me for today - I'm popping into town this morning once my hair is dry, and then this afternoon Rosie has a trip to the v.e.t for her six month check-up.  You may hear the screams about 2.15ish.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Fit and Elfy

Morning all.  How are you doing?  I am finally starting to get rid of Toad's germs and beginning to feel like a squirrel again.

There's a fab challenge going on over at The Cutie Pie Challenge that is right up my street which is Simply Cute and Christmassy and you all know how much I like my clean and simple designs.

So this little chap, and his tree, are from the MFT Die-Namics set Santa's Elves

and I used the matching dies

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are from a very old pad of DCWV papers

MFT pierced circle die

Tonic scalloped circle die

Sentiment die from Clearly Besotted

And that's it, clean and simple!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Not Just For Christmas

Morning all (just), hope you are all ok.  I'm running a little late today as I have been for a tail trim and colour, and then I made the mistake of sitting down with Rosie.  It was a bit of an effort to pull myself away if I'm honest.  She makes a great chair warmer.

Back in the summer, Lili of The Valley released their Odd Dog collection.  The stamps are all super adorable and can be used for so many occasions.  I had been looking at one in particular for an idea I'd had and thought "why not".  Here he is for my first November Design Collective make.

This stamp is Odd Dog Handwritten

If he fills that book with Christmas wishes then he must have been a very good pup indeed!

Painted with Distress Inks ReInkers)

Papers are Dovecraft Back To Basics

Dies are Die-Versions Corner Concepts

Sentiment from Trimcraft

With apologies to you and to Lili for this not being a particularly imaginative or ambitious make.  Ever since early September, just before the shingles outbreak, I have felt out of sorts and run down.  I'm really lacking in energy just now.  Hopefully a break from work this week will help sort that out and I might get some of my bounce back.

Hug to all

Squirrel xx

Ramona Shares

I was very lucky to receive some happy mail at the end of last week from a friend that really perked me up no end.  This was just before contracting Toad's filthy germs but I did manage to have a play before the grot set in.

I'm not sure that I would want to share anything chocolate related, but if I was sharing with this cute little fella I may feel differently about it, even if he does smell of fish.

Image is Ramona Shares Her Hot Chocolate from Stamping Bella

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are LOTV/Nitwits Festive Trimmings (retired)

Cottage Cutz holly corner die

MFT double stitched square dies

and the Merry is one half of a Dovecraft Merry Christmas sentiment

I shall share the other happy mail make with you in a day or two.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Pollycraft Candy (Before and After)

Morning all.  Cough cough splutter sneeze.  What a way to start a Monday.  Poor ol' Toad has been really poorly over the last few days with an absolute stinker of a cold, and the rotten meanie has passed it on!  

Anyhoo, some of you may have seen on Facebook on Saturday that we had an inky paws incident.  Here's the evidence.

I thought that I had positioned my elbow in an anti-Rosie place, but she can be a determined little devil.  So, she jumped up, over my arm, and front paw into the inks.  The picture shows Walnut Stain, but my craft bench and her white fur also showed more than a bit of Salty Ocean!  

I almost binned this to start again but a very encouraging blogging buddy convinced me that the image was saveable, and she was right (of course).

So, this is Candy from Pollycraft (CC Designs)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Grand Merry Christmas from Memory Box

Scalloped circle from Tonic

Double stitched circle from MFT

Red card by Bazzil

Snowflake paper by BoBunny

Snowflakes by X-Cut Palm Punch

I may rename her Phoenix

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Remember remember the 10th of November

OK, so it's a little poetic licence, but hey, we don't want you to miss the date for the Lili of the Valley release of the cutest little folk and critters!

Self portrait time today:

This very simple little card uses the squirrel image from the Woodland Friends stamps

Isn't that such a cheeky face?!

Papers are the LOTV/Nitwits Enchantment pad

Sentiment from Personal Impressions

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Scalloped stitched circle dies from Memory Box

Custom sized card base

Remember - 10th November - these guys are going to sell FAST!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

There's a moose loose about this hoose

Oh ok, so it isn't a real moose, after all, you would surely notice if there was one of those on the loose in your house.  The footprints would be a dead giveaway.

I'm showing my age with the title of this post, oh those blissful mornings of Junior Choice with Ed Stewpot Stewart!  And if you are wondering ..... have a listen

Anyhoo, in case you have been living in a cupboard for the past week, there is a new Lili of The Valley release on the way (sooner if you are at the NEC this week) on 10 November.  

This adorable little Harvest Mouse is part of the Woodland Friends stamp (with a Squirrel and a Hedgehog)

I've painted him with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The straw paper is an ancient remnant, in fact I think it was the last of what I had

Brown card is Bazzil

MFT double stitched circle die, Tonic plain circle dies, Memory Box stitched scalloped circle die

Lawn Fawn Scripty For You die (double cut for the shadow effect)

Martha Stewart grass border punch

Viva Pearl Pen - gold

Keep your purse on standby!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) November

First Monday of November, and winter is upon us (well, yes, I know, technically it isn't, but it's dark nights now and cold, so that makes it winter in my book!).

This month over at WITHOUT WORDS the theme is WINTER BIRTHDAY

Here's my make:

Very CAS, but that's what the challenge is about!

Stamped image is CC Designs Latte Sue

I had a ball painting her in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is by Clearly Besotted from the Fancy Sayings set

Matting layer is Dovecraft Back to Basics

The sponsor this month is CLEARLY BESOTTED - it would be silly not come over and join in!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Woodland Friends

You can probably guess by now that if you hear me squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeealing then there is a new LILI OF THE VALLEY release on the way.

I think this time my squeal has been heard all over the place - oh my, this is a cute one coming up on 10 November (or earlier if you are going to the NEC this week) - there are little folk in occupations and sports, and little critters being friendly, and every single one of them is adorable!

The Design Collective have been busy making samples and I chose this one, which is no real surprise!

Told you it wouldn't be a surprise, lol

So, this is Woodland Friends - there are three images and lots of sentiments

There is a sweet little harvest mouse that I used on the inside of the card but I was such a numpty that I forgot to take a photo of him

Papers are all from the LOTV/Nitwits Enchantment pad

Friend die is possibly Mama Elephant

and the Leaf dies are definitely Lawn Fawn

Images painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Look out for all the other brilliant samples from my Design Collective team-mates.  This is one release that you won't be able to resist.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

In The Pink (DT) Magical

Well helloooooo, how the devil are you all?  Lookie here, it's a new challenge from

IN THE PINK

and with Halloween so near, we would like to see some pink magic this time please

I've used a Tiddly Inks clear stamp - Wryn as a witch is so cute!

Painted with every pink Distress Ink (ReInkers) that I own

Woodware Latin Script stamp - thought it looked like she's casting a spell

Papers are a mish-mash of Papermania and Dovecraft

Rymans 250gsm brilliant white coated card

Sparkly pink dots from stash

Fussy cutting by me

This challenge is sponsored by LIVE & LOVE CRAFTS with a £10 voucher

Don't forget, you have two weeks to enter, and your make must have more pink than any other colour!

See you there

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Equality!

Morning all!  I had more happy mail arrive at the end of last week and I am not known for patience when it comes to Roberto's Rascals so out came the inkies, and yes, more of the dreaded red, it really does have a mind of it's own!

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals Miss Claus

Who said Santa can't be feminine huh?

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos for hair

Poppy Stamps Jumbled Merry Christmas die (the "Christmas" part is inside)

Crealies XXL rectangle stitched dies

Bazzil red cardstock

And that's all she wrote, sweet and simple.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

My first Gerda

Hello chaps!  Late in the day for me, I know, but having had the washing machine plumbed and plugged in for the first time in two weeks I have had a frantic morning loading and unloading it and the tumble dryer, desperately trying to reduce the size of Mount Dirtysocks.

We've got the builders in, turning part of our garage into a functional utility area, and the estimated two week job is now about to roll into week four.  So nearly there, but not quite.  It's becoming quite frustrating!

Anyhoo, I had some very happy mail this week - I placed my first order with Gerda Steiner and with ultra fast delivery I am now the proud owner of a set of her brilliantly cute stamps.  Thank you Gerda, it might have been my first order but it won't be my last.

How could I resist?

So this adorable little chap and the accessory stamps are all from the Gerda Steiner

Happy Fall Squirrel stamp set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all Maja Designs - Walking In The Forest

Hello die from Mama Elephant

Leaf dies from Lawn Fawn

I used five of the stamps from the set, the squirrel, the stump, the acorn, and two leaves.

I had to mask the squirrel's feet for the placement of the stump, I think it looks ok

This happy little chap with his guilty look really makes me smile.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Feelin' Purple

It's Friiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiidaaaaaaaaay!  Whoop whoop!

Morning all, and Friday at last, hurrah, the weekend starts in nine hours, and can't get here soon enough.  This horrid shingles virus hasn't gone completely yet and I am absolutely shattered by the end of each working day, so you can imagine how tired I am by the end of the week.  A lot of sleep is on the menu for Saturday and Sunday!

Anyhoo, I am bobbing by with my second outing for October for Lili Of The Valley Design Collective.  You might have noticed a lot of purple featuring in my cards of late, and this one is no different.  I blame that Mr Holtz and his new Wilted Violet Distress Ink, it is just so yummy.

Of all the Odd Dog characters from LOTV, I think this one, Mug Of Tea, is my favourite

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers (more purple) from LOTV/Nitwits Promises pad (patterned and solids)

Sentiment is LOTV Happy Circular Sentiments Set 8

Papermania enamel dots (purple, lol), MFT double stitched rectangle die, and the twiddly bits poking out from under the sentiment are two cuts of a Whimsy corner die back-to-back

So, that's me for today.  Keep an eye on this space for some exciting Lili news coming soon.  Also, if you weren't already aware, Lili have recently moved (same site, different address) and will shortly be opening a COFFEE SHOP!  Oh how I wish I could pop upto Leeds and back in a couple of hours, lol.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

I Hate Red!!

Hello chaps!  It's official, I hate red ink!  I have been making the unmentionables this weekend - and they have involved a lot of red (Cola Cola has a lot to answer for).  For my next one I shall be going back to the traditional pre-advertising green, so there!

I received some very happy Happy Mail on Saturday and just had to get stamping.......

Sorry for the poor quality photo - there's not been a lot of sunshine!

Thank you to the wonderful Tracy at Dies to Die For for pulling out the stops on this for me.

Image stamps and sentiment are from the MFT Jingle All The Way set

(yes, I know it's like hens teeth, still can't find the dies so had to fussy cut - was at risk of turning reindeer into a labrador late Saturday afternoon)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Circle die from CC Designs to create the aperture

Tree papers from LOTV/Nitwits but now discontinued (sad face)

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Psst:  Rosie news!  She sat on my lap for the very first time at the weekend.  Voluntarily!

Final Reminder

Hi all, just popping by with a final reminder for the Lili Of The Valley special offer on many rubber stamps that finishes tomorrow.  If you haven't already indulged, make this a treat to yourself!

For my last card I have gone CAS with this super cute, and very simple to colour, image.

Stamp is A Star On Top

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) - how cute is that penguin?!

Papers are LOTV Frosty Christmas

Sentiment is from Christmas Wishes Set 75

Stars were the waste from a Martha Stewart border punch and were the perfect size for what I needed

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

It's been a long time coming.....

.... I've got a couple of days off this week, using up holiday before I lose it, and although the weather is rubbish it doesn't matter, Rosie and I have been busy in the craft room, her sound asleep in the chair and me painting away like a mad thing.

In between DT jobs I decided that it was finally time for me to make a start on something I have wanted to do for a long time, and that is do an Art Journal.

I'm a self-taught colourist but am so inspired by the talents of so many crafters, it wouldn't be fair to list them all here in case I accidentally missed someone off, but take it from me, there is some amazing talent out there!  I will never reach those dizzy heights but even I can see how much I have improved over the years and my style has changed too, I have become more confident with colour and shading and I am no long afraid of the dark!

Anyhoo, here is Page 1 of my first Art Journal and as it is October, what better to start with than a pumpkin.

It's my favourite girl!

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals - Pumpkin Twila

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos hair

Die-Versions Marker Micro alphabet die for her name

Papers are random Basic Grey pages and a page of black art card

MFT double stitched rectangle die

I can see this becoming addictive

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

In The Pink (DT)

Hello peeps, we have a special IN THE PINK challenge for you this time as it is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so we would like you to use some pink ribbon on your make in recognition of this very important campaign.

I have a confession to make - my last piece of pink ribbon was used to wrap a birthday present recently so I had to wing it and fake some ribbon with some pink stitched effect card I had!

Stamped image is CC Designs Baker Nancy

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Papers are Simple Stories Colour Vibe

And the sentiment is LOTV Vintage Labels Set 28 Occasions

Custom sized card base

Our sponsor for this very special challenge is PAPER NEST DOLLS - $15 voucher

Hug to all

Squirrel xx

The Cutie Pie Challenge - Pretty In Pink

Today's The Day!

Are you ready for it?  Yes, today the Special Offer from Lili of The Valley starts and includes many, many gorgeous stamps that you really do need to have in your stash!  The offer runs from today until Sunday so make sure you get over there for a peek, it will be first come first served so don't be late.

There is also a challenge running from today on the Lili Facebook page so please do come and join the fun.

As I mentioned on Monday, the Design Collective have been making cards like crazy to inspire you with the offer stamps, and this is my second card.  If you missed it, my first one was Teddy With Penguin.

OK, for this one I have used Playtime Kitten - awwwwh

(there is a Playtime Puppy available too if kitties are not your thing)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all from the LOTV/Nitwits pad - Perfect Pair

Stars border is a Joanna Sheen Signature die - Starry Night Edger

Sentiment is a banner flag stamp from Clearly Besotted

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Special Offer

Calling all Lili fans, here is a date for your diary - from midday Wednesday this week, until Sunday, there will be a special offer over at Lili of The Valley on many, many yummy and delicious stamps!  There will also be a challenge running over on the Facebook page so make a date for Wednesday 14th October and come over and join in the fun!  

The Design Collective have been busy having a wonderful time making samples for you from the stamps that are going to be on offer and you will see these sprinkled throughout blogland and Facebook over the next few days.  If they don't tempt you into treating yourself to some of the stamps then you must have ice in your veins!

Here is my first sample card for the week:

The LOTV stamp used is Teddy With Penguin

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers used are LOTV Frosty Christmas and, just peeking through, Krafty Christmas

Lots of dies used for this one:  Tonic circular trellis set, Tonic classic circles, Memory Box Stitched Snowflake Circle Frame and Memory Box Twilight Snowflakes

And very subtle, between the trellis and the snowflake frame, there is a twinkle of Glamour Dust

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Just a lick

Morning all!  Blimey, I am finding it hard to get back into a proper blogging routine, this should have been scheduled for nice and early this morning but I forgot last night and was still tucked up in my nice warm bed at posting time!  Never mind, I am here now.

This is the first of my October outings for the Lili of The Valley Design Collective and I have used one of my all time favourite male stamps.

This handsome fella is A Lick Of Paint

And I have painted him with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all Dovecraft Back To Basics True Blue

(although to be honest, the blue is more purple so I went that direction)

The Dripping Goo Edge border is MFT

The tag stamp is from a retired LOTV clear set

but the sentiment (partial) is from the Simply Sophisticated Set 26

Custom sized card base 5x6

Well, that's me for today.  I'm off for a haircut later, the builder is popping round, it's live qualifying for the Russian F1 Grand Prix, and I have a joint of pork to get roasted, as well as some DT work to get done, wish me luck!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) October

First Monday of the month, so that must mean it is time for a new challenge over at Without Words

The theme for October is

PURPLE and GREEN (but NO Halloween)

For my CAS card I have used

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals Fairy Twila

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Papers are an assortment of LOTV/Nitwits

The "hello" die and stamped sentiment are from the Hello Hero Arts set

Custom sized card base

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

WCM Day & A Winner

Yoo-hoo!  Tis me, somewhat less spotty now, and certainly able to move around more - which is a good job really as I am due back to work on Monday after three and a half weeks off.  I wish I could say I felt refreshed, but sadly not!

Anyhoo, a couple of things, firstly it is apparently World Card Making Day, so a very happy WCMD to all my crafty friends.  I could not let another day go by without a play so here it is.

This little lass is Banner Heidi from CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos Pencils for hair

Papers are all from Dovecraft, an older Back to Basics collection

Sentiment is from MFT Blue Skies set

Frame die is MFT Cover Up Companion Vertical

and the banner die is La La Land Heart Banner

I had great fun choosing which papers to insert into the frame, it was a lot of mixing and matching so that means I have leftovers for a variation on the theme!

Purple Friends Winner

And the second thing is to tell you about the WINNER of the PURPLE FRIENDS challenge that was running here on my blog during September.  Although there wasn't an overwhelming number of entries, the standard of those who did enter was amazing, and it has been a difficult job for the scamps to narrow it down to a choice of one.  

Anyway, we did, and the winner is SUE @ Tanglemouse Cards

Could you email me please Sue so we can sort your prize

So, that's it from me today.  I shall be back on Monday when we start a new challenge over at Without Words!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Pirate Twila

Nothing much to tell you today so here's a rarity, I actually felt well enough to make a card this week.

I do have a terrible soft spot for this little character

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals Pirate Twila

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) including the new Wilted Violet (yummy)

Papers are from a very old Papermania collection

MFT double stitched square die

Stars die is a Die-Versions Corner Concept

and the others done with X-Cut Palm Punch

That's all

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Santa Penguin

Hello peeps, it seems like an eternity since I was last able to sit at the computer and do a post, even though it isn't really.  

Thanks to everyone who has sent get well wishes, I have some wonderful friends out there in blogland.  I think I am finally starting to improve, the "tasered daily" feeling is now reduced to "wrapped in an electric fence" sensation and the blisters are beginning to go.

This is the first card I have made in over two weeks, and it took me ages.  I had almost forgotten how to use the inks!

I had promised that I wasn't going to indulge in any new Christmas images this year.  That lasted about three days until all the new releases started to appear, and as soon as I saw this one I could resist no longer.

This is Santa Penguin by Krista Heij Barber, one of my favourite Whimsy Stamps artists

Very simple layout with Dovecraft Glad Tidings papers

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The sentiment comes with the stamp, I didn't even separate them

Hope he makes you smile as much as he did me.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

H. Bears

This is my second September Design Collective outing for Lili Of The Valley

Image from the Happy Bears Set 88

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers from LOTV/Nitwits Snow Princess and 

LOTV/Raspberry Road Shabby Shack

Matting layers are white card edged with a ProMarker

Woodware medium retro flower punch, CC Designs Leafy Branch die

Papermania white button, pearls from stash

Sentiment from MFT Birthday Bears stamp set

Hugs (from behind clingfilm)

Squirrel xx

In The Pink

It's a new challenge over at IN THE PINK and the theme for this fortnight is 

For A Friend

Stamping Bella - Maisy & Madeleine Have Some Tea

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

MFT Die-Namics stitched dies

Dovecraft Back To Basics papers

Martha Stewart doily lace border punch

MFT sentiment

and the inside

This challenge is sponsored by HANDMADE BLISS

Hugs to all

Squirrel (in quarantine) xx

Friends

Really a fly by with a reminder for the SRC Purple Friends - the challenge is open until 30 September.

As some of you know, I have been laid low by the evil shingles virus, and I am feeling somewhat trampled, so apologies.  I am in quarantine at the moment but am keeping my fingers crossed that the anti-viral meds work their magic soon because (a) I am fed up with feeling ill and (b) the meds are awful.

Struggling to remember what I used to make this one ..... 

Stamp is Swiss Pixie Lucy with Teddy from CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos hair

Paper from LOTV/Nitwits Promises pad

MFT stitched border die

MFT sentiment from the Birthday Bears set

Pearls from stash

Hugs to all

Spotty Squirrel xx

Christmas Shopping

No, I haven't started mine yet!  I've barely made a dent on the Christmas cards, so the shopping will be it's usual last minute frantic silliness.

Christmas Shopping is the name of the stamp I've used for the first of my September Design Collective pieces for Lili Of The Valley - you didn't seriously think I was really shopping did you?!

Christmas Shopping stamp from Lili Of The Valley

Papers are Dovecraft: North Pole

Dies used are MFT double stitched square and Joanna Sheen ivy corner

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

It looks like the list should be longer but I put that down to there being a lot of layers!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) September

You know the routine, first Monday of the month means Without Words, and here we are again!

The theme this time around is FOR THE BOYS

I have used Golfing Tom from CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Dovecraft Bloom & Grow and Crafters Companion Angelica & Adam

Dies used are:  WPlus9, My Favourite Things, Memory Box

Grass border punch is Martha Stewart

The fellas like to get cards too, so please do come and join us.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

SRC Purple Friends - Reminder

Morning everyone - just popping by with a reminder of the current Squirrel's Random Challenge where the theme is 

FRIENDSHIP (please include something PURPLE)

Another CC Designs stamp - this cutie is called Rosie

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are various LOTV/Nitwits from different pads

Sentiment by My Favourite Things

The challenge runs until 9.00pm (UK) on 30 September, and you can enter up to three times.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx