Spring Chick (DT) DTDF

Happy Saturday all!  I hope you are enjoying your Easter break (or itching for the kids to return to school, depending on how the holidays are going!).

It's my day over at the DIES TO DIE FOR blog and I have some Spring cuteness for you

The linked ingredients used are all available at the Dies To Die For online store

So  for the third in my clutch of chicken themed cards I have used

Whimsy (Krista Heij-Barber) Spring Chick

MFT Graphic Grid 6x6 papers

Die-Namics Stitched Sentiment Strips

Die-Namics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax

Die-Versions font die - this one is Hint of Lime, but Hint of Mint would work equally well

and additionally, Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I love Krista's quirky designs, they always make me smile, and this little chick certainly does that, she just looks so very happy

There's a cheeky little FREE POSTAGE offer on at Dies To Die For for UK customers over the Easter Weekend so it would be rude not to at least have a look!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Anabelle Needs Your Address

Hello chaps, a bit of a surprise for me to be here on a Sunday evening, but I made a card that I wasn't going to blog and then a bloggy friend pointed out that it would fit with a challenge and I didn't have many hours left to squeak it in, so here it is.

So this little one contains:

Stamping Bella - Anabelle Needs Your Address

Woodware Time To Go sentiment

MFT Die-Namics Blueprints 31

MFT Graphic Grid papers

Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and a teeny flower punch from Hobbycraft

and the challenge that this card coincidentally fits is

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Make A Rainbow

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

DTDF (DT) Chicky Girl

Well hellooo peeps!  Hope this finds you well on a sunny and springy April day.  How is it Easter next weekend already?  Been waiting since Christmas for it and then, zoom, it's here!

So, today is my day on the DIES TO DIE FOR blog and I have some Easter cuteness for you.  Are you ready for this?

These are the products that I used from the Dies To Die For store:

CC Designs - Chicky Girl stamp

Die-Namics Garden Fence die

Cheery Lynn Designs Happy Easter B529 die

Die-Namics Double Stitched Rectangle Stax

MFT Lucky Prints 6x6

MFT Graphic Grid 6x6

MFT Farm Fresh Gingham 6x6

Just look at that little chick, isn't his expression priceless?!

and the extras from my stash are

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Polychromos Pencils

and a custom sized card base

Looking forward to being able to put my paws up this weekend, if only for a little while.

Hope you all manage to find some relaxing time too.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

As You Like It (DT) Favourite Shape

Hello peeps, it's time for a new challenge from the lovely gang that are AS YOU LIKE IT

and this time, it is FAVOURITE SHAPE CARD BASE

(and it can be square) but please tell us why it is your favourite

My current favourite card shape is rectangle - it satisfies my CAS streak, but is infinitely adjustable to create different shapes and sizes, from long and skinny, to short and squat (I know that feeling!), and it can be used as portrait or landscape too so a very versatile shape

the outside

and the inside

For this one I have used

MFT BB Beary Special Birthday stamp set

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Die-Namics Party Banners

Pink card for matting layers

Custom sized rectangle card base - 4.5" x 6.5"

and our sponsor for this time is

Sweet Stamp Store

$10.00

No excuses for not joining us for this one,

it's all about the base, 'bout the base, no troubles!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

SNSRC #4 Midway Reminder for Spring Fever

Me again, with a very important message - we are halfway through the SPRING FEVER challenge so if you haven't entered yet, you still have time.

Here is a stunning midway reminder make from the amazingly talented JAYNE

Can't you just smell that hyacinth's sweet perfume?

OK, we've poked you, now get crafting some Springiness!

Hugs to all

The Little Acorns

xxx

DTDF (DT) Sweaty Chicks!

Morning all, it's my turn to share some fun over on the DIES TO DIE FOR blog today, and this time it is some Stamping Bella smiles....

All the following items are available instore at DIES TO DIE FOR

Stamping Bella - Sweaty Chicks (image and sentiment)

Die-Namics Blueprints 31

Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Border dies

MFT Dots and Stripes: Sorbet 6x6 paper pad

MFT Tiny Check: Brights 6x6 paper pad

and the extras were

Distress Inks (ReInkers) and the star punch from Hobbycraft

Hugs to all

Squirrel xxx

In The Pink (DT) Spring Flowers

Hello chaps, it's a new challenge theme over at IN THE PINK today and this time we are looking for you to share your Spring Flowers with us!

I first saw this stamp set being showcased by the very talented Faye when we

went to the Sincerely Yours Papercraft Show in Thetford, and I knew I had to have

it as it is one I can use time and time again.

Mind you, my make isn't a patch on what Faye created!

So, this bright and happy any occasion card has been made using

Paper Smooches - Best Buds (stamps and dies)

Your Next Stamp - Hugs and Kisses 6x6 paper pad

Rymans bright pink cardstock

Lili of The Valley mini tag sentiment

Martha Stewart Flower Border Punch

Die-Namics Double Stitched Rectangle Stax

and a tiny pink dot that was waste from a die-cut as a faux brad!

Image coloured (shock! horror!) with Polychromos Pencils

and to tempt you is a £15 voucher from our sponsor

DIES TO DIE FOR

(all linked items available in store)

I do hope you can find the time to get your petals on and come over to join in the floral fun!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Mouse With Rose (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello chaps, it is the weekend (yay) and Spring really does seem to have sprung now, at last!  We have a busy weekend ahead, what with Mother's Day tomorrow, Church twice, the start of the 2017 Formula 1 season (yippee!) and I have some special design work to get on with.  So without more ado, here is my make for the DIES TO DIE FOR blog today.

Whimsy Stamps: Lee Holland Collection - Mouse With Rose

MFT Die-Namics Double Stitched Circle Stax

MFT Die-Namics Dainty Doily Die

MFT Watercolor Wash 6x6 pad

Your Next Stamp Hugs And Kisses 6x6 pad

All the linked ingredients are available from the

Dies To Die For on-line store - the links will take you to the right pages

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and I used the off-the-page technique

with the rose.  It proved a little tricky with the double-stitched die but I got there

in the end

Heart punch from the bargain bin at Hobbycraft

I have made this for my Oldies' wedding anniversary for this coming Tuesday.

A little while ago I had a phone call from my dad, it isn't often he will make a call so I was a little concerned, but I had to have a chuckle.

Dad:  You know what this year is?

Me:  Yes dad, it's 2017.

Dad:  Me and your mum have been married 60 years.

Me:  No, you haven't.

Dad:  We have.

Me:  No dad, you really haven't.  It's 58.

Dad:  Are you sure?

Me:  Yes dad, you got married in 1959, that's 58 years.  You have 2 years to go.

Dad:  Oh bugger.

😕

Bless his little heart.  But it did give me the opportunity to remind him that it might not be an 0 anniversary, but it is an 0 birthday for my mum.  He was grateful that I had mentioned it, and asked me to remind him again nearer the time!

Hope you have a super weekend, whatever you are up to

Hugs, Squirrel xx

DIES TO DIE FOR

AYLI (DT) Favourite Colouring Medium

Hello chaps, today sees the start of a new challenge over at
AS YOU LIKE IT

and our theme is Your Favourite Colouring Medium
(and purrleeease remember to tell us WHY it is your favourite)

I've tried just about everything - watercolour pencils, watercolour paints, ProMarkers, Copics, art pencils ..... but the one I feel most comfortable with and come back to time and time again are the Distress Inks (ReInkers) used as watercolours - they are such fun colours to work with and I love how you can create so much depth and tone with them - although as with most water based medium, they can be a little unpredictable at times, but that's half the fun!

So, I have used an older Stampavie image called "Being Together"

and of course, she has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I have sponged the sky with Broken China Distress Ink and a home made stencil

Matting layers are from Your Next Stamp "Hugs & Kisses" and MFT "Watercolor Wash"

Sentiment is from MFT "Lots Of Hugs " sentiment stamp set

I hummed and haard about making her into a card, but instead have added her to a page of my memories book.

Looking forward to seeing you over at the challenge.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Happy Bird-Day (DT) Dies To Die For

Happy Squirrel day everyone!

Well, it's not Squirrel day, it's Saturday, but that's the same thing in my book (grins), especially as it is my day to showcase over on the DIES TO DIE FOR blog

The linked products are all available on the Dies To Die For store

Whimsy (Chrissy Armstrong Collection) - Happy Bird-Day stamp

Die-Namics Double Stitched Circle Stax

MFT Tribal Prints 6x6 pad

and the extras used are

Tonic layered circle dies

A small star punch and a corner punch that I used to nibble away at

the sentiment panel to give a rustic look

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

As you can probably see, this is one of those odd shaped cards - I marked out the circle from

mid-line in pencil and then carefully cut with a knife so that half the circle overlaps the

inside of the card, which is where the contrast paper layer is, so I got the circle shape without

adding an extra layer

It's the first time I've tried this and I really like the effect, it just gives a CAS

card that something extra without being cluttered with other stuff but I could really do with

practising my knife skills!

I'm off for a tail colour and trim at lunchtime, and then it will be an afternoon of

clipping back shrubbery in the back garden.  I would be much happier sat

with a paintbrush in my paw

Have a super day, whatever you are up to

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Dies To Die For online store

Bluebell (DT) Dies To Die For

Happy Saturday everyone, here I am again with some loveliness
brought to you from Dies To Die For

All the linked items below can be found in the store

Wild Rose Studio - Bluebell With Hedgehog

My Favorite Things - Sweet Celebration paper pad

My Favorite Things - Watercolor Wash paper pad

Impression Obsession - Birthday Top Edgers

Die-Namics - Dainty Doily border

Lawn Fawn - Puffy Clouds Borders
Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I've been under the weather for the last couple of weeks with this hideous cold virus that has been doing the rounds.  It went through our office like wildfire.  I thought I was getting over it and then WHAM! back it came with a vengeance.  Hopefully I am now on the right side of it, hope so, as we are beginning to squabble over the tissue box! 

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Dies To Die For on-line store

Don't forget to check out the Events Page, there could be something

DTDF happening near you!

AYLI (DT) Favourite Stamp Brand

Hello all, hope you are ok - there is a new challenge over at AS YOU LIKE IT starting today and it is (for me) a stinker!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to tell us about your FAVOURITE STAMP BRAND.

Our Team Leader might as well have said "Oh, just choose your favourite pet"!

Good grief, favourite stamp brand?  Impossible.

OK, so I did the thing of "what do I have most of?" - erm, yeah, that went well, the answer is rubber.

So, next "what have I used most in the last twelve months?" - erm, ok, getting warmer.

This could go on for some time so I am going to plump for CC Designs because I adore the Roberto's Rascals range, especially Twila, Nancy, Sue and Henry, they are cheeky, funny, and just that little bit sassy.

So, when I eventually chose a stamp it was CC Designs Roberto's Rascals Chicky Henry

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with a smidge of Polychromos

Papers are Echo Park - Sunny Days Ahead

Matting layers are just white card edged with an orange marker

Sentiment from Clearly Besotted

Our sponsor for this challenge is

Crafts U Love

£10 voucher

OK, get your thinking caps on, and let's be seeing your favourite (and the reason!)

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Forgotten What It Feels Like

Morning all, how are you?  I've been away from work for a couple of days with the lurgy, but by the time this posts, I should be shackled to my desk again.

It seems such a very long time that I made a card just because I wanted to (rather than for a DT or for an order) so I really rather enjoyed myself.  Probably disproportionately considering the small size of the card!

Not many ingredients for this one:

CC Designs - Carrot Love

Echo Park papers - Sunny Days Ahead

MFT Die-Namics Double Stitched Rectangle die

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sponged clouds using a homemade stencil

I have added a sentiment since, but it was personal to the recipient, so I took the

card photo first.

Hope your Tuesday is a good one.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Friends Furever (DTDF DT)

Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you have a super weekend lined up!

It's my day to showcase over on the DIES TO DIE FOR blog
and I have been itching to share these cuties with you all week

MFT - Friends Furever

MFT Die-Namics Twice The Hugs

MFT - Lots Of Hugs

MFT Dots & Stripes Sorbet 6x6 Paper Pad
The bears are painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and fussy cut
There is a matching die set, which I have ordered, but I didn't have it to hand
Hearts are done with a Hobbycraft punch from their bargain bin

And while I was playing with the bears and the Hugs dies, this
little one sort of popped into being as well

and when you open it up

ta-dah!

Anyhoo, that's me for today, so I shall toodle off and
leave you to enjoy your weekend, whatever you are up to

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Dies To Die For online store

In The Pink (DT) Special Lady

So, now we are into March - so it must be Hello Spring at last!

Today, over at IN THE PINK the theme for the next two weeks is SPECIAL LADY which is perfectly timed for all of you out there making Mother's Day cards.

Here is my make:

So I have used:

Stamping Bella: Squidgie - Smoochie

Tonic heart dies

Poppy Stamps Bubble Daisy Border

Doodlebug paper

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

and our sponsor of this challenge is ALL DRESSED UP

So, what's stopping you, go and get PINK!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Squirrel's Not So Random Challenge #4 - Spring Fever

According to the MetOffice it is the first day of Spring, in meteorological terms anyway, and I'm happy with that, because it means, technically, that the long and dark days of winter are officially behind us!

Apologies to anyone who popped by on 1 February expecting a new challenge from us, things didn't quite go to plan, but here we are now with a theme that should suit you all beautifully for the next couple of months

SPRING FEVER

So, anything Spring related is what we are looking for, it could be your image, the colours you use, flowers, anything that screams Spring at us

Here is what my clever Little Acorns have been up to

Annette

Becky

Jayne

Squirrel

Sue

Don't those just fill you with sunshine?

And of course the long overdue winner from our last challenge

LUCY WOODS

 Your prize will be with you shortly Lucy

Remember, this challenge will run for two months, closing at 6.00pm (UK time) on

Saturday 29 April

Hugs

Squirrel and The Little Acorns

An InLinkz Link-up

Tessie The Teacher (DTDF DT)

Morning everyone.  Welcome to the world of germs, well, certainly a house of germs.  How is it, that everytime the schools have half-term, full term, PD days, and the kids are roaming loose around the world (instead of being held in captivity, which they should be until at least the age of 14) there is an almighty outbreak, within three days of them being released, of hideous germs that sweep through civilisation like a wildfire?!

This house has been infected with germs since just after the start of the last half term.  Toad came home with it.  To be fair, he may not have been the carrier, as the office is also riddled with coughs and sneezes.  I travel to work on public transport and for weeks those journeys have been like travelling with a TB epidemic.

I kid you not - anyone under 5' is infected with every germ known to mankind, and some that aren't yet discovered.  Seriously, every childless adult should be issued with a free-for-life supply of Dettol Wipes.

Anyhoo, it's Saturday, so it is my day to share a DIES TO DIE FOR make with you, and as I have been grumbling about children, here is Tessie The Teacher, who doesn't look as if she has been near a germ in her entire life!

Stamping Bella - Tessie The Teacher

Echo Park - For The Record 2 Documented

Die-Namics - Stitched Scallop Basic Edges

Memory Box - Parker Uppercase Alphabet

Memory Box - Varsity Numbers Background

The image, as always, has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and I have stamped and painted on Daler Rowney Bristol Board

Hope your weekend is sneeze free

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Dies to Die For on-line store

AYLI (DT) Favourite Non-Card Project

Hi ya'all, how are you on this particular Thursday?  I've been laid low with the germs that are doing the rounds so I hope you have all managed to avoid the cough/splutter regime.

Anyhoo, today over at AS YOU LIKE IT we are asking you to share your Favourite Non-Card Project with us.  Now is your chance to think outside the box, or inside it box if you like!

I love making small, personal, gifts for friends and the coordinating bag or box to go with the item.

So, I made the keyring (leftover from my cross stitching days) using

My Favorite Things - Snuggle Bunnies

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and the bag using the same stamp set, plus the Die-Namics Stitched Rectangle Scallop Edge Frames

and a few punched hearts to emphasis the lurrrrve

The sponsor of this challenge is

Prizes: - 3 digi stamps voucher worth £6.75

Hugs to All

Squirrel 

xxx

Wyanet (DT) DTDF

Morning all!  A bit earlier for me today but it's dad's birthday and, knowing me, I will be finishing wrapping his presents before we pop over later today with the gifts and some cake!

Today, for my DIES TO DIE FOR make, I am using this little sweetie

So the main ingredients for this are:

Whimsy Stamps (Wee Stamps) - Wyanet (Beautiful)

MFT Die-Namics Blueprints 13

MFT Die-Namics Homespun Stitch Lines

Impression Obsession For You

I painted the image with my usual Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I used some linen card for the matting layer and also the underlay (?) to put the blue behind

the zig-zag holes and coloured both with Copic colours.  I tried to match as near as possible to the Distress Ink colours.  I coloured a scrap of it to use for the die-cut words too, so for me, this is just about coordinated!

Now, Mr Toad has a narrow gauge model railway.  It's been getting bigger, and now he

has ventured into the realms of building scenery.  Scenery (rocks and cliffs at the moment) that involve wet plaster and silicon moulds.

  They come out white and looking like lumps of chalky plaster.

The sets come with little pots of paints.

HOWEVER

He has now decided that the colours of some of my Distress Inks are better.

I've told him to buy his own!

Have a super weekend all

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Dies To Die For on-line store

For my daddy

I love my daddy to bits, he is my hero.  Next weekend will be his birthday, and I always like to try and make him a card that is really relevant to either our relationship (amazing), or his hobbies and interests.

He has always been a bit of a handyman, although as mum often says "whatever your father makes never falls apart"- his items do tend to be rather heavy duty!

He has his sheds, of course, but he also has a part of the house that has evolved over the years into "the  Cubbyhole", which is where you can often find him hiding, tinkering with something or other.   I have many happy memories of spending hours with him, just pottering, and emerging smelling of wood shavings.  When I saw this stamp I had to have it just for him.

The ingredient for this are:

Lili of The Valley "The Workbench" stamp

and LOTV For Him Circular Sentiments (retired)

Spotty paper is Echo Park Birthday Wishes Boy

and I picked out one of the colours to use as the matting layers, a ProMarker on white card

I used the same colour for the buttons which are Impression Obsession dies

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) used as watercolours

And as Sweet Stamping Challenge have a "Masculine" theme, it would be rude not to enter

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Woodland Bunny (DTDF DT)

Mornin' all, how are you?  I'm popping by with a huge dollop of cuteness for my DIES TO DIE FOR Design Team make today.

Brace yourself for a large moment of "awwwwh"

Ain't he just the cutest wabbit?!

Things that I used ....

Whimsy Stamps (Lee Holland Collection) Woodland Bunny

Maja Design Coffee In The Arbour

MFT Die-Namics Stiched Scalloped Basic Edges 2

MFT Love Is In The Mail

all available from the Dies To Die For on-line store

Other ingredients use are Distress Inks (ReInkers) and

Customs sized card base (5 1/4 x 5 1/4)

Hope you have a super-duper weekend.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Ribbon or Lace

Morning everyone!  It's a new challenge from those lovely ladies over at AS YOU LIKE IT and this time your choice is RIBBON OR LACE.

Whichever is your favourite, please remember that you must tell us why, otherwise you may not be considered for the Top 3/Winner slots.

Most people know that I consider ribbon to be the frippery of the Devil, and if I am honest, lace isn't far behind - neither of them really suit my CAS style, but for this one a faux lace matting layer actually worked well enough for me to have a little smile.

This one was a card order from my mum, she wanted one for a friend of hers.  The friend, and the friend's husband, are greatly amused by me being called Squirrel, and often tell mum if they have heard me on the local BBC radio station.  So, when mum said "I want a Squirrel squirrel card" I wasn't sure what she meant - I didn't hear the capital letter, and then the penny dropped.

Lili of The Valley - Squirrel Presents Trio

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment from Clearly Besotted

Papers are all Papermania

Martha Stewart - Punch Around-The-Page - Eyelet Lace

Die-Namics stitched circle

Tonic scalloped circle

Our sponsor for this challenge is

Crafty Ribbons
£10 voucher

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx