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!


Wednesday, 30 November 2011

A Little Wee

Morning all.  Having terrible problems with the internet at home just now so I'm posting this from work. 

Thought I would share this cheery little fellow with you today - my mate Cathy reminded me last week that I have this stamp and I am ashamed to admit that he has been sadly neglected of late.


Ingredients for this card:
Stamped ImageWhiff Of Joy Wee With Candy Cane
Medium  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers  Basic Grey "Jovial" and Forever Friends A Christmas Tale
Sentiment  LOTV Circular Christmas Sentiments
Extras  Anita's Glitter Borders

If you don't hear from me for a while it's because I've thrown our modem out of the window!

Hugs, Sxx

Monday, 28 November 2011

You're Putting a WHAT on Your Card?

Hello chaps, Monday evening it is.  Did you know that today was supposed to be the busiest day for cyber-shopping?  I confess I did a little of that this morning but only for part of His Nibs Christmas present.  Mind you, having just checked my bank balance (still got 9 nine days til payday) I think I might be able to squeak in a little shopping just for me too!

Now then, do your men only hear what they want to?  When I told him I had been asked to make this card his response was Why would you want a slapper on your card?  Oh good grief, no dear, that's FLAPPER with a F, not a S ......... I despair sometimes.

Our caretaker at work is a lovely little fella and he was looking through my box of cards last week to find one for his wife.  Not for any particular occasion, a just because card.  Anyway, we were chatting and he said that she likes to collect ornamental ladies in period costume.  Having established that the 20s and 30s is her favourite era I just knew that this was the right stamp.


Isn't she a doll?  He didn't want fussy thankfully as I think the CAS suits her well.

Ingredients for this little card are:
Stamped Image:  Lil Lolita - Evie 20s
Colouring Medium Part Distress Inks, part paper piecing
Papers:  K&Co and DCWV scraps
Sentiment:  Penny Black (from Hugs clear set I think)
Corners: Lili Of The Valley

No challenges for this one, it's simply a for-the-fun-of-it card.

Hugs, Sxx

Sunday, 27 November 2011

Bling it on ......

Hello peeps, a very quick post from me today as I'm shortly sitting down to watch the Brazilian Grand Prix - the last race of the 2011 season, and I shall be cheering Jenson for a win.  With Vettel and Webber together on the front row I'm hoping they take each other out on the first corner!  (With apologies to fans of Seb and Mark of course!).

LESS IS MORE this week are looking for a little bit of bling


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image:  Penny Black Brightest Xmas
Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Papers: Basic Grey
Extras: Gems from stash
Sentiment: Penny Black

Oooh, I have some MEGA exciting news to share with you, but I'm zip lipped for the moment.  I think I might go pop if I can't tell you soon so I'll have to find something to take my mind off it - a good race this afternoon will be a start!

Hugs, Sxx

Saturday, 26 November 2011

Brrrrr - LOTV Anything Goes

Hello Peeps!  Hope you are all well, or recovering from unwell, today.  After the high of Thursday, it was down to earth with a bump yesterday.  I woke up in the early hours of Friday morning (it happens when you reach a certain age) needing the loo.  I stumbled out of bed into the bathroom and sat there thinking Thank goodness it's Saturday.  Imagine my distress when the alarm went off at 5.45 and I realised that it was only Friday and I had another day at work to get through!

But never mind, Saturday it is now!  I've been for a tail trim this morning - feeling much tidier now.  I have to confess that the fur was looking a little like tumbleweed as I'd gone longer between snips than usual and with curly fur it plays havoc in damp and windy conditions.  So, nicely preened, I came home and set to with getting a casserole in the oven for tonight's dinner.  That is bubbling away gently now (ooh the wonderful smells of chicken, shallots, mushrooms and BEER - yep, a beer based gravy for this one - you should have heard Toad howl when I nicked a bottle from his stash).

One card for you today, but I am off to the craft space to play again once this is posted:



And the ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image: My most used LOTV stamp, James The Bear In Snow
Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers & Pads)
Iced Spruce, Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap and Tumbled Glass
Papers:  BoBunny Snowfall Collection (so delicious)
Sentiment:  LOTV Christmas Postmarks
Extras:  Nestabilities Grommet (where's Wallace?) Labels, gems from stash, Martha Stewart and
Hobbycraft snowflake punches

Thanks so much for popping over today, I appreciate each and every one of you so much.  Without you, this blog wouldn't happen.  And a big thank you to everyone who left such a supportive message on my mad Timmie post on Thursday - who knows, one day I might even start to believe I can do it !!

And before I go, I just want to say a big hello to two super bloggie buds, Lisa (Wishcraft) and Clare (My Purrfect World ...) - you both have a very special place in my heart.

Huge Hugs, Sxx

Friday, 25 November 2011

Winter Wonderland - Nativity (DT)

Hello again chaps, hope you are all ok.  I'm not looking at the calendar, it is getting far too close to Christmas for comfort, and I am seriously lacking in Christmas cards this year.  Guess I will have to put the tail into top gear and crack on with them!

And, as it is Friday, it is time for another WINTER WONDERLAND challenge, and our theme for this week is Nativity.  Not the easiest of themes but I am sure you will all give it a good go.

And our sponsor this time around is the fabulous SIMON SAYS STAMP who are offering a $15 gift voucher for their store.

Here is my DT card for this week:

Stamped Image: High Hopes - Precious Nativity
Medium: Distress Inks
Papers: Forever Friends - A Christmas Tale
Sentiment: Computer generated
Extra:  Anita's glitter borders

Thanks for popping over, hope to see you at the challenge.

Hugs, Sxx

Thursday, 24 November 2011

On Cloud 99

Evening all, how goes it?  Things are very exciting at Squirrel Towers today, in fact, I have something to share with you that I have been sitting on since 6.30 this morning and I know pride comes before a fall but if I don't tell someone soon I shall burst so I might just as well share it with all my fabulous bloggie buddies and then you can all laugh as you watch me topple over.

And breathe.

Two weeks ago, I sent an email to Tim Holtz (that's Lord Tim, he of the Distress Inks) principally asking if there were any new ReInker colours in the pipeline but was also cheeky enough to add a link to my Distress Ink Gallery and an invitation for him to see what I'd been up to with the inks. 

Not for one moment did I expect anything other than an automated reply or from someone else at Ranger.  Imagine the increase in my heart rate this morning when I saw sitting in my InBox a response.  Want to know what it says?

And breathe again.  It says:

All I can say is wow, wow, wow!  Your coloring is amazing!  In fact, I myself would love a tutorial from you on how you do it.  If you decide to create one I would happily link your blog post on mine when you do.  Thanks for sharing your creativity....love the coloring, really, I do.
Tim

OMG OMG OMG OMG !!!!!!!!   Is that almost an equivalent to "By Royal Appointment"?  Sadly no plans at present for new ReInkers colours coming though.

It's ok, I will stop squealing soon, I promise.  Hopefully long enough to mail him back with a link to the tutorial that is already there.  And maybe this is the prompt I need to do a Part 3: Advanced !!

Hugs, a very happy Squirrel xxx

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

Avoidance Tactics

Evenin' all, how are we tonight?  Tis a little bit chilly around the tip of my tail and there was a definite coating of frost on the fur this morning.  Could this be the long overdue winter finally arriving?  I doubt it, it will probably be back up to 18C tomorrow!  This time last year we were up to our knees in snow.

Now, as my boss will tell you, I have a knack of finding ways to avoid horrible jobs, like filing.  And right now, Christmas is falling into that category.  So, when I found this stamp whilst having a rummage, it did not take much persuading for me to use it to make a card for my dad that is only three months before the due date!


Ingredients for this card:
Stamped Image:  High Hopes
Papers: MME Lime Twist and scrap from box
Medium: Distress Inks
Sentiment: LOTV

Now, I have a bit of a grumble.  And it all came home to roost with this particular pad of MME papers.  I love quality papers that are a decent thickness and have a good finish to them and MME papers fall nicely into that category, along with some other big names on the market, but ....... why do double sided?!  In this pad there are only two sheets of each - so you end up using two designs for one card (the reverse of this alphabet paper is the lush brown polka dot) - it makes my heart weep as it feels so wasteful.  So, here is a small suggestion, reduce the weight of the papers ever so slightly (these are more like a light cardstock anyway) and only print on one side!  Or is that just me?

Anyway, it is grocery shopping for me tonight - my life is one big, frantic, social whirl - so I'm off to try and write a list.  Be back with you on Friday with a DT card for Winter Wonderland.

Hugs Sxx

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Sweet Stampin Challenge - Birthdays

How could I resist the challenge that SWEET STAMPIN' CHALLENGE are offering this week with their BIRTHDAY theme, especially as I am struggling with the Christmas card production (any excuse not to have to make another one for a few days!).


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image:  LOTV Summer My Best Friend
Colouring Medium: TH Distress Inks
Papers:  98% Basic Grey (old pad, cover long gone), 2% K&Co
Sentiment: LOTV Circular Sentiments
Dies: Nestabilities scalloped rectangle and Magnolia Romantic Lace and Old Swedish Lace

Hugs, Sxx


Sunday, 20 November 2011

Less Is More - Silhouettes

Afternoon all.  This week over at LESS IS MORE the theme is Silhouettes.  My first response was to run screaming from the room.  In fact, I spent an awful lot of yesterday just faffing about with this theme and getting nowhere very quickly.

Anyway, while we sat over at mum and dad's drinking tea, I glanced out of their kitchen window and got the perfect inspiration


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image:  Penny Black Winter Sky
Background: Handpainted in Distress Inks
Matting Layers: Papermania

Hugs, Sxx

Monday, 14 November 2011

Sweet Sixteen

My best mate, Pig, asked me if I would make a special birthday card for her stepdaughters 16th birthday.  Eeeek!  No pressure.

Pig chose the image she wanted me to use, with instructions that the cat had to be black and white, like their cat, Mudge, and to use lots of pink and sparkle .......


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image: LOTV Me And My Cat
Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers & Cardstock:  8x8 300gsm smooth white PDA card, First Editions: Love Letters
and Sweet Owls
Sentiment:  LOTV Circular Sentiment
Extras: Martha Stewart Doily Lace border punch, gold edged holographic sparkle transparent peel-off borders, gold peel off borders, Anita's Outline Stickers for the numbers, Nestabilities dies



I've also used a sheet of the First Editions on the inside with a white central panel and a Happy 16th Birthday message.

This is the first time I've used an 8x8 card base and it felt enorrrrrrrrrrrrrmous!

Hugs, Sxx

Sunday, 13 November 2011

Less Is More - One Layer Card - Leaves

For various reasons, I've just not had time to play at some of my favourite challenges lately but today, as we have church this evening, I made time to join in with this week's


I know some people dread one layer cards, but I'm getting quite fond of them and I'm certainly not as intimidated by them as I used to be.


For this one, I cut a mask from Eclipse Masking using a long thin Nestabilities oval die.  Having positioned it on the card, I sponge inked the oval in Distress Inks using Shabby Shutters and Antique Linen.  Then I overstamped with a leaf from my Kodomo Autumn set in Memento Bamboo, Potters Clay and Rhubarb Stalk.  I then did the little leaves around the edges with a Tapestry stamp, again in Potters Clay.  Finally, I peeled off the mask and stamped the final leaf in Memento Rich Cocoa, and added the Hero Arts sentiment in Potters Clay.

Hugs, Sxx

Saturday, 12 November 2011

Spots Before The Eyes

I wasn't sure if I would make it back again today, but like a bad penny, here I am!

Two challenges for this card:
Penny Black And More At Allsorts - November Challenge - All Creatures Great And Small
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Spots & Stripes



Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image:  Penny Black - Tea Cozy
Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers: DCWV Spring Stack and scraps box
Sentiment: Hero Arts
Extras:  EK Success Medium Retro Flower Punch
Craftwork Cards Card Candi, hand drawn faux stitching

Thanks for popping back again.  Now I need to crack on with an order for a 16th birthday card.

For my earlier post today either scroll down or follow this Creature Comforts link


Hugs, Sxx

Creature Comforts

Morning all.  Hope you are ok.  It's been a mixed week for me, very sad to hear of the death of one of our brave blogging buddies, and a very emotional Remembrance Day yesterday.  I should be full of beans this morning, as it's the weekend, but I am feeling like a wrung out dishcloth.  Think it will be a quiet day at Squirrel Towers.

Anyhoo, here is a card that I started Thursday evening but only just finished for this week's challenge over at


I made this with my dad in mind - back to the old family thing of Daddy Bear and Baby Bear (ahh), and the fact that my dad NEVER sits still, even at his age!

Ingredients for this card are:
Colouring Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers:  Basic Grey - Picadilly and MME Lime Twist - Fly A Kite

And what would one of my posts be without a close up on the image


Right then, I'm off downstairs to watch the qualifying for this weekend's Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix and then I suppose I'd better do some chores.  Be back with you tomorrow with another card.

Hugs, Sxx

Friday, 11 November 2011

Winter Wonderland - A Christmas Mouse (DT)

It's Friday again!  That means, not only is it nearly the weekend, but it is also Winter Wonderland day!

Thanks to everyone who joined in last week's challenge, don't forget to check back on Sunday to see who the lucky winners are.

This week we have the cutest of themes for you - A Christmas Mouse!  Surely everyone loves a mouse at Christmas?

And we have not one, but two fab sponsors for you!


and


As always, the DT have been busy creating some fab inspiration for you, and this week is no exception.  There are some very sweet meeces to see so do pop over and have a look.

Here is my DT card:


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image:  Whiff Of Joy - Henry Mouse Eating Large Cookie
Colouring Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers:  DCWV Christmas Stack
Sentiment:  Penny Black - Celebrate The Wonder
Extras:  Gems from stash

I do so hope you will be able to join in the fun this week - remember that it must be a Christmas card and follow our theme of A Christmas Mouse.  See you at the challenge!

Hugs, Sxx

Monday, 7 November 2011

A thing about animals .....

When I was little, I desperately wanted to be a vet.  Whether it had anything to do with James Herriott, or because I just loved animals I'm not sure.  And then I found out where vets have to stick their hands, and I rapidly changed my mind.

However, it has not cured my total, complete and utter love of animals (with one or two small exceptions) so this months Penny Black And More At Allsorts Challenge is perfectly suited - All Creatures Great And Small.  The challenge has now been opened up to allow entries using stamps other than Penny Black so I am taking full advantage of that with my second entry


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped ImageHigh Hopes - Couples Cruise
Colouring MediumTim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
SentimentHero Arts
PapersDCWV Spring Stack
ExtrasGems from stash

And here is a close up of the Ark


I'm allowed one more entry this month, so best I make it a Penny Black one!  Off to find a suitable stamp.

Hugs, Sxx

Sunday, 6 November 2011

Bright & Sparkly Creatures, Great And Small

Hello everyone.  Well, I survived it.  It wasn't quite a disaster of Titanic proportions, but it came pretty close!  Not many sales at all but at least I ended the day in profit, it was a brilliant first experience and I met some wonderful people.

From talking to other stallholders, it seems that sales were down for the entire event - too many other things going on locally apparently, as visitor numbers were much lower than they've had before.  But never mind, there were a lot of people showing a real interest in my cards, even if they didn't buy any, and asked me lots of questions and were, I think, genuinely complementary.  Quite a few stopped to watch me painting images too.

Would I do it again?  Probably.  The next one is at Easter and the organiser has already asked me if I would like to reserve a table, so obviously I wasn't completely terrible!

Anyhoo, onto a card for today.  I feel pretty shattered after yesterday so this one is a bit ..... oh I don't know, a bit ..... well, you'll see what I mean.  Oh, and it is straight - even if the photo does make it look squint!


Challenges for this card

Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image:  LOTV Little Shepherd Boy
Colouring Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers:  Forever Friends A Christmas Tale
Sentiment: Wild Rose Studio
Extras: Hunkydory Diamond Sparkle Gems and gold border peel-offs

Here's a close up of the nativity image:


Although it was fiddly, it was such a joy to colour.  I really must get the other ones out from this series too.

Hugs, Sxx

Friday, 4 November 2011

Level Three Panic Mode

Evening all.  How has your week been?  Done anything exciting then?

Sorry that I've not had any cards for you since Tuesday - it's been a mad work week for me.  And no card for you tonight either I'm afraid as I've gone from slight fretting to full on Level Three Panic Mode about the craft fair tomorrow.

Anyhoo, I just wanted to say thanks for the emails with your hints and tips, I really do appreciate the help. I'm about as organised now as I shall ever be and have been through my list twice to check off what I need to take in the morning.

Hopefully I shall be back with you on Sunday with a new creation.

Hugs, Sxx

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Christmas Is Good For Your Elf

Yeah, I know, so corny, but I just couldn't resist it, lol!  And who could resist this little cutie?  Let me introduce you to Little Elf Mim by Mo Manning for Penny Black.


She just looks to be so full of mischief!


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image:  Penny Black Little Elf Mim
Colouring Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers:  Free with a magazine, except for the paper pieced bauble which is Dovecrafts
Sentiment:  Craftwork Cards Oh My Words Christmas
Extras:  Gold border peel-offs


Hugs, Sxx

Henry Candy Winner

Morning all - how are we today?  Are you ready to find out who the winner is of my WOJ Henry Candy?  Not that many entries so you all stood a very good chance but the person selected by Mr Random Number Generator is ......


That's you CHRISTY BEANS (I Never Went To Kindergarten)

Could you email me your snail mail details please hun at squirrel1964@hotmail.co.uk

Thank you to everyone who took part - don't despair if you didn't win this time - there will be another little candy before Christmas.

I'll be back later with a card for you.

Hugs Sxx

Monday, 31 October 2011

Using the right sketch this time .....

Good grief, Monday morning again.  How do they come round so quickly?

After the disaster with the wrong sketch for this week's LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge, I had another go using the right one this time!


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image:  LOTV Balancing Act
Colouring Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers:  Mostly freebies with magazines with a sheet of blue
Dovecraft for matting and a scrap of Forever Friends Christmas Tale
Extras:  Hunkydory Diamond Sparkle Gems

Don't forget that my Henry "Love" candy closes at 9pm tonight so you still have time to squeak in an entry if you are interested. I will announce the winner in a couple of days.

Hugs, Sxx

Sunday, 30 October 2011

Soaking up the sunshine

Yeah, I know, it's not exactly the right UK weather for laying out on a deckchair and sipping cocktails, but that doesn't stop that Henry .....


I've used this adorable Whiff of Joy Henry for a retirement card for a friend who left work this week.  I can just see her kicking back and relaxing like this!


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image: Whiff of Joy Lazy Summer Henry
Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers: MME Fine & Dandy - True Blue
Additional Stamps: Hero Arts Seashells and a Hero Arts sentiment
Extras:  Gold border peel-offs

Makes a change from the ever increasing volume of Christmas cards!  I won't be around much for the next week as it's the (turn on the scary music) Craft Fair next Saturday so I shall be sorting last minute stuff for that and will be there most of the day.  I hope to still be able to find time between that, work and sleep to squeeze in a card or two and some commenting but things may be a bit quiet in Squirrel's World until the weekend after.  I hope that doesn't mean you will all forget about me though......

Hugs, Sxx

Saturday, 29 October 2011

Bows are the frippery of the devil!

Afternoon all, how are you?  It's late Saturday afternoon, there's an apple pie in the oven and we are considering battening down the hatches as it gets dusk and hanging garlic outside the front door to repel the invasion of witches, spooks, ghouls and vampires.

Now, you might say "Bah humbug" when I say I don't do Hallowe'en.  But, what I mean is, I see no harm in kiddies dressing up, scaring each other, having fun and bobbing for apples - no problem with that.  What I do have an issue with is this 21st century trend of turning everything into a huge marketing tool for the stores and for kids to go out to strangers houses to do what is not far short of begging and intimidation.  OK, I'm off that soapbox now.

And onto my next soapbox - bows!  Something strange has happened between Thursday morning and today because the sketch I printed off from the LOTV challenge isn't the one that's there now, so the card I made Thursday night I can't enter into the challenge and will have to make another one (grrrr).  And it was this card that caused a great deal of annoyance and frustration.


I thought it would be lovely to have a matching Organza ribbon bow on the central ribbon band of this card.  I have a bow maker and a Bow-Easy, so out they came on Thursday night and I sat and I practised.  I was very patient.  I tied a series of cute little bows, each one an improvement on the last, until I was happy I had the hang of it.  My sixth, and last bow, was the nicest with beautifully even loops and a flat middle and neatly trimmed tails.

So why, when I attempted to glue (Pinflair Glue Gel) it to the card did it turn into a wild, savage and totally uncontrollable beast of disproportionate dimensions that not only would not stick to the darned card but managed to smear glue everywhere and certainly did not resemble the perfectly formed ribbon confection that it had once been?!  In total frustration, I flung it into the bin where, once more, it looked like the bow it previously was.  Aaaargh!

And as it was late, I made the hasty decision to cover up the splurge of glue with some flowers cut from the same papers (double sided) that I had used for the base layers.  On reflection, it might have been better to chuck the whole lot in the bin and start again, which is what I've got to do now anyway as I used (somehow) the wrong sketch.  Botheration.

Yours, in a right old humph.
Hugs, Sxx

Friday, 28 October 2011

Winter Wonderland - Clean And Simple (DT)

Hi all, and welcome to another week with Winter Wonderland - if you didn't get the chance to join in last week's challenge (and why not?) this could be the one for you.

It is Team Marianne this time round and our theme for the week is CLEAN AND SIMPLE - I guess the easiest definition of CAS is minimal layers, minimal embellies and lots of white card!  It's really not as scary as it sounds so why not give it a try.

We have another super sponsorship this week from SIMON SAYS STAMP

And of course, the Design Team have created some stunners to inspire you.  Please do pay them a visit to their individual blogs - it means a lot to know you appreciate their efforts.

And could I please repeat the plea for you to turn off word verification?  You can change your settings so that you can approve comments before they are published so you will still have control.  Word verification makes commenting for the DT very difficult and time consuming and although we love visiting your blogs, it makes life for everyone much easier if it is turned off.

Here is my DT card:


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image:  Sugar Nellie Old Saint Nick
Colouring Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Sentiment:  Penny Black Merry Little Christmas stamped in Memento Lady Bug ink
Other:  Papermania Christmas cardstock

So, that's it, clean and simple!  Now it's your turn.  Looking forward to seeing you over at the challenge.  Please remember to follow the theme to qualify for prizes or Top 3 and to get your entries in by 5.00pm on Thursday 3 December.

Hugs Sxx

Sunday, 23 October 2011

In days of old, when knights were bold ....

In days of old, when knights were bold
And toilet lights were dim
You'd hear a crash
And then a splash
Oh lord, he's fallen  in

In days of old, when knights were bold
And wenches were aplenty ......

We'll stop it there shall we!  This week's SIMON SAYS STAMP challenge is to be inspired by a Nursery Rhyme or Fairy Tale.  I took this to the extreme with a piece of medieval poetry (circa 1375) called Sir Gawain And The Green Knight - it is an epic, romantic poem and yes, he does fight a dragon.


Ingredients For This Card:
Stamped Image:  High Hopes Sir Dustin
Medium:  Distress Inks
Papers: First Edition Animal Antics
Sentiment: Hero Arts
Extras: Black square gems and black border peel-offs

This truly is a Limited Edition - it took nearly an hour and a half to paint the image, so I won't be rushing to make another one anytime soon!  Here is a close up of the image only


Hugs, Sxx

Less Is More # 38 = Polka Dots

Afternoon all - how are we?  I hope that you are all feeling fine and dandy.  Although it is a little bit warmer than the end of the week, it is still, I think, a tad chillsome but at least we have some beautiful autumn sunshine.  Even though it is cool, I just adore days like this with brilliant blue skies and hardly a cloud to be seen.  Really lifts the spirits.

I've not entered many challenges over the past few weeks, and have missed a lot of my favourites too, but I was determined to enter this week's LESS IS MORE challenge with the theme of Polka Dots.

With some challenges, it takes me a while to think of what to do, but for some reason, with LIM the ideas come immediately.  They don't always work out mind you!  Anyway, here is my card:


Ingredients for this card:
Stamped Image:  LOTV Maisie Two Balloons, Hero Arts Polka Dots
Medium: Memento Inks (Tuxedo Black, Bahama Blue, Rosebud, Cantalope and Rhubarb Stalk)
and Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Additional Materials used:  Post It Notes for masking and Staedler FineLiner Pen
Sentiment:  Hero Arts

First of all I stamped Maisie onto my base cardstock.  I then stamped her again onto three separate Post It Notes.  I cut her dress out of the first one, masked the main image and overstamped with the Hero Arts Polka Dots in blue.  I then used the same technique again for the pink balloon and again for the yellow balloon.  Then I did a pencil line about a quarter of an inch in all round the card edge and masked that narrow strip off and stamped in the Polka Dots again - this didn't work quite as well as I would have liked as it is a wood mounted stamp and I couldn't see where I was lining up.  Finally, I painted in the image with Distress Inks and added the sentiment.

Hugs, Sxx





Saturday, 22 October 2011

Nature Trail Ted - Penny Black @ Allsorts October challenge

I need a lie down in a darkened room.  Our kitchen man has been back today to measure up a bit more and to discuss plans.  This afternoon we have been trailing around looking at cookers, dishwashers, floor tiles, wall tiles, accent tiles, taps ........ my poor little tail is in such a frizz now.  And who knew that a cooker could cost as much as a small car?!

The only thing that we did agree on, and immediately, were the accent tiles.  Of all the things to agree on, it happens to be the least important.  Typical!


PENNY BLACK AND MORE AT ALLSORTS October challenge is a photo inspiration, and what a gorgeous photo it is too ....

Here is my card


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image: Penny Black Nature Trail Ted
Colouring Medium: TH Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers: Helz Cuppleditch Neighbourwood, and white card edged with Chesnut ProMarker

So, you can see that not only have I taken the colours of the photo for inspiration, I have also gone done the open air, day in the woods feel as well.

Going to see if I can find a paracetamol now......

Hugs, Sxx

Thursday, 20 October 2011

Missing the long summer days already!

Yes, I know, it is only just two thirds of the way through October and, up until this week, it has been warm and wonderful.  Even today has been bright and sunny, although chuffty cold, but oh my, it is getting dark so darned early now!

Thursday night is my one evening for crafting and tonight I made a cute little card for my office mate's 5 year old daughter.  It is bright and cheery and very "little girl" and I want to share it with you, but because it is sooooo dark the photo is totally rubbish.  Toad bought me a light tent earlier this year so I can see no other option but to get that set up and start practising with that to see if it makes a difference.  Oh how I miss daylight!

Here it is anyway - will add a better picture tomorrow.


Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image: Forever Friends - Christmas Gift - Exclusive to Glitter Pot
Colouring Medium: TH Distress Inks
Papers: Helz Cuppleditch Neighbourwood and Little Sizzlets
Extras: EK Success Medium and Small Retro Flower Punches,
Card Candi, hole punch dots, transparent gold edge rope border peel-offs,
and die-cut 5 from the same Neighbourwood papers

Edited to add slightly better picture - but not much daylight yet but at least you can see the colours better!

 
I have been trying to catch up with my commenting this week and thought I would do it logically by working down my Blogs I Follow list - crikey, it's like doing the weekly file reviews at work - by the time I get to the end it'll be time to start again!  If I haven't got to you yet, I will, I promise!

Hugs, Sxx

Tuesday, 18 October 2011

I'm in the mood for .....

...... boys!  Ooh-err missus!

This is my second entry into this week's Sweet Stampin' Challenge for the men in your life.


I wanted this little chap in his enormous comfy chair to look like he was in a gentleman's club so it took a bit of furtling around to find papers that I was happy with.  Bit of a compromise but I think they work - mind you, I've never set foot in a gent's club so what would I know, lol!

Ingredients for this card are:
Stamped Image: LOTV Happy Times
Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Sentiment: Hero Arts
Papers: Goodness knows, they were in the left-overs box, but I suspect
K&Co for the lower and Papermania for the upper.
White cardstock coloured with Ruby ProMarker for matting and central stripe.
Extras:  Gold border peel-offs

Having another funny little quirk with Blogger just now - blogs that I thought I had signed up to Follow aren't registering and aren't appearing in my Reading List.  As a temporary get-round I'm adding to my Favourites but obviously this isn't ideal.  Anyone else have similar problems who can offer a solution?

Hugs, Sxx

Sunday, 16 October 2011

How much is that doggie .......

Oh go on, admit it, you are all sat there going Woof Woof now aren't you?!

How is your Sunday then?  I've just cat-napped my way through the Korean Grand Prix (no, it wasn't the most exciting race I've ever seen, lol) and Toad's outside cutting the grass while the sun shines, there is a load of washing in the machine and Vince is asleep on the back of the sofa.  A typical Squirrel's World Sunday afternoon.  However, I can feel the going-back-to-work blues coming on so I may go and have a little play in the craft room shortly to cheer me up.

Have you seen the Sweet Stampin' Challenge this week?  The theme is masculine cards so here is my attempt:


Once I got past his patchy eye I fell in love with him - you have to stare at him right in the eyes  to see his cute face, otherwise he looks a bit like Mad Eye Moody (Harry Potter) at first glance.

Ingredients for this simple card are:
Stamped Image:  Helz Cuppleditch Make A Wish
Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers: An old Joanna Sheen marbled pad, DCWV Neutral Stack
Extra: Old fashioned single hole punch and Nestabilities Deckled Rectangles

That's it, I will have a chance to catch up on some commenting this week I hope, that is on the condition that the bus gets me to the office early enough - I do like half an hour or so with my bloggie buds and a nice coffee before I start work.

Hugs Sxx



Saturday, 15 October 2011

And there was George Clooney ......

..... sat in a corner drinking coffee with Brad Pitt!  I mean how lucky can a girl get in one day.  What?  Don't poke me, I'm not dreaming, it was real I tell you, real !!  Well it was real enough, until I woke up to a little wet nose pressed to my cheek asking for breakfast (and no, that wasn't George sadly).

Right, for the few loyal, regular, followers that do visit, let me get on with my cards for today:




Ingredients for this card are:
Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Backing papers:  White cardstock stamped with Hero Arts Small Stitched Snowflake and
Hero Arts Cling dotty background - Bahama Blue Memento Ink
Matting Card:  White cardstock edged with Sky Blue ProMarker
Extras:  Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch



Stamped Image:  Inkadinkado 6710.N
Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Sentiment: Hero Arts
Corners: Lili of the Valley - Stamp I Corners Delicate

Can I just say that the best chicken is a roast one?

Hugs, Sxx
Going to crawl back under my rock now.
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