Mmmmmmmm, cake (and the vet)

Hello everyone.  I am starting with an apology.  Sorry for not visiting much over the last couple of weeks.  With it being half term, and my boss missing from work on her holidays, it has been busy and I have been too wiped out in the evenings to blog and have been heading off to bed ridiculously early.  

And I have been rather pre-occupied with a poorly Vince.  By the time this posts (the joy of scheduling) he will be on his way to the vet for a going over and see if we can't find out what's going on with the little fella.  Normally he is such a baby, always wanting to be on your lap having cuddles, and is a very happy purry kitty, but this week I have only had one tiny purr from him and he's not interested in anything, very subdued, so I am a bit worried.

And I own up, I made this card a little while ago (something else that has suffered recently) but I had to find something to post!

This has to be one of my most used LOTV stamps

It is Rosie With Cake

Unusually for me I chose the papers first and coloured the image to match

with the Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Paper is from the Nitwits/LOTV pad Always & Forever

Sentiment is from a Hobby Arts set

Gold/clear rope effect border is from stash

Hope your weekend is a happy one.  I'll pop back later with news from the vet.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) For The One You Love

Morning all!  Now then, I know it is Halloween and all that scary stuff, but at CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES this week we've gone all romantic instead.  So this week we would like your make to be For The One You Love (birthday, Christmas, anniversary, friendship, just because).  Just remember to make sure you use a stamped or digi image.

Ooh, and please remember, we still have our DT call running until the end of this week's challenge.

Here is my DT card:

I've made this for a very special friend

Stamped image is Wild Rose Studio Emily With Ted

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is from Kaisercraft

And the papers are my absolute favourite BoBunny Double Dots

So, everyone has someone they love, and this is your chance to let them know!

Looking forward to seeing your wonderful makes.

Big hugs, Squirrel xx

In A Pear Tree

Well of course, it's a partridge!  Just a quick post to share a very simple card with you today.

 

The stamped image is (ta-dah) Partridge In A Pear Tree from LOTV

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Mattting layer is Nitwits/LOTV Simple Joys

Sentiment is Hero Arts

Gold border from stash

 

I think this is the most prepared with Christmas cards that I have ever been.  Now all I need to do is sit down and write them all!

 

Hugs Squirrel xx

Wrestling With My Conscience

Evening all.  Hope this finds you well, warm and comfortable.  Keeping you all in my thoughts for the imminent arrival of the forecasted stormy weather and pray that you get through it without too much trouble.

Now then, I have been wrestling with my conscience.  We have mice.  Again.  We think we know what is bringing the little blighters in - next-door have their guinea pig hutch very close to our garage wall, which I don't mind at all, but I think the mice are being attracted by the warmth and the leftover food, and are finding their way in from there.

It is at moments like this when it is hard to believe that I was brought up as a country girl, able to deal with all sorts of pests, rodents and vermin.  You have to when you store homegrown vegetables, otherwise the critters eat their way, and piddle on, your winter store of food.  We always had professional mouser cats (even though they weren't acquired as such) although I am still not sure whether they kept the numbers down, or just brought them indoors for entertainment.

Anyhoo, for the past two years when the meeces moved in, we have used humane traps, caught the little critters and then took them away the next morning to release them into woodland.  Which is fine, so long as you take them far enough away.  I suspect the ones I released at the bus stop simply found their way back again.  For all I know, it could have been the same one mouse over and over again.

So this year, as they have already started eating our potatoes and carrots, we have taken the hard line.  And I feel awful.  We caught the first one overnight and I got the job of emptying the trap and, forgive me for this, clearing up the mess.  I was in tears.  But what else can we do?  Vince is totally useless, he just sits in the garage and watches them (and I wouldn't want him catching them anyway - worms, fleas, tics and all that).  So we seem to be left with the evil option.  And I absolutely hate it.  I hope the God of Mice will forgive me one day.

So, now I have bared my soul and let you know what a wicked, evil woman I am, here is a card for you.  It's a classic CAS card this time.

I have used the LOTV Festive Tree stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and I tried to keep her vintage

Hobby Arts sentiment stamp

Matting layer is Dovecraft Back To Basic Christmas from last year

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Cold. Not Dead.

Morning all.  Got the hatches battened down ready for the forecasted storm tomorrow night then?  Toad came home from work last night with the most depressing news that most of the lads in his office weren't even born or were too young to remember the last big one of 1987!  I confess, I slept through the 1987 one and remember being surprised to find the bird table at the other end of the garden......!

Anyhoo, you know I am often prepared to share my disasters with you - and this one taught me a couple of lessons.

Lesson 1 - Distress Inks do not dry as fast on an October evening as they do in the summer.  Who heard the wails of despair as Chipped Sapphire bled into Scattered Straw?

Lesson 2 - Blue ink does not lift off!  Some stray colours you can remove with a clean, damp paintbrush, but blue?  Oooh no, blue sticks like glue!

Lesson 3 - Learn to know when to stop, bin it, and start again.

Image is an LOTV stamp James: Snowman

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Edges inked with DI Tumbled Glass

Tag die was a magazine freebie

Sentiment is from a Hero Arts set

Papers are First Edition

X-Cut small snowflake punch

Baker's Twine

Centre panel lifted with foam pads for dimension

So, looking at James' face, what do you see?  Yes, that stubborn Chipped Sapphire

"Oh" said Toad "It's ok, he's in the snow, he's cold"

"Yes dear" says I "But he's cold - not dead!"

I added pink cheeks to cheer him up a bit but think all I did was turn him into a zombie bear.

Sorry James!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Anything Goes

It's an Anything Goes week at CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES this time around, and we all know how much you like that theme!

And there is also a DT Call open as we are looking for THREE new Fairies.  If you have ever fancied sprouting a pair of wings and wearing a tutu, this could be your chance.  The DT call will close at 5.00pm (UK time) on 6 November so you have two weeks to impress us with your creativity. 

Here is my DT card:

This chubby little chap is a LOTV stamp called Baby Boy and I think he is one of my favourite baby stamps ever
Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers are a complete mash up of Basic Grey
Sentiments  and the Scroll are also LOTV

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Brace Yourself - Embellishments Warning!

Afternoon all.  How are you?  We are waiting for a friend's husband to arrive with a tool box to see if he can do anything with our tumble drier that has developed a really annoying squealing noise ..... keep your fingers crossed he can work his magic on it!

Toad is busy bottling his latest batch of home brew.  Honestly, we will have so much beer by Christmas that we might have to apply for a licence.

And so to today's card.  And yes, it does have embellishments.  But not too many!

Stamp is LOTV Surprise

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are BoBunny Double Dots from the pastel and bright pads

La La Land Crafts Banner Die (minus one flag so it fit)

Can't remember what the flower die is but think it is Memory Box

Leaf is a Martha Stewart punch

Sentiment is Hobby Arts

Pearls from Crafty Devils

I feel a bit light headed after this, might need a lie down.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Inspired by Mrs B

Morning all, hope this finds you well, or getting better if you have been poorly.  There seem to be a lot of germs about already this "winter" and our office is rife with sore throats and coughs and colds, and the heating has only been on a week!  Thankfully I have managed to avoid it all so far, touch wood.

Now then, I don't know about you, but I get a lot of my inspiration from other crafters.  I have no shame in admitting it.  I visit their blogs and gaze for ages at their wonderful creations.  I have many sources of blog inspiration and one of them is the incredibly talented and all round wonderful Lorraine at Mrs B's Blog

So when I saw this card that Lorraine had made I just knew it was one I had to case in my own little way.

Here it is, it's not a patch on what Lorraine made

I have used LOTV Teddy With Penguin

Papers are LOTV/Nitwits Simple Joys and Frosty Christmas

Merry Christmas die from Memory Box

Papermania Glitter Dome gems

Hope you like it

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Christmas In October

Ho Ho Ho!  It's a new challenge with CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES today so I hope you are starting to feel festive because our theme this week is Christmas in October.

It's Blue Fairy DT week and they have created some gorgeous inspiration for you.

I'm a bit worried that not many of you liked Tuesday's bear card so I am not holding out much hope of you liking this DT card!

Sorry for the dark photo - we didn't get a lot of daylight at the weekend!

Image is L'il Apprentice from Sugar Nellie

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Penny Black

Gold textured mirri card and muted green card from stash

Tiny stars are the waste punchings from a Martha Stewart border punch

DoCrafts gold glitter

So, if you are behind with your Christmas cards (who isn't?) then here is your opportunity to get another one made and, to add encouragement, we have not one, not two but THREE sponsors this week

THE RIBBON GIRL

DELICIOUS DOODLES

HOBBYKUTZ

Time to get crafting!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Attennnnnn-shun!

Morning all.  How are you on this miserable, grey, damp Tuesday morning?  Full of the joys of Spring?  No, me neither.  But here is a bright and cheerful card to lift your spirits at little.

 

My mate Pig's little lad has a birthday coming up.  When he was younger his cards were easy, but now he is pre-teen it is getting more difficult.  I did wonder if this might be too cute for him but on reflection I don't think it will be, knowing what a lovely gentle boy he is.

Stamp is a Forever Friends that I picked up in the bargain basket at The Range

Painted bady in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Papermania Portabello Road

Sentiment is LOTV

 

So that's it from me today.  See you soon.

 

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Witchy!

Raven hair and ruby lips

Sparks fly from her finger tips

Echoed voices in the night

She's a restless spirit on an endless flight

Witchy Woman - The Eagles

I made this little card for the Less Is More challenge this week, which is a one layer challenge with the theme of Witches or Wizards (or Monsters)

I've had this stamp for a while now, but as we don't celebrate Halloween there isn't much opportunity to use her - but she is far too cute to leave in a box!

This is a Tiddly Inks set called Too Cute To Spook

The sentiment and spider are all part of the set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Hugs, Squirrel xx

I blame Kate

Whenever Wild Rose Studio bring out a new release of stamps I try to avoid Kate's blog - but somehow she always manages to suck me in.

This card is the result of a recent visit ........

This is Bluebell and Presents stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is from the new Penny Black Merry & Bright Christmas Banners set

Backing paper is from LOTV Nitwits Simple Joys pad

Gold border from stash

And that's all she wrote!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Phffffft

Afternoon all.  How are you?  Sorry that I haven't been visiting you much over the past couple of weeks.  Blame the roadworks.

Ipswich received a European grant of £21.5m to spend on improvements for the roads but one of the caveats was that it had to be spent within a certain time.  So, since last August, Ipswich has become the home of chaos.  One of the busiest roundabouts in town was taken out and replaced with traffic lights, pavements have been dug up and replaced with paving stones at such a ridiculous angle that when we get the first ice every pedestrian is going to slide into the road, every major junction in town is being revamped, both bus stations are being rebuilt (at the same time), all the traffic lights in town centre are being replaced with "intelligent" lights - and the result has been bedlam.  The delays have doubled my journey time to and from work, and that means I am losing my precious 40 mins blogging time in the mornings.  The really depressing thing is that although the authorities have promised that all current jobs will be finished by mid November so as not to hinder the Christmas trade (stuff anyone else trying to get to work for the rest of the time), once Christmas is over they will be starting again on the next batch of projects.  Two years of hell.  And they haven't filled one pothole yet.  The town centre roads will be all nice and sparkly but the rest of the place is sinking without trace.  Bah!  Oh, and the "intelligent" traffic lights haven't been switched on yet.

Anyhoo, before I got on my roadworks soapbox I made a card.  I would like to thank my blogging pal Nic of Coops Cluttered Corner for leading me astray with this one (and how easily I am lead to rubber temptation).

This is Jumbo Top Hat Snowman from Stampendous (and he is jumbo)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are a new Nitwits pad from LOTV called Winter Wishes

MFT Die-namics Chicken Wire die

Pink Gem Christmas Rounds sentiment

X-Cut medium snowflake punch

I hope you are having a good weekend, and thank you for coming to see me even when I've not returned the visit, but I will, and soon I hope.

I will be back tomorrow with a Wild Rose Studio card for you featuring the cute new fawn called Bluebell.  And I blame Kate for that one!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Pretty In Pink

It's another Thursday so that can only mean one thing, it's CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES day!

 

Well done to everyone who managed to track us down last week, we are settling into our new home now and are back with a fabbie challenge for you which is PRETTY IN PINK!

 

The Pink Fairys DT have created some beautiful inspiration for you.  I'm gatecrashing again as I couldn't resist.  Here is my card:

 

 

Isn't she a sweetie?  She is a Tiddly Inks stamp from the Celebrate Joyfully set

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is LOTV

Papers are from a very old Papermania pad

Martha Stewart doily lace punch

And pink pearls from stash to finish

 

We know that there are a lot of pink fans out there, so we are looking forward to

seeing your wonderful entries.

 

Hugs, Squirrel xx

 

Enough To Make Your Eyes Twizzle

Hello chaps, just popping by with a little quickie for you tonight, as I've had another play with one of the oh-so-adorable Wild Rose Studio Emily stamps - not inked this one before so thought it was time I put that right.

All was going well, until I got to the papers .....

This is Emily Vacuuming - I can't see Vince sitting there so placidly

Sentiment is Kaisercraft

Papers are all Crafts Too

Arched die is Die-Namics

Gems are from stash

Sorry if it makes you feel dizzy!

Don't forget, tomorrow is a new Crafty Little Fairies challenge so hope to see you then.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) October: Pumpkins!

Good morning all and a very happy Monday to you!  It's the first Monday of October so that means it is time for a new challenge at WITHOUT WORDS.

So, what do we have for you this month?  Well, as it is autumn and coming up for a certain scary festival we thought we would go with PUMPKINS (think oranges, browns and greens).

The Word Birds had a ball with this one, I think it is safe to say we love this colour combination.  Here is my DT card:

And not a pumpkin in sight, but the colours are all there!

This is a Penny Black Slapstick stamp called The Artist

the image is designed by Mo Manning

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The papers are from a Bo Bunny pad but I have overstamped them with

Visible Images Ink Splats in various Memento Inks

The sentiment is from SCACD Mechanimals set

Our sponsor this month is MY CRAFTY HEART with a £10 voucher up for grabs

I would also like to enter this into the October challenge at Penny Black And More

where the theme is Anything Goes

and the Allsorts Challenge which is Autumn Colours

Remember, to join in the fun at Without Words, it has to be a CAS card!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Snowball Fight!

On a day like this?  You have to be kidding, it's a beautiful early autumn day with warm sunshine and a light breeze.

I've been having a Masterchef moment today.  We had a small piece of loin pork in the freezer, too small for a roast, so I thought I'd do some sort of Mediterranean Pork Casserole with it.  No recipe, just winged it.  So pork, red onion, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, butternut squash, oregano, black pepper, garlic salt, tabasco, and vegetable stock.  It's in the oven now so keep your fingers crossed.

I shall be sitting down shortly to watch the Korean Grand Prix highlights and make a card or two.  I have a sneaky feeling the race result will be predictable but there is always a sliver of hope.

So, as I totally missed World Card Making Day yesterday, here is one for you today, and yes, it's a Christmas card.

This is a stamp from LOTV called Snowball Fight

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

More of those fabulous Bo Bunny Double Dots papers

Sentiment from LOTV Christmas Handwritten Phrases

Handcut fishtail banner

Gems from stash

Woodware and X-Cut snowflake punches

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, whatever you are up to

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Wee Rowan

It's Friday, it has gone past 4.55 so I've missed Crackerjack, but at last it is the weekend! Whoop whoop!

Evening all, how are you?  Sending big hugs, and even bigger ones to those in need.  No matter how much you think life is under control, sometimes there are Martians lurking around corners, so sending love to all of you whose control has gone a bit wonky.

A very CAS card for you tonight.  I had been itching to play with my new stamp so here she is:

This is Rowan Fairy from Wee/Whimsy, designed by the lovely Sylvia Zet

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Kaisercraft

Matting layer and punched dots from same sheet - a Prima pad with no cover

After just one week back at work following our holiday, I am plum tuckered out, so Toad and I are having a "flump" weekend.  I intend to do no more than the absolute necessary and a lot of crafting!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Bows n Brads

Morning all, it's Fairy day, but you need to pay attention!

Crafty Little Fairies has changed it's URL - you can now find us at http://craftylittlefairieschallenge.blogspot.com

Right then, now you know where we have moved to, come and join us for this week's challenge which is

BOWS N BRADS

Here is my simple DT card

Stamped image is a Tiddy Inks

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is from a Penny Black clear set

Paper is LOTV Frosty Christmas

Bow die is from Little Inkers

Star brad is by Woodware

Silver faux rope border is from my stash (which I notice I haven't stuck down properly)

And with apologies for the wonky photo, I was desperate to get it taken before I lost the light

So, please please please do come and find the Fairies at our new home, and

remember that you will need to re-follow us now we have moved

Big hugs

Squirrel xx

Candy Winner!

Here I am!  So, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and crank up Mr Random Number Generator .......

And the winner is:

That is entry number 15 - so ..... who is it I wonder ...... it's ......

Sue (Bearhouse)!

Congratulations sweetie - could you ping me an email please

Thank you to everyone who took part.  If you didn't win this time, please don't despair, there will be another candy sometime before Christmas.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Piff Paff Poof!

Evening all.  Blimey, one day back at work and I am schazzamed already!  I hope the rest of the week doesn't go like today has!

Well, there is a fabulous and fun challenge over at CARDS FOR MEN that I couldn't miss out on, it's theme is Myth & Magic, which reminds me of the opening sequence to my beloved "Merlin" series on BBC.  It feels so strange having Strictly without Merlin on the same night.  I know we now have "Atlantis" from the same stable, but without the delicious Colin Morgan as Merlin, there is no izzy whizzy let's get bizzy going on for me.  Speaking of Strictly, did anyone catch Hairy Dave doing the Jive?  I thought the judges were so harsh, particularly with his enthusiasm and energy.  I am not sure we were supposed to laugh all the way through his routine, but laugh we did.  Thanks Dave for the highlight of the night!

Anyhoo, my card for the challenge, here it is:

I've used the LOTV stamp Abracadabra

(am ashamed that this is only his second inking!)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is an alphabet set that I picked up in Paperchase

Letters stamped in variety of Memento Inks

Cosmic Stars die from Memory Box

Matting layer cardstock from leftovers stash

Thanks for visiting, it's so lovely when you pop in.  Slice of cake to go with that cuppa?

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Forget Me Not

I am a bad Squirrel.  I forgot a birthday.  Not just any old birthday, but a special birthday of a lady that I have known for 37 years!  Oh the shame!

So, to let her know that although I may have missed the date, I haven't forgotten completely, I made this card for her and painted the flowers blue as forget-me-nots.

The stamp is Armful of Daisies from LOTV

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Personal Impressions

Papers are all Basic Grey

Pearls are from stash

Thank you to everyone who entered my Bunny Zoe's candy.  I will be drawing the winner in a day or two so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Ha Ha Haaaaaa!

Afternoon all!  It's a beautiful September day here in the east of the UK, the sun is shining, it's a perfect temperature.....so why am I feeling so grumpy?  I have no idea.  I woke up feeling like a grouchy squirrel and it hasn't worn off yet.  I am trying to be upbeat and chirpy but by heck it's hard work.

So, it was a mistake to mention it to Toad when I saw the challenge at Di's Digi Design Challenge was Show Off Those Coloring Skills and he became all encouraging.  Then a dear friend sort of did the same, but with added nagging.  In the end I decided to have a go, the worst that can happen is that you all laugh at the end results, and as it is cyber world, I won't be able to hear you!

So here it is

Lili of The Valley - James Bear Snow Angel

Watercolour painted using Tim Holtz Distress Inks (ReInkers) from Ranger

Papers are all Bo Bunny Double Dots (three different pads)

I used the largest Nestabilities Floral Oval die

and also a Martha Stewart border punch, both sides of the central stripe

Pearls are from my stash

Card base is 6x6 Advocate Smooth 300gsm Brilliant White from PDA Card & Craft

I hope you aren't laughing too much

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Mouse & Two Bears

Morning all, it's the real Squirrel here today, just popping by with a little card for the House Mouse & Friends challenge 154 which this time is Monochrome.

This is a House Mouse cling stamp from Stampendous

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Kaisercraft

Papers are a mixture of Papermania and Nitwits

Border is from stash

The only "tool" used was the shaped corner punch

It has been a fabulous week's holiday with Toad.  We have had a very relaxing time and he has even managed to get a new batch of home brew on the go.

On Wednesday we hopped on a train and took ourselves off to Cambridge for the day.  It's such a beautiful city but neither of us have been more than a couple of times in the past.  We had a super day, including a visit to the Build-A-Bear Workshop in the Grand Arcade.

Let me introduce you to Arnie and Elvis, sitting by the river in Christ's Piece, watching the ducks and swans swimming by.  If you think they look fat, they have just scoffed their lunch.

Right, we are off to the seaside today, after a visit to my parents, so let's hope the sun keeps shining.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Autumn Colours

Morning all, another visit from Virtual Squirrel - the luscious Lorraine is in charge of CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES this week while I finish my short break.

The challenge this time around is perfect for the end of September and it is AUTUMN COLOURS.

Here is my DT card:

I have used this Mo Manning image, which is a Penny Black stamp called Birthday Joy

Painted her with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Bo Bunny Autumn Song

Sentiment is LOTV Mixed Circular Sentiments set

the stars are a Memory Box die called Cosmic Stars

and I have used a Martha Stewart star border punch for more interest

While I'm at it, I shall also sneak this into the current PENNY BLACK & MORE CHALLENGE which also happens to be Autumn Colours

Thanks for visiting, and see you soon.  I'll be back in person shortly

Hugs, Squirrel xx