A Sunday Evening Quickie

Hi all, well I said I would be back "later", but I didn't mean this much later!  I got rather carried about making a birthday card for my brother-in-law.

This is Toad's brother, the husband of the sister-in-law who said her birthday card was "nicely put together".  Not that I am still annoyed by that or anything ......

Anyway, he is a difficult chap at the best of times to make a card for but I supplemented my inky splats stamps this week and so got the inks out and got colourful.

A very simple card but personally I love the end result

The large Happy Birthday is from a Hero Arts set

Inky splats are Visible Images and Kaisercraft sets

And I have discovered WH Smith black art paper - gorgeous quality and great for die cutting and matting layers

Coloured inks are all Memento pads

Enjoy the rest of your evening.  Hope to see you tomorrow when I shall be here bright eyed and bushy tailed with my DT card for Without Words Challenge.

Hugs all

Squirrel xx

Market Research - Pencil Blenders

Morning all.  The things I do for you!  Here is the contrast and compare post I had promised you - blame the delay on a certain UK postal delivery service.

I stamped three of the same image (Hobbycraft Bow stamp) onto a sheet of Rymans Bright White Coated Card and coloured with Polychromos pencils.  I was deliberately rough and uneven with the colouring.  I then used three different types of blender with a tortillon (single ended paper stamp), using a clean one for each image.

The following opinions are entirely mine based on today's experiment.  You may of course totally disagree with what I think, and that is fine with me.

No 1 Johnson's Baby Oil

The better smelling of the three, if you like sniffing babies.  I was slightly concerned that it would leave an oily residue but, with it being a mineral oil, although more dilute, it evaporated away nicely.  It wasn't as effective at moving the colour around but it did an ok job.  Would be fine for use on practice pieces.

No 2 Zest-It Pencil Blender

This is the one that held up the experiment (not sure if it was the seller or the postal service) but I bought a small bottle of Zest-It Pencil Blender and a pre-loaded Sponge Pot.  If you like oranges, then you will be ok working with this.  It is quite citrusy and I did sneeze a few times.  Having said that, with this and the baby oil, despite the added perfumes, you can still tell it is a solvent.  Anyhoo, this one applied nicely, did not feel greasy and blended the Polychromos pretty smoothly.  Great for everyday use.

No 3 Winsor & Newton Sansoder (Gamsol in the US)

This one is the granddaddy of blenders and is used by oil-paint artists.  It says Low Odour on the bottle, but it was the dreadful smell that pushed me towards the other two products for trial, and the fact that it was giving me a splitting headache.  Use in a well ventilated room!!  Sansodor does was it was designed for, and is in my opinion the most effective blender for the best end result.

Conclusion

Because of the problems with headaches that Sansodor caused, I will be using Zest-It Pencil Blender from now on.  But a word of caution, even though Zest-It carries the tag line Safe Solutions For Artists on the bottle, turn it around and read the back label - it ain't all that safe!  Carries the same health warnings as the Sansodor.  Mind you, even the baby oil carries warnings too.  Simplest solution is to work near an open window and avoid naked flames!

Be back laters with a card

Hugs

Squirrel xx

A Little Bit Crafty (DT) March Challenge

Good morning all, and today's appearance is accompanied with an annoucement.  Yes, you did read the heading right - I am now DTing for the fabulous Paula over at A Little Bit Crafty!

So here I am for my first appearance for the March challenge and the theme is ARE WE THERE YET?  So this could be holidays, travel, a long journey to grandma's ....... I remember as a child spending what felt like years in the back of my parents' Triumph Herald (I can still remember the registration too, ABJ 111H) while we drove to the seaside.  I am certain that they must have heard "Are we there yet?" many times!

Here is my card, inspired by all those long ago seaside visits:

I fell in love with this Whimsy stamp called Mr Gull-ible

He is painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) on Bristol Board

Papers are a mish-mash of Basic Grey, magazine freebie and Trimcraft (I think) but they all came out of the leftovers box so don't hold me to that

Sentiment postcard is by Little Claire Stamps

And the glittery waves were another gem from stuff I have hoarded over the years, they were a magazine freebie too, and very nearly got recycled a month ago!

There are three brilliant sponsors this month

Mo's Digital Pencil

Which Craft

Marianne Design

So, a super theme, and lots of prizes to tempt you.  Time to get crafty!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Shopping

It's Thursday morning so that means it is time for another challenge with

Crafty Little Fairies

Now, I have heard it said that this is every girl's favourite thing to do.  No.  It isn't.  I hate

SHOPPING

Unless of course it is for new crafty playthings.  Shoes?  Clothes?  Bah!

But I loved making my card for the theme

The stamp is a cutie from LOTV called Emma Presents

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) on Bristol Board

Papers are unmarked ones that I have had ages, I think I inherited them from a friend, and I have almost ditched them so many times, but hoarding does pay off eventually

The appropriate circle sentiment is by Little Claire from the Sentiments Mix set

Martha Stewart border punch for detail

When I painted the image, the colours matched with those in the papers, and then when I layered the image panel onto the backing paper, it ended up covering the brown handbags completely!!

Hope you have fun with this one, so looking forward to seeing your wondering shopping themed makes.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Bellatastic - Stamp Basket (DT)

Morning everyone.  For my DT for The Stamp Basket this week I've gone a bit pastelly in tone, soft and gentle - which is exactly how I image little Bella to be!

All of the following ingredients are available at The Stamp Basket store
Stamp:  Wild Rose Studio Bella With Posy
Medium:  Stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black
Painted with:  Tim Holtz (Ranger) Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Papers:  BoBunny Prairie Chic
Die:  Memory Box Vivienne butterfly, Spellbinders Lacey Circle
Base card:  Craftword Cards Straight Edged Card Size 6

And from stash - Wild Rose Birthday Circles sentiment, Bristol Board (which Janet hopes to stock soon)

Have a happy day everyone!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Cover your eyes!

Morning all, happy Sunday to you!  This is a flying visit as we're due out the door shortly on our way to Church.

I thought I had missed the deadline for Tiddly Inks Primary Colours challenge but with a huge sigh of relief I see I still have a week in hand - not like you Squirrel, feeling ok?  

I feel oddly nervous about entering this one!

This stamp and sentiment are from the Tiddly Inks My Super Boy clear set

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) on Bristol Board

Papers are all from the Papermania Spots & Stripes Primary collection

And that's it.  Blimey.  Short, even for me.  

Errrm - ooh, Papermania 5x5 300gsm pre-creased cardstock - ha haah

I'm gone

Laters

xx

How can that be a mouse?!

Morning all, how are you on this bright and SUNNY Saturday morning?  I've been and had my unruly tail trimmed and coloured - I was starting to look like a dandelion and now I am all neat and tidy again.  Give it a week and I'll soon be refluffed I imagine.

I had the most bizarre start to my day.  I was in bed asleep (but more likely that dozy state between sleep and wake) when I became aware of a noise.  I shot straight up and pinged the light on with my heart pounding.  A mouse!  Gnawing my pillow for heavens sake!  Vince, where are you when I need you?  I sat there, rigid, listening for it again.  Nothing.  Not even a scamper.  After a few minutes I convinced myself that I must have been dreaming and lay down again.  And as my pre-trimmed wild and woolly fur hit the pillow I heard it again.  Oh for heavens sake.  In my tossing and turning nature, one of my curls was now making a bid for freedom and was just behind my ear, poking the pillow.  I felt such a fool.

Anyhoo, there is a huge beef casserole simmering away in the oven for tonight's dinner, so it is playtime but just before I vanish off into the studio I thought I would share this card with you.  I apologise for the photo.  I can't seem to get a picture of a 5x7 card without it looking squint.  

So this stamp is You And Me from LOTV

Stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on Bristol Board

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Dovecraft Back To Basics

Martha Stewart Heart Lace border punch

Paper Smooches sentiment

And an ordinary office hole punch for the dots

No challenges for this one as I haven't got the energy to look for them this morning.

I'm off to do some DT work and to make a card to share with you tomorrow.

Enjoy your weekend, whatever you are up to!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) One For The Boys

Morning all - time for a new challenge with

Crafty Little Fairies

And this week our theme is

One For The Boys

You can make anything you like, so long as it follows the theme and features either a stamped or digi image.

I have done a mini tutorial this week for my card:

Ingredients:

6x6 pre-creased white card base

Wild Rose Studio Milton & Co – Get Well Toby stamp

Memento – Tuxedo Black

Bristol Board

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

First Edition – New Leaf 8x8 paper pad

Crop-A-Dile Warm Metal Eyelets

Baker’s Twine

And all of these products (or similar) are available from this week's sponsor 

HANDY HIPPO

 And here are the details in easy to follow steps (since when have my cards ever been difficult!)

 ·         Stamp image with Memento ink and trim panel to 3.5 x 4 (1)

·         Colour with chosen medium – I used Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours

·         Mat onto piece of New Leaf and trim to a 1/16 border (2)

·         Stamp sentiment onto image panel and when dry adhere image panel to matting layer

·         Cut 5½ x 5½ New Leaf central layer (3)

·         Cut 5¾ x 5¾  New Leaf base layer (4)

·         Mat together

·         Cut 5½ x 1½ New Leaf contrast band and adhere to centre of main panel (5)

·         Adhere image panel to base layers centrally

·         Adhere assembled topper to white card stock (6)

·         With Crop-A-Dile, punch holes (7)

·         Insert and set eyelets (7)

·         Thread through with neutral tone Baker’s Twine (8)

So, it's over to you now, can't wait to see what you make for this week's theme.

Hugs to all, Squirrel xx

PS.  Meant to mention, I have a bottle of Zest-It Pencil Blender on order, I bought Baby Oil last night, so at the weekend if the delivery has arrived I shall do a contrast and compare with these versus Sansodor, if anyone who uses pencils is interested.

Snowball George

Hi guys, hope this finds you well.  OK, we've had the rain but we've not had the snow so maybe George is a bit previous - or a sign of things to come!

It is my day for DT at THE STAMP BASKET and I had great fun with this one.

All the following items used are available at THE STAMP BASKET store

Ingredients List

Stamp - Molly Blooms - Snowball George

Paper - Magnolia Sweet Crazy Love - Cloudy Turquoise Hearts

Distress Ink Pad (for edging) Peacock Feathers

Dies - La La Land - Christmas Tree, Joy! Crafts Winter Wishes - Ice Crystal 2

Hobby House - assorted sized pearls

Base card - Craftwork Cards - Elegant Square Size 6

And from stash - Spellbinders Scalloped Labels 1, Polychromos Pencils

The classic Spellbinders Labels 1 are available here

Hope you all have a great day, and don't get too many snowballs!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Either you all hated yesterday's card, or I posted too early in the morning for you!

You can find the post here if you are interested

Hippitty Hop and Bullfrog Snot

Not a very appetising title for a Tuesday morning but all will become clear!  Now then, I am in deep poo with my beloved.  I rather got caught out by the delivery of three packages last week, all containing new stamps (oops), so I made him this as a peace offering with one of the offending articles.

This is Froggy Posey from the new High Hopes Ready For Spring 2014 collection

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers) on Bristol Board

Patterned paper is LOTV Nitwits Perfect Pair

Chequered green is from my scraps box

Whimsy corner dies and a little Paper Smooches sentiment to finish

It did make him smile.

But not quite as much as the bottle of Bullfrog Snot made me smile at the weekend when it arrived in the post.  I kid you not!

I love the statement on the back of the packet - Keep From Freezing And Kryptonite.

These guys really have a sense of fun!

If I didn't think you were eating breakfast I would tell you what it says on the jar.

Have a happy Tuesday everyone.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Dog With A Bone

Afternoon all.  It is SUNNY here today, and no wind!!  Let's hope this brief and very welcome reprieve is helping those water levels drop for those most affected by the atrocious winter weather we have had in the UK.  

Now, I know I have said it before but Less Is More challenge has developed into a love/hate relationship for me.  I never seem to get it right, but like a dog with a bone, I keep worrying away at it in the hope that one day I might just strike lucky.  I don't think it will be this time but I had fun making the card, and that is more important any day.  The LIM theme this week is Masculine and it gave me a great excuse to get a new stamp inky.

This handsome little fella (and the sentiment) are from the new Tiddly Inks release

The set is called My Boys

and of course it has been painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers) on Bristol Board

that fab tartan paper is from the Basic Grey Oxford pad

X-Cut Palm Punch stars to finish off

That's me done, except to finish with a question for the pencil users out there.

Is there an alternative blending solution to Sansador?  I was using it yesterday and everything now stinks of it and it is giving me a headache.  It says "Low Odour" on the bottle, but to me it really pongs.  Maybe I should restrict its use to days when I can have the window open.  If you know of something that does the same job but doesn't have the smell, then please do let me know!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Actually, that wasn't the end, because I need to tell you about the last few days of the mega-sale

at THE STAMP BASKET - lots of bargains to be grabbed before the new stock arrives

and loads of lovely goodies to have fun with.  Sale ends very soon so don't wait!

Caterpillars Are Tough

Evening all - hope this storm hasn't caused you too many issues this time around.  The gale force winds started here mid afternoon yesterday and although it is still very choppy and gusty, I no longer feel as if we are about to lose the roof like last night.  How I actually got any sleep I'm not sure as I was leaping up every time something crashed or banged.

I have been busy with DT work today, and we also popped over to the Oldies to take dad's birthday presents.  As a treat I bought him a Colin The Caterpillar cake yesterday morning from M&S.  Those cakes are tough I have to say, poor Colin got a bit of a battering, having spent the day in a warm office, and then been transported home through wind and rain, on a bus.  This end of the journey he nearly became a butterfly sooner than expected as the wind near took the bag from my hand.  But survive it he did, and he is now safely stored in a cool pantry, all ready to be scoffed on Tuesday.

Anyhoo, I have something to share with you today and it is mice.

The stamp is LOTV Sprinkled With Sugar

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) on Bristol Board

Papers are all, I think, Papermania from an unlabelled pack

Whimsy Corner dies

Hobby Arts sentiment

I made this for my sister-in-law, and whilst I didn't expect her to gush over it, I was rather put out by the comment "Oh, well, it's nicely put together".  EXCUSE me?!!  Card Factory for you next year missus.

I must just say a quick Hello to my four new followers who have appeared over the past week.  What a lovely surprise to find you, and I hope you enjoy the journey with me.

We're sat here waiting for our takeaway delivery (Chinese) so that's me in the diet naughty corner for a couple of days, lol.  My excuse is that I need the intake to keep warm.  Hope you are having a super Saturday evening.  See you tomorrow.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Valentine James

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.  Sending you all warm hugs and kisses for a super day.

I had to do a Secret Squirrel with Toad's card as he was sat in the same room with me while I made it.  Every time he came near I had to pretend I was making something else!  Anyway, he loved the end result.

Who else could it be but my beloved James from LOTV - this is James - Big Heart

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) on Bristol Board

Paper pieced heart and border from a Papermania pad

Martha Stewart heart border punch

Paper Smooches sentiment

Hugs to all, Squirrel xxx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Teddies

Good morning all, it is Thursday (yes, really, it is) so that means it is time for a new challenge at

Crafty Little Fairies

This week we have gone for the awwwh factor and our theme is

Teddies

We know a lot of you love your bears, like I do, but I am probably going to surprise you by saying my card does not feature my favourite bear, James!  Are you shocked?

Instead I have used a Craftwork Cards bear - isn't he cute?  He is what I would call a traditional bear.

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) on Bristol Board

Ribbon bow stamp is from Hobbycraft and also painted with ReInkers

Papers are Wild Rose Studio roses papers

Although the matting layers look black, they are actually chocolate brown

Sentiment is a magazine freebie

So that is my DT card for Teddies.  There is of course, as always, some awesome inspiration from my Fairymates.

AND there are TWO prizes up for grabs this week, what's not to like?

See you there!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sweet Crazy Love

Morning all, and here we are, only a few hours from halfway through the week, and just about halfway through the month too, how did that happen?!  But of course, it being Wednesday means it is my turn to DT for The Stamp Basket, wheeeee!

A change of style for me today.  I had such fun with the various bits and bobs that I got a little carried away (and some say that I should be).

So, the ingredients for today's card which are available at The Stamp Basket store are

Stamp: Magnolia Sweet Crazy Love - Tilda's Heartflowers

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Card

Papers:  Basic Grey - Mint Julep

Dies:  Magnolia DooHickey - Sweet Lovely Lace, Memory Box - Forest Snail

and Memory Box - Arianna Sprig 

Card Base: Craftwork Cards - On The Edge

And from my stash are Polychromos Pencils and a Paper Smooches sentiment

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Cause for Celebration

Well thank goodness Monday is almost over, and I mean that most sincerely folks - it has been dreadful!  I won't bore you with details but it started with my bus being 50 minutes late (actually, that is 4 buses missing) this morning and it went rapidly downhill from there.

Anyhoo, I popped on with a happy card to share with you.  This was made for an order from one of my colleagues who asked for a 60th wedding anniversary card for her parents, with a ballroom dancing theme.

So I have used

LOTV stamp - The Charleston

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all First Edition, so got the diamonds in there for 60th

The beautiful lattice border die is Cheery Lynn Lattice Valance Border

And the numbers are Memory Box Typewriter (large)

I did decorate the inside too but forgot to take a photo (numpty)

Made a bit of a boo-boo when I bought the Cheery Lynn die - I bought it on impulse when I was shopping for other stuff, and didn't really study the details too closely, so imagine my horror when it arrived and I discovered that it is a 7.5 inch die!!  That is so not going to fit on a 6x6 card base.  But it fitted this 8x8 with style and I am kinda pleased, because it means I shall have to save it for extra-special celebration cards!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Just call me Archimedes

Yesterday I mentioned having had a Eureka moment.  But I have to reassure you now that I was not in the bath and I was fully clothed, but I was out in the street when it happened.  Friday afternoon it was so hot and stuffy in the office that my head was getting thicker than usual so I stepped outside for a breath of air.  It's funny the things you think about when you aren't really thinking ..... thoughts just seem to waft around in your mind.  

Anyhoo, I was thinking about a sheet of paper.  A specific piece of paper.  From the Basic Grey Oxford pad.  Yes, I know, my mind works in weird and wonderful ways.  And I was wondering what possessed BG to put that particular sheet in the pad as I couldn't see anyone ever finding a use for it.  And then KAPPOW!  I had "the moment".  I was feeling so gleeful that our Receptionist asked me why I was grinning when I came back indoors.

Stamp:  Penny Black - Here's Looking At You

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all from the Basic Grey Oxford pad

(it was the sheet with the specs that had been worrying me)

Sentiment is a Little Claire Postcard stamp

The letter U was brought to you today by Memory Box Parker Uppercase die set

And that's pretty much it.  I am not sure how I made a story from a random piece of paper but I guess I kinda did.

Told you I was odd.

Hugs all

Squirrel xx

You Can't Sharpen A Paintbrush

Morning all, hope you are safe and well, particularly all of you in the west and south-west who got another storm battering last night.  I rather think we may have dodged a bullet here as it is much calmer than expected ..... but never speak too soon as I believe there might be more on the way before the weekend is over.

Now then, circumstances have dictated that I needed to get the pencils out rather than use the inks, and I haven't used pencils for an absolute age, so I pulled on the sweat pants and the headband, filled my water bottle and laced the trainers while I had a warm up with them.   Hmmmm.  Maybe I should exercise more often with them, scary how quickly you can forget.

Anyhoo, this is my first little practice piece

This is Bella Sitting On A Pile Of Presents from Wild Rose Studio

Coloured with Polychromos pencils

Sentiment is Paper Smooches

Then because I had enjoyed Bella so much I did it all over again in Distress Inks

It's difficult to compare the two as I pencilled straight onto the card base, but I inked onto Bristol Board

Pencils

Inks

Now you have seen more elephants than is natural for a Saturday morning, I'll potter off and do something constructive.  I had a Eureka moment yesterday which I am itching to try out.

Laters!

Squirrel xx

Foxy

For the last two challenges at Fantasy Stampers my card has been the first entry, so I had to chuckle when Jan commented that she was "missing me" this time!  Yep, Tail-End-Charlie is late again. 

 

But I am here now, but I think I made a bit of a boo-boo with this little card.   I have, as you can see made it as a Valentine but on looking at the critters more carefully I actually think this is meant to be parent and child!  Now I am not condoning that kind of marlarky at all, I mean who sends a Valentine to their parent?!  That would be strange.  I can just imagine my dad's face.  On the other hand, he thinks I have lost the plot anyway so maybe I could get away with it, if I dared to try.  I prefer to think of it as an in-love couple and I am sticking to that.

So the stamp is Tiddly Inks - My I Love You
Painted rather badly with Distress Inks (ReInkers)
Sentiment is from the LOTV Love Sentiments set
And the papers are BoBunny Autumn Song collection

And that's it, bijou!

Hope your Friday is a good one - it is another gloriously warm and sunny day here.
Not.

Hugs to all, Squirrel xx

Crafty Little Fairies (DT) Love

Happy Thursday everyone!  As if it wasn't a good enough reason to celebrate being almost at the weekend, we can also have a celebration today for a new challenge at

Crafty Little Fairies

This week we are all loved up, and would like you to be so as well with our seasonal theme of

Love

You don't have to be in love to make a love themed card, it can simply be one to tell somebody you love them - a parent, a friend, a brother or sister, your hamster, or George Clooney (join the queue girls)!

The Blue Fairies (with the odd sprinkle of Pink) have created some gorgeous inspiration for you.

I, on the other hand, have made this for my DT piece.

Awwwh, this stamp is a Party Paws from Crafters Companion and he is called Love From Bamboo

What little colouring there was has been done with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Heart dies are from X-Cut

Papers are from the Forever Friends Best of British pad

Corner punch is from a Martha Stewart punch-around-the-page set

I am hosting the challenge this week so I am issuing a call to arms, we thought last week would be a popular one but you all seem to be hiding, so this week as I am in charge I am demanding that you enter.

And if my threats aren't enough, perhaps a prize from The Ribbon Girl might tempt you!

Come on, everyone needs some lovin'

Hugs to all, Squirrel xx

Snuggle Up and Keep Warm

When I was deciding what to make for The Stamp Basket DT this week, I was feeling kinda chilly, so that might be why I settled for these cosy little bears, all snuggled up and warm together!

Ingredients available from The Stamp Basket store

Wild Rose Studio stamp - Christmas Teddies (in the Sale now)

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Dusty Concord, Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood

Distress Ink pad - Frayed Burlap

Memento Ink Tuxedo Black

First Edition paper pad - Silent Night (I only used the cream tones)

Ranger Ink Blending Tool (for the Frayed Burlap edges)

Craftwork Cards 148x148 white card

Sorry Janet, but the sentiment is from my stash - that's me sacked on week two!

Warm hugs to all

Squirrel xx