Sail Away With Me

Happy Monday all!  No, really, I want it to be a happy Monday - so if we all wish hard enough, it just might work out that way.

Unless you have been living in a cave with no wi-fi lately then you know that Lili of The Valley have brought back some of the most popular stamps that had been retired a while.  They are limited in numbers, so if you want one, best order early.  Anyhoo, I was particularly pleased to see two of my favourite boys come back, and this is one of them.

So, this is the Sailing Boat stamp

Painted, as always, with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are BoBunny Double Dots

MFT double stitched rectangle die

and the die-cuts are Die-Namics Sea Charms

Custom sized card base

There's something happening over on the Lili Facebook page tomorrow, so do keep an eye open for that, it's going to be fun!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Rosie With Cake

I'm having problems with Saturday mornings lately, there always seems to be something going on that gets in the way of me being able to blog.  I blame the Toad!

Anyway, just a quick post today to bring you a rather colourful card.  In my head, this all coordinated, but now ........ well, judge for yourselves.

OK, so this is Rosie With Cake - one of those returning images from Lili of The Valley.

I've used her a lot over the years, and she is definitely a favourite of mine.

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Goodness knows what the papers are, but they're bright

DCWV purple cardstock

Martha Stewart stars border punch

Germs from stash

Lili of the Valley sentiment from Set 28

That's all from me today

Hugs, Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Favourite Occasion

Happy Thursday everyone!  Over at AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE this time the theme is FAVOURITE OCCASION.

We would like you to make your favourite type of card AND tell us why that occasion is your favourite (if you don't tell us, your entry cannot be considered for the sponsor's prize, sorry).

Here's my DT card

I love making birthday cards for friends, to help celebrate their special day.  It's great that you can use such a wide variety of images, and even be really cheeky with them too.

So, I have used Cupcake Nancy from Roberto's Rascals

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Matting layer is from an old pad by Wild Rose Studio of oriental designs

Banner die from La La Land Crafts

Sentiment - anyone's guess but I think it's MFT!

That's all there is to it, a CAS card that does what it says on the tin.

Our sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful Nikki at BUNNY ZOE'S CRAFTS

You may have noticed that Nikki has decided, after many years selling fabulous products, to close this store.  However, there will be tons of bargains to be had there for the winner of this voucher as there is a big sale on right now.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Three Little Ducks

I was going to say morning all, but see that it is now afternoon.  I obviously spent more time than I thought ranting at Royal Mail about the non-delivery of my happy mail (which I had paid a customs charge on and they'd said would be delivered yesterday).  Still no answer as to where it is, and trust me, if they have lost it I shall be more than ranting at them!!

Anyhoo, on a happier note, I have been playing with a new-to-me Gerda Steiner stamp set.

I had recently been chatting with a friend about stepper card dies and realised that I hadn't used mine lately, so out it came.

Stamp set is Lucky Duck from Gerda Steiner

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Stepper die is from CC Designs

The Hello frame die is a Die-Versions Sweet Frames

Orange card by Papermania

Spotty paper from Dovecraft Back To Basics

Fussy cutting by me

Have yourselves a quacking weekend

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Look Who's Back !!

Those clever girls at LILI OF THE VALLEY know what we like - in fact they know what we like so much that they are re-releasing some of the gorgeous stamps that had previously been retired.

The first two to make a come-back are Spring Bunny with Daffs and Balloon Bunny - they are available on the website RIGHT NOW!  Limited numbers so be there or be bunnyless.  Over the next few weeks there will be more stamps making a return so keep your eyes open for them.

I think you might be able to work out which one of the two that I have used for this card for the Design Collective.

Lots of ingredients for this J fold card so here we go

Well of course it is, Spring Bunny with Daffs!

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is LOTV Scroll Sentiments

Papers are all old K&Co (the daffodil pad and the daisy pad)

Border die is Magnolia (think it might be Swedish Lace)

Corner dies are by Whimsy

Three toned green ribbon by Anita's

Resin flowers bought in Lakeland (been waiting for a chance to get them out again)

I hope you are having a Happy Friday!

Rosie sends her love ....

Hugs to all

Squirrel xxx

In The Pink (DT) So Cute

Morning all, it's PINK day - yes, get your Pink on, it's another challenge from those lovely ladies over at IN THE PINK

This time our challenge is SO CUTE - that leaves you a huge scope to craft with, but remember please, more pink than anything else!

Here's my DT make:

So, for this one I have used

Stamping Bella - Especially For You, Petunia

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Background flowery paper made by me!  I used a Tapestry stamp and two colours of Memento ink

Matting layer papers are old Papermania ones

Nestabilities dies for the scalloped die cuts

Wish I could remember where I got the word stamps from .....

Sparkling gems from Papermania

The sponsor for this challenge is PAPER NEST DOLLS

OK, you have two weeks to get pink - looking forward to seeing your cute makes!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Many many layers

Morning peeps.  Today's post title refers not to my card but to me.  It is perishing cold and damp here today so I thought that I should layer-up as recommended by the survivalists.  Only problem is, I may have overdone it a bit, I have so many layers on now that I can hardly bend in the middle, and bits of me are still cold!

Anyhoo, from many layers to few.  I have been such a bad blogger over the last year that I can't even remember the last time I entered one of my favourite challenges so I shall put that straight today.

Sweet Stampin' Challenge are asking for CAS

So CAS it is!

Another fabulous stamp set from Gerda Steiner - this one is Howl Are You?

Yep, and the sentiments too.

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Matting layer is white card edged with a red ProMarker

Custom sized card base - 4x5

Absolutely love this little chap!

Sneaking him in right at the end of the GDT call too

Hope your weekend is a good one, and Happy Valentine's tomorrow for all of you who are still loved up.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Shape or Fold

Well hello there!  Welcome to another Thursday at Squirrelville where it is DT day for the AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE.

This time the challenge is SHAPE or FOLD (and you must tell us why you made your choice)

It was a tussle whether to do a fold or a shape, and ended up combining the two into a "fol-ape".  I think it qualifies more as a fold though.  I love to see both, they always make cards feel more special, I'm just not very good at thinking outside the square

So I found the tutorial for this on SplitcoastStampers and it was really easy - of course, I added to it by punching the top border and then swearing because it wouldn't line up at the join, lol.

Stamped image is a Wryn from Tiddly Inks

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Papers are all First Edition from the Paper Flowers collection

Sentiments and banner from Clearly Besotted

Oval dies by Tonic

Border punch is Martha Stewart

Here's a picture of her flat and ready for the envelope

Our sponsor supporting this challenge is

Sweet Stamps with a $10 store voucher

You have two weeks to get folding or shaping, and remember to tell us why you made your choice

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Bit of a Beast

Hello peeps.  Sorry that I haven't been around much lately, there's a lot going on in my life at the moment and my mojo is missing again, presumed dead this time.  Even new stash isn't really lighting my fire that much, which is always bad news, especially taking into account the volume that's been plopping onto the doormat lately.

Anyhoo, I managed to slap this little chap onto Facebook yesterday before work but didn't have time to blog him, so here he is.

I "may" have fallen in love with a new-to-me stamp designer

This critter and the cake sentiment are from the Monster Party stamp set by the lovely Gerda Steiner

If you haven't been over to her site, and you like cute, then you really should pay a visit.

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Wood effect paper from Craftwork Cards Potting Shed pad

Happy Birthday sentiment by Hero Arts

Green gingham candy from Craftwork Cards

Goopy border punch from Martha Stewart

Stitched edge die from My Favourite Things

Now that surprised me, quite a list of ingredients for such a simple card!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

PS.  I won't even begin to start ranting about Google blocking followers who don't have a Google account.  Remember, you can still keep up to date with me by Bloglovin' or signing up for emails

AYLI (DT) One or Multi Layers

Yoo-hoo folks, it's Thursday, so that means a new challenge over at AS YOU LIKE IT

For this challenge we would like you to tell us about your preference of 

ONE LAYER OR MULTI LAYERS

This was a tough choice really as I quite like to play with both, but as my style is principally CAS I have gone with the one layer to show off the image more.

I've used LOTV's James with Umbrella stamp (retired)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and a sentiment stamp from My Favourite Things Blue Skies Ahead set

and that's all there is to it!

Our sponsor for this challenge with a £10 voucher is

Crafts U Love

You have two weeks to enter the challenge, but you must tell us why you chose one or multi layers for your make!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Nutty But Nice

Apparently that's what some people say about me.  A bit nutty, but quite nice really.

Just a little one to share with you today, made as a thank you card.

I've used a squirrel from the Clearly Besotted Nutty But Nice stamp set

and used the coordinating die set to cut him out

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Leafy Branch is a CC Cutters die

and the sentiment is from LOTV Quotables - Friendship - Set 62

Hugs to all

Nutty but nice, Squirrel xx

Just keep swimming, swimming......

I love Finding Nemo, it's up there in my Top 20 films.  Mind you, I love anything Pixar so my Top 20 is a bit crowded with their animations.

Anyhoo, I was thinking Finding Nemo when I made these two cards for the Lili Of The Valley Design Collective

The stamps are from the recent Little Critters release and this one is Little Fishes (you get all three fish, the bubbles, and more!)

Both cards painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Card 1 - papers are Wild Rose Studio and I used dies from MFT, Tonic and Memory Box

Card 2 - papers are Crafters Companion, the circle die is CC Designs and the "weed" frond is a Martha Stewart border punch

Sentiment is LOTV Vintage Labels Set 28 with a slight adjustment with the letter F

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

In The Pink (DT) Bling It On

It's another pink day chaps, and over at IN THE PINK this time the challenge is BLING IT ON

so we'd like to see your sparkle!

I may have gone a little over-the-top

OK, so I made the gift box with pre-glittered cardstock by First Edition

and bordered it with some beautiful cotton lace that I had in my stash

The enormous flower was punched from some self-adhesive holographic foil and then

I layered on the gorgeous fabric flower with the gemmed centre

The ivy swag is a Joanna Sheen Signature die which I cut from kraft card and then green glittered the leaves only, leaving the stems bare

I cut the sentiment from the same foil with Lawn Fawn Scripty For You die

Gems and pearls from stash

It's quite spectacular in the sunshine!

Of course, we have a sponsor for you too and it is the lovely Tracy

from DIES TO DIE FOR with a £10 voucher for the winner

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Bunny And Butterfly

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!  Tis a tad chilly over here in the east this morning, a lovely bright and sunny day, with a fabulous crisp frost.  What a day to be off to the dentist and then venturing back to work this afternoon (first time since Christmas Eve).  I'm still not feeling brilliant, but got to make a start somewhere in returning to some kind of normality while I await the hospital appointment.

Anyhoo, as an antidote to all this chilliness, here is something sunny and Springy for you.

I couldn't resist the recent release from Wild Rose Studio, and this one in particular

stole my heart - this is Bunny And Butterfly

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Shaped card and mats made with Crealies XXL32 dies

Backing paper is Dovecraft Back To Basics

Pearls from stash

Wishing you all a super Tuesday.  While I've been out of action I have got way behind with visits but I will do my best to get back on track as soon as possible.  Thank you all for sticking with me.

Hugs Squirrel xx

New Trios - coming soon!

Morning everyone.  Those of you who use Facebook regularly or who receive the Lili of The Valley newsletter possibly know by now that there is a release coming of some new Trios stamps.  The date is to be confirmed, but possibly end of this month, so keep your eyes peeled for details.

I was asked to sample the Birthday Trios, there's a cake, flowers, balloons and three sentiments that make them usable for many more occasions than birthdays.

Here's my card:

I have painted the two images with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and the sentiment is one of the three that comes with them

Papers are LOTV/Nitwits Bonnets & Bowties (sadly retired)

Daisy border punch by Martha Stewart

Floral border punch (the bottom one) by X-Cut

Butterflies from Impression Obsession

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

As You Like It (DT)

Morning all.  As you might have twigged from the post title, I have been invited to join the Design Team of those super talented crafters over at As You Like It Challenge!

This is my first challenge for the team and the theme for this fortnight is

Paper or Non Paper Project

(and remember to tell us why you chose what you did)

Here is my first DT project

It wasn't a difficult choice for me, having tried many crafts over the years, some more successful than others, I have always come back to papercraft.  I love that you can create something so colourful and/or dimensional from a flat piece of paper!

I decided to have a go at making a perpetual calendar, which I did completely freestyle with no template.  It took the best part of a whole day to make but I am quite chuffed with the end result.

Papers used are all from the First Edition Sweet Owl pad, with the exception of the black card

Numbers done with Memory Box dies

Days with letters from a Clearly Besotted set

Months (cut down, they were too long otherwise) from a MFT Die-Namics die set

Flowers made with Woodware punches and an office hole punch

And some lace trim from my leftovers box

This challenge is sponsored by DIGISTAMP BOUTIQUE with a £10 voucher

digistampboutique.co.uk catalog

digistampboutique blogspot

So there you have it, do come on over and join in the fun - this challenge is wide open for you to make all sorts of projects, from a simple card through to a wedding cake (if you feel that ambitious!), it's all about your style of craft.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

I'm not Lion

Honestly, I'm not Lion.  Would I fib to you?

I've used the lion from the LOTV Faraway Friends mini stamps

The little tag is from LOTV Sentiment Tags - Set 24

(there's a nelliphant and a monkey too)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Memory Box Corner Bow die

Martha Stewart leaf punch

My Favourite Things Wonky Windows die

Papers are an allsorts mixture of old Basic Grey and ancient Papermania

Hugs, Squirrel xx

In The Pink (DT) Anything Goes

OK, so we are a week into it now but still wishing you all a Happy Pink New Year!

It's the first IN THE PINK challenge of 2016 and to ease you in the theme is

ANYTHING GOES (so long as there's a lot of pink)

Yes, I was spoilt at Christmas and have had to make a lot of thank you cards!

So, this stinkin' cute little critter is a Stacey Yacula image from Purple Onion Designs

Icicle (Polar Bear)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are all Tonic "Woodland Friends" collection

Dies used are Crealies stitched rectangles

Cheery Lynn Celtic border

Martha Stewart heart border punch (just the hearts used)

Sentiment from Clearly Besotted Fancy Sayings

There is a super pink prize for the winner from our sponsor THE RIBBON GIRL

So now it's over to you, go and get pink!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

A New Thank You

I'd like to say that the New Year is going well ..... it was until last night when I cracked a tooth on a rather hard almond.  So that will be my crafting allowance spent on dental bills then.  Ever since I broke my jaw in three places (in 1988) I have had a very real fear of dentists so at the moment I am not sure which is worse, the pain or the treatment.

On a happier note, I did make a card yesterday, which I would like to share with you and enter into a few challenges.

This is Happy Twila, one of my new CC Designs stamps

and the sentiment is also a new one for me from Clearly Besotted

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Matting layer papers from LOTV/Nitwits

Allsorts Challenge - What's New

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Something New

Crafty Friends Challenge - #22 Use Something New

Inkspirational - #99 Thank You With Something New

Just Us Girls Challenge - Thank You

Thanks everyone, see you soon.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Favourite Christmas Colours

Afternoon peeps!  I hope you managed to have a good Christmas - we did, it was so relaxing with it just being the two of us and Rosie on Christmas Day, and Rosie was so relaxed that she fell asleep in the middle of a Scrabble game, literally, right across the board!

Anyhoo, I'm here today with a late entry for the challenge over at As You Like It where you have to say what your favourite Christmas colours are and why.

Although I make a lot of traditional coloured projects at Christmas, I do really love being able to make non-traditional ones too, and my favourite colours are pink, purple and turquoise for these.  They still look festive but with extra pizazz!  Many of my makes are for girlfriends, so it's so nice to be able to feminise Christmas.

This little lady is Pollycraft's Snowflake

and she was just crying out for pink and purple

She's painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and I went over the snowflake with a white Polychromos pencil to stop contamination with ink

Papers are from an old Papermania collection, and the sentiment is from one of those pages

A bit of fussy cutting and a custom sized card base

and she's done

You know that saying "as one door closes......", I have some news!  Can't share it just yet but will let you know as soon as I can.

Anyhoo, that's me for today, I am busy with DT work and fighting to keep Rosie off my craft bench.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Merry Christmas

I probably won't get the chance to post again this side of the big day, so wishing you all a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and all good wishes for health and happiness in 2016

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Kissmas

What would Christmas be without some romancing under the mistletoe?  Even if it is only a cheeky peck, lol.

My second December card for LILI OF THE VALLEY Design Collective

The wonky fairy seems to have got hold of this one, sorry folks, but I was unbelievably tired when I made it!  Probably only a millimetre out, but it might as well be a kilometre!

Stamp is LOTV Happy Kissmas

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Dovecraft Back To Basics Christmas (2013) Modern

Bazzil red card stock

Martha Stewart heart border punches

Sentiment from LOTV Grunge Christmas Postmarks Set 17

Tesco Craft gold shiny card

Lili are having a well deserved break for Christmas so any orders placed after 11 December will be despatched after the festivities are over.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Can't build one from raindrops.....

It's the middle of December - where's the SNOW?  Do you want to build a snowman?  I do, but you can't build one of of raindrops, sigh.

This is the first of my December cards for the LILI OF THE VALLEY Design Collective:

Stamp is LOTV Snowman Serenade

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are LOTV/Nitwits Snow Princess (now retired, sorry)

Oval stitched die from Lawn Fawn

Snowflake punch from X-Cut

Sentiment by Paper Smooches

Tiny snowflake stamp from Woodware

Lili are now on their Christmas break so if you placed an order after 11 December, it will be dealt with when everyone returns after the festivities.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx