Dancing (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, sorry that I am a bit later than usual but I had to have a lay-in to tell the difference between weekdays and the weekend.  This home-working lark has messed with my head a bit, and that's without all the connectivity issues of the week!

So, what are you doing for exercise while you are trapped at home?

I'm not a great one for jogging or gym work, but I do love a boogie, so I have been dancing around in the kitchen to the radio - good job we are not overlooked by the neighbours too much.

I did once have a chap in the next road ask why we got up so early - I asked how he knew - from his house he apparently can see our kitchen window so knew when the light went on.  Hopefully his view wasn't good enough to see in as we never did replace the rollerblind that fell to pieces.

Anyhoo, today's card - this could be me, but I suspect I don't look anywhere near this cute when I'm shuffling around.

CC Designs - Dancing CCD-RB1149

Lawn Fawn Stitched Balloon Frames #LF2266

Impression Obsession Congrats Word Set io-DIE430-U

This dancing queen was coloured with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens and then fussy cut.

Papers are a pad of watercolour effect that I picked up in Hobbycraft.

So that's me for today.  Please keep safe and well and listen to the right advice.

Hugs

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Buttons or Pearls (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Is it Thursday?  Honestly, this working from home lark has totally screwed all sense of place and time, and it's only my first week of it!

Anyhoo, after a quick consult of the calendar, I can confirm that it is indeed Thursday and that means it is AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE day, and we have a popular theme for you this time, which is Buttons Or Pearls (and please tell us why).

I do like buttons and pearls, but I tend to use buttons for boys and pearls for girls, and as I make more girls cards than boys, I guess that makes pearls my favourite!

Disclaimer:  It is a complete coincidence that Red Leader Annette and I used the same image for this challenge.

So, the ingredients for this card are:

CC Designs Rockabilly Girls stamp set (love this sassy lass)

Bit of a mixture of Sunny Studio 6x6 papers from different collections

Memory Box Nottingham border die

Martha Stewart arches border punch

Martha Stewart grass border punch

Sentiment from Clearly Besotted Laugh Out Loud Again

and a sprinkling of shimmery pearls from various sources

Little lassy has been coloured using Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens as watercolours

There is no sponsor for this challenge BUT the prize is still pretty special - the winner of this challenge gets to Guest Design with the team for April.  Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee, that is exciting!

Right then, I'm off, you need to go and get your buttons and pearls sorted.

Hugs to all

Flower Fairies (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello everyone.  To you all, if you are well and carrying on as best you can, if you are social distancing or self isolating, stay strong, we can beat this.

I've actually been on "holiday" this past week, but will be home-working next week (IT permitting).

Not quite sure what Rosie is making of things, having us both at home all the time, but she isn't getting any extra meals or treats, which is not pleasing her!

MFT Flower Fairies - CS454

MFT Die-Namics Flower Fairies dies - MFT1685

MFT 6x6 paper Spring Whimsy - EP61

This set of little cuties are so adorable, and so perfect for many occasions, and even though they are petite, they are still a joy to colour.

I used Zig Clean Color Brush Pens for these, with added water.

Hugs

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Abominable (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello chaps, happy Saturday, I'm popping in today with a couple of right little monsters for you.

When I say "monsters", I am using the term quite loosely, as these are

the sweetest monsters ever.

Snow cone anyone?

(now you might have guessed one of my favourite films!)

Aren't they gorgeous?!

CC Designs - Abominable stamp set

and matching dies

Card 1 - Lawn Fawn 6x6 Dandy Day

Card 1 - MFT Birdie Brown Greetings Galore

Card 2 - MFT More Essential Sentiments

Both of these little yeti have been coloured up using Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens

and an ordinary wet paintbrush

Hugs

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As You Like It Challenge (DT) Spring Or Easter

Believe it or not from the recent weather but Spring is nearly here (officially I mean, not Met Office Spring) and with Spring comes Easter, which means a wonderful season full of joy.

The new As You Like It Challenge theme starting today is Spring or Easter (your favourite, and why)

I like Spring .... and I like Easter .... so it was a 50/50 choice for me on this one.

I chose Easter, because I am a sucker for a furry wabbit bringing me chocolate!

How cute?!!

Gerda Steiner - Peeking Easter Friends stamps

and matching dies

A leftover piece of LOTV/Raspberry Road paper plus a squeak of Lawn Fawn Dandy Day 6x6 LF2208, edged with Martha Stewart grass border punch

Bunnies and Eggs coloured with a mix of Distress Inks (ReInkers) and

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens

Our sponsor for this challenge is

LAWN FAWN

Time to brush off those newly hatched chicks and come and join us.

Hugs to all

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #479

Amazing isn't it, I don't post from one week to the next and suddenly I'm here twice in one day, you lucky things, lol!

I saw the MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge # 479 this morning, and immediately a stamp set came to mind for the layout, and it is one that I have been wanting to get inky again for some time.

I used

MFT Birdie Brown Space Explorer BB-43

and the matching die set MFT-1058

The black card I had in my stash so stamped that with a random dotty stamp in Distress Ink Picket Fence

The backing paper is a pad of watercolour effect from my scraps box

The astronaut and the planets I have "watercoloured" with Zig Clean Colour pens

I promise, you (probably) won't see me again until Thursday now.

Hugs

Friends Forever (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning chaps, sorry I am a late Squirrel today, I was meant to do this last night but I might have accidentally dozed off in the armchair!  It does seem to have been a long work week, especially with all the rain adding to the joys, either that or I am really getting old!

So I have a sweet but simple make for you today.  I believe this stamp (and there is a boy one)  was created with inclusivity in mind, but I think it works really well for someone who is temporarily incapacitated too.

MFT Birdie Brown Friends Forever BB-97

MFT Die-Namics Friends Forever MFT-1696

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Ric Rac MFT-1513

MFT Birdie Brown Greetings Galore CS-335

Lawn Fawn 6x6 papers Dandy Day LF2208

A little dibble-dabble with the Distress Inks (ReInkers) and the Zig Clean Colour pens.

and that's it!

I'm off for a tail trim this morning.  At New Year I made the decision that I am not going to dye my hair any more so I have an interesting colour-scheme going on, a bit tortoiseshell as the grey comes through and the colour fades out.  Today's cut is going to reveal a lot more of the grey than I may actually be prepared for!!

Hugs

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Birthdays Take The Cake (DT) Dies To Die For

Yippee, it's the weekend.

How is February a shorter month but feels soooooo much longer?  Maybe it's the extra day that has snuck in today.  Did you know if you are born on 29th February you are a Leapling, and that legally your birthday is only recognised as 28th February, although you may celebrate it on the 28th, or on 1st March.  That's today's interesting factoid for you!

So, everyone has a birthday, some people have more birthdays than others, tis true, but we all have one, every single year, so you would think that by now I would be better prepared for them than I usually am!  Having spent last year being constantly taken by surprise by dates in the diary, this year I am determined to try and do better.

When this MFT set was released I almost wept for joy!

MFT Clear Stamps - Birthdays Take The Cake CS-464

MFT Die-Namics - Birthdays Take The Cake MFT-1706

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Dome Stax MFT-1075

MFT 6x6 papers

MFT Stencil - Card Sized Star Confetti ST-120

If you have been to one of the recent shows to visit the Dies To Die For

stand, you may well have seen this one on the display

Shockingly, there isn't a Distress Ink in sight, these have both been done with Zig Clean Color Brush Pens and a wet brush.

Anyone else feeling a bit peckish now?

Hugs

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As You Like It (DT) Favourite Flower

And another month ticks by, another month closer to Spring!  It's AS YOU LIKE IT day and, thinking of Spring, our theme this time around is Favourite Flower (and please explain your choice)

I do have more than one favourite flower, but for sentimental family reasons, this time I have chosen a Dog Rose.  I love the simplicity of the flower, it's delicacy, it's wildness, but it's ability to still look absolutely stunning.

for this little cutie I have used

Stamping Bella - Bundle Girl With A Rose EB908

Stamping Bella Cut It Out Die CIO908DIE

Lawn Fawn 6x6 papers - Really Rainbow Scallops LF1860

and an older sentiment from My Favorite Things

Bundle Girl and her rose have been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Our sponsor for this challenge with a voucher for the store is

DIES TO DIE FOR

Hugs

Bundle Girl With A Snowdrop (DT) Dies To Die For

After finding a coating of snow on my car the other evening after work I thought I should have a dose of Spring for you this morning.

My mum's garden has hundreds of these now, and if you are a fan of Countryfile you will see them featuring a whole festival of these tomorrow night.

Yes, it is the beautiful snowdrop.

Stamping Bella - Bundle Girl With A Snowdrop EB-909

Stamping Bella Cut It Out Bundle Girl With A Snowdrop CIO909DIE

Memory Box Nottingham Border die

Lawn Fawn 6x6 papers Spiffy Speckles LF1868

MFT Birdie Brown - Birthday Buds stamp set BB-099

I've seen my teamie Annette using the Nottingham border for a while now and had been drooling over it, so when I saw it was on SALE on the DTDF website it was like a sign, I knew the time had come to purchase it for myself!

Little Bundle Girl and her snowdrop (yes you can get pink ones) has been coloured with Zig Clean Color Brush Pens.

I think we could all do with a few signs of Spring right now.

Hugs

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MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge # 476

It must be the wind, or too much rain, or just a really miserable Sunday afternoon but yes, here I am posting!

It's been a very long time since I took part in an MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge and I was just in the right frame of mind for it today, so here we go.

For this happy card I have used:

MFT Birdie Brown - Birthday Buds stamps BB-99

MFT Die-Namics - Birthday Buds dies MFT-1708

I pinched the tiny candle from MFT Birthdays Take The Cake stamp set CS-464

MFT 6x6 papers - Painted Prints Citrus EP-10

MFT 6x6 papers - Itsy Bitsy Polka Dots Pastels

MFT Clear Stamps - Little Birthday Notes CS-465

Images are NOT Distress Inks this time!  I have been practising with Zig Clean Colour pens.

Here is the original sketch

Hope your Sunday is a happy one

Hugs to you all

Bookworm Squidgy (DT) Dies To Die For

Gasp, pant pant, sorry I am late today chaps, I had some family errands to run

and I wanted them done before Storm Dennis arrived.  It's dad's birthday on Tuesday and I wanted to get his presents to him before any more trees fell over.

So, what do I have for you today - well, let me tell you a story.....

And the gorgeous products purchased from Dies To Die For are:

Stamping Bella - Bookworm Squidgy stamp

Stamping Bella Cut It Out Bookworm Squidgy die

Your Next Stamp 6x6 papers - School Days

Lawn Fawn 6x6 papers - Spiffy Speckles

Lawn Fawn 6x6 - Really Rainbow Scallops

Mama Elephant sentiments - Good Reads

Squidgy painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe

Hugs

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As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Animal

Hello everyone!  Breezy enough for you?  Chuff, it has been fresh around the frilly bits, I hope you are all safe and sound.

So, it's time for a new challenge over at the AS YOU LIKE IT blog

and the theme for this fortnight is Your Favourite Animal (and why).

Firstly, big apology for the really rubbish photo, I sent the card before I realised I only had this quick snap.

Favourite animal for me is a Felis Catus, that's a domestic cat to you and me.  Apart from a very brief spell when I lived too close to a busy road, I have always had a cat in my life.  Not the same cat, obs, because I'm old, but a few kitties have shared my bed over the years.  I just adore their "I'll love you if I want to, and if I don't I won't" attitude.

This was made for a cat mad friend, natch.

Simon Says Stamp - Playful Kittens stamp set

Whimsy Stamps - Calories Schmalories stamp set

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Dome Stax dies

Lili of The Valley Circular Sentiment

MFT 6x6 Dots and Stripes papers

and some absolutely ancient gold photo corners

Kitty and cupcake painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and of course you will want to know who the sponsor is for this time and it is

FANTASTIC RIBBONS

I do hope you will be able to join  in the fun and share your favourite animal with us.

Hugs to all

Squirrel

Morning Glory Bunny (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello everyone, Happy Saturday!

I'm popping in today with something cute and fluffy

Whimsy Stamps (Crissy Armstrong Collection) Morning Glory Bunny

My Favorite Things Essential Sentiments Stamp Set CS-137

MFT 6x6 Watercolour Wash

MFT 6x6 Tiny Check

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Spiffy Speckles

The circles dies are MFT Stitched A2 Circle dies but are no longer on the website (soz)

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Bunny hugs to all

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Let's Stick Together (DT) Dies To Die For

1st February and I am back in the DTDF saddle!  Did you miss me?  I needed that little break to recharge the batteries.  I could do with a sabbatical from work too but that is a whole other story!

So, over the past few years there have been mermaids, unicorns, yeti, and narwals, and now the trend seems to be cacti - someone once told me that it takes a special kind of skill to kill a cactus ....... guess who managed to do it without any real training?!

  

At least I can't kill these ones.

MFT Birdie Brown - Let's Stick Together stamp set BB-095

MFT Die-Namics Let's Stick Together die set MFT-1684

MFT Die-Namics A2 Stitched Circle dies MFT-1675

Memory Box Heart Flourish

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Spiffy Speckles LF1868

I painted the planter and the cacti with Distress Inks (ReInkers), and for those of you who struggle to get delicate die-cuts to stick, I cannot recommend Stick-It sheets enough, they are such a simple but awesomely clever idea.  Let's face it, we have all had the ones that you try to stick with a glue pen that drop off again after 10 minutes.

So, that is me done for today.  I am off to the v.e.t. with Rosie for her 6 month check up, her manicure, and the usual lecture about her weight.  What can you do with a lazy cat who doesn't want to engage with toys (other than a 5 minute wrestle with them)?  We have tried all sorts, I even tied string to a toy at one end and the other end to the belt loop on my jeans to trail it around the house behind me.  She watched me for a while and went back to sleep!

Cats huh.

Hugs

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Hugs

Squirrel

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Warm or Cool

Hello, and here I am to tell you about another challenge from AS YOU LIKE IT!

The theme for this fortnight is

Warm or Cool Colours

Although I love the warm colours (you kinda have to go warm with many of the furry critters) I do love the sophistication of cool colours too, and cool seems to work so well for the male cards.  Blues, greens, and lilacs are so soothing.

So for this little cutie

Wild Rose Studio - Tilly With Presents

painted in all the cool colour Distress Inks (ReInkers) I had to hand

Blue/Grey/Green papers from a pad I bought in The Works

Gift tag die

Sentiment from Personal Impressions

The sponsor for this challenge is

LILI OF THE VALLEY

So, if you are feeling chilly this winter, you can warm up, and if you are like me with personal tropical moments, you can cool down!  Don't forget to tell us about why warm or cool is your favourite choice for your make.

Hugs to all