All Hail

 Yes, I know, I know, I have been totally rubbish at posting lately, but there has been so much going on that crafting has rather had to take a back seat, even though it was probably the one therapy that I really needed.

Anyway, there's going to be a few catch-up posts and this is the first one.

A while ago I made a card with an Oddball stamp that caught the eye of a FB friend and she asked if I could do one for her but as an anniversary card rather than birthday.

Stamping Bella Oddball Julius

MFT SY On Solid Ground

MFT Stencil Mini Cloud Edges

Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours

Sentiment computer generated

Reports back are that the Roman era obsessed husband was pleased!

Hugs

Knitting Dandies (DT) Dies To Die For

  Hello chaps, Saturday is here again, hurrah!

Now, I am useless with knitting (I am much more proficient at crochet, although a beginner still), I get into all sorts of tangles, so this stamp really caught my eye and tickled my funny bone.

Stamping Bella - Dandy Lions : Knitting Dandies sb-KF1030

MFT Stencil - Card Sized Confetti Stencil Set MFT-ST-117

Lawn Fawn 6x6 - Watercolor Wishes LF-1355

Sentiment comes with the Dandies stamp.

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours and

stencilled dots done with Distress Ink pads a finger daubers

Hugs

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Tea Party (DT) Dies To Die For

  SNOW!  We finally have snow (we're usually the last, or miss out entirely), so this little Squirrel was very excited to see it all beautiful, crisp, pristine, and white, this morning.  Mind you, it's all slushy and horrible now so not quite so much fun!

Anyhoo, from the sublime to the ridiculous, last week I used about a billion items on my DT make, this week just three.

This dinky little card features:

MFT Stacey Yacula Tea Party stamps - MFT-SY-27

MFT DieNamics Tea Party dies - MFT-1890

MFT Stencil - Micro Cloud Edges MFT-ST-145

Images painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours, clouds stencilled (DI Broken China pad), and grass splodged on (DI Peeled Paint pad) with a finger dauber.

And that's it, just like me, short and sweet, LOL!

Hugs

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Blue Plus One (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Oh I am in sooooooo much trouble - I forgot to schedule my DT post for this morning (oooops), so without more ado.....

This time over as AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE our theme is Blue Plus One, so that is mostly blue, plus one other colour, and please explain your choice.

In my book, the best colour to go with blue is red.  I don't know why, it just seems to work so well.  Maybe it's the old patriotic thing of red, white, and blue, but I find blue and red together ridiculously pleasing.

So, I have used 

MFT Birdie Brown - Santa's Elves MFT-BB-25

and the matching die set MFT-782

MFT Stencil - Mini Staggered Dots ST-115

Image and stencilling done with Distress Inks

Our sponsor for this challenge is

LEE HOLLAND DESIGNS

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Favourite Stencil (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Aarrgh!   I keep being forced to use the new version of Blogger and I absolutely HATE it.  Does anyone else feel the same way?  How is this an improvement?  Mumblemumblegrumble.

Anyhoo, it is AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE day and our theme for this fortnight is

Your Favourite Stencil (and why)

I've collected a "few" stencils over the past couple of years, and the one that is the inkiest (and therefore used the most) is my MFT Mini Cloud Edges Stencil.  It seems to have been out for almost every other card lately.  I love that you can keep a card clean and simple but still have some background interest.

MFT Birdie Brown - Up In The Air

MFT Mini Cloud Edges Stencil

MFT DieNamics Double Stitched Circle Stax

Assortment of MFT 6x6 papers

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

SPONSOR - DIES TO DIE FOR

Mermazing (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, how are we?

With all the hot weather we have had lately, I could really do with a paddling pool for dabbling my hot and sticky paws in, but I'm not a swimmer so this is unlikely to be me ...........

Ingredients used:

MFT Birdie Brown - Mermazing stamp set  MFT-BB-45

MFT Die-Namics - Mermazing MFT-1098

MFT Spotlight Sentiments MFT-CS-478

MFT Die-Namics A2 Circle Stax MFT-1790

Whimsy Stamps 6x6 paper - Cosmic WSDP19

Sunny Studio 6x6 paper - Summer Splash SSPP-114

MFT Stencil - Perfect Pool Water  MFT-ST-141

Perfect Pool Water stencil inked up with Distress Inks Broken China, images painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours.

Corner punch is a cheapy I picked up on impulse from Hobbycraft, I think it adds a nice finishing detail.  Now if MFT Die-Namics ventured into corner dies, I would be a very happy little critter!

Anyhoo, the closest I'll get to being a mermaid is in a deep bath (but not too deep, I'm short)!

Hugs

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Bring Out The Sunshine (DT) Dies To Die For

Yes, I know I am late, but the last three days of heat have taken their toll and my tail felt a bit limp this morning.  You would think that being a summer baby that I would love this time of year.  Don't get me wrong, I love the sunshine, I just really struggle with summer heat.  Anything over 20C and I am a mess!

Anyhoo, this little lady is perfectly dressed for summer.

Ingredients used:

MFT Birdie Brown - Bring Out The Sunshine stamps MFT-BB-71

MFT DieNamics Bring Out The Sunshine dies MFT-1521

MFT Birdie Brown - Sweet Birthday Wishes stamps MFT-BB-78

MFT DieNamics Sweet Birthday Wishes dies MFT-1589

MFT sentiment Delicious Birthday stamps MFT-LLD-35

MFT 6x6 paper - Positively Peppy MFT-EP-63

MFT Stencil Mini Cloud Edges MFT-ST-100

A weeny bit of paper piecing for her frock and all the other colouring is Distress Inks (ReInkers).  I apologise for the mess I made of the grass, it was a bit of an experiment.

Hugs

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Green Pastures (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello peeps.  It is Saturday, isn't it, I think it is, surely it must be?

I have no words.  I am slowly going insane.

Which actually explains a lot.

So, all the things I have used are:

MFT Birdie Brown - Green Pastures BB-098

MFT Die-Namics - Green Pastures MFT-1693

MFT Birdie Brown Greetings Galore CS-335

MFT Mix-Ables Stencil - Captivating Mandala ST-112

MFT Die-Namics Stiched Rectangle Scallop Edge Frame MFT-924

MFT 6x6 Spring Whimsy EP-61

MFT 6x6 Party Patterns EP-51

Little lady has been coloured with Distress Inks (ReInkers), Zig Clean Color Pens, and some paper piecing.  Stencil inked with Distress Inks and a finger dauber.  Yes, I know I have the fancy brushes but for some surfaces the dauber is still the best.

I'm off to rock gently in a corner until next week.

Hugs

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Adorable Elephant (DT) Dies To Die For

Now then, I'm figuring that I have been in the study all week working so this must be Saturday, right?

I had to drag a perpetual calendar out of mothballs to put next to the phone, just so that we stand a chance of knowing the day, that's if I remember to move it on each morning!

I am fast becoming notorious for forgetting birthdays, or remembering them late, so

I am definitely more squirrel than elephant, although at the moment, I am rapidly acquiring that shape.

Lovely things used for this card are

MFT Birdie Brown Adorable Elephants BB-28

MFT Die-Namics Adorable Elephants MFT-814

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Rectangle Scallop Edge Frame MFT-924

MFT Mini Cloud Edges Stencil ST-100

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Dandy Day LF2208

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Knit Picky Fall LF1732

Elephant and balloon coloured with Zig Clean Color pens, and clouds inked with Distress Inks and a finger dauber.

Hope your weekend is a good one (and you can tell it apart from the rest of the week)

The Dies To Die For website it still up and running in these strange times, so you are still able to craft away your hours.

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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Stone Path (DT) Dies To Die For

Sorry I'm later today chaps, this little Squirrel has had a busy morning!

OK, brace yourselves, I've gone grown-up today

I have used:

Whimsy Stamps - Stone Path

MFT Stencil - Mini Cloud Edges

MFT Clear Stamps - Bitty Thanks & Gratitude

MFT 6x6 - Petit Plaid

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Kraft card base from Hobbycraft

Plain matting layers from DoCrafts

and that's me done!

Hugs

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Bear Calories!

Well hello Mr Weekend!  Blimey, that's been a long time coming, but here it is and I am going to enjoy every cotton pickin' minute of it!

Anyhoo, hands up who here likes a cupcake (or buns as we used to call them)?  They do seem to have come up in the world rather from their humble beginnings to confections of incredible detail.  They are certainly a good way of providing cake to an audience who may have wildly varying tastes and/or dietary requirements

And of course, they are simply delicious too!

This little chap looks happy with his cake anyway

CC Designs - Bears Clear Stamps CCD-0137

Whimsy Stamps - Calories Schmalories CWSD277

Whimsy Stamps - You're Birthday CWSD278

(the grammar queen in me says Your Birthday, but hey)

Whimsy Stamps - Birthday Word and Shadow Die WSD391

MFT Stencil - Card Sized Star Confetti ST-120

Bear and cake combined images painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Confetti stars stencilled with Distress Inks and Distress Oxides

That cake is making me feel peckish......

Hugs all

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Drink Up The Sunshine (DT) Dies To Die For

Well that's an ironic post title for this week!  Hello, a very tired and sweaty little Squirrel here with you today.  I can't remember the last night of decent sleep, us Brits are simply not designed for heat.

Here in the east, we have topped 30C most days and we reached 34C on Thursday.  We had the most ENORMOUS storms Thursday night, poor Rosie absolutely hates thunder and at the first rumble she dashed off to hide in her safe place.  She did eventually come out for some supper just before bedtime.

 I think most of us would like to be this little lady (minus her friend) just for a chance to cool off a bit.

Makes me want to find a paddling pool.....

MFT Birdie Brown BB74 Drink Up The Sunshine

MFT Die-Namics MFT1562 Drink Up The Sunshine

MFT Birdie Brown BB72 Friends With Fins

MFT Die-Namics MFT1527 Friends With Fins

MFT Clear Stamps CS403 Sassy Pants Birthday Greetings 2

MFT Stencil ST110 Make Waves

MFT 6x6 paper EP24 Watercolour Wash

Your Next Stamp 6x6 paper School Days

Missy and The Shark both painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Waves stencilled onto the Watercolor Wash paper with Distress Oxides.

Paper Poetry white gel pen for the wave tops.

That's me done for today, off to find some ice!

Hugs

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Friends With Fins

Hello peeps, yes, it really is me on a Sunday!  So, I found myself up-to-date with what I needed to have done (unheard of) which meant that I actually had an afternoon to play because I wanted to, whoop whoop.

I realised the other day that I seem to have been collecting sealife themed stamped sets, but hadn't actually used them very much yet, so I decided to put that right.

Although this is not a Dies To Die For promotional post, most of the ingredients are available in the online store, which is where the links will take you.

MFT Birdie Brown - BB72 Friends With Fins

MFT Birdie Brown - BB60 Gill Friends

MFT Birdie Brown - BB45 Mermazing

MFT Stencil - ST110 Make Waves

MFT Stencil - ST117 Card Sized Confetti

MFT Die-Namics - MFT948 Single Stitch Line Circle Frames

All colouring done with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours or Distress Oxides blended with Picket Fence Studios Blending Brushes

The ombre glitter card is my most recent purchase from Hobbycraft and it is sooooo pretty!

Paper Poetry white gel pen

And just because I can, I am actually entering a challenge.

Sweet Stamping Challenge : You've Got To Have Friends

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Bird or Beast (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Hello chaps, I hope your week is going well.  As it is a Thursday, it means a new theme over at

AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE

This time we would like you to choose your favourite (and tell us why)

BIRD or BEAST

Don't get me wrong, I like birds - out in the garden.  The song of a blackbird absolutely fills my heart with joy, and I love the antics of sparrows and starlings, and of course a cheeky robin.  With no offence to pigeons, they are a blinkin' nuisance though!  However, as much delight as our feathered friends bring, I'm afraid that the furry critters will always win in my affections.

How cute is that smile?!!

Lili Of The Valley Digi Stamp : Little Friends - Rabbit With Daisy

although I used the rubber version (retired now, boo hiss)
Lawn Fawn 6x6 Knit Picky - Fall
Crealies XXL No 70 Open Scallop Square
Poppystamps Bubble Daisy Border
MFT Stencil - Mini Cloud Edges
Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

For this furry and feathery challenge, our sponsor is
CRAFTS U LOVE

Hugs to all

Travelling Gnome (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, V.E.T visit attempt No 2 today (last week's was cancelled because of emergencies) so I am hoping that HRH (Her Round Hairyness) will still be within grabbing distance in a couple of hours.

Speaking of which, I have something else small and hairy for you .....

Lurrrrve this little chap!

Stamping Bella - Travelling Gnome EB816

Stamping Bella Cut It Out Travelling Gnome Die

MFT Stencil - Staggered Mini Circles

Impression Obsession - Congrats Word Set dies

and even though you can't actually see them, I used the new

Picket Fence Life Changing Blending Brushes

Have yourselves a wonderful week

Hugs

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Friendly Foxes (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, happy weekend to you!

It's been a week of typical British weather, humid, sunny, wet, thunderstorms, breezy, you name it, we have (almost) had it all these past few days.  We had one storm this week, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, that was realllllllly loud, one clap of thunder woke me up so suddenly and I was all discombobulated and had no idea who I was, where I was, or what time of day (or night) it was.  The only comfort was that everyone at work a few hours later looked as bleary as I felt!

Anyhoo, last weekend was of course Father's Day in the UK, and I had been saving this set to make my dad his card - he is a country boy to the core and he has such a love of wildlife that it seems right to use this cheeky fella for him.

So the ingredients that I used from Dies To Die For are

MFT SY Friendly Foxes stamp set

and there is a matching Friendly Foxes die set available too

MFT 6x6 Tiny Check Brights

MFT Stencils - Mini Cloud Edges

Again this week, I have had the C word mentioned in respect of my colouring - guys, I don't use Copics, I wish I could but I don't have those skills!  99.9% of my images are watercoloured painted using Distress Inks (ReInkers) as my paints.

Hugs to all

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