Totally Gorjuss # 54 - Spooky (DT)

It's Saturday, it's TOTALLY GORJUSS day and I'm back!  So many thanks to Net and my fellow Gorjussettes for allowing me a little break from DTing but I'm back now and raring to go!

Now it is that time of year when the ghosts and ghouls all come out to play so we have a theme of SPOOKY for you to play with - it doesn't have to be a Halloween card, just something a bit creepy (eeeek).  And to counteract all this scariness, we have a bunch of loveliness by way of our sponsor WILD ORCHID CRAFTS.

Here is my DT card:

I've had this Tilda a while now but not really used her much.  I think she is meant to be a winter one but that hat just screamed Halloween at me!  Coloured with ProMarkers and a touch of pencil for shading.  The cobweb is a Cuttlebug embossing folder, on Coordinations cardstock and I swiped over the web with white VersaColor to lift it from the page.  Papers are a mixture of Making Memories and Little Sizzlets.  Sentiment is Paula Pascaul from Personal Impressions.

So, now I have scared you silly, I reckon you ought to be getting on with some crafting and show us all your spooky creations!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

LOTV Challenge - Sketch

'ello me darlin's, how are we all?  It's been a mad, mental, crazy, insane week at work for me so I am so relieved it is now officially the weekend!

Fabulous sketch for the LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge this week, I just can't resist a good sketch .....

And here is my card, very simple but I ain't had that much time

Rosie Posie is still one of my favourite LOTV stamps, such a cutie - coloured with pastel Copics.  Papers are Basic Grey from the Porcelain collection.  Nestabilities circle dies, Cuttlebug flowers and label, few gems and peel off words and that's it!

Thanks for popping over to see me.  I'm hoping to have time for some baking tomorrow so next time you visit there might be cake!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Tilda No 1 and Just Magnolia No 62

I just could not resist combining these two challenges - but I did have to have a little chuckle to myself along the way.

It is JUST MAGNOLIA Special Monthly Challenge and there is a wonderful tutorial from Jeanette on how to make a Criss-Cross Pocket Card.  At first I was a bit daunted, but then seeing how clearly Jeanette explained it all, I just had to have a go.

And it is the first TOTALLY TILDA CHALLENGE with the theme of Chocolate.  Which is where I started giggling.  My craft room is in our conservatory and it is roasting hot out there - if the Chocolate got by me then it wouldn't live long out there!

Four photos, so please bear with me.  Materials are Bazzil base card, Bazzil mat (red) card, Doodlebug papers, and Rymans 200gm white coated card, Copics, Martha Stewart zig-zag border punch, Personal Impressions sentiment collection and Cuttlebug alphabet and of course two adorable Tildas.

I was really pleased with how easy the card itself was to make and will certainly be having a go at another one soon.

Thanks for popping by to have peek.  I'm now off to relax with my boys in lycra.  Phwoar.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - I is for Ice

I'll keep it brief (hurrah I hear you cry) as I'm meant to be "reducing" keyboard time (yeah, right, tell that to the office) so here we go again for another fabulous fortnight that is the ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE and this time we have a challenge hosted by the ultra-talented Jayne.  Our theme is I for Ice and Jayne has chosen the optional extra of snowflake.  How brilliant is that?

We are sponsored this time around by Stitchy Bear Stamps and the prize is your choice of three digital images from the Stitchy Bear Stamps store.  The DT have been issued with a selection of images and boy have they been busy with them - please do take time to visit their individual blogs, it means a lot to know you appreciate all their hard work.

Here is my DT card

I chose the penguin image called "Yikes", so what else could I do with him other than let him slip over in shock at the size of those snowflakes heading his way!  This was the first time I'd coloured a digi image with ProMarkers so was a bit cautious of the ink blurring but it seems to be ok.  Cuttlebug Ice Crystal snowflakes and Martha Stewart punched snowflake, all papers are from Christmases past and have lost their ID now.

So even though it is warm and sunny out, no reason not to be ice cool indoors and show us your wonderful creations at ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE - looking forward to seeing you there.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 23 - Hearts

Yep, it's the weekend again, hurrah! And the weekend means ...... Totally Gorjuss challenge time - and this week we are looking for .... well, to that in a moment, would first like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in last weeks Ribbons challenge, and there were a lot of you! Some truly stunning and inspirational work.

So to this weeks challenge which is Hearts - we'd like to see something heart shaped on your cards, so get your thinking caps on and get crafting.

Once again, the DT have come up with some amazing work so do take time to check out their creations, they do it all for you. 

And so to my DT card for this week

I have used Ladybug Tilda and she is coloured with Copics, the embossing is a Cuttlebug folder, punches are Martha Stewart for heart and border, papers are Papermania and Bazzil, sentiment from stash.  Hope you like.

Sorry to report to all Vince fans that the large furry one is a tad poorly at the moment.  When I came in from work (as I type it is still Friday night) he was nowhere to be seen (unheard of, he is normally sat beside his biscuit box, looking at his watch and tapping a paw).  I called him a couple of times and there was no answering miaow so I went looking for him.  Found him curled up in my wardrobe looking incredibly sorry for himself.  Then discovered that poor little chap had been very ill at sometime during the day, all over the duvet.  Usually after he's been sick he is bouncing around again after half an hour but this seemed very different.  He didn't want a fuss and certainly wasn't interested in me being home.  Left him there for an hour or so but on second visit he just turned his back on me.  Tried him with a smudge of his favourite malt paste on my finger and he was unable to resist that but he stayed in the wardrobe.  Haven't even been able to get the tiniest purr out of him and he is usually purring loudly at the drop of a hat.  Not seen him like this before so will be keeping a close eye on him.  If no sign of him being any brighter by tomorrow (Saturday) I think we may be visiting the vets.  Not looking forward to that trauma. 

See you all later over at Totally Gorjuss

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Well, what happening to the sunshine then?  Lashing down with rain and our eucalyptus tree is trying to touch it's toes in the wind.

I've had a go at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is a sketch this week, but I've had a little bit of assistance

As you can tell from the ear position - he's a tiny bit catnipped!  That'll teach me for giving him a couple of extra treats.  And yes, that's the unflattering rear view of the Toad, Wii-ing in the corner!  Anyhoo, the sketch -

I've done a strict interpretation this week, no faff or frills, just straight from sketch to card

And yes, I know it's green, again!  Image is Buzz In The Air by Penny Black, coloured with Copics and ProMarkers, pink frame is Cuttlebug, cardstock is DCWV Neutral Stack, green papers are PaperCellar Wedding Collection, pink striped is 7Gyspies (I think) and the friendship definition text stamp is a Hero Arts Clings.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge & A Bedtime Story

Earlier Posts Today:  Sketch Saturday No 81

Could not resist today's Penny Black Saturday Challenge with a Red and Gold theme - I mean, just how Christmassy can you get?!

Even in daylight at the moment my camera is not light sensitive enough to take a decent picture and with all that mirri card I daren't use a flash!  Here's a close up -

I've used "Merry Wishes" by Penny Black, coloured with Copics and ProMarkers and a sprinkling of Glamour Dust (Just how fine is that stuff? you should see Vince now!), Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Deep Heart Lattice border punch (arrived in post this morning, yippee), Cuttlebug Ice Crystal snowflake and lots of gold sparkling gems.  Gold mirri card and red cardstock from stash and red tartan paper is an offcut too.  Thought this one would be ideal for my mate Julie-Pig!

And now for the bedtime story:  NEVER, and I mean never, never, ever, let your man go bed shopping on his own.  For months now we have been talking about replacing the old divan in the front bedroom (it was only a cheap tide-us-over bed 12 years ago) as it was looking very worse for wear and my darling Mollie found it was just the right height for her arthritic hips to use as a scratcher.  Occasionally, when we've seen a furniture shop, we've popped in and had a nosey round but never found the right one.  That is, until last weekend when His Nibs went out alone .... he came back and said, quite proudly, that the new bed was being delivered next Saturday (today).  New bed??  Oh, ok then, you've chosen one. 

It duly arrived this morning, on schedule, and all the bits (yes, bits) were brought upstairs by the nice delivery men who said that putting it together was "easy".  Now, where have I heard that before?  Anyway, turns out that His Infinite Wisdom has bought the shop display model.  Nice bargain in fact.  Except, there are no (expletive deleted, please insert own one of choice) instructions with it.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  I repeat, never, never, ever let your man go shopping alone!

Hope you are having fabbie weekends, and many thanks for popping in to see me.

Yours, bruised, battered and with splinters

Squirrel xxxxx

Two Cards, Two Sketches & Five Challenges!

Happy Saturday all!  I've decided that I would like to be Bohemian - tall, skinny, floaty frocks in soft colours, dangling earrings, and acting all arty ..... but that's not likely to happen any time soon so guess I'll have to deal with short, chubby and jeans!

Anyhoo, onto today's crafty stuff - I was getting right into it and suddenly realised how dark it had got.  First photo is in focus because I took the picture this morning, second one isn't because I had left it too late and lost the light - so no, it's not your eyes - I'll try and replace it tomorrow but the forecast isn't good.

To start, three challenges for this card:
Penny Black Saturday Challenge Winter Wonderland
Creative Inspirations Sparkle and
Sketch Saturday Challenge No 78

Yes, I know, I used Snowy last week but he's just perfect for Winter Wonderland ...

I've used papers from Chris Warner's Crafting Classic Earth Patterns CD, Making Memories snowflake brad, Art Institute Crystal Glitter, Kodomo snowflake stamp, Penny Black Snowy stamp coloured with ProMarkers, Cuttlebug snowflake die, mirri card, gems and greeting from stash.

Card number two is for two challenges

Passion For ProMarkers Burnt Umber and Marsh Green and

Papertake Weekly Sketch 28

I've combined this with the Passion for ProMarkers colour combo of Burnt Umber and Marsh Green (had slight panic when I could only find the Burnt Sienna!)

I've used High Hopes Walkabout Wallie, who came immediately to mind when I saw the colour choice, all papers are Joanna Sheen, I've used Sissix dies for the flourishes and photo corners and an ancient unbranded border stamp.  Obviously, for this challenge, he's coloured in ProMarkers!

Thanks for dropping by, hope your weekend is a good one, hope to see you again soon.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

High Hopes Snowflakes!

Morning all. Felt so bad during the night that at 2.30am I was furtling about under the sink for the brandy bottle. I had to admit defeat and phone for a doctor's appointment this morning. Duly trundled off to be poked and prodded and have come home with a bucket full of antibiotics for a sinus infection. It's got so bad it's making my teeth and ear ache :-(

Anyway, thought I would have a go at this week's challenge from High Hopes which is Snowflakes.

I used the Three Pane Christmas stamp, which would make a great companion to the Three Pane Santa stamp that is on offer as this week's prize. I love the little Rudolph in the middle. Papers are a mixture of Doodlebug, Papermania and Anitas. Mirri card is from stash. I used a Cuttlebug die and a Woodware punch for the snowflakes.

I hope you like it.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Papertake Sketch + Stamp Something

Didn't think I'd be back this afternoon but whilst hopping around, I could not resist combining this weeks Papertake Weekly Sketch 26 with Stamp Somethings Hallowe'en Somethings

I've had this little Penny Black mouse stamp for years and confess that I think this is only his second outing! Backing paper is PaperCellar Tartan Collection and cardstock from DCWV MatStack, Cuttlebug embossing folders Cobweb and Swiss Dots, peel-offs and ribbon from stash.

Not really scary is he?!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Just Magnolia - Embossing

A fab challenge over at Just Magnolia this week - it's week 22 and the theme is embossing.

Having just bought a new Cuttlebug folder, there was no option but to go for roses all the way!



Ingredients for this card are:
Magnolia stamp - Tilda with bunch of roses (watercoloured)
Bazzil card embossed with Cuttlebug roses folder
Papermania backing paper from Blueberry Hill collection
Ribbon from stash
Sentiment from Personal Impressions clear set

Thanks for popping over to have a look, hope to see you again soon.

Squirrel xxx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge No 66

This week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge No 66 is Domi's Sketch.



And what a challenge this turned out to be! My first attempt failed because my colour choice was terrible, the second failed because I was totally distracted by my beloved playing Raving Rabbids on the Wii (don't even ask) so hopefully this one is third time lucky!



Ingredients:
Penny Black snowman from "Holly Jolly" clear set (coloured with ProMarkers)
Papermania A Wonderful Christmas Time papers
Pebbles Inc Candy Dots
Cuttlebug Snowflake die
Ribbon from The Range (can't find a brand name) - and I tied the bow myself!
Self-adhesive lace borders by Woodware (I think)

Thanks for coming by to have a look, lovely to see you.
Squirrel xx

One For Two

Not had much crafting time this week as it's my last full week of freedom before returning to work and Himself has taken it as a week's holiday - which rather scuppered my plans!

Managed a quick one this morning that fits two challenges this week, Cute Card Thursday No 77 Strawberry Mint Julep and also ABC Challenge D is For Die-Cuts



For this card I used:
Penny Black stamp "Hide Out"
7Gypsies 5th Avenue Journey papers and Papermania Sweet Nothings papers and a paper from stash
Nestabilities classic circle and oval dies done on the Cuttlebug
Ribbons from stash also

Thanks for popping over to have a look.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 65

The theme this week over at Penny Black Saturday Challenge is "Heart's Desire".

Thanks to Pauline at Passion For Papercraft for making me rummage through my stamps - I haven't used this little fella for a while and I totally love him. You can just see how much effort he is putting into that wish he's making!

Ingredients:
Penny Black stamp "Cheesecake Wish"
Hero Arts "Dandelion" (for the backing paper)
Penny Black sentiment stamp "Make A Wish"
Basic Grey papers "June Bug"
Cuttlebug border folder and Bazzil card
And yes, I've watercolour painted him

Thanks for popping by to have a look. Hope to see you soon.

Squirrel xx

Christmas Trio

Getting into a little bit of a panic now, knowing that I am going back to work in 10 days - OMG, only 10 days! - and you know what it's like when you suddenly realise that time is short and you are slow and Christmas is advancing!

When I saw this little fella in the new releases from Penny Black I just knew I had to bring him home - it's a shame he will only come out to play for a few times each year, he is so adorable.



Ingredients: Penny Black stamp "An Eggnog", Plum Pudding papers, Elzybells Art Stamps sentiment, Nestabilities

These cheeky little chicks were chosen by my hubby because he said they just made him laugh - they certainly do raise a smile



Ingredients: Penny Black stamp "Par Avion", Anita's Classic Christmas Blue papers, Cuttlebug Snowflakes, Woodware Snowflake Punch, PaperCellar pearl blue card

And finally, Little Ted, I did wonder if the card came out too dark but Mr Toad assures me that the dark papers simply highlight the bear - he is learning to say the right things at last!



Ingredients: Penny Black stamp "Dear Santa", Papermania A Wonderful Christmas Time, red card is Bazzil from stash

Right, I'd better get on with making a few more - watch this space!
Squirrel xx

ABC Challenge - Circles

I seem to be using a lot of circles on my Christmas cards at the moment (funny how we go through little phases isn't it) so when I saw the ABC Challenge Circles I just had to have a go!



Ingredients:
Penny Black stamp "Xmas Hedgie" coloured with ProMarkers
Plum Pudding paper
Lots of mirri-card from stash and a border embossing folder from Cuttlebug
Text is Woodware Christmas Words

Thanks for popping over for a peek.
Squirrel xx

Sketch Saturday No 66

Thanks to my crafting buddies, I am now addicted to challenges so you only have them to blame!

Sketch Saturday Challenge No 66 gave me the inspiration to use one of my new stamps (yes, another one!)



Ingredients:
Penny Black "Overdressed Duck" stamp which I watercolour painted
Papers are a mix of Dovecraft Winterwonderland and Anita's Classic Christmas Blue
Classic Circle Nestabilities and Cuttlebug Snowflakes
Other bits and bobs from stash

Thanks for taking the time to come and have a gander! LOL!

Squirrel xx