Curvy Girl Gardener (DT) Dies To Die For

Is it just me or is it chuffy cold at the moment?  I'm looking out at all that needs to be done in the garden and thinking "nah, I'll wait 'til it's warmer"

This little lass however seems to be having great results with her blooms

For this I have used

Stamping Bella Curvy Girl Gardener sb-eb790

Sunny Studio dies Comic Strip Speech Bubbles SSDIE157

MFT 6x6 paper pad Spring Whimsy MFT-EP-61

I've painted her with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and fussy cut (she may have lost a strand or two of hair in the process).

Flowers done with an old Woodware medium daisy punch, with Craftwork Cards foiled Card Candy for centres.  Sentiment is from Personal Impressions.

When I went to attach the Candy centres, I discovered that silicon glue is not nice after it hasn't been used for a very long time.  I appear to currently have a large tube of slimy snot - guess that is heading for the bin.  Thank goodness for emergency foam pads!

Hugs

 

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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

Sweet Tea

Morning all.  Nearly the end of the week, hurrah!  Hasn't the weather picked up nicely?  Can we be lucky enough for it to last more than 48 hours I wonder......

Anyhoo, popping by with something a little different in style for me today:

So this Gorjuss Girl stamp is Sweet Tea

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and then fussy cut

Papers are Craftwork Cards, I think the pad is called Tea Party

The Roman Clock stencil is from Imagination Crafts and is inked with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and cut out by hand

Base card is pearlised kraft card

I am really pleased with how this one turned out, all the elements just came together nicely, almost as if I had planned it, and we know how rarely that happens!

Have a happy day

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Freckles

Morning all.  Oh boy, am I glad it's Friday, it means the weekend is only a few hours away.  Poor mum has been really unwell again this week so I have been on Nurse Squirrel duty, so for those of you who Believe, please keep her in your prayers.

On a lighter note, Rosie, that cheeky little minx of tabbiness, has really made herself at home, even to the extent of pinching my warm armchair Wednesday night, and she has just dumped her rather portly frame in front of the computer - it's been a long time since I tried to schedule a post by touch alone!

And speaking of cheeky, this one looks like she is too!

This is "Freckles" from CC Designs Pollycraft

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Pink patterned paper was a magazine freebie

So was the floral corner die

Purple cardstock is Bazzill Basics

and purple gingham Card Candi is from Craftwork Cards

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Less is More - Take 2

Here we go with a last ditch attempt at this week's LESS IS MORE challenge - what have Chrissie and Mandi done to me?  I cannot stop thinking about this challenge!

I wanted the Hero Arts sentiment to take centre stage so I've kept this very simple.  Striped paper is from Craftwork Cards Vintage Rose collection, it reminds me of freshly washed cotton sheets.  Martha Stewart border punch top and bottom and a small EK Success retro flower punch for the little pink flowers.

Hugs, Sxx

PBSC For The Men

So, how has your day been then?  Have had a pretty frantic time at work as we are very short staffed at the moment (and no change in sight) and I've still been trying to get the boiler man out with his first aid kit.

Anyhoo, a card for this week's PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE who are making men's cards this time, the wicked pixies!

Penny Black stamp, Joanna Sheen red and black ginghams, Dovecraft black and white papers, ProMarker edged matting card, Card Candy.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

LOTV - Not Square

Those sneeky little fairies over at LOTV this week have a challenge that is Anything But A Square.  Hmmmm! 

Perhaps I should call this one "Used To Be A Square", LOL!!

I started off with a 6x6 card and sort of took the scissors to it.  Cutest little LOTV fairy from the new releases, and an LOTV sentiment.  Papermania and Making Memories papers, couple of flower punches, some Card Candy and a sprinkle of Glamour Dust and there you have it.

Hugs, Sxx

Celebrating Friendship (inc.PBSC January Sales Challenge)

Afternoon all, how ya doing?  It's been another grey cloud day here in the east of England - more of a day for curling up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate and good book than doing anything energetic.  We had planned to pop over and see my Oldies today but when I phoned, mum advised not to go over as poor old dad has a streaming cold.  I know you won't read this dad but I hope you are better soon, love ya.

So, as there was no parental visit to do, I've had a little play.  Both these cards are for very dear friends, one for a birthday and one for a "just because".

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE have "January Sales" as the theme this week and I managed to purchase this Flutter Bye cutie in the sales from The Glitter Pot (satisfied grin).

I've watercolour painted Flutter Bye in distress inks.  The layout is borrowed from a Dawny P sketch for another challenge that I have already entered with a different card but the sketch was too fab not to use again!  Papers are Basic Grey from the very first pad of their papers I ever bought, the cover has long since been lost so can't tell you what they are called.  The sentiment is LOTV and the silver peel-off diamond borders are from stash.

My second card today isn't for a challenge, I just thought I'd share it with you.  There was a lot of hair-pulling over this one but it's my own fault for using such a colourful dp!

The image is Painting Rainbows from Sugar Nellie, distress ink painted.  DPs are, I think, Craftwork Cards but from an old collection called Tutti Fruity.  Matting card and corners is Little Sizzlets, the corners done with a Sizzlets photo corner die.  LOTV sentiment, Martha Stewart borders (thought the goo one looked like dripping paint) and EK Success retro flower punch with Card Candy and Martha Stewart frond punch to finish off.  This took an age - firstly with the painting and then getting the colours together.  But I'm happy with the end result - I think she looks as if she is painting the flowers (hopefully!).

Here's a close up:

Right then, that's me done for today.  I'm off to do something menacing to some mushrooms and then sort out work clothes for the morning.  Catch up with you all soon.

Hugs, Sxx

ABC Christmas Challenge - X is For Xmas (DT)

Morning all, hope you are well and itching to get stuck into the next ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE which this time is X for XMAS (well, what else could you have for X that that Christmas themed?!).

We had a bumper crop of entries for our Winter Wonderland challenge and the design team have had a really tough time choosing the Top 5.  Your talent never fails to amaze us!  Do check back to the main blog to see who was selected as the overall winner and who the Top 5 are.

Our X for Xmas challenge is sponsored by Wild Orchid Crafts who have offered a fabulous prize for one lucky crafter (wish I could enter!).

Here is my card:

I've used one of the new Tildas from Magnolia and she is coloured with Copics.  Papers are from an old pack of Christmas papers that have long since lost their identity.  Flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts, Martha Stewart leaf punch, and Craftwork Cards sentiment.  The swirls are Sizzix dies which I have glittered (and the cat) with Art Institute glitter.

Now I know you are now up to your elbows in making your Christmas cards, so why not enter our challenge!  Looking forward to seeing you there.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sketch & Stash Challenge # 48 (DT)

Is it really Monday morning again??  "Good grief Penfold" (as Dangermouse would say), where did the weekend go?  Anyway, no need to be blue because it is SKETCH & STASH CHALLENGE time - whoooo!

Thanks for all your super entries last week, you really rocked Sue's sketch with that one.  Don't forget to check to see who the lucky winner is.

So, the challenge - Sue has struck gold again with this brilliant design and we are thrilled to be sponsored by Simon Says Stamp (how do you get so much stuff in one craft store?).

Here is Sue's sketch:

And here is my DT card:

My new stash is that adorable Tilda in her reindeer antlers and bells, so cute, and my neglected stash is more of that Papermania Christmas paper (will I ever run out) and the silver snowflakes which I didn't even know I had!  Tilda is coloured with ProMarkers.  The sentiment is Craftwork Cards which also counts as new stash as I'd not opened the packet lol!

Thanks for popping over and I hope to see you with your challenge entries very soon!

Hugs,

Squirrel xx

Time for Tea? LOTV - Bev's Sketch

Morning all.  Hope your weekend is a good one so far!  I've had a pretty mad week back at work after my holiday so it came as a really nice surprise to realise that I also have a four day weekend - wheeee!  I didn't get much crafting done last week so I intend to try and remedy that before I crawl back to the office on Wednesday.

Over on the LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge this week is a fabulous sketch by the ultra talented Bev and I could not resist having a little play.  Here is Bev's sketch:

I had intended to do a "straight" interpretation of the sketch (mainly because Mr Mojo is on a no go) but because of the image I used I ended up mirroring the design, but as Bev is so sweet I'm sure she won't mind!

I've used the Tea Party stamp from the Girlie Collection at Lili Of The Valley and coloured her with Copics (face and arms) and Distress Inks.  Classic circle Nestability, inked round with Colorbox Q chalk ink, ivory picot ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons, papers are all Dovecraft Back To Basics, sentiment is Paula Pascaul, retro flower punch by EK Success, flower centres from Craftwork Cards, peel off border from stash.

Thanks ever so much for popping over.  I know I caught up with some of you last week, but I still have a lot to visit - bear with me, I'll get there eventually!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Time for Tilda?

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!  This new picture upload system that we now have is driving me nutty!  Occasionally it works, but more times that not the little dotty circle seems to whizz round and round forever and nothing else happens.  Is it just me suffering from this?  Getting a tad annoyed with it.

Anyway, I popped up here (braving the home brew fumes) to show you the card I have done today for the Special Monthly Challenge theme over at JUST MAGNOLIA is "Anything Goes"

Here's my card:

This loves-me-loves-me-not Tilda has to be the one of my reasonably sized collection that I have used the most, she is just such a little darlin'.  The papers are Basic Grey from the Porcelain collection but overstamped with two Hero Arts stamps - the small clocks are Time To Stamp and the large clock face is just called Big Clock.  Sentiment and flower centres are Craftwork Cards, Martha Stewart doily border punch, Tilda coloured with Copics, and EK Success Retro flower punch.

That's Nic for alerting me to the CUTE CARD THURSDAY challenge of Tic-Toc - shall link it up now!

After all that faffing, I've run out of time for any more blogging today so I'll say cheerio, hope you are having a good Sunday, and see you later in the week!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Poor Little LOTV Bunnybun

Next week one of my cousin's, in fact my favourite cousin, is going into hospital for some rather grim surgery and, possibly, even grimmer follow-up treatment so I wanted to make him a get well card that would make him smile.

This week's LILI OF THE VALLEY sketch by Bev has come at the perfect time so I have made full use of it tonight and made the card I needed to get done.

Here is Bev's fabbie sketch:

I've rotated the sketch by 90 degrees clockwise, and here's my card (sorry it's a tiny weeny iddy biddy bit out of focus, my camera doesn't like these dark nights)

I love this little chap, don't you just want to pick him up and give him a gentle cuddle?  LOTV bunny stamp, coloured with Distress Inks, papers are Basic Grey from the Olivia collection, the turquoise paper is Making Memories, EK Success retro flower punch, Card Candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Thanks for popping over to see me.  I know I am way behind on my visiting but hope to get some serious catching up done next week when I'm off work.

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

Friday Sketchers meets Penny Black Saturday

Afternoon all - hope you are having great weekends so far.  Just before I settle down for the qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, I have a card to share with you.

FRIDAY SKETCHERS have a wonderful sketch created by Jeanette (one I shall definitely be using again).

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE have the theme of Indian Summer.

Now, a friend of ours is soon to set of for Nepal for three weeks trekking in the Himalayas.  We think he is insane but I've been wanted to make him a good luck card and this all sort of fell into place with the two challenges.

Here is Jeanette's sketch:

And here is my card:

I've used Penny Black's Nature Trail Ted, coloured with Distress Inks, and the papers are all from the Basic Grey Indian Summer collection with the exception of the plain terracotta which is Dovecraft.  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Here's a close up of the ted and his backpack

Thanks for dropping by, catch up with you soon.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Couple For Fun

No challenge cards today as I've been busy with my DT cards and had my nose stuck in a good book at lot of the time!  Has anyone else read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo?  I loved it and have gone straight on to the second in the series, The Girl Who Played With Fire.  Can't put it down and was reading until the wee small hours this morning - no wonder I feel a bit limp today!

Anyhoo, a couple of quick but sweet birthday cards to share with you this afternoon -

I've used Willow Shopping from Whiff of Joy for this one.  I have paper pieced her shopping bags (they are just crying out for that to be done) and the rest of her is Copics.  I wish I could remember where the papers are from but they were just loose sheets in my "pile".  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

And a Lili Of The Valley Busy Bear, full of style and sophistication!  Isn't she so cute?  Again coloured with Copics.  Papers are Dovecraft and Papermania, with sentiment being Craftwork Cards

Hope you are all having great weekends, whatever you are up to.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 38 - Splish Splash

When you are a squirrel with a thick coat of fur, summer heat is not ideal - things start to go a bit frizzy.  What you need to do is cool down with a nice shower of rain - oh if only!  Welcome to the TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge for this week and our theme is WATER.

Yes, we would like to see your water themed cards - be it puddles, rain, goldfish bowls, an ocean cruise - anything wet.

Thanks for all your fabulous entries to last week's sketch challenge - you really rocked the boat with that one! Don't forget to check the TG blog for the winner.  And while you are over there, do check out the DT cards for this week's inspiration.  We welcome on board two guest DTs, Nina and Mary J.

So here is my DT card for this challenge

I've used this gorgeous "By The River" stamp from Lili Of The Valley - don't you just want to swap places with him?  I'd have my paws in that water in a flash (probably kill all the fish though).  Papers are Making Memories and Doodlebug, sentiment is Craftwork Cards and I've gone for the "fake" button look with my Nestabilities and Japanese screw punch.  Image is coloured with Copics.

So what do you have planned for your weekend then (apart from making your TG entry)?  I have a weekend of sofa sport lined up - first two days of mountain climbing for the Tour de France and a whizz around Silverstone with the British Grand Prix.  What more could a squirrel ask for - apart from a nice, cold shandy?!

Oh and this is your last chance to enter my Tilda wedding candy - it's closing on 16 July - so get your name down if you fancy either of those cute little stamps.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 35 - Sugar & Spice

Welcome to another TOTALLY GORJUSS week!

Wow did you stun us with all your totally brilliant male cards last week - for a gang of crafters who say they hate male cards, you pulled out all the stops!  Don't forget to check back to the challenge blog to see who has been selected as the winner.

And so to this week's challenge.  We'd like to see some Sugar & Spice please - entirely up to you how you interpret that but you will see from the DT cards that we've pretty much all thought along the same lines!

I ended up making two cards for the DT and couldn't decide which one I really liked the best so I'm showing you them both.  Both Tilda, both coloured with Copics.  The papers on the first are Basic Grey, sentiment is Craftwork Cards.  The "wishes" that Tilda is blowing have been highlighted with a Sakura glitter pen but that doesn't show in the photo.

The papers on my second card are a mixture of Wild Rose Studio and Forever Friends.  Again the sentiment is Craftwork Cards and the flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts with the leaves being a Martha Stewart punch.

Thanks ever so much for stopping by to see me.  Hope you are having a great weekend whatever you are up to.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Tea For Two? PBSC # 105

A fabulous sketch this week over at Penny Black Saturday Challenge and one I shall definitely be using again.

And here is my card - I've used "Tea Cozy" by Penny Black, coloured with ProMarkers.  DPs are Papermania Regency collection with Bazzil cardstock for matting.  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Just Cute Bears Father's Day + Tilda + A Birthday

Having a good Sunday everyone?  I hope so!  Really hot and sticky here and we've had thunder rumbling around in the distance since the wee early hours.  Almost too uncomfortable to craft as the conservatory is like an oven.  Baked Squirrel.  Hmmm, which makes me think of Baked Alaska, which makes me think of those Alaska Rolls we used to have as kids - could just manage a slice of one of those right now ........

Anyway, a few cards for you - the first one is for a challenge with JUST CUTE BEARS and the theme is Father's Day

Adorable Busy Bear washing his car from Lili Of The Valley (note the registration number), papers are Basic Grey with DCWV matting. Sentiment is Personal Impressions. Image coloured with Copics and ProMarkers.

Then a birthday card for a mate who is always bright and cheerful so I thought the card should be too.

Image is Missy from High Hopes, coloured with Copics and ProMarkers, dress is paper pieced with some spotty Doodlebug paper, DPs are Basic Grey and sentiment is Lili of The Valley.

Lastly a Tilda, just for the fun of it - I love colouring Tilda when I need to relax, she just seems to do it for me.

Not sure what the name of this Tilda is but she is one of my favourites.  Masked with the Magnolia swing stamp. Coloured with ProMarkers.  Again, papers are Basic Grey.  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

That's me crafted out for today so now going to put my "dinner" head on and try and rustle up something edible!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Who's Been Eating My Porridge? (2 challenges)

Somewhere, back in the mists of time, my darlin' Oldies and me (their one and only) became known as Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear and Baby Bear - very silly, but it kinda stuck.  Now, without really thinking about it, I seem to have created birthday cards for the Oldie Bears!

Two challenges with these cards - the first is

CUTE CARD THURSDAY who set the challenge of no designer papers .... eek!

My dad is reknowned for hiding in his shed so this Lili Of The Valley Busy Bear fits him perfectly.  Coloured with Copics. I've used a little piece of DCWV Neutral Stack card for matting, added some tool brads to the corners.  The background I swiped the white card with a tan Memento ink and then overstamped it with a wooden plank stamp from High Hopes.  The wood birthday sentiment is also High Hopes.  Finished off with copper coloured border peel-offs.

Then I had to do one for mum as well didn't I so when I saw Bev had done a sketch for LILI OF THE VALLEY I was away

I had to cheat a bit (sorry Bev) and not use an oval as it didn't fit the image.  This adorable Lili Of The Valley stamp suits mum so well as she is the flower queen of the village.  Again, coloured with Copics.  Papers are K&Co and this was my first go with 3D flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.  I think I'm hooked now.  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Thanks so much for taking time to pop in and see me.  Just before I go, a quick update on the wrist situation (thanks so much for all the good wishes and kind words you have sent).  I got the results of some tests this week and my GP is now ruling out tendonitis (it wasn't him that gave the original diagnosis).  He is now thinking along the lines of a deep seated infection following on from a virus which has inflammed all the joints (about the only things that don't hurt at the moment are my feet).  So, he's put me on another course of hefty anti-inflammatories and I'm to go back in two weeks if I don't notice any improvement.  This could well explain why I've been feeling so totally wiped out the whole time and haven't had any energy for months.  It's a struggle getting through a week at work but I'm taking one day at a time just now.  Thanks again for all your thoughts.

Being treated to a late lunch/early tea over at the pub today and we're meeting a friend over there as she's on her own this weekend - guess the diet's out the window!!

Catch ya's later

Hugs, Squirrel xx