AYLI (DT) Favourite Colouring Medium

Not quite sure where the last fortnight has gone but it is time for another challenge from the AS YOU LIKE IT team and this time the theme is "Your Favouring Colouring Medium".

So, I bet you think I am going to straight in there and boldly say Distress Inks (ReInkers)!

You would be partly right, but I have been venturing deeper and deeper into the world of

mixed media, and I have to say, I am surprising myself by how much I am

loving it.

A very simple CAS card, but this shows off the colours very well.

MFT You're Super stamp set

Supergirl is painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) but

her hair is done with Polychromos Pencils

and the splatter background was done with Copics and ProMarkers with

the aid of the Tim Holtz Distress Marker Spritzer

I had so much fun splatting the background that I completely forgot I had intended to

stamp and mask the image before getting inky, so in the end I stamped and

fussy cut her.

Our sponsor for this challenge is a perennial favourite

CraftsULove

Hugs to all

Was, Wasn't, Isn't

Evening all, just a quick flyby post from me tonight while I am patiently waiting for a pan full of onions to caramelise to go with the leftover roast beef for dinner.

I noticed that Tiddly Inks have another DT Call open.  I tried for it last time and missed out so I thought I would try again.  Then the old wobbly confidence kicked in and I talked myself out of it after I had made my card.  Then I read the requirements more carefully and as I don't use digi images (I'm a pure rubber girl me) it rather sealed the issue.  

So here is the card that was, wasn't, isn't.

I used the Bloom Beautifully clear set of stamps for the image

and a clear sentiment from one of my many (now unlabelled) sets

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and a touch of pencil to define her hair

Papers are white card coloured with Mustard ProMarker and the chevron paper is Basic Grey

I'm not sure what road signs are like outside of the UK, but this turned out rather

like an AA information sign!

That's me done for tonight - better go and give the onions a prod.

Hope to see you in the morning for the new Without Words challenge.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

An Anya Thank You

It's not often that I am tempted to buy stamps on ebay, but when this little Anya came up and knowing where she came from, I just had to get the bid in for her - it's one I've often admired when others have used her so now I am proud to say that this one is all mine! 

I think the Less Is More challenge is beginning to take hold ...... how CAS is this?!  Anya is coloured with ProMarkers and I've cut her legs out to sit over the border of starry Dovecraft paper.  The sentiment is from a tiny little Hero Arts set.  Ooh and the sparkling flower gem on her hat ribbon is Hero Arts too.

Simple, but very sweet.

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

Flat As A Pancake

Just for once, just once, I'd like to wake up in the morning and find that nothing is running, dripping, rasping, aching, creaking, groaning or falling off.   I am truly feeling every one of my 153 years right now.  What do you mean, I'm not that old?  Are you sure?

Feeling as flat as a pancake today and as low as these miserable grey clouds overhead.  Could do with a good dose of sunshine and some warmth I think.  Mind you, there has been some sun this week - we had one glorious, bright day - but I was shackled to my desk at work so didn't actually get to experience much of it.  Oh I am a right old grumpy pants so just ignore me and come and have a look at my cards.

I've got two for you today, and a few challenges to go with them:

And the challenges for this are:

ALLSORTS - Male/Boy

CARDS FOR MEN - Let's Party

CRAFTY CATZ - Forgotten Stamp

CREATIVE CARD CREW - For Men

STAMPING FOR THE WEEKEND - Get Warmed Up (colours)

CUTE CARD THURSDAY - 3, 2, 1  (stretching this one a bit, 3 papers, 2 of each candy dot, 1 handwritten sentiment)

The papers are a Papermania masculine collection from a year or two ago, the teddy in his brightest, bestest, party jumper is a Sugar Nellie Little Cotton Rabbits bear who has been sadly neglected of late, cardstock from stash, candy dots from stash and I did the sentiment myself (you can probably see the smudge).  Image coloured with ProMarkers.

And card number two:

Is for these challenges:

LILI OF THE VALLEY - Dawny's Sketch

STAMP SOMETHING - Something Cute

TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS - Colour Combo - Brown/Pink/Green

CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS - Patchwork

I love this LOTV image, it was one of the first stamps I bought from them, and it has had a lot of use.  Papers are a mix of Dovecraft and Little Sizzlets.  The very bad faux stitching done with the ProMarker line pen and the image is painted with distress inks.

Thanks for popping over, and I'm sorry for being such an old misery.  If you haven't got your name down for my JANUARY CANDY (Ice Skating Henry from Whiff Of Joy) then you still have until 31 January to enter the draw.

Hugs, Sxx

Little Old Ladies ..........

Monday again then......sigh....oh well, never mind, soon be the weekend again!  Now then....one of my mates, who is also one of my best customers for cards, made an interesting comment last week....she said "you don't have any old lady cards".....now, that made me think a bit.....did she mean cards picturing little old ladies....or cards for little old ladies.....the sort I would have given my nan.....lavender, lace and flowers...anyway.....here is a quick and very simple one.....any of you little old ladies like it?  (stop throwing things at me!)

Now they don't come much simpler do they.  Hero Arts Floral Wreath stamp, coloured with ProMarkers, a Penny Black sentiment stamp and a lovely Nestability shape.  I can see I need some practice with these L.O.L. cards.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 60 - It's Snowing!

Morning all, hope you are ok and that if you are one of the poor souls still swamped in the white stuff you have plenty of food and warmth. 

Thanks for all your entries last week with Net's super sketch, check out the lucky winner on the main blog.

Another Saturday nearer to Christmas and at TOTALLY GORJUSS we are continuing the Christmas theme by asking you to show us your SNOWY cards and creations this week.  The DT have produced their usual high standard of cards for you so it would be nice to snow them (geddit?) your appreciation (oh all right, I'll shut up). 

But before I do, I must tell you that our sponsor this week is Meyer Imports - a website well worth checking out if you've not come across them before.

Here is my DT card:

Still having camera issues so it is the photo that's a tad fuzzy, not your eyes!  Image is from the Mimi Christmas clear stamp set by Penny Black, coloured with ProMarkers.  Papers are from an old DCWV Christmas Stack, small snowflakes are an EK Success punch and the large blue one is Martha Stewart which I punched from a sheet of glittered Papermania paper.

Thank you for taking the time to pop over and see me and I do hope you manage to squeeze in a go at the challenge amongst all your Christmas planning.  Next week, challenge 61, will be our last challenge of this year so craft now while you have the chance!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Afternoon all - hope it is warmer where you are!  There's a lazy wind that is creeping around to the north and when the north wind blows .......... it gets chuffty cold for Squirrels!

Anyhoo, been having a sneaky play with Tilda (naughty, I should have been busy DTing) and would like to enter her into a couple of challenges:

Totally Tilda Challenge - Icy Christmas (blue and silver)

My Partner In Crafting Crime - Marker Madness

Papers are a right ol' mix of Joanna Sheen gingham, Dovecraft and textured mirri card.  Tilda coloured with ProMarkers.  Martha Stewart punches for border and snowflakes, and LOTV Sentiment.

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

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

Totally Gorjuss # 48 - Wild Thing

Yaaaay it's the weekend!!  Thought it would never get here.  As it is our wedding anniversary tomorrow we're having a bit of a lazy treat tonight and ordering in a Chinese takeaway - I'm already drooling at the thought!

Anyhoo, thank you all so much for your beautiful floral entries into last week's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge.  We were awash with petals and all were gorgeous.  Don't forget to see who the lucky devil was who won the super prize from Wild Orchid Crafts.

So, onto this week's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge.  Some of the Gorjussettes can be animals at times (LOL, only kidding guys, honest) so this challenge is WILD THING - we would like to see an animal somewhere on your creation!  Our sponsor is the wonderful CRAFTERS COMPANION. The DT have done it again and provided some fab inspiration for you.  Here is my card

Just love this Whipper Snapper monkey, I've coloured him with ProMarkers.  Nestabilities deckled rectangles for the matting around him, which I also used as a mask to sponge the edges of the white card.  Papers are all Basic Grey and the sentiment is Penny Black.

Come on, now is your chance to go wild (I'm so funny sometimes I worry myself) with your creative talents.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - S is for Santa

Welcome to another ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE! Wow, how quickly the weeks whizz past - another two have gone in the blink of an eye.  Hugh apologies to those of you who entered our R for Rudolph challenge that I wasn't able to comment on; I'm having broadband/Blogger issues at the moment that are slowing things down to a crawl.  Thank you to everyone who entered and don't forget to check back to the main blog to see who the Top 3 and winner are.

And so to S for Santa.  The extra this time (chosen by me) is for you not to use red!  The Teamies have come up trumps yet again and produced some amazing work to inspire you.

Our sponsor for this challenge is Simon Says Stamp, and there is also a GDT spot up for grabs, so if you fancy joining us for the next couple of challenges please make sure you mark your entry with GD after your name.

Here is my DT card

This Santa is from Sugar Nellie and I think he has to be one of my all-time favourites, he's just how I would want my Santa to be.  I've coloured him with ProMarkers.  Good old Nestabilities for the shapes, papers are Basic Grey from the Kraft and Manilla collections, and the sentiment is Lili Of The Valley.  Martha Stewart star border punch.

Anyhoo, hope to see you over at the challenge (you have two weeks) with lots of fabulous colours for Santa!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Going Dotty ..... with Distress Inks

Oh gosh, I can't begin to tell you how nice it is to have the luxury of crafting on a weekday and in daylight!  Makes a change for me, all my crafting is normally crammed in at the weekend or, if an emergency, late in the evening.

Just Cute Bears Challenge this week are asking for us to go dotty!  How could I say no to a challenge like that?!

Now, I ended up with two cards for this challenge, but there is a good reason for it .... read on.  Card No 1 I did late yesterday afternoon.

I've used James from Lili Of The Valley with his box of decorations and coloured him with ProMarkers.  Papers are from a summer collection by Papermania and I used the smaller dots to paper piece the decorations box.  The star has Glossy Accents on it and the tinsel I did with a glitter glue (not appreciating how long it would take to dry!)  Sentiment is Woodware.  So far so good .....

Now, when I looked at it again this morning, the glitter glue (which had been nice and puffy last night) had dried nearly flat so that tinsel look was gone.  Then being in a bit of a picky-pants mood, I decided that the ProMarkers were too strong so I wanted something more delicate.  "I know", says I, "I'll have a go with the Distress Inks, it can't be that hard".  Oh yeah, it was!  Anyway, on my third attempt I think I achieved something acceptable ......

It's going to take me a lot of practice to get the wow factor but I can feel a new addiction coming on.  As I only have four Distress Pads, I had to cheat a bit with some Memento pads for the red, pink and darker green.

Another Lili Of The Valley stamp, papers are Wild Rose Studio Polka Dot Collection and again, the sentiment is Woodware.  This is the card I shall enter into the challenge.

Thanks for dropping by .... I'm now off to browse for some more inks (well, four pads is a bit of a limited palette, so that's my reasoning!).

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Samantha's Wedding Card

As many of you know, Samantha of Penrith Crafts Blog, got married yesterday to Efisio.  I was so thrilled to receive an invitation to the wedding as Samantha and I have been crafting buddies and good friends ever since we "met" way back when on the DoCrafts Forum.  I hope to have some wedding pics for you when I get back but in the meantime here is my wedding card

Front

Tilda and Edwin from the Magnolia Wedding Collection coloured with Copics and ProMarkers, papers are PaperCellar Wedding Collection, flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts and sentiment is Whiff of Joy.

Inside 1

Magnolia Rose Arch and Whiff of Joy Sentiment, again Copics and ProMarkers with Sakura glitterglaze pen.

Inside 2

And the rose arch again with the married couple.

And the whole Z shaped card

At the time of scheduling this post I have absolutely no idea what Samantha's reaction will be but I hope she likes it!

Editing to enter into this week's ABC CHALLENGE - Z for Zig-Zag Cards.

Penny Black Paper Patch Puss!

Afternoon all, pheeww what a scorcher!  It's our next-door-neighbour's twin girls birthday party later and we have seen a succession of young ladies arriving already - neighbours have warned us that they are getting the pool ready so it might get a bit "screamy" later!  Yep, looking forward to that ........!

Anyhoo, over at PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE the theme is Paper Patch.  "Ooh" says me "I can do that", and I did, but it took a lot longer than planned but never mind, done now, and here it is -

I've used Tulip Jungle for the image, coloured with ProMarkers.  The papers are three sheets from the Dovecraft Back To Basics collection, all cut into neat little squares (!) for my quilt.  Yellow and purple mat card is from DCWV Neutral Stack.  Sentiment is a-la-squirrel - I think it is the sort of thing Vince would say if he was popping out of the tulips!

Hope you are having a fabbie weekend - don't forget to slip-slap-slop!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

One Card = Five Challenges

Yeah, I know - five challenges doesn't sound a huge amount - especially when I know there are some of you who manage to find ten or twelve at a time, but it's enough for me to be going on with! 

So, the challenges are

High Hopes - Anything Goes

Passion For Promarkers - Sketch & Male Theme

Just Cute Bears - Monochrome

Creative Inspirations - One For The Boys; and

Cupcake Craft Challenge - One For The Boys

So here is my card ..........

I've used High Hopes stamp "Beary Sweet Sign", Basic Grey Kraft paper, DCWV Neutral Stack, and loads of ProMarkers - Sandstone, Tan, Caramel, Pastel Beige, Cocoa, Raw Sienna, Terracotta, Burnt Sienna and Walnut.  The sentiment, which I think fits Bears sign perfectly, is Lili Of The Valley.  I used Rich Cocoa Memento ink for main image and sentiment.  I wanted to use buttons but didn't have any brown ones so had to fake it with the help of my smallest Nestie circle and my Japanese screw punch.

Thanks for dropping by.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - M for Mistletoe & Wine + BLOG HOP

Hi all - well here we are at halfway to Christmas (ooh no!) and to celebrate, the ABC Christmas Challenge is having a little blog hop.

All you need to do is work your way around the blogs of the DT members in alphabetical order - you should have arrived here from Samantha (if you didn't then please start at the main ABC blog).  When you leave me, your next step on the hop is over to our wonderful GDT, Sharon.  Remember that you need to answer each question posed by the DT to be eligible for the candy!

Once you have done all that, head back to the main ABC Christmas Challenge blog to answer the final question and post your challenge card.

Some of the DT members will be offering candy but it's being kept a surprise as to who and what so you had better make sure you remember to leave a comment with your answer to each question!

And so to this fortnight's challenge which is Mistletoe & Wine with an optional extra of sewing (real or faux) and our wonderful sponsor this time around is STAMP AND CREATE.

Here's my card

I've used Rodney from Pink Gem Designs with his mistletoe all ready for his kiss.  Paper is from stash.  And the wine? Well, the colour of the paper, his scarf is coloured with a Burgundy ProMarker and the sentiment (which is more of a whine - geddit?!)

And finally my question:  Where do you hang your stocking?

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

Totally Gorjuss # 34 - Cards For Boys

Hopefully, if Mr Blogger is playing the game, this post should be scheduled to pop up on Saturday morning as I'm having a weekend break with the Toadster!  Feels very strange writing this for the future.

As it is a new week, it must be a new challenge from TOTALLY GORJUSS and this week our challenge is Cards For Boys.  Stop groaning!  I can hear you all now "don't like doing male cards", but that is no excuse.  Sorry, but no.  There are so many brilliant images out there that I want you all to get crafting.  Right now!

As always, the Design Team have created some super inspiration for you to please make sure you pop over to take a peek.  Here is my DT card - I have used High Hopes image "Dwight" and he is coloured with ProMarkers.  Papers are a mix of Basic Grey and Bazzil.  Sentiment is Lili Of The Valley.

Looking forward to seeing all your wonderful creations (just think of all the crafting time you'll have now the blinkin' football is on for a month)!!

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