Anything Goes For Christmas (DT) As You Like It Challenge

 Well, here we are then, the last challenge theme of 2022 at

As You Like It Challenge

The theme for this one is Anything Goes For Christmas

(no favourite to choose from - it's all up to you this time)

I love the leadup to Christmas in that there is always new crafty stuff just begging to be bought and who doesn't love new craft stuff?  My excuse is that I need something that the husband won't have seen

before, and I am sticking to that one!

So I have used

MFT Coolest Friends

MFT Bitty Holiday Wishes

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

LawnFawn Snowflake border die

Mixture of random snowflakes for the background

Matting card and paper from stash

The sponsor of this challenge is

Polkadoodles

This might be the last challenge of 2022, but don't forget to watch out for 2023 when we start a whole new year of challenges for you to have fun with!

It's not been the best year for me personally, so I am looking forward to January and a fresh start, hopefully I'll be blogging a bit more too.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

Hugs

As You Like It (DT) Favourite Christmas Embellishment/s

Wow, it's the first Thursday into December and time for another new challenge

from AS YOU LIKE IT

Our theme this time is perfect if you are, like me, still frantically making cards

Your Favourite Christmas Embellishment/s (and why)

For me, it's SNOWFLAKES!  I do love a nice snowflake, they are so pretty, and make me feel festive, especially if I am snug and warm by the fire while they are doing their thing outside.

 So for this one I have used

CC Designs - Stack of Snowmen (long since retired)

MFT DieNamics Stacked Merry die MFT-1832

MFT DieNamics Sweet Snowflakes dies MFT-1852

MFT DieNamics Stitched Snow Drifts dies MFT-546

A splash of Distress Inks (ReInkers) and an assortment of card and paper from my stash

Our sponsor for this challenge is

LAWN FAWN

Looking forward to hearing all about your embellishments

Hugs

The Walrus, The Polar Bear, And The Penguin (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello peeps, sorry I was MIA for my DTDF post last week, I was laid low by a rather unpleasant bug, which knocked me off my feet for four days.  Still not 100% but am getting there.

Anyhoo, today's offering reminds me of a joke

A penguin walks into a pub.  He goes to the bar and says to the landlord

"Have you seen my brother?"

The landlord looks at him, scratches his head, thinks for a minute, and asks

"I'm not sure, what does he look like?"

Sooooooooo, on to today's make then

And the lovely things used are

Stamping Bella - The Walrus, The Polar Bear, And The Penguin : sb-eb602

Your Next Stamp 6x6 paper - Winter Knits - YNSPP004

MFT DieNamics - Sweet Snowflakes : MFT-1852

MFT Clear Stamps - Birdie Brown Greetings Galore : MFT-CS-335

The image is painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and fussy cut - I don't know if there even was a die  issued for this stamp but, if there was, I don't have it, so back to the trusty scissors and the craft knife for the nooks and crannies.

I was a bit frugal with the papers as there are only 2 sheets of each design in the pad, and they are all so lovely, so I was a miser and only used one - I did the technique of cutting from the centre of the sheet so I had my mini matting layer and a hollowed out bottom layer - I "patched" the hole (slight overlap) with the white card.  I'm not sure which stitched dies I used for the white, but I think it might have been my Crealies set.

Hmmmm, I've not had a Penguin in ages, but I know where there is a stash of dark mint Kit-Kat

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

Pile on The Hugs (DT) Dies To Die For

 Hello peeps, flying by today with another dollop of Birdie Brown for you, and you know how much her designs make me happy.

So lots of ingredients, remember, the links below will take you to the right place

MFT Birdie Brown - Pile on The Hugs : MFT-BB-115

MFT DieNamics - Pile on The Hugs : MFT-1879

MFT DieNamics Stitched Snow Drifts : MFT-546

MFT 6x6 paper - Gift Wrap : MFT-EP-73

Lawn Fawn - Snowflake Border : LF2431

MFT Clear Stamps - Cheerful Christmas Greetings

MFT DieNamics - Sweet Snowflakes : MFT-1852

Images all painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

Knitting Penguin (DT) Dies To Die For

  Hello everyone, hope you are ok this morning.  A huge furry hug going out to anyone who needs it.

Like many kids of my generation, I was desperate to learn to knit so that I could make a Tom Baker Dr Who scarf.  I was taught the basics by my mum, and did manage a scarf (sort of) which I wore a lot.  I'm not sure that I have knitted anything since!  Actually, that's a fib, I did knit a jumper, it had no shaping, it was just rectangles sewn together, and I did wear it once, just once.  I wonder what happened to that?!  Having failed to get to grips with two needles, I am now trying to learn to cope with one with a bit of crochet.  Not convinced that this adventure is any more successful!

Anyhoo, this little chap has certainly got the hang of things

Ingredients for this make

Stamping Bella Knitting Penguin eb-995

Lawn Fawn Snowflake Border die LF2431

MFT Die-Namics Sweet Snowflakes MFT-1852

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Knit Picky LF1529

MFT 6x6 Christmas Cheer MFT-EP-74

The sentiment comes with the stamp so, as always, good value from Stamping Bella.

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

Christmas Cheer (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all.  How are we today?  I spent all week in the office for work, and I am absolutely pooped now.  Not being allowed to use the bus means having to drive into town every day, and traffic levels are definitely increasing.  There was a time when I wouldn't have cared, I'd drive anywhere, but these days I am less confident and really hate being stuck in jams.  Don't laugh, but it is hard on the knees too with all the gear changing, the other night I caught 14 red traffic lights (yes, 14 of the damn things) and my clutch knee was exhausted by the end of it all!

Anyhoo, enough of my ramblings, here is today's little dose of festive:

So for this one we have:

MFT SY Christmas Cheer stamps MFT-SY-24

MFT Die-Namics Christmas Cheer MFT-1820

MFT Die-Namics Stacked Merry die MFT-1832

MFT 6x6 paper - Party Plaid MFT-EP-67

I can't remember where the red edging paper came from but suspect it is an older MFT pad.

The snowflake die is one I treated myself to from Simon Says Stamp, it is one of their own brand dies.

Oval dies used are from Crealies.

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Twinkly gem from stash - I bought loads from W H Smith when they were on Sale.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

Non Card Project (DT) As You Like It Challenge

 Hello peeps, here we are at another Thursday already, gosh these weeks are whizzing by!

There is a new challenge starting today over at AS YOU LIKE IT and this time we would like you to share a favourite non card project with us (please explain your choice).

Now, I am not very organised when it comes to present wrapping, but I do have a fondness for cute little boxes, so when I get the opportunity and get my btm into gear then I do like to make a box.  I'm really into the kraft and white combination at the moment and I think it works really well for a little festive gift.

I made this using my WRMK Box Board for the basic box, cut the layers using Bristol Board and the same smooth kraft card that the box is made from, die cut a selection of gorgeous Mama Elephant snowflakes, and the sentiment from Impression Obsession.  The top circle panel for the box seal was cut with a plain Tonic layering circle and a MFT Die-Namics Double Stitched Circle Stax die.

For this challenge our lovely sponsor is

DIES TO DIE FOR

Hugs

Santa's Helpers (DT) Dies To Die For

  I need more than Santa's help this morning, this new Blogger interface is arrrrgh!  I really, really, dislike change for the sake of change.  I wouldn't mind so much, but the bit that has been changed is the bit behind the scenes that only us get to use, and it is frying my brain this morning.

I'm a bit later than usual today as I overslept this morning.  Not by much, but enough to put me behind.  Mind you, I was home-working on Wednesday (having returned to the office on Monday) and hubby woke me up with a "It's 8.45 you know" - flipping heck, I'm supposed to be logged on by 9.00!  That was a very quick lick and a promise in the bathroom and Weetabix induced indigestion.

I am finally getting my a**e into gear with the C** cards, I thought it was about time that I made a start.  This is my fourth this year.  Only another 46 to go, gulp.

I've had this stamp a while, but I have only just plucked up the courage to deal with the colouring of all the details!

So I have used:

Whimsy Stamps - Santa's Helpers WSMF124

Whimsy Stamps - Slimline Bunting Border Dies WSD478

Lawn Fawn - Mini Snowflake Dies LF995

MFT 6x6 paper - Buffalo Brights MFT-EP66

and an older, retired, MFT Chevrons pad

Imagine entirely painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours.

So, that's that bit done, now I need to think about getting a chunk of gammon in the oven to roast!

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

And as I haven't entered a challenge for a very long time, I'm popping this little lady into the

Anything Goes Challenge over at Word Art Wednesday

Long Time No See (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, happy weekend to you.  Now that we are in to September, my crafty mind has gone into panic Christmas mode.  Why do I always leave it so late?!

I crocheted the husband a bobble hat earlier in the year.  Despite very careful and repeated measurements it came up rather large, it will certainly keep his ears warm, and probably his knees as well - a bit like this one.

Do penguins have knees?

Gerda Steiner - Long Time No See stamp

Lawn Fawn - Mini Snowflake dies

Taylored Expressions 6x6 - Playful Patterns - Holiday

MFT Sentiments - Bitty Holday Wishes MFT-CS-417

Penguin coloured up with Zig Clean Colour brush pens used as watercolours

All I can say is thank heaven for "Stick It" adhesive sheets, I would have got in a real mess with that delicate snowflake without it.  I discovered the joy of it some time ago and used to be really sparing in how often I used it, but I must be getting lazy in my old age as I find myself reaching for it time and time again these days.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

As You Like It (DT) Favourite Way of Adding Snow

Morning everyone!  By now we, that's the AS YOU LIKE IT team, are hoping you are starting to get festive with your makes as our challenge for this fortnight is Your Favourite Way To Add Snow (and why).

I make a lot of cards with a vista of white, so favour adding my snowflakes by stamping with a pale blue ink, but for cards like this with a dark sky I do love to use snowflake dies, there seems to be an infinite variety of shapes and sizes so I am constantly collecting new ones!

So, for this one I have used

MFT Birdie Brown - Snow Buddies BB-87

MFT Die-Namics - Snow Buddies MFT-1642

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Snow Drifts MFT-546

Background paper from The Works

Lawn Fawn Mini Snowflakes Dies LF995

Imagines painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and, if you squint, you

 might just see a sprinkling of Glamour Dust (Crystal) under their feet

(all of the linked items above are from Dies To Die For)

Our sponsor for this challenge is the fantastic

FANTASTIC RIBBONS

Looking forward to seeing all your snowy makes!

Hugs

Toasty Greetings (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, I  hope you are well.  I'm a bit late today but am now popping in with a warm glow make for you.

I missed out on this set the first time around, so I have a real warm glow feeling from being able to get my little paws on it from the MFT Vault this time!  I struggle to resist Birdie Brown designs, as you might have guessed.

MFT Birdie Brown - Toasty Greetings BB-85

MFT Die-Namics Toasty Greetings MFT-1636

MFT Stitched Snow Drifts MFT-546

Lawn Fawn Mini Snowflakes Dies LF995

MFT 6x6 Hearts and Stripes EP-38

Images painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers).  Feeling quite chuffed with their reflected light tummies, I just hope that Snow doesn't melt too fast, but if he does, Pingu can grab his toasting stick!

I hope you are all keeping your marshmallows warm.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

Holiday Cheer (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, popping in today with something (almost) seasonal for you

(well, the temperatures are dropping!)

So deep breath and off we go

MFT Pure Innocence Holiday Cheer stamp PI-279

MFT Die-Namics Pure Innocence Holiday Cheer die MFT-1385

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Snow Drifts MFT-546

Lawn Fawn Mini Snowflakes LF995

MFT Die-Namics Puzzle Cover Up MFT-1377

MFT Die-Namics Merry Christmas MFT-983

MFT Christmas Background stamp BG-102

D'ja know, I am starting to worry myself with all these lists of stuff - before you know there will be ribbon sneaking in there!

Anyhoo, the image is painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers).  Confession time, my first attempt was a resurrection of the Copics and.....well, I got the DIs out again!

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DTDF (DT) Polar Bear Pals

Morning all, me again with another post for the DIES TO DIE FOR inspiration blog.

Am I detecting a nip in the air yet?
OK, I know it is the end of October, and the clocks go back this weekend, but I'm
not sure it is really chilly enough for these two yet.

MFT:  Polar Bear Pals

MFT 6x6: Graphic Grid

Die-Namics: Stitched Circle Stax

Lawn Fawn: Mini Snowflakes

The only additions to this were the Distress Inks (ReInkers), Hunkydory holographic card and
some patient fussy cutting

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Hugs to all

Squirrel x

Dies To Die For online store

Everyone Should Have A Squirrel

Short and sweet, everyone should have a squirrel (or three), especially red ones!

I have used

CC Designs Rustic Sugar Snowman With Squirrels

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is Whimsy Stamps holiday mini sentiments

Background snowflake from a Personal Impressions set

Papers are Nitwits/LOTV Frosty Christmas

Snowflake punches are Martha Stewart and X-Cut

and a single pearl from stash to finish

Hugs to all for a happy Monday

Love

Squirrel xx

Personally, I think everyone should have a Jenson Button too - F1 is going to be poorer without him

Can't wait to see what he gets up to next!

Out of my depth

Twice in one day.  Today I made a toad-in-the-hole for the first time in nearly 20 years.  To say I was nervous sounds ridiculous, I mean, I cook dinners every day of the week, so why should something as simple as a toad upset me?  Well, Mr Toad got his name from a passion developed over my mother's version of, yes, you guessed it, toad-in-the-hole.  My past forays into batter making have not been all that successful, apart from keeping the Winter Olympics supplied with ice-hockey pucks, so it was a somewhat scared Squirrel that shoved the big glass dish into the oven.

And the other out-of-my-depth moment was today's card.  OK, so maybe the card wasn't out of my depth but the challenge I'm entering is:

I made this to enter at

MFT Card Challenges - Wednesday Sketch No 307

For the card I used

MFT Polar Pals stamp set

Masked with Post-It Notes to create the row of bears

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and fussy cut

MFT Die-Namics double stitched rectangle die

Sentiment from the MFT Merry Everything set

Papers are all Nitwits (Winter Wishes sold by LOTV) except

for the kraft matting layers (which are a recycled envelope!)

Snowflake dies are Memory Box

Oh, and the toad-in-the hole?  Enormous but absolutely yummy!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

😻

In The Pink (DT) Pink Christmas

Yoo-hoo!  Morning all, hope you are feeling in the pink - geddit, IN THE PINK?!  Well, it just had to be done eventually.

It's the last challenge of the year this time (we're being allowed a breather for Christmas) so you get extra time to get your entries in, bonus!

The theme for this challenge is, what else, PINK CHRISTMAS

Here is my DT card

I did warn you when I joined the Pink Ladies that I would be the team's simple member, lol.

I am LOVING these little chaps, the whole set is just brilliant - it's

Santa's Elves (Birdie Brown) from MFT Die-Namics

There is a matching die set as well but I didn't use it for this one

Sentiment is from the same set

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Snowflake border from Wild Rose Studio

Matting layer is white card edged up with Pure Pink Copic

I'm kinda in love with this one myself, so it might accidentally not get sent!

Our sponsor for this very special challenge is PAPER NEST DOLLS - $15 voucher

I do hope that pink features somewhere in your festivities and that you might like to come over and share it with us at the challenge, you never know, you could be our next Perfect Pinky

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Sorry Marianne!

A little while ago, my bloggy pal Marianne made a comment that made me smile - she said she wasn't very keen on pop-up boxes as they don't seem like real cards to her.  Little did she know that I had just made my first two of these cheeky little rascals!

I didn't have a template for this, I just winged it after reading the construction instructions in a recent magazine

I've used a ton of old Papermania Colossal Christmas papers

Stamp is CC Designs Snow Flake

Sentiment is Hero Arts

Various lengths and angles of acetate strips

A few punched snowflakes which I glued and Glamour Dust-ed

Sorry Marianne, but I had great fun making it!

Sweet Stampin - Let It Snow

Hugs to all for a super weekend.

Hugs

Squirrel xx