Sweet Dreams

Today, after many months of deliberating, I thought I might have a rant and rave about the insidious/invidious nature of Facebook v Blogger, but you know what? I really haven't got the energy as I might well be talking to myself the way things are going these days.

Instead I bring you another Odd Dog sneak peek from Lili of The Valley - these little cuties will be available to purchase on 4 July.

This little chap is Sweet Dreams

Papers are LOTV?Raspberry Road Shabby Shack

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is an old LOTV one (retired)

Pet tag and bones are Whimsy dies Pet Accessories

Shaped die is Nestabilities

This grumpy old Squirrel will get grumpier as the week goes on, with the increasing temperatures and lack of sleep, but I will still be posting.  Visit if you dare!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Countdown.....

The countdown has begun for the Lili of The Valley release of new gorgeousness on 4 July, so you still have a few days left to save those pennies!

I'm starting the week off with another Odd Dog sneak peek, and this one is called Handwritten.

Lili of The Valley - Odd Dog: Handwritten

LOTV/Nitwits - Sunny Side Up papers

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Thinking of You words die

Memory Box Speech Bubble die

Thanks for popping by today, there will be more cuteness as the week goes on.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Sleepy Sneak Peek

Happy Saturday everyone - hope you are having a super day so far.

Well, it is only a week to go now before the new release of gorgeousness from Lili Of The Valley so I am popping by to share another sneak peek that I hope will persuade you that you really will need all this forthcoming cuteness from the Odd Dog character!

Stamp: LOTV - Sleepy Book

Medium: Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: Joy Crafts

Sentiment: Kaisercraft

Extras: MFT Inside & Out Stitched Rounded Edge Squares dies and 

Dovecraft Back To Basics buttons

Looks like the perfect way to spend a day!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Take Two

Morning all, you might want your sunnies for this one!

Earlier in the week I posted a Sneaky Peeky of a new flowery stamp being released on 4 July from LILI OF THE VALLEY.

I did the first version as sunflowers (you can find it here if you missed it) but mentioned that the flowers would work in all colours.

So here is the "in your face" version!

So, yes, it is Summer Bunches stamp again

This time coloured purely with Polychromos Pencils

Sentiment is also LOTV from Scroll Sentiments

Image coloured to match in with the super bright and happy papers from

LOTV/Nitwits Sunny Side Up

That's me done for today - will be back over the weekend with maybe a poochy peek or two!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Pink GDT Take Two

Hello everyone, and welcome to Thursday.  In my book, you are welcome to normal Thursdays, as I certainly don't want them, never could get the hang of them.  But this Thursday is ok, as I am back as GDT at IN THE PINK for my second and final appearance.

This fortnight's theme is Vintage/Shabby Chic.

Regular readers will know that this will have sent me screaming and running for the hills, but it is meant to be a challenge, right?!

Anyhoo, here is my interpretation of the theme:

Stamp is an old Belles & Whistles - no name on the packet unfortunately

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are the new LOTV/Nitwits Dress Shoppe

Ownership of the lace die is lost in the mists of time

Sentiment is LOTV Vintage Labels

Pearls from stash

Actually, looking at it now, the sentiment is a bit squint, but for some reason a lot of my cards have been squint lately so you probably won't notice anything new there!

Thanks to Christine and Kat and the Pink Ladies for having me on board for a while, it has been a bubble of pink champagne girls!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Sneaky Peeky folks!

There will soon be a lovely new batch of rubber released by Lili Of The Valley, and you don't have too long to wait - just long enough to put some pennies to one side because, believe me, you are going to want ALL of these.

As a member of the Design Collective I was asked to showcase this beauty:

Oh my, so love this stamp!

This one is called Summer Bunches - there will be other delicious flowers in the release too

It screamed sunflowers at me, but those blooms could be any colour scheme you wanted

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are First Edition: Boho Chic

Sentiment: LOTV Vintage Labels - Just To Say Set 27

Memory Box bamboo die, and Cheery Lynn butterfly die

Pebbles Inc yellow Candy Dots, and small pearls from my stash

Keep an eye out for other sneaky peeks from my very talented teamies, there is going to be so much to make you drool and covet!

Hugs to all for a sunshine day

Squirrel xx

Oh Baby!

Yoo-hoo!  Happy Weekend!

Just popping by with my second Design Collective card for June, and it is a cutie

I always get caught out with not having the "right" card ready so kept this one safe and neutral

Stamp:  LOTV Baby With Teddy

Medium: Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers: LOTV/Nitwits - Always & Forever Solids

Petal Fresh (retired)

LOTV/Raspberry Road - Pressed In Time

Sentiment: Vintage Labels Just To Say Set 27

Dies & Punches: MFT Inside & Out Stitched Rounded Edge Stax

Martha Stewart Stars

I don't do babies, but love seeing cute baby cards!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

In The Country

Morning all!  A slightly later post than usual from me today, because I didn't have to be getting up at silly o'clock as I have the day off, wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I was humming and harring about what to post today when I realised that I hadn't posted my Father's Day card.  There is no danger of mum or dad seeing it accidentally as they don't have a computer, so I shall share with you today.

This one is a potpourri card 

Stamp is LOTV In The Country

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are a mish-mash from my 12x12 scrap booking box - the grass and straw were some of the very first 12x12 papers that I ever bought, plus a strip of Doodlebug stripes, and a wee piece of Maja Designs gingham

Bazzil Basics brown card

Fence die is, I think, a Marianne Creatables

Tiled sentiment stamp is a magazine freebie

So is the rosette stamp

Glittered number 1 from my stash of peel-off emergency numbers

On the inside I have matted a white panel onto a layer of the green gingham and added the words

I SMILE because you are my daddy

I LAUGH because there is nothing you can do about it!

That's me done.  I am off to load the washing machine, give Rosie a prod, and then get down to some serious crafting.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

REALLY Big Present!

Morning all.  At the weekend, I had a colouring session, just for the fun of it, and this is one of the images I sat down and got inky with.

The stamp itself is retired now but you can still find the Mini Masterpiece toppers for it on the Lili Of The Valley ebay outlet.

Stamped image is Big Present (retired - see above)

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers) with a sprinkle of Polychromos Pencils for his hair

That awesome polka dot paper is from the new LOTV/Nitwits Sunny Side Up paper pad

Sentiment from Clearly Besotted Sweet Little Sentiments

Extras: WH Smith black art card

Really enjoyed painting this little chap - he was just the therapy I needed!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Totally Tilda? Hmmmmm.....

Hi all, hope this finds you feeling fine.  We are now well into the week (isn't it a relief to get Monday over - it always feels longer than any other day) so I am happy that it is now heading towards the weekend, lol.

Anyhoo, a friend tipped me the wink about the Gifts/Balloons challenge over at Totally Tilda - and I was surprised to find that I didn't have to use a Tilda stamp to enter, which is a good thing as I don't have that many of them any more.

I made this little card at the weekend without realising I could enter it, but enter it I will, as I am allowed.  So there.

So, I have used one of the LOTV Happy Bears

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and the beautifully coordinated papers (yes, I chose them first for a change) are the new LOTV/Nitwits Romance and Roses

A LOTV sentiment from the Vintage Labels Occasions set

And my trusty small Woodware flower punch with some pearl centres

Ta-dah!


And as they as furry and friendly little critters I shall also enter at Bunny Zoe's Furry Friends challenge

Thanks for taking the time to come over for a visit.  I know you don't get the instant gratification of a Facebook "Like" with Blogger so I really do appreciate the effort you make in leaving me comments.  Each and every one is read and treasured.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Holiday Reminder

Yoo-Hoo!  Just popping by with a quick midway reminder for you - over at WITHOUT WORDS the June Challenge is Summer Holidays .....

This little chap is an old Stamp Fairy stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Dovecraft: Bright Spark

and the sentiment is half of a Christmas "Happy Holidays" one

Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy, but that is what we want - clean cards that show off your colouring skills

Hope you have time to come and play

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Guest DT

Morning all.  A surprise for you this morning, and it was a heck of a surprise for me too, as the lovely Christine asked if I would like to GDT for a couple of challenges over at In The Pink.  It took me all of three seconds to say yes!

My first card for them is for this fortnight's theme of Summer.

I love the look of stepper cards but they are nearly as difficult to photograph as easel ones!

I have use Little Miss Muffet - Fancy Sunbonnet Flowers stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are the new LOTV/Nitwits Romance & Roses

Stepper die from By DieZyne

Sentiment tag from LOTV Sentiment Tags set

Flower dies could well be MFT but I have lost the packet

I do hope you will be able to join in the summer theme, just remember to use lots of pink!

Challenge sponsor is THE RIBBON GIRL

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Smokin!

No Jim Carrey to be seen today, but there is some smoke.

This is the first of my cards for June for the Lili of The Valley Design Collective and uses one of the little ladies that was released not that long ago.

This stamp is Smoke Signal

Isn't she fun?  You can translate those puffs into anything you want ;)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) - I have tried to keep to what I felt would be traditional colours but maybe that is more Hollywood influence than actual truth

Papers are from Country Gent and Promises Solids

The sentiment stamp (which probably isn't very PC) is from Kaisercraft

There is a Summer Special Event going on at the LOTV shop today, so if you are planning to go I hope you have an amazing time.

If you are not planning to go, why not?!!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

PS.  Antiques Roadshow Winner announced here

And the winner is

Go on, I will let you smack my wrists for being so bad ..... ouch, not quite so hard, thank you!

Sorry that I am so late announcing the winner of the Antiques Roadshow challenge, totally went out of my head.

No messing about, the winner is

LISA @ ONE HAPPY LITTLE CRAFTER

Congratulations Lisa, could you email me, Squirrel, to claim your prize

Thanks to everyone who joined in, it was great fun hopping around to see what you have had stored away in your cupboards for so long!

Who knows, we might even do another challenge later in the year, if you behave yourselves.

Dress Shoppe

Yoo-hoo, it's Friiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiday!  Phew, and I think it's going to be an interesting one, lots of storms so keeping fingers crossed for an office based power cut.  It mustn't rain at home though as our garage flat roof is being replaced today!

Anyhoo, you must have noticed that there is a Summer Event at Lili of The Valley tomorrow, and there is a launch of some new paper pads too.  Oh my, every page of the three pads is delicious and as soon as I get paid on Monday I shall be whapping that order in!

Just to show you a few of the papers from the Dress Shoppe pad, I made this simple card:

Something you don't often see from me, I have used an Art Pad!

This one is No 23 James & Jenny Bear

Papers are all from the forthcoming LOTV/Nitwits Dress Shoppe pad

Nestabilities Labels 18, and retro flower punches with pearls

I wish I could have showed you more of the paper that I punched the flowers from on this one, it is absolutely to die for, in fact a whole pad of that and I would be a happy  girl!

So, what I would like you today is stay at home and away from the computer.

Reason - save your pennies and get ready to spend at Lili

The new products will be irresistible!

Have a happy Friday

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

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

A Summer Event

Yoo-Hoo!  Just popping by with a card for the Lili Of The Valley Design Collective and to tell you all about the Summer Event competition on Facebook.

First off, there is a Summer Special this coming Saturday at the shop, so for anyone within travelling distance of Leeds, this has to be a must go to event

Saturday June 6th

Join us for a Summer Special Saturday at the shop!

Come and spend some time browsing our new products and fantastic displays, as well as enjoying a cream tea and strawberries!

So why not celebrate the start of summer (nearly!) with LOTV. You never know the sun might even be shining!

Open 10am - 3pm.

Free Parking 

The next time to tell you about is the Facebook Competition - starting today and running
until Friday 5 June

Do come over and have a look, there are three voucher prizes up for grabs

The Design Collective have been busy making Summer themed inspiration pieces for you and here is mine

I loved making this one, even if it did mean getting a rash from the euonymus shrub to take the photo!

LOTV "Big Hugs" (pssst, there is a half  price sale on the Jack Patch & Puss stamps right now)

Painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Floral and spots papers are LOTV/Nitwits One Birdie Lane

Orange paper is Dovecraft Bright Spark

Sentiment is LOTV Vintage Labels - Just To Say set

Scroll die from Memory Box

Flutter Vine die from Memory Box

Flower punch from Woodward

Flower centre gems from stash

So, with the weather set to warm up by the end of the week, let's hope this has put you in a summery mood - do come and join us at the FB challenge, and hope you are able to visit the shop at the weekend.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Without Words (DT) June: Summer Holidays

First Monday of June and Summer is almost here (believe it or not)

So over at WITHOUT WORDS this month the challenge is for you to be thinking about your

SUMMER HOLIDAYS

Scrapberry stamp "Cherry"

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Dovecraft Bright Spark papers

Personal Impressions sentiment

Yes, now, I can hear you shouting "what's that to do with summer holidays?"

Well, as a child and in my early teens I spent just about every summer holiday there was up at the fields fruit picking, sometimes with my mum and nan on the blackcurrants, but as I got older on my own on any fruit that needed to be done - all to earn a few pennies.  Summer means fruit to me, maybe that's why I don't eat as much of it as I should - I ate it all back then!

Hope you will be able to join in this month - there is a voucher prize from Crafter's Companion for the winner - and we look forward to seeing your interpretation of the theme.  Just remember to follow the simple rules please.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx