Going Crackers (Christmas, of course)

Afternoon all, hope this finds you well.  It finds me sneezing and snuffling, but what else would you expect now that I am on holiday from work.  Grrrrrrr.

Anyhoo, I haven't used many of my Lili of the Valley stamps since I stepped down from the Design Collective but now that I have started making my C cards I am back on track, and here I am today with a James which I am going to enter into their Facebook challenge, even though my CAS style doesn't suit the Lili look apparently.  My stamps, I'll use them how I want!

So, this is James with Christmas Cracker

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Clearly Besotted sentiment

Crealies stitched rectangle die

MFT Die-Namics chevron die

Moss green Bazzil cardstock

Custome sized card base

and that's it, sweet and simple.

Feeling much happier now I have seen the Malaysian GP and Rosberg has stretched his lead over Hamilton by 23 points.  Good result for Jenson too on his 300th race start!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Big Bows or Little Bows

Hello my darlin's!  Welcome to another Thursday of fun, and of course it is fun, it's another challenge from 

AS YOU LIKE IT!

This time, we are asking you to choose between BIG BOWS OR LITTLE BOWS and tell us why you made that choice.

Personally, bows are the frippery of the devil, so I avoid them wherever I can, but, I had to use one for the challenge!  I prefer little to large, so, awkward as ever, this one is sort of medium sized.

So, for this one I have used

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals Cake Nancy

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Cardstock is Bazzil Bling that I had in my stash

Bow die is the smaller one from Lil' Inker Designs

(should not have checked for the link, just spotted there is a mini one too)

The sponsor of this challenge is

Sweet n Sassy Stamps

$10.00

OK, all you bow fans, get busy with the fizzy and join the challenge - you have two weeks!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Don't Worry, Bee Happy

Morning all, how are you today?  It's a bit damp over here, and chilly, and we are having to have a new exhaust fitted on the car this morning.  I hate it when the car needs something done, why can't they make the parts of something stronger?!

Anyhoo, I have a happy little card for you today:

You know by now that I am a sucker for Roberto's Rascals stamps

This little chap is Bee Henry from CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Orange paper is a scrap of Basic Grey, that I edged with a Martha Stewart border punch

Matting layer and lettering cut from a sheet of chocolate brown Bazzil Bling card

The happy die is from a Paper Smooches Christmas set

The bee was cut using Memory Box Alphabet Soup dies

Sweet and simple but I hope he makes you smile as much as he does me.

Yesterday was my last day in my job of 11 years.  Crumbs.  It still feels surreal, like it has been happening to someone else, but today I am unemployed.  Don't panic, I start my new job on the 18th, but it means I have a week of "me" time to craft and relax.  Hurrah.  My beloved boss, the lady I have worked with all those years, has also left, and we are going to be starting a whole new adventure together!

Well, that's me for today, have a happy weekend.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Kissmas

What would Christmas be without some romancing under the mistletoe?  Even if it is only a cheeky peck, lol.

My second December card for LILI OF THE VALLEY Design Collective

The wonky fairy seems to have got hold of this one, sorry folks, but I was unbelievably tired when I made it!  Probably only a millimetre out, but it might as well be a kilometre!

Stamp is LOTV Happy Kissmas

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are Dovecraft Back To Basics Christmas (2013) Modern

Bazzil red card stock

Martha Stewart heart border punches

Sentiment from LOTV Grunge Christmas Postmarks Set 17

Tesco Craft gold shiny card

Lili are having a well deserved break for Christmas so any orders placed after 11 December will be despatched after the festivities are over.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Ready for the weekend

Morning all!  Have you heard the forecast for the weekend?  November weather at last, AND there is a chance of a flurry of the white stuff for us over here in the east ...... thermals at the ready!

I received some very welcome happy mail this week, and I could not resist getting this little fella inky immediately.

Isn't he just the most adorable?!

This is Winter Bunny from Roberto's Rascals at CC Designs

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Dies are Poppystamps/Memory Box Evergreen Landscape and Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillsides

The night sky paper was a scrap that was just laying on my desk

Matting layer is Bazzil Bling Raspberry

Sentiment from Sweet Little Sentiments set by Clearly Besotted

Well, that's me for today - I'm popping into town this morning once my hair is dry, and then this afternoon Rosie has a trip to the v.e.t for her six month check-up.  You may hear the screams about 2.15ish.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Pollycraft Candy (Before and After)

Morning all.  Cough cough splutter sneeze.  What a way to start a Monday.  Poor ol' Toad has been really poorly over the last few days with an absolute stinker of a cold, and the rotten meanie has passed it on!  

Anyhoo, some of you may have seen on Facebook on Saturday that we had an inky paws incident.  Here's the evidence.

I thought that I had positioned my elbow in an anti-Rosie place, but she can be a determined little devil.  So, she jumped up, over my arm, and front paw into the inks.  The picture shows Walnut Stain, but my craft bench and her white fur also showed more than a bit of Salty Ocean!  

I almost binned this to start again but a very encouraging blogging buddy convinced me that the image was saveable, and she was right (of course).

So, this is Candy from Pollycraft (CC Designs)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Grand Merry Christmas from Memory Box

Scalloped circle from Tonic

Double stitched circle from MFT

Red card by Bazzil

Snowflake paper by BoBunny

Snowflakes by X-Cut Palm Punch

I may rename her Phoenix

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

There's a moose loose about this hoose

Oh ok, so it isn't a real moose, after all, you would surely notice if there was one of those on the loose in your house.  The footprints would be a dead giveaway.

I'm showing my age with the title of this post, oh those blissful mornings of Junior Choice with Ed Stewpot Stewart!  And if you are wondering ..... have a listen

Anyhoo, in case you have been living in a cupboard for the past week, there is a new Lili of The Valley release on the way (sooner if you are at the NEC this week) on 10 November.  

This adorable little Harvest Mouse is part of the Woodland Friends stamp (with a Squirrel and a Hedgehog)

I've painted him with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The straw paper is an ancient remnant, in fact I think it was the last of what I had

Brown card is Bazzil

MFT double stitched circle die, Tonic plain circle dies, Memory Box stitched scalloped circle die

Lawn Fawn Scripty For You die (double cut for the shadow effect)

Martha Stewart grass border punch

Viva Pearl Pen - gold

Keep your purse on standby!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Equality!

Morning all!  I had more happy mail arrive at the end of last week and I am not known for patience when it comes to Roberto's Rascals so out came the inkies, and yes, more of the dreaded red, it really does have a mind of it's own!

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals Miss Claus

Who said Santa can't be feminine huh?

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) with Polychromos for hair

Poppy Stamps Jumbled Merry Christmas die (the "Christmas" part is inside)

Crealies XXL rectangle stitched dies

Bazzil red cardstock

And that's all she wrote, sweet and simple.

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

Springs In

After the past two days you would be forgiven for thinking that summer is here, but honestly, it is still mid April!

The challenge this time at Tiddly Inks Challenges is Springs In and, for me, there was one obvious stamp.

So this is a Wryn stamp from Tiddly Inks called "Hopping By"

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and with some help of Polychromos Pencils for her hair

I have been rummaging about in my ancient papers box - I think the greens with daisies on are from Wild Rose Studio and the mustardy yellow card is Bazzill Basics.

Sentiment from LOTV

Thanks for popping over for a visit, always lovely to see you.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - T is for Tree (extra of Buttons)

Hi all, and welcome to another fortnight of ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE - wow, we are at T already, doesn't seem possible but, having said that, it will be October next week!

Thanks to everyone who took part in our Santa challenge and to all of you who had a go at my optional extra of no red - we had some super entries.

So, onto this challenge which is T FOR TREE and Jayne is our host with her optional extra of BUTTONS.  Our sponsor for this time is THE CUTTING CAFE.  The DT have come up with some super inspiration for you, here is my card:

I've used a Fairy Doodles Christmas Fairy from Buzzcraft, coloured with Copics.  The DPs are Dovecraft and the red matting is Bazzill.  Sentiment is Lili Of The Valley and the buttons were done with my Martha Stewart embossing button punch.

Penny Black Saturday

Hi all, hope you have had super weekends - can't believe it is Sunday night already!  Aaaargh, work tomorrow!!

Anyway, over at Penny Black Saturday Challenge the theme is Red White & Blue and here is my entry

I've used Penny Black "Sweet Thing" coloured with Copics, dps are Anita's (blue) and from stash (red) and card stock is Bazzil.

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

Totally Gorjuss # 37 - A Sketch

What a scorcher of a week it has been!  Technically I ought to be half a stone lighter than I was last Saturday - I have perspired puddles.  I work in an old building with low ceilings and no air conditioning.  We have a bay window with 24 panes of glass - only one of which opens, an inch.  It's been like working inside a sweaty gym sock all week.  You would never believe that I was a summer baby would you?!

So, Saturday, that must mean it is time for TOTALLY GORJUSS and as it is the first week of the month, our Great Leader Net has come up with another of her brilliant to work with sketches for you.  So here it is:

Do pop over to the TG blog to check out who won last week's Gift Bag challenge - we had some absolutely super entries.

Here is my DT card for this week:

I had a request to make a retirement card so I snaffled Net's sketch as the base for it!  DPs are Basic Grey, Tilda and her clover are coloured with Copics, matting card is Bazzil Bling and has a fab sheen to it that you can't see but trust me, it's there.  The text paper is from a pad I've had since I started crafting.

As always, my fellow Gorjussettes have left me in the shade with their wonderful creations - it'd be lovely if you could spend a moment to have a look at what they have created to inspire you.

And the rest of my weekend?  I've got a three week date starting with 228 young men in Lycra shorts later on this afternoon - yes, it is the start of the Tour de France - Bring. It. On!!!

My hero, Lance Armstrong, 7 time winner of the Tour.

And not, forgetting the British - we have a very real chance of having a Brit on the Podium for the first time in 106 years. Go Bradley!

Can you tell I'm excited?

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - N for Noel

Hi All!  Thanks so much to everyone who took part in our Mistletoe Challenge and the Blog Hop.  Some of the DT had secret candy available but more about that later ......

On to this fortnight's ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE and we are up to N so our theme is Noel with an optional extra of embossing.  We are so thrilled to be sponsored this time around by Dulcie from Wild Rose Studio - great to have you on board hunny!

For my card, I have used a Christmas Tilda, masked onto the Magnolia Noel, coloured with Copics.  DPs are Wild Rose Studio from the polka dot and male collections (I just love blue and pink together).  Embossing on Bazzil Bling done with a Cuttlebug folder and the Bazzil Bling snowflakes are a Martha Stewart punch.

So, the burning question - was I hiding candy for the Blog Hop?  YES!  And the winner of my candy is Sam from Whisper Cards - Congratulations Sam - email (squirrel1964@hotmail.co.uk) your details please sweetie so I can get your candy on its way to you.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

They Think It's All Over ......

...... looks like it is now!  Two losses to Germany in one day - Formula 1 and Football.  Oops.  Anyway, not bothered about the footie - it means the Toadster will be able to get his cheap underpants sooner than expected - and the next F1 is the British, yay!!

Over at HIGH HOPES STAMPS challenge today the theme is "super star" and I just knew I had to use this fabulous starry paper from the Forever Friends Party Time collection.  But what image to use with it? 

Well what else could you use but a chameleon (spelling?), called Leon!  Coloured with Copics, mats are Bazzil Bling and DCWV Brights.  Stars (now I know why I hoard things) from stash.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Me And My Cat - LOTV # 55

Found another lovely sketch to play with today over on the Lili Of The Valley challenge and there is an additional twist of some flowers - who could resist?!

Here's the sketch:

And here is my card - I've used the super cute Me And My Cat stamp with Forever Friends Pink Parfait papers and green Bazzil card for matting.  Flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts. Leave are Martha Stewart punch.  Image coloured with Copics.

It's another F1 weekend so shall be settling down soon for the Canadian Grand Prix - a race that is usually guaranteed to have some interesting antics.  I often wonder if I had continued with my racing days whether I could ever have made it to those giddy heights.  I doubt it though, whoever heard of a squirrel in a F1 car - my tail would get sucked into the airbox!!

Thanks for popping by.  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

Totally Gorjuss # 29 - Pink & Green

Morning all!  And what a lovely morning it is too (if Mr Blogger is playing fair).  This post is scheduled because I'm at the salon getting my tail trimmed and retouched so I hope it works.  And when I get back? Well it's qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix, yay, the boys are back in town, well, Europe at least.  No more silly early morning races for a little while.

Anyhoo, enough of my waffle, here is what you came over for - it's the TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge!  Whoop whoop!  So many fabulous entries for last week - you had us all in stitches (oh come onnnnn, it's early) so don't forget to pop back later to check who Mr RNG selected.

This week Net has chosen one of my favourite colour themes and we are going with PINK and GREEN (now why does that make me think of Miss Piggy and Kermit?) so out with your crafting kit and get busy!

Here is my DT card for this week

Thoughtful Tilda, Copics, Nestabilities, Papermania and Making Memories papers, Martha Stewart corner punch, Lili Of The Valley sentiment, stashed pink cardstock, green Bazzil.

Oh crumbs, how could I forget, don't miss out on the chance to catch up with my Gorjussette teamies on their own blogs, they are such a talented bunch (I always was the odd one out).  Hope to see you all over at TOTALLY GORJUSS very soon!

Hugs, Squirrel xx