As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Non-Traditional Colour for Christmas

Hello peeps, so here we are, heading towards mid November and only

six and a half weeks to Christmas.  Eeeeeeeek!

So, if you are behind with your Christmas makes, AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE

are here to encourage you with the new challenge of

Your Favourite Non-Traditional Colour for Christmas

For me, it's purple, I think it just feels a little bit luxurious, especially if it

is paired with with a glint of silver or gold

So, for this one I have used

High Hopes Stamps - Stackable Santa

Nitwits (LOTV) Snow Princess papers

Spellbinders Large Scallop Circle dies

Sentiment from Lili of The Valley

Mini snowflake punch from Hobbycraft

Santa watercoloured with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

The sponsor of this challenge is

Lawn Fawn

 

Hope to see you there

Hugs

AYLI (DT) Favourite Christmas Carol/Song

Hello peeps, how are your festive preparations going?  Mine are in their usual state of chaos I'm afraid.  I'm never sure how Christmas manages to sneak up on me every year like this.

Anyhoo, it's a new challenge from AS YOU LIKE IT today and the theme is Favourite Christmas Carol or Song.

For me it's a song rather than a carol, and it is a bittersweet one this year as Greg Lake has just passed away.  "I Believe In Father Christmas".  I have loved this ever since it was released, and the first hearing of it always reminds me of how close to Christmas we are.  The words are quite thought provoking.

High Hopes large Stackable Santa stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

MFT stitched hexagonal dies

MFT Holiday Subway Art sentiments

MFT chevron die

Papers from Helz Cuppleditch - Dear Santa

Our sponsor for this challenge is

Crafty Ribbons
£10 voucher

This is our last challenge for 2016 but we'll be back bright eyed and bushy tailed in January.

Hugs to all
Squirrel xx

Christmas for Vegetarians

Afternoon all, how are you today?  Toad and I have taken a couple of days off work (my last until Christmas itself) and yesterday we went and made a start on the Christmas shopping.  We did quite well, and I managed to get everything that I had on my list to get that day, so we came home feeling quite chuffed.

However, a day on the feet, pounding the pavements, has played havoc with my arthritic knees so we are having a quiet day at home today.

Having said that, Rosie had her six month check-up at the V.E.T. this morning.  I devised a plan for getting her into the carrier that involved a trail of Dreamies but seriously, that cat is not daft.  She munched the first few and then sat and looked at the box, so we had to resort to the grab and shove method!

So, Christmas for vegetarians huh, yes, well, I have a couple of vegetarian mates for whom the roast turkey dinner is certainly off the menu, which could be why this chap is looking so pleased with himself.

I'd been rummaging through some older stamps and found this one

Tom Turkey from High Hopes

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers (some of which are glittered) are all from the

Dear Santa by Helz Cuppleditch (Trimcraft) collection

MFT Die-Namics stitched scalloped rectangle frame

MFT Die-Namics Merry Christmas word die

(the Christmas part is inside)

Whatever you are up to today, I hope it's a good start to your weekend

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

😻

Totally Gorjuss # 55 A Sketch (DT)

Morning all!  And welcome to another challenge from TOTALLY GORJUSS.

As it is the first Saturday of the month it is sketch time we are being sponsored by JOANNA SHEEN.

Thanks for all your Spooky entries last week - is is safe for me to come out from behind the sofa yet?  We had some fantastically imaginative entries so please do check back to the blog to see who won the lush prize from Wild Orchid Crafts.

So here is Net's sketch for you:

And here is my DT card:

The stamp I've used is Emmilou's Cool Ride from High Hopes and the papers are from the Basic Grey Wander collection.  I thought all was lost with this card when I applied 3d glaze to the car as it flooded out of the bottle.  I was so cross I walked off and left it but when I came back later and picked it up there was an ominous cracking noise.  So by a total accident I had achieved a crackle glaze effect which I thought actually worked quite well!

Anyhoo, the design team have come up with some fab inspiration for you so do have a peek.

Looking forward to seeing your entries.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Fab Surprise and A Fat Turkey

As we have had a couple of days off work (can't believe I have to go back tomorrow - sob!) we popped into Norwich yesterday for a day browsing the shops for Christmas ideas.  Anyhoo, one of our last shops before catching the train home was Jarrolds.  I love this store, it's still a true, old fashioned department store and the staff are so wonderfully helpful and friendly.

I was on the lookout for a 2011 diary for me.  My 2010 diary is one of those fancy Moleskine jobs and I love it to pieces but I found something so much better for the new year!!!

How brilliant is that?!  Now I have absolutely no excuse for being late with my Totally Gorjuss DT cards LOL!

And here's the fat turkey - great recipe challenge over at HIGH HOPES STAMPS this week of 1 circle, 2 squares and a scalloped edge

I've used the High Hopes stamp Tom's Plea, I'm sure in the US he would be used for Thanksgiving, but it's not a UK Christmas without turkey!  Papers are Dovecraft, Martha Stewart heart border punch, peel off border from stash and colouring medium is distress inks.

And I'm also entering this into this week's DIE CUT DREAMS CHRISTMAS CLUB who are looking for Christmas Humour, although I guess the turkey's not laughing!

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugs, Squirrel xx

It's Getting Closer .....

... Christmas that is.  Scary how quickly it is creeping up on us.  Having realised yesterday how many more cards I need to get made, here are two that I've done today.  No challenges, just for the stash.

The first card is a LOTV stamp, Woodland Christmas and the papers are from a very old DCWV Christmas Stack, except for the lime green strip of Basic Grey Jovial that was just laying on my desk from yesterday. 

The second card is High Hopes Bearly Swooshin', again very old papers, this time from a Papermania collection that I just can't seem to use up despite it coming out every year!  Both cards done with Distress Inks.

Two down, several more to go .......

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sketch Saturday + High Hopes "It's A Girl/Boy"

Hello All, yes it is Monday, and yes, I am here!  Snuck a couple of days off work - it's been so hectic for the past six weeks, and threatening to do the same again shortly, so I thought a couple of days of "me time" were in order.

A brilliant sketch from Jeanette over at SKETCH SATURDAY CHALLENGE this week - this one's a keeper - and I've combined it with the theme from HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE of a card for a girl or boy.  As you can see, I went for boy!

Here is Jeanette's fabbie sketch

And here is my card

It's a High Hopes stamp but I've mislaid the tag so perhaps someone can let me know what it's called.  Papers are Making Memories and matting card Papermania.  Image coloured with Copics.  Border punch is Her Majesty Martha Stewart (all hail the Queen of quality punches!).

Hope you like, and thanks for dropping in to see me, even if I did take you by surprise.  And apologies for those that missed out on the cake .... the middle was a bit "damp" but the edges were yummy!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Furry Friendship Fun

Not cards for challenges, not cards for DTs, but two cards just because I wanted to!  Both are a bit furry ......

Girl with Cat stamp from High Hopes coloured with Copics, Ticket Sentiment from Pink Gem Designs, papers are Wild Rose Studio, Papermania and Forever Friends, Martha Stewart heart border punch and leaf frond punch, Woodware medium and small daisy punches, Papermania Shimmer Dots

Lili Of The Valley Puss In Boot stamp and sentiment, coloured with Copics, striped paper from a Smirk collection, plain pink and yellow from stash, Martha Stewart doily lace border punch, Dovecraft gems, Wild Orchid aster and gypsophelia flowers.

Thanks for taking the time to drop by.  Hope your weekend is a good one.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Simons Says + Cute Card Thursday

Well - I have a husband who doesn't like to be beaten at anything.  I wouldn't say he is competitive but he does like to be ahead of everyone else.  Sooooo, when I mentioned that the challenge over at Simon Says is Sing It Baby (song titles) he spent a happy half hour coming up with really obscure ideas and getting grumpy when I could find stamps to suit.  He really thought he'd got me with this one, so I sent him out to get some cat litter while I merrily crafted ...... I'm also entering this for Cute Card Thursday's "Whateva" challenge.

I've Got You Under My Skin

Ha!  That'll teach him!  Fabulous image called "Cat-ching Rays" by Dustin Pike for High Hopes Stamps.  Coloured with Copics.  Papers are Basic Grey, stash and DCWV.  Sentiment is Lili Of The Valley.

Earlier posts today can be found here

Spiderman (new Vince pictures)

Lili Of The Valley Candy

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 42 - Sketch

Thanks for popping over to me see.

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

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

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

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

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

Totally Gorjuss # 32 - Wings

Yoo-hoo! Weekend + 1 - marvellous. Actually, as me and the Toad have booked a couple of long weekends in June, I won't be working a full five day week again until early July!  Yay me!

Oh do shut up Squirrel and get on with it ....... right, it's Saturday and that can only mean one thing, it's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge time!  Thanks for all your blinging entries last week, wow you guys love your sparkle, check out the blog to see who has been selected as the winner.  And this week's theme that Net has set for us is Wings - not sure if Net was dreaming of a BA flight to somewhere warmer when she chose this one!!  Here is my DT card

Papers are K&Co, the super sweet fairy is High Hopes, the sentiment LOTV, cloud shapes cut with Nestabilities, gems and sparkling borders from stash. Image coloured with Copics.

Short and sweet today, got quite a bit to get on with, including the Turkish Grand Prix, so I'll scamper off but hope to catch up with you all later at Totally Gorjuss

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

ABC Christmas Challenge = K for Kisses + Shaped Card

Well guys, here we are again!  Time for another ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE and I'm the host this fortnight so that means no mucking about from you unruly lot LOL!!

Thanks for all your fabulous J for Jingle Bells entries - they were fabulous.  Please do check the blog to see who the lucky winners are.

And this fortnight we would like you to get kissing (mwah) with your K is for Kisses cards.  Who doesn't love a kiss at Christmas?  And the optional extra this time around is to make us a shaped card (yes, I know square is a shape, but you know what I mean).  The DT have, as always, come up with some fab inspiration for you so do check out their creations.  And our sponsor (ooh, we are SO lucky) is the wonderful Stamp and Create.

Here is my DT card

I have used the High Hopes stamp "Mooshie Steals A Kiss" which you can get from Stamp and Create, coloured with Copics and ProMarkers.  The backing papers are from an old DCWV Christmas Stack, the sentiment is Lili Of The Valley and the cute little sprig of mistletoe is Magnolia.

Hope to see you all over at the challenge that is ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Maid In Britain

Did anyone else put on a performance of "Joseph" at school?  And it rained and rained and rained and rained and rained ...... great UK Bank Holiday weather we're having!  It's the annual classic car rally from Ipswich to Felixstowe today, poor devils - not going to be too warm or comfortable for them.

Anyhoo, over at High Hopes Challenge today the theme is Home Country Flag, well, at least something inspired by the colours of your home country flag.  This had me stumped for a while until, whilst ferreting about in my stamps, I found Dress-Up Danni - and this is what I did with her

Stamp is Dress-Up Danni by High Hopes, coloured with Copics and ProMarkers, gems for her necklace are from stash.  Papers are leftovers from my Little Sizzlets collection so not even sure which pad each one is from now.  Anyway, this is my red, white and blue Union Jack themed offering, she was great fun to make.

Now going to sort out dinner and then it's off to the theatre to see the Hairy Biker's Big Night Out - I might even pick up a recipe or two, who knows!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

High Hopes Bookmark Challenge

This is my second post today - please scroll down or follow this link for Sketch & Stash 33 + Sketch Saturday 100

Over at the fabulous HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE they are challenging us to create a bookmark this week.  Reading is one of my biggest passions so this was bliss for me.

I have used the oh-so-cute Missy stamp, coloured with Copics and paper pieced.  Her dress papers are Forever Friends Pink Parfait and the daisy backing paper is Daisy & Dandelion.  Pale turquoise card is Bazzil.

As for the sentiment, I am not sure if this is a quote I have heard and had stashed in the cobwebby filing cabinet of my memory or if it is something I made up myself but I did it on the pc anyway!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

High Hopes Challenge + One LOTV For Fun

As luck would have it, I stamped this image last night so as soon as I saw today's challenge from High Hopes Good Enough To Eat I thought it must be a sign!

Stamp is "Luigi" from High Hopes, coloured with Copics, DP is Basic Grey Nook & Pantry and irridescent gems from Papermania. Sentiment done on pc.

And while I was crafting I had a little play with Thomas from Lili Of The Valley

Again coloured with Copics, papers are Daisy & Dandelion, sentiment from Craftwork Cards. Corner spots punched from waste card from sentiments.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Ooh You Cheeky Monkey!

And a happy Monday afternoon to you guys!  Because of circumstances at work last week, there wasn't an awful lot for me to do today so on the spur of the moment I decided to take this afternoon as a half-day.  How decadent is that?!

One card today, for three challenges -
Cards For Men Paper Piecing
Die Cut Dreams No Flowers Allowed and
Double Dutch Challenge Boys Only

I've used Cherry Chip Chimp from High Hopes and coloured him with ProMarkers, octagon shapes cut with Nestabilities, and a right mix of papers - PaperMania Sweet Nothings (cake icing), Forever Friends (cake case), Joanna Sheen (tartan), Papermania (stripes), Joanna Sheen (orange and dark marble).  Sentiment is Personal Impressions. Choc chips are done with a dark brown glitter glaze and cherry is glossed.

Hugs

Squirrel xx