As You Like It Challenge (DT) Halloween or Fairies

 WhoooooooooooooOO!  

As You Like It Challenge

has gone a bit supernatural for this theme and are asking for

Halloween or Fairies as your choice (and your reason)

We don't celebrate Halloween at home, but have friends who do so I always end up

making a card or two, especially if we haven't seen those friends for a while.  Anyhoo, I don't really

need an actual excuse to get a a gargoyle out!

Whimsy Stamps (Dustin Pike) Gargoyle And Friends

Lawn Fawn 6x6 Papers

Sunny Studio 6x6 Papers

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Alphabet

Martha Stewart Goo Border Punch

Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours

Our sponsor for this theme is

DIES TO DIE FOR

Hugs

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Floral Or Gingham

 Hellooooooo to anyone out there in the wonderweb world, here I am 

again to tell you about this fortnight's new theme over at

AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE

and this time it is your favourite of

floral or gingham

It wasn't an easy choice but I have gone with the gingham option this time as it

worked so well for paper piecing the ribbon and also for framing

the image

I've used an old Wild Rose Studio stamp which is

mostly painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and I have paper pieced the parcel ribbon

I've used Sunny Studio Pastel Ginghams 6x6

and a combination of MTF Die-Namics Happy Words and Happy Everything dies

The sponsor of this challenge is

Lili of the Valley

Hugs

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Traditional or Contemporary Christmas

 Hello chaps, I'm finally back in the AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE saddle, having missed the last few challenges.

For the new challenge starting today, AYLI would like you to share your

Traditional or Contemporary Christmas makes (please explain your choice)

I tend to make quirkier Christmas cards so contemporary suits me well, it allows me to use all sorts of cute character images, some tongue-in-cheek sentiments, and to avoid the traditional red and green combo.

A very clean and simple design 

Lili of The Valley - James In The Snow rubber stamp

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Background paper from The Works (Fairytales I think)

and a vertical Merry die from MFT DieNamics

The sponsor of this challenge is

Lee Holland

You have two weeks to enter, looking forward to seeing you all there.

Hugs

As You Like It Chalenge (DT) Warm or Cool Colours

 Yoo-hoo (waving madly), how are you?  I hope everyone is well.

It's time for another new theme from

AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE

and this time the theme is Warm or Cool Colours

(please tell us about your choice)

I had to have a think about this, because I like all colours, and I'm not afraid to mix it up, but on balance I seem to favour the cool shades more, the blues and purples.

So for this one I've used

Whimsy Stamps/Wee Stamps "Sarah" rubber stamp

MFT DieNamics Modern Serif Alphabet dies

A dotty background stencil, and while I was inking the stencil, I inked up some stripes

from which to cut the SNOW lettering

Sarah is painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

MFT 6x6 gingham paper

and I think the Let It Snow is MFT Snow Globe Sentiments (maybe)

In case you're really not sure what's hot and what's not, here's a simple colour wheel to help

And just before I go, our sponsor for this challenge is

Lili of the Valley

Hope to see you there

Hugs

For My Dad

Morning all, hope you are feeling fine and dandy today!

I've been going through a phase of super CAS cards again, but for Father's Day last weekend

I did actually go a little bit (but not much) further.  Dad's not a great one for fuss, and he was

absolutely chuffed as little mintballs with this one.

So, let's see what I used

Lili of The Valley Vintage Boy (from the last time they released some physical stamps)

Lawn Fawn Puffy Clouds edger die

MFT 6x6 plaid papers

MFT 6x6 striped papers

MFT DieNamics Modern Serif Alphabet dies

and a fair splashing of the ol' Distress Inks (ReInkers)

One of his favourite things to do is go for a fish n chip lunch at their local

garden centre, so as well as 1/2 ton of liquorice allsorts and fruit jellies, I gave him

some universal gift vouchers for him and mum to treat themselves.  I made a little gift wallet themed

for the occasion.

Well, that's about all from me folks, I have a joint of pork in the oven (fingers crossed for crackling rather than sogling) and it smells divine, and a washing machine full of stuff that I am about to get out on the line.  If I'm not back within a week then I'm dangling from the washing line still.

Hugs

 

Best Friend Forever

 Crafting brings us together doesn't it?

After many years of card making now, I have made some absolutely fabulous and lifelong

friends in the crafting community, but there is always that special someone who you just

click with and the longer you know them, the more you discover they are more like family

than a friend.  A sister who I would have chosen.

I have one BFF who owns a large chunk of my heart, and I like to tell her that from time to time.

For this small, sweet, and simple card I have used

MFT Yuzu - Shout It From The Rooftops MFT-YUZU-003

Painted with Zig Clean Colour Brush Pens as watercolours

MFT Die-Namics Fine Finish die MFT-2147

and a left over sheet of pretty pink paper that I have no idea which pad it is from

Hugs

Pawly Plushies

 Happy Saturday everyone!

I've been a busy little Squirrel this morning and already have a mahoosive pan of Squirrel Stew bubbling away on the stove (for those who don't know, it's a hybrid of bolognese sauce and chilli - it goes with rice, pasta, and jacket potatoes beautifully).  So that's tonight's dinner sorted, and about six boxes for the freezer.  The whole house now stinks of onion and garlic!

Anyhoo, today I bring you a get well card.  My boss of 17 years has recently been in hospital for surgery and is now, thankfully, recovering at home.  I wanted to send her a card from our team at the office so got busy the other weekend and made her this,.

I used the Clearly Besotted Pawly Plushies stamp set, and because I couldn't choose just two or three bears I used them all.  My fingers after fussy cutting them all were a wee bit sore!

I used a MFT Die-Namics Cover-Up die, lots of Lawn Fawn paper, and sentiments from Personal Impressions.

A fair quantity of Distress Inks (ReInkers) was also used.

Hope your weekend is a restful one.

Hugs

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Non-Easter Easter Character

 So, here we are again, almost officially Spring!  And in the Spring mood, the AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE team are asking for you to share your

Favourite Non-Easter Easter Character (no chicks, no bunnies) and remember that you must tell us why you made your choice to qualify for a sponsor prize

As you are probably learning to expect from me, I have gone a bit off-piste with this but simply because I have fallen in love with these Dustin Pike gargoyles and am trying to use them for every possible occasion!

Whimsy Stamps (Dustin Pike) Gargoyle & Friends

Impression Obsession Happy Easter word die

Clearly Besotted grass border die

MFT Die-Namics Fine Finish Edge die

Mixture of MFY 6x6 papers

Gargoyle and his pals coloured up with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and our super sponsor for this theme is

DIES TO DIE FOR

Hugs

Dracula

 So, I'm sat here swearing at the laptop (situation normal) as I'm trying to transfer a chunk of photos from my phone to the hard-drive, and I have spotted a few cards that I haven't posted yet, mainly because they were for customer orders rather than DT posts, so I thought I'd drip feed them to you.

You will notice that they will appear to be out of season!

This one was an order from a friend who wanted a card for her brother who had his birthday at Halloween, and she wanted to make something of that.

So we have a real mash-up of products used here

Dracula is from CC Designs

painted in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Oval dies are Crealies

Happy is half of a Impression Obsession Happy Easter die

40 is MFT Die-Namics stitched numbers

Papers are whatever was to hand in the right colours

Goo border is a Martha Stewart punch

Apparently he was thrilled with it and, rumour has it, it is still on display even now.

Hope you have a fab weekend.

Hugs

As You Like It (DT) True Love or Fabulous Friends

 Hellooo (waving), Happy Thursday peeps.

It's the start of a new theme over at As You Like It Challenge and for this fortnight we're asking which type of cards you like to make, either for your True Love or Fabulous Friends.

I prefer making cards for my friends, although the hubby does get his share of lurrvve cards, because I can be quirkier with them and they don't have to be too mushy.

I have used Whimsy Stamps (Lee Holland Collection) Mouse With Rose

A Li'l Inkers sentiment stamp from an old set called Between The Lines

(you need to read the small print)

Doodlebugs gingham paper

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Scallop die

and mouse painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours

I cut part way around the rose so that I could tuck the gingham paper behind it.

You have a fortnight to enter the challenge, so looking forward to seeing what you come up with,

Hugs

Cupcake Cutie (DT) and cheerio to Dies To Die For

 Yoo-hoo, hope you all had a super Christmas and were

on Santa's naughty list (much more fun!).

 This is it then folks, the last DTDF make from me.

Whimsy Stamps - Big Hugs Die Set - WSD390a

MFT Tiddly Inks - Cupcake Cutie stamps - MFT-TI-006

MFT DieNamics - Cupcake Cutie dies - MFT-2043

MFT DieNamics Fine Finish Edge die - MFT-2147

MFT 6x6 papers Festive Celebrations - MFT-EP-85

Memory Box Open Studio Christmas Fairy Jewels - mb-JWL005

Tiddler stamped on Canson Bristol Board and inked with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

So, I would just like to finish with a THANK YOU to Tracy and my

team mates for the opportunity, and for putting up with me over the years, it's been a blast, and

you all have a very special place in my heart.

And a very big THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the time to pop over on a Saturday to see what I have been up to.  It's all been for you actually.

BIG HUGS

One final time

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

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

Snowman Friends (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning chaps, hope this finds you well.

A quick update on dad's poorly arm - he was discharged from the hospital care a couple of weeks ago as he no longer needed wet dressings.  He has been handed over to the care of Nurse Mum who is very experienced with dry dressings, and making sure he does what he's told.  How that horrible wound has healed is nothing short of a small miracle.  He showed it to me last week, and I have to say that it looks marvellous.  Still not quite there, but not far off now.

Thank you for all your good wishes to him, I have passed them all on.

Anyhoo, I seem to be a little bit obsessed with snowmen this year!

Gerda Steiner Designs - Snowman Friends gs-GSD-445

Whimsy Stamps Sentiment Assortment - Merry Christmas CWSD391

MFT DieNamics A2 Stitched Circle Stax MFT-1675

MFT 6x6 papers

Distress Inks (ReInkers) for snowman, a scrap of Dovecraft paper for the snow flecked blue behind him, and a couple of Woodware corner punches to finish off.

Chilly hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Dies or Stencils

It's time for another challenge with the AS YOU LIKE IT team

and this time your choice is Dies or Stencils

 OK, I couldn't choose.  I use dies a lot, but I also love stencils for making pretty backgrounds, so I decided to rebel and combine them.

MFT Clear Stamps - This Hug's For You MFT-CS-616

MFT DieNamics Stitched Mini Slimline Stax MFT-2117

Stamperia Christmas Rose - Flowers stencil

Bear painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and background

stencilled with Distress Inks (Oxide)

Our super duper sponsor for this challenge is

DIES TO DIE FOR

Hugs

Snow Buddies (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello peeps, hope you are all ok.  Now, as I was getting ready to leave work last night, I was shocked by how dark it already was at 4.30.  The day before hadn't seemed so bad, but it dawned on me that we are already halfway through November and well on the way to Christmas (I mean, the Aldi advert has started already!).  So basically here we are at the start of winter (yes, I know, not until 21 December if you want to be technical) and 4 months of probably crap weather.  I wonder if that weather will include snow this time.  There will be no such thing as a snow-day for me anymore as we were all set up for home-working during lockdown.

Anyhoo, everyone should have someone to build a snowman with.

MFT Birdie Brown Snow Buddies stamps  MFT-BB-87

MFT DieNamics Snow Buddies dies MFT-1642

Whimsy Stamps Sentiment Assortment Merry Christmas CWSD391

MFT 6x6 papers Cheerful Plaid MFT-EP-80

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Circular Embellishments

 Gosh, the year is galloping away from us isn't it - another two weeks gone, so it's time for a new As You Like It Challenge

This time we're asking you to use Circular Embellishments

(pearls, gems, flowers etc)

Now, I'm not good with embellishments, they bring me out in a rash, so I took the easy way out and punched my circles (snowflakes) from the same paper that I used for the snowy ground, at least this way I know they coordinate properly!

MFT Pure Innocence Freezin's Greetings MFT-PI-327

and matching dies MFT-2120

Lawn Fawn 6x6 papers Watercolor Wishes

MFT DieNamics Stitched Snow Drifts MFT-546

MFT Bitty Holiday Wishes MFT-CS-417

The winky face on the snowman is not part of the original stamp, I added that with my set of Your Next Stamp Fun Faces

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Our lovely sponsor for this challenge is

Looking forward to seeing what you do with your circles

Hugs

Strike Up The Band (DT) Dies To Die For

  Hello peeps, it's the weekend again, hurrah!

Before we get to today's card, thank you for all your well wishes for dad.  We went back to the hospital on Wednesday for a wound check and dressing change.  The nurse practitioner was a little concerned about some blistering of the skin that was torn in his fall, but after some thought she decided to take the steri-strips off.  Poor dad.  He has hairy arms.  They aren't quite so hairy now.  Anyhoo, long story short, the hospital are "cautiously optimistic" that healing is underway (it's going to take months) and redressed it with a lighter dressing.  He goes back again on Monday for another check.

So, to crafting.  The inspiration for today's card was actually a commission - a dear friend requested a card for her brother-in-law who is a musician.  Well, there was only one stamp set that I could possibly use for that!

I adore these bunnies, they make me happy

Ingredients

MFT Birdie Brown Strike Up The Band stamps MFT-BB-93

MFT DieNamics Strike Up The Band dies MFT-1676

MFT Bitty Birthday Wishes stamps MFT-CS-398

Sunny Studio 6x6 paper Subtle Grey Tones SSPP-118

Red card from own stash

The backing paper was just stripes, so I randomly over-stamped with the musical phrase accessory stamp from the Band set.

Bunny Band has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers).

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG