LOTV - Not Square

Those sneeky little fairies over at LOTV this week have a challenge that is Anything But A Square.  Hmmmm! 

Perhaps I should call this one "Used To Be A Square", LOL!!

I started off with a 6x6 card and sort of took the scissors to it.  Cutest little LOTV fairy from the new releases, and an LOTV sentiment.  Papermania and Making Memories papers, couple of flower punches, some Card Candy and a sprinkle of Glamour Dust and there you have it.

Hugs, Sxx

My wish for 2011 is a .........

........ solar power camera so I never need to run round the house like a loony again trying to find rechargable batteries that have actually been charged!!  There must be someone out there with inventing skills - if you can come up with the goods I'll only charge a 10% lifetime royalty for the idea!

I was a bit late starting to play this afternoon because the Toad and I were playing Raving Rabbids TV Party on the Wii - there is one section where you have to dance along with the moves ....... it is certainly entertaining, especially as the beloved one has two lefts.  It's on your left dear, no, your other left.  Bless his cottons.

A belated birthday card to show you today and the photo is rubbish as I had to take it on my phone (due to lack of camera batteries!).

I received this adorable SugarPlums stamp from my mate Zippy in my Christmas parcel from her (she did spoil me badly this year) and she is a joy to colour.  She wasn't such a joy to cut out as, shock, horror, I accidentally cut off the bobble on one of her antennae.  Thank heaven for black gems!  She's coloured with distress inks, the papers are Making Memories and the sentiment is Paula Pascual from Personal Impressions.

Thanks ever so much for popping over, I hope you are having a lovely relaxing Sunday, whatever you are up to.  See you soon!

Hugs, Sxx

Thank You - Cute Card Thursday

Can you believe that it is New Year's Eve?  What happened to Christmas?  And hasn't the "festive" tv been absolutely dreadful this year?  Or is that just me getting older and jaded?  On second thoughts, don't answer that!

As you may have noticed, I've stepped down for the time being from the DTs that were kind enough to have me.  Life gets in the way of many things and personal issues meant that I wasn't able to give the amount of time I wanted to so that I could be a good DT member instead of a skin-of-the-teeth one.  In the last ten days I have even considered, very briefly, selling all my stamps and stash (Samantha, sit DOWN!!) but then reason took over.  Put that nano-second of insanity down to too many chocolate brazil nuts.  But just because I'm not DTing, it doesn't mean I'm not crafting.

Here is a little card to end 2010 with for the CUTE CARD THURSDAY challenge whose theme is THANK YOU. 

I love this little House Mouse image, so useful for so many things.  Coloured with distress inks.  Sentiment is Personal Impressions and papers are a mixture of old ones from K&Co and Making Memories.  Corner die is a Sizzlets photo corner.  A very CAS card but it does what it says on the tin!

Edited to thank Delphine and Ann for letting me know about the Cupcake Craft Challenge and Phindys Friday Challenge who also have Thank You as a theme. 

Anyone making any Resolutions?  The only one that I can publish here is that I will make a bigger effort to hop round and visit all your blogs more often.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, and here's to a better, brighter, happier and healthier 2011 for all of us.

Hugs, Sxx

Totally Gorjuss # 54 - Spooky (DT)

It's Saturday, it's TOTALLY GORJUSS day and I'm back!  So many thanks to Net and my fellow Gorjussettes for allowing me a little break from DTing but I'm back now and raring to go!

Now it is that time of year when the ghosts and ghouls all come out to play so we have a theme of SPOOKY for you to play with - it doesn't have to be a Halloween card, just something a bit creepy (eeeek).  And to counteract all this scariness, we have a bunch of loveliness by way of our sponsor WILD ORCHID CRAFTS.

Here is my DT card:

I've had this Tilda a while now but not really used her much.  I think she is meant to be a winter one but that hat just screamed Halloween at me!  Coloured with ProMarkers and a touch of pencil for shading.  The cobweb is a Cuttlebug embossing folder, on Coordinations cardstock and I swiped over the web with white VersaColor to lift it from the page.  Papers are a mixture of Making Memories and Little Sizzlets.  Sentiment is Paula Pascaul from Personal Impressions.

So, now I have scared you silly, I reckon you ought to be getting on with some crafting and show us all your spooky creations!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Under the Tree (not a card)

Hi All - this is a scheduled post so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Mr Blogger plays nicely!  It's time for another ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE (yes, it is getting closer now) but firstly I must thank each and every one of you for your fabulous T for Tree entries, it's going to be a hard job to choose the top 3 from all those wonderful creations.  Do check back to the main blog to see who has been selected and who the overall winner is.

So, we are on to U for UNDER THE TREE and the theme for this challenge has been chosen by that crafty little crafter Helen and it is "NOT A CARD".  She's a demon that one.  So just to be clear, for this challenge we are looking for gifts or gift packaging!

Our sponsor for this challenge is the brilliant SIMON SAYS STAMP - do pop over to their store for a browse, I bet you'll find loads of things that fall into your basket!

The other thing I really must mention is that we are looking for some new DT members!  If you would be interested in joining our happy band, please check the details on the challenge blog site.

Anyway, here is my DT creation for you:

I've gone for a little bit of altered art this time around and created a photo album.  Well, I didn't actually create the album, that was done by Tesco (other supermarkets are available) for the grand sum of 74p.  It was bright pink and shiny when I got it and it was a bit icky-tacky cheap (what can you expect for that price?!) so I got busy.  The gorgeously thick and wonderful to work with green sprig paper is Making Memories, and it just had to be that Penny Black meece stamp really, it was crying out for that one to be used.  Some luscious green organza ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons double wrapped around the spine and finished with a bow, all peel-offs from stash, and hey-presto.  And how could I resist sneaking in a couple of photos of my babies for the display?! 

Get your thinking caps on and I shall look forward to seeing what ingenious "non cards" you come up with.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Poor Little LOTV Bunnybun

Next week one of my cousin's, in fact my favourite cousin, is going into hospital for some rather grim surgery and, possibly, even grimmer follow-up treatment so I wanted to make him a get well card that would make him smile.

This week's LILI OF THE VALLEY sketch by Bev has come at the perfect time so I have made full use of it tonight and made the card I needed to get done.

Here is Bev's fabbie sketch:

I've rotated the sketch by 90 degrees clockwise, and here's my card (sorry it's a tiny weeny iddy biddy bit out of focus, my camera doesn't like these dark nights)

I love this little chap, don't you just want to pick him up and give him a gentle cuddle?  LOTV bunny stamp, coloured with Distress Inks, papers are Basic Grey from the Olivia collection, the turquoise paper is Making Memories, EK Success retro flower punch, Card Candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Thanks for popping over to see me.  I know I am way behind on my visiting but hope to get some serious catching up done next week when I'm off work.

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

Italian Wedding

Second post today!  You can reach the earlier one by scrolling down or clicking here.

This card is for an order I received from one of the ladies at work - you may remember the 100th birthday card I did for her mother.  Well, this one is for her son for his wedding but to come from grandmama.  And it had to have Italian text and incorporate the bride's family tartan!  Have used Jeanette's sketch again from this week's Sketch Saturday but tweeked it a little (told you that sketch was a keeper).

I have no idea who the stamp is made by - it was one of the first I bought when I started crafting.  Papers are a mix of Making Memories and Papermania, and the family tartan, with Martha Stewart heart border punch, leaf frond punch, and flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.

And I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Stamp With Fun # 75 = Wedding

Paperminutes = Love

Creative Cottage - Celebrations

Allsorts = New Beginnings

Thanks for popping in to have a peek.  Hope you are all ok.  Think I am crafted out for today so am going to see if my broadband is behaving itself enough now for me to do my DT commenting duty.

Catch ya's all later

Squirrel xxx

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

Totally Gorjuss # 38 - Splish Splash

When you are a squirrel with a thick coat of fur, summer heat is not ideal - things start to go a bit frizzy.  What you need to do is cool down with a nice shower of rain - oh if only!  Welcome to the TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge for this week and our theme is WATER.

Yes, we would like to see your water themed cards - be it puddles, rain, goldfish bowls, an ocean cruise - anything wet.

Thanks for all your fabulous entries to last week's sketch challenge - you really rocked the boat with that one! Don't forget to check the TG blog for the winner.  And while you are over there, do check out the DT cards for this week's inspiration.  We welcome on board two guest DTs, Nina and Mary J.

So here is my DT card for this challenge

I've used this gorgeous "By The River" stamp from Lili Of The Valley - don't you just want to swap places with him?  I'd have my paws in that water in a flash (probably kill all the fish though).  Papers are Making Memories and Doodlebug, sentiment is Craftwork Cards and I've gone for the "fake" button look with my Nestabilities and Japanese screw punch.  Image is coloured with Copics.

So what do you have planned for your weekend then (apart from making your TG entry)?  I have a weekend of sofa sport lined up - first two days of mountain climbing for the Tour de France and a whizz around Silverstone with the British Grand Prix.  What more could a squirrel ask for - apart from a nice, cold shandy?!

Oh and this is your last chance to enter my Tilda wedding candy - it's closing on 16 July - so get your name down if you fancy either of those cute little stamps.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 36 - It's In The Bag!

For some reason I have the TISWAS song going around in my head ....... so that must mean it is Saturday morning!  And you know what Saturdays mean?  Of course you do, it's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge day!

First of all, thank you so much for all your fabulous Sugar & Spice entries last week, you were loving that one.  Do check back to the TG blog to see who has been selected as the winner.

And on to this week - I think it was my teamie Sarah who suggested this one initially (she always likes to live dangerously does our Sarah) and our Captain, Net, agreed it was a corker so we are asking you to have a go at making a simple gift bag.  Let's face it, for me, the simpler the better LOL! 

So here is my little effort

After many failed attempts with scrap paper with folds in strange places, I gave in and worked out a template.  I used a sheet of 12x12 Making Memories paper which I cut down to size, scored, folded and glued.  I stamped Tilda with her gifts, coloured with Copics, cut her out and glued to the front of the bag.  I folded over the top of the bag, punched two holes and used Dovecraft flower brads as fasteners.  The little tag I cut with a Cuttlebug die.  Told you it was simple!

Now I know that there are squillions of you out there with more talent than me so I shall be expecting to see loads of gift bags entered into the challenge.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss Challenge # 30 - Round And Round

Did anyone else see that penguin waddling past?  Mr Toad said it was a magpie but I'm convinced it's been cold enough for it to have been a penguin!  Even me, part Eskimo (although my parents won't admit it) has been finding it a tad chillsome.

So, what can we do to warm up?  How about a good old fashioned crafting session with TOTALLY GORJUSS ?  That should do the trick!  Welcome to another challenge with the Gorjussettes.  Thank you so much for all your entries last week - you really rocked with the pink and green theme - don't forget to check the TG blog to find out who has been chosen as our lucky winner.

And so, this week's challenge is Round and Round - yes, we'd like to see circles on your cards.  But before I show you my card for this week - has anyone spotted something a little bit different about my blog?  Well, here's a clue - I have removed the word "guest" from my sidebar.  Still not got it?  The TG team have asked if I would like to become a permanent DT member, having now served my three month probation period and not killed anyone!  Yay me!  Anyhoo, enough of my waffle - here is my DT card for this challenge

A very simple card but LOTS of circles lol!  Papers with the circles are Making Memories, the others are from stash.  Dotty circle stamp is a Hero Arts I think and Tilda is coloured with Copics.  Sentiment is LOTV.  If you don't yet have their sentiment sheet I would highly recommend it. 

Hope to see you all over at TOTALLY GORJUSS very soon.
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

It's Not Easy Being Green

Actually, it is easy being green - just can't seem to leave that colour alone today which is why my second and third cards this afternoon are also featuring it!

Have made the most of my couple of days off, shame they have gone so quickly (why don't two days at work go this quick?) and have made a few cards for my stash.  These two are not for any challenges, just for fun because I was in the mood ....

First card is Magnolia Tilda, I love her sat in an oval like that, reminds me of a cameo brooch, papers are Basic Grey (so gorgeous), sentiment is Cuddly Buddly.  Coloured with Copics and ProMarkers.

Second card is Penny Black and I think it's called Loves Me Not but I forgot to check.  Papers are Daisy & Dandelion and Making Memories.  Again coloured with Copics and ProMarkers.

Both very simple cards but these seem to be the ones that sell best at work.

And so, it's almost 5.00 which means that .... no, not Crackerjack!  It's the weekend!  Whatever you are up to, have a super one.  Hope to see you tomorrow with a couple of challenges.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Earlier post today: Just Magnolia - Birthdays

ABC Christmas Challenge + Simon Says

Wasn't sure that I'd make it back today as I'm floating on painkillers.  Apart from that, the light is so poor for taking photos so thank goodness for Photoshop's Auto Enhance!

Anyway, this week's Simon Says Challenge is New Baby and couldn't have come at a better time as my friend and work colleague, Helen, gave birth to twin boys at 2am yesterday.  Welcome to the world Joshua and Aiden!  For this one I have used a gorgeous baby boy from Pink Gem Designs and it was a joy to work with so a big thanks Janet for such a wonderful image.  I used Making Memories papers and DCWV cardstock.  Coloured with Copies and ProMarkers.

Inside I've made a sentiment on the pc that says Double the love, double the joy, double the fun, double the nappies. Hope she sees the funny side to that!
(Janet has now kindly featured this card on her blog over at Pink Gem Designs )


And over at the ABC Christmas Challenge we have C for Candy (with an extra of pink).  It is also a DT call week as three of the very talented DT have sadly chosen to step down due to personal commitments.  I'm certainly not on the same level as these guys but as Dale says, you've got to be in it to win it.

I've used Henry with Large Cookie from Whiff of Joy, mainly coloured with Copics, papers are Papermania, cardstock is DCWV, snowflake is Martha Stewart punch and gems/pearls are from stash.

Think that's me done for the day, shattered as I've been awake most of the night so going to curl up in a comfy chair with a warm cat.

Hugs, Squirrel xxx

Two Cards, Two Sketches & Five Challenges!

Happy Saturday all!  I've decided that I would like to be Bohemian - tall, skinny, floaty frocks in soft colours, dangling earrings, and acting all arty ..... but that's not likely to happen any time soon so guess I'll have to deal with short, chubby and jeans!

Anyhoo, onto today's crafty stuff - I was getting right into it and suddenly realised how dark it had got.  First photo is in focus because I took the picture this morning, second one isn't because I had left it too late and lost the light - so no, it's not your eyes - I'll try and replace it tomorrow but the forecast isn't good.

To start, three challenges for this card:
Penny Black Saturday Challenge Winter Wonderland
Creative Inspirations Sparkle and
Sketch Saturday Challenge No 78

Yes, I know, I used Snowy last week but he's just perfect for Winter Wonderland ...

I've used papers from Chris Warner's Crafting Classic Earth Patterns CD, Making Memories snowflake brad, Art Institute Crystal Glitter, Kodomo snowflake stamp, Penny Black Snowy stamp coloured with ProMarkers, Cuttlebug snowflake die, mirri card, gems and greeting from stash.

Card number two is for two challenges

Passion For ProMarkers Burnt Umber and Marsh Green and

Papertake Weekly Sketch 28

I've combined this with the Passion for ProMarkers colour combo of Burnt Umber and Marsh Green (had slight panic when I could only find the Burnt Sienna!)

I've used High Hopes Walkabout Wallie, who came immediately to mind when I saw the colour choice, all papers are Joanna Sheen, I've used Sissix dies for the flourishes and photo corners and an ancient unbranded border stamp.  Obviously, for this challenge, he's coloured in ProMarkers!

Thanks for dropping by, hope your weekend is a good one, hope to see you again soon.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Cute Card Thursday + Stamp Something

Morning All!

How are we today? Unfortunately the antibiotics have had no effect yet, but I did manage a decent night's sleep thanks to a pot of Tiger Balm so I'm feeling a bit perkier.

Thought I'd have a go at combining two challenges this morning Cute Card Thursday No 84 "Midnight Margaritas" with Stamp Something "Cute & Fuzzy Somethings.

I love the self-satisfied look on this cat's face - would like to know what's in his glass!

Dipstick here forgot to check the name of the stamp before coming upstairs to the pc but it's a Penny Black and as it's old I suspect it's discontinued. Papers are a mixture of K & Company and Making Memories. The photo doesn't show it too well but I used turquoise glitter strands on the waves for a bit of sparkle.

Hugs
Squirrel xx

Sugar Nellie Fragile Beauty

Ingredients: Sugar Nellie stamp "Fragile Beauty", ProMarkers, Making Memories papers, bow and gems from stash, Sentiments both Hero Arts

Close-up


Poor biscuit selection in cupboards, will get some shortbread for tomorrow!
Squirrel xx

Three Birds, One Stone

Hello All, hope you are having a good weekend despite the gloomy weather - have to say though, our grass is looking better for a little rain!

Today's card covers three events for me, two challenges and an order.

Firstly, the challenges are Sketch Saturday Challenge No 72 and Penny Black Saturday Challenge Buttons & Bows



Having gone months without an order, I received two this week (I live in one of those quirky places where people tell you that they really like your work but they are too tight to pay true value for one and I have given up on under-selling these days). This is for one of those orders, it's for a little boy's christening and the lady ordering said she wanted "different". Hmmmmmmmmmm! Anyway, this is what she is getting ....



Ingredients are:
Penny Black stamp "Nap Time" coloured with ProMarkers
Making Memories Fresh Anthology - Eliza (all papers)
F initial (for baby's name) from Hero Arts clear set
Classic circle Nestabilities
Buttons and Bow from stash

Got a long weekend as I managed to book tomorrow off work so might even manage another card or two then!

Thanks for calling by, it is always lovely to see you. I'll try to have biscuits next time.

Hugs
Squirrel xx

Creative Inspirations No 29

Morning All! How are we on this rather grotty Wednesday? Halfway through the week at least.

Anyway, as fortune would have it, I made a card last night that would seem to fit nicely with Creative Inspirations Challenge No 29 - sorry for the poor photo but I took it on my phone.



The challenge is to use letters and/or numbers.

I used Gorjuss Girls Little Miss Attitude, coloured with ProMarkers, and papers from a pad of Making Memories. I used a Martha Stewart border punch on the pink card and the flowers are done with a Woodware daisy punch. Ovals cut with Nestabilities and the text message is handwritten (which is probably why it's not very legible!).

Hope you enjoy the rest of your day.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Cute Card Thursday No 76 Back To School

Cute Card Thursday No 76 is Back To School and I couldn't resist the chance to use one of the first Penny Black stamps I ever owned.

Ingredients:
Penny Black stamp "Things To Do"
Papers - Making Memories Cheeky Collection "Abbey" and Joanna Sheen Calligraphy Pad
ABC letters are from stash.

I'll be totally honest, this isn't actually a Back to School card, but it would work as one. Promise!

Squirrel xx