Totally Gorjuss # 47 - Flowers

Saturday 11 September - HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my darling MUM!  Be over to see you in a little while mate.

11 September - Twin Towers.  A day for a small prayer for those who are no longer with us, and for those left behind without their loved ones.

Saturday 11 September - TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge!  Thanks to everyone who joined in with our sketch challenge last week, Net really does come up trumps with these designs.  I'm quite excited this week as our sponsor is one of those sites that I cannot resist.  Our theme is FLOWERS (bit of a clue there) and our sponsor (guessed it yet?) is non other than WILD ORCHID CRAFTS.  Thought that would get your attention!

The DT has surpassed itself and the Gorjussettes are bathing in rose petals.  Here is my offering for the DT.

I've used a Mo Manning stamp (how brilliant are her designs) called End of Summer (seemed appropriate).  Papers are Basic Grey, flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts and sentiment is Pink Gem Designs.

Hope you can all find the time to join us at the TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge, it'd be fab to see you there.

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

ABC Christmas Challenge - M for Mistletoe & Wine + BLOG HOP

Hi all - well here we are at halfway to Christmas (ooh no!) and to celebrate, the ABC Christmas Challenge is having a little blog hop.

All you need to do is work your way around the blogs of the DT members in alphabetical order - you should have arrived here from Samantha (if you didn't then please start at the main ABC blog).  When you leave me, your next step on the hop is over to our wonderful GDT, Sharon.  Remember that you need to answer each question posed by the DT to be eligible for the candy!

Once you have done all that, head back to the main ABC Christmas Challenge blog to answer the final question and post your challenge card.

Some of the DT members will be offering candy but it's being kept a surprise as to who and what so you had better make sure you remember to leave a comment with your answer to each question!

And so to this fortnight's challenge which is Mistletoe & Wine with an optional extra of sewing (real or faux) and our wonderful sponsor this time around is STAMP AND CREATE.

Here's my card

I've used Rodney from Pink Gem Designs with his mistletoe all ready for his kiss.  Paper is from stash.  And the wine? Well, the colour of the paper, his scarf is coloured with a Burgundy ProMarker and the sentiment (which is more of a whine - geddit?!)

And finally my question:  Where do you hang your stocking?

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge + Sketch Saturday Challenge

Now when I woke up this morning I felt quite exhilarated and excited.  "Why?" I hear you cry. Today was the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix and, as everyone knows, Monaco can throw up some unexpected results so I was really looking forward to the race.

Note the past tense - WAS looking forward to it.  After Lap 1 my interest suddenly wandered off elsewhere and I turned into a ratty old bag!

Anyway, enough of that nonsense, here is my little card for two challenges
Penny Black Saturday Challenge No 101 - Flowers, and
Sketch Saturday Challenge No 103

Now because I was in such a grump when I stomped upstairs to the PC, I forgot to check (a) the name of the stamp and (b) which pad of papers I'd used.  But I can tell you that the bear is Penny Black and the papers are Basic Grey and the fab ticket sentiment is Pink Gem Design.  Oh, yes, image coloured with Copics.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 28 - A Stitch In Time

Morning all, it's the weekend at last AND a Bank Holiday one too, bonus!

The TOTALLY GORJUSS girls would like to thank you for showing us your Gorjuss Girls last week, they were fabulous! And thanks again to the Gorjuss Girls designer herself, Suzanne Woolcott, for sponsporing that challenge.  Don't forget to check the TG blog to see who won.

And so to this week's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge and we would like to see some STITCHING on your cards, if you are brave it can be real stitches or, if you are like me, faux stitching.  So get the needle and thread out and off you go!

Once again the DT have come up with some stunning inspiration for you so don't forget to check out their individual blogs.  Your visits mean a lot.

Here is my card for this week:

I have used Sprinkles With Attitude from Pink Gem Designs and I have to thank Janet for creating such a little darlin'.  Papers are leftovers from stash, but I think the patterned ones are Daisy and Dandelion and the plain is Dovecraft (but don't quote me on that) and the sentiment is Craftwork Cards.   Image is coloured with ProMarkers and then I got busy with the ProMarker fine liner for all those stitches.

Thanks ever so much for calling in, lovely to see you as always.  Don't forget that the winner of my blogoversary candy will be announced tomorrow, that's if Mr RNG can cope with the number of entries!

Going to have a sociable weekend - we are off to see The Hairy Bikers Big Night Out tomorrow night and on Monday we are out for lunch with my parents - so you may not see as much of me as usual (what do you mean, "hurrah"?)

TTFN, hugs, Squirrel xx

http://www.pinkgemdesigns.com/catalog/index.php

Totally Gorjuss # 24 - It's a Sketch

Morning my lovely crafting friends - how are we all today? All ready for Easter then?  I bet those of you who were brave enough to give up chocolate for Lent are starting to dribble a bit by now at the thought of all the goodies you will be let loose on tomorrow.  I gave up craft spending so I think our internet connection may be a bit warm by the end of the weekend LOL!

Anyhoo, it's Saturday so that means another wonderful challenge from the gang that are TOTALLY GORJUSS and, as it's the first weekend of the month, the ever delightful Net has come up with a sketch for you all to have a play with

This was so much fun to work with so thank you Net.  Here is my DT card for this week

As it is Easter weekend I could not resist the chance to use this fab image of Milly with Chickens from Pink Gem.  She is coloured with a mixture of Copics and ProMarkers.  Papers are Basic Grey and PaperCellar and a bit from stash.  Ribbon is from stash also.

Hope you have a wonderful, peaceful and joyful Easter but that you still can find the time to come and play with us this week!

A big sorry to all my wonderful blogging friends for not having been to visit you all as regularly as I should.  Not sure where my time is going these days - seem to be spending way too much of it on the hamster-wheel that is work and not getting enough playtime. 

See you all later

Hugs, Squirrel xx

ABC Christmas Challenge - F is for Frosty

When Lorraine chose this theme, F is for Frosty, with extra snow, over at the fabulously festive (even in March) ABC Christmas Challenge  for this fortnight's challenge I thought she had gone a bit mad (sorry Lols) but to be honest, with the cold weather we are still having I think she's got it spot on!!

But first, thanks to everyone single one of you who took part in the E for Elf challenge - it was a teensy bit of a tricky one but you all came up trumps and there were some fabulous entries.  Please do remember to pop over to the challenge to check the Top 3 and the winner.

And so, F is for Frosty, with an extra of snow - you can interpret this in so many ways, a lovely winter scene with cottages and snow dropping from the roof, a snowman (of course), perhaps Rudolph's nose shining through a snow storm, even a penguin perhaps - many, many ideas out there - no excuses this time round gang, let's be seeing loads of frost and snow!  And look who is sponsoring this challenge -

Here is my offering

I have used this cute little snowman stamp called "Funky Snowman" from Pink Gem Designs - it was the paper that took me along the purple and pink route with those adoreable snowman postage stamps.  Paper is from a PaperMania collection of a couple of years ago.  Sentiment stamp is Pink Gem also.  Snowflakes are Martha Stewart and are covered in Glamour Dust Crystal.  Snow around Funky's feet is white Fluffy Stuff.  Funky is coloured with ProMarkers.  The pink and purple glitter paper I've used for the mats is from WH Smith.

So come on gang, forget the daffodils - get thinking Frosty!  Hope to see you over at ABC Christmas Challenge - remember, you have two weeks for this and every ABC challenge - and don't forget to check out the Design Team cards, there is a stunning selection.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Gem Of A Passion

Yes, it's me! Mid-week (almost)!  Yippee - using up the last two days of my banked holiday from last year (use it or lose it scenario) and I just fancied a four day weekend.  How marvellous is that.

I've been in such a tizz lately that I've missed out on entering a lot of challenges but this morning I was determined to squeeze a couple in. 

Have been wanting to enter Pink Gem's A Gem Of A Challenge since its launch on 8 February.  So pleased Janet got bullied (sorry, persuaded) into this as her stamps are gorgeous.  I'm combining this with a colour combo of Baby Pink and Tulip Yellow from Passion For ProMarkers but I've just realised I've missed the additional theme of stitching! Perhaps the buttons on her coat will count LOL!

Fabulous sketch from Pink Gem which was lovely to work with.

I've used Kaya with Daffodils and she's coloured with ProMarkers (naturally), papers are Papermania (yellow) and DoveCraft (pink), flowers are Woodware punched, leaves are Sizzix dies, both using DCWV cardstock, candy dots are Pebbles Incs, pearls are from stash, pink brad is Woodware, spacer from Bunny-Zoe's Crafts, and peel-off text from stash.

Lovely to see you today - I hope your Thursday is going well, whatever you are up to.  Off to have another little play, you never know, I might be back again later!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss "Feel The Lurve" and one for fun

Morning all, how are you today?  I dill tarn't breed droo by doze!  In a way it's my own fault - I've been cold free for about four years so this one has really taken hold.  Talk about snuffles!  Still, never mind, worse things happen at sea as they say.  

Managed to lose Toad's Valentine card that I made for him (the one with the fabulous High Hopes "Snuggle Lions" that I made a couple of weeks ago).  I'd put it somewhere safe.  Very safe.  So safe I couldn't find it.  Had a bit of a tizz and a cry and had just written him a substitute when I found it, safe and well, nestling in my stamp box cupboard where I'd put it to keep it nice and flat.  Hey ho!

So enough of my nonsense, to the cards ...... the ever fabulous Totally Gorjuss are "feeling the lurve" this week.  It doesn't have to be Valentine, just a love theme.  I had made this card for a very dear friend for whom I have a lot of affection so I hope that counts.

 

I've kept it simple because I think the Whiff of Joy City Girl "Willow Dressing Up" is just such a stunning image and I didn't want to lose her amongst too many embellishments.  She's coloured with Copics, a very limited palette of skin tones plus Egg Shell, Raw Silk and Tea Rose for her dress and I used ProMarkers for her hair.  Martha Stewart punch for the border, paper and pearls from stash, sentiment is Pink Gem.  Here's a close up (but only because I am, for once, really chuffed with the colouring)

And my other card is for my darlin' daddy - I had already made him a card but I'm having second thoughts about it so I did this one as well.  I'll decide on the day which one he gets!

The image is a Lili Of The Valley, coloured with ProMarkers.  Papers are Dovecraft, cardstock is DCWV and Bazzil, peel-off sentiment, corners and borders from stash.  Image cut out using a Nestabilities Pinking Circle.

Off to have another little play now so I may be back later.  Hope you are having a happy Sunday.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss Paper Piecing Challenge

Over at the wonderful Totally Gorjuss Challenge this week the theme is paper piecing and although I always struggle with this I could not resist having a go.

I've used the super-cute Birthday Milly from Pink Gem Designs and papers from PaperMania.  I know one pad is Sweet Nothings but I'm not sure of the name of the pad that I took the "hundreds and thousands" papers from for the cake icing.  The rest of the image is coloured with Copics.

I really enjoyed this and am pleased with the end result.  Hope you like it too.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

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, Five Challenges and Oh Sweet Lord, A Bad Hare Day!

Hello everyone! Hope you are having a fantastic Sunday - here we have sunshine at last.

First of all, my card for my favourite combination of challenges:
Sketch Saturday Challenge No 77 and
Penny Black Saturday Challenge Christmas For The Guys

For this one I used the ever popular Penny Black Snowie stamp and coloured him with a limited palette of ProMarkers. The papers for the sketch are all from Anita's Classic Christmas Blue and the sentiment is a Pink Gem Designs.


Now, bare with me on this one - if ever there was a crafting world equivalent of a bad hair day (or in this case, a bad hare day) then I think this might be it. Everything started off so well and then I had a momentary lapse of taste and decency. I blame it on the fractured skull I had in 1988.

Anyway, bravely, I am offering this for three challenges
Creative Inspirations New Or Neglected
High Hopes Challenge No 53 Recipie and
Sketch & Stash Challenge No 23

For the new and neglected I have used my new High Hopes stamp Bunny With Tulip and he's been coloured with a combination of Copics and ProMarkers, for the neglected we have some very old Joanna Sheen papers. Following High Hopes Recipie there are three flowers, two brads and one sentiment, and the sketch is as above.


Please don't be too hard on me, I am putting this down to a brain-fade after a really horrible week at work!
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Cute Card Thursday + Papertake + Sketch Saturday (sort of)

Hello chaps, and Happy Thursday to you all! I am finally starting to feel as if I am getting better and am therefore much perkier, especially with this gorgeous November sunshine. Also had some fab-u-lous news this morning that I am very excited about but I will have to be good and wait a while before I can share that with you.

So, onto today's challenges! My first is for this week's Sketch Saturday Challenge No 75

which I have combined with Cute Card Thursday No 75 which this week is Primary Colours. A bit of an issue here as I got a tad carried away with "adapting" the sketch and may have gone a little too far, and apart from that it should have had a Halloween theme but that's been and gone!

I used the wonderfully cute "Miss Zoe" from High Hopes stamps, Little Sizzlets Rainbow papers and some papers from stash. Miss Zoe is coloured with ProMarkers. The square sentiments are Personal Impressions.



Then I saw this super sketch from Papertake Weekly Sketch 27 and fell in love with it.


At this point I must offer my sincere and humble apologies to Janet at Pink Gem Designs for taking a liberty with Max and feminising him into a Maxine!

I used the very talented Janet's Max & Snowman stamp, coloured with ProMarkers, papers are errrrrm, the pink christmas ones ........!!

And, as always, my little furry helper has been on hand - no doubt encouraged by the lure of a warm radiator

Thanks for dropping by to see me this afternoon, it is always wonderful to have friends round!
Hugs
Squirrel xx