ABC Christmas Challenge - X is For Xmas (DT)

Morning all, hope you are well and itching to get stuck into the next ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE which this time is X for XMAS (well, what else could you have for X that that Christmas themed?!).

We had a bumper crop of entries for our Winter Wonderland challenge and the design team have had a really tough time choosing the Top 5.  Your talent never fails to amaze us!  Do check back to the main blog to see who was selected as the overall winner and who the Top 5 are.

Our X for Xmas challenge is sponsored by Wild Orchid Crafts who have offered a fabulous prize for one lucky crafter (wish I could enter!).

Here is my card:

I've used one of the new Tildas from Magnolia and she is coloured with Copics.  Papers are from an old pack of Christmas papers that have long since lost their identity.  Flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts, Martha Stewart leaf punch, and Craftwork Cards sentiment.  The swirls are Sizzix dies which I have glittered (and the cat) with Art Institute glitter.

Now I know you are now up to your elbows in making your Christmas cards, so why not enter our challenge!  Looking forward to seeing you there.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Afternoon all - hope it is warmer where you are!  There's a lazy wind that is creeping around to the north and when the north wind blows .......... it gets chuffty cold for Squirrels!

Anyhoo, been having a sneaky play with Tilda (naughty, I should have been busy DTing) and would like to enter her into a couple of challenges:

Totally Tilda Challenge - Icy Christmas (blue and silver)

My Partner In Crafting Crime - Marker Madness

Papers are a right ol' mix of Joanna Sheen gingham, Dovecraft and textured mirri card.  Tilda coloured with ProMarkers.  Martha Stewart punches for border and snowflakes, and LOTV Sentiment.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Sketch & Stash Challenge # 48 (DT)

Is it really Monday morning again??  "Good grief Penfold" (as Dangermouse would say), where did the weekend go?  Anyway, no need to be blue because it is SKETCH & STASH CHALLENGE time - whoooo!

Thanks for all your super entries last week, you really rocked Sue's sketch with that one.  Don't forget to check to see who the lucky winner is.

So, the challenge - Sue has struck gold again with this brilliant design and we are thrilled to be sponsored by Simon Says Stamp (how do you get so much stuff in one craft store?).

Here is Sue's sketch:

And here is my DT card:

My new stash is that adorable Tilda in her reindeer antlers and bells, so cute, and my neglected stash is more of that Papermania Christmas paper (will I ever run out) and the silver snowflakes which I didn't even know I had!  Tilda is coloured with ProMarkers.  The sentiment is Craftwork Cards which also counts as new stash as I'd not opened the packet lol!

Thanks for popping over and I hope to see you with your challenge entries very soon!

Hugs,

Squirrel xx

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

Just Magnolia Sketch Meets Totally Tilda Red & Green

Second post from me today - I'm making up for lost time LOL!!  Mr Mojo has gone a wandering but his little cousin has put in an appearance so I'm making the most of him while he visits.

I've combined two super challanges for this card - JUST MAGNOLIA features a great sketch by Dawny P (thanks Dawny, I do love your sketches hun) and TOTALLY TILDA CHALLENGE wants a traditional red and green Christmas.  So, here we go:

As you can see (!) I've used the sketch as the main panel for a simple easel card.  Tilda is one of my older ones but she is still adorable in her hat and mittens.  I've coloured her with Copics.  All the papers, with the exception of the green square behind Tilda, are Basic Grey Jovial collection.  Pearls for the easel-stopper from stash.

Here's a link to my earlier post today if you are interested.













I've worked out that I need to make at least another 30 Christmas cards for this year so best I get a wriggle on.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Time for Tilda?

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!  This new picture upload system that we now have is driving me nutty!  Occasionally it works, but more times that not the little dotty circle seems to whizz round and round forever and nothing else happens.  Is it just me suffering from this?  Getting a tad annoyed with it.

Anyway, I popped up here (braving the home brew fumes) to show you the card I have done today for the Special Monthly Challenge theme over at JUST MAGNOLIA is "Anything Goes"

Here's my card:

This loves-me-loves-me-not Tilda has to be the one of my reasonably sized collection that I have used the most, she is just such a little darlin'.  The papers are Basic Grey from the Porcelain collection but overstamped with two Hero Arts stamps - the small clocks are Time To Stamp and the large clock face is just called Big Clock.  Sentiment and flower centres are Craftwork Cards, Martha Stewart doily border punch, Tilda coloured with Copics, and EK Success Retro flower punch.

That's Nic for alerting me to the CUTE CARD THURSDAY challenge of Tic-Toc - shall link it up now!

After all that faffing, I've run out of time for any more blogging today so I'll say cheerio, hope you are having a good Sunday, and see you later in the week!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Twinkling Tilda

Well, it's grey, it's wet, it's cold, the grand prix was not the most exciting race I've ever seen and Toad's not only doing another batch of home brew but he's managed to blow a socket in the kitchen.

So what I need in my life is definitely some Glitter & Sparkle and that arrives courtesy of this week's TOTALLY TILDA CHALLENGE!

I think is this "Circus Tilda" although why she's called that is anyone's guess but she is still a little cutie.  Coloured with Copics, Art Institute ultra fine glitter for her frock, shoes and hairband.  Background is a Hero Arts frame stamp, again coloured with Copics, border of frame and centre of large flower dripping with Rhinstone Stickles, Basic Grey dp with gems and glitter letters from stash.

I tried with and without the flash as she really is more dazzling than the photo above shows.  Here's the one taken with the flash

Lots of sparkle!

Thanks for dropping by. Hugs, Squirrel xx

Just Magnolia - Dawny's Sketch

To find today's earlier post for Penny Black/Sketch Saturday click here

I wasn't going to post again this afternoon but ...... I was playing with the ol' Distress Inks (just how long does it take to get the hang of these?) and I ended up with an image that I knew would go quite well with some papers I had.  So, I put them together and thought "yeah, that sort of works" and thus my card was born!

I had spotted Dawny's sketch on JUST MAGNOLIA yesterday and had earmarked it for a play so, bravely, I shall enter my accidental card to this week's challenge!

As my palette of inks is still limited, I only had Tea Dye to do Tilda's hair with, and that was far too ginger, so had to darken it up with a black watercolour pencil.

I love the delicate look of using the inks, must just remember that they dry much lighter!  Anyhoo, Chinese Tilda from Magnolia, Distress Inks, Wild Rose Studio oriental paperpack, Colorbox Q chalk inks for edging.  Here's a Tilda close-up

Quite pleased with the soft blush effect on her cheeks, but I am soooooooo going to have to expand my range of colours!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Samantha's Wedding Card

As many of you know, Samantha of Penrith Crafts Blog, got married yesterday to Efisio.  I was so thrilled to receive an invitation to the wedding as Samantha and I have been crafting buddies and good friends ever since we "met" way back when on the DoCrafts Forum.  I hope to have some wedding pics for you when I get back but in the meantime here is my wedding card

Front

Tilda and Edwin from the Magnolia Wedding Collection coloured with Copics and ProMarkers, papers are PaperCellar Wedding Collection, flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts and sentiment is Whiff of Joy.

Inside 1

Magnolia Rose Arch and Whiff of Joy Sentiment, again Copics and ProMarkers with Sakura glitterglaze pen.

Inside 2

And the rose arch again with the married couple.

And the whole Z shaped card

At the time of scheduling this post I have absolutely no idea what Samantha's reaction will be but I hope she likes it!

Editing to enter into this week's ABC CHALLENGE - Z for Zig-Zag Cards.

Thinking of You - Totally Gorjuss Challenge 39

Ooh my word, you ladies loved the water theme!  Now I've dried out a bit I can say thank you for all your wonderful entries.  Do check the TOTALLY GORJUSS blog to see who was chosen as our winner.

The theme for this week's TOTALLY GORJUSS challenge is one of my favourites, Thinking Of You.  This covers so many areas - it could be a sympathy card, an I love you card, a friendship greeting or simply I'm thinking of you.

As always, the DT are providing you with some wonderful inspiration so do check our those beauties.  Here is my little offering:

I love this little Tilda with her flower from the Wedding Collection, she's such a sweetie and a dream to colour with Copics.  DPs are all Basic Grey and matting card is DCWV Bright Stack.  I've used my new set of Nestabilities labels 10 and a couple of Martha Stewart punches with the sentiment from Lili Of The Valley.  Pearls are from stash.

Thanks so much for popping over to see me.  I was at work all day yesterday on my birthday and the Toad has abandoned me today (he's on a course - no, not golf - until late this afternoon) so after I've had my tail trimmed and re-touched, I'm having lunch with my wonderful parents and then an afternoon of creating.

Hope you all have a super weekend.

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

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 # 35 - Sugar & Spice

Welcome to another TOTALLY GORJUSS week!

Wow did you stun us with all your totally brilliant male cards last week - for a gang of crafters who say they hate male cards, you pulled out all the stops!  Don't forget to check back to the challenge blog to see who has been selected as the winner.

And so to this week's challenge.  We'd like to see some Sugar & Spice please - entirely up to you how you interpret that but you will see from the DT cards that we've pretty much all thought along the same lines!

I ended up making two cards for the DT and couldn't decide which one I really liked the best so I'm showing you them both.  Both Tilda, both coloured with Copics.  The papers on the first are Basic Grey, sentiment is Craftwork Cards.  The "wishes" that Tilda is blowing have been highlighted with a Sakura glitter pen but that doesn't show in the photo.

The papers on my second card are a mixture of Wild Rose Studio and Forever Friends.  Again the sentiment is Craftwork Cards and the flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts with the leaves being a Martha Stewart punch.

Thanks ever so much for stopping by to see me.  Hope you are having a great weekend whatever you are up to.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Just Magnolia - Mina's Sketch

Now, I wish I could say I was happy with my attempt at the Just Magnolia challenge this week, but I'm not.  The first effort ended up in the bin and this second try is bordering on heading that way too!  Sorry Mina for not doing justice to your sketch hun.

And Mr Blogger is driving me nuts with not being able to place photos in the right slot!  He keeps putting them at the top of the post - grrrrrrrr.  Anyway, here is my card....

My favourite sitting Tilda, coloured with Copics, MME papers, peel-off borders from stash, delicious raindrop gems found in stash but bought in Lakeland when they used to do craft stuff.

And I've received an award!  From Linda and from Sarah ...... thanks guys

I have to tell you six statements about me, only one of which is true, and you have to guess which one it is.  Then I pass this on to six blogging buddies.  Ok, here are the facts ma'am

1.  I have written a novel

2.  I show hubby every new craft item

3.  I have raced in saloon cars at Brands Hatch and won

4.  I love spinach

5.  My dream holiday would be extreme sports in New Zealand

6.  I support Norwich City Football Club

So, which one is true?  And the six blogging buddies I will pass this on to are Marcea, Uma, Mandy, Delphine, Cynthia and Sarah.

Now then, I don't know if it's that time of year or if I need to give myself a kick-up-the-crafty-bum but I have noticed that visitor/comment numbers have really dropped off over the last month (I have checked back to make sure I haven't said anything offensive).   I know I've not been able to comment as much as I feel I should do lately but I do try to keep up with you all as best as I can.  Well, as I'm now not that far short of 30,000 hits I shall be offering a little sweet stuff fairly soon as a thank you to my stalwart faithfuls who keep on hanging in there with me so do keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks for that.

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

Just Magnolia Challenge - Jane's Sketch

I was so cross with myself last week that I missed Just Magnolia's challenge One For The Girls and I was determined to squeeze in this week's.

The challenge is a sketch from Jane ....

And here is my take on it

I've used one of the older Tildas but I still think she is adorable.  I've coloured her with Copics and the papers are all MME.

Vince is stretched out on a chair in the conservatory - not in direct sunlight I hasten to add - and I didn't know a cat could get to be so long or so flat.  Have got all the windows open and a fan on and he is still like toast, and snoring his head off.  Might just join him for an hour!

Hugs. Squirrel xx

Penny Black + Sketch Saturday and a Tilda for fun

Now, before you all tell me what a wonderful warm weekend it is and how you will all be getting the BBQs out so you can enjoy the sunshine, just let me get this out of my system - b'ah, humbug! I don't like being hot and sticky and full of hayfever and I hate insects and I don't like the smell of cremated meat wafting indoors and and and ....... roll on October!!  You'd never guess I was born in the middle of July would you?!!

Anyhoo, here's a little card for you for two challenges

Penny Black Saturday Challenge # 102 Lots of Dots

and

Sketch Saturday Challenge # 104

I've rotated the sketch to fit the image I used, which is Daisy Bunnies from Penny Black, coloured with Copics and the papers are Wild Rose Studio Polka Dots and a piece from a Daisy and Dandelion pad. Sentiment is Lili Of The Valley.

Is anyone else having trouble with Blogger when trying to upload a picture? 

So that's my challenge card for today and now here is one just for the fun of it - again Wild Rose Studio papers, I think it's the Milton & Co collection, and I have used a Tilda from the new range and coloured her with Copics and ProMarkers.  Sentiment is from Pink Gem Designs.

Thanks for dropping in to see me today, hope you are having a super weekend whatever the weather!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss # 31 - Bling It On!

Happy weekend everyone! Hope you are all well and enjoying this brief burst of good weather.  As it is Saturday, you ought to know what that means by now ..... yes, it's another challenge from TOTALLY GORJUSS and this week we are hoping to be dazzled by your bling in our Bling It On challenge.

Don't forget to check the blog to see who won last week's Round and Round challenge!

The Design Team have come up with some stunners this week (don't they always?) so please do check out their individual creations.

Just before I show you my DT card for this week, I have a personal plea to make - if you use Word Verification as a security measure, would you please consider turning it off?  You can still have Comment Approval turned on if you need to vet your comments before publishing but Word Verification is such a pain in the bum.  Right, off the soapbox, here's my card

Now, this card looked much better in my head than it does in real life, not sure what went wrong!  I apologise for the poor quality photo, it's quite difficult to get a decent shot of all that shine.  Anyway, the black holographic glitter card was a gift, it came as a huge, rolled up, A2 sheet and once card has been rolled it sort of turns into a spring so it was a bit of a challenge in itself to get it to lay flat!  The pink glitter paper was from WHSmith and the blue holographic mirri card from Create and Craft (can you tell I raided my stash this week).  Tilda is coloured with Copics, the daisy border punch is Woodware and the gems are from stash too.  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Thanks so much for dropping by to see me.  Hope to catch up with you all over at TOTALLY GORJUSS - I'm off to have a play and see if I can actually enter some challenges myself this weekend!

Hugs, Squirrel xx