As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Christmas Sentiment

 Only one more week and you'll hear me screaming, but for now it is simply a whimper!

It's time for our last As You Like It Challenge of 2021 and the theme is

Favourite Christmas Sentiment (and why)

I use all sorts of sentiments at this time of year, some are chucklesome, some sarcastic, but my favourite is any one that mentions Christmas, whether it is Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas, or, in this case Best Wishes for Christmas.

Your Next Stamp - Very Merry Wise Men

Lawn Fawn 6x6 papers

HobbyArts Christmas Sentiments

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and badly fussy cut!

Our fabbie-dabbie sponsor for this challenge is

LEE HOLLAND DESIGNS

The AYLI team are taking a brief break at the end of this challenge, but we will be back in 2022, coming soon to a craft room near you.

Hugs

Polly (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello peeps, and a happy weekend to you.  Me and the Mr have been on holibobs this week.  It wasn't the best week weather-wise (we have been soaked through more than once while out and about, yesterday pelted with hailstones - it's MAY for heaven's sake!) and I've had a streaming cold for a few days, but it has been good to catch up on some sleep after the stresses of the last few months.

Anyhoo, I've long had a love affair with the Whimsy Stamps/Wee Stamps, so I thought it was about time I brought this little lady out of the dark again.

Whimsy Stamps/Wee Stamps - Polly

MFT Sentiments - Lots of Hugs CS-185

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Ric Rac MFT-1513

Your Next Stamp 6x6 Mint Cocoa Kisses

MFT 6x6 Graphic Grid

Polly has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours, and I used a fine-liner brown art pen for her hair detail.

You have been hugged

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Curvy Girl Is Busy (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello folks, here I am, at the start of a Bank Holiday weekend - I would say  lovely Bank Holiday weekend, but it is cold and wet so far, how marvellous (but we dooooooooo so need the rain).

I started my new job two weeks ago, so I would like to think

this Curvy Girl is like me, surrounded by paperwork and Post-It Notes but

unfortunately my legs will NEVER be that long!

Mind you, they might be that shape soon, there are a LOT of stairs in the building.

Stamping Bella Curvy Girl Is Busy stamp

Stamping Bella Curvy Girl Is Busy Cut It Out Die (on website but link not working)

Sentiment is selected text from that which comes with Curvy

Your Next Stamp 6x6 School Days

MFT 6x6 Country Fair Plaid (sorry, it's retired since I made this)

but Farm Fresh Gingham would work nicely

I used an old MFT Die-Namics Insert It 3x4 Notebook die (long since retired I think) to create the note cut from the School Days paper, and then cut it down to fit the sentiment.

Curvy Girl painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and I added to her hair with a fineliner pen.

Hugs to all

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take a peek at what my ultra-talented teamies have been creating

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go on, break into that piggy-bank

The Gnome & The Letter (DT) Dies To Die For (UPDATED)

Happy Weekend everyone!

I'm hoping that by the time this posts, the DTDF website problems will have been resolved, but at the time of writing they aren't so I will pop back to add the ingredients links for you.
UPDATED:  ALL THE LINKS NOW ADDED

Stamping Bella - The Gnome and The Letter

Your Next Stamp 6x6 School Days

MFT 6x6 Spots and Stripes Sorbet

MFT Die-Namics Happy Greetings MFT-1103

Gnomie coloured with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

I decided to stack the HELLO so cut four layers of thick white card, and one of the MFT paper, and got sticking.  Shame you can't see the "popping off the card" effect in the photo!

Hugs to all

Squirrel

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As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Animal

So, here we are at Thursday, crumbs they come around fast, anyone would think that

we get one at least once a week.  What do (alternate) Thursdays mean?  Of course they do, it's

a new challenge with the AS YOU LIKE IT crew!

The theme for this fortnight is Your Favourite Animal (and why).

I am a huge animal lover, and if it is furry it has a place in my life.  I have shared many more years than I care to count with cats, and on a day-to-day domestic level I wouldn't choose anything else, BUT if I could then it would have to be Sciurus vulgaris, the Eurasian Red Squirrel.  They are such endearing little chaps, and as a rare native British squirrel, they deserve a lot of love and care to ensure the survival of their species in this country - it would fill my heart with joy to see a glimpse of red amongst the tree branches

Clearly Besotted - Nutty But Nice stamp set

and the matching die set

Your Next Stamp 6x6 Summer Plaid

Your Next Stamp 6x6 Fabulous Fall

Impression Obsession Greetings Bottom Edgers

I had a happy Sunday afternoon colouring up the squiddles with Distress

Inks (ReInkers) used as watercolours

and the sponsor for our animal theme is

CRAFTS U LOVE

Hugs to all

Flower Bouquet Bunny (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello chaps, it's the weekend, yaaaaay!!

There has been an explosion in the size of the bunny population (which is what happens when you have more than one bunny) here this week and there will be more of those to come soon (they are all incredibly cute!) but today I have one from that very talented designer and illustrator, Lee Holland

So this absolutely adorable little chap is

Whimsy Stamps (Lee Holland Collection) Flower Bouquet Bunny

Your Next Stamp 6x6 Summer Plaid

MFT Birdie Brown Greetings Galore

MFT Stencil Mini Cloud Edges

Image watercolour painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Have yourselves a very "hoppy" weekend

Hugs

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As You Like It (DT) Favourite Season

Morning all, hope you are well this fine and sunny (hopefully) Thursday.  Here we are at the end of September and it is still t-shirt warm, amazing.

Which brings me nicely to the new challenge over as AS YOU LIKE IT and the theme is

Favourite Season.

It's a toss up between Spring and Autumn for me, Winter is too dark and (certainly this year) Summer is far too hot.  I love the mellow richness of this time of year, the colours, the smells, apples, blackberries and pears, and I don't even mind the shorter evenings so long as I can get home in daylight!

CC Designs : Scarecrow Henry

Your Next Stamp 6x6 : Fabulous Fall

Orange matting layers and leaves coloured with Apricot Copic

MFT Die-Namics Wonky Stitched Rectangle Stax

and I think the leaf dies are Marianne Designs but have long since lost the packaging

Henry has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) as watercolours.

The sponsor of this challenge is a £20 voucher from

Hugs to all

Boom! (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all,  I.m here today with a little one suitable for the fellas

Your Next Stamp - Boom (stamp set)

Your Next Stamp - Boom (dies)

Your Next Stamp 6x6 Birthday Boy

Die-Namics Firework Display

My Favourite Things - You Wow Me

Die-Namics Single Stitch Line Rounded Square Frame

MFT 6x6 Dots & Stripes Sorbet

Hugs to all

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Baker Nancy (DT) Dies To Die For

Anyone for a slice?  Just look at the size of that cake.
I imagine it to be filled with big, fat and juicy, English summer strawberries.
Yum!

Morning all, I am a wee bit on the drag this morning, even with this ridiculous heat (can you tell I'm not a huge fan of summer temperatures) I managed to oversleep.  Oh well, it will go a little way towards making up for the Mon-Fri early starts.  Anyhoo, I am here to share a very industrious young lady with you.  I bet she was slaving over a hot oven to get this one made in time.

And the items used for this make are:

CC Designs : Roberto's Rascals Baker Nancy

MFT Die-Namics Anything But Basic Birthday Wishes

Your Next Stamp 6x6 : Birthday Boy

Image is painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and I have used a variety of the cold grey Polychromos for her hair.  I do seem to have an addiction to these Rascals, and black hair does seem (to me anyway) to give them a slightly cheekier look!

What are your plans for the weekend?
Toad has popped out for some essentials (iced coffee and carrots), Rosie is (stupid animal) out in the conservatory snoring (don't worry, I am keeping a very close eye on her) and I'm doing domestic stuff like feeding the washing machine and roasting a gammon joint.  At least I have the Austrian GP to look forward to.  Ok then, I am off to rummage through the dvd collection to find something for this evening as telly is crap.  Anyone would think it was the World Cup.

Have a wonderful weekend all

Hugs

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Four Seasons (DT) DTDF

Hello chaps, sorry I am late this morning, we have been dashing about all over the place today and I completely forgot about my post.  Still, better late than never hey?

So for this colourful little number I have used

CC Designs: Roberto's Rascals - 4 Seasons Girls

Your Next Stamp paper pad - Birthday Girl

MFT Die-Namics - Collage Cover Up die

My Favorite Things - Big Birthday Wishes sentiment stamps

I cut down the Collage die to make a square

Image coloured with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

The 2018 F1 season starts today (wheeeeeeeeeeeee) and I am super excited, as always.

Will be sitting down shortly with a sausage roll and a latte to watch the Qualifying, even though I do already know the top three placings.

Have a super weekend everyone

Hugs

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Stamp Journal

I have been wanting to start a stamp journal for a long time.  Finally, in Paperchase, I found just the sort of book I wanted.  I bought 5 of them.

They have been staring at me, accusingly, for a while.

No more!  Today, I have finally made Page 1 inky/pencilly.  I even made a panel for inside the front cover.

I have used CC Designs: Dear Diary

Some old Basic Grey papers

Your Next Stamp: Alpha Bold

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Polychromos Pencils

Hugs to all

Squirrel

DTDF (DT) Peppermint

Morning all.  I'm now officially on my "summer" holidays and am therefore very much in denial until at least October about that thing that's coming ......

CC Designs Pinkies Peppermint

Your Next Stamp Bold Alpha Die

and additional bits are

Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Some quite aged Dovecraft Christmas papers

and a sprinkling of Crystal Glamour Dust

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

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Girl Time (DT) DTDF

Morning all, I'm here today with my DIES TO DIE FOR make and something all

us ladies need from time to time - a little pampering session.

I'm fairly sure I'd be the little mite at the front!

I have used:

Stamping Bella (Mo Manning) Girl Time

MFT County Fair Plaid 6x6 paper pad

Your Next Stamp - Bookmark/Tag die set

Image has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

and the sentiment comes with the image stamp

and I finished off with an eyelet set with my Crop-a-Dile plus a little bit of ribbon, after all, what's a good bookmark without some ribbon

To get that "one size up" layer, I simply laid the die I had used on to the back of the patterned paper, ran around it with a pencil and then cut it out by hand.  Sometimes the gaps in sizing between dies is just that wee bit too big for the look you want!

Wishing you all a relaxing weekend.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

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In The Pink (DT) Spring Flowers

Hello chaps, it's a new challenge theme over at IN THE PINK today and this time we are looking for you to share your Spring Flowers with us!

I first saw this stamp set being showcased by the very talented Faye when we

went to the Sincerely Yours Papercraft Show in Thetford, and I knew I had to have

it as it is one I can use time and time again.

Mind you, my make isn't a patch on what Faye created!

So, this bright and happy any occasion card has been made using

Paper Smooches - Best Buds (stamps and dies)

Your Next Stamp - Hugs and Kisses 6x6 paper pad

Rymans bright pink cardstock

Lili of The Valley mini tag sentiment

Martha Stewart Flower Border Punch

Die-Namics Double Stitched Rectangle Stax

and a tiny pink dot that was waste from a die-cut as a faux brad!

Image coloured (shock! horror!) with Polychromos Pencils

and to tempt you is a £15 voucher from our sponsor

DIES TO DIE FOR

(all linked items available in store)

I do hope you can find the time to get your petals on and come over to join in the floral fun!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

Mouse With Rose (DT) Dies To Die For

Hello chaps, it is the weekend (yay) and Spring really does seem to have sprung now, at last!  We have a busy weekend ahead, what with Mother's Day tomorrow, Church twice, the start of the 2017 Formula 1 season (yippee!) and I have some special design work to get on with.  So without more ado, here is my make for the DIES TO DIE FOR blog today.

Whimsy Stamps: Lee Holland Collection - Mouse With Rose

MFT Die-Namics Double Stitched Circle Stax

MFT Die-Namics Dainty Doily Die

MFT Watercolor Wash 6x6 pad

Your Next Stamp Hugs And Kisses 6x6 pad

All the linked ingredients are available from the

Dies To Die For on-line store - the links will take you to the right pages

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and I used the off-the-page technique

with the rose.  It proved a little tricky with the double-stitched die but I got there

in the end

Heart punch from the bargain bin at Hobbycraft

I have made this for my Oldies' wedding anniversary for this coming Tuesday.

A little while ago I had a phone call from my dad, it isn't often he will make a call so I was a little concerned, but I had to have a chuckle.

Dad:  You know what this year is?

Me:  Yes dad, it's 2017.

Dad:  Me and your mum have been married 60 years.

Me:  No, you haven't.

Dad:  We have.

Me:  No dad, you really haven't.  It's 58.

Dad:  Are you sure?

Me:  Yes dad, you got married in 1959, that's 58 years.  You have 2 years to go.

Dad:  Oh bugger.

😕

Bless his little heart.  But it did give me the opportunity to remind him that it might not be an 0 anniversary, but it is an 0 birthday for my mum.  He was grateful that I had mentioned it, and asked me to remind him again nearer the time!

Hope you have a super weekend, whatever you are up to

Hugs, Squirrel xx

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AYLI (DT) Favourite Colouring Medium

Hello chaps, today sees the start of a new challenge over at
AS YOU LIKE IT

and our theme is Your Favourite Colouring Medium
(and purrleeease remember to tell us WHY it is your favourite)

I've tried just about everything - watercolour pencils, watercolour paints, ProMarkers, Copics, art pencils ..... but the one I feel most comfortable with and come back to time and time again are the Distress Inks (ReInkers) used as watercolours - they are such fun colours to work with and I love how you can create so much depth and tone with them - although as with most water based medium, they can be a little unpredictable at times, but that's half the fun!

So, I have used an older Stampavie image called "Being Together"

and of course, she has been painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

I have sponged the sky with Broken China Distress Ink and a home made stencil

Matting layers are from Your Next Stamp "Hugs & Kisses" and MFT "Watercolor Wash"

Sentiment is from MFT "Lots Of Hugs " sentiment stamp set

I hummed and haard about making her into a card, but instead have added her to a page of my memories book.

Looking forward to seeing you over at the challenge.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx

AYLI (DT) Favourite Food or Drink

Hello chaps - it's another Thursday, and that means another new challenge from

AS YOU LIKE IT

This time the challenge theme is FAVOURITE FOOD OR DRINK

(and you must tell us about your choice)

Here is my DT make

Oh I do like me grubs, but I find nothing perks me up more than a delicious coffee, hot if the weather is cold, or iced if it is a really hot day.  My current addiction is a Costa Flat White (other brands are available)

So, for this I have used

Image stamps from Your Next Stamp - Hammie: Coffee and Tea

and the die word is Your Next Stamp - Fancy Coffee Die

Happiness is a good... sentiment and the coffee beans from

Sugar Pea Designs Espresso Yourself

Papers are BoBunny Double Dots

Image painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Our sponsor for this challenge is

Dies to die for

Prize - £15 voucher

I very nearly resigned my DT position so that I could enter the challenge and try and win this prize!

Right then, it's over to you to go and get delicious - looking forward to seeing your makes.

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx