Anglesey Red Squirrels

I don't share too much about my private life on this blog, but thought you might like to see a photo of one of our garden visitors. 

Here on the Isle of Anglesey, the grey squirrels were erradicated and the red squirrels re introduced.  Since 2013 the red squirrels have thrived and we are very fortunate to have some visit our garden.

We have a wall mounted squirrel feeder and our friend made a squirrel sized picnic table for them to feast from.  I position the table by my craft room sliding door.  This allows me to watch them at close quarters with the door open and take some pics if I'm quick enough.

The squirrels that visit our garden appear to have firm favourites in the food department.  In first place is hazelnuts (in shells), they like to bury them in my pots or in the lawn and then return later in the day to collect them.  In second place are peanuts and in third position are sunflower seeds.

These furry friends are a pleasure to observe and even Rosie, our Springer Spaniel likes to watch them too.

Anniversary Card (Stamps By Me)

Our friends celebrate their anniversary at the end of the week, so I've made them a card before our visitors arrive for the weekend. 

I used a sheet of Clarity "Shenandoah" patterned paper for the background which I think is so pretty.  I used a "Stamp By Me" stamp for the sentiment, heat embossed using Wow! Super Fine Metallic Silver embossing powder.  

50th Eclipse Birthday Card

Our friend celebrates her 50th birthday next week.  I suspect she isn't aware that I know it's a milestone birthday, so have made this eclipse style card for her.

I started by using a Lavinia Stamps "Laurel" stencil with "Bundled Sage" Distress Oxide Ink just in the central area, fading to the edge.

I then used number dies through my Sizzix Big Shot die cutter to cut the two numbers out of the middle.  I then mounted the piece of card on to a dark pink background.  With the die cut numbers still in position, I adhered the middle of the "zero" flat onto the coloured card stock and then removed the remainder of the number.

I used a Hobby Art Stamp set called "Greetings for friends", stamped in Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink.

Next I cut some double sided thin foam strips and stuck them where the numbers would be.  I then layered the die cut number on top.  This means that the actual numbers are slightly raised and from the side, you get a little hint of the colour below.  This is the bit which is called "eclipse".

 

Funky Fossil Butterfly Wreath Birthday Card

I seem to have a few birthday cards needed for August.  This one is for next week. 

I stamped the Hobby Arts Lts sentiment, from their "Greetings for friends" set using Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink.  I then coated it in Wow! clear embossing powder and heat set to give a lovely glossy sheen.

 I've used the Funky Fossil "Butterfly Wreath' stencil with three shades of Distress Oxide Inks (Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry and Wilted Violet) grading the colour from light in the inside to darker on the outer edge (applied with finger daubers).  

Woodware Teasels on a Brusho background

I had a quick play with one of my favourite stamps this morning.  It's the Woodware "Teasels - JGS329". 

I'd found a multi coloured Brusho background I'd made some time ago and thought it would be perfect.  I stamped the teasels in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I then used a Stampin' Up "Crackle Paint" stamped with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" to create more depth to the background.

I coloured the teasels using a gold metallic pen and inked the edges of the card.

I'm really happy wiht the finished look of this card, especially as it was so quick to create.

Lavinia Stamps Ocean Scene featuring "Flo"

I've had a play with my Lavinia Stamps this morning creating this ocean scene. 

I used a cling wrap background I had created some time ago, enhanced with areas of Distress Oxide Inks. All stamping is in various shades of Versafine Clair inks.  I used a selection of Lavinia Stamps for this piece, including Flo, Fish Set, Shoal of fish, Sea Creatures, Marine Kelp, Seaweed and Sea Bubbles.

I added extra colour to areas using coloured pencils, a shimmer to areas with a metallic silver pen and highlights using a white Poscal pen.

Friend Birthday Card using Funky Fossil "Stylish Stencil"

My friend celebrates her birthday next week, so I needed to get a card made for her.  I didn't really have anything specific in mind for her, but decided to start with blending shades of blue/green Distress Oxide Inks for the background, which happen to be her favourite.  I used Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feather and Blue Print Sketch inks.

For the text background, I used a large stamp with definitions of friendship, I bought the cling stamp second hand, but it could be Hero Arts?, which I stamped in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink, which worked well with the background shades.

For the main image, I have black archival ink through a Funky Fossil stencil called "Stylish Stencil".  I picked this image as my friend is familiar with the 60's, in fact I've seen a photo of her with a similar hair style to that of the stencil.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the "Happy Birthday" sentiment using a "My Favourite Things" stamp from their "Essential Sentiments - CS137" set.