Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, folks! I hope you all had a brilliant night last night and have had a good start to 2015. We spent a fabulous night at Nethy Bridge: a torchlight procession, ceilidh with fantastic stovies, soup and mince pie, fireworks and lovely night with friends. Most definitely a brilliant goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015!

Whilst we've been in Aviemore, we've had loads of lovely family time, snow fun, eating and lazing about, so I've managed to read a book and do some colouring. I decided to colour up these Saturated Canary cuties first - Jules, Ava and Canary Love. I haven't coloured these in ages and had fun with some different colour combinations too. I've used my wonderful Polychromo pencils - fantastic to bring away with me as I can have all my colours in one box - I'd need about 6 boxes if I brought all my pro markers! Here are the individual close-ups:

 

 

Have a lovely day, whatever you're up to.

Susie x

 

Sketch Saturday Zella

Good morning, folks! Hope you're all good. This morning I have the extremely beautiful Zella from Saturated Canary. I've coloured her with promarkers to look like Elsa from Frozen. I've added lots of bling and a few snowflakes to go with Elsa.

I have used the fab Sketch Saturday sketch last week (but haven't had time to load it in time for the challenge) for the layout, but rotated it. Love doing these little fishtail banners and ribbons! I'm sure I'll be using the layout again!

 

 

 

Sketch and Stash Becki

Initially, I wasn't sure about this Sketch and Stash sketch, but then........it seemed to suit the card I was working on at the time and the papers I had chosen.......it spoke to me!

I have loved this Saturated Canary image, Becki, for ages and finally brought her when Krista had a 40% discount code the other week (along with a few others!). I'm so pleased I did - she's a dream to colour and I LOVE emphasising her choppy haircut with my scissors!

The papers I have used are the beautiful Basic grey papers. And there's a little gem flourish from Hobbycraft, silver peel off lines, punched flower, computer sentiment and Silver and Stardust Stickles as embellishments.

I decide that the sketch worked so well that I would use it to make a second card!

 

A Special Handbag

I was lucky enough to spend Friday night away at a spa and hotel to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday. It was fabulous fun and I loved the opportunity to get dressed up and wear heels!

I wanted to make a special card for her, so made this handbag, with a pocket on the inside for all our little messages to be held. Here is the link for the brilliant instructions. They are fairly easy, but very time-consuming to make, but I really enjoy them. I have the card and paper cut for another two, so will (hopefully) have a couple to add to my Facebook page.

It's been a rather busy week this week..... ..we collected our 17week old Border Collie puppy on Sunday, so it's been a roller coaster ride this week whilst he settles in and we get used to what he needs and likes and how we will all work together. But he's lovely, very clever, affectionate and we are definitely all completely smitten with him!

But this is the reason that I haven't managed to make a Dream Valley DT creation that completely follows the theme of Monochrome.......this handbag MOSTLY follows it but does have some green too. But I will be making a truly monochrome card very soon....honest!

In the meantime, here are the pics of the inside:

I've used part of Krista's Saturated Canary Princess Peanelope, coloured with polychromos, Inkylicious Make A Wish (the dandelion) stamp and Clearly Besotted Butterfly Wishes die.

And here are a few pictures of our Buddy:

 

Sabrina for My Sis

The first time I saw Krista's image, Sabrina, I knew that I would use it for my sister! My sister lives in Austria, and embraces many of the traditions, including traditional Austrian dress, the dirndl. Her dirndl is beautiful emerald green, with a white blouse and apron. Hence the colours I have used in my colouring of Sabrina. I've used my lovely polychromo pencils and Stardust Stickles.

I have stamped the leaves in Bundled Sage and Peeled Paint Distress Inks and cut it into a circle. The LOTV sentiment, letters and flowers are stamped in Worn Lipstick and the Spellbinders Foliage die as been used, yet again!!

I've kept the layout very clean and simple....this was the third layout I tried.....the first two seemed way too chaotic , but this one did, I think, focus on "sister" and the image. The embellished bag in the previous post was also for my sister. Making the bag meant that the present arrived two days late but I was determined that I was making her something, so had to make that compromise.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Allsorts - Favourite Things (Saturated Canary images, polychromo pencils, Distress Inks and MY SIS!)

One Stop Craft - Anything Goes

Totally Gorjuss - Anything Goes with Circles

Saturated Canary - Celebrations

Hope you're getting the chance to enjoy the lovely weather. We're loving the school holidays too. We have a free morning tomorrow, but I'll decide what to do tomorrow....take care, crafty peeps!

Susie x

 

Roses are Red

This is the beautiful Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, from Saturated Canary (how I love these images...sooooo pretty!). I've coloured her using promarkers and polychromos and some Stardust Stickles. I LOVE colouring her hair...so many layers and texture to be added!

There is a little bit of FF Kraft Notes paper, matted onto mint green card. I've used my lovely Spellbinders Foliage die and xcut flower punch, stamped in Worn Lipstick Distress Ink. The sentiment is computer generated and the curly font is called Giddyup - love the shape of this and the little stars above the 'i's!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Say it With Flowers

Stampin for the Weekend - Anything Goes

 

Star Wars Boy

Well, I don't know about you, but I am loving having the bairns off for Easter....so much more time to be together and do lots of things we keep meaning to but don't always have time for.....like watching The Great British Sewing Bee, or going to the park, or sewing a doll's dress, or visiting gran & grandad and their new kitten, or going to the Falkirk a wheel, or........!!

But before the holidays, Lou asked me to make a card for one of her school friends. This fab Saturated Canary image, The Force Boy, seemed perfect. I have coloured him with promarkers and used the fab Darling Dear papers from American Crafts. I have also used a bit of hessian underneath the red zigzags, for some texture. The next one she's requested is one with a doughnut on - wish me luck!!

Anyway, I would like to enter the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes

One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes

One Stop Craft - Birthday

 

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Coloured Country Mama.....At Last!

At last, I have coloured my Saturated Canary Country Mama image! I've only had her since she was released! It's been coloured with my polychromo pencils and I've used my gorgeous First Edition Up, Up & Away papers. The clouds were cut from one of the papers and seemed to work. Some punched flowers, pearls, pearl dots and twine (Hobbycraft & The Ribbon Girl) finish the simple card.....hey, it's me, so it's gonna be simple!!!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew - Clouds

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Saturated Canary - Pretty Pastels - and I was totally inspired by June's creation.

 

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Pearls and Lace

Our theme for this fortnight at Dream Valley, is Pearls and Lace and we are lucky enough to be sponsored by the fabulous Saturated Canary!!

As you know, I LOVE Krista's images and chose Roses are Red, Violets are Blue as my design image. I thoroughly enjoyed colouring her luscious long hair, her outfit and the beautiful flowers.....I even added some grass! I used my polychromo pencils which, I must admit, have been slightly neglected of late, but it was good to use them again. I love building up the colour and adding the shading....very therapeutic!!

With the Pearls and Lace theme, I thought I might make something more vintage in style, but I've remained true to my preferred style and kept it reasonably clean. The paper is from Forever Friends Kraft collection - loving the colours and patterns in this pad! I have used rafia lace, one pearl and my pearl wand to add the details to the Spellbinders Foliage leaves and the butterfly trail. The butterfly is Clearly Besotted Butterfly Wish Additions and die. Oh, and I've added some text to the flower using my Inkylicious Tiny Text stamp and Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.

So, what will you make for us this time? I'm looking forward to viewing your projects.

Susie x

 

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Read All About It

I've been itching to colour this image for a while now, but there's always been something else to do, but the current Saturated Canary challenge of Read All About It has given me the perfect reason to get colouring.

It is, of course, the fabulous What the Librarian Reads and I've coloured her with my Polychromo pencils. And after I saw Susan's fab bookmark using this tutorial, I decided that this is exactly what I would make. These corner bookmarks are so easy and fun that I've currently made another 3, all using my beautiful Echo Park Sweet Day papers - love the colours in this pad!

And here is a close up.....

Anyway, off to enjoy the rest of Thursday night....almost the weekend!!

 

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Vintage Violet

I have had this little cutie, Vintage Violet, coloured up for a few weeks now and have finally had the opportunity to use her! I've used the colour palette from the Saturated Canary challenge, using MME papers from 2 different pads (whose names have temporarily escaped me) and Kraft card blank. Violet had been coloured with pro markers , gloss and Stickles. This was my first attempt at pink hair and I will DEFINITELY be doing it again as it is so much fun!

I've attempted a more vintage feel with some lace and twine. And I threaded some sequins onto the twine to kind of reflect the headband.

I have used the fantastic sketch at Sketch 'n' Stash - it's been a while since I played along but this sketch seemed to suit my image and papers perfectly.

 

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Princess Zella

Well, it would seem that I AM getting back into blogging, huh?! And the commenting will follow soon too, I promise! Keeping my iPad handy in the kitchen seems to be doing the trick;0)

Anyway, back to the very beautiful (Saturated Canary) Princess Zella. I've coloured her with pro markers and challenged myself to do long blond hair....I am very comfortable with brown hair, less so with blond, but I'm reasonably pleased with this effort. I think I used Pastel Yellow, Buttercup and Primrose.

I've used Memory Box Spearmint paper, with some silver mesh from Hobbycraft, my beloved Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flouish die and xcut punched flowers. The flowers have French knots sewn into their centres and there are a few cross stitches (although I'm not sure that the effort of sewing through all the layers was worth the final effect!).

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Everybody Art - Monochrome Blue

Moving Along With the Times - Punch it Out

One Stitch at a Time - Use a Digi

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes (2nd entry)

Totally Papercrafts - Make your Own Embellishments

 

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Somewhere Over the Rainbow

This is another of my recent Saturated Canary purchases, Pigtails. I've coloured her with polychromos and Stardust Stickles, but I think the blue bit of the dress needs a bit more shading.....

I've used the Freshly Made Sketches sketch for the first time. I've flipped the sketch and hope that that is allowed. The papers are scraps from my lovely MME Everyday Flair pad, which I LOVE!! I decided to stick with the CAS layout, rather than add more papers and embellishments......tried that over the last week and it wasn't right for little Dorothy!

I would also like to enter:

Creative Card Crew - Girly

Stamping for the Weekend - Girly

Saturated Canary - Movie Inspiration (Wizard of Oz, obviously!!)

 

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Sketch Saturday Harvest Princess

I decided that I would have a go at the Sketch Saturday challenge - haven't done it for ages!! I used the gorgeous Saturated Canary Princess Harvest, coloured with polychromos. I've used my new paper, my new die and flowers and charm from stash.

I would also like to enter the following:

Creative Card Crew - Girly

Stamping for the Weekend - Something Girlie

Apologies for the short post. Louise has a show tonight......if we can get there safely now that the snow has finally arrived with us!!!!

 

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Girls, Girls, Girls

Oh, what an exciting and easy challenge we have for you at Dream Valley today - Girls, Girls, Girls......and we're sponsored by Robyn's Fetish!

I decided that this challenge was a fantastic excuse to print and colour some of my lovely Saturated Canary images. I've coloured her with my pro markers and decided that she needed black hair....which let me use a forgotten colour combo: black, cool grey 5, 4, 3 and pastel blue - great fun! I thoroughly enjoyed colouring my Princess Honor and wanted to ensure that she took centre stage, so I kept the layout and embellishments very simple: A First Edition paper, some Cheery Lynn Vines, some flowers and text card candi. There's still room for a sentiment...once I decide what it will be!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Saturated Canary - Movie Inspiration (Pochahontas)

Card Mania - Oh So Girly

Divas By Design - Make It Girly

Inky Chicks - Anything Goes
Stampin' for the Weekend - Something Girly

I'm looking forward to see your Girly creations for Dream Valley!

Susie x

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In My World

Ok, I'm being brave here and showing one of my Smash pages. I LOVE smashing but don't often feel confident in blogging them. But I had a Saturated Canary colouring fest just before Christmas and was determined to enter the challenge. This time it's song inspiration.

A while back, Krista had explained a game she plays with her kids where they imagine a fantasy world. I had a go with Lou ages ago and it was loads of fun. This page was originally going to reflect my fantasy world........zip wire from house to wherever, cycle paths, dance studio, control of time, everyone being nice, etc.......except it changed!

As I did the first 2 parts, which were the nice body and landscape parts, I realised that actually, I'm lucky enough for lots of my fantasy elements to be real.........I just need to appreciate them more or to make time to enjoy them! I WOULD still like to control time, but I am going to try to change my outlook a little. I know that I get hung up on details and like perfection, but it is not always necessary to set such high standards for myself....I need to be ok with lower standards and expectations sometime, then I may have more time to enjoy my children, or the hills, or exercise, or whatever more! Wish me luck:0)

So, I have used a page in my Pink Smash Book, together with some fab Darling Dear papers and elements. I've used Saturated Canary Krafty Kate and Jamie Workout. Both have been coloured with pro markers. I've also used my new Spellbinders Foliage die, which I'm loving!

So, I would like to enter the Saturated Canary challenge - Song Inspiration ( In My World by Moody Blues - my dad will be proud!!)

And here are a few close-ups:

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My Bairn' Cards

I finally had time to make cards for my kiddywinks. In the hope that I wouldn't be last minute for these, I'd coloured the images at the end of November/beginning of December .....that worked well, huh!?!

Louise's uses the beautiful Stockings from Saturated Canary. Louise loves her onesies, hence the choice if image. And her hair has been cut shorter too!




Euan's uses Sugar Nellie's My Friend Flakey. I chose this image as Euan has a red Pom Pom hat like the boy in the image. And I used my new pearl pen for some snow.

For both cads, I've used my promarkers to colour and the lovely Dovecraft Back to Basics Modern Christmas papers. Used Kraft card blanks too, which I'm loving! Wasn't sure what Lou would make of the Kraft but she lived it and thought it made the bright papers stand out better! And Euan loved his card too. Phew!!

Have a wonderful Christmas, peeps....I hope Santa is good to you all! x


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Hand Me Down Picture

 

 

Hello peeps! It's Sunday and time for another challenge at Dream Valley.....this week is super easy......Anything Goes!

 

So I decided to use the gorgeous Hand Me Down from Krista. I've coloured her with polychromos and added her to a wee picture frame, just for a change! I've even distressed the edges of some paper......and added odd buttons to add to her hand me down appearance and name.

 

Apologies for brevity and lack of links just now, but I'm in Austria visiting my sis and ran out of time before I left. Will update on my return!

 

Take care ,and have a lovely Sunday.

 

Susie x

Glittery Fancy and Digital

Can you believe that a fortnight has passed since our last Dream Valley challenge? Nope, neither can I!! But, we have a cracking challenge and it is sooooo easy I suspect there'll be a huge number of entries.....Glitter and Bling! Good, Huh?

I decided that such a challenge gave me the distinct excuse to use my adored Saturated Canary Fancy image. (Originally, it was a freebie, but it should be in Krista's shop at some point soon.) Fancy has been coloured using my precious Polychromo pencils, Stardust Stickles and a bit of Platinum Stickles for the hair "pins".

The papers are Summertime Designs Dryer Lint At Tiffany's. Unusually for me.....in fact, VERY unusually for me....I have NOT printed out the papers as I normally do....I actually layered them on my computed and layered the image on my computer and layered the flowery embellishment on the layout too!! I know, I'm actually still in shock myself! I added a little texture with some organza ribbon, which has been threaded underneath the flower embellishment. And a large Blingy Gem at the centre of the flower completed the card.

Here's a close up of the pretty lady herself:

So, what Glittery and Blingy handiwork are you going to produce for Dream Valley? We're sponsored by Sassy Studio Designs too and some of the team have showcased a few of these images beautifully - take a look!

Have a great Sunday, folks!

Susie x

 

Skateboarding

I seem to be addicted to Krista's Saturated Canary images just now...they're so awesome and fabulous to colour.

I've had this Skateboarding image coloured since the Men's Wimbledon final and finally had time to make it into a card. I'm pretty sure I layered my polychromos on top of promarkers. I love my polychromos.....have I ever told you that?!! The papers are a mix from stash- Basic Grey Cupcake (I think) and MME Everyday Flair, matted onto red Papermill paper. I've added some of my favourite scrim and rafia and a few embossed stars.

I would like to enter the Saturated Canary challenge - The Great Outdoors (skateboarding's an outdoor activity, isn't it?).