Sarah Hurley - Documented December - Christmas Blessings

The prompt for today (can you believe it is day 19 already?!) is Christmas Blessings. I am not a religious person, but I regularly like to think about what I am thankful for, or to "Count My Blessings", as my Gran used to say!

This Christmas, at the very top of my list is "Dad". In February this year, he was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth and neck. He started his treatment in April and has been very unwell as a result, not to mention all the associated worry that accompanies the diagnosis. I'm pleased to say that the treatment seems to have worked and he is doing well, although his body still has a long way to go to get back to normal!! But it is wonderful to acknowledge the good. (By the way, that's my mum and my nephew in the picture too.)

Originally, my layout was going to be all about my dad, but then there is just so much to be glad about, so I changed it to be one for each day of the month!! It mostly uses last year's Christmas kit, together with some more of those gorgeous turquoise gems from a previous kit.

So, what will your layout include? I'll look forward to seeing them.

Susie x

P.S Please grab your badge from the sidebar for your blog, leave your links in the comments, hashtag us on social media (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) with #documenteddecember and #sarahhurley so we can find and like your projects - we'd love to see!

Sarah Hurley - Documented December - What I love about Christmas

Oh my, there are so many things to love about Christmas, aren't there? Food, Christmas trees, lights, hot chocolate, Christmas jumpers, anticipation, magic, .......

But what I love most, is time together with my fantastic family. Hubby is off work throughout Christmas and New Year and the factory is closed, so he has less to stress about and nothing in particular to do (at least that is the theory!!). So we have time to watch those DVDs we've had for ages, play Monopoly, go for nice long walks with our border collie ALTOGETHER and there's always lots of eating too!!!!!

I am also loving these gorgeous papers and the snip & stick elements from this year's kit. And I've left plenty of room to add anything else I love about Christmas as I go along!

Susie x

Sarah Hurley Documented December- Winter Wonderland

Well, yesterday we had a little flurry of snow, which was exciting. Today it's just wet and miserable and exceptionally slippy, but you never know, we may get more snow.

My family LOVE snow and we are, most definitely, hoping for a snow filled holiday - our Winter Wonderland! Sledging, skiing, snowmen, snow angels........endless fun!!

I had already decided on a rough plan and layout for today's prompt, but when I saw Sarah's beautiful paper, in my absolute favourite teal/turquoise colour, I HAD to use that as my background.

I snipped and stuck the Christmas tree 8 for my date and layered "Baby it's cold outside" and "let it snow" onto banners over my photos. The top photo was taken in 2010 during the most awesome winter I remember and the skiing one is of Scott at Aviemore this year. I had a Kraft tag from a previous kit and decided that I could see it becoming a sledge!?! So, I drew, shaded and cut as follows:

And to complete it, I did a little bit of journalling, following the shape of the snow and added some Stickles in Picket Fence and Stardust. I also added some gorgeous turquoise gems, from a previous kit, to the centre of each snowflake. Fantastic fun!!!!

Susie x

Sarah Hurley Documented December Day Three- Making a List

This is my first assignment as an official member of the Sarah Hurley team and I am very excited, especially as it is all about Christmas! Each day in December, a team member will post a layout using a prompt as inspiration. My first prompt is making a List, which is very 'me'!

I am most definitely a list person! On a normal daily basis, I have lists for chores, shopping, dinners, card orders, craft "needs" (ahem!), kid stuff, etc, etc, etc..... So for Christmas, I get to have even more lists: Christmas Cards (split in to those to post, neighbours, friends, work, school, other); Presents Required for birthdays as well as Christmas; Food, although hubby tends to do that and just "wings" it with whatever he can get!!

But for my first Documented December post, I decided that I wanted to make a more fun list:

This is the first year we have bought Christmas jumpers and it was exciting just TALKING about buying them, let alone the actual shopping! And I get to tick it off the list once the were bought - very happy Susie:0).

The letters (or first drafts) have been written and need to be posted.......SOON.......Santa needs time to buy the more unexpected stuff!!

I've managed to persuade the bairns to make a class card, rather than them writing one for each person - yay, although I've got a feeling Euan will change his mind!

I need to compose the annual letter, sent to faraway relatives and friends. This is most definitely viewed as a chore, until it's done and I get to eat all the nice things we've done and look through the year's photos.

And finally, I love the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and their Gingerbread Latte (and the cute takeaway cup from the kit is perfect for my layout)........mmmmmm, Christmas!

So, that's it from me today. I hope you have fun compliling your list, or lists, ready to help your Christmas preparations.

Susie x

 

 

 

 

Dream Valley Challenges- Getting Ready for Christmas

It's November already, which means that some of us are starting our Christmas preparations. And Dream Valley are helping us to get into the Christmas spirit with a "Getting Ready for Christmas" challenge.

 

I found these lovely white hearts in Hobbycraft and thought they would make some delightful Christmas tree decorations. I had a rummage through my jewellery making stash and put aside a few bits I thought would go nicely with the red roses. After glue-gunning, ribbon and Stickles, I have some Christmas tree decorations completed. (My goodness, note it in the diary......an idea has been formed AND followed through until completion!!!!!)

 

So.....ready, set, go! It's only 7 and a half weeks until Christmas!

 

Dream Valley - Anything But A Card

Good morning! I hope you're having a great week, so far.

 

It's time for a new challenge at Dream Valley and we have the theme "Anything But A Card". I LOVE challenges like this as it gives me a push to try those crafty projects I've been wanting to try..... Or have started but need to finish! (Pinterest has a lot to answer for, I tell you!!)

 

I decided to finish my denim picture. I had made a few denim flowers with circles and bead centres - very therapeutic doing the beads;0) and sewn the background of two scrap strips of denim. I decided to use some scrap chain as the stem and make a couple of leaves, adding more beads for detail. Then it was stretched and stapled onto the canvas. It will be placed in my craft room........unless my daughter steals it as she has a denim 'thing'!

 

So, have a think what you can make that isn't a card. Or browse Pinterest for inspiration: just don't get lost!! And I'll look forward to seeing your creations at Dream Valley.

 

And did you know that we are having a DT call? Details are here. Good luck. x

 

Dream Valley Challenges - Ribbon and Lace

 

Such a coincidence that this fortnight's Dream Valley challenge is Ribbon and Lace and I was asked to make a wedding card to match an invitation using cream, lace and satin ribbon! Great timing!!

 

So, I printed the sentiment on my computer using Charlemagne and Papyrus fonts. The die I used is a Spellbinders label and the papers are Papermania. I had some beautiful cream pearlescent card to mat each layer onto. I rather like cream and white together - I think the white freshens up the cream. To complete such a special card, I little bit of bling was required - a diamonte ribbon slider and some gem flourishes.

 

Have a fantastic time crafting, folks and I'm looking forward to seeing your creations for Dream Valley.

 

Dream Valley Challenges - No Stamps Allowed!

I took this viola photo last year and thought it would be pretty on a card, but it's taken until now to get that done - Dream Valley's "No Stamps Allowed" challenge gave me the push I needed!

 

I've also used scraps from various collections for the background, matted onto silver pearlescent card. And I even found a yellow pansy flower in my stash which, together with the Spellbinders Foliage leaves, has completed the card. A card suitable for lots of occasions and no stamps were inked in its production!!

 

I'm looking forward to seeing your creations, folks! Good luck! Susie x

 

The Sugar Bowl DT Call

I have loved Sugar Nellie for ages now.... My first stamp was Daisy, by the way.....so I have decided to give The Sugar Bowl DT Call a go. After all, you've got to be in it to win it and take a few chances, haven't you?!

 

So, I had the lovely dilemma of deciding which of the (VERY!) many Sugar Nellie stamps to use. I already had Aviator, Delia and a mermaid coloured up and Bella Bunting was started....and I love A Little Bit of Gossip, but I finally decided on Trip to the Park. I just love her outfit and shoes and colouring her hair!

 

I've coloured her with my polychromos and used lots of glittery glue on her bag as the person I've made the card for isn't a lover of cats, but does like a bit of bling and her black puppy! The paper is from the Papermania Lucy Cromwell pad and is gorgeous! I've cut and curled the outline of some of the bunting so that it stands out from the card. The sentiment has been stamped using Clearly Besotted stamps. As usual, I've left things pretty simple to show of the beautiful image and papers.

 

So, are you going to try out for the DT call too? Go on, you know you need no excuse to ink up the sugar!! GOOD LUCK!

 

Susie x

 

Dream Valley Challenges - Flowers

We have a brand new challenge for you at Dream Valley and this fortnight's theme is Flowers - easy, huh!?!

 

I decided I'd use this photograph that was taken on holiday in Murcia a few years ago - I've always loved it! I've kept it all incredibly simple, with an embossed flower background, ribbon and a bit of stardust Stickles.

 

Here's another flowery creation I had a go at. It's a canvas with an acrylic paint background, including some painted flowers with Stickles highlighting. Then I've added grass (using the Clearly Besotted grass die) and flowers. The image is the SugarNellie Live, Laugh, Love fairy, whom I adore! Overall, it turned out a bit brighter than I'd envisaged, but I love these colours!! She is now hanging beside my craft desk:0)

Have fun, making your flowery creations!

Susie x

 

Dream Valley Challenges - Weddings

Hello and happy Monday to you all. Hope you've all had a delightful weekend and that the weather is not being too nasty for you.

 

This fortnight's challenge at Dream Valley is Weddings, so I decided that my Ruby Wedding card order would be perfect! Obviously it's a Ruby theme and I've used a collection of papers, think they might be Papermania ones, and some gingham ribbon that I have in my stash. The hearts have been cut using my Sizzix Hearts Framelits and Bigshot - my always use piece of crafty kit!! And you've got to include some bling, haven't you?!

 

I would also like to enter the following challenges:

Creatalicious Challenges - Monochrome

Natalie and Amy - Die Cuts and Flowers

 

Have a lovely day and happy crafting!

Susie x

 

Sarah Hurley Guest Designer - iPhone Cover Inserts

Today, I am lucky enough to be back as guest designer for Sarah Hurley and thought I'd make something different. My beloved iPhone 5 has a clear cover and I decided that my existing paper insert needed changed. And I decided that some nice bright pink and teal was in order! These papers are from Sarah's A Few of My Favourite Things kits, as are the rose, flower and leaves.

 

To start with, I measured clear plastic part of my cover. For my iPhone 5 cover, this was 5.9cm wide and 12.4cm long.

I cut my chosen paper to these measurements and rounded each corner with my corner punch:

I'm a bit of a control freak, so I placed the paper inside the cover to check the fit. Whilst it was there, I marked the hole for the camera. Then, I removed it and cut out the hole with a craft knife:

I then checked the fit again and cut a tiny bit extra out.

Then the fun can begin and you can decorate however you like. BUT definitely keep it flat and with not too many layers, otherwise the cover won't fit the phone properly (I tried with a lovely bit of daisy ribbon, but it was too thick!). As you can see, I opted for a few paper layers, some stamped flowers/leaves and Stickles in Silver and Stardust to complete them.

 

Supplies:

Papers, flowers and leaves - My Favourite Things Kit

Sentiments - Doodle Dolls Dream A Little Dream and Doodle Doll Princess Girl

Stickles - Stardust and Silver

Happy crafting!

Susie x

 

 

Dream Valley DT - Favourite Colour Combo

Well, I know it's been a while since I posted for the Dream Valley challenge, but I'm pleased to say I've made it back for this challenge, which is your favourite Colour Combo.

At the moment, my favourite colours are peach and mint, like my card and any variation on those scales: peach/coral/red with mint/turquoise/teal. I adore the combination so much that my finger and toenailsnails are like this!:

So, the image I have chosen is a Gorjuss Girl from SugarNellie, although she no longer seems to be in the shop. I've coloured her with polychromos and Stardust Stickles. The paper are scraps from Memory Box pads and the sentiment is from Clearly Besotted.

And I made this little SugarNellie cutie too, using the same colour combo:

And this one, using Lili of the Valley's Maisie Two Balloons:

See? Told you I loved this combo!!!

 

So, what will you make for us at Dream Valley this challenge? I'm looking forward to seeing.

Susie x

 

 

 

Second Guest Design Spot for Sarah Hurley

I am so happy to be back as Guest Designer for Sarah Hurley, having more fun with bits and pieces from the A Few of My Favourite Things kits.

After looking at all the items for a while, I decided that the hearts were speaking to me most- must have been because it was my wedding anniversary! I absolutely adore turquoise and teal and I love this zig zag paper with it, especially when you can team it with a matching zigzag heart!

I used my Clearly Besotted sentiment, together with an abundance of cut and positioned hearts, from the A Few of My Favourite Things kits. There was even a sparkly heart button to add to the ensemble!! To complete my card, I added some Stardust Stickles to the zigzag paper and Silver Stickles to the hearts - I love the fact that you can glitter the hearts, or colour them, or keep them simple!

Now, just a wee reminder that your fabulous creations can be added to the Sarah Hurley challenge and the current theme is Celebrations.

Ingredients:

Paper, hearts, sparkly heart button all from A Few of My Favourite Things kits

Sentiment from Clearly Besotted

Happy crafting!

Susie x

 

Guest Designer for Sarah Hurley

My post today, is as a guest designer for Sarah Hurley - how exciting!!

Contrary to many crafters I know, I LOVE making boys' cards! My style is fairly clean and simple, definitely un-fussy and this, I think, suits male cards rather well.

So, for these cards, made for twins, I have used Special Editions Stamps Sid the Robot by Clare Brown. He has been coloured with Promarkers and Stickles - in my experience, boys like a little bit of bling too!

I have used scraps of paper from various A Few of My Favourite Things Kits, all pieced together to make a larger background. A strip of irridescent mesh (from A Few of My Favourite Things Kit) and ribbon from my stash has been added, which provides a little texture (and a bit more bling).

So, with the same character and ingredients, I have made two cards which are the same, but different!! Do you have a favourite?

Now, just a wee reminder that your fabulous creations can be added to the Sarah Hurley challenge and the current theme is Celebrations!!

Quick ingredients list:

Image - Special Editions Stamps Sid the Robot by Clare Brown

Papers and irridescent mesh - A Few of My Favourite Things Kits

Age and Name - Clearly Besotted Basic Alphabet and Basic Numbers

 

Happy crafting, folks!

Susie

 

 

 

 

Euan is 6......already!

And to celebrate his birthday, I made him a card and matching frame. The image is called Baron and Butch and is from Mo's Digital Pencil. It really is the perfect image for Euan - he loves our border collie, Buddy and he loves his iPad mini!!

I've coloured everything to be authentic - Buddy's markings, his favourite ball, Euan's socks and iPad.....and I loved making a custom iPad with Euan's fave apps: Safari, Minecraft and music!!!! I used promarkers to colour the image and Clearly Besotted 's Basic Alphabet and Geometric Style for the named bunting.

I love making things personal and special to the recipient! Here's a close up of the card:

 

Dream Valley- No Designer Paper

Hello, peeps! Hope you're all fine and dandy on this wet and miserable Sunday.

Over at Dream Valley this fortnight, our challenge is No Designer Paper. At first, I made the card for my best friend's birthday. I stamped the circle background using the Inkylicious Tiny Text and Tumbled Glass Distress Ink - I adore this colour! I then stamped the Inkylicious Make a Wish in black over the text and added Silver and Stardust Stickles. The white fishtail background has been embossed and matted onto silver card. There's a little bit of twine been added and the sentiment is from Clearly Besotted. I followed the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

I then had a bit of fun sewing. Haven't had time to just sew and create and test for a while but I loved doing these. The smaller one is perfect size for an iPod (although just a touch too small for an iPhone, so I'll be making the next one slightly larger) and the larger one is big enough for my phone, cards, change, lipgloss and a few other items - it'll be great for the gym so that those items don't get lost in the depths of my bag! I've added an inner pocket to each and a keyring clasp - useful for clipping to a large bag or onto a zip, or whatever. I'm going to enjoy making a few of these in some of the fabrics I have. Just need more bias binding and zips. Oh, and I decided to add a bow to the smaller one, so it now looks like this:

 

So, what will you create for Dream Valley this challenge?

 

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!

 

 

 

A Sparkly and Dotty Pippi

Oh how I love Pippi! I love her attitude, I love her spotty top, I love her baseball boots and I love her frog! So it's a bit of a mystery as to why I haven't colour her for a good wee while!?! I've coloured her with polychromos and Stardust Stickles. The paper is a mix of MME Everyday Flair and Bo Bunny I've used my new Clearly Besotted Building Blocks for the dotty background for the sentiment, my new Geometric Style triangles for the banners, the always useful Basic Alphabet and the brilliant new Basic Numbers, which also has some greetings!!!! I think there's actually quite a lot going on in this card for me: patterned paper, gem flourish, banner, sparkle, ribbon and an image!!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

The Sugar Bowl - Fairies

Papertake Weekly - New Year, New Stash ( Building Blocks, Geometric Style and Basic Numbers)

Sweet Stampin' - Girly, but No Pink

Allsorts - Ribbons, but no bows (red ribbon across stripy paper)

 

A Krafty Kind of Love

Please don't drop in shock, but I have another blog post - my second in two days!!!!

Anyway, one of my Christmas presents was a gift card for Clearly Besotted, which I absolutely LOVE! So, after much thought and deliberation, and some items going out of stock whilst I was deliberating, I bought the Building Blocks stamps as one of my items and I love them. I've had a play and come up with this. The sentiment is also from Clearly Besotted from the Happy Everything set. Very simple, just the way I like it!

I would like to enter the Clearly Besotted challenge - Love, and the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.

 

Dream Valley - Boys/Men

Happy New Year, folks! Did you have a good break for Christmas and New Year? We had a lovely time - Santa was extremely good to us and we had a fantastic break up in Aviemore - bliss!

So, at Dream Valley this fortnight, our challenge is Boys / Men. I had a few items I could show for this theme as December and January are petty busy for us with male birthdays, but I finally decided on this little guy, Striker. I love him almost as much as Aviator! This is a birthday card with a tag that holds a gift card, like so:

Hopefully I've not lost the bit of paper I used to record my measurements!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

The Crazy Challenge - Cards for Men

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes