Dream Valley DT - Purple and Green

Apologies, first of all, for the lack of blog posts.....I've just been extremely busy with orders, puppy and life in general!

So, the challenge this fortnight at Dream Valley, is Purple and Green and there is a surprise goody bag for the winner! I had originally planned to use jewel tones of purple and green, but they just weren't working for me. I had a minor worry that this challenge was more of a challenge than it should have been, then remembered that the gorgeous Forever Friends Kraft Notes papers had paler greens and purples with beautiful patterns and I was sold.....and relieved!! I was also pleased to be able to use some of the purple mulberry paper that I've had in my stash for years.

I stamped the Inkylicious Tiny Text in Bundled Sage Distress Ink, then stamped the black Inkylicious Make A Wish dandelions over it. The dandelions have had a little bit of Silver and Stardust Stickles added for a subtle shimmer. I have also used my beloved Clearly Besotted Butterfly Wishes Additions dies and Basic Alphabet stamps and the sentiment is from the Twinkle Toes set.

I hope you're all doing ok. As soon as I can, I'll be nosing around your blogs and makes!

Susie x

 

Dream Valley DT - For A Child

Are are you all? We're all ok....getting into a new routine with school started again and Euan actually starting school. I'm glad to say that he had a great first week and is rally looking forward to full days next week and having his school dinner each day! I'm looking forward to more of a routine too, although I need to accept that it'll take me a wee while to work out the best one with Buddy and for me:0)

Anyway.....at Dream Valley this fortnight, our challenge is For a Child and we are sponsored by Meljens Designs. I have used Clearly Besotted Twinkle Toes, with some mesh made into a tutu. Her bodice has been formed using my Silver Stickles. I have also used my new Clearly Besotted Basic Alphabet, which is getting LOTS of use!! The papers are Papermania Henbury Lane and there is a Hobbycraft Gem Flourish to complete the card.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you create for the Dream Valley challenge - have fun!

 

Dream Valley DT Monochrome

See....I told you I'd get a truly monochrome card made!! I love monochrome and I love these papers - Papermania Capsule Collection Lincoln Linen, especially for wedding cards. I've printed the sentiment from my computer in brown ink. The ribbon was all from my stash and I used one of the gorgeous heart ribbon sliders to add a bit of bling and sophistication. I've had the gold paper from Papermill for ages and it suits this paper perfectly.

I would like to enter the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.

 

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:

 

A Pink Balloon

I adore this ever so cute image, SugarNellie's Cute and Cuddly, don't you? I've coloured this one with promarkers and polychromos - I think the layering makes the colour more vibrant. I decided to colour the mouse ear as a bear ear and drew another bear ear to match....I couldn't handle teddy not having any ears, although I WOULD like to try doggy ears and see if that works too!!

The papers are First Edition Spring Drop and I have used some ribbon and the diamanté heart slider to add a bit of bling and "love". A little bit of Stardust Stickles and pearl wand dots add the finishing details.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Sugar Bowl Blog - Anything Goes

SugarNellie Facebook challenge - Summer Days (the colours and flowers are summery to me)

I've been having lots of fun with my children during their summer holidays - garden picnics, visiting friends, Girly day shopping, different sport activities, crafting, baking - I love having more time to spend with them and time to chill with them a bit more too! And Euan has been loving getting things ready for him starting school - thankfully, he is extremely excited and would happily start tomorrow. What have you been up to, crafty peeps?

Susie x

 

Anniversary Picture - Dream Valley DT

It was our 13th wedding anniversary this summer and I wanted to do something....but hubby and I don't normally get presents for one another, so what to do? We have a picture wall in our kitchen (as seen on one of Kirstie Allsop's programmes last year), so I thought I would make us a bit of art, using an upcycled picture and frame, which includes our wedding date.

I used papers from American Crafts Lucky Charm pad. They have the most lovely sentiments, which I utilised - "Love you to the stars and back", "You make my heart sing", "You'll never know, dear, how much I love you", etc. I loved the summery bright colours, as well as the sentiments. I cut a star and hearts from the papers and used my pyrography tool to burn our wedding date onto a wooden heart. I have also included Spellbinders Foliage and Memory Box Hibiscus flower dies, my xcut flower punches and some text card candi.

So, our theme at Dream Valley this fortnight is "Summer Days" and I have used summery colours and included my summer wedding date. I'm looking forward to seeing what you make for us. A happy crafting!

 

Patchwork Baby Girl

It's been a while since I coloured up Patchwork Daisy, but that was my choice for the baby girl card I had been asked to make. I've coloured the teddy with promarkers and the daisy and grass with polychromo pencils. The papers are First Edition Summer Breeze and I've used my favourite Spellbinders Foliage and circles dies. The layout is from the Sketch 'n' Stash challenge - good to join in again.

I would also like to enter the following challenges:

Divas By Design - Anything Goes

CRAFT - For the Girls 0-150

I'm off for a Girly trip to Glasgow today with my not so wee wee girl, while Euan has a lovely time getting spoilt at gran's. hope you have a love day today too!

Susie x

 

Folded Flower Embellishment - Dream Valley DT

Well folks, it's time for another challenge at Dream Valley and this time, we want you to show us your Fancy Folds! Now, in the past, I have made a lovely little 3d handbag, but wanted to stretch myself and try something different. I tried a spinner card but couldn't work out how the recipient would display it......I wanted to sew a fabric wallet, but time was way too short.....I've seen a fab upright z fold card and a tent fold card that I'd like to try......but then I saw this folded flower and knew that I had time to make it AND I will be able to use it on one of the bags I will make.

So, I have used red felt, white material (an old school blouse), button, twine and my hot glue gun. I plan to decorate a bag with it.

What will you make for our Fancy Folds challenge? I can't wait to see.

Susie x

 

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

 

Live, Laugh, Love

The new release of SugarNellie fairies are gorgeous, aren't they? This lovely little lady is called Live, Laugh, Love and I've coloured her with Distress Inks and polychromos. The dress is a bit more vibrant than I'd intended but I do love a turquoise and green combination!

I decided that she needed to be framed so used a little background paper, ribbon, Foliage leaves and flowers from my stash. The finishing embellishment was a Clearly Besotted butterfly, stamped in Worn Lipstick and Tumbled Glass and a little Stardust and Silver Stickles.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Sugar Bowl - Anything Goes

Divas by Design - Cute

Crafts and Me - Anything Goes

The Crazy Challenge - Anything but a Card

Bunny Zoe's - Wings

 

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

 

Embellished Bag

Well folks, it is the start of our summer holidays and the beautiful sunny weather has changed to rain.....but it'll change back soon, won't it?! And it is also time for another challenge at Dream Valley. This fortnight, we would like you to Make your Own Flowers or Embellishments. Aha......a perfect excuse for die cutting some flowers and using up some beads and sequins!
In addition to my obsession with card making, I have developed an obsession with sewing, especially upcycling garments that are no longer fitting and/or used. Ahem, I am hoarding clothing and fabric in case it becomes useful and this bag started life as a pair of trousers and one of hubby's old shirts. The handles are from old gift bags too. I am proud that I have even succeeded in sewing French seams, so that the raw edges are completely hidden. I decided not to line this bag as it was already quite thick and felt perfectly useful as it is.

Then the jewellery and bead obsession kicked in! The flowers were cut using the Sizzix Wedding Flower die. The hearts were from a bargain buy from some high street shop and I added beads to eye pins and then to the hearts. And there was a bit of stitching that I wasn't happy with as my bobbin had run out part way along the top of the bag and I had to re-do it.......so I hid the untidy bits with some more beads, eyepins and sequins.......mmmm, maybe didn't need to share that imperfection with you!

So, what flowers or embellishments will you make for our challenge? I'm looking forward to seeing.

Happy crafting!

Susie x

Time For Tea

I haven't used these Summer Driggs papers for ages, but decided they'd be perfect for this tea inspired card. The teapot and cups are from my new Digistamp Boutique Time For Tea set, which I have paper-pieced and fussy cut. I have made a "table cloth" from scraps of paper, with stitching stamped using the Clearly Besotted Just For You set, stamped in Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. The sentiment has been computer generated and I chose a teal coloured ink to co-ordinate with the papers.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Sketch and Stash - sketch, which I have rotated

Totally Gorjuss - Happy Birthday

Digistamp Boutique - Anything Goes

 

A Couple of 80th Cards

Alf is pretty cool, isn't he?! I've coloured him with promarkers and polychromos and the clouds have been stamped using a thought bubble stamp and Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. They have also had a bit if Stardust Stickles added too. The papers are the gorgeous Kaisercraft On the Move - I love the colours in this pad!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Digistamp Boutique challenge - Anything Goes

Cards for Men - Sports

Stampin For the Weekend - Anything Goes

I was also asked for I an 80th card for a man who likes reading, travel and fine red wine. I saw the Freshly Made Sketch and thought that it might work for this card. (Unfortunately, I am too late to enter the challenge.)

I've used a Sizzix embossing plate to add texture to the background and the twirly border was from a Basic Grey pack. The aeroplane has been cut using a Sizzix die and some gloss. The wine bottle and glass is from the Digistamp Boutique Fancy a Tipple set, coloured with my beloved polychromo pencils, Platinum Stickles and gloss. I've also made a little book, using Inkylicious Tiny Text for the pages (unseen) and a bird picture cut from some RSPB address stickers. (I've cut the twine ends shorter now, so they no longer hang over the wine glass.)

I would like to enter Joanna Sheen - Father's Day / Male Card challenge.

 

A Travel Inspired Father's Day Card

At Dream Valley this fortnight, our theme is Father's Day / For A Man. And one of the cards I was asked for was a card for a dad who likes holidays and weekends away........bit tricky to start with until I was looking through all my stash and came across the Travel Smash Book journalling sheet......so I cut out the suitcase and shortened the note part.....and used the LOTV tickets and sentiments....and the Clearly Besotted Going Places set for the train and sentiments.....some sticky tags that I've had for ages and twine completed the card. Once again, I have used my Distress Inks for the stamping: Antique Linen, Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage and Frayed Burlap.

I would love the enter:

Clearly Besotted challenge - Anything Goes (again!)

Creative Belli - Father's Day

Simon Says Stamp - Transport (train on the background)

Papertake Weekly - Hello Boys

Dino-Mite Dad

I've been using these cute little Clearly Besotted Dinosaurs again, this time for a Father's Day card.  I've coloured him with my Distress Inks (and it's one of the latter ones so I'm happier with the colouring on this one!!) - Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage and a tiny bit of Worn Lipstick for his tongue. 

The papers are Papermania Birdsong, with a little bit of scrim over that and the white background.  The Dinosaur's background has been embossed with a Sizzix plate and the chipboard hexagons are from the Basic Grey set I've had for ages. 

The Dino-mite sentiment is also from the Clearly Besotted set and has been stamped in Peeled Paint DI, with a little gloss on that and the die cut letters.

I would like to enter the Clearly Besotted challenge (and try to remember, this time, to put GD in the title so that I can be considered as a guest designer....how amazing would that be?!!).

Anyways, off to the information session for Euan starting Primary 1!  Have a good day.

Susie x

Euan's Birthday Card

Can't quite believe that my wee boy has turned 5, but he has! On the day, he had lots of fun with his archery set, some cars and his Olympics DS game, had a Greggs sausage roll, a birthday haircut and was suitably excited about his first ever party!!

He had advised me that he wanted dinosaurs on his birthday card and that it was to be "a standy-up one"!  Just as well he said as I wouldn't have chosen dinosaurs for him - probably transport or pirates!  So, I tested out my new Distress Inks (in Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint and Faded Jeans) on the rather cute Clearly Besotted Dino-mite stamps and enjoyed some painting.....it was great fun but I was sadly out of practice!

I've used the fab Freshly Made Sketches layout for the top part of the easel card, using a variety of papers, a bit of twine and a little gloss.

The bottom part of the easel card uses sentiments from the dinosaur set and chipboard letters from the Basic Grey set I've had for ages and were perfect for propping the easel part up, and another dinosaur (this was the first and, therefore, the worst coloured one!!)

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Freshly Made Sketches - sketch

Clearly Besotted - Anything Goes

Prairie Scene

I decided that I would like to try something different, so I inked up my Inkylicious Prairie stamp with Antique Linen Distress Ink and added some darker Frayed Burlap to the lower part of the stamp. I rather liked the simple effect!

I inked the edges with the Antique Linen, layered onto white, then some cream Prima paper. I added some Platinum and Stardust Stickles to the image here and there. There is a Clearly Besotted butterfly, Cheery Lynn Vines and Memory Box Hibiscus added. And the sentiment is from the Clearly Besotted Just For You set- love it!

I would like enter the following challenges:

Crafting When We Can- punches and/or die cuts

Stampin For the Weekend - Monochrome

Totally Papercrafts- Anything Goes

And I loved the card so much that I decided to make a second using Worn Lipstick and Brick Red DIs.

 

Sports

Another fortnight has passed and I have been able to blog a little more - hurray! And today, for our Sports challenge at Dream Valley, I would like to share a card I have made using the fab Lili of the Valley image, Riding My Bike. I've stamped him with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and coloured it in my polychromo pencils.

The background has been stamped using a freebie car and the Clearly Besotted bike using Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass, Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap. I've ended up using this process for quite a few cards recently and particularly like this combination of colours. Everything has been mounted onto Kraft card, with only a little twine, buttons and a charm to complete it.

What will you make for our Sports challenge? And......would you like to apply for our Design Team call? Details are here. Good luck, folks!

 

Design Team Call At Dream Valley

Hello everyone,

 

Just wanted to let you all know that Dream Valley are having a design team call - details are:

Some of our lovely ladies have moved on to BIGGER things and now we need YOU!!

Now We'll miss you all so much but understand, health and family come first! So I know you will wish them all well for the future and hope they pop by from time to time!

Looking for some fab new teamies to join our wee team (slightly mad but all lovely)!!

To be part of the team these we ask the following:

**Have a active blog**

**Make a Crafty Creation every 2 weeks**

**Comment on your share of entrants**

**Pick a Top 3 whens its your turn**

**HAVE FUN lol**

If that sounds like you and you feel you can join our awesome team, add your name in the linky On the challenge blog! You have a two weeks to enter the call!

Good Luck!