Mistakes. Give 'em a Chance:).

My daughter Niamh is very artsy. Sometimes we sit together and just color for an hour. She told me today that, when we move (which we are trying to do), she wants to hang all her artwork on her bedroom walls. It's a funny thing-- I use to do the same thing. Had this little section next to my bed where I had tiny doodled faces thumb-tacked into the paneling. Probably had 50 of them on torn out pieces of paper...different expressions that I liked. They made me feel happy to look at:).

One thing I've tried to teach her lately is that mistakes will happen on paper. Even the best artist will color outside of a line...smudge some ink...try something that really doesn't 'work' on the paper in front of them. I imagine that some of the most famous pieces of art have some of these imperfections deep within their layers. I always tell her, right when she goes into huffing and puffing mode;), that she should learn to incorporate it. Make something beautiful out of it. A mistake should never ruin a whole piece before you at least try to give it a chance! Every once in a while, those mistakes turn into the most beautiful parts of the project. Something you never saw coming.

I actually like imperfections.

It's why a snaggle tooth can make a smile uniquely beautiful. Why a scar becomes a story that makes you tear up. Why a testimony can touch thousands of lives-- even be the catalyst to saving thousands of lives. The imperfections become the different layers that build the beauty into your life. Into your art. Into your craft.

I am a terribly imperfect person. Just a mess sometimes.

My purse is an abyss.

My desk often needs to be dug out.

I've drank four cups of soda tonight. And a huge glass of chocolate milk.

I've made terrible decisions. I've made decisions that still don't make sense.

I drive too fast. I've crashed twice just inside of our own yard.

I know more about ESPN than I do about cooking.

I have four baskets of laundry that just seem to rotate from basket to dirty clothes back to basket. Never actually make it into closets or drawers.

I can't talk about finances and not get snippy.

I can be terribly awkward in conversations. And just in general.

And I am always late. To and for everything. All. The. Time.

And this is just the beginning...:)....

In all my short comings and problems...bad decisions and mistakes...I know there is so much beauty in my life. In my surroundings. I am thankful for where I am right now. And for the choices and decisions that led me here:. Even if I'm not sure why I made some of them:). Sometimes the very thing I thought was a mistake or an imperfection in my day turns out much later in life to be something truly good indeed.

So, I urge you lovely crafters, to give your mistakes a chance. When your copics bleed outside the lines, see where it takes you:). I can't tell you how inspiring all of your beautiful creations are-- and I'm not talking about just the ones with my stamps. I often check out posts that have no trace of my artwork. I just love to see your craftiness. Your own artistic talent!

This is a lovely world of very creative women. I've met so many beautiful people through my shops, stamps, and blog(s). And you are all over the planet:). 12 hours ahead, 2 or 3 hours behind...and everywhere in between. Thank you for your support...and please know that I always comment on your blogs and emails from the bottom of my heart. Even if it takes me a few days. Or a week. (Told ya, I'm a really late person:). I mean every word I say.

I feel like the world of crafting/blogging that I entered a little over a year ago went from this...

To this:).

So thank you sweet girls!...And let's all keep encouraging and building each other up. I imagine that we are all more similar than we think. All have schedules. Some of us (may be most of us?) have messy craft areas:). And for sure, we all have little imperfections. Share a kind word with a new blogger:). Leave a meaningful comment on a favorite blog. Email your fellow crafter. Just to say hi:). And let's all remember that part of the beauty in everything we do and make lies in the imperfections.

Let it Rain...Baby!

Hello crafty girls!! Hope your Saturday is goin' great:)! It is actually a really nice day here...But I am posting Jane's card...Perfect image for a rainy day:). Fridays are going to be our 'fun' post day...showing you our favorite things of the week. Little tidbits that have caught our eyes:). However, yesterday didn't go quite as planned. My stamps gave me a little trouble loading into my shop (actually, it was this mean, old, grumpy computer...we don't get along so well;). So, that post never went live as I still had some editing to do. Instead, I'll share a couple of the fun things the Dt girls chose over the next day or so:). Yeah, yesterday it just rained on my parade...gonna make the best of it...and just...

I don't like when things don't go quite as I plan...but sometimes it is a nice lesson in relaxing and taking a chill pill:). Speaking of rain, take a look at Jane's lovely card. Isn't this a great color combo?? I think I want to do a room in these colors! I love 'em!!

And Jane's pick of the week...well, I've never heard of such a thing:). But isn't he the cutest!?! It's an Eco-Friendly Hot Water Bottle Cover

So, Jane emailed me this link, and it made me laugh at first...I never thought about sleeping with a hot water bottle:P). But, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense...especially if you are always cold (me!). Hubby likes to keep the house COLD at night. I like to crank up the heat:). With this little animal to snuggle, I can keep warm and keep our energy bill down! Oh...and keep Mr. Hottie (I mean that in every sense of the word;) nice and chill:). It still makes me giggle..but I gotta get me one! I might even want two...put one over my toes:P.

Oh...and if you haven't met "Baby Jake" yet...Here's the little guy. He looks exactly like my little nephew. Jake. I just want to kiss him all the time. Big eyes and a hint of a smile:). Even with that binky in his mouth:). Jane did a fab job leaving the coloring so simple and giving the card a fresh, sweet baby vibe...like baby powder:). My kids still love that stuff. It's fun to just squeeze the bottle and make poofy clouds fly up in the air:)!! Anyways...say 'hi' to Jake:)...

Have a lovely weekend girls! Remember to scroll down to the Challenge post and enter your card for a chance to win a couple free digi's!! Have a splended day!

xoxo

Challenge #1

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It's our first Saturated Canary Challenge!! Wahoooooo!! Can you guess what the theme is?? I provided you with a little inspiration:). (Isn't the green chick so pretty!?! I want to be her for Halloween:P) So...Here is what you should know:)...

The sketch you need to follow:).

**with an optional theme of Halloween!!**

You must use either a Saturated Canary Digi or a Simply Sassy rubber stamp. Also, please leave a link to the blog *post* featuring your challenge card:). This challenge is open until Wednesday, October 12 @ 12:00am EST. The randomly chosen winner will be posted Wednesday evening:)!

So, the winner is random. Because it will be too hard to choose just one:). But-- the Dt girls and I will be choosing a *Top Three* also. Top three girls: you will receive a badge for your blogs only:) that announces your awesomeness:)!! Random winner, you will receive your choice of 2 digi's from the Saturated Canary Etsy shop:)!!

Take a look at the SC Dt's cards...They are so *beautiful!*

Carisa

Kellie

Jane

Lori

Pops

I hope lots of you play along in this first challenge! Tell your stamping buddies...spread the word!! It's gonna be fun around here:):)...Good luck!

Now bite the bullet!! (or the pumpkin;) And get coloring:):)!! xoxo

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Coordinator Carisa!

Please say 'hello' to our Dt Coordinator, Carisa...

I have been married nearly 11 years to my amazing high school sweetheart and we have 3 beautiful kids together. My passion is coloring & making cards. Put some fresh rubber in one hand and some Copics in the other and I am happy but I am also branching out to mixed media & altered art. I've come across new stamp companies, new techniques, amazing products and love learning as well as sharing something new all the time. I have been blessed and honored to serve on several amazing design teams. I love every single minute and have met some truly amazing and talented crafters in the process. It's one of my favorite parts of this hobby to be able to meet so many unique people and develop friendships around the world. Each time I'm asked to be on a new DT, I'm amazed that they want lil' ol me! Each one has helped me learn, grow and evolve my personal style of designing as well as gain confidence to continue to follow my own personal dreams. It is my hope thru my blog to inspire others to keep learning, growing & creating as well, but most of all just to have FUN while you do it!


I first came across Krista via Sugar Nellie Simply Sassy images - then I started stalking, I mean, following her blog just to see more bits and pieces of her artwork and amazing sense of style. I am so over the moon excited that she has welcomed me onto her debut Saturated Canary team. I think I was the first person to purchase her digi stamps when she opened up as I had been waiting all day for it to go live! *giggle* I love coloring her images and just being able to chat with her almost daily. I just wish we all lived closer together so we could have one bit slumber coloring party together!!!! I'm looking forward to the great challenges we have lined up and seeing the fans create and inspire thru what they love to do - it really shows whenever I see a new card posted on the Saturated Canary Facebook page. It's one of my daily stops just to see what new cards have been posted.

I love that it already feels like one big happy Saturated family. I know that it will just continue as we all get to know each other better along the way.

I should start by saying that the only reason I have this site up and running and in order is because of this girl!! I've loved Carisa's blog for a while...I think I really fell in love with her site after she did a bookmark video tutorial for the Simply Sassy Blog. It was fun to watch...and she seemed so down to earth and sweet. (She is the queen of bookmarks. And hair coloring!!:) Anyways, when I mentioned the release of my digi's, Carisa left an open-ended comment on my blog about being part of my Dt. At that point, I wasn't planning on having a Dt or a challenge blog...But I thought, if she is going to color my artwork, I'll try this!! LOL. I am so glad she is the coordinator. Carissa just knows what to do, people!! Ha. I've written her novel length emails over and over, and she is so gracious and answers all my questions. Takes care of all the planning. It has been a lovely learning experience for me!

Apart from the stamps, I've gotten to be good friends with her...albeit, it is over emails and that sort of thing. I wish I could jump across the US and give her a big ol' hug! Even the hubby knows who she is. When I mention 'Carisa,' he always says that's the one with the purple hair, right? Hey-- any girl who loves fun colored hair is my kindred spirit!!:P So, thank you girly, for all your help and especially for a new friendship!

If you'd like to check Carisa's blog out, pop over to Lady Guinevere's Inky Faeries! Be sure to check out her hair coloring video  and her paper bag mini album video!  They are really great tutorials!:) I'm sure you will be as impressed as I am by her totally awesome creations!

Pops. Lovely, Sweet Pops.

Please say hello to Pop's...

I am so thrilled ot be a part of this new adventure for you and your gorgeous digital line....

Pops was the final person added to the Dt team. I had the four lovely girls (you will meet Carisa later today:) and thought it might be nice to round that number out at five. I started thinking about the sites I often visit...and I am always so impressed with this lovely lady's creations. I have been a follower of hers for a while (followed her old blog, too:) and just fell in love with her cards. If I were her, I don't think I could ever let them go!! They are each so detailed and beautiful! I was so excited when she said yes:)! She is the nicest lady and a pleasure to work with. I look forward to getting to know her better! Thank you, lovely girl, for coloring in my digi's!! You make them so special!

If you would like to visit Pop's blog, click over to Pop's Cards. You won't want to leave:)!! (Take note of the beautiful photographing of her pieces, too...It's rather exquisite!) I dare you to find a favorite-- it will surely be too hard to choose!!:)

And Sweet Jane...

Meet Jane (in her cupboard under the stairs:)...

Now I much prefer to sit down and colour something in than have to talk about myself but here goes…..... My name is Jane, currently enjoying the last year of my thirties....eek! I live in Fort William in the Scottish Highlands with my lovely hubby Phil and two girls Lucy (11) and Jude (7). I have been making cards for a while, but got into it big time when I discovered the blogging world around 3 years ago!...(I work at the local High School as a dinner lady, so get loads of holidays to play in my cupboard!) As soon as I saw the Simply Sassy stamps I was hooked on Krista’s work and was really excited to see that she was opening a Digi Store and was even more excited when she asked me to be on her Design Team! I am still grinning from ear to ear! I am really looking forward to the challenges and seeing all the fab creations!

After I had a couple girls on the Dt team, I thought, 'Oh my goodness, I have to ask Jane!!' I think she is one of the first ladies I remember meeting through Sugar Nellie. Always leaving nice comments on my blog. Always there for the SN blog hops for the Sassy range. Plus, she stuck in my mind because of that lovely red hair! I have quite a bit of Scottish heritage on my mom's side of the family, so I always liked this Jane from Scotland:). Besides all that-- have you seen her lovely cards!?! I think they are perfect in every way. (I even have one in my possession...even more beautiful in person!) I was so thrilled when Jane wrote me back and said she would be part of my team! I think she is a wonderful, sweet lady who is a pleasure to work with! Thank you Jane. I'm so happy to have met ya this past year!:)

Please hop over to Jane's blog, The Cupboard Under the Stairs,  where you can see more of her gorgeous creations...and might even find a peek of her adorable family!:).  She's such a sweetheart!

And Lovley Lori...

Hello friends! I want you to meet Lori Boyd...

Hi! I'm Lori Boyd. Owner and artist for my small digi & personalized gifts business, By LORi Designs. I'm a homeschoolin', boo-boo kissin', Mommy to 6 little bugs. Wife to my "made just for me" & very supportive husband, Eric. Daughter of The King! I like reality TV, Quilting, Painting and Photography. I love coloring...it's like a therapy to me. I do like assembling my card, but coloring the image is where my heart is. Color is a Good Good Thing! :o) I am honored to be on the Saturated Canary Design Team. Krista is just as fabulous as her images...I am thrilled with this opportunity to bring color them and to call her a friend!! Blessings & Hugs!

Lori first approached me through Etsy, probably within the first day of opening my digi shop. I popped over to her blog, to check out her style of coloring and cards. I instantly liked her:)and was excited that someone so talented would want to color in my designs! Lori's love for her family shines through on her blog. She seems like such a great mom and a lovely person altogether. She also has one very talented cardmaking daughter, Hannah!:) I am still astounded when I see her designs...Check them out here!:) And just a peek at one of Hannah's cards...(I know.  Pretty darn impressive!)

If you'd like to say 'hi' to Lori and check out her fabulous blog, click over to By Lori Designs! She seems like a beautiful person inside and out! (gorgeous photo, huh!:)  Thank you, girly, for being part of our team:)!