Punky Scraps Blog Hop

Today I'm taking part in the Punky Scraps Blog Hop. This fab inky painty challenge blog is run by Nat from my DT and she very kindly asked me if I would be a guest for her today (how could I refuse!)You should have reached my blog from Celina's blog (or you can start at the beginning here) and at the end Nat has a sketch challenge for a spot on the Punky Scraps Design Team and some fab prizes up for grabs - not to be missed!

For the hop we were asked to share our favourite inky painty project which for me is this Art Journal page I made a few months ago (I don't share many pages from my art journal and this is a rare example!)

This is done in my little Derwent journal, I used lots of different colour Ink Sprays on the background along with lots of doodling, a print of one of my favourite quotes and some magazine scraps) 

Here are a couple of close ups...

 

From here, you can hop over to Amy to see her favourite project! and then on to try out for the coveted DT place and prizes at the end!

Thanks for taking part today!
Sarah x

A Sneak Peek and a Clue...

Tonight, as promised, another sneak peek and a little clue of the BIG product launch next week that I'm super excited about...

First up, a little clue, today I received these from the product launch sponsor (who is FAB by the way!)...

These are a key component of making the new range work... ;o)

And the lovely Jaine has been working hard on a project using the new range (in conjunction with Craft Basics) and here is a sneaky peek (you will be able to see the full project on her blog next week!)

I'd love to hear your guesses and feedback - I'm absolutely bursting to share everything!! I will spending the weekend finalising a few more bits and making some samples myself - can't wait!!!

Hope you have a fab crafty weekend!

Thanks for dropping by today.
Sarah x

Sneak Peek! Santa's Workshop

I promised some sneak peeks this week as we have a couple of big launches coming up including Christmas and a fab new product line I have been working on for months and can't wait to share!!!

So today, the first sneak peek is from the new Christmas CD - Santa's Workshop!

The CD and kit will be launched on 3rd August and in the run up my lovely DT will have some projects for you, so keep a look out!

The next sneak peek will be from the other product range I've been working on for many months, I'm so excited but nervous to launch that next week!!!!!! :o)

In other news the sun has arrived and I've melted into a little pink and orange puddle - I really don't do well with heat! lol, but I've been working super hard on all the new products coming your way, I'm really thrilled with whats coming up!

Thanks so much for dropping by today!
Sarah x

Memories of Grandad Scrapbook Page

Today I'm sharing a scrapbook page! I haven't shared one for ages as I haven't had chance to do much scrapping recently (I miss it desperately!) and to be honest, I wasn't sure if this one would ever see the light of day as it's so personal and I found it so difficult to scrapbook.

I was very close to my Grandad, he was the strongest male influence in my life for lots of reasons and he died when I was 18, I'm really not one to brood on things or sit crying about things, but I find it very difficult to think of him or talk about him without crying even now, over 10 years later (even writing this is making me cry!) However the layout is done, this was a part of my process with documenting my family history with Ancestry.co.uk (I started with my grandad and am working back mostly on his side of the family) I knew this journey wouldn't always be an easy, happy one, and more than that, I think he deserves a mention on my blog!

The papers and most of the embellishments are from the Echo Park 'This and That' collection, one of my current favourites, that crossword paper fit perfectly as he loved crosswords and it was something we loved to do together! I also got to use lots of washi tape on this one too. I have journaled a few bits on the journaling card at the front but there is more hidden journaling (too personal to share - a great reason for hidden tags!) on the inside tag tucked behind the photo

I will be posting a more indepth update of my Ancestry project in a couple of days so keep a look out!

Also this week, the sneak peeks start! My Christmas stuff is very very nearly finished and I have another product launch for you also before the end of the month, myself and my lovely DT are working round the clock to get some samples ready for you - such an exciting but busy time!

Thanks so much for dropping by today!
Sarah x

Vintage Lady card for Making Cards Magazine

Today I'm sharing another card I made for Making Cards magazine recently - this is part of a set of 3 (I'll share the others another time!)

The stamp is from one of my favourite Hero Arts sets of vintage ladies, I stamped and watercoloured it. The papers are from Cosmo Cricket - love these too! I may have a few extras of these stashed away ;o) which I distressed around the edges with my scissors and then Tea Dye and Walnut Stain Distress ink (what did I do before those colours came along!) and stitched together (I stitch by hand as I've never got to grips with using a sewing machine) The flower is from the Tattered Florals die byTim Holtz for Sizzix, I cut it from kraft paper and layered with a brad through the centre.

This set was featured in the July issue of Making Cards, if you don't have it I think there are still a few copies available on their website here. My friend and DT lovely Emma also has a fabulous set of cards in there you just have to see, one of them is on the cover, fabulous!

Now I must be off, today is a rare day off for me and desperately needed if I'm honest! Of course I have a few emails to catch up on first... ;o)

Have a fab weekend (I'll be in my studio working on some projects - yay!) and thank you for dropping by.
Sarah x

Fuzzybutt's Exciting News!

Last week I posted on Twitter that I had received an email for Fuzzybutt - it's not the first time it's happened - I've had some 'fan mail' for her before, lol, but this email was from Pedigree! Pedigree had seen a picture of Fuzzybutt on my blog (when I baked the doggy treats for her) they thought she was super cute (which she is of course *proud mummy moment* lol)  and wanted her to take part in a trial they are doing for their Joint Care products!! Of course Fuzzybutt was super excited to hear she would be getting treats in the post and have lots of attention - her two favourite things!

Today her lovely box of goodies from Pedigree turned up - B helped her open it while I stood around taking pics like it was Christmas morning! So please excuse the cute overload now while I share some doggy pics!

She could not keep still for wagging her tail as B opened the box...

Inside the box was this bag - amazeballs right?! I love attention to detail like this! :o) (see the little nose creeping in at the side - no patience! don't know where she gets it from... ;o) haha)

And inside the bag...

 There were treats...

And toys!

 And a video camera for me to capture all of her escapades!

She had to check the bag thoroughly to make sure B hadn't missed anything... I think she was hoping for a pair of Doggy Dentures!... lol

 and finally, she had her first Joint Care treat - they smell quite strong, normally she doesn't eat anything that smells strongly so I was a bit worried, but she wolfed this down and then asked for another (she only gets one a day though - little piggy!) She seems smitten...

So that was Fuzzybutt's exciting day! A big 'Thank You' to Pedigree for this bag of goodness, it made our day! You can see more about the trial (and cute pictures of other dogs!) on the Pedigree Facebook page

Thanks for popping by today!
Sarah x

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October Afternoon Rocket Boy Card

Today I'm sharing another of my cards that was recently featured in Making Cards magazine!

This was made using October Afternoon's 'Rocket Age' papers and stamps, coloured with Promarkers. The lined kraft card is from a Docrafts pad I have (it has lined, grid and plain - fabulous!) which I've punched at the top to make it look like notepaper.

This weekend, I didn't make it to my studio unfortunately, I'm working flat out on my new craft ranges and products as well as some bits and pieces for some of my clients (more details when I can - very exciting!) Today has been a super busy one too, hence why I'm posting my blog post so late! Now I must get back to my illustration - lots to do so I can start revealing some more of these secrets I have bottled up! lol

Thanks so much for dropping by today
Sarah x

Cookery Corner - No Fry Fish & Chips

I've been promising you another Cookery Corner - I've had a ton of emails asking me when it would be posted - well, here it is! Sorry for the delay but with so much happening it can be a struggle to squeeze it in sometimes, I will make sure to do one more often in future!

Today's recipe is a popular one here at home, B loves junk food, anything fried is his favourite, personally I don't like fried food, we don't have a frier here at home and I try to encourage him to bake or grill wherever possible to try and keep him healthier! My fish and chip recipe came as a result of that, I'd rather cook a healthy baked fish and chips (no frying, no batter!) that tastes just as good as the fried shop version, and even B agrees that this is better than his junk food favourite!

No-Fry Fish & Chips (Serves 2)

Ingredients:

2 pieces of white fish - I tend to use Haddock or Cod
2 Potatoes
4 Pieces of Smoked Bacon
Spray Oil
Sea Salt & Black Pepper

Wrap each piece of fish in 2 pieces of bacon, wrap loosely in foil and put in the oven on a medium heat
Peel the potatoes and cut into chips
Lightly spray a baking sheet with oil (2-3 sprays)
Spread the chips evenly on the baking sheet, spray again with oil (2-3 sprays) and season with sea salt and black pepper
Bake in the oven with the fish for around 30 minutes (turn halfway through) and serve!

Just a note that towards the end of cooking, I unwrap my fish from the foil and grill each side for about 2 minutes to make the bacon crispy, depends on how you prefer your bacon (I like mine just in danger of burning, lol) I also rest my fish on some kitchen towel for a few seconds each side before serving, it soaks up any excess oil from the bacon.

Simple, easy and relatively healthy - apart from the bacon - but you could use turkey bacon or a low fat version if you are more health conscious than B and I! but there isn't much of it and it's better for you than the oily fried batter! The bacon also gives the fish a fabulous taste. Baked oven chips are also much tastier than fried, for a change you could also try leaving the skins on for more fibre (just remember to scrub them thoroughly first)

Enjoy!

Thanks for dropping by today, I will be back tomorrow with a crafty project to share :o)

Sarah x

A Free Journaling Card & a Special Offer!

Today I'm really spoiling you all, first up, I've had lots of fun responses to my Essex themed Journaling Cards released yesterday, just a bit of fun, but as an Essex girl and a scrapbooker this just had to be done!! (apologies if you don't get the joke, I'm not sure if people outside the UK would know about Essex / TOWIE but I could be wrong!)

You can get this kit here

I think the tanning guide one is my fave - even though I have zero tan or ability to tan! I've already printed them out ready to pop in my Smash book at the weekend when I get some crafty time. So for all of you fellow Essex crafters / scrapbookers and smashbookers I have an extra freebie one to add to the above collection, just click on the link below to download.

Click here to download your free journaling card

It comes in PNG format for using digitally but you can also paste into a Word / Illustrator / Photoshop or Craft Artist document to print out and use in your paper crafts, its sized to 3" x 4" for those of you doing Project Life or something similar.

I also had an email this week from the lovely peeps over at Craft Superstore who wanted to let me know about their 10% offer they have on at the moment, so I thought I'd share the love, I've got my eye on a Big Shot... (don't tell B!) ;o)

Thats all from me today, I'm working hard on a new range of crafty products being launched later this month, my Design Team LOVE them and I'm super excited to reveal all, its a project I've been working on for a while and I just knwo you're all going to love it!!! :o) Sneaks will start soon over on my Facebook page...

Thanks for dropping by today!
Sarah x

Quick & Simple Kaisercraft Hummingbird Cards

Today I'm sharing a set of quick and simple cards that you may have seen as they were recently featured in Making Cards magazine (yay!) For these I used the Kaisercraft Hummingbird range which features one of my fave colour palettes - teal, red and yellow - delish! (You can click on these pics to see them bigger)

These were made using papers from the range along with the die cut shapes pack and a few of the stickers from the sticker sheet. For stockists of this range you can email Jones & Co, the UK distributor. The only extras I added were some twine, gems and stamped sentiments from one of my fave Hero Arts sets.

Each card took around 10 minutes to make - perfect for when you're in a rush or making lots!

Thanks so much for dropping by today!
Sarah x

Introducing... My New Design Team!

Today I'm thrilled to be able to share my lovely new Design Team with you!

Please welcome, the lovely Geraldine, Candice & Nicole! They will be joined by two fabulous Guest Designers, Sharon & Carol.

Adding these girls to my existing design team of Clare, Claireliz, Jaine, Melly, Emma, Nat, Elaine, Jess & Lisa and you have yourself one super talented crafty bunch of peeps!! :o)

Youll be seeing a lot more about these ladies over the next few weeks as well as their lovely work - keep your eyes peeled! In the meantime, why not hop over, check out their blogs and say hello!

I want to thank everyone who took the time to enter my call, as always, there were a huge number of enteries and it was a really tough decision. There was noone that entered who I wouldn't love to work with, so please don't let it put you off entering again in the future.

Thanks so much for dropping by today, I'll be back tomorrow with a crafty project to share :o)
Sarah x

Book Review - Everything Oz

Recently, I was lucky enough to be sent a preview copy of a new Craft book called 'Everything Oz' to read and review...

Get your copy here on Amazon

The book contains lots of creative projects and things to make and bake - if you love the Wizard of Oz as much as I do, then this book is an absolute 'must have'! Every once in a while a book comes along that I think 'wow, this must have been fun to write / produce / illustrate' and this is definitely one of those books. With lots of diverse projects, from making your own Ruby slippers to baking your own little 'Toto' some treats, it's just great, I can't wait to get time to do all of them!

Today I tried out the 'Toto's Treats' dog biscuits and got baking for Fuzzybutt - she is one spoilt pooch, I know! I made a few extra for B's brothers dog too, I couldn't leave her out. I couldn't find my bone shaped cookie cutter (yes, I do have one, how sad is that, lol) so I made little 'B's (for Belle) and F's (for Fuzzybutt) and M's for my BIL's dog Millie...

They were really simple to make, just a few minutes and Fuzzybutt loved them, look at her licking her lips! lol

Its nice to find a good homebaked treat for her as I do worry sometimes about the ingredients in the ones you buy in the shops - they seem so manufactured and artificial whereas I know exactly what is in these ones and can even choose to make different flavours now by adjusting the recipe a bit - no more icky fake treats for my girl :o)

Now I'm off to rustle up a quick dinner for me and B before he starts moaning about how I only cook for the dog, hahaha. Then later tonight I have some fun emails to send... *wink wink*

Thanks so much for dropping by today!
Sarah x