Design Team News & Lookbook Submission Info!

Just a quick post today to share some news and info!

First up, some exciting Design Team news, last week I asked our guest designers Carol & Sharon if they would join the team permanently, I'm pleased to say they both accepted so we now have two new permanent members of the team to add to our happy little family! :o)

 

Secondly, I've been asked lots about deadlines and info for submitting to the Sarah Hurley Lookbook Volume 2 (in the 3 weeks since issue one launched we've had over 2300 readers - how amazing is that???!) anyway, back to the point! If you haven't had chance to look yet, you can read the first issue here - 

Here is all the info you need to submit:

Your projects can be any type of craft project - a card, scrapbook page or altered piece, it must be made using Sarah Hurley products (you can see everything here) You can email us your submissions for consideration here - all submissions must be received by midnight on 4th November - DEADLINE EXTENDED to 11th NOVEMBER! to be considered. We will email successful people within 14 days of this date to confirm details. 

A few tips for your submission!

* Your projects look best photographed on a white or neutral background with little or no props and even lighting. 

* It helps to have one or two close up shots of any special features or details. 

* Your projects look best photographed straight on, not looking up or down or at an angle (you can use angles on your close up shots to show off details or 3D elements) 

* When photographing scrapbook pages, you may find it easier to lay them on the floor (near a window is good!) and stand over them to take your picture

* Don't take your pictures in bright sunny daylight - mid morning or mid afternoon is usually the best I find

* Please make sure your projects are original and have not been featured on your blog or published anywhere else before

* You don't need to be a professional photographer, we just need a clear, well lit picture that shows off your project well - it can be the best project in the world but if your photo is dark and blurry noone will know!

* Don't worry about sending instructions or materials lists etc... at this stage - we will ask you for the information needed if you are selected.

We look forward to seeing your projects!

Thanks for dropping by today
Sarah x

Halloween with Making Cards Magazine & Penny Black Stamps!

This month I have two cards featured in Making Cards magazine, both using some of my favourite Halloween stamps by Penny Black, here is a little sneak peek at one of them...

You can get hold of the issue in your local craft shop, WH Smiths or here on the Making Cards website.

As I mentioned in my last post, this weekend I met Emma at Ally Pally (via Murderville as I got lost on a wrong bus! - lesson learned, don't listen to the online journey planner website, it isn't quicker - or safer!!! - take the tube!) we had a fab day catching up, bumping into and chatting with some lovely crafty peeps and of course, SHOPPING! Here is a little peek at my new stash... (if B asks, everything here was in a BIG sale ;o) mwahahahaha!)

Between this little lot, my own range of new products that turned up last week, a few other crafty bits I couldn't resist and some things from clients I am overrun with new stuff at the moment, which of course means my mojo has up and left - if you spot it, spank it and send it back to me please - naughty mojo!

Until inspiration strikes, I am working on some new kit and product designs and organising new products for my NOTHS shop - I spent Monday researching something brand new and I'm pleased to say it's viable and will be launching in about 2-3 weeks, cannot wait!

Now I'm going to fire up the Dolce Gusto, make a big mug of hot chocolate and get back to work! I'll have some exciting news about my Design Team and some submission information regarding the Lookbook volume 2 for you this week, so keep a look out!

Thanks so much for dropping by today
Sarah x

Sarah Hurley Designs Comes to NotOnTheHighStreet.com!!!

Last week  I mentioned some exciting news I would be sharing soon and I'm thrilled to say I can reveal all today!

Earlier this year I had a call from NotOnTheHighStreet.com - they loved my products and invited me to join them as a partner with a shop on their site. At the time, circumstances meant I couldn't accept (although I was very flattered) I had since put the whole thing out of my mind and moved forward with my other work. However a couple of weeks ago, completely out of the blue, I had an email, they hadn't forgotten me! They had been keeping an eye on me, still loved my products and wanted me to join. This time, I was able to accept! I'm absolutely thrilled to be on board, it has helped me to diversify my products into another area I love - Stationery, Cards & Gifts! So you will be seeing these new products being released alongside my craft products over the next few weeks and months! I hope you will pop over and take a look around my shop and see the first batch of new products!

This has been a week of new things, new products, new opportunities - so exciting! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what this latest development brings!

Tomorrow I'm off to the Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show at Alexandra Palace for a much needed day off and some retail therapy - can't wait!

Thank you for dropping by today
Sarah x

New Things & Favourite Things!

Another whirlwind week this week, with so much happening behind the scenes, exciting times ahead! But for now...

First up, a scrapbook page of My Favourite Things, I got some time to craft this week, and I couldn't wait to make this...

I've been talking about how important it is to document the everyday moments with the new Documented365 range and this is one for my album, it may not be a big event, but it's the kind of thing that will be great to look back on! here are a couple of close ups...

I used 9 little Prinstagram prints arranged into a grid over some 4 Heures 37, Jillibean Soup and Echo Park Everyday Eclectic (cut into a rosette with a Sizzix die) Papers, Washi Tape and Stickers. The letters are October Afternoon and American Crafts Glitter Thickers. and the lovely Flair button badge and wooden shapes are from.... ME!

So... from favourite things to new (favourite) things... in my shop this week, not only have all my recent Craft CD's been restocked (I know lots of you have asked when they would be back as you preferred a hard copy to the download version, so I've worked on getting them back and I have them all here ready to go!) but I have some brand new things - Wooden Shapes, Acrylic Shapes & Ephemera Packs, here are some pics...

You can see everything properly here in the shop (and everything in the shop has free UK (mainland) postage!)

Now I'm back to the drawing board, kits to finish and illustrations to work on for the upcoming Frankfurt book fair and my as yet secret new development (news coming in the next few days!) I will also be giving you some more info on submissions for the Lookbook Volume 2 in the next few days, so keep an eye out for that (you can send your projects to us here if you have them ready!)

Wow, that was an epic post, you probably need a cup of tea after that, I do!

Thank you for dropping by today!

Sarah x

Star Lanterns - Free SVG Cutting File!

Today I have a free SVG Silhouette cutting file for you all! This time a Star Lantern... I made this as a prop for some photography I'm doing, and loved them so much I thought I'd share!

You can download your kit here

I made two, one actual size and then I reduced it to around 75% to make a second, I cut them from premium copy paper - around 90gsm - you don't want anything too thick or the light won't shine through, but not too thin or it won't be sturdy enough to stand up! I then popped a battery operated tealight in each to give them a lovely glow, they would make gorgeous Christmas decorations or table centrepieces. I also used the cut out stars as confetti - I love stars and couldnt just throw them away!

You can see more of my Silhouette designs here in the Silhouette online store or here in my own store (where you can also see my other designs and craft products)

Thanks so much for dropping by today!
Sarah x

Be one of the first to see new projects, news, special offers and freebies by following my blog (on the right), Facebook Page or Twitter!

A Quick Hello!

Wow, I had 3 emails this morning to ask if I was OK as I hadn't blogged in a week - a WEEK! thats quite possibly the longest ever, no wonder my head feels all full up!

Anyway, to catch you up with my shennanigans, I am most definitely OK, just a bit swamped! (in a good way...) as well as the usual bits and pieces I am working on - new products, new Documented365 kits, new kits for Serif DaisyTrail, some client work and my new illustrations for the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair, there has been a rather exciting development here at Hurley HQ! I can't reveal too much until probably next week but this was something I was approached about back in February, at the time I unfortunately had to turn it down for various reasons but I had an out of the blue email last week to make me another offer, this time I was able to take it up and I'm so excited to be getting everything ready for the launch! At the moment I am working in this relatively organised chaos...

(there is a sneaky peekof a new craft product coming soon to my range right there on my desk!)

I was able to sneak out for a day of shopping and lucnhing with Emma in Selfridges on Tuesday which was fabulous - we rubbed shoulders with Joan Collins in the stationery and gift section, she was looking at cards... and Emma helped me with a few things for my new venture. I must also thank my sister who I have been on the phone to for hours this week, picking her brains and calling on her expertise - I am so lucky to have such helpful lovely people around me - it's nice to help and be helped!

Now, I must grab myself another cup of Earl Grey and get back to it!

Thanks so much for dropping by today
Sarah x

Catching Up!

Wow, what a whirlwind few days this has been, the week has just flown past with all the excitement of the Sarah Hurley Lookbook launch! We've had fantastic comments and support from everyone and I'm just so happy that it's been such a hit -  roll on Volume 2! :o)

If you haven't seen the issue yet scroll down to the post below and check it out!)

I've been super busy this week organising a million and one things, it seems to be a very exciting time here at Hurley HQ and I can't wait to share all the developments! I did manage to squeeze in a quick card the other night though, I'd been dying to try out the new Letraset Neon Pens and some stamps I had picked up from a late night shop on the Paperchase website (naughty!) Here is the finished result, with some doodling and a Kaisercraft background stamp!

It was very quick but fun to make, I usually only really doodle in my art journal and sketchbooks (and random bits of paper) - maybe I should do more! 

Now I must head back to the grindstone, there is no rest for the wicked you know ;o) just enough time to make myself a Chai Tea Latte before I get back to that 'To Do' list - it's a monster! 

Thanks so much for dropping by today!

Sarah x

Introducing... The Sarah Hurley Lookbook Debut issue!

Today I'm revealing another big secret - something myself and my Design Team have been working very hard on behind the scenes and the biggest project I've undertaken since the launch of Documented365!

The debut issue of the Sarah Hurley Lookbook brings you more information on the newest collections, inspirational projects from myself and my super talented Design Team and tips and tutorials! You can read the first issue here...

When I first planned this I estimated it would be around 30 pages, however during the course of working on it, it's grown to a whopping 93 pages! Partly due to the sheer volume of things I wanted to cram in and make sure we covered and partly because the projects my Design Team came up with were so fab I didn't want to leave out a single one!

I hope you enjoy it and, as ever, look forward to your valuable comments and feedback, you can leave comments here or over on my Facebook page.

We will be accepting submissions using my products for Volume Two, please email me here with the heading 'Lookbook Submission' You can see all of my products here in my online store.

Finally, a BIG massive thankyou to my fabulous team, I literally could not have done this without you!

Thank you for dropping by today and sharing in our excitement!
Sarah x