New Halloween Stuff!

Just a quick post as its STUPID o'clock in the morning and my eyes feel like I've been poked in them with sharp sticks but I just HAD to get the new halloween stuff online before I had any chance of sleep!

As you know the new 'Twilight' spray inks are in stock and proving VERY popular so snap yours up here!

As I just LOVE Halloween I've also started uploading some of the stuff I've been designing (there is more to come very very soon - yay!) tonight I uploaded a few more sheets and this fabbo mini digi kit...

Grab yours here for an absolutely bargainous £2.00!

Now I'm off to bed as I have a LOOOOOONG day tomorrow of sample making (I will be at Alexandra Palace at the weekend for the Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show) and demo prep - I will be showing some fab techniques with the spray inks and Ink-A-Balls and generally hovering around the ScrapShed stand trying to be useful :o) thats stand 50 by the way so come and say hi! (and watch my demos - I think I'm on at 2pm both days - will confirm!)

I'm just going to write a quick post for the Afternoon Tea with our first DT showcase in readiness for the big reveal and subs details - I should have some news on when that will be very very soon - I'm itching to get my first kit and I know the other DT girls are too!

Sarah x

Blog Award!

I forgot to mention on Sunday that the lovely Maria had given me a blog award!

she also said I only looked about 19 in my picture in Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine - I didn't even have to pay her or bribe her or anything! and to think I was considering botox now I've hit the big 3-0! She is now officially one of my favourite people :o)

I've just spent some time looking at all my DT's blogs - I do have them all on my google reader and I read them every night on my ipod before I drop off to sleep but you don't get to really see the pictures on that tiny screen and I can tell you i've been missing out on some fabby stuff! So please pop over and have a look at the lovely projects from Lisa, Donna, Clare and my September guest designer Nicola - a very talented bunch of ladies!

I will also be running some features on the Afternoon Tea design team starting this week so keep an eye out for them over on the blog - these are being done as a countdown to subscriptions opening and kits going on sale!

I'm off for a bit more drawing now before bed - I have some FANTASTIC new products going on the website at the weekend including some fab Halloween stuff and limited editions - woooooo!

Sarah x

Back Again!

Just looked and can't believe I haven't blogged since Thursday! I have been very busy but big apologies, that was very rubbish of me!

I must quickly mention that the lovely Lisa from my Design Team has some Blog Candy up for grabs so pop over and try your luck! (not just yet, at least pretend to be a bit interested in my comings and goings!)

The Bank Holiday weekend just whizzed past, I had a fab night with some friends on Friday, one of those unplanned things that turn into the best type of nights as you have no expectations to disappoint you, was nice to relax! The rest of the weekend was mostly working, although I did manage to track down the perfect size storage box for my Promarkers - I was so pleased! I did have them in the lovely storage thingys that Letraset sent me but I like to take them downstairs with me or to bed if I'm finishing something up so wanted something I could carry them round in- am now a very happy bunny (its the simple things, it really is!)

Today I saw the feature on me in Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine, made me do a little squeal as I ripped it open in the shop - I think the poor lady in there was slightly alarmed - she already thinks I'm a bit odd as everyday I buy cherry tictacs - they are SERIOUSLY yummy, every food should be cherry flavoured! I also saw that Woodland Whimsies was featured in the 'Ten of the Best' feature in Papercraft Inspirations which was a nice surprise as I had no idea!

I'm hoping to get some inky play time this week as I promised you some Promarker tutorials and I want to show you lots more things with my Sprays and Ink-A-Balls, which you will be seeing a LOT more of (thats all I'm saying for now...) thanks to everyone that has placed orders for them - it has kept OH out of my hair packing while I've been working on more stuff! LOL

Today is also the last day of my August Guest Designer, Sue's term, so farewell Sue! but welcome....... NICOLA, our fabby September Guest Designer who I'll be telling you a bit more about tomorrow. She will be setting next weeks challenge for us as well so look out for that, its a good one (you may want to get your Christmas Cheer CD ready, thats all I'm saying... LOL)

Now I must get on, I'm still working on my top secret project as well as scheduling some stuff for the Afternoon Tea kit clubs - you will be hearing a lot more about those soon too!

I'm going away now so hop on over to Lisa's blog for that candy - good luck!

Sarah x

Sneak Peek Number 2!

As promised, here is the second sneak peek of the 'Christmas Cheer' CD!

This is taken from the 'Vintage' collection on the CD. I've included lots of fun elements on this CD and its my biggest one yet! Christmas is my favourite time of the year so I was SO inspired and actually had to stop myself!! I really could have made 2 CD's for this collection too, LOL. I will do the last sneak peek of the 'Retro' collection later this week along with some info about some other new products.......

Tonight we will be announcing the Design Team for 'Afternoon Tea' so have a look at the blog to see our lucky 'Tea Ladies'!

Today I received a lovely box of goodies which I wanted to play with IMMEDIATELY but didn't get chance until about 5 o'clock! Nonetheless, I managed a quick hour in the studio and finished a layout I started at the weekend - just the journalling to add!

I used lots of 'October Afternoon' on this! They are one of my absolute favourites and I just LOVE everything they produce!

I also finished my card for my 'Challenge Blog' which I will post on there later tonight. If you havent had a look yet come and join us - don't be shy!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the Sneak Peek - look forward to receiving your comments!

Sarah x

New DT Member & Guest Designers!

Please welcome Mel to the Design Team!

Mel is one of my newest DT members, she lives with her hubby and puppy in Scotland, take a look at some of the lovely work on her blog. I'm so excited to see her creations!

I have another DT member who will be revealed very soon so watch this space.......

I have also got some lovely Guest Designers who will be joining us for a month each, they will also set the first challenge of their month over on our challenge blog - I posted the first challenge today so pop over and take a look, I do hope you will join us! Don't forget about our blog hop this weekend, all of us have some lovely prizes to give away on our blog!

The Guest Designer Schedule is as follows (click on their pics to see their blogs - Sue and Nicola only started theirs today!)

August - Sue

September - Nicola

October - TBC

November - Jackie

Today I spent the day finalising different things and going through all the Afternoon Tea applications, I'm so glad I didn't have to make that decision on my own! Trying to select just a few ladies from a very talented bunch was VERY difficult. With my own DT call and that one, it has been an emotional few days, I really hate to deliver bad news :o( but on the upside I LOVE to find new talented people I can work with!

Today after much 'Rain Dancing' on my part, it FINALLY rained! and thundered and there was wind, it was fabulous!! When its so hot and stuffy like this the air is like warm soup and trying to breathe it in, especially while I'm not 100% healthy is difficult! On the plus side I got some new medication yesterday which I'm hoping will finally make me all better, it made me feel a bit sick yesterday but I'm told it will get better (yay!)

Back soon with another DT announcement and I might have another sneak peek for you tomorrow as well - woo!

Sarah x

STUFF!

Lots of stuff today!

Firstly, I hope you will join our challenge blog which launches at the weekend with a Blog Hop and a new challenge - we have some fab prizes to win, so don't miss out!!

Secondly, I have contacted most of the DT applicants now so will have news of our new peeps for you in the next few days, including some lovely Guest Designers! There are a few more e-mails to send and I am contacting everyone whether they are successful or not, I think thats so important as I hate to leave people hanging.

Thirdly, one of my Create & Craft shows was confirmed today for 22nd August - there are some others being scheduled at the moment so that may or may not be my next one or I may be gracing your TV screens before then! If there is anything special you would like me to demo drop me an e-mail and I will do my very very best!

Tomorrow I will be going through the Afternoon Tea DT applications, thats going to be a BIG job but I'm so excited about it. Some of the kit stuff has started arriving and its GORGEOUS!!!

and finally, take a look at Clare's blog at the lovely Woodland Whimsies card she entered for a challenge this week, love the colours!

Thank you for all the lovely comments about the 'Christmas Cheer' CD sneka peek yesterday (scroll one post down if you missed it!) I will do another sneak soon!

Sarah

A New Week!

A new week always feels like a new beginning, a clean slate whether the previous one has been good or bad and another whole 5 days to catch up with the never ending "to-do" list!!

Today I realised that one of my favourite papers from 'Woodland Whimsies' I hadn't even used yet!! so I decided to make a quick 'Timmy Tag' (named of course after the fab Tim Holtz) these are a great way to have a quick burst of creativity, get your mojo back or try something new, I just LOVE tags! Here is my home one with my favourite paper and one of my flowers from the CD.

The pattern is so retro and reminds me of an old 1950's apron or something you would see in an Enid Blyton book. This is on the 'Woodland Whimsies' CD - there are oranges and apples. I've inked this one round the edges to make it look more grungy and vintagey. The great thing about working with bright colours is that you can always do this, distress it and make it look vintage. If you start from vintagey / grungy you can't go the other way!

Tomorrow the Christmas CD - Christmas Cheer - goes off for production and I'll get them all a couple of days later - can't wait to get these out to the DT team, I'm so excited about this CD - I thought it was just first time nerves with the first ones but it seems I really do get *this* excited about every product and design!! That can only be a good thing!

Tomorrow I'll have another sneak peek for you and later in the week I'll be telling you about something else I've been working on!

Tomorrow and Wednesday I'll be looking through the DT applications and e-mailing everyone so keep an eye on your inbox!

Wednesday or Thursday we will also be spending a whole day looking through the Afternoon Tea applications and will contact everyone after that.

This is SUCH a busy week but I'm not complaining! Luckily I have a fabby team helping me and I'm really grateful to them for all of their support.

This weekend we will be launching the Challenge Blog with a Blog Hop - so look out for details - there are some fab prizes to be won!

Lastly I HAVE to share the CUTEST pic of Fuzzybutt, we were playing scrabble last night and of course she just had to join in.....

isn't she just the most adorable little thing?!

Sarah x

In case you missed it!

The maths thingy is now finished (thank God!!!) and thats that out of the way FOREVER - yay! Now I only have the funner parts of my course left to do. I have to tell you I'm not actually that bad at maths in that I almost always get the answer right, its just that it takes me a long time to get there. At school you are taught a certain way of working things out and I just can't do it that way - surprisingly I did actually manage a 'B' in my maths GCSE and was in the top class for maths but how I did it I'll never know! I see numbers backwards so it makes things very difficult for me, but I feel proud of myself that I completed a maths module (you were right Mum! LOL)

Anyway, enough of all that! Today I have been finalising some new products that will go into production next week - eeeek! Also, in case you missed it earlier in the week, here is the sneaky peek of 'Christmas Cheer' my newest craft CD which will be available very soon - a few finishing touches (I just keep adding to this one!) and I'll send it off - the Design Team will have their copies next week and will be bringing you lots and lots of lovely inspiration very soon!

On this CD there are 3 collections - Retro (the colours you see on the front cover), Traditional and Vintage. More details coming soon......

The Design Team will be starting our challenge blog very soon with some lovely prizes and projects - watch this space for more news!

I have also been busy looking at all the fab design team applications coming in - this is the FINAL 24 HOURS!!! so get them in quick (it is open to UK and International applicants for those that have asked) and you can see the details here.

I have also been going over the Afternoon Tea Design Team applications (only 24 hours for this one as well now!) details here. I can't wait to show you the kits - I have to say they are FAB! and I can't wait to get my grubby paws on my one!! as well as looking at all the CHA sneak peeks to find fab new products for future kits - I can't tell you how hard it is to narrow stuff down - I'd like to put almost everything I see in there! (but I've been told very strictly that I can't!)

Tomorrow I will be finishing the last few Xmas pics for the CD - I can't tell you how difficult it is drawing penguins and snowy things when its 30 degrees outside and BAKING! But I know everyone likes to get a head start on their cards so I'm persevering!

Finally, did you see Dragons Den tonight? Kirsty Henshaw was AMAZING! she totally deserved that investment, it's so nice to see someone who has worked so hard and achieved so much to get some help, gives us all faith in the human spirit and proves that if you work hard enough you CAN do it! How inspiring!!!

Sarah x

Sorry...

Apologies for my missing blog post from yesterday! Yesterday was one of *those* days, you know the kind where everything seems to happen at once to the point where you feel like you can't breathe, sorry to say it all got on top of me and it ended up being a very emotional day. If it wasn't for my OH, Fuzzybutt and copious amounts of biccies I would probably look like I'd gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson instead of just 5 (crying makes my face puff up and my eyes swell shut - attractive huh?! LOL)

Before I forget, don't forget there are only a few more days to send me over your Design Team application!!! See info here.....

The Afternoon Tea Design Team Call shuts on the same day - you can see the details for that on the blog here.....

Today I decided to treat myself to an hours uninterrupted bliss with my Promarkers! Apart from my show samples and demos I've not really had chance to just play with them and see what happens! So today I dug out my 'Rosie Flo' colouring book and got to work! Now don't laugh - I've not had much practice yet but here you go.....

While I was already creating and messy and inky, and had some products to test, I thought I may as well carry on! FirstlyI made a card using my bargainous Girls Paperie papers I picked up from ScrapShed earlier in the week... I just love this range....

and then I got round to some Scrapbooking - first time in too long!! (probably only a few days really but it always feels like too long!) I made this layout using an old school pic of OH's son, Sam.

I much prefer scrapping with pics from the 80's or before, the colours are so much nicer! I've left the journalling card blank as Brian can't actually remember how old Sam was in this pic so we will get Brian's mum or Sam to fill it out when they come over with a bit of journalling. B liked it anyway so that was good - I'm sure Sam would be mortified to know that I posted this, mwahahaha!

Pop over to Lisa's blog to see the fabby project she's posted with the Woodland Whimsies CD's - sooo cute!

Next week I have some Promarkery goodness to share with you from the design team and also to help me get a wriggle on i'm committing to showing you a Sneak Peek of at least one new thing on Monday - that sets me a deadline I HAVE to meet and makes me accountable!! LOL

Sarah x

Random Stuff

My little fuzzybutt pooch got a haircut today - this is how she normally looks...

look at that cute fuzzy face! well, no more! OH got completely carried away with the scissors and hacked off a huge chunk of her fringe!!!! all she really wanted was a little trim - now she looks like a little boy dog :o( my poor baby... She's still super cute though!

Today I've spent the whole day working on new products and they are soooo close to being done, really! So look out for sneak peeks coming very soon!

Also, just to let you know, Blogger seems to be eating my post comments - I read them by e-mail but when I click publish they disappear!! so please keep messages coming - I am reading them!!

Please pop over to Shell's blog today as she has posted some lovely samples made from Woodland Whimsies 1 & 2

Also, ScrapShed are having a super crazy sale on the Girls Paperie line at the moment - which as you know is one of my absolute faves!! so nip over there quick and stock up before she comes to her senses and puts those prices up!!!! (just maybe leave me a sheet or 2 of each m'kay?) If you havent seen the sticker books in person you absolutely must get them, you a couple of sheets in each one - they are SUCH good value for money! Now I'm going to stop telling you how great it is cos I want some left for me! LOL

Sarah x

p.s. If you didn't get your free download yesterday see below! (there is also the DT information in that post if you're looking for that)

Design Team & Update

I've been a VERY lazy blogger!! I can't believe I didn't blog allllll weekend - in my defence I was finalising yummy things to bring you soon so I hope you can forgive? Now to catch you up.......

Since my show I've had soooo many fabulous opportunities come my way - while this is obviously amazing, it means I need more help than I thought! Luckily the people that applied for my Design Team the first time round were fab so hopefully they will be joining me as Guest Designers very soon, however I still need MORE!! Soooooo, I am currently looking for more DT people for the "Sarah Hurley Designs" design team either permanent or Guest Designer spots

(if you have applied don't worry about applying again, I'll be in touch ;o) ) please send me an e-mail with a little bit about you, your blog link and a couple of pics of your best work (scrapbook LO's, cards and altered projects all welcome) they don't have to be using my products. The closing date is the 15th July and is open to International applicants as well.

I'm so looking forward to finding some more talented people for my team!

This weekend I finalised a couple of the kits for Afternoon Tea, I'm so happy with the final result and can't wait til all the things start arriving so we can photograph them and show you what we have. Once we have those pics I will open up for pre-order subscriptions. Don't forget to follow the Afternoon Tea blog here so you don't miss anything! We have had some amazing entries for the Afternoon Tea design team! for the DT call see here - the closing date is the 15th July also (see what I did there?!) LOL

I have some more exciting news coming this week so keep checking back for that. I'm so grateful for all of these opportunities and in turn hope to give others opportunities!

Also, last week I promised you a free download and then got super busy and didn't put it up! However here it is! A lovely dragonfly digi stamp which will co-ordinate perfectly with your Woodland Whimsies CD's, so download and grab your Promarkers!! Why not try printing onto acetate (don't forget your Promarkers work on that too!) Click on the pic to download

Please also pop over to Lisa's blog to see anotherof her lovely creations with the Woodland Whimsies CD. To get hold of your copy click here!

Hopefully that super mega blog post has made up for the weekend!! :o)

Sarah x

Treat Day

So today I spent the day with Karen from ScrapShed and she was one of the lucky peeps to get a peek of what was in that mystery box I received last week - I still can't tell you what it was yet - but she loved it as much as I did! and also managed to find another use for it which was nice :o)

Thanks to all that sent me lovely messages of congratulations yesterday - so nice of you, I am very excited about the new things coming my way! and its so nice to start seeing the DT applications coming in for Afternoon Tea - if you missed it yesterday, you can see the info here.

I'm also looking for some guest designers (and possibly some more permanent members of the team) for my designs, if you would like to be considered please e-mail me here.

The weekend is going to be a very very busy one with lots of stuff being finished up. Another lot of CD's are going out tomorrow (those ordered today - thank you to all those that have ordered so far - I hope you're loving them!) we are up to date as of yesterday though.

My treats came from OH who treated me to a takeaway and a cream cake today - naughty! (but nice....)

One last thing! please check out the latest samples from my lovely DT girls - Clare and Lisa, Clare even got her little one involved - can't to see what he came up with (once all the glue is dry!)

Sarah x

Wonderful Wednesday!

Some call Wednesday "hump day" but for me it's one of the best days - its the first day of the second part of the week which is always better than the first part of the week - right?!

So first thing today I had some pics taken, urgh, I HATE having my picture taken, I'm soooo not photogenic and it makes me feel all self concious and silly, my jaw seizes up so I can't smile and I just feel awkward! Anyway.... it's done now!

Soooo... couple of things today....

Firstly - I've had loads of e-mails and facebook messages asking when I'll be back on Create and Craft - I'm just finishing up some new stuff and then I'll be back, will be soon, promise!

Secondly, I've heard that Hobbycraft are having a sale on Promarkers - which as you all know I LOOOOOOOVE! so hop on over there now and stock up quick, you won't be sorry!

Thirdly, I've had some more fabby samples from one of my DT girls which I want to share with you all, so pop on over to Donna's blog and take a look - how much do you love that bag?! Shrink Plastic is something I've never quite got to grips with so was soooo pleased that Donna used it.

and lastly........

Im soooo excited to bring you one of my first bits of news for this week.....

I can now tell you that I am the Kit Designer and Design Team Co-ordinator for Afternoon Tea, a lovely new kit club launching in September!! I'm sooo excited about this venture and can't wait to share the progress with you as we go on. We have a Design Team Call running on the Blog - please check it out!!

Thats all for today!

Sarah x