October Afternoon & Personal Impressions Christmas Cards

Today I'm sharing two cards you may have seen recently in Making Cards magazine. For these I used one of my favourite ever Christmas lines by October Afternoon (Holiday Style) with my Christmas stamps for Personal Impressions...

This first card uses the Christmas Tags stamp set, stamped in Staz On ink and distressed with Distress Ink in tea dye to make them more vintage looking to match the papers...

This second one uses the Christmas Postcards stamps, again stamped and distressed...

I kept these ones very quick and simple but they are still some of my favourite makes of the year!

Thank you for dropping by today!
Sarah x

Halloween Time! Altered Alarm Clock

Today I'm sharing a project I actually made a few weeks ago but thought I'd save up for today! When the sneak peeks came around earlier this year of all the new company releases, my eye was immediately drawn to the Tim Holtz Alarm Clock, I had so many ideas for them that I ended up buying a few when they were released (oops!) My first one though, is this one...

Halloween is one of my favourite holidays and I love to make projects for it (even though we don't really do as much for it here in the UK!) For this I used the October Afternoon Witch Hazel line (one of my faves!) the back of the clock I covered in the black star paper before cutting and layering my gravestones and witches and pumpkins and cats to build up my Halloween scene inside...

The edges of the clock I decorated with foliage cut from coordinations distress card using one of my favourite ever Sizzix dies, the Tim Holtz Autumn Gatherings die, reminds me of crunching leaves!

 

I also used the Sizzix mini daisy die - these little dies are great as it cuts out all the petals individually and you can build it up as much as you need with Pinflair glue! I added some Stickles for sparkle too

 The little 3D spiders and webs are from some older Jolee's Boutique stickers that I had hoarded away

I used a combination of Pinflair glue and Glossy accents to layer everything together before adding my flying witch to the outside...

 Here is another little peek inside...

I loved making this and can't wait to start on my next Clock, I have another idea (or 10!) in mind already...

Thank you for dropping by today!
Sarah x

Papercraft Inspirations Feature & some news!

This month I have some cards made with some cute Penny Black stamps in Papercraft Inspirations, here is a little peek that the magazine shared on their Facebook page...

I hope you can pick up  a copy to take a look!

I'm also super excited to tell you, I've joined the magazine as one of their crafty experts (so excited!) so if you have any questions for me, please send them to me or the magazine and you could see the solution featured in a future issue!

Thank you for dropping by today!
Sarah x

*New* Documented365 and Project Life!

In my previous post I mentioned that lots of new Documented365 goodies were on their way and they are now here! Here is a little peek...

These are all now available right here in my shop!

I wanted to show you how I use my Documented365 bits and pieces, and hopefully give you some inspiration. Of course, I use them in my regular scrapping but just recently I've started my Project Life album and these fit perfectly with that. The reason I created Documented365 was because I loved the concept of Project Life but it was just a little bit too quick and simple for me (I do love to complicate things! lol) and I wanted to mix things up a bit and keep my own style and keep things very creative and tailored to each week. I know lots of people love to use the core kits to make a perfectly coordinated album, but for me, every week is different and I wanted my album to reflect that.

I did buy the gorgeous Honey core kit and recently swapped half of it for half of someones Jade kit (which I loved so much I will be buying a whole one, though I will probably swap half for something else too!) but I add in other bits, cards made from scraps, cards from other manufacturers, cards from my 'A Few of My Favourite Things...' kits and of course, my Documented365 cards and embellishments. So here is a weeks spread for you to see how I put it all together... (you can click to see the pictures bigger)

This card was made just from scraps of October Afternoon, used to make a custom header card - I like to put the dates at the beginning as I didn't start from January 1st.

Here are some Documented365 cards in with the Honey cards and a custom card - see how it all fits together - love! I also used one of the chipboard slide frames and covered it in gold stickles to highlight my shiny gold picture!

 

Here I've used some of my stamps directly on my Instagram prints (I get mine from Printed.com in 2 sizes)

I cut into this Honey Project Life card to make a photo holder, the clouds hold the picture in place! those alpha stickers are from Simple Stories Sn@p and are brilliant value as you get lots of different colours in one pack! The 'Awesomesauce' stamp is one of mine :o)

Here the 'Everyday Moments' header card is a Documented365 chalkboard card, the gold foil letterpress card is from Skipping5 (gorgeous!) and the little chalkboard pin badge and hashtag and 'amazeballs' stamps are from my range.

The currents card is from Documented365, (there is a little sneaky peek at my big exciting project right there in the top corner if you have a look ;o))

Here are another couple of close ups - you can see I've done a lot of stamping in Hero Arts neon pink ink -love it so much, I'm obsessed! and there is some washi tape too

Finally, a close up of each side, here is the left side...

and the right side...

My album is still coordinated but it won't look the same as anyone else's who has the same core kit, which is what I wanted. The Core Kits are such a great foundation, I just wanted to build on that and keep things unique and I think Documented365 fills that gap - I hope you agree!

I'll be sharing some more of my Project Life soon - I'm still catching up from the middle of June when I started - B bought me the core kit and album as one of my birthday pressies (he knows me so well!)

Thank you for dropping by today!
Sarah x

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

Washi Tape Love

The last few weeks I've become slightly obssessed with Washi Tape - between my lovely Rico stash and some that I've been tempted by from the girls on the Facebook Smash Book group I've built up quite a collection! I've been using it in my books and journals but hadn't been brave enough to use it in my Scrapbooking, until now!

Supply List - Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Cream Puff & Almond Cream, Basic Grey Basics white 6x6 paper pad, Coredinations Cosmo Cricket Cardstock, Woodgrain & Teal Stripe Washi tape - Angel Cards, Buttons & Market Street Alpha Stickers - October Afternoon, Glitter Alpha Stickers - Dovecraft, Cricut Expression & Princess Cartridge - Provocraft, Twine - The Twinery 

 
It was great to use as an accent in place of ribbon or banners as I did here.

This layout kind of put itself together, it didn't seem like work, from the vintagey style Instagram pic of Fuzzybutt, the muted tones and the perfectly coordinating tape, it just flowed, and I so enjoyed making it, I even used a bit of my treasured Basic Grey Basics paper which I very rarely use as I love it so so much and dread running out of it!

I cut the Hexagons with my Cricut using the Princess Cartridge (its the background for one of the alphabets on there) and added some buttons and twine.

It was great to get a bit of crafty time over the weekend, in amongst a bit of work, catching up with friends, baking a ham (more about that another day!) and doing some writing, so fun!

I also found out today that something I've been working really hard on and keeping super secret will be launching one month today on the 28th June - I'm beyond excited and can't wait to share!

Now I must get back, I promised to cook B dinner tonight and if I don't make a start soon it will be beans on toast! LOL

Thanks for popping by
Sarah x

Basically Bare - my last CHA 2012 Album

This week I was featured over on the Basically Bare blog with my final CHA 2012 album I made for them...

This is using the Krafty Keepsakes album, I used lots of the recent October Afternoon Holiday Style papers and embellishments to make this album - love this range! The album is full of policy envelopes so I made my layouts on the front - they are the perfect fit for your photographs! and then filled the inside with journaling and keepsakes.

 

You can see more details and close ups over on the Basically Bare blog.

Thanks for looking!
Sarah x

Another CHA Project - The Adventures of Fuzzybutt!

Last week I was featured over on the Basically Bare blog for two days showing another of the CHA projects I made for them with their new release 'Tiny Tabs' album - this was actually my favourite one to work with as it fits my Instax pictures perfectly!

You can see part one of my post here and part two here - it shows lots more details and pics!

Thanks so much for looking!

Sarah x

CHA Project for Basically Bare

Earlier this week one of my CHA projects was featured over on the Basically Bare blog, you may remember I showed you a tiny peek at this album...

 

I made this with the Basically Bare Polly's Pockets Album which was one of the new CHA releases and lots of lovely October Afternoon papers.

You can now see all of the pages here on the Basically Bare Blog. This one was so fun to work with! I'll be sharing another one soon.

Today was filled with more writing, designing and planning, all my samples are chased up and should be here soon, then I have to check and proof them all and finalise any changes before production.

I noticed today that the pile of notebooks and journals I keep on my desk for daily use has grown, there are now 7 plus my diary, I also have a few more occasional use ones and some sketchbooks in a crate at the side of my desk for easy reach. I thought maybe that was kind of excessive but after posting that on Twitter and Facebook I realise I am not the only one! Lists must be a creative thing I think, and I do love pretty stationery! It was great to hear everyones 'system' though, if you get chance, look at my facebook page and have a read :o)

Thanks for dropping by today!

Sarah x

Balloon Card

Today I'm sharing a bright and springy card with October Afternoon and a Jenni Bowlin Stamp...

I stamped the girl with the balloon onto kraft card and added a button and some twine over the star shaped balloon (the star still peeps out from underneath - I love stars so didn't want to cover it up completely!) I used some October Afternoon papers I had left over from my CHA projects - I think they are from the Sidewalks and Farmhouse lines, I used more stars from a sticker sheet and one punched with a fiskars punch.

Today has been a busy day of designing, writing and chasing up print samples, paper samples and other product samples - hopefully they will be here soon and I can start showing you some sneaky peeks! The next product is being launched soon though, my lovely DT are working on samples now - yay! In the meantime look out for more digital stuff - I've been very inspired recently so there is a lot to come! :o)

Now time for a quick dinner with B before I retire to my studio for the evening, I have a magazine project to work on, the Craft Academy project for this week to finish and some Desperate Housewives to watch (I've started watching it from the beginning again! lol) I also have the latest issue of Vogue to flick through but I think that might have to wait for the weekend!

Sarah x

Tag Album Inspiration

Today is Craft Academy day! and this week post was all about Tag Albums - I love these because they're so quick to make and can be used as a complete project or part of a bigger layout / album / book/ They are the perfect size for Instax and passport pictures too :o)

I made another one for this post, filled with some of my favourite quotes...

You can see more details and pics of each page over on the Craft Academy website, you can also download the template to make one of your own if you don't have any tags to hand - I made this one using the template and some paper scraps.

Today I felt super inspired and spent pretty much the whole day writing (fuelled by cups of earl grey) love it when that happens!

Thanks for looking
Sarah x

Scrapbooking with my Cricut

Today I'm sharing a scrapbook page I made using my Cricut Expression - this was an idea I had a while ago and finally got round to last night - I loved making it :o)

 Supply List - Once upon a Princess cartridge, Woodgrain Paper (light - Dream Street, dark - Crate Paper, textured - Coredinations) Cream bazzill Cardstock, Studio Calico Chipboard Butterflies, Miscellany Frame & Woodgrain Alpha Stickers - October Afternoon, Bird Paper - American Crafts, Twine, Acrylic Paint, Brown Journaling Pen, embroidery floss, Instax Picture

First I cut a square of the Light Woodgrain paper approx 8" x 7.5" and stuck it to my cricut mat. I lined up 9 Hearts on the screen and autofilled them to the paper - it evenly spaces them and fits them to the page - a brilliant feature!! I then cut 3 smaller hearts from the darker woodgrain paper.

I backed four of the hearts with the bird paper from American Crafts - this was my last sheet, I need some more of this, fast! its such a great paper from a few collections back. I stuck my completed square to my Bazzill Card Stock. I hand stitched the darker hearts in the remaining gaps with embroidery floss. Lightly sanded the coredinations cardstock and added my instax picture. The frame I painted with cream acrylic paint before adhering on top.

As a finishing touch I added the butterflies from Studio Calico to the top corner, I stacked two of them and added a button and some twine. Then I used the woodgrain alpha's and my brown journaling pen for my title and journaling.

I love the fact that despite only using one small picture the rest of the layout doesn't detract from it, the focus is all on her (my little sister)

I can't wait to try some more experiments with the autofill to see what other effects I can make on my layouts!

Thanks for dropping by today :o)

Sarah x

First Craft Academy Lesson!

The first Craft Academy lesson is up - eeek!  

Paper Piecing is one of my favourite techniques so I had fun putting this together!

I hope you will pop over to take a look, and join in :o) and I look forward to seeing your projects.The first Crafy Kids Academy lesson will be posted tomorrow.

Sarah x

More Scrapping

Today I'm sharing another scrapbook LO, I'm doing very well on my scrapbooking the last week or so!...

 

 Supply List: Times & Season's Paper & Sticker - Echo Park, Kraft Cardstock - Bazzill Basics, Stickers, Journaling Card & Paper Scraps - October Afternoon, Mini Paper Clip - Tim Holtz, Tissue Paper Flower - Jolee's, Ribbon - ATDML

This one is using the new Echo Park 'Times and Season's' line along with a few bits of October Afternoon. Here are a few close ups...

Hope you all have a lovely weekend, this weekend I'm working on some illustration projects and finalising more designs for my craft range. I'll also be spending some time in my studio crafting (while watching Lost - I've just started watching this, proper scary stuff!) working on some magazine projects and making some more projects to share with you next week, I may even get started on my Christmas cards (you never know!)

Sarah x

Paper Piecing

This week I've been sicky again, bleurgh! I've managed to infect B too (not a happy bunny, oooops!) yesterday we spent the evening curled up on the sofa eating soup (we never eat soup so I have no idea how we even had a tin in the cupboard! I imagine his mum popped it in there so we had some 'proper' food in the house, like mums do! LOL) and watching funny stuff to lift our spirits (I did sneak my sketch pad over despite my orders to rest though!)

Today I had to get back to my desk (albeit under a duvet and wrapped in lots of warm PJ's)  Craftime have got me hard at work on the new collections, and I only have a few weeks now to get them finished - there is SO much to do still, eeeeeek!

Today I'm sharing a paper piecing card with October Afternoon's 'Rocket Age' line...

I stamped the different parts of the image onto scraps of cardstock and then cut them out and layered them - I love paper piecing whether its to make up an image or a scene, I think its so effective and a great way to use your stamps if you're not keen on colouring in!

Supplies - October Afternoon Rocket Age Papers & Stamps from Sarah's Cards, Seam Binding from Crafty Ribbons

Thanks for taking a look, I'll be back tomorrow with lots of Halloween projects to share!!

Sarah x