Last One Of The Year.

Well it is nearly time to say goodbye to 2010 but we do have time for one last blog posting! We are going to see out the year with a fabulous page created by Nat using Echo Park Walk In The Park papers.

"I had a lovely collection of bright photos of the fairground that I wished to scrap, the colours and patterns of the Echo Park papers seemed a perfect accompaniment for them. However I was careful not to let the page become too busy with such powerful photos. I used a brown Maya Mist to add some interest to the orange cardstock, using the bunting stickers from the alpha sheet to create a mask. Layering up punched flowers from some of the patterned papers created the perfect embellishments along with a strip of tickets that we won in the arcade that day"

Sunday Stroll

We hope that you have all had a wonderful Christmas and that all the snow didn't affect your holiday plans! Scrapping time is very rare over the holidays with so much else going on but we thought you might like to have a look at this gorgeous page that Nat has created using Fancy Pants Lilac House.

"The elements stickers were used to a great extent on this page, from the lovely turquoise scalloped border to adding clustered details like the heart and postal stamp embellishments. I wrote my journalling on one of the sections cut from the "cards" patterned paper, which also provided the pretty "journal" label too."

"

 To create the flower Nat has punched out a flower shape and then the tip of each petal has be carefully folded and then the fold has been inked. She has layered a smaller punched flower on top and finished the flower off by adding an adhesive pearl.

Spooky

I hope you are all coping with the snow and freezing temperatures and it isn't stopping you from getting on with your Christmas preparations. I know that we are fast approaching Christmas but I am sure that lots of you have still got Halloween photos waiting to be scrapped. Cathy has created three stunning pages of her Grandchildren in their Halloween fancy dress using MME papers. Have you seen the paper packs on special offer over in the shop? There are two Halloween themed packs on offer, check them out here.

If you are looking for some inspiration don't forget our sketch challenge, all the details can be found here.

Enjoy Life

A bit of a mixture today, Nat has created this fantastic page using Echo Park Walk In The Park papers.

"The daft glasses you have to wear to watch 3D films were just begging for a silly photo shoot! To continue the movie-theme I used photoshop to add a film strip effect border the pictures. The banner title was created easily using the alpha sticker sheet from Echo Park. I simply used 3d foam to give the bunting shapes a little lift from the page before adding the letter stickers on top. I then hand stitched using backstitch along the top of them with some bright yellow embroidery floss and tied the ends into bows. As the floss had to pass through several layers of paper and sticker I pricked out the holes with a paper piercer first, this made the sewing easier and gave a much neater finish"

Vanessa has created this page using Hoopla papers by Glitz Designs, she has added a length of ribbon along the bottom of the photo pleating it and holding it into place using stitching.

Don't forget if you fancy having a go at our sketch challenge all the details can be found here.

Sketch Challenge

As promised here is our next challenge, if you are in need of some scrapping therapy in the run up to Christmas why not have a go and be in with the chance of winning a £10 e-voucher to spend in the shop and the opportunity to join the design team in creating an example page for the February challenge. All you need to do is create a layout or card using the sketch and post a link to your creation in the comments box by the 10th January or email your entry to us at sarah@sarahscardsltd.com

This months sketch has been designed by Lianne.

Last months challenge was won by Karen, she has joined us this month and created this stunning page using Jillibean Soup Pasta Fagioli papers.

Rachael has used Glitz Design Hoopla papers to create this page.
Jen has put together this fab page using photos of her new baby son, she has used MME Fine And Dandy True Blue papers.
Gems gorgeous page has been made using more Glitz Design papers, this time the Scarlett Range.
Tracy has created her page using MME I Believe papers showing just how versatile Christmas themed papers can be!
We are really looking forward to seeing how you use the sketch and we hope you enjoy the challenge.

Sketch Challenge Winner

Time to announce Novembers sketch challenge winner, we had some gorgeous entries but as always there can only be one winner. The design team have chosen this stunning page created by Karen. Congratulations Karen, drop us a line and we will get your £10 e-voucher to you and details of the next challenge.

Have you checked out the new special offers over in the shop? There are half price paper packs, 30% off Martha Stewart punches and up to 40% off kits! All the offers can be found here but hurry there are limited stocks.

Check back tomorrow to see our December challenge.

Glitz

Glitz Design is a new manufacturer for Sarah's Cards, there are two gorgeous paper ranges in stock over in the shop Hoopla and Scarlett, both ranges have great coordinating embellishments along with some lovely clear stamps and teeny alphas. If you are loving these Glitz ranges then you will love our February kit which features the Love Nest range. Vanessa has produced this stunning page using papers and embellishments from the Hoopla range.

Our November sketch challenge closes tomorrow so you still have time to enter and be in with the chance of winning a £10 e-voucher and the opportunity to join the design team in creating an example layout for the January challenge. All the details can be found here.

She Ain't Heavy...

When I was sent these American Crafts Dear Lizzie Enchanted papers to use I was instantly drawn to this gorgeous varnished accent paper. I loved the pattern and wanted that to be a major part of my page, so I decided to use it as my background paper. Leaving it whole was a bit too overpowering so I trimmed it slightly and then cut it into three sections, letting the pattern continue after each gap. I used the sewing machine to add some stitching around each section to add some extra detail. I kept the rest of the page very simple and tried to keep everything contained around the photo. I am not a great one for adding journalling to my pages partly as I don't like seeing my own writing but also I don't always know what I want to say so hidden journalling always works well for me. On this page I have got Emily to document her thoughts on the memories this photo brings, I really like getting the girls to journal on my pages (it means I don't have to do it!!). I think that in years to come it will be lovely to have their thoughts documented.

One way I do love to add journalling is using little alphabet stickers, Sarah has got a fantastic selection over in the shop including My Little Shoebox, Glitz, Adornit, Making Memories and Jenni Bowlin.

Have you seen the special offers over in the shop? Martha Stewart punches are reduced by 30%, have a look here for all the details.

Rachael

More Pixie-Licious

It is so cold I thought we could all do with a bit of warming up by having a look at Rachel's lovely summery page made using gorgeous Cosmo Pixie-Licious papers.

Don't forget our sketch challenge, you still have a week to enter and be in with the chance of winning a £10 e-voucher to spend in the shop. All the details are here.

Where Did You Get That....

Sarah has created this lovely class using Bella Blvd Hello Beautiful papers, she has embellished the page with a length of rose trim. There are a couple of different sorts over in the shop, here and here.

You Will Need.....

White Cardstock

Bella Blvd Hello Beautiful papers

Bella Blvd Hello Beautiful Cute Cuts and Stickers

Maya Road Buttermilk Cream mist

White Rose Ruffle Trim

String

Pearls

Dymo Tape

Doiley

How Too..

1. Mist the centre of your white cardstock and doiley and allow them to dry.

2. Tear two strips of patterned paper and layer them across your cardstock.

3. Wrap a length of strip around the strips and tie it off leaving the knot showing on the front of the page.

4. Add a 12" length of ruffle ribbon across the top of the strips.

5. Place three small photos onto your page positioning the misted doiley in behind the left hand photo. When you are happy with how it looks stick them all down.

6. Add your title and embellishments.

Bit Of A Mixture

Over the last few days we have been sharing some layouts with you that have been created by the newest member of the Sarah's Cards design team, Claire Wheatley. She has come up with some stunning pages using Lily Bee Domestic Bliss.

"I have tonnes of pictures from the summer waiting to be scrapped and the colours in these Lilybee papers are so pretty I knew they would be perfect for these pictures of my daughter playing with the water. The foam Delight Thickers were a perfect match. I cut out the little pinafores to create some large flowers to create impact on my page and used more cut out pinafores the create the butterfly.

My grid background paper is the insert card that comes with the domestic bliss rub ons, I think i have used every inch of this collection to the max and loved everyminute of it."

I don't know about you but so many of us find journalling one of the hardest parts of scrapbooking. There are so many ways to add journalling to your pages and if you don't like seeing your own handwriting on a page then stamping is a great option. Lou has created this page using Crate School Spirit papers and documented a conversation between two of her children by using different alphabet stamps.
Don't forget our sketch challenge, at this time of year there is little spare money around for essentials such as new stash so the chance of winning a £10 e-voucher can't be bad. All the details can be found here.

Home

Ok so here is the second page that the newest member of the design team, Claire, has created. She has been using Lily Bee Domestic Bliss.

"I have seen a few layouts with houses on and its something I have always meant to try but just never got round to, when I saw these fabulous rub ons I knew they would be perfect to adorn my house, they really sum up my home life! I cut my house shape from some cardstock and made some pretty shaped windows to put in my photographs, I added the domestic bliss stickers to create my sun and title."

Domestic Bliss

Over the last few weeks we have seen a few changes in the design team, we had to say a sad farewell to Lou Collins but we have been joined by the very talented Claire Wheatley (aka Weetabix over on UKS) which we are very excited about. Those of you who subscribe to the monthly kits will have already seen some of Claire's stunning work.

Claire has been busy creating with Lily Bee Domestic Bliss papers and over the next few days we will be sharing her great layouts with you.

"A very rare cute picture of my two together!! the colours in my sons shirt matched perfectly with these papers. I decided to make some frames for this page, to make mine I border punched some strips of card and paper and cut the ends at an angle so i could fit them altogether. I layered up my frames using foam pads. I love the cute ruffled orange ribbon and just had to make a bow for my page, I just cant seem to resist bows at the minute."

Sketch Challenge

Who is up for another challenge? Lianne has come up with this fantastic sketch for you, the design team have really enjoyed using it and have come up with some great examples. To take part in the challenge all you have to do is create a layout or card using the sketch for inspiration and share your creation with us by posting a link in the comments box. Alternatively you can email your entries across to sarah@sarahscardsltd.com, your entries need to by submitted by the 6th December. The winning creation will be chosen by the design team and will win a £10 e-voucher and the chance to design an example layout for the January challenge.

Last months challenge was won by Anna who has created this gorgeous page using October Afternoon and Cosmo Cricket papers.
Sarah has used the brand new Fancy Pants range Hot Chocolate.
Rachael rotated the sketch and has used MME Alphabet Soup papers.
Cathy
Tracy has created this stunning card to show just how versatile the sketch is for card makers as well as scrappers. She has used October Afternoon Fly A Kite papers.
Tracy's page using Echo Park, Walk In The Park.
Rachel
Gems
Lou has used MME Haunted range creating a great Halloween page.
We hope you enjoy the challenge and we are looking forward to seeing what you create.

Sketch Challenge Winner

Time to announce the winner of the October sketch challenge, thank you to everyone who took part we hope you enjoyed using the sketch as much as we did, it certainly inspired some gorgeous pages! So this months winner is Karen with her stunning page "Cool Dudes". She has used October Afternoon SeaSide papers and some Dew Drops to carry the water theme out onto the page. Congratulations Karen, drop us a line and we will get your £10 e-voucher to you and details of the next challenge.

If you fancy another challenge check back later in the week when our next sketch will be posted, it has been designed this month by Lianne.

The Dino Wash

Time to share another page that Lou has created using Crate School Spirit papers and show you more great ways to use mists on your page.
There are lots of fantastic masks available on the market, check these out here. Lou has used one of the masks on her page and then followed the design through using a stamp. You don't have to just spray the mists onto your page to get a different effect try unscrewing the cap and dripping mist onto your page to create the large dots like Lou has done on this layout. She has also used this technique on to create the dots on the dinosaur after painting the chipboard with paint dabbers and crackle glaze.

This months sketch challenge has now closed so check back later in the week to find out who has won the £10 e-voucher and what our next challenge will be!

We have a winner!!!

Thank you so much for all joining in the fun yesterday. It was great to see how you came to your guesses

We do now have a winner:

Rebecca said:

Im guessing 10:50 pm ?

Congratulations Rebecca - e-mail us lianne@sarahscardsltd.com with your name & address to claim your prize. I was actually born at 10:42pm on 2 November 1972 *gulp!*

Back to packing orders!

Sarah & Lianne xx

It's Sarah's Birthday Giveaway!

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

It's my birthday and I've received some fabulous presents this year. I want to give something back so here it is.



I am offering a fabulous pack of American Crafts adhesive to one of you lucky blog readers






This amazing value pack (available to purchase on the website here) is worth over £46 and contains everything you could possibly need adhesive wise!

The contest is this:


What time was I born?


I will announce the winner tomorrow - whoever guesses the nearest wins. The winner must e-mail me to claim their prize within a week or the prize will be passed on to the next nearest



Reply to this post with your guess



Good luck!



Sarah xx

Lots of Forest Fun

Mists are becoming ever more popular with lots of manufacturers now producing them, over in the shop you will find That Special Touch Mica Mists and Maya Road Mists there are so many gorgeous colours available. If you have never used them before it can be a bit daunting thinking about trying something new especially something so permanent on your pages. Lou is a misting pro and encorporates it onto her pages with stunning results. We thought we would share some of her gorgeous layouts with you and give you a few ideas of how you can use mists.

Stash used...
Crate School Spirit papers
Latte Maya Road Metallic Mist
Prima Swirly Bird Mask
WRMK stamps

How to....
1. Trim your backround paper to A4 and place your bird mask in the right hand corner. Mask off a narrow strip along the bottom and right hand side of your page.
2. Spray mist onto your page making the cover more dense at the bottom of the page especially over the bird. Put it to one side and allow to dry thoroughly.
3. Cut around the top of your misted bird using a craft knife.
4. Cut a piece of the Pep Rally and Chemistry paper, create a couple of tags and cut a thin strip of Chalkboard paper.
5. Layer these onto your page tucking the corners underneath the misted bird.
6. Tear two strips of Grade Card paper and stick them down either side of your page.
7. Add your photo onto your page.
8. Using a sewing machine stitch around the edge of your page and the rectangle of Chemistry paper. Create a journaling block using stitching.
9. Add your title and journaling and embellishments including the stamped arrow.

Don't forget our sketch challenge, you still have a week to get your enteries in and be in with a chance of winning a £10 e-voucher and the opportunity to join the design team in creating an example layout for the December challenge. All the details can be found here.

Count Me In

Sometimes papers can seem a bit difficult to use on a layout purely because of their bold patterns, Sarah has overcome this by concentrating on the colours instead of the designs in these Sassafras "Count Me In" papers and used blocks to create the background for her photos. Leaving a gap between each patterned block ensured that the page didn't get too busy and that the photo stayed the focal point of her page.

Taking Time

"Taking Time- This photo was taken in June when I travelled to the coast for my friends birthday party (no we're not too old for birthday parties). I thought this photo was really funny, and as I had such a great time I wanted to document it. My friends live along way from where I live, too far for my liking but considering the distance we are very close and ensure that we stay in touch. Good friends make you want to make the long journey to the other end of the country, and these friends are definitely worth it.

I have used Cosmo Cricket Pixie-Licious papers, the layout was quite simple to put together as I combined strips of paper both vertically and horizontally on my cardstock and then added a block of paterned paper underneath my photo. I added my journaling on thin strips of kraft paper."

Don't forget out current sketch challenge, you have until Monday 8th November to enter all the details can be found here.

Shes Two!

Over the last few days we have been sharing some stunning pages created by Cathy using the gorgeous MME Lost and Found Madison Avenue papers. Here is her final page, another stunning creation.

"I sanded the edges of my photos and as they were all quite dark I matted them onto pink paper to lift them. I used foam pads to raise the matted photos and all of my embellishments creating a page with lots of depth and dimension. I made a pleated pinwheel before I gathered up a small piece of lace and added a prima flower to the centre."