Punch It Out

Scrapping isn't a cheap hobby but there are ways that you can make your stash budget stretch that little bit further. Some of the most expensive items of stash are embellishments, I personally like to try and create my own embellsihments for my pages and one of the easiest ways is to choose paper that has designs that can be cut out and used on your page. This paper by My Little Shoebox from the Whoo Loves You range, is a great example and I have used the tree and the bird box on the layout shown. To add depth I have stuck them onto my page using silicone glue.

The scrapping tools that I bring out for nearly every page that I create are my punches, there is such a huge variety on the market from simple circles to more complex borders and embossed punches. There is a great selection over in the shop. These do sometimes seem like an expensive outlay initally but they are so versatile and can be used over and over again on your layouts. On this page of our little border terrier, Archie, I have used seven different punches, scallop border, classic butterfly, owl embossing, retro flower, 2x circles and a large tab punch. The only other embellishments that I have used are some adhesive gems.

Build It Up.

Nat has created this gorgeous page using the Jenni Bowlin Front Porch papers, she has managed to give her page great depth and dimension by using some very easy techniques.
Layering - by building up your page with layers of paper you instantly add depth to your page. You can also layer your embellishments, Nat has used a butterfly rub on and then added a punched butterfly and a Aunty Sarahs Dew Drops on top.
Inking - creating a definite edge to your papers will make them stand out against eachother, especially important when you are using such bright, patterned papers.
Addding Height - Nat has used foam pads to fix some of her chipboard elements onto the page creating different levels.
Distressing - by distressing or ripping the edges of your paper it adds texture to your page increasing the look of depth to your layout.

"I created this page to record the fact that my niece’s current phrase is telling everyone that they are her best friend. It’s so touching, until you hear her telling someone else exactly the same thing that is!
I decided to give the chipboard buttons a layer of glossy accents to give them a lovely shine and dimension, and used their label-shaped packaging as a template for the shape I cut from the bird printed paper.I also added a layer of the gloss over the Lime Rickey stickers that I used to create my title"

Don't forget out February Sketch challange, you have until March 12th to either post a link to your entry or email it across to sarah@sarahscardsltd.com. You could be in with a chance to win a £10 e-voucher and join the design team in creating an example layout for the April challenge.

Abode

The new stock is starting to arrive in the shop now and Cathy has been using one of the new American Craft lines, Abode. She has produced three stunning pages to show case these lovely papers.

Olivia @ 26 months

I don't know about your but I have so many sheets of alphas with a few letters left over and lots of numbers, I wanted to create a page to use up some of those numbers. I created the flower with a pair of shredder scissors.

Our New Dishwasher
For this page I cut the 'Cherry Hill Ave' to 6.5 " & placed it onto the top half of a scrap piece of cardstock. I then cut the remainder to 2 x 1.25" and 3" strips, I then used the reverse of these & 2 of the shelves from the 'Chateau Court' for the bottom part. I also slipped a square of blue Bazzill under the shelves so my photo's would 'pop' a bit more. Again I used Apartment thickers, some My House chipboard and some 'Aunty sarah's Dew Drops & self adhesive pearls to mimick bubbles.






















Yummy Cookie Dough
I tried a few different colours for the background but decided on the Kraft to go with my title subject! Although it looks like I have used a large piece of the 'Wheeler Ave' it is only about 2" strips tucked behind the 'Skyline Drive' stripes & then I just added strips of the others before placing my photo's on top. The gold title (New Apartment glossy Thickers) holder is the reverse side of 'Wheeler Ave'. The 'My House printed chipboard' were perfect to add dimension. I printed my journalling onto some scrap blue card from my stash.

Sketch Challenge

Challenge time again, where does the time go! This months sketch has been designed for us by Rachael and some of the design team have put together layouts based on the sketch. We have also been joined by Laura who was the winner of Decembers sketch challenge.
To join us in the sketch challenge simply create a page using the sketch and either post a link to it in the comments box or email your entry across to sarah@sarahscardsltd.com by Friday 12th March. The winner will be chosen by the design team and will win a £10 e-voucher and a chance to join the team and design an example layout for the April challenge that will be featured on the blog.

Laura

Rachael

Rachel

Cathy

Cal

Gems

We hope you enjoy using the sketch and we are looking forward to seeing your creations.

Are You Ready For Valentines Day?

I am sure you have all remembered that it is valentines day on Sunday, if like me you still haven't bought your other half a card yet how about making something a little bit different? Rachel has come up with this lovely idea that would make a lovely gift for any occassion.

Stash Needed

Cardstock
Patterned Paper
Journaling Cards
Ribbon
Buttons
Alphabets
Embroidery thread
Foam pads

Choose 6 journaling cards and 6 photos, I have printed my photos about 2x3. Decide which photo will go on each card and add your journaling onto the card.

Stick your photos onto the other side of your journaling cards and add a button and a length of ribbon onto a corner of each one.

Cut a piece of cardstock the size that you want your gift to be, all a piece of patterned paper, I have used a sewing machine to secure my paper and add extra detail around the edge, hand sewing would look just as effective or you could just draw on your stitching.

Cut out a pocket to hold your photos, I have used the packaging from some chipboard buttons as a template. Add some hand stitching around your pocket, turn the pocket over and fix foam pads on the area that needs to be stuck to your backing cardstock leaving an area clear to slot your photos into later.

Stick your pocket onto your background cardstock and add your title and embellishments.

Have fun and I hope your efforts are appreciated!

Sketch Challenge Winner

We have a winner for our January Sketch Challenge, Fluffy and her layout entitled "Say what?" the design team loved the bold colour combination of this page. Drop us a line Fluffy and we will get your £10 e-voucher to you plus details of the March challenge.
























A big thank you to everyone who took part in the challenge, we have really enjoyed looking at all your entries and hope you have enjoyed taking part.

Old Friends.

With all the excitement about the new products that are going to be appearing in the shop after CHA it is very easy to forget the stash that has been out for a while.
I love papers where the designs can be cut out and used to create your own embellishments not only making your pages more economical but also more original. This range of papers from Fancy Pants, Little Sprout, are just perfect for this.

New Products.

Sarah and Lianne have arrived back safely from America and have been busy uploading some of the new products that are going to be arriving in the shop over the coming weeks.
There are some great manufacturers including some of our old favourites like American Crafts and Crate but there are also a couple of new names for us, Hambly and Kaiser.
Keep an eye on the coming soon section and new in to see what is arriving and when.
Here is just a taster of what is coming.

Cosmo Garden Variety buttons
















Cosmo double deck paper pad, this pack includes the complete paper range of Garden Variety and Material Girl all for £20.

American Crafts always seem to come up with some great products and they have done it again with glitter finish and fabric finish papers.

Glitter finish

Fabric finishes