Saturday 28 November 2009

Scrappin' Again!



I haven't scrapped much in the last few months so I decided that I really needed to start working my way through the mountain of photos I have.
This is one from last summer when we took the boys to Thomas Land.

Now I have NEVER scrapped with my Stampin'Up stash before, don't ask me why as I really don't know, but I am so glad I have started now!!
Scrappin' has never been so easy with all those lovely SU colours that co-ordinated so well.
And of course the yummy papers too.

I have to say it's not my best page, but not bad for someone who is a bit rusty. Hopefully I'll be up to speed soon and some more impressive pages to show you.

Sorry it's such a short post, we have a very busy weekend again (when is a weekend in this house not busy!!)
Today was the day we "spring cleaned" the lounge ready for the Christmas decorations, and then we put up most of the decorations as this is one of the only weekends we are all around and had a few hours to spare to spend time putting up the tree.
Hopefully I'll have some pics to show you tomorrow.

Enjoy your weekend.
Sarah x

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Santa Tutorial



A few weeks ago I made a punched Santa, several people asked me for a tutorial for him, so here it is.
There are quite a few pics for this one but I hope it's easy enough to follow.


You need a Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Oval, Scallop Border, Small Tag, 1/2" Circle and 1/4" Circle punches.

You also need Stampin' Pastels, scissors, dimentional foam pads, Whisper White, Real Red and Blush Blossom card stock.

Punch a white scallop circle and a blush blossom large circle and stick them together to make his head.

Punch a small tag and cut it as shown above. This makes his hat.

Cut a 1/2" circle from red or pink card for his nose and cut 2 1/4" circles for his eyes. Stick all of these to the santa head as shown. I used a foam pad to stick his nose on.

Punch a scallop oval in white. To turn it into his beard put the oval back in the punch as shown, half of the oval will be in the punch and half out of the punch.

Before you add the beard you can add some colour to his cheeks using the Stampin' Pastels.

Then add the beard.

To make the trim for his hat use the scallop border punch and punch it just once on some white card.

Using the scissors cut the scallop out as shown above.

Stick the trim to his hat then add any detail using a pen.

My appologies for the poor photos but it is a very gloomy and misserable day, so getting enough light is difficult.
As with my other tutorials I am happy for you all to use my design. All I ask in return is that you link back to my blog and tell people where you found the tutorial.

Hope you have fun making lots of jolly Santa's!
Sarah x

Monday 23 November 2009

Christmas Goodies


I think I have just about recovered from the Christmas fair on Saturday, so I thought I would show you the pictures of my table (sorry there are quite a few!!).




Yummy chocolate After Eight match boxes and Green & Blacks white chocolate bars!


Noel decorations.


Snowman Poop was a hit with the kids.


Yummy candy canes!
There was not alot left by the time we had finished.

I have another busy few days this week but hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with another punch tutorial.
Sarah x

Friday 20 November 2009

Silent Night


Well the rush is now on to get the last few items ready for the fair tomorrow.
In amongst all the madness I managed to find time for a Christmas card class using the Silent Night, Wonderous Gift and Perfect Presents stamp sets.



My ladies have really enjoyed making these Noel Christmas decorations so I decided that we would make some more but using different colours.



We used Bashful Blue card stock with Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, Bashful Blue and White Craft ink. And of course we had to use some ribbon too, lovely Night of Navy.



I thought I would show you the background for both the card and the decoration.
I used the inks listed above and randomly stamped a greeting and snowflakes over the crad to get this effect.
I think it looks really good.



We used the same background on the card then stamped the church from the Silent Night set in Night of Navy and used the 2 way glue pen to add a touch of Dazzling Diamonds glitter for a frosty feel.

Right I'm off to finish sorting out cards and gifts for tomorrow.
I'll hopefully be back over the weekend with some pictures for you.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sarah x

Tuesday 17 November 2009

Robin Tutorial


Here is the long awaited tutorial for the cute robin I made the other day. Sadly the pics aren't the best as it has been very grey and miserable again today, not good when your trying to get enought light to take photos!!


To make your very own Christmas robin you will need the Boho Flower punch, Oval Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch and 1/4" Circle Punch, Close to Cocoa and Real Red ink pads, sponge daubers, glue, Creamy Caramel, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Very Vanilla card stock.


Punch a 1" circle, a 1 3/8" circle and an oval in Creamy Caramel, punch a 1" circle in Real Red, punch the small star flower in Pumpkin Pie and punch 2 1/4" circles from Very Vanilla.


Use the Close to Cocoa ink and a dauber to sponge the edges of the Creamy Caramel shapes.


Do the same using the Real Red ink and red circle.


Cut the oval and star flower as shown above.


You are now ready to start to assemble the robin.
Stick the red circle on the bottom of the large brown circle so there is a slight overhang. Trim the excess red circle off and sponge the bottom of his tummy again with red ink.
Then stick the small brown circle at the top of the large circle to make his head.


Now stick on the half ovals to make his wings. I find it easiest to put the glue on the wing and stick it on from behind so you can adjust it from the front until it looks right.
Then stick down the 2 Very Vanilla circles for his eyes and add the beak section that you cut from the star flower. Add any detail with a pen.


You can leave him like that or if you want to add feet, just punch a star flower from the Boho punch, ink the edges and cut it in half.
Stick them on the same way as you did the wings.


And there he is, your own robin!

Don't forget I'm happy for anyone to use my design, all I ask in return is that you link back to my blog.
Happy punching!
Sarah x


Monday 16 November 2009

Two Trees


As promised I'm back to show you a couple of cards I made this afternoon to add to my growing pile ready for the Christmas fair.
Both were made using the Wonderous Gift Christmas stamp set.


I love the tree from this set, modern but yet can be traditional which means there are so many designs I can make, so there should be something to suit everyone.


On this card I stamped the background using my favourite Craft White SU ink pad and the snowflake stamp from the same set as the tree. I quite like the effect!
I also added white ink and some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the edge of the torn card to give a frosty look.
Brrrrrhh!!


On this card I used some of the Bashful Blue designer papers as the background and more torn card, Chocolate Chip, for the ground.
I've punched out the start at the top of the tree and added some Dazzling Diamonds for an added bit of sparkle.

All the items I have used can be found in the Stampin'Up catalogue, just click on the picture on my sidebar to browse the catalogue.

Right, hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with a robin tutorial for you, but can't promise as I am full of cold and feel lowsy!!
Sarah x

Wow!!!

What a fab load of goodies, the perfect pre Christmas pressie!
Check it out here

I'll be back in a couple of hours with some cards and other bits to show you.

Sarah x

Friday 13 November 2009

Sweet Tweet!!


Well I've made a good start at getting all those goodies ready for the Christmas fair.
I thought I would show my latest After Eight matchbox with my latest punch pal, a cute little robin!


I've used my fav Chocolate Chip card for the matchbox along with some of the lovely Merry Moments papers.
The robbin is stuck on using dimentional foam pads.
And how can I forget the FAB tag punch, which I used to crate the cute gift tag!

You can also be the proud owner of a tag punch too! All you have to do is stock up on gifts from the Christmas Gift Guide (see my sidebar) to the value of £45 and you can get a little gift just for yourself!
Just email me with your order and I'll sort the rest for you.

So my final question, do you want to be able to make a robbin?
Would you like a tutorial?

Right off to try and make some more Christmas goodies and some birthday cards.
Sarah x

Tuesday 10 November 2009

The race is on........



....... to make as many cards as I can before the local Christmas fair in just 2 weeks!!!
 I also have loads of other gifts and goodies to sort too!
So how many do you think I can make in 2 weeks?????
So you have loads of goodies to look forward to seeing, plus I have to make a start on some lovely teachers gifts too.
Sounds like I need to write a list, a very looong list!

I shall be making good use of this Christmas stamp set, Perfect Presents. It certainly is perfect for making all those essential cards and gift tags.
And I bet I'll have very little Merry Moments papers left either, well they are soooo yummy I just have to use them.

Well I have another busy week lined up, I'm on the search for the very popular Go Go Pets for the boys for Christmas from their Grandma, we have meetings and birthday parties too, plus the usual stuff! Phew!

Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow.
Sarah x

Monday 9 November 2009

A Very Jolly Man!!


Well it's getting nearer, yes I mean the C word!!
So its time to make a certain round fellow.
Elaine, my SU sister set me tha challenge to make this jolly fellow using the SU punches.
I'm not sure I'm happy with the results so I may have another play, but you get the idea!
I hope he fits the challenge you set me Elaine!

Just a short post today as I have another busy day!
I've had a lovely morning with Jules, Kate and Lynda, thanks for the cream cake!
This afternoon I'm catching up on things from the weekend. We had a lovely but busy weekend at my parents.The NEC show was fab but very busy, but I still managed to see my friend Marlene, it was lovely to see you again!
The boys had fun too, with a bonfire night supper on Saturday and some sparklers. And of course lots of time with Nanny, Grandad and their Aunties!

Right I'm off to do some more washing etc.
I'll be back tomorrow.
Sarah

Friday 6 November 2009

Trendy Trees Class

I thought you might like to see what we got upto at my Trendy Trees card class last night.


We had a lovely evening making these lovely note cards and gift box to hold them.
I've taken quite a shine to this set as it is such good value, just £12.95! Bargain!
And it is so versatile, perfect for almost any occasion.
The only thing I will say is that it helps to have a Stamp-a-Ma-Jig to make sure you don't have wonky trees!!


Here's a better pic of  just 2 of the note cards.

All of the materials used are from Stampin'Up.
If you want to get your hands on any of them then all you have to do is email me

Well I'm having a well earned weekend off and we are going to my parents for the weekend.
And of course I happen to have tickets for the craft show at the NEC!!! So I shall be leaving the kids in the hands of hubby, my sis and my Dad!!
Hope you have a good weekend!
Sarah x

Thursday 5 November 2009

Wreath Tutorial

Some of you were intrigued as to how I made my Christmas wreath, so here is a tutorial for you.


To make the wreath you need, scallop circle punch, 1"circle punch, boho flowers punch, 1/4"circle punch, a stapler, ribbon, Old Olive card, Real Red card and Old Olive ink pad and a sponge dauber.


Using the 1"circle punch, make a hole in the Old Olive card.


Then using the scallop punch, line up the card so that the hole is in the centre of the scallop and punch. This gives you the basic wreath shape.


Using the ink pad and dauber gently sponge the edges of the wreath.


Using the Boho Flower punch cut out 4 small flowers from Old Olive card.


Use the ink pad and dauber to sponge the edges of the 4 flowers.


Use the stapler to attach the ribbon to the bottom of the wreath.
Then using dimentional foam pads stick the flowers on the wreath making sure that one of them covers the staple.


Then use the 1/4" circle punch to cut 4 small red circles. Stick these onto the centre of the flowers using your prefered glue.
You can then decorate the wreath as you wish. I added a bit of glitter.

I hope you enjoy this one. Don't forget to let me know what you make using the tutorial. And as before I'm happy for you all to use my design, all I ask is that you link back to my blog.

Happy punching!
Sarah x

Tuesday 3 November 2009

Festive Punch!!


Ok it's not festive punch as in the drink but it is another festive punch topper!
I decided it was time for another punch topper so I played about and came up with this.


It's very simple but so effective and I think it looks great with the Merry Moments Christmas papers.
I have to say that I love this red design, it's becoming a favorite of mine. It looks great on the Chocolate Chip card.


Here is the arty angle to so you can see where I added dimentionals.

If your lucky I might do a tutorial for this one too, what do you think??

Sarah x