Sara's Crafting and Stamping Studio

June Blossoms Class

Posted on May 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

In this class we’ll be covering the brayered embossing technique, to create fun backgrounds for our cards. Everyone will have the chance to make up to four cards. If you’re a beginner, or just like to work more slowly, you’ll be able to finish the cards at home just as long as you have some adhesive.

The £10.00 class fee includes:

all materials to make one of each card;
face-to-face instruction on the day;
lifetime access to online instructions following the class (on production of a valid email address);
refreshments.

We have a choice of dates and times. To come to the Oxspring class, simply click on the Pay Now button underneath that venue. To come to the St Saviours, High Green class, first select your preferred time, then click on the Pay Now button. Any problems then please email me.

THURSDAY 7 June 2012

1PM – 3PM

Location: Oxspring, near Penistone (directions will be mailed to attendees)

SATURDAY 9 June 2012

11AM – 1PM
- or -
1.30PM – 3.30PM (only 2 places left)

Location: St Saviour’s Church Hall, Mortomley Lane, High Green, Sheffield

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Posted in Classes

Apothecary Flower Frame – take 2

Posted on May 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

Today’s card is a complete copy of yesterday’s, with just a simple change of colour – a switch to pinks.

The instructions are also just the same as for yesterday but the new recipe is listed below.

Recipe
Stamp sets: Apothecary Art (W125525 or C125527)
Cardstock: Regal Rose (), Pretty in Pink (), Daffodil Delight (121680), Whisper White (106549)
Ink: Black Stazon (101406)
Markers: Pretty in Pink (100045), Daffodil Delight (119677), 2010-2012 In Color Assortment (119801 – Pear Pizzazz)
DSP: Flirtatious Specialty (122360)
Punches: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (119275)
Framelits Dies: Labels Collection (125598)
Embossing Folder: Vintage Wallpaper (120175)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334)

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

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Posted in Cards

Apothecary Flower Frame

Posted on May 15, 2012 | 1 Comment

Have you seen the Apothecary Art stamp set yet?

It’s fabulous – a set of four flowery labels that fit the Labels Collection of Framelits dies, along with two sentiments that sit within them. Here I’ve used them to create a feminine birthday card.

Recipe
Stamp sets: Apothecary Art (W125525 or C125527)
Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz (121693), Daffodil Delight (121680), Pool Party (124391), Whisper White (106549)
Ink: Black Stazon (101406)
Markers: Daffodil Delight (119677), 2010-2012 In Color Assortment (119801 – Pear Pizzazz)
DSP: Attic Boutique (125407)
Punches: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (119275)
Framelits Dies: Labels Collection (125598)
Embossing Folder: Vintage Wallpaper (120175)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334)

The card base is an A6 landscape of Pear Pizzazz. A mat of Daffodil Delight card was layered with Attic Boutique DSP and opposite corners trimmed with Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punched from Pear Pizzazz card. These layers were adhered direct to the card front. The flower spray from the Apothecary Art set was stamped onto Whisper White card with Stazon Black ink and then the flowers coloured with markers. The matching Labels Framelit was used to die cut the flowers. After using the next largest Labels Framelit to die cut the shape from Pear Pizzazz card, it was run through the Big Shot again, using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder. A narrow strip of Pool Party was stamped with the sentiment in Black Stazon ink, folded around the centre of the flower layer (using the Scoring Tool) and trimmed to a banner. The two frames were popped up, layer by layer, on dimensionals on the card front.

Recipe
Stamp sets: Apothecary Art (W125525 or C125527), Sincere Salutations (W105156)
Cardstock: Whisper White (106549)
Markers: Basic Black (101179), Daffodil Delight (119677), 2010-2012 In Color Assortment (119801 – Pear Pizzazz)

The Whisper White insert was stamped with the sentiment and the flower border by using the Basic Black Marker direct to stamp and the flowers coloured again with the same Markers as for the card front.

Back tomorrow with the same card in a different colour combo.

Sara xx

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Posted in Cards

Tutorial – create a teabag holder using the Simply Scored Tool

Posted on May 14, 2012 | 1 Comment

This teabag holder makes a cute gift at any time of the year. Simply pop a teabag in one side, a mini card in the other and sandwich a little packet of biscuits in between

Recipe
Stamp sets: Tea Shoppe (W125545 0r C125547)
Plain Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz (121693), Whisper White (106549)
Ink: Pear Pizzazz (119784)
DSP: Twitterpated (125406)1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon: Old Olive (119256)
Punches: Scallop Oval (119856), Large Oval (119855)
Tools: Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334), Crop-a-dile (108362)

Begin by trimming off 3-1/2″ from the edge of a piece of 12″ x 12″ DSP so that you have a piece that measures 8-1/2″ x 12″.

Tip – when scoring paper, use the large end of the stylus with a light/medium pressure to avoid ripping/tearing.

Step 1 – Place DSP onto the Score Tool, wrong side facing you, with the short edge at the top and score at:

2-1/2″
6″

Step 2 – Turn the paper so that the long edge is at the top and score at:

1-1/4″
2-1/2″
5″
7″
9-1/2″
10-3/4″

Step 3 – Cut away the four outside corner squares - the full 2-1/2″ which will have a crease down the centre. (These scraps are good for punching small flowers from).

Step 4 – Fold the top and bottom left and right squares diagonally into the centre so that the points line up with the centre score lines.

Step 5 – Fold the top section along the top scoreline, towards the centre. Fold the bottom section along the bottom scoreline towards the centre.

Step 6 – Flip the paper over (so that only one (right side) pattern is showing) and fold the left and right sections upwards along the innermost scorelines to create a “U” shape with the holder.

Step 7 – Fold over the top flap of DSP on either side.

Step 8 – Holding the tops of the holder together, use the Crop-a-dile to punch holes. Thread with ribbon and tie in a bow.

Step 9 – Using Pear Pizzazz ink (or your preferred colour), stamp The White Peony onto Whisper White card and punch out with the Large Oval. Punch a Scalloped Oval from matching cardstock.

Step 10 – Layer the ovals with dimensionals in between, then pop the layers up on more dimensionals on the front of the holder. (Tip – keep the dimensionals widely spaced so that they don’t stick to the back of the holder).

Here’s the same project in an alternative colour combo:

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Posted in Tutorials

Mini card for a teabag holder

Posted on May 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

A little change to the routine today.

I’m going to share one of the projects that we made in the Tea and Sea class today. The teabag holder idea is from a fellow demonstrator in the US (thanks Debi). I’ll share my own version of the tutorial for it tomorrow … or perhaps Monday (depending on how tired I am after the Ross Papercraft Show, lol).

This mini card is my own design and fits perfectly in the back “pocket” of the teabag holder.

Recipe
Stamp sets: Tea Shoppe (W125545 0r C125547)
Plain Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz (121693), Island Indigo (124390), Baja Breeze (116207), Whisper White (106549)
Ink: Pear Pizzazz (119784), Basic Gray (109120)
Markers: Subtle - Baja Breeze (119700)
Punches: Decorative Label (120907), Curly Label (119851), Modern Label (119849), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309)
Other: Basic Pearls (119247)
Tools: Mat Pack (105826), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

The card base is a 3″ square. A frame around the card front was pierced using the Mat Pack and Paper Piercing Tool. Using a Baja Breeze Marker, a single teacup was coloured direct to stamp, stamped onto Whisper White and punched out with the Curly Label. This was popped up on dimensionals onto a Decorative Label punched from Island Indigo card. An Itty Bitty flower was punched from Baja Breeze, adhered to the top of the teacup and finished with a Basic Pearl. These layers were popped up on dimensionals on the card front. The dotted frame was stamped in Pear Pizzazz ink onto Whisper White card. Basic Gray ink was used to stamp the sentiment in the centre of the frame, using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement. This was punched out with the Modern Label and popped up on more dimensionals underneath the main image.

Hope to see you at the show tomorrow.

Sara xx

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Posted in Cards

Come visit the Paper Dolls at the Ross Papercraft Show

Posted on May 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

SUNDAY 13 MAY 2012, 10.00AM – 3.00PM

I’ll be sharing a stand again with other members of our SU! Paper Dolls team at the Ross Papercraft Show at Don Valley Stadium this coming Sunday, 13 May and we’d love to see you there.

Details of how to find it are here.

The show starts at 10.00am and will be open until 3.00pm.

If you pop by and visit us then you can take a look, up close and personal, at the lovely new goodies from the Summer Mini Catalogue. We’ll have some retired products for sale, ongoing demonstrations and a stand prize draw. And if you’re thinking about signing up soon (maybe even this month to snag the free Convention registration!), we’ll also have some suggested starter kit bundles to give you inspiration.

There’s free parking and the show is also hosting a free prize draw. Entry is £3 but if you drop me an email letting me know you’re coming along then I’ll email you back a voucher to print out, that will get you £1 off!

Hope to see you Sunday!

Sara xx

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Posted in Uncategorized

Pick ‘n’ Mix class now available online

Posted on May 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

If you liked the look of these projects but were unable to attend our recent in-person Pick ‘n’ Mix Class, you now have a chance to purchase the online version of the class. Some similar projects have previously been posted for free on the Crafting and Stamping website (though the instructions are not as detailed as for this class) and so this online class costs only £2.

For the £2 fee, you get unlimited access to a password protected website that contains:

- full step by step photos and instructions to make all the card projects;
- shopping lists and cutting guides;
- links to other cards that use the Sailboat stamp set on the Crafting and Stamping website.

Please note also that some products used in the tutorials were from the Spring Mini catalogue and are therefore currently unavailable for sale in the UK. They may return to our main catalogue in October 2012.

In the meantime here is a list of the unavailable items and some suggested alternatives:

Unavailable	Alternative
Blossom Party die	Doily Triple Layer punch(122465)
Perfect Postage stamp set	Tiny Tags stamp set (W118091 or C118592)
Postage Stamp punch	1-1/4” Square punch (119865)

To get immediate access to the projects just use the Paypal button below.

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Posted in Classes

Classy envelopes with the Diagonal Score Plate

Posted on May 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

Yay! My new Diagonal Score Plate arrived yesterday, so I gave it a test drive with a little envelope making.

The instruction sheet that comes with the plate, explains how to make the envelopes and gives measurements for a few standard sizes. This C6 version takes a standard A6 card.

Recipe
DSP: Nursery Nest (122347)
Punches: 3/16″Corner (119871)
Tools: Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334), Diagonal Score Plate (125586)

I’ll put together a tutorial soon, but it really couldn’t be easier. Pop the paper on the plate, score two lines to fit the card, rotate the paper, score another two lines, snip out the intersecting corners, fold and stick – done!

I also punched the tip of the envelope with the Corner Rounder. I love how tidy the envelope looks – so professional!

I’ve got lots more uses lined up for this new Score Plate and after chatting with a friend when I dropped her order off this morning, my list is getting even longer. I just need more play time!

Sara xx

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Posted in Gift wrap

A few gifts from my teammate

Posted on May 8, 2012 | 1 Comment

A quick share today, of a few little gifts that my downline Jan, gave to me and to her guests, at her launch party this last weekend.

The first is a cute little fridge magnet:

This is so sweet and I love how she’s teamed the Triple Doily punch with the new Blossom punch to create the layers for the flower. She’s such a clever crafter.

Jan was only the second person to join my team (the first dropped out a few years ago). She signed up a little over 3 years ago and has been an active demonstrator ever since then – delivering workshops and classes, attending craft fairs, blogging and keeping her own skills fresh and current, to provide an excellent service to her customers and friends. And because she’s such a great demonstrator, there’s not always a great deal of support that I can offer her, as she already knows what she’s doing.

But I do know how busy she is balancing her crafting, her day job and selling her house and so I was able to offer a helping hand for her Summer Mini launch party. We arranged that I would do the make and take and I also took along a bunch of samples made with products from the new mini, to share for inspiration.

I had a marvelous morning, meeting some of her customers that I’ve known for a long time now and also a few new faces too. The project went down well and I’ll be sharing it here on my blog very soon. After I finished the extended make and take session, Jan demonstrated how she made her version of the framelit purse. Hers is a little different to mine and uses a few fancy folds to keep the contents secure.

This was the other treat that she’d made for all her guests (me included, bless her). Her guests had a little sewing kit in theirs. Mine had a sweet treat

If you’d like to join my team and try out being a demonstrator (hobby or business), there’s no better time to do it! Not only do we now have a fully customisable starter kit for only £99 but if you sign up this month, you also get free Convention registration (worth £149). And of course you get tailored support from me, to help you at whatever stage you’re at, on the SU! path.

There’s more information here, or please email me or phone (o775 1133886) for an informal chat, about what you want to get out of joining Stampin’ Up! and how I can help you.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

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Posted in 3d projects, Become a demo

A feminine rosette

Posted on May 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

Hope you’ve had a restful and relaxing bank holiday.

Today’s card combines a feminine rosette (so quick and easy now that we have the Scoring Tool) with shaped scalloped edges, created with the Edgelits die.

Although the card looks watercoloured, it isn’t. I cheated and stamped with Riding Hood Red ink and coloured in with the Blushing Bride marker for a quick and easy alternative.

Recipe
Stamp sets: Bordering on Romance (W125480 or C125482), Sincere Salutations (W105156)
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red (116205), Blushing Bride (121690), Baja Breeze (116207), Whisper White (106549)
Ink: Riding Hood Red (111836)
Markers: 2010-2012 In Color Assortment (119801 – Blushing Bride)
DSP: Twitterpated (125406)
Punches: Scallop Oval (119856) Large Oval (119855), 1-3/8″ Circle (119860), Doily Triple Layer (122465), 3/16″Corner (119871)
Edgelits Dies: Adorning Accents (125595)
Other: Twitterpated Buttons (125579)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334)

The card base is an A6 landscape of Baja Breeze with the bottom edge die cut away, using the scallop Edgelit die. Mats of Blushing Bride and Whisper White card were also die cut along the edge, after first stamping the flower border on the Whisper White layer with Riding Hood Red ink. The mats were punched at the top corners with the 3/16″ Corner. After stamping the flower spray in the top right corner of the Whisper White layer, with Riding Hood Red ink, all the flowers were coloured in with the Blushing Bride marker, picking up a little of the red outliner ink on the larger flowers to give more depth. The layers were adhered direct to the card front. The rosette was made by scoring a strip of Twitterpated DSP, joining the ends, scrunching flat into a circle and adhering direct to a 1-3/8″ Circle punched from Baja Breeze. Another, matching circle was adhered to the front of the rosette. A full, solid Triple Doily was punched from Baja Breeze card and then a lacy one from Blushing Bride card. These were layered together, aligned and adhered direct to the centre of the rosette. A Baja Breeze flower shaped Twitterpated button was added on a glue dot to top the rosette off, before adhering direct to the card front. The sentiment was stamped in Riding Hood Red ink onto Whisper White card and punched with the Large Oval before adhering direct to a Scallop Oval punched from Riding Hood Red ink and popping up on dimensionals on the card front.

The Scoring Tool makes light work of creating rosettes and we now also have a diagonal scoring plate that sits easily over the main Scoring Tool. Although this isn’t included in the Mini Catalogue, it is available now for just £10.95 (P&P extra).