Crate Washi Paper - 10 tips in 10 minutes!

Hello!

Jennifer here today, to show you a video:

Crate Washi Paper -  Ten Tips in Ten Minutes

 10 ideas to use Crate Paper's The Pier Washi Paper on your layouts

I changed a page from this:

(Supplies include The Pier 'Sunscreen' Paper, Summertime Cut Outs, Splash Cut Outs, Label Stickers, Mini Alphas, and Ephemera)  

To this:

Using just this washi paper:

Plus a few tools, and some gems and enamel dots!

Here's the video:

Okay, so it does go ever so slightly over ten minutes because of the images I added for the 'tip' title pages. I also sped some of the video up - so you can watch ten tips in ten minutes but it might take you a little longer than 10 minutes to actually use all these ideas! Of course you can just choose a tip or two to add quickly to your next project.

Here's a couple of detail photos:

You can see "The Pier" collection here! I'm loving it!!

If you make something inspired by anything you've seen in the video let us know - we'd love to see!!

Jennifer x

See more of Jennifer's craft on her blog: Jennifer Grace Creates

How I Love To Scatter - By Jennifer Grace

Hello and a very Happy Bank Holiday Monday to you!!

 

Remember a couple of weeks ago Lisa-Jane shared her current love for die cutting ... if you missed it it's right here!!

 

I'm here today to share one of my current favourite techniques with you ...

 

Scattering!!

 

Regular readers of my blog will already know  how much I like to scatter gems or sequins on my layout, but here I'm going to show you how I also applied the 'scatter' mindset to other aspects of this layout.

I wanted this page to be particularly scattered - as bits of these cakes got scattered all around my house while the kids wandered around eating them - I hadn't put enough chocolate on and they were super crumbly!

I started with a piece of paper from the DIY shop collection pack, and splattered some Mister Huey Pretty Pink mist droplets over it, keeping the drops more concentrated near the centre of the page.

 

Then I built up a photo mat, using scraps from the DIY Shop collection pack and the Maggie Holmes collection pack. Normally I'd layer a photo mat more like a frame, so the edges would be seen evenly all around the photo. But to make it look more scattered I piled them up so they stuck out a different amount each side. You can see that one scrap had a hole in it, but I knew that would not matter as it would be covered by my photo!!

When I stuck the photo mat onto the layout I only adhered it in the middle, so that I could tuck things in at the edges if I wanted to. My photo was stuck on with 3D foam pads to give some extra dimension.

I then chose a couple of journaling spots, and a date sticker, and scattered them about so the journaling wouldn't be all in one place.

 

Now comes the fun part - choosing an ecclectic mix of other items to scatter about! I used a mix of stickers and die-cuts from DIY Shop and Maggie Holmes plus some Studio Calico Wood Veneer Tiny Stars (painted pink) and Cameras (painted light blue), some sequins and gems.

And I started to scatter them all over the page! I left the gems until last, as they are harder to move about (although usually possible if you do it quick). All the other bits were stuck on with Ranger's Glossy Accents, except for the 'fun day' and 'yes, please' sentiments which were adhered with foam dots, once I was happy with their position.

I also made the title look "scattered" by off-setting the letters in 'cakes':

 

 

If you don't want to scatter things all over a layout, you could just confine them to a journaling spot or embellishment - like I've done here on the speech bubble cut from some DIY Shop paper.

 

 

Keeping the scattered elements close to to a larger element like your photo stops them getting lost on the page.

 

And having some items tucked under each other (like the flower and date sticker shown below) and some completely separate (like the 'yes, please' sticker) also helps to make things look more random.

So you end up with a lively, scatter-filled page!!

 

I hope you've enjoyed an insight into my scatter-love! If you try it out please let me know!

Jennifer x

Trend Watch!

Hello, Jennifer here!

In January it was the Craft & Hobby Association’s Winter Show in Anaheim, California, which is when all the Scrapbooking manufacturers (along with other crafting brands) show off their upcoming releases. So I've been watching all their blogs with a close eye as they also revealed all the new products online, for us to drool over whilst we wait impatiently for it to get to the UK shops!

The good news is that Sarah from SJ Crafts has lots of lovely goodies on order, and some of it has already started to arrive! 

I want to tell you about a few of my favourite trends that I've been spotting, so you can watch out for them arriving to the shop!

Trend 1: The Pink and Turquoise Colour Combo 

This has appeared in many collections before, but it’s a combination that will never grow old for me. It just looks so fresh and pretty, and is perfect for spring and summer projects - something we all look forward to after these long grey months!

The Maggie Holmes Collection by Crate Paper has bold pink and turquoise hues, that make me think of tropical days and lots of laughter! Look out for the collection pack coming soon!

The Sundrifter Collection by Studio Calico has slightly softer pinks and blues, but it teams them with black, grey, and patterns with a slightly urban feel, that makes it oh-so trendy and cool! This one is due into stock early February.

The Collectable Collection from My Minds Eye is due to arrive at S J Crafts next week. This collection has four themes within it, and I think Memorable is my favourite with the pink/turquoise colour combination in a super sweet, girly way, with flowers, doilies, and lots of delicate details!

Trend 2: Hints of Travel

I love that a lot of brands are adding just small touches of travel to their lines, rather than it taking over a whole collection. I especially like ones that have hints of going up in the air, as it's been 6 years since I flew anywhere on holiday and I miss it! The travel details can usually be used on all kinds of pages though, so I can add an uplifting phrase here, or an aeroplane image there, and get a sense of travelling on projects that have nothing to do with going away!

The Scoot Collection by Echo Park is a really fun boy-themed collection. It's also got lots of aeroplanes and clouds, and a sweet 'up, up and away' sticker that I adore! Plus the collection pack is in stock already, so you can get your hands on this one straight away.

The Lucky Charm Collection by Dear Lizzy for American Crafts is based on bracelet charms, like horses and hot air balloons! My absolute favourite bit is the 'come fly away with me stamp' which is too dreamy for words! The mini-chevrons and clouds will be sweet little details too. The stamp and the 6x6 pad should be in the shop in early February.

The DIY Shop collection by Crate Paper also has hints of travel. It has a real vintage vibe about it, which works so well on projects all year round. The map-paper details and one little aeroplane chipboard are the perfect touch of escapism! The collection pack will be in stock very soon.

Trend 3: Arrows and Arrow Heads

This trend is so hot right now! There are arrows all over the place. I love it because each new year I feel like I need some 'direction' in my life! It looks great when you go over the top and add arrows all over the page to really emphasise something, or just one arrow tucked away on a layout or card can draw your attention to whatever it's pointing at. Whichever way you like it, the arrow trend is definitely something to embrace!

The Snippets Collection by Studio Calico has some great graphic chevron-arrow patterned papers and wood veneers. It also includes these fantastic arrow stickers, in nice bright colours - I like the mix of shapes and sizes! Look out for Snippets arriving soon. 

My final pick is from Studio Calico too - their awesome Huey's Masks. I just had to draw attention to this one from the Sundrifter collection. It's called a 'Triangles' mask, but it fits in well with the arrows trend, as it looks like arrow heads pointing up and down. This will make a great layering element on layouts, or a background for cards. And you could always block off some of the design to just have one or two rows of arrows! Look out for this and other Studio Calico goodness including more masks, wood veneers, and Mister Huey mists arriving soon.

So there's a few of my favourite trends that I'm looking out for this season! 

Has anything here caught your eye? Now I've just got to wait on the edge of my seat until it all arrives in the UK and into the SJ Crafts shop! 

Don't forget to 'like' the SJ Crafts Facebook page if you want to know as soon as the new stock arrives! I'll let you into a little secret (Shh!) ... Sarah usually announces new arrivals over there first!!

Bye for now, Jennifer x

Little Bo Peep ... A mini book and more!!

Hello Everyone!!
When the new collection from Crate Paper, Little Bo Peep landed here at S J Crafts, I just knew DT Team member, Jennifer would create something beautiful with it, so I sent her a parcel of goodies. I wasn't wrong!!

Over to Jennifer .....

Ooh, how pretty and lovely is the Little Bo Peep collection from Crate Paper?! When I opened the parcel containing it I just had to sit and stroke the papers, and show all the lovely embellies off to my friends, before I could start to use it! But once I started creating with it, I just couldn't stop...

First up is a mini book I made using the Tag Cuts sheet of paper. It's all about my daughter in the months before she finished nursery (pre-school), to capture some cute 'little girl' moments before she grows up even more! I'm going to give this as a gift to my Mother-In-Law, her Nanny:

I cut out the tags I liked, stitched a variety of lace to the bottom edges, chose small square photos, and embellished with Border Stickers, Phrase Stickers, Brads, and gems / pearls.

There are two tags without photos, on at the front and one at the back of the mini book. All of the tags have journaling on the back, some stories I might not have mentioned to my Mother-In-Law, and some thoughts about my daughter getting so grown up:

I finished it off by joining them all together with a book ring and adding some strips of ribbon to the ring to soften it. I hope my Mother In Law likes the book!

I also dug out some photos of my daughter when she was small, about 5 months old, that I've been meaning to scrapbook for ages, to create this page:

I cut half an inch at the top of a sheet of Charlotte paper, so that I could stick lots of small tags from the Tag Cuts sheet along the top, with their edges sticking over to create a shaped edge, and it wouldn't make the page larger than 12x12. Border Stickers, and some dresses on a washing line cut from the Accent Cuts sheet, were layered at the base of the tags. 

The rest of the page is not too detailed. I added white dots using Mister Huey White Mist, by undoing the mist top, shaking of the excess into the bottle, and then tapping the base of the mist dropper/tube onto my page. To make larger dots I tapped a few times. I like how it looks to accent my usual scattered gems and pearls!

Isn't she cute as a button?!

I have one more project to show you today. Here's a sweet 'Congratulations' card for a new baby girl:

The image from the Accents Sheet is so adorable, and I love the colours in the floral Eleanorpaper. This card really makes me think of happy days from my childhood!

If you haven't bought any of the Little Bo Peep collection yet, then check it out here!! Even if you don't have any little girl photos to use or to give cards too, then you could use the lovely papers and border stickers for some gorgeous summertime projects!  x

***   ***   ***

To see more of Jennifer's work, why not visit her blog: Jennifer's Jumbles

Crate's Little Bo Peep Collection

Crate's new collection Little Bo Peep is now in stock in the shop!!

The papers are gorgeous ... full of lovely soft colours and although many of the designs and the embellishments have clearly been designed for baby girl themed layouts many of them can easily be used on more general layouts.

So for this layout I used: Charlotte, Matilda and Alice 12" x 12" papers, Tag cuts (the Sweet Memories Journal card), a phrase sticker (Cute as a Button sticker), White Mister Huey Mist, Studio Calico Heyday Aqua thickers and some scraps of paper, buttons, washi tape, twine and I edged the papers with Brushed Corduroy distress ink.

I love these Aqua Thickers - not sure if you can see in the photo but they have a gorgeous (yet subtle) design printed on them!

I used a tiny spot of glossy accents to hold the twine on this tag in place. 

Click to buy Crate Little Bo Peep Collection!

Thanks for stopping by!

Scrapping with January's Mini Kit

The January Mini Kit is now available right here!!

This bright and fun kit contains 3 sheets of patterned paper from the Crate Random collection, 1 sheet of pink bazzill cardstock, 1 sheet of Crate stickers, various ribbons and flowers!

Lisa-Jane got to have a play and came up with 2 very different layouts.

I simply adore this page of her little girl playing in the autumnal leaves!

 

Over to DT member Lisa Jane to explain how her pages came together:

When I got the kit, I immediately thought of the orange and the pink together, which initially you wouldn't expect to work but it DOES!!  I remembered the million or so pictures that I took of B in the Autumn leaves several weeks ago. I wanted to use the pink cardstock as one of the layers so I decided on kraft cardstock for the base. So that I could use both sides of the patterned papers (and also I couldn't bear to waste any!) I gutted them all to make full use of all the patterns. I wanted a really shabby chic style so I distressed all the edges with my scissors and inked them with Brushed Corduroy distress ink.  The pink of B's top is highlighted using the bright pink ribbon and I added some flowers and some of the stickers. My title is made up of letters from my stash and the layout is finished off with a few buttons and leaf shaped brads.

 

Having done one girly layout, I wanted to balance things out a bit and show you that the Random Collection can also be used for more masculine layouts too. I loved the denim paper so I looked for a photo of L in jeans. I came across some pictures of L wearing denim dungarees and an orange top which worked perfectly with the offcuts from the first layout.

This design came together quickly and I love how there is plenty of space for my journalling. I used a border punch on the denim paper and the cream ribbon from the kit to break up the thicker layer at the foot of the page. A sticker from the sheet that came in the kit makes up part of the title along with some rub-ons from my stash! I added some raffia and another sprinkling of buttons to finish the page.

 

I love the way this turned out - starting with an essentially feminine collection and ending up with a layout perfect for a little boy and his Daddy out walking in the countryside.

I still have some of the gorgeous rose print paper left to make a card! So that's 2 layouts and at least one card from a kit that costs less than a fiver! Result!  

10% off Crate and Echo Park!!

Apologies for my absence from blogland and for the absence of our weekly offer last week!! I slightly reduced my working hours during half term to spend a bit of quality time with my daughter and then I caught a nasty cold!!  Thankfully we are pretty much back to normal now and to try to make up for no special offer last week we have something good for you this week!!!

10% OFF CRATE and ECHO PARK!!!

So, if you have had your eye on the gorgeous Times and Seasons by Echo Park or Crate's vintage inspired Random Collection now is the time to treat yourself and get 10% off!!

Enter the code ECHOCRATE in the coupon/code box to activate the discount!

Offer valid from NOW until 11pm Wed 9th November and for UK delivery only.

Click here to go shopping!

P & P free on £15 (or more!) orders!!

This Week's Special Offer!!

Hi Everyone!

As many of you will know, at S J Crafts we have a weekly offer which usually goes live on Thursdays and so this week's Special Offer is now up & running!!

£1.00 off all 6" x 6" Paper Pads!
Enter code PADOFFER in the coupon box to receive the discount.

Offer is valid for up to 4 pads per customer and until 11pm Wednesday 26th Oct or until stocks last, sorry UK delivery only!

 

 

                            
 

Maybe you will choose MME Lost & Found or Crate Random or one of the others!!

 

Click HERE to browse all the 6" x 6" Pads!

 

Have a fabulous Thursday! x

 

More Crate .... from the leftovers!!!

Are you the type of scrapper who carefully tidies up after each layout before starting on the next page or do you see what else you can make from the bits of paper and embellishments left on your craft table?

 This evening I want to share with you Jo's second layout which shows how easy it is to make a second layout just by using up whatever is left on your desk.

Jo used strips from the offcuts of the curtains and pattern papers that were used on the first page to create a matt for her photograph.

Next, a few carefully selected chipboard pieces ~ again from the same chipboard sheet as used on the previous layout create the title and some Crate stickers and chipboard accents are layered up to give dimension. Some of the stickers can be cut and just use half (another way to make your stash go further!). I love how Jo has clustered her embellishments to the top right of her page to balance the little "stinkin' cute" sticker on the photo.

If you feel inspired to use up whatever is laying on your desk next time you scrap, why not leave a comment here as I'd love to come and see!

Crate Random Collection ~ By Jo

Today I'd like to share with you the first of the layouts created by Design Team member Jo using  Crate Paper's Random collection.

I am delighted to have Jo on our new Design Team and 'm sure you'll agree she has done a fantastic job with her first box of DT stash!

I love this "Sweet and Adorable" layout ~ just look at that cute smile!

The photo didn't actually have a lot of colour in it but by layering up the patterned papers Jo has added lots of colour and fun to the page.

The chipboard accents add lots of dimension and interest and make a handy title too!

Jo said "I used plenty of the chipboard die cuts on this page, layering them up. The amount of chipboard die cuts on the sheet make them excellent value!"

All the edges have been inked with distress ink, a great technique for bringing the different elements of a layout together.

Jenni Bowlin tiny alpha stickers add the details of the photograph.

I'll be back later to show you Jo's 2nd page but in the meantime if you want to see more of her amazing work, pop over to her blog.

What's New!!

I have been busy unpacking deliveries and adding some new stock to the shop !!

So I have a quick run down of the new arrivals for you....

The  Random Collection  from Crate Paper arrived yesterday, I'm especially loving this chipboard and can't wait to use it on my layouts and cards.

These letter stickers from Jenni Bowlin are great for titles, we also have the tiny circle letters and the very popular chalkboard stickers in various colourways.

The new collection from Fancy Pants designs, "Summer's End" has also just landed, I've got to finish unpacking it and upload it to the website but I love the colours and can't wait to use these chipboard banners.

A huge thank you to everyone who has e mailed me to apply for the new S J Crafts Design Team, I have to say I am a little overwhelmed by the great response and I know I am going to have a tough job selecting the team! I'll be in touch with everyone who applied as soon as I can.

In case you are wondering I haven't forgotten about the giveaway from last week, I will draw the winner as soon as I am done uploading the new stock!

Enjoy the rest of your day! x