Total Papercrafts kit #1 for July

Here we go with the first of our kits for July and we've chosen some really summery papers but combined them with cardstock colours that stop them from getting too sugary!! This is a fab kit as we have not only included cardstock and three patterned papers but also a whole tag pad and a complete set of nested templates for 12x12, 8x8 and 6x6 bracket shapes. I'll be using the templates for both of the kits this coming month as they are so versatile!

If you are joining us at one of our clubs in July and want to make the sample page you'll need a single 6" x 4" landscape photo, a handful of flowers from your stash (or a flower punch), some small adhesive crystals for the flower centres and bird eyes and a selection of inkpads (the sample uses ColorBox Prussion Blue, Lime Pastel and Amber Clay but any mid-blue, light green and orange would probably do!). There isn't too much fiddly cutting out on this one (just a bit!!) so you should get this completed at club which I know everyone loves.

I have ordered in yet more kits for the Soft Vintage class we had at the Kent crop earlier in the month as I know that lots of Essex club members particularly loved that one. As you may have read, we sold out of absolutely every kit at the crop but I have re-stocked just that one and will have them on Wednesday evening along with the very few kits left from the New Forest crop (layout class only).

A little something for the weekend......

We've just had our magazine delivery and I really want to curl up with a coffee and have a flick through! The August issue of Scrapbook Trends was in the box and it was nice to see a few additions from UK designers. I really hope that they keep the bulk of the designs from their strong pool of US designers as that was what always made this a mag that I was drawn to. A smattering of UK designs could prevent it from being too '4th of July' so I suppose its a matter of balance, it will be interesting to see what happens. I've added all of today's magazine delivery to the shop at www.totalpapercrafts.co.uk and all kit subscribers get free P&P as well!!

If you are at a loose end this Sunday and fancy an afternoon out, we will be at the "Craft & Hobby Taster Day" at the Old School, Great Wakering, Essex from 12noon to 4pm. It looks like it will be a fun day where all of the local classes offer demonstrations and small tasters of each of their crafts. We will be running a free mini-book make & take all day, we had great fun making up the samples and they make fab small gifts! We'd love to see some friendly faces on the day so if you fancy a freebie then come along!

It looks like it will be another mad weekend for us as we have tickets to see the Royal Philharmonic at an open air concert tomorrow. My only hope is that the weather is kind to us - keep your fingers crossed!

Something for free

Last year I did a fab free online class with Jessica Sprague and so many people loved the little album of journaling prompts that came out of it that I ended up sending the link to the class all over the place! To celebrate her company's 2nd birthday Jessica is offering free registration for another class, this time its a photo editing class and it looks absolutely beautiful! Registration is all this week and the class starts on 6th July. If you sign up at www.jessicasprague.com you'll also find she's offering daily freebies that are only available for 24 hours - today's one is a digital page template together with digi paper and frames.

I have to say that Jessica's classes are extremely professional and very well done so if you fancy learning a little something about using your computer to make your photos look fab this is definitely worth checking out!

Finally putting our feet up!

It has been a hectic past couple of days but in a good way if you know what I mean? A bit of hard work never hurts and we certainly worked really hard over the weekend with the Kent crop on Saturday and then a trip down to the New Forest for another crop on Sunday!! We got back very late last night and after running on adrenaline for 2 days we both suddenly hit the wall and were exhausted. I decided to have a bit of a break today and while I still had work to do I took things relatively easy (the joys of working for yourself I suppose!).

Saturday was a really lovely day, I really enjoy these crop days in Kent as we get such a fab group of people come along. The classes seemed to be quite popular and for the first time ever we have absolutely no class kits left at all - not a thing and thats despite ordering loads of spare kits for quite a few classes! I've already had emails asking about crop class kits and have had to disappoint quite a few people, perhaps you can make one of our next crop dates?

Pauline had the challenge of using our brand new stock control system (complete with scanner!) on Saturday and coped brilliantly well despite her admitted dislike of technology! I don't think it will be long before she's happily scanning away like mad without even thinking about it, in fact she was more of a pro at it than I was by the end of the day!! Thank you so much Pauline, you really are amazing and we appreciate everything you do for us especially on the crop days - we couldn't cope without you!

I also owe a huge thank you to Claire who despite being otherwise engaged and unable to come to the crop (we missed you!!) still designed a class for us - she is such a sweetheart!! It wasn't the same without her there and she promises to be back with us for the Summer Stay-cation crop in August with two amazing classes!!

Jackie was an absolute star and offered to teach for us after popping in one day and seeing me drowning in deliveries while trying to prepare for the crop! She taught Claire's class and also designed a beautiful class of her own which was hugely popular. Thank you so much hun, I really appreciate you taking some of the pressure off me and if you ever need the favour returned you know where I am!

Dave has become such a pro at running the clasroom side of things that I barely even have to think of something and he's already sorting it out. Anyone who has ever delivered a class will vouch for how important a good classroom assistant is and I think I have the best!! Add to that all the lifting, carrying, setting up, breaking down and driving that he did and all with a great sense of humour and I have a keeper there! You know what, I might even marry him!! LOL!!

We drove to the New Forest straight from the Kent crop and stayed in a gorgeous hotel - we thought we'd earnt it by this point!! All I wanted was a hot shower and a fluffy robe by the time we got there and while I was choosing what complimentary drinks to have courtesy of the very nice night manager, Dave surprised me by running me a huge candlelit bubble bath. I was in absolute heaven and could have quite easily stayed there for hours!!

After a great night's sleep we drove into the heart of the New Forest and joined the girls who were cropping there for the weekend. They had booked a huge cottage with something like 9 or 10 double bedrooms and had come from all over to spend the time scrapping together. It was a great mix of people and I loved hearing the story of how they all got to know each other thanks to UKS and a year-long scrapbooking challenge. Everyone was really friendly and made us feel very welcome and we had the chance to really chat to quite a few during the course of the day - I'm not sure if some of them are talking to me now though after the amount of sanding I left them with for the project class!! I loved Kay's solution to the frustration she began to feel at the propect of sanding masses of fiddly chipboard scallops - cut them off!! I agree, life's too short and it is only cutting and sticking after all!! LOL!!

Thank you to everyone who made the weekend so much fun, we had a blast and look forward to seeing everyone again very soon :o)

Class peeks for the Kent crop this Saturday

As usual, here are are the sneak peeks of the completed classes for the Kent crop this Saturday together with the additional bits and bobs you might want to bring along. They are in the runnig order for the day.....

10am Viva Victoria

Claire has designed a beautiful class for you here - you'll need a 7" x 5" landscape photo if you want to copy the sample but Jackie is teaching this class and is going to use a couple of smaller ones. You will also need to bring along a black inkpad, a bone folder, paper pricker, some double sided tape and a corner rounder.

11.15am Soft Vintage
Although this class has 'vintage' in the title, it will work equally well with modern photos. You'll need one 6" x 4" portrait and three 2.25" x 2.25" photos - you can crop these from larger prints. You'll need a black inkpad, a decorative border stamp (to stamp the edge of the paper as above), 1" and 0.5" circle punches - there will be punches available in the classroom if you don't have these sizes.

1pm In Full Bloom

This eclectic and colourful page cries out for photos that are fun and include colour! The sample uses two 6" x 4" potrait photos but you could opt for one larger landscape. The kit includes an unmounted stamp so you'll need to pack a stamp block. Throw a selection of inkpads into your bag in ice cream colours (the sample used ColorBox Ice Jade, Lime Pastel, Amber Clay, Rose Coral and Rouge but you don't really need this many!!). If you have some adhesive crystals just pop them into your bag, you only need one so don't panic buy!

2.15pm Classic Cool

Grab a 7" x 5" portrait photo, a red inkpad, white gel pen and a paper pricker and you are good to go for this class - its that simple!!

3.30pm A Pinch of Saffron

A simple 6" x 4" potrait photo would work really well with this butterfly themed page. You'll also need a creamy brown inkpad and you'll be good to go!!

5pm Whatever Will Be

This eclectic, shabby chic page uses ephemera to the max so opt for a simple 6" x 4" landscape photo - a heritage one work look great! You'll need a purple inkpad, some mini brads and a paper pricker to complete the project.

6.15pm Mad About You

This stunning page by Jackie cries out for a large heritage photo, the sample design uses a 7" x 5" landscape although you could also use two smaller photos if you prefer. You'll need a selection of inkpads, Jackie used ColorBox Creamy Brown, Dark Moss and Dark Peony together with a dark brown dye-based inkpad. If you have a distressing tool pop that in your tool kit although you could also use scissors. A scorer and bone folder would also be handy together with some double sided tape.

If you have any questions then give me a shout - see you on Saturday!!

Peeks of the New Forest classes

As quite a few for the New Forest crop are leaving very early on Friday morning I thought I'd better get the sneak peeks for the classes up nice and early for you!! The project class has sold out but there are still a couple of places left in the LO class if anyone fancies it.

Breakfast at Tiffany's project

This fab little album is stuffed full of good things (a bit like those gorgeous blue boxes from a well known jeweller!!). You'll need up to twenty small photos (around 2" x 3" or 3" x 4" but no larger) to fill all of the gorgeously scalloped pages. Bring loads of glue sticks, sandpaper or a BasicGrey file set, a black inkpad, a single hole punch, double sided tape, a corner rounder and a sense of humour because this will take a while!! LOL!!

One Way Traffic LO class

Pack a load of 3d foampads for this class that uses one 7" x 5" portrait photo and a 3" x 4" also in portrait. You'll also need a glue pen or ideally a small Xyron dispenser to get the best glittered effects on the chipboard in this kit. Pop a handful of mini brads into your bag to attach the whole box of mixed flowers I've added to this fab kit! You'll need a green or orange inkpad (the sample used ColorBox Olive Pastel chalk ink). Unusually for me, there's no fiddly cutting out for you to do in this class so you can breathe easy!!

We're really looking forward to coming down to see everyone, we've booked a posh hotel nearby so it'll be like a little holiday for us as well!! See you all on Sunday!

Two more dates for your diary

I have just got off the phone after booking some more dates for over the Summer for those who fancy coming to play with us! First up we have another of our really popular 'Finish Your Pages' days - the date is Sunday 26th July. As usual everyone will have a whole six foot table to themselves for the entire day so you'll have loads of room to spread out - although I seem to be able to fill the space in five minutes and end up working in a 13" x 13" square every time! LOL!! We'll have unlimited tea, coffee and soft drinks plus the very naughty muffins for morning coffee and carrot cake for afternoon tea! Spaces are very limited so bookings will be on a first come basis. I love these days, they are really relaxed and chilled out with a fab friendly, chatty vibe!

For those who aren't going away during the Summer holidays we've decided to offer you the chance to take some time out for yourself at our 'Stay-cation Crop' on Saturday 22nd August. This will be our usual all-day event but with a fun holiday theme - including a floral lei to get you in the holiday spirit!! We'll have seven classes for you to choose from with a great mix of designers teaching on the day, you won't want to miss out on this!! Add in free refreshments and afternoon tea and what else could you ask for?!!

Both events are now available to book online at www.totalpapercrafts.co.uk for only £10 each!

Kit 2 for June

The double page kit for June uses the goregous Lillian paper line and is masses of fun! The scanner had a bit of a thrombie with matching the centre of the pages and cut off a bit of each but in real life the die-cuts go across both of the pages. As well as three double sided patterned papers, the kit includes cardstock, a shaped patterned paper and a whole box of Lillian glittered diecuts. I fell madly in love with these gorgeous birds and birdhouses and just had to have them so I hope you love them too!!

The sample page uses four 6" x 4" photos - one portrait and three landscape. I used three different shades of inks on this one, a teal, a rose and a creamy brown but to be honest its not essential. You'll need some 3d foam pads and a few small adhesive gems for the bird's eyes (the idea of sightless birds freaks me out!). Nothing else is needed as the gorgeous papers and diecuts do all the work for you here - and no fiddly cutting either LOL!!

Class peeks for the New Forest crop girls

We have been invited to spend the day at a crop in the New Forest on 21st June and have a couple of classes which we have put together specially for the day. Here are the peeks.........

Breakfast at Tiffanys
Whenever I think of the film 'Breakfast at Tiffanys' I think of Audrey Hepburn in that fab black shift dress with the rope of classic pearls - sophisticated style that never dates. We have put together a project class that has that same sort of feel, after all you can't go wrong with black and white can you? In this mini album class you'll make a self-contained concertina book with scalloped pages that just oozes style and sophistication. The kit contains cardstock, chipboard, a chipboard album, 3 double sided patterned papers, a whole pack of rub-ons, pearl/crystal brads and crochet flowers. You'll need a selection of small photos around 3" x 2" in both portrait and landscape - you can use either black & white or colour photos but try to keep them all of the same person/theme. You'll also need a black inkpad, a bone folder or scorer, corner rounder and lots of glue stick (I got through three making up the sample!!). You won't get to the photo stage during the class so don't worry if you don't have the photos ready for the class.

One way Traffic

This scrapbook page class uses 7" x 5" and 3" x 4" portrait photos on a layout that is predominantly in shades of hot oranges, creams and greens. Think of hot summer days, orange ice lollys and freshly mown lawns and you'll be on the right track! We'll be playing with glitter so you'll need to bring along a glue pen, glue stick or Xyron and be prepared to leave this class with a delicate shimmer about you!!! The class kit contains cardstock, double sided patterned papers, 12x12 sheet of die-cuts, whole pack of adhesive chipboard alphabet, glitter and paper flowers. You'll need to bring a green or orange inkpad, 3d foam pads and some mini brads for this class.

These classes can be booked on the day but if you want to be sure that you have your kits then you can book online through the shop at www.totalpapercrafts.co.uk from 8pm this evening. Please only book these classes if you are attending the New Forest crop weekend!!

The last 2 crop classes for 20th June!

The last two classes for our crop on Saturday 20th June have just arrived and we love them!! Both of these will be taught by Jackie who many of you will have met at a previous crop where she demonstrated some gorgeous stamps and punches. These classes are the first and last ones of the day, please only book for them if you are going to be there for the class as it can be very demoralising to walk into a class that is empty, particularly at the end of a long day!


Viva Victoria
This elegant and classic kit uses the brand new Andrea Victoria paper line in shades of pale gold, charcoal, chocolate and white. The fab scrapbook page designed by Claire has a brilliant folding book that opens up for hidden journaling or more photos! The kit contains cardstock, 5 double-sided patterned papers, a 12x12 sheet of die-cuts, a whole pack of ribbons together with brads and beads for the finishing touch!


Mad about You
Bring a touch of vintage romance into your life with this gorgeous kit using Madeline papers and embellishments. Think old country roses, rich velvets and sparkly crystal chandeliers and you'll be right in the mood!! The kit contains cardstock, three patterned papers, a whole pack of rub-ons with crystals and a whole pack of velvet flowers with pearl and crystal brads. Very indulgent but you're worth it!!

Both classes go on sale tomorrow evening at 7pm and if the past releases are anything to go by, you'll need to be prompt as everything has sold out in minutes!

3 crop classes on sale tomorrow

We have another 3 of the crop classes for Saturday 21st June on sale tomorrow afternoon and they are a great mixture of different styles and colours. Those who are booked onto the crop will be able to book the classes from 3pm tomorrow but as they tend to sell out very quickly you will need to be fast off the mark!!

Whatever will be...
Lovers of eclectic style will be drawn to this shabby chic scrapbook page class as it is stuffed full of eclectic and unusual bits and bobs! As well as cardstock, the kit includes 3 sheets of patterned paper (one of which is beautifully glittered!!), glittery transparencies and what feels like hundreds of die-cut shapes in a mixture of sizes with foil and/or glittery decoration.

A pinch of saffron

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world - but no need to worry about your budget here as this class offers fab value for money! The kit includes cardstock, three patterned papers, a pack of dimensional stickers and a tag pad. You will oodles left to play with after you have finished the class!!

Classic cool

Think sophisticated shades of rich cream, soft blue and pale sage with a little kick of rust for interest and you have a classic class that is also very cool! The kit includes cardstock, 4 double sided patterned papers, a whole pack of glazed brads and a whole pack of Thickers alphabet stickers.

We have another scrapbook page class due to be delivered any day now and

then the project class should be very shortly after it. We will of course keep you posted!