August kit 1

We start the Summer holidays with a bumper kit that is almost literally bursting at the seams it has so much in it!! We were hard pressed to use a bit of everything in the sample design but we think we just about managed to get a little bit of every one of the 10 sheets of patterned paper onto the double page design. Yes - you did read that right, there are 10 sheets of patterned paper in this one!!!!! Add to that 5 sheets of die-cuts, cardstock and 2 packs of glitter and you have to agree that this kit is HUGE!!!
The sample design uses a 6x4 portrait photo and three 4x4 pics and the fresh colours of the papers makes them ideal for bright, sunny holiday type photos. The circles were created in a variety of sizes - ideal if you have a circle cutter but you could just as easily draw round a number of different sized objects including cups and bowls!! Dig out your border punch again to make it earn its keep and add a few white paper flowers. A black ink pad shabbies down the paper and 3d foam pads add dimension. The sample uses oddments of Thicker alphabet stickers for the title but the kit includes two 12x12 sheets of matching alphabets in a number of different colours so there's no real need to add anything else. The swirls were created using some of the new £1.99 ZVA Creative blue crystals that arrived this week but there is so much glitter in the kit you could create the same effect with dots of adhesive and glitter. A small scrap of narrow ribbon runs from the left edge of the design to the die-cut label holder - we have the ribbon in stock for only 25p a yard if you have to have the exact same one!!

Announcing our next crop day!!

We are very excited to announce the date of our next all day crop - Sunday 5th September!! We will be returning to our favourite venue in Meopham, Kent and offering the usual package of fab classes, shopping and a day to meet up with friends, make some new ones and indulge in your hobby. The crop is now available to book online at www.totalpapercrafts.co.uk under 'Crops & Classes' and we have kept the cost for the day to just £10. Our designers have already started choosing their classes and there is some gorgeous stuff winging its way to us at this very moment!!
We thought that by the time the crop comes around, those who have children would more than welcome the chance to get away and grab some "me time" at the end of the Summer holidays but in any case why not indulge yourself and grab yourself a place?!
We hope to see you there!

Lynda

July kit technique video - fab folded mini book!

Kit 2 for July

The second kit for July is something a bit different, we have a project that is too cute to be believed but for those who really dislike the idea of a project we have adapted the kit so that it can also be used for a double page layout.......

This cottage kit comes with adorable window boxes, steps, 'leaded light' windows and a chimney (not shown). There's a hidden something extra inside - simply lift off the roof to reveal a mini album!! To make the mini album you'll need to add a single sheet of cardstock to the kit but everything here is included.

The layout option will need two sheets of white card and an additional sheet for the hidden mini album plus a small piece of chipboard to make a cover. We have adapted the house to create a cute embellishment for the page that is dimensional and fun (check out the gorgeous mini wreath on the front door!!). You'll also need some adhesive pearl swirls (the sample uses zva creative swirls in pink which we have in stock) and a couple of white flowers although these aren't essential.

Whichever option you decide upon you will need a brown inkpad (sample uses Colorbox Dark Brown), some 3d foam pads, strong double sided tape, a glue stick and decorative border punches.

The kit contains; 3 sheets of double sided patterned paper, 12x12 sheet of titles, borders and journaling blocks, die-cut dimensional cottage elements, full construction details for the cottage and step-by-step instructions for the sample designs. Keep an eye out here for the technique video showing you how to make the fab folded mini book!!

Kit 1 for July

Our first kit for July uses the ever so pretty 'So Sophie' line from My Minds Eye. The fresh mint green and peachy-pink colours of the kit are so summery they'll make you smile! This kit will work with all sorts of different themes of photos and the one used in the sample is 6" x 4" landscape. You could use a larger photo but would have to sacrifice the photo mount - not a bad compromise if you have a photo that you really love already printed off in a larger size.
The kit includes cardstock, 1 double sided die-cut paper, 2 sheets of double sided paper, a sheet of cardstock sticker embellishments and a sheet of alphabet stickers. The sample also uses a length of peach ribbon (American Crafts 'Correspondence' velvet ribbon which we have in the shop), a few white flowers and some adhesive crystals. These aren't essential but added a really pretty touch! The sample also uses mint green and peach/pink inkpads (Colorbox Ice Jade and Rose Coral) but any mint green and pink would probably work well with the papers. Throw in some 3d foam pads and you are good to go!

Lynda