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Thursday, 23 January 2014

January 2014 Newsletter


Monthly Newsletter


Welcome to our first combined newsletter. Until now we have had different newletters and updates for the different components of Warren Crafts. We then came up with the idea of sharing what’s going on at The Warren since people who love small animals, may also like cardcraft or scrapbooking and vice versa, so here we go!

   Our Animals

January is the beginning of our breeding season, and we have a few rabbits with young litters at the moment, with more due to be mated by the end of the month. We also have our first guinea pig litter due 31 January, and a couple more piggies in the breeding pen. We do have some young adult rabbits and guinea pigs up for adoption. If you are thinking about adding a rabbit or a couple of guinea pigs to your family, then give us a call and pop along for a chat.

All our small animals go with a health check, a supply of feed, and an information sheet. More importantly, we offer Forever Homes, so should your circumstances change, we will always take back the animal you purchased and do our best to find suitable homes for them, or remain with us here at The Warren. We will always provide advice if you have a rabbit or guinea pig, whether or not you adopted the animal from us or not. We must stress this does not replace the advice of a vet, but with 20 plus years of breeding, showing and sharing our lives with these adorable animals, we have a wealth of knowledge that we can share.

Some of you will already know how excited we are about the pending arrival of a couple of Pygmy Goats! They will hopefully arrive in the spring, mother nature permitting. So we are busy making preparations for their arrival. We are having 3 small paddocks built, one of which is for the rabbit and guinea pig runs. We are also having a breeze block stable built, and much of the decking between the chicken coup and the rabbitry is being removed in place of concrete, making it easier to maintain, and safer to walk on.

For more information visit our websites:



Small Animal Boarding

We have always offered a rabbit/guinea pig boarding service for the animals we rehome, but with the closing of the local small animal boarding business, we decided to make the boarding service into a more formal business and open to all. We have very reasonable daily and weekly rates (see the website link below). This has meant investing in new small animal housing blocks. The first of these are in place, and the last few blocks being built as we go to press. All hutches are painted, disinfected between occupants, with regular exercise for all our animal guests. There are requirements that need to be met before your booking can be confirmed (e.g. vaccinations, insurance etc), and details can be found on the booking form available from the website link below.


 

Handmade Wedding Stationary, Favours, Gift boxes and general Greetings Cards.

We offer two options when it comes to our handmade cardcraft products. You can either let us make up your order after agreeing on the design you want, OR you can make them yourself in a workshop, with family and friends, and us there to guide and assist you along the way. This makes the preparations for your wedding or other special event, even more special. Contact us to arrange an appointment and you can decide which option you want to go for.

 


Workshops:

Cardcraft & Scrapbooking

This year our workshops are  going to be more structured, in terms of planning – at least that was our intention when we made it our number one item on the New Year’s Resolution list! Each month we will be featuring a technique, plu s2 or 3 stamp sets.

January will begin with Dry Embossing as the technique and the stamp sets will be picked with the theme ‘Love is in the Air’. Even if you do not celebrate Valentine’s Day, love is why we hand craft cards and scrapbook pages, so do not be put off by the theme. The featured colours will be Black, Grey, Red & White.

We Offer workshops for:

 

  1. Children aged  5 to 12 years
  2. Teenagers, aged 12 to 18 years
  3. Adults
  4. Children and adults with special needs
  5. The Bereaved & those with life limiting conditions
    Everyone attending any of our papercraft workshops between January and the end of March 2014, will be entered into a free monthly prize draw to win a bundle of Stampin Up products, and a copy of the new book, Fifty Shades of Rubber Stamping by Amanda Bartlett.
     
    We are also committed to making improvements to our Blog  
    We will be uploading a monthly card template challenge on the First Monday of each month & a Scrapbook Challenge on the Third Monday of each month. We will be asking you to send us pictures of your creation (by email, post or using a link on blog), within two weeks of the challenges going live, and a winner will be picked for each challenge. If successful, we will also look for sponsors to provide prizes for future challenges, but for now, we just want you to have fun. We are also hoping to keep the blog up to date with news, tips, techniques and projects.
    My Digital Studio
    MDS is Stampin Ups digital cardcraft & scrapbooking programme. You can download the programme for a 30 day free trial from my Stampin Up! Website http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinupatthewarren/
    Let me know once you download the programme if you want to attend a workshop to get to know how to use the programme before you decide to buy. There are plenty of downloads available with new downloads listed weekly. For examples, visit http://www.mydigitalstudio.net/
     
    Sale A Bration
    This is an exciting time of year for all paper crafters as it is when Stampin Up gives you fabulous free products for every £45 you spend from the current Annual Catalogue, the Spring/Summer, Catalogue, and/or the Sale A Bration Catalogue. But hold off ordering immediately, as Sale A Bration doesn’t begin until 28 January. Free products include a choice of 3 stamp sets, a punch, an accessory kit, a card kit, 2 MDS downloads; an embossing folder and a pack of double sided patterned papers.
    If you have been thinking about becoming a Demonstrator, then give me a call and see if you think it is for you. You can even pop in for a cuppa! I do not normally push this side of things, but during Sale A Bration you get so much more for your money in your Starter Pack.
     
    OPEN HOUSE LAUNCH PARTY FOR SALE A BRATION
    TUESDAY 28TH JANUARY 2014 11am-7pm
    Includes a make & take, and free catalogue
    Lots of new products to view
     
    You can now order your Stampin Up! Products online
    Via my Stampin Up Website:
    http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinupatthewarren/
    Lastly, we must mention our Fabric craft!!
    We continue to make soft furnishing from quality UK manufactured cotton fabric. We always have some cushions, baby quilts, and doorstops made up, but we love making custom orders and you are welcome to come and browse the fabrics we have in stock.
    Our website is undergoing a makeover and overhaul, so bear with us. We have a digital swatch library via our website at www.warrencrafts.co.uk
    Kim has been working on refreshing her dressmaking skills, and is in the process of designing a range of children’s clothing from 0-5 years. She can also make children’s clothing of all ages to order. Watch this space for the launch.
    Machine Sewing Classes
    Would you like to learn how to make do and mend, or learn dressmaking or how to make soft furnishings? If so, drop us a line to arrange some sessions.
     
     Class/Workshop Fees:
     £15 for a 3 hour session
     £30 for 10am to 4pm session
     
    Contact us: Kim & Steve Tolton
    Telephone: 08432896848
    Text: 07759587004
    The Warren, Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, Essex, SS11 7QW

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Sale A Bration Sneak Peek

The New Year brought with it a New Years resolution to be more organised in my business. I hope I can keep the momentum going, but I am full of enthusiasm to interact with you all. How? Well, I am going to be running a card  template challenge on first Monday of each month using Mojo Monday Templates and a colour challenge for the same project, It will help to stretch me and as you share your ideas with me, you will spur me on to keep enthusiastic to blog, blog, blog ....

Then on the third Monday of each month, I will be running a Scrapbook challenge using various templates. Scrapbooking has always been more of a challenge for me, card and box making are my comfort zone, but I like to stretch myself. I hope you will join in and post on here with your take on the templates.

And now for the Sneak Peeks from the pending catalogue launch

I was so excited when I received my order containing up coming products from this years coming Sale A Bration, and also the new Seasonal Catalogue, both of which go live on 28th January!!



Needless to say I have been spending loads of time in my craft room creating cards and objects with my new stamp sets, Designer Series Papers, Accessories and of course the free products available each time you spend just £45 during Sale A Bration.


So now I thought I would share some of my sneak peek makes with you, I hope you like what you see.

Me personally, I am loving the colour combinations of Crisp Cantaloupe, Black, Smokey Slate, Summer Starfruit, crumb cake and soft suede

This from an amazing paper stack ... perfect for quick card makes and this beautifull red floral design is just gorgeous!

A more manly creation featuring some new framelits and a great accessory pack . Pacific Point and Summer Starfruit with a little Tangerine Tango to make the colours pop


This card uses the same template as the one above, this time the crisp cantaloupe/tangerine tango take centre stage, add in a little Pear Pizzaz and you are away


I decided to go with more muted, neutral tones with this card. Using the same colour ink and cardstock to stamp the baground, creates a subtle background, and the same stamp is then used in the central pane, stamping in Sahara Sand and sponging to glours stems with crisp cantaloupe. I just LOVE the teeny honey bee stamp. If you see the teeny little banners at the base of the card ... a little secret ... shhh ... it is a new punch. Do send me you comments on what you think of my creations as I would love to hear from  you

Not that I am done just yet ..


This card is using one of the new Designer Series Papers, they have a very retro feel and colours perfect for the men in your life ... Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango, and Very Vanilla with accents of Pool Party and Summer Starfuit


Another masculine card from one of the new stamp sets. The same colours as the above, and here I have stamped anchors onto the patterned paper to create a great background, and using the antique brads gives a very vintage feel to the card. The pacific point ribbon is new too.

If this lot doesn't wet your appetite and stir you on to make a HUGE shopping list when you get your new catalogues, I don't know what will. I still have so many new items to keep on creating, and I promise I will share them with you as I do the photo shoots.

Don't forget you can now ORDER ONLINE via my Demonstrator website 

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinupatthewarren/

If you would like to talk about becoming a Demonstrator or order directly with me you can do so by:

Phone: 08432896848
Text: 07759587004
email: stampinupatthewarren@hotmail.co.uk

All images copyright Stampin Up!



Monday, 2 December 2013

Quick Project:Stampin Up UK Circle Treat Cup Card

Have Fun Making Circle Treat Cup Cards or Baubles

Treat cups are an excellent way to add an extra dimension to your cards, and an interesting one too!! You could put sweets, glitter, water, beans & pulses, Coffee Beans, Loose Tea and much more into them, creating a personalised gift as well as a card! How fab is that?

The video below shows you how to use these little plastic treat cups and of course you can view the video and pause it whilst you make your own version - so it is a great teaching/learning tool.

When you are ready to order your Stampin Up Treat Cups - and I know you will, just contact me on (details are below the video).

Order Details:

Circle Treat Cups (pack of 12) including adhesive liners - Item No: 116802 £2.75

You will also need the 1 3/4" (4.4cm) Punch - item No: 119873 £15.95 to punch out the circle



 
I am sure you will agree that this will make a wonderful Christmas or Birthday gift for any crafter and a great way to start getting involved with the cardcraft hobby.
 
To order or make enquiries simply contact me as below
Telephone: 08631896848
Text: 07759587004