Friday, 15 January 2016

'Open Me When' Envelopes for your Valentine

Well it's the season of 'love' and something is definitely in the air as I've not really made a Valentine collection before! Let's start with my very special 'Open Me When ...' Envelope Sets. These are all the rage on Pinterest! I stumbled across them by purely by accident and so I have created a lovely set with everything you need to get you started on your journey of romance with your partner!


First I decided on which occasions I would create an 'Open Me When Envelope' for and picking out some real corkers that your other halves will absolutely love you forever for! From there I was able to put together an ideas sheet (included in the set) for you so that once you receive your kit you can start personalising each envelope & it's contents before wrapping them all up in a ribbon to give to them on Valentine's Day (or if you miss this for Valentine I'm sure they would love it as a birthday present too!) 


Your husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends & wives will have to start somewhere so I've left it for you to write a little note to them and explain how much you love them. They have 12 envelopes to open at different times when they need them, but I have included quote cards & various other bits for you to include as part of the set. Here are just some of the colourful envelopes your partner will love all with a different 'open me when' occasions, colour captions & icons .. oh and don't forget the cute little post labels in the top right hand corners!


When they miss you why not spray some perfume on to the little card provided and pop in some photos of you together?


When they can't sleep - (I love this one) - I have created a little counting sheep quote card with ideas on the back as things they can do to help them get back to dreamland again!


Sometimes all any of us just need is a hug ... I think this will be one of those 'Open me when envelopes' that will make you very popular!


Most of the envelopes are there to help give your partner a little boost when they need it most, and none more than this one, find some silly photos of the two of you to include, some jokes etc. and they should be back on track in no time!


For days when they are feeling on top of the world let them have some fun & tell them how much you love them ..


It's hard to believe that after giving them this magnificent gift that your partners are ever going to be made at you but 'just in case' here's a little emergency envelope for them with a fun little quote card 'sorry coupon' they will just love to use & no doubt not be mad at you for very much longer! 

We all have days when we are feeling a bit stressed out and so this envelope will come in handy! They will love the little bubble wrap stress busting joke included in the set, plus I have included a few ideas for you to put in here on your ideas sheet. Hopefully they will feel nice and calm once this envelope is opened so you will have your normal happy partner back - stress .... what stress?


This envelope is one of my favourites, I would love someone to give me one of these! We all have them so to be able to open an envelope full of love from your partner must be one of the best remedies you can have & definitely make a bad day a whole lot better. PLUS they really are going to love you forever after this! 

There are some other envelopes included too including one for them to open on their birthday - you can find all the details on the website for this product. But have a look at the complete set below and you will see just how much is included. All you have to do now is get your thinking caps on .... print out loads of photos, write several letters, notes & poems  & add a few little things to include in your envelopes in time for Valentine's Day! You're going to be very busy but I promise you it will be worth it ... 


Oh .. and don't forget when all your hard work is complete & all wrapped up (ribbon included - you could also add some gifts to open on various occasions too and pop them all in a little gift box for them) to decorate your envelopes and way you like, add stickers & your own messages & hearts of course!  .. here's some ideas I found on Pinterest for you ...


Happy Valentine's to you all  - I hope this set makes a little bit of a difference in your lives this year ..

Sarah X


















Sunday, 27 December 2015

What's New for 2016 ?!? Snazzy New Arrivals Coming Very Soon!

Hey there! So while everyone else has been busy getting ready for Christmas in the background I have been creating new things for 2016!! It's all very exciting as I want to totally revamp Sarah's Simply Handmade - making more contemporary gifts for next year .......... I thought I would share a little preview with you ahead of the January launch ....



I wrote down 4 words & 4 categories on a blank piece of paper and started from there ....
  • GLAMOROUS                
  • SASSY
  • CUTE
  • SPARKLE
 ________________________________________________________

  • STATIONERY
  • GIFTS & ACCESSORIES
  • HOME DECOR & ACCESSORIES
  • CHILDREN'S GIFTS
I sort of have 5 categories really because I am still going to be making the beautiful handmade greeting cards as they always seem to be very popular. The plan is to keep a really tight but perfect limited series of products that all compliment one and other.

My first job was to completely change the fabrics I have been using - I am having a massive fabric clearance to sell all the Tilda shabby chic floral fabrics (for those of you that love Tilda fear not I have kept a few that will fit in with and compliment the new ranges). Essentially though I am going to be using 3 new types of fabric - felt, glitter & faux leather to create all the new pieces.

STATIONERY

You will know that I LOVE stationery! so it made sense to create my own little range to share with you! I have NOTEBOOKS covered in fabric & handmade mulberry paper in some pretty cool colours, some of these have my new 'sassy slogans' on them which I have digitally created myself using cool backgrounds, fonts with some of the most popular sayings. Also in the stationery range will be my new collection of PENCIL CASES in fabulous glitter fabric with little felt hearts on the front (who said stationery had to be dull?!?), handmade DECORATED PAPER CLIPS that can be also be used as planner accessories or bookmarks, MAGNETS with more of my 'sassy slogans', jotter pads covered in the beautiful mulberry paper & in little fabric wallets to pop in your handbag. I have also ordered in some pretty stationery accessories carefully picked to go with my handmade range including sets of PENCILS that I have had foil printed by another local UK based small business to my designs, some very PRETTY PENS in a variety of ink colours and of course you will need WASHI TAPE & STICKERS for your planners and notebooks.


ACCESSORIES & GIFTS

I'm sure this range will evolve but at the moment I have stuck to three items - fab new MAKE UP BAGS all made in the gorgeous new faux leather & glitter fabric with felt linings with felt lips on the front to decorate, little PURSES made in the same fabrics but with felt hrarts on the front and 2 different types of KEY RING - GLITTER & FELT HEARTS WITH CROWNS and some 'SASSY SLOGAN' KEY RINGS!! It really is going to be time to add some sparkle & glamour to your everyday life!!


HOME DECOR & ACCESSORIES

I have only just started to make the home decor range, but I'm aiming for CUTE with pretty little hanging ornaments for your home including HEARTS, OWLS & BIRDS. I'm also planning to make some cute and sparkly BUNTING to hang over mirrors, under shelves and over fireplaces etc. I will be making some longer GARLANDS that will add a lovely finishing touch to bedrooms, studies, craft rooms, children's rooms and living rooms. All of the new home range will be made using the glitter fabrics and felt plus I may add in some PAPER GARLANDS as well. Of course the MAGNETS will also fall in to the home range as well for use on fridges and memo boards etc,


CHILDREN'S GIFTS

I'm looking forwards to creating some super cuties for the kids but first I have to get everything CE tested if I'm going to make what I would like to make for you. I know so many crafters out there don't bother with the whole CE testing but if I'm going to do it I want to do it properly .... so at the moment I can't say too much except I have bought everything I need to start this collection I just need to check all the admin bits first but I promise you cute overload when I do!!

I know this is a big departure from my normal creative style but I feel the time is right to have a change. I have spent the last 3 years being true to the shabby chic / vintage style which I love so much but the reality is it just isn't as popular as it once was and as they say a change is as good as a rest!! A new year and new beginnings and I hope you will continue to follow and support me on my journey, I would love your feedback so do tell me what you think I'd love to hear from you .......


Sarah X