Celebrate 4th of July with Sausandesigns! Get 25% off the entire store on July 4th 2009.  I will be celebrating, too, but will be spending the weekend here. Have fun and Happy 4th of July!
Sylvie

Well…some of you may know that, even though I might not be the best paper scrapper in this world, I am still doing some little paper projects like books and cards and such. And I have always been fed up with the paper pieces moving back and forth when trying to cut them to size or into a shape. I never seemed to have the right ruler, or it has been too short or , when perfect in length, I had a hard time pressing it down to prevent my paper to move due to a non slip rubber thing on the backside of my ruler.
Then I saw this little baby here

The Basic GreyMagnetic Precision Mat .  I first thought that this might be something nice but useless in the end, but since I decided to try it, I am really excited about it.

This 15″ x 15″ self-healing black mat carries a metal core and comes with 8 pretty strong magnetic tacks and a metal ruler that has a magnetic backing.
The mat has white grid markings and I love the small intervalls (the perimeter has 1/8″ marks and interior has 1/2″ marks) which makes it easy to line up layers or small designs or simply cut when you are kind of “measuring resistant” as I am . Even for me as a metric girl it is easy to handle!

The ruler is fabulous! It is  18” long (45 cm) which makes it so easy to line up with the grid without the need to move it around, it is great when cutting with a craft knife (have you ever used a plastic ruler to cut with a craft knife? It is a pain!), and it will also hold your paper in place without making it hard to move it into place when needed.

I am sure you will get a kick out of the magnetic tacks! No moving papers any more, not even when cutting out curved or delicate pieces, you can simply concentrate on cutting instead of watching out that nothing moves.

Even applying rub ons is not a pain any more as you can fix them with the tacks, you don’t even have to cut the rub ons out any more!
Paper scrappers can also use the magnets for placing embellies or photos and move them around on their layout to see how they look like, it is possible to hang the complete layout fixed with the magnets and see if you like it or not. Cardmakers will love it because lining up even little elements is really easy to accomplish and cutting out little pieces of your papers works like a charm.

The mat is self-healing and think that quality is the best I have seen so far. It works perfectly well when using your craft knife for “normal” cutting projects.
I love this mat! Seriously! But you may not want to throw your “every day glue on and cut heavy duty mat”, as you will still be in need of it besides having this cool Basic Grey mat.
I would not recommend it when you need to trim book signatures to size cutting several times at the same place. Also you may not want to use it for punshing holes with an awl or for setting brads or eyelets: remember that the mat carries a metal core that might get damaged.
However: it is a cool tool to have! And where to store it? Well, I do have a metal container next to my desk which holds tacks, ruler and mat pretty well!

Happy Day! And have fun with your magnetic board !
Sylvie

In German:
Auch wenn ich kein begnadeterPapierscrapper bin, einige kleine Projekte, Büchlein und so weiter mache ich eben schon. Schon immer hat es mich fürchterlich genervt, daß genau dann das Papier verrutscht ist, wenn man es so gar nicht brauchen konnte. Und egal welches Lineal ich nun nahm, entweder war es zu kurz,  man schnitt dauernd rein oder, es hat wie mein jetziges Lineal, diese störende ”Ich verrutsche nie mehr” Gummilippe auf der Rückseite, die es aber dann beim Schneiden ziemlich schwierig macht, das Papier so fest anzudrücken, dass es nicht rutscht. Ein Elend eben, bis ich dann dieses kleine Baby gesehen habe, das oben auf dem Bild zu sehen ist:
Basic Greys Magnetic Precision Mat,  zu Deutsch Magnetische Präzisions-Schneidematte.
Erst hab ich ja gedacht, das ist wieder so ein Tool, das die Welt nicht braucht, mich aber dann doch entschlossen, die Wundermatte einmal auszuprobieren…..und ich muß sagen: Ich bin begeistert!

Die schwarze, 15″ x 15″ (38 x 38 cm) große Schneidematte ist selbstheilend und hat eine Metalleinlage. Mitgeliefert werden 8 Magnetstifte sowie ein Metallineal mit magnetischer Rückseite.
Die Schneidematte hat eine weißes, gut sichtbares Raster und ich finde die Einteilung in kleine Maßeinheiten einfach klasse! (Außenseite ist in 1/8″ Schritten und Innenseite in 1/2″ Schritten). Das macht es zeimlich einfach auch verschiedene Papierlagen oder kleine Elemente genau zu positionieren, vor allem, wenn man so “Abmess-resistent” ist, wie ich.  Selbst mir als ”metric girl” macht es keine Schwierigkeiten, die Matte zu verwenden!

Das Lineal ist einfach klasse! Es ist 18” (45 cm) lang und das erleichtert das passgenaue Anlegen ungemein. Man muß kein zu kurzes Lineal mehr herumschieben oder ärgert sich, weil wieder einmal ein Zentimeter fehlt.  Es ist leicht abgeschrägt, damit man vor allem mit dem Cuttermesser gut entlang schneiden kann, und durch den dünnen Magnetstreifen auf der Rückseite des Lineals wird dabei das Papier noch an Ort und Stelle gehalten, ohne daß es schwierig wäre noch einmal neu zu positionieren, wenn man müsste.
Richtig cool sind die Magnetstifte. Kein herumrutschendes Papier mehr, auch nicht bei den schwierigsten Schneidearbeiten. Einfach die Magnete positionieren und schneiden!
Selbst RubOns aufzubringen ist kein Problem mehr! Man muß sie noch nicht einmal mehr ausschneiden! Einfach mit den Magnetstiften befestigen und aufrubbeln.
Papierscrapper können die Magnete auch zum Positionieren von Embellishments oder Fotos verwenden, sie auf dem Layout herumschieben, es ist sogar möglich das so arrangierte Layout aufzustellen, um es sich erst einmal richtig anzusehen, bevor man alles festklebt.
Kartenbastler werden die Schneidematte lieben, denn auch die kleinsten Stückchen Papier können präzise geschnitten und positioniert werden.

Die Schneidematte ist selbstheilend und ich finde, die Qualität ist die Beste, die ich seit langem gesehen habe. Perfekt für alle “normalen” Schneidearbeiten. 
Allerdings würde ich jetzt nicht empfehlen, eure alte Klebe-und Matschematte nun einfach wegzuwerfen, denn für vieles werdet ihr diese dann doch noch neben der Basic Grey Matte verwenden. 

So fand ich die Basic Grey Matte bei manchen meiner Buchprojekte dann ungeeignet, wo ich viel Papier immerwährend auf der selben Stelle zurechtschneiden mußte. Auch sollte man es vermeiden auf dieser Matte Löcher mit einer Ahle oder Ähnlichem zu stechen oder Eyelets zu setzen: man sollte dabei daran denken, dass sich in der Matte eine Metallkern befindet, der dabei beschädigt werden kann.
Aber egal wie: ich finde die Magnetmatte wirklich super und eine Anschaffung lohnt sich in jedem Fall! Und wenn ihr fragt wo ihr die denn nun auch noch unterbringen sollt, dann hilft euch vielleicht meine Idee. Ich habe neben meinem Schreibtisch einen Metallcontainer stehen und da bleiben Lineal und Magnete prima haften, sogar die Matte bleibt daran gut stehen! 
Jetzt viel Spaß mit Eurer neuen Schneidematte!!

Sylvie

Fabulous new products at Sausandesigns and a little sale that runs through June 16th 2009 including some featured prodcuts which coordiate perfectly well with the collection!

À la Mode
A little bit of vintage and whimsical with soft colors and unique patterns

À la Mode Paper Add - On
Beautiful vintage papers. Every paper has a little something added as an embellishment or soft vintage pattern!

Jot it Down Beautiful Vintage Tags

Also, don’t forget to check out the following products also on sale which coordinate with the collection:

Elements All Stars: Altered Twill and Lace
Needful things: Stitches 5
Needful things: Book 5
Pressed Flowers 1
Pressed Flowers 2
Pressed Flowers 3

Here’s a little Inspiration from my gorgeous Creative Team!

Have a wonderful day and take care wherever you are!
Sylvie

…that my papers arrived in Canada at sweet Bree’s cool and unique shop!! Yes, right! nothing digital, real Sausandesigns papers!!

YAY! So if you are living in Canada or nearby go and get your hands on these unique and fun kits. The names are the cutest already!! Well and check out the Shop Blog as well as Bree’s cool personal Blog for tons of inspirational ideas! You will love it!
If you’d like to see some layouts and projects done with my papers check out my paper design artists’ galleries!
If you love Clear Stamps and would like to get some fun inspiration on what else but stamping on paper you could be doing, check out my Sausandesigns German Art Stamps Blog, now new and updated with the first bilingual blog post!! Have fun and let me know what you think!
Have a wonderful day and take care, wherever you are!
Sylvie

Hi! Hope you are all fine and doing well! I have been working on some new stuff and would like to show you some of the goodies now.
First off I am excited and proud to let you all know that I was able to team up with the talented designers of  Songbird Avenue  to create a kit for a good cause! It is called Spring Splendor! 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Doctors without Borders  (Médecins sans frontières / MSF) who were awarded the Nobel Peace Price in 1999 for their work . 

During my travels I have seen too many people struggling for their everyday lives, children living under unbelievable conditions, being kept away from the simplest means for daily life, food, and meds.  I have always repected MSF’s work for those who have no voice to cry out for help, for all those who got lost and forgotten in between all those armed conflicts, malnutrition, epidemics and catastrophes, who have no access to medicines, vaccines or other means of (medical) help.

MSF helps everyone regardless of race, religion, or political interests. This is something extraordinarily important and gets more important every day!
Please help us raise money to support their work, to help them speak out for all those that have no voice and will not get heard. Help us support all those people risking their personal lives to help others in need! Check out their homepage if you don’t know about their work already! Thank you so much!
This month’s Songbird Kit is huge and created with love. So spread your Love, too, and purchase and download this kit for $8   here . We all can make a difference! Thank you so much! 

I also had the chance to work with the wonderful and sweet Julia Makotinsky of Little Dreamer Designs! She is this months guest designer at Catscrap and she teamed up with me and the fabulous Lynne-Marie Favreau to bring you a really ecclectic, colorful and inspiring 
Collab kit called Sprout! You have to check it out!

A wonderful day to all of you! Spread your love and take care, wherever you are!
Sylvie

Oh well,  I know that I am neglecting my Blog. I can tell you that life is crazy over here. Right now Josh and I are suffering from a strep throat and it seems as if we also caught DD now, too. So we’ll have another ped appointment tomorrow morning I am afraid. I can tell you that I hate antibiotics! LOL
But I didn’t really want to bore you with the newest stories of sick kids but show you what’s new in the store!!
I am sure you will love it!
Scrap your summer pages with those wonderful Coral Sea papers and elements, frame your photos with all those fun frame and pola clusters, label your pages with my Dymolabels and if you still would like to do some more, just let your creative juices flow and create a little Owl Book for your kids!

Here’s some inspiration of my wonderful CT. Doesn’t this make you just leave for the sea right now?!

Karen Bowers used the frame clusters on my Verde papers when she created the cover of her newest Shutterfly Book

Kelly Stevens used one of the pola clusters on one of my PIP papers. Isn’t this cute?!

Use my Dymolabels to label your pages!

Isn’t this adorable ? It definitely will make a unique little gift !

Now have fun and a great start into the new week!
Take care, wherever you are!

Sylvie

Extended ! Sale ends Monday May 4, 2009!
Have fun shopping!

If you are celebrating Easter or not I hope that you are going to have  wonderful weekend full of love and laughter with the ones you love. Life is wonderful and too short to waste the days with routine only . A wonderful and happy Easter to y’all!!
Before I will be leaving to visit family I just wanted to drop by and show you my latest kit Holy Cute Hoot! All handdrawn doodles and patterns. It is perfect for this time of year and wonderful for many occasions…it is plain fun!

 
And here is some eye candy of what the Sausandesigns’ and the Catscrap Layout Designers created with this kit:

And if you still need a fast and fun idea to bring a little something for the kids at easter, I am sure that Karen Bower’s cute idea will inspire you:
She used my Happy Easter Stickers available here and at Catscrap

Now isn’t that cute?
Happy Easter to y’all! And take care, wherever you are
Sylvie

Do you remember? I had this call some days ago….I have been looking for a Design Team…and not a digital one as I already have wonderful artists creating for me..no…I was looking for some cool paper artists to play with my brandspanking new paperline ….
The response on my call was beyond everything I have been hoping for.  I could have been taking everyone that applied as every entry has been truly and seriously gorgeous! Unfortunately I had to choose. I was going for 4 to 6 Ladies and ended up with 8. Before I announce them here, let me thank all those who dared applying, who supported me and showed me their wonderful work! Thank you! You all have been really gorgeous!
But now (drums roll…) here they are:

Welcome to sausandesigns! I am soooooo excited! If you would like to check them out, here are the links to their Blogs!
(in no particular order)
Fauve: www.fauvevanmaanen.blogspot.com
Penny: www.artfullyembellished.blogspot.com
Jo-Anne: www.bebebloemetje.typepad.com
Nina: http://www.20six.de/toujours-moi
Katta: kattakreativ.blogspot.com
Marianne: http://creativelyjustme.blogspot.com/
Tinka: www.papershape.de
Pauline: http://polinka.canalblog.com/
You have to check them all out! They rawk!

I made this doorhanger to help my son with his daily routines, and we decided to give it away on the blog. I used Sausan’s I Robot kit as well as Fontologie’s Messy Bessy font.

We’re giving it to you as a blog freebie, so you can fill in your own checklists as desired.  It’s sized to fit a standard sheet of photo paper to make this easy to print at home. Open the jpeg up in your photo editing program, add your checklist text on top of it, and print out on matte photo paper or cardstock as desired.

Cut away the excess paper, and score the fold line to make folding easier. Fold and crease firmly. Using a glue stick, paste the 2 sides together.

I measured the size of my door knob, and chose a circle slightly bigger than the knob for my opening. Using my circle cutter, I cut out the center (if you look at my finished photo, you’ll see I did take away a bit of one robot. I chose my circle placement to be centered and to miss the smiling robot). Using a corner rounder, I rounded all 4 corners.

Because I had Ranger Ink Stickles Glitter Glue, I painted it very lightly to fill in  some details on the robots, the space ships and the planet Saturn.

Have fun!

Karen Bowers