Hey bloggers, well wasn't today a gorgeous sunny day, just what we need to get us in the spring crafting mood. On the drive to Farnborough, the blue sky was mesmerising and just in time for our annual trip to MAKE-IT at FIVE (a private airport). One day when we have our own craft business and our own line of craft products we will be jetting off in a private jet from there (well we can all but wish!!) Anyway to the important stuff, what did we buy and did I buy anything that was on my list. The answer to the second question is .............well.....no! What a surprise, self control, no! I did buy 3 12x12 scrapbooking papers, so that was kind of on the list but otherwise the main reason I didn't get what was on the list was because they didn't have those products, so I had to compensate.
1. Indigo Blu Stamps - these stamps are very similar to Tim Holtz stamps and I would assume stamp just as nicely.
This stamp would be perfect for using in the corner of a 12x12 scrapbook page
All these stamps were bought from Samuel Taylors crafts if you want to grab yourself some today
2. A few embellishments....
Prima flowers, Melissa Frances flowers and large bottletops
These vintage embellishments were bought from Just Scrapbooking who organise weekend workshops set in the surroundings of beautiful Cornwall. Sounds right up our street!
3. Tim Holtz die cut
Mum's had her eager eye on this die cut for some time now and she finally has it. Can't resist anything sewing related
4. Scrapbooking Papers
Beautiful Prima and Bo Bunny papers
So that is the sum up of our spend today.
Next is a glimpse of a few things we ordered off QVC during their craft day. First is the set of crackle paints which are a very good combination of colours. Have a look.......
Next is the Anna Griffin stamps that mum ordered which had a sewing theme, funny that! But well worth the money - 3 sheets worth of stamps
So with all these products its about time we got crafting to get our money's worth!
So I've got Sunday off work this weekend and we're are definitely making the most of it because we are going to the MAKE-IT craft show at Farnborough. This is an annual event and is probably one of the best craft shows in the South East, though we have still yet to try The Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show at Alexandra Palace which is in April this year, so maybe this is the year! Anyway, priorities are to make a list and stick to it! which can be very hard to do when you want to buy almost everything. There are certain things I'm looking out for, (1) any Anna Griffin products - after seeing her latest products on QVC, I really am craving some of those flowery papers and embellishments. (2) Anything scrapbooking wise - including some gorgeous new papers and embellishments, (3) Prima flowers (4) Tim Holtz glassine sheets because they look so cool and maybe (6) a Tim Holtz storage box if anyone has a good deal on them.
I'll report on all our purchases over the next few days.
For all you bloggers that know QVC language you would know that TSV stands for Today's Special Value and once again they pulled it out the bag yesterday. As soon as we found out Tim was going to be on QVC, me and mum guessed that his book was likely to be the TSV because two years he did exactly the same thing with the first edition. So obviously at 12am when the show aired live we picked up the phone to order our copy which should get to us by the end of March!!! It was so inspirational to watch Tim demo throughout the day with all his products and of course you had to be quick because within two minutes the products were selling out. Luckily for me my cold had developed into quite a nasty cold so I could fortunately snuggle up on the couch all day and watch US craft day from dawn til dusk. Another good hour was Anna Griffin who had some gorgeous products, however I was too late for some items because just like Tim, her items were selling out before your eyes. Just goes to show us British crafters love to shop, such an adrenalin rush!
For those of you who already follow Tim Holtz blog will know that he has travelled 'over the pond', as Tim calls it, to attend the Birmingham trade show and then make an appearance on QVC on TUESDAY! So we are both so excited and can't wait to see the today's special value. And for those of you who want to be the first to know I suggest you stay up late on Monday for the preview at 12am! We guess that he may have a few new items from the recent Winter CHA and you may bag yourself a good deal as QVC tend to put some value for money kits together. If you can't quite stay up late on Monday night then Tim will also be on at 8am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm throughout Tuesday. So you will have plenty of opportunities to catch him at some point in the day. Hope everyone is having a good weekend and maybe fit in some crafting!
So many product releases from the amazing Tim Holtz, but what makes our top 10.
10. Tim Holtz Alterations - Embossing Diffusers
This set of embossing diffusers are so unique because they can add or remove texture anywhere within a texture fade while using a template. Seems a little complicated at a first glance but I'm sure a few demos will clear things up for us. From this set it seems you can add texture around a stamped image or photo, allowing you to place the texture where you want it to go.
9. Tim Holtz Alterations 'In the bag'
This die cut is so amazing, it lets you create a gusseted bag that you can put mini ATC's, bits of ephemera and so much more. So many ideas running through my mind right now. This die also works with movers and shapers so you can customise it how you like.
8. Tim Holtz Alterations - 'Book covers'
This set of texture fades will allow you to create a mini scrap book or any type of book for that matter with a customisable book cover where you can emboss either of these designs and then go made with paints, inks, sprays and shimmer, so cool!!!
7. Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous - 'Attic Treasures'
This set of mini stamps are perfect for anyone who loved the original sets and if you've seen any of the samples for CHA you will notice that Tim used most of these images. Loving the butterflies.
6. Tim Holtz Idea-ology 'Mini deck of cards'
This pack contains 72 little coated playing cards and will be perfect for scrapbookers or for Tim's configuration boxes, mini ATC's and minibooks, so many uses,what to do first???
5. Tim Holtz Idea-ology Clock Keys/ Mini gears
Now these products are sold separately but they are both so cool. Firstly the clock keys are almost exact replicas of the old vintage clock keys and the best bit about them is that they have a screw on the bottom so that you don't have to mess around with glues to attach it to your projects. Secondly, the mini gears are perfect for adorning on the original sprockets and gears and work well on mini projects.
4. Tim Holtz Alterations Stamp2Cut
Now you will need to check out this video to really appreciate what this new product can really do. But in short, Tim has combined the incredible technology of the sizzix eclips machine with the amazing designs of his stampers anonymous designs. Tim has put selected images on certain cartridges that you can put into the machine and you can choose how it cuts the image out. Seriously check out the video and be amazed. Only downfall, you will need to buy an eclips machine which can start at from approx £200!
3. Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper Valise
Another storage piece which will take care of your papers, masks, stickers and bits of ephemera. With a sturdy handle, its perfect for when your on the move and its so vintage stylish, love it!
2. Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Markers
If you thought the distress pads were absolutely amazing then wait until you check these babies out. From my previous post you may have seeen the video by paperclipping of Tim using his new distress markers and you can do so much with them, just like the distress pads. You can either buy them separately or guess what, they all come in a tub so you can get your hands on all 37 colours at once!!!
1. Tim Holtz 'A Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 2'
Well I have definitely saved the best til last because this baby is gonna be great! If you loved the first volume then I can only guess that this will be filled with even more inspirational projects for us to drool over. So it is absolutely worthy of our number 1 spot, because you can come back to this book time and time again to inspire you whenever you have a dull moment. The first volume has been a life saver for using unique techniques and tricks to help your projects pop. Can't wait for its release in March.
I hope you've enjoyed our top ten and are excited for these fabulous new releases.
If you want to check out any of the samples for Tim Holtz Winter CHA, then check out this video below that Tim has just recently posted on his blog, those guys are talented!
Hey bloggers, so today was suppose to be about staying inside, away from the cold, to craft almost all day. However, have we done any crafting yet?......nope!!! But we have been inspired by crafting on another trip to The Craft Barn (I swear we have been over there for the past 3 Saturdays!). And what did we find when we got there, a demo day, filled with lots of creative people, sharing their skills and knowledge and persuading us to buy more and more....... and so we did! The plan was to buy only one product which we needed for a new up and coming craft day next Saturday (more in the next post) and we left with almost 5 times the amount we were suppose to spend. So how did this occur you may ask, well we were inspired by a very creative woman, called Diane, from Tando Creative. Diane was demoing some of their products, which I have to be honest, I hadn't really used before. And know I realise I have been missing out becuase these chipboard shapes are amazing and you can do so much with them. She demoed how to use the Mini Theatre Stage and used a range of paints and inks to transform it. This is what the basic shape looks like......
And then once transformed it can look something like this.......
So after being inspired, what did we buy?
Well first up we bought one of the mini theatres that we can decorate and we have so many ideas for that already.
Next up I bought a few more items by Tando Creative, including the small bookplates and a mixed swirls set.......
The next product was the stamp set that was used in Diane's mini theatre example by Crafty Individuals........
We then needed some essential paints, sprays and pastes which included the following.......
1. PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics in Rose
2. Viva Decor Ferro Metallic Paint
I did buy this paint with the intention that it would create a metal effect, however I have just realised that this is not the same paint and therefore to create a metal finish you will need Viva Precious metal paints. However the picture does say metal effect colour so I will have to let you know.
3. DecoArt Modelling Paste
This paste will be excellent for creating a texture on top of your projects. By applying it with a spatula and then either letting it dry to create a raised effect or you can stamp into the paste to create a pattern, let it dry and then paint over it...... so cool, can't wait to try it out!!!
4. Tsukineko Walnut Ink Antiquing Solution in Cherry Blossom
This will be perfect for spritzing on all our Valentine projects, creating a gentle shimmering mist, perfect!
So thats the low down on all the products we bought today and now is the time to try them all out, time to get creative!
Hey bloggers, it is CHA time once again and the winter show is the best one to keep a close eye on. This show sees some of the best crafting designers at their best and the excitement is immense. Unfortunately we do not have the funds or even a business for that matter to go out and feast on all of these goodies ourselves but the youtube videos are the best dose of the action. For the past 2 days me and mum have been watching the paperclipping 4u videos on youtube and also if you want more sneak peeks go to Blue Moon Scrapbooking who have already uploaded 4 videos and I'm sure they have lots more to upload over the next coming days! There are plenty of other videos posted on Youtube but we find these videos are more controlled and give you a good close up of the products. To make life easier for you guys, I have posted some videos below to get you started, though I should warn you, a massive side effect is GREAT EXCITEMENT!!!!!
Tim Holtz shows us his new ideology lines
Tim Holtz demos his new distress markers - so cool!!!
Check out new Graphic45
New Pink Paislee
New from Crate Paper and Dear Lizzy
Check out these new projects by Jenni Bowlin - totally awesome
So hopefully by now you would have watched all of the videos and have built up a massive amount of uncontrollable excitement. I just can't wait until these products start shipping over to the UK. We're be keeping a close eye on more youtube videos over the next few days to see what other previews we can find!
