K & Co Smash Collection coming soon!

The amazingly versatile new Smash collection from K&Co is due to arrive in the UK on the 16th April.

The journals, notepads, pockets, stickies, stamps and more are specially picked and packaged to coordinate—giving you everything they need to savour those everyday moments with pages of cheeky designs and fun foreign phrases, all with a certain je ne sais quoi.

But these aren't just your ordinary journal pages, they're covered with original illustrations and hand-lettering to make design a snap.

Take a look at K&Co's fantastic demo video for endless inspiration.

The range is available to pre-order now, shipping just after April 16th.  We expect it to sell out very fast so if you don't want to wait for the second shipment from the US make sure you get your pre-order in early and reserve your place at the front of what is sure to be a very long queue!

Ice Stickles Glitter Glue In 12 New Bright Shades

Bring on the bling with the big, chunky glitter in Ice Stickles Glitter Glue! Ice Stickles are available in 12 bright tones to match our popular Stickles colors, so there is more bling to love! Also available in 12 icy colors for more subtle looks.

The high quality non-settling formula is ideal for paper crafts and home décor projects. Use to add dimension and bold sparkle—easily add dots, lines, doodles on paper, fabric, plastic, wood, metal and more.


• Chunky glitter glue
• Acid free, non-toxic
• 1 fl. oz. bottles
• Non-settling
• Easy-flow tip applicator
• Water wash-off

Available to Pre-order now, shipping from 28th March.

Tim Holtz Distress Markers

There's been a lot of buzz about the new Tim Holtz Distress Markers and yes we will be supplying them and at a great price too!


Tim Holtz Distress Markers are water-based inks for coloring, journaling, stamping and more. The dual tip markers are ideal for many coloring techniques.

Distress Markers are available to match the Distress palette of 36 color and White Picket Fence.

They will be shipping from the 28th March and are available to pre-order now.

New Spellbinders Products Now Available to Pre-Order

Spellbinders will be releasing a new range to the UK in mid March 2012.

There's the fantastic Cut, Fold and Tuck dies for Lace folding fans.  New additions to the hugely popular Edgeabilities range.  Greta value M-Bossabilities with two embossing designs on one folder.

Of course there's also some stunning new Nestabilities dies and delightful Shapeabilities dies.

New plates will be available for the Grand Calibur including the new Junior plates to make quick cutting faster and easier.

The new products are all now available to pre-order for dispatch in mid to late March.  We do expect this range to sell out very quickly and it could be some time before we can get more from Spellbinders.  So place your order as soon as possible to reserve your dies.

March Creativity Essentials Now Available to Pre-Order

Details have just been released for the new Creativity Essentials range which will be in store from March 1st.

The hotly anticipated Boofle collection is included.  Bright summer colours and the delightful Boofle character make it a great seasonal collection.  I'm looking forward to seeing the fabric papers and the new urban Stamp duos which appear to be a set of outline stamps perfect for colouring and a matching solid stamp for when we're in a rush.  A bit of creativity and these stamps will be used to stunning effect.  I'm also pleased to see that much of the range could easily be given quite a masculine twist.  Like most blokes my other half doesn't go in for cutesy but this little knitted character oozes coolness, not necessaries cuteness.  Coupled with the bold background patterns and embellishments in shapes of brown and grey this range will be perfect for last minute Valentines makes.  I wonder if I could find a knitting pattern and make him a little Boofle character to match?!

I am over the moon to see that the stunning Papermania Enchanted Christmas collection has been re-vamped into an everyday collection, Enchanted Fairies.  Now we can enjoy these gorgeous designs all year round!  The colours have been made a little paler with more yellow than the Christmas collection but purples still feature prominently (hurrah - my favourite!).  There are two stunning urban stamps which offer a superior impression and are perfect for detailed images like these.  Take your time with them, invest in a good quality ink pad and good quality smooth card stock and you will be delighted with the stunning results.  There's also pearlescent decoupage packs and a design decoupage sheet to cut out yourself, glitter papers, lovely greetings and toppers for quick cards.  Oh I can't wait for this one!!

The new Michael Powell Collection looks amazing!  Fabulous Mediterranean style shades and images.  I am glad to see the Urban stamps have been used again as these images are quite detailed, just begging to be coloured. This is another range that would be just perfect for the men in our lives.  It's certainly not girly but for once it doesn't relate to an particular sport or other traditional masculine activity.

There's a stunning range of Forever Friends Luxury Ribbon which is already proving to be very popular.  Along with last month's Anita's Ribbon collection, we have a ribbon for every card and occasion.

 Fans of the Portobello Road collection will be pleased to see the addition of a range of 12x12 papers.  Just the thing for scrapbooking this years big events.

There's a collection of beautiful Heartwarmer Sparkling Sentiments which are perfect for decorating the inside of you cards or as a feature on your scrapbook layouts.  For a quick card they could be used as the main focus on the front of a card, they are simply stunning and very thoughtful.  There's a big range of different sentiments so there's sure to be one that's perfect.

New Anita's dimensions stickers with more butterfly designs and some lovely general motifs like cupcakes.  They stand our from your card or layout with a 3D effect to add texture and interest to any project.

The popular range of Urban Print stamps has been expended to include two new designs and a paper pack to match.  There's also the new Foldies card blanks which form a concertina card giving lots of scope for your creativity.

And of course there's also a new Goody Bag which is as always fantastic value.  And the latest Creativity Magazine.

All are now on our website and available to pre-order for dispatch when they arrive on the 1st March.

Socks, Socks and More Socks!

It's often hard to know what to make for non-crafty friends.  Socks can seem a little boring but at least we know they will be useful and as soon as the recipient starts to use them they will instantly be converted to the comfort and warmth that hand made socks have to offer.

I like to use up scraps of sock yarn leftover from other projects and so I've developed this method of changing the colour after the rib, heel flap and for the toe.  It makes them a little more interesting than standard plain socks.  And more to the point it's a great stash buster for all those little leftover bits of yarn.

I find I get a ladies pair of socks from one 50g ball of 4ply yarn.  A gents pair takes one full ball plus a bit extra for the cuff, toe and heel.

The pattern is an old vintage Patons one that I came across in an inherited stash. There is a free sock knitting pattern on the Coats website and of course there is a huge selection on Ravellrey.

Handmade Gift Boxes

I am determined to keep on top of everyone's birthday's and other such occasions this year!  So with this in mind I'm working on getting ahead of myself a bit.

This is a little gift box for an upcoming anniversary which I will fill with chocolates nearer the time.

The box is really simple to make.  It's just a 12x12 sheet of card stock, I've used Bazzil Basics Black Tie which has a slight sheen to it.  I've used a scoreboard to score lines about 4 inches in from each of the four edges making a square in the centre.  I've then scored diagonally from each corner of the square to each outer corner of the card stock.  All the score lines have been creased with a bone folder.  The four corners of the card stock are pushed into the middle of the box and secured with plenty of double sided tape.

For the lid I've used a second sheet of 12x12 Bazzil Basics Black Tie card stock.  I usually use a complementary colour but on this occasion I chose to stick to the black.  I've measured the base of the box and added a quarter inch plus twice the width of the first grove on my scoreboard.  I've cut the card stock to a square this size then scored along each edge using the first grove on the scoreboard.  The lid is assembled in the same way as the box and should fit neatly onto it.

This box is decorated with papers and tea bag folds from the Oriental Treasure range with additional brads and ribbon leftover from other projects.  I wanted to avoid it being too girlie as this is for an Anniversary present, the Oriental Treasure range was just the thing!

New Creativity Essentials Now Availible to Pre-Order

Details have just been releaced of the new Creativity Essentials products due for releace in January.  Because of the Christmas holidays these products will be in stock from the end of December.

There's a lovley new range of modern outline stickers and gorgeous new Anita's Dimensions along with matching metallic and pearlescent topper sheets.  Anita's are also releacing a brand new range of ribbons including some grogeous glitter colours!

For younger crafters there's some fantastic pom pom and key ring kits at pocket money prices.

Two new Capsule Collections from Papermania.  Parkstone Pink and Burleigh Blue both are divine and feature some goregous new products like the new Blitters, like glittery flowers at an amazing price.  There's also the new Big Bloomers paper flowers also at fantastic value!

As a nod to the Olympics there's the Portobello Road Collection celebrating all things British.  Perfect for scrapbooking projects or decorating your party with style!  With party decor in mind there's also some DIY Bunting Packs which will suit the range perfectly.

We get a lot of requests for religous themed products, especially as we draw closer to Easter.  As usual Papermania have risen to the challenge and releaced their Moments of Faith range.  With Pearlescent Decoupage sheets and matching Toppers plus beautful Peel Offs to compleiment them, there's sure to be something to suit your needs for Easter and throughout the year.

Saving the best until last, there's Hot Diggity Dog!  You may have seen a sneak peak at this goegeously cute range in last month's Do Crafts Creativity Magazine.  Spring coloured papers, goregous decoupage sheets and must have clear stamps!  This range will fly off the shelves so make sure you're first in the que by pre-ordering your goodies!

There's the usual offerigns too, a new Goody Bag still at fantastic value and a new issue of Creativity Magazine packed with projects and ideas for using your new stash.

Fans of the layered dies will love the new Me To You Tatty Teddy layered dies, featuring Ted with a cupcake or a gift box.

I'm loving the new Papermania Stamp & Die Storage Folder, just what I've been after for my expanding stamp stash!  Definatley one for my Christmas List.

Four new embossing folders which are sure to be popular.  Two heart themed designs and two delightfully maculine designs featuring a checkerboard and a leafy background, just the thing for the men in our lives.

There's a new range of Papermnaia Typography Stamps featuring all the numbers and a sleection of useful greetings.

If you've been enjoying the new Designer Decoupage sheets the Xcut Ultra Fine Decoupage Scissors are a great investment.  Defiantly an essential tool for decoupage, particularly if you have dexterity problems.  They really do make intricate decoupage cutting (or general craft cutting for that matter) a breeze!

New decorative and nesting dies from XCut including Bunting, Tags and Bookplates and a modern heart design.  Oh and the lovely Glorious Gerbera which is sure to sell out fast, so make sure you pre-order to avoid disappointment.

All of these products are available to pre-order through our website and will be dispatched as soon as they arrive in stock which we expect to be late December.  Do take advantage of this option to make sure that you are one of the first the receive these fantastic new goodies.  New ranges do usually sell out not long after they are released and I'm sure these well designed ranges will be particularly popular. We know how horrible it is to be disappointed so please order early.

Tim Holtz Signature Products Now Easier to Find

We've noticed a lot of visitors to our website are searching for Tim Holtz products.

We display all our products by Category and also by brand.  All Sir Tim's Distress Ink Pads are with all the other brands of ink pads we supply.  His Alcohol inks with our huge range of pens, paints and other inks.  And his Dies under the Die Cutting section along with the rest of the Sizzix range of dies.

We realise that this isn't necessarily the easiest way for Tim Holtz fans to find just his signature products which is presumably why you've been using our search facility which displays every one of his hundreds of products.

To make finding your favourite Tim Holtz products easier we have added a new category under the srapbooking section of our website.  It contains not just Tim's own ranges like Ideaology and District Market but also his signature ranges manufactured by other brands such as Ranger, Sizzix and Coredinations.

We hope that this helps to make shopping on our website easier for all you Tim Holtz fans.

Forever Friends Spring Time Collection Coming Soon

The delightful Forever Friends Spring Time Collection is coming back by popular demand.  We are expecting stock to arrive in early December.

The range features gorgeous clear stamps, beautiful spring themed papers and stunning pearlescent decoupage sheets.  Along with matching ribbons, bows and card stock stickers.

1. Easter crafting = sorted!

Daisy and Dandelion Lovingly Yours Just Arrived

The gorgeous new Daisy and Dandelion Lovingly Yours range has just arrived in stock.

Do Crafts are calling these design "clever"  because whilst the range is obviously designed with Valentines Day in mind featuring cute cuddly couples with floral and hearts motifs.  The emphasis is on cute and cuddly not specifically Valentines Day.  Making this range perfect for anniversaries and engagements too.  The delightfully cute characters will also appeal to little ones too, so they can be used to make gorgeous baby cards.

The Pearlescent Decoupage sheets are particularly beautiful, with a stunning sheen to add a real feel of quality to your card making.

I can't wait to use these products for our next free project!http://www.bgpaynecrafts.co.uk/category/11367-daisy-and-dandelion-lovingly-yours.aspx

Reverse Peel Off Cards

Like most of us crafters I'm incredibly thrifty. I just can't bear to see anything go to waste! So I thought I'd share this reverse peel off technique with you.

Once you have used a peel off remove the sticker that surrounds the peel off shapes and you'll be left with a "negative" of your design which can be applied to a piece of textured card stock using masking tape. This way you get two peel off designs for the price of one on every peel off you buy.

I find it easier to roughly cut out the design required instead of trying to avoid sticking the masking tape to other stickers on the same sheet. Use low tack masking tape and then make it even less tacky by sticking it onto your clothing and removing it. Stick strips of masking tape over the design and press them down very firmly with a bone folder. Instead of removing the masking tape from the peel off sheet, do it the other way round, peel the sticker sheet away from the masking tape - very gently!

When you've got your design stuck onto the masking tape place it sticky side down onto a piece of textured card stock. Don't try this on smooth card stock as the masking tape will remove the smooth surface. Run your bone folder over the sticker being particularly firm over tiny pieces of the design. Then very carefully pull the masking tape away one strip at a time. When pulling the masking tape away keep your fingers as close to the design as possible so that the masking tape is almost flat against the card stock.

And voila! You have a peel off negative for use in another project.

Floral Challenge Card

When my crafty mojo packs it's bags and takes a holiday I take a look at the challenges on the Do Crafts forum.  It's a great idea to let someone else challenge you to make something according to their specifications because it forces you to think outside the box, use materials in ways you wouldn't normally or to have a go at techniques and styles you haven't tried before.  After all that's how we learn new things and more to the point learn to love them!

My cards have been quite cluttered lately and while I'm loving the style it was starting to get a bit samey.  This simple design with only two colours, one flower and three gems is a world away but I really enjoyed the change.

The flower is one of the divine Anita's Glitterations stuck onto some scrap vellum and cut out then layered with a brad to make it 3D.

The ribbon is the fabulous Sheer budget ribbon.  It's such good value I've treated myself to a whole batch so you'll be seeing them on plenty of cards in the future.

I was thinking that this would make a perfect wedding invitation as it would be quite quick to reproduce and the finish is all the high quality stardream card rather than time consuming embellishments.