Extended first class postage upgrade

As a crafter myself, I know how important it is to get those crafting goodies as soon as possible!

Foil Play has always worked hard to despatch orders quickly, usually by the next working day after purchase, with many despatched same day.

I'm pleased to say that Foil Play is extending the summer postage upgrade offer. Until the end of December 2008, all orders will continue to be upgraded free of charge to first class postage.

P&P remains free for all orders over £5.00 at Foil Play, with a nominal charge of £1.00 for orders below £5.00.

Cards on the Move - moveable decoupage by Marij Rahder

These great Cards on the Move kits are new from Marij Rahder. There are four kits to choose from, each containing two delightfully silly designs, in typical Marij Rahder style.

Each pack contains an A4 die cut sheet and two A4 sheets containing 3D elements which you will need to cut out with scissors. Instructions are also included. To complete the cards, you will also need (not included in the kits): A5 cards, brads, adhesive and foam pads or silicone adhesive.

Foil Play also stocks individual moveable decoupage designs by Marij Rahder - check out the step by step project here for more detail on how to make up the designs.

La Pashe Remember When decoupage - Christmas Series 1 & 2

Newly released La Pashe Remember When... Christmas decoupage is now in store at Foil Play.

There are two Christmas series available, both available in full colour. As with all La Pashe collections, both series feature a selection of interchangeable characters and background sheets to make beautiful and unusual A5 cards.

Craft on eBay - less choice in future

eBay bans 'buy it now' items under 99p

As part of the latest round of fee changes, eBay UK has stated that it will no longer be possible for sellers to list 'buy it now' items priced under 99p after 24 September 2008. Existing listings on the site for goods under 99p will continue until they expire or sell out.

More detail is available in this Tamebay article about the change.

The change means that Foil Play (and of course many other eBay craft and bead sellers) will no longer be able to sell a wide range of items individually on eBay, including most step-by-step decoupage sheets, backing papers, peel off sticker sheets and Dufex picture prints.

I think this is a real shame - there is a thriving market for craft on ebay, and this policy is a huge blow, both for sellers and buyers. Unfortunately, unless eBay sees sense and has a change of heart, the ability of buyers to pick and purchase the individual craft items of their choice on eBay is about to be very restricted!

The future for Foil Play

I will be scaling down Foil Play's presence on eBay from the end of September onwards, and concentrating on my website, which already offers a much more extensive choice than my eBay shop, along with free P&P on purchases over £5.00.

I will also be expanding my Amazon shop. P&P on purchases from Foil Play via Amazon is a flat rate of £1.00 per order, or free if you spend over £25.

New range of foiling kits

If you haven't tried working with rub on foils before, or you'd like to try out the different effects available, a starter pack is a great choice, giving you a good selection of foils at a very affordable price - prices at Foil Play range from £2.25 to £4.99.

Foil Play has a range of different starter packs available, including:

• assorted foils;
• holographic and special effects foils;
• metallic effect foils (this pack has the largest individual sheets of foil);
• silver foils;
• gold foils;
  
• pink and lilac foils;
  
• matt effect foils;
• pearl effect foils;
• blue foils (new this month!).
  

Even better news is that you can now choose any of these starter packs in kit format, with your choice of either Tonertex Write 'n' Rub or Sakura Quickie glue pen, priced from £4.49 to £9.50. Instructions are also included, so you will have everything you need to get you started on foiling! The kits would also make a great gift for a crafty friend.

Foil Play DT challenge: foiled cards by Pyjama Princess

Pyjama Princess from the Craft Telly forum has produced these gorgeous foiled cards for the Foil Play design team challenge.

The Green Disco Diva card was made using Penny Black Stamp ‘Ginger’, coloured in using Marvy Le Plume II pens and a water brush. The image was matted onto shiny green paper then green card. Magic Motifs ‘Disco Diva’ words were foiled using metallic effect green rub on foil. The card was finished with silver star peel offs, coloured green.

The Oriental Card was made using paper from the Black and White Colossal Paper Pack by PaperMania. Elements of the design were highlighted using red metallic foil and Sakura Quickie glue pen. The geisha image was taken from Card+ Creations Oriental CD and printed in gray scale, then mounted on red shiny paper.
The multi coloured swirls card was made using Penny Black Stamp ‘Scrolling Along!’ stamped in 4 corners of card. Colour was added in with metallic foils and Sakura Quickie glue pen – flowers in copper, hearts in pink, leaves in green and dots in silver. The design was then matted onto green pearlescent paper.

The modern Christmas tree card was made using a rubber stamp from Dimension Fourth. Image coloured in using metallic rub on foils and Sakura Quickie glue pen (red, copper, purple and blue foil for baubles, green for tree and silver for base. Edge of white card coloured using Silver Pen touch calligrapher pen.

The flower peel off card was made using pink flower peel off stickers. The peel offs were stuck onto white paper and coloured with metallic rub on foils and Sakura Quickie glue pen. Copper for centre of flowers, silver for petals and green for leaves. The peel offs were then cut out and mounted onto pink background paper (free from a magazine) and the card finished with pink sparkly straight line peel offs.

The snowflake card was made using 3 different sized snowflake stamps (bought from Alan and Barry – their own design). Stamped in Prussian Blue Fluid Chalk Inkpad from Colorbox and then coloured using metallic blue and silver rub on foils and Sakura Quickie glue pen. The snowflakes were then cut out and then attached to white handmade paper.

Flowers in vases card - Pyjama Princess spread the glue in blocks onto paper, then stuck the foils on in coloured blocks referring to the peel offs for what colour to apply where. When dry she laid the peel offs over the block of colours and then cut them out. The backing paper was free from a magazine and she highlighted the ‘swirls’ with silver foil. The paper lace down the middle of the card is a craft lace border by Paper Craft 4 You.

Thank you, Pyjama Princess for producing these beautiful cards!

A selection of cards made using ornare pricking stencils

Here's a selection of cards made using ornare pricking templates.

The card above is a square pearlescent card, pricked using an ornate square scroll frame template. The kimono topper was made using a kimono peel off from a large clear peel off sticker sheet, placed over a glittered handmade paper, then decoupaged and mounted with self adhesive foam pads. A few gems complete the card.
Another kimono card using the same stencil on light blue pearlescent card, this time the clear peel off sticker has been placed over blue mirri card.
Another square pearlescent card, with corners pricked using a corner selection stencil. The decoupage is a TBZ embossed and gilded floral sheet, and number peel offs and a few heart gems complete the card.
The design on this chocolate pearlescent card was pricked out using a floral scroll frame template. The embellishments are from K&Co, and I've added a few gems to complete the card.
A green square pearlescent card, with corners pricked using a corner selection stencil. The topper is from the Kanban Just for Men wine and beer toppers sheet.
A cream square pearlescent card, with frame pricked using a circular frame stencil, and using the same topper as the card above.
A cream square pearlescent card, with corners pricked using a corner selection stencil. The decoupage is a TBZ embossed and gilded chess themed sheet, which has been edged with straight gold border peel offs. The card has been completed with some tiny gems.
A magnolia square pearlescent card, with corners pricked using a corner selection stencil and highlighted with gems. The peel off is a starform ballgown peel off, which has been stuck onto silver glitter card, then decoupaged and mounted with self adhesive foam pads.

A green pearlescent card with border pricked using a border selection stencil. The decoupage is a Le Suh sheet, and the card has been completed with a birthday peel off sticker.
A pink pearlescent card, with corners pricked using a corner selection stencil. The decoupage is a TBZ embossed and gilded medallion sheet, and a birthday peel off greeting has been placed on a piece of deckle edged card, then mounted using double sided adhesive foam pads.

Ornare pricking template stencils

I've added a selection of Ornare pricking templates at Foil Play, along with pricking mats and pens. There is a variety of designs available, including oval, round, square and rectangle frame shapes, corners, borders, new baby, party, floral, scroll and Christmas designs.

I love these templates - ornare pricking produces a lovely decorative effect for your cards and craft projects which looks very classy, yet is very quick and easy (and therapeutic!) to do.

Place the stencil on the reverse of your paper or card and secure with scotch (or other removable) adhesive tape. Prick the pattern either completely or partially with a pricking pen. It's best to do this on a pricking mat, but you could get by using a thick wedge of newspaper.

Some stencils feature different motifs around the edge - you can either follow the pattern fully, or repeat the motifs of your choice for a different look. You can also if you wish use the edge of some of the templates as a stencil - just draw around it in pencil and cut out.

Ornare pricking looks great on its own, you can also add a bit of bling with adhesive gems.

New Paper Laughs and Paper Fun decoupage sheets

There are some great new decoupage sheets in store at Foil Play, from the Paper Laughs and Paper Fun ranges. All of the numbered step by step decoupage projects are printed on high quality A4 silk-art 130gsm acid and lignin free paper.

The Handsome Hunks - Men In Uniform collection features six super-sexy men all dressed to impress:

• Posing Pilot
• Hunky Handyman
• Perfect Policeman
• Gorgeous GI
• Foxy Fireman
• Dishy Doctor
  

The Luscious Ladies Girls in Uniform collection features beautiful girls dressed in their uniform:

• Naughty Nurse
• Perfect Police Woman
• Radiant Receptionist
• Sexy Stewardess
• Stunning Stylist
• Beautiful Barmaid
  

The Golden Oldies range features ladies and gents who are full of vim and vigour - and are certainly enjoying the golden years of their life!

• Old Romantics
• Blue Rinse Babes
• Groovy Grandparents
• Knitting Nanna
• Grappling Grandpas
• Football Fogie
  

The Sporting Blunders decoupage collection features all sorts of humourous (and daft!) sporting situations:

• Football Failure
• BashedUp Boxer
• Napping Nag
• Golfing Goof
• Tennis Trauma
• Rude Rugby
  

This charming festive collection features Josh and his friends having great fun in the snow, around the tree, at the nativity play and more:

• Christmas Treats
• Hanging the Stockings
• Christmas Morning
• School Nativity
• Snowball Fight
• The Night Before Christmas
  

Josh and Friends - this cute collection sees Josh and his friends acting (and having tons of fun) in memorable school plays about the Old Testament:

• Samson & Delilah
• Joseph & His Technicolour Dreamcoat
• Moses Parting the Sea
• Adam & Eve
• David & Goliath
• Noah's Ark
  

Egyptian Picture Pyramage features ancient wonders alongside photographs of the present day landscape. Printed onto 250gsm silk-art card stock, each sheet contains three pyramage designs. A selection of 115gsm silk-art A4 papyrus-effect background papers are also available to complete the theme, along with a series of step by step Egyptian themed decoupage:

• Nefertiti
• Hieroglyphs
• Tutankhamun
• Eye of Horus
• Egyptian Bastet
• Lotus Garden
  

Foil Play DT Challenge: glittered cards from Phree

Phree has produced these two stunning glittered cards for the Foil Play Design Team Challenge. Both cards are stamped and glittered, using ultra fine art glitters.

The card above was made using the Floral Spray Themeplate from Elusive Images. Phree stamped and then heat embossed the image onto black card using silver embossing powder, then applied the glitters using a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen. The image was mounted onto silver mirror card and then onto pearlescent card in a lovely amethyst colour that co-ordinates perfectly with the colours of the glitter.

The card below was made by stamping and heat embossing the snowflake image 3 times. Phree then applied pastel blue glitter inside the embossed outline using a Sakura Quickie Glue pen to "colour in" the area and then sprinkling on the glitter. Once the glue was dry, Phree covered the snowflake with a layer of Glossy Accents to seal in the glitter and to give more dimension. The greeting was stamped and heat embossed with a stamp from Dimension Fourth. All the elements were inked round the edge using ink from a Petal Point Liquid Chalk pad and then mounted onto silver mirror card. The backing paper on the card is from a Crafters Companion CD and was also edged with the same ink as the snowflake and greetings elements.

Thank you, Phree for these beautiful cards! Check out Phree's inspirational blog for more comments on the making of these two cards, along with many other gorgeous projects that she has made.

La Pashe Remember When... Series 4 - At the Market

Hot on the heels of Series 3, Series 4 of La Pashe Remember When... decoupage is now in store at Foil Play.

This series depicts nostalgic shopping scenes, and as with all La Pashe collections, features a selection of interchangeable characters and background sheets to make beautiful and unusual A5 cards.

The series is available in a choice of sepia effect or full colour.

Le Suh step by step decoupage sheets

Foil Play has stocked up on Le Suh 3D decoupage sheets. This popular and well established range covers a variety of themes, including:

• male;
• sport;
• transport;
• religious;
• Christmas;
• cats and dogs;
• owls;
  
• wild animals;
• other animals;
• floral;
  
• people
  

Each A4 Le Suh sheet contains two separate step by step projects, each designed to fit on an A6 card.
These are traditional decoupage sheets, so scissors are needed!

Cut out the step by step elements of each individual project, then layer up with foam pads or silicone adhesive to create toppers for your card and craft projects.

New Kanban Christmas, Egyptian and Art Deco toppers, concept cards, pyramage and adhesive ribbons

Lots of new Kanban goodies are in store now at Foil Play. Check out the newly released Christmas goodies, which include die cut and foiled topper sheets and flitter glittered die cut pyramage sheets like the cut polar bears above.

With pyramage sheets, you pop out all the different sized shapes of the image, then layer them on top of each other with foam pads, starting with the largest at the base and the smallest at the top, to create a 3D pyramid effect. No scissors are needed, as the sheets are die cut.
Concept card packs contain a foiled die cut A4 sheet and co-ordinating envelope. Each pack makes one finished card, with extra die cut elements to use on other projects. The sheets are die cut, so no scissors are needed - all you need to complete the card is your choice of adhesive.

If you are new to card making, concept cards will enable you to make stunning cards quickly and easily. For experienced crafters, the packs can be used with other products, to create cards on a more advanced level.If you'd like to add a little extra sparkle to your cards, why not add a bit of Kanban Bling - mixed colour packs of 3mm or 5mm round self adhesive sparkly gems.
To co-ordinate with all the beautiful toppers, there is also a gorgeous range of foiled cardstock, to add extra glitz and glamour to your Christmas projects, along with a selection of foiled adhesive paper ribbon borders. All of these Christmas goodies featured in a recent QVC TSV - so if you missed out on that, or would like to top up on your favourite designs, check out the selection at Foil Play.

Also new for Christmas, a selection of pop up card kits. Each individually bagged card kit contains: A4 white pop up inner, A4 coloured outer card, envelope and instructions sheet to make an A5 pop up Christmas card. Pop out the waste elements from the pop up inner and decorate with the materials of your choice (e.g. patterned paper, glitter, paint or other colouring medium), adhere to the outer card and decorate the outside of the card too.

Also new in this weekend:

• a selection of vintage Bon Voyage / Egyptian themed toppers and backing papers;
• some gorgeous Art Deco ladies die cut topper and pyramage sheets;
• co-ordinating vintage greetings and sentiments topper sheets, backing papers and these gorgeous floral adhesive paper ribbons.
  

La Pashe Remember When... Series 3 - In the Country

Newly released, Series 3 of La Pashe Remember When... decoupage - In the Country is now in store at Foil Play.

Each pack of La Pashe decoupage contains 6 sheets of decoupage images printed on a stunning 130gsm silk paper. There are 3 sets of character sheets featuring a total of 4 different characters which can be mixed and matched with the 5 different backing papers.

The 3 backing papers comprise a background, a foreground and several tags featuring various occasions, relatives and topical sayings. One backing paper plus one character sheet makes a lovely A5 card. The Series 3 pack of 6 sheets is sufficient for 3 complete cards. The only additional product you need is silicone glue or foam pads!

If you'd like to see the decoupage demonstrated, La Pashe decoupage will be featuring during a live show at 3pm tomorrow, as part of the craft day on Ideal World and Create and Craft.

Foil Play DT Challenge: glittered and foiled cards from Wellington

Here are two gorgeous Design Team Challenge samples, showcasing glitter and foils, from Wellington of the CraftTelly.com forum.

This stunning glittered card is 6 x 6 inches, made using one of the images from the Elusive Images Fancy Mandalas with a backing paper from a DCWV text stack and glittered using pastel and crystal holographic ultra fine art glitters. Wellington applied the glitter using a Sakura Quickie glue pen - she commented that the glue pen was great to use for detailed work, as it has a fine flow, which is really easy to control.

A detail of the mandala is below:

The foiled card is 8 x 8 inches and is made using three pages from the 6 x 6 K&Co Sparkly Sweet pad. Wellington decoupaged elements of the pattern and then used foils (from a starter selection pack), again applied with a Sakura Quickie glue pen, to highlight some details of the pattern.
Here's another close up showing more detail of the foiling:

Thank you, Wellington for these beautiful cards!