Nellie Snellen layering dies and Crafts Too embossing folders

I love using layering dies and embossing folders in my cardmaking, both are so versatile. I'm not the only one, as the first lot of Nellie Snellen layering dies that I had sold out very quickly! I've restocked them now, and added the new Eastern oval and rectangle shapes.
I've also stocked up on Crafts Too embossing folders, which have also proved very popular. The latest new designs include a square dots folder, and a selection of alphabet and numbers folders.
The layering dies and embossing folders can be used with popular roller based die cutting machines, such as the Big Shot and the Cuttlebug.

Easter Bunny card swap

Each year on the Craft Telly forum, we have an Easter bunny secret card swap, followed by guessing games on who sent which card.

This card is from last year's swap, so I'm not giving anything away by posting it! I used one of the lovely Kanban A4 scalloped cards, covered inside and out with DCWV spring collection papers.

I decorated the card with bunnies and floral 3D projects from TBZ embossed and gilded step by step decoupage sheets, and co-ordinating DCWV embellishments. I also added a ribbon (making a slit in the card to secure it at the back) and put the Happy Easter message onto this, using DCWV letter stickers.

New from Dufex: die cut waterfall topper sheets

It's really great to see Dufex back in business! There are some great new designs in the pipeline. The first of these are now in store at Foil Play - a beautiful range of die cut waterfall topper sheets, which includes wild animals, cats, transport, butterflies, flowers, monochrome and cute bears.
Each of the new die cut topper sheets features a collection of finely die cut images which can be mounted using self adhesive pads or silicone glue, enabling you to make stunning cards quickly and easily.

The toppers can be used for waterfall cards. Each pack includes illustrated step by step instructions and a template for making the waterfall mechanism.
I have also stocked up on many other Dufex designs, although some of the older designs have been discontinued now. If you like a particular design, it's best to get it while it is still in stock.

Step by step Kanban Wobblers project

Here's a step by step guide on how to assemble a Kanban Wobblers kit. These cute kits are really unusual and a Wobblers card will really stand out on the mantlepiece! In addition to the kit, you will need double sided adhesive tape (or other adhesive of your choice); foam pads and acetate, card or paper for the rocker base.
The two sheets which form the kit are pictured above. Pop out the die cut components - I find it easiest to snip the tiny tags holding them to the sheet with a craft knife, to ensure a neat finish.
To make the rocker stand, use the template and trace it onto sturdy card or acetate, then cut out. Alternatively, you could decorate the template itself (which is very sturdy) by covering it with paper or drawing / painting on it with your own designs.
I decided to make my rocker base out of black pearlescent card. The rocker base then needs to be creased with a bone folder and folded in half.
Attach the legs to the body of the wobbler using 3D foam pads.
Use one of the template strips (I used the one with rounded ends) to attach the head to the body of the Wobbler. You can trace the template on to acetate for this, if you prefer.
Attach the Wobbler body to the rocker stand, using 3D foam pads or tape on both sides.
I used another of the template strips inside the rocker stand, secured with double sided tape. The card can still be folded flat to post, but this ensures that the rocker stand will remain upright (and not open so far that it falls flat) when the card is on display.
Finally, add the Wobbler's tail and decorate with other die cut elements as you wish, using foam pads and double sided tape.
A selection of cute Wobblers kits is available at Foil Play, along with co-ordinating topper sheets and rubber stamps too.

Little Treats and Cute Windows die cut decoupage from Craft UK

Cupcakes are particularly popular at the moment. Craft UK's newly released Little Treats die cut decoupage is now in store at Foil Play. There's a delicious selection of die cut cupcakes and ice creams, which could be used either layered up for 3D decoupage projects or as stand alone toppers. Each sheet also includes a selection of die cut greetings.
The Cute Windows range of die cut decoupage features a gorgeous selection of cute characters, suitable for cards for many different occasions. Each sheet includes three separate step by step 3D die cut decoupage projects.
If stamping is more your thing, Foil Play also stocks a small selection of Craft UK unmounted rubber stamps. These are high quality, deeply etched rubber stamps.

Get Well cards using Kanban Special Moments Stackers

I made these two Get Well cards using a Kanban die cut stacker sheet from the Special Moments range and the co-ordinating card sheet. For the card above, I used half of the striped card sheet to cover an A5 card. I used the largest die cut topper and the die cut co-ordinating mat as the focal point of the card, and finished it with the co-ordinating foiled die cut strip and a foiled die cut greeting from the stacker sheet.

For the card below, I made a square card (approximately 5") from plain yellow card and covered it with a slightly smaller square of the stripey co-ordinating card. I cut a mat from yellow card using a nestabilities labels die (which goes perfectly with the die cut stackers) and layered the two smaller die cut toppers from the stacker sheet on top of this. I also added a die cut sentiment from the stacker sheet and a couple of flowers, made by punching out flower shapes from the yellow and the stripey card. I mounted the flower centres with self adhesive foam pads to add a little dimension, and finished them off with Kanban Bling gems.
The Special Moments Speedy Recovery die cut stacker sheet and co-ordinating card sheet that I used to make both cards are pictured below.
Foil Play stocks a huge range of Kanban toppers, decoupage and card. You can pick and choose the designs that you like and will actually use, rather than investing in a huge kit and p&p is free on all orders over £5.00.

New Hunkydory goodies: card kits, toppers, die cut decoupage and card

A great selection of new Hunkydory goodies is now in store at Foil Play, you may have seen them demonstrated on the Create & Craft TV shopping channel. Firstly, there's a great choice of card kits, containing all the toppers and co-ordinating cardstock you need to create a delicious selection of cards. Kits include Butterfly Jewels, Eastern Flourish, Fairy Daydreams and Velvet Baroque. Extra packs of co-ordinating card and background papers are also available.
The Glamour Girls kinetic card kit is pictured above. Also available for the first time is a pack of kinetic card blanks, so that you can create kinetic cards using your own images.
There's a gorgeous new selection of die cut and foiled topper sheets, each of which can be used to make several cards. The Fairy Daydreams range has a choice of beautiful die cut toppers, decoupage, pyramount sheets and poetry panels.
Four designs of Pretty Petals die cut floral decoupage are available, with co-ordinating foiled A5 aperture cards.
If you prefer the vintage look, check out the sepia die cut topper and pyramount sheets in the Ruffles & Lace range.
Many new luxurious background card designs are available, including embossed mirri card (in a choice of swirls or dots) and foiled floral card (in a choice of silver or pearl foiled).
If you check out the main Hunkydory page at Foil Play, you can browse either by format (e.g. toppers, decoupage, pyramount) or by theme. As ever at Foil Play, p&p is free on orders over £5.00.

Gorjuss die cut decoupage, toppers, tags and 3D box cards

These Gorjuss kits are now in stock at Foil Play - a beautiful selection of die cut decoupage, toppers, tags and 3D box cards.
Each decoupage kit contains two die cut decoupage sheets and two co-ordinating backing papers, the box card kit contains die cut sheets and card blanks to make five Gorjuss 3D box cards, which fold flat to post.The topper and tag kits contain a huge selection of die cut elements which you can use as the focal point of your cards, or as co-ordinating finishing touches.
The kits have been produced by The Crafthouse Press, based on artwork by Suzanne Woolcott. For more information on Gorjuss, check out the Gorjuss website and blog.

Delicious selection of new Kanban goodies

This month's new Kanban goodies, many of which you may have seen demonstrated on the QVC shopping channel, are in store now at Foil Play.

The Italian glazed enamel range features a sumptuous selection of toppers and glazed card.
There are two delicious flitter glittered cupcake die cut decoupage designs and a set of cupcake rubber stamps, if rubber stamping is more your thing.
For cards with extra dimension, four tunnel card kits are available, in packs of two, with instructions included.
For a real touch of glitz and glamour, check out the Glittered Glamour Girls - with beautifully flittered dresses.
If you like fairies, have a look at these beautiful Starlight Fairies. The die cut pearlescent effect sheets feature holographic foiling, and gorgeous co-ordinating printed mirri card and acetate sheets are available.
If cute is what you are looking for, check out The Griffins - a selection of die cut toppers and decoupage projects featuring a cute family of dragons.
If you prefer elegance, have a look at the lovely Verona Collection of die cut toppers and sentiments (above), or the Mitford Collection of die cut toppers, sentiments and co-ordinating glazed card (below).
The Kinky Boots collection of die cut decoupage projects would be ideal for teen cards.
Other new goodies this month include the Naturals range of recycled card and gorgeous mirri shimmer card in an array of pastel and vivid colours.
Last but not least, I have two collections which are not available to retail generally: beautiful Zen Garden holographic foiled die cut toppers and co-ordinating cardstock and classy Smokey Quartz gold and silver foiled chocolate card. I have limited stock of both of these collections, so if there are particular designs that you like, I'd recommend purchasing sooner rather than later.
As always, at Foil Play you can pick and choose the designs that you like and will actually use, rather than investing in a huge kit and p&p is free if you spend over £5.00. If you already have a kit, you might like to stock up with a few extra of the designs you particularly like.

Dufex Craft Products - good news!

Last month, I reported the sad news that the company which produced Dufex had gone into liquidation.

I had a call this morning to let me know that there has been a management buyout, so the company is back in business now.

I had an order ready to go just before they went into liquidation, so should have new stocks (including exciting new products) soon, hopefully within the next couple of weeks.