Kanban in Administration - the end of an era?

You may now by well have heard the news that Kanban Crafts Ltd has gone into administration and will cease trading shortly. 

I was very saddened to hear this, particularly when I consider the impact on all of the people involved who have lost their jobs. Kanban and their staff have always gone the extra mile for me, which is one of the reasons, along of course with the huge popularity of the products, why Kanban has been one of my biggest suppliers over the past few years.  

I have been asked about the impact on Foil Play, so I'd like to stress that I do stock a very wide range of craft products (over 9,500 different lines now!) and that my business will continue. Sadly, it isn't the first time that one of my suppliers has gone into liquidation, the beauty of being a small fish in the crafting sea is that I have flexibility to adapt and survive and I will continue to do just that. 

I spent the day in Shipley yesterday at the closing down sale, and it's safe to say there won't be a shortage of Kanban products at Foil Play any time soon. Realistically, it will take probably a few weeks for me to list it all, but I can promise that there are plenty of bargains in the pipeline - watch this space!

Mo Manning, Kenny K, Sylvia Zet and Elisabeth Bell Toppers

You may think that all of these delightful cards were all made with stamped images as the focal toppers, but you'd be wrong!

Even if you're not a stamper, you can still make cards using lovely images created by Mo Manning, Kenny K, Sylvia Zet and Elizabeth Bell.

The images are available as A4 sheets of die cut toppers, made by the Hobby House (who kindly gave permission to use pictures of their stunning card samples) and now in stock at Foil Play.

 There is no minimum order at Foil Play, and P&P is free on all orders over £10.00.

PaperMood & Foil Play giveaway

Warning, cuteness overdose! These gorgeous cards were made by Vince, using Kanban Fluffles die cut toppers and co-ordinating card.

PaperMood is hosting a giveway this month of four £5 Foil Play vouchers, you can enter using the widget on the right - good luck!

Check out PaperMood on Facebook for many more inspirational projects from Fabrizio and Vince.

Taming Kanban!

With well over 2,000 different Kanban products in stock at Foil Play, I appreciate that sometimes it can be difficult to track down the specific designs that you'd like! I've updated the website this weekend to make it easier to browse the Kanban section and find what you want.

I've reorganised and added new sections, so that you can browse by product type, including:

• printed background card;
• foiled card;
• glittered card;
• die cut toppers;
• cards and envelopes;
• acetate;
• clear stamps 

I've also added several new themed Kanban sections to make for easier browsing when you are looking something for a specific card: 

• everyday occasions;
• male themes;
• female themes;
• children;
• animals and wildlife;
• floral and gardening;
• scenery

Of course you can continue to browse by individual Kanban collections, if you prefer. Speaking of which, there are several new ones in the pipeline, which I am expecting to arrive very shortly, so watch this space!

• In the Garden;
• Language of Flowers;
• Scenic Vistas;
• Walk With Me

Kanban All Occasions Papercraft Collection

This gorgeous selection of cards is from the Kanban All Occasions Papercraft Collection which is currently available (with limited stock) as a blockbuster kit on the Create and Craft and Ideal World TV channels and also in stock as individual elements from Foil Play.

There are three separate themes to the collection, each with with a huge selection of topper designs to cater for a wide range of occasions, and three 48 sheet paper pads also available for perfectly co-ordinated cards:

• Love & Marriage - romance, engagement, weddings, civil partnerships, silver, pearl, ruby and golden anniversaries;
• Birth & Celebration - new baby boy, girl, twins, Christening, naming day, Confirmation and Communion;
• Well Wishes & Celebrations - bon voyage, celebrations, exam / driving test pass congratulations, get well soon, good luck, new home, new job, thank you and sympathy.

The Blockbuster kit is fantastic value for money, but if you know you won't get the use out of such a huge kit, individual sheets are also in stock at Foil Play. You can select just a few of the designs you like to make your cards, without the need to invest in a huge kit, or if you already have the kit, you can stock up on duplicates of your favourite sheets.

 

As the collections aren't available to retailers yet, only a limited quantity of  each design is available, so don't miss out if there are designs that you particularly like! At Foil Play prompt despatch is a priority and p&p is free on all orders over £10.00.

Foil Play end of year sale - 20% off everything!

The Foil Play sale is now on with 20% off EVERYTHING* if you spend over £15  – a great time to bag a few bargains and stock up on crafting goodies for 2013!

To receive the discount, spend over £15, then enter and apply the code XMASB when checking out.

The web site will remain open for business over the festive period. However, I am taking a break so my next despatch date  will be Wednesday 2 January 2013, any queries or questions over the festive period will be answered by 2 January.

Thank you very much indeed for your custom during 2012 - wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2013! 

*  except gift vouchers, whilst stocks last

Flippin' Women - Bingo themed card

 

I made this card for my friend to give to his Mum, who celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this year.  The recipient loves playing bingo, hence the theme! 

The main elements I used to make the card were: 

• Bingo decoupage from the La Pashe Flippin'  range;
• Bingo themed peel of stickers; and
• Birthday greetings from a Kanban die cut topper sheet.

 

I used an A4 cream card. With a large oval scalloped Grand Nestabilities die, I cut an aperture in the card, and also in a sheet of A4 white card. After securing the acetate to the inside front of the card, I overlaid it with the white A4 card to cover up the adhesive and neaten the inside. 

After decorating the card with the decoupage and peel off sticker elements, I added a rosette as the finishing touch, made from gold mirri card using a Tim Holtz die.     

Here's a picture of the birthday lady - having just been presented with her card - at the Bingo hall, of course!