Sunday 19 July 2009

CHA - Here I Come!

I'm heading to Florida for the annual summer CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) wholesale show. The show is a chance for everyone in the craft industry to get together and see the latest in craft products, designs and ideas. While the CHA show is held twice a year, in January in California and July in Florida, the summer show is a bit smaller than the winter show. Nonetheless, it is a great venue for seeing new demonstrations and samples. I would love to have some comments about what type of products you would like to see added to the Particraft range. That would give me some focus for the trip. There are hundreds of booths there so looking for something specific would be helpful. Of course, I will be keeping my eyes open for new products that have not been seen here too! I am hoping to add some pics of the show to the blog too, so keep checking. All for now, Sue x

Thursday 16 July 2009

Another Sneak Peek

I have had a chance to have a play with the newest Christmas designs on the way from Samantha Poole. These are stylish and elegant silhouette type Christmas designs and they will be available very soon on the Particraft website. If you want a bit more of a sneak peek, Sheena Douglass and Samantha Poole will be on Create and Craft on August 4th premiering them. The time of the show hasn't been set yet so keep checking back and I will let you know as soon as I find out. These designs look great with the new Cosmic Shimmer brand Shimmer mists. I've used the midnight blue to create the background on the card shown. I just love the way it came out!

Happy stamping, Sue x

Tuesday 14 July 2009

The ''Jitterbugs'' Premiere

The latest issue of Papercraft Essentials (issue 44) is out on the new stand now and Particraft has another special feature in it! There is a four page spread featuring the Particraft Jitterbug stamp sets. They are the cutest little bugs (if bugs can ever be considered cute, then these definitely qualify as cute!) and they are perfect for all making cards for all reasons. These designs work great with Cosmic Shimmer products too. Take a look at the sample shown and you will see what I mean. The bug's wings are the perfect place to try out the new Cosmic twinkles too. There are two A5 sized stamp sets with the Jitterbug theme and they are available on the Particraft website now. Hope you enjoy them!
All for now, Sue x

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Christmas in July!

I know, I know, what's wrong with me! Thinking of Christmas at this time of year! I have to place most of the blame on the lovely Pam Smith. Yes, it was she that got me in the Christmassy mood! Pam posted several brillant cards on the photo gallery on the Particraft website (really, have a look at them, they're lovely!) and that is all I want to have a play with now! This card was made from one of the new Christmas stamp sets that is to be released very soon. Just a sneak peek at it for now. I wanted to be a bit different than the traditional Christmas colours so I've done this in teal and light and dark pink. This poinsettia is lovely for paper piecing techniques too. I've used the pine needles distress ink around the edge on the top and to stamp the pine sprig underneath the poinsettia and worn lipstick around the edges on the bottom of the card. If you can bear to have a look at Christmas cards this early, let me know what you think of it! Although, I can't promise this one will be the last. I'm having too much fun for that!
Happy stamping, Sue x

Friday 3 July 2009

They're Here!

Ask and ye will receive.... as the saying goes. The two new cupcake plates are up on the Particraft website for sale now! There are several other new stamp plates that have been added as well. The fun and popular create-a-scene stamp sets by Sheena Douglass, our favourite expert crafter, have been added to the website also. Sheena's newest Christmas create-a-scene, (which, incidentally, hasn't even been premiered yet on Create and Craft tv) is for sale now. It is so new, however, that we haven't received the coloured picture of the set from Sheena yet! Samantha Poole, the new designer of the cupcake plates has several new stamp sets on the website as well. If you like the artsy, distressed look, you will love the four new vintage plates and a shabby chic look bird plate by Sam. Why don't you pop over to the Particraft website (http://www.particraft.co.uk/), click on the products tab and check out all the new stamp sets available on the last page of the unmounted stamp set section. Have a look and let me know what you think? All for now, Sue x