New Martha Stewart punch

We have finally received our delivery of Martha Stewart.  We now have the new Aspen Ornament Medium Double Punch in stock.  It's ideal if you are wanting to do some little embellishments out of mirror card, or glitter card.

Glossy Accents has shrunk!

We are now stocking the new 18 ml size of Glossy Accents. It's ideal if you are doing a small project, or looking for a little stocking filler for a junior, or senior, crafter.

We still have the large 68 ml size in stock so if you are needing to stock up for some Christmas crafting you don't have to worry.

January is here already!

The January issue of Making Cards magazine that is.

It has a variety of articles featuring different techniques and materials for you to learn about including:

• Delightful decoupage
• Elegant for any event
• Beautiful butterflies
• Fancy florals
• Pretty patchwork
• Plaids for lads

And there are 16 Free craft papers with 3 themes included with the magazine, ready for you to start on the projects inside.  Great for whiling away the Winter evenings. Or if we get another blizzard and can't get out!

Gift Vouchers

If you are stuck for what to suggest when you are asked, "What do you want for Christmas?",  just think how much fun you could have wandering round here with a Kitty Krafts Gift Voucher burning a hole in your pocket.

We can do vouchers for any value from only £5 upwards and they're valid for 6 months, though I doubt anyone would be able to wait that long to spend one.

So tell your other half / significant other / bidey in / spouse / son / daughter / brother / sister / Mum / Dad (delete as appropriate) to pop down and solve at least one of your Christmas present problems.

Royal Mail strikes again! (Ross's Rant)

No, they're not on strike again, just being their new efficient self.

The Sorting Office for the DD4 and DD5 postcodes is one of the Sorting Offices being used as a guinea pig for the new system that is supposed to be implemented throughout the country shortly.  This much vaunted new system will improve efficiency, save money and improve the service to customers.

That'll be why we received mail yesterday dated the 26th November.  That'll be why we, as a business, have gone from daily deliveries to 2-3 times a fortnight.  I see our postman in Tesco more often than I see him delivering here, which is a scary thought considering we both live nearly 20 miles away from the shop!

So, if you are one of the unfortunate people who live in the DD4 & DD5 postcodes, who are wondering why your mail service has suddenly got so bad in recent weeks it's quite simple really.  It isn't the snow (they have done an amazing job really getting out and about), it isn't the Christmas rush, it is simply that Royal Mail bosses have decided to improve the service.

Dovecraft Creative Ribbons

We now have the new range of Creative Ribbons in from Dovecraft.  Each roll is only 99p so they are ideal for using with Xmas cards, Thank You cards, Birthday cards, or any other project you have in mind to while away the Winter evenings.

Felix Update

Nest building for cats

For those of you who have been following the Saga of Felix, you'll be pleased to know that he is nearly fully recovered now.

He has had the visible metalwork removed and the surgeon is very happy with his recovery.  He has to convalesce for a few more weeks which is fine except for a little problem. The problem is, he doesn't understand that and tears around like a loony at every opportunity until he knackers himself.

He does however make himself the odd nest from packing paper, or practices his yoga when not running around daft.

He's also discovered the joys of TV and regularly lies and watches it. Nature programmes are his favourite, though he can't quite understand where the animals and birds have gone when he looks behind the TV.

Yoga time!

He still comes down to the shop with us as he goes in a huff if we leave him at home on his own.  He loves the drive back and forth and definitely loves the fusses he gets from the customers. At present he has his own little heater under his cage and  is the warmest one here.


More details to follow

January Issue Craft Stamper Now In

Stamping Contrasts
This month four designers are challenged to use some delightful Crafty Individuals stamps featuring images of childhood.

Free Stamp MakesThis month’s free cover mount stamp is a charming image of an old-fashioned teacup and saucer, designed by Kim Costello.


Stamping with…Polka Dots, by Lousette Ashton
This regular feature looks at using common stamp types creatively. This month, Lousette shows you three ways with versatile polka dots.

Designer’s Palette, by Lousette Ashton
This regular feature looks at combining colours effectively in your stamped projects.

Masterclass: Everything but the Kitchen Sink, by Helen Chilton
Have more fun in the kitchen with Helen’s innovative utensil-based stamping ideas!

Stamping for Scrapbookers, by Helen Salthouse
In this regular feature, guest designer Helen makes a fabulous embossed monogram as a focal point for her layout.

Idea Gallery
Our regular feature has lots of ideas for recycled makes.

Stamper of the Year 2010 – The Results
Find out who has been crowned our Stamper of the Year 2010!

REGULARS

First Impressions
The monthly new products page, with lots of give-aways to tempt you.

Focus On... House and Home
The monthly round up of themed stamps.

Trade It!
A selection of entries in our monthly reader swap; this month’s theme is altered chipboard shapes.

And lots, lots more, including some fantastic projects involving recyled packing materials, tins and CDs

Attention Janie! Attention Janie!

Janie, could you please give Louise a call. She's put your number in a safe place.  A very, very safe place!

Snow Sorry!!! update

Okay so I got my hopes up that I would be able to make it to the shop today.

 Ross has got to clear the path and dig out the car again as at the moment we can't get the wheelchair out the door.  We will be open tomorrow, should be there around ten as normal.

Hope you can come and visit this weekend. There will be a hot drink, biscuits and warmth if you can make it.

Snow Sorry!!!

I am sorry to say that we will be closed until Friday at the moment,  I am unable to leave the house as we can't get me from the house to the car. Ross keeps clearing the snow then we then get another dump of a few more inches of snow.
We will be doing our best to open at least part of Friday, Saturday and Sunday and as soon as the weather changes it will be business as normal.

Dovecraft Complete Craft Kits

We now have a selection of the new Dovecraft Complete Craft kits in stock.





Ideal for Christmas presents, or if you simply want to treat yourself.




The R.R.P. is £9.99 but we've got a deal from our supplier, so we're able to sell them for just £7.99.




They have all the materials you need, you just need some time and adhesive and you'll be making lovely cards.

New Spellbinder Dies have arrived

Nested Pine Trees

We have more of the fantastic Spellbinder range of dies in now, suitable for all the major die-cutting systems.

Fanciful Christmas

Half Moon Circles

Nested Hearts

There are a couple of Christmas themed ones, Nested Pine Trees and Fanciful Christmas, while the other two are Half Moon Circles and Nested Heart.



The last one is ideal if you are planning on getting an early start on your Valentine's Day cards, or a Wedding Anniversary scrapbook.

New Kanban Paper Craft Toppers now in

The latest range of Kanban Paper Craft Toppers have arrived.  There are 16 different designs so there's sure to be something for nearly every project you have planned.

New Tonic Studios tools now in stock

We now have a small range of Tonic Studios tools in stock.

There are the Tim Holtz Non-Stick Micro-Serrated Multi Cutter, scissors with large easy grip handles.  Great for those with a little less grip, or for those who like to cut out decoupage.


We also have Spring-cut Fine Tip Scissors, ideal for all those fiddly little bits.

And for those who like things rounded, we have the 5 m.m. Corner Rounder which will take up to 240 gsm cardstock

December Issue of Craft Stamper now in

Free Stamp Makes
This month’s free cover mount stamp is an adorable little elf stamp, designed especially by Squiggle Stamps.

Stamping Contrasts
This month four designers are challenged to use some elegant Christmas stamps from Banana Frog.

Idea Gallery
This regular feature has lots of ideas for Christmas wrapping in wintry blues.

Colourcraft Competition
Win a bumper box of goodies from Colourcraft in their fabulous competition.

Free Elf Stamp

Masterclass: Bespoke Buttons, by Kim Costello
Kim shows you four different ways to create beautiful bespoke buttons to perfectly co-ordinate your crafting projects.

Designer’s Palette, by Isabelle Norris
This regular feature looks at combining colours effectively in your stamped projects.

Stamping with…Flourishes, by Trish Latimer
This regular feature looks at using common stamp types creatively – this month, Trish gives flourish stamps the festive treatment.

Stamping for Scrapbookers, by Anneliese Bates
In this regular feature, Anneliese shows you how to create a beautiful snowy background paper using resist stamping and spray inks.

And lots, lots more!

New Bo Bunny papers in now

We have a selection of new Bo Bunny 12" x 12" scrapbook papers just in (a full list is in the New Stock Arrivals section), along with some Combo Stickers and chipboard.











They're ideal for all those Christmas projects you have planned.

 

New ProMarker colours now in

We now have a range of single ProMarkers as well as our regular packs.

The new ones are:

• Green
• True Blue
• Royal Blue
• Oatmeal
• Emerald
• Poppy
• Cardinal Red
• Holly
• Burgundy
• Lipstick Red
• Grass
• Pine
• Lush Green
• Prussian
• Indigo Blue
• Crimson
• French Navy
• Red
• Forest Green
• Ruby

We also have individual Blender pens, Black, Metallic Silver and Metallic Gold.

So if you're just starting out with ProMarkers, or expanding your collection, why not drop in and have a look.

Making Cards Christmas Special now in

For the 2010 Making Cards Christmas Special they have teamed up with Design House to create an exciting and very different range of craft papers and then they've asked their card designers to develop those matching papers and introduce movement to each card idea.

Inside this edition a total of 32 sheets of Christmas craft papers – all produced on the same high quality craft paper that is used every month in the magazine and will be featured in over 30 card ideas with added movement.

 Don't hang around though as nearly half the copies are gone already!

Big announcement coming soon

There will be a big announcement coming soon.  What it is remains Top Secret but keep checking back to see it when all is revealed.

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who was kind enough to remember my birthday on Monday.  It was lovely to get all your good wishes and cards.

And no, it wasn't me who posted that it was my birthday.  You can blame the gofer for that one!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Louise! 21 again, and again, and again, and ...

Craft Stamper November issue published today!

Free Stamp Makes
This month’s free cover mount stamp is an elegant Christmas Baubles stamp designed by Glenda Waterworth for Elusive Images. 

Idea Gallery 
This regular feature is inspired by Far Eastern imagery this month.

Stamping Contrasts
This month four designers are challenged to use some classical Christmas images from Stempelglede.

Stamping for Scrapbookers, by Morag Cutts, shows you some simple ways to jazz up your scrapbooking embellishments.

Designer’s Palette, by Rachel Jackson, looks at combining colours effectively in your stamped projects.

Masterclass: Re-Inkers by Linda Elbourne, shows you there is far more you can do with re-inkers than just refresh your inkpads!

Birthday Bonanza Competition Results from the birthday competition run in the June 2010 issue.

Stamping with…Numbers, by Joanne Wardle, looks at using common stamp types creatively – this month, the theme is number stamps.

And lots, lots more!

Christmas Workshop Day

The last Christmas pudding is made, the last Santa stuck in place.  Well not quite, but everyone has been really busy at the Christmas Workshop Day today.

The last person has just left, carrying their goodies, both what they got for their projects, and what they bought after the classes were over.

Everyone had a good time and spent nearly as much time chatting and laughing as they did crafting.  But that's what it's all about, having fun and enjoying yourself.

And of course there were the muffins, freshly baked this morning.  There was never a problem getting everyone to stop for a cuppa and a muffin!

The October classes will be posted shortly.  We are both knackered and heading home for a cuppa and an early night.

We're having a Blonde Moment!

Since it's my birthday on the 4th of October I've decided to have a blonde moment.  Or rather, I'm having a Blonde Moments sale.

To celebrate my birthday, Kitty Krafts is having a special Blonde Moments sale.  All Blonde Moments, and I do mean all, will be 40% off from 10 a.m. Tuesday 28th September 2010 to 4 p.m. Sunday 10th October 2010.

Scrapbook papers, embossing powders, unmounted rubber stamps, pigment powders, ultra-thick embossing powder, and paint.  Everything at 40% off!  Only while stocks last.

Yes, they have!

For those of you familiar with the Workshops nowadays, they have been ordered.

Yes, the Marks & Spencer muffins have been ordered and will be freshly baked for us on Sunday morning.  Last time they were still warm from the oven when we collected them. Yummy!

There can be only one ... more!

No, not paraphrasing a scene from Highlander, but rather the Workshop Day on Sunday 26th September.  We have one more space left if anyone is interested.  Details are available here.  If you're interested please give us a call and we can get you booked in.

Distress Ink class

All the ladies have been having great fun on the Distress Ink class.  It was supposed to be a 2 hour class, from 12 - 2, but like all things that are good fun it has overrun a bit.  It's 3.25 p.m. as I type this and they are all still here!  But that's how we work, we want you to enjoy yourselves when you come to classes.

If you're interested in coming along to a class there will be a new list posted this week, and there are still a couple of places on the Workshop Day on the 26th.