Crop-A-Dile II Big Bite - Now in Stock

If you're looking for the ultimate tool for punching holes and setting eyelets, snaps and grommets, then look no further. The Crop-A-Dile II Big Bite has just arrived in the store.

While I absolutely love my pink original Crop-A-Dile, it can't punch a hole or set an eyelet just anywhere because the reach is only about 1", so I've had to resort to my trusty Making Memories Hammer and Eyelet Setter on more than one occasion!

Priced at €45.00 this new model Crop-A-Dile II however has a 6" reach which means it can punch or set anywhere on your 12" x 12" layouts. It will also punch through chipboard, thin tin, leather, plastic, fabric and much more.

It has 2 removable feet so you can stand it upright on a tabletop for an easier angle. One of it's best features though are the rotating setting and punching blocks. There are no loose pieces, you simply turn each block to the size which suits your eyelet and punch away. The new Crop-A-Dile II also has an adjustable measuring guide (a really easy to read orange ruler with black numbers) allowing you to set your eyelets consistently and accurately. It's also really quiet!!

Colour Matching!

I was watching the Dulux tv advert the other night and thought about how much it would help when choosing cardstock too!




All you do is go to their site at http://www.dulux.ie/colours/families/index.jsp and it shows you all the colours divided up into sections. Then you pick a colour group e.g. blues and then choose your favourite blue and the wizard chooses three more colours for you which will co-ordinate with your chosen colour.

It came up with some fantastic colour combinations I'd never have thought of. Try it, it's loads of fun.

Using the Dulux site, I chose "Matinee" (the top colour) and it choose Lilac, Frappe and Blush:










So I took a look at the Bazzill at TheScrapbookStore.ie and choose "Paris" which looked the closest to "Matinee" and then selected Wisteria, Bark and San Francisco. The Bazzill brown is darker but still a lovely match - very luxurious!








For my house I chose the colour "Blue Diamond":

and it selected "Burmese Ruby"
"Cocoa Blush"
and "Lemon Crush"

Mmmmm :-)

Fab New Crate Paper and loads of new stuff from Basic Grey

I have to say, I have always loved Crate Paper. Ever since their first collection, I've yet to see paper with a better texture. Their last releases were at CHA Winter 2007 so they've made us wait a full year but they've now released four gorgeous new ranges. Take a look for yourself. I think Katlin and Sweet Branch are my favorites. They're also doing a full range of chipboard alphabets, rubons, chipboard buttons, ribbons and brads to go with each collection.

I also just got a sneak peek of the FIVE new collections from Basic Grey being released this week at CHA - Cupcake, Sugared, Sultry, Archaic and Boxer.

Cupcake - looks to be some totally new designs on a birthday party theme. I like it!!

Sugared - looks a bit similar to some of their previous collections. Hmmm!

Sultry - what do you think?

Archaic - again very similar to some of their previous collections, especially Mellow. Love the dinosaur stickers though :-)

Boxer - lovely rich colours and again I love the stickers.

Still trying to make up my mind which ones to feature in the shop. They'll be available over the new few weeks so you won't have to wait too long to get your hands on them.

I hope to have the Basic Grey in stock by the end of the month and the Crate Paper is shipping from the US around the middle of March.

Coming up ... the three new Daisy D's Collections, so keep an eye out!

Kids Mini Book Project for Valentine's Day

The February Kids Kit is now available in the shop, priced at €6.50.


This month's project is perfect as a St. Valentine's Day present for a Grandma, Mum, Dad, Auntie or someone special in your child's life and it's a great way to spend an afternoon getting those kids crafting.

You can do the cutting and let the kids do the glueing!

Page 3 of the book is left blank for the kids to doodle or write a personal message to their favourite someone!

The kit includes:

• a 12" x 12" sheet of Bazzill Lipstick Cardstock
• a 12" x 12" Scenic Route Loveland Scrap Strip
• a 12" x 12" sheet of Scenic Route Background Cardstock - White Blue Grid
• 1 sheet of Doodlebug Loopy Lou Stickers - White
• a full instruction sheet with colour photos.
  
  It's a great alternative to a card and is small enough to be carried around as a keepsake. It's also sturdy enough stand up and take pride of place on a mantlepiece. Don't delay and make sure you receive yours in time to be ready by February 14th. Just click here to take you through to the shop.
  

Kids Crafty Projects

I was delighted to be asked by Kelly, the owner of Mumstown to be their crafty person for 2008.


Starting this month and continuing throughout the year I'll be creating a papercraft project every month which parents and kids can enjoy together. The January Kids Kit is now on sale and includes almost everything you'll need to create a handmade pirate themed birthday card.


The kit contains paper, cardstock, a greeting card blank and envelope, diecut shapes and a printed title and word and all you'll need to add is a scissors, glue and some brown or black ink. Full instructions are provided with each kit.

If you haven't checked out Mumstown, it's definately worth a look. At the moment it covers Drogheda and County Louth, but from next month it's being upgraded to include other counties around Ireland. It's a complete online resource for mums and parents and gives listings of local schools, creches, after school activities, family activities, shops, services and loads more as well as having it's own forum. Each week there's new featured articles packed with useful information, competitions and a fun what's on guide.