Crafty Trends... continued

Other key trends spotted include...

• VINYL HOME DECOR
  
  Remember I scoped Uppercase Living last year? Well the scrapbook world is now awash with home decor vinyl applique. Originally Lisa & Becky (Advantus) tried to get us to decorate our walls with hanging things and stickers... then the Cricut (Provocraft) and the Silhouette (QuicKutz) sold vinyl sheets that you could die cut then use to decorate frames, albums, walls et al... and there was at the same time WALLIES (which is a blackboard type vinyl which encourages your kids to "feel free" *which on a sad note my 3 year old daughter DID in my absence on my brand new carpet... joy!!)
  
  Anyways, we now have virtually all the big boys selling finished die-cut phrases and icons to be used to decorate those all-so-bare walls we Brits have a plenty. They LOOK oh so good in the brochure, but not so sure if they will translate onto our teeny walls in our teeny houses...
  
• SPARKLE
  
  If you thought that rhinestones were the epitome of all things glam, then think again. The trend for glitter speciality finishes on patterned paper has flooded scrapbook manufacturers. It is pretty pricey compared to adding your own glitter at home to a sheet of 50p paper - but the effects are less *homemade* and definitely more bam bling. You won't be able to escape this trend, or the cash it will take out of your pocket to feed the habit!
  
• COST CUTTING
  
  Saving the planet was firm on the agenda, but only after saving the pounds in your pocket first. Thus the advent of 99p-esk stamps popping up all over the show (We R Memory Keepers have some cute ones to match that Tiffany line... which is a wowzer one irl!) BUT pack sizes are also reducing, so retailers can buy more breadth, and less depth. With GCD Studios also getting really cost sensitive when it comes to their deliciously designer papers and accessories. The credit crunch is hitting... big time!

I did nip into the TWO PEAS IN A BUCKET cupcake party (Kirsty, Shimelle, Marion and Bev were there also from the UK) and we had a hoot with tsome american lasses on our table. Whilst they were 2 pea buffs, Holly & I were struggling to answer the simplest of quiz questions... although weirdly on my turn I ended up winning a new fiskars trimmer due to my acute knowledge of album manufacturers (aka guess work!?!)

My ill gotten gain will be added to the WISH WEDNESDAY STASH PILE... which is mounting up nicely! There are wallies, t-shirts, a cute Doodlebug shoulder tote and more... for that one lucky follower. xxxx

Alas...farewell Tony Hart!

Tony Hart has died at the age of 83... leaving many of us with fond memories of THE GALLERY (the ultimate showcase for wannabe artists... from the age of 3 onwards ;) That dulcet tune that would play in the background as the camera scrolled through the week's lucky entries - and you KNEW yours would not be there... as it was still sitting on your bedroom dresser. If you had used chalk smudges, and that awful charcoal substance - then you were a shu-in to be picked... So long, farewell... Mr Hart. Long live Morph!




Monday Madness - Looks like there are deals to be had if you are in the mood to be spending ;)

• Save 50% on Scrapbook Albums
• Save 50% on Autumn Leaves
• Tools & Storage with up to 50% off
• BOGOF deals on DCWV
• 7gypsies sale!
• 50% off punches
• 50% off Ellison, Provocraft and other dies!
• 60% off BasicGrey/Papermania

I head off to QVC later - and have managed to pass the TSV launch at midnight to the lovely CLUR CURD (*I am not wonder woman!!) I am on from 1-2am and then will find the nearest bed to curl myself into. We have some exclusives on the 1am show, as well as more from Core'dinations, Doodlebug, Clearsnap and BasicGrey!

CHA Summer 08 - Day One

Spotted: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new Doodlebug lines. Did you see those smoking *hot* 6x6 and 12x12 pads that they made "just for us"?? I have been begging them for these little sweeties as I know card makers will go nuts for them in the UK! Sooooo looking forward to stroking outside of the packaging ;)

Next to Cynthea and I is a creative display from Graphic 45. Sort of reminscent 7gyspies... and Melissa Frances.

My Yellow Bicycle and SEI were busy...

...and across the way we bumped into ALI; and Emma managed to grab a pic with her. Not sure if I embarrassed her too much (sorry Em!!!) but once we photoshop that pic, then we will have a little collection going ;)

Spotted: I know the last Heidi Swapp rub-ons sucked as bad as the original DO ones - but these new designs are stunning, and I am sure they wouldn't not inflict the nasty flaking on us again...

You have heard of BADGE IT (surely every 10 year old in the UK owns one!) well now you can BRAD IT (...see what I did there, a little clever play on words ;) It will retail in the US for $40, but I can see it's appeal... make your own brads to suit the paper designs, or clothes in a pic... and they are chuncky accessories that make a statement. Thumbs up from me!

Spotted: Provocraft's new tool is a binding laminator - make your own 'MY STORY' books... retail around $50 (I think??) and will have the wow factor for anyone who makes... well, books. I want to go back and really play some more with this before giving a verdict. I am trying to see how often I would use it...

They DO have new 'Hello Kitty' cartridges (...so on my shopping list!!!) and decked an entire bedroom out in the stuff. If my 5 year old is watching, there will be pester power when I get home ;)

The new WRM lines are gorgeous!! They have adhesive flocked die-cut ribbon, and just really vibrant, rich colours both for Christmas and for everyday. LOVED the new look!

Jewellery anyone... seriously! Watch this space...

Spotted: The new Claudine Hellmuth lines - which you are going to go gaga for. CANVAS... is all I am going to say. It is going to be the new acrylic ;)