*Gasp*

I have EVERY die cut machine there is on the market... and I have to say that when this little wonder landed on my desk (and got promptly snaffled by Katy Godbeer ;) I wasn't *that* bothered - that is UNTIL she started to hyperventilate and I had to poke my head out of my office to see whether the air vent man was back again...

Apparently sliced bread is *so last year* when you have the new Silhouette SD (from QuicKutz)  It basically unlocks your computer and every font and image (scanned in or downloaded from the Internet or from their extensive library - which is an eye-watering wealth of shapes.)  NO MORE purchasing expensive cartridges, and being locked into a few size options.  This is flippin awesome!  MAC compatible, and easy (has to be for me) intuitive software; this is one machine I HAVE TO HAVE (except Katy and our designers have now *baggsy'ed* it...!!)

The library of images and nesting shapes, and dies from QuicKutz (which you get to download for FREE with your subscription card included - has a value of over $2000!!!)  Flippin' eck that is a whole load of content to get you going...

FYI:  Design Objectives now works exclusively with QuicKutz in the UK - and they launched the SQUEEZE TOOLS in a killer £19.99 deal, and are following up with the new UNIVERSAL EMBOSSING FOLDERS (if you have a Cuttlebug, Revolution, Big Shot... or impress *cough* then these babies are made for you!!)  £4.50 for the 4 2x2 versions - which are teeny enough for the Squeeze, or $4.50 for the A2 Embossing Folders... 

 

Lucky for me, the initial stock of the new SILHOUETTE SD arrived yesterday at DO (Clare Curd already bagged one to play with - lucky gal :) so looking forward to getting one of my very own to play with and keep from blogging...

CHA Winter 09 - The Finale

Slap my hands... I forgot to mention *ZING* from American Crafts! These are really fine embossing powders that really are scrummy...

So TIM HOLTZ (The Grand Duke of Grunge) has widened his range with Advantus (remember he also has stamps with Stampers Anon, and inky-dinky-do with Ranger... busy bee!) Some interesting nick-knacks... all aged, distressed, grunge type. The mini-stapler tool is a gadget which I have seen Making Memories toy with, and is a revision on the original EKSuccess fastenator. I have heard whisperings of an improved upgraded option out later in the year (but not from any of the brands just named...)

What is some aging embellishments without a centre-piece of grunging cases (which was attracting ALL the attention... ;)

Lastly spotted the man himself showing some retailers around the booth. He finally unshackled himself from that demo spot for some vital pimping. Love his stuff...

Headed over to QuicKutz booth which in 2008 had been a little bit of a disappointment... but they have turned a corner, and suddenly feel back in the design saddle - releasing some fab consumable staples. As DO stockists will be flogging the squeeze and alphas for just £19.99 (you heard it right folks!) in March, the new 2x2 embossing folders will be a real MUST HAVE addition to maximise that bargain buy. With 4 for £4.99 (or thereabouts) I can feel a marriage with some core'dinations coming on...

Also of note were the stunning nesting (aka concentric) stencils, as well as the coordinating dimensional stencils which build a 3D effect. This is a KEY TREND for 2009! I spotted a few companies giving this dimensional effect some limelight through punches (which X-Cut has done in March too) and through this die-cutting. Have to say I was smitten with the floral version.

The new silhouette is sleeker, friendlier and more playful than the previous version. We got a demo, before I left my camera on their stand for half a day - and in a blind panic and hot sweat ran back to see if it was still there... phew, for honest folk!

Lastly... just because it is like butter on a hot potato... the lush Aussie accent from Kaiser Crafts! Worth wading through the whole post for!

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

March 2009... and the comeback kid!

There are some products that hit the headlines before their time - and it is worth bringing them back...

Take the QuicKutz clear rockers. Unlike other rocking blocks, they are completely see-through, and don't require a dousing of water to make the clear stamps stick to them ;) They sort of made a pebble *ploush* in the pond of scrapbook products - without causing a ripple... which is a HUGE travesty, as they are kick-ass product. So simple, so useful... and so affordable! No need to dish out your hard earned dosh to get your hands on these babies. Come March '09 you will be revelling in these beauties at rock bottom prices. Just a prediction ;)

Any other great products out there that you love, that peaked and became yesterday's news before they really got to bask in the limelight?

Becks xxx

Love changes everything...

Spotted: So more to consider with the "Love Machine" - although you have to wait until after October to play.

THEY SAY: Benefits of the LOVE?
SIZE: With its 9"x13" opening, the LOVE is the largest format electric machine in the industry. Think of all of the amazing things you can do with a platform that is 9 inches by 13 inches. You can cut up to 24 2x2 dies, 6 4x4 dies, 4 border dies, or you could even cut a newly designed 9x13 Quickutz die.

CONVENIENCE: With no handle to crank, the Revolution LOVE basically cuts itself. If you have customers with health issues that impede them from mustering the strength to power a cutting tool, just give them some LOVE!. Simply get the cutting pad started and let the powerful motor do the rest!!



...earplugs on the prototype only ;)

CHA Summer 08 - Day Three

Spotted: Ellison/Sizzix (yep, I am a little confused too...) have launched a *new* electronic feeder die cutter - called the Big Shot "Express". It is the basic Big Shot with a motor... so slightly heavier (but not like lugging a sack of potatoes around!) What is really exciting (and one blog watcher asked for these pics!!) is the Hello Kitty licence. Although it is for the US only at the mo (and Kristen is working on the UK and EU...) it is a girl wonderland of kitten cute. Does my 5 year old love Hello Kitty - well... hello?!! I have a Kitty lip gloss sat next to my toothbrush - and my little princess is all about pink, bows and cutesy. She will be up for all of this!!

Jo & Abbie playing...

When you see what Core'dinations cardstock does up close - like that shading on the US Flag?!! it is easy to see why card makers are going nuts for it. The 'Angel' pic is die cut vintage cardstock... and I am pretty certain this cardstock is going to give you a reason to get that dusty die cutter off the shelf, and back on the desk ;)

I did get tickled by big G at Quickutz for saying their tool was a nut cracker - so hands up, I had failed to mention it was a prototype, and the real one is going to be a sleek mean love machine (try and say "my love machine" to any non-scrapper with a straight face.... ;)

Anyways... here is a new perspective from someone I really like...

"Keep in mind the 'Love Machine' is $10 less than the Ellison/Sizzix offering and it is true it may be a little larger, I believe the expression you used was a "little heavy on the hands" but I would think consumers would appreciate a tool that offered a little more versatility, and a whole lot of LOVE! Oh and come October, there will be no "nuts cracking" just a whole lot of happy consumers using the one machine that does it all."

Sounds like we need a road test challenge!!! You all agree right?

CHA Summer 08 - Day Two

...sticky stuff that works with glitter, foil, flock and perfect pearls... lovely!!

Spotted: Clearsnap (in addition to the WATERMARK PAD) have this new vivid glitter bling... which was super shiny (like layered glamour...) and although just in prototype packaging - this is one line I think will dazzle those card makers ;)

She sure is famous in Europe... the lovely Karen Burniston. She is hoping to head our way at the end of the year - and also liscensed Jane Dean earlier in the year to be her UK authorised tutor (and Karen's classes *ROCK*!)

We got to toy with the *love machine* by Quickutz. Loved the electronic feeder (although the prototype was like cracking nuts...) but it looks a little heavy on the hands and the purse. Are you ready for an electronic feeder die cutter? Well even if you are not - this is not your only option, as I have some Ellison/Sizzix Express images to share!

Off to sleep off the jet lag xx