Celeb Spotting... at pre-school

The most unlikely of starts to the week, began when I Nasser Hussein (ex England Cricket Captain) walked past me... just as I was waiting to take my youngest into pre-school. Our children are in the same class... and both girls... so let's hope my wee cherub doesn't get all boisterous and pull hair (we have a little "yanker" in the family!!)

Anyways, onwards and upwards from the gormless shell shock (...so determined to talk to him at some stage ;) I have been toying over the weekend with the HYBRID hype... like, has it really hit the UK?!! We still adore our decoupage (as a nation...not making any claims about the scrapping community before I get lynched ;) and we are definitely a "traditional" nation of crafters. So where does hybrid slot in? Do those plentiful CD ROMS from Create N Craft count as THE accolade of synergy between paper and computer?!! ...because, seriously, crafters in the UK seem to go gaga for anything on a CD... fork out an arm and a leg, then spend big bucks printing (using all your ink and paper... which doesn't seem all that *cost effective* in the long run.) Maybe we are at the forefront of hybrid... can you imagine ;)

The CD-ROM designs seem light years away from the de-lish prima hybrid goodies {still loving this company... even if flowers are not as 'must-have' as they once were} and so in fairness, I have to tickle my screen with 'puritty....'



Last little nugget from me! I love the useless gadgets we scrappers inflict on ourselves. Usually born from brilliance... The following great idea should be easily re-created with some ingenuity and not a whole lot of expense. Not sure if it is valid enough to take booth space at a show... but me thinks there are more ideas festering for CHA Winter...



Happy Monday!!
Becks xxxx

Big Daddy in the Building...

Elvis may have left the building...but the Big Daddies of craft (Crop-A-Dile & Big Bite) are in the DO building!

The new B2B (aka trade website - HERE) launched last week... so anyone not already dealing with DO can log on and see products, pricing, sign up for an account et al.

So stores should have these within days...!!!

You can view them HERE

Becks xxx

Product Review: BG Precision File Set

This tiny set of filing fun has been out for a while now... but still folks think they can get by without it *tut tut*. I remember the first time I was on Ideal World I used a foot file *GASP* to get that rough and ready ;) look... HAD I known then what I know now... I would have had a more 'effortless' time.

I have to say that this is one product that I LOVE (and that is in capitals and said very slowly for dramatic effect.)

The Precision File Set from BasicGrey is around £6+ (again it can vary... but that should be a thing of the past soon - good deals all round instead of a postcode lottery ;)

What makes this uber cool is the mix of shaped and curved files - so all those wee letterings, chipboard nooks and crannies, and even the big hulking cardstock papers can get the weathered touch. Distress isn't always necessary - but when you want the white core of something to show through (Lasting Impressions papers are PERFECT for this - along with the Cuttlebug embossing templates...) then these small and neatly formed files are the answer.

Tell me I am wrong... but they are MUCH more expensive in the Jewellery market - same sort of thing but with a hefty price tag (shudder!!)

MY VERDICT: If crannies and crevices get the feathered, hacked or daintily distressed treatment... well its got to be a craft must-have.

Product Review: BG Rub-on Roller

Okay - going to start reviewing some product that I have been able to play with... just because who wants to waste money if it just isn't worth it?! You may be sat on a mountain of cash; but I certainly am not ;)

So this is priced in the UK anywhere from £5.95 - £8+. I hate that for one. WHY will someone have a couple more quid less just because they didn't scour the net for a discount... I think this is where I like the fact that the playing field and pricing will be much fairer in future.

Okay - that is probably my only whine.

I think this tool is really easy to use - no rocket science. It just smoothly rolls the rub-on onto your paper or card without any heavy handed indenting. It is comfortable to hold - sturdy (and not likely to splinter like your fav lollipop stick.) You then 'fix' the rub-on in place by flipping to the flat end and gently swiping the paddle over your rub-on.

I think most folks forget to 'fix' the rub-on and then wonder why it comes up... Either that or they buy those really bad original Heidi Swapp ones that wanted to flake upon a glance (that was not funny!!) LOVED the style - HATED the quality... what a waste of money!

MY VERDICT: Chuck out the sorry excuse of a chopstick and start rub-on rolling in style. It is a posh piece of kit that does a thankless task - but sometimes we are worth a little extra help ;)

CHA - Sneak from Around the Block

Spotted: I had heard a little while ago that another company was going to be bringing out a tool very very similar (aka almost identical) to the Bind-it-All. I guess in this industry it isn't long until someone nicks your bright idea if they see that there are sales to be had (remember that poor man that came to CHA to show off his Ready-Set-Tool eyelet setter which was amazing and revolutionary... only to see Fiskars, Making Memories etc all jump on the design and copy it to the hilt?!) Anyways... I think this PAPER GATOR may just be the reincarnated Bind-it-All! We shall see, eh?