New goodies and popular re-stocks

Hi again, doesn't time fly? Sorry it's been a while, we've had a very busy few weeks here at A Crafty Pause HQ.

Wow! Only 5 weeks from now, Christmas Day will be done and dusted and there will be plenty of people nursing hangovers, whether from too much food or too much fizzy stuff, or both! And no doubt you will be desperate to get back to your sanctuary, your crafting space, for a little peace and quiet!

In our house, it's slightly different at Christmas. We used to try to cram it all into one day - opening the presents, cooking the roast dinner with all the trimmings, and playing games together, and having some kind of buffet tea too. But it all became a bit much, and used to end up being such a frantic day, not relaxed at all. So, a few years ago we changed things, and it was the best decision we ever made. We now spread it all over two days, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and it's so much more relaxed and suits us down to the ground.

Anyway, enough chit-chat! Back to business, and we just wanted to tell you about the latest new arrivals at A Crafty Pause, plus some restocks.

We finally have the lovely sunflower charms and the adhesive enamel dots which complete the Craft Consortium Happy Harvest collection - these were delayed at their entry port hence only just arriving now but hey, better late than never!

We've brought in gorgeous stamps and stencils from Designer Boutique, Woodware and Andy Skinner, which are perfect for all kinds of projects from cards to mixed media wall art.

We have the WOW! Fab Foilers sets for you to use with your Fab Foils. These packs give you lots of options for words, sentiments and backgrounds, all of which can be foiled in whichever colour you want for your project. All you need is a laminator and you're away!

And whilst the main focus may still be Christmas, it's also time to look ahead to next year, and to this end there's also a brand new Valentine's collection in stock! This includes stamps from Woodware and Sam Poole, some lovely DL stencils, new Wordies packs and an A4 card pack full of lovely pink hues. This collection is perfect for card making, gift making and creating beautiful packaging for those romantic gifts too!

And last, but by no means least, we have Jamie Rodgers' new Sentiment Dies in stock - perfect for lots of different occasions and in a lovely font too.

We've re-stocked lots of the ever-popular Craft Consortium Essential Papers, including Tartan, Eastern Influences and many more, plus their fabulous premium collections Tis the Season and Candy Christmas. Oh, and we've added Made By Elves too!

We've also re-stocked the fabulous FolkArt Enamels Gloss Acrylics, which are hugely popular and fantastic for working on glass and a whole range of other surfaces, and dry to a lovely gloss finish.

And we've re-stocked the WOW! Fab Foils, just in time to use with the Fab Foilers!

Finally, we have added a section on the website for Dies, to make them easier for you to find.

So, whether you're making cards, special gifts or prefer playing with paint, we've got you covered!

Until next time, happy crafting!

Plaid Fabric Creations Fabric Inks and Plush Paint

Hi everyone

Do you love working with fabric, creating your own designs? Then we have just the products for you!

Plaid Fabric Creations Fabric Inks and Plush Paint are both perfect for customising your clothes, canvas shoes, tote bags, cushions, lampshades and more.

They are supplied in 2 fl.oz. bottles and can be used with brushes, stamps and stencils. The Plush paint gives a flock-like, soft, raised 3D effect, adding a whole new dimension to your fabric creations.

Both can be easily heat-set using an iron and can be washed at Delicate 30 setting in your washing machine or by hand using cool water and gentle detergent.

These products are perfect for customising fabric items for yourself or to give as gifts. Why not give them a go?

Glass Painting with Gallery Glass and FolkArt Enamels

Hi everyone

Do you love painting on glass or other slick surfaces? Do you love the idea of creating your own stained glass effects on windows, mirrors and doors? If you do, or you'd like to have a go at these hugely popular crafts, then we have just the products you need!

Gallery Glass, from Plaid, is a range of paints specifically formulated for use on glass, perspex, plexiglass, acetate and more. Available in a great range of colours, you can create everything from suncatchers to stunning stained glass effects on your windows! There are also strips of faux leading, called Redi-lead, for a true stained glass effect, together with liquid leading in black, gold and silver for filling in little gaps between pieces of redi-lead or for providing hand drawn outlines and definition in your pieces.

You can even make your own clings.  Just draw your design onto a piece of glass and then paint it. Peel it off and apply it where you want it. If it's applied onto glass then it can be removed later but if you apply it to acetate, or any other plastic surface, then it cannot be removed.

Then there is FolkArt Gloss Enamels, which again are specifically formulated for use on glass and other slick surfaces including metal, to create the look of enamel. They are opaque with a lovely gloss finish once dry which is durable and scratch resistant, and once oven-cured they are even top-rack dishwasher safe!

You can create all sorts of beautiful home decor pieces with these paints, either for yourself or to make unique gifts for others, so why not give them a go?

Brand new products from Woodware and Designer Boutique now in stock!

Hi everyone

We can't quite believe it's October already and autumn is definitely now settling in. Lovely sunny days just make autumn so much more beautiful, catching the changing colours on the trees, don't you think? All those gorgeous reds and oranges are now appearing along every tree-lined road, in parks and gardens.

Here at A Crafty Pause, as well as taking time to enjoy the best that autumn has to offer, we have also been busy bringing in more new goodies for you.

We now have in stock some fantastic new stamps from Woodware, designed by Francoise Read.

And we also have the hugely popular Designer Boutique Fairy stamps, along with new stencils which compliment the stamps but work equally well in their own right.

Grab these lovely new stamps now, while stocks last! They're perfect for a huge variety of projects and can be adapted for any season really. What's not to love?

Brand new floral stamps from Woodware

Jane Gill has designed some lovely new floral stamps which are perfect for everything from card making to home decor. Colour them with markers and inks, paint them, create beautiful watercolour designs with them, apply the designs to fabric and colour, paint or sew them to create everything from cushion covers to lampshades and decorative glassware, apply layers of wet tissue paper to them to create your own dimensional pieces to add to your creations. They can be used on pretty much any surface - all you need is the correct medium for the surface you're working on. Endless ways to use these versatile floral designs, making them exceptionally good value.

Available from our website now!

New paint arrivals!

Hi crafty friends!

We're delighted to let you know that we have brought in a few new paint ranges from FolkArt, which we hope you'll love as much as we do.

The new arrivals included Glossy, Brushed Metal, Color Shift and Terra Cotta. These paints are all good quality, water-based specialist artist acrylic paints suitable for use on a variety of surfaces both indoors and outdoors.

Color Shift metallic paint dries to a glossy finish and you get flashes of different colour on the painted surface depending on how the light catches it, for example the black has a gold colour shift.

Glossy speaks for itself really. In a selection of bold and vibrant colours, these paints will give your projects a high gloss finish when dry.

Brushed Metal again does what it says on the bottle! When dry, your projects have the appearance of brushed metal with a sophisticated matte finish for a modern, contemporary look.

Terra Cotta is a textured paint in a selection of earthy tones which can be applied to many surfaces, both porous and non-porous, to give a matte, lightly textured finish with the appearance of terra cotta.

We've also added new exciting colours in the Enamels and Outdoor ranges.

Happy painting!

Ink Drops Monochrome is now in stock!

Check out the gorgeous new Ink Drops Monochrome paper pads from Craft Consortium's The Essential Craft Papers! Expanding their hugely popular Ink Drops range of paper pads, the new Monochrome designs feature beautiful, striking inky patterns in various shades of grey, with veins of silver, gold, copper and white to provide a touch of opulence. The pads are available in 12x12 and 6x6 sizes.

These new papers are the same excellent quality you've come to expect from Craft Consortium and, at great prices, they're not only affordable must-haves but also perfect for all kinds of projects from card making to home decor! In stock over on our website now!

 

Brand New Stamperia Winter Releases now in stock!

Gorgeous new products NOW IN STOCK!!!

Stamperia have released their winter collections and we have a great selection for you including paper pads, ephemera, stamps and stencils. Perfect for all manner of projects from cards to home decor, there's something for everyone.

Check them all out over on our website now!

NEW Craft Consortium, Tim Holtz and so much more!

Hi everyone

Where did August go? The weeks certainly fly by! We sadly lost a dearly loved family member towards the end of July and so August was pretty intense, as you can imagine. However, keeping the crafty cogs turning and wanting to bring you exciting new products meant that we had something else to focus on too, which helped.

As a result, we have brought in all kinds of wonderful goodies for you, including two new paper collections from Craft Consortium and a new addition to their Essential Craft Papers range, new Halloween mixed media products from Tim Holtz, lots of gorgeous kits for you to try your hand at new hobbies, and more seasonal products from Woodware, Sam Poole, Andy Skinner and Angela Poole.

So, without further ado, here's a quick run-down of the new arrivals, in no particular order.

Craft Consortium launched their new premium collection Tis The Season, together with a new collaboration with Helz Cuppleditch called Candy Christmas. These two collections are both full of gorgeous imagery and an assortment of embellishments to finish your projects. They're both perfect for everything from card making to creating those one-of-a-kind centrepieces for your Christmas table. They also launched a new Essential Craft Papers addition - Tartan. Perfect for projects all year round!

Tim Holtz and Ranger have launched this year's Halloween mica sprays and associated products. The colours are as gorgeous as last year's offering and definitely worth investing in. We've also brought in Tim's first two sets of Foundry Wax which are perfect for adding gilded highlights to your projects.

Kits galore arrived only last week, including macrame, candle making, metal embossing and much more. There are lots of different kits to choose from and they make perfect gifts for birthdays or Christmas, or why not treat yourself and try something new!

Angela Poole has released a new festive collection and we have her lovely stencils in stock which are perfect not only for card making but all kinds of mixed media projects too.

Andy Skinner and Sam Poole have been busy creating some fabulous Halloween themed goodies for you.

And last, but by no means least, Woodware have released more festive stamps which are perfect for all your Christmas card making.

Coming soon .... new paint collections from FolkArt and a new essential paper design from Craft Consortium ... watch this space!

BRAND NEW Craft Consortium Products Expected Next Week!

Hi there crafty friends

We're so excited to let you know about the new products arriving next week from Craft Consortium. They are gorgeous and you need them all!

Designed with the festive season in mind, which isn't that far away now (how scary is that!), there are two beautiful new premium collections for you, a new Essential Craft Papers design and new embellishments.

First, there is Candy Christmas, which has been designed by Helz Cuppleditch and is in her very recognisable style. With lovely whimsical characters and scenes featuring gingerbread houses and people, snowmen and polar bears, it is an adorable collection and one we highly recommend for your festive projects!

Next, Tis The Season, which has been designed by Linsey Kelly and comprises sumptuous hand-drawn designs with all the things we recognise at Christmastime, including partridges, poinsettias, holly & berries and so much more! The colours are stunning and we know this collection will lend itself to all manner of gorgeous cards and other projects this festive season.

There is a new The Essential Craft Papers design - Tartan - arriving soon too! We love tartan and this new collection of papers is no exception. Available in sizes 12x12 and 6x6, these paper pads are a must have and perfect not only for Christmas projects, but also for New Year, birthdays and any other occasion for that matter!

Finally, there are two new embellishments - adhesive pearls in gold and silver. Available in packs of 143 flat-backed self adhesive pearls in various sizes, these are perfect for adding a little bling to your projects!

Stocks should be with us by Friday 12th August - keep checking back to our website to be the first to grab these gorgeous new products!

BRAND NEW Tim Holtz Distress Halloween products now in stock!

Hi everyone

Yes, you read that right, new Tim Holtz Distress Halloween products are here - grab them while stocks last!

We have the new Halloween Mica Spray sets 3 and 4, gorgeous colours perfect for Halloween projects and so much more!

We've also brought in Foundry Wax sets 1 and 2 which are perfect for adding gilded effects to your mixed media projects - just add heat!

And a selection of mediums in 3oz pots - Texture, Grit and Crackle, and Collage Medium.

They're in stock now, perfect timing for getting ahead of the game with all your Halloween projects!

BRAND NEW Craft Consortium Premium Collection Enchanted Jungle has arrived

Hi there!

More new goodies have arrived and we couldn't be more excited to tell you about these lovelies.

Enchanted Jungle is a beautiful new collaboration between Craft Consortium and Edinburgh based illustrator Linsey Kelly. Enchanted Jungle features a hand illustrated collection of delicately drawn tropical florals, tigers and leopards, inspired by their beautiful natural habitat. In the collection is a 12x12 premium paper pad, 6x6 premium paper pad, an A4 card pack, clear stamp set, chipboard ephemera, beautiful metal charms, ribbons, enamel dots, transfers and, for the first time, a beautiful embossing folder with the most gorgeous details!

 

This collection is perfect for a huge range of projects from making cards to home decor, the designs are amazing and the colours are sumptuous. We absolutely love it and we know you will too!

BRAND NEW DecoArt Impasto, Wax Effects and Water Marbling ranges, and NEW Americana Colours!

Hi everyone

We hope you're all doing well and taking time out to be creative.

It's been a busy few weeks here at A Crafty Pause HQ! We have lots of exciting new DecoArt products now available over on our website. Here's a quick run down of what's new ...

DecoArt Impasto is a heavy-bodied acrylic that is perfect for every budding Van Gogh! This lovely, rich paint allows your art to flow and your brush/palette strokes to show. You can also add in textures using the tools DecoArt have designed, meaning each piece will be totally unique.

Next up is DecoArt Wax Effects, which allows you to create art with the appearance of wax encaustic, but without the need to apply heat! The paints are available in a selection of gorgeous rich colours and they dry to a waxy finish. They're perfect for freestyle application or why not try applying them through stencils for some really lovely detail.

Marbling has been extremely popular for some time now and DecoArt have designed a range of marbling paints which, along with a couple of magic ingredients, can be used with water to create some amazing marbling effects on pretty much anything including paper, fabric and much more. Customise canvas pumps, tote bags, t-shirts and even create unique wall art, cards and gift tags - endless options.

And to top it off, there are some yummy new Americana colours for you, with more arriving soon!

So, head over, fill your basket, and let the painting begin! Who knows what you will create but one thing's for sure, it's all good and remember, in the words of Bob Ross, there are no "mistakes", only happy accidents!

Useful links:

DecoArt Impasto Paints

DecoArt Wax Effects Acrylics

Decoart Water Marbling Paints and Accessories

DecoArt Americana Paints 

BRAND NEW clear stamps from Woodware, Designer Boutique and Sam Poole - let the Christmas crafting begin!

Hi everyone

Yes, believe it or not, it is that time of year when the new season's Christmas products are launched. The sun may be shining brightly, and we may be in the middle of a heatwave, but now is the time to start thinking about your Christmas craft to-do list, and make a start on those all important festive projects.

To help you along, we have a selection of lovely new clear stamps from Woodware, Designer Boutique and Sam Poole that we think you're going to love! They're perfect for making cards, gift tags and wrap, home decor projects, gifts and so much more. They can be used on pretty much any surface - just make sure you use the correct ink or paint for the surface you're working on. They can be coloured with inks, markers and paints and you could even try paper-piecing - stamping the design onto white card, then onto patterned papers to cut out and adhere to your stamped card image, to create your own unique designs - endless possibilities. And the prices are great too! What's not to love?

So, without further ado, here's a look at each new selection ...

First up, we have Winter Gnome, Santa Gnome and Robin Post from Woodware. Designed by Francoise Read, they're sure to make you smile. Gnomes now seem to be as much a part of Christmas as robins, even though they are around all through the year. Have fun colouring and painting these lovely images to create unique pieces of art that your family and friends will cherish.

Next, we have a selection from Designer Boutique, including an adorable deer, a snow dome, a lovely snowman and a very pretty gingerbread cottage in the woods. But our favourite? A sloth hanging on to a tree branch, with holly and berries all around. This is no ordinary sloth though, this sloth is a very special Christmas sloth, complete with santa hat and cosy scarf! So if you love something a little different, this is definitely the one for you!

 

Last, but by no means least, we have new stamps from Sam Poole, which are sure to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling. Novelty Christmas Mugs, Fuzzy Mittens, Sweet Stocking and Gingerbread Bakes have a dinstinctly foody theme going on whilst also being extremely festive. They're perfect for a wide range of projects and the themes are ageless, meaning you can use them year after year.

To use alongside these lovely stamps we have the Creative Expressions Wordies Sentiment Sheets - Traditional Christmas and Christmas Blessings - each set packed with useful words and sentiments for adding the finishing touches to your projects.

 

So, with your favourite Christmas tunes playing loud and proud, hop over, fill your basket, and let the Christmas crafting begin!

Craft Consortium New & Old

 Hi

We now have a new Craft Consortium collection in stock and lots of re-stocks of the ever popular Essential Papers and their new Essential Embellishments, and there are more to come!

Firstly Craft Consortium's Ocean Tale, designed by world renowned illustrator Clare Therese Gray, is a bold, vibrant collection, based on adventure, travel and the natural beauty of the Ocean, our relationship with it and creatures within.  In the collection is a 12x12 premium paper pad, stamps, wood shapes, beautiful metal charms and some iridescent dots! This collection of Ocean Life, both above and below, is great for all those sea themed projects and works well alongside their existing Sea & Shore collection.

A lot of Craft Consortium's Essential craft papers are now back in stock with a lot more to follow very shortly. These include Baroque, Brick Textures, Bright Blooms, Bloom & Wild, Ink Drops Candy, Dusk, Earth, Vivid, Grunge Light, Grunge Festive and the ever popular Metal Textures.

For those of you starting to think about or even starting your Christmas projects, card making and so on now, we have NOEL, designed again by Clare Therese Gray. These papers feature beautiful hand-illustrated designs, inspired by the vintage Christmases of old, with Victorian nostalgia.

New Cosmic Shimmer and other shop news

Hi

Here's what's been happening in our shop recently.

Cosmic Shimmer has released 2 new products for crafters, Gilded Touch and Glossy Glaze.

Cosmic Shimmer Gilded Touch is a rich, water based wax allowing you to easily create a shimmering metallic effect on any crafting, mixed media or home décor project. It is supplied in an 18ml tube which allows you to squeeze out just the right quantity for your project. Then simply apply in a circular motion with a sponge, dauber, cloth or even your finger. It is fast drying and non-toxic, and when dry is water and fade resistant. It is available for you to purchase now in 10 rich colours!

Cosmic Shimmer Glossy Glaze is a translucent tinted water based dimensional gel with a glossy finish which is suitable for use on most surfaces. Designed by Cosmic Shimmer in conjunction with Jamie Rodgers, this gel remains flexible when dry so can easily be die cut to create embellishments. Apply with brush, spatula or sponge through stencils to create some unique effects.

Both products are easy to clean up with soap and water and on top of that they are both made in the UK!

There are also 2 new Woodware stencils, designed by Francoise Read, Wiggles and Pebble Dash which are ideal for adding texture to any craft project.

Just in case you missed it there are some new Stamperia collections, You and Me - a wedding/romance collection and Garden of Promises - a floral collection. There are papers available in various sizes including 6"x6", 8"x8" and 12"x12" as well as some co-ordinating stencils. There are also 3 handmade paper flower packs for embellishing your projects.

We have also restocked various products including DecoArt Patio paints, ready for brightening up your outside areas (you'll find ideas and projects using these paints in our Inspiration section). We have also restocked some Tim Holtz Distress ink pads and sprays as well as some Woodware stamps (and the one and only Woodware die, designed by Jane Gill for creating bubbles to decorate her bubble stamp designs).

Check out all of the above and much more over on the website! Clicking on a product image will take you to the relevant section of our website in a new tab/window, or hovering over text will show you where there's a link you can click on.

Bye for now!